Good morning everybody!
Just a couple of quick notes before talking about the Twins Division
Championship:
1.) Stick & Ball Guy and I spent time talking about all kinds of Twins topics on the Minnesota Twins Fan Network. Along with Jeff Straub, the podcast's host, we talked for a long time. Now, click on the link above (or here), and see if he has updated it. As of 9:30 last night, he hadn't, but it should be up shortly. It is possible that it will be posted in two parts. Also, we may be doing some postgame shows with him after the playoff games, so be sure to check back there frequently throughout the playoffs.
2.) If you missed the Top 10 prospects list from last Friday, be sure to check it out here. There were a lot of great, fair comments, so check it out.
3.) Funny how everyone believes Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte when they say that they are clean. Jay Gibbons used the standard "I have been tested and passed every test" lines. Well, the whole thing about the Grimsley testimony involved hgh, which is not tested. So, their statements really mean nothing. Imagine if Barry Bonds name would have been mentioned. Do you think he would be given the same assumption of innocence that Clemens is getting?
4.) If you're interested in how our "Experts" did on the football picks this week, see down below.
I can't even explain what a great day Sunday was for me, as a Twins fan. Seriously, I can't remember a more exciting day. Can you?
Of course, at noon, I had to start by having the Vikings game on. It's the Minnesota thing to do on a Sunday afternoon. But before 1:00, I had the channel turned, ready for the Twins game. Unfortunately, I already knew that the Tigers were ahead of the Kansas City Royals 6-0 after just two innings. I was fine with that. In my mind, the Twins were going to be the Wild Card team. The Royals weren't going to sweep the Tigers, were they? And, Carlos Silva was pitching for the Twins, so could they win?
Silva gave up a run in the first inning, and I figured it would be another long day. But again, I was fine with it, because the Twins were in the playoffs, and I had really just accepted in my mind that the Twins would be heading to New York to take on the Yankees. And that was fine. Then the Royals scored three runs, and then four and Jeremy Bonderman didn't get out of the 5th inning. But then the Tigers added a run and it was the 8th inning, and Royals were still the Royals.
But then, sitting there watching the Twins game on my TV, and watching the Tigers/Royals game on mlb.tv, it all just came together. The Royals put together a comeback against the Tigers and went ahead 7-6. As each event happened, the Metrodome crowd got louder and louder. When the Royals went ahead, Joe Mauer was at the plate and the crowd erupted. Mauer had to step out of the batters box. But not at all distracted, he took the next pitch, and 0-2 pitch, to left field for his second hit of the day which virtually locked the batting title for him. The crowd erupted again.
A bit later, the Twins had their 5-1 win, and the Metrodome crowd, as well as many of the Twins players, stayed and watched the JumboTron televise the Tigers/Royals game. I was watching oline, and when Esteban German singled in a go-ahead run for the Royals in the 12th inning, I cheered. The Royals added another run. To the bottom of the 12th. And when Jimmy Gobble got Curtis Granderson to strike out, I jumped and cheered loudly.
I should step back. I know that everyone talks about the playoffs, and how important they are, but not me. You see, I'm all about the regular season. I'm about the long, 162 game season. I'm about the long haul. To me, the playoffs is too much of a crapshoot. It's not about the best teams winning. It's about who is playing the best at that time, who is the most healthy. And really, it comes down to who has the best pitching. You see, the playoffs are short series. Justin Morneau had a huge, MVP-caliber season, but if he goes 1-18 in the ALDS, he will be talked about negatively. Is that fair? Does how he plays in a short series detract from the season he has had? In my opinion, not at all. However, ask Alex Rodriguez or Vlad Guerrero who both had horrible playoff series in 2005 whether the media or fans don't think that the playoffs are more important. In my opinion, the playoffs are a bonus to the regular season. I'm just thrilled with the 2006 Minnesota Twins season, and nothing that happens from this point forward will take that away.
Think about all of the stories of the 2006 Twins
season. In no particular order:
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The 'veteran' signings of Tony Batista and Rondell White.
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Torii Hunter "won't listen to Joe Vavra."
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The starting pitching in April and May.
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Juan Castro or Jason Bartlett?
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Michael Cuddyer has to play.
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Castro and Batista gone.
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Jason Bartlett recalled.
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Nick Punto - Everyday DH?
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Francisco Liriano to the rotation.
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Kyle Lohse demoted.
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June 8th. Last place?
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Three All-Stars.
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July - Johan Santana Pitcher of the Month, Joe Mauer Player of the Month, Francisco Liriano Rookie of the Month.
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Joe Mauer hitting .400 into July.
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Pat Neshek promoted and dominant.
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Kyle Lohse traded.
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Torii Hunter hurt, can't be traded.
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Jason Kubel grand slam beats Red Sox.
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Francisco Liriano is hurt.
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A Man Named Boof.
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"The Piranhas"
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Jason Tyner needs HR for cycle. -
MVP candidacy of Justin Morneau... and Joe Mauer... and Johan Santana.
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The batting title race, Mauer wins.
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Joe Nathan has best season yet. Best closer in baseball.
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Matt Garza recalled. Garza started the season in Ft. Myers. So did Alexi Casilla who was called up later.
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Brad Radke returns.
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Brad Radke pitches well in his return.
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Justin Morneau becomes first Twins hitter with 30 HR since 1987. Torii Hunter joins him later.
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Morneau drives in 100 runs,
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Joe Mauer wins the batting title on the final day.
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Justin Morneau drives in 130 runs to tie hero Larry Walker for most runs driven in by a Canadian player.
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After trailing by as many as 12.5 games, the Twins pass the Tigers on final day!
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What am I missing? Feel free to add more.
And now the playoffs start, and hopefully there will be a lot of stories. Hopefully the Twins can be the "lucky" team to win another 11 games and become the World Series champions. If they can do it, I will be among their biggest fans. If they don't, I will be fully thrilled with the 2006 season and not disappointed at all. But hey, now they're here. They have a 1 in 8 shot at winning the World Series. They might as well go out and give it all they've got. And Twins fans should be proud and excited, and thrilled that we get to watch more Twins baseball this season!
Today is a day to celebrate the 2006 Minnesota Twins season. Let's fill the Comments with Congratulations for the players and the organization. What are your thoughts on the playoffs, and what are your thoughts on how the Twins match up with the other playoff teams. Tomorrow, I will be back with my thoughts on the Twins and A's series. It is really a good matchup. I know they aren't the Yankees, but they are a very good team with a potentially dominant pitching staff. The Twins will have to play well to beat them. So again, send me an e-mail, or leave some Comments below. Let the Twins know you're behind them!
Thanks again for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.