Secrets of the City

Note that some of the AP photos in the Rake article were taken by legendary House photographer and all around dude Tom Olmscheid.

We stranded base runner left and right. We didn’t get timely hits with men on base at numerous times. We pitched ourselves into jams. Etc. etc.

But, I love this Twins crew. Something about the way they played last night and the fact that 50,000 people came out. There was a buzz. Going with my two boys tonight. Despite seeing my 7-year-old tear up when he saw Torii introduced, we’ve got nothing but excitement for this upcoming (and probably rocky) season.

That was a good piece.

Saturday afternoon v KC looks like a good possibility for me

I think Skinny Boof is going to be greatly improved. I also think that Livan Hernandez, by his sixth or seventh start, will be the proud owner of an ERA around 9 and will basically be pitching BP in games.

I’m going Saturday. No TV coverage.

Seems like a popular thing these days to make dire pronouncements about the near future.

Livan looked pretty crafty last night, grote. I agree he’s going to give up some runs with the meatballs he throws, but he’s no Bob (Round Tripper) Kipper.

We’ll see about boof. Weight loss is not always a panacea (see Phil Mickleson). I hope so though. He’s an important piece of the rotation, since Baker seems pretty solid and Liriano is still a wild card.

Do you have any optimism about this team? Do you?

I officially have a man-crush on Carlos Gomez

Livan looked awe inspiring!

That 59 MPH change up after a 86 MPH fastball is going to be devastating to the big swingers. He has extremely good placement and the guy just eats innings. The guy played in the All Star game two years ago. 43 complete games! You have to remember that the guy has some seriously week defense behind him the last few years.

Go-Go Gomez!

Fricking Nick’s Sporting Goods was out of 7 3/8 Twins Originals Caps.

As good as Gomez was last night, and he was VERY good, I’m also excited about Young. He carries himself like a big leaguer. I’m guessing he’s going to end up being awesome, and sooner than later.

How about the arms in our outfield. Have you heard the radio spot for “Ready! Aim! Cuddyer!”? I like it. I think it would be pretty funny if this actually took root.

I’m looking forward to a MNSpeak Friday Afternoon Hooky Pre-Game Tailgate Twins Game Gala.

I’m looking forward to a MNSpeak Friday Afternoon Hooky Pre-Game Tailgate Twins Game Gala.

Tailgating isn’t nearly as fun since they tore down the Liquor Depot and the grain silos next door. Where am I supposed to get a bottle of St Ides or OE800 and where am I supposed to drink it?

The Twins have a TON of young talent in the outfield, bullpen and starting rotation.

They need to shore up the infield and spots 1 & 5 in the starting rotation (Livan ain’t a #1, and I dunno who they have @ #5)

With a few wise FA acquisitions and some luck with the farm system, they are going to field one hell of a team for opening day 2010.

Note to the Pohlads and the Twins marketing department:

When it comes time to roll out the new outdoor stadium, do it in style … like the Dodgers did this weekend with the reopening of the Colesium:

Only thing missing was the cornfield [LA Observed]

Seems like a popular thing these days to make dire pronouncements about the near future.

Happens every year. ‘Round about the middle of May, when the Twins have had a win-streak or two, the naysayers begin to hop on the pennant bandwagon.

Sheesh!

c/Colesium/Coliseum

!!

As long as its not the Colonsee’em!

I call ‘em as I see ‘em.

I even got to watch the game last night with the free first week of MLB Extra Innings. Youngsters looked good, especially Go-Go…they shouldn’t be as bad as everyone thinks.

With a few wise FA acquisitions and some luck with the farm system, they are going to field one hell of a team for opening day 2010.

I think you’re spot on with this grote. We’re kind of a town with a youth brigade theme. If you’re really an optimist, and I mean REALLY an optimist, it’s conceivable that by 2010, the Wild, Twins, Vikings, T-Wolves, and most Gopher teams (namely basketball and football) could all be pretty competitive. Might we be the Boston/New England of 2010?

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We’d put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.

I already said my piece on the Twins. The Tigers and Indians have committed too much salary to their murderer’s row lineups and have too many good young arms for the Twins to compete this year…give it 2 more years.

The Wild will be middle-of-the-road competitive for years. It’s how they roll.

The Wolves have the young talent, picks and cap space to be quite good in 2-3 years, but those picks and cap space are at the discretion of McHale and Glen Taylor, and you’ve seen how that’s gone (speaking of model franchises, I’ll be @ the Pistons game tonight)

The Vikes will compete in the NFC North for years to come because the NFC North sucks, and the Wilfs are willing to spend for talent and don’t tolerate incompetence.

Tubby’s Gophers will contend for a Big 10 Title…next year. He took Monson’s leftovers and got to 20 wins this year. Watch what happens under his system when he gets some big Ju-Co bodies to go with what I think is the best backourt trio in the conference (Westbrook, Nolen, Hoffarber).

Gopher football…I see the stadium rising on campus and can’t help but wonder how they’ll fill it with 6 wins per year, at best.

ooh, no picking on neshek! he’s a geek god.