Wednesday, October 24, 2007

NEW BLOG K

( look ma, new blog! )

I swear I will actually update that one. I'm looking for a more mature look on life. Okay, I'm kidding. But it's new, will be improved, and all for the better.

Read! Comment! Link!
please.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Oh, Orioles... Oh!

Twins 5, Orioles 2
Twins 7, Orioles 4

:D!!!!
^ my reaction to the game today.

I like how the Twins have been playing lately. No, I don't like how they scare us so badly with all the getting behind #1-6 to 0, but I like how they've been bouncing back in the later innings: They aren't getting down on themselves.

That's the key for us; not getting down on ourselves and believing that we actually CAN do it. We're a good ballclub. Maybe our record doesn't specifically show that, but, we really are. We have consistent hitters up and down the line-up (DON'T give me "well look at Nick Punto, he's more inconsistent than a rock!!" - I'll bite off your head) and our defense is pretty freakin' good. We have a handful of guys who can hit the ball hard, and they carry us. But the little things count, too, and we like to do the little things well. Sure, maybe bunts aren't working for us at the moment. Sure, maybe Justin Morneau, our power hitter, hadn't homered in 110+ at-bats. (110+ I THINK... I'm too tired to look it up. And I say hadn't because he did today to put us on the board, 4-1) We didn't win quite a few games, but we aren't giving up. Now, I still think it's unlikely we'll get to post-season. I would NOT be complaining if we did, don't get me wrong - I'd love that! But the way our offensive has been off in the last few weeks, I don't know if we'd get there, you know? Besides, my dad explained to me exactly why he believes Luis Castillo was traded awhile back: Terry Ryan knew we were most likely playing for next season. Plus, he was a free agent at the end of the year, and Ryan figured we might as well get something for him: hence the two prospects in the minor leagues.

Either way, the last two wins have been sensational for the Twins. It's really uplifting to see them trying to bounce back from their losses. Johan? Good, as per usual. Although the homers.. scared me. Just a little.

P.S. I'd like to wish Scott and Leann Baker luck in the safe delivery of their second child. :) Scott left for Minnesota today because his wife went into labor early this morning, I believe. He's scheduled to make the start on Sunday, although it is unknown whether he will start or not. Gardy's said if Scott can't make it back in time for the start, they'll call up Kevin Slowey to pitch on Sunday instead. As much as I like Scott, I'm telling you to say it with me: HELLS YES - SLOWEY FOR THE WIN!!!

Sorry. I reeeeeeeeally like Mr. Slowey. And I miss him, like I miss Jeff Cirillo. Oh god. Here come the tears.

No, I'm kidding. But seriously, Sunday will be amazing, regardless of what happens. Let's just hope I don't have to go to church.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Jeff Cirillo, I Miss You

Twins 1, Rangers 0
Mariners 9, Twins 4

I would have to say my days are dwindling now. My fun, summer days as a 14-year-old who cannot get anywhere without her bike are dying down and in my free time (the time between Twins games) I do jack shit.

Wait, I totally just lied. Like, multiple times. The only thing I didn't lie about was the doing 'jack shit' part because that's true. Like right now, what am I doing? Waiting for the Twins game by typing in my blog that has like 3 readers, rearranging Shockers*, and watching the Little League World Series. Which has been delayed by rain for like 40 minutes. I just needed background music.

I miss Jason Bartlett for god sakes.

I don't know if you guys follow Jeff Cirillo or anything, but yesterday in the 9th for the D-Backs (versus the Beermakers/Brewers/Smelly Cheese Wisconsinites) he
pitched. Yes, he pitched. The pretty much triple back-up utility third-baseman pitched. AND HE STRUCK OUT ONE, BABY. I'd have to say if I had oodles of money I'd buy a Cirillo jersey, because the number 9 suits me and I like a man who can play different positions (NICKY F-ING PUNTO). I'll just work on buying a Bartlett one first because he holds 3/4 of my heart. The other 1/4 goes to.... drum roll please... eating.

In addition to that probably unknown piece of news for Twins fans, I'll supply you with one that everybody as heard before: Johan Santana struck out 17 batters on Sunday. I'm supremely jealous because my best friend, who is not even a Twins fan, can name no more than 2 people on the team and does not know what DH/DL means, was there. She was in the nosebleed seats but still. You were in the presence of a God who set a club record. Seriously, I don't think she even noticed that he struck out more than two people. Does she even know what a K is?

Scott Baker better pitch well tonight. My sister lied to me by saying she'd watch the game, but I should have known better. She's 9. She can't sit still for a movie, let alone a baseball game. Like my friend who went to the Sunday game? We watched not even 2 innings after we got back from Hairspray on Friday and she goes, "How can you watch this whole game..?" And I'm like W-T-F.

Anyways, my Shockers* are almost gone. I crave chocolate.

In case, you know, you didn't know what Shockers were. I forgot they existed until I saw them in my candy cupboard, but, shh.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Consecutive Wins?!

Twins 11, Mariners 3
Twins 6, Mariners 1

As much as I enjoy all of this winning (all = two games?) I'm really feeling depressed lately. Probably because of a few things.

1. Today during the game Jason Bartlett got hurt with a strained left hamstring beating out the throw to first. I believe Gardy said he'd be a possibility for the DL. Which is just grand, really, for two reasons: one, he is my boyfriend and I love him to death, and two, because he's been very consistent and has swung a nice bat lately.
2. Ramon Ortiz was traded. Not that I like Ortiz all that much - I'm sure he's nice but his pitching has been shaky - but.. I really miss everybody. People like Jeff Cirillo, Luis Castillo, Kevin Slowey; a bunch of other people. Jeff Cirillo the most; Luis Castillo also. I like Alexi Casilla but.. you can't replace Castillo. I know they didn't do much for us - Luis did, but Cirillo wasn't extremely helpful or anything, but they defined the ball club for me. Mainly because I just started getting into the real Twins thing this year, watching the games religiously as of the start of the season, and they were there, like family. And.. they're just.. gone. All we hear is a report and we don't see them again. I can't tell you how many times when I was gone for a week to Duluth, at my grandma's, that I flipped between the Mets game and the Twins game a day after Castillo was traded - just to see him. I miss them all.. too much.
3. Morneau, Cuddy, and Hunter (well not so much Torii, he seems to be getting it back, but shh) aren't doing all too hot. I thought we were supposed to rely on them solely because the rest of the lineup wasn't good? Yeah.
4. The Twins are pulling at my heartstrings with all this inconsistency. 4 1/2 games back, 3 games back, 7 games back, 8...

That's all I have to say. I lost my train of thought.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Check Please

Angels 4, Twins 3
Angels 6, Twins 2

Christ, I am so tired of watching these games because they're all the same. So, to pass the time while I watch us lose (yet again!), I'm going to make a checklist that signifies how awesome we, the Minnesota Twins, are.

10 WAYS TO PISS OFF RON GARDENHIRE/TWINS FANS/TWINS PLAYERS
Dead Offense [√]
Decent Starting Pitching Gone Wasted [√]
Most Shut-Outs in MLB [√]
Taking Leads That Last ½ an Inning [√]
Scoring 3 Runs or Less More Consistently Than Not [√]
Playing .500 Baseball [√]
Countlessly Injuring People You Bring Up From The Minors [√]
Regularly Injuring People Who Are Supposed To Be Your Starters [√]
Trying to Restrain From Saying "We Just Suck" During Press Conferences [√]
Your Ace Talkin' Crap About Your Management [√]

Notice we succeed in all of those.
Okay, so, as you can tell, I'm really bored. I'm pretty sure you all knew all of the above anyways, so I'm unaware why I made that list.

Oh, and major high-fives (from you)/kisses (from me) for Jason Bartlett, who has scored the only (as of the moment.. though I'm assuming through the rest of the game) 2 runs in the game today. Way to be Hottttttt, Jason. Even though you could suck and I'd still love you.

P.S. I still believe in Nick Punto
(and yes, I am being serious: Nicky P. is the shit, okay.)

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Accio Offense!

Angels 10, Twins 1

The opposing clubhouse in Anaheim was silent, aside from one lowly radio, turned on to quietly hum slow, sad, country tunes. The radio was positioned directly in Scott Baker's locker, and although the locker room was deserted, the sound of running water from the showers gushed into the empty room.

The shower stopped and Scott, fully adorned in gym shorts and a navy shirt, emerged from around the corner, plopping into a red comfy chair in the corner of the room. He turned to face the empty locker room, his face contorted, thinking of what just to say to his non-existent teammates.

"Guys," his blue eyes, staring intently at the mass of nothing in front of him, were large and watering. "I'm sure I speak on behalf of the whole pitching staff when I say that I am extremely disappointed in the lack of offense that's been given to me." There was a pause. Scott stood up, hands in pockets, as he sighed, spinning on his heel to look over the empty place.

"What am I doing? There's nobody here. Those words have already been said. Nobody's going to listen to me.. I'm not Johan Santana. Even if I was Johan, I wouldn't be listened to." Scott looked up at the clock above him. The game had ended around 10:30. It was now 11:25.

There was a knock on the door where one entered the locker room. Scott froze, turning to look at the door, his eyes wide. "Uh.. Scottie? Scottie, you in there?" Mike Redmond opened the door, peeking his head around the corner. Scott sighed with apparent relief, giving a slight smile. "Hey, Red." He wiped a quick hand across his eyes, which he supposed were slightly red from the tearing that had occurred after the game.

"Scottie, we've been looking EVERYWHERE for you!" Redmond's voice was exasperated, as though he were out of breath. Scott looked at him, a look of confusion tugging at his face. "What do you mean?"

Before Redmond could answer, there was a loud crack, and Nick Punto appeared on the floor before them, his face planted against the tile. Scott's face shifted into alarm. "Nicky! Are you okay?! Where'd you COME from?"

Nick picked himself up, brushing himself off, pointing a finger at the red locker behind him. The door was swinging loosely on its hinges. Baker looked even more alarmed. "Were you.. were you.. spying on me?"

"No!" Nick's disapproval rose high into the air as the two looked at him with worried faces. "I.. I just.. popped up here! Last I remember I was talking to Cuddy, there was a jet of yellow light, and.. boom! I'm here!"

Redmond looked at him, his head cocked. "You mean.. you like.. just, appeared here?" He looked at the two of them. "Do you mean in like Harry Potter? It's called apparating! Maybe Nicky APPARATED!"

Scott stared at him. "Harry Potter's .. not real. How could Nicky apparate if it's not even real?" Redmond gave him a weird look, shrugging. "Well, I mean, Harry Potter is more believable than Nicky just appearing here out of nowhere."

Nick scratched his head. "I don't know, guys, but whatever happened, it had to do with Cuddy." He looked around at the locker room, as if seeing it for the first time. "We should go find him."

"No, no!" Another voice joined the trio's, and they all turned to see Carmen Cali running into the locker room, looking positively mortified.

"What is it?" Scott looked at Redmond and Nicky before his eyes peeled back to the relief pitcher standing in front of them, looking sullen-faced. "What's up, Cali?"

"Haven't you read Harry Potter before?" Carmen's eyes were wide. "What if Cuddy's Voldemort?" He looked bewildered.

Nicky started laughing rather impulsively, while Redmond stared at Carmen, nodding wildly. "Yeah, yeah! What if he tries to kill us? Oh man, we gotta go warn Gardy!" And with that, the four of them run down the halls to an empty room that Gardy was using as his office while on the road trip.

Upon entering, there was nobody there. All four's faces fell, though Scott looked skeptical. "Guys, you don't actually believe that Michael Cuddyer, our right fielder, is Voldemort?" He stared at them all, ready to shake a finger. "He hasn't killed anybody yet. Wouldn't he 'Adava Kedrava' somebody's ass?"

"He Adava Kedrava'd Nicky's offense." Redmond looked at Scott, as Nick stared at Redmond, pouting.

"Yeah, well.. he Sectumsempra'd your HEAD in the form of Jim Thome!" Nicky pointed at Red's head and the stitches that lingered there. Red swatted his hand away, opening his mouth to protest, but Baker spoke sooner.

"Guys, why would he Splinch himself? He hurt his thumb, remember? He was on the DL for 15 days. If he was Voldy, couldn't he just.. rewire himself and make his thumb feel good again?"

Before anybody could object to Scott's point, the door's frame (the door had been left open) creaked, and Michael Cuddyer stepped in with a genuine grin on his face. "Hey guys, what's going on? Team meeting?"

Nicky screamed, jumping behind Redmond. "PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" Redmond pushed him away, looking at Cuddyer. "We're all useless without our wands! Guys, RUN!"

Scampering feet sounded on the floor as Cali, Redmond, and Nicky all ran like mice in the room to try to escape. Cuddy closed the door, staring at them as though they were idiots. "Scottie, what's going on?"

"I.. err.. they think you're Lord Voldemort. Since you made Nicky apparate and all." Scott blinked, looking at Cuddyer with a look of curiosity on his face. Michael looked at him, his face twisting into laughter. "What? You're kidding, right?"

".. No." Scott's voice quivered.

"Guys.. GUYS!" Michael waved his hands, looking at the three that had sought shelter in a closet in the empty room. "Guys, I'm not Lord Voldemort, I didn't try to kill Harry Potter seven times! I'm your right fielder and I am a NORMAL HUMAN BEING!" (At this, Baker sighed, rolling his eyes.)

Nicky stopped, looking out at Cuddy. "Well.. well.. why'd I land in a gym locker, then? There was a flash of light and I fell out of Neshek's smelly locker in the locker room!"

Cuddy liked as though he were ready for the question. "That wasn't me, Nicky! I don't know what happened, but I was just talking to you, and you were gone! I heard this insane cackling and left, looking for you. We should talk to Gardy, maybe he knows what's up." And with these words of wisdom, the five left to find Ron Gardenhire, who was looking a mighty lot like Dumbledore in the situation.

They traveled down the hallways, calling for Gardy, until they stumbled upon a broom closet where muffled whispers were coming out. It was the sound of a raspy voice and Gardy's own, and at the comforting noise of Gardy's barking tone, Nicky reached for the doorknob.

"NO!" Cuddyer slapped his hand away, shaking his head. "We need to listen, we can't open. Who's he talking to?"

"I dunno," Scott shrugged, and beside him, Carmen Cali pointed a stick to the air and whispered in a nearly inaudible voice, "Accio shotglass!"

Scott turned around to stare at him. "Where on EARTH did you get that stick? And were you actually thinking you would get a shotglass back from attempting to use a spell that doesn't exist?!"

Cali looked smug, putting the stick down. Cuddyer grabbed the stick, feeling the wood. "This feels like oak. With.. a string of bean in the center."

Redmond and Nicky were eating this all up; Scott, however, was not.

"Are you SERIOUS?" His voice was a testy, high-pitched whisper. Michael looked back at him, eyes wide. "Shhh!" He turned back to Nicky, Redmond, and Cali, looking as though he were a super sleuth. "I think he might have put the Muffliato charm on the door, because I can't make out what he's saying. If only I had some Extendable Ears!"

At the moment he said that, the door swung open, the five jumping back. Gardy was cowering behind his desk, and a long, cloaked figure revealed himself to the five. "VOLDEMORT!" Cali, Red, Nicky, and Cuddyer yelled as Scott stared, his mouth gaping open.

"Aha, I see you have all found liberty in my disguise! Very well, for this incredible piece of detective work, you shall all live to see your beloved manager perish, as he is not doing my bidding. You see, I offered him a deal! I said, 'Gardenhire, I will get you out of this situation; if you let your team lose the remaining games of the season, I will give him all of the money in the world to reward him with the Superhero that is Torii Hunter, and I will renew the contracts of Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan, I will restore your powers, Nick Punto! I will restore the powers of everybody, making them unable to get hurt! I will lessen the errors that Jason Bartlett makes, leaving all the pitchers to pitch gems! I will make it so your team is indestructible, if only you lose the remaining games of the season! I offered the same to the Tigers and the Indians, but look how they have responded: the same as you! You are all trying, thinking that you will end the slumps; but no! NOBODY CAN STOP LORD VOLDEMORT!" An insane roar of rage was given to this, as Voldemort gave them all a beady eye, looking extremely pale and angered.

Michael Cuddyer stood in front of all of them, puffing his chest out. "There is absolutely no way I'm going to allow this! You're working for the White Sox, aren't you?! YOU WANT THEM TO WIN THE DIVISION TITLE! We aren't going to let this happen! How much is A.J. Pierzynski paying you, anyways?"

Voldemort looked as though he had been slapped in the face. "I do not need money, foolish Muggles! How dare you propose this!" A horrible screeching followed before he started again. "I only wish White Sox nation to win it all! How hard is it to root for the home team? I was banished to Chicago, and I was lured in by this man you call "A.J. Pierzynski" - he offered me companionship when all of my followers, they are gone! How could I not use my powers on Muggles such as you? HOW COULD I NOT! I was being offered friendship, and this is something I have not been asked of for a long time... how dare you question it..."

Everything was getting blurry..


"Scott! Scott, wake up!" Scott's eyes snapped open to see Nick Punto and Mike Redmond staring down at him, looking extremely worried. "Scottie, are you okay?"

Baker looked up at them, feeling woozy. "What... what happened?" He felt as though he'd hit his head on something.

"You were dreaming, apparently," Nick's voice was low and quiet. "You were screaming, 'No! Not Cuddy! No, please, not Nicky, not Redmond, no! Cali... no! Please!' It was like you were watching us be tortured or something."

Scott sat up, eyes wide. "You mean that wasn't real?"

"What wasn't real?" Cali, from behind Nick and Red, looked rather confused.

"You- Gardy! Gardy was being forced into making us lose by Lo-"

Redmond started laughing, shaking his head. "Gardy was being forced to make us lose? Come on Scott, that grand slam must've really screwed you up a bit. Let's get you back to the hotel."

The four of them (Cuddyer, Redmond, Cali, and Punto) left, cleaning the locker room slightly before leaving Scott alone. He felt light-headed. So that was just a dream? He began walking after them, ready to sleep his worries away. But before he would sleep..

"Hey guys, have you ever read Harry Potter?"

--

Yep, that's my pathetic attempt at twisting Harry Potter and Twins baseball together. Hateful comments might ensue.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Oh, Canada..

Toronto 6, Twins 4
Toronto 7, Twins 0

9 games back. My dad and I discussed a division run the other day, but we agreed on one thing: we don't believe it's going to happen.

Now don't bite my throat for saying this, considering I hate number-crunchers and all those sorts of people, but the way we've been playing has been so degrading and hard to watch (I was really not wanting to watch the end of today's game) it's like we're not going to pick up our pace. My father and I both said that it was possible our Twins would pull through - I mean, look at last year. It's hard to say "we're done for" looking back at what we accomplished last year, but still. It just doesn't look like we're headed for the play-offs right now. It can change, and I hope it will change, but it's just not there. The spark. The magic. I don't see it right now.

The offense isn't clicking. Pitching was great, but lately we've fallen a bit. I mean, Johan giving up four homers in one game? Poor guy. At least we put up a few numbers., though. I really didn't want to watch a game where home runs ruled out the game. It's always good to see a refreshing home run, but that was just too many. Slugfest in all the wrong ways.

There's no airing of the game tomorrow. Awesome, really. If I feel up to it, I'll listen to it on the radio, but I really doubt that's going to happen. I can't stand baseball games on the radio. I want to fall asleep when I listen to them, just because they aren't fun, and I can't visual what's going on. I know, I suck.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

It Had To Be Done

Alright, time for a real update.

As we all know the Twins were SWEEP'D. By the team we're trying to catch for the division title. And, we all know that most Twins fans are frustrated by all the errors, offensive difficulties, and just poor play by our hometown Minnesota Twins.

All I can say is I'm absolutely sick of it all. Not the poor baseball - the poor fans. All the number crunchers and people who statistically say we cannot win our division. That Nick Punto sucks and shouldn't be in the line-up all the time. That Jason Bartlett is a bad shortstop because he makes errors; that we have to rely on all the big guys in the middle of the line-up to win us a game because nothing else clicks because our starting pitching started out badly, since we were young and now we suck. So on and so forth.

First off, I'd like to see those number-crunching fans who nitpick about our boys. I'd like to see you on the field. Can you play under the pressure that is "we're 9 games back behind the Tigers, we're at home, we can't let our fans down." Or the pressure that's put on Nick Punto at third? "I can't make an error because my career's in jeopardy. I can't bring my burned-out offense on the field because otherwise I'd be out for good. Traded, sent down for a big third baseman who can hit 50 homers a year. I can't do this. I can't strikeout anymore."

I'm a cross between a regular joe Twins fan and a major fan. I watch all of the games and I have a jersey or two. A couple of bobbleheads, an autograph or so. I get as frustrated as anyone about losing a few games. I don't like it when we make errors or our offensive slumps to the degree it's been at for the last few games. I don't like how our major at-bats crumble when the pressure's on. But it's okay. It's okay because they are the same guys. Playing on this team is a pasttime and a job for them. Do you like being criticized when you're doing a shitty job at work? The pressure's always on you to perform well otherwise you're gone.

It's the exact same for our boys. The exact same, just to a greater potential.

Sure, maybe it hurts a bit when you get cut from your job. Your friends, old employees, and family know. So what? You'll get over it. But imagine all that to such a degree where the whole United States - or, the whole world - would know you got cut, traded, or even worst: sent down to a lesser company just because or your poor performance. That would suck a bit, wouldn't it? Yeah, it would. That's life for the guys. That's every single day of their life. Am I going to get sent down to AAA or am I going to ensure my stay here on the team for a few more months? How about in the case of Kevin Slowey? Have one bad outing with the Yankees in the "House of Pain" (thank you, Fever Pitch) and get sent back down? Sure, I know he'll be up sooner or later if he keeps performing like he was, but look at it. Isn't that just worry enough to quit with your job?

But these guys, they keep going. The criticism either makes you or breaks you, and with all the criticism from 'fans' that our guys have been getting, I'd crumble under the pressure too. Of course we have the ability to whine about losing. Oh, God, we lost. Again. Are we ever going to win? Nope, Morneau's had a horrible series. We aren't going to win because Joe Mauer's struck out three times in these past games.

There are more guys than Morneau, Mauer, Hunter, and Santana on this team. As much as I like the main guys, the MVPs and the award winners, I love the whole team as a 'whole' more. Sure, they have a reason they're most valuable and they win multiple Golden Gloves and Cy Youngs. Sure, they deserve a bunch of fans. They deserve all the money they're getting paid. They deserve getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. They deserve it all. But there are a bunch of other things this whole team deserves, too. And that's real fans who like them regardless of the game outcome. Who look at the positives instead of bitching and moaning about how we got swept three games and how the assbats are coming back. Sure, I love me some Batgirl and I love complaining about how the guys aren't doing so well and we should have this record instead of the one we have right now. But put yourself in the team's shoes. Those are some really big shoes to fit, and for you, that shoe might be a few sizes too big.

I just had to get this out somewhere because I hate looking at all of my daily-stop blogs to see what I could have come up with myself: People complaining about how we're so bad as a team and our offense is horrible and our line-up sucks and etc.

I don't care if I'm illogical in the baseball world. I don't care one bit. It won't stop me from being a Twins fan. Maybe I don't fully understand the mechanics of pitching and putting all the numbers together and crunching them and calculating how bad or how good our team is. Maybe I don't understand that at all. At least I'm a true blue fan who'll root for the boys through thick and thin. At least I'll keep track of them in the winter time, and at least I'll whine to my dad as much as possible about how we should go to Spring Training, even though I know as a fact flying out to Florida just for baseball is out of the question for us. At least I can give possible praise to the team, and not the "BOO YOU SUCK" attitude that's flying around. If you wanna be like that I'll put you in a box with no holes and send you to White Sox nation, because that's where you belong.

This Sucks.

Tigers 3, Twins 2
Tigers 4, Twins 3

Dear Minnesota Twins,
please win soon. please.

Yeah, that's all I got right now. Excuse me, I have to go to a doctor's appointment.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Torii, We Gon Party Like It's Your Birthday

Tigers 1, Twins 0

Unfortunately for us Twins fans, after a promising start to the second half (A's = SWEEP'D), they let us down with a 1-0 loss to the Tiggers. Well, Garza didn't let us down. The offense did, which isn't what I wanted to see.

I felt bad because in the 6th inning everything was smooth sailing until my Jason (Bartlett) made a costly error. At the time it didn't seem like it'd amount to much, but a wild pitch and a few bats later, boom! 1-0. So I felt horrible, seeing as how it was almost like J. Bart's fault we lost the game.

It's okay though. So Jason, if you're reading this, I still love you very much and I will be seeing you during Caravan.

Today is Torii's birthday and all I can say is I hope we win in honor of him. He's a nice guy, but sometimes he comes off as cocky to me. Which is a good thing, but I've heard things about him, and I'm wondering if we're going to resign him. I really want to, but I'm unsure, considering nobody's hinted at anything and it's an incredible amount of money for one player. But that's baseball for you.

Tonight's game is anybody's game, I'd say. It's just that it's more of a chance Minnesota will come out on top. You don't agree with me and all I'll do is hold up a picture of Johan Santana. Johan + 2nd Half = success. Plus, Twins > Tiggers. Simple math. Even simpler considering I passed Algebra last year. I know, I'm amazing.

Friday, July 6, 2007

What A Slugfest

Wankees 7, Twins 6
Right now: Middle 8th, Twins 20, Bitch Sox 10

I don't get it. I really don't get it. The same tennis game is on two different channels, Nascar is on (who watches Nascar?), as is some random program on FSN. So I am stuck here 'watching' the GameDay and listening to the game on the radio. Seriously now. I don't understand why we kick Bitch Sox ass when I can't even watch the amazing game on TV.

All I know at this point is that the world is crumbling. 21 hits in one game? For God's sake, what is going to be left for tonight's game? Matt Garza, I'm sorry, but your team might not even be behind you.

I can only imagine what that dugout sounds like right now. Little Nicky Punto is squealing, "Yay, I've gotten some hits!"; Kubel's sitting there doing that signature eye twitch; Castillo is complaining about how his knees are going to dislocate themselves because it 'hurts so much!', Morneau and Mauer are doing a signature handshake and speaking in a foreign language only they understand. Tyner's beating himself up, while the rest of them are just grinning because today is great.

Can we just get this game over? It's already 4 when they'll be playing in like 4 hours. I seriously am wondering if either team will be able to walk, let alone play, at 8:11 tonight.

I'm going to go continue listening to the Twins and eating my Sweettarts. This whole thing is confusing to me. I'm wondering how we as a team go from like 4 hits to like 21 hits. And Nicky P has 2 hits. I'm feeling good about this.

I love how we're rehabbing against the White Sox the same way the Yankees rehabbed against us.

My dad just called and the conversation went like this:
Kayla: Hello?
Dad: Hey, can I talk to Mom?
K: Yeah, but guess what? Twins are winning.
D: Well that's good.
K: ... 20 to 10.
D: You're kidding.
K: No. 21 hits.
D: What a slugfest.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Fireworks? Nah, I Got The Twins

Wankees Series Thus Far:
Yankees 5, Twins 1
Yankees 8, Twins 0
Twins 6, Yankees 2

Well, hello all. Apologies once more. I was down at the lakes for about a week, and have just been downright busy. I have, however, been voting for Pat Neshek non-stop like you should be. I really encourage everybody, Twins fan or not, to vote for him. He's really deserving of an All-Star visit, and he's got such a loyal fan base behind him, it's crazy.

The game today was pretty fun to watch. Johan was amazing as per usual, Kubel and Rodriguez each had 2-run homers, and we saw some absolutely STELLAR defense by Nick Punto at second base. He never ceases to amaze me, really. Little Nicky P. is my hero! :)

It worries me, though. He's just having a tough time with his at-bats.. they're changing up his swing and all that jazz. Basically, he's just trying to adjust to change... which isn't what I'm willing to do. Experience change, I mean. I want Nick Punto at third/second base. I really want him around because he's absolutely amazing defensively and has the ability to be great offensively. Nick Punto is the Minnesota Twins.. and I'd cry if he left us.

Anyways.. what the heck is up with all of these day games? Day games are good occasionally, since nothing else is on in the afternoon, but what am I to do? I have a job which involves babysitting children who don't have cable! To make matters worse, they play the Bitch Sox in a double header on Friday - which is when I babysit. I think I'll bring the twerps over here, because there's no way that I'll be missing that. Ever.

Besides... watching the same game twice in the same day gets annoying. But I do it. Because I am a true fan.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Only Human

Marlins 5, Twins 4

I would apologize for not updating for a week, but I'm too caught up in agony right about now. As most of you would know, Justin Morneau left the game versus the Marlins in the 8th inning due to colliding with the catcher, whose name I don't care about right now. He walked into the dugout after crouching down by home plate, and was apparently having troubles in the locker room. He was carted to a hospital on an ambulance. The should-be MVP for life was hooked up to an oxygen tank and was seated on a stretcher but was sitting up and alert.

Right now I am listening to sad songs to fit my mood. I suppose the worst thing that could happen would be that Justin would break a rib or his collarbone, or just bruise something. I keep thinking he's going to die. For instance, I was listening to the Dashboard Confessional song "For Justin" which is slightly emo, if you'd like to go that way.

Anyways, I'm listening to the new Maroon 5 CD now so I'm trying to be all happy. (It's not working..)

I don't believe the fans even care we lost. At least, it isn't like we're rolling over in pain. Or maybe it's just me. I keep thinking about Justin. I can't remember anything else from the game except:
1.) Jason Bartlett's fly-out in the 6th when the bases were loaded
2.) Jason Kubel's pinch-hit that allowed the tie, making me think we were capable of winning
3.) Hanley Ramirez homered off of Juan Rincon in the bottom of the 8th, thus sealing our fate
4.) My excitement when thinking Pat Neshek was going to be batting
5.) Qwest Twins Live being a drag

My mind drew a total blank, but all readers (if any) are guaranteed a post tomorrow after the game. I was overwhelmed this week, but the rest of my summer is free and for Twins only. With the exception of some babysitting.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Scotty Doesn't Know...

Brewers 11, Twins 3

That was ugly. I'm not going to lie. Scott.... as much as I like you, as cute as you are, as nice as you seem.. you aren't impressing me with your pitching. I'm sorry! I really am sorry! With all my heart! It's just.. I don't know how much longer we'll see you around up here. Oh, I think I'm going to cry.

The only thing worse than a Geoff Jenkins (whenever I hear his name, I think Scooby-Doo. Jinkies, my glasses! I can't find my glasses!) grand slam is the fact that we lost to beer-makers. I mean, the Brewers? Please. I could hear the drunken slurs from my humble abode that's like 5 hours away from Minneapolis.

To make things even WORSE, Jason Bartlett didn't even play today. Oh well. I didn't even watch the whole game (I went out with friends and started watching in the bottom of the 6th) so I guess it doesn't matter.

Nothing else to say, really. Just.. shake it off. Boooooooooooooooof? I know your shoulders hurt, but you're gonna have to carry us to a sweet victory. Put the cheeseheads the rest.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Are You Chipper (Jones) Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Twins 3, Braves 2

HOE-LEE SHHH-IT.
That was. The absolute. Scariest. Game. EVER.
Never, EVER, do that to me, Twins nation, and/or Mike Redmond AGAIN.

The whole game was a snoozer, aside from the fact the pitching was fantastic. Poor, poor Johan. Pitches his ass off and he never gets any run support. Also, he gives up ONE homer and the game is down the toilet.

But seriously, the only thing that happened in the first 8 innings of that game was that Joe Mauer was slashed in the arm for the second time in the series. This time, his arm was basically cut up the middle. He had to get a band-aid and - yay! - he was fixed.

We're lucky to get out of that series (SWEEEEEEEEP.) with Joe Mauer still alive. I think the Braves were trying to kill him. Are you taking lessons from A.J. Pierzynski or something? Stop your feeble attempts to turn our Mauer sour. When you're up against a guy who gives his sideburns away as promotional items, I kinda guarantee you're going to lose.

Dear Lord, Cuddyer. You gave me a freaking heartache. Torii, you too. Don't worry Justin, I never lose my faith in you. But Redmond: I fell out of my chair and did a victory lap outside in the rain because of you. WOW. Just.. WOW.

Congratulations to the Twins. I mean, how else do you win a ball game but come back and win in the bottom of the 9th? Oh, wait. You get the early lead and don't make the fans shit their pants.

Oh well. It's a win, regardless.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

We'll Do It For Justin, Man

Twins 7, Braves 3
Twins 6, Braves 0

Oh dear God, Carlos Silva. That was absolutely beautiful. Breathtaking. Amazing. Astounding. Beyond compare. It's almost like gazing at Jason Bartlett for hours at a time. That would make a very, VERY happy Kayla.

When the game ended, I was literally in tears. But not because Silva's pitching was beautiful. As true of fan as I am, and although I enjoy watching good pitching, nothing brings a tear to my eye like Jason Bartlett.

I'm already aware that I'm a loser, but at the end of the game, when Silva was celebrating and high-fiving his fellow teammates, I grinned with glee when I saw tall socked J. Bart waltzing along after the likes of Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau. And when he smiled at Carlos in congratulatory terms, awkwardly putting an arm around his back in a half man-hug, half I'm-not-sure-if-I-want-to-hug-you-but-I'm-so-nice-I-will-nice-pitching-tonight hug, I started crying because of the following:
1.) I had just got done reading a 300-something page book about a teenager like me who was having a very, very bad time with her social life (define social life: boyfriend, friends, jocks, preppy girls who ruin lives!);
2.) Two babies were born to the Twinkies players, of course! Isn't that always something that brings a tear to someone's eye?
3.) ... Jason Bartlett is beautiful, plain and simple.
I'm not sure if I cried for about 30 seconds because of the fact that I haven't cried in a good while or because it was funny. Jason had that look on his face that was like.. classic. Maybe I'm overreacting, but it was hilarious in it's own way. Probably because I look for these types of things during pre-game, post-game, during the game shows. You know.

Anyways. Justin Morneau took the words out of every Twins' fan's mouth during Qwest Twins Live*. "Maybe he should have a baby every time he pitches," The Canadian chuckled with chipper Marney Gellner after she interviewed Papa Silva himself. Marney, although laughing, countered with a rather absurd, grotesque comment that was along the lines of "I don't think that is possible, Justin. I'm not sure how you do it up there in the Canadian Wilderness, but down here, we just eat Dome Dogs, drink beer, and pop out children every few years."

The game was really anything Twins fans would like to call baseball. Our bats have "come alive!" and Ron Coomer's chuckling in his marshmallow suit again. Bert and Dick are giving delightful commentary and the minority of the starting lineup are now wearing their socks the correct way again. Maybe TBL gave them a swift kick in the rump or something. Or Bat-Girl**, undercover, gave them a pep talk. I can see it now...

BG**: Yes. Silva, Rincon. Meet BabyDash. This is what your child will turn into in a few years. This little screaming horror that you, yourself,
created. But you will love this child unconditionally, despite the fact you might need to wear makeup to cover the bags under your eyes.
Silva: Si.
Rincon: Yes.
BG: I wish you luck with your babies. Really, I do. I speak for all of Twins nation when I say, with all due respect, "I don't care how much Lil Justin or Rafie R. cry, I want you to pitch spectacularly during the next game."
Silva: Si. I will do for Lil Justin.
Rincon: Yes.

Oh! And before I forget: Lew Ford? I think you should smile more often. That home run was a very good excuse to smile, as was that awesome swing + miss at the end. In whatever inning that was.

* = TRADEMARK OF FSN AND WHATEVER ELSE. Don't sue me, please.
** = Bat-Girl.com.. the best Twins blog ever. Recently deceased. The least I can do is mention her, right? I don't care if it's funny.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

$30,000 > $10,000: Eat It, Lackey

Twins 8, Angels 5

I am not going to say that Lackey is a terrible pitcher, because I would be lying. More so, I am willing to say Kevin Slowey is pretty good. (I'd be trying 110% to prove myself when baseball commentators called me "Slowly" too.) After the first few innings, I'm sure most Twins fans found themselves mumbling "Oh wow, we still kinda suck" to themselves.

However.
Revenge.

The Twins decided to seek redemption for their two losses - one horrendous, the other bad. Words cannot express the excitement I was feeling after watching Little Nicky Punto, tiny superhero, blast a 3-run homer out deep. Cuddy, don't worry, I was likin' you too. And last but not certainly not least in my book, like a cherry on top of a pie, I watched Jason Bartlett, my boyfriend/favorite Twinkie/ohmygodiloveyou!!! player, rocket his first home run of the season out to left. As he circled the bases, I found myself grinning ear-to-ear in spite of myself. I'm sad, yes, but it made me happy.

The game was good today. I have nothing more to tell you, really. Castillo: you're still a superb 2nd baseman, even if you can't catch a simple sidearm throw. You are very, very good. And Nicky P.: You. Are. Amazing. Don't worry, I knew the sun would shed some light on your small offensive slump soon. It just blinded you for a second, you dropped a ball, and it was kind of depressing. It was a tough play. But you got it back and you homered and you impressed a bunch of a people. You're the man.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

California Dreaming..?

Angels 16, Twins 3

If you were like me and actually stayed up to watch the whole roughly 3-hour game, you probably were either
A. Crying your eyes out
B. Wondering, "Why the hell am I watching this?"
C. Half asleep
D. All of the above

I, a mere 14-year-old girl who desires nothing but to watch a decent Twins game, was probably along the lines of D. I went to bed around 12, only because I didn't want to listen to Ron Coomer blab about how the Twins need to improve their pitching (like I don't know this, thanks) and their bats need to "come alive!"

From the beginning, I myself didn't really think we were off to a bad start. Boof wasn't terrible
, but he wasn't good, either. We were playing decent; Torii tied it up with his own solo homer, so I was sitting there thinking, "Maybe this isn't going to be so bad?"

My God, I spoke too soon.

Aside from Boof being really superstitious for the first few innings (if you didn't notice, he went out of his way to step over the lines on his way to the dugout), our bats died and were very bleak in comparison to the Angels' bats being ON FIRE. There really isn't much else to say except for Twins: bad pitching (JASON MILLER), 9 hits, one homer; Angels: good pitching, 23 hits, a handful of home runs, and a grand slam.

All ingredients for the downfall of the Twins.

Hopefully they can shake it off and at least make it close tonight. Another 9-12 game, I believe. I can't guarantee I'll be up for the whole thing, since I have an early volleyball practice and I can't sleep in, but I'll watch as much as I can.

Please, Scott Baker. Get a good start. If not for yourself, for my sister. She loves you.
And Twins fans. They want to love you. Prove it to us. You can do it. I guarantee.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

I Return!

So it seems that I disappeared for a bit. Or, at least it would seem like that to anyone who actually looked for updates here. Yeah, I'm sorry. I had to delete the blog because my computer wasn't cooperating and I didn't have enough time to update. But I'm back, regardless.

I've decided the blog isn't going to just be about the Twins (although at least half will be pertaining to baseball) - I realized I'd try to review movies. Or shows. Or whatever is thrown my way. I guess it'll just depend, y'know?

Anyways, Twins lost yesterday. Shutdown to only three hits, they lost 0-1 vs. The A's. I didn't catch the first 8 innings of the game because I was at Spider-man 3. Apparently Silva had a good outing, which is good because Twins' pitching has been kind of.. off lately. Ortiz pisses me off every time he comes to the mound, but at least he's not even half as bad as Sidney Pontoon. He
drove me up the freakin wall.

They play again at 3:00 today, which I'm able to watch for about 2 hours before I have to leave. It's supposed to be summer, what the hell. I, unfortunately, have plans from 5-9:30 tonight. Total drag, I know.