Ciao, buddies.
-christine
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
New Player Profile: Josh Willingham
aka: 'Hammer'
(Or is it THE Hammer? I really am asking-- anyone know? And, yes, it matters.)
He automatically scores points for an great nickname. I hope to chant HAM-MER! HAM-MER! HAM-MER! at some point this season.
He also might have an awesome walk up song, 'Your Love' by the Outfield (you know the one: I just want to use your love tonight/I don't want to lose your love tonight). If he uses it because it's by The Outfield and he plays in the outfield -- not awesome. If he just thinks the song (from 1986) is rad and it fires him up -- yes awesome. So let's meet him:
Alabama. Drafted by the Marlins in 2004, as a middle infielder. Made the move to left soon after. Some injury issues. Traded to Nationals in 2008; in 2009, hit two grand slams in one game, back to back innings. Traded to the A's in 2010. The Twins have him signed for 3 years.
Nutshell: He is essentially the replacement for Cuddyer; similar by the numbers, batting order, paycheck. He is strong and has more power than Cuddy. Similar speed. Less of an arm. But, seriously, he is strong.
He is ripping. shit. up. He was just named the AL Player of the Week. Right now, he is #2 on the MLB leader board for batting average, tied with Josh Hamilton atop the AL leader board for homeruns, and now he has just done something that has previously seemed impossible (besides actually hitting home runs in Target Field) -- check out tonight's lineup v. Yankees:
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Ryan Doumit, C
7. Danny Valencia, 3B
8. Clete Thomas, RF
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
You see what I'm seeing? Pretty wild.
He has been a beast, indeed -- offensively.
I think he looks like a goofball in left field, but he's killing it so at the plate that we can maybe agree to let that slide, at least for this first bit.
A quick digression: I say maybe because I'm not actually willing to let it slide -- I'll never fully get behind a player that is only good--even if he is really good--on one side, offense or defense. Unless he is, of course, the DH who gets a defensive pass by definition, or the backup catcher, who gets an offensive pass from me as well. If a backup catcher can come in and call a good game and play solid defense, that is a job well enough done for me. If they happen to be able to hit, that is great. (Whatever crazy ass thing Gardy is trying to pull off with our backup catcher Doumit playing in the revolving right field and not on reserve as the very important job of backup catcher is beyond me-- I'm not a fan.)
Digressing further: This is the heart of my famous, uh... impatience with ol' Nick Punto (remember him?) Defensively he was great, I know. But the shit he pulled at the plate with the consistently .180 batting average, the popped up bunts, the fall-down-swing-through strikeouts -- and then the sliding into first, the running through stop signs and the all around base-running tragedies... all of this, I could not abide. I'm not meaning to just pick on Punto, rather speak to my point about much I value an all-around game. It's big one for me. But, tons of Twins fans still loved the guy. So there.
OK, back on topic and on to the most important question of them all: where does Hammer rank on the So It Goes Baseball Hottie Meter?
He's cute. A little too corn-fed, country boy pure for my taste, but he is quite cute and certainly will find his audience. I don't think he'll replace Dimples on the hottie meter as well as in the lineup, but I will say, he moves UP the meter fast when he's he's fired up and a little tousled.
Josh Willingham, everybody.
p.s., I know, it's an ugly start, again. And, we keep up this rough schedule for most of April. It is still early -- let's not forget that -- but, yeah, this is painful. It got a little uglier yesterday seeing Perkins blow it like that. Yikes. But... there are a few things to be excited about, and Willingham is one of them.
p.s.s., Vinny Malone, if I haven't already told you this, Hammer is your Twins boyfriend. It is done.
(Or is it THE Hammer? I really am asking-- anyone know? And, yes, it matters.)
He automatically scores points for an great nickname. I hope to chant HAM-MER! HAM-MER! HAM-MER! at some point this season.
He also might have an awesome walk up song, 'Your Love' by the Outfield (you know the one: I just want to use your love tonight/I don't want to lose your love tonight). If he uses it because it's by The Outfield and he plays in the outfield -- not awesome. If he just thinks the song (from 1986) is rad and it fires him up -- yes awesome. So let's meet him:
Where did he come from?
Alabama. Drafted by the Marlins in 2004, as a middle infielder. Made the move to left soon after. Some injury issues. Traded to Nationals in 2008; in 2009, hit two grand slams in one game, back to back innings. Traded to the A's in 2010. The Twins have him signed for 3 years.
Nutshell: He is essentially the replacement for Cuddyer; similar by the numbers, batting order, paycheck. He is strong and has more power than Cuddy. Similar speed. Less of an arm. But, seriously, he is strong.
How is he doing so far as a Twin?
He is ripping. shit. up. He was just named the AL Player of the Week. Right now, he is #2 on the MLB leader board for batting average, tied with Josh Hamilton atop the AL leader board for homeruns, and now he has just done something that has previously seemed impossible (besides actually hitting home runs in Target Field) -- check out tonight's lineup v. Yankees:
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, SS
3. Joe Mauer, DH
4. Josh Willingham, LF
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Ryan Doumit, C
7. Danny Valencia, 3B
8. Clete Thomas, RF
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
You see what I'm seeing? Pretty wild.
He has been a beast, indeed -- offensively.I think he looks like a goofball in left field, but he's killing it so at the plate that we can maybe agree to let that slide, at least for this first bit.
A quick digression: I say maybe because I'm not actually willing to let it slide -- I'll never fully get behind a player that is only good--even if he is really good--on one side, offense or defense. Unless he is, of course, the DH who gets a defensive pass by definition, or the backup catcher, who gets an offensive pass from me as well. If a backup catcher can come in and call a good game and play solid defense, that is a job well enough done for me. If they happen to be able to hit, that is great. (Whatever crazy ass thing Gardy is trying to pull off with our backup catcher Doumit playing in the revolving right field and not on reserve as the very important job of backup catcher is beyond me-- I'm not a fan.)
Digressing further: This is the heart of my famous, uh... impatience with ol' Nick Punto (remember him?) Defensively he was great, I know. But the shit he pulled at the plate with the consistently .180 batting average, the popped up bunts, the fall-down-swing-through strikeouts -- and then the sliding into first, the running through stop signs and the all around base-running tragedies... all of this, I could not abide. I'm not meaning to just pick on Punto, rather speak to my point about much I value an all-around game. It's big one for me. But, tons of Twins fans still loved the guy. So there.
OK, back on topic and on to the most important question of them all: where does Hammer rank on the So It Goes Baseball Hottie Meter?
He's cute. A little too corn-fed, country boy pure for my taste, but he is quite cute and certainly will find his audience. I don't think he'll replace Dimples on the hottie meter as well as in the lineup, but I will say, he moves UP the meter fast when he's he's fired up and a little tousled.
 |
| rawr. |
Ciao, buddies.
-cr.p.s., I know, it's an ugly start, again. And, we keep up this rough schedule for most of April. It is still early -- let's not forget that -- but, yeah, this is painful. It got a little uglier yesterday seeing Perkins blow it like that. Yikes. But... there are a few things to be excited about, and Willingham is one of them.
p.s.s., Vinny Malone, if I haven't already told you this, Hammer is your Twins boyfriend. It is done.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
That Was a Nice Win Today, and Three Other Things
1. In today's edition of YOU ARE DOING IT RIGHT:
How to respond to boo birds
2. Check out THE HAMMER on the MLB leader board:
3. Jeff Gray has thrown 3 pitches over the last 2 Twins wins and is 2-0. So there.
Ciao, buddies!
-cr.
p.s., I'm feeling really CAPPS LOCKY today. Sorry.
How to respond to boo birds
2. Check out THE HAMMER on the MLB leader board:
 |
| And how much do you love the nickname THE HAMMER ?? |
3. Jeff Gray has thrown 3 pitches over the last 2 Twins wins and is 2-0. So there.
Ciao, buddies!
-cr.
p.s., I'm feeling really CAPPS LOCKY today. Sorry.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
So It Goes BB Field Report: Home Opener 2012
Shut up, it was fun. There's no way even this mostly craptastic play we've seen from the boys thus far can ruin the joy of the home opener. Everyone else on the planet is commenting on the catastrophe that is the 0-4 start so I'll focus on the TEN THINGS I LEARNED IN AND AROUND TARGET FIELD:
1. Corey Koskie was there.
2. The iPhone 4S has a stalker setting.
3. There is only one place in TF to get the newly-added Surly = outside of 124. The line was the longest I've seen yet at Target Field ever. Just have a Summit.
4. I'm pretty sure I watched Jacque Jones and TC Bear have a 20 minute conversation. TC was nodding a lot. I am not kidding.
5. There are some new media packages between half innings, mostly all scoring thumbs up. I especially liked the new, yet actually old-fashioned, Target race thing. You know the one with Bullseye, the mosquito, Babe, and a fish -- ? I won't give it away because the surprise is fun.
6. I'll have to try the new food and report back later. So It Goes Mom and I ate too much at Kieran's in our five hour pre-game warmup, plus the giant meatball sold out in the 6th.
7. The rueben at Kieran's is fabulous. So are the corndogs. And pretzels. And bloodies. And Big Gingers.
8. So It Goes Baseball Mom is maybe not paying attention:
SCENE
Joe Mauer coming to the plate for his third AB of the day. T.I.'s "What You Know" plays. Announcer bellows: JOE MAUER! Fans cheer.
SIGBB Mom: Is this a new song?
CR stares blankly at SIGBB mom, cocks head as if considering the question might be sarcastic, in which case, hilarious.
SIGBB Mom: (Tone and earnest expression do not suggest sarcasm) Is it?
CR: Are you serious?
SIGBB Mom: I've never heard it.
CR: Are you serious?
SIGBB Mom: It must be new.
CR: It's the T.I. song he's had for... like... seven years.
SIGBB Mom: I don't think so.
CR: It. Is. Every at bat.
SIGBB Mom: Then how come I've never heard it?
CR's head explodes.
End scene.
9. Corey Koskie.
10. The game was still a total blast, even with the loss. So It Goes Baseball Mom is still the best lady ever. Target Field is still awesome. Baseball is still fun, even at 0-4.
Go see the Twins. Cheer for your boys. Have a Summit.
1. Corey Koskie was there.
 | ||||
| And some other guys, too. |
2. The iPhone 4S has a stalker setting.
3. There is only one place in TF to get the newly-added Surly = outside of 124. The line was the longest I've seen yet at Target Field ever. Just have a Summit.
4. I'm pretty sure I watched Jacque Jones and TC Bear have a 20 minute conversation. TC was nodding a lot. I am not kidding.
5. There are some new media packages between half innings, mostly all scoring thumbs up. I especially liked the new, yet actually old-fashioned, Target race thing. You know the one with Bullseye, the mosquito, Babe, and a fish -- ? I won't give it away because the surprise is fun.
 |
| The other good one: A real life DANCE OFF between fans from 3 different sections of the park, with an applause-o-meter and everything. I don't know that it went over all that well, or people just didn't know what happening, but I liked it. I'm hoping for a PANTS OFF DANCE OFF when it warms up. |
6. I'll have to try the new food and report back later. So It Goes Mom and I ate too much at Kieran's in our five hour pre-game warmup, plus the giant meatball sold out in the 6th.
7. The rueben at Kieran's is fabulous. So are the corndogs. And pretzels. And bloodies. And Big Gingers.
8. So It Goes Baseball Mom is maybe not paying attention:
SCENE
Joe Mauer coming to the plate for his third AB of the day. T.I.'s "What You Know" plays. Announcer bellows: JOE MAUER! Fans cheer.
SIGBB Mom: Is this a new song?
CR stares blankly at SIGBB mom, cocks head as if considering the question might be sarcastic, in which case, hilarious.
SIGBB Mom: (Tone and earnest expression do not suggest sarcasm) Is it?
CR: Are you serious?
SIGBB Mom: I've never heard it.
CR: Are you serious?
SIGBB Mom: It must be new.
CR: It's the T.I. song he's had for... like... seven years.
SIGBB Mom: I don't think so.
CR: It. Is. Every at bat.
SIGBB Mom: Then how come I've never heard it?
CR's head explodes.
End scene.
9. Corey Koskie.
10. The game was still a total blast, even with the loss. So It Goes Baseball Mom is still the best lady ever. Target Field is still awesome. Baseball is still fun, even at 0-4.
Go see the Twins. Cheer for your boys. Have a Summit.
Ciao, buddies!
-cr.
Monday, April 2, 2012
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
I figured something out today.
See, I've had this irrational aversion to Jay Cutler and his face since the moment I saw him/it.
Wait, I know...
I do understand that he's not the most, uh, likeable cat in the club and plenty of sportsfans feel a similar disfavor, but still. I mean, I've been known upon suddenly seeing a Cutler close up to cringe right down to my toes, clench my teeth and, through said clenched teeth, yell STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW.
I never even know if I'm yelling at the camera man for the close up or the commentators for the lack of warning or my eyes for looking directly at it.
It's a bit of an extreme reaction.
But.
Something clicked in my dreaming brain last night and I woke up thinking...
O. Ish.
And then,
I've got it.
Poor fool never stood a chance.
Ciao, buddies.
-christine
See, I've had this irrational aversion to Jay Cutler and his face since the moment I saw him/it.
Wait, I know...
I do understand that he's not the most, uh, likeable cat in the club and plenty of sportsfans feel a similar disfavor, but still. I mean, I've been known upon suddenly seeing a Cutler close up to cringe right down to my toes, clench my teeth and, through said clenched teeth, yell STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW.
I never even know if I'm yelling at the camera man for the close up or the commentators for the lack of warning or my eyes for looking directly at it.
It's a bit of an extreme reaction.
But.
Something clicked in my dreaming brain last night and I woke up thinking...
O. Ish.
And then,
I've got it.
 |
| Waaaah. |
Poor fool never stood a chance.
Ciao, buddies.
-christine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)