Results tagged ‘ Padres ’
Why I Don’t Give Up
I’ve been a Minnesota sports fan (Twins & Vikings, primarily) since the late 1990s. Since that point, I have learned two undeniable facts:
1. The Vikings will ALWAYS let you down. Even when you think they couldn’t possibly let you down any worse, they go out and do that exact thing. Case in point…
2. The Twins will NEVER completely let you down. Yes, they may lose in the playoffs to the Yankees every #$%^&*! year, but at least they play hard and give it everything they have:
If the Twins are somehow able to get back into this division race by the end of the season, it would truly be their most incredible feat ever, I think.
This is why I don’t give up. Why I continued watching the blown leads and blow-outs in April and May, night after night. Because until the Twins are mathematically dead and buried, they HAVE to be accounted for and every team in the division will second that notion.
They used to play this old video up on the Jumbotron at the Metrodome, and it really sums up the ’11 Twins to this point:
THAT is why I don’t give up!!
Preview (29-39, 5th, 1.0 GB KCR): Tim Stauffer (2-4, 3.28) vs. Scott Baker (4-4, 3.55).
The Sidewinder (Leaves)
Today, Pat Neshek was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. I had no idea he would even be “up for grabs”, so this move kind of blind-sided me. Sad to think how much potential he had in this organization, before the major arm troubles hit him hard and heavy.
I mean, a few years ago he was considered closer material. Now, his velocity tops out in the mid-80s and that sidewinding delivery isn’t enough to fool batters on its own.
Neshek’s heralded (then brief) stay with the Twins reminds me of another guy in this organization…
During the early 2000s, Michael Restovich was heralded as our best blue-chip prospect. That went well. The power never developed, the batting eye wasn’t there, and pretty soon he was bouncing all over the majors (even Japan for awhile) looking for jobs.
Pretty much the same story with Neshek. Great prospect, great potential, but ultimately very little delivered (at least for us). I wish him well in his future exploits, but have a bad feeling that perhaps he may never be able to re-capture that “spark” he once had. I hope I’m wrong.
Hudson Goes To Cali
Orlando Hudson is a Padre.
When healthy, O-Dawg was a force at the top of our lineup. However, that healthy state eluded him time and time again. Just when it seemed as if he had recovered from the previous injury and was getting his stroke back, a new malady would crop up.
Basically, O-Dawg was a one-year rental for a playoff push that never transpired. Enjoy him, Cali…when he is in the lineup, that is.
Oh yeah, and his DP mate will be Jason Bartlett…
Small world, huh?!
Don’t Hassle The Hoff
I just wanted to note on this blog that Trevor Hoffman recorded his 600th major league save a few days ago, becoming the first player ever to achieve such a number. He struggled mightily (even being replaced in the role for a large portion of the season in Milwaukee) to achieve the milestone, but I’m glad he finally got there.
With all the lavish attention thrown towards Mariano Rivera as the “greatest closer of all-time”, please don’t forget about Hoffman. He never got the postseason “proving ground” opportunities like Mo did, but over the long haul he’s been just as good. He’s slowed down a bit the last few years, but during his prime in San Diego he was as close to a sure thing as existed.
Man, all this talk of closers makes me want to hear these chords ripping through Target Field for the first time (hopefully next season!):
2010 MLB Picks
My “official” predictions for the 2010 MLB season (before the season gets too far along and starts to affect my judgement!):
AL East
New York
Boston (Wild Card)
Tampa Bay
Baltimore
Toronto
AL Central
Minnesota
Chicago
Kansas City
Detroit
Cleveland
AL West
Los Angeles
Oakland
Texas
Seattle
NL East
Philadelphia
Atlanta (Wild Card)
New York
Florida
Washington
NL Central
St. Louis
Chicago
Milwaukee
Cincinnati
Houston
Pittsburgh
NL West
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Arizona
Colorado
San Diego
AL Champ: New York
NL Champ: Atlanta
World Series Champ: Atlanta Braves
Questions, comments, rants, profanity-laced tirades?!
MLB Predictions: 2009
Each year, usually after receiving the Sports Illustrated Baseball Preview issue, I make a complete set of MLB picks. It’s always fun to look back at them and see how right/wrong (wrong far outnumbering the right!) I was at the end of the season. Here they are for ’09:
AL East:
Boston
Tampa Bay (Wild Card)
New York
Toronto
Baltimore
AL Central:
Minnesota
Chicago
Kansas City
Cleveland
Detroit
AL West:
Los Angeles
Texas
Seattle
Oakland
NL East:
Philadelphia
New York (Wild Card)
Florida
Atlanta
Washington
NL Central:
Chicago
Milwaukee
St. Louis
Cincinnati
Houston
Pittsburgh
NL West:
Los Angeles
Arizona
San Francisco
Colorado
San Diego
AL Champion: Boston
NL Champion: Chicago
World Series Champion: Chicago
So, after 100 long seasons of waiting, I think this is the year that the Cubbies will finally win the big one. I just think that their pitching is too good not to make a deep playoff run.
“Kubel” Kahn and Hank The Blank
Well, for those of you who thought that the Minnesota Twins had dropped off the face of the earth this offseason, just recently they announced a deal-in-principle with outfielder Jason Kubel. It is a two-year contract, with salary figures not having been released yet.
For some reason, Jason Kubel is one of my favorite Twins players. I just like the “all-or-nothing” approach he takes to hitting…either he hits the ball on the button, or he hits weak dribblers to the infield…there’s no in-between. He also has the best “theme music” (played when he strides to the plate), the first few bars of Click Click Boom, of any MLB player. I’m excited that Kubel is back!!
In other news, former Twin Henry Blanco signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. Man, that guy was ancient when he played with the Twins in 2004. I guess he came highly recommended from former Padre Greg Maddux.
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