The Post Tells You That In Fact, I May Be Disoriented.
Over the weekend, I was disconsolate. The Twins came crashing back to earth in a resounding three game sweep by the Oakland Frank Thomases. There shall be no gnashing of teeth, because lo, on the horizon is another baseball season, in which there is going to be a more experienced, and an increasingly talented roster. In the interim, there are three sports that I care about (football, hockey, college basketball) and a fourth I'm developing an interest in (soccer). So let's not dwell on the Twins, because I'll have another post in which I can do that, but rather, let's look at the broader scape of sports. It's for my own good.
ITEM ONE: How often does one city, one stadium see a botched extra point from the home team in one weekend? Such was the fate of the Gophers and Vikings in the Metrodome. The Gophers, unfortunately, lost by one to Penn State, and the Vikings snuck by the Lions despite their special teams foibles. Needless to say, the Gophers took on the tougher of the two Lions squads, because PSU's are Nittany.
ITEM TWO: Now, I like Bill Simmons as much as the next guy, but can we once and for all get a definition on him? He's most certainly not a journalist, something more apparent with him even at ESPN, although the Worldwide Leader treats him as if he is one. He is clearly partisan, even at a media outlet which certainly doesn't try to be overtly. So how did Simmons get a job there? I mean, aren't there enough guys at the network/website that can write about Boston or the NBA? What's his deal? Can we just start hiring someone from every city to do the same time of stuff he does? He's to ESPN what Milton was to Initech, enjoyable to the plot, will probably end up burning the place down, but nobody is exactly sure what he does there. (The previous paragraph was written by Bill Simmons)
ITEM THREE: It's hockey season! The Wild came out a little logy against the Avs, and I suspect the result (a 3-2 overtime win) would have been a little different had Colorado not played a tough game the night before. The Wild did come out to play the Nashville Predators, however, the Preds also realized it was game time. Both teams now feature speed guys, like the Wild's Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik, or Nashville's Paul Kariya and Martin Erat. This it was evident that the Mark Parrish signing was particularly important this offseason. It's important to have a wing who manages to get in front of the net and stay there, because it really helps jam things up on the strong side, and as evidenced by Marian Gaborik's short side goal, always leaves the option for a one timer. This something you don't get with the gritty center, like Jason Arnott. In this game, and for at least a few more, Mark Parrish will definitely be the key acquisition this offseason. After Pavol Demitra and Kim Johnsson, of course. Holy crap, that was the longest bit of analysis I've had here for a while. I'm winded, but I'll keep soldiering on.
ITEM FOUR: I couldn't be happier that Joe Torre is getting canned in New York. I mean, I feel bad for the guy, I really do, but I don't think there is a better person to lead that team. He did an excellent job of managing some divergent and angry personalities. The Yankees will definitely suffer if the reported hiring of Lou Piniella goes down. No word on when the Yankees will run out of Italians to put in charge of the Bombers.
ITEM FIVE: I ws treated to not one but two dominant Iowa victories on the random Iowa channel, including Northern Iowa (who play in the UNIDome, the dirtiest sounding place with no actual euphamisms in the title that I have ever heard of) versus Missouri State, a clash of teams that are better at baseketball. The other was Iowa versus Purdue. All I can say is, it might be time to go back to the princess pants.
ITEM SIX: At random times through the offseason, I plan on going position by position through the Twins roster and take a look at how the Twins did and what they should do over the offseason. No better time to start than now, and we will do so with a look at the starting pitchers. The pitching staff for the millenium has been a point of pride for the Twins, starting with the Radke-Milton-Mays days. Last year, it was Radke-Silva-Santana, but now with Silva likely on the blocks, and if not, faltering and Radke retiring, it's time for a new batch of starters. The most likely to make the rotation are Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano (if healthy). Bonser has proven his mettle, even doing well in pressure situations and doing his best to look like an understudy for a porn movie. (He's even got the name!) Francisco Liriano was impressive, at worst in his appearances this season before suffering a curious arm injury. This was what reduced his value enough to be part of the infamous A.J. Pierzynski trade in the first place. Now all that remains to be seen is if Liriano will be like Johan Santana, which many suspect, or like Darren Dreifort, which many fear.
The last bit of the rotation gets a bit stickier. If things stay as they are, the last two spots will come down to Matt Garza, Scott Baker and Glenn Perkins. Right now, my money is on Garza and Perkins, while Baker would probably get moved. Garza is, after all, the number one pick, while Perkins is a local product. I would like to see the Twins pick up a veteran starter so the Twins can keep either Garza or Perkins (I would prefer Garza, who has less professional experience) in AAA until someone gets hurt so as to help with maturation. I have my eye on Cory Lidle (who could do Kemps ice cream commercials with Joe Mauer), Miguel Batista, or even Greg Maddux. The key is to get someone who can eat innings for the bullpen.
I'm actually going to be back later tonight with a rehash and outlook for the rest of the playoffs. -Ryan
ITEM ONE: How often does one city, one stadium see a botched extra point from the home team in one weekend? Such was the fate of the Gophers and Vikings in the Metrodome. The Gophers, unfortunately, lost by one to Penn State, and the Vikings snuck by the Lions despite their special teams foibles. Needless to say, the Gophers took on the tougher of the two Lions squads, because PSU's are Nittany.
ITEM TWO: Now, I like Bill Simmons as much as the next guy, but can we once and for all get a definition on him? He's most certainly not a journalist, something more apparent with him even at ESPN, although the Worldwide Leader treats him as if he is one. He is clearly partisan, even at a media outlet which certainly doesn't try to be overtly. So how did Simmons get a job there? I mean, aren't there enough guys at the network/website that can write about Boston or the NBA? What's his deal? Can we just start hiring someone from every city to do the same time of stuff he does? He's to ESPN what Milton was to Initech, enjoyable to the plot, will probably end up burning the place down, but nobody is exactly sure what he does there. (The previous paragraph was written by Bill Simmons)
ITEM THREE: It's hockey season! The Wild came out a little logy against the Avs, and I suspect the result (a 3-2 overtime win) would have been a little different had Colorado not played a tough game the night before. The Wild did come out to play the Nashville Predators, however, the Preds also realized it was game time. Both teams now feature speed guys, like the Wild's Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik, or Nashville's Paul Kariya and Martin Erat. This it was evident that the Mark Parrish signing was particularly important this offseason. It's important to have a wing who manages to get in front of the net and stay there, because it really helps jam things up on the strong side, and as evidenced by Marian Gaborik's short side goal, always leaves the option for a one timer. This something you don't get with the gritty center, like Jason Arnott. In this game, and for at least a few more, Mark Parrish will definitely be the key acquisition this offseason. After Pavol Demitra and Kim Johnsson, of course. Holy crap, that was the longest bit of analysis I've had here for a while. I'm winded, but I'll keep soldiering on.
ITEM FOUR: I couldn't be happier that Joe Torre is getting canned in New York. I mean, I feel bad for the guy, I really do, but I don't think there is a better person to lead that team. He did an excellent job of managing some divergent and angry personalities. The Yankees will definitely suffer if the reported hiring of Lou Piniella goes down. No word on when the Yankees will run out of Italians to put in charge of the Bombers.
ITEM FIVE: I ws treated to not one but two dominant Iowa victories on the random Iowa channel, including Northern Iowa (who play in the UNIDome, the dirtiest sounding place with no actual euphamisms in the title that I have ever heard of) versus Missouri State, a clash of teams that are better at baseketball. The other was Iowa versus Purdue. All I can say is, it might be time to go back to the princess pants.
ITEM SIX: At random times through the offseason, I plan on going position by position through the Twins roster and take a look at how the Twins did and what they should do over the offseason. No better time to start than now, and we will do so with a look at the starting pitchers. The pitching staff for the millenium has been a point of pride for the Twins, starting with the Radke-Milton-Mays days. Last year, it was Radke-Silva-Santana, but now with Silva likely on the blocks, and if not, faltering and Radke retiring, it's time for a new batch of starters. The most likely to make the rotation are Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano (if healthy). Bonser has proven his mettle, even doing well in pressure situations and doing his best to look like an understudy for a porn movie. (He's even got the name!) Francisco Liriano was impressive, at worst in his appearances this season before suffering a curious arm injury. This was what reduced his value enough to be part of the infamous A.J. Pierzynski trade in the first place. Now all that remains to be seen is if Liriano will be like Johan Santana, which many suspect, or like Darren Dreifort, which many fear.
The last bit of the rotation gets a bit stickier. If things stay as they are, the last two spots will come down to Matt Garza, Scott Baker and Glenn Perkins. Right now, my money is on Garza and Perkins, while Baker would probably get moved. Garza is, after all, the number one pick, while Perkins is a local product. I would like to see the Twins pick up a veteran starter so the Twins can keep either Garza or Perkins (I would prefer Garza, who has less professional experience) in AAA until someone gets hurt so as to help with maturation. I have my eye on Cory Lidle (who could do Kemps ice cream commercials with Joe Mauer), Miguel Batista, or even Greg Maddux. The key is to get someone who can eat innings for the bullpen.
I'm actually going to be back later tonight with a rehash and outlook for the rest of the playoffs. -Ryan
posted by Ryan | 6:39 PM
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