Good choice.

Runner-up: Jacque Jones

A fitting tribute, Batgirl.

We'll miss the old guy.

LT

I'll second (or is that third) that.

What hurts me more than seeing Dougie in a Red Sox uniform is seeing his face in that picture. He looks like he could use another hug.

So, will Goober go through a period of mourning, or, will he pick up a new boyfriend on the rebound ???

looks like Doogie's wearing #13 in Cursetown.

Wally Pipp had nothing more than a headache, and was never heard from again. Mientkiewxyz, characteristically, will not go that quietly. But I see no rings in his future.

Goober will have to reflect upon his loss.

Dearest Goober,
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Batgirl

Dear Batgirl,

From a Boston fan, I'd like to thank you for your good wishes. We here in Boston are smarting from the loss of Nomah, but yes -- the hope of a good defensive first baseman is a nice dose of Bactine.

Best wishes for your team in the rest of the season. Uhhh...I mean...except for tonight.

Sincerely,
Sara

I sent an email to Dave St. Peter and he CALLED me. Sorry DSP. It doesn't change things..I am mad!

Dear Mr. St. Peter,

I have one simple question: Why should we care about
this Twins team?

Last year, management had some issues with Latroy and
Eddie G. It was an issue of respect. We spent nearly
a decade investing in Latroy and you didn't do
anything to keep him here! They signed for not big
money and we need a set up man in the worst way. Of
course, after they were gone, there was a lot of nasty
talk about them.

Then you traded Eric Milton and AJ. I didn't cancel
my season tickets because you traded them--I canceled
my season tickets because you bad mouthed them after
they left. Where was the respect here? Instead of
being honest and saying we are a small market team and
cannot afford a nine million dollar pitcher (although
I question why you signed him for that much if you
knew you could never afford him) you complained about
his health. How ironic that Eric has left the Twins
and is now not only a premier pitcher in the National
League but also is healthy. (Remember this when it
comes to Joe Mauer in a few years..because I suspect
you have an environment that entices players to come
back too soon or else their spot will be gone...and
thus they are never totally healed.)

And where is the respect for the fans that have
followed this team and have appreciated what Doug
gives this team. Personally, if I was to trade a big
name player, I would have traded Torii. We have four
outfielders. In return, we could have received both a
pitcher and a catcher and Torii would have the
opportunity to improve his batting--as he is now in a
lineup where he is the biggest name..and he is not
able to relax and center the ball and hit. Instead,
he is still either golfing or playing tennis, swinging
at the worst pitches thrown to him.

As for Torii, Jacques, Brad, Korey and Guzzy..we know
their days are numbered. So why should I care about
this team? This team that was so much more interesting
in 1999 losing 99 games than the team that is playing
at the dome today. The former team had a heart and it
just was traded away with Doug. It had a lot of soul
and that was traded away with Eddie G and Latroy. And
it had a lot of difinitive power that was traded away
with Milton. And It had a lot of guts and that was
traded away with AJ. What is left is Michael C. and
his fieliding makes me long for the days of Todd
Walker at Second and David Ortiz at First.

Maybe it is time for a new manager? Maybe someone who
the umps will respect? Someone that will not get
kicked out of every other game...or get into a fight
with all of his players? A manager that is respected?
Because your pitcher would NEVER be questioning the
postiion of the fielders if they trusted their
manager. When Cleveland has four more all stars than
the first place Twins, you have to wonder how little
baseball respects the Twins. But when you see this
horrid trade and what happened around it...I am not
surprised that the Twins are so little
respected--because they are getting what they give.
g

Dear Mr./Ms Deva,

Thanks for posting that. What did Mr. St. Peter SAY when he called?

Sincerely,
Batgirl

HI Bat-Girl,

BTW, I am a Ms. ..and there are many who have asked me if I am you...:) but sadly, I cannot take credit for your excellent work! :)

Dave and I went at it for a good ten minutes. I asked him if he REALLY thought this was a good trade and he said yes. Doug will now play every day. (btw we know that is not true...so does that mean he thinks this is a good trade still? I am confused) and I did remind him that we are still a catcher and a starting pitcher (and I think a reliever) short of being successful.

His biggest issue was that I felt that players and fans have been disrespected. He stated that he nor Terry nor Gardy have ever said anything disrespectful of players. And then I counteracted by reminding him that they may not have directly, but that our sports writers got it from their closest associates (and I also got the scoop from a friend who was good friends with Latroy) but he does not think fans feel this way.

Sadly, I see this differently. I think it comes from the top to the bottom. There is a reason Carl is a kazillionaire. And that this state has STILL not worked with him on building a stadium...and that Victory did not work out. (the rest of baseball could have helped the Twins and put pressure on the cable stations..but Carl is not popular amongst the other owners. I guess giving up your team for contraction does not show great character?

Then there is the team...Example, if AJ was such a big problem, would TK have ever worked with him and let him stay on the team? Heck no. With Latroy and with Eddie G..it was a 'we'll show them' attitude..and both felt quite bad that this team did not even state that they were even interested in them. And now, Clay Matvick stated that if Joe Mauer gets another bad report on his knee..they may trade him for a healthy Catcher. (hm..I hear that AJ is platooning with another catcher...hm...) :)

Doug is THE best at first in the whole league. And he has a heart. And I was in Sydney when he represented our country and was an Olympic Hero. And He was the heart of this team. I still believe that if they traded an outfielder I could undertstand this. Better yet, they should have traded Michael C (whom TK, on Dark Star's show considered MC as someone who would be there by now if he was going anywhere but as he is Terry Ryan's boy..that aint gonna happen..and I fear that he will be at short next year...) ok..Michael C for Benson. We needed Benson. And we have enough prospects to replace this whole team.

g

What I heard Clay Matvick say about Mauer is that if they don't get a good report from the third opinion, that they might trade for another catcher.
I don't think he said they'd trade Mauer for a catcher.

I'd much rather have Henry Blanco and anybody else besides LeCroy playing catcher while Mauer is out...well, anybody but Rob Bowen that is.

So, the fact that the president of a major league ball club actually responded to your e-mail by calling you means nothing?

To yell at me? Well..that wasn't so pleasant. I don't care what his position is...arguing with me was not so cool. :( We have never met though...

I wonder who else he called or responded to emails before. (and he will respond to emails. I was the person who suggested the Get to know em slogan, the women baseball thing and a list of ten other ideas that Patrick Klinger happily used. :)) And all for free because I was a Twins fan that wanted someone else at the ballpark besides me and my friends. :)

g