BG's home PG lays out the Central:
The Twins already have what the industry considers the best organization in baseball, and despite losing three-quarters of the infield that started the 2004 season, they may be better than the team that won 92 games last year. The Indians have rebuilt their system and vision to the point where they got to within a game of being .500 last season, and this year could well jump into serious contention. Only the Royals, who must build with their young pitchers, will report to spring training next week knowing that the playoffs are more than just a shot away.Posted by Batgirl at February 9, 2005 11:17 AM...The Twins easily won the division in 2004 because of their pitching, which had Cy Young-winner Johan Santana. They led the league in ERA. Their starters' 4.08 ERA was 0.69 better than anyone else in the division, and the bullpen, anchored by All-Star Joe Nathan, was 32-24 with a 3.93 ERA that was 0.38 better than any divisional rival. If, at age 26, Kyle Lohse figures out how good his stuff is and reduces his 5.34 ERA and Joe Mays comes back from arm surgery – and all early indications are good – the staff will be deeper. It's possible that J.D. Durbin, he of the golden arm, will be given every opportunity to make the bullpen and learn the ways of the big leagues in that role before his time comes to start.
Even though they lost so much of their infield, Twins general manager Terry Ryan is convinced the offense will be better if Mauer – who one AL GM says is the best catcher in the league – is recovered from knee surgery. "We have every indication that he will be fine and able to catch regularly," Ryan said. Morneau and Mauer give them two big bats in the middle of the lineup, and if Jason Kubel hadn't torn up his knee in the Arizona Fall League, there might be three kids in the heart of the order. Michael Cuddyer finally will get his full-time shot at his natural position, third base. Nick Punto, Jason Bartlett and Juan Castro will compete at shortstop.
I just had the darndest time trying to figure out why Batgirl's "home" is called "PG."
If I don't watch out, this could start a discussion on slang...
Posted by: Eric at February 9, 2005 11:38 AMEric, I did the same thing.
Self: "Okay...think I get BG...but where's home? And what or where is PG? Is PG home? Ohhh it's PETER GAMMONS, of cooouurse...but...but...well, whatever. Yay for the Twins being all featured and stuff!"
Posted by: She-Ra, P.O.P. at February 9, 2005 11:52 AMPerhaps BG meant "home" as in "homie", "homeboy" or "homeslice"? The kids these days love it when you "get down" verbally.
Posted by: TribeScribe at February 9, 2005 12:09 PMMaybe we should check out Garner's Modern American Usage?
YankeeFan
Posted by: YankeeFan at February 9, 2005 12:11 PMDoes Batgirl get a cut from Amazon if we order Garner's from her website? After the last discussion, I'm not sure if I can get through another day without it. Especially since I'm not quite down with the PG homie thing yet.
Posted by: Pepper at February 9, 2005 01:08 PMTribeScribe - nice Real Genius ref.
/would you classify that as a launch problem or design problem?
Posted by: fhqwhgads at February 9, 2005 01:15 PMTribeScribe-
Yes, I understood that. That's why I said the discussion would soon turn to use of slang, i.e.- "homie", which was what I eventually understood she had meant.
Posted by: Eric at February 9, 2005 02:48 PMEric -
No slight intended. As fhgwhgads has already noted, I was just itching to reference "Real Genius" which aired about 30 times last month. Damn you, Comedy Central!
TS
Posted by: TribeScribe at February 9, 2005 03:07 PMHa! I saw the Garner's up there and it made me laugh. Batgirl, you kill me!
But honestly, CAN you get along without it for another day?
Posted by: Goober at February 9, 2005 03:10 PMArticles like that make me think, is it April yet?
Posted by: Sam at February 9, 2005 04:25 PMThat Gammons article must make the intrepid BatReader Chris very happy. He loves those scrappy youngsters.
Posted by: Haplo at February 9, 2005 04:28 PM
I get ALL warm and fuzzy when people say nice things about our boys, don't y'all? "...the best organization in baseball..." Love that.
I'm still all buzzed up from Twins Fest, and pitchers and catchers report in a week and a half. I can almost smell the astroturf.
I think I have a case of the nearly-baseball-season-again yips.
Why is it that anytime I read a Peter Gammon article I hear it in Peter Gammon voice in my head ?
I mean as long as he isn't telling me to kill the family next door I guess its okay, but he seems to be the only one it happens with.
Posted by: m at February 9, 2005 06:41 PMGammons' predictions sound about right.
there's always '06, I guess...
Posted by: Royals Fan at February 10, 2005 04:15 PM