From the Strib:
Catcher Joe Mauer was being interviewed on Wednesday when former Twin Corey Koskie walked over to listen to his answers."I've been working with him on improving his interviewing," said Koskie, who signed with Toronto during the offseason. "I'm trying to get him off the Doug Mientkiewicz program."
Then, Koskie turned to Mauer and said: "And the next time you get a game ball, give it back."
That referred to Mientkiewicz keeping the ball used for the final out of last year's World Series, angering Red Sox officials and fans.
Koskie has a home in Fort Myers and worked out at the Twins' complex before heading to Dunedin, Fla., to report to Blue Jays camp. Former Twins A.J. Pierzynski, Dustan Mohr and Brian Buchanan also worked out at the Lee County Sports Complex during the week.
No, we never get tired of making really dumb Canada jokes. Also, check out this Cool Strib Multimedia Thingy where Jim Souhan interviews LaVelle E. Neal, who is fresh off the plane to Ft. Meyers. Neal believes this will be the best Twins line-up in years and is very optimistic about the entire starting ro' as well, because "Lohse can't possibly have a worse year than he did last year."
And, in other Canadian news, playing the role of Job this offseason was one Justin Morneau:
Manager Ron Gardenhire said that since last season ended, Morneau had appendicitis, chicken pox and a lung infection that led to pneumonia."He's been sicker than a dog all winter long," Gardenhire said. "He's got to be behind. There's no doubt in my mind."
The club wanted to fly Morneau into camp over the weekend, but he was too sick to travel. Not good for someone expected to start at first base and hit at least 30 homers.
"He's had a heck of a winter," Gardenhire said. "We have to see how he is."
History suggests that Morneau should consider freezing himself in November and thawing out in February. A viral infection during the 2002 offseason caused him to lose 20 pounds. He then suffered a broken toe just before camp in 2003, causing Gardenhire to nickname him "Mour-toe."
It seems the good Doctor could use a good doctor.
(Thank you! I'll be here all week!)
Posted by Batgirl at February 20, 2005 02:33 PMThat depends on which Lohse he's talking about, Kyle or Lyle!
Posted by: Mimiru at February 20, 2005 06:40 PMProps to the Strib on their sports section today.
How's batgirl's secret govt. mission going?
I hope Kyle doesn't take that on as a personal challenge. On the plus side, we might have a couple of guys that could take over that number 4 starter position with pleasure...
And it was *wonderful* reading about the Twins in the Sports section again...I'm hoping this continues steadily for the next eight months!
Just Beth
(Of course, I claim Cuddyer as my Twins Boyfriend, I'm glad to hear positive things about him! I'm a bit annoyed that they had to bring up his 2003 season, though!)
A couple of things from the weekend...
First, I love the pictures of Cuddy and one of the little Fords. (The Focus, maybe? Actually, he looks more like a Festiva sized kid.) The club is coming back loose and ready to go, it looks like.
Second, I was encouraged to read that Rivas showed up for camp earlier than ever. Maybe a new found enthusiasm and work ethic will have him playing a little more inspired. Or maybe he just realizes that there are any number of scenarios for a Twins infield that don't include him?
Third, did anyone else hear something on the Prairie Home Companion skit that included a nod to usage and the word "hopefully?" I wonder if GK's been reading BatGirl?
Posted by: mmmarkiep at February 21, 2005 08:12 AMmmmarkiep, please don't mention the Ford Festiva. It's a phase of my life that I'm thankful to have escaped in one piece.
(She was blue, I named her Mabel, she shook really badly at speeds over 45...especially after I bent the rear axle...also not-so-affectionately known as My Little Deathtrap.)
Posted by: She-Ra, P.O.P. at February 21, 2005 08:41 AMSo first day of spring training and I had my first dream about the Twins. (no not that type of dream) I dreamt someone at work was complaining because they lost a game and I said "They are 6-3 and both Mauer and Morneau have only hit 1 homer this season so far, so you know the offense will be better."
6-3 would be a good start, but I hope I am wrong about the homer production.
Soccerfan,
At the rate they're going (or at least from what I am reading), having Morneau and Mauer healthy and in the lineup after game 9 would be an excellent start for you guys...
YankeeFan
Posted by: YankeeFan at February 21, 2005 10:52 AM
Does the fact that Cordel is hanging around at Twins training camp make anyone else want to cry? Maybe it's just me.
"Lohse can't possibly have a worse year than he did last year."
What a horrible thing to say! I have the ultimate confidence in Kyle's ability to find a way to be worse than he was last year.
Posted by: Me at February 21, 2005 12:08 PMI can't remember, who's better, Lyle or Kyle? I guess when he's on, he's Kyle and when he's getting knocked around he's (L)yle?
The fourth stater battle should be one of the more intersting things to watch in camp, if Joe Mays can still pitch.
Lyle Kohse could be on the outside looking in the entire month of April with all the off days.
Or do batlings think they'll use that time to rest Mays, even if he burns it up in Spring Training?
You keep reading that Kyle/Lyle has a big upside. Hope springs eternal.
Posted by: funoka at February 21, 2005 02:25 PMLyle is the good Kohse, er, Lohse. You see stuff is only the first incredient; one also needs: poise, control, presence, knowledge of the opposition, and an ability to take instruction to meet one's highest level of success. Kyle thinks when they hit the 93 mph out, you simply throw the 94 mph, preferably while summoning up the greatest degree of pissed offedness you can manage, and complaining to and about the manager's handling of your greatness also helps.The heart and the brain are in question here. I think some of these things may have been pointed out by past posters, as well as by the infallable Ms. Girl her ownself.Hopefully{I know, I know]Al
Posted by: al at February 21, 2005 03:25 PMI thought Lyle was the evil one :/
Batgirl enlighten us so we don't have to search the archives!
*offers baseballs*
Posted by: Mimiru at February 21, 2005 03:36 PMI too, thought Lyle was the evil twin.
For what it's worth, 2003 Kyle was very nice and quite yummy in San Diego when he signed an autograph for me. I don't think Lyle would have given me the time of day (or was that Tony Fiore?).
Posted by: Say Rah! at February 21, 2005 04:17 PMYes, I believe that Lyle is the Evil Twin, the Mr. Hyde of Lohse's pitching personality. Not to be confused with the Bad/Rad dichotomy of Mr. Radke, albeit a similar phenomenon, nor with the case of Luis Rivas who blows pretty much all the time.
Speaking of good doctors, one of my heroes died in the wee hours of this morning: the Good Doktor Hunter S. Thompson, great sage and pioneer of Gonzo Journalism. I mention his passing because I feel like the very act of blogging is intrinsically linked to the New Journalism of the '60s, which dispensed with an artificial construct of "objectivity" and blurred the line between fact & fiction or exaggerated reality to illustrate the essence of a subject, and HST was the greatest of them all. Discovering him was an exhilirating thrill to me which turned my whole worldview upside down. His best work is outrageous, funny, a reality bender, and he told the brutal truth. If you haven't read 'Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas' or 'The Great Shark Hunt,' do yourself a favor and find your way to them. Let the good times roll. Rest easy, Duke. Mahalo.
Posted by: frightwig at February 21, 2005 04:21 PMIt was the L/K switch that got me. Kyle is the good one; Lyle the bad. Sorry to have caused so many of you to be forced to correct my ass, plus, after awhile, there seemed to be no Kyle, just Lyle, and what was the point? The rest of my post, I'll stand by. Al
Posted by: al at February 21, 2005 06:35 PMOh, and Fright, I too will miss Duke, and after surviving adrenochrome, and the hell's angels, and taking such good care of himself, --- well, anyway, he will be sorely missed by truth seekers and substance abusers everywhere. Al
Posted by: al at February 21, 2005 06:50 PMCheers to the Dr. HST. I am sure he would enjoy the Kyle/Lyle discussion.
"Fear & Loathing on the Campaign Trail" is one of the best books on politics -- ever.
He did a speaking engagement at St. Cloud State once and became enraged when they didn't provide Wild Turkey on stage. He ended up talking mostly about the Vikings.
Hey, can't we go right to the source? How about an interview with Joe Mauer's knee?
Posted by: scarlic at February 22, 2005 11:29 AMHey, can't we go right to the source? How about an interview with Joe Mauer's knee?
Posted by: scarlic at February 22, 2005 11:29 AMLooks like the good Dr. needs to spend a month with me so I can provide the utmost attentive care, make him homemade chicken soup and get that boy back to his pre-appendicitis/chicken pox/pneumonia health in time to finish spring training.
On the bright side it's best to get it all out of the way at one time.
Maybe God/Goddess/the gods/Yaweh/the Great Spirit/Allah/the omnipotent entity of your choice doesn't like power hitting first basemen? Or first basemen in general? What with the plagues and poxes and parasites and tumors and all, it seems like a pretty decent conclusion to me.
Posted by: mmmarkiep at February 22, 2005 12:23 PM
No way. I LOVE first basemen. Ask anybody.
Heh. Ok, maybe some OTHER omnipotent entity doesn't like first basemen.
Posted by: mmmarkiep at February 23, 2005 11:28 AM