Never liked Reusse much, but Souhan and Stark are my heroes.

Good old Reusse. Ever the pessimist.

Stark isn't alone. Check this out: Peter Gammons, Buster Olney and two other ESPN pundits ( http://tinyurl.com/5chdx ) pick our boys to win it all, and three more have the Twins winning the AL and faltering in the World Series.

Only one out of 19 picks Cleveland to win the Central--the same number as pick the Bitch Sox and Kitties. The other 16 all think Minnesota will win its fourth division title in a row.

That's not true about Reusse - last year he picked Kansas City.

Stark bases part of his prediction on the Twins having "The all-web-gem team on defense." Much though I'd like to see Batgirl's 154-8 season dream come true, are national pundits perhaps thinking of the 2001-4 infield, which has since been downgraded defensively at 1B (we needed offense), SS (payroll) and 3B (payroll)?

I hope Stark is right and not just blind to our recent changes, but thought I'd ask those who followed spring training more closely than I did.

Patrick Reusse has always been, and will forever be, a grouch.

And, Will is right, Reusse picked Kansas City last year. And we all know how well that turned out.

On another note--I checked out the Devil Rays site to see what they had to say about Restovich. Turns out they might put him on waivers today. Again. Can't the guy catch a break?

Yours,
k-bro

I wouldn't worry too much about Stark being ignorant to MN's changes defensively. He seems to be one of the better educated writers for ESPN and at least takes into account the new players offensively. Besides, I like our chances with Bartlett and Cuddyer because JB gives us a lot more range behind 2nd and Mikey has looked good in the last few weeks.

Also, Olney picks Bartlett as AL ROY.

Most intertesting: Phil Rogers picks the KC Lad, Grienke, to by AL CY. If it can't be Johan, let it be manchild Grienke.

In Souhan's first column he said, based on past writing experience, that he was a jinx. With the recline and fall of the Timberwolves and the midseason collapse of the Vikes, I'm beginning to worry.

I'm trying to remember if the grumps (Reusse, Darkstar and Sid) on The Sports Show have made picked the AL Central. Maybe this week if Sid doesn't take a swing at Dark.

I think Batgirl's "Patrick Reusse, well, picks Cleveland" comment isn't a claim that Reusse has picked the Disgusting Racist Caricatures every season since baseball began, but rather the idea that he's made a habit out of *doing sad loser things such as* picking Cleveland this year. In the same way our hostess has made a habit of telling stories, having contests, etc.

"Picking Cleveland" is a vivid metaphor, kind of like "falling on your face" or "striking out" or "picking Kansas City." And so forth.

It's a good thing they had that incredibly drool-worthy picture on the cover of the Twins section of the Strib. After reading Reusse's "column", and I use that word lightly, I simply looked back at the cover and was happy again. Well, if he enjoys making laughable predictions, more power to him...or not. He's the one that will look stupid when we four-peat.

Souhan has always been one of my faves. I love when they talk to him during pre- game shows. They should occassionally invite Stark and Batgirl to talk as well.

bottom line is that Roseanne (close your eyes, listen to Patrick Reuesse and the former Mrs. Tom Arnold...can you tell the difference?) is not a very good writer. Half the time I get through one of his pieces, scratch my head, rub my chin and ponder what it was suppoed to be that I just read. Apparently sportswriters cannot be fired once they secure a position at a major daily. Because there seems to be no impetus for Rueuese to even try any more.

His lack of writing skills aside, I doubt Patrick really knows or understands sports all that well. He seems to have no particular insight or meaningful voice.

But that's why we have (and love) team BatGirl. See you at the Bulldog!

Speaking of "happy tingly feelings", from today's Spring training notes:

"With no real surprises, Gardenhire confirmed the lineup for Monday in Seattle: RF Shannon Stewart, SS Bartlett, C Mauer, 1B Morneau, CF Torii Hunter, LF Jacque Jones, DH Lew Ford, 3B Cuddyer and 2B Luis Rivas."

That's a good looking lineup.

Jayson Stark...........BRILLIANT!

LOL.. I just HAD to post that! I remember another thread when spring training started when someone was posting pictures from camp, and then batgirl (i think) made up captions.... i scrolled through the list happy to see the boys until one came up with Peter Gammons.... under it it said Mulholland....
I almost fell off my chair laughing....

Batgirl-

I found this today, thought it might interest you.

"PETA's 2005 Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballparks"

http://www.goveg.com/feat/ballpark/index.asp

I think this team can win 100 and can go deep into the playoffs. Why not win it all? Maybe we can fact the Cardinals again.

Don't even get me started on Reusse. He has the thinking capacity of wet towel. In the world he lives in Soccer is the worst evil that exists. He is not even worth ranting about.

At least Reusse doesn't fall for picking Chicago (or "the Mighty Whities" as he perversely likes to call them) to win the division anymore. Some might call that a sign of growth!

Peter Gammons just picked the Twins to win the World Series on Baseball Tonight. I like Peter Gammons and all, but isn't that the kiss of death?

Let's not judge Big Fat Patrick too harshly. Reusse's picks are actually a good indicator of how things turn out. Remember:

* As others have pointed out, last year he picked KC to win last year. They were possibly the worst team in baseball.
* Last year, he also said that the Twins bullpen, in particular Joe Nathan, would keep them from winning the division. The pen helped the staff compile the lowest ERA in the AL and Joe Nathan was one of the best closers in baseball.

So, Reusse's picks provide a good indication of what will occur. In fact, he's an outstanding prognosticator of the opposite of what will occur. Give him some credit.

I have always like Reusse. He's MN sports' angry old aunt. Someone needs to be the surly pessimist. Reusse does that perfectly. I used to listen to a certain AM radio station that doesn't broadcast the Twins just for him.

He also seems to have come to enjoy women's basketball. He was my favorite columnist till Barriero left and Souhan, who I never liked as a reporter, was promoted. To tell the truth, the Strib's lineup of Reusse, Souhan, Neal III, new guy Christensen, and my close personal friend Sid, is probably why I subscribe rather than read online. That and the comics.

I was going to do a sports writer to twins pitcher analogy, but i couldn't find a Lohse.

-amr

Patrick Reusse is my favorite curmudgeon. His self stated modus operandi is "To comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable"

Dearest Bat-Girl,

Shoeless Joe is very, very pleased. Not only because Shoeless and Mrs. Joe recently adopted a goldendoodle, but because all the "intelligent" "baseball" "writers" picked the Twins. In fact, in a discussion on "Baseball" Tonight, my beloved White Sox were not mentioned once. At last, the Pale Hose do not get any respect - kind of like the Twins of the last few years, no?

Well, those pre-season World Series predictions should make you feel really good come October!

-Shoeless Joe

Dear Joe, I watched bits of the Det-KC game today. If that is any indication, both our teams should fear the cats. They looked _Yankees_ good, but maybe that was just because KC forgot the season started and was using a split squad.