Well... I am on way out the door, hope held firmly in my heart that our Dear President will use his bully pulpit (mound) to turn the tide of public opinion.

Batlings will be honorably represented in Section 117, row 11 and I swear to not stand or walk in front of any other individual while a batter is in the box.

*three-finger salute*

Personally, I'm excited to get to watch the Twins face the Bitch Sox WITHOUT having to listen to the Bitch Sox Broadcasters. It's like listening to a bunch of idiot Bitch Sox fans call a game. If any Twins fans were to go to Hell (doubtful, but you never know) their punishment would be to have to watch these guys call a Twins-Bitch Sox game where the Bitch Sox won.

On another note, I'd just like to remind everyone to stay calm and whatever happens, DON'T PANIC. It's only April. Even if there's a sweep. Even if we lose 18-0. Just DON'T PANIC.

Breaking things, however, would be perfectly acceptable.

I, too, will be departing shortly, vintage "Santana/Nathan '04" button pinned to my jersey. The dome is going to be hungry for a win tonight, and I've got a feeling that El Presidente is the man to deliver. He hasn't gone back on a campaign promise yet, and as I recall, he came out as strongly anti-Bitch-Sock during last year's stretch drive.

yes, don't panic. and remember to always have a towel handy. go santana!

Come on, Johan! And don't use those ass-bats, boys--give 'em to the Bitch Sox!

All I can say is that this is no time for Sohan Jantana to be making an appearance. Millions are watching at home.

Ok, WTF. Seriously. WFT?!
The Twins drop the first two games of the series. So Corky Miller gets the start at backstop? Corky Miller?! He hasn't gotten into a game yet this year. So let's break him in for what is as close to a "must win" as you get this early in the year. Honestly, the psychological implications of being swept AT HOME against the frickin' Bitch Sox might just throw some of the guys into a mini-funk.

Corky. I do not get it.

That be the only run they get

I'd really like to see a Twins starter other than Silva get through a first inning without hacking up a run. Just a thought.

double-a,
Well, it was Miller or Redmond. I assume Miller hits lefties better?

Yeah, here's Bark Muerhle.

I see the ESPN announcers have decided that the topic of the night is the White Sox organization and the changes therein. Ah, well, at least it's not Ichiro.

I hate it when I run to do something during a commercial break and come back to find the Twins have had their at-bat. What did they do, ground out on every first pitch?

Alright Twinkie fans... that run is all we're gonna need. Buehrle is da man. Cheers to DAAA SOX!!

Well, after watching Corky pop out w/ a runner on 2nd and 2 outs and after watching him not catch Lew's throw in the 1st (that guy was gone if Corky catches the throw) I really, really, really want to know why Naked BP isn't catching today. Isn't Corky only on the roster in case Mauer gets hurt? Shouldn't Naked BP be behind the plate when Mauer gets the day off? WTF???

Bitch Sox??? C'mon guys, that's the nickname? I thought you would be more clever than that. But wait, you guys are from Minnesota, EH??

We know that Terry Tiffee could hit better than Corky. I'm guessing he could probably catch a better game as well.

Jesus christ we look like the Bitch Sox. Why are we making so many stupid mistakes?

And Daveman, since all the Sox does is bitch about losing to the Twins, I think it's appropriate. But hey, it's just like a Bitch Sox fan to complain about their nickname

Looks like someone ordered ass-gloves.

Geeeeeez.

You guys want Jhonny Peralta? You're welcome to him...

Can we call Corky Miller "Corky Thatcher" from now on, or is that too offensive? I'm just asking...

Somehow, chipping away at Santana seems even worse than last time's terrifying 1st-inning meltdown. Come on, guys, pick him up!

I don't know, this game is looking pretty offensive right now.

CMON MAUER POWER!!!!

I'm beginning to suspect that the length of the Chairman's sideburns is inversely proportional to his batting average. Someone want to give him a razor for a belated Bert's birthday gift?

Torii's back!

TORII!!!!!!

People like Daveman make me cherish homeruns like that all the more. Thanks Daveman, for that extra ounce of satisfaction

Can I get a "hell yeah?"

I'm secure enough in my heterosexuality to say that Mauer is a dreamboat.

That's all I have to say.

Hell Yeah

mort,
Doesn't it, though?

whelliston,
HELL YEAH!

Gotta watch what you say--you never know who's listening and might take exception. Like Torii, the Bitch Sox Killer.

YEAH TORII

Anonymous - is that you, AJ?

Daveman - are you still with us? I see Torii still owns the Sox.

"Alright Twinkie fans... that run is all we're gonna need. Buehrle is da man. Cheers to DAAA SOX!!"
--Daveman

That's what supposed to be quoted above.

I see I have taught you well, my young Michael.

Sincerely,

The Canadian.

"I hate it when I run to do something during a commercial break and come back to find the Twins have had their at-bat. What did they do, ground out on every first pitch?"

I love it when I walk the dawg during a commercial break (it takes about an innning) and come back to the Twins have scored four runs? What did they do, homer four times or what?

:)

Whew. Johan K. is back too.

Quick Jekyll, go take your dog for a walk again. The Twins are almost up to bat. I don't care if he's sleeping, we'll tell you how we scored when you get back.

No worries, mort. He's working on a bone right now and will need another game break.

--

Is that "Santana Moss" w/ the 'fro on ESPN?!

3 swingin' Ks in a row!!! And one looking!!! Yaaayyy!!!

That video footage of Johan being becoming president of Venezuela was priceless.

OK Jekyll, that's fine...but I still hold you personally responsible for the fact that Corky didn't come around to score last inning

Not that I mind, but isn't Juan Castro not supposed to be able to hit? It's like we're living in the nickname world. Juan "I can hit well" Castro.

Kinda cool.

Keep showing Mauer interviews.

He makes me weak in the knees.

Do the two men on base make up for it? I switched to the local news for longer than expected... Hmmm, bases loaded with Torii on deck?! My dawg's name is Dekker... Dek! Time for a walk again.

There's the Bitch Sox I know--screwing up routine plays in the clutch.

Didn't the Bitch Sox call Torii "public enemy #1"? He has them all kinds of worried. Ha.

I'm listening to the game on ESPN radio and they just replayed Torii's three run homer only I thought it was real time and started going crazy thinking he hit a grand slam. Boy, do I feel dumb now. At least he drove in one run.

This is why Torii is my boyfriend.

Lew, dammit. I see you hit into way too many DPs for my liking. :(

Torii and Lew swing the ass-bats again?

How To Own An Opponent 101

Guest Professor- Dr. J. Santana.

Well, his dad is named Jesus. Rock on, El Presidente!

Amazing! Eight Santana pitches = two strikeouts and one groundout.

>>I'm beginning to suspect that the length of the Chairman's sideburns is inversely proportional to his batting average. Someone want to give him a razor for a belated Bert's birthday gift?<<

Absolute best comment I've heard ALL night, Neal. Made me laugh my butt off. Now, let's hope he can RAISE that batting average by hitting a few long balls. =)

Bases loaded, no one out, Morgan spouting nonsense about Torii's veteran acumen;and he and Lew go after the first pitch and hit easy d.p. groundballs to short. This is part of the middle of our lineup. Thank God Johann is super-human.Uh oh, a Bitch Sox double.Don't anyone walk their dog.Al

Santana's change should be locked up for lewd public behavior.

That thing is disgusting.

In typical Minnesota fashion,it makes me nervous when things go this well

Al,

I don't have any pets, so you're safe from here...

jeeez, how many fouls does he need?

crap. struck out.

"Struckouts"?

I guess when you're Johan Santana, you can call them anything you want...

11 stike outs today? i must say, i am very impressed.

I have a black lab named Casey. When I take her for a walk, I decide how long the walk is. She decides whether or not she does anything other than sniff stuff. Then we go back in, and, occasionally,I clean up the next day. She weighs 98 lbs., so the rule only applies during Twin's games. Usually she just drags me wherever she wants to go.

LEEEEEEEEEEEW! What a catch!

Nice catch for Lew, high degree of difficulty...

*sigh* I remember why I love Torii so much!

What a jump... The ESPN.com guy was definately right about Torii being the best/most exciting base runner.

Ok, Torii is amazing, but what is with the called strike outs?

santana nathan: opening, and closing, for america!

I think the ump expanded the strike zone as the game went on. I'm just guessing based on how many backwards K's there were for both teams in the last few innings.

Okay, Mauer has sideburns. Corky Miller, though? Civil War re-enactments...

Can I just say how much I love Joe Nathan?
There _are_ an interesting number of called third strikes this game.

hey TBird41: your mom expanded the strike zone.

ha ha ha ha... i crack my self up.

yay

for those of you who don't know, TBird41 is my brother. so we have the same mother.....

anyways...

Speaking of mothers, J.W. you need to call yours. Otherwise she's cutting you off. Dun Dun Dunnnnnn

JW, does that mean TBird41 is also in R.I.? Al

Wheeeee!!!!!

Okay, I also want to have Torii's babies. I'll just become a breeder for the Twins.

And O's stomp on the Evil Empire. Today is a good day.

A glorious vicotry . . . the classic ESPN moment for those who GOT TO GO TO THE GAME . . . John Miller says something to the effect that "Johan doesn't seem to be striking out too many Bitch Sox tonight" and then Johan strikes out SEVEN out of the next TEN.
Source: Joe Morgan/ESPN producers

TBird 41--

don't they make you guys do any homework up there in g'town anymore? (i was finishing up there this time last year, and being a serious twins, and bat-girl junkie, i didn't get much done).

Dear mk,

I believe the term for sideburns like the ones Miller is sporting "muttonchops".

bubblemint

tdi--Homework? I mean, the Twins are on (and why I've only managed to write a paragraph of my paper over the last 3 hours). The combination of spring at Gtown (I'm in DC, not RI) and baseball is as effective at keeping me from doing my homework as the combo of Santana and Nathan are at making bitches sit down.

Bat Girl

Thank you for this game thread. I was entirely unable to catch the game tonight (was planning on catching the ESPN feed, but ended up spending the entire game in the ER with my son and his broken - in three places - foot). At least I got the flavor of what the game was like.

Jon Miller does not even know enough about baseball to be dangerous!

:D

Did anyone else catch the look on AJ's face after he got the hit off Nathan? Talk about scowling and metaphorically farting in one's general direction.

Had a great time at the Dome and in Minny last night, but my head was pounding on the drive home today...and the bright sunlight didn't help either.

Meatloaf says 2 outta 3 ain't bad--us Sox fans will take what we can get.

Ilk

Tbird41

yeah, i left d.c. right when they brought in a team--i always loved watching guzman at short, and d.c.'s got a great baseball history. (there's a great book about the '24 world series--"greatest season ever," i forget the author's name). if you're ever over in the philosophy department, stop in for a chat with bill blattner. he's a huge baseball geek, and though he's a dodger man, he always pulls for the twins.

i'm stuck in atlanta now, with the braves everywhere, and for those of you who remember the '91 series, that horrible little man, mark lemke, is constantly on the radio. mlb.tv, 'cco, and bat-girl, though, are help make me feel like i'm back in the good ol' twin-cities....

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME game tonight!

Too bad they couldn't have done it like that when I was there, but I'll take it as it comes.

Can't wait until BG's weekend recap tomorrow!!

Dear Stacy,

Me, too.

Love,
Batgirl

I just got back from the Twins win tonight, all is right again with world.

Your commentary on the "infield fly play has made me laugh out loud."

Your site is great!

If you feel I'm worry, add me as a link: mnsportsfan.blogspot.com

Beware though, I'm a big "Gardy guy" ha ha ha ha ha.

"Personally, I'm excited to get to watch the Twins face the Bitch Sox WITHOUT having to listen to the Bitch Sox Broadcasters. It's like listening to a bunch of idiot Bitch Sox fans call a game. If any Twins fans were to go to Hell (doubtful, but you never know) their punishment would be to have to watch these guys call a Twins-Bitch Sox game where the Bitch Sox won."

Actually, I thought the announcers for this gaem were pretty awful: Odd birthday shout out to that friend of Joe Morgan's kid, that play at third base with Crede. Their banter stank, the umpiring wasn't great--seemed amateurish all around. Still early in the season, though.

Strange game on the field, too. I couldn't help but laughing on that Politte pop-up in the eighth where Pierzynski didn't know what was going on. Again that play at third base. Ah well.

I ran into two, count 'em two! batlings tonight. Mr and Mrs She-Ra were a couple rows down from me, thankfully She-Ra didn't scare Boo away, again. Also Transylvanian tourist/bat enthusiast E was a row above and across the aisle from me. It was great seeing you both, and as I pointed out to E afterwards, we got to see both halves of our presidential ticket in action.

MQ--I don't know if you heard the Bitch Sox announcers, but they were on a whole nother level. Morgan and Miller were there usual bad, but nothing unusual for them. I actually stopped watching both of the first two games b/c I couldn't handle the announcers. Miller and Morgan have yet to drive me to turn the game off (only the volume down).