Cleveland at Twins. Twins 9, Toons 0.
One day, long long ago, a young Goober was riding his red dirt bike from the park to the BatFamily Manse, perhaps with a Hoth Han Solo in his pocket, when he had a startling realization: Someday, he said to himself, it is going to be 8/8/88. And that is going to be super cool. (We cannot establish the exact time of this epiphany, but we feel for certain that it was somewhere between July 7, 1977 and August 8, 1988.) There and then, Goober decided that when that singular day came about, he would celebrate in the best way he knew how—by eating a cupcake. Thus was launched Cupcake Day.
Now, when 8/8/88 rolled around, Goober was off on some wilderness adventure and he forgot all about Cupcake Day. (Even if he had remembered, they don't have cupcakes in the wilderness, and if you do happen to find one, you totally do not want to eat it. ) It was not until somewhere around 10/21/92 (though that is only an approximation) that Goober remembered Cupcake Day and the lost dreams of his youth, and he vowed that on 9/9/99 he would honor the day as God intended.
Only he forgot again. He then proceeded to forget Cupcake Day on 1/1/01, 2/2/02, 3/3/03, and 4/4/04 and he probably would have gone on forgetting had he not shared his childhood vision with Sooz earlier this year. Sooz promptly marked her calendar—and thus Cupcake Day, once a glimmer in a young boy's imagination, became a glorious reality.
But Goober was not the only man to live a long-deferr'd dream today, for surely Mr. Brad Radke had once, as a starry-eyed child with big bouffant-y hair and an Endor Han Solo in his pocket , looked at the heavens and said, "Someday it will be 5/5/05, and on that day I will pitch as though I have been touched by the gods, and then I will have a cupcake."
I do not know if today Brad Radke remembers that young child with a dream of pitching domination and delicious chocolaty cupcakes, but I believe that child was inside him today, though perhaps not in the same way as the cupcake. As Radke strode out to the mound in the ninth with a two-hit shutout and a Santana-esque line for the game, fans at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (including Goober and Batgirl, thanks to the awesome generosity of some BatFriends) were on their feet applauding as if Brad Radke had invented Cupcake Day, nay invented the cupcake itself.
But what he'd done was better than cupcakes—yes, I said it—a virtuoso performance that showed us all why Johan Santana is our number-two starter, on a day that the Twins desperately needed a reminder that they are the ones to beat in the division. A much-loved teammate had had a crisis this week, the weight of which was borne by the entire team as they struggled through the first two games of this series. Both games could have easily been won, both were rather depressingly lost by an ineffectual and seemingly disengaged offense that turned every at bat with runners in scoring position into a mini-lesson on the major tenets of nihilism. [BG—ixnay on the osophyphilay! It's Cupcake Day!—Goober.]
And today, well, it seemed it might go the same way, for as masterfully as Brad Radke was pitching, the Twins batters were flaming out—we had runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings, with no score to show for it.
Now, perhaps one day, long ago, there was a young boy with a terrible hat-wearing disorder and a cheeseburger in his pocket who looked up into the heavens and said, "Someday it will be 5/5/05, and on that day I will pitch against my mortal enemies and make a jackass out of myself, and then I will have a cupcake."
Yes, ladies and gentlemen and Bitch Sox fans, Captain Cheeseburger Sabathia had a dream, too, and on this day, this day when dreams come true, he fulfilled it. His meltdown began in the fifth inning, with a lead-off homer by Jason Bartlett, at which point the Twins seemed to remember themselves again and the word spread through the dugout—"Come on guys, it's Cupcake Day! We can do this!" Then it was Big LeRoy's turn. One base at a time, Big LeRoy made his slow but certain assault on home plate as he, Sweetcheeks, and Junior Spiffee hit back-to-back singles. Then, with the bases loaded, DJ Cuddles came up to the plate and he whispered to himself, "Nothing is anywhere simply present or absent," and, "Gosh, cupcakes are good," and he drew a bases-loaded walk. A walk! Ah, what a glorious thing, especially for Big LeRoy who could then trot home easily, like a farm lass on her way back from market on a gentle spring day. A Naked-Batting-Practice single and a Rivas walk later, the Twins had managed to score three times with the bases loaded in one inning, and Captain Cheeseburger was sent to the showers to eat his cupcake and think about what he had done.
The Twins ended that inning with a 5-0 lead and Radke, who has never had so much run support in his life, continued to work his magic. But the Twins weren't done, oh no, for it was Cupcake Day, and there was a Big LeRoy homer in the 6th, then a 3-run inning in the 7th, and, and—
And, well, this brings up an issue I'd like to raise. Say you have 12 cupcakes. Obviously, you would be a very lucky Batling, but that's not the point. The point is that with those cupcakes, you have a choice—you can eat all those cupcakes at once, or you can put some aside for later. Now, it might seem the prudent thing to do is eat every last cupcake while the cupcake getting is good, but Batgirl proposes that a few days down the road, you'll find yourself desperately jonesing for a delicious cupcake and you'll be s.o.l. But what if, instead, you had saved some cupcakes? What if, instead of scoring 9 cupcakes in a day when your pitcher is making like Jesus (for surely Jesus was a control pitcher) and only 2 cupcakes on a day when the pitcher is feeling all too human, you can spread out the cupcakes and then everybody wins. Or, actually, no, just the Twins. But that's all that matters.
But I digress. The point is, one run would have been sufficient today, for Brad Radke gave the kind of performance you always remember, the kind you tell your kids about. "I was there on Cupcake Day '05," you might say. "And it was glorious."
Sigh. It *was* glorious. Totally worth sneaking out for a long lunch. I kept saying I'd leave when the Twins cleared off the loaded bases, and they kept filling 'em up! Boy, was that a refreshing change...
Posted by: Agent 99 at May 5, 2005 11:06 PMSo, I'm not the only one who gets special joy from special dates?
Remember 8/8/88? The Twins turned a triple play that day. Gladden made a catch against the plexiglass, then made a great throw to second (I think Newmie was covering) and the relay to first (where I believe Larkin was at the time).
And I annoyed all my coworkers commenting how cool it was when we had 01/02/03 and 02/03/04 and 03/04/05. And 03/03/03 and 04/04/04.
Oh, those were the most special days of my life. Would that I had thought to make cupcakes part of the celebration!
Cupcake Day, awesome. I'm totally going to try and honor this whenever it arises. 6/6/06, Cupcake Day of the beast! Chocolate icing is going on tonight!
\m/(-_-)\m/
Posted by: Skorch at May 5, 2005 11:52 PMRandom comment from someone who never posts but always reads: I was a math minor in college, thus, I love numbers. My birthday is 04/04. Last year's birthday kicked ass :)
That's all. Keep me laughing, BG, keep me laughing.
Posted by: joel. at May 6, 2005 12:08 AMI cant believe I forgot about cupcake day. If only someone had reminded me earlier before all the stores out here closed.
Great performance by Bradke today. If he can just get rid of those 3 pesky hits and Torii can catch the ball, he will have perfection. Maybe we can do against the Yankees. theyve been on a major suck-streak lately, plus didnt they throw a perfect game or two against us?
Lets restart the streak tomorrow! 18 of 19 for El Presenente aint half bad
Posted by: TwinsInBoston at May 6, 2005 12:12 AMThere will be an extra special cupcake day in seven years.
Yes, I have a 12/12 birthday, which will be the last cupcake day until 2/2/22.
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 12:21 AMDoes that mean there are two cupcake days in 2011?
Posted by: joel. at May 6, 2005 12:27 AMthe twins finally score with the bases loaded. they were afraid BG would unleash the Sooz on them.
Posted by: Mike&Jane at May 6, 2005 12:32 AMJoel--wouldn't there be 4 cupcake days in 2011 (1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/11)? That'd be pretty cool if it was true.
And can someone who was there give a recap of the histronics that occured today b/w Gardy+the Ump and then Stewart+the rest of the Twins and the Offensive Toons?
Posted by: TBird41 at May 6, 2005 12:58 AMBut what if you had 12 cupcakes ... and were heading to Tampa the next day? I hear the Thunderdome makes quite the Easy-Bake Oven. (That is, unless you're the Yankees.)
And I have to believe that Jesus would be able to bring the heat, a la Nolan and the Rocket. I also think Jesus would also be a brushback pitcher. Because he would try to turn the other cheek!
Posted by: The Commish at May 6, 2005 01:13 AMNext year my b-day is on 04-05-06. I expect cupcakes.
Unrelated, I decided to change the spelling of the site you link to in my name, so you actually go to my site now. :) We recently remodeled, so stop on in and let me know what you think! (We need feedback.)
And here all along I was drinking Corona because I thought it was Cinco de Mayo....silly silly me.
Posted by: Drewbacca at May 6, 2005 02:42 AMDrewbacca-
Today happened to be one of those extremely special days where 2 recurring holidays happened on the same day. The combination of cupcakes and Corona resulted in some sort of atmospheric gas that allowed Bradke to pithch with the strength of a hundred men and for our batters to hit like theyve never hit before (this year at least). Since the toons didnt understand what was doing on, they were unable to capitalize and were thus destroyed by the superpowered Twins. Hopefully these powers will last, allowing for many months of domination.
>>Even if he had remembered, they don't have cupcakes in the wilderness, and if you do happen to find one, you totally do not want to eat it.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 06:37 AMBrilliant as always, Batgirl. Thanks for the laughs!
I made brownies yesterday because of the date. It was actually my little brother's idea. So maybe that means he'll grow up to be an ace pitcher for the Twins...
I just had an inspiration for a new shirt design for the BatStore. It's my private opinion that it would sell like wildfire. ~_-
http://img252.echo.cx/my.php?image=shirt5df.png
I just saw footage of the bench-clearing brouhaha... and Lew Ford at 2nd, stuffing his gloves into his back pocket, then lumbering off the base to join in the fracas. "Never fear, my comrades, I shall save you!" hahaha... yeah, Lew Ford to the rescue. what a kick.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 07:26 AMWait, I'm confused. "then everybody wins. Or, actually, no, just the Twins." There are other teams out there? I guess I knew we always competed, but never really noticed they were actual teams. Coolness.
Excellent re-cap; made me laugh, as they always do. I, too, enjoy numbers and did point out to my co-workers that it was 05-05-05 (and one of my co-workers realized it was her parent's 55th anniversary!). But I never knew it was cupcake day. I'll be a day late. I usually am, anyway.
Just Beth
Posted by: Just Beth at May 6, 2005 07:46 AMI missed cupcake day?! But then, who really missed it (other than the toons) if Bradke pitched like that. Beautiful. (But I still want a cupcake.)
Unrelated note for Pepper, ndtf, Capitalbabs, SloveniaTom and all who offered their support and advice on my trip to the Cell with Woxfan boss and birthday/Tiggersfan coworker. I tried for cheering for good plays for whoever made them, but in that game (Sunday) that meant totally cheering for the Sox, since the Tiggers didn't make good plays. Cheering for the Sox felt kind of weird, but then made sense. Let me explain.
Behind us several rows, two fans from unrelated groups got into a competitive heckling war with each other, their object being RF Bobby Higginson. As the rants got progressively more homophobic and pornographic, I decided none of us should have to listen to those morons, and that the world should be a more civil place. Obnoxious Fan 2 was in the middle of a row, but OF1 was on the aisle, so I went back, crouched down by him, pointed out the row full of 6-10 year old kids three rows in front of him, and asked him to keep it clean.
To my very great surprise, this seemed to have an impact. OF2 sort of ran out of steam when the competitive aspect of the heckling stopped, and for most of the rest of the game, although their behavior was not entirely gentlemanly, they did keep the heckling in the standard "Higginson, you suck" range. Oh, there was one sort of funny one late in the game. I liked the effort: "Higginson, you dumb-I'm-gonna-stop-right-there!" And a good time was had by all. (Except maybe Higginson.)
So, sorry for the long post, but the upshot is that I have impressed boss with my ability to cheer for the sox (which seemed prudent after the fan confrontation), and with my courage. (Boss said, "Wow, you're braver than I. I was just hoping a Higginson home run would knock one of them unconscious." And the birthday coworker? It just wasn't the Tiggers' day.
Posted by: hrunting at May 6, 2005 07:52 AMI am marking all of the cupcake days into my calander, so as not to miss another.
Have decided that at 12:34:56 7/8/09, I will commence eating whole bundt cake. Possibly two, a.m. and p.m.. And then I will watch a Twins game at the new Eloise Stadium, marvel at the beauty of outdoor baseball in July, and lapse into a chocolate coma after the Twins totally crush someone to get to their cupcakes.
Posted by: hrunting at May 6, 2005 08:03 AMhrunting-
I'm glad to hear you survived the game, even if moral high ground meant cheering for the Bitch Sox.
In regards to yesterday's game, I kind-of caught the replay on ESPN News last night, but I was at the bar, the TV was across the room, and there was an American Idol type of competition (but with country music) going on stage. So I saw the guys get out of the dugout and Gardy get tossed and that was it.
BTW, in the game thread I mentioned the landmark which my hometown is known for. I found a link with some pretty good pictures, click my name to view.
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 08:22 AMndtf - I love that cow! I used to drive across your state a lot, and my landmarks were Jamestown's bison, that Holstien, and the painted canyon.
Posted by: hrunting at May 6, 2005 08:43 AMHrunting-
Did you ever see the "Enchanted Highway?" You take the Gladstone exit and drive south to New England. About every 10 miles or so, there's a big tin sculpture. You can see a few from the interstate now. They claim the sculptures were made by a farmer, but I've never met a farmer with that much time on his hands, especially in western ND!
ndtf, I think 5, 6, and 10 are my favorites. :)
click my name for my 1979 pic of Salem Sue with my brother. my grandma took the pic, and she... well, she wasn't very good at taking pictures.
hrunting, your bundt cake idea is absolutely brilliant! I shall make note.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 08:46 AMhrunting, I was almost struck by lightning at the Painted Canyon back in 1995.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 08:52 AMIn response to TBird41, I will attempt my interpretation of what went on in inning 7. I may be barking up the wrong tree here, so jump in if you had a different idea of what was happening.
So, with 2 outs, Rivas walks. The score is 6-0 at this point. A pitch gets by Martinez, and Rivas goes for 2nd base. I think this was seen as being not nice, and showing up the poor, sad losing team, and Davis gets mad. Apparently, according to some people's line of thought, if you're ahead 6-0 you're not supposed to try to score anymore. Kind of like saving some cupcakes for later! So Stewie's up next, and Davis throws at him to express his indignation. Stewie goes to first as Gardy and a few others run out to check that he's okay. The ump gives a warning as Gardy is walking back. Now, we all know how Gardy hates this new warnings-are-for-both-teams thing, and he says something nasty to the ump and get ejected. Then of course Gardy has to give his whole song and dance, which was very well received in my section. I was watching through my binocs and thoroughly enjoying it. Then Bartlett singles, and Ford doubles, and as Stewie is coming home some words are exchanged with Davis and the benches clear. I didn't see that part, I only saw people milling around and no one looking very angry. It was a very mellow bench-clearing. No shoving or anything.
hrunting, glad to hear you made it home alive. I'm also pleased to hear that politely saying something to an obnoxious fan can actually be effective! Who would've thought!
In conclusion, I felt very lucky to be at the Dome to see such an incredible performance by Brad. Al wrote in the previous thread that this was Brad's first 3-hitter. I read somewhere else that he has done it before, but has never given up any less than 3. Anybody know?
Okay, I found this in the STrib and found it hilarious....
Looking for something to get them out of their bases-loaded doldrums Thursday, the Twins took a cue from the NCAA basketball tournament.
They not only scored some runs, they made a show of unity.
Late in games during March Madness, the cameras often will pan to the bench, where players awaiting a big upset will sit with interlocking arms. Think Bucknell over Kansas.
So when the Twins loaded the bases with a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians, Nick Punto told his benchmates to lock arms.
"If it works in college basketball, why not here?" Punto said.
At that point, the Twins were batting .132 for the season with the bases loaded. In Wednesday's 5-4 loss they had loaded the bases with no outs in each of the first two innings and scored a whopping one run.
But with seven players sitting there Thursday with their arms locked, Michael Cuddyer drew a four-pitch walk from Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia -- the first walk by a Twins hitter with the bases loaded this season.
Then Mike Redmond lined a run-scoring single to right field. Then Luis Rivas drew another four-pitch walk. Then Shannon Stewart made it 5-0 when he beat out a potential double-play grounder.
"We got four runs on it," Punto said. "We're going to keep it going until it doesn't work any more."
kafumbly and ndtf: wow, that is one serious cow.
Posted by: Pepper at May 6, 2005 09:00 AMPepper-
Thanks for the recap. In response to your question, they said on the radio after the game that this was Radke's first 3-hitter. I'm taking Gordo and Dazzle's word for it.
Regarding the "on field delay" of yesterday's game: On the evening news there's a clip of Gardy doing a lengthy diatribe of why is was incumbent on him to protest. He ends by saying "my bad." I laughed for 5 minutes and woke up during the night just to laugh again.
Posted by: Spike at May 6, 2005 09:02 AMMore about my hometown: High school mascot: The Holsteins. I'm not making this up. They were the Holsteins even before the cow was built. Favorite ways for opposing teams to make fun of us: Yelling "Got Milk" and Mooing. It all makes for great fun on the rare occasions a team makes a state tournament.
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 09:03 AMSaajak--is that for real???? That is fabulous! I was at the game, but I was sitting in the upper deck along the left field foul line so I couldn't see in the dugout. I will never sit there again!! That is so great--I would have loved to see that in my binocs. I'll be back to 213 or 214 for the next game.
Posted by: Pepper at May 6, 2005 09:11 AMThat's so cool Little Nicky Punto saves the day.
Posted by: Jose at May 6, 2005 09:16 AMKafumbly-
Has Tumbleweed heard about this yet?
Pepper,
I pulled it from the Star Tribune, so I certainly hope so! I would have loved to see that as well. I wonder who the seven players were!
Posted by: Saajak at May 6, 2005 09:27 AM
Mmmmm... cupcakes...
Sorry for any part I might have played in crashing the server yesterday, BG. I get a little worked up. Especially when Bradke pitches the game of his career, our bases-loaded curse ends with a Cuddyer walk, Gardy throws a hissy fit of epic proportions, and I MISSED IT ALL. The radio only made it worse, because I KNEW what I was missing.
Have I mentioned that I love Gardy? Especially when he throws his hat and kicks dirt and gets tossed from the game for defending Brad Radke, and then later when it's totally obvious that he's still fuming during the post-game press conference but he's trying REALLY hard to keep a lid on it. I love that.
P.S. Lew is my boyfriend, Gardy is my vice-boyfriend, and I am officially claiming Nick Punto as my sub-vice boyfriend. I've had my eye on him for a while, but that linking arms thing was the clincher.
I wonder if it gains power if they link arms and stand around, on, or near Dougie's lucky spot?
Posted by: Saajak at May 6, 2005 09:31 AMAccording to everything I've read, yesterday's 3-hitter tied Radke's personal record for fewest hits allowed. Quote from the Strib: "Three hits given up, tying career low for complete game".
As for the Davis/Stewart episode, the Strib pretty much explains the whole thing here:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/5388434.html
Basically, Davis (who the Twins have butted heads with before, apparently) took offense to a practical joke against former Twin Casey Blake, and the whole thing kinda snowballed from there.
Excellent read, BG! I love your stuff. By the by, my boss informed me yesterday that not only was it 05/05/05, but it was also the 5th day of the week -- something that apparently only happens every 7,000 years or something...
Posted by: Salt-Man Z at May 6, 2005 09:31 AM9 cupcakes in a day is very good. It's one of those things where only one would've been needed, but they were coming easily.
Not to mention at least two of them (maybe only one) were GIVEN to us via the walk ;)
I'll take my runs when I can get them. Because sometimes it takes a good day to set up an even better week/month.
Oh, and 9 isn't always enough *sheds a tear at memories of a 13-10 loss to the Yankees*
Posted by: Torhu at May 6, 2005 09:45 AM
Tonight, cupcakes will be on the dessert menu when RD watches on TiVo delay!
Bradke's had three-hitters three times in his career, including yesterday:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/509/5388423.html
yesterday's performance, with 8 K's and no walks, is the best yet. wish I could have seen it.
ndtf, she reads the STrib every morning, so I'm sure she'll give him a ring later today. just in case you missed it, she's given me a quick report from Florida. click my name for the link. I wonder what they'll be doing today...
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 10:04 AMFabulous sprots writing, BG. The best!! You deserve a cupcake too!
royhobbs
Posted by: Roy Hobbs at May 6, 2005 10:17 AMJust a heads up DJ Cuddles will be on KFAN today around 11am.
Excellent game, I just wish I could have been there. Gardy's episode yesterday is one of many reasons why I hope he's our skipper for a long time to come. I *heart* Bradke and his shut-out and after he performance in his last start, I think he's going to be good and locked in now. Little Nicky Punto is such a doll and he played a little RF yesterday. And God bless Stewie for showing some emotion yesterday.
Did anyone else read the PiPress articles about the game? I really liked this quote.
Besides, as Radke indicated, the Twins have plenty of time for revenge.
"We still have a bunch of games with these guys," he said, "so we'll take care of business."
Mmmm-mmmm-mmmm good Cupcakes -
The best thing about cupcakes ... they're bite size!
Heraldguy - that b-day on 12/12/2012 - how old will you be? Nevermind ....
Posted by: Hegs at May 6, 2005 10:32 AMThe linking arms thing is awesome! How am I supposed to settle on a single bf or nsmc when different players keep doing amazing things.
Anyway, thanks for the recap on the brawl yesterday Pepper--I'll get a chance to watch the game today, so I was hoping it was a real bruhaha, but hey, it's all good. Anyone else remember in 2002 when the Twins liked to mill around on the field a lot? I wonder if they're going back to that style again, since this is 2 millings around already.
Posted by: TBird41 at May 6, 2005 10:57 AMFor sure, TBird, I'm looking forward to payday so I can buy a boyfriend shirt, but every time I think I'm ready to declare one, somebody else does something that makes me wonder if he should be my boyfriend. How can I choose just one when they all keep doing great things like linking arms in the dugout?
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 11:01 AMndtf,
Why choose just one?! I have both Lew and Tiffee, and am seriously considering LNP, too. Perhaps it's a tad promiscuous, but it beats trying to choose!
ndft,
I had this problem last year after we let AJ go. AJ was my boyfriend of all boyfriends and I was very much heartbroken after he left. As much as I loved all the Twins, I knew deep down there had to be that one that grabbed my attention and held it, the one that stood above the rest.
As the season progressed, a certain blonde, lumberjackish, shy boy from Canada emerged wielding a mighty swing and boyish curls. My heart soared, for I had found someone to fill the void that was there when AJ left.
My advice, close your eyes a few times a day for the next few days, take note of the first Twin that comes to mind. This will lead you to your boyfriend.
Much luck in your search,
HooliganKat
Katharriet-
If I wasn't in 2 weddings that are both 6 hours from here (30 miles and 2 weeks apart) this summer, I would gladly buy many a boyfriend t-shirt. Unfortunately, I have to blow lots of money on ugly dresses I will never wear again, uncomfortable shoes, and lots of gasoline. Aaaah, the fun of being a new college grad (soon to be returning to college) with lots of engaged friends living far away.
ndtf:
That's a tough one. I know that position far too well! I'd say we have two different issues here. 1) You can certainly hold multiple Twins as boyfriends in your heart, without buying tshirts. Monetary realities are, well, realities. 2) Perhaps you could get BG to make a tshirt saying "Various Twins are my boyfriends" or "The following Twins are my boyfriends:" and add their names beneath in fabric marker and/or puffy paint? ;)
Said Stewart: "There was a little bit of contact, but if I would have wanted to hit him, I would have hit him."
As for the boyfriend thing, my friends have asked me not to choose another, as AJ was also my ultimate boyfriend... *poof*. Then Koskie... *poof* So this year I'm taking it nice and slow.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 11:32 AMBG,
Gosh, you sure do have lots of women posting about boyfriends. Lots of comments about butts, cuddliness factors, and cuteness. Perhaps a logical extentsion of your fabulous website would be a date-matching sort of feature.
You could interview prospective Twinkie-look-alikes and rate their BOD qualities and their potential as being good batmates.
Oh, just a random thought from a AJ look-alike with a LeCroy-esque physique.
Peace,
Drew
DJ Cuddles is on now, I guess I was off on my timing. I like the southern drawl. .
Posted by: HooliganKat at May 6, 2005 11:45 AMHegs -
I'll be 27 months older than you, just like always.
Did KDHegs talk to you about dinner for Mom on Sunday?
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 11:46 AMHooliganKat-
I caught DJ Cuddles on our Fan affiliate here too. How many times did he say "For sure?"
DJ Cuddles' southern drawl = cute.
Big LeRoy's southern drawl = hillbilly.
"Someday it will be 5/5/05, and on that day I will pitch as though I have been touched by the gods, and then I will have a cupcake."
Best Line Ever.
BatGirl:
As someone who celebrated his birthday yesterday, I can only wish that the Tribe shared in the Cupcake Day festivities. Maybe they can observe the holiday when the Twins visit later this month.
TribeScribe
(P.S. Be sure to bring Bad Brad and Lyle on the trip.)
Posted by: tribescribe at May 6, 2005 12:32 PM
Is anybody else dying for a cupcake right now?
TribeScribe-
Sorry your birthday didn't turn out a bit happier. Wait a minute, I'm not sorry. It's nothing personal, you seem like a very nice person, it's just that when Bradke decides to pitch a complete game 3-hit shutout, I tend to be very pleased. It also seems you aren't the only one who celebrated a birthday on Cupcake Day, as it was also Naked Batting Practice's birthday.
"Just another day at the office, you know?" Redmond said, adding that taking a 96-mph pitch "off the elbow gets you going on your birthday." He turned 34 on Thursday.
Happy Birthday and Cupcake Day to you, Mr. Redmond!
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 12:54 PM" Gosh, you sure do have lots of women posting about boyfriends. Lots of comments about butts, cuddliness factors, and cuteness. Perhaps a logical extentsion of your fabulous website would be a date-matching sort of feature. "
I would check this out. As a newly single girl, I've re-evaulated my priorities and I have determined that a future/potential mate MUST be like-minded when it comes to my Twins. Where better to meet this Perfect Man than @ bat-girl.com?
OK, I'm just joking. Well, mostly.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 01:13 PMndtf -
A suggestion re: those bridesmaid dresses. Hang onto them. (Like anyone else would want them anyway.) Seriously. Then, in about ten years, when your every female aquaintance has a half a closet of like gear, throw a huge "come-as-your-most-hideous-bridesmaid-experience" martini party. It will be cathartic. There's really nothing else to do with them anyway.
Posted by: hrunting at May 6, 2005 01:22 PMOh my gosh! I can't believe I forgot to share this here - of all places.
I'm innocently watching a Twins game a couple of weeks ago and there is a commercial (it's the Quiet Down! one). At one point, these two little boys are getting their 9-year old groove on. Strange, they look exactly like these kiddies that sat in front of me last summer at the 1st Dougie-as-a-Red-Sock game.
The boys were jammin' for the JumboTron and the Twins put them in a commercial.
OK, the really exciting part? For like 1.79 seconds, I can see myself. In a TWINS commercial! As the biggest Twins fan in my workplace/group of friends/neighborhood/whatever, this is the ultimate.
The only bad part is that for the first time EVER, I was not wearing a Twins-related article of clothing at the game. My girly-girl friend comvinced me not to as we were planning to go out to the bars afterwards. I think she wanted to pick up guys, but I ended up talking to anyone & everyone in Twins gear.
Anyway, I thought if anyone would appreciate this, the Batlings would.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 01:23 PMHrunting and ndtf:
More cathartic might be a "come as your most hideous bridesmaid experience" BONFIRE party, since everyone'll have multiple awful dresses....
Say Rah!... that's so cool! congratulations!
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 01:30 PMI appreciate the suggestions. A few years ago my sorority had an ugly bridesmaid dress contest as part of a fundraiser. I'm figuring by the time all my friends are married, I should be able to take at least the top 3 spots in a contest like this. The whole thing has also made me decide that when (or at the rate I'm going, if) I ever get married, I will have one bridesmaid: My sister. And she can wear a nice reuseable dress. This way I will not be supporting the production of ugly dresses in the world. And the groom *will* be a Twins fan!
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 01:32 PMAnother great column BG!
Posted by: Bartlett_for_ROTY at May 6, 2005 01:33 PMWay OT but is there going to be a gamethread here, or the other place for tonights Twins - funny looking fish game?
Posted by: talldrinkowater at May 6, 2005 01:50 PMI gotta find me a good Twins fan. The whole NL/Padres experiment was exciting and fun for awhile, but I just realized we weren't compatible...
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 01:52 PMSay Rah-
I know what you're talking about. I went out a couple of times with a Yankees fan. He was also a Packers fan, and I'm more of a Purple Pride girl. There were several other factors in the demise of this relationship, but those were the biggest two.
Katharriet - Exactly! Excellent emendation to the plan.
So tonight we get to play the big, bad, scary team that just beat up the Yankees, huh? No offence to Yankeefan, who is a gentleman, but seeing TB and NY tied is a very nice thing.
Posted by: hrunting at May 6, 2005 01:59 PMOnly if it's tied at the bottom... ;)
Posted by: Torhu at May 6, 2005 02:14 PMAwwwwww, cute!
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/events/mothersday/index_05.jsp
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 02:26 PMI would check this out. As a newly single girl, I've re-evaulated my priorities and I have determined that a future/potential mate MUST be like-minded when it comes to my Twins. Where better to meet this Perfect Man than @ bat-girl.com?
Amen Say-rah. Amen.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 02:28 PMndtf - I will admit to being flexible on football, I'm just not passionate about one particular team. I followed the Chargers with much enthusiasm this past season, but the Packers? My Vikings brain-washing was pretty intense in a previous life and my hatred of the Pack (and especially that Fav-ruh guy) runs deep.
A Yankee-Packers combo? Doesn't that describe Satan? Congrats on getting rid of that one! :)
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 02:28 PMSay Rah -- I too know what you mean. My problem isn't that I seem to go out with non-Twins fans, per se. Rather, it's that they just don't like sports (especially baseball) nearly as much as I do. But, if a girl won't put up with my love for the Twins...
Given all these comments, maybe Batgirl really should start a dating service. :)
Posted by: Nick at May 6, 2005 02:29 PMNick - That's what I llke about the people who hang out here - girls who are obsessed with sports (particularly the Twins!) are the norm! We rule! :)
I can respect a guy who truly loves his Padres (heck, I did for two years), but it's so much more fun to have a common team and go to games together.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 02:32 PMMy problem is that a guy is intimidated when I know/care/cheer more than he does.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 02:36 PMHooray for sports-obsessed girls! I've managed to drag a girlfriend to a Twins game, but when she just isn't enjoying the game nearly to the extent that I do, it's not the same.
Rankings:
1. Going to a game with a great girl who loves sports and the Twins.
2. Going to a game with the guys, who enjoy the game and are fun.
3. Going with a girl who just isn't loving the experience.
aurora - i totally understand. that's when i throw in a comment about how hot someone is. ya gotta girl-it-up for them once in awhile. ;)
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 02:37 PMNick -
My Rankings:
1. Going to a game with a great guy who loves sports and the Twins.
2. Going to a game alone
3. Going with a girlfriend who just isn't loving the experience.
Well, I guess I'll do mine...
1. Going to a game with a guy who loves it.
2. Going to a game with my mother who LOVES it.
3. Going to a game with a girl-friend who loves it.
4. Going to a game with people who aren't interested.
5. Going with a big group of people who don't watch the game, justkeep smoking and people watching.
My rankings:
1. Going to a Twins game with a great guy who loves the Twins.
2. Going to a Twins game with my mom (a true die-hard, she taught my dad to love baseball).
3. Going to a Twins game with friends who may not understand baseball, but understand my love of baseball.
ndtf & aurora -
Neither my parents nor my siblings are into baseball or sports in general. I'm starting to think I am adopted... You girls are lucky.
Hmmm. I'm thinking that being a great guy who loves the Twins could really start to work out for me. :)
Posted by: Will at May 6, 2005 02:49 PM"I know what you're talking about. I went out a couple of times with a Yankees fan. He was also a Packers fan"
Oh my.
I could never do such a thing.
Then again, I married a Tribe fan. I enjoyed cupcake day a whole lot more than he did.
Say Rah!, I am interested that you like to go to games alone. I've never done that, but I think I could do it and enjoy it. Now that I've started scoring, I am so much more into the game and more focused on what's happening on the field. I've gone to many games with friends who like baseball, but see it as a social event and want to chit-chat. This season, my husband and I have gone just the two of us, and both of us are scoring, and we have been enjoying it more than ever. He listens to the radio and tells me when Herb, Danny and Gordo say something worthwhile. My point is, I think I would enjoy a game as much, or more even, by myself then I would with friends who are out to be social. Are there very many others of you who go to games alone?
Posted by: Pepper at May 6, 2005 02:52 PM"Now that I've started scoring"
I giggled at this. Sorry, I'm juvenile at times.
"Hmmm. I'm thinking that being a great guy who loves the Twins could really start to work out for me. :)"
How ya doin Will? *wink*
just kidding.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 02:54 PMooh ooh i was on one of the commercials last year! we were going crazy for a late-inning twins rally and it ended up on the ad for the whole year! my new goal is making it on sportscenter... but i doubt that there'll be any great plays near my seats (third base line) that will get me on there! oh well.
Posted by: aussie at May 6, 2005 02:55 PMI've never gone to a Twins game alone, though I've strongly considered it. For example, last year I remember a Saturday night home game in which El Presidente was pitching that wasn't televised. I was just going to get in my car to go, before realizing that all my agonizing made it too late to get to the game until the 3rd or 4th inning.
I have gone to football games alone. I'm not a huge NFL fan, but give me some Division III football (the pure game), and I'll go by myself if none of my friends are going.
Posted by: Nick at May 6, 2005 02:55 PMOk, I've been reading these for a couple seasons now and just started posting, and my posts are all about dating... I'm ashamed.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 02:56 PMI go to games alone all the time, both baseball and hockey. when I do go with other people, they are usually people who want to watch and not chit chat about random stuff. my friends all know better than to talk to me when I'm watching hockey or baseball. :)
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 02:58 PMFor the most part my friends know to keep our conversations during the game relevant to the game. For example, when some friends and I were at a game earlier this spring, I was asked why everyone was booing when Lew came up to bat. I then had to explain that we were actually "Lewing." I later had to explain why half the crowd was cheering and the other half was booing when AJ came up to bat.
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 03:02 PMGoing to a game alone can be pretty intense. Yes - I know I sound like a giant geek, but you just focus on the game on a totally different level.
I went to see Supernatural vs. SuperPedro last year and because of the match-up, deliberately chose to do that one solo. It was amazing.
I've scored before (hee hee), but I find it to be stressful when I almost miss something because the 17-year olds down the aisle choose a particularly inopportune time to go to the bathroom for a lipstick check.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 03:03 PMkafumbly, I'm a little surprised that you go to games by yourself. Are you saying you leave Tumbleweed home all by her lonesome while you go enjoy a game at the Dome? She looks like she does pretty well on airplanes, why wouldn't you want to take her along???
Posted by: Pepper at May 6, 2005 03:07 PMaussie -
my goal is to be circled... i wanted soooo badly to take/make a sign when i was in san diego, but the then-boyfriend nixed the idea. so i dumped him.
My family went to KC 2 seasons ago for a family reunion and went to a game there and we all wore circle me bert T-shirts.
Didn't get circled. Got really sunburned sitting in the 115 degree heat though.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 03:09 PMi used to drag signs up to the dome all the time, but then i realized how many other people did too and gave up. you really almost gotta do it at one of the interleague games, especially out west. there aren't usually too many twins fans that way. if anyone goes to phoenix next month, that would be a good place to try it.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 03:13 PMOkay, how about all the single guys and gals who love reading this site decide upon an evening and a section? We can make it a social gathering of the batlings and if romance should be discovered, then it should start with a Domedog and a carbonated beverage.
And in the future, if long lasting romances blossom into true loves, marriages, and more batkitties, then we can all say it all started one day after Cupcake Day.
What say ye, batlings? BatGirl? Anyone?
Posted by: Drew at May 6, 2005 03:15 PMDrew (can I call you AJ LeCory?) -
*cautiously*
I might be interested in this. Seriously, what's the worst that could happen? You meet some Twins/Batgirl fans?
For those of us who live outside the metro area, I would have to recommend a Saturday night game.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 03:18 PMI live in the area and work down town, but I'm in if for no other reasons to meet some fans. I'm out of here for the weekend though. Have a good weekend everyone.
Posted by: aurora at May 6, 2005 03:19 PMSo, I went to the site referenced by ndtf (with the Mother's Day Cards)...
Lew's was very adorkable (as expected), and I thought it cool that Big Papi had one, too. Although his telling his wife she has a "great personality" may end up with his being exiled to the couch for a while.
And what's up with the Bitch Sox? Their manager sends a card, but none of the players?
And, for what it's worth, as a single guy in the Twin Cities I would love to get together with a group to watch a game (and actually meet some of you folks - kind of nice to put faces to posts)
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 03:24 PMLew is adorkable in his own right, but his wife is pretty h-o-t. And I mean that objectively - she's not really my type.
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 03:25 PMI too would be in for a game with the group. Meeting and watching a game with such knowledgeable and passionate fans would be a blast.
Oh, and as for Lew's wife -- I agree, she's an attractive woman.
Posted by: Nick at May 6, 2005 03:27 PMSay Rah!,
I think it would be a lot of fun for everyone to meet. We all love the Twins, we all read this site, and... well, we all love the Twins. Oh yeah, and some of us are single. I know this talk is probably rather silly, but at heart, I'm a romantic who really thinks dorky things like this have just as much chance as anything else. At a minimum, we all get sit in the same section, cheer like crazy people, get circled by Bert, and enjoy a night amongst like-minded people.
I look forward to everyone's thoughts on a "group" night.
Posted by: Drew(AJ Lecroy) at May 6, 2005 03:27 PMOh yeah I also noticed Ortiz's "great personality" comment, I'm going to chalk it up to difficulties with the language à la Rincón.
It might give a whole new (accurate) meaning to "Nobody wants to be in my pants right now".
If I can find a way to get out of here for the weekend, or if I suddenly come into enough money to pay for gas and a hotel room, I would be up for a gathering at the dome.
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 03:29 PMI was on the Jumbo screen once, on my birthday. It was actually really cool because it was only me, and not a million people on the screen. Everybiody was able to sere the Twins shirt I was wearing that my friends made for me.
As for my favorite parts of going to Twins games, my friends and I have great times making up stories about the Twins players. A good example would be when AJ and denny were on the team, (We all know they were not just "friends") and the ump had his hands on aj's waist. You could later see Denny and Aj talking in the dugout. I'm sure Denny was jealous.
Posted by: Kiki at May 6, 2005 03:32 PMDoes anyone know whether the Rockies are going to keep Restovich up in the major leagues? He's hitting well and I hope he gets the chance to stay on the team. Do you Twin fans try to keep up on how former Twins are doing?
Posted by: Sox Fan at May 6, 2005 03:33 PMPepper, Tumbleweed only goes to the Dome when she gets to help Little Nicky Punto at 2nd base, or when she needs to support a Twin with a particularly painful press conference. otherwise, she prefers to watch or listen to games at home. (they frown on using the opposing team's bullpen mound as a litter box.)
I just started scoring a few games ago. I didn't want to start, because I knew it would be habit-forming... but *sigh* I did it, anyway. I haven't started keeping score at home yet, so I may be okay.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 03:34 PMLooked at the calendar, and June 18 looks good... it's a Saturday night, and we're playing San Diego (just for you, Say Rah)
Maybe contact group sales and have "BatGirl Night?"
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 03:36 PMooh, I was in the Hormel Row of Fame last year at the home opener. actually, it was the row ahead of me, and they were all friends of mine. one of them had taken off about ten minutes earlier to get a pop, and when he hadn't come back yet when the camera crew and hot dog guy came up, I took his seat and ate his free hot dog and was on the jumbotron in his place. HA! that'll teach him to leave his seat.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 03:41 PMI think it would be great to have a Batlings Single Social at a game... Count me in.
and I got to see Lew and his family at the State Fair and not only is his wife extremely hot - even in person - but his kids are totally adorable.
Posted by: CapitalBabs at May 6, 2005 03:42 PMJune 18 is good. I'm done at my weekend job at 4:00, so I could make it for a 6:10 game.
hmmmmm... I better get my "boyfriend" t-shirt ordered...
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 03:48 PMOf course, any singles night would have to include BatGirl and Jeb as chaperones...
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 03:48 PMheraldguy,
Oooh, good idea! I was actually toying with the idea of going up for a Padres game anyway even though I didn't have a real reason to. 6/18 gets my vote!
Xavier Nady is my SD boyfriend, he was this -> <- close to me when I was out there 2 years ago. I was hanging around waiting for the BF to get out of the bathroom and apparently I was standing right outside the entrance to the locker room (or whatever).
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 03:48 PMoh yeah, i'll be the one wearing a twins shirt...
(is that so lame that it's kinda funny?)
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 03:49 PMSox Fan, I'm not sure about Resto.
some of us keep up with some former Twins. I know my friends are watching Dougie Baseball in NY, and it's almost impossible not to keep an eye on Ortiz and, now, AJ.
personally, I'm more hardcore about hockey than baseball, if that's at all possible, so I've got my hands full with the current Twins roster.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 03:56 PMToo bad I won't be able to join in any singles night-type stuff. I'll be up in the Cities about two weeks prior; my cousin had gotten me tickets to the Sunday game against the Yanks. Section 223, I think...
Posted by: mk at May 6, 2005 03:56 PMhey... I even know a contact in group sales if people are really interested. But you have to have 25 people... BG, you wanna see if we can put something together?
Posted by: CapitalBabs at May 6, 2005 04:03 PMI could probably make it June 18. It sounds like a fun idea.
Posted by: Nick at May 6, 2005 04:06 PMThe problem with group tickets (and we've discussed this in the past) is that someone has to pay for all of it. Collecting the money and distributing the tickets becomes a massive job and things get complicated.
Last year it was not a problem to have our "campaign rallies" because we could meet in lower GA and people were in general happy with the seats. Now that lower GA is not so much GA anymore, we're stuck in the cheap seats. Y'all are much better off picking a section and meeting there rather than trying to coordinate group tickets.
Posted by: E at May 6, 2005 04:10 PMI've gone to several games alone. I enjoy it. No reason to not go just because none of your friends/family members are available. Everyone in the place is your friend for three hours, anyway, unless it's an interleague game and you end up sitting in a nest of Brewers fans. *Shudder.*
I'd be up to attend a BatSingles game, but I'm, uh, kinda old. Wouldn't want to be a buzz-kill for you kids.
Posted by: QJW at May 6, 2005 04:16 PMQJW - I'm 46, and have never killed a buzz in my life. I've never even told a kid to get off my lawn.
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 04:18 PMOK, heraldguy, you've convinced me. I'm 45, and kids are welcome to run on my lawn!
Posted by: QJW at May 6, 2005 04:23 PMYeah! All those older than Mulholland raise those walkers high!!!!!
Posted by: heraldguy at May 6, 2005 04:24 PMSee guys? I'm 28 & I HAVE been known to give the neighbor boy a dirty look when he hops my fence to retrieve an errant tennis ball. Maybe I'll be the buzz-kill! :)
Posted by: Say Rah! at May 6, 2005 04:25 PMI go to games all by myself with no problems, although most of the time my pops comes with me. I actually don't mind being by myself.
I would go for a Batling outing to the Dome, I would suggest everyone that plans on going just get a cheap seats ticket and we meet in a section. And, as I've said before, I'm always at the dome and any Batling is welcome to sit with me in section 214 if they have reservations on going alone.
Have a good weekend my fellow Batlings, I'm off to drink beer at the keg (yes, we have a keg of beer in our office) with my co-workers and then I'm going home to cheer on the boys.
Love,
HooliganKat
Well, it's getting to be quitting time here too. I hope everyone has a good weekend, and don't forget to call your mom on Sunday! I'm off to the land of crappy dial-up to bond with my kitties and puppy (ok, technically they're my parents' pets, but I still think of them as mine).
Posted by: ndtf at May 6, 2005 04:51 PMAck! The firewall at work won't let me get to the new game thread...so I'll have to wait until the recap to commiserate with everyone.
Posted by: mk at May 6, 2005 05:11 PMI'm 31 and live in an apartment, but I get crabby when kids play too close to my patio.
Say Rah!, you and I can kill the buzz together. ;)
Posted by: kafumbly at May 6, 2005 06:41 PMCupCake day NOTHING! It was Michael Cuddyer Day! 5/5/05 hes #5 COME ON LADIES! GEEZE! Am I the only one who sent him a card? Cause that would be sad!
Posted by: Cuddy Buddy at May 6, 2005 09:53 PMCuddy Buddy-
Well, I didnt' send him a card, but I thought about him and I really hoped he'd do well (I mean, I always do, but I hoped for it to be a memorably special game!)!
I'm all for a Batgirl meeting--inviting all to join, including the non-singles amongst us. I'm single myself, but would hate for anyone to feel left out of a batling gathering simply based on their relationship status. I just ask for it not to be a Sunday or Wednesday night game. :)
And I'm glad to know some of you go to the games alone. I want to go to Tuesday, May 17th game, but no one I know can make it. I won't feel as dumb going alone if I know I'm not the first person to do it. Actually, Holligankat--you going to be at that one, too?
Just Beth
Posted by: Just Beth at May 6, 2005 11:43 PMum... Cuddy Buddy, you just may be.
Posted by: kafumbly at May 7, 2005 07:40 AM