BatEditor's Note: Batling Sacky recently went to scout the Rochester Red Wings. He was kind enough to provide the following report.
My sister and I were on a long road trip Tuesday and stopped in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to see the AAA Red Barons play the Twins’ AAA team, the Rochester Red Wings. We wanted to fulfill our duty to you, our fellow Batlings – and to Batgirl herself – by doing some scouting of the Twins’ future.
?
Okay, let’s start with the night’s lineup.
Two things should jump out at you. One, Luis Rivas is batting seventh in TRIPLE A BALL. Two, Corky “Corky” Miller is still around. Remember how he cleared waivers when he was sent down? Amazing. But there is more amazement to be had from Corky “Corky”:
Here we see Corky “Corky” Miller in his pre-game ritual of dramatically taking his best Elvis pose. He did it enough times to allow me to pull out my camera and document it. I’m sure it looked much cooler before the team removed the sequins, rhinestones and fringe from their uniforms earlier this season. As you can see, Scott Baker is signaling for help from the trainers because Corky “Corky” got stuck.
Rivas seems to fit in quite well with his new teammates and was in surprisingly good spirits. However, he doesn’t seem to get along with his fellow infielder, Luis Maza. Below we see Maza making Rivas say “uncle” while Gil Velazquez looks on with the indifference of a big brother watching his smaller brothers fight.
Speaking of Rivas, the Pennsylvania chapter of the Rivas AAA Fan Club was out in full force. I don’t know who these guys were, but they mostly just held up their signs silently (must be Minnesotans) while the players warmed up.
The players definitely noticed. Augie Ojeda bowed down to Rivas at one point.
Since my sister and I were the only people in the Phillies’ AAA stadium who were decked out in Twins shirts and hats, we also got noticed.
Garrett Jones: “Hey Augie, those two Twins fans are taking a picture of us.”
Augie Ojeda: “Really? Sweet! Let’s pose for them.”
AO: “Action shot! I’m a-gonna hit a homerun!”
GJ: “Hope the fine ladies on bat-girl.com like biceps. Check out these pythons!”
Wisconsinite Dave Gassner was graciously signing some autographs before the game, so my sister had him sign her game ticket. Hmmmm, a control pitcher who is a nice guy AND whose number is 22? Can you say “Lad Gasske”?
All in all, it was a great night. The weather was perfect, the stadium was nice (but for what ungodly reason do they have artificial turf?!), and the promotional 50˘ hot dogs were most excellent. Baker allowed a run in each of the first two innings but threw 5 shutout innings after that, looking truly boyfriend/NSMC worthy. The defense was solid. Corky “Corky” Miller managed to hit not one but TWO singles, raising his average from .211 to a sultry .220.
Something Corky has never done for the Twins.
Rivas also had two hits, one of which was a lovely bunt single in his first AB. Brian Buchanan tossed my sister a game-used baseball at the end of an inning (the play was Baker-bat-Velazquez-Buchanan-sis), AND he drove in the winning run with his second hit of the night, which would likely have earned him BOD honors if there were such a thing in AAA ball.
Buck celebrates his game-winning single in the 10th after being lifted for a pinch runner
After the game, we saw Red Wings OF Kevin West quizzing kids in the stands (e.g., “who is baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader?”) and giving a bat to the first kid who could answer each one. How nice and Twins-ish is that?! This wasn’t even a home game!
In summary, one can only hope that this extra-inning, 3-2 victory by a bunch of good guys suggests that the future holds more of the same kind of baseball that we Twins fans have come to adore.
Your scout out East,
Sacky
OK, so this is off topic, but I felt the female readers might like to know about Joe Mauer and his dating preferences. See the "Daily Dose" in the PiPress, and send him some fan mail... http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/special_packages/daily_dose/12478825.htm
Posted by: double-a at August 26, 2005 10:09 AMI'm so jealous! it looks like there is hope for the twins in the minors- and gardy, PLEASE bring up baker!
Posted by: Hannah! at August 26, 2005 10:31 AMOn Twins page of Twincities.com now:
It's official, Mays is out of the rotation and Baker will be coming up in time for Monday's game. No word yet as to Mays' fate but they also want to do a couple other roster changes before Sept. 1. At the very least they want to drop the number of pitchers down to 10 and add an infielder.
Posted by: TwinsinBoston at August 26, 2005 10:37 AMOh how fun, Sacky! Excellent pictures! *jealous*
Posted by: ndtf at August 26, 2005 11:04 AMSo not fair. Next time I'm tagging along. :)
Posted by: Megan at August 26, 2005 11:29 AMI was able to get to a Beloit Snappers game a couple weeks ago. It was a lot of fun. But the Red Wings appear to be even a more swell group. Although I suppose supporting them while they are the visiting team helps.
Posted by: double-a at August 26, 2005 11:38 AMI have been to beautiful Lackawanna County Stadium, once for baseball and once for Lalapalozza. It's a nice small park in the middle of nowhere. It was funny hear the RHCP come on the stage and say Hello Scranton !
We used to think that it had turf to prepare the players for playing at the Vet, but they have grass now in the new park and we think it might be because it gets real cold and snowy up in those parts during the winter. The park is like a mile away from a ski lodge/mountain
Posted by: mike at August 26, 2005 11:46 AMI love players who are nice guys, too :)
Posted by: CarrieICL at August 26, 2005 12:31 PMsacky, that's awesome! thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: kafumbly at August 26, 2005 12:47 PMSacky -
how fun!!! Thanks for sharing the road trip to see the 'baby Twins'!!
Love the caption for Corky "Corky" Miller!!
Huh - the Chairman likes nice girls - why doesn't that surprise me -
much love
Wonder Woman
double a,
Thank you for telling us this news, at least now Joe will know who all the fan mail is coming from. :) I'm a nice girl. . .
-Hannah
Thank you Sacky for this report, it was very Batgirl-esque.
Posted by: Hannah (the second) at August 26, 2005 12:50 PMSacky - thanks for sharing those photos - sounds like you had a great time.
And seriously, what is up with that astroturf?
Posted by: Cathy at August 26, 2005 02:35 PMIt's nice to know that some baseball players take the time to associate with their fans. I just don't see high-profile players like Jeter and A-Rod doing such a thing. I'm glad I support the team that has the willing players. I love them to death.
Thanks to Double-A for the article. As I am a 17, going on 18, year old, I found that highly interesting. I feel bad he only gets letters from old guys. Prompted me to finally write the letter I've been formulating for quite a while now. Thanks again.
Glad you enjoyed your trip. Someday I hope to do one like that also. =)
Posted by: Twinsfan at August 26, 2005 03:38 PMNice job, Sacky!
You know that this is making me kick myself more for being sick and unable to get out of the house when the Red Wings were in Durham earlier this season. Blargh.
At the very least, I would have been able to show pictures of the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which is a gorgeous field.
Posted by: mk at August 26, 2005 04:29 PMYou know...a few of us at the Miracle stadium were just discussing this the other day...the guys who are now in either the Red Wings or the Rock Cats were the ones that were here two years ago...and that was the BEST year. The guys were so nice...they would come out before AND after games and talk to kids and sign autgraphs. This season I actually told our catcher Kyle Phillips at the beginning of the season to let the guys know how important it is to the kids for them to come out and sign...wanna know who was out before and after EACH game...Kyle Phillips...that was about it. The boys that are up there right now...are truly the best bunch!! Of course you got a picture of my MOST favorite fella...Garrett Jones...I have a tremendous picture of him...that I got at an away game in Tampa playing the Yankees last season. Believe it or not...he is not at ALL like the pictures make him out to be. One of the quietest guys I know...aside from Joe Mauer..lol.
Posted by: Caroline at August 26, 2005 06:35 PMI drove through Scranton-WB on my way back from Toronto/Cooperstown a few weeks ago. My favorite part of the town was Moosic Street. Apparently, they didn't get the memo that the nickname is Muzak.
Posted by: Will Young at August 26, 2005 11:58 PMSacky, anyone ever told you your sister is cute?
Posted by: Richard at August 27, 2005 03:50 PMGreat work, Sacky. A good way to get out and have some fun before the grind starts in again.
Posted by: AT at August 27, 2005 05:01 PMThanks for all the great comments, people. We really did have a great time at the game, and I had fun putting the report together. Glad you all enjoyed it!
double-a: love the note on Mauer - thanks for pointing it out!
Richard: d'oh! *covers ears* I'm not listening! It's my little sister! ;)
Posted by: sacky at August 27, 2005 10:31 PMsacky, do you wear underwear hats when you're at the game? If not, what is your replacement?
Posted by: Nick at August 27, 2005 11:36 PMNick:
Unfortunately, MLB and its minor league affiliates have placed a ban on my underwear hats at or within 100 yards of their ballparks. As a result, I simply don a traditional rally cap while imagining to myself that it is indeed an underwear hat. Seems to generally do the trick, as it did in this game.
Posted by: sacky at August 28, 2005 01:33 PMi played on that field once. its unforgiving.
Posted by: gr at September 1, 2005 09:35 AM