I'll get some hardcore studying done for finals in the near future with the Twins playing like they are... it's too painful to watch. April is over. Ha. le. luia. Now they can brush the dirt off their shoulders and play some good baseball. Not good baseball. Phenomenal baseball.

Phenomenal Baseball let's hope
Hey it can only get better RIGHT??

As another Twins fan in dreary Madison, I need to find something other than studying to get my mind off this mess of a team. Can it get better? We can ohly hope so...

*awkward silence* uh, hi. My name's, uh, Bob and... *sigh* I'm a twins fan.

Also, if our offense is going to suck, our pitchers may as well support them. I think its mutual bonding. It should build the clubhouse unity we lacked at the end of last season. See, if I give one student an F, and another an A, and they happen to study together, there's going to tension there right? But if they both fail, then at least they have their mutual loathing for mathematics to build on. Of course that sometimes leads to both students dropping the course and angry phone calls from parents, but hey its college so you can always retake the course next semester.

with all these goose eggs we're getting, we can only hope that some of them are GOLDEN eggs! that would be really cool. or maybe chocolate eggs, with those rise krispie things in them. those are yummy.

ooops... "rice."

Great game! We gave up 12 fewer runs and 14 fewer runs than we did yesterday. Our pitchers also pitched 6 scoreless innings as compared to 1 yesterday. Also, Lyle faced only 29 batters - that's only 2 more than Rogers faced in his perfect game! How can you beat stats like that?

Let's keep the trend going - if my math is correct we should see a no hitter tomorrow night! We now have 10 straight games to turn this thing around.

"He can have my lucky rabbit's foot," said Rondell White, joining the group. "I take it with me wherever I go."

A moment of silence.

"Uh….that's okay, Rondell," said Anderson.

haha...is anyone else tired of waiting for Rondell to break out of his slump?

As yet another Twins fan in Madison, I went to the annual block party in the cold rain yesterday and didn't get to watch the game, I came back to find that we lost 18-1 and decided that even getting a $250 drinking ticket and catching hypothermia from the rain would have been better than watching that "game".

Thanks for the humor BG, it's MUCH needed after this weekend. This site is always good "therapy" for shell shocked Twins fans after a bad game ;-)

At least April is over, that's got to be good, right? RIGHT??

PPPPPLLLLLLLEEEEEAASSSEEEEE stop the sucking and the rain. I hope hope...for home turf May basket new month good hops great pitching/hitting Twins baseball. PLease.

Sincerely,

kal

My friend is a Cubs fan and as we were "recovering" from the Mifflin block party yesterday she shared that the Cubbies lost 16-2 and I immediately replied, "Hah, the Twins lost 18-1. I win." I agree Molly, the crappy weather we endured here yesterday was definitely better than watching the game. Sorry about the ticket.

By the best Pythagorean projections, the Twins will finish with something like a 53-109 record. As recently as Friday afternoon, they stood to finish with a respectable 66-96 record.

Interestingly, if we Pythogorate with the weekends scoring only, the Twins would win one game every four seasons.

Yesterday, after changing from the Twins game to the Cubs game (which was no better) to the Yankee game (also no better), I finally settled on the Nats, and finally the Orioles. Was spring training too diluted by the WBC? Is the league too diluted? Some competitive games would be nice to see.

Look on Mr. Brightside . . . it can't get any worse . . . can it?

No, but it can stay the same.

This reminds me of "Trapped In The Closet."

"Come out Lohse...nobody will think less of you."
"I don't wanna..."

I had to leave in the fourth, and it looked so promising (for the pitching, not really the offense). what happened after that? oh dear...

Sometimes you win,
Sometimes you lose,
Sometimes it rains.

Geez, why couldn't it have rained?

I'm the proud owner of one-tenth of a pair of Twins season tickets, and I'm going to be in the Dome during this next homestand for the first time this year. And I'm already excited. I'm sitting here thinking to myself that even a bad day in a bad ballpark is better than a good day almost anywhere else. Besides, the odds against being outscored 33-1 in any given three-game series must be astronomical. Are there any sabermetricians out there? Has something like this ever happened to our guys before? Maybe we've all just witnessed something historic!

It rained down here...it rained a lot.

I think the heavens are weeping.

Sorry to hear about your ticket Molly. I half thought about going down to Mifflin, but I decided to sit through the torture of the Twins game.

All I can say is, it can only get worse if the Twins never win another game this year.

"Drinking ticket"?

Wuh?

I don't get it - the Marlins are supposed to suck, not us.

This team looks totally & completely dispirited.

Drinking ticket: what many an underage University of Wisconsin student gets if they are caught drinking.
Mifflin: the greatest block party in which residents of the 400 and 500 block of Mifflin Street host parties complete with bands and lots of beer.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=82101&ntpid=1

BD,

No, the TIGERS are supposed to suck, not us.

But Opposite Field, I like the way you think. Homestand here we come!

And if you're talking Mifflin, don't forget about the hippies. Ohhhhh, the hippies.

Dear Batgirl,

RD'sso glad you're back. I honestly don't know what I would have written about this weekend and the first month of the season. Maybe something like what happens when you click my name.

Thanks for using your Batpowers to explain what really happened today with Kyle and Nicky and the boys.

Best, RD

Oh the humanity!

I'll be at the Dome tomorrow and on Friday cheering the guys on in spite of it all.

Early in the game, they showed Radke and Silva sitting next to each other in the dugout and Bert & Dick commented on how they were a bit down and right after that, Silva put his arm around Radke. Aw!

(I feel a bit responsible for what happened yesterday. Just as the game began, I joked about how Silva emulates Professor Radke and how he might do that . . . I was kidding! I swear! I never dreamed that it would play out as it did.)

*sigh*
I think a part of me died this weekend.

Oh no, I didn't actually get a ticket, though I know many people that did...I was saying that would have been worse...I actually have a friend that got a ticket for peeing in public! I can't wait to get back home so I can cheer the twins on and hopefully watch them win a few games...

Thanks Batgirl, for the prequel to today's game.
It was much more enjoyable than a re-cap.

Now, my fellow Batlings, let's try to get out there and support our guys at home this week.

Apparently, at least based on the last homestand, they need us there in order to hit baseballs and score runs.

And I thought I was becoming a pessimist:

http://www.startribune.com/150/story/403107.html

That weekend didn't happen. I wasn't around to watch it. So, we have a 2 game winning streak! And Baker's on the mound on only 2 days rest!

Here's why we suck:

1. Twins can't hit anything other than a fastball.
2. Several Twins batters (I will not call them hitters) try to hit a 5-run HR with nobody on.
3. Batista is not the answer Terry Ryan hoped for.
4. Rondell White is not the answer Terry Ryan hoped for.
5. Lohse has a bad attitude.

The best thing that Twins fans have going for them is Bat-Girl. She can make me laugh even after a historic drubbing by Detroit.

Okay, I'll admit I didn't listen to a single game this weekend (and I'm beyond glad about that). But what's with all the Kyle-hate? From what I can tell, he was the staff ace this weekend! Today the Twins pitching staff, with Kyle leading them, gave up 1/3 of the runs given up yesterday. That's pretty impressive, considering. Whoohoo!

Take heart, Twins fans. It's not as bad as it is.

Remember, tomorrow is the next day!

Well I think logically, it IS as bad as it IS. But I take your point.

That said, Lohse did the best of all the pitchers and if Ford had caught that ball, they probably would only have lost 3 or 4-0. So its kind of a frightening though when Lohse has become one of the most consistent pitchers.

You younguns wouldn't remember, but the Mifflin Street party used to be a community event and not just a big drunk for the college crowd. You could actually bring kids down there. Sigh.

Hey, at least the Indians fell apart on Sunday night. (Looking for any silver lining as the White Sox sweep another weekend series....)

Thank you BG. Before reading your post, I was all set to come off all angry and hurt about the sorry state of this team. But I read about Kyle's understandable anxieties. Then I realized the error of what I was about to do. I was about to sound like a Viking's fan, the whiniest, most paranoid, most emotionally unbalanced lot on the planet (current presidential administration excepted ... I mean, I don't want to get all out of perspective with you or anything).

THAT would have really embarassing. Thanks BG for saving me from that fate.

On another note: Kyle was the rock of the starters this weekend? Oh my, this isn't helping my Kyle recovery at all. Kyle, I'm trying very hard to not base my emotional well-being on your pitching/bitching. I'm not trying to be all co-dependent and all, but it would really help if you just made a choice between totally sucking or totally rocking. Okay?

e-9

" 'Uh….that's okay, Rondell,' said Anderson."

Classic.

Thank you for making me laugh, BG. I'm beginning to lose my will to live.

When I was a child, I used to get my younger brothers to go away by telling them "mom has a cookie for you." It worked until they were about 5. So, on the plus side, now we have proof Kyle is smarter than a 5 year old, even if he did get dragged kicking and screaming to the mound.

I live in Chicago and sit next to a Yankee-lover here at work. I hate Mondays, was tired and bleary-eyed when I showed up at 8:15 this morning, and he couldn't wait to needle me about how bad the Twins sucked this weekend. He has no idea how lucky he is that I refrained from throwing my stapler at his head. I get it. They're misreable. They're an over-paid misreable mess.

Ouch Jimmy Souhan...that article hurt. I've still got faith. It's May, not September remember. We need Torii to start kickin some butt in the clubhouse or something! And my BF...Morneau...quit trying to hit a homer EVERY time up. Flailing is NOT sexy.

BatGirl:

Thnx for the laughs--needed it.

I noticed one thing on this road trip that nobody here has commented on. Twins lack of defense. I get the idea that Torii is a step slower this year and so is Shannon. But what really gets to me is Castillo's lack of range or effort at 2B. We are giving away too many hits on the right side. T-Phat actually is showing hustle on defense like Lou. Castillo reminds me of a statue.

Time to bring up Kubel and see what he can do. Time to put Cuddles at DH since he tries everywhere but cant seem to make plays anywhere. Time to dump Rondell and Sierra and go with the kids. Maybe the guy from the STRIB is right--give the ball to Liriano and Boof.

Putting away the soap box.

DAM

I see that Rondell White is so lousy the Twins are making him wear a Tigers' uni. So would I.

Paging Dr. Liriano . . . Dr. Liriano you're wanted in the rotation stat!

The only good part of the weekend is that I had to miss both shut-out games due to previous commitments. Don't blame my not listening as the problem. I got to listen to the 2343234-1 loss on Saturday, the entire way through. At about the eighth inning I was pleading to whoever would listen, "Can this game end already?" I don't blame Kyle. I'd've locked myself in the bathroom, too.

I guess it's time to dust off the my boyfriend takes naked batting practice shirt -
I think the score on Saturday was only 97-1 but I can see how it might have felt like 750-1

much love
Wonder Woman

Bwahahahaha! Little did I know that by declaring war on the Evil Twinkies that the boys in Blue would rally to the casue the way they did. Now that ye have been vanquished the Mighty Tigers can turn thier focus to the Royals and revenge on the Angels. I say bring on the White Sox (as long as Thome's back is hurting him when they show up). El Bengalo

Huh, never knew bout Wayne Hattaway, great read.

Too bad bout the Twins though, the problem with the situation is, in order to have a 4 team race for the AL Central, the 4th team needs to start posting W's...

So that means there's only one thing to be done.

Johan pitches on 1 day rest. Every time out.

Problem solved.

OK everyone need to start to laugh and have a good time. Isn't that what baseball is all about?

I know it's April, but you know what, it's over. Let's come to grips now. I seen enough with this team. We are not in the class of the White Sox, Indians, and now the Tigers. I have to wonder if we are in the class of Royals when all is said and done. I don't think we are that better than KC and KC almost took the series this week. I expect this team to be in last place by the end of the year with 95 losses.

This team has a lot of problems in many, many ways. Their pitching is so unreliable. The only four guys I trust is Johan, Scotty, Francisco, Willie, and Joe. That is it. When you got five pitchers that we can trust, that's a huge problem. I think Juan Rincon is not getting better. I have no idea what the hell is up with Jesse Crain and I am not sure if things are getting better with him. Forget Brad being on track. The guy is done. When you start thinking retirement as he has done, then it's over. Carlos Silva is a huge concern. Did he kept himself in shape this off-season? The WBC stuff is over. He should be in top form right now. Kyle Lohse is a lost cause.

The hitting is a joke. I don't see any light in the tunnel with the hitters especially Mauer and Morneau, who has showed zero resembleness to Mantle and Maris. I think those two will never be productive players with this organization. I think those two need to head to the minors or something. I rather see Mike Redmond play everyday than Mauer. At least, Mike Redmond will hit every game and come up big in the clutch. At least, Redmond will show fire unlike Mauer.

So what are the solutions? Beats me. I can come up with some. Release Rondell White and Kyle Lohse immediately. There is no point having either of them here. Rondell should not take full blame what's going on with this team. He is doing his best out there, but the bottom line is that he is not the solution and he never was. There is a reason why Rondell was let go by several teams over the years. He is not that good. He is a decent player, but he is worst than that now. I just don't see him getting better. Cuddyer can't be worst at DH. Kyle Lohse is a loser period. He is useless and I don't think putting him in the pen would be great for this team. He will not react well in the pen and he will be a problem in the clubhouse. He is a cancer to this club with his negative atttiude. Get rid of him today.

I don't see anyone being untouchable here. Not after last year and now this month. With the fact that our young hitters have regressed to the point that they will never be productive, maybe it's best to trade guys like Johan, Torii, Joe Nathan, Shannon, Luis Castillo, and others for young hitters that are developed to the point that they are very good and that the Twins couldn't mess with their success. I want guys who are ready to produce now because it ain't coming from guys like Mauer, Morneau, and others. As great as those guys have been for us, it's time to go to another direction. Twins ain't winning anything in the next few years so let's rebuild and start from scratch a la what the Indians did when they broke up their team. Indians made smart trades and develop good players. That's what the Twins need to start doing. If we ever get a new stadium in Minnesota, I would love to see this team have their players ready to the point that they are ready to be a WS contender by the time the new stadium is there.

I would send Morneau to the minors outright. I am tired of watching this guy. He is so hopeless. He is not helping at all. I think he seems well-satisfied just getting to the majors and not doing what it takes to be successful in the majors. I just think sending him down will wake up this team to the point that their jobs are not that secure. You can say the same for Mauer. He hasn't been anything special either. I want a guy who can produce and get the job done. Mike Redmond has outplayed Mauer IMO.

This team needs to take a long hard look with Gardenhire. You have to wonder if this is the guy you want managing long-term if this team is rebuilding. I haven't been happy with his work since last year. I think too many young hitters have regressed under him. At some point, you can't blame the young hitters anymore. There are way too many out there. I want a manager who will push players and make everyone accountable. I disagree with my boss's tactics at work, but I respect the fact that she gets on my case and she pushes me to succeed at work. I need a boss like that. Players need a manager to push them around. Guys like Wedge, Leyland, Guillen, and Scioscia are great managers because they push players to be the best they can be. With Gardy, it's excuses after excuses and it filters to the players. Gardenhire looks like he has ran out of answers and this has to concern Terry Ryan and the Pohlads. He won't be fired though as long as Carl is alive and breathing and that's going to be unfortunate for everyone.

There has to be changes. It has to be. You can't let this fester. This team ran its course with the veterans and guys like Mauer and Morneau need to get their world shaken up with a fresh dose of humility. Show the fans that you are going to do something about it by releasing Kyle and Rondy, send the Maris and Mantle wannabes to the minors, call teams to get fresh, young talent that are ready to contribute, and most of all, fire Gardenhire.

For someone who wrote a scathing email to me last season for being a White Sox fan, you sure don't show much love for your own team, and sure can't seem to grasp the idea of both competing AND developing young players at the same time. Mauer and Morneau have a long time ahead of them, sending them down wouldn't be beneficial to the Twins over the long term.

Think about the Tigers. Back in 2003 Maroth and Bonderman got DESTROYED. They were young pitchers who weren't ready. Did they get sent down or released? Nuh uh. Today? They're hitting their stride, and the Tigers are being rewarded. The Twins must show the same patience, ESPECIALLY when dealing with the results from APRIL. April is the month of deceivers and fools, and hasty decisions based on that culminate in the most foolish results. The players will come around. The Twins aren't as good as they used to be, and the Central is a LOT stronger now, but hey, they're still not the Royals, they'll show some fight.

-Pander
The Wannabe-Sagely White Sox Fan.