Cleveland at Minnesota. Twins 7, Indians 2.
Batgirl missed the first few innings of the game tonight (the BatTivo still isn't hooked up, meaning, for one thing, Batgirl will not get to watch Project Runway tonight and anyone who reveals anything about Wednesday night's will get banned and subject to a personal fashion critique from Michael Kors, and locked in a small room with Vincent and Angela) so she doesn't know if there's a reason the FSN crew kept flashing their camera at Mike Redmond during tonight's glorious eighth, but whatever the reason it was simply awesome.
In a K-Fan interview this season, Sweetcheeks credited the backup backstop for the lightened clubhouse dynamic this year—mostly, Torii said, due to his habit of walking around in socks and his birthday suit. (Is this, in fact, the reason for the Twins' oh-so-dramatic turnaround? For somehow BG thinks Mike Redmond did not disrobe during the T-Fat era. Something about that guy just makes you want to keep your clothes on.) More than that, he seems to have become the spirit of the team. Every time someone did something good tonight, the camera would flash to him and his little pre-pubescent mustache, on his feet clapping and shouting, jumping up and down in the dugout, running out to be the first person to greet someone who scored, wrapping his arms around them in big hugs—and I don't mean those woosy, I'm-going-to-stand-a-couple-of-inches-away-from-you-and–pat-your-back-really-hard-in-a-way-that-may-cause-you-pain-but-that's-just-how-macho-I-am man hug, but a real live I'm-going-to-hold-you-oh-so-gently-because-that's-how-proud-I-am-plus-I'm-not-wearing-any-underwear hug.
Here's a guy who gets to play once a week, who's back-up to a punk kid with brace mouth who happens to be the greatest baseball player of all time, who spends his life in benchwarmers book club meetings with Li'l Rod and Tiffles, and he's more into the game than anyone else in that clubhouse. Redmond was recently signed to a two year deal with an option for a third year, at which point he will be 97 years old, but Batgirl cares not. When the new park opens in 2010, BG wants Redmond there—in whatever capacity…assistant bench coach, mustache groomer to Wayne Hattaway, Dennys Sampler to Dennys Sampler Reyes, BG cares not—but she wants him there, tapping his nose, screaming from the clubhouse, stripping, stripping, stripping with love of the game and esprit de corps and probably some exhibitionism that should be worked out with a therapist, preferably a Freudian though maybe a Jungian could work too because there are clearly some major symbolism issues—and we'll see him and cheer and we cannot help but take off our clothes too, because it is baseball, it is our privilege to watch it, we stand naked before it, and who the hell needs clothes, anyway?
Wow. Simply superb Batgirl. You rock. Wild card lead by Sunday.
Posted by: killerredsquirrel at August 16, 2006 11:29 PM"Mike Redmond received a gift on Wednesday -- a cake inscribed with the words "Smell 'em," along with a picture of a finger tapping a nose. Redmond has made the phrase and gesture synonymous with driving in runs this season, and he proudly had the cake displayed near the team's dinner spread...."
Atta way, Mike! I hate to think what this team would be like without you and your NBP sessions ;-)
Posted by: Newton at August 16, 2006 11:38 PMGood stuff, BG. Redmond always has that naughty-boy-getting-away-with-something look on his face. These guys seem to be having so much fun. Gotta love it.
Posted by: E-6 at August 16, 2006 11:45 PMAmen.
Posted by: Spacey Stacey at August 16, 2006 11:55 PMBG, i very much appreciate all that you said about redmond. what a great guy. he makes watching the game that much better even if he doesn't play. And tonight was a pretty sweet game.
Posted by: AT at August 17, 2006 12:18 AMBeeg, the reason they were showing Redmond so much was because they were really playing up that whole "smell 'em" thing he started for RBIs. They even played That Smell during the opening, something that went over very well with me.
Did anyone else find the in-game interview with Little Nicky Punto to be absolutely hilarious? The noises he made when the ball was put in play were great. As Dick was trying to make the call on a groundball to the Doctor, you could hear LNP in the not-so-background going "Unh...come on...yeah...get 'em...he got 'em!" Freaking hilarious.
Posted by: Will at August 17, 2006 12:52 AMRedmond is also hitting about 350 and catches a good game on days he does play. Great guy to have arround.
Posted by: Broker at August 17, 2006 12:53 AMOh, and on a site that knows Redmond best for his naked batting practice-ness, I bet that Redmond would be very flattered to have a blurb about him titled 'No Small Parts'.
Posted by: Will at August 17, 2006 12:59 AMI'm all for not wearing any pants.
Posted by: Shelley at August 17, 2006 01:23 AMI don't know if you all remember it, but the first guy up to congratulate Mr. can't get a hit for his life Rondell White was Redmond. White hit his first, very important dinger, and Mike was out slapping him on the back just like he has everyone else this year. We have a boat load of great players on this squad, but I can't help but appreciate his clubhouse presence. Here's to the guy behind the guy, Mr. Mike Redmond!!!
Posted by: joey at August 17, 2006 02:03 AMGosh... I love this team. This is what the concept of TEAM is all about. Chemistry can take you a long way.
Posted by: jamar1700 at August 17, 2006 07:34 AMFor those who don't watch Runway and aren't properly terrified by the prospect of being locked in a room with Vincent and Angela, imagine being locked in a room with Woody Allen's brother (who has all the anxiety and none of the wit) and Jar Jar Binks.
Posted by: Kurtis at August 17, 2006 07:42 AMI'm still grateful that no matter what happens with the team, we can always console ourselves in the fact that "Well, at least we have the greatest back-up catcher in all of baseball." And right now, I'm glad we don't have to console ourselves with "Well, at least..." but we can say, "We are playing wonderfully AND we have the greatest back-up catcher in all of basell!"
Way to go, Twins. And, thanks, Mike.
Posted by: JustBeth at August 17, 2006 07:46 AMWill,
1. The Skynnard version or the 3 Doors Down remake?
2. Yesterday was "Lutheran Night" at the Dome. How did all those Lutherans feel about junkie anthem being trumpeted into the innocent ears of their children?
"anyone who reveals anything about Wednesday night's will get banned and subject to a personal fashion critique from Michael Kors, and locked in a small room with Vincent and Angela)"
Eep. I didn't get to see last night's episode either, but I am PRAYING that Vincent is gone. Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease.
Will - yeah, LNP was hilarious during the interview. He's like a little kid, and I love it. He's so enthusiastic about the game, hee. Yay for Tiny Superhero.
Anyhoo, thank you so much for the NBP tribute, BG! Redmond is one of my BFs, and it's awesome to see him getting all these accolades. I love how he's stepped up as a team leader of sorts, how he has fun with the game like a ballplayer should, and is fine with his role on the team. Heart.
For those who may not know, Redmond will be at Rock Bottom Brewery tonight (Thursday) at 6 to sign autographs. I'm sure he will be fully clothed. It is a restaurant, after all, and they have health codes for those sorts of places.
Posted by: FH at August 17, 2006 08:11 AMOn a completely unrelated note: Neshek, throwing four pitches and getting one out, got the W. I believe this is the second time he has done something like this.
I propose a new nickname: "The Vulture".
Posted by: Kris at August 17, 2006 08:29 AMOnly if it's an epileptic vulture. With a disfigured, misshapen wing. But ooh la la, when the ball emerges from that spasm, what a bizarre sight that must be for the hitter...I'm glad Neshak's on our side.
Let's do some sweeping (come on, Matt!) and then get ready for the Bitches. I'll bet ol' Hawk has been having fun calling the games the last two days, with "the good guys" floundering against the Landed Gentry - assuming he hasn't offed himself by now. We should be so lucky.
Posted by: adidasman at August 17, 2006 08:35 AMKurtis, thanks for the Runway reference guide. You paint a very clear (and dangerous) picture of what BG's threat means to the unintiated.
*shudder*
Posted by: e-9 at August 17, 2006 08:53 AMI did see project runway last night, but will say nothing. Vincent and Angela are scary.
Posted by: aurora at August 17, 2006 09:01 AMYup, Neshek's other win came on five pitches to one batter against the Tigers.
The VULTURE!
Posted by: Kris at August 17, 2006 09:05 AMIs this a great season or what? 35,000 at a Tuesday night game against the Indians? 40,000+ yesterday. I'm wondering about my family getting cheap seats together tomorrow against the Witch Sox.
Posted by: nailbiter at August 17, 2006 09:07 AMOn Redmond, I've spent whole chunks of games watching him in my binoculars in the dugout. He's like the Tasmanian Devil half the time; people give him space. I just hope he's naturally crazed, ADD or something, instead of fueled by greenies.
Posted by: nailbiter at August 17, 2006 09:14 AMwas it really "lutheran night" ???? im sorry i missed it.
did the wave ever happen?...well, maybe, it is a tradition and we've always done it that way
did we even cheer? or did we all just sit there drinking our coffee and eating our tater-tot hotdish....possibly discussing the weather
Posted by: iheartmntwins at August 17, 2006 09:22 AMWonderful game last night! The boys play great when they're having fun...
On a side note, Pat Neshek should NEVER be referred to as "The Vulture." That was Tony Fiore's nickname while he was with the Twins. The two have little in common. I'm still a fan of "PatNeshek.com" as a nickname... Just seems to suit his personality that he has a personal webpage.
Oh yeah, Smell Those Runs!!!
Posted by: Big Sev at August 17, 2006 09:40 AMHere's a nice quote from ESPN.com's recap of last night's great game:
" '(Bartlett and Rodriguez) carried us tonight,' Cuddyer said. 'The rest of us were just the supporting cast.' "
And:
"Early in the season, it looked as though the Twins would be out of contention by the All-Star break. But since June 8, Minnesota owns the best record in the majors at 45-16, outscoring opponents 341-228. The team also leads the league in batting average, on-base percentage and ERA during that stretch."
Gotta love this team!
sporto
Posted by: sporto at August 17, 2006 09:54 AMI LOVED LNP's interview. My brother was very sad when he had to go. I enjoyed listening to LNP comment on the game along with Dick 'n' Bert. I love those in-game interviews. APPARENTLY, before I became all obsessed with the Twins (largely due to my adoration of a certain shortstop who wears #18), my brother told me that they did an in-game interview with BARTY and I was SO jealous that my brother got to hear him talk and I didn't because I simply LOVE his voice. Anyway, it was an all-around GREAT game. Did anyone else get a kick out of watching Paul Neshek take apart the football field in preparation for Tuesday's game? I was, like, "Oh, look! It's Paul Neshek! He looks just like his brother!"
Posted by: TwinsPrincess at August 17, 2006 10:00 AMTony Fiore will always be "The Vulture" in my mind.
Posted by: She-Ra, P.O.P. at August 17, 2006 10:03 AMI want to officially apologize to the people sitting in front of us at last Friday's game. They were holding up a sign that said "Sniff 'Em Out" with a picture of a nose on it. Or, that's what the back of the sign said. (I have no idea what was on the front.)
We mocked their weird nose-sign. And now I *think* I understand, and am sheepish. Though I still don't really understand why it was on the back.
Completely brilliant as always, BG.
By the way, my mom called yesterday to read to me over the phone the piece that Batgirl wrote on Kirby for MN Monthly magazine--I highly recommend all Batlings check it out, it's beautiful.
Posted by: Nokomikon at August 17, 2006 10:10 AMIf not "The Vulture", how about "Ca Caw!" (with your arms out waving like a vulture about to get it's meal).
Posted by: bc twins fan at August 17, 2006 10:17 AMCarrie (TwinsPrincess), did you catch the post game interview they had with Bartlett on FSN last night?! Sigh...I also love his voice ;-)
Pat's nickname should totally be Sideshow. We definitely need a poll for that soon. *dies laughing at the image of Neshek flapping his arms and cawing*
Posted by: Newton at August 17, 2006 10:26 AMheraldguy: thanks for the link. Always nice to see work by BG's CPF.
also, is it just me, or is there some irony involved in placing the Mayo Clinic item (with the Minnesota Nice subtitle) right after the Al Franken item on Minnesota Nice???
Re: Neshak's nickname--Tally another vote for "Sideshow."
Posted by: E-6 at August 17, 2006 11:19 AMHurrah for the great win - hurrah for Lew-Lew's at in the 8th.
I love Mike Redmond's hippie like spirit!
Yeah who needs clothes -
But - poor Shaggy- been with us for so long and still no wins and then Crazy Pat Neshek up with us for just weeks and sneaks two wins under his belt - ahhh baseball =)
Have a lovely weekend all - kick some Bitch Sox ass - I'll be in enemy territory this weekend and was told by my friend not to scream the White Sox suck out the window as we drive around Chicago =)
Much Love
Wonder Woman
WW -
Mooning U.S. Cingular Field is okay, though...
Posted by: heraldguy at August 17, 2006 01:21 PMI think my dad has declared Mike Redmond his boyfriend, at least in his heart. He loves that guy and he says it at least once during every game: "I love that guy. He's always got that shit-eating grin on his face. He's a team player. Kyle Lohse had to go away because he's not a team player." And my mom shakes her head sadly and leaves the room. But I think it's good that my dad is expressing his feelings. Like when he cried about #30 for #33. He's a very sensitive man.
Posted by: Erin at August 17, 2006 01:28 PMI hate to pick on the telecoms again--but Comcast really screwed up last nite--and I couldnt get game!!! they really suck...
I am DVRing day game as I type--hopefully will watch another Twins win later. Guess I missed a dandy last nite (:-(
But there is always BG to get the updates (:-)
Wonder woman--agree its sad that Shaggy cant seem to get a win--maybe he should get a start soon--he deserves a shot.
DAM
Posted by: DAM-DC Twins Fan at August 17, 2006 01:30 PMkick ass game. Nothing else need be said
Did anyone read Sports Guy's writeup on ESPN.com yesterday? He did a nice breakdown of the AL, from best chance to win it all to worst. And he had plenty of decent stuff to say about our boys, even though he's concerned cuz of the Liriano injury. But he gave a nice little anecdote about just how good Frisco is (he was traded in his fantasy league for six quality players, and no one said it was unfair). And this is coming from a guy from the East Coast.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060816
Posted by: Bill at August 17, 2006 02:49 PMYa, you betcha it was da Lutheran night at the HHH Metrodome. I did not know, even tho' I was a Lutheran in my you't. But ya know, people were real polite, paid attention to the game, and stood and clapped when told to do so. Yup, Lutherans. Backbone of the community they are (I mean that sincerely.)
Great game as well. Now Thursday's day game. Not so hot. OK new guy pitcher did better. Where was the freakin' run support, boom boom sticks, ...? NOt enough stuff to get it done.
Ok, Friday let's rock. Who pitches?
Go Twins,
kal
Posted by: kal at August 17, 2006 03:23 PMThis is a desperate cry to all of the Batlings: I believe I might have been on TV last night (Wednesday), possibly before the start of the eighth inning, but my mother messed up the timer setting on the VCR! Arrrrrgh! I was wearing a Carmen Miranda fruit hat and holding a sign for the good Doctor. Did any of you happen to tape the game or see me on TV? I would appreciate a copy or at least a comment about what you saw. Thanks much!
Julia
Posted by: Julia at August 17, 2006 06:13 PMBG, I was thinking the same thing about Mr. NBP! After his contract is up, they should keep him around to boost morale on the bench!
Amen!
Posted by: Sarah at August 18, 2006 12:25 AMNewton, yes...I did catch Barty's postgame interview. God, I love that guy. ;) Glad we have so much in common! :)
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