Tiggers lose as well. What a fantastic evening this has turned out to be!

Your writing never fails to put a smile on my face. (Even when are heroes are mortal.) Kudos, Batgirl.

I also couldn't help picturing poor BJ Upton as Blanche Dubois and Cuddy as Stanley Kowolski. "Daylight never exposed so total a ruin."

Um, that's "our." (Slinks off.)

WoooHooo!!! I luv me some smokin' hot santana!!

I'm glad we found our bats now, they were lost for a while there.

And while the Twins will ALWAYS be my favorite pro sports team ever, i also like the vikings as well. They aren't the class act like all the twins players are (DWI, mentioned above), but i think they could make a run for the division this year.

Sorry to get off the Twins subject, just had to put my two cents worth in.

(ducks behind barrier, ready for firing of anti-vikings comments and dislike)

. . . and a good time was had by all.

Great night, indeed, and a much needed one at that.

BJ Upton let out one weak gasp of, "O, I am slain!"

Indeed LOL

Man... just think... if TB can suck that bad tomorrow against Carlos... MAYBE... well a guy can dream.

Then... dont look TOO far ahead kids... but by the end of the weekend, things could be REALLLLLY interesting.

Around the middle of this game, I suddenly realized -- Hey! I recognize this team! These are the guys from June, July, and August!

Here's hoping they stick around.

I'll protect you LHgirl... Im a vikes fan too. I just pretend theyre talking about the Gophers when I read the anti-football stuff ;)

In honor of Justin Morneau's 2006 MVP Award, a play is commissioned by Serial Productions, the following is an excerpt which details the turning point in his MVP campaign.

The scene opens on the plane from NY to TB with a distraught Dr. Morneau:

"Why don't I get more consideration for the MVP? Everyone knows the Twins are the hottest thing going, and I'm the hottest hitter on the team."

Enter the fast-talking publicist (I don't know where he enters from, maybe he's a stowaway?):

"You need a catchy nickname, see? look how much press 'The Piranhas' got once they embraced their nickname, see?"

"But Ozzie came up with that one and we don't play against him for a while... I can't come up with anything on my own! I'm soft-spoken!"

"Alright, here's what you do, see? You jump on their bandwagon, see? You become a piranha! It worked for Guillen and his 'smart ball' last year, right?"

"You mean I have to hit singles?"

"Not at all, just remember, if they walk you, think about stealing a base, see? If you're easing into a stand-up double, stretch it into a triple, see? Pretty soon we'll just casually mention you in the same sentences as Bartlett and Tyner, and in no time you'll be as big as Punto!"

"Really? as big as Punto?" Justin looks doubtful.

"Well, not literally."

"Oh."

"OK, maybe Punto was a bad example, but you'll get the press you deserve, see?"

Narrator - Indeed Justin stole a base in the first game of the series, then followed that up with an RBI triple in the second. And the rest, as they say, is history. Justin "The Big-@$$ Canadian Piranha" Morneau, M.D. went on to win the AL MVP Award, partly on the strength of his 10 triples and 15 stolen bases in the final month of the season. When asked about his change in philosophy, all the Good Doctor would say was, "I heard that triples were hott."

Lots of diggs on the Vikes we need more of that

A perfect day of baseball
Twins Win
Bitch Sox Lose
Yankees Lose
Tigers Lose
Halliday Doesn't Win
Santana Wins

Somehow I can't imagine Cuddy ever saying to himself "I was not All-State at linebacker* in the great state of Virginia for nothing," although I CAN imagine him saying "I was not All-State at linebacker* in the great Commonwealth of Virginia for nothing."** And I can imagine me saying: YOW. Also: Do that again. And: Again! And: Ooooooh.

** And thus concludes our useless geography nomenclature lesson for the day.

You know what I'm feeling nastalgic for?
"Showtime".
After seeing Gardy stand up for Cuddy, I'd like to hear the remix version of Gardy and "Showtime" again.

Next to Cuddyer, the person who got ripped off the worst tonight was the poor kid how tried to catch a home run ball... dropped it... and got shown door for "interfering" just because the 3rd base umpire is blind. Way to really endear yourself to the few fans you have show up for a game, folks.

Wow. Serial Thrilla, that was hilarious. I jumped up and down in my dorm and did a dance after the Twind won, then again after to BoSox won. We can only hope the Sox return to their 'Oh-we-will-go-down-hill-and-not-win-because-we-are-so-far-behind-the-yankees' again when the Twins are in town.

No more Ass-Bats!!!!!!!

"As big as Punto?"

Oh, how we all wish we were as big as Punto...

Biggest lead in the WC all year...lets see if the non-CY Young part of the rotation can hold it. Silva has his best chance in a while to pick up a win tomorrow. Hope the bats can keep it up. Glad you're feeling better BG.

BG asks for offense, she gets offense. How will she next use these awesome powers? (Only for Good, we know.) (I suspect the Bat-Kitties are getting ponies for Christmas this year....)

Be sure to go to MLB stats (click my name) to see the "League Leaders" in MLB pitching. Those three guys are awesome!

Yes, those three guys are the best! but sigh, there is now also a new batting title leader... Oh well, it was nice (Very nice) while it lasted.

This is the second time the Twins have had a 1.5 game lead on the Bitch Sox for the WC (last time was during the series in Chicago). Hopefully Serve'em Up Silva can pitch a great game tomorrow so the Twins can build on this.

Besides, what would be better than seeing the Twins 3 games behind the Tigers with the 4 game series coming up?

Win Twins, Win Mariners!!

Speaking of El Presidente:

http://www.i90.photobucket.com/albums/k243/Deviation59/santanatrips.png

I still think leading the AL this year in batting is more impressive. Considering how Mauer and the rest of AL ripped up NL pitching LOL.

true. Batting in the AL is definately harder than batting in the NL... NL pitching is a joke this year. Still I'm pretty impressed with Sanchez leading in his league throughout most of the season being almost an unknown for a small market team in his first full season in the bigs.
Joe is still amazing even though he's in a bit of a slide. His position just isn't meant to win batting titles lol. EX. just look at pudge's drop in avg in 2004. Very similar to mauer's, and he still finished with a very respectible batting avg for that year.

Oh, and El Presidente can EASILY run away with the triple crown in pitching this year. He's clearly going to be the strikeout leader, his ERA is almost 30 points lower than halladay's (the next lowest ERA), and the only thing left is WINS. Hopefully the offense and the bullpen can help keep Santana on top in that category as well.
Triple crown = CY YOUNG WINNER

Thanks for the youtube link of Frick'n Bert. I had missed the broadcast and really wanted to see what all the commotion was about. It's so amusing to watch his face as he realizes that he really screwed up, starts to sweat, almost giggles, and then gets very serious again.

I don't know if my stomach can take another Silva start so soon after his last one.

There should be a Surgeon General warning before he pitches.

SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Floating sinkers are not a safe alternative to fish glue.

Courtesy of our dear friends at the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk: Cuddles was starting quarterback in 1996.

(And Katharriet shows a frighteningly good knowledge of Virginia, where they are known to dock points from any woebetide student who dares refer to the place as a state because it is, of *course*, a Commonwealth, a distinction important only to lawyers and third graders taking the Virginia Standards of Learning test. Bonus points are awarded if you can name the other commonwealths, but points are deducted if you can't recite, in proper electoral order, the eight U.S. presidents born in Virginia.

his history obsession also leads to bad jokes, like: How many Virginians does it take to change a light bulb? Four. One to do the twisting, the other three to recite the geneaology of the old one all the way back to Jamestown.

Dearest Ms. Harriet,

You are absolutely right. Batgirl erred greatly. Here, as penance, is the Showtime remix

http://www.bat-girl.com/Gardy%20Showtime%20%28MP3%29%202.mp3

Sincerely,
Batgirl

Dear Mr. Thrilla,

Brilliant.

Sincerely,
Batgirl

"Showtime Club Remix" rules! Way to go, Goober!

Re: MLB leaders -- did anyone else notice that there are no other repeat names in the top 5? hopefully the Cy Young voters realize this too....

BG: well, you do everything greatly, after all. And wooo! to the "Showtime Club Remix."

TQD:
1)Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Kentucky. But I only remember Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe of the presidents. Then again, I never had to take the Virginia Standards of Learning test.

2) I don't know which is the odder concept: Cuddles as quarterback, or Cuddles with a history obession.

That's quite the bling Boof's sporting in the SI "What's in a Name" feature.

Johan should win the Cy Young unanimously. As far as I'm concerned, that race is already over. I just wanna see that pitching Triple Crown. Johan is not mortal.

Watching Santana last night was like watching The King and his Court. I'm surprised that he didn't call the team off the field!

I said this over at Twinkie Town, but since you are the coiner of the term Ass-Bats, I'll say it again over hear.

Every time the AFLAC duck comes on for the trivia question du jour, I think I hear him saying "Ass-bats". Last night the Twins must have stepped on the Ass-Bat duck. Hopefully they killed him for the rest of the season.

And.. W.H. Harrison, Tyler, Taylor and Wilson.. Tyler was elected to the Confederate House, but died before he took his seat, and Wilson is the only Prexy to not be a US citizen for a portion of his life. Anyone know why?

Ganderson,

I'm taking a guess that Woodrow Wilson was a citizen of the Confederate States of America during his youth.

Yes, I believe Wilson's citizenship was revoked briefly when he was signed as a pitcher to a minor league contract by the Chicago White Sox. Having never made it past AA (his progress was slowed considerably when he was forced to have "Warren G. Harding" surgery on his elbow), he decided to return to politics and leave his baseball career behind, at which time his US citizenship was restored.

Confederate he was, born in VA in 1859. No word on whether he twirled for the Chisox, but I'm guessing not.

BG:

I knew I could count on you--the wife fell asleep during the game last nite and wanted a recap this morning--I couldnt do it--I said BatGirl will recap the game and explain everything. AND YOU DID. Outstanding entry.

I pity the poor fan who interfered with Cuddles homer (oops double) and got escorted out. It looked like 5000 fans were there--they need all the fans they can get.

Thnx for reprising Gardy's showtime

DAM

Actually, the lad who was escorted out WASN'T the one who interfered. That would be the schmuck in the SECOND row who reached over the head of the kid.

Michael Cuddyer is having a breakout season. He's a pretty good guy off the field, as well. Click the name to read about his Roberto Clemente Award nomination.

Ganderson, we are appropriately impressed. Have we another Virginian with a Twins obsession?

I agree, heraldguy, it sure looked like the guy in the second row (with a black glove, I believe) reached past the kid who got booted.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/offbase/060906

Brad radke... ALL HEART

I just read that on ESPN a few min. ago. What a great article on Brad perfectly shows what type of players he is. Competitive and all heart, something other players should strive to be like.

And nice jab at Pavano. I'm sure NYfans are pretty peeved about the 40mil they are spending on his bruised buttocks.

nice article on Brad, for sure. That said, I do think that, in fairness to some of the younger players that seem to be shown in a poor light by comparison, it should be pointed out that trying to pitch through this sort of injury at the end of a guy's long career is one thing... but when you've got most of your career (and prime earning years) still to come, nobody should expect that kind of "dedication". To even try is being foolhardy.

Even if Brad can't fight through the pain to be an effective starter again this season, it would be terrific if the Twins could clinch the WC/division playoff spot BEFORE the last game of the year. That would allow Brad to "start" the last game of the season, go as long as he can (even if it's for just one pitch), and then walk off the mound to the sort of ovation his dedication, contribution and loyalty to Twins fans richly deserves.

A win - eight runs and a shut out =)

that was sooo a homerun - poor DJ Cuddles.

and after reading about Brad how can you not root for him - Wonder Mom sure knew a good thing when she picked Brad as her favourite Twin all those years ago. Brad I hope you have enough for at least one game- if not more - I would love to hear the Dome roar as you took the mound - I'll be the one blubbering like a baby =)

Michael - well you're such a good kid - I don't know what else I can say about you - that I haven't all ready told you in person =)

Let's just win this whole BLEEPING thing!!!!!

Much love
Wonder Woman

ganderson -- Virginia history shmistery. What I'm impressed with is your King-and-his-Court reference. Judging by my memory of seeing that team, and the birthday I'm having this week, you're digging back a ways to come up with that reference. Or are they still around?

Would those F-Bombs happen to be why Bert wasn't broadcasting during the game last night? I haven't been able to actually catch a game since the end of the Royals series...so I missed outo n that.

Eddie Feigner is now in his 80s (and last I heard, earlier this year, was still touring... but as an emcee, not pitching). I never played against the King myself, but my recollection is that my dad did back in the 1960s in Albert Lea where dad was coaching at the time.

JC

Torhu, Bert was already scheduled to have last night and tonight off, I believe. His two game suspension is scheduled to run Thurs and Fri, which would tentatively put him back on the air Sat.

I (heart) Bradke.

Dear Offense,

Good to see you again! Hope you had a restful time off. Just sending you a friendly note to remind you that you've used up all your vacation days for this season. We all look forward to seeing you every day for the rest of the year.

Again, welcome back.

Love,

Carmen

Why do I get the sense that Carmen works in some company's Human Resources dept?

"the Twins have the wild card, BYE BYE WHITE SOX" ~ Jay Mariotti

JC--

Carmen in HR = hilarious.

Helping ourselves to another game's lead in the WC while the Bitch Sox get blanked by the Red Sox = more hilarious

Muchos Gracias! I think "Showtime" is hilarious - thanks for reposting it!

If only the rest of the world was as responsive to my wishes as BG...

The killer quote of the Caple piece: "Radke ... is like the Black Knight in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' ... 'Just a flesh wound.' "

Despite having told my sons that Bradke is probably done, I passionately hope to see him back in the playoffs. Preferrably making some Yankee look like an ass. (OK, in the dream, it's really a White Sox ... but they won't be making the playoffs this year, will they?)

My dad is getting so cute in his old age. Last night he was making a case for our 3 MVP candidates-Mauer, Morneau and Santana and he said, "They should just give the whole team a prize!" Yes, they should. A big one that says '2006 World Series Champions'.

go sox! RED SOX!

i also loved the monty python reference....bradke is so the black night

i can see it now...bradke's arm falls off on the mound, mauer goes out to see whats up...
"mr. radke...what's going on here?"
"it's but a scratch"
"a scratch? your arm's off!"
"no it isn't"
"well, what's that then?"
"i've had worse."
"you liar!"

mauer goes back behind the plate..and bradke now pitches with his left arm. after throwing a few...that one too falls off (why, i don't know..just go with me here) when bradke attempts to throw with his foot...mauer calls time and goes back to the mound
"look, you stupid bradke, you've got no arms left."
"yes i have"
"LOOK!"
"it's just a flesh wound"

I don't know if any of you guys will care, but Anibal Sanchez of the Marlins just threw a no hitter. This guy is like my hero. He's the same guy to hand the yankees their first shutout of the year in his major league debut.

I don't know if any of you guys will care, but Anibal Sanchez of the Marlins just threw a no hitter. This guy is like my hero. He's the same guy to hand the yankees their first shutout of the year in his major league debut.

black **knight**....wow, i am one dumb@$$..i guess ive spent too many times watching certain movies over and over again and NOT reading

and, i love anyone who shuts out the yankees

So... for the past couple of days the Sox lacked offense and today they magically start scoring lots of run, while the Twins manage only 2? I think we all know who to blame...

Damm you Anthony John.

Eddie Feigner is signing autographs (or was, anyway)in Panama City Fla, tonight. I saw him in the early seventies at (old) Midway Stadium- a treat to be sure. He used to call his Court- four guys-off the field and then strike the batter out (ala Satchell Paige), pitch blindfolded from second base and lots of other fun stuff. Ahh...the delights of the world before cable.....

Actually the King's Court was 3 guys, I think.

http://wanna-cookie.blogspot.com/

Makes me wish I was a better knitter.

I finally figured out-BG is the James Thurber of baseball bloggers. Or maybe the Oscar Wilde, if you don't mind being compared to a gay Anglo/Irish dude.

Man, if I could write like that, I'd...write like that.

To: Batgirl

Re: Oscar Wilde

If you mind being compared to him....rest assured that thanks to myheritage.com's celebrity face recognition thingamajig (link is in the name), you are not the only one.

However, that was in regards to looks, not a brilliant style of writing.....and I did mind.

I think it's funny we make fun of the vikes for those DWIs, yet seem to forget Mr. Liriano's little incident at the beginning of the year...