Just having finished watching my recording of the game and resisting not throwing anything, I know its not over but what a disappointment today. I hope the Twins can find a way to pull this off since they battled way too hard to have it end like this. Plus I want to have a chance to go to game 5!

Al Sullivan - As fans, many of us think of ourselves as the jinx if we show up to the ballpark. I say this as the lone game I attended last year i nthe playoffs was the one game the White Sox did not win. I empathize and know first-hand that is simply much easier to pace, scream, curse, and humiliate yourself in the privacy of your own abode. There is no reason to believe that this series can't come back to MN since the hardest thing to do in sports is CLOSE!

My homer hanky is still proudly pinned to my backpack that I parade around campus. Although I am frustrated, I remember April and May and think we could possibly turn this series around. The season wouldn't end right if they lost the first series of the playoffs. It's just not kosher.

Anyhoo. I'll keep the faith. I'm not a bandwagon fan who started watching a few weeks ago and just as easily gives up on her team. I know the Twinks will pull their heads out of their asses and play baseball like they've been playing for the last 4 months. Because damnit we deserve to see them play well in the playoffs. The ulcers and heart attacks would be justified. Praying to Kirby and whoever else may listen... we don't give in that easily.

Keep the faith, guys!

Backs against the wall... the odds against them... the Twins wouldn't have it any other way this year.

Lots of baseball to be played.

Come back...? From a deficit like that...? Impossible!
; )

Depressed beyond words but not ruling the possibilities out!!!!!! If not Friday, then next year.
P.S. performed many renditions of "Da Boof is on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!" at todays game - seemed to work, now need some kind of Torii we will love you forever if you will just play yourself...

that was beautiful! and yes, we all need to keep the faith...

we all know how much our boys life to make those jaw-dropping comebacks.

Well put.

Al Sullivan is right! This Twins ballclub can come back. I was waving the hanky next to the bullpen in 2002. I had a beer poured on me when Juice ruined Billy Krotch's career with that 3 run homer. This club will come back. Al Sullivan is crazy, but right on. Keep the faith indeed. Go Twins.

I'll be keeping the faith. While some may not, this is kind of representative of the Twins' season so far; down by a lot, with the odds nearly impossible, yet pulling it off.

I too lived in the bay area, in Oakland itself, as a matter of fact, and could see the field thru binoculars from my house. For a couple of years, I'd go to the first game of a Twin's series, and I'd watch the other games on t.v., as they would always lose that first game. This was in the late 70's-early 80's. In '81, I moved to Baltimore- same deal, I'd go to the first game; they'd lose; I'd watch the rest on t.v. They also lost most of those, but fewer people saw my reaction. Now, I live in the Boston area, and 2 weeks ago went to see them in the finale of the Bosox series. They were 5-0 vs. the Sox this year, and Johan, who is like 38-3, in the second half of the last 3 years, was on the mound, so I got to see someone named Ortiz set the all time Bosox h.r.record in the first, and break his own record in the 6th or 7th. You can't tell me there is nothing to this: 5-0? 38-3? C'mon.

An inside source informs me that, although the TV cameras didn't show it, Torii Hunter made his way to the infield after the inside-the-park homer, and said to Reyes, "You gotta pitch this fucking guy over again, I just fucked it up.

Oh, we're live?"

Now that my new favorite dead horse is sufficiently beaten, I feel the need to remind you all of the first three home games of the year. Against Oakland. The Twins swept the series 7-6, 6-5, 8-2. This, of course, was the Twins team with the dictator duo on the left side of the infield.

The first two starting pitchers? Radke and Silva.

Sure. That was a home series, and these two are on the road, but now the Twins have a left side of the infield that, you know, catches more balls than colds.

Thanks for the encouragement. I needed it. It's not like the Twins haven't been in positions like this before...I know they can do it. Annie, so you were at the game today? So was I! Any other Batlings at Game 2?

As I said to Infield today - Who took our team?? This is so not the team we were watching in June until the end of the season.

Seems like we want them to win more then they do. No I am not a bandwagon fan but I'm allowed some disappointment.

Faith?? I don't know if I can squeeze out much more but I'm sure going to try -if there is anything I have learned this year is well to have hope but as Morgan Freeman said in the Shawshank Redemption - "Hope is a dangerous word" - and I can relate to that.

Much Love
Wonder Woman

I could make serious money if the Twins go to the next round. As I am currently employed, I would LOVE IT if they went ahead and won some games-three would be just perfect. No, I just want them to win because this season would be so close to perfect...it would just be ridiculous. Coming back from the early slump, filling in the holes with Red Wings, displaying athleticism and fantasticness every chance they got-this team is writing a beautiful story, and it would just be a shame to end it here. And Radke taking a loss Friday would be a DAMN shame. So swing those bats, Twinks, and let's give the man who's given 12 years of his life to this team a win.

That letter was something special. Thank you.

As for friday, I have no doubt in my mind that the Twins won't go out there full of heart, full of spirit, and wanting this more than anything in the world. Wether it's for Brad Radke, to pick Torii Hunter up, or to just show the world what they are made of, they'll be there, and they'll be ready. They are a team, they are our team, and I know they'll keep fighting until the end.

Missing a game because of superstitions like that is completely ridiculas. Get your head checked...

Cowgirl Up WW!
We Texans know what a desperate situation demands - desperate measures by desperate men.

Travis to Davey at the Alamo - "You'll defend the palisade." Davey - "You mean that little bunch of sticks over there."
"You desire another post?"
"No, that was the one I was gonna put in for."

Indeed.

Everything that makes October baseball compelling is heartbreaking when you're on the wrong side of it. But there's more, and almost certainly better, baseball to played. It's one game, one pitch at a time from here, and if the heart can't inspire the team, it wasn't meant to be.

Not sure how many have read this article yet (it's all about Torii - yeah, you know).
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061004&content_id=1698617&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min
But I just want to say I feel nothing against Torii. He's the man out there. This team loves him, and I love him no less. From what I read, it was meant to happen, to cut away. Either way it's okay, they'll fight on friday. Fight like no other. Now let's go get the A's!

saw a girl with a johan boyfriend t-shirt at BW3 yesterday (game 1) in sioux falls. 'bout fell off my barstool. wonder if she is a regular around here...

I'm a huge A's fan, and that was a perfect letter. Always keep the faith.

Based on seat location, I'm guessin those were DePo's seats.

Here's the perfect prediction for game 3 on Friday, thanks to ESPN.com's Page 2:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=headlines/alcentral/061002

Having endured 18 consecutive innings during which the Twins were not even momentarily ahead, I was starting to be grateful that my seats were in the Dome's right-field stratosphere -- the "partial view" kept me from directly witnessing some of the more painful moments. But I'm glad there are voices of reason here in BG Nation. Here's to hoping some faith can be restored out by the bay.

And despite the other wayward balls on the field, it was pretty cool to see LNP make the same excellent catch in the same at-the-railing spot on consecutive days....

Thanks, Al.

fwiw

The A's had a 2 games to none lead on the Yanks and lost the next three. It can happen.

p.e.m.

There is always hope.

And are not the greatest moments in sports not preceded by some massive, insurmountable climb towards a goal that seems impossible to just about everybody? Those moments that live with us are sweeter because they were preceded by deep, shadows of doubt and despair.

Radke, we are with you. We are all with you.

Hope is a good thing. Timely hitting is better. On Friday, Brad Radke will climb atop the mound in a major league stadium with a broken wing and a prayer to pitch what may be his last game, carrying the hopes of his teammates and Twins fans everywhere on his back, with elimination from the playoffs on the line, a profile in courage and grit and grace under pressure. And that, my friends, is as good a thing as this game has to offer.

Don't forget Ames that the A's had a 2-0 in 2003 against the Red Sox and lost the next 3 as well.

C'mon Twins, I wanna go to game 5!!!

Thanks Al. We need a few bats and then we're good to go. Settle down, boys and let's get 'em in Oakland.

Shaun, Did you read the link I pasted in there?

I have tons of faith. I know the Twins have it in them. And Radke's gonna light this candle.

Keith Law (ESPN.com if you read his stuff ever, which I usually don't) just spews bullsh*t sometimes, case in point, a Keith Law exerpt:

"ESPN flashed a graphic on the screen that said that Luis Castillo led the AL with 46 infield hits, as if it was something to be proud of. All it does is show you how empty Castillo's batting average is, and that the Twins have too many of those guys who appear more valuable than they actually are because their batting averages are inflated by infield singles."

Here's my Rebuttal Mr. Law; This is why the Twins are good. They have guys on base. .... for Mauer, Cuddyer and Morneau to drive home, (and for Torii Hunter to ground into double plays, and for Rondell "Solo Homer when it doesn't matter" White to leave on base, but I digress.) This is why Luis Castillo is a leadoff hitter. He finds a way to get on base. Your leadoff hitter gets on base, you bunt him to 2nd, Mauer gets a base hit, bang, 1-0, if for example, Santana's pitching, he is now pitching with a lead, it's probably over. That is the difference between the Twins and the other teams sitting at home. What a stupid comment by Keith Law. That's 46 times the guy found a way to get on base where somebody slower would have been the 1st, 2nd or 3rd out of the inning. It's called keeping it going, it's called getting something going, it's called manufacturing runs. What the hell was he talking about. He was assistant general manager for Toronto for 4 years (or was it assistant to the general manager ( an Office reference) which explains some things. Having Luis Castillo is huge... when he is out of the lineup they suffer... he gets on base, period. He's a gold glover. That was a HUGE acquisition this offseason that deserves more credit. People talk about Punto and Bartlett taking over, but not as much about Castillo. Where would they be if say, Luis Rivas was playing 2nd this year? Probably where they were last year.

Oh by the way I like Torii and Rondell... I was just kidding... Here's to them making me eat my words on Friday!

After what you Twins fans witnessed in 2006, you surely must be thinking

"We got them right where we want them"

We have seen some pretty amazing things in 2004 and 2005 post-seasons. What if, in the 2006 post-season, the Twins came back from down 2-0 to win the ALDS? Pretty neat huh?

Then, what if, the same consider-them-dead 2006 Twins went down 3-0 to the Yankmees. But then came back to win the ALCS. Pretty incredible, huh?

But that's been done you say?

Then, for closers, the same buried alive Twins went down 3-0 to the Mets but then-- well, you know. Pretty flinking unprecedented, huh?

If you are going to bother to be World Series champs these days, you gotta put your own special exclamation point on it!

Great post, well said.

PS. I have been sifting through blogs all night and this is the first of few that I found for girls, love it.

Jamie

some thoughts;

being down 2-0 is tough but if they can get back to 2-1 no-one wants to face Santana in game 5 so game 4 will be nerve wracking for the A's. It's all doable, and if it's done no-more improbable than everything else that's happened this year.

And even if it doesn't this year has been an adventure and at the end of it the Twins are a young team with bonefide superstars and a great spirit and that can't be bad.

Also the A's have played really well, particularly pitching. And if Torri had not gone for that ball the run would have scored giving up the lead so going for it was not the worst thing ever to do from someone who's made about a million impossible catches in his career. And an inside-the-park homerun, wow!!!!

And at least the Twins didn't have 2 guys out at homeplate on the same play

D

Gardy said before game 2 that if the Twins were down 1-2, he would go with Johan in game 4 and Boof in game 5. So game 3 tomorrow is huge. I would feel much better if we are still alive Saturday.

Rune - feeling sad

Harumph! Harumph! Hey...I didn't get a harumph out of that guy!

Dan in london, the A's had a runner on 1st when Torii decided to play that single into an inside-the-park-homerun. Most times, runners don't score from 1st on singles. Worst case, 1st and 3rd with 2 out......oh well, win games 3, 4, and 5 and all will be forgotten.

ES,

my mistake, was gonna check but then didn't. It's an interesting question of how much of a pass he gets for a mistake like that given that's he's a great fielder, like a shortstop who makes an error on a throw other shortstops (with initials of DJ playing in New York for example) don't even get to.

and winning induced amnesia is always great

D

What a beautiful testimony. Thanks, Al.

We've had our faith in this team since a rocky April start, and they've managed to skirt the edge of the precipice for this long. They haven't fallen yet and I don't believe they're going to now!

Put a little love in it, boys. We're all behind you.

Al - I feel for you. And as a fellow out-of-stater (St. Louis), I'm sure you appreciate my frustration with the lateness of the Homer Hanky availability. I've had to contend myself with waving a previous year's model, lucky if the current year's arrive while the Twins are still playing. And this year, being able to make a phone order was almost a state secret or something.

http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/dlarso01/?action=view¤t=hankies.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1

Fight the good fight, Twins!

Dan: You're right. Jeter doesn't come close to making a lot of plays. Unless it's important, or to help them win a game. Then he always makes the play. He isn't the best, just the best when it counts.

Torii did what any player would have done. Every player has to make that split second decision. It was a hard hit tweener, no guarantee that it doesn't take a bad hop and skip under/over his glove on the turf out there. He did the right thing. Best CF in the AL. You guys should be more worried about losing him next season than not making a play in this one.

when the Hebrews were slaves for 400 years in Egypt, well, they did not have much faith. Moses came and with the guiding hand of the Lord, got the Pharoh, leader of the then mightiest nation to bow and free them.

When they were at the banks of the red sea and saw Pharoh's army charging against them they wimpered, "take us back, we're finished", and the Lord blocked the army with pillars of fire while he parted the waters and allowed them to cross the red sea unharmed.

When the Hebrews were in the desert, they had no food and cried "take us back, we will starve here" and the Lord provided mana to sustain them.

When Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to recieve the 10 Commandments, he was gone 40 days and the Hebrews lost faith and built a golden calf....

You get the picture. Ye of little faith.

The Twins have been dead and buried so many times this year. But, they are still alive and kicking.

Have faith, and ye will see the promised land.

it's just harder now. it makes my stomach hurt when they play like this. all butterflies and quivers and bad moods and wanting to cry.

it DOES sometimes feel like we want it more than they do. but perhaps it's because i've had to watch the past two games through gameday on mlb.com. since i can't see the fire in their eyes, i don't feel like it's there.

someone please, please tell me it's still there.

Dubya,

Jeter's great, don't get me wrong, he's just not as great as the media will have you believe. When he makes a key play or gets a key hit, that's taken as evidence he always comes through, when he doesn't... that gets forgetten.
Torri is a great fielder, but if one was to say 'he always makes those great plays' then last night shows that's just not through. The Yankees have lost elimination games in each of the last 5 years, even with the 'Always clutch, always comes through in the big games' Jeter.
if LNP had got on base last night would the Chairman have hit a base clearing double to tie the game? maybe (he's great after all) but maybe not (because no one comes through all the time), that's why we play the games. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains (except in a dome of course).
And Babe Ruth once got thrown out trying to steal third for the final out to lose a World Series.

Go Twins

D

Seems clear that the real hero of Al's story is his girlfriend. She must be a saint to put up with 130 baseball nights a year. That Al kid seems like he should get outside more.

Well, my observation is that everyone on the Twins is trying too hard. There have been multiple bobbles when trying to make the perfect play, like turning a DP or cutting down Big Slow trying to take a base. It's NOT the 'play it loose and enjoy' Twins of the regular season so far and I think that's hurting them.

On the other hand, better to try to hard than not try at all. WIN TWINS!!!!

Yesterday was difficult. I was at my job in downtown Minneapolis, trying to work and not to peek at the TV a few rows down. I was subject to a lot of teasing when I waved my homer hanky madly at the news of Cuddyer's and Morneau's homers, while standing in my cube facing the general direction of the Dome. When our guys lost, everyone on my floor felt it necessary to tell me "they lost". The only one I felt who understood my pain was a co-worker who just said "I'm sorry".
Thanks for the post. I needed that reminder.

All the Twins need to do is Smell 'em.

Tap those noses, smell those 2 out RBI. Smell those 3 wins.

Smell 'em

"When our guys lost, everyone on my floor felt it necessary to tell me "they lost"."

me too! as if it's not bad enough seeing it unfold once on mlb.com! i hate not being able to watch it on tv since i'm at work. it's horribly depressing and infinitely frustrating. and everyone does feel the need to tell you that they lost.

Seems to me like it's time for Mike Redmond to kick his role as team cheerleader into high gear. Naked Cartwheels, perhaps?

After an evening's reflection, I've come to realize that what frustrates me about Torii is just the flip side of what I like about him. THE PLAY was just Torii trying to make a catch no one else thought possible. OK, so this time it WASN'T possible, but how many of those does he make over the course of a year? How many crucial "homeruns" has he retrieved?

Part of what's endearing about Torii is that we KNOW how he's feeling - he's pumped up, excited and wants to do more than he's capable of. Sure, this time it didn't work out. And who didn't KNOW, after the Cuddyer and Morneau bombs, that he was going to swing as hard as he could at the first pitch he saw, regardless of location?

For good or bad, he's been the face and the spirit of this team every since Puck went down. So, Torii, keep your chin up, just admit it was a mistake, and remember we need you and your enthusiasm for the next three games, the ALCS and the World Series!!!

I had this great thought put in my mind last night:

The first thing the Twinkies have to do is steal game 3.... duh, but then, ah then, we may get el Presidente for gm 4! Then back to the Metrodome for a Dome vs. Zito showdown!

I feel a little bit *urf* better...

You know, I wasn't nearly as upset after yesterday's game as I was after Game 1. Maybe it was being prepared for some bad at-bats and some things not to go the Twins way, but I'd like to think that it's because I came to a realization.

These Twins are frustrating me (and probably others) in the playoffs because we KNOW how great of a team they are. But we need to remember how much joy they've given us in what once looked like a "lost season". I will never forget what it felt like to be there this past Sunday (no, it hasn't even been a week. Feels longer huh?), when they did the improbable and actually became the Central Division Champions. This patchwork team of prospects and stalwarts bound together by Radke's fish glue, Redmond's imagination, and a love of playing baseball the "Kirby Puckett" way.

Torii plays baseball the "Kirby Puckett" way. He gives himself completely to every play, every moment of every game. Sometimes giving that much can be a "high risk, high reward" proposition, but that's the way Torii plays, as if there is no tomorrow. I don't think any Twins fan would want it any other way. We can all take heart that as our hearts broke when the ball bounced away from Torii yesterday, his heart was breaking too. He is a player that every fan should love, because, more often than not, he makes that catch, and we are all going crazy.

He is remarkable, and the idea that yesterday might be the last time I see him play in a Twins uniform breaks my heart more than him missing one catch.

Whatever happens in this series, don't forget that the reckless abandon with which they play the game is the reason why we love our pirhanas, our band of "Kirby Pucketts". Because they'll climb walls, slide headfirst, dive off pitcher's mounds, get their uniforms dirty, play hurt, and do anything they physically can to play baseball the way it's supposed to be played. This season was amazing, and it sure as hell isn't over yet. We'll get 'em....TOMORROW!

It's going to be a hell of a game on Sunday.

i know what the Twins have been through this year - it is a year of impossibilities. i know that. but i think what makes this seem so hard right now is that there isn't another day - Friday will be do or die. over the course of a 162 game season there is ample time to turn it around - now there is no time, we cannot afford to lose another game. hence the sickening feeling in the stomach.

that said, i agree that what this team seems to be lacking is that certain lightness - they seem to have tightened up. i don't know how they do that, given the circumstances. perhaps having Radke pitch will focus them & loosen them up - i hope so.

"It's going to be a hell of a game on Sunday."

i hope, more than i've ever hoped for anything, that you're right.

I was feeling pretty down after yesterday's debacle, to say the least. My wife, who has become a Twins fan since marrying me (as if she had a choice!), looked me in the eye and said, "You can't give up now. If YOU'RE giving up, who isn't going to give up?" (My wife knows me well - I am the eternal optimist.) And she's right. I can't give up. None of us can. If there is a team who can come back from the brink of despair, it's this one. We've had plenty of practice all season. And the best possible person we could have on the mound at a time like this is going to be out there tomorrow afternoon, pitching his arm off (literally). Go, Brad. Win, Twins. This isn't over yet.

PS And Torii, all is forgiven. If your teammates and manager stand behind you, I'm going to as well. I don't care if we go three and out - this has been the best season ever.

Dearest Alamo Jim

Well a friend of mine said I looked good in a cowboy hat so ok - I will cowgirl up=)
And if anyone in the Minnetonka - Hopkins area hears someone screaming REMEMBER THE ALAMO - that will be me =)

I blame the moon on the two losses it wasn't full yet and the moon is full on Friday - maybe the Twins are waiting for something REALLY WEIRD to happen??

Much Love
Wonder Woman

PS - Gardy - it's ok to use Boo more often - I think he's figured things out.

Torii, don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your pounce,
Torii, don't be a hero, step back and take it on the bounce,
And as he started to go we said, Torii, keep your head low
Torii, don't be a hero, it'll be hard to win three.

Batgirl, don't you and Torii IM once in awhile? I sure hope he's keeping his spirits up.

at least now all the "experts" on espn will pick against us friday... that's more like it. now we can get back to playing like we have the past 4 months when nobody gave us gave us a chance!! win twins! thanks b.g.

I wish the media would get off Torii. Check it out, people: The Twins lost by three runs! Kotsay hit the ball very well. I was far more frustrated by Crain's homer to Thomas, but if you take away both plays, the absolute best you can hope for is two games tied 2-2 at the end of the ninth. This is just not enough to go on in retrospect.

How about scoring some runs off of Estaban freakin' Loaiza? How about the bullpen doing its job? I just can't believe that Torii doing what Torii does is going to result in everyone trying to completely invalidate him.

I was wondering why so many people were thanking me; then I realized - the original poster= al. thanks, al, .al

Great story. I'm also a die hard Twins fan living in California.

I'm slightly the opposite, however, as the last 7 Twins game's I've been to since 2000, the Twins have won 6 of them, including...

Johan Santana's first career start - Denny Hocking beats White Sox in Dome with a triple off the baggy in the 9th.

That very game you described not going to - Game 5 of 2002 ALDS against the A's. I was sitting in left field, about ten rows behind the final resting place of AJ's shot.

Twins at Giants in 2003 - sat 10 rows behind home plate... the one loss I've seen in person in the last 6 years. Giants win on a Barry Bonds walk off single.... heartbroken.

Twins at Angels, Aug. 28, 2004 - AKA, the middle of the most brilliant 2nd half by a starting pitcher ever. Santana v. Colon... Twins win 7-2 with Home Runs by Jacque Jones and Augie Ojeda.

Twins at Dodgers, 2005 - Twins win behind Silva and lots of small ball. Loss two games of series I don't go to.

Twins at Red Sox, Oct. 19, 20. - Most recent, Twins win both games I go to, 7-3 and 8-2. Garza and Bonser win, the final game, which I miss, Santana loses.

My parents are convinced that I am a good luck charm. Tonight I will pray that this luck continues for Bradke and the Twins when I make the 5 hour drive to Oakland to root on the Twins tomorrow.

Wonderful story Al.

Here's to keeping the faith!!

as I was telling someone else this morning - a game cannot actually be determined by a single play even if it feels like it was.

Everyone on the field had a hand in the last two losses - except perhaps our starting pitching because if we are honestly expecting anymore than what those guys gave us, we are asking WAY too much - and if we had the Twins offense going the way it had been, a missed catch on a tough ball would have been an "oh well, THAT would have been a cool catch."

We need to get runners on bases so the occasional long dinger isn't a solo. We need runners being advanced and glovework from ALL the players being on the ball.

We have the potential to do ALL of those things in a first rate manner so of course we can still win it! We just have to do them!

WIN TWINS!

Keep your chins up: It's still baseball season. Baseball is good. I don't get depressed until the last out of the last game of the WS.

"A game cannnot actually be determined by a single play even if it feels like it was."

Thank you, Babs. This is so true. I call it the "Buckner" syndrome, whereby an error at first base is somehow responsible for a team losing four games.

I was at both games this week, and have been asked by several co-workers not to go to the game on Sunday (when needed). What-EVER!

By the by, NotworriedRadke'spitching, Mr. Mauer had 24 Ground Into Double Plays vs. Mr. Hunter's 19.

Go Twins!!!!

al,

Thanks to you TOO.

rd

What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the going gets tough . . . the tough get going. Who's with me? Let's Go! Come on! AAAAEEEEEGGGHHHH!!

The posts here are always so heartfelt. A couple almost made me cry. The one about what a fun fantastic year and the way they played especially.
I felt terrible for Torii. I was disgusted to read there were some boos in the dome. The guy gave his heart. Even the other CF said he felt bad for him and what a freak ( something along that line)ball it was. At least Torii had the balls (no pun)to talk to the reporters instead of pouting or stomping off. He has class, heart and is our Sweetcheeks.

Beautiful stories, Al. Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

If this season has taught us anything, it should be that this team comes back.

I have a really good feeling about the next few games. We've achieved greater than this. We might be down, but we sure as hell aren't out. All of the nay-sayers can go home. I'll be there cheering our boys on until the end.

I'm really glad that all the CFs out there that have been interviewed re: Torii's missed play have pretty much all said that yeah, they would have played the ball the same way. Things happen. 99.9% of the time Torii makes that catch. You can't really hold it against him - he was being aggressive and trying to make a damn fine play. Good for him. Yeah, it was disappointing to see and a bit of a heartbreaker, but what are ya gonna do? Stand behind him, that's what. It was so nice seeing the rest of the lads doing just that - I'd pay good money to see a team like the Yankees bucking up their guys like that after a similar error (Giambi especially).

There was a team at trivia last night that used the name "Torii Hunter Sucks." They got booed by just about everyone in the place. It was great. That'll learn 'em. Damn bandwagoners.

Hey Al, awesome story! I can tell how big a Twins fan you are. Keep the faith. I assume you think Torii should be resigned next year, right? Me too. He's the face of the franchise, and I know he will do great in the next three games, and for the next 4 or 5 years for this club, no matter the price. Go Twins!

I'm not happy that an A's player is out due to injury but it might help the Twins.

Mark Ellis 2B is out of the post season with a broken finger.

I'm sure the A's will miss his glove and bat.

Come on Twins one game at a time.
Let's get a win tomorrow.

GO TWINS!

Mark Ellis is gold glove in my book. My heart goes out to him.

If I've learned anything by being a Twins fan this year it is that this team fights back against impossible odds. I'd take this team over all the Jeter's, Ortiz's and Big Hurts they can throw at me. The 2006 Twins find a way to win when they have to and if you ask me Oakland's backs are against the wall. I may have been mistaken, but yesterday afternoon as I was leaving the dome I thought I saw a unicorn and it was walking west...

Psst. Bluto. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor... not the Germans. :)

We got the message though. It ain't over yet!

Did anyone notice that Bat Girl has not posted any comments in the comments section. Plus she only posted a readers letter rather creating her own post. Is she depressed over what happened at the dome this week or is she too busy burning those ass bats before the trip out west? I hope it's the ladder. If it's the former, don't worry Bat Girl, Bradke and co will cure what ails you.

The Germans bombed Pearl Harbor in the quote from Animal House, which is what the poster referred to, sheeesh, and, R.D., you're welcome.

Desrest Mr./Ms. Fan,

No, Batgirl is right here. She posted the letter because it was more perfect than anything she could say, it captures so well this crazy thing called fandom. Batgirl is not too depressed, she is looking forward to Bradke's outing, whatever may come of it. And burning the ass bats.

Sincerely,
Batgirl

A bright sunshiny day, a valiant knight on the mound, nothing but the hopes and dreams of a few million Twins fans hanging in the balance...ah, the sweet aroma of October baseball. Let us savor this time, for there are many for whom even the thought of their team in the playoffs is unimaginable. And we were among them a scant few months ago, yet out team never gave in to that despair. Let us not be so afraid of our boys failing, and of our hopes failing with them, that we lose sight of the fact that we have already been given more joy by these 2006 Twins than we had any right to expect. Let us not be bitter, or dwell on what might have been; what's done is done. To a team that has peered over the precipice and lived to tell the tale, three games is nothing. Let us make sure that, now that they are once again at the edge of that cliff, our Twins know we stand with them, ready to succeed or fail together. We owe them nothing less.

(A bit melodramatic, perhaps. But I'm feeling rather bold and ready for battle, so why not? Feel free to whistle the theme from "Patton" while you read my post - it'll add to the overall experience, I think.)

Apparently Clinton Portis is a fan of Johan.

(Click name)

The theory at the office is that the Twins are treating the Playoffs like a condensed version of the season. So it was required that we lost the first 2 games since we didn't win many games in April/May. If the theory holds true and the next games are equivilent to the rest of the season, we should soon be playing in the ALCS & then World Series. Go Bradke! Go Jackal!

Eric- That was for Santana Moss, sorry man..

GO BRADKE!!

The A's scored every single time I turned on the radio in game one. I may have to Elvis my dashboard. And its a company truck.

I'll be hiding under the seat, so let me know when we win the series.

Another inspirational quote:

"NEVER give up.... NEVER surrender!"
--Commander John Taggert

(Name that epic movie! It's a classic!)

And more seriously.....

"It's not JUST that this team wins....it's HOW they win!
--quote by Hallsey Hall... former radio announcer of the Twins from the 60s-70's

Drew- I know, a little joke is all. Trying to lighten the mood.

kbrew - It's "Galaxy Quest"! I've been throwing around motivational quotes/tactics with my fellow baseball junkie friends the past few days. That's the second one that came up. Bluto Blutarski's famous speech from "Animal House" was the initial one. My White Sox friend in Chicago has even taken up the Twins cause so anything is possible.

Eric, I got it right away, but that Pearl Harbor thing has still got me puzzled.

I love inspirational movie quotes. Here's one of my favorites from The Last Starfighter that seemed appropriate, spoken by Grig, an anthropomorphized reptilian looking fellow (yeah, sort of like Marty Cordova):

"I've always wanted to fight a desperate battle against incredible odds."

Just for giggles, and to keep Lew Fordwalker reading, and because they somehow also seem appropriate, here are some more:

"Listen, Centauri. I'm not any of those guys, I'm a kid from a trailer park."
"If that's what you think, then that's all you'll ever be!"

"So... how many Starfighters are left?"
"Including you? One."

"You mean they're dead?"
"Death is a primitive concept. I prefer to think of them as battling evil in another dimension."

"There's no fleet, no Starfighters, no plan. One ship, you, me, and that's it?"
"Exactly. Xur thinks you're still on Earth. Classic military strategy - surprise attack."
"It'll be a slaughter!"
"That's the spirit!"
"No, my slaughter!"

"Remember, Death Blossom delivers only one massive volley at close range... theoretically."
"What do you mean, theoretically?"
"Death Blossom has never been tested. It might overload the systems, blow up the ship!"
"What are you worried about, Grig? Theoretically, we should already be dead!"

OhHHHHhhhh, sorry Eric, after the last two games, seems like I'm taking everything seriously..