I'm pulling for Bradke as well. Like you, BG, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have on the hill - fish glue or not. If we can't score runs for Brad, we don't deserve to win tomorrow, and by god I hope we decide to leave the ass-bats at the dome...

In fact, when they finally blow up/implode the dome (whenever the Viqueens get a new stadium, or 2024, whichever comes first) I hope someone conveniently "forgets" the ass-bats in the home clubhouse...

I too am rooting for Bradke to turn it around for us. If he can channel the Radke who stopped Oakland's winning streak a couple of years back I think we have a legitimate shot.

And if they do leave the ass-bats at the Dome, here's hoping the cleaning crew takes them away & has a bonfire with them before our guys get back here for game five.

I think Radke is going to be the turning point in this postseason.. Looking forward to this start.

And if they've taken the ass-bats with them... Well, surely the A's will need bats to use, yes?

I'm skipping out of work early tomorrow to watch the game. I don't have official permission yet, but I can always fake an illness.

if anyone can do it, bradke can.

because we all know bradke is the manke.

I was watching the tigers game today and the announcers said something that I never would have otherwise noticed. (I might have heard it on the radio actually I don't remember)

D Jeter NYY SS 154 623 118 214 39 3 14 97 301 69 102 34 5 .417 .483 .343

C Guillen DET SS 153 543 100 174 41 5 19 85 282 71 87 20 9 .400 .519 .320
(or you can click on my name if this is confusing)

Jeter has a higher batting avg and OBP, but Guillen has a higher slugging pct and OBP. Guillen also drew more walks and struk out less. I don't know I really don't see a difference in "value" between these two guys. They are very similar. And all year people were saying that the Tigers had no MVP type players on the team, and yet they don't notice Guillen and the VERY similar year he had with jeter?

There is indeed no one, NO ONE I want out on the hill tomorrow other than Brad Radke.

I am not Catholic, but I am going to say a bunch of "Hail Radkes" before bed.

2006 ALDS, Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland Athletics, Game 3 preview by Laurence Hope
(respectfully bowlderized by twayn and dedicated to Brad Radke):

For this is Baseball; to love, to live
To take what fate, or the Gods may give.
To ask no question, to make no prayer,
To embrace the game with passion's care,
Speed season’s ebb as you greet its flow
To have, - to hold - and - in time, - let go!

Absolutely right, BG. This is how it should be. I have no idea whether the bats will awaken or not on Friday afternoon. But I do know that I'm looking forward to seeing Brad Radke take the mound.

Radke embodies everything that is good about this year's Minnesota Twins, win or lose.

JC

I meant bowdlerized. Damn fingers.

the heart and the soul of the twins for the past ten plus years. radke is gonna come with everything but the kitchen sink, and i cant wait to see it.

Yep.

I'm hoping the Powers That Be don't call me to work Friday as I'm really looking forward to watching this game. My "Piranhas" t-shirt arrived in the mail yesterday--it looks great and I shall be wearing it with pride.

BG, I'm so glad to have found your terrific site this summer and to have met such a great group of Batlings during this pretty incredible season.

Go Twins!

I'm doing my part to help. I'm NOT wearing my jersy until we win the ALDS.

I did that for the first two games, and look where *THAT* got us!

Brad will shutout the A's through six. Neshek, Reyes, Rincon, and Nathan finish up. Twins win 5-1. Santana gets the wins on Sat, then back to the Dome on Sunday and who knows what could happen. The Twins can pull this out if the hitters will just take a deep breath and relax....

They shall win, as it has happened, and will happen again.

i'm so nervous. deep breaths. radke can do this.

Dear Steve Holt,

Thanks for giving a little respect to Carlos Guillen of the Detroit Tigers. As a Tigers fan who has been following him since he joined the ballclub a couple of years ago (well, actually, even before that when he was with Seattle), I've always felt that he didn't get the recognition and credit he deserves, at least on a national level. I don't think he had an MVP season, and wouldn't try to tout him for it. But I do think he was the MVP for the Tigers this year, and that his importance to that ballclub often goes unnoticed or unspoken even by the Detroit media. And he is now proving his worth in the postseason as well (including a crucial, game-tying home run in Game 2).

I also think Jeter is a very good ballplayer, but gets a hugely disproportionate amount of praise, attention and acclaim relative to his actual ability. When listening to a ballgame broadcast on a network feed (such as ESPN today), I often think that the guys in the booth must get a salary bonus for every time they mention the name "Jeter". They're so programmed to say that name as often as possible that today, no exaggeration, I heard Joe Morgan and Jon Miller refer to no fewer than four other players as "Jeter", sometimes without realizing their error or correcting themselves. (Players they called "Jeter": Sheffield, Giambi (three times), Cano, and somebody named Carlos Guillen.) It's a conditioned reflex, something Pavlovian, I suspect. They're so Jeter-centric they just can't remember other players' names. (And that doesn't even count the number of extraneous and gratuitous references to the actual Jeter.)

Anyway, Carlos is one helluva ballplayer, regardless of how many people notice. I like him a lot.

Regards,
KenK

don't we just know there's no way this thing is ending tonight, there's been too many twists and turns to go out this way

go twins

d

I'm convinced the Jeter thing is largely due to the guy playing next to him - one Nim-Rod, to be exact. You wouldn't have to do much to look clutch next to a guy who goes 0-for-4 with three Ks in the playoffs. And all that performance for only $25,000,000 - what a bargain! Plus it saves guys like Morgan valuable time, as he doesn't have to bother learning the names of all the players that way; it also enables Miller to practice saying "Josh Bartlett" over and over again.

As for today? No doubt, Brad gets it done, the Chairman breaks out his whuppin' stick, and we live to play another day - what more can we ask?

Oh, and thanks for the headline, BG - now I'll have that inane Europe song from 1982 or whatever it was stuck in my head all bloody day...

All hail Captain Fish Glue
We're right there with you =)

and the moon is full - anything can happen

Much Love
Wonder Woman

Bradke and his amazing detachable arm shall win. This will only be a preview of the dramatic World Series game in which he pitches one armed to win the game. There I said it. Let it be.

I see Bradke standing on the top of the dugout looking out over the green grass field knowing the magnitude of the task before him. (Pithcing with one arm ain't easy.)

I hear Fanfare for the Common Man playing for this most uncommon of men. The trumpets sound as he takes his first slow step onto the gravel towards the pitching mound as his teammates now rush the field to take their positions and do their best to make sure that this is NOT the last time the old man steps on the field.

Gardy looking on turns to Stelmaszek and says -
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And the playoffs shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me (or at least gets a couple hits or at least moves a man over)
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile (Nutty really, really smells bad yaknow),
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in Twins Territory (tm) now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That played with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

What? You mean to tell me that Saint Crispin's day isn't Oct. 6? Phooey. Dramatic license I say!

Win Twins.

We need some Bradke magic. *crosses fingers and hopes*

Radke on the Hill, No way we are losing this game and going out getting swept! Come on boys you have put in way too much to go out like this!!!!

LETS GO TWINS!!!!!!

Go Bradke!

Ken Macha: "I've made a huge mistake."

angry, RIGHT ON! BEATRICE!

Dearest Batgirl -

That was just evil =)

Much Love
Wonder Woman

dear Kenk,
I've always thought of Guillen as a dangerous hitter and he may be the MVP of the tigers this year, mayber Verlander is, he pitched a great game yesterday, but if you (and I don't mean specifically you, kenk) don't consider guillen an MVP, then how could you consider jeter one? When he hits in a line up with multiple "dangerous" hitters? Jeter's not even the MVP of the yankees in my book. I don't think anyone stands out more than him but I don't think he stands out more than damon, giambi, cano, wang, abreu, etc... I know some of those players were injured for some time or not with the yankees for a whole season, but when they were with the ball club I feel that they contributed more.

That's why as much as I love Beltran and Reyes, and they both have had great years for the Mets this year, I know that pujols and howard are more derserving. The latter pretty much carried their team while beltran and reyes were hitting in part of a yankee style lineup themselves.

plus, guillen was more interesting to watch this season. Did jeter hit a cycle? no, so jeter may most likely win the MVP, but I would rather watch guillen play anyday.

I can't hear that song without thinking of Gob dancing and throwing cards around on stage. Perhaps if I turn Gob into Cuddy I can make the transition to Twins baseball.

But I'd really rather not. I don't want this to be final. I'm a wreck waiting for this game to start today and I don't know if I'll have the nerve to even watch it. The problem being that I know how good they can be. And all I can do is sit here and will it to happen. They're the ones that have to do it. Sometimes it sucks being a fan.

And here's the other thing. I've watched the Twins play all my life and this team . . . there's something about them. I haven't ENJOYED watching the Twins play as much as I have this year in a very long time. I still remember one of the early games of the year when we played the Yankees and it was one of the best baseball games I'd ever seen. Even Bert noted it during the broadcast (and did so without swearing). Of course, it helped that we won that one. Our team just always seems to be striving and trying and even when they look like little leaguers you know in the next play, Little Nicky Punto will climb the wall and catch a ball or Joe will hit a little dinger into center field or BartLETT will make a spectacular diving stop and start a looks-like-clockwork double play or Mike Redmond will be smiling and make me smile just by being there. And now I'm rambling.

Thanks for the season, guys. Let's go get 'em.

GO TWINS!

Dear Twins,

To say this season has been difficult is like saying a climb up Mt Everest is a walk in park. It's been hard, real hard. Why should the post season be any different. However, please get some runs for our dearest Bradke, I don't want him to go out on a loss. He deserves better than that, for god's sake his arm is falling off! And don't forget our dearest Kirby, he's been rooting his butt off for you up there and rubbing heads with Jesus and slapping him on the ass and well, I think Jesus really only likes it when Mary Magdalene does that. Anyway you can't let him down now either. I'd also like to think I didn't sacrifice my fingernails for you to go home in 3 and my poor dear kittens pace nervously as I sit in a trance staring at my '87 Homer Hanky and mumble something about parades and celebrations and cupcakes and fish glue and el presidente and "You can't handle the Boof!" and piranhas and runners stranded on base. . .Whew!

NOW GET OUT THERE AND WIN THIS ONE!

Lovingly, yet sternly,
HooliganKat

Batgirl, you could not have picked a better song.

Cuddy is featured in Today's Groom. There's a picture of his cover on the website.

http://todaysgroomonline.com/

Hang in there. The last team to blow a 2-0 division series lead? The Oakland A's. I think they may be feeling just as much pressure today.

There's no Cardinals game, so I'll be transferring all my happy thoughts/positive energy to the Twins today. I hope it helps.

Much Love,
Redbird

Great call, Moe, King's speech from Henry V! Hard to imagine anything that better captures the Twin's season, and especially so with Radke on the mound. If this season has shown us nothing else, it truly is most important how you play the game, and whatever their shortcomings, the Twins have done it right: we few, we happy few, we band of brothers!

Just to beat the Henry V reference to death, the next few lines following the quoted speech by the king:

"Salisbury: My sov’reign lord, bestow yourself with speed: The French [A's?] are bravely in their battles set, And will with all expedience charge on us.
King Henry: All things are ready, if our minds be so.
Westmoreland: Perish the man whose mind is backward now!"

GO TWINS!

Wow! BG, I'm ready! Let's roll!

Go Brad!

"We're headed for Venus (Venus), and still we stand tall. Cause baby, they've seen us, and welcome us all. With so many light years to go, and things to be found (to be found). Assume that we all miss her so...it's the final countdown!"

Man, could you better sum up the Twins day today? I don't think it's possible. I mean, that verse is about as coherent as I feel this morning waiting for the game to start.

Haha, I hope they play that song at the Dome on Sunday for Game 5 for the "Sing along with TC" bit. Either that, or I hope the organ player breaks into the keyboard part from that song at some point.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/06/SPGJDLK0VK1.DTL

Okay, Twins. There's only one rule.
Everybody fights.
No one quits.
Do you get me?

As a young music student in college one of my orchestration assignments was to write a short 4-piece arrangement for strings, original or not. Not being much of a composer at the time (nor am I much more of one now...) I hemmed and hawed for inspiration. Then it struck me.

The day the assignments were due I walked in confidently with my arrangement and handed them out to the grad students who'd drawn the shortest straws and were sentenced to play what our class had written for the day.

It was with no small amount of delight for myself and the other long-haired metal-enthusiasts in my class to hear that keyboard intro from "The Final Countdown" while Dr. Gwiazda rolled his eyes and shook his head.

Gwiazda was similarly unimpressed a couple years later when I showed up for a composition lesson and jokingly unveiled my latest work by singing "The Chase" music from Ms Pac Man.

Oh, yeah... Go Twins!

Regardless of what happens, it's been the greatest regular season ever. Go Twins.

Ok everyone, I'm getting ready to head into Oakland.

I got my road greys on, I got my Radke is the Manke sign ready and homer hankey or is that rally towel in my pocket.

I agree with what everyone is saying this is the kind of game that we want Radke on the mound. He is always so calm, cool, and collected. I just hope that when he throws that last strike his arm isn't still attached to the ball.

I'm so ready for today. I think we get this win and then Santana wins tomorow and sends it back to the Dome. And then Boof will be on fire but we don't need no water let mu***fu***r burn right over the A's.

You just have to believe after everything they've accomplished this season.

GO TWINS!
WIN TWINS!

Skorch--Nice! I wish I'd thought of something as impressive when I took orchestration class with Dr. Argento!

I'm all pumped and ready to go, now that I've got the blast-from-the-past music in my head. BG, you never cease to amaze me.

Go Bradke! Win Twins!

Good news! It looks like the Padres ended up with the ass-bats!

wouldn't it be neat to score first!! just for Bradke.... c'mon bats... da da da da, da da da da daaaa. (final countdown playing in background) win twins!!

I've got nuthin'...Go Twins! (dammit)

So, here's my theory:

I woke up at 7:22 this morning, which is before my alarm was set to go off. This is a good omen, as 7 is the letter L (which is baaad) turned upside down (thus making it anti-bad), and 22 is Bradke's number. So 7:22 = win for Brad. Who's with me?

Also, on the way into work, the last song I heard had "our luck is gonna change" in the refrain. Whoosh!

Iiiii'm a dork, I know.

Also, right on with the picturing of Gob with The Final Countdown. I've got the same thing goin' on here.

I'm with you FH

After posting I turned on the TV and what was on the independent channel but Sign of the Times, first line I heard, "the world series of love"

I'm looking for signs too.

WIN TWINS!

Dearest Cal -
Hold that sign up high -we'll all be looking for you on TV.

Dearest FH -
I like your theory

Hey I'm ok with the Padres having the ass bats - they are playing the Cards and I want them to win =)

Much love
Wonder Woman

The good news:
Haren got shelled in September -- 5.80 ERA.
Haren got shelled by the TC's in April.

The bad news:
Haren allowed no runs, six hits, and struck out 13 while winning his next two starts (14 IP) against the Twins. One of those starts was about three weeks ago.

The interesting news:
In that last Haren start vs MIN, Garza, Reyes, and Rincon allowed only one run over 7 innings after Liriano had to come out very early.

The pitching situation for the Twins could be seen as analogous, if not virtually identical, to the Liriano Early Exit Game (LEEG). I see that as a good thing for the Twins, if only they can get just 2 or 3 runs acros today.

maybe i can take a cue from mr. bradke's cool, calm demeanor because i'm anxious as heck over here.

GO TWINS!!!!

BTW, I'm curious about something:

Why does my good-natured "quit yer bitchin'" admonishment to a *Yankees fan* get deleted, while someone else's quote of Torii's f-bombs escapes redaction?

I checked the comment policy. No help there.

No biggie. Just wondering.

Dear Mr.Ms Magic,

Language is not the issue. The trouble with "quit your bitchin'" is Batgirl did not realize it was good natured, she was afraid it was rude to another poster. She had a similar trouble with a regular who told someone to, "Bite me." It was good natured, but Batgirl did not realize. Tone is hard to tell on the internet. It was a misunderstanding on her part, and she apologizes. Of course, one needs to be equally courteous here to fans of whatever team post.
Sincerely,
Batgirl

Let's say TC's win today...then what?

Conventional wisdom says that you throw Santana in G4, and then go all-hands-on-deck for G5.

However, others (most notably Mike Greenberg) say that you want Santana in a position to win a series for you, so you save him for Game 5, and try to get by with all-hand-on-deck in the fourth game.

Considering that *today* might be the all-hands day, I would think you gotta go with Santana in G4.

Hey, I'm talking about a Game 4 scenario here...that's gotta count as positive thinking for the TC's, right?

Gotta love it when Batgirl goes third-person!

Thanks for your prompt and polite reply, BG. You are a credit to the blogosphere.

I will concur with Magic, only to add that "a credit to the blogosphere" is by far an understatement.

You gotta love baseball. The only series not 2-0 is the one between the surging, $200 million, "Evil Empire," "buy-a-title" payroll New York Yankees, and the revamped, recently 120+ loss, slumping, "lose-the-division-by-getting-swept-by-the-Royals" Detroit Tigers. I mean, for all the projections, if someone had to put money on a team to be up 2-0, wouldnt it have been the Yanks?

In the meantime, Oakland is on the verge of its third 2-0 collapse in the past 5 years... outstanding! This is the greatest sport around -- provided that there is enough Pepto and Happy Happy Fun Drinks (notice - the Happy Happy Fun Drink Recipe is not to be duplicated, administrated, consternated, palpitated, consumed, exhumed, legumed, or pontooned.)

Losing sanity,
YankeeFan

I just want to say, for those listening to WFAN in New York, that Mike and the Mad Dog's conversation about "what are the odds that the Yanks series is the 1-1 series" happened a full 3 minutes after my post.

That is all,
YF

FH, 7 is Young Joe Mauer's number. That can't be bad. Maybe it's a sign that Joe forgot his ass bat at the dome. And it was taken away, so when they get back on Sunday HE WILL NOT USE IT.

Win Twins. If Bradke had to take a loss, I would just die.

Mike and the Mad Dog are very certain that the Yankees will win the world series. I believe that Mike wanted to put money on detroit not being able to get to game five. and Russo does not like the Twins and thinks of Santana as an overrated pitcher. I still like him though because he's funny and they are both hilarious and cut throat.

Wow, you know it's all love in the house when a NYY fan "concurs" with an O's fan. Yankee Fan, you people are everywhere.

More interesting news:
Before Joe Nathan broke Ellis' finger, Ellis himself broke Bret Boone's single-season fielding percentage record for a second-sacker.

Singles up the middle, anyone?

"Santana is overrated?" Off with his head!

More false words have never been spoken.

I pray to Gwynn we can pull at least the next two out.

Oct. 6 is St. Gwynn's day, right?

Santana IS overrated. In that everyone expects him to be an automatic win, which he is sadly not. Closer than anyone else is, to be sure, but still, not.

I can't believe I just watched that entire video. Thanks, BG. You're nasty when our backs are against the wall.

Whatever happens tonight, Bradke -- Bradheart, as I'll think of him from now on -- is forever one of my all-time heroes just for saying, "To hell with having the use of both of my arms in retirement. My team needs me now!"

It's amazing to think of how Bradheart's career bridges the time between starting in Kirby Puckett's last full game in 1995 to pitching in Joe Mauer's first playoff series in 2006.

It's Go Time, Bat-Peeps!!

The TC's are the only hope for defeating the Yankees!

They Must Advance At All Costs!

Uh-hum, erm, sorry. I'm totally impartial, really.

Yeah! Castillo gets on right away!

News Flash: Yahoo! Sports shows Silva as the Game Four starter...wow?

Would it have been so wrong to drop Punto to the bottom third of the order and move every one else up? Punto's fielder's choice just cost baby Elvis an RBI.

Umm...today's BG In-Game Solo Chat is brought to you by the Baltimore Sun. When you need birdcage liner, you can count on the Sun.

I'll try to calm down.

Yahoo!Sports is the most inaccurate "reporter" of news. They constantly have incorrect scores, headlines, starters, facts, etc. They are brutal.

twins, stop GIDP. It is a rally killer. I'd rather you just strike out or fly out. but to get my hopes up with men on base only to end the inning without a single run. grrr. Lets go BRADKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Makes sense to me...in fact, I just read somewhere else that Santana is supposed to go G4.

Yeah, that Jimenez can't play defense at all...so much for singles up the middle.

Hi STEVE!,

I think LNP's FC was actually just as bad. If he would at least advanced Castillo, then the A's probably wouldn't have turned the DP...and if they did, then Castillo's run would have counted, I think.

I need some backup on the rules for scoring on a DP.

Full disclosure: I have Mauer, Morneau, and Cuddyer on my postseason fantasy roster.

But I still think they have the best mix of pitching and offense to handle the Spankees.

The grounds crew won't have to rake the mound at all today, that's for sure. With the size of Radke's stones they're most certainly dragging on the ground beneath him. I can't beleive this guy is pitching today with what's going on with his arm. I know he's retiring but permanent damage can cause a lot of lifelong pain. a 1-2-3 inning and a BIG WOW! for Brad. Damn.

Can't score on a dp if they are both force plays, no.

Missing magic - A run cannot score on a conventional double play if it results in the third out.

OK, thanks, Seth. I was thinking about how announcers are always saying "you can't assume the DP."

I'd like to know if Hunter was *trying* to sacrifice Morneau over. LNP sacrificing is one thing, but I would have liked to see Hunter swinging away.

Thanks, Tim. And TIA to everybody else who is going to respond to my rules SOS.

I'm not watching on TV, but it appears Rondell blew a golden RBI opportunity...maybe the Padres returned those ass-bats after their game.

sup mm!
agree. I just want to see some production especially with runners in scoring position. I just feel like we're wasting too many opportunities. Someone said a while ago that punto hasn't been the same ever since he had that homerun back in chicago, and they're right. He hasn't been showing that same production. Lets hope that all changes today. Score some runs boys. Do it for Radke! give him a lead

Put him on, Bat-Peeps?

Wow, I can't believe Radke got him out with a three-ball count hanging over his head. I need to get to a TV...did Thomas send it far?

Hey, at least Thomas wasn't on base!

Somebody here was wondering where the A's offense is going to come from outside of Thomas...question answered.

Not as far As the Chavez homer...

you know.. I know it's only one run and it doesn't mean much right now, but I really wanted the lead first this time.

Do we need to sacrifice an elephant? Why is their mascot an elephant?

I miss kielty... just his hair.

I hear ya, STEVE!, and the thing is...they had the chance to get on the board in both innings. Can't believe White couldn't drive in Morneau.

BK IS Heat Miser! That's scary!

From Wikipedia:

"After New York Giants' manager John McGraw told reporters that Philadelphia manufacturer Benjamin Shibe, who owned the controlling interest in the new team, had a “white elephant on his hands," Mack defiantly adopted the white elephant as the team mascot, though over the years the elephant has appeared in several different colors (currently forest green)."

You probably already knew that the A's played in Philly before moving to Oakland.

Thanks, Missing Magic! Can you find a strikeout on Wikipedia?

Haha! Nice one, ChrisD!

That must be where Scutaro is getting all those postseason doubles. He only has three hits for the series, but all doubles.

THIS IS NOT A COMMENT MAINLY DIRECTED AT THE VIDEO, DON'T GET ME WRONG, IT WAS AWESOME. BUT I AM WATCHING GAME THREE, AND I JUST NEED TO VENT TO SOME FELLOW TWINS FANS ABOUT HOW MUCH I DISLIKE THE ESPN ANNOUNCERS. I JUST CAN'T HANDLE THEM!!!

Jeez, any reason why Lew Ford can't be in there, hitting second? Has Tyner taken his starting job away or something?

I would just like to vent about NIck Punto, the utility infielder disguised as a third basemen. Why can't he hit at all? He looks like an orphaned puppy at the plate. And if he could actually get on base once a game during this series, the Twins may have actually not been swept. Nick Punto, we're begging for you to reach base JUST ONCE!!!

The Twins 1-2 hitters are last in the AL in runs, last in OPS, first in ground ball %, and first in GDPs. Ouch!

You guys think you have it rough with Torri's $10M option...Kendall is into the A's for $10M, and he doesn't even hit doubles anymore.

Pretty expensive for just an OBP guy with no power and no wheels.

Nice blog, Hank. I guess you don't think they should pick up Torii's option.

Ok, Radke's done. Go get him.

All-hands-on-deck!

They leaving him out there to throw to Chavez? Gardenhire should have bullpen warming up at first pitch!

I HATE ESPN. Aren't they supposed to be unbiased?

Wish Torii had done that with Morneau on second instead of bunting.

OK, for some of y'all who aren't regulars here, I think your venting about some of the boys is ill-timed, to say the least. Every one of the players you're railing against was an integral part of what got the Twins to where they are. Has LNP hit? Has Bart fielded well? Has the Chairman been smacking the ball with authority? No, no, and no. But for those who haven't watched this team all year like most of us have, you don't realize how good these guys have been. If they fall in three to the A's, that does not erase everything they did to get us here. I can't just sit back and listen to y'all criticize the 2006 Twins, regardless of where we end up when all is said and done. They deserve better.

Redemption for Torii???

I propose a new nickname for Hunter: "Optional."

you haven't watched the first two games linda. ESPN has been very biased in favor of the twins in those games and we lost. Trust me... we don't want ESPN to like us. When they do, we lose.

adidasman,

Hope you aren't talking to me. I am not some Indians fan polluting this blog under different "pen names."

I think my comments about Punto have been fair.

I cannot beleive Radke is back out there. This is very thin ice...

"I before E except after C..."

If anything gets me kicked off this blog, it'll be the typos.

i don't care what anyone says, i want torii back next year. his misplay just proves to me what kind of player he is. It was a horrible error in judgement, but he went all balls out and thats how he plays the game. 98% of the time, torii would make the play and instead of being a scapegoat, he would be a hero and on web gems and top plays.

Plus, there aren't any other free-agent CFs that are worth even half of his $10M option. It's only one year.

Wow...gutsy inning by Radke. Three strikeouts with his arm scotch-taped onto his body.

Hahaha! LNP gets a single!

Perfect.

I said what I said. If you think it's aimed at you, MissingMagic (an Orioles fan, if I'm remembering correctly), maybe you're right. And if you think your comments are fair, that's your opinion. It's easy to sit back at this point and tear the team down, but I'd rather not be reading that right now. It's interesting to me that most of the contributors over the past few days, most of whom have either been negative or have been yakking about other games or whatever, are not from the regular core Bat-Girl gang. That's fine - this is an open forum - but I can't just listen to this kind of stuff without responding. Pull Radke? Nope. "Have the bullpen warming at first pitch"? Nope. Hard as it might be to believe, there are things more important right now than winning this ball game. Giving Brad Radke every possible chance to pitch this game, despite some tough spots along the way, is one of those things. In my mind, if you were a true Twins fan, you'd understand that.

Yes, but I'm an Orioles fan that has three Twins on his fantasy roster -- with *money* on the line. No truer Twins fan than me, right now. See, my money is where my mouth is. Is yours?

Hey, listen, I'm not looking to fight with anyone, but I can see it's getting too tense for some people. So, I am out of here. Enjoy the rest of the baseball, Bat-Peeps. Best of luck to the TC's.

Thanks for the comment STEVE HOLT. I had the misfortune of being in cube world the last 2 games and caught the end of the last one on the radio. So I will quit fuming at ESPN.

Darn right we want Torii back next year. Enough of this negativity right now PLEASE.

I always complained about ESPN and their dumb analysts and ther 0 IQ for baseball, but when the Twins suddenly became the favored team over the A's for ESPN I realized that it was even worse when they supported us. I like things going back to normal with ESPN hating the twins.

yes please no more negativity. This is a happy place. magic, everyone is welcome here. I'm sure thats what BG would say. So lets not turn our frustrations about being down 0-2 in the DS on each other, but instead reflect on not only how great the twins were this year, but how next year we're going to RUN AWAY WITH THE DIVISION.

Oh, Batgirl, the bases-clearing double just happened and I am really, really sad for you and your fellow Twins fans. (I say this sincerely, lest I be mistaken for one of the haters posting above). But as Yogi Berra says, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Keep the faith.

ESPN has been very biased in our favor, they ALWAYS swing their support to whichever team starts to pull away.

And it's not like we've played in any way to deserve praise from them.

What's this "no negativity"? Give me a break, people can get upset if they want. Just ignore them, it won't hurt you.

Oh, no. Bases-clearing double. Now time is running out.

I really enjoyed this year following Twins baseball. What can I say? Wait til' next year, I suppose. This was a fantastic year, regardless of what happened in the playoffs. Next year we'll have experience under our belts and hopefully storm to another division title.

Doc homers are hot.

I HATE THESE ANNOUNCERS. I have NEVER missed DicknBert so much.

I can see what you all mean now. ESPN is really, really biased. If I had MLB Extra Innings, I'd watch the game on that, because I really can't take it anymore.

Someone hits a homerun and their team is winning. "THERE IT GOES ... GONE!"

Someone hits a homerun and their team is losing. "And ... that is ... gone."

I miss DicknBert too. I can ignore the negativity, but doesn't mean I have to like it and shut up about it.

Cmon guys its only a game

**cricket sounds**
**beer taps out**
**slowly backs away towards the door**

I mean It's a crying shame!

I've TRIED to be positive, but honest to god, this has been perhaps the most lackluster series they've played all year. (Or at least since June.) Three errors in a critical playoff game?! I think we have a right to be upset.

I agree, Adam. I am indeed upset, although perhaps not as much as other Twins fans (since at least my Yankees are still in, though if they can't win close games like yesterday, then I don't think they'll last much longer either). The Twins had that insatiable hunger for winning for about four months now ... they can't possibly forget what this season meant to them so quickly, can they?

Well, at least they're trying. The Twins are capable of scoring runs if they get on base consistently. They're still in it, but they've dug a hole and are on the verge of bottoming out.

I can't watch.

God. That was horrible.

Linda,

Noones telling you to shut up, but you were telling others to.

Well, that was a fun season, sad end. How many days til pitchers report? :)

I think it's going to take me awhile to get over this one. In the mean time, I give you the words of Teddy Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts,
nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly;
who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows great enthusiasms, great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause;
who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly,
so that his place shall never be with those timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat."

Thanks for an amazing season, boys. It's been fun. Go get 'em next year.

[I THINK THAT TORII HUNTER'S THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER EVER. I WISH HE'D BARRELL INTO ME AT HOME. I WISH MY BITCH SOX WERE MORE LIKE THE TWINS. I WISH I WEREN'T SUCH A NEANDERTHAL THAT I LEAVE OBNOXIOUS COMMENTS ON OTHER TEAM'S BLOGS. BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

EDITED, SLIGHTLY BY BG]]

Have a nice depressing winter in third place and with awful pitching, 2005WSChamps.

mark buerhle?

Stay classy, 2005WSChamps.

2005WSChamps

Exactly why I love the White Sox! All in one paragraph. Impressive.

I knew I could count on my fellow batlings to help me through this time of sadness. I know that we will have a fresh start in spring. Our boys will come back as awesome as ever, I know it. Next season, we'll make another run for the playoffs and have fun along the way. Good luck to the Tigers. They're my backup team. Murderer's Row and Cano can go spit in a lake for all I care. Oh, and 2005WSChamps: Shut up. Your team didn't even make the playoffs.

Oh, and WSChamps... how are Tomme and Conerrco going to do next year? What about Die and Pohdcednick? Peerzinskee?

/learn to spell a player's name if you are going to call them out, loser

Go Tigers. And beat the ever-living crap out of the A's in the next round.

Oh, and congratulations to the 2006 AL Central Champion Twins. They can't take that away from us.

[[MY ONLY HOPE FOR THIS POSTSEASON WAS TORII HUNTER WOULD COME TO MY HOUSE AND SMILE AT ME. ALAS, IT WAS NOT TO BE. I WISH MY TEAM HADN'T FINISHED IN THIRD PLACE BUT AT LEAST I HAVE HUNTER'S SMILE TO KEEP ME WARM. ]]]

--EDITED, SLIGHTLY, BG. STAY CLASSY SOX FANS!

heyy we still have something to look forward to in NOV. Johan's Cy young!

I hope we don't turn into bitter sore losers/poor spellers like 2005WSChamps. Looking back on this season many years from now I most likely won't remember the three game sweep... I'll remember how everyone counted us out and we turned it around to clinch the AL Central. You can't say we didn't enjoy the ride. It was memorable and we have much to look forward to next Spring.

There's a reason we call them Bitchsox.

Thanks for a great season guys. See ya in the Spring. Thanks Brad, I'll certainly miss you.

thank you Christy, for that quote from Teddy. our boys certainly did struggle valiantly. i told myself going into the post-season that nothing could take away the magic & splendor of this season - i tried to tell my son that as we listened to Gordo & Dazzle announce the end - i didn't really feel it, but i do now. thank you. that, bokk-ended with the Henry V quote earlier sums up this season & our boys pretty well. thank you Twins!

hey look on the bright side. if we're done watching baseball, then at least we won't have to put up with kruk for another couple of months.

So, does Ryan trade a pitcher or two (say Crain and someone else) for a powerhitting 3d baseman or DH?

Amazing season, disappointing finish.

Rats.

I can already see it now:

Tigers knock off the Yankees, moving onto the ALCS. Once there, the analysts begin to wonder if the Twins would've been able to do it.

Lord knows I'm already wondering...

WhiteSoxFan, jealousy is an ugly emotion. I'm sure third place isn't a pleasant pill for you to swallow, but don't let its bitterness eat away at you. I know your ONE year of success must seem a lifetime away--and the statute of limitations on bragging rights has obviously run out--but don't despair... there's always next year. Who knows, you might even work your way up to second place!!

Enjoying running your third-place banner up the flagpole. Oops... THERE ISN'T ONE.

Now piss off back to your own board.

Funny how all the White Sox fans come out now when the Twins fall in the playoffs and NOT when their team loses its fifth straight and falls out of playoff contention.

Anyway, I guess as far as the Twins go, I'll be looking forward to another great season next year. As for the Yankees ... bring on those kitties!

Oh...Brad and Justin looked like they were going to cry, and that made me what to cry.

It was a fantastic season, and I wish it would've ended better. Still, there's no reason for the Twins to be ashamed!

Didn't end the season the way would have like...and Lord knows they didn't start the season the way we would have liked. But inbetween...no one can deny...there was some magic. Some teams and their fans never see the magic.

I :heart: 2006 Twins.

& I just wanna declare my love for Rondell White while he's still a Twin. I hope he sticks around. Second half of the season variety, of course.

[[GOD I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THAT. I CRIED WHEN YOU LOST!!!! I AM A MEMBER OF THE CLASSIEST FAN BASE IN ALL OF MLB.]]]

EDITED, SLIGHTLY, BY BG]]]

Dear WhiteSoxForever...

I know you're trying to get a rise out of people, and it's going to work. But does it make you feel better to be a complete and total jerk? I hope so...you'll need something to sustain you while you remember your team's 3rd place finish!

Tricia- click his name...

Batlings:

The last four days have stunk. (And the last 10 weren't so hot, either.)

But the run since June 8 has been magical, and this place has been part of it - maybe the most fun part for me, given that us ex-pats have trouble finding like-minded souls who understand our peculiar mania.

I thank you all. One hundred twenty days (give or take) until pitchers and catchers report.

- tgd

WHITESOXFOREVER:

LOLZ.

Sorry...my mistake!! I feel pretty dumb now.

Tricia

So who to root for now? Because even though our team didn't make it, the season isn't over yet and there is still a championship to be won. Just like how in football where year after year my team lets me down and fails to make the playoffs I still get excited for the superbowl, so Who's it going to be, guys? My money is on the Mets.

I'll be rooting for the Tigers against the Yankees (obviously!), but if it comes down to Tigers-A's in the ALCS, I don't know whose side I'll be on. It'd be refreshing to see either one of them in the Series.

In other words, I hold nothing against the A's for this sweep; they played the game right, and the Twins just didn't even show up.

Oh I definately do not hold anything against the A's or their fans for their sweep. They just flat out played better than us. I guess if it came down to tigers and the A's in the ALCS, I'd root for the tigers to represent the AL central but I'd still say the mets win it all.

It's easy to decide who to root for. You root for the AL Central. With the exception of Chicago last year (who in victory were just as big of a-holes as they are in defeat), it's always good to see some glory brought to a division that ISN'T the AL East. And seeing as how the Tigers started off hot, it wouldn't hurt to see them finish it off. Make things interesting next year.

VIVA LOS TIGRES!!!!!!!!

I'm going for the Tigers. AL Central deserves the WS and honestly, it'd be a blast to see the Tigers get the glory after some hard work.

I agree, Adam. I like the both the Tigers and the As. Both teams play hard and yet respect their opponents, unlike the Bitch Sox. I'll be torn if they face off in the ALCS. However, I think I'll root for the As. They play Twins style baseball. Unfortunately, in the ALDS they did it a bit better than we did.

"WHITESOX FOREVER," you made my day! ROTFLMAO!!!

(Don't feel dumb, Tricia... yours was a perfectly understandable reaction, given "their" reputation on this board.)

good luck KenK!
and since you're so classy YF, good luck to you too!

Thanks, Laurie. I'm looking forward to reading Batgirl's thoughts. She's so good at putting things in perspective. I'm looking forward now to spring training.

I loved the June 7-October 1 version of the Twins. They showed they could come back from almost anything and had the best run ever for any Twins team.

But of course 3 and out is a huge disappoinment. I don't know if was spending all the energy last Sunday in beating the Sox and cheering for the Royals, but the boys looked flat. Hats off to Johan and Boof for doing their jobs-and to Brad for going out there today with his bum shoulder and not doing so bad.

But the Twins have reached a point where they need to be built to win in October. The lack of scoring runs with RISP was evident all of a sudden in the final week of the season, and unfortunately killed the postseason. And some poor defense.

The 2007 Twins will be good and they will be my pick again in the AL Central. I just want to be able to use my World Series ticket fund next year!!

Thank you Twins for one hell of a regular season and I look forward to 2007. Until then I don't know what to do since the Packers suck and I lost interest in hockey and the NBA is boring. :)

Thanks for an amazing year, Twins.

We had an incredible season--ending 30 games over 500! Who would have thought we'd be there back in April and May?

While, as BatGirl so astutely says, "the offseason sucks," at least we know we've got a great team at its core. These are good guys who played hard, reminded us why we love them and brought us the Central Division Championship on the last magical day of the regular season.

Thanks for giving us a season to remember and for playing with all your heart, Twins.

Can't wait for April 2007! See you in Fort Myers!

I just got back from the game.
Pretty much sucked to be there.
Bay Area people have to be the rudest, meanest fans out there
Oops,
Just finished reading BG and it looks like ugly BITCH SOX fan has risen up, thanks for that.

I'll post tomorrow or later

It's better to make the playoffs than finish in 3rd.

What a year, it just gives you hope for 2007.

And Brad Radke, is my pitching hero for all time. I feel lucky to say I was at his last start. The man is all Twin.

Love you guys

Cal

I'm sad, Batgirl. Hold me.

Well Twins, thanks for the excitement. No one can deny that even though it was disappointing at the end, it has been exciting. Now we can all look forward to the new line up next year. Are there any guesses out there as to who's out and who stays? Should be interesting to see. See you all next year!!!

Oh most def thank you for everything boys. thank you for one of the most amazing regular season year. and one of the most exciting rookies to watch in liriano, and then with neshek. Thanks for the jason kubel grand slam agaisnt the redsox. thanks for the sweep @ chicago. thanks for joe mauer sideburn night, and the be home by eleven f bomb. twice. thanks to rondell's belly flops into 3rd and the piranhtas. thanks for smelling them redmond. thanks to joe nathan for making 9th innings SUPER dramatic and then proving to everyone why he is the best closer. Thanks for rookie hazing day but not forcing us to see Boof in a dress. thanks for johan going undefeated at the dome all season & triple crowns & Cy Youngs. Thanks for the batting title, and the 30+ homers. & nick punto/cuddyer's gun of an arm. Thanks for two clinchers in one week, and for leaving chicago back home at the end of sept. And most of all thank you kirby for an amazing career and legacy to which the twins played their hearts out to honor. I'm forgetting a lot I know, but I'm gonna try and watch the tiger game so feel free to fill in the rest if anything comes to mind.

Oh, yeah. Hey KenK. Best of luck the rest of the way.

I've told many that no matter what happens, this was a team to cherish for a long time. From the doldrums of May, to the AL Central crown was, and I guess still is, . . . sweet.

But to see our guys play like they did this series is hard to take. The errors, the poor pitches at crucial points, and the lack of clutch hitting was ugly. Rick Sutcliffe (who is mostly an ass) was right when he said the Twins played tight. Jeez ... it's just incredible that we got swept.

I hope they pick up Torii's option . . . and let's all "wait 'til next year."

I thought of some more. Thanks for baker's dominance agaisnt the yankees and morneau's payback to villone. And thank you bradke for being such a horse and playing through all the pain.

This one's to my friend Marie. Let's think about heading south for spring training. Maybe we can offer our own opinions - ha ha. It was fun these last few weeks. Next year, the Twins will be back, and better than ever! Let's all get out Homer Hankies washed and pressed!!

"Regardless of what happens, it's been the greatest regular season ever. Go Twins."
Posted by: Tony Boliva at October 6, 2006 10:56 AM

My exact feelings Tony Boliva.

Cal! I was wondering how you fared. Was thinking of you in that frenzy. Glad you are home in one piece.
This is BatGirl territory and love having this place, win or lose.

Folks are welcome to have their own feelings about who to root for in the rest of the postseason. That's part of what being a fan is all about. For those who haven't yet made up their minds yet, though, I'd like to tell a little story.

Once upon a time, there was a baseball team that finished the month of April four games over .500. That may not seem like a lot to you, but it's better than some teams manage and more than enough to still consider yourself 'in the hunt', even though it's just the first of May and the birds are only now starting to sing and the grass...well, you get the idea.

Except all of a sudden, the team started going south. The pitchers stopped pitching (ERA 5.89, which is about what Crazy Pepe would have ended up with if he'd managed both to make it through the season and calmed down a bit - the latter being essential to the former), the hitters stopped hitting (.397 slugging percentage, which is about what Dr. Morneau was hitting last year when he was still recovering from the pleurisy and the marthambles and the yai-yi-yoooooo-not-in-the-hair-please), and in about three weeks they'd gone from being four games over .500 to being six games under .500, which anyone can see is not really moving in a good direction.

Obviously something had to be done. So this team did something - they traded for a player who was, frankly, not very good. How not very good was he? Well, his career slugging percentage to that point was exactly the same as the team itself had hit that month. One of the best comparisons to make was to Sam Mele, which older Twins fans will nod and say that Sam Mele was a fine, fine manager who led the Twins to the World Series in 1965, which is all well and good, except this player was more comparable to the younger Sam Mele who was signed by the Red Sox after The War and led the league in hitting into double plays in 1951. Which as much as some of you love Michael Cuddyer, even you'll admit that leading the league in double plays is not something that's in itself terribly endearing.

The odd thing is, this player, who nobody had any expectation of being any good, came in and basically said, "Well, I am here, and this team is in trouble, and thus I will play better than I've ever played in my entire life." And it was so. And others on the team saw this and said, "Well, if he can play better than he's ever played in his life, then dangit, so can I," and lo, it again was so. By the end of the first week in June this team was back up to .500. and by the All-Star Break they were 12 games over .500, but still stuck in third place in their division because the other two teams ahead of them were also, frustratingly, winning a lot of games, too.

So they decided to just stop losing for a while. On the 13th of August (which would have been unlucky, except it wasn't a Friday), their small left-handed pitcher won a game, and then their next pitcher won a game, and they simply kept on doing it until they'd won 20 games in a row.

Then Brad Radke shut them out. (Yes, you've figured out by now that I'm talking about the 2002 Oakland A's. Bear with me, please, because the story gets better.)

After winning 20 games, then losing one, they realized that they were in first place. By two games. Over their arch-rivals, a team with an annoying monkey mascot and an irritating tendency to change the name of the city they played for and generally get under their skin as badly as any Bitch Sock ever got under a Twins fan's skin.

Then this team, who mocked them for not spending money on players with power, and for having short starting pitchers, and for trading for players who weren't very good and miraculously getting them to play better than they've ever played in their LIVES, beat them three in a row and knocked them out of first place.

And that was the last straw.

When the LAAAAAAAAAA Angels came into Oakland, the A's said, "Yes, we have a short pitcher, but he is good, and he will beat you." And he did. And they said, "We also have a closer that was pitching on the East Coast last year and they didn't think he was very good, but he is very good and he can beat you, too." And he did. And the A's moved back into first place and this time didn't give it up and nearly managed to earn the best record in the entire league except for that Evil Empire in the East.

Then they went to the playoffs, and there stood their nemesis: Brad Radke. He'd shut them out to break their 20-game winning streak, and now he beat them in game 1 to give these upstart newcomers from the Midwest a lead, and then beat them again in game 5 to give the upstarts the series win.

And the general manager responded by saying, famously, "My $&*@ don't work in the playoffs."

Except it would have worked in the playoffs, but for the intercession of one Brad Radke. The following year, they got back to the playoffs again, and won two games, and then the Red Sox scouts learned of their fear of Radke and suddenly every Boston starting pitcher was wearing a rubber Radke mask on the mound and lo, the A's fell again.

So yes, you can talk about Brad Radke's courage and grit in sticking out this season and getting to pitch one last time in the playoffs, and I'll agree with you. But the reason was only partly to thrill Twins fans with the thought of our old bulldog throwing a big game for us again, and only partly a swan song for all the great years he gave us while he was just about the only good player on the entire team.

It was also so that he could look in the eyes of Marco 'Scoot' Scutaro and Eric Chavez and say the words that A's players and fans have longed to hear since 2002:

"I release you from my thrall, Oakland. Go and be champions, and remember that this is how a hero meets his final end."

I'm rooting for the A's for the rest of the 2006 post-season. Not just because their story is our story, that they're the team we'd be if only we played in somewhat less color-coordinated uniforms and in a slightly airier and rounder home stadium. But for Brad - because that's the way he'd want it.

Goodnight.

--
David Michael Wintheiser

All this moping raises a question. Where’s the props for the A’s? Wouldn’t that be the classy thing to do? Don’t all you Twins fans pride yourselves on your class?
You must admit the A’s handed you your lunch. Sure the Twins shot themselves in the foot a few times, but give the hand that slapped you some credit.
I hope the A’s move on just to prove the Moneyball philosophy can prove a winner. Also to hear Big Frank bitch and moan about how he don’t need no Kenny Williams.

Go Sox in ’07!

This is a great site.

this morning, on the way in, i listened to the Wood Brothers' CD "Ways not to lose" - beautiful CD - & the title track caught my attention. i was aware of task before us, before the Twins, before Mr. Radke. i could not imagine the fortitude and strength he must have possessed to contemplate taking the hill yet again. yet, i felt good - strangely good - & the song seemed strangely apt. this evening, i listened again as i drove through the night to pick-up a favorite 6-pack with the hope watching Les Tigres yipe the collective smirl off the face of the Yankees. i realize i am rambling, but i present now the first verse & chorus:

"my whole Saturday/
and Sunday too/
i was thinking about/
ways not to lose/
lay down my weapons/
is what i've done/
too late to hide/
feet too soft to run/
but people say i'm the luckiest man/
yeah, they say -
running is useless/
fighting is foolish/
you're not gonna win/
still you're the luckiest man/
you're up against -
too many horses/
and mysterious forces/
what you don't know is -
you are the luckiest man"

somehow i thought of Radke when returned to the dugout from the mound for the last time. somehow i think i know what that means, though i am not sure.

i just felt moved to share that.

Dear Twins fans,

Congratulations on your team having a very very nice season highlighted by a spectacular comeback from a deep deficit by a gritty team. I wish my team could have done it.

We'll lace em up again next year.

-SJ