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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Luke Hughes vs. Justin Morneau

The Twins took the finale of their 3-game series with Detroit on Sunday, 11-4, thanks in large part to two home runs hit by Australian infielder Luke Hughes. The dingers were number 5 & 6 this season which gives him more than Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer combined. (BTW: Trevor Plouffe also has six homers.)



Above is a chart from which we can compare the batting production of Hughes and Morneau. It's obvious we're getting more production from Hughes and if you tell me that Morneau has more doubles and RBIs than Hughes, I'd still tell you to have a look at the last for categories.

Also, I have to ask - Does Joe Mauer want to be a Hall of Famer? I don't think sitting on the bench complaining of sore neck is the way to get there. I think it's an insult to Harmon, Tony, Rod, Bert and the greats that came before him.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Put A Fork In 'Em - They're Done

For the first time this century, Twins' fans have nothing to look forward to this September, nor October. With 124 games played, the Twins have a 54-70 record, 12 games behind Detroit in the A.L. Central. Which means, if the Tigers were to play .500 baseball the rest of the way, the Twins would have put together a 31-7 streak just tie them. To get to 90 wins, the team would have to go 36-2.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Now Starting In Right Field. . . #7 Joe Mauer

I was under the assumption that the Twins had plenty of outfielders? Isn't that why we traded away Delmon Young despite the fact that Denard Span is sitting on the bench with migraines and Cuddyer has a herniated neck?

Now comes news that Joe Mauer is starting in right field tonight against the Bronx Bombers because Jason Kubel is on leave with family issues. Now I'm not knocking Kubel, of course. Family comes first but that will leave us with an outfield of Rene Tosoni in left, Ben Revere in center and Mauer in right (Oh by the way, according to Gardenhire, it was either Mauer or Morneau).

Trevor Plouffe could play the outfield (he's done it before and more often than Mauer - which is NONE) but he's playing second base because Matt Tolbert has a sprained left wrist and Alexi Casilla is on the disabled list.

Why don't we put Span, Cuddyer and Tolbert on the disabled list too. Did we run out of spots on the DL? Luke Hughes is now that only person on the bench who can actually play! (see screen shot below).


Billy Smith, what have you done to our team? Hey, maybe tomorrow we could let Jim Thome play right field or is Drew Butera so Mauer can go back behind the plate?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Goodbye Delmon

Congrats to Delmon Young for finally being traded. Unlike most people, I've come to like Delmon. I had some misgivings about him coming from Tampa Bay and his reputation as a hothead (re: throwing a bat at an umpire in the minor leagues) but, I think, he was able grow past that. I also think, the basic trouble with Delmon is he's insecure and sometimes is in doubt of whether he belongs in the majors.

So I wish him the best. If the Twins sink further into the abyss I hope Delmon helps the Tigers to the playoffs and he does something great.

BTW: Somewhat ironically, he hit a homer off of former teammate Francisco Liriano in his first at-bat as a Tiger.

600-HR Club


Congratulations to "Gentleman Jim" Thome for connecting on home runs #599 & #600.

Full story at:
minnesota.twins.mlb.com