Maybe I am of the generation that expects to be fully entertained at all moments of the day. Maybe I do have a short attention span. I may also be desensitized towards violence thanks to television. Either way…the All-Star game was a snooze-fest. I mean, seriously? The best part was the red carpet, tribute to Willie Mays and the player introductions. After the first inning it was all a blur. Of course, that could be attributed to my alcohol consumption. Yep, I was a sad, sad country song last night. I sat at home, alone, drinking my beer and watching baseball. Actually, I don’t think I was really alone since Amy and I talked on the phone for most of the game. Ah well, tonight we have a night off from baseball and then the Twins are back home tomorrow against the A’s.
Spoiled Baseball Brat
I have a feeling that when I attend the game on Friday I may be ruined for all other seats in the dome. These suite seats include all you can drink, food (including a carving station!), bric-a-bracs, leather seats, private bathrooms and many other perks. My goal (besides trying not to look like a trashy fan) is to get some autographs from past players; evidently they hang out in the area too. Tony Oliva, I am watching for you! (In a non-creepy, non-threatening way.)
Pink, that is the question
Over at Metgrrl.com, my favorite non-Twins baseball blog, there was a brief discussion on pink. You see, there are different ways to represent with pink. Pink glove; cool. Pink “Marry Me Joe Mauer” t-shirts; not cool. It is a fine line to walk. For the first year of Lucy’s life I refused (adamantly) to allow her to wear the pink cheerleading Twins outfit she got. If she was going to be a real fan she would wear real clothes. However, I have since loosened up on that policy. I figure if she grows up to love baseball as much as I do the world will be a better place, even if she wears a “Mrs. Mauer” (or even a “Mrs. Wright”, as long as it stays either Twins or a National League team) t-shirt. I am shuddering at the thought. I am totally okay if little girls (heck, even little boys) wear the pink shirts. I don’t know why I have this hatred of pink bred into me. Maybe it is because of my pasty white complexion and red hair, it makes wearing pink impossible.
Side note
Amy channeled our friend Foley (who often says inappropriate but funny things) last night when she was observing the frequent butt-pats amongst the players. Now, I know I need to grow up and not giggle at this but there was one pointed moment when Pudge gave Bonds a little pat. Amy commented that she wouldn’t mind doing that either. Ah, girls will be girls, even when they are deeply committed to baseball.
Showing posts with label All-star. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All-star. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
Turning Back Time - not really relevant to this blog topic except in a random way
Okay, the All-Star voting is over. I need to just move on and quit stewing over the picks. Unlike Cher, I can’t turn back time. If I could I would totally go back to the final regular season game last year when the Twins sealed the first place spot while watching the Royals beat the Tigers. I watched the game and all the trappings afterwards from the comfort of my sofa (and drinking my free beer.)
Anyways, now we need to focus on the actual All-Star game. It is time to pick your AL/NL sides and do a little cheering. I am mostly in it for the celebrity sightings and any drama.
And, you all may have heard that Kevin Slowey was sent back down after a brief stint in the majors. Garza will get his shot this evening against the White Sox. You can bet that Baker and Garza are feeling a little anxious about their performances.
Here I sit (again) in my own personal hell (fondly called a cubicle) following the game on Gameday whilst reading a hard copy of a manual. I feel I have channeled a 14-year old girl since I am mostly doodling on my “home” work instead of doing it. I sure hope the teacher likes me so I get a B at least.
Right this minute we are at the bottom of the second with Baker pitching a 1-2-3 in the first and our offense rocking. Castillo, Barty, Baby Jesus and Hunter have all gotten hits. Now we are ahead 5-0 in the bottom of the 2nd. Of course, at this time the game can go either way. I am on my way to a meeting/tour of Solera Restaurant. My office is hosting our summer party there so I get to sample food and schmooze with the manager. Yeah, my job rocks!
Much like people holding giant signs in front of me whilst at a game are a big pet peeve of mine. I have also come to the conclusion that people that require me to work whilst I am watching the game on Gameday are evil scum suckers. EVIL!
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back those words that hurt you
And you'd stay
If I could reach the stars
I'd give them all to you
Then you'd love me, love me
Like you used to do
-Cher
Anyways, now we need to focus on the actual All-Star game. It is time to pick your AL/NL sides and do a little cheering. I am mostly in it for the celebrity sightings and any drama.
And, you all may have heard that Kevin Slowey was sent back down after a brief stint in the majors. Garza will get his shot this evening against the White Sox. You can bet that Baker and Garza are feeling a little anxious about their performances.
Here I sit (again) in my own personal hell (fondly called a cubicle) following the game on Gameday whilst reading a hard copy of a manual. I feel I have channeled a 14-year old girl since I am mostly doodling on my “home” work instead of doing it. I sure hope the teacher likes me so I get a B at least.
Right this minute we are at the bottom of the second with Baker pitching a 1-2-3 in the first and our offense rocking. Castillo, Barty, Baby Jesus and Hunter have all gotten hits. Now we are ahead 5-0 in the bottom of the 2nd. Of course, at this time the game can go either way. I am on my way to a meeting/tour of Solera Restaurant. My office is hosting our summer party there so I get to sample food and schmooze with the manager. Yeah, my job rocks!
Much like people holding giant signs in front of me whilst at a game are a big pet peeve of mine. I have also come to the conclusion that people that require me to work whilst I am watching the game on Gameday are evil scum suckers. EVIL!
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back those words that hurt you
And you'd stay
If I could reach the stars
I'd give them all to you
Then you'd love me, love me
Like you used to do
-Cher
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Why why why
Why didn’t we get a quality start from Boof? Is it because he has been having a sub-par month?
Why did the Rocket’s only good game have to be against us? One good game doth not make a great pitcher…especially when he gets paid an obscene amount of money to save the Yankees.
Why have I never watched the Homerun Derby before? Y’all know I will be parked in front of the television watching Morneausey represent (said in a ghetto accent.)
Why do the Yankees dominate every sports publication? The front of Sports Illustrated always headlines something to do with the Yankees. This morning? It was the Rocket’s Come Back to Beat the Crap Out of Those Twins. Bite me.
Why do we (and by “we” I mean most of the Twins fans) hate the Yankees? I defer back to my previous comment that it is the media and Big George that make us hate them. Jeter? I am sure he’s a great guy and any team would love to have him but first you would have to deprogram him. I really want to like them. No, seriously, I do. I don’t want to be the bitter old woman who bitches and moans about the team. And yet, here I find myself doing just that. (Although replace old with older-20’s.
Why do the Twins rate number 11 in John Donovan’s Power Ranking? Granted the Yankees are rated below us at number 17 but they actually are doing poorly. Here is what he had to say about us:
Who doesn’t like the Twins? They’ve got good pitching, or good enough to compete, anyways. They’ve got a scrappy, opportunistic lineup with some power (Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau). They have three All-Stars (those two and Johan Santana). But I wouldn’t take a bet they’ll be playing in October.
WTF? Seriously? You all know how I feel about calling us scrappy!!! (see irrational rant entry here.) What about Mauer? Sure, he was on the DL for a bit but he’s coming back. What about Cuddyer? He’s making some serious plays. Do our pennants not say Champions 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006? Whew, I got a little carried away there. Sorry.
To quote an obscure band that recorded a song titled “Why, why why”
Walking down the streets
You look into a dump
You look into a dump and you say
Why why why why why why
Tell me why ell me why
Tell me why you destroy
And you try and you try to destroy
Why did the Rocket’s only good game have to be against us? One good game doth not make a great pitcher…especially when he gets paid an obscene amount of money to save the Yankees.
Why have I never watched the Homerun Derby before? Y’all know I will be parked in front of the television watching Morneausey represent (said in a ghetto accent.)
Why do the Yankees dominate every sports publication? The front of Sports Illustrated always headlines something to do with the Yankees. This morning? It was the Rocket’s Come Back to Beat the Crap Out of Those Twins. Bite me.
Why do we (and by “we” I mean most of the Twins fans) hate the Yankees? I defer back to my previous comment that it is the media and Big George that make us hate them. Jeter? I am sure he’s a great guy and any team would love to have him but first you would have to deprogram him. I really want to like them. No, seriously, I do. I don’t want to be the bitter old woman who bitches and moans about the team. And yet, here I find myself doing just that. (Although replace old with older-20’s.
Why do the Twins rate number 11 in John Donovan’s Power Ranking? Granted the Yankees are rated below us at number 17 but they actually are doing poorly. Here is what he had to say about us:
Who doesn’t like the Twins? They’ve got good pitching, or good enough to compete, anyways. They’ve got a scrappy, opportunistic lineup with some power (Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau). They have three All-Stars (those two and Johan Santana). But I wouldn’t take a bet they’ll be playing in October.
WTF? Seriously? You all know how I feel about calling us scrappy!!! (see irrational rant entry here.) What about Mauer? Sure, he was on the DL for a bit but he’s coming back. What about Cuddyer? He’s making some serious plays. Do our pennants not say Champions 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006? Whew, I got a little carried away there. Sorry.
To quote an obscure band that recorded a song titled “Why, why why”
Walking down the streets
You look into a dump
You look into a dump and you say
Why why why why why why
Tell me why ell me why
Tell me why you destroy
And you try and you try to destroy
Monday, July 2, 2007
Ah baseball. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Great Games!
What a great weekend of baseball. Even the fact we lost on Sunday did not detract from the greatness of Baker. Friday we spanked Los Tigres and Baby Jesus got a Grand Slam. However, it did take a barter with the Baseball Gods that if Baby Jesus got some runs in I would cease to mock him being the Hometown Hero for the rest of the roadtrip. So, thanks a lot Baby Jesus.
Baseball Blogging Meet-n-Greet
Saturday a few of the local baseball bloggers met at the Park Tavern to watch the game. I decided to crash the party in order to watch the game with knowledgeable fans. Some of my favorite blogs that I read were represented at the event.
All-Star Rant
I know, I know. It has all been said already and my fellow cubicle-dwellers are sick of me bitching but… What the hell happened? Santana, Morneausey and Hunter are representing the Twins for the AL team but they were not picked by fans. Risa at Curlz and Curveballs (http://www.curlzandcurveballs.blogspot.com/) pretty much covered my rant but I am going to re-state it anyways. Ortiz as first baseman? Why is the DH put at first base? To Amy’s point, that is one of the toughest spots of the field. He has played that position like five times this season. Do the fans not realize that this is still a baseball game? That if they want the American League to win they should vote for a great player? Hey, I know. Why don’t we put the reigning AL MVP, who happens to be a first baseman at the spot? Uh, no thanks, lets put the guy who hits a lot of homeruns but isn’t a defense player. Thanks fans. Okay, before I get too ghetto and take out my hoop earrings I am going to move on.
Yankees or Bust
I have come to the conclusion that the reason the Yankees are a lot of peoples arch-nemesis is not because of the players but mostly because of the media and maybe Steinbrenner. They are America’s team. Even my friends in Tromso, Norway ask for Yankees t-shirts (they had also wanted the “My Governor can beat up your governor” t-shirts when Jesse Ventura was elected.) Anyways, we are starting a four-game stand at Yankee Stadium with Clemens the first pitcher we face. I feel a little tension going into this game and I believe it is affecting my work. All I want to do is read, compare, study, and analyze the stats. I guess we’ll see what happens in the real world of baseball tonight at 6:05 p.m. I may have to leave my happy hour early in order to catch the game. Man, my friends are totally going to mock me.
Randomly random
By the way, anyone else getting nervous about baseball ending too soon?
It is officially half way through the season now and I have been remembering what late October felt like. November, December, January, February and part of March were dull, boring and slightly depressing.
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Sonnets from the Portuguese, XLIII
What a great weekend of baseball. Even the fact we lost on Sunday did not detract from the greatness of Baker. Friday we spanked Los Tigres and Baby Jesus got a Grand Slam. However, it did take a barter with the Baseball Gods that if Baby Jesus got some runs in I would cease to mock him being the Hometown Hero for the rest of the roadtrip. So, thanks a lot Baby Jesus.
Baseball Blogging Meet-n-Greet
Saturday a few of the local baseball bloggers met at the Park Tavern to watch the game. I decided to crash the party in order to watch the game with knowledgeable fans. Some of my favorite blogs that I read were represented at the event.
All-Star Rant
I know, I know. It has all been said already and my fellow cubicle-dwellers are sick of me bitching but… What the hell happened? Santana, Morneausey and Hunter are representing the Twins for the AL team but they were not picked by fans. Risa at Curlz and Curveballs (http://www.curlzandcurveballs.blogspot.com/) pretty much covered my rant but I am going to re-state it anyways. Ortiz as first baseman? Why is the DH put at first base? To Amy’s point, that is one of the toughest spots of the field. He has played that position like five times this season. Do the fans not realize that this is still a baseball game? That if they want the American League to win they should vote for a great player? Hey, I know. Why don’t we put the reigning AL MVP, who happens to be a first baseman at the spot? Uh, no thanks, lets put the guy who hits a lot of homeruns but isn’t a defense player. Thanks fans. Okay, before I get too ghetto and take out my hoop earrings I am going to move on.
Yankees or Bust
I have come to the conclusion that the reason the Yankees are a lot of peoples arch-nemesis is not because of the players but mostly because of the media and maybe Steinbrenner. They are America’s team. Even my friends in Tromso, Norway ask for Yankees t-shirts (they had also wanted the “My Governor can beat up your governor” t-shirts when Jesse Ventura was elected.) Anyways, we are starting a four-game stand at Yankee Stadium with Clemens the first pitcher we face. I feel a little tension going into this game and I believe it is affecting my work. All I want to do is read, compare, study, and analyze the stats. I guess we’ll see what happens in the real world of baseball tonight at 6:05 p.m. I may have to leave my happy hour early in order to catch the game. Man, my friends are totally going to mock me.
Randomly random
By the way, anyone else getting nervous about baseball ending too soon?
It is officially half way through the season now and I have been remembering what late October felt like. November, December, January, February and part of March were dull, boring and slightly depressing.
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Sonnets from the Portuguese, XLIII
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
70 games into the season…
How many baseball fans can say that during their team’s broadcast the term “Flowbee” was used? I am raising my hand. (This was due to the bet Bert Blyleven had with Santana. If Santana pitched a shutout Bert would shave his head.)
Santana and his Merry Men lead the game right out of the gate. I, unfortunately, only saw the last five innings due to my good hearted volunteering job (which I whine and complain about.) I was listening to the fantastic second inning in my car, driving home. I squealed into my parking spot and ran into the house to turn on the game in time for the two scores in the fifth inning.
Side note: I know it was all in good fun but seriously, can we focus more on the fact the Twins did great (whilst looking like they were having fun) and Santana pitched his shutout?
Tonight Baker is on the mound and I have a feeling his future with the Big Boys depends on this game. Cue sinister music!
Ah, All-Star, what a fickle mistress
The current All-Star Ballot standings are making me sad/mad/frustrated. Yesterdays stats are below but I have a few observations to make first:
· Why Ortiz over Morneausey (MVP, more homeruns this year, ect)?
· I can’t keep up with A-Rod’s standing in the Love Him or Hate Him game.
· Catcher? Really? Baby Jesus won the batting title, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and he eats at Jimmy Johns. Why is he fourth?
· I really agree with the Outfielders standings except why isn’t Cuddy in the mix? All the Minnesota fans know what a great player he is. I guess he’s MLB’s best kept secret.
1st Base
1. Ortiz – Red Sox – 1,423,064 votes
2. Morneausey – Twins – 736,786 votes
3. Casey – Tigers – 469,491 votes
4. Giambi (what?) – Yankees – 468,327 votes
2nd Base
1. Polanco – Tigers – 856,075 votes
2. Cano – Yankees – 717,817 votes
5. Castillo – Twins 367,871 votes
Shortstop
1. Jeter (color me surprised!) – Yankees – 1,591,453 votes
2. Guillen – Tigers – 597,633 votes (almost a million votes below Jeter)
3. Tejada – Orioles – 505,306 votes
3rd Base
1. Rodriguez – Yankees – 1,914,162 votes
2. Lowell – Red Sox – 715,382 votes (over a million votes below A-Rod)
3. Inge – Tigers – 375,968 votes
Catcher
1. Rodriguez – Tigers – 962,104 votes
2. Posada – Yankees – 806,452 votes
3. Varitek – Red Sox – 756,957 votes
4. Baby Jesus (Mauer) – Twins – 731,805 votes
Outfield
1. Guerrero – Angels – 1,541,241 votes
2. Ramirez – Red Sox – 1,098,497 votes
3. Suzuki – Mariners – 1,048,781 votes
4. Ordonez – Tigers – 970,300 votes
5. Hunter – Twins – 800,858 votes
Santana and his Merry Men lead the game right out of the gate. I, unfortunately, only saw the last five innings due to my good hearted volunteering job (which I whine and complain about.) I was listening to the fantastic second inning in my car, driving home. I squealed into my parking spot and ran into the house to turn on the game in time for the two scores in the fifth inning.
Side note: I know it was all in good fun but seriously, can we focus more on the fact the Twins did great (whilst looking like they were having fun) and Santana pitched his shutout?
Tonight Baker is on the mound and I have a feeling his future with the Big Boys depends on this game. Cue sinister music!
Ah, All-Star, what a fickle mistress
The current All-Star Ballot standings are making me sad/mad/frustrated. Yesterdays stats are below but I have a few observations to make first:
· Why Ortiz over Morneausey (MVP, more homeruns this year, ect)?
· I can’t keep up with A-Rod’s standing in the Love Him or Hate Him game.
· Catcher? Really? Baby Jesus won the batting title, he was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and he eats at Jimmy Johns. Why is he fourth?
· I really agree with the Outfielders standings except why isn’t Cuddy in the mix? All the Minnesota fans know what a great player he is. I guess he’s MLB’s best kept secret.
1st Base
1. Ortiz – Red Sox – 1,423,064 votes
2. Morneausey – Twins – 736,786 votes
3. Casey – Tigers – 469,491 votes
4. Giambi (what?) – Yankees – 468,327 votes
2nd Base
1. Polanco – Tigers – 856,075 votes
2. Cano – Yankees – 717,817 votes
5. Castillo – Twins 367,871 votes
Shortstop
1. Jeter (color me surprised!) – Yankees – 1,591,453 votes
2. Guillen – Tigers – 597,633 votes (almost a million votes below Jeter)
3. Tejada – Orioles – 505,306 votes
3rd Base
1. Rodriguez – Yankees – 1,914,162 votes
2. Lowell – Red Sox – 715,382 votes (over a million votes below A-Rod)
3. Inge – Tigers – 375,968 votes
Catcher
1. Rodriguez – Tigers – 962,104 votes
2. Posada – Yankees – 806,452 votes
3. Varitek – Red Sox – 756,957 votes
4. Baby Jesus (Mauer) – Twins – 731,805 votes
Outfield
1. Guerrero – Angels – 1,541,241 votes
2. Ramirez – Red Sox – 1,098,497 votes
3. Suzuki – Mariners – 1,048,781 votes
4. Ordonez – Tigers – 970,300 votes
5. Hunter – Twins – 800,858 votes
Friday, June 15, 2007
Out with the Braves and in with the Brewers
What a great game! I even cheated and only watched from the bottom of the 8th and on. You see…someone who isn’t a baseball person scheduled my book club meeting at 7:00 p.m. The trendy little café we were meeting at did not hesitate to shut down my request to change the channel to FSN North. Nope, CNN World News was staying on for everyone else’s enjoyment.
That brings us to the 8th Inning…
So, there I was, standing in my living room, car keys still in hand and eyes glued to the television. During the ramblings of Dick and Bert I took my shoes off and set my purse down. During the “patch up Joe’s arm” recap I quickly grabbed the container of Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. I figured I would need it for commiserating over the game. Oh, that ice cream was so not needed! What a great game. What a great build up. What a great sweep.
By the way I got to break the news of last night’s come-back win to one of my baseballies (and co-worker) this morning at 7:15 a.m. This particular person went to be in the 8th thinking it was over. Oh no my baseballie friend. Side note: The baseballies in my world are friends and co-workers who attend, discuss and re-cap the games. They are also the ones (insert: men) that challenge Amy and my views, knowledge and general coolness about baseball and the Minnesota Twins.
And because I promised Amy…
What the heck is up with the All-Star ballot putting the DH nominees in the 1st Base spot? Oh, I know the basic reasons (it is on NL turf and they don’t use a DH and they have to go somewhere.) But why put him in the 1st Base spot? Why not as an outfielder where they have three choices? Anyways, we would both be sad/mad if Big Papi beat out Morneausey.
That brings us to the 8th Inning…
So, there I was, standing in my living room, car keys still in hand and eyes glued to the television. During the ramblings of Dick and Bert I took my shoes off and set my purse down. During the “patch up Joe’s arm” recap I quickly grabbed the container of Haagen-Dazs Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. I figured I would need it for commiserating over the game. Oh, that ice cream was so not needed! What a great game. What a great build up. What a great sweep.
By the way I got to break the news of last night’s come-back win to one of my baseballies (and co-worker) this morning at 7:15 a.m. This particular person went to be in the 8th thinking it was over. Oh no my baseballie friend. Side note: The baseballies in my world are friends and co-workers who attend, discuss and re-cap the games. They are also the ones (insert: men) that challenge Amy and my views, knowledge and general coolness about baseball and the Minnesota Twins.
And because I promised Amy…
What the heck is up with the All-Star ballot putting the DH nominees in the 1st Base spot? Oh, I know the basic reasons (it is on NL turf and they don’t use a DH and they have to go somewhere.) But why put him in the 1st Base spot? Why not as an outfielder where they have three choices? Anyways, we would both be sad/mad if Big Papi beat out Morneausey.
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