92 thoughts on “June 1, 2011: Bustin’ Out All Over”

  1. there is a whole bunch of Twins fans that never experienced the misery of following the mid to late 90's Twins teams. This year is their chance to get that feeling.

        1. Are you suggest Matt Tolbert will be on the field reporter in ten years?

      2. I started watching Twins baseball when we moved to Minnesota in 1977. For the first seven years I was a Twins fan, they never finished above 3rd place in the old AL West. It was ten years before they would finish first, with the bonus for long-suffering fans (and I considered myself one after a decade of dreck) of winning the World Series that year.

    3. How often does it really happen that a catcher makes an out because he's blocked the plate in a situation where he couldn't just have made a good tag? I feel like it's pretty rare.

      1. I would think that not being allowed to block the plate or barrel the catcher would make plays at the plate potentially more exciting but definitely better to watch if a player is good at sliding. I find a really good hook slide, or some such, is way better on the eyes.

        1. I am much more impressed with a good slide than the Mark Teixeira "plow over a guy half my size" method of scoring a run. I'm still salty about him killing that Angels catcher last year.

          1. As a catcher I actually enjoyed close plays at the plate, regardless of who was coming my way. Fortunately, I was never injured in one, but at 120 lbs in high school I stood a pretty good chance of getting leveled each time. It seemed more or less understood that the guy was going to try to run me over regardless of if I already had the ball or would have to make a bang-bang play on the relay. I mention this because I think the position cultivates a certain mentality, and I'm not sure how easily that would be to shake for someone who's been catching all the way through junior high, high school, summer leagues, college, and/or MiLB. Heck, I stopped playing baseball in high school and know I'd still do the same thing in a game now.

            Like cheaptoy, I like a nicely executed hook slide, and if the rules were changed to try to prevent dangerous contact, I think you'd see more guys focusing on their sliding technique. However, I'm not convinced that making catchers make more athletic plays will dramatically reduce injuries. If you remember the diving tag Mauer made on Brett Gardner two years ago (refresh your memory here), he stood a pretty fair chance of dangerous contact simply by attempting to make that tag. Force the catcher to stay somewhat clear of the plate and I think you'd see more plays like that where the catcher lunges headlong at the runner to make a tag. Would we see more injuries? There's really no way of knowing for certain, but I think that the outrage over Posey's injury biases our judgment a bit when speculating on the comparative safety of alternatives.

            1. It may not totally reduce the risk of injury, but I think outlawing the smashing would put the injury risk decision of the catcher into the catcher's hands, instead of the base runner's.

              1. Would it, though? How many catchers would be willing to say "I let the guy score because I didn't think the risk of making an all-out play was worth it?" to his manager or teammates, much less to a reporter? How many times would that have to happen before the catcher gets labeled as a coward or as someone more concerned with his personal performance (and thus, his earning power) than his team's success? Or, alternatively, would a catcher feel compelled to put himself at risk anyway because he thinks if he doesn't his manager will conclude he's a wuss and won't recommend he be advanced to the next level?

                1. I still think that sounds better than having a player on an opposing team make the ultimate decision to do something risky for the catcher (even if it is risky for the runner, as well.)

                2. See, it's these kinds of questions that Beane is trying to preempt here.

                  btw, my favorite slide at home was the WS score by Randy Bush, where he slid past home and reached back with his hand as he was going past. Amazing.

  4. This week's MLS post will be delayed, probably until after work. I've got a lot of catching up to do after being down at the conference.

  5. Mag, I am now the proud owner of an Expos-era Indianapolis Indians hat. Was very happy to see they had non-wool versions this time.

    Something else I learned during my trip to Victory Field--Harmon Killebrew played in Indy.

      1. Yep, that's the one.

        Victory Field is such a gem, great place to catch a game. The Pirates sure aren't helping the on-field product much this year though.

        1. Victory Field is the nicest ballpark I've ever been to. I didn't realize at the time how good I had it going to so many games there growing up.

  7. Not sure why since it's not really "summer" music, but I'm on a huge Angels of Light kick. These are such great records. Michael Gira is an incredible musician.

    1. Boo. The continuous format can be really engrossing and even if you could pay your way out of watching the commercials, when programs are built in shorter blocks I think they lose something.

      1. when programs are built in shorter blocks I think they lose something.

        Without speaking to the content side of this statement, they'll likely lose viewers during the commercial breaks.

        1. I've find myself a bit annoyed with even the "brought to you by..." at the beginning/end of shows (though I understand the need). I am really not looking forward to promotional interruptions during programs.

          On a related note, this makes me sad.

        2. They'll lose more viewers within a program, but probably fewer viewers between programs. It could be difficult for them to develop a following for new programming if everyone tunes away after they watch their favorite show because they know there's going to be a big block of ads. I wish they could do a no ads altogether format, but that's probably unrealistic.

          1. I guess I'm a little surprised that people still wait to see what's coming on next instead of consulting some sort of guide, whether it's a printed one, one that comes as an on-screen menu through the cable box, or via the web.

  10. I was wondering how long it would be before _elm_n became a topic of conversation - seeing as how nearly every other player/position is or was suspect thus far. Still, I don't know if this post constitutes a "conversation" so much as an indictment.

    1. I know his value is about as low as can get, but I'd still like to see the Twins move him and give him a change of scenery. Let Ben Revere play the rest of the season in left. He's got a much better shot at playing into the team's future plans, and he actually plays like he wants to be out there.

      I believe I was ahead of the curve on this request, asking for the very same thing yesterday afternoon.

      /pats self on back

    2. Are we sure moving his is the best idea? I mean, I am pretty sure he is only years old. Then again, he shouldn't be difficult to move as nobody doubts his talent.

    3. I don't get indicting Gardy for using Delmon. Who exactly is sitting on the bench that's so great? It's not as though we've got great bats on the bench and the fielding in RF is just as suspect. That Gardy has even gotten Delmon to be a good citizen (haven't seen anyone toss a bat at an ump in a while) is probably an accomplishment. If he wants to indict BS for not calling up Revere and dumping Delmon, ok, but on this roster, I'd play Delmon too.

      I'd hope for him to get hot in June and July and then see if someone bites on a deadline deal for a bat.

      1. What I legitimately don't get is why Delmon hasn't gotten any of the public Gardenhire/media backlash that several others have gotten; obviously there's the Slowey/Plouffe level that nobody else has touched, but even to the extent of someone like Valencia, who seems to get chewed out in the paper every time he makes any kind of mistake. I'm not saying I'd rather see Delmon get more of that kind of treatment (I'd rather see the guys who get the focus of it get less of it) but I wonder what's behind it. Is it a "veterany" thing, even though Delmon's actually younger than Valencia?

        2. *remembers the fly ball that Young gave up on after it rolled passed him*

          Ugh. He played the next day too I think.

        3. I get the impression that Delmon might just be a good citizen, so Gardy doesn't say much about him and the press falls in line. Although, it seems like Delmon has little to offer the media in the way of quotes, which apparently can land you in hot water.

          If the media pundits weren't always changing their minds about a guy every two weeks, I'd say it might have to do with the number of times they've said that "no one doubts his talent," which implied that he might not work hard, but in turn he's both worked hard (I think?) and not been good. It doesn't leave them much of an angle if they're trolling for hits. In some ways, maybe they still buy the hype that Delmon's still young and is going to be a perennial All-Star.

    1. Huh. The Strib keeps track of the attendance through the current number of home games and compares it to the equivalent figure from last year. I recall there being a much larger drop, but it's been a few days since I checked and the warmer weather of late might have equalized things.

  13. With the 30th overall selection in the espn franchise player fantasy draft, Doug Glanville selects Wilson Ramos.

    Wait, what?

    2. Unfortunately they were told to ignore contracts.

      Players picked that surprised me/I laughed at: Albert Pujols, Neftali Feliz, and every other pitcher. Also, no one picking Bautista until 26th is amusing.

      1. I liked that there are 3 Nationals players on the list. Also, every team gets a three-letter abbreviation, except we're apparently not smart enough to figure out the three-letter abbreviations for Toronto and Florida, so they have to spell it out.

        1. And they didn't take the right one: Zimmerman. It's not like injury concerns stopped people from picking Mauer, Posey, or Strasburg.

  16. Mauer to catch tomorrow. Also, Tolbert is so bad, Gardy sticks Repko in the lineup against a right-handed pitcher. So, Repko in right, Cuddyer at second, Casilla at shortstop and Butters catching Baker tonight. Actually, if I thought Gardy actually considered Baker's flyball tendencies, I would have said this was a pretty shrewd move.

  17. someone mess with the youtube plugin? videos are starting as after the page loads for me.

    2. Dido. Nothing's been changed since I updated two weeks ago. Not sure why it's happening.

        2. But Boston is also around to keep the douche factor high. The number of "lifelong fans" that haven't watched a minute of hockey in 20 years is probably even higher than it was in Chicago last year.

    2. I've never actually seen that many Wild-Canucks games, but I get the impression that I am supposed to despise the Canucks. Which is tricky, living so close to BC. On the other hand, if Seattle got an NHL team, I doubt they'd be all buddy-buddy with Vancouver. So I'll probably stick with eff the Canucks.

      1. Wild fans are theoretically supposed to hate the Canucks because if they didn't, the Wild wouldn't have any rivals (the Avalanche don't count). I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm hoping if they realign teams now that they're back in Manitoba, they'll move that team to the Northwest and move the Wild to the Central, where they can cultivate some more natural rivalries.

        1. Back when I was watching hockey regularly - like, 02-05 - the Canucks seemed like the perfect rivals. I still can't shake that, even though there's nothing similar about the teams anymore.

    3. I like the Canucks' jerseys more, and I'd like to live in Vancouver. Also, Canada hasn't won a cup in a long time, and Boston has many world championships in recent years. I'm going Canucks.

        1. yeah, i texted my boy in vancouver with the query, "so, you guys are biting people now?"

          1. My bad, I got to the channel just as the biting was happening, saw Bergeron in the box and put 2+2 together and got 3.

              1. As a semi-neutral before this, I think this has swayed me anti-Canuck (though I do hate the prospect of another Boston title). But I do like the Sedins. I guess I'll just keep rooting for good hockey.

                But we are in agreement that Patrice is a girl's name, right?

                1. Yup. But the Canucks have Burrows and Torres, which makes it easier to cheer for a team from Boston. Plus, Tim Thomas.

    1. Thanks. I figured it was about time for a change, what with Mad Men not coming back till next year and season 4 of BB starting in about six weeks.

      I also considered using Saul Goodman, but decided that hits a little too close to home.

      1. I also approve.

        By the way, there's a good chance my first job in LA will be working on the set of Mad Men. Crossing my fingers.

        1. I don't know anything about what it's like to work on a set, but my imagination tells me working on that set could be awesome.

    2. It'll certainly be worth a look next season...no matter how the team is de reconstructed between now and then.

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