Game 81 Recap: The half way point, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Twins.

Twins 1, Detroit 5

WP: Verlander (9-5), LP: The Dunce(1-5)
Save? No.
Twins record 35-46

Fangraphs wasn't surprised the Twins lost this one, either.

That was a stinker of a game. Let's not spend too much time talking about how bad the starting pitching has been, or how the Twins really can't afford to have another pitcher on the DL. Let's look on the bright side of life.

Joe Mauer went o-fer last night. Big surprise there. At the half way point Mau-Mau is "hitting' 3.27 with 5 home runs, a nearly perfect 1:1 K:BB ratio, 4 stolen bases, and a .872 OPS. Yeah, I'm done (D-U-N!) booing Joe Mauer for comic effect.

The Willinghammer has been one of the Twins greatest off season signings evah. The dude has played in 78 games, hit .269 with 18 home runs, 21 doubles, a triple, with 59 ribeyes. I don't miss Henry Blanco, er, Cuddii.

I don't care what Philo says about him, Plouffe! is my new man crush. After cutting his hair he discovered how to use his boom stick. Some folks say that he's selfish because 16 of his 19 home runs are just solo shots. Others say that he's just a flash in the pan. Philo thinks he's a dork. I don't give a rip. I'm enjoyed the ride he's having, and if it ends tomorrow so be it. Plouffe! is giving me a reason to watch this team on a near-ish nightly basis.

Span accounted for half the hits last night. He's hitting .273 with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 9 stolen bases, and a .341 OBP while deftly handling center field. I don't miss Torii. Not one bit. I'll miss D-span 2 when he's traded for middle relief later this month.

Sweet Ben Revere is another reason that the Twins are exciting this season. While his arm leaves something to be desired, his speed in the field, and on the bases, make him an exciting player to watch. He's hitting .321 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, and 16 stolen bases.

Yes, there are disappointments, but let's just be happy that there are positives.

Culture club: Detroit is becoming a mecca for artists due to it's low cost of living, vacant warehouses, and a strong tradition of fine art collection. The Detroit Institute of Art houses a world class collection, and offers courses to the general public in printmaking, painting, sculpture, clay, and crayons for adults and children, amateurs and professionals. The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit holds solo and group shows of some of the best contemporary art happening in the states right now. There are a pile of new galleries featuring work from around the states from both emerging and established artist. Detroit has had a rough past, but if this art trend continues the city will have brighter future.

Game 80 Recap: Twins 8, Tigers 6

Since I've been out of town since Saturday, and worked crazy hours all of last week, I haven't seen a game in some time. Last night, I followed on my phone. That's more than I've done the last few games. I can't give a detailed recap, but I can list some things I know to be true:

- Nick Blackburn sucks. I hope he's never on the 25 man roster again.
- Joe Mauer is awesome. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
- Trevor Plouffe is ridiculous.
- This team is fun to follow again.

Hopefully, when I can watch a game again (Friday?), it's still fun. If not, you all can blame me.

Happy Birthday–July 4

Mickey Welch (1859)
George Mullin (1880)
Abe Saperstein (1903)
Bill Tuttle (1929)
Chuck Tanner (1929)
Peter Angelos (1929)
George Steinbrenner (1930)
Hal Lanier (1942)
Wayne Nordhagen (1948)
Ed Armbrister (1948)
Jim Beattie (19540
Jose Oquendo (1963)
Vinny Castilla (1967)
Brendan Donnelly (1971)
Jay Canizaro (1973)
Jeff Harris (1974)

Best remembered as the founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, Abe Saperstein was a long-time executive in what were then known as the Negro Leagues.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–July 4