SB Nation User Blog: Cloud City Twinkies

Mauer Takes Another Step Toward Cooperstown

Cloud City Twinkies — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:45:09 -0000

Virtually limitless are the adjectives one could utilize to properly describe Joe Mauer — unbelievable, incredible, marvelous, unprecedented. One in particular, however, may hold credence above all others — historically significant.

In just six seasons, Mauer has already cemented his name alongside fellow catchers Ivan Rodriguez, Mike Piazza, Johnny Bench, Roy Campanella, Yogi Berra and Mickey Cochrane as one of the greats of the game.

Mauer should now add the 2009 American League Most Valuable Player award to his growing list of accolades.

No American League catcher had ever won a batting title before Mauer captured the crown in 2006, and now the St. Paul native owns three (’08 & ‘09).

The best single-season batting average posted by a catcher had been .362, posted by Hall of Famer Bill Dickey in 1936, and equalled future Hall of Famer Piazza in 1997, before Mauer batted .365 this past season.

Add back-to-back Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and one begins to grasp just how complete and special a player Mauer really is. In short, Minnesota’s receiver is the best player in the game not named Pujols.

Mauer missed the first month of the season due to a back injury, but upon his return on May 1, the sweet-swinging lefty laced an opposite field homer. The first act of a truly remarkable campaign that should place Mauer’s name among the pantheon of Twins MVP’s like Morneau (2006), Rod Carew (1977), Harmon Killebrew (1969) and Zoilo Versalles (1965).

Mauer may have missed Spring Training and the first 22 games of the season, but he came back better than ever...

Can Joe Mauer Bat .400?

Cloud City Twinkies — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:16:21 -0000

It’s been nearly 68 years since the Splendid Splinter batted .406, but despite a hot start and two batting titles, Joe Mauer has more than history working against him.

The position that he plays.

Even with watered down pitching, a strike zone designed to protect hitters and all the battle gear this side of the Stanley Cup finals, no one has been able to bat .400 in nearly seven decades. With all of those advantages, not one player has pulled it off, and no catcher has ever batted better than .362 (Mike Piazza in 1997 and Bill Dickey in 1936). And when one considers what receivers go through, that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Catchers have to call games, handle pitchers, squat hundreds of times and withstand foul tips that ravage their shoulders, knees, hands, feet and arms – every night. Having to endure all of that abuse, how could anyone possibly withstand that beating and still bat .400?

Rod Carew batted .388 in 1977, then George Brett finished with a .390 mark in 1980, and there have been a smattering of .360’s over the years. The closest anyone has come, though, has been Tony Gwynn’s .394 average in the strike-shortened 1994 season. Even during Ichiro’s record-breaking 262-hit campaign of 2004, he only managed to bat .372. Unlike Suzuki, however, Mauer takes a lot of pitches, has an almost inhuman ability to work the count into his favor, and draws walks.

Mauer walked 84 times last season...CONTINUE.

Teflon Twinkies: A Poll to Determine the Greatest Twins of the Metrodome Era -- Pasture Patrol Edition

Cloud City Twinkies — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:54:54 -0000

The poll shifts its attention to the outfield with names like Hunter and Puckett likely to be on virtually every ballot.

With candidates like, among others, Matt Lawton, Shannon Stewart and Michael Cuddyer, the question becomes -- who will be the third member of the Teflon Pasture Patrol?

What matters most? A gritty approach? Maybe you want go with Dan Gladden. Power? Perhaps you go with Mount Crushmore representative Tom Brunansky. All-around game that can compliment the top or bottom of the order? Shane Mack could do a little bit of everything.

Any way you slice it, this certainly won't be an easy decision. So, who you got?

Teflon Twinkies: A Poll to Determine the Greatest Twins of the Metrodome Era -- Righty Relievers Edition

Cloud City Twinkies — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:47:56 -0000

The poll was open for more than a week, and you were heard, designating Chili Davis as the Teflon DH in a rather sizable win over Hall of Famer Paul Molitor.

And with the Chili Dawg, the list draws that much closer to completion:

Teflon Twinkies:

CL Joe Nathan

1B Justin Morneau

3B Gary Gaetti

SS Greg Gagne

DH Chili Davis

Now we move from the dugout to the bullpen, where you will be asked to determine which right-handed reliever will be setting up Joe Nathan.

Your choices are between a smokin’ Panamanian, a failed starter turned set-up man, a sidewinder, a long underrated hurler or a big train (not to be confused with the Big Train).

So, who you got?

Crede a Twin -- Better Late Than Never

Cloud City Twinkies — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:14:00 -0000

Immediately after Alexi Casilla’s looper was caught on a dive in chilly Chicago to end Minnesota’s magical 2008 season, attention turned to that one part of the Twins line-up that needed fixing.

Third base.

The club didn’t necessarily require another Gary Gaetti, but it was clear that the need for someone with a solid glove and some pop, preferably right-handed pop was needed.

The most suitable fit seemed to look a lot like long-time Twins nemesis Joe Crede, but with his recent injuries and asking price it seemed as though the opportunity for a solution had come and gone.

Not so fast.

Crede agreed to an incentive-laden, one year deal with a base salary of $2.5 million on Saturday to be Minnesota’s man at the hot corner. The contract could reward Crede up to $7 million should he attain specified at-bat totals, beginning at 250 and concluding at 525.

Crede not only demonstrates sick range and good power, but he will do so for a club that will require him to bat seventh. Crede will not be depended upon to carry the load, but rather to play his game, letting the heart of the order do the heavy lifting. It worked on the South Side, and if healthy, it should work for the Twins.

Teflon Twinkies: A Poll to Determine the Greatest Twins of the Metrodome Era -- DH Edition

Cloud City Twinkies — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:24:07 -0000

With Minnesota set to say its long goodbye to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome this season, it's time to determine the greatest players the Twins have placed under the Teflon Confines, position-by-position.

Four roster spots have been determined so far -- closer, first base, third base and shortstop -- with Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau, Gary Gaetti and Greg Gagne earning the nods.

Now we move on to DH, a spot that features a man who resurrected his career with the Twins, one who realized his potential after leaving Minnesota and a pair of local boys.

So, who you got?

Teflon Twinkies: A Poll to Determine the Greatest Twins of the Metrodome Era -- Man in the Middle Edition

Cloud City Twinkies — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:50:05 -0000

Three roster spots have been determined so far -- closer, first base and third base -- with Joe Nathan, Justin Morneau and Gary Gaetti earning the nods.

Now the poll turns its focus several yards from G-Man and the hot corner to the ever-critical shortstop position.

So, who you got?

Poll: Teflon Twinkies -- Who is the Greatest Third Baseman of the Metrodome Era?

Cloud City Twinkies — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:50:37 -0000

With Minnesota set to say its long goodbye to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome this season, it's time to determine the greatest players position-by-position the Twins have placed under the Teflon Confines.

To the surprise of no one, Joe Nathan was elected closer, while Justin Morneau narrowly earned first base over local legend Kent Hrbek in the first two ballots.

Now we move to third, and as difficult as it was to exclude that epic '91 platoon of Mike Pagliarulo and Scott Leius (and it was), the third base debate comes down to two players -- A Canadian and the Rat.

So, who you got at the hot corner?

Johnny Canuck for MVP

Cloud City Twinkies — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:31:42 -0000

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. Now speaking on behalf of the Johnny Canuck for MVP campaign is a man that knows a little something about playing first base and winning Most Valuable Player awards in Minnesota — Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew!

Thank you.

Being an MVP takes accountability and dependability. Being the one that everybody turns to when times get tough, when their backs are against the wall isn’t an easy burden, but some are at their best when all the chips are on the table, and Justin Morneau has demonstrated, time and again the necessary results and required qualities of an MVP.

And what is an MVP?