SB Nation User Blog: caluofmn

Baseball and TV article

caluofmn — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:22:47 -0000

this was on the Yahoo.com sports page and I thought I'd share. You can read the article at the following link: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-Stewards-Debate-How-can-Bud-fix-baseball-s-;_ylt=AguAbRfooFDVU4n.A.AAcvsRvLYF?urn=mlb,166216

I'll like to see baseball do better on TV (I know the sport is not hurting though). The only thing I'd add to my original comments below is that the price of going to a game is getting out of hand. When times were good, families could ignore the hundred(s) of dollars they would spend at a game but now it is easier to see that baseball is losing it's connection to families and is catering to young professionals with the most disposable incomes.

Anywho...This is what I posted there and feel is the real problem with baseball. ...

I think the problem starts before the TV is even turned on. No one plays baseball anymore, and when I say no one I don't mean your beer league I mean kids in America. 18 kids at a park is not a baseball game, it's a birthday party with invitations that had to be sent a month in advanced.

I remember summers when my brother and I would go the park and we knew kids from the neighborhood would show up to play ball. We'd shag flyballs, we'd practice pitching or hitting like our favorite players and eventually we'd have enough kids to play a game. And I'm not even talking about always 9 on 9. We'd make rules up so we could play. Ghost runners, pitching for your own team, rules where we didn't even need 18 kids to play.

If kids are not playing the game themselves they are not going to want to watch it on TV. They are not going to understand what a great game it is. Heck, why watch a game when they can fire up their PS3 or Xbox 360 and play it themselves. But video games are a poor sub for getting on a ballfield.

I know attendance is up but how many people there are actually watching the game. It seems like the new parks are one part baseball, one part amusment park so mom and dad don't have to teach their kids what the game is about. Going to the game seems like it's more about going somewhere, eating, consuming than watching baseball.

I don't know what can fix baseball on TV. I like the idea of a game of the week on Saturdays to go with the Sunday telecast. I like the idea of getting rid of Buck, but unless this generation and the ones that come next learn the game; baseball is going to continue being your dad's game and longterm that will spell trouble for MLB.

Is Redmond Jersey Worthy?

caluofmn — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:09:15 -0000

So it's been a couple of years since I've purchased a new Twins jersey but I'm thinking I need to do my part to help the economy and make another purchase. Ha Ha. The question of course is, who's name and number do I get on the back? I thought I'd ask for advice on whether Red-Dawg is jersey worthy.

So why Redmond:

1. He created the Smell em' sensation

2. Oozes Twins-iness

3. Seems like a cool dude to have a beer with

4. Naked batting practice (might be a minus)

So why not Redmond:

1. Will any non-Twins fans know who he is? (might be a plus)

2. He might finish his career w/ another team after this year

3. Does anyone actually get jerseys w/ the name and number of a backup catcher?

4. Other more deserving player out there.

Alright guys, have at it. I hope you guys provide some input on this huge decision, ha ha again.

Go Twins!

Doing it the Twins Way or Bust

caluofmn — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:53:32 -0000

Well, another winter is ending and another spring is about to start. I don't know why but it seems the older I get the faster the dead days btwn seasons feel shorter.

Anyway, it's been another quiet offseason for the Twins. Feels more like the typical offseason for the Twins instead what Mr. Smith did last year. In comparison to most offseasons, last offseason felt like a drunken night on the town. One of the things I'm looking forward to finding out is whether young Mr. Young will bounce back or still look like a bad circus act in LF.

There is a part of me that feels fine w/ the Twins not signing Blake, or Crede, or Gagne. I like that the team feels that they have what they need already up or ready to come up this season. Afterall, I seem to remember the Twins doing the same when they had the UN infield and Radke, Milton, and Mays on the mound. Yes, I know they didn't win any rings then but they were fun to watch. I don't know if this batch of players matches up to those teams but once again the Twins seem to want to win on their terms or not at all. Avoiding injury I think the Twins will give us fans another fun season to follow.

They might be following this philosophy to a fault, afterall, wasn't there better arms for the 8th inning than what we got? but I'm not surprised by the quiet winter. Seems to me that, that is the norm and I've grown fine w/ that. I think the Rays showed MLB that a young team can compete for a WS title. I guess it is ok that the Twins want to win their way b/c if they do it will be that much sweetier.

Looking forward to another season,

Cal

No Regrets?

caluofmn — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:34:11 -0000

The Rays are about to eliminate the Bitch Sox from the playoffs (thank you Tampa) and two big contributors to this season are Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza. These two former Twins have played a big role for Tampa this year and it makes me wonder, Does anyone regret the trade now?

I know the Twins would never admit to any regrets but do any Twins fans feel that maybe the Twins got the short end of the stick, not just for this year but for the life of the trade? It’s hard for me not to feel that way b/c even after the trade most of us still feel the Twins need a shortstop (Bartlett) and even though the rotation was good this year, wouldn’t it be nice if we had a hard throwing pitcher like (Garza) on the Twins, allowing maybe Perkins to be moved to the pen or traded for another need.

There have been a few posts about how the Twins should move Delmon Young. For me, after the error in Toronto, I’d prefer not to see Pridie. As I posted in one of the last games, I have yet to see Pridie NOT fail for the Twins. That leaves Harris as the only player the Twins got that many feel happy with, and that is just as a platoon player at 3B.

I wonder if this is how the Giants fans felt after they got AJ from the Twins? I know there is nothing that can be done now and hindsight never helped anyone but for discussions sake I’m throwing this out there. I think the Twins got robbed, I just hope the front office can turn their lemons into lemonade.

Stay Classy Chicago...

caluofmn — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:27:07 -0000

''It seems like they can't do anything wrong here,'' Buehrle said of the Twins, after admitting that the Sox do flinch a bit coming to the dome. ''[Manager Ozzie Guillen] calls them 'piranhas,' but I call them 's---heads.' I would tell you what I really call them, but I know you couldn't print it. They get on base, bunt, steal, bloop singles -- it's [bleep]ing annoying.''

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/1184322,CST-SPT-sox25.article

Poor Mark Buehrle, baseball can be so unfair. At least he didn't complain that Twins turned the fans on to blow out, like the last big loss he had at the Dome.

I try to follow baseball (not just the Twins) as much as possible and I can not think of a bigger baby than Mark Buehrle. He always has an excuse, a complaint. A loss is never b/c the other team beat him or b/c he pitched poorly (he had no control for the first 4 innings). Nope it's never on him or the Sox. How people can cheer for this guy is beyond me, much less spend money on a jersey w/ his name. I couldn't root him even if he was a Twin.

So call the Twins whatever you want Buehrle but last night I get to call them winners.

Come on boys win tonight!

Go Twins!

The Pennant Race Can Be a Stressful Time

caluofmn — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:17:03 -0000

But as young Billy Haywood reminds us “Just have Fun”

That’s right folks, I have gone to the DVD rack and pulled Little Big League off the shelf for a little Minnesota Magic via Hollywood. Oh sure the Twins miss the playoffs in the end because of Jr Griffey (oh gawd he plays for the Bitch Sox now) but as they point out it was one hell of a year.

Most people called this year a rebuilding year and some people here thought the Twins would finish around .500 but look at the year we are getting to enjoy. Heck the so called experts had the Twins finishing no better than 3rd place. No matter what, this has been yet another year where it has been great to be a Twins fan. Trust me I live surrounded by Giants fans and they always wonder how the Twins do it. The Twins are 1 game out 1st place and have a real chance to get into the playoffs (again). No matter what this year will be fun.

Of course when I got to the end of the film and saw Junior take that home run away and send the movie Twins home for the season I got nervous. I mean life couldn’t possibly imitate art? After all that was young Junior who was the face of MLB not the older Junior who has no business roaming center for Chicago. Nah, it’s just a movie but just in case I’ll be putting that DVD back on the shelf and not making eye contact w/ it anytime soon. I mean sure have fun (thanks Billy) but how much more fun would it be to see the Twins in the playoffs one more time?

I think next time I’ll just watch Night Nurses from Jersey…

This why I can't stand this guy

caluofmn — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:21:05 -0000

From the Chicago Sun-Times http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/1079172,CST-SPT-sox29.article

''I knew in the early innings when I got out of a few jams that it was going to be one of those days,'' Buehrle said before smirking. ''I never liked this park. The wind was blowing out a little bit, and they used it to their advantage.''

The wind was blowing out!?!?!? I'm surprised that he didn't complain about the Twins stealing signs and putting them on the Jumbotron? This is the same guy who complained that Texas used some sort of light morse code to tip the batters to his pitches. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050831/ai_n14912796

He is also the guy who would say even though the Twins won the division we (White Sox) are the better team. If I remember correctly he even said that he was happy to not go to the playoffs b/c the Twins always lose in the 1st round. Here's a Batgirl reference. I like that they complain in the story of losing Thomas and Maglio, hmmm kinda like the Twins this year losing Santana and Hunter? Yet I can not see the Twins players making any excuses like that if they come up short this season. http://www.bat-girl.com/archives/000489.php

Is it wrong to hate a man you've never met? How about strongly dislike? This guy is a moron! If there was any wind blowing it was coming out your ass!

I need a drink!

Go Twins!

Another blog, another reason why it can't last

caluofmn — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:13:42 -0000

From the site Tiger Tales: "The big reason for their success seems to be their high batting average with runners in scoring position. This is something that is very difficult to maintain over a full season even for a strong offensive team. It doesn't add up. You keep thinking it can't last."

Here is the link to the site : http://www.detroittigertales.com/

You know all these people might end up being right at the end of the season but for now the Twins are still making it happen and staying in the race. It might be luck but I will keep saying that the deeper into the season we get, at some point people are going to need to give the Twins some credit. It feels alot like when the White Sox would complain about the Twins winning the division even though they were not the better team.

Games are won on the field, not on paper. The same goes with division titles. This years Twins may not be the best team in terms of stats but they are winning games, more than most thought they would. The reasons might be luck. It might be that even though the Twins are an average team statistically the rest of the division is no better but they are winning regardless of the why.

If the Twins play the second half like the first half, they have a real shot at the division. Most didn't think this was possible. The stats may point that this is improbable but games are won or lost on the field and so far it feels like the Twins might be able to pull off the impossible.

There are some injuries that shouldn't be reported

caluofmn — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:48:26 -0000

From the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080528/SPORTS02/80528022/1050/SPORTS02

I guess Tigers fans want to know everything about their guys but "ouch!" I almost feel Leyland told this to the press to call out his guy. Light a fire under him, if you will...

It's amazing to think that not so long ago, I was starved for information about the Twins b/c I lived in California. Now I get to read have access to more information than I could possibly want thanks to the internet.

Maybe a different lineup?

caluofmn — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:27:14 -0000

I'm not a baseball expert but we all get to play one on the internet. I was wondering if the Twins could have better results with their lineup by moving players around. My lineup is not based on stats (I'm sure that will be obvious) but it is based on watching at least some of every game this season (of course we all remember different things from said games) and the idea that a lead off hitter only bats leadoff once in the game.

So w/out further ado:

Harris

Mauer

Young

Morneau

Cuddyer

Kubel

Lamb

Gomez

Everett

I think Harris knows how to put together good abats. He has some power and again he would bat "leadoff" only once. Mauer is arguably the best hitter on the team. Why not give him an extra 20 to 30 abats this season. Young while showing no power at all, he does seem to avoid any long dry spells so he could keep the rallies going once Harris homers and Mauer singles up the middle. ( a guy can dream can't he?) Young would also break up the two lefties. Then comes Cuddyer and Kubel, Lamb and Gomez, with Everett batting 9th b/c he has to bat.

I know most will hate the idea of Gomez batting 8th but it seems like he is batting 1st b/c that's what guys with speed traditionally do. Is that a good enough reason? He has shown some power and regardless where he bats if he gets on base his speed will still be there. He is so raw that maybe he shouldn't have the most atbats over the course of a season?

More than anything I'm curious at the comments this lineup might provoke. It's round about way for me to learn more about the game.

WINTWINS!