what_would_gil_thorp_do
Jun 21, 2009 May 31, 2012 44 5379
RSSUser Blog
Wilson Ramos has torn ACL, will be out most of the season
I know a lot of us here have been watching Ramos after we traded him to the Nats. It's too bad to see him hurt, especially when his team seems to be coming into their own. Here's hoping for a full and fast recovery.
Delmon Young 5th worst in MLB at pitches seen per out
Beyond the Box Score takes a look at which hitters make pitchers work by analyzing number of pitches per out (not per AB, just AB that resulted in an out). Delmon Young is 5th worst in MLB, about 17% worse than the average player.
ANGRY FAN IS ANGRY ABOUT MAUER!!!
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jul 2, 2011 3:49 PM EDT
on Twinkie Town
Last night Mauer went 3-4 but NO HRS!!!! SINGLES POWER MAUER RRAAAAUUUGH!!!
THEN I was driving and I SAW MAUER'S OVERPAID FACE on a billboard AND I WAS PULLED OVER FOR SPEEDING!!ARIUSDHAUHG! PAY MY TICKET MAUER I WOULD NOT HAVE IT IF YOU WERE NOT TAKING OUR MONEY AND MAKING US WORSE!!! AAASGDDGFG!
TALL DARK AND LAZY NOT WHOLESOME HGUJBHSVBF!!!
148 comments
|
13 recs |
Tweet
Quoth STEVE HOLM!: "Nevermore."
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jun 1, 2011 12:52 AM EDT
on Twinkie Town
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious Twins loss before,
While the offense nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at the clubhouse door.
`'Tis Nick Punto,' I muttered, `missing juiceboxes galore -
Only this, and nothing more.'
"Beyond the jump!" STEVE HOLM! implores.
14 comments
|
16 recs |
Tweet
Drew Butera ranks 6th among MLB catchers for defense this year
From Beyond the Box Score. It's not perfectly measured, and it's a small sample size, but it's nice to see someone try to measure catcher defense.
Butera ranks 6th with 2.1 runs saved from his defense.
Joe Mauer currently ranks 60th (-0.9 runs saved), losing points for passed balls, wild pitches, and inability to throw out runners. In an obvious flaw to the system, STEVE HOLM! ranks 56th (-0.6 runs).
Meanwhile, Wilson Ramos ranks 9th (1.4 runs saves) and Jose Morales ranks 36th (0.0 runs saved).
What's wrong with Liriano?
Fangraphs takes a look.
Twins Club: The true story of Drew Butera
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Apr 17, 2011 3:17 PM EDT
on Twinkie Town
The first rule of Twins Club is you don't talk about Twins Club.
But you are allowed to repost a synopsis of the hit movie Twins Club, from Wikipedia:
The nameless narrator (Joe Mauer) is a traveling starting catcher who suffers from skim milk addiction. His doctor refuses to give him medication and advises him to visit a support group to witness more severe suffering. Mauer attends a support group for Royals fans and, after fooling them into thinking that he is a fellow fan/victim, finds an emotional release that relieves his milk addiction. Instead, he becomes addicted to attending support groups and pretending to be a Royals fan, but the presence of another impostor, Carl Pavano’s mustache (played by Bonham Carter), disturbs him, so he negotiates with the ‘stache to avoid their meeting at the same groups.
After a flight home from a road trip, Mauer finds his apartment "destroyed by an explosion" (in reality, a little dusty, not totally spotless as he prefers it). He calls Drew Butera, a supposed "backup catcher" / soap salesman whom he befriended on the flight, and they meet at a bar. A conversation about grittiness leads to Butera inviting Mauer to stay at his place; outside the bar he requests that Mauer hit him. The two engage in a fistfight, and Joe subsequently moves into Drew’s dilapidated house. They have further fights outside the bar, and these attract a crowd of Twins fans. The fighting moves to one fan’s mom’s basement, where the Twins fans form a "blog".
15 comments
|
5 recs |
Tweet
Why the Neshek waiver bothers me
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 20, 2011 11:35 PM EDT
on Twinkie Town
Like many Twins fans, I'm not happy to see Pat Neshek gone. On the field, it was great watching his funky sidearm delivery, and off the field, there weren't many players more involved with the fan base. And he may not have pitched well lately, but it's hard not to remember his lights out 2007 season.
If you haven't read it, Kelsie Smith of the Pioneer Press gives a little more information on the Neshek waiver in this article. Before reading it, Neshek being waived bugged me from a personal standpoint. After reading Smith's article, the waiver is bothering me from a professional standpoint as well.
Beyond the Box Score looks at Baker vs. Slowey vs. Blackburn
Satchel Price at Beyond the Box Score is bewildered by the Twins choosing Blackburn over Baker or Slowey for the rotation. His conclusion is that the Twins must be looking at ground ball rate.
What if the thinkable happens?
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 15, 2011 10:56 AM EDT
on Twinkie Town
Let's assume for the sake of argument that Gary's love of people like himself who should be fired means he keeps Sweet Drew Butera around. Also suppose that all those no-name guys at DH (like Jim Thome... who?) hit well enough not to embarrass themselves.
Now assume Steve Holm is a total badass. Never mind, we don't have to assume that. It's a fact that Steve Holm is a total badass!
Finally, also assume that Lazy Joe Mauer becomes a massive black hole of suck. That he plays so badly as to be worth negative infinity-billion WAR. That his level of play is so horrible that Target Field is abandoned, statistics are outlawed worldwide, grit becomes the new national currency, and Nick Punto is elected president.
18 comments
|
2 recs |
Tweet
Liriano's slider had one of the best whiff rates of any 2010 pitch
Via Beyond the Box Score. Liriano's slider had a .448 whiff rate, the 4th highest of any pitch that got at least 250 swings over the season.
Twins Trade Liriano for Bieber
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Feb 17, 2011 11:57 PM EST
on Twinkie Town
WORLD EXCLUSIVE!!!
It won't make the newspapers until Monday, but my sources in the Twins organization confirm that the Twins have traded pitcher Francisco Liriano. The Twins were wowed by a last minute mystery team offer that they just couldn't turn down. Who was the mystery team, you ask? None other than Island Records, the most mysterious of any mystery team.
You read it here first! You can't unread it!
34 comments
|
7 recs |
Tweet
EXTEND L
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Feb 7, 2011 11:18 PM EST
on Twinkie Town
23 comments
|
5 recs |
Tweet
Bill Smith Interviewed on MLB Round Trip (and updates on Morneau, Nathan)
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Jan 19, 2011 11:50 PM EST
on Twinkie Town
Bill Smith was interviewed by Mike Ferrin and Joel Sherman on MLB Round Trip tonight. I caught most of the interview and thought I'd write down what I remembered. Especially given how little information we usually get out of Smith.
I missed the beginning of the interview, with what I'm guessing were Pavano-related questions. Overall, there were not a lot of things we didn't already know, but I still liked getting an idea of what Smith was thinking. He also gave injury updates on Morneau and Nathan.
Gary and Elmon to Form Team of Misfit Twins
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Dec 25, 2010 3:00 PM EST
on Twinkie Town
Former Twins Manager Gary (no last name) had a lot of time on his hands after being fired from the Twins this offseason. Gary, who is also known as "everything bad about Ron Gardenhire," decided to round up other former Twins in similar situations to form Major League Baseball's 31st team.
Elmon Young loved the idea. "I think it's time that all of us so-called "bad" players and managers prove to the world what we're made of," said Elmon, while standing in left field as a catchable ball landed just beyond his reach, turning what should have been a single into a triple. "The Twins may be happy with Demon Young, but just you wait, they'll miss old Elmon soon enough," Young continued, while flailing wildly at a first pitch several feet out of the strike zone.
11 comments
|
4 recs |
Tweet
Delmon Young trade by WAR value
Steve Slowinski lays out the Delmon Young trade by WAR value at Beyond the Box Score. He also branches out the trade to all the minor league players the Rays acquired by trading Bartlett to the Padres. It makes the Young trade look even worse in retrospect.
Mariners DFA Rob Johnson, All-World Catcher
Maybe this will bring montanatwinsfan out of his winter hibernation...
More subtle hints from the Twins about trading Hardy
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Dec 10, 2010 8:41 AM EST
on Twinkie Town
Over the past few days, we've heard almost nothing about the Twins but J.J. Hardy trade rumors. Most Twins fans are shocked - would the team really trade someone as valuable as Hardy?
But there have been rumors about trading or releasing Hardy for weeks. Remember how often Hardy came up in discussion as a non-tender candidate? Here are all sorts of other signs that the Twins were planning for some time to let Hardy go.
- Every Twin on the 25 man roster got an invitation to Bill Smith's holiday party, except for JJ Hardy. When Hardy asked Smith about it, Smith told Hardy the invitation must have been lost in the mail, and he'd send a new one. A few days later, Alexi Casilla got a second invitation in the mail. Hardy never received an invite.
- Hardy reportedly upset manager Ron Gardenhire by hitting the batting cages early in the offseason. Gardy called him to complain: "What's your problem, JJ? Don't you know that shortstops need SPEED? They don't need to hit!! You should be at the TRACK, not the ballpark!" Rumor has it that Gardy also suggested that JJ "try shoplifting" to improve his stealing abilities.
- Bill Smith was overheard telling rival GMs that "for the right price, any player is available... especially JJ Hardy."
- When ordering breakfast at a local cafe, Gardenhire told his waiter that he wanted "pancakes, bacon, toast, hashbrowns... no Hardy." At a confused look from the waiter, Gardy tried to explain that he meant "no har...d-boiled eggs."
- Joe Mauer recently told Hardy that he "wasn't sure if I could handle a long distance bromance."
- Bill Smith reportedly drafted a fanpost called FIRE J, but the rest of the front office stopped him before he could post it.
22 comments
|
8 recs |
Tweet
Team Awesome 2011
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Nov 9, 2010 12:05 AM EST
on Twinkie Town
I don't really see why people are having so much trouble coming up offseason moves the Twins can make. It's really simple if you think about it. Observe:
Free Agent Signings
This is where the Twins can make a splash and show that we're really playing with the big teams now.
Sign Cliff Lee
Bam! Take that Yankees! Oh yeah! And we're just getting started:
26 comments
|
8 recs |
Tweet
Gardy wins IBWAA Award for AL Manager of the Year
From the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America
fire gary
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 11, 2010 3:27 PM EDT
on Twinkie Town
32 comments
|
6 recs |
Tweet
A-Rod: A Tale of Forbidden Love
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 7, 2010 2:23 PM EDT
on Twinkie Town
We've all heard stories of tragic romance that was never meant to be. True love, put into an impossible situation. Romeo and Juliet, or Antony and Cleopatra.
But all of those love stories pale in comparison to this one. This is the story of a love so forbidden that even teenage girls find it disgusting. The story of a love so passionate that not even Kate Hudson could tear it apart!
This is the story of the tragic love affair of Alex Rodriguez and... himself.
14 comments
|
10 recs |
Tweet
In a fit of leadership, Joe Mauer "trashes" the Twins clubhouse
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Oct 2, 2010 1:29 AM EDT
on Twinkie Town
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Joe Mauer finally had enough. After a disappointing road trip where the Twins went 1-5, Mauer finally returned to the lineup, only to see the Twins lose twice more. Mauer was about to explode. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. He wanted to shriek profanities like a more-drunk-than-usual SSS’er after a Thome walk-off home run!
Mauer burst into the clubhouse to give everyone a piece of his mind!
"Gosh darn it," Mauer said, raising his voice very slightly. "Losing stinks."
18 comments
|
17 recs |
Tweet
BREAKING NEWS! Twins claim Manny Ramirez on Waivers!
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Aug 26, 2010 10:15 AM EDT
on Twinkie Town
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - The internet was abuzz with rumors - the Dodgers had placed Manny Ramirez on waivers. Everyone knew it was a foregone conclusion that Manny would wind up with an AL Central playoff contender. But no one knew it would be the Minnesota Twins.
"With Justin [Morneau] still injured, we felt our lineup could really use an impact bat," said General Manager Bill Smith, appearing at an impromptu press conference. "Plus, we felt we needed someone who only speaks in lowercase to compliment Jim Thome's all-caps."
Unfortunately, Smith refused to answer any questions. Instead, he donned a conductor's hat and abruptly left the room, informing the press that "my model railroad won't build itself!"
29 comments
|
14 recs |
Tweet
Nick Punto nominated for Heart and Hustle Award
It's like they designed an award just for him!
Magglio Ordonez fractures ankle, out 6-8 weeks
via MLB.com. Brandon Inge is also out for 4-6 weeks with a fracture in his left hand. Thought this was newsworthy for its impact on the division, but best of luck to both players in their recovery.
It's Dickey Time for New York!
R.A. Dickey is scheduled to start tonight vs. the shockingly not awful (yet) Livan Hernandez.
Are the Twins high on LSD?
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 20, 2010 11:27 AM EDT
on Twinkie Town
The success of the Twins this year could depend on LSD. No, not the Dock Ellis type of LSD. Instead, Liriano, Slowey, and Delmon (LSD). Right now, we are all focusing on Joe Nathan's injury. But the performances of Liriano, Slowey, and Delmon could prove just as important to the 2010 season.
The Twins are probably high on LSD as we speak. Liriano had a lights-out performance in the Dominican Winter League and has 12Ks/1BB through 7.0 innings in spring training. Slowey has an 0.82 ERA, 10Ks, and 3BB over 11.0 IP in spring training. And Delmon Young hasn't done well in spring training, but the front office has been raving about how he lost 30 pounds this offseason.
8 comments
|
1 recs |
Tweet
Showing 1 - 30 of 44 Older
