First Place!
By Tom Grout
August 4, 2008
-As I write this today the Twins are in first place in the Central Division of the American League. I’m not to sure that there were very many people who thought the Twins would be where they are today. There still are two months left of the season so many things could still happen, but for now, how sweet it is.
Yesterday was the much waited return of pitcher Francisco Liriano. Liriano’s story has been well documented so it was a curiosity on how he would perform. Well, he didn’t do to bad like 6 shutout innings. He wasn’t as dominate as he was a couple of years ago, but then that is something we should not expect. What he did show, was that he was ready to pitch in the big leagues.
To evaluate Liriano we will need to compare him to Livan Hernandez, the guy who he replaced. Hernandez struggled lately giving up a lot of early runs so at least in his first outing, Liriano past the Livan test.
I don’t think there is any doubt that Liriano will perform better than Livan unless he gets injured. But I liked Livan and am going to miss him. He showed that you didn’t have to throw the ball 95 miles per hour to get big leaguers out. Whether you want to believe it or not, he is a big reason the Twins are where they are right now. He was the best pitcher for the Twins in the first couple of months and won some big games.
I think the Twins have a shot at winning the Division. The White Sox usually implode and they are giving some indications that it is starting to happen. The Tigers traded Ivan Rodriguez which shows me that they may have given up a little. I always thought that Pudge was and inspirational leader on that team but maybe not.
-The Favre fiasco is getting a little ridiculous. Now it looks like the Packers are offering Favre to the Vikings. Hell must be getting a little colder because I thought this would never happen. If the Vikings could get him for a couple of low round draft choices I might be ok with that. I know I was all for it before but as this soap opera has gone on I’m not so sure anymore. I’m not sure I want all the distraction that he would bring to the team right now. I’m still not convinced T-Jack can win but things seem to be going just great in camp and Favre may upset that a little. Then again maybe he would add a spark too.
So I am on the fence on this one, how do you all think?
First place on August 4 is nice, but as Jason Morneau says, first place the end of September is what we play for.
On the Favre thing, why not? We're going to need 2-3 QB's to get through the season no matter what we do.
Well the soap opera continues...according to differnet interenet blogs...the Packers have offered up Favre in trade talks...would it bring a media circus to the Vikes......YES....would it bring the missing link to the Vikes........YES......after the media had its run i think the Vikings could reaaaallllllllly make a serious contender for it all...we have a Line that will offer protection....we have a QB with high a caliber right arm..and a receiver that could potentially stretch the defense and free up the middle for Mr. Peterson to run WILD..and who better to teach John David Booty all about the NFL and what standards are expected from QB's these days...if nothing else we get a solid player...a team leader...and a potential QB coach for the future players.....im not seeing a downside here at all...EXCEPT the first month or so when the media buzzards circle the Vikings training camp waiting for some kind of story to blow up...I dont think our current coaching staff will allow it to consume the preseason efforts...
As for the Twins...WOW who woulda thunk it...What a special group of guys we have this year....small market teams cant compete...Phooey.......Way to go Gardy!!!
Also, don't overlook the stadium implications if Favre comes to MN to play. Let's say he plays here for two years and the Vikes go 24-8 over the next two seasons. The Vikes get massive national attention and Favre, with his "aura" and downright ability to stir the pot and get people to do what he wants, drops a bunch of "you know, I LOVE playing in MN but they really need a new stadium"s and walla, funding magically appears. Money underlies everything.
As far as players go, TJack is much more athletic obviously. What it boils down to is which guy do you want on the field with 2 minutes to go. Everyone within earshot will say Favre. Even if he doesn't win the game, he has the ability to. Can't say that about TJack quite yet.
I see Huskerman going down this road, which I also believe will happen. JD Booty will be the Vikes QB in a few years.
Okay, I've got the first overall pick in my fantasy football draft. Who should I take? Tomlinson or Peterson?
Could it be that i was wrong all along???
Can the Twinks hold on with an unproven pitching staff, question marks at 3rd, 2nd and short?
Will Liriano's arm hold up?
Will Cuddyer _ever_ play again this year?
Will Span continue to play like his hair is on fire?
Will Gomez find his swing again?
Gardy has done all he can do with this squad this year. Commendable job! I still think that because of their combined youth/inexperience and the huge holes in the infield, that the Twins will be lucky to hold on to 1st place beyond August.
If they do(and they've proven me wrong all year)then it just goes to show you great management can develop talent even where $ is so tight.
Go Twins!
Favre? At this point, the Puckers will want to peddle him off to the Vikes hoping that they will be suckers and mortgage what equity they've already built in the team. I for one don't think that Favre is the answer, but since I've been wrong about the Twins so far this year, maybe he is the answer!
Jackson has prepared well (by _all_ indications) and in his 3rd season of Chilly's KA offense, he should be a stud this season.
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