Ramblings
By Tom Grout
March 17, 2008
-I know a lot of you out there aren’t real big fans of hockey, but this last weekend the series between the Gophers and Minnesota State in Mankato was exciting. They are in the middle of their WCHA Tournaments so it was a best out of three series.
On Friday night these teams fought to a 0-0 tie in regulation and went into overtime. But one overtime became three. From the second period on there were no penalties called and believe me there should have been especially on the Gophers. With about 2 minutes left in the third overtime Minnesota State was called for 6 men on the ice, a real cheap penalty. The Mavericks of Minnesota State turned the disadvantage around and scored on a short handed odd man rush to score the winning goal. Even the announcers, who were announcing for the Gophers, said it really was justice because of the cheap penalty call.
The second game on Saturday night also went into overtime as with the score tied at one. This time it was the Gophers who slipped in a goal to even the series at one each.
Sunday night they fought to a 2-2 score at the end of regulation and both teams were getting tired as the momentum would go from one to another. Finally at the end of the second overtime, the Gophers punched one in and earned the right to advance.
The two goalies were the most fun to watch as they kicked out goals coming from all different angles. Mike Zacharias of Minnesota State and Alex Kangas, a freshman, from the Gophers looked better than some of the professional goalies I have seen. They both looked calm as the games intensified. Look for these two guys in years to come to see what NHL team they will be playing with.
-The Gopher basketball team pulled off a good upset this weekend over Indiana before falling to Illinois by just a few. Even though the Gophers saw a good lead vanish against Indiana, they were able to fight back. The play that won the game was equal to any Hail Mary type pass you will see in the NFL. The only difference is after the guy caught it he had to shoot and make it, which he did using his opposite hand. The guy that made the basket was the same guy a few years ago won a game with a last second shot sitting on his behind.
What Tubby Smith did with this group of players really gets you excited about the future of Gopher basketball. I only hope the TV deal gets fixed because I hope I am able to see the games.
-It looks like Carlos Gomez has taken the lead in the centerfield battle for taking Torii Hunters place. Gomez, who came over in the Santana trade, has put together a few games here this weekend that were very interesting. He went 6 for 11 with a few stolen bases, made a great catch in the outfield, ran the bases extremely well, bunted for hits, and hit a home run. He really has the look of a good entertaining player and one the Twins haven’t had for awhile with his speed.
I don’t get too excited about much one way or the other when it comes to Spring Training. I guess I have seen so many of them come and go to know that if it’s good or bad it doesn’t mean much until the regular season begins. It means more for the guys who are on the edge of making the team like Gomez, Span, Garrett Jones, Randy Ruiz, Brian Buscher and some of the young pitchers.
It’s what the Twins do when the bell rings that is important. I will give you my before the season take on the Twins later when Spring Training is over and we know who actually did make the team.
-Here are some more sayings that have crept into our language that I am a little tired of. One of them is “The Reality is”. I may have mentioned this one before but after it seemed to get its start in politics it has now gone into sports. Another one is similar in meaning, “The fact of the matter is”. This one Stephen A. Smith has latched onto in his sports radio show. If you listen to him at all, and can stand him, he says this a lot. This one too has its roots in politics. I think if we got rid of politics we wouldn’t have these stupid sayings.
The last one I’m not sure I hate because I find myself using it. It’s one that can get you out of a lot of explaining and will end a conversation with the chance of anyone really knowing what the heck the answer really is. It’s this one, “It is what it is.” So it’s like, “Gee Mr. Clemens, you say you had never heard of HGH until now, but your wife and best friend were taking it a few years ago.” “It is what it is.” Responds Mr. Clemens.
Gomez -- that guy can fly! Did you see him score from second on the fluffer to short right? He can appear a bit short on poise at the plate on occasion, though. One of the announcers passed along this tidbit -- About a week ago Gomez asked Vavra what time he gets to the park. Vavra said 6:45, 7:00, or so. Next morning Gomez is there at 6:45 waiting for him -- extra hitting work. Been happening every morning since. Great sign. Maybe not for Span.
Monroe looks good. Better than I thought he would.
Tom -- don't blame idiocies on politics, although politicians, by definition are high density carriers of cliche. How about the football guys talking about "the vertical passing game", like they're throwing the ball straight up, or Blyleven endlessly talking about the importance of getting the 3rd out (duh, without it the inning never ends).
Great article Tommy boy! You know which word I despise that's way, way overly-used? Athleticism.
On my way to the Wild game in a little bit. Should be great!
You'll probably think I'm weird but the sports buzzword I hate the most is when a football announcer uses the word "pick" instead of the word interception. Don't know why but it just bothers me. I also use a phrase that I myself am starting to find annoying and that is, "Such is life!", I'm having a hard time stopping using it.
I feel sorry for that Gopher Basketball player Hofarber who made the miracle shot against Indiana and the state title shot from his butt, what do you do for an encore? It'll be interesting to follow his career.
I had coffee with a guy who was at two of the Gopher/Mankato hockey games and he said they were fabulous games. He wasn't a big hockey fan before but he said he is now. I missed them as I was watching the girl's state basketball tournament. There is a sport that has developed over the years. The guard play is excellent and they shoot free throws better than boys.
Keep up the great writing Tom!
Hey there Tom -- love your blog. "It is what it is" has to be hands down the classic "dumb jock" line of all time. I wish I knew who first uttered that, just to prove it once and for all.
Just one thing -- Hoffarber is left-handed, so he wasn't shooting with his opposite hand -- he basically threw up a left-handed sky hook. But for one guy to have two miracle shots before he's finished his freshman year of college is just incredible.
Twin's opener in two weeks!!
Gomez: He will have you cheering one minute and groaning the next. Baserunning and defense will be exciting, hitting may be tough to watch at times, however. By the end of the season, I think the cheers will far outnumber the groans.
Young: Even with Morneau and Mauer... this may be the MVP of the team. Also, like Redmond, he does have some fire in him... something that this team needs.
Monroe: I remember very well how he has absolutely killed the Twins in years past, so I know he can hit. FSN had him on during the game on Sat... he was very impressed with the Twin's organization, and I was very impressed with him!! Classy guy.
Harris, Lamb, and Everett: Mn Twin's stellar infield defense is back! These guys will make the plays, and if they can hit between .250 and .270...
Morneau: If Mauer can have a healthy year, and with Delmon Young in the lineup, and the contract bs out of the way... Morneau could be due for a monster year. 45HR 150RBI
Pitching: Ummm, yeah. The potential is there. Liriano is back, who knows if he'll be the same. Bonser looks to be in shape... "round" is a shape, right? Kidding Boof, it's obvious that you have done some work over the winter. Maybe you can pitch past the fifth inning! Baker is solid. Hernandez is... ahh... pretty old? The optimist in me says "yeah, they'll be great!!" But the realist in me says "yikes".
Do I expect a Division Championship? Not really. Not this year. I expect to see baseball played the way it's supposed to be played... Twin's baseball. Two weeks!!
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