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Posted September 29, 2006
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Twins to Keep Edge in Playoffs
When
the Twins made the playoffs earlier this week champagne and emotions
flowed in the clubhouse. A young team that had played under .500
baseball earlier in the season achieved a remarkable turn around to
claim one of eight playoff spots in major league baseball.
The
Twins are a team with many performers that don’t have playoff
experience. Included are pitchers Matt Garza and Boof Bonser,
catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman Justin Morneau, shortstop
Jason Bartlett, third baseman Nick Punto and outfielder
Jason Kubel. Players are young, too, such as Garza, 22, Mauer, 23,
and Bonser, 24.
Sometimes a young and inexperienced group can lose its focus and edge
after earning a playoff opportunity. Consciously or unconsciously the
mindset is this: It’s good enough to make the playoffs, particularly
when no one expected the team to advance.
A
visitor asked Twins manager Ron Gardenhire if
he thought his Twins might be such a team. “They are going to go out and
give you everything they have (in the playoffs),” he answered. “That’s
what they have done all year. It won’t change in the playoffs. They
are going to play as hard as they can.”
If
the Twins fail in the playoffs it won’t be because the players “are
afraid” or don’t know how to compete, Gardenhire said. “We have been
through a lot of tough baseball games,” he said. “Every game has been a
playoff game for it seems like a month when you are trying to catch up
(in the AL Central race to finish first). If it doesn’t work out for
us, if we were to get beat … it’s just the other team is a little better
than us…. They (the Twins players) are so excited. They know we can
win. They have proved we can win so we will see what happens.” |
"They are going to go
out and give you everything they have (in the playoffs). That’s what
they have done all year."
Ron Gardenhire
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Twins
Ron Gardenhire |
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Anderson Preaching Positivity
The
complete pitching rotation for the five game playoff series is to be
determined. Johan Santana will pitch game
one and if there is a game five he will draw that assignment, too. For
certain the Twins will be characterized by playoff inexperience since
eight pitchers are making their first playoff appearances. Possible
starters could include the previously mentioned young rookies, Bonser
and Garza.
Pitching coach Rick Anderson expressed
appreciation for having Santana, a leading Cy Young candidate with a
record of 19-7 and a 2.77 ERA.
“It’s
nice to probably have the best pitcher in the American league leading
you off,” he said. “Let the kids who will follow him sit and watch a
game and get that nervousness out before they have to run out there.”
Anderson counsels more with this pitching staff because of its
inexperience than others he has had. His mantra: “Always stay
positive.” He tries to find the silver lining even in a poor
performance. He will tell a pitcher, “When you did this it was
outstanding and that’s what we’re going to work on.”
Anderson is determined to build confidence in his staff. “Never let
them drag their heads,” he said. “Try to keep them upbeat.”
The
Twins bullpen, arguably the best in baseball, and a rebuilt starting
staff have provided pleasant surprises for Anderson and others. “Oh, my!
This is probably the most rewarding (experience as the Twins pitching
coach). This is (my) fourth time to the playoffs. All the other times
we had some veterans to run out there. …But this one here you are
running these kids out there and they are answering the bell. It’s a
wonderful thing to see how these kids respond to it.”
Anderson is hoping for similar results in the playoffs to the success of
the regular season with his staff (second best staff ERA in the American
League). “When you get to the playoffs (you) need to keep it loose and
easy, and don’t let them get too uptight and start thinking about it,”
he said. “Just go out and keep doing what you have been doing.” |
“It’s nice to probably have the best
pitcher in the American league leading you off. Let the kids who will
follow him sit and watch a game and get that nervousness out before they
have to run out there."
Rick Anderson
Photo
courtesy of the Minnesota Twins
Johan Santana |
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Michigan: Hail to the Victors
Michigan, having won more college football games through the years than
any other school, might have the most appropriate fight song, “The
Victors.” The Wolverines hold a commanding 67-24-3 record in their
series of games with the Gophers. However, the last three games between
Minnesota and Michigan have been decided by a total of nine points
including last season’s surprise 23-20 win by the Gophers in Ann Arbor.
The
college football world will be stunned if coach Glen Mason and
the Gophers win Saturday night against the Wolverines in the
Metrodome. No. 6 Michigan is a refocused team from last season when
the Wolverines were 7-5 and are led by new offensive and defensive
coordinators. Coach Lloyd Carr said the 7-5
record didn’t sit well with his players and now they have responded with
a 4-0 start to the season including a domination of Notre Dame in South
Bend, defeating an Irish team (47-21) that had national title dreams.
With
arguably the nation’s hottest receiver in Mario Willingham (twice
Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week this season) and many
other talented players, the Wolverines could be on cruise control by
halftime against the Gophers. It will be interesting to see how
Willingham performs against the Gophers defensive backs. Then, too, the
Minnesota defensive line will be challenged to mount a pass rush and
stop probably the Big Ten’s best running back, Michael Hart.
The
Michigan defense? It’s allowing less than 20 rushing yards per game.
Yes, Minnesota is known for its running attack. No, 20 is not a typo.
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No. 6 Michigan is a refocused team from
last season when the Wolverines were 7-5 and are led by new offensive
and defensive coordinators.
Glen Mason
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Extra Innings
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr talking about the rivalry between the
Wolverines and Gophers and the Little Brown Jug dating back to 1903: “It
makes it special because it is the oldest trophy in college football
history.”
Gopher football coach Glen Mason asked about whether not having
an on-campus stadium and collegiate atmosphere has made recruiting more
difficult: “I don’t think there is any doubt about it. I know everybody
who has recruited against us has used that for years and years. I only
know that because the people we recruited constantly bring it up to me.”
Twins
reliever Pat Neshek, from Brooklyn Center, talking about how long
it takes him to warm up before he is prepared to come in the game:
“Probably takes me about eight to 10 pitches and I am ready.”
Viking safety Tank Williams talking about the potential of
teammate Troy Williamson for becoming a
super star: “He definitely has the talent. It’s all about having the
work ethic to take it to the next level. When you have that
determination nothing is going to keep you from achieving your goals.
That’s what it takes. He has the caliber to do it.”
The
St. Paul Chamber’s Face-Off Luncheon welcoming the Minnesota Wild starts
at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3 at the RiverCentre Grand Ballroom.
All the players will be introduced and President/General Manager Doug
Risebrough will preview the season.
Northfield High School football coach Bubba Sullivan emailed to
report that running back and defensive end Anthony Jacobs, who
has verbally committed to the Gophers, was also offered a scholarship by
Hawaii, and “Wisconsin showed a lot of interest.”
Local
attorney Marshall Tanick wrote an interesting article about
historical litigation involving boxing in Minnesota in a recent issue of
the Minnesota Lawyer. Tanick’s interest was prompted by the enactment
earlier this year of state legislation to re-establish a Minnesota
Boxing Commission.
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Troy Williamson
“Probably takes me about eight to 10
pitches and I am ready.”
Pat Neshek
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