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Which is more impressive?
2008-01-03 19:09:00
I know its early, but I was surfing the net trying to get a feel for what is out there for draft picks. While doing so, I stumbled upon some video of Cal wideout/punt returner Desean Jackson. The return is impressive, as well as Jackson’s speed, but what may be more impressive (and rather funny) is the hit that #4 for Cal (Decoud) lays on UCLA’s # 55. In order to appreciate the severity of the hit, you have to watch till at least the 1:35 mark in the tape. See link for video, and by the way, the sound with the video is NSFW. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lo9e2Jf7R0 o
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Delmon Young…we got him!
2007-11-29 23:02:00
To be fair, the pitch really should have been called a ball…  The ump undoubtedly learned his lesson. <object width=”425″ height=”355″><param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/wQk 0w2E0kf8&rel=1″></param&g t;<param name=”wmode” value=”transparent”></p aram><embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/wQk0w 2E0kf8&rel=1” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash ” wmode=”transparent” width=”425″ height=”355″></embed> ;</object>

Another record breaking rookie
2007-11-06 03:15:00
The Thunderdome has seen its share of records broke in it. As Minnesota fans, we should be used to the fact that records have been, and will continue to be, broken on our clock. Often, its a washed up veteran breaking out of a 100 year slump,  or a young rookie busting out of his proverbial shell. This time it was Antonio Cromartie returning a missed Longwell field goal attempt for 109 yards, but this time we would not be left in despair. This time it was our turn to savor the juicy helping of Adrian Peterson. The rookie decided he would treat us to a healthy dose of 296 yards and three TDs,  breaking the single-game rushing record previously held by Jamal Lewis who ran for 295 yards only a few years ago. Ironically, it was once held by Walter Payton who ran for 275 yards against none other than our Vikes in 1977. As I watched, I was reminded of not too long ago when another rookie sensation was lighting up the Thunderdome and breaking down defenses like it was childs play....
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Al Jefferson - See what HE can do!
2007-11-02 19:42:00
  The Timberwolves start the post-KG era tonight at 7 p.m. at Target Center against the best team in the NorthWest division - the Denver Nuggets.  Although tonight is just one game in a season that almost definitively will result in another Timberwolf absence from the playoffs, it does serve as an early litmus test for the new centerpiece in our extremely young lineup - Al Jefferson.  Tonight will be a test for our new “star” as he bangs around with the likes of Nene, Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin for 48 minutes.  Jefferson is likely to supply what we have been missing during the KG era - Low post scoring.  In other words, easy buckets.  We have been a jump-shooting team for 15 years, but now with Jefferson, Craig Smith and Chris Richard, we are a smashmounth team that will score in the paint and get a lot of easy baskets off offensive rebounds and breakdowns in defensive rotation; which is probably just what a young team needs.  Despite the new look, I t...

New Twins Ballpark Model Unveiled
2007-10-31 21:08:00
  Follow this link to see a 3-d animation of the new Twins ballpark.  Let us know what you think are the biggest positives and negatives of the future home of our favorite baseball team. http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/media/play er/mp_tpl.jsp?w_id=607100&w=mms%3A//a 1503.v108692.c10869.g.vm.akamaistream.net /7/1503/10869/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.c om/10869/2007/open/teams07/min/video/1030 07_min_stadium_400.wmv&pid=gen_video& amp;vid=7778&mid=200710302288859& cid=mlb&fid=gen_video400&v=2& mType=w&urlstr=&mUrl=&type=v_ free&_mp=1
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Barry Bonds in Minnesota
2007-09-28 17:39:00
While this season comes to a close, there is much speculation regarding the future of several current Twins….  Will Santana be traded?  Will the Twins resign Hunter?  One question that is just starting to surface….  Will Barry Bonds land in Minnesota ? Barry has publically stated that he wants to play for 1 or 2 more years.  While everyone in baseball knows that Barry is past his prime playing days, the popular consensus is that he can still see and more importantly hit the ball.  Since his days in left field are likely over, it only make sense that he makes his way out of the friendly confines of AT&T ballpark and to the roster of an American League team in need. Usually a guy like Barry would likely be snapped up by one of the big market teams like the Yankees, Red Sox or White Sox.  This situation is somewhat different though.  All of those teams have their DH and are not looking to pay for a guy who will ride the bench.  After reviewing the current AL rosters it ...

10 Reasons Why I’m Rooting for the Yankees
2007-09-27 05:00:00
10. They started off the season poorly and no one thought they had a chance, this year’s version of the Twins from last year. 9.  Now that the Red Sox have won their championship, I’m tired of them. 8.  I will never favor a team from Anaheim.  Why?  Think Ducks and 2002 ALCS. 7.  They have a owner who wants to win. 6.  A-Rod may be the best player or our lifetime and he deserves a title, lets hope he doesn’t choke like usual. 5. I can’t cheer for Cleveland after taking our place atop the Central. 4. October baseball in New York is great! 3. “Drew Billy Beane”, or whatever his name is, won’t root for them. 2. This may sound crazy, but New York is due for a championship. 1. You know Turtle and the gang are cheering for the Yankees . 
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Big Time Defense With a Shot of Peterson
2007-09-10 05:01:00
The only thing missing from last year’s record setting Vikings defense was a pass rush. Without QB pressure the Patriots exposed the Vikings and provided the NFL with a blueprint for a poor season. That all changed in week one with new defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. After watching this defense dismantle the Falcons and pressure Harrington into multiple bad decisions, I’m thinking playoffs. With the Lions, the pathetic Chiefs and the offensiveless Packers on the schedule before a true test away at the Bears, the Vikings have a legitimate chance of being 4-1 or 5-0 before a tough stretch with the Cowboys, Eagles and Chargers to wrap up the first half. For the first time in a long time I’m excited to see what this defense can do, if Peterson will stay healthy and put up 1,300 yds with 12 TD’s and how Jackson and Rice will develop. It was fun to see how much fun the players where having on the sidelines in the fourth quarter. Everyone seems more com...
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“I never liked him, anyway,” Blyleven said, of Sweeney.
2007-09-02 19:10:00
An interesting take on Friday’s game from ESPN’s Buster Olney: As Scott Baker edged toward a perfect game Friday night, the tension seemed to reflect everywhere, from his face, to the Twins dugout (where his teammates kept a continent of space between themselves and Baker), to the club’s broadcast booth. Play-by-play man Dick Bremer and color analyst Bert Blyleven spoke openly about the possibility of a perfect game, as the middle innings rolled on. By coincidence, Bremer had been asked to sing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” at the seventh-inning stretch, but he had forgotten about that, he admitted. When a production crew approached him after Baker got the 19th, 20th and 21st outs in the top of the seventh, he thought their presence was somehow related to the special event that Baker was generating. Bremer sang, as asked, and then quickly refocused on Baker and his work. Blyleven talked about his own no-hitter, how he had approached his catcher during ...
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The New Timberpups: Part IV (Ryan Gomes)
2007-08-24 17:39:00
By now even the deafest timberwolf fan should have heard the news that Kevin Garnett has been traded to Boston. It is a trade that I agree with in principle, but am sad about from a nostalgia standpoint. It’s the end of an era in Minnesota sports history that began with so much promise and ended with too many regrets. To avoid shedding a tear over the recent developments, I will focus on which players the Wolves got in return for sending KG to finally play with Ray Allen. Before I get started, here is a refresher on what the trade entailed: Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes , Theo Ratliff, the first round pick that we gave Boston in the Davis/Szczerbiak trade (likely a 2009 pick), and Boston’s 2009 pick. Ryan Gomes scored 12.1 ppg and grabbed 5.6 rpg in 73 games for Boston last year, and is generally acknowledged to be one of the classiest players in the league. Overlooked in the 2005 NBA Draft (50th overall) much like Craig Smith in th...
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Santana K’s 17
2007-08-19 22:45:00
Johan Santana took the mound Sunday afternoon and helped pitch his way into what could be the biggest contract ever for a starting pitcher in 2009.  Santana went 8.0 innings giving up only 2 hits and striking out 17 in the best pitching performance by a starter since Ben Sheets struck out 18 in 2004. Already owning 2 Cy Young awards, Santana will make $12 Million this year and $13.125 in 2008.  With Zambrano signing a new extension this week with the Cubs for $18M/yr, Santana will likely demand $20M/yr when he becomes a free agent after 2008.  Because Santana finished in the top 3 for the Cy Young his contract now kicks in a no trade clause. As a Twins fan, it would be nice to see Ryan try to wrap Santana up with an extension before the season ends.  But as a small market team, it would be interesting to see how many pitchers/hitters/prospects the Twins could receive in a trade, assuming Santana approves.  Would a couple 30+ HR hitting outfielders for $8M/yr each give the team ...

The New Timberpups: Part III (Sebastian Telfair)
2007-08-16 18:27:00
By now even the deafest timberwolf fan should have heard the news that Kevin Garnett has been traded to Boston. It is a trade that I agree with in principle, but am sad about from a nostalgia standpoint. It’s the end of an era in Minnesota sports history that began with so much promise and ended with too many regrets. To avoid shedding a tear over the recent developments, I will focus on which players the Wolves got in return for sending KG to finally play with Ray Allen. Before I get started, here is a refresher on what the trade entailed: Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, the first round pick that we gave Boston in the Davis/Szczerbiak trade (likely a 2009 pick), and Boston’s 2009 pick. Certainly the most enigmatic piece of the trade is Sebastian Telfair.  Telfair began as a high school hoops legend, becomming the shortest high school to NBA player in league history.  After bursting on the scene as a high school fresh...
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The New Timberpups: Part II (Gerald Green)
2007-08-14 17:53:00
By now even the deafest timberwolf fan should have heard the news that Kevin Garnett has been traded to Boston. It is a trade that I agree with in principle, but am sad about from a nostalgia standpoint. It’s the end of an era in Minnesota sports history that began with so much promise and ended with too many regrets. To avoid shedding a tear over the recent developments, I will focus on which players the Wolves got in return for sending KG to finally play with Ray Allen. Before I get started, here is a refresher on what the trade entailed: Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Gera ld Green , Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, the first round pick that we gave Boston in the Davis/Szczerbiak trade (likely a 2009 pick), and Boston’s 2009 pick. Potentially one of the most important pieces of the deal for us is Gerald Green.  I say “potentially” because that is all that Green is: Potential!  Gerald is a freak of nature from an athletic standpoint, but hasn’t a...
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The New Timberpups: Part I (Al Jefferson)
2007-08-07 05:30:00
By now even the deafest timberwolf fan should have heard the news that Kevin Garnett has been traded to Boston. It is a trade that I agree with in principle, but am sad about from a nostalgia standpoint. It’s the end of an era in Minnesota sports history that began with so much promise and ended with too many regrets. To avoid shedding a tear over the recent developments, I will focus on which players the Wolves got in return for sending KG to finally play with Ray Allen. Before I get started, here is a refresher on what the trade entailed: Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, the first round pick that we gave Boston in the Davis/Szczerbiak trade (likely a 2009 pick), and Boston’s 2009 pick. The most important piece of the deal is Al Jefferson, not only because he plays power forward, but because he is the most likely of the bunch to lead us to a championship sometime in the next decade. Jefferson attended Prenti...
More About: Part , Timber , Pups

Toting the Rock with AP28
2007-07-25 19:11:00
  It’s training camp time, and although not all draft picks have signed, there is always optimism in the air.  One of the most striking points of optimism for the Minnesota Vikings is the eventual addition of their new tailback, Adrian Peterson.  Most of the great teams these days have two solid backs, which is what makes the addition of Peterson so intriguing.  It’s hard to know what the immediate role of the rookie will be, but in time it is clear–feature back.  Chester Taylor ran for over 1200 yards last year behind our mammoth offensive line.  The line was much maligned for not living up to their potential, but for my money, clearing the way for a career backup to rush for over 1200 yards is a job well done.  Peterson is bigger, stronger, faster and quicker than Taylor and by all reports has better vision as well.  Physical talent alone does not guarantee success over a career, but it’s a good start.  I project that by the end of the year Peterso...
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A Sad Week In Sports
2007-07-24 19:29:00
It has been one incredible and disturbing week in sports. I’m left wondering at what point did ESPN.com become Fox News? As I write this post the top five stories on the AP sports wire have nothing to do with sports but rather the cheaters and law breakers involved in them. You have the NBA ref situation, the Tour de France favorite testing positive after a win, Vick being asked not the report to training camp, the Bonds vs. Selig will he be there debate, Gary Player stating he knows of at least one pro golfer who has used steroids, the Marlins Olsen getting in a police fight, gophers player suspensions and on and on. And all of this after a summer of NFL player problems. What went wrong? When billions of dollars are wrapped up into TV deals, millions invested in players and 24/7 TV and internet coverage consumes us, does it all fall apart? With Vick, Pacman, Bonds, steroids, bicyclists doping - these things will be cleaned up and pass with time. But I don’t see th...
More About: Sports , Week , Spor , Ports

Morneau Cup Love
2007-07-23 04:14:00
A little cup love…
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G-O-P-H-E-R-S… What’s that spell? Scandal!
2007-07-19 23:01:00
This week a bomb went off on the east bank of the University of Minnesota. This week 4 University of Minnesota football players were charged with breaking a variety of laws in conjunction with an incendent that happened several months ago in the University Village on campus.  The allegations state that they took advantage of a UofM coed when she was passed out after a drinking contest that included 8 shots of Vodka.  It seems like only yesterday that Clem Haskens was patrolling the sidelines at Williams Arena.  We all know what that scandal did to our University.  What will come of this most recent incident?  Will the enthusiasm and hope that Tim Brewster has been selling be dampened because of this most recent case.  A few months ago our snake oil salesman of a coach had us chanting “Rose Bowl”.  Will we soon be hoping any kind of bowl? While the players involved have not been formally convicted of any crime, they have been dismissed from the team.  While I do n...
More About: Scandal , Canda , Spell

With the number 7 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft the Minnesota Timberwolves sel
2007-07-16 16:54:00
Corey Brewer.  Let me lead off this post by saying that I stand completely behind McHale et al.’s selection of Corey Brewer.  He was, in my opinion, the best available player when we picked.  However, I was a little surprised that we didn’t make a draft day trade for a shoot-first point guard.  It just seems to be what the Wolves like to do.  I kept expecting to hear “there has been a trade.  The Wolves have sent Corey Brewer to Atlanta for Acie Law IV and future considerations or cash.”  One of the worst moves in team history, right behind Ndudi Ebi and the Joe Smith wink-wink ink-ink, was trading one of my favorite players of all-time, Ray Allen, to Seattle on draft day for Stephon Marbury.  The Timber wolves followed the same blueprint last year when we made a draft day trade with Portland sending Brandon Roy there for Randy Foye and cash.  For the record, I still support the trade last year, but it looks like a trend.  A lot of people like to ju...
More About: Minnesota , Draft , Pick , Minnesota Timberwolves

MLB’s Greatest Singles Hitting Team
2007-07-15 16:59:00
The one thing that I find very frustrating and very exillerating when watching the Twins is the constant singles parade.  I don’t know if there has ever been a group of Twins players who hit more singles than the current Twins.  I think this fact has led Gardenhire to adopt a run generation model on offense.  Going into Sunday’s game the Twins are: 10th in Hits 6th in Runs 22nd in Home Runs 25th in Doubles 4th in Steals The Twins are manufacturing runs through stolen bases and singles.  It’s really all they can do, even with Tori and Justin having really good years.  In the last three home games against Oakland, the Twins have had runners in scoring position in 17 of the 24 innings played.  That is simply amazing. However, I’d like to see a little more balance.  It would be nice to see one more home run/doubles threat in the lineup to help score some of these runs. Would the Twins make a move for someone like the A’s Dan Johnson - Trade Rumors ...
More About: Team , Singles , Greatest

Get a good look PART II
2007-07-14 19:23:00
Below is a great article from Dave St. Peter President of the Twins Baseball Club.  Everything is pointing to a 2015 All-Star game on the 30th and 50th Anniversaries of previous MN All-Star Games.  It would also mark the 30th Anniversary of the Home Run Derby. —-From Twins Ballpark Update—- All eyes will be on San Francisco’s AT&T Park this week as the city plays host the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Tuesday’s game will be the 78th “Midsummer Classic” and the third time the City of San Francisco has hosted the event and fifth time overall in Giants franchise history (including two games played at the Polo Grounds in New York). Meanwhile, with Minnesota’s new ballpark about to rise in Minneapolis’ North Loop Neighborhood, it’s not too early to begin thinking about when the All-Star Game will return to the Upper Midwest. The Twins have hosted the game twice – in 1965 at Metropolitan Stadium and in 1985 at the Metrodome. With Minnesota’s new ...
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Get a good look during the All-Star festivities
2007-07-10 05:40:00
It’s no coincidence that PNC and AT&T Park’s have been two of my favorite stadiums to visit, they were both built by HOK, the king of stadium architecture. HOK built Camden Yards, the new Wembly in London, new Busch, Petco, Jacobs, Chinese Olympic Venues, the London Olympic Venues and about 50 other stadiums. HOK Sport  Oh and they are building the new gopher football stadium. So after comparing the new Twins Park to AT&T Park this All-Star game I’m loving what I’m seeing. Double the bathrooms, a wider concourse and the closest distance to home plate. Please Best Buy, step up and name this thing Best Buy Ballpark. It’s about to become my favorite stadium and it hasn’t even been built yet.
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EA Counter Punch
2007-07-10 05:16:00
Looks like 2K Sports isn’t going to let EA get away with locking up that NFL deal that eliminates competition. I’m all for more competition and hopefully lower prices. Let’s hope 2K does that $19.99 thing again.
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Cuban in hot pursuit
2007-07-06 02:20:00
It’s official. You can now add the Dallas Mavericks to the KG sweepstakes. Considering MN has invested roughly $186 Million dollars into KG…did we get our money’s worth? Owner Confirms ‘Special’ Pursuit
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Summer League
2007-07-04 05:15:00
With Twins pitching and hitting at pathetic lows in NY might as well start thinking about the Wolves Summer League in Vegas next week.

A Big July Start
2007-06-30 18:04:00
I know things don’t really matter until Aug/September, but the Twins are facing a decided little gut check stretch. After squaring off with the Tigers (congrats Mauer on your first grand slam) the twins will play a four game set at the Yankees and then finish up the 1st half with four games at Chicago. The Yankees and Chicago are struggling…could it be possible that the Twins take 2 of 3 from Detroit, 3 of 4 from NY and 3 of 4 from Chicago??? Could the Twins pull together a nice little run before the break and cut the Indians lead down to 2 or 3? With Morneau back, Santana finding his rhythm, Redmond always hitting clutch doubles and the idea of putting some pie in Chicago’s face has me very excited and anxious for this next week of baseball.
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The Gold Seat Back Online
2007-06-27 05:08:00
We are back online with a new server and the opportunity to add more authors.  We’ve decided to add a new author to the original five.  With the addition of Todd S. we are now the original six.
More About: Gold , Seat , Online , Back , Line

The Saga Continues…
2007-06-02 04:54:00
Two days after sweeping the White Sox, the Twins are being labeled as “dirty” and being considered “overachievers” by the Chicago media. In an article by Joe Cowley (see link below for article) of the Chicago-Sun Times, he writes that the Twins would be considered “dirty” if they were a big market team, but since they are a small market team it is considered “hard-nose” according to Cowley. Cowley article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/w hitesox/410224,CST-SPT-joe01.article Leave it to a beat writer from the second best paper in Chicago to bash the Twins.  This is the same writer who voted Jeter sixth in the MVP voting last year,  so how can he be taken seriously. He talks about Punto who slid hard into second base on a force play and accuses him of giving a forearm to Iguchi on the play. First of all, Punto  slid into second before the ball was there.  Second, Punto was trying to stop with a pop-up slide and trying NOT ...
More About: Saga , Conti

The saga continues...
2007-06-01 17:27:00
Two days after sweeping the White Sox, the Twins are being labeled as "dirty" and being considered "overachievers" by the Chicago media. In an article by Joe Cowley (see link below for article) of the Chicago-Sun Times, he writes that the Twins would be considered "dirty" if they were a big market team, but since they are a small market team it is considered "hard-nose" according to Cowley.Cowley article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/w hitesox/410224,CST-SPT-joe01.articleLeave it to a beat writer from the second best paper in Chicago to bash the Twins.  This is the same writer who voted Jeter sixth in the MVP voting last year,  so how can he be taken seriously. He talks about Punto who slid hard into second base on a force play and accuses him of giving a forearm to Iguchi on the play. First of all, Punto  slid into second before the ball was there.  Second, Punto was trying to stop with a pop-up slide and trying&...
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Pierzinski once again surrounded by controversy
2007-05-29 19:14:00
We should have known. The catcher who was once loved by Twins fans once again found himself surrounded by controversy during todays game against the Twins. Should we be surprised? A.J. is doing the same things that we used to love about him. Only now the fans generally boo him when he comes to the plate. I have heard the term, “Barry being Barry” used many times but I think that we should file todays incident in the “AJ being AJ” column. During the game today, the White Sox briefly took the lead from the Twins and Santana. AJ hit what would be a inning-ending double play (6-4-3). Once he passed first he turned and ran towards the dugout. At this point he ran right by AL MVP Justin Morneau. He appeared to step on Morneau’s foot. This in turn make Morneau’s usually stoic face….even more stoic. He glared at AJ all the way to the dugout. The controversy would somehow get worse though when first base umpire, Greg Gibson, motioned to the Twins dugout a slashing of the throa...
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