Liriano's No-No Provides Hope

Last night, in Chicago, Francisco Liriano pitched the fifth no-hitter in Twins history.

In a season that has been disappointing to say the least, last night was a light from a crack of the tunnel. With all but a handful of the Twins roster batting in the .100’s, injuries and illnesses striking starters (Mauer, Nishioka, Morneau, Young) and AAA rosters being presented on a nightly bases due to these misfortunes, it is no surprise to me why we are currently cellar dwellers.

As the 9th inning approached I found myself on the edge of my seat and my heart pounding. It felt like a game 7 of the World Series. But why? The Twins hold the worst record in baseball and we only have a 1 run lead in the toilet bowl.



It wasn’t a perfect game, that’s for sure. Liriano threw 123 pitches, 66 of which were strikes. These numbers are a bit deceiving considering he is a breaking ball pitcher, but on the contrary he only recorded only 2 strike outs. Francisco walked 6 batters in the game, one of which was a 4 pitch walk to Juan Pierre in the bottom of the 9th. On the bright side it looked as though the Sisco kid is finally grasping the idea that pitching to contact isn’t necessarily a bad trait.

Liriano has struggled medially throughout this young season (ERA 6.61). Unable to locate his slider and pushing his fastball, he continually finds himself getting into deep holes in the count which ultimately leads to walks and crooked number innings. All of these variables have led to the demolition of his confidence and swagger as a pitcher. With the return of Kevin Slowey later this week, it was considered that he would replace Liriano in the rotation. Due to the no-hit performance yesterday I think it’s safe to say that Liriano has saved a spot in the rotation for at least one more week.

Hopefully this win can catapult the Twins in the winning direction.

Jordan T.

PONDERing the Vikings Future

With the 12th pick in the 2011 NFL draft the Minnesota Vikings select, Christian Ponder, Quarterback, Florida State.

When these words came out of commissioner Goodell’s voice all I could say was, “what”?

Most people outside of the Vikings organization (primarily packer fans) are laughing at the fact that we selected a quarterback that was a projected 2nd to 3rd round pick with the 12th overall selection. Yes, when looking at the pick from a fans point of view it seems the Vikings stretched like Mr. Fantastic in selecting Ponder. But that’s why these GM’s and Head coaches get compensated at the level they do. It is there job to see what nobody else sees, while seeing exactly what everyone else is seeing.



As a head coach in the NFL, if you are to keep your job for more than 3-5 years you must have a franchise QB along your side. Look at some of the league’s best coaches to date, Belichik (Brady), Reid (McNabb/Vick), Payton (Brees), Tomlin (Roethlisberger), what do they all have in common? Franchise quarterbacks. Take some great coaches that are out of jobs because they were unable to find or develop the “franchise” QB, the former longest tenured coach in the league, Jeff Fisher along with the QB evaluator himself, Jon Gruden. Leslie Frazier understands this concept.

My gut says the Vikings were locked on Locker, but knew Tennessee was also. With not enough firepower to move up high enough, the Vikings were left with the “who next” scenario. I feel if Gabbert would have been at 12 he would be wearing purple, but with the Redskins trading down to 16 and Jacksonville selecting Gabbert the race for Ponder started. I believe Speilman and Frazier had Ponder at the top of their available QB board and felt Washington did as well. This made trading down very difficult, due to the fact that they couldn’t go past 16 and still take Ponder. This goes back to my point of the draft being a giant game of chess.

The Vikings most certainly moved their queen first.

Does Ponder warrant the 12th pick? No, not yet. Could the Vikings have moved down, got back into the 3rd round and still have gotten Ponder? Possibly, but this is what makes the NFL draft so intriguing. Nobody has ever posted a perfect mock draft and it seems every year a handful of players fall due to injury and character concerns.

I would have loved to see the Vikes trade down in the late teens or early twenty’s, pile some draft picks and take Anthony Castonzo. Many Vikings rubes at the draft party chanted for Prince Amukamara, but none of us spent months on end scouting and evaluating these players. I trust the judgment of Speilman and the Vikings staff enough to give them the “let’s wait and see” card.

For those of you cheese heads that laugh and post comments about the stupidity of this pick, my response is how many people were ecstatic when the Packers selected Rodgers? Granted the Packers didn’t hold a top tier pick, but they had needs in other areas that could have been addressed with that pick. The answer, not as many that turned ship on Brett Favre.

In day 2 and 3 it will become vital to protect our queen. (Rook to Bishop 4)

Oh if you’re wondering how I feel about the pick?

I’m Pondering.

Jordan T.

D-Day

After one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory, this week’s NFL draft is vital in terms of taking steps forward for the Minnesota Vikings. With the “retirement” of Brett Favre (the reality show himself), along with and what was one of the oldest teams in the NFL last year, this draft may be the difference between rebuilding over the course of the next three years or “retooling” and competing in 2011.

With a record of 6-10 (tied for last in the NFC North) in 2010, the Vikings have many holes and question marks that need to be filled. With no true security in any position, with the exception of running back, the “best player available” method seems to be the approach the Vikings must take.



With gurus like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay analyzing the draft and its players year round and the continuous coverage of ESPN and all other major sports outlets, every player’s weaknesses and question marks are over analyzed and critiqued. In some cases, this causes some players to fall down the draft board. The Vikings have been the beneficiary of this in recent years with Adrian Peterson dropping in 07’ because of a collarbone injury his junior year along with Percy Harvin to 22 in 09’ because of character issues.

Social media has also changed the way preparation for the draft as well as the draft itself is approached. The NFL draft has turned into more of a giant game of chess where teams workout and interview players they may have zero interest in, hoping that a division rival may stretch or trade up for a particular player in fear of losing them. The Patriots and he who shall not be named (my man Bill Belichik) have become the masters of this, as we are seeing with the recent rumors of them taking a Locker or Mallet with the 17th pick. Do you really think they have serious interest in Locker if the genius himself was not present for these meetings/workouts? Not a chance!

The Minnesota Vikings enter the draft with 9 overall picks (two 5th, 6th, and 7th round picks). These picks will be used to address major needs from starting quarterback to minor special team linebackers. The Vikings currently sit with the 12th overall pick, for now. Many “experts” have predicted that the Vikings will select Cameron Jordan, DE out of Cal. Others speculate them selecting a QB such as Jake Locker, a CB such as Prince Amukamara, or trading the pick. Personally, I think they will do anything possible to trade this pick and move down to 14 to 25 range and regain a 3rd round pick. Who do they take?

My gut says the Vikings want Locker, but don’t want to stretch and take him at #12. Often time’s quarterbacks are taken so high simply because of the value of the position. I hope this is not the case for the Vikings. Locker is the sexy pick that many Minnesota fans want to see, but is too early?

Personally the safest pick in this draft is OL Anthony Castonzo out of Boston College who can play guard and tackle on both sides. With an aging offensive line full of question marks and injuries the O-line will definitely be addressed at some point in this draft. In the end, I feel that Castonzo is a stretch at #12, which takes us back to the Vikings trading down.

Now to the “what if’s”? What if Gabbert is still on the board at #6 and the Browns want to trade down? What if Nick Fairley drops to #12?

Listen, Gabbert is the ultimate QB prize and Fairley is going to be an impact player for many years to come. Unfortunately, I don’t see the Vikings moving up to take either. Thursday will be the day that sets up the weekend and the fortunes of many teams’ futures.

We’ll see who moves their queen first!

Jordan T.

Twinkie Town

In a state that has become "loserville" U.S.A. the Twins seem to be the only team with a light at the end of the tunnel.

Last season ended like the previous, an American League Central Divisional title followed by a 3 game sweep of the hated New York Yankees. But, with the healing of injuries and experience knocked on our belt the 2011 season is one that contains promise. With such promise come high expectations.

The Minnesota sports mindset has turned to a "what next" approach. We're like that abused dog that keeps crawling back because it's all we know. Between the collapse of the Vikings, cellar dwelling Wolves, playoffless wild and continued meritocracy from University of Minnesota athletics it can't get any worse! Or can it?

The Minnesota Twins surged to a 94 win season in 2010 despite the loss of closer Joe Nathan in spring training (Tommy John) and star first basemen Justin Morneau (concussion) mid-season. Most cities would be satisfied with back-to-back division titles. Those days in Minnie are gone (for the Twins anyway).

The expectation and goal is, as it should be, to win the World Series. When Carl Pavano was interviewed this spring and asked about his and the teams success last season he responded with a "we need to take the next step and not be satisfied" response (in a handful of words). Thess are words you want to hear from your "Ace". This brings me to my next topic.

In an organization that has been built around pitching and defense, the one Achilles heel in this team is our rotation. While Francisco Liriano has the "Ace" caliber stuff and Carl Pavano has the grit, there is no true number one starter. A rotation that consists of Pavano, Liriano, Blackburn, Duensing and Baker is structured to absorb a 162 game schedule; unfortunately the playoffs aren't built in such format. This could very well be the demise of this ball club.

On the flip side if you can't score runs, you can't win games. The Twins look like they will be doing plenty of that this season. Span, Nishioka, Mauer, Morneau, Young, Kubel/Thome, Cuddyer, Valencia and Casilla has pitcher insomnia-type potential. Assuming Delmon Young, Danny Valencia and Jason Kubel take steps forward and not back; this lineup appears to be troublesome. Look for the Delmon to continue to thrive in the middle of murders row as well as the continued development of young Danny Valencia.

The Twins Bullpen is the team’s biggest question mark by far. With the return of closer Joe Nathan it is going to be interesting to see how much slack Gardy gives him in the early going. It was said that Nathan would be the closer with Capps getting opportunities along the way. However, I foresee a Matt Capps May. Outside of Capps and Nathan, you have Manship, Hughes, Mijares, Perkins and Slowey. Because of Slowey's ability to throw strikes I am one of the few that feels he will thrive in the pen. However middle relief help is scarce. Look for the Twins to make a move in June/July to improve in this area.

My dark horse pick is Kyle Gibson. The 23 year old, Missouri product is one of the top 35 prospects in baseball and is the future of the twins pitching staff. He is compared by many to Brad Radke. He throws a mid 90's fastball, a plus-plus slider and an above-average changeup. Although Gibson doesn't hone electric stuff, look for Kyle (much like Liriano and Santana before him) to make a bullpen appearance in late July.

At the end of the day baseball is a marathon that presents many pot holes and cups of coffee (Seinfeld reference: Jean-Paul Jean-Paul!) along the way. I believe the twins will complete the trifecta and bring home the American League Central Division title, but will need to make adjustments and tweaks to bring them to the next level.

Hopefully the Twins can bring a title to loserville!

Play Ball!

Jordan T.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

After recently attending the Bulls home away from home game in Milwaukee on Saturday night it became evident to why Derrick Rose will be named the league’s most valuable player.

In a sport that plays an 82-game schedule one game is not going to make you MVP, but if you need one performance that certifies such a decision this may very well be the game. The Bucks and Bulls were both playing their second game in as many days so it was to no surprise to see both squads come out lethargic.

Rose took the “pass first” approach in the early going looking to get other teammates involved; especially Noah and Boozer. But, by the end of the first half it became evident if the Bulls were going to pull away a D-Rose surge would be required.

Bucks forward Carlos Delfino helped stifle a Chicago run as he connected on 5 of 7 from downtown. A former Bull, John Salmons, also contributed 25 points to the Bucks effort.

The Bulls needed Rose to take control of the game and that’s exactly what he did. Rose scored 8 points and assisted on two baskets in the game’s final three minutes. That brought Rose’s stat line to 30 points and 17 assists for the contest (only the 3rd Bull to do so, first since MJ 89’). He surged the Bulls to a 12-0 run to end the game; and the hopes of a Bucks victory.

I’m not willing to say Derrick Rose is the NBA’s best player, but find me a player more deserving of the MVP? It simply can’t be done. Rose is averaging 25 points and 8 assists per (the only player in the top ten in both categories); however the category that brings him above the rest has no stat, drive.

Michael Jordan was a freak athlete sure, but what made him the best was his drive and determination. He had the drive to win at everything from monopoly to NBA titles; along with the determination to put the work in to reach such feats. Rose has also displayed these traits. Evolving his game from an athlete into a complete player in just a few short years and has gained the label of “gym rat”.

Hearing “MVP” chanted Saturday as much as “Jerry” during the Jerry Springer show became both redundant and annoying at times. This made me ponder, what does Rose think of the chants? When asked about his accomplishments after the game he responded, “I haven’t done $#!@!” Sounds like a player determined and driven to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy this June. What do you think LeBron would have said?

Maybe Bret Michaels was wrong, every “rose” doesn’t have a thorn? But every Dynasty has a MVP.