Fishing for Sarahcudas

I will start out by writing that I do think the Twins had a wonderful, “little engine that could” type of season. Let’s look at the facts. Of their five starting pitchers, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins, and Scotty Baker, the oldest is 26 and the highest paid is making $600,000 a year. Let’s not forget this was supposed to be a rebuilding year. They traded multiple Cy Young award winner Johan Santana for basically a bag of peanuts. They also lost one of their top threats, Torri Hunter to free agency. Hunter also won four gold gloves. Their payroll is 20 million less than it was a year ago. In addition, one of their star players, 3B Michael Cuddyer missed half the season with hand injuries and their number one bullpen guy, Pat Neshek, had shoulder problems and was out for the whole year. Every expert picked them to finish 4th in the American League Central out of 5 teams. However, in typical Twins baseball, they scratched, clawed, and fought their way to a one game playoff with the Chicago White Sox and were one run away from making the playoffs. But this is where I stop crediting the Twins and start criticizing. They choked. In the last 35 games of the season, the Twins went 14 – 21. In the last series, the Twins were at home and lost 2 out of 3 to the lowly KC Royals. At the all star break, when other playoff contenders loaded up for a run with the Cubs getting Rich Harden, the White Sox getting Ken Griffey Jr, the Dodgers getting Manny Ramirez, the Twins did absolutely nothing. And again, they were 20 million under last year’s payroll so they had the money. They desperately needed a good designated hitter and another reliever or two. Instead, they watched as other teams got the necessary help. This is not a Twins team that deserved to win a Pennant but there was absolutely no reason that they couldn’t make the playoffs. The White Sox are a terrible team and despite winning the Central Division, they would finish in 4th place in the American League East behind the Red Sox, Rays, and Yankees. That is embarrassing. I am going to put down my Twins hat, stash away my Joe Mauer jersey, and put on my Cubs hat. It’s their time. It’s time for the lovable losers, who haven’t won the World Series, or the NL Pennant, to get their championship. Their have been four generations of Cubs fans never to see their team win. Even worse, they had to watch their baby brothers, the White Sox, win it all three years ago. Let’s go Cubs. It’s now or never.

1. I am anxiously awaiting the Sarah Palin vs. Joe Biden debate but I think I am heading for a monster disappointment. Joe Biden has huge expectations and pressure to not just win, but do well. Palin has been lying low for a while and has spent the past 10 days preparing for this debate. John McCain and Palin have been at McCain’s ranch in Sedona for the past week prepping. I have no doubt that Palin will be prepared. Plus, Joe Biden has a tricky case of criticizing her, but not coming across as condescending, or arrogant. My advice would be to only criticize McCain, and basically ignore Palin. Any attack on Palin’s background, or experience could end up disastrous.

2. After finishing up Season 2 of Weeds. I could be wrong, but I think Weeds is my second favorite show of all time behind Arrested Development. It is funny, well written, and there are plot twists in every episode. I can’t wait to start Season 3 tonight.

3. I want to be Vinny Chase.