Punto Punts Rivas

[Mitty]

Pike when I said No.3 i might have went out alittle far on the limb but I think you get my point.How about Santana winning the cy last year and Radke still gets the No.1 position is that kissing his (Contact US Regarding This Word) or what any other franchise would have at least pushed him to no.2 or no.3.Silva isnt looking to bad so far either.

[fishyguy]

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Fish I think you hit the nail on the head with both responses I think they drafted Mauer to sell tickets more than anything else and it doesnt hurt to have old pops involved with the twins I just have a hard time taking a senior in high school over a proven ace like Prior was in college and yes I think kids that play at the likes of a Cretin defenitly get a break of more people looking at them take football for example didnt they play on espn last fall how many other high schools from Minnesota did you see play on national T.V.Just a thought.

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Yes, Cretin was the only Minnesota team on national TV last year but if you were ESPN would you have to have something to promote. Cretin, Eden Prairie and maybe a couple other schools would qualify as consistent power houses, but if you are ESPN you do want something to promote. Cretin gave them the opportunity to promote the school with names that are recognizable to the country, i.e. Birk, Weinke, Walsh, Mauer. Based on Cretin's perfomance in a down year you may not see them on TV for awhile. Anyways, I think that Mauer being local had a lot to do with it as did the family name but I think it would have been the same if Joe had gone to Harding where the Mauer name was originally associated with.

Boy, this thread has gotten a little off track

[bigbucks]

I think this Mauer thread is ridiculous. Do you think all the pitchers in the AL are giving him props too? Is that why he's batting .360 or whatever he's hitting in the toughest spot in the order?

[buzzsaw]

I was "dissapointed" if thats the right word, I don't know.... when they drafted Mauer over Prior.... but since then I really haven't been dissapointed... maybe it's because we've seen his cannon of an arm and his ability to spray the ball all over the field... and unlike alot of more veteran players... he can take a pitch or two and work the count into his favor upping the chances for success at the plate. It also seems like he calls a good game!!! I'd like to see him throw behind the runner at first more often to see how many guys he could pick off. He's a class kid, I'm glad we have him!

[bigbucks]

I have no problem second guessing the moves the Wolves & Vikings have made historically, but the Twins organization in the last 20 years generally has a pretty good track record. You haven't seen many guys they've gotten rid of go on to stardom elsewhere, but some of the guys they've gotten have.

[Eric Wettschreck]

In the past the Twins have made some pretty good moves, especially knowing the $$$ or lack there of that they have to offer.

Another thing to look at in the whole Mauer vs. Prior thing is......when that particular move was made what was Terry Ryan thinking the team would be needing? Pitching or hitting? The starting rotation was and is pretty darn good. AJ wasn't going to stick around for the $$$ he'd get offered, Tom Prince was on his way out, and here's a kid that shows potential to be pretty darn good behind the plate and can spray the ball all over the field. Take him.

The ability of Twins management to look ahead and develop young players is what won the last 3 divisions. Why go away from what got you there???? I say they made the right move, time will tell.

[Jarrod32]

Back to Punto...that was a very good sequence of base running in the top of the 8th tonight by Punto...ended up tying the score...that, along with getting the sac bunt down earlier in the game, is the kind of thing that will keep him in Gardy's lineup...

[8-Ball]

That is exactly why Punto is in there. He plays the game the way it should be played- with determination,hustle, and guts. Three qualities that Rivas does not have, apparently. After reading the Strib today, Rivas doesn't seem to upset about getting yanked from the starting line-up, either. Another reason to let him sit on the pine, if you ask me... 8-Ball.

[Eric Wettschreck]

They gave Jacque Jones player of the game nods, but Punto was the man. Hustle to catch fouls, and manufacture a run by smart base running.

[Willy]

You won't see it in any box score but Nick Punto is going to win the Twins a few games this year. He did last night. He is exactly the kind of kid you want playing second base. Scrappy, fast, good bunter, and just a good feel for the game of baseball. He is the type of player Gardy likes and is the kind of player alot of people think about when the Twins come up in conversation.

Rivas...... sit the bench for the whole year. Maybe if you're lucky you'll get in when we need someone to run for Big Country. I'm very happy to see Punto in the lineup everyday and hope he stays healthy.

[buzzsaw]

Ditto Willy!! Well stated. If Punto can keep this up we will be far better off with him in there as opposed to Rivas... I'm pretty sure this is the beginning of the end for Luis Rivas... he will be the last off our punch and judy hitters to leave town... ie... Guzman.

You look at our lineup now and you see alot of line drive type of guys... I'm not even sure (exception Rivas) you could say we have a punch and judy team any longer.

[pikehunter]

Ditto, ditto, and ditto. Gotta love watching Punto play. He's just the perfect fit for the way this squad needs to play to win games. And he does it in clutch situations.

The only down-side is the money they invested in Rivas, simply because the guy has so much raw talent. Just goes to show that you can never force a guy to use it. What a waste.

[bigbucks]

My only request is that Rivas plays every game against KC. Who knows why, but he owns them.

[metrojoe]

I know the two homeruns are a great highlight, but the game never would have gone to extra innings without Punto's heads up play.

Is there a team interested in Rivas?

I think we should be more worried about losing Punto. I love the Twins , but I hate how we seem to be the "farm team" for the rest of the league.

GO TWINS!!!

[8-Ball]

If we get the stadium built, I don't think we will be a "farm" team for the rest of the league... Let's get it built already!! The Dome suks!