However, what I'm about to say must be said. The Minnesota Twins will never become a gritty, scrappy, likable team as long as catcher Joe Mauer is its centerpiece.
This is very difficult to say as a huge baseball fan in general and a passionate homer in particular. Joe grew up in the Twin Cities and is a truly gifted player. I should love him, and would if he weren't devoid of all emotion on the field and so silky-smooth that he ostensibly puts no effort into his game. And it doesn't help his case that he looks like this:
I mean, look at him. That luxurious skin, those full, sensuous lips... I like my ballplayers to spit lightning and crap thunder, not wax eyebrows and exfoliate elbows. And don't get me started on those damned sideburns.
As far as home-town heroes, I'll take this big lug anyday.
12 comments:
oooooooh....I need Mauer on my fantasy baseball team. The Chaska Cutie-Pies are all about looks. (Never mind that we are in 5th place - there are a lot of games left in the season!)
And does Morneau ever smile? I swear sometimes I wonder if he is human. It's like his parents are forcing him to play because he's good, but he really doesn't care that much. Where's Kirby when we need him?
EXACTLY! We're trying to cheer for Team Robot.
The bar has certainly been set high on the personality meter - Kirby, Herbie, Bruno, Gaetti, Gladden... I'd take Knoblauch back just so I can hate him.
Ooooooh! You're just being a big meanie. He is soooo hot! And those sideburns are divine, honey.
I dunno - I would say that the baseball lovin' ladies in this town haven't had it so good since Scott Erickson was a pitcher on the team.
. . . Although my heart always belonged to Dan Gladden.
What have we become? It's not enought that the guy is home-grown, scandal-free, and really good....now he's got to have a great personality too. Give him time and don't give up on the Twins just yet.
Winning brings out the more congenial side of players. All the guys you mentioned, ckoz, have reason to smile---they're all wearing World Series Champion rings.
I don't want congenial! I want scrappers who play with intensity. Baserunners who will go into second with their cleats up. First basemen who pull wrestling moves on runners trying to get back to the bag. How about a good old-fashioned bench-clearing brawl?
Even pretty Scott Erickson threw inside once in awhile.
I'm with Carson Kressley. I've always liked the "Queer Eye" boys. And Mauer is definitely hot.
I know. I find myself mildly attracted to him.
I hate myself for it.
Mary -
Those guys were smiling before they won. Which came first - the smile or the ring? Yes, I want good players, but I want players who are loving the game, won or lose, and who give their heart to it.
ckoz -
I think you need to go to a hockey game. That's were you find the bench-clearing brawls.
By the way - one of the best Twins ever - Jack Morris. Now that was entertainment.
You must have loved Al Hrboski (sp?)---now that was grittiness.
I loved all the old-time Twins too but, is it just nostalgia for happier times with our team?
The Mad Hungarian - I loved his schtick.
Funny you should mention the 'good times' with our fair team. Mary, I'm a realist - 1987 was not a "good" team. They played in arguably the weakest division in baseball history and snuck into the playoffs with fewer than 90 wins. They stars aligned that year and granted the AL West in the division series and the AL in the World Series home field advantage.
This is the only reason this lovable team won it all.
1991 was a good baseball team and quite possibly a fluke - "worst to first" just doesn't happen too often.
Regardless, my love of past days has nothing to do with this success. It has everything to do with the passion with which they played.
Joe is just a symptom of what's ailing professional sports in general. I aimed my diatribe at him because, quite frankly, he's beautiful.
And I'm going to unload on him again if he doesn't thank me for spurring him on last night!
Post a Comment