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Posted October 3, 2o06
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Athleticism Helped Jump Twins to Title
When
the Twins weren’t winning earlier in the season, manager
Ron Gardenhire’s reaction was that the team lacked
athleticism. The Twins were out of character from their style of
aggressive base running and forcing other teams to make mistakes.
“As
it (the season) went along we realized we just were not athletic
enough,” Gardenhire said. “We just didn’t have enough speed to do those
things (running the bases, forcing mistakes). When we made the changes,
when we put speed in the lineup, I think it kind of set a tone for
wrecking havoc on people.
“We’re a team that likes to run. …I sure like it when those guys are
stealing bases and running around and diving all over the place. …I
think once we did that the guys got into it and everybody took part in
it. … You don’t see people jogging too many times around here. They’re
hauling it and running and busting their tails.”
The
Twins became better defensively and on the bases by exchanging third
baseman Tony Batista and shortstop Juan Castro for
Nick Punto and Jason Bartlett. The athleticism on the left
side of the infield complemented the already effective right side
defense with second baseman Luis Castillo and first baseman
Justin Morneau. Batista and Ruben Sierra had been part of a
plan to add more power that didn’t work.
On
the morning of May 28 the Twins’ record was 22-26 and the team was 12.5
games behind the Central Division leading Detroit Tigers. The Twins won
the division on the last day of the season, finishing with 96 wins, just
one fewer than the two winningest teams in baseball the Mets and
Yankees.
“I
will remember this team for an amazing comeback and being a really,
really close unit out there in the clubhouse, just like the 2002 team,”
Gardenhire said. That club was Gardenhire’s first division championship
team. |
“We just didn’t have enough speed to do
those things (running the bases, forcing mistakes). When we made the
changes, when we put speed in the lineup, I think it kind of set a tone
for wrecking havoc on people."
Ron Gardenhire
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Twins
Ron Gardenhire |
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Gardenhire Doesn’t
Give a ‘Flying Flip’
Gardenhire will be a favorite to win the American League Manager of the
Year award. His reaction? “I don’t give a flying flip about (that)
because that’s a coaching staffing of the year (award) as far as I am
concerned and a team of the year,” he said. He also said there is “no
doubt” his staff is the most deserving in the league for recognition.
While
the manager of the year, most valuable player and Cy Young awards will
require votes, Joe Mauer won the American
League batting title with a .347 average becoming the first catcher ever
to accomplish that in the American League. He also is the first catcher
ever to lead the major leagues in hitting, finishing ahead of Freddy
Sanchez of the Pirates who hit .344.
Morneau finished second in the league in RBI with 130 while batting .321
with 34 home runs. He will gather a lot of support for the league MVP
award.
Gardenhire said last week the impressive seasons of Mauer, 23, and
Morneau, 25, fit their profiles of hitting success in the minors but he
admitted their accomplishments so early in their major league careers is
“pretty amazing.” The performances of the two hitters in their second
full seasons demonstrate continued improvement, he added.
Pitcher Johan Santana, 27, is likely to win his second Cy Young
award in three seasons after finishing with a 19-6 record and 2.77 ERA.
Santana is expected to pitch twice for the Twins in the opening playoff
series if five games are played between Minnesota and the Oakland
Athletics, winners of the American League West Division. |
Gardenhire wants credit directed to his coaching staff,
not himself.
Photo
courtesy of the Minnesota Twins
Johan Santana |
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Marko Jaric, Yao Ming Share Tutor
Timberwolves guard-forward Marko Jaric
finished last season averaging 7.8 points and 3.9 assists per game, down
from his career high numbers of 9.9 and 6.1 in 2004-05 with the Los
Angeles Clippers. After starting the first 46 game games, his minutes
became more limited and he shot just 39 percent from the field. At
times he played like a player low on energy.
This
off-season Jaric, who at 6-7 gives the Wolves a versatile player at
point guard, off-guard or small forward, didn’t play national basketball
for Serbia-Montenegro. What he did was spend almost three months every
day working with one of the hot names among personal trainers in the
NBA, Todd Troxel. Earlier in the off-season Troxel had been in
China working with star center Yao Ming of the Chinese national
team and the NBA’s Houston Rockets.
With
Troxel’s input, Jaric focused on various aspects of his game including
ball handling, shooting, becoming stronger and more effective in drawing
contact. “It helped me a lot. …Working out with him gave me self
confidence,” Jaric said.
He
indicated Troxel was a steady influence, detail oriented and ready to
spot mistakes. Troxel has also tutored former Gopher Joel Pryzbilla,
now with the Portland Trailblazers.
Jaric
said he didn’t know what position he will play for the Wolves. “I know
this team is going to use me in the right way,” he said. “They will use
me (and) that’s the most important thing for me. I am going to find my
way and then we will see during the season which will be my major spot
(position)."
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“It helped me a lot. …Working out with him
gave me self confidence."
Marko Jaric
Marko Jaric
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Extra Innings
Vikings coach Brad Childress talking about
cornerback Antoine Winfield:
“With his physical stature, first of all, I don’t know anybody that hits
harder than that guy pound-for-pound. I mean we’re talking about coming
up and taking on offensive linemen, sticking a knife in a sweep, hitting
the screen. …Deep thinker. He’s with the program. …”
Special teams coordinator Paul Ferraro said whether
Troy Williamson returns kickoffs depends on Williamson’s physical
condition and input from Childress.
The
Twins finished the season at 96-66 after a record of 83-79 last season.
The home and road records were 54-27 and 42-39, compared with 45-36 and
38-43 in 2005.
Talking about his unusual facial expressions when pitching, Twins
reliever Pat Neshek said he first became aware
of them while viewing video tape in the minor leagues: “I never even
noticed that until I watched the videos every night and reviewed what I
did the night before…it’s pretty funny.” He added, “I don’t think it
intimidates anybody. It just looks funny.”
Twins
pitching coach Rick Anderson said opposing pitchers and hitters
make adjustments to one another in a playoff series, but hitters gain
more advantage as a series progresses.
It
was 50 years ago this October the Gophers enjoyed one of their few wins
against Michigan, defeating the Wolverines 20-7 in Ann Arbor. The
Gophers rallied from a 7-0 halftime deficit to score 20 second half
points behind quarterback Bobby Cox. The game helped the Gophers
to a 6-1-2 season, a near Rose Bowl invitation and national publicity
for Cox. The next season Cox became the only Gopher football player
ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
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Troy Williamson
The next season Cox became the only Gopher
football player ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
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