Go C’s! May 13, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, NBA playoffs
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This past winter I decided to pretend basketball did not exist. The Timberwolves were terrible, the Hawkeyes were terrible, and I just couldn’t force myself to watch my teams lose. But now that it’s playoff time I get to root for teams that can actually win more than 15 games. So who do I choose to root for?
Why, the Celtics of course. Yes, it’s mostly because of KG, but I also like their style of play and most of the players on the team. I think Rondo has talent beyond his years (and is only getting better), and I have always liked Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
It’s not that I don’t like LeBron James, in fact, I think he is the best player in the league no-questions-asked. And it’s not that I don’t like any of the other teams (although I hate many of the Lakers players, but maybe surprisingly I don’t hate Kobe), I just like the C’s.
If I can’t root for the Timberwolves, I’m going to root for a team that I like that can actually win. And the Celtics fulfill both those criteria. Hence, GO CELTICS!
Jon Rauch May 13, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: closer, Joe Nathan, Jon Rauch, Minnesota, Twins
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Keeping in the same hopeful Twins vein, I just read an article from the Star Tribune on Jon Rauch and oddly enough, it reminded me of how well he is doing this season. He is 9-for-9 in save opportunities which ties him for third in the American League. He seems to be pitching really well and has been a great replacement for the injured Joe Nathan so far this season.
Now, a couple weeks back I had a girl tell me that Jon Rauch is better than Joe Nathan…..needless to say I was unconvinced. And I still am. But I have really been impressed by the big guy and I’m really just extremely happy that the team found a solution to its closer problem.
Now as a sports fan I of course realize how much jinxing power these past two posts have. I am always superstitious that as soon as I say something is going really well, that it will immediately tank. And while I’m not trying to get ahead of myself and I’m only saying he has done well SO FAR, and the club is doing well SO FAR, it’s probably best to knock on wood anyway.
Twins win May 13, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: Carl Pavano, John Danks, Minnesota, Twins, White Sox
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The Twins beat the White Sox today in a solid win that leaves the club up 2.5 games in the division. The game was essentially a pitchers duel between Carl Pavano and the White Sox’s John Danks. The low scoring affair (3-2 was the final score) was typical of Twins-White Sox games over the past few years, and just like the last few years, the Twins won.
Like I’ve said before, it just feels so good to beat the White Sox, it never really gets old. I’ve been impressed by the team thus far and I think we could have a very successful season if they stay on track. Let’s just hope it happens.
Heckuva Achievement May 9, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: Dallas Braden, MLB, Oakland, perfect game, Twins
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Something happened today that has only happened 19 times in over 100 years.
Today Dallas Braden of the Oakland Athletics threw a perfect game.
It is truly a stunning feat. To retire 27 consecutive batters is mind-boggling and such an accomplishment deserves recognition. My hat is off to you, Dallas Braden.
If you’re wondering why that name sounds familiar it may be because earlier this year the young pitcher called out Alex Rodriguez after he broke one of baseball’s unwritten rules and walked across the pitcher’s mound. A-Rod claimed he had never heard of such a rule, but believe me, Braden is 100% correct. It’s something you simply don’t do. You don’t step on the mound, and if you’re a Rays player today, you don’t even get to stand on first base while Braden is around.
This 26-year-old pitcher definitely has himself squared away.
In other baseball news the Twins beat the Orioles 6-0 today to split the series. It was a very solid win for the Twins and it was nice to have Mauer back in the lineup. Nick Blackburn had a nice game on the mound going seven strong innings, but as far as pitchers are concerned the day still definitely belongs to Braden.
To read more about Dallas Braden’s perfect game check out this well-researched AP article. (His grandmother was there!)
Not Tebow (Round 2) April 27, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: Chris Cook, NFL, NFL Draft, Tim Tebow, Toby Gerhart, Vikings
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Although this post is admittedly late, I thought I would be doing my readers an injustice if I did not follow up on the NFL draft.
In Round 2 the Vikings selected, you guessed it, Not Tebow!
They actually drafted some guy named Chris Cook that nobody’s ever heard of (I would supply a highlight reel but there aren’t any), and that’s fine with me, because he’s Not Tebow!
Now, maybe five years from now when Tebow leads the Broncos to Super Bowl victory I will be eating my words, but for now I could care less. Let the Broncos have the Kleenex sponsorship (Tebow would be a great spokesman) and let us keep our sanity and faiths to ourselves.
I like the Cook pick, and I even like the Toby Gerhart pick. I think we will have another strong team this year capable of going far in the playoffs and best of all, Tim Tebow will not be on our team.
Not Tebow April 22, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: NFL Draft, Tim Tebow, Vikings
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So the NFL Draft is tonight. And guess what? Tim Tebow is still available to be drafted.
Despite all my wishing that he will bow out and decide to become a full time crybaby, he is still available. And there is really only one thing I want to see from tonight’s draft: that Tebow will still be available after the Vikings make their pick.
I guess someone can sabotage their own team and pick him up before the Vikings pick, that would be fine too. But I just really don’t want Tebow on my team. I don’t doubt his competitive nature, he has shed enough losing tears to prove that I guess. I doubt his skill.
I don’t care if Favre is coming back or not, I just don’t want him on this team. Too big of a personality for a team that is on track toward Championships. We need to put faith in a proven QB (Big Ben anyone?) and not set our sights on Tebow’s potential.
As I already said, I think we should trade up for stud CB Eric Berry, but if not, anyone is fine, as long as that anyone is not Tebow.
Historic win April 12, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB, Target Field, Twins
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Although this blog has become a lot more about Minnesota sports than I originally intended, it just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t say something else about this historic day.
The Minnesota Twins won their first ever game at Target Field today, defeating the Boston Red Sox by a final score of 5-2.
And you can take that one to Cooperstown.
It was an historic win, and will forever be a part of Twins history. It was a great start to a new era and let us look forward to many more Twins wins at Target Field.
As always, Go Twins!
This is it April 12, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: MLB, Target Field, This is it, Twins
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This is it. The day we have all waited for.
Outdoor baseball has returned to Minnesota.
This is a glorious day my fellow Minnesotans. And while in reality I am stuck here in corn country, in my heart I am wandering the wondrous Target Field with thousands of other Twins fans, basking in the beautiful Minnesota sun.
I am officially declaring a state holiday. Let today be known as Target Field Day, and Go Twins!
We need Eric Berry April 11, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: Eric Berry, NFL, NFL Draft, Vikings
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After losing in the NFC Championship game this past season, there are high expectations for the Vikings next season. regardless of whether or not the great Brett Favre, who flip-flops more than John Kerry and is probably as old, returns or not, the Vikings are in need of a cornerback.
There are a few good possibilities out there, and while I would like to see the Vikings take my fellow Hawkeye Amari Spievey, I agree with draft guru Mel Kiper and others in saying that Eric Berry from Tennessee is the best CB in the draft.
Seriously, just look at these highlights, made all the more thrilling by the amazing soundtrack.
Yes, we would definitely need to trade up to get him (currently projected as a top-10 pick) but I say it’s worth it. By really going after him it would show the entire nation that we will be contenders next season, with or without Favre.
Many analysts say that a cornerback is our team’s last missing piece, so let’s fill that void.
It’s always nice April 11, 2010
Posted by jdoetkott in Sports.Tags: MLB, Twins, White Sox
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It’s always nice to beat the White Sox.
And apart from the obvious implications it has on the central division standings, it’s mostly nice because it makes Sox fans unhappy. And everybody knows the only thing worse than the White Sox are White Sox fans.
So I was very happy to see the Twins take the series from the Sox, even if they couldn’t complete the sweep this afternoon. The club is now 5-2 after winning their first two series (they beat the Angels 3 games straight after dropping the opener) and are showing the power the line-up is capable of.
I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen so far, and I think this could be a good year for the Twins.
But for now, it’s just always nice to beat the White Sox.
One Lost Loon 