Tonights Twins Game

I made myself a promise when i started this that i wouldn't become a homer and keep this light and fun. But tonight i saw this line:

Torii Hunter 0 0 0 0

Now after this post i will continue my self-depreciating, ripping on athletes way, but that box score sticks in my mind.

Normally that box score in a Spring Training game would mean that Torii took a walk and maybe a sacrifice bunt and then took a seat in the dugout to bask in the Florida sun, not this time, Kyle Lohse had other plans.

Now I have been involved with the Kyle Lohse era for several years as a Twins fan. He had some promise, and some really good games, but at the end of the day he would end up with a 4.5-6.0 ERA and be a clubhouse nemisis. His best traits were his fastball and his love for himself. If you know baseball, you know the Twins clubhouse is the loosest in the game. I can just imagine Loshy sitting in the corner saying "Why won't anyone play chess with me". It was not a good situation and never was.

Lohse always thought he was better than he was, worth more. I believe he actually won an arbitration hearing that probably made Terry Ryan go "What the #$@&" while on the crapper.
Lohse is a self-promoting, me before we, type of guy. That is his M.O.

Now the Twins traded him away. My guess is he had a little revenge in his heart. He was suppose to be the next Jim Kaat, the next Bert Blyleven, the next Frank Viola. Frankly he couldn't live up to being the next Les Straker. And that is in no offense to Les.

So what happens Friday. Lohse is on the mound with 1 run in and runners on 2nd and 3rd. What do you do to the organization that gave up on you? In his mind i am sure it is plunk the guy that is the face of the franchise. 1st base is open, why not load it, and then maybe i can get the next guy to swing at a pitch near the batter's box.

Result: Torii Hunter, in the dirt for 4 minutes after being hit in the head.

Now, i dont believe that Lohse was trying to hit Torii in the head, i just think his control is that bad. I believe he was trying to hit him, but couldn't aim a baseball towards the thigh without it drifting up. Hence the shots he gave up over the Baggie.

The thing of this is, it is a Spring Training game, you are exacting your revenge against the Twins organization while we have Louie the groundskeeper playing LF. So What! You were getting shelled in a preseason game, your thought process is "Let's hit a guy and then fake an injury" If thats your goal then you wont ever be able to sniff Terry Felton's jock. At least he had guts.

Lohse went to see if Torii was Ok and Gardy patted him on the shoulder. I wouldn't have been so accepting. I might have sent Morneau out for a "talk" with him. I think his attempt at sympathy went away when he decided to throw at him, knowing his control bites.

I have seen Lohse for several years, whether he threw at Torii's head, i doubt. Whether he threw at Torii and he is a horrible pitcher, i agree.

After Torii said he couldnt hear in one ear, though thankfully that has now come back. Torii blamed the lights at the stadium but i disagree, even if this was lighted by Dustin Diamonds career before Saved By The Bell ended, it was still at your head.

The situation (guys on 2nd and 3rd), the trade and your attitude as a Twin, suggest otherwise.

So to Kyle, hope your hammy heals, as it seemed to flair up after you hit the face of the Twins.