Reusse Is An Interesting Read

Since I don't subscribe to either of the Twin Cities newspapers, I rarely get the chance to see the sports columnists' work. But now, sitting in my Embassy Suites hotel room (my wife and I are on a weekend getaway: a Twins game and a play) I had the chance to read commentary on last night's Twins game. It was interesting, seeing the game from my perspective only, not having a play-by-play guy influence my views on what happened. It turns out, I saw some things about last night's game (Friday) the same as Patrick Reusse, but a couple things differently.

First, I agree with Reusse's analysis of the Twins defense in general. They aren't being charged with a lot of errors, but they are not making the plays either. Several tailor made double play balls have turned into fielder's choices and the lack of great plays means they aren't making up for it. But Reusse's was a little too hard on shortstop Jason Bartlett for his error in Friday night's game.

Alfonso Soriano shattered his bat and rolled one to short. Reusse is right when he says "Bartlett bobbled the hop, bobbled the ball again, and wound up sitting in frustration on the turf." What he doesn't tell you is the barrel of the bat was flying right in Bartlett's line of vision. Find me someone who can ignore a jagged piece of lumber flying at him and concentrate on a ground ball and I'll be impressed. But Reusse conveniently missed that fact so he could make a stronger point.

The second thing I disagree with only somewhat. Reusse says "Mays drilled David Dellucci in apparent retribution for teammate Jones getting smacked by Texas' Ryan Drese..." Someone in a seat next to me said the same thing: it was Mays getting even. My wife asked if I thought so. I had to think about it, but I decided on "no" for a couple reasons. Yes, there were two outs and no one on, which is always the time to do something like that. But Mays was ahead in the count. He was facing the lead-off batter. Who wants to keep an inning going for the meat of the order? And, as it happens, the next hitter, Michael Young, went yard giving the Rangers their first spark. I think Mays would have more common sense than to hit the lead-off batter when things were going so well in his attempt to put together is first gem in years.

Overall, Reusse does a pretty good job of analyzing the game, and he is an entertaining read. It's just when he tries to make a little more out of something than is there, or leaves out important details, that he misses the mark.

***Coming tomorrow: Why it could hurt the Twins if the current stadium bill goes through.