$220 million!!! That could buy like all of Denny Hecker's old dealerships!
With our ears on the ground listening for news coming via the footsteps of the pony express, your loyal writers at BFMV.com have heard from an inside source with the team that the Twins have an agreement to sign your hometown hero Joe Mauer (a.k.a. Baby Jesus) to a 10 year contract worth in the area of $220 million!
If our source ends up correct (our fingers are crossed) an announcement is expected today or tomorrow … you heard it here first folks. Happy day during this snow and we’re welcoming Spring Training with what hopes to be a newly signed Joe Mauer in the near future.
FYI – we’ll also have our ears open to be the first to report news of #4 coming back in 2010!!
FYI part II - I feel like Jay Glazer (if I’m right on this … If I end of being wrong, I’ll feel like Ed Werder, Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen, Sid Hartman, Sal Paolantonio, etc …).
Former “slugger” Mark McGwire has come out with the shocking news that in fact, he used steroids. Wow. In other news, the sky is blue. Tell us something we don’t know, Mark.
These after the fact admissions really annoy the hell out of me. This information wasn’t important enough to be honest about when you were testifying in front of congress? Oh, wait a minute – “We aren’t here to talk about the past“….remind me to use that one next time I get accused/caught doing something I’m not supposed to be doing.
My girlfriend: “Did you forget that it was our anniversary/my birthday/Christmas/Valentines Day?”
Me: “Babe, I’m not here to talk about the past….” I don’t see any way how that wouldn’t work.
“I wish I had never touched steroids,” McGwire said in a statement. “It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era.” Oh, and by the way – McGwire also used HGH, but didn’t apologize for that.
According to reports, McGwire’s decision to admit using steroids was prompted by his decision to become hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, his final big league team. “I never knew when, but I always knew this day would come,” McGwire said. “It’s time for me to talk about the past and to confirm what people have suspected.”
I’m confused…So now we are talking about the past? (Don’t tell my girlfriend) But just when I want a new job? Or because I woke up this morning and decided to be a stand-up guy?
Baseball is a joke and becomes more and more of a joke as it lets players:
1) Get away with using PEDs by taking a almost laizze faire attitude towards drug testing in history of baseball.
2) Lie about it – See McGwire, Bonds, A-Rod, Canseco, Sosa, Palmeiro, Giambi, Tejada, etc…..
3) Doesn’t punish these players – ok, so you can’t suspend someone who isn’t in the league. But you can ban them from anything associated with MLB i.e. Pete Rose. McGwire cheated for over a decade – and you are going to not only let him be associated with MLB, but let him coach!?!?!?! Are you serious?!?!?
FYI – Don’t be surprised to hear from any of these players with a tearful “I shouldn’t have done this, it was so hard to tell my family, I didn’t honor the game……by the way my book is available at all Barnes & Noble booksellers and I’ll be at the Mall of America this Saturday for a book signing….” type B.S. statement.
And just for reference, here is something that will give you an idea of what would happen to any of you, if you were caught possessing steroids. Not me, though….I am setting records with my blogging. So I’ll get away with it because I need the HGH for all the carpal tunnel symptoms I get from typing up gems like this…
Well, the 2009 NFL regular season has come and gone. It went by a little too quick. But that means that the playoffs are here. And you know what makes the NFL playoffs a lot more interesting? The Vikings are in them! A #2 seed and playoff bye secured, the purple have been resting their weary bodies as the guru behing the Kick Ass Offense has been busy (ahem)game planning for the 3 possible Vikes opponents
So, being that we were basically perfect in our regular season predictions (I hope somebody went to Vegas and used our insight – though as much as it may seem, we are not a gambling website!), here are our head-to-head predictions for the NFL playoffs from your sports blogging idols.
Wild Card Round:
AFC:
NY Jets @ Cincinatti (-2.5) J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets….are going to L-O-S-E, lose, lose, lose. It in Cincinatti, Jets have a mediocre rookie QB at the helm. Expect a low scoring game, both defenses are better than the opposing offenses. Chad Ochocinco’s injury doesn’t sound too serious. Bengals 17-13.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Jets: Contrary to the overriding feeling that the Jets are “just happy to be here” after squeaking into the playoffs with a Week 17 victory and some help, the Jet do have two important things going in their favor: 1) Offensively they have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL. No matter the game, the Jets rushing attack is consistent. Consistently good. As a Fantasy Football Thomas Jones owner, I know first hand the punishment he and his counterparts dish out each week. A heavy dose of running will take the pressure off of their rookie QB and keep the ball out of Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco’s hands. 2) They have a shut down cornerback. And I mean SHUT DOWN. Darrelle Revis has my vote for AFC Defensive Player of the year. He’s been on fire all year. Last week versus the Bengals he held Ochocinco without a catch in the first half until he had to leave with a knee injury. We’re looking forward to this rematch always vocal Ochocinco and Sit Down and Shut Up Revis. If the Jets can hit on both of those fronts – minimizing the need to ride Sanchez and remove the Bengals playmaker from the offense – they will win the game.
Baltimore @ New England (-3.5) I have a feeling that the Patriot dynasty is beginning to crumble. Wes Welker, the 2nd most important player on the team (yes, even more important than Laurence Maroney) is out with a shredded knee. He tore both his ACL & MCL. Now unless, one of Tom Brady’s kids can suit up and fill in, I don’t see much offense out of them. Baltimore in an upset 20-16.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Patriots: It’s lost a little bit of a glitz and glamour, but the Pats still have fashion faux paux Belichick on their sidelines. They have a challenge gaming-planning now after playboy and new daddy Brady lost his top receiver last week. How will they get Randy Moss the ball? He’s sure to see double teams all day. How will they make sure Randy Moss shows up to play all four quarters? The offensive questions are minuscule compared to the defensive questions. How in the heck are they going to stop Ray Rice? That boy is like a bowling ball on wheels. And the only wheels the Pats defense has is their wheeled chairs waiting for them in the locker room. The case for the Patriots starts and stops with Coach Belichick’s ability to pull a rabbit out of his hat, out-scheme the Ravens and make another run to the Super Bowl – solidifying them as the team of the decade.
NFC:
Philly @ Dallas (-4) Dallas dominated Philly last week in a big game for both teams. The NFC East title on the line, a possible playoff bye for the Eagles. I have to go with the Eagles here, if only for what it makes possible to happen in the divisional round at the Dome….Philly wins 27-20.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Cowboys: I know, I know … Wade Phillips has never won a playoff game. And Andy Reid is UNDEFEATED in first round playoff games. And the Eagles scare me (as a Vikings fan, flashback to 2008 playoffs) more than the Cowboys do. But you’ve got to hand it to the ‘Boys – they’ve really turned it up and have been playing unbelievable of late. Their running game with Felix Jones back and healthy has really made Tony Romo and the offense dangerous. Speaking of Romo, he’s no longer always heaving the ball downfield. He’s taking the shorter, underneath routes which has limited his turnovers. A recipe for success. On the other side of the ball, I don’t know if there’s been a better defense the past three weeks of the season. As McNabb can attest, the D-line is possessed and stopping whatever is thrown at them. I actually like the Cowboys in this game after their beat down of the Eagles last week. And would welcome them to Mall of America field for a divisional round game.
Green Bay @ Arizona (-1) Seems like all of America is just slobbering over Green Bay…again. Gag me. I just want them to win so they can come to the Dome and get their asses kicked again. Green Bay wins 31-23.
Brett’s_BFF – The case for the Arizona: It’s been done before, folks. Last year in fact. Everyone’s whipping dog in 2009, the Cardinals proved everyone wrong by catching the fire ignited by Kurt Warner. Can this year be just like last year? It’ll have to be. The Cardinals are without Boldin this week which means Fitzgerald will have to bring a whopper of a game. Look for a more balanced offensive attack against the #1 run defense with Beanie Wells in an attempt to keep Aaron Rodgers off the field. That’s a tall order for Wells and company, especially after the blowout in Week 17. The real question for this game is which Arizona defense will show up? The one who completely dominated our Minnesota Vikings? Or the pansy, disinterested defense that’s shown up throughout the year. We’d love to see the Packers get ousted in the first round … just not as much as them getting ousted by our Vikings at Mall of America field.
Divisional Round:
AFC:
Baltimore @ Indianapolis Has there ever been a player more valuable to a team than Peyton Manning is to the Colts? My guess is they would struggle to be a .500 team w/o him. Baltimore comes off a win in N.E., but can’t muster up 2 upsets on the road in a row. Indianapolis 24-17.
Cincinnati @ San Diego Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means….a Chargers victory. Thank you, Ron Burgundy. Bar none, the hottest team in the NFL right now. See you in Miami. Chargers 38-14
NFC:
Philadelphia @ New Orleans 2 explosive offenses meet in the Big Easy for the right to play in the NFC Championship game. The “Who Dat Saints” (whatever the hell that means..anyone?) have looked more like the “Oh yeah, I remember…the Aints” lately and haven’t looked like a #1 seed since a beatdown of New England way back in week 11. If Philly is on with McNabb to Jackson/Maclin & Westbrook can come back and play, I expect a big upset – along with shredded defenses. Philly (gulp) wins 38-34.
Green Bay @ Minnesota Oh man, if this happens…it would be like total protonic reversal. Mass hysteria. Would John Madden come out of retirement for this one? I don’t think the Vikes would have as easy a time this go-round, the Packers have been playing some inspired ball. But I will do my part to distract Aaron Rodgers from section 105, row 28. You can thank me later. Vikes win 24-21.
Conference Championships:
San Diego @ Indianapolis Indy’s 14-0 start seems so long ago after a poor end to their season and a tough game against Baltimore. San Diego comes off a shellacking of the Bengals, still a very hot team. The Chargers go into Indy and out score the Colts. Enjoy your cross country flight to Miami. Chargers 31-27.
Philadelphia @ Minnesota Redemption for last year? As long as there is no T-Jack on the field. At home against Philly, I don’t think the Vikes season ends at the hands of the Eagles again. The Purple take this one 34-24.
Super Bowl
San Diego vs Minnesota If only this game were played on turf in a dome, the Vikes would run away with it. But its outdoors, on grass. We’ve all seen how the Vikes have played on the road and on grass. Though this is the same Chargers team that AP ran for an NFL record 296 yards against not too long ago. Maybe AP explodes again? Some Percy fireworks for the Florida fans? Brett Favre shops for a retirement home? All the Vikes need to do to guarantee a win is………..score more points than the Charges. GO VIKES!!!!
Posted on November 23, 2009 by Purple_PrideComments Off
I am going to be sooooo rich...
No, not #4 … yet …
Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer was named American League Most Valuable Player – and very deservedly so. Mauer hit .365 with a .444 On Base Percentage and .587 Slugging Percentage. He also set career highs with 28 homers and 96 RBIs, along with two of the best sideburns in baseball! Mauer is also the first player since Ichiro in 2001 to win the batting title, a gold glove, and the MVP in the same season! WOW!!! Congratulations Joe!!! We’re gonna go ahead and call that this is only the 2nd of about 7 MVPs that you’ll receive in your career!!
This begs 2 questions:
A) What will it take to sign Mauer to keep him a Twin for life?
B) Who is the guy who gave his 1st place vote to Miguel Cabrera??? Do they even watch baseball?!??!
Posted on November 6, 2009 by Purple_PrideComments Off
Ladies and Gentlemen, its over! What was your favorite Carlos Gomez in a Twins uniform moment?
I know its hard, there are so many to choose from. Which one is tops? Robbing A-Rod at the wall of a grand slam a la Kirby Puckett? Rounding 3rd and coming home to score the winning run in game #163 this year to send the Twins to the first round playoffs exit. Or maybe it was….ummmm……that one time he……when he was the best at……well, there is this, which is kind of funny.
CoGo (who even made that nickname up?!??!) has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for JJ Hardy.
Guess this means that Orlando Cabrera is not coming back?
Posted on October 13, 2009 by Bretts_BFFComments Off
Remembering the Dome
My first baseball games as a kid were at the Metrodome. I grew up watching Kirby (Kirrrbeee Puckett!) and Gladden and Hrbek all play there. Suffered through the bleak ‘90’s when Pohlad and the team stunk. Then, after the contraction fiasco, watched Radke and Santana and Hunter turn the team back from the dark side. And then of course the M&M boys. I won’t tear up from the memories, but there are many. Most of them good.
Since the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome has been the only place I’ve called home for Major League Baseball, it’s kind of bittersweet thinking of the dome era coming to an end. I remember going to the dome for Dairy Queen Hat days … and for years having flimsy Twins hats with the DQ logo on the side piling up in the closet. And eating soft serve ice cream out of the miniature Twins batting helmets making sure to eat every last bite so I could take it home with me and add it to the collection of plastic hats on my bookshelf at home. What about collecting plastic cups? Every kid had their collection of super humongous glasses from the dome right? And of course, always having your baseball glove in your lap ready for that foul ball – even if you did sit in the nosebleed seats so far up that Paul Bunyan himself couldn’t hit a ball up there.
Best of all – and well before its time – was the Homer Hanky. Preceded only by the Terrible Towel, the Homer Hanky became the rallying cry for the Twins during the playoffs. And gave birth to such things as the Tomahawk Chop, the Rally Monkey and the horrendous (no matter the sport) Thundersticks that would invade ballparks across the country.
And of course, Kirby Puckett. Every Minnesota kid loved him. Every Minnesota kid wanted to be just like him – throwing balls up and pretending to catch them against the center field fence stealing another homerun. If Yankee Stadium was the house the Ruth built. The Metrodome was the balloon that Puckett inflated. The energy he brought to the team and its fans may never be matched. As he famously told his teammates before Game 6 of 1991 World Series “Jump on my back. I’ll carry you.” – he certainly did that for Twins baseball at the Metrodome for many years.
The Magic was back one last time for the last three weeks of this season as the Twins closed out the Division Title. But like the Twins 2009 season, the Dome has grown tired and the Metrodome Magic faded.
And so it is time we say goodbye. The Twins now close the door on the Teflon-coated friendly confines and head to Target Field for baseball under the sun and stars. On real grass with real wind — and real weather.
There certainly will be chills running down my spine on opening day April 12th at 3:10pm. I’m just not sure if it will be chills of excitement or weather related.
Posted on October 1, 2009 by Bretts_BFFComments Off
Joe Mauer is a batting champ, MVP candidate … and thief? Did Joe Mauer tip off pitches to Jason Kubel from second base on Tuesday night? If he did, and it is part of the game, that just proves what Mom always told you growing up — stealing never pays off — as validated by the dead season the Twins are currently walking through right now.
The big question: if he was, indeed, stealing signs, do you consider that cheating or simply gamesmanship?
P.S. Mom also said “Don’t sit too close to the television, it’ll ruin your eyes.” So beware, I think that goes for computer screens too.
Posted on October 1, 2009 by Bretts_BFFComments Off
It was good while it lasted. Kind of.
Our beloved, small ball playin’, Piranha biting lovable Twins team is dead. After losing two of three (so far) to the Division leading Detroit Tigers the twinkies are now three games out with four to play. Three games back in a bad division. Any spark the team may have played with over the past three weeks doesn’t change the fact that this is a blemished team wasting some top-end talent in winnable, mediocre division.
We’ll touch on this more of the next week or so — and during the off season — but it’s time for Bill Smith and the Twins management to step up and prove that they’re ready to win next year in Target Field by 1) spending some of the new money they’ll see from the new ballpark and 2) be smarter. Smarter than the the previous twins management; smarter than the other teams vying for the same free agents; smarter than the agents who have routinely stiff armed the Twins management over the years.
It’s time to grow up.
2009 was an unacceptable year for the Minnesota Twins. Especially with a perennial MVP candidate and three time batting champ on the roster.
Received my #twins post season invoice. $12k spent on season tix isn't enough to get more playoff tix; MLB controls inventory for postseason10:17:46 AM August 30, 2010from web
Amazing restraint by #Twins: We fork over $350 million to help build TField, they wait 0 seasons to raise tix prices. #greedy10:13:43 AM August 30, 2010from web
Ladies and Gentlemen, its over! What was your favorite Carlos Gomez in a Twins uniform moment? 
