2009 Baseball Spring Training

02/12/2009 8:37 pm
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Since pitchers and catchers are reporting for some teams, I'm starting the official Spring Training 2009 blog.
2887.gifAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
02/15/2009 @ 07:05:09 PM
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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3906479

Hall out 4-6 weeks, opening door for Gamel? When do the rest of the players report?
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
02/17/2009 @ 07:28:24 PM
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Gagne to Brewers on minor league deal with possible performance incentives. I'm loving it. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3914137

Hart and Brewers split the difference and avoid arbitration. After going through the stats on that other thread I changed my mind about a multi-year deal at this point, he needs to prove he can make adjustments at the plate first instead of turning into the next Bill Hall. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3914276
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
02/20/2009 @ 08:38:09 PM
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I'll start using Scott's blog arena here:
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090220&content_id=3858430&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min
Poor Punto?
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jon.jpgJon - 1000000 posts (and counting!)
02/21/2009 @ 04:53:50 AM
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I'm a buscher fan, but I like the idea of Crede. Sure, he may end up injured more often than on the field, but I like the move anyway for the potential. His avg/obp aren't that great but he makes up some of that with power. Plus, anecdotally, I feel like he's hurt the twins a lot playing against them. So I checked it out, because I didn't want to get proven wrong later, and I was right. He went 400/.429/1.050 (as the kids like to say) against us last year.
Then again, he kind of sucked the year before, but still.
The terms aren't out yet, but I doubt it'll break the Twins if he doesn't pan out. Plus, it's nearly spring and time to be optimistic.

P.S. Sarah, I think Punto is the starting shortstop. Which is a good thing. I think.
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reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - I'm flippin' burgers / you at Kinko's straight flippin' copies
02/21/2009 @ 08:55:40 AM
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I like the Crede signing as well. I was a fan of the Buscher/Harris platoon, but more so because it was cheap than because it was going to be overly successful. I just didn't like the idea of signing one of the good offense/bad defense third basemen that were out there this year for $4-7 million. (Wiggington, etc.). But Crede plays outstanding defense which is a huge upgrade over the other corner guys available, and he provides great protection for Mauer and Morneau, which they didn't have last year. If he plays most of the season, then we got a bargain. If he gets hurt, then we were under budget this year anyway, and there's no way he's going to be as bad as Tony Batista or Mike Lamb.

I think it would actually be poor Matt Tolbert. Seems like he had a good chance of being the reserve infielder if everything stayed pat. Which is too bad, because I really liked him when I was at spring training last year. He was always in the batting cages working and signed a ton of autographs for kids. I hope he becomes Gardenhire's new "hard-working even though he's not really that good" man-crush after Punto eventually leaves.

Also read that they might make a play for Juan Cruz from Arizona in a sign and trade. That would really jam the bullpen, unless Bonser starts the year on the DL. But its hard to turn down a 95-mph fastball if they can get him for a minor leaguer, although he walks a ton of guys as well.
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reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
02/21/2009 @ 09:01:58 AM
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Did anyone know the Twins drafted a kid names Shooter Hunt, who was nicknamed after the Hoosiers character. This kid better be a star, because I want a Shooter Hunt jersey, not to mention a Jimmy Chitwood jersey.
Shooter Hunt
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reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - They just want the damn ash of that field
02/21/2009 @ 11:00:55 AM
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Looks like Crede's deal is $2.5M base with $7M in incentives based on plate appearances. Starts at 250PA and the $7M comes at 525.

I think this is an even better deal now. He originally wanted $7M base plus incentives to $11-12M. I think $9.5M for 525 PA's is fine, and its a small loss if he craps out.

Plus there's the added satisfaction of knowing the the Twins put the screws to Scott Boras and he gave in.

EDIT: The deal maxes out at $7M if he hits all his incentives, so even better than originally reported.
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Micah perfected this at 02/22/2009 3:29:31 am
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
02/21/2009 @ 12:10:16 PM
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Ok, so not to nag people, but can we kind of get a head count for this Milwaukee/St. Louis trip? Tickets go on sale Feb 28th I believe (I nominate Matt to buy the tickets since he's our unofficial ticket person). Or do we not care about good tickets and want to wait and see until it gets closer to game day(s)? This is like the only thing I have to look forward to so I want to have something concrete soon. emoticon
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newalex.jpgAlex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated
02/21/2009 @ 12:26:33 PM
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Alex Wrote - 02/15/2009 @ 07:05:09 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3906479

Hall out 4-6 weeks, opening door for Gamel? When do the rest of the players report?


Or not http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090218&content_id=3844760&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil
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IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto
02/21/2009 @ 02:16:07 PM
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Can't argue with the deal. A potential everyday thirdbaseman and right handed power hitter is something the Twins really needed. A signifigant upgrade over the Buscher/Harris platoon if Crede stays healthy. If he doesn't the Twins have a plan b and don't waste a lot of money.
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thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - 3875 Posts
02/22/2009 @ 02:52:16 AM
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Micah Wrote - Yesterday @ 09:01:58 AM
Did anyone know the Twins drafted a kid names Shooter Hunt, who was nicknamed after the Hoosiers character. This kid better be a star, because I want a Shooter Hunt jersey, not to mention a Jimmy Chitwood jersey.
Shooter Hunt


I remember following the draft last year and being happy with the pick. He was a rated as one of the better pitchers in the draft and, instead of reaching for a player like the Twins sometimes do, they actually went with the, perhaps, best player on the board at the time.

Anyway, Aaron Gleeman has him as the #5 prospect for the Twins this year, so hopefully we should be able to see him in the majors in a year or two.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
02/22/2009 @ 09:10:49 AM
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Twins preview on MLB network right now! Yay!
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reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
02/25/2009 @ 12:06:23 PM
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Bonser is undergoing exploratory surgery. I've read anywhere from the 60-day DL to out for most of the season depending on what they find. This definitely makes the bullpen situation easier, although it sucks if it ends up meaning Bonser is done with the Twins without us getting to see if he could be a capable reliever. Hopefully it ends up being minor.

Edit: Bonser has torn labrum and torn rotator cuff...out for season

Is there a fantasy league yet?
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Micah perfected this at 02/25/2009 2:06:16 pm
matt.jpgMatt - 3875 Posts
02/25/2009 @ 05:13:02 PM
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Micah Wrote - Today @ 12:06:23 PM
Is there a fantasy league yet?


Now there is. Info/link/discussion here.
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - A Vote for me is a Vote against Terrorism! ...or atleast just wasted.
02/26/2009 @ 02:28:41 PM
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I'm at home watching the Houston/Atlanta game- they keep talking about how awesome the Twins young pitching staff is- even without Boof (laff) and especially with a healthy Liriano.

They've made a lot of nice remarks about the Twins; happy day!
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
02/26/2009 @ 08:12:53 PM
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Corey Hart homered in the first spring training game.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - So's your face
03/01/2009 @ 12:47:26 PM
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That's cool. I missed the Twins, it's nice to watch them on TV for spring training.
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
03/01/2009 @ 01:09:18 PM
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Ok, so tickets have been on sale for a whole day... What's everyone status on going to games? 1, 2 to Milwaukee, 1,2,3 to St Louis, 1 to KC? Just throwing this out there...
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flower .jpgPackOne - 1528 Posts
03/01/2009 @ 08:44:01 PM
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I am going to one game at Miller Park, or were you looking for more than that?
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
03/02/2009 @ 08:02:46 AM
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Anyone want to go to the Trop down in St. Pete?
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/02/2009 @ 08:12:58 AM
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I wish. Drove by it last January though
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scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
03/02/2009 @ 02:37:06 PM
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I enjoy watching baseball anyway, but the Trop has the unique distinction of being an even worse place to watch a game than the Metrodome.
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scott.jpgScott - If you aren't enough without it, you'll never be enough with it.
03/03/2009 @ 02:48:34 PM
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Hart is batting .700 so far.
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reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - They just want the damn ash of that field
03/03/2009 @ 03:47:56 PM
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Delmon Young is batting .857, although I think he still does a complete 360 every time a ball is hit to left field.

I won't know about STL until April, so I will get tickets then if I can go and just sneak down to wherever you guys are.
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IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
03/03/2009 @ 08:01:41 PM
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I will probably go to at least 2 possibly 3 of the Twins games vs STL. I usually wait till a little closer to the event to buy tickets. If anyone needs a place to stay I have one spare bedroom in my house.
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sarah.jpgSarah - So's your face
03/06/2009 @ 07:12:36 PM
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Twins tickets go on sale tomorrow!
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - A Vote for me is a Vote against Terrorism! ...or atleast just wasted.
03/06/2009 @ 08:27:24 PM
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what kind of tickets are you all getting? we'll probably opt for resrved spots.

Anyone else notice griffey was left and not center? I don't know that I've paid attention to him during his Reds years, but I imagne since he's 40 he can't cover like he used to.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Robots don't say 'ye'
03/07/2009 @ 07:50:37 PM
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All we could get was gen ad tickets for Opening Day. We got seats in 226 for the last game at the dome.
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/08/2009 @ 04:50:59 PM
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I think we have freebees for 136 or 137 or something for game one. I'm not positive, they're through a friend of Meagen's.
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scott.jpgScott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue.
03/09/2009 @ 10:50:00 AM
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I went to a Reds-Blue Jays spring training game on saturday. It wasn't much of a game, but it was still a good time. Dusty Baker took time after BP to sign a bunch of autographs; so that was pretty cool. I got pretty close to him, close enough to shake his hand if I wanted to.
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2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
03/09/2009 @ 12:46:42 PM
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Quit fraternizing with the enemy!
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jon.jpgJon - 1000000 posts (and counting!)
03/14/2009 @ 12:09:46 AM
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Scott Wrote - 03/09/2009 @ 10:50:00 AM
I went to a Reds-Blue Jays spring training game on saturday.

Alex Wrote - 03/09/2009 @ 12:46:42 PM
Quit fraternizing with the enemy!


Yeah! I agree with Alex. Those Blue Jays are Canadians you know.
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
03/16/2009 @ 08:29:52 PM
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We're getting the Twins game on the TV this year!!emoticon DirectTV had better not be the sux.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - 9475 Posts
03/16/2009 @ 10:38:17 PM
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Yeah, we'll have to start charging admission. emoticon
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Jeremy perfected this at 03/16/2009 10:38:28 pm
face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/17/2009 @ 08:52:27 AM
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Sarah Wrote - Yesterday @ 08:29:52 PM
We're getting the Twins game on the TV this year!!emoticon DirectTV had better not be the sux.


I know a dude who installs DTV in EC. You do too, none other than William Tubbs.
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jeremy.jpgJeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?"
03/17/2009 @ 09:31:03 AM
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No kidding. Well, hopefully I see him Saturday between noon and 4.
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IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto
03/17/2009 @ 12:23:43 PM
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Sarah Wrote - 12/31/1969 @ 06:00:00 PM
We're getting the Twins game on the TV this year!!emoticon DirectTV had better not be the sux.


I have direct TV and I think it is awesome. Just make sure your house isn't located in a forest. And be ready to deal with minor signal problems during bad weather and knock the snow off the dish during the winter.
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fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - The pig says "My wife is a slut?"
03/17/2009 @ 12:41:30 PM
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Well the on demand stuff comes in over the internet, and we download a lot of shows anyway, so I think we'll be ok. The call to cancel Charter took like 2 seconds, I couldn't believe it. No hard sell, no games, no "well, why don't try [something we don't want]." I think it was because I had a reason there's no getting around. Charter doesn't offer the Twins games, there's no switch she can flip for that. Anyway, then she looked at internet only plans and found that we could get a year long trial of the 20mbps service for the cost of the 5mbps we had, so now we have that. Also, we're getting an HD-DVR, so we'll finally be able to pause our shows to let Hooch out every 45 seconds.

I've called Charter for other issues and the call was a nightmare, I guess they save the best service for when you're leaving.
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/17/2009 @ 02:24:48 PM
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or when your bill is 4x what it's supposed to be- that was the easiest customer service call ever.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
03/30/2009 @ 08:38:58 PM
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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=4028070
is this a big deal? seems like the brewers never have a closer.
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
03/30/2009 @ 11:49:59 PM
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I'm not too worried, sounds like as long as he doesn't try to rush it right now it shouldn't be a lingering problem.
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scott.jpgScott - No, I did not change your screen saver settings
03/31/2009 @ 07:35:18 AM
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Just for the record, except for last year, the Brewers have had a number of good closers. Dan Kolb--All Star, Francisco Cordero--All Star, Derrick Turnbow--All Star. They haven't all lasted that long, but to say the Brewers never have a closer is not accurate. I hope Hoffman pans out this year, because in all reality, it was indeed the lack of a solid closer that I think was the difference in their season last year. Your entire pitching staff is just more at ease when you know you can rely on the 9th inning guy.
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - "Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else."
03/31/2009 @ 11:03:44 AM
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Micah- we need an update. What do you have to report?
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
03/31/2009 @ 06:46:58 PM
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Yea, I haven't seen you at the two games I watched, are you sitting in the clubhouse or something?
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - "The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the lawnmower."
03/31/2009 @ 08:37:44 PM
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I watched yesterday's hoping for a sighting. Nothing!
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sarah.jpgSarah - 4605 Posts
04/02/2009 @ 08:19:58 PM
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http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090402&content_id=4108752&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min

I'm not sure if our chances for winning just increased or decreased, based off of Liriano's last start.
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thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - Ombudsman
04/02/2009 @ 09:50:14 PM
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One upside to this is that knuckleballer R. A. Dickey will open as the 5th starter and pitch on the 10th.
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2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
04/03/2009 @ 01:37:08 PM
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Gwynn is odd man out for bench outfielders, put on waivers

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/42367217.html
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thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - Washington Bureau Chief
04/03/2009 @ 03:07:32 PM
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He cleared waivers and is going to Triple-A Nashville.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
04/04/2009 @ 10:01:10 PM
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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?page=powerrankings_preseason09

Suck it Brewers. Just rewatched the last few innings of the Sept 25th game against the White Sox, I can't wait for Monday!!!
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newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
04/05/2009 @ 04:26:17 PM
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Baseball starts today!
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vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
04/05/2009 @ 08:38:20 PM
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Huzzah!

Where you fools sitting at the Homerdome- are you going? I think our tix say section 136.
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hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4605 Posts
04/05/2009 @ 08:40:06 PM
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General Admission- only the best for us!
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face.bmpCarlos44ec - "Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else."
04/07/2009 @ 08:01:20 AM
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That guy got knocked a good one. He should have been paying attention, he was sitting in the hot zone down there!
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scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/07/2009 @ 08:29:49 AM
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Carlos44ec Wrote - Today @ 09:01:20 AM
That guy got knocked a good one. He should have been paying attention, he was sitting in the hot zone down there!

Are you talking about a spring training game? Because this is the spring training thread.
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