Historical Significance

I went to all four games versus Baltimore this weekend. That rain out on Friday was perfect, as it allowed me to buy a ticket to the make up game that I would normally have missed due to my second job. Not only did I get to attend both games of my first Double Header, but I got to see something completely remarkable.

I am so excited by the turn of events on Saturday night that I almost started a twitter account just so that I could tell Ken Tremendous about it (as well as compliment Parks and Rec).

Nick Punto, THE Nick Punto, Mr. .210, was INTENTIONALLY WALKED. Big deal you say? It was done to preserve force outs with first base empty. So what, right? Sure, he has become synonymous with the phrase "offensive liability," but hey, a baseball decision is a baseball decision right?

Nick Punto was intentionally walked to load the bases for THE CHOSEN ONE, JOE FUCKING MAUER.

Granted, Casilla was technically putting on a good little show in the on-deck circle, but with Harris pinch-running for Thome, the writing was on the wall that Alexi was leaving the game.

Keep-Swinging-Charlie-Maybe-You'll-Give-'em-a-Cold was given a free pass for the reigning MVP and Batting, Slugging, and On-Base Percentage Champion.

AND IT WORKED! Mauer struck out. A good decision by Mike Trembley. Who the hell would have put money on that?

Man, the atmosphere in The Bullseye when Punto started his jog down to first with a grin on his face was fantastic. Then we hear T.I. being pumped through the speakers...

"What you know about that? What you know about that?"
"Pinch hitting for Alexi Casilla... JOE MAUER!"

The crowd went fucking nuts. It was the best it has been at The Bullseye all year, for my money. And follow that up with Super Foxy Drew Butera's second career hit and first two RBI, and a game on Sunday that can only be described as a Pirahna Feeding Frenzy, and we have ourselves some exciting Twins baseball!