Nice and easy...

Warning: This may be the most wasteful use of pixels ever. It is self indulgent and should not be read by anyone.

I think on my lazy days I like to write about things that are completely un-scientific and untrackable. Today is one such day.

My Dad used to tell me (in any sport) "Ok, nice and easy." I always thought he was telling me to be smooth or slow and dilleberate. I have learned since then the wisdom he was trying to impart on me. I know understand what he was telling me to mean "take it easy, relax."

With Our Beloved Twins un-officially out of the race for October ball games, the baseball purest in me cannot give up on the team or the season. This can be an exciting time for baseball fans even when your team is...well...fighting the Tigers for third place. There is something so intriguing to me about a team who is simply playing the game. I would like to believe that there is something pure about guys like Morneau and Bartlett hammering out the kinks in their major league game quietly in the shadows of teams making noise in a pennant push.

So this is where I draw my main interist as far as this season goes. And I ask this question "does a team playing for nothing play differently than a team playing for the postseason?" In other words, does Morneau feel a little better at the plate knowing he can focus on his swing and working counts vs knowing he is counted on to be the Kent Hrbeck to bring us to glory? Does Bartlett feel like he can focus on learning the pace and rythem of the majors instead of needing to be the instant fix of a revamped infield?

I would think that the answer to my question could depend on alot of factors not the least of which could be individual resiliance to adversity. Another factor may be how experienced a player is.

Hopefully I am right (which has actually happened before) and this is a time which we will see a team of young men learn to relax and play the game. We could be in for a sneak preview of what this team is capable of when they can just play.

My arguement for this could be 2001 when no one expected a thing from OBT and they had a pretty decent year. Expectations were low so there was no pressure. You could add 2002 to this but by 2003 and 2004 there were expectations at least locally.

I know what you're saying, "But they are professionals and shouldn't be affected by fan expectation." I can agree that I would like them to not be affected. But the bottom line is that baseball players, especially young ones are vulnerable to mental pressures just as you and I are. And speaking for myself personally, I hate feeling like I have let people down.

So to my favorite baseball team I offer this time tested piece of wisdom, "nice and easy boys, nice and easy."



Boston 11 Twins 7
Hell I almost forgot to mention yesterdays score. As for my hope of a series sweep I guess that may have been asking for alot considering the opponent. But it was kinda neat to put a 9th inning rally together and have the tying run at the plate. I'm pretty sure I jynxed it (sorry Twins territory) when I said outloud "Come on Jaque take this one for a ride." I got greedy and the baseball gods ended the game before I could knock on wood. Again...sorry.