Tuesday, January 29, 2008

SAINT SANTANA. [view from the twins]

Last week, I decided that it was high time that I said something about the Santana Situation. Given that my blogging idol was the inimitable Bat Girl, I knew more about the Twins than most folks since I cut my teeth reading her writing about her team. As a result, I have this odd but charming alliance with more than a few Twins bloggers.

I reached out to a few of them last week to get their thoughts, and was waiting for everyone to respond before posting. However, no time like the present.

Let’s meet our first blogger, Lipgloss & Baseball.

As a die-hard Twins fan, what do we need to know about Johan Santana that the media circus is missing?

• He is a clubhouse leader.
• He does most of the talking for all the Spanish speaking players.
• Santana and Silva are good friends and would bike to spring training together last season.
• Nickname Cy-tana.
• During the campaign for his first Cy Young everyone had “Santana for President” buttons.
• Donated a fire truck to his hometown in Venezuela that had both the American and Venezuelan flag as its logo.
• This may sound cliché but he really is a nice guy. He does interviews, is friendly with everyone and is often seen smiling in the dugout.

What are his quirks, superstitions, traditions? What trivia would Mets fans need or want to know if he came to Flushing? Does he have walk on music?

• They play “Smooth” by Rob Thomas/Santana during warm-up.
• Last year listened to Gasolina by Daddy Yankee in the clubhouse on his pitching days.

What is your favorite Johan story?

• 6/20/07: Was dared by announcer Bert Blylevin to pitch a shutout. If Santana did he would shave Bert’s head. The clip of Santana shaving Bert’s head was played all over the news the next morning.
• 8/19/07: Santana strikes out 17

What do Twins fans really think about all the media hoopla? Is it as bad in Minneapolis as it is in New York?
The media is as bad but in a different way. We spend most of our free time reading and talking about all the tight-fisted crap that Pohlad is giving us. He is not a liked man here. I think we are now resigned to the fact that Santana won’t be our starting pitcher on March 31.

If he has to leave Minneapolis, where would you and/or Twins fans of your acquaintances hope he ended up?
Anywhere but the Yankees. We would prefer a great NL team (mmm…Mets?) so we wouldn’t have to face him as often.

Besides the obvious, what will you miss the most about Johan Santana?
The secure feeling when he takes the mound. Having an Ace. The interaction between Santana and Baby Jesus (Joe Mauer.)
—
When the news broke today, I followed up to get some closing comments:
My first thought was “I am glad the hype is over.” Then I was sad, then
accepting and finally a little confused to what the hell we traded
for!!! Our management team always talks about how they excel at building
good players. Anyways, I am more pissed at what we got in exchange. 4
prospects for a 2x Cy Young? Argh!
In other words, I stand by the fact that if Santana had to go I am glad
he is going to the Mets. I think you guys will treat him right and enjoy
him.
I am sad and happy at the same time. Now we can focus on 2008.
Congrats!!!