I'll Be Missing You

Sometimes a player makes so many great defensive plays that you forget that he doesn't know how to hit a ball. Sometimes you sort of fall in love with that player, anyway. Allow me to introduce Nick Punto.

For many years, I watched Nick Punto play for the Twins as a great utility infielder. For many years, I watched Nick Punto strike out. The thing about Nick Punto is that as much as I should have hated him, I couldn't help but love him. This little Italian guy going out there, slappin' butts, trying to put down a good bunt, but struggling all the time. 

Lovin' him

The good news today is that Jason Kubel's option was exercised by the Twins. The bad news is that Nick Punto's was not. Read about it here.

To you, Nick, I bid a fond adieu. I will miss you dearly, but I suspect you will let more people down in another city, probably in Japan.

In the meantime: It's true.

PuntOptimistic

Nick Punto, you stole my heart

Do you think the Twins will re-sign Punto? I can't imagine life without him. . . the way he is our #2 cheerleader? Gimme a break! We can't let this guy go. With Redmond in tow, we'll always have our cheering section, but Nicky really has a way of slapping teammates on the butt that just can't be replaced.


As a free agent, does Nick Punto stand a chance to get picked up by another team, or would he be destined to play in Japan with Lew Ford? Let's assume Punto gets a new contract. There is still one very important question that remains unanswered for the 2009 season. Which Nick Punto will show up at Spring Training? Nick Punto of 2006/2008, or Nick Punto of 2007? We can't afford the latter.

(courtesy of bat-girl.com)

OR

(courtesy of aarongleeman.com)

Meanwhile, can we talk about Mike Lamb being Punto's father?




It is uncanny. Okay, maybe I'm the only one who sees it, but trust me, it's there. The only thing missing from Mike Lamb is enthusiasm. Nick Punto would love to start a basketball team for guys under 6'0. Speaking of which. . . what ever happened to Fun Facts at Twins games? Can anyone answer this for me? Seriously, a couple of years ago, I had all sorts of random information about the Twins players. Now; nothing. In the 2007 season I learned that Michael Cuddyer likes to bowl, but I haven't seen anything pop up on that big screen since.

Fun Facts throughout the years:

Joe Mauer: Struck out only once during his high school career

Torii Hunter: Really misses his family when he's on the road (is that fun?)

Jason Bartlett: Loves Chipotle

Justin Morneau: Has the #33 tattooed on his shoulder; first car had some weird nickname that I can't remember

Michael Cuddyer: Plays cribbage before games, great magician, loves to bowl

Luis Castillo (or maybe it was Tony Batista): If not for baseball, probably would've gone into teaching

Those are all the facts I remember right now.

It was reported (by the dramatic Jim Souhan) that at Spring Training 2008 Michael Cuddyer handed out t-shirts reading "162 Plus," indicating that he would like to play at least a one game playoff after the regular 162 games of the season. When you're making up a slogan for a t-shirt, you have to anticipate that possible 1 game playoff and act accordingly. Cuddles got exactly 162 + 1 games.

I will make some resolutions for the 2009 Minnesota Twins right now:

1. Bring back the fun facts
2. Don't lose 1-0 against the White Sox; it's embarrassing for all of us
3. 163+