Season-long breakdown in fundamentals haunts Twins

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: September 18, 2007 - 10:35 PM

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire isnt used to planning vacations in early October. Despite hearing concerns about his 25-man roster at the beginning of the season, he expected his team to make the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons.

But the problems never went away. Potential runs were left on the bases. Outs were handed to opponents. The plan to start the season with Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson in the rotation failed.

Gardenhire is most bothered by the numerous breakdowns in fundamental baseball by a team that takes its spring training work seriously on the sun-drenched fields of Florida.

Not only is Gardenhires team out of the playoffs for the second time in three seasons, his team needs to finish 7-4 to avoid the first losing season of his career.

While talking about the resignation of General Manager Terry Ryan last week, Gardenhire revealed how much the season has worn him down.

You dont sleep at night when you come home, Gardenhire said. Its hard, its hard. The weight of the world is on your shoulders because you have high expectations.

If youre an accountable person I look at this season as a failure for me. Im accountable and Terry is, too. As a manager, I should have figured out how we could have done this again, once it started getting all screwed up. I havent been able to figure it out.

Gardenhire has been thrown out of games twice during this homestand for arguing with umpires after being tossed six times over the previous five months an indication his frustrations are boiling over. He also has seen a continuation of the mistakes that have marred the Twins season.

Lew Ford recently made two baserunning mistakes, including one Monday when he was doubled up on a line drive to right. Brian Buscher ran through a stop sign at third base Sunday and was easily thrown out at home plate. Juan Rincon threw wildly to third on a sacrifice bunt attempt Monday, allowing a run to score.

Through the first four games of this homestand, the Twins were batting .167 with runners in scoring position. They loaded the bases in the eighth and ninth innings Sunday during a 6-4 loss to Detroit, but Joe Mauer struck out to end the eighth and Michael Cuddyer grounded out to end the game.

Overall, the Twins ranked 12th in the American League in runs.

[Gardenhire] realizes that to be a winner, its the little things that count, bench coach Steve Liddle said. And we havent done a good job of doing the little things. And that comes from having younger players and maybe having to rush a couple of guys along. Overall, he takes it personally, and it eats at him like cancer.

You hate for that to happen, but [the expectations] are what makes him as good as he is.

Several Twins players work daily on bunting and take extra batting practice but, for the most part, it hasnt led to improvement.

Weve made a lot of mistakes we shouldnt make, Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said. Moving guys over, getting guys in from third, [Gardenhire] is not the one up there hitting, its us.

The Twins roster surely will turn over some for 2008, regardless what the Twins do with free agents Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva. Gardenhire will be motivated to avoid the feeling he has now as the Twins finish up the season.

I take it right on my shoulders, Gardenhire said. The players busted their tails. It didnt work out. Im accountable for it.

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