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Note to reporters out there who may want to chat with Orioles OF B.J. Surhoff -- there are some rules
you must follow: "If you want (to talk to me), you get me before the game in the clubhouse," Surhoff said to a surprised reporter.
"Once I get out to the field (for batting practice), there is no time." Surhoff, by the way, had just finished batting practice
at 6:07, and was headed back to the clubhouse. Game time was 7:10.
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A Twins beat writer was passionately stating Johan Santana’s case for the AL Cy Young award in early
September, when a scout (who happens to be a former big league player and manager) quipped “Let’s not put
him in the f***en Hall of Fame just yet.” Santana then preceded to take a no-hitter into the 7th inning and defeat the
Royals 2-0.
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Hobbled rookie sensation Joe Mauer, who was limited
to just 35 games this season due to a knee injury, must wear a large brace on his left knee from dawn to dusk. “I take
it off when I go to bed, and put it on when I get up,” the 21-year-old said. Mauer, who should return in 2005 with a
clean bill of health, says he has gotten used to the discomfort caused by the brace and remains up beat.
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Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinny
Testaverde, and Pat Borders? The veteran catcher turned down a scholarship to QB at the University
of Miami in 1982. Borders, currently with the Minnesota Twins, accepted an offer from Mississippi St. before signing with
the Toronto Blue Jays, who drafted him in the 6th round in ’82.
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When Twins utility man Nick Punto broke his collarbone in late July, it was assumed he would be out for
the season, but instead the scrappy infielder recovered so quickly that he may be eligible for the post season roster.
Punto described the injury as “very painful” and had to wear an uncomfortable harness that made sleeping difficult.
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A
pair of shiny, new, black, patent leather Air Jordan XI cleats were seen in Brian Jordan’s locker late
last month. The Rangers outfielder said that Deion Sanders, his former teammate with Atlanta
Falcons, gave the kicks to him when he came to hit BP with the Rangers in mid August. Jordan also pointed out that “PRIME
TIME” was stitched into the tongue.”
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The
Korean media contingent was back at Ameriquest Field (formerly the Ballpark in Arlington) and received a friendly ribbing
by some of their American counterparts on August 24, when it was announced that countryman Chan Ho Park was
returning from the DL. Park has been such a disappointment in Texas (his 2004 salary is $13 million) that one cynical
media member quipped “I’d rather see Rusty Greer pitching than ever see Chan Ho Park take the
mound again.” Greer, an outfielder, has been on the disabled list since 2002.
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Twins rookie Justin
Morneau was spotted having a lengthy conversion with Oakland starter and fellow British Columbia
native, Rich Harden on August 6. Morneau said the two played
against each other several times growing up, but at that time Harden was playing centerfield, not taking the mound. Harden beat the Twins three days later, but Morneau did sting him for a RBI single.
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Former Twin and Blue Jay Bobby
Kielty returned to the Metrodome as a member of the Oakland Athletics in early August. Hitting in the low .200s, he seemed to be in good spirits, but admitted he was “struggling like hell”. Kielty, who is arbitration eligible following the season, plans on playing winter
ball in hopes of working the kinks out of his swing.
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In strange scene, Doug Mientkiewicz walked down the hall from
the home club house in the Metrodome, to the visitor’s on July 31 after learning that he had been dealt from the
Twins to the visiting Boston Red Sox. As he was trying on his new hat, a
Boston equipment manger joked that they might not have enough letters to put “MIENTKIEWICZ”
on the back of his jersey.
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Marcus Jensen, journeyman
catcher and contributor to sBn, is currently unsigned and enrolled at a Scottsdale
area Community College. After a stint in the Mexican league in May, he returned home to spend more time with his son, Marcus
Jr. According to Dad, the younger Jensen, who is 12, is an excellent
athlete and is a more developed baseball player than he was at that age. The
elder Jensen plans on playing winter ball and hopes a strong showing will lead to a Spring Training invite.
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