tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post7407126910742566755..comments2023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Comments on Nick's Twins Blog: Morneau's Early StrugglesNick N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-85025349874639625972023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:002023-12-19T20:25:36.069-06:00Great poost thank youGreat poost thank youLaura Anne Terryhttps://lauraanneterry.tumblr.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-49887898824109152262011-05-31T20:18:19.505-05:002011-05-31T20:18:19.505-05:00Someone has to post it- this was another ironicall...Someone has to post it- this was another ironically timed entry, Nick. A very nice 2HR night for Morneau (so far).Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-69991977709085257482011-05-31T16:31:36.145-05:002011-05-31T16:31:36.145-05:00He's working his tail off, so it seems, and th...He's working his tail off, so it seems, and that's all we can realistically ask for from this guy. Missing all that time and not coming back to form quickly is a mental drain and that's got to be effecting him, too.<br />If he strings a couple of 3-4, 4-4games together and slaps a few out of the yard, he'll be on his way.<br />Even though he and Nathan have struggled to get back to form (and still aren't there), at least they're out there working at the ML level. Midway Joe, where are you?Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984504525577892812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-41024160322157960882011-05-31T15:52:25.809-05:002011-05-31T15:52:25.809-05:00Well, I agree that Morneau hasn't given us a w...Well, I agree that Morneau hasn't given us a whole lot of reasons to get excited this year, but I think you have to look at how he has improved as the year has gone on.<br /><br />I'll fully acknowledge that even the May numbers aren't good, but in comparing his April numbers with his May numbers, his BA has gone up 31 points, his slugging has gone up 55 points, his OPS has gone up 58 points, and went from 0 homeruns to 2. <br /><br />Coming into the season, I figured it would probably take him until about the all-star break to have a chance at coming back into form. I certainly didn't think he'd be there by this point in the season<br /><br />That, and I think it's important, as Nick points out, that he seems to be pressing. I think he wants to see the Morneau of old more than the fans want to see the Morneau of old. Eventually, I have to figure he'll calm himself down and sit back on some pitches, drawing more walks and hitting more hitter's pitches. Stopping pressing will probably help more than anythingMikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-30770437136432464442011-05-31T12:35:56.940-05:002011-05-31T12:35:56.940-05:00I still believe (as I have for a while now) that M...I still believe (as I have for a while now) that Morneau isn't over the concussion symptoms. Slowed reactions and reduced hand-eye coordination show up in his play at first base.<br /><br />Also, IMO his basic problem at the plate is his inability to catch up to fastballs. This forces him to cheat, resulting in opening up, guessing, and a host of problems that we've all seen from almost every player at some point in their baseball career.<br /><br />The basic thing that ends most players baseball careers is an inability to hit the average pitcher's fastball for whatever level they're playing. For some players, that's in little league. For some players, that's at the college level. A few very talented players get all the way to the majors and can still catch up, until age starts robbing them of their skills.<br /><br />Until/unless Morneau recovers his previous reaction time and hand-eye coordination that allowed him to just react to fastballs and still catch up, rather than having to guess fastball and start his swing early, he's not going to get significantly better. Let's hope he can do that.USAFChiefnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-88797478966257650782011-05-31T12:13:43.008-05:002011-05-31T12:13:43.008-05:00Oops, right you are Michael. Fixed.Oops, right you are Michael. Fixed.Nick N.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00848574337121154690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-58231864976280968812011-05-31T11:50:45.924-05:002011-05-31T11:50:45.924-05:00"It can hardly be understated how important M..."It can hardly be understated how important Morneau's ability to find his old form is to this team's future."<br /><br />I think you mean 'overstated', Nick. Given that the importance of Morneau's return to form is very high, it could very easily be understated.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03812563921077087991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-49108226244651060152011-05-31T08:43:59.074-05:002011-05-31T08:43:59.074-05:00All I can say about Morneau is, at least he's ...All I can say about Morneau is, at least he's playing through it. Justin at 1/2 production/health is still better than 95% of this roster, which is something our Hometown Hero can't seem to grasp (or is too self-absorbed to care about).Ed Bastnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-5327595523068970772011-05-31T08:29:39.908-05:002011-05-31T08:29:39.908-05:00It's worth noting Morneau's other issues t...It's worth noting Morneau's other issues this spring that likely have contributed to his performance. First, there was that nasty flu bug. His weight loss from that was pretty noticeable, and I suspect that kind of illness didn't help his strength and getting back on track right away. Second, the Star Tribune reported 10 or so days ago that Morneau is actually playing with a neck injury that might require post-season surgery. He got cortisone shot and seems to be doing better.<br /><br />Morneau says concussion symptoms haven't been bothering him, so I want to believe that. I hope (and think) it may be more of a combination of just trying to get back into the rhythm of playing along with these other issues.myjahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663674071797278704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11215059.post-19738939012183055982011-05-31T01:51:32.471-05:002011-05-31T01:51:32.471-05:00I have a feeling that Morneauu's concussion ha...I have a feeling that Morneauu's concussion has left more of a mark on his performance than analysts (and myself) expected. I do doubt that Morneau's tremendous slump is due to just rust, however I think Morneau can rebound this year after the All-Star break. But I do have doubts that he will return to his old form this year, especially with the disabled Mauer, and the weak start and injury issues of Delmon Young affecting his rbi and run production.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03007116667122967245noreply@blogger.com