Thread: Article: Scott Baker's Top 5 Games

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?11...-s-Top-5-Games

Nick Nelson and I and The Voice of Reason and a bunch of friends and WAY too much Red Bull & vodka were at #1 on that list. We had never drank Red Bull & vodka before, and when Baker, who before that game had been pretty suspect, thrived, we decided we just had to keep drinking them to keep the no-no going. If I remember correctly (and I doubt I do) I think we ran out just before he gave up the hit.

That will be my favorite Scott Baker moment.

I have no idea how I remember it, and I had to look it up to confirm that it actually happened, but on 6-15-08, Scott Baker became one of the very few (57 to date) pitchers to strike out 4 batters in one inning. Only Twin to ever do so unless you go back to the 1911 senators. It may not be a particularly flashy or memorable record, but it was fun to watch, and just another way Baker etched his name in to baseball history as a Twin.

FYI Liriano pitched a four-strikeout inning in the fourth inning of the Twins' game against the Kansas City Royals on June 5, 2012.

The Cubs inked Baker to a one-year deal worth a base salary of $5.5 million with some incentives built into the back end. If Baker is healthy and can pitch effectively for the Cubs, it will be a steal of a deal.

Do you really think this is a steal of a deal for the Cubs? What are realistic expectations for Baker in 2013? Maybe 20-25 starts with pitch limitations on some of them. If you get 40-50% quality starts out of him, that gives you a total of 10 or so quality starts for the year. I don't know if that is a realistic expectation for someone coming off of TJ surgery or not, but if it is, I don't know that I would want to pay at least $5.5 million for 10 quality starts.

Originally Posted by Jim H

Do you really think this is a steal of a deal for the Cubs? What are realistic expectations for Baker in 2013? Maybe 20-25 starts with pitch limitations on some of them. If you get 40-50% quality starts out of him, that gives you a total of 10 or so quality starts for the year. I don't know if that is a realistic expectation for someone coming off of TJ surgery or not, but if it is, I don't know that I would want to pay at least $5.5 million for 10 quality starts.

I think Theo is taking a page from Beane's book and signing a guy with the plan to flip him in July. It's a good idea for the Cubs. For the Twins? Not so sure... I'd really like to see them put as much money as possible toward guys who will pitch more than one season with the team. This pitching shortage isn't going to end any time soon.

If we are considering games based on team importance in addition to individual achievement, game 162 in 2008 and game 163 in 2009 have to be honorable mentions. (Last regular-season Twins starter in the Metrodome!)

It's a shame Baker never got to start for us in the playoffs, although pitching wasn't generally our biggest stumbling block in the postseason.

Also, if we're nominating worst Scott Baker moments, I was at this game:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/bo...00608010.shtml

And I sat very near the spot where Gary Matthews Jr.'s grand slam landed.