Sunday, July 08, 2001
Reds Notebook
Twins' low-power offense impresses Reds
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins' slash-and-dash offensive approach, necessitated by the Metrodome's artificial turf, has made believers out of the Reds.
“They somehow get a guy on base, move them over and get them in. They're not just going for the three-run homer,” left fielder Dmitri Young said. “They just play "small ball.' I guess when you do the small things, you win.”
Said Manager Bob Boone: “It's really a directional game here. So many guys get caught up in wanting to hit the ball hard. The game's about hitting it where they ain't.”
KIRBY WAS HERE: Boone enjoyed talking about Kirby Puckett, the former Minnesota center fielder who'll soon be inducted into the Hall of Fame, as much as he liked opposing him.
“He was a fun guy to play against. Enthusiastic, loved to play,” Boone said. “He could do something you try to teach: He completely trusted himself. All the good ones did — (Wade) Boggs, (Paul) Molitor. If you had them two strikes and you're trying to make a pitch, they didn't even (worry) about (being pitched) inside. If you threw one inside, they'd just react.”
Boone said Puckett, a .318 lifetime hitter, capitalized on the Metrodome's surroundings as well as his own skills.
“Kirby played this turf like a violin,” Boone said. “When he first came up he bunted all the time. He was a great bunter. I bet he got 30 bunt hits a year, something ridiculous. Then he figured he was too good a hitter to do that anymore.”
ETC.: Boone said half-jokingly that he changed center fielders (Ruben Rivera for Brady Clark) and right fielders (Michael Tucker for Alex Ochoa) because of the Twins' seven extra-base hits Friday night. “That's why I'm changing outfielders — the other ones need a rest,” Boone said.
• The Metrodome's dun-colored roof can confuse even the Twins. Center fielder Torii Hunter seemed to have tracked Ken Griffey Jr.'s first-inning fly ball but suddenly froze as he lost it against the gray background. Fortunately for the Twins, right fielder Matt Lawton hustled over to make the catch.
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Twins' low-power offense impresses Reds
