beck72 Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 If the Twins are looking for guys who speak about themelves in the 3rd person to help them stay on top of the AL Central, they are in worse shape than I thought. Am I the only one who thinks losing guys like Koskie, AJ, Mientkeweiz is going to catch up with them? Replacing gamers with guys like "Jimmy" from Seinfeld certainly can't help them. ************************************************* 'Real Deal' Durbin really struggling for Twins La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune March 10, 2005 TWIN0310 FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The Real Deal is missing. And that's a big deal to J.D. Durbin and the Twins. The Real Deal is the self-appointed nickname for Durbin, a righthanded pitching prospect with a charismatic smile, quick wit and mid-90s fastball. The nickname stuck to him like pine tar to a bat handle as he went 38-14 as a minor leaguer after being picked in the second round of the 2000 amateur draft. Twins coaches envisioned having to curb Durbin's exuberance, although that wasn't a major concern as long as he was able to back it up on the mound. Things have been the opposite this spring, as Twins coaches have tried to keep Durbin's spirits up. In two outings, he has given up four runs over four innings and walked four. Before spring training games began, Durbin again had pledged to unleash the Real Deal. "Because the Real Deal is always mentally in the game," he said. "I'm just mentally not in the game," Durbin said.Carlos GonzalezStar TribuneOn Wednesday, as rain washed out the Twins' game against Baltimore, Durbin's mood matched the dreary weather. "I'm just mentally not in the game," he said. "I'm pressing too much, putting too much pressure on myself when all I have to do is go out and throw. I've never battled with something like this. This is why I'm in a little funk. During the season I'll go through a start or two when I give up a few runs, but then it's back to normal." That's not happening now, as Durbin has fallen behind other pitchers in camp. "I don't feel capable of throwing the ball over the plate right now," he said. Durbin hopes Sunday's outing was rock bottom for him. He gave up three runs on five hits over two innings against Toronto. He also failed to cover home plate after throwing one of his two wild pitches, allowing a run to score. Durbin was scolded by pitching coach Rick Anderson afterward. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire called Durbin into his office on Monday to do the same thing, but toned down his anger after Durbin admitted a lack of confidence. "He definitely has wound himself up too tight," Gardenhire said. "I talked to him the other day, and he needs to relax. Hopefully we will get there with him, but he needs to relax." Durbin said he feels that if he was his old self, he never would have had a mental hiccup like the one Sunday. "He said I can't have a mental lapse like that again," Durbin said of his talk with Gardenhire. "He said, 'It's an embarrassment to you and the organization.' I know I messed up. I know I screwed up big time. I don't think I've ever not backed up the plate. But I'm not throwing the ball well and was so mentally caught up in trying to throw the ball, I completely forgot to cover home. I have to get in the game more and feel comfortable. Every time I go out there, I feel uncomfortable and I'm short of breath and have trouble focusing." That's not the Real Deal. "I'm sure it will come around," he said. Durbin is struggling with his mechanics, sometimes using the proper form, then breaking down on the next pitch. He's hoping future sessions with Anderson will solve the problem. "He's got to be more consistent," Anderson said. It disappoints Durbin because he feels healthy, is in his second major league camp and is coming off a successful Arizona Fall League stint during which he improved his changeup. All he thought about during the offseason was his only major league start, during which he gave up five runs to Cleveland in three innings. He arrived at camp motivated to make it hard for the club to cut him. If he made the team, he wanted to erase memories of that Cleveland game. With righthander Grant Balfour and lefthander Terry Mulholland nursing injuries, there could be an opening in the bullpen. But Durbin will have to turn things around to earn that spot. "I worked my tail off in the offseason, getting my arm all ready to go," he said, "and I come here and can't find the arm slot. It's frustrating. "Real Deal has got to be himself." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santo=dorf Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Radke's numbers are just as bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nokona Posted March 12, 2005 Share Posted March 12, 2005 Ricky gonna do what Ricky wants to do. Real Deal gonna do what Real Deal wants to do. Same thing really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 Chris almighty...this guy must have a big ass ego. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 What a jackass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backman Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 good! (bout time the twins struggle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted March 13, 2005 Share Posted March 13, 2005 QUOTE(backman @ Mar 13, 2005 -> 12:49 AM) good! (bout time the twins struggle) It is still Spring Training. A lot of people will struggle in Spring Training. We're not doing so hot ourselves...and does anyone really, honestly care? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangercal Posted March 14, 2005 Share Posted March 14, 2005 Just spring training. People panic so soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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