Boof Nation

Boo-yah!

2008-01-03T17:46:00.000-05:00

That's right. I'm still here.

Bullpen Boof blasted

2007-09-22T17:33:00.000-04:00

Boof Bonser's career relief debut was a miserable one, as he gave up 5 earned runs in 3 innings relieving Scott Baker, who was hit by a line drive. After the game, Ron Gardenhire blasted Bonser for being rusty after having two weeks off. That's right, said it was Boof's fault.

I've always thought Gardenhire had it "out" for Bonser. After every outing, positive, negative, or neutral (and I'll be the first to say Boof has had more of the second two than the first), Gardenhire always made some sort of critical remark.

Anything can happen during the course of a season, but Boof does not have a good ranking at all on the organizational depth chart heading into the 2008 season. If any team still values him, I say look for Boof to be traded. Otherwise, it may take a ST injury to another prospect to avoid a trip to Rochester.

Boofpen

2007-09-12T17:18:00.000-04:00

It's official. Boof Bonser is now a member of the Minnesota Twins bullpen.

This will be Boof's first time ever as a regular member of a bullpen. He has one career relief appearance, his professional debut, for Salem-Keizer back in 2000.

UPDATE: The same article now states that Bonser is back in the rotation, taking the spot of the injured Carlos Silva. No matter what is going on, Boof's next start is crucial to establishing himself as a starting pitcher to remain competitive for a rotation spot in 2008, which is by no means a sure thing.

Surely it hasn't come to this

2007-09-04T12:17:00.000-04:00

Boof's recent starts have been, well...not so good, we'll say. It's gotten to the point where Ron Gardenhire had to actually state that Boof really will get another start. But with the Twins calling up more young starting prospects, there will be guys waiting in the wings if Boof falters again.

In other words, Boof's spot in the rotation very well could be decided by his performance in his next start.

Back to Cleveland

2007-08-26T18:27:00.001-04:00

Boof will make his third career start in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Run Support, Oh Run Support

2007-08-17T14:59:00.000-04:00

Where are you?

No posts in awhile, mainly due to the fact that I have a life. But whenever that ceases to be true, stay tuned for more Boof updates.

Boof is Pitching in for Pat

2007-07-04T15:29:00.000-04:00

You should too!

VOTE at MLB.com

Send fellow Twins pitcher Pat Neshek to the All-Star game.

If you really get into it (which you should), go here to get a handy tool to vote faster!

Boof Nation 2.0, VOTE NESHEK, and a good link

2007-07-03T15:40:00.001-04:00

Check out banner, reader!

Also be sure to check out yesterday's archived live blog of Boof's start against the Yankees and Roger Clemens.

After Boof's final start later this week against the White Sox, I will have an All-Star break first half recap of Boof's season, so be sure to watch for that.

IMPORTANT!

Check out this very interesting article about Boof and his pitches.

Live Blogging Tonight's Start

2007-07-02T20:46:00.000-04:00

Hello Boof Nation! I'll be live-blogging Boof's start because I have nother better to do tonight.

Boof's Final Line (Loss, 5-5, 101 pitches):
5.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO, 1 HR

Not a great start, but not a bad start. His line is uglier that he pitched. Poor pitch economy spelled Bonser's doom tonight, and so did no help from the bullpen.

The big news from this game is that Roger Clemens, who went eight strong innings, picked up his 350th career win. Way to go, Rocket. Bonser will forever have his name tied to this great event. And, oh, Boof, by the way, you've got only 338 more wins to go.

After the game, Boof had this to say about the Yankees: "You definitely couldn't tell they were scuffling. It must be nice if you score five runs and put 12 hits on the board and say you're scuffling." (courtesy of startribune.com)

Inning Six
This one's a real pitcher's duel, folks. The Rocket just sent the Twins down 1-2-3.

Then, Boof retires the first batter. Then, well, you knew it was coming, folks. A solo home run for Bobby Abreu. Follow that up with a double for Andy Phillips, a single for Robinson Cano, throw in 101 pitches, and you get the end of Boof's line. With one out in the sixth, he gives way to Juan Rincon. Boof is responsible for the runners on first and third. Rincon walks the bases loaded (Boof could have done that!) Then, Rincon walks in a run! Yes, Gardenhire, it made perfect sense to pull Boof. He only struck out A-Rod twice. Thankfully, now Matt Guerrier is pitching. Unthankfully, he just gave up a two-run single to Derek Jeter. That'll officially end Boof's line, as his last runner has scored. That'll also end tonight's live blogging. I'll update this post with the final results after the game. With one out in the sixth, it's Twins 1, Yankees 5

Inning Five
Clemens has settled down a lot. So much, in fact, that he disposed of the Twins 1-2-3 again. His pitch count is only 66.

Boof, on the other hand, starts the inning at 70 pitches. But what a way to use them! Boof Nation, the one and only Boof Bonser has struck out Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada. All swinging. Inning over. Twins 1, Yankees 1

Inning Four
Clemens has settled down. Other than a lead-off double, the Twins go down meekly.

Hmm. Boof has chosen to intrigue us. Instead of a lead-off single, he's opted for a lead-off flyout-to-deep-center-inches-from-giving-the-Yankees-the-lead type of flyout. I can't complain about another strikeout to follow it up, though. What I can complain about is letting the number nine hitter (Robinson Cano) reach base again on a single, and then walking Johnny Damon. Now Boof must face Melky Cabrera, who is 2 for 2. Boof opted for his classic out pitch - a deep flyout to center. Twins 1, Yankees 1

Inning Three
Clemens retires the Twins 1-2-3, so now it's up to Boof to do the same with the Yankees.

It's deja vu to the first inning, as Boof has given up two singles to start the inning. But! Rejoice, Boof Nation, as Boof Bonser has struck out Alex Rodriguez, the great A-Rod, swinging. No out has ever been sweeter. The Boof we know and love is back, striking out Jorge Posada as an encore. A quick fly-out by Hideki Matsui ends the inning. The singles don't come back to haunt Boof in the form of runs, but they do in the form of pitch count - Boof stands at 48 pitches after just three innings. Twins 1, Yankees 1

Inning Two
A groundout of the afore-mentioned type by Jason Kubel scores the Twins' first run. Clemens hasn't been pitching any better than Boof.

Speaking of Boof, now it's his turn. He promptly gives up yet another single to start the inning. Not a healthy way to pitch. What is healthy, though, is to get the double-play groundout, which Boof did. Thank you Andy Phillips. What is also not health is to walk the number nine hitter, which Boof did next. What is also healthy is to get Johnny Damon to fly out to right (but on the warning track? Careful, Boof). Inning over. Twins 1, Yankees 1

Inning One
Well, it is the Yankees. The Twins went one-two-three in their half.

Two singles to start the inning ruined an otherwise effective inning for Boof which saw two groundouts (always promising), one flyout, and one walk. Unfortunately, when you give up groundouts with runners on, those runners can advance, and score, so...after inning one, it's Twins 0, Yankees 1.

Tomorrow again!

2007-07-02T12:29:00.000-04:00

This tomorrow, Boof pitches in New York. Ouch. Against the Yankees. Ouch. Opposite Roger Clemens. Ouch.

Let's hope Boof comes out alive.

Many thanks to the users who found my old post about a nickname for Boof and added their suggestions.

Tomorrow

2007-06-03T12:16:00.000-04:00

Boof will make his twelfth start of the season tomorrow against the Angels opposite Jered Weaver.

In May, Boof was 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched. For the season, he has a 9.82 K/IP ratio. That puts him fourth in all of baseball, behind Johan Santana, Eric Bedard, and Jake Peavy. Not bad.

Quarter Done

2007-05-24T18:49:00.000-04:00

After about one fourth of the season, Boof is 3-1 with a 3.88 ERA. Solidly above average. For more stats, click here.

Well, is he?

2007-04-12T18:21:00.000-04:00

Is Boof eligable for a nickname? I mean, Boof was a nickname, but now it's his legal name, so, could Boof, in theory, be given a nickname? Boof "Really Cool Nickname" Bonser?

This is what Voltaire thinks about.

At least it was A-Rod

2007-04-10T21:52:00.000-04:00

Boof didn't do so well tonight. He went 4 1/3 innings, giving up six earned runs, walking two, and only striking out one. An A-Rod 2-run home run in the first started things off, and the Yankees tacked on another run in the second. Boof then found himself and sent New York down in order during the 3rd and 4th innings, but the 5th proved impossible. A series of hits and errors resulted in two more runs, and then Jesse Crain was kind enough to allow one of Boof's stranded runners to score.

Hey. It was the Yankees. It was the second start of the season.

And it's not as though Boof pitched out of character - when he loses, he loses by the long ball.

EDIT: Sure enough, the Twins didn't work a miracle, and Boof picked up the loss to slide to 0-1.

Boof blasts Orioles

2007-04-05T10:46:00.000-04:00

Boof got off to a splendid start for '07 against the Orioles on Tuesday. Striking out 6 in 6 innings, Boof gave up a mere 2 runs. Of course, one came by the long ball, the bane of Boof's existence, but otherwise his start was worry-free. The interesting one will be on the 9th, against the Yankees.

EDIT: Because of a "cold-out", the Twins pitchers are being pushed back one day. Boof next starts on Tuesday, against Andy Pettitte and the Yankees.

A journey in meaninglessness

2007-03-18T11:12:00.000-04:00

The MLB.com article on Boof's start against the Pirates on Saturday claims his rotation spot is not official. Sigh. Who cares?

Boof struck out 5, gave up 7 hits, walked 0, allowed 0 runs over 4 innings. He has yet to walk a batter all spring.

Official

2007-03-15T08:20:00.000-04:00

In what everyone already knew, Ron Gardenhire declared that Boof officially has a rotation spot. Although he does run the team, Gardenhire didn't have a lot of other options.

To make this a post worth posting, have another Bonser pic:

Boof's first card as a Twin

Perfect!

2007-03-12T18:37:00.000-04:00

A perfect outing against the Marlins...worth noting? Why not.

from twins.com:

Twins on the mound: Boof Bonser made a strong statement in the race for a starting spot as he threw four scoreless innings. Bonser did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out three, as the only baserunner reached on a Michael Cuddyer fielding error.

Don't be fooled by that statement. MLB.com makes many settled spring training roster spots "battles" to increase readership. Boof's in the rotation.

From twincities.com:

"I'm trying to get as many guys out as I can," Bonser said. "I don't need no trouble. I don't want no trouble, let's put it that way. Let's keep it rolling."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire would like to see Bonser keep it rolling as well.

"Pitching-wise, we threw the ball well," Gardenhire said. "We like to see Boof attack the strike zone, and that's what he did."

I think Boof has a good strategy. Get guys out.

Sarcasm never comes off well in print. Give Boof credit for trying.

Much better

2007-03-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

Boof fared much better in his second outing of the spring, pitching 3 shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out three against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Bucs aren't the White Sox or Tigers, but still.

Ouch

2007-03-03T15:05:00.002-05:00

Boof made his spring training debut against the Cincinnati Reds today, and it didn't go very well. Our dear Boof lasted only one inning, giving up 3 runs and 5 hits, including a two-run home run to Scott Hatteberg. He did manage to strike out a batter.

For his first time out, I suppose he didn't do too terribly. Boof has always been a Bob Wickman-style starter. He gets the job done, but you're usually too busy cowering in fear to notice.

Hey, with Sidney Ponson guaranteed a spot, Boof could decide to take up the left-handed knuckleball and keep his starting spot.

"There's a lot of Boof"

2007-03-01T20:18:00.000-05:00

A close call: Jason Tyner drove Boof Bonser's changeup right back at Bonser on Sunday. Though he was pitching behind a screen, Bonser barely avoided having the seams of the Spalding baseball tattooed on his torso.

In the give-and-take of Spring Training, his teammates who saw it were giving Bonser a heavy dose of teasing. Gardenhire threw in his two cents' worth, as well.

"Boof," he said, "that ball wouldn't have been close to most guys. But there's a lot of Boof behind that screen."

from twins.com

The more Boof, the better. We want him in the majors for a long time.

No word yet on when Bonser will make his 2007 Spring Training debut. The Twins kicked off their pre-season yesterday, and played another game today. Carlos Silva was hit hard (what a suprise) in today's contest.

Will update as situation warrants.

Spring has sprung

2007-02-21T20:59:00.000-05:00

The Twins have reported to camp. Games begin in one week. I haven't blogged in awhile since there's nothing new on the Boof front. Still projected as the #2 or #3 (maybe behind Silva). I mean, when your team guarantees Sidney Ponson a rotation spot, you'd think you could let a guy named Boof Bonser have one too...

Bonus: another Boof card pic for y'all.

Interview with Boof

2007-01-28T09:15:00.000-05:00

Interview with Boof Bonser from twincities.com.

Twins pitcher Boof Bonser struggled when he was first called up from the minor leagues last season. He was sent back down. When he returned to the Twins later in the season, he was a different pitcher. A better pitcher. Here is Bonser…

On what will be different about him this season: "When I got on my run at the end of the year, the consistency and the confidence was there. The confidence of (manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson) to run me out every five days was the biggest key to me."

On what else changed for him last season: "When I first came up, I was inconsistent. I thought I was ready. I wasn't quite there yet. When I got sent down, I didn't want to pitch in the minor leagues. I just busted my tail. That's how I got on my roll at the end. I wanted to stay up in the big leagues. I didn't want to go back down to the minor leagues."

On whether this will be his breakout season: "I'd like it to be. I'd like to go out there and win ballgames and keep my team in the game."

On what he considers a breakout season: "Fifteen wins would be nice. If I get 20, it'll be even better."

On whether he cares where he pitches in the rotation: "Don't get me wrong. If they tell me I'm No. 2, that'd be a great thing. But for me, wherever they tell me is where I'll pitch. I get to put that jersey on and wear it. That's the big thing."

Another Bit of the Rotation

2007-01-22T15:24:00.000-05:00

The Twins signed Ramon Ortiz. That makes the Twins '07 rotation look something like

1. Johan Santana
2. Boof Bonser
3. Carlos Silva
4. Ramon Ortiz
5. ???

And the order is probably wrong. I'm not a Twins fan, I'm a Bonser fan.

Actual Boof news is slow this week. So I'll treat y'all to another card, this one his first mass-produced card, 2001 Bowman Draft Picks.

A scary thought...

2007-01-14T09:32:00.000-05:00

Earlier in the off-season, if you'll let me rumor in the past-tense, there were Jason Jennings-to-the-Twins rumors. The Rockies wanted two young starters in return. They allegedly had their eyes on one Mr. Boof Bonser. Twins GM Terry Ryan wouldn't have any of it. Good for him. A pitcher with a tenuous grasp on the long ball, pitching in Colorado...I think we all could have bid Boof bye-bye if that had happened.

Also, note that a full summary of Boof's career stats can now be found on the right-hand side of the page. Read and reflect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spiraling out of control...upwards.

2007-01-08T16:28:00.000-05:00

After a career of minor league team sets and "prospect" cards, Boof's big break last year landed him on the checklists of a number of premium and high-end baseball card sets. A Boof card can now set you back as much as $50 (if you don't count the Boof Bonser/Francisco Liriano/Justin Verlander/Jered Weaver/Jon Papelbon autograph card - someone wanted $350). For a treat, then, here is Boof's first autograph card, a 2001 Upper Deck Minor League Centennial autograph, which yours truly, Voltaire, bought for $4 in 2002, which is now worth...$10, I guess.

Finally!

2007-01-05T23:03:00.000-05:00

With spring training a mere five weeks away, the marvel of Boof's standing within the Twins organization has begun to sink in. Depending on whose reports you read, Boof will begin the season as either the #2 or #3 starter in the Twins' rotation. This from a pitcher called up in mid-season last year, with sadly mediocre numbers in the minors the past few seasons.

The situation may say more about the Twins' depth than Boof's ability, but Bonser has finally established himself in the majors. If Lohse and Silva hadn't had career-worst years and Liriano hadn't ruined his elbow in '06, Boof was beginning to look like a minor-league lifer.

Instead, he got to start Game 2 of the ALDS (which the Twins lost through no fault of Boof's - 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 K's). Now he gets to start 34 Game 2's in 2007. Boof finally got his break.

Boof for Beginners

2007-01-05T16:49:00.000-05:00

If you're not already aquainted with Boof Bonser, you may find the following links helpful.

A Brief Bonser Biography (written chiefly by yours truly)
Boof's Official MLB.com Player Page
Boof's Career Minor and Major League Stats

If you are already aquainted with Boof Bonser, stay tuned to Boof Nation for Bonser Bulletins. Until then, read this.

It has begun...

2007-01-05T16:32:00.000-05:00

Bonser Nation has won its independence. From...someone. As with the infancy of any soveirgn territory, it will be awhile until things get organized. Until then, enjoy this picture of the Jacobs Field scoreboard from September 14, 2006.