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Trash Talking From Second Place (Again)

Yes, the American League Central Division title has all but been conceded to Minnesota for a third consecutive season, as a 10-2 Twins victory at the Metrodome just about put the final nail in the Sox coffin.

However, several Sox players said it hurts less knowing that while the Twins are going to the postseason for a third straight season, they also expect their rivals to have a short stay once the playoffs begin.

"I think they keep forgetting that we lost our two best players this year," one Sox player said. "We have Magglio (Ordonez) and Frank (Thomas), we're looking at a different story here.

"That's fine, let them do their talking and clapping and antics on the basepaths. Minnesota has two World Series banners, but not one came from this group of players. They forget that. I'll be glad to sit back and watch them go one and done (in the playoffs). Our season ends Oct. 3 or whatever it is. So they'll get an extra week in before they're done."

Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle had no problem going on the record with his feelings, especially with the antics displayed by Torii Hunter.

According to Buehrle, Hunter kept looking into the dugout between innings, as well as yelling, "These (deleted) are done" at the Sox after an RBI double in the sixth.

While Buehrle wasn't going to argue that point, he did take exception to Hunter's actions.

"What dirt do they think they're still kicking on us?" Buehrle said. "Our chances coming into this series were slim and none. They're going to the playoffs and we're not. But what he did was a bit excessive. Staring into our dugout between innings was uncalled for."

Buehrle also said that while Twins pitchers Johan Santana and Brad Radke have the stuff to beat anyone, he didn't feel the rest of the AL playoff teams are going to be shaking in their boots.

"You have Santana and Radke, and you've got a chance," Buehrle said. "But then you look at the rest of their roster and you really can't see them getting past the first round. Anything can happen, but I don't see it."

"If you're going to do something, do it," Garcia said. "Don't (deleted) talk about it."

2004            W      L      GB
Minnesota      85     60     ---
Chicago        72     72    12.5
 
2003            W      L      GB
Minnesota      90     72     ---
Chicago        86     76     4.0
 
2002            W      L      GB
Minnesota      94     67     ---
Chicago        81     81    13.5

2001            W      L      GB
Minnesota      85     77     ---
Chicago        83     79     2.0