Postseason Links: Your first look at a TBS Conan commercial

A quick look at some worthy postseason links ...

• The first Conan promo is funny on first watch, but may be less so on the 398th viewing during the upcoming ALDS and NLDS action on TBS. [Warming Glow]

• Also, here's a look at the all-orange TBS Conan blimp that will be flying over the Phillies-Reds game in Philadelphia on Wednesday. [Natuba]

• Tampa Bay's James Shields(notes): "We're the team to beat." [Rays Report]

• An excellent profile of Dusty Baker, even if it includes more than you want to know about the after-effects — or lack thereof — of his battle with prostate cancer. [ESPN]

• Will the 2010 Yankees follow in the footsteps of the 2006 Tigers? [Subway Squawkers]

• At last count there were at least three fake Twitter accounts for Carl Pavano's(notes) mustache. [HOVG]

• Why the San Francisco Giants have been better than expected. [Bay City Ball]

• Red Sox fans are already coveting the services of Juan Uribe(notes). Really. [Fire Brand]

• The David Price(notes) Sports Illustrated cover is bubblicious. [The Heater]

Related: David Price, Carl Pavano, Juan Uribe, San Francisco Giants, 2010 Postseason

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Bummer: Justin Morneau ruled out for the entire postseason

There had been some recent hope among fans in the Twin Cities that Justin Morneau(notes) might have been able to return for the ALCS or World Series if the Minnesota Twins advanced that far.

But on the cusp of their ALDS date with the New York Yankees, the Twins broke some bad news to their supporters.

Because of the lasting effects of a concussion he suffered back on July 7, they'll have to go without Morneau for the second straight postseason. 

Morneau had been trying to work his way back with a few recent workouts, but still experienced his symptoms afterward.

To their credit, the Twins decided that rushing Morneau back onto the diamond wasn't in the best interests of his health and decided to shut him down until at least 2011. It wasn't a totally unforeseen circumstance for the team, either, as Ron Gardenhire publicly doubted Morneau's return last week.  

Here's what Minnesota GM Bill Smith said (via @TwinsNow):

"If Justin's going to play in the LCS or the WS he's got to be ready to go in two weeks, and that's not going to happen."

"To get (Morneau) ready for the ALCS or the World Series in a matter of two weeks is accelerating the process too quickly."

Even though we suspected it was coming and even though Jim Thome(notes) and others have picked up the offensive slack this season, this qualifies as terrible news for any baseball fan. This is the second straight year that we'll be watching a Twins team without one of its MVPs and now we'll always be left wondering what might've happened had Morneau not tried to break up that double play in Toronto.  

Related: Jim Thome, Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, 2010 Postseason

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