Ron Gardenhire played the Strib this week -- at least, I think so.

The Minnesota Twins manager says he's seriously pondering a batting order switch. Catcher Joe Mauer would bat second, and third baseman Nick Punto would drop down in the order.

I say it's baloney.   

Gardy told the Strib about the possible change, and a story ran in the June 6 paper. He complained about the streaky third baseman's play this year and said, "We've had issues with the second hole."

That same night, Punto came alive. Coincidence? Maybe. His line from the No. 8 spot in the lineup: 1-for-4 with a three-run homerun. He made an error, too, but it's only his third of the year.

I know the Strib loves to try to manage from the pages of the newspaper. Maybe they want to see the Twins' best power hitter batting fourth, but it doesn't make sense to have your best hitter batting second. (Morneau and Mauer probably will never bat back to back, because they're both left-handed.)

I like traditional baseball, because I've been watching the scrappy Twins for almost 20 years. The Strib writers are really pushing for Gardy to use their favorite hypothetical lineup, but these writers aren't experts on baseball. They are just as much armchair managers as you or I. 

Seriously. I complain about the moves Gardy makes or doesn't make all the time, but let the manager do his job. That's why he gets the big bucks.

It seems like Gardy, though, turned the tables on the Strib's critics with his interview about changing the batting order. He pulled a fast one, and hopefully, it lit a fire under Punto. Then, Punto can stay at No. 2, and Mauer will come back at No. 3. 

Time will tell ...