Game Thread: Twins@Rockies 7/11 7:40PM

[Riverbrian]

Twins SP: Kris Johnson

 

Dozier 2B

Suzuki C

Morales 1B

Plouffe 3B

Arcia RF

Nunez LF

Escobar SS

Fuld CF

The Pitcher and whoever pinch hits for the Pitcher

 

Rockies SP: Jorge De La Rosa

 

Blackmon RF

Stubbs CF

Gonzalez LF

Tulowitski SS

Morneau 1B

Arenado 3B

Rosario C

LeMahieu 2B

The Pitcher and whoever pinch hits for the pitcher

 

Things to Think About:

 

1. Colorado -- This is a state that contains Mountains in what is widely considered to be the Western side of the United States. Anything West of us is the Western side of the United States and by us... I'm excluding... Ash, Chief and Glunn. Actually... I don't know where everyone lives so I'm excluding everyone... Everything West of me is the Western United States and everything South of me is the Southern United States. So all of you people in South Dakota with your crazy accents, front porches, cars on blocks and magnolia trees are below the Mason Dixon line because I've decided that's the case. Back to Colorado... The surveyors who laid out the state lines tried real hard to make the state perfectly square. They had no idea that later on this square state would be over run by Hippies once marijuana was legalized. Workers in all professions are higher than a kite. When you call a phone number in Colorado you are greeted with a decent sized pause before someone says... "Oh Right... Hello Dude". Stoned Doctors and Surgeons have introduced a new word into the medical lexicon of language... That word is "Oops". Everyone is feeling good in Colorado but it is balanced with a large dose of paranoia. The population got stacked up on the Eastern Side of the Rocky Mountains. Kinda like they came west... couldn't get over the mountains and the people kept coming and nobody could move and they all just piled up. The ones who made it over the Mountains... Opened up Ski Resorts and gave them names like "Vail", "Aspen", "Beaver Creek" and "Here's a good spot to break your leg". Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne once traveled from Rhode Island to Colorado in a sheep dog in 1847.

 

2. Coors Field -- The Home stadium of the Rockies opened up in 1995. It was named Coors Field because of Coors Beer which is made in a totally different town. In an effort to slow down the amount of home runs hit. Baseballs are stored in a humidor in an effort to make sure that the tobacco leaves that wrap up the baseball are in perfect condition and optimal taste. If the Twins can't hit at Coors Field... They might not be able to hit anywhere.

 

3. The Rockies -- The Rockies are a mountain chain that stretches from New Mexico to British Columbia... They are also a baseball team but I need to be clear that the Baseball Team is nothing like a mountain chain at all. Confusion over what you are referring to has been around for decades since the Colorado Rockies Baseball Team were formed. "Are you going to watch the Rockies tonight"? "Watch Them? They just stand there?" "The Rockies Suck" "I don't know about that... They are better than the Cascades" The baseball team is a cursed franchise that can't find pitching... Actually they can find it... They just can't find pitchers who can perform in the light Colorado air. With a big outfield for balls to land in and fences that balls can easily fall over. Colorado pitchers all die a slow death. Pitchers arrive in Colorado and much like Batman tied to a conveyor belt that slowly pulls him toward a spinning saw blade while the Joker laughs and walks away. The difference between Colorado Pitchers and Batman is this... They don't escape... They have no utility belt. Pitching in Colorado kills the career of everyone.

 

4. Kris Johnson -- It's another look at Kris Johnson tonight as he makes a spot start. We will have to wait and see who is in the rotation after the break to replace Nolasco. I guess it's possible that it's Kris Johnson if he keeps pitching like he has. In AAA this year he has tossed a 2.75 ERA with a healthy amount of strikeouts. He has thrown 4.1 Innings with the Twins and did not allow a run while striking out 5. He did walk 6 in those 4.1 innings and he may want to cut back on that. Kris is 29 years old. He was born in West Covina California. I know what you are thinking... If there's a West Covina... There must be a Covina California... There is... It's to the North of West Covina. That means that West Covina lies to the south of Covina. They didn't have compasses in California for the longest time. Kris and his family moved to Blue Springs Missouri outside of Kansas City. During his time in High School at Blue Springs he tossed 5 no hitters. Teams were so impressed by his 5 no hitters that the Angels drafted him in the 50th Round in 2003. He opted to play ball at Wichita State and during his time at Wichita State he led the Missouri Valley Conference in ERA as a freshmen... This impressed the Major League Scouts so much that he was drafted in the 40th round by the Boston Red Sox in 2006. He impressed the Red Sox so much that they released him in 2011. The Pirates signed him and then traded him to the Twins in 2013 for Justin Morneau. Add it all up and Kris Johnson has thrown 14.2 MLB innings so I'm pretty sure that he is looking forward to starting tonight. I imagine he just wishes that it wasn't at Coors Field.

 

5. Insecurity -- I'm not sure why it is... But there are times when my wife feels a little insecure. She must have been feeling this way last night. She asked me point blank. "What do you think about me" and I replied "ABCDEFGHIJK" She didn't understand and she asked me what that meant. I said "You are A for Adorable... B Beautiful... C for Cute... Delightful... Elegant... Fashionable... Gorgeous and Hot. She said... "Aww... Thanks... Keep going... you forgot about... I J and K" To which I replied "I'm Just Kidding".

[JB_Iowa]

First, I am grateful for the earlier start time than the last four nights. Thank you, Rockies for going earlier than 7:10 MTN.

 

Second, as much some Twins fans complain about the Pohlads, I don't think Jim has ever actually said, "if the product and experience are that bad, don't come" although obviously the Pohlads did talk about moving the club.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24615874/rockies-owner-dick-monfort-says-maybe-denver-doesnt-deserve-a-franchise

[Halsey Hall]

Looked like Seth taking photo's with a Puckett jersey on, while Marney was showing some of the minor league displays on Twins Live now.

[James]

Well, I'm at a brewery fairly close to Coors Field, and taking off for the game shortly. I may try to post during the game, but that may not happen. I've been drinking delicious Denver beer all day.

[Gibby]

First, I am grateful for the earlier start time than the last four nights. Thank you, Rockies for going earlier than 7:10 MTN.

 

Second, as much some Twins fans complain about the Pohlads, I don't think Jim has ever actually said, "if the product and experience are that bad, don't come" although obviously the Pohlads did talk about moving the club.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24615874/rockies-owner-dick-monfort-says-maybe-denver-doesnt-deserve-a-franchise

 

Back when there was a big issue of whether or not to resign Kirby, I was at Interlachen CC eavesdropping on Carl and Eleanor's breakfast conversation. I heard Eleanor say, "Oh for God's sake Carl, you know you're going to sign him, so get it over with already".

 

 

I also watched Carl get out of his car, slip on the ice and wind up on his back. Eleanor looked over the trunk at him, and said, "I'll meet you inside".

[Gibby]

Well, I'm at a brewery fairly close to Coors Field, and taking off for the game shortly. I may try to post during the game, but that may not happen. I've been drinking delicious Denver beer all day.

 

I'm envious, Denver is a blast.

[kydoty]

It took me a good 10 seconds for me realize why there wasn't a DH in the lineup. Oh yeah, we're playing in an NL park. I should know, I went to a game there last year.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

The Pitcher and whoever pinch hits for the Pitcher

 

Then, whoever pinch pitches for that pinch hitter, and so forth...

 

Ah, the violence inherent in the system.

 

I've been whiling away the pregame time listening to the online radio broadcasts of minor league teams. That's one silver lining with west coast games.

[JB_Iowa]

Pretty sure that HR can't be good.

[70charger]

Fun(ish) fact. This is apparently the second start by a lefty for the Twins this year. I'm pretty sure the other one was ...Kris Johnson.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Pretty sure that HR can't be good.

 

Builds character.

[JB_Iowa]

Builds character.

 

For the team? or fans?

[70charger]

For the team? or fans?

 

I feel like more of a character now, so it must be the fans.

[kydoty]

10 years ago, we will still remember where we were the day Sam Fuld was intentionally walked.

[kydoty]

BTW, I don't understand why pitchers even bother with things like painting corners against AL pitchers. Just throw three fastballs down the middle.

[70charger]

Welp. That reminds me why I don't have a problem with the designated hitter...

[Gibby]

10 years ago, we will still remember where we were the day Sam Fuld was intentionally walked.

 

I've liked everyone we've ever gotten from the A's.

[GCTF]

10 years ago, we will still remember where we were the day Sam Fuld was intentionally walked.

 

Nuthin' beats watching a pitcher bat.

[Gibby]

How did Cuddy break his shoulder. dude is a klutz.

[GCTF]

So are there any more 30 year old rookies to pull up?

[curt1965]

Wonder what Carew would have hit is he played half his games in Coors Field?

[GCTF]

How did Cuddy break his shoulder. dude is a klutz.

 

Would it be trite to suggest it happened while performing a card trick?

[Gibby]

I thought the Rockies sucked.

[Gibby]

Would it be trite to suggest it happened while performing a card trick?

 

Remember when he tripped halfway between 2nd and 3rd, flipped and fell on his helmet?

[Winston Smith]

First, I am grateful for the earlier start time than the last four nights. Thank you, Rockies for going earlier than 7:10 MTN.

 

Second, as much some Twins fans complain about the Pohlads, I don't think Jim has ever actually said, "if the product and experience are that bad, don't come" although obviously the Pohlads did talk about moving the club.

 

Did you forget Carl agreeing to contract the Twins for a fat check from Bud and MLB?

[curt1965]

First team to 10 wins.....

[Gibby]

First, I am grateful for the earlier start time than the last four nights. Thank you, Rockies for going earlier than 7:10 MTN.

 

Second, as much some Twins fans complain about the Pohlads, I don't think Jim has ever actually said, "if the product and experience are that bad, don't come" although obviously the Pohlads did talk about moving the club.

 

Did you forget Carl agreeing to contract the Twins for a fat check from Bud and MLB?

 

Leading to total domination over Detroit and Chicago for really fun years, until we mess ourselves at the feet of the Yankees.

[Gibby]

So this is going to be one of those tedious games.

[JB_Iowa]

First, I am grateful for the earlier start time than the last four nights. Thank you, Rockies for going earlier than 7:10 MTN.

 

Second, as much some Twins fans complain about the Pohlads, I don't think Jim has ever actually said, "if the product and experience are that bad, don't come" although obviously the Pohlads did talk about moving the club.

 

Did you forget Carl agreeing to contract the Twins for a fat check from Bud and MLB?

 

although obviously the Pohlads did talk about moving the club.

 

Sorry I was confusing moving and contracting.

[Gibby]

Well, that turned out better than I thought it would.