Game Thread: Twins @ Indians, 5/10 @ 12:10pm CT

[Squirrel]

The first ever game thread on Twins Daily was posted by Seth on Feb. 29, 2012. It was for a 'B game' scrimmage against the Red Sox happening the next day. The original post wasn't a tribute to the local college's creative writing course; nor was it an in-depth analysis covering every statistic in every corner, with charts, graphs and video; nor was it the 'ponderings' of someone who missed his calling in comedy. It was more 'Here's who will be starting today.' It wasn't even a lineup, just who we were going to see in the game. Thus were the simple and humble beginnings of the game thread.

 

The game threads continued into the regular season. When I saw in the archives the Opening Day game thread for that year, I thought, 'Well, okay, here's where it really began.' All that was there was 'This is the announced Twins lineup; the O's will trot out this.' And the O's portion was just a link, not a typed-out list. There was a brief bit about the opposing pitcher and that was it. The most excitement in the post was the title, where Parker used 3 exclamation points. Yes, three, count 'em, three!!! The regular season went on with much of the same. Just the lineups. Not even the weather. Occasionally there was a tidbit or an aside or even a 'Go Twins!' thrown in. Seth started most of them in that early era, but there were occasional threads started by Parker or Nick or other members. Even Chief started one. Oddly, his was the only one that didn't follow the format. Instead of the thread title reading 'Game #X, Twins vs Other Team, Date,' his went 'Date, Game #X, Twins vs Other team.' A military man breaking format? Hmmm. And glunn started a thread or two. The one that caught my eye, and really made me laugh to be honest, was the one started with this in the OP: 'Where is Seth?' That was it. Really Glunn, you couldn't even name one starting pitcher?

 

Then Brock took over late that June. I'd say that that's where the tide turned a bit and game threads became more formalized. Now there was a game time listed in the thread titles. Gone was the 'Game #X' and the titles are more what we see today. But the body, pretty much the same. 'Here are the lineups.' There were articles being written for a time to introduce each series and a link included in the first of the game threads for that series. This went on into the next season until Brian finally took over.

 

Brian wasn't always the thinker we know him to be today. It took him a few game threads to get into his groove. His very first game thread start of June 23, 2013 said this:

'So let's get one of these started

How about that. I made a sticky… I'm powerful now!'

 

At least he had enough excitement for the job to use an exclamation point! However, there were no lineups, no weather, no 'things to think about,' nothing about the game whatsoever. It was stringer who provided lineups in the very next post. (Thank you, stringer.)

 

Brian's next game thread was on July 11, 2013. Boasting even more confidence, he got in the lineup. Yes, lineup; singular. He posted the opposing team's lineup, but not the Twins'. His third game thread came complete with both lineups and a little commentary, so now he was on a roll. And the fourth had his first 'things to think about' list. This was it:

1. Let's think about Arcia on the bench. He needs to sit after 11 K's in the past 3 games and failing to break a bat over his knee in frustration.


2. Let's think about this Yankees lineup. If the Yankees lineup was ours. We'd complain about it.


3. Let's think about Sam Deduno... OK... Just a quick thought about Sam... Now move on to #4


4. Let's think about Phil Hughes... The Yankees are trying to trade him. We can help them get less for him.


5. Let's think about the well fed children of the world... The Starving Children are the ones always talked about and rightly so... But for one day out of 365... Let's think about the well fed children so they know they matter. July 13th is as good a day as any.

 

So, what's the point in this history lesson, you wonder, eyes glazed over? It's to point out that not all game thread starts are created equal, nor should be. Some are novellas, some are filled with all sorts of analysis, some have the 'ponderings' of a crazy man, and some will be short and sweet with just the facts. It's okay to follow the evolutionary path, but it's also okay to honor the past. All are good and all are welcome … and Chief's inbox is clear and waiting for you to sign up and do yours. The commonality in game threads isn't in the start anyway but in the posts that follow … a bunch of fans coming together to watch and comment on the game. But please, leave the beach balls and 'the wave' somewhere else. (I really dislike those things at games!)

 

And, finally, my musings for todays game:

 

Here are the lineups.

 

TWINS:


Dozier 2B

Hunter DH

Mauer 1B

Suzuki C

Escobar LF

Rosario RF

Bernier 3B

Schafer CF

Santana SS

 

May P

 

INDIANS:


Kipnis 2B

Santana 1B

Brantley LF

Chisenhall 3B

Murphy RF

Swisher DH

Bourn CF

Perez C

Walters SS

 


Salazar P

 

Game-time forecast: 78 deg F, mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms, winds from the SW at 8mph

 

Oh, and Go Twins! Play ball!

[Squirrel]

Sorry for the length ... I was really intending to go with brevity, but, history just isn't brief!

[JB_Iowa]

 

Sorry for the length ... I was intending to go with brevity, but, history just isn't brief!

 

You "did good" Chi.  I'd forgotten how the threads started -- because it's the fun of the posts that I remember (even amidst all the losses).

 

Nothing like company to lessen the misery but I hope the fun continues with winning!

[USAFChief]

Fabulous, Chitown!

 

Happy Mother's Day to every mom out there, including mine, may she rest in the peace she earned many times over.

 

Enjoy the game everyone!

[stringer bell]

Molitor said on his radio show that he made two lineups, one with Plouffe, one without.  He's apparently not yet on the ground in Cleveland.  I hope that this lineup is correct!

[stringer bell]

Great job Chi-Town!  BTW, which Chicago hockey player is it that graces your avatar?

[Giles Ferrell]

 

Great job Chi-Town!  BTW, which Chicago hockey player is it that graces your avatar?

Looks like Patrick Sharp.

 

I saw the Twins are averaging 7 runs per game in May. Hopefully the pink bats can keep that up today!

[Squirrel]

 

Molitor said on his radio show that he made two lineups, one with Plouffe, one without.  He's apparently not yet on the ground in Cleveland.  I hope that this lineup is correct!

I'll double check ... thanks for the heads up!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Pink bats today!

 

Thanks for the game set up--much different today from all the black helicopters from yesterday's set up

[Squirrel]

 

Looks like Patrick Sharp.

 

I saw the Twins are averaging 7 runs per game in May. Hopefully the pink bats can keep that up today!

Yup ... I'm a Hawks fan, sort of ... mostly just to poke at all the Wild and Jets fans!

[PseudoSABR]

In the beginning, there was the game thread.

 

--

 

I'm surprised Rosario hasn't gotten a chance in center, he can't be any more mediocre than Schaffer.

[Squirrel]

 

In the beginning, there was the game thread.

 

--

 

I'm surprised Rosario hasn't gotten a chance in center, he can't be any more mediocre than Schaffer.

My guess is we'll see him out there before he is sent down. Just haven't gotten to it yet.

[ashbury]

Heading out for Mother's Day brunch with the mother of my kids. Hope my wife doesn't find out. Ba-dum-tshhhh. Might miss the first part of the game today.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

 

In the beginning, there was the game thread.

 

...

And it was good.

 

---

 

Thanks ChiTownTwinsFan (to use your full and proper title) for the briefs on game thread history!

 

If one has ever read a history book, that is nice and too the point. Succinct, you might even say. (I know this 'cause i'm still awake)

 

And truer words ain't never been said. What makes the threads special is everyone's commentary.

 

Anyway, i'm lookin' forward to another exciting game this afternoon. Oh yeah, and echoin' the already expressed mother's day sentiments.

[stringer bell]

Bremer made a comment yesterday about Schafer not being 100%.  I wonder if when Arcia is ready if they might not disable Schafer and let him heal.  That would give them a chance to audition Rosario a bit in center and if he's not up to it, then go with Hicks. 

 

Schafer has both a toe and knee injury and it deprives him of his biggest asset.  In some respects, it isn't fair for him to keep going out there, but on the other hand, if he were to be disabled, I don't think there would be a job waiting for him, so he probably tells the training staff he is good to go.

[Craig Arko]

Nothing like a good historically based opening.

 

http://youtu.be/N1H9eKWPGRo

[stringer bell]

 

 

Heading out for Mother's Day brunch with the mother of my kids. Hope my wife doesn't find out. Ba-dum-tshhhh. Might miss the first part of the game today.

Wish Mrs. Ashbury a Happy Mother's Day for me. 

[twinsnorth49]

Yup ... I'm a Hawks fan, sort of ... mostly just to poke at all the Wild and Jets fans!

I heard that!!

 

You do know your avy idol was born right here in Jet land don't you? Along with some other guy on the team, last name starts with T, C stitched on his jersey, can't quite place him....

 

Grrr.

[Riverbrian]

That was awesome Chitown.

 

Maybe some time in the future we can do a worst of Riverbrian?

 

That'll be easier to do than a best of.

 

It's been a busy weekend for the family and I won't be able to game thread today either.

 

Yesterday was my wife's birthday and Today is my Dad's birthday... Along with Mother's Day.  

 

So the family is out of town today to visit my father and celebrate a couple of big days and a couple of important people.  

 

To my late Mom:

 

Do we ever miss you!!!

 

To be honest... It really hasn't gotten easier since you passed 7 years ago. We still think about you often but we know what we are supposed to do. We knew it then and we still know it now.  

 

Here's what you really want to know... Everyone is doing great and I mean everyone is doing great. Not a stinker in the bunch. Dad... My Sisters and I are all happy and all your grand children and great grand children are loving life and bringing smiles to the faces of others.

 

I know that's all you ever wanted and I'm part of the greatest family in the world and it all came from you. You led the way and showed us how to do it.

 

Happy Mother's Day to all... There is nothing like a Mom!!!        

[Winston Smith]

Nicely done both ChiTown and brian!

 

Off topic but I caught a little Ghostbusters last week and this scene made me think of ChiTown.

 

http://images.classicalite.com/data/images/full/4586/celloweaver-jpg.jpg?w=600

[Circus Boy]

Sounds like the first game threads had a Ray Scott "Starr-Dowling-Touchdown Packers" vibe to them. That had to be cool.

[JB_Iowa]

Brian Murphy ‏@murphPPress  · 23m23 minutes ago 
Molitor on Plouffe's planned dash from airport: "Should have brought his uniform." #MNTwins have until 1:05 to submit lineup at plate

[Circus Boy]

Please rise for our National Anthem...

[formerly33]

 

Brian wasn't always the thinker we know him to be today. It took him a few game threads to get into his groove. His very first game thread start of June 23, 2013 said this:

'So let's get one of these started

How about that. I made a sticky… I'm powerful now!'

To which you replied, "I don't know whether or not to be afraid."

 

I hope you know now.

 

And good job, by the way. It's always nice to look at the things that we have a tendency to forget matter, like well-fed children and yes, even simple game threads.

[formerly33]

And this game is underway.

[formerly33]

GONE!!!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Well done, Dozier.

 

1-0 CBU

 

[JB_Iowa]

 

 

[formerly33]

No.

[Squirrel]

Uh oh ... cmon Trevor, pull it together.