Game Thread: Twins @ Red Sox, 6/28@6:10pm CT

[diehardtwinsfan]

Today is a very important day, as it is my sister’s birthday. I won’t bore you with how old she is, and she doesn’t read this site, but I’ll simply note that I’m proud of her and wish her a happy **th birthday. With that out of the way, we need to discuss far more important things to think about today, namely regarding our Twins and a game against another good AL contender. My last set of things to think about centered around the 5 stages of grief, and considering how we got our ***es handed to us by our AL Central rivals, it seemed fitting. Of course, the good guys show all that grit and hustle that would make Gardy proud. They went to Cleveland and beat the snot out of them on the road, retaking first place and giving Twins fans hope. Hope is a fickle mistress. She was the really hot administrative assistant that a young DiehardTwinsFan had the privilege of working with in one of his first jobs. She is the mistress that is absolutely obsessed with teasing Vikings fans, but we all know how that ends. She doesn’t like Vikings fans much, neither do the Vikings I might add, as they seem to team together with her step-sister Despair to well…. I really cannot put into words just how gruesome they really are, but no Stephen King novel is able to capture the horror. But for Twins fans, hope has been both kind and evil, much like the average Greek goddess granting them occasional joy, while mostly afflicting them with some despair.

 

Things to think about.

 

1. Boston. I hate that place. Never mind that I had an employer based out of there which forced me to do some occasional travel. OK, the Italian food is really good. The problem with Boston is the people. In Massachusetts, they take pride in calling themselves M***holes, as this is some sort of extra special a-hole that only Massachusetts can produce. I don’t get it. I’m not Minnesota nice since I live in Indiana, but why take pride in this? Then again, they do have a prominent place in this country’s history, so there’s that. But Boston sport’s fans are as arrogant as Yankee’s fans, but they seem to forget that their team has just a few less WS victories than their chief counterparts after selling some guy named Ruth to the Yankees for cash considerations. Yeah, they basically got Ortiz from the Twins, but at least we DFAd him first after no one would trade an actual player for him.

 

2. Rick Porcello. Every time I hear someone say “we need to sign an ace,” it usually follows with some names that we like with some names that invariably elicit a WTF moment from a few posters around here. Porcello probably fits that category in the sense that he made it to the majors at age 20, giving lots of people in Detroit hope and causing lots of other fans to covet this young talented “pitching prospect,” if such a thing actually exists. Maybe this is SSS bias, but given that all of my wife’s family consists of Tigers fans, perhaps I heard it there. Then again, I’m sure I heard it here too. In reality, Porcello is a pitching prospect that never lived up to the hype, having only two full seasons in the majors with an ERA under 4, despite being in the majors since 2009 with a Gibsonesque career K rate of 6.24. What that really means is that our K heavy lineup will either explode or turn him into the next incarnation of Cy Young. I don’t know which.

 

3. Morristown. Believe it or not, that’s where Porcello is from. It’s named after some guy named Jack Morris after he pitched a really awesome 10 inning shutout in game 7 of the 1991 World Series, which still to this date is the best WS game ever played… capping what was one of the best WS matches. We all know who came on top. The good guys of course  (except for BigGentleBen who for some strange reason thinks otherwise).
 

4. History. Not much to say here, except for some guy named Ferdinand being assassinated. It sparked some sort of big war that supposedly was going to end all wars. It didn’t though. Sometime after that, some guy named Keynes in 1919 predicted economic chaos. He was off by about 10 years, but like every prognosticator, close enough was good enough and he’s hailed as some sort of economic expert by people who clearly have never ready his theories. Most importantly, the first Corvette was assembled in 1953 in Flint, Mi. I would still prefer a Shelby Mustang.

 

5. Game thread streaks. OK, I’ve won two in a row after losing every one of my previous threads. I’m too lazy to look this up to see if it’s 3 or 4, but I’m going with optimism here, as for some silly reason, the Twins like the road more than they like home. I can only go with the idea that they hate something about their lives, or they consist of a team of extreme introverts that prefers the solitude of the road to the noise of home.

[Vanimal46]

It's usually a safe bet to wish a woman happy 29th birthday, unless she's in her late twenties.... Then it's happy 22nd birthday! 

[Vanimal46]

What has been the best age of your life?

So far 27 is turning out to be a great one for ol' Vanimal! 

[wsnydes]

 

It's usually a safe bet to wish a woman happy 29th birthday, unless she's in her late twenties.... Then it's happy 22nd birthday! 

I follow this rule pretty closely...except for when it involves my wife in which case I usually go with some random age well north of retirement age.  I like to live dangerously.  

[wsnydes]

 

What has been the best age of your life?

So far 27 is turning out to be a great one for ol' Vanimal! 

24 was a pretty good age for me, especially in retrospect.  It was a bit tough at the time, but I've been reaping the benefits of that year ever since.  

 

I had three major life changing events occur within a two week span.  After six months of job searching after being laid off I accepted a job offer in the Cities.  Three days later, I was in Florida getting married (date was set before I got laid off).  A week after that, we were in the Cities searching for apartments.  A couple of days after that we moved from Fargo to the Cities and the next day I started my new job.  We no longer live in the apartment, but I'm still married to the same wonderful bride and still employed by the same employer.  The chaos seemed to be worth the chaos. 

[Dave The Dastardly]

56 was good for me. I "retired" from a career that was sucking the life out of me and became my own boss. Which is pretty easy to be because I'm pretty laid back. I'm definitely the easiest employee I ever had to supervise. Of course my wife helps in that regard...

[bighat]

I got sober at age 36.  That wasn't the best year (because learning to live like a sober adult SUCKS when you're 36), but it did help pave the road for better years ahead.  I'd have to say this year (42) has been my best.  I'm in the best shape of my life since my early 20's, have a great job and moved into a new house with the ladyfriend.

 

The adventure isn't over, I feel like it's only just begun

[Vanimal46]

 

I got sober at age 36.  That wasn't the best year (because learning to live like a sober adult SUCKS when you're 36), but it did help pave the road for better years ahead.  I'd have to say this year (42) has been my best.  I'm in the best shape of my life since my early 20's, have a great job and moved into a new house with the ladyfriend.

 

The adventure isn't over, I feel like it's only just begun

 

Congrats on getting sober, and for 2017 being the best year of your life so far! 

[Blake]

 

I got sober at age 36.  That wasn't the best year (because learning to live like a sober adult SUCKS when you're 36), but it did help pave the road for better years ahead.  I'd have to say this year (42) has been my best.  I'm in the best shape of my life since my early 20's, have a great job and moved into a new house with the ladyfriend.

 

The adventure isn't over, I feel like it's only just begun

Yeah, I did my time with the bottle and once I put it behind me, I realized just how much of life I missed during that period of time.

[Vanimal46]

 

24 was a pretty good age for me, especially in retrospect.  It was a bit tough at the time, but I've been reaping the benefits of that year ever since.  

 

I had three major life changing events occur within a two week span.  After six months of job searching after being laid off I accepted a job offer in the Cities.  Three days later, I was in Florida getting married (date was set before I got laid off).  A week after that, we were in the Cities searching for apartments.  A couple of days after that we moved from Fargo to the Cities and the next day I started my new job.  We no longer live in the apartment, but I'm still married to the same wonderful bride and still employed by the same employer.  The chaos seemed to be worth the chaos. 

 

That's a great story! You don't see it much anymore where a person stays at a company for 20 years. You're one of the lucky ones! 

[wsnydes]

 

I got sober at age 36.  That wasn't the best year (because learning to live like a sober adult SUCKS when you're 36), but it did help pave the road for better years ahead.  I'd have to say this year (42) has been my best.  I'm in the best shape of my life since my early 20's, have a great job and moved into a new house with the ladyfriend.

 

The adventure isn't over, I feel like it's only just begun

Congrats on getting sober and sticking to it.  My BIL was not so lucky and it cost him his life.  Keep up the good work and enjoy the new lease on life!

[sampleSizeOfOne]

You think maybe they're saying Mass soul?

 

Me neither.

[Craig Arko]

Best year? Since I wasn't expected to survive, I'll go with One.

 

Been living on borrowed time for 59 years since.

[Mike Sixel]

going back in time.....this was posted on 538 today:

 

75 percent

Share of the time the “‘i’ before ‘e’ … ” spelling mnemonic is accurate. Looking at the second part of the rule, “… except after ‘c’,” that’s also correct in about 75 percent of the words where and “ie” or “ei” follows “c.” [Nathan Cunn]

 

You would think that site would have something better to do than to mine TD for content ideas.....

[Squirrel]

I like Boston. Not sure I'd put it in my 'favorites' category, but I like it. But I wouldn't want to drive in it, ever. If I had to drive all over Boston I might have a different opinion.

[Squirrel]

Best year ... hmmm ... maybe 37? That's when I won the audition for my job here in Chicago, my dream job. Been here ever since.

 

I'd go back and relive my 40s, if we are talking decades. I wouldn't ever want to go back and relive my 20s, though. No way. Maybe if I were 32 I'd say that, maybe. But no way at this point would I want to do that. Nuh uh.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

I like Boston. Not sure I'd put it in my 'favorites' category, but I like it. But I wouldn't want to drive in it, ever. If I had to drive all over Boston I might have a different opinion.

I drive round the Boston area bunch. I usually go off hours, so as to not deal with too much traffic.I do kinda miss some of the more crazy intersections which have been sanitized recently (er... past decade)

 

And i'll think about my favorite year... Nothing really stopping me from qualitatively reliving it. Sure, Pluto may not be a planet, but... well... that shouldn't stop me.

[Mike Sixel]

Trying to figure out how to get to Trillium while I am there, as the taproom is 40 minutes, give or take, from where my son is temporarily living....looks like Tree House is out of the plans for sure, alas.

[Blake]

 

Best year ... hmmm ... maybe 37? That's when I won the audition for my job here in Chicago, my dream job. Been here ever since.

 

I'd go back and relive my 40s, if we are talking decades. I wouldn't ever want to go back and relive my 20s, though. No way. Maybe if I were 32 I'd say that, maybe. But no way at this point would I want to do that. Nuh uh.

I would only go back and relive if I could take my experiences with me..so I could avoid doing the same stupid sh** all over again.

[Blake]

 

Best year ... hmmm ... maybe 37? That's when I won the audition for my job here in Chicago, my dream job. Been here ever since.

 

I'd go back and relive my 40s, if we are talking decades. I wouldn't ever want to go back and relive my 20s, though. No way. Maybe if I were 32 I'd say that, maybe. But no way at this point would I want to do that. Nuh uh.

Uh, how can you go back and relive your 40's if you're only 39?

[Mike Sixel]

Best year? Wow, that's tough. Most of them have been great, why compare?

[ashbury]

I remember at age 24 thinking that if I could drive a stake in the ground and keep my age there, I'd do it.

 

But as for the apparent intent of the original question, I have a hard time picking a best year. My life has been pretty charmed. Either that or I have low expectations.

[Vanimal46]

 

Uh, how can you go back and relive your 40's if you're only 39 29?

 

FTFY

[Jerr]

And I have never put my experiences into a year or some kind of time frame....just try to enjoy it, as to me it is just one life...all goes to that goal  

 

 

[Jerr]

 

And I have never put my experiences into a year or some kind of time frame....just try to enjoy it, as to me it is just one life...all goes to that goal  

Just to further my take, you young posters will learn that...just ask Chief, what happened to him in year #28...or #128...... bet ya he can't  

[Craig Arko]

 

And I have never put my experiences into a year or some kind of time frame....just try to enjoy it, as to me it is just one life...all goes to that goal  

And don't forget to do the Math...

[Jerr]

 

And don't forget to do the Math...

 fixed it.... just forget the years by the exact year, just one life. No math needed

[Vanimal46]

 

I remember at age 24 thinking that if I could drive a stake in the ground and keep my age there, I'd do it.

 

But as for the apparent intent of the original question, I have a hard time picking a best year. My life has been pretty charmed. Either that or I have low expectations.

 

High aspirations, low expectations is the only way to go through life! You'll never disappoint yourself! 

[jimmer]

The age time frame of late 20s/early 30s was the best. From 26 to 32 was just awesome. All of it. If I had to pick one age, probably 27.

[Vanimal46]

 

Best year ... hmmm ... maybe 37? That's when I won the audition for my job here in Chicago, my dream job. Been here ever since.

 

I'd go back and relive my 40s, if we are talking decades. I wouldn't ever want to go back and relive my 20s, though. No way. Maybe if I were 32 I'd say that, maybe. But no way at this point would I want to do that. Nuh uh.

 

20's are a very confusing time... Just graduating from college, trying to figure out what you're supposed to do after that... Dating.... Still trying to be trendy and cool... 

 

I don't know what it is, but something clicked for my first month being 27. Stopped caring about the small stuff, and things I can't control. It's the happiest I've been professionally and personally in years... Maybe ever!