Article: Game Thread: Twins v Royals, 9/1 @ 7:10pm CT

[Riverbrian]

And here it is… September. It’s not just a song by Earth, Wind and Fire this year. This September we might remember. The Twins enter the month with a 1.5 game lead over the Angels for that final playoff spot and just a game behind the Yankees for that first wild card spot.

Up in these parts… people start closing up the cabins and lake homes Labor Day weekend. NOT THIS YEAR… the Twins are extending summer for us all.

“Ba-De-Ya - Never was a cloudy day”.

Enjoy!!!

Here are some things to think about:

 

1. Fargo – With an estimated population of 125,000, Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota. However, since I have been a 28 year resident of Grand Forks, with Fargo being a rival in most everything, I must do whatever I can to diminish that 'largest city' accomplishment. So… congratulations, Fargo, on being the largest city in North Dakota. I offer this congratulations with the same level of sincerity that I displayed while congratulating International Falls for being warmer than Warroad last January. The rivalry has developed from UND vs. NDSU. You’ll notice I put UND first… that was intentional and subliminal for those who don’t have a dog in the fight. Over the years, North Dakotans have gotten used to life’s disappointments and this familiarity is why so many of them moved to Fargo.

2. Our Twins – After the sweep of the White Sox, the Twins wrap up a fine month of August with a 17-10 record. I’m not going to question it. I’m not going to try to explain it, I’m not going to ask for an explanation, I’m just going to enjoy this. It’s the same attitude I have when I come home from work and there is a cheesecake on the counter that wasn’t there when I left.

3. The Royals – Remember at the end of July and the Royals had won something like 500 games in a row? The Royals got aggressive at the Trade Deadline picking up 4 players, or something like that, for the stretch run. Remember at the end of July, the Twins had fallen back in the pack, and had quickly traded off a couple of vets? It’s clear that neither franchise understands what is supposed to happen after these moves are made.

4. Today’s Joe M Conversation:

Maddon: Take a look at these two… don’t they look great?

McCarthy: Why on Earth are you dressed like a chicken?

Maddon: He looks great.

Mauer: And… you are dressed like a… is that an egg?

Montana: Yep… I’m an egg

McCarthy: What is going on?

Maddon: I dressed them this way.

Morgan: It was his suggestion… tt’s the only reason I’d dress like a Chicken.

McCarthy: Again… I got to ask why they are dressed this way.

Maddon: They are going to race so we can decide it once and for all.

5. Odd Jobs – My wife gave me a list of 8 odd-jobs to do. I did as she requested and completed jobs one, three, five and seven. My wife was disappointed with me but she needs to choose her words more carefully.
____________________

Lineups:

ROYALS
Whit Merrifield 2B
Lorenzo Cain CF
Melky Cabrera LF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Salvador Perez C
Mike Moustakas 3B
Jorge Bonifacio RF
Brandon Moss DH
Alcides Escobar SS

Jason Hammels P

TWINS
Brian Dozier 2B
Joe Mauer 1B
Jorge Polanco SS
Eddie Rosario LF
Eduardo Escobar 3B
Max Kepler RF
Mitch Garver C
Kennys Vargas DH
Zack Granite CF

Dillon Gee P

Weather: 70 deg F, mostly cloudy, winds at 11mph from the SSE, with a 15% chance of rain. If there is any rain between now and tomorrow, hopefully it falls well between games.

Go Twins! Play ball!

Click here to view the article

[Bill Brown69]

17-11 September record should make that last game a moot point so we can rest up for the playoffs.

[Blake]

Excellent job, RB!

 

What a fun year it has been in Twins Territory.

 

And, I notice the Twins are talking about "priority seating for the playoffs" during their season ticket drive for next year.

 

Never thought I'd hear that this year.

[spinowner]

I don't know if this is considered nit-picking but our favorite team compiled a 20-10 record in August this year including 18-7 over the last 25 games.

[Riverbrian]

I don't know if this is considered nit-picking but our favorite team compiled a 20-10 record in August this year including 18-7 over the last 25 games.

Game opens are hard enough without the additional pressure of accuracy.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

...

 

Over the years, North Dakotans have gotten used to life’s disappointments and this familiarity is why so many of them moved to Fargo.

 

...

Gosh, i thought it was just the downward plain that brought them to Fargo.

 

If not for Fargo, they'd end up running down to Canada and eventually into the Hudson Bay.

 

Shows what i know...

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Game opens are hard enough without the additional pressure of accuracy.

Yeah, accuracy is important, but it isn't everything.

 

A good pitch in the dirt can still be a strike.

 

Keep writin' the benders to keep us on our toes. Don't want us comfortable in the box.

[spinowner]

 

1. Fargo – With an estimated population of 125,000, Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota. However, since I have been a 28 year resident of Grand Forks, with Fargo being a rival in most everything, I must do whatever I can to diminish that 'largest city' accomplishment. So… congratulations, Fargo, on being the largest city in North Dakota. I offer this congratulations with the same level of sincerity that I displayed while congratulating International Falls for being warmer than Warroad last January. The rivalry has developed from UND vs. NDSU. You’ll notice I put UND first… that was intentional and subliminal for those who don’t have a dog in the fight. Over the years, North Dakotans have gotten used to life’s disappointments and this familiarity is why so many of them moved to Fargo.
 

The winner of the annual football game between these two schools used to earn what I thought was one of the coolest traveling trophies: The Nickel (Bison on one side, Sioux on the other). I understand it is now suspended, I suppose at least in part due to the fact that UND has a different mascot (correctly so, IMHO).

[gocgo]

 

Gosh, i thought it was just the downward plain that brought them to Fargo.

If not for Fargo, they'd end up running down to Canada and eventually into the Hudson Bay.

Shows what i know...

Ooh!  That downward plain...I'll bet Bert likes Fargo.

[Bill Brown69]

 

The winner of the annual football game between these two schools used to earn what I thought was one of the coolest traveling trophies: The Nickel (Bison on one side, Sioux on the other). I understand it is now suspended, I suppose at least in part due to the fact that UND has a different mascot (correctly so, IMHO).

 

Yep, the Fighting Hawks, as in How About We Keep Sioux.

[Don Walcott]

Remember how the Royals crushed us to end our hopes in 2015?  It's payback time.

[Blake]

 

Game opens are hard enough without the additional pressure of accuracy.

Wait, accuracy is part of the game thread style sheet? 

 

Live and learn......................

[Blake]

I see Houston got Verlander.

 

I wish Mr. Verlander all the best and hope he pitches well..right up until losing to the Twins for the AL title.

 

[sampleSizeOfOne]

The winner of the annual football game between these two schools used to earn what I thought was one of the coolest traveling trophies: The Nickel (Bison on one side, Sioux on the other). I understand it is now suspended, I suppose at least in part due to the fact that UND has a different mascot (correctly so, IMHO).

That is indeed a pretty cool sounding trophy. I assume if they put it on display for the year, one side was facing the wall?

 

I have fond memories of someone asking the question "how come buffalo nickels are worth 4 cents?"

 

I remember following some of the mascot controversy a couple years back before the change happened.

 

I hope it isn't impossible for the University to do right by the tribe, and the tribe to be well represented, but yeah, marketing and merchandising and much of the hoop la surrounding these events do not exactly lend themselves to sensitive distinctions of cultural identity and the like...

 

If i chose a mascot for my athletic department, i'm going to go with the French variation on Sweetem's role in the first Muppet Movie.

[TwinsCD]

I share in your distaste of all things Bison as my alma mater was stampeded by them for one of their football championships.

[bighat]

 

 

 

And, I notice the Twins are talking about "priority seating for the playoffs" during their season ticket drive for next year.

 

Never thought I'd hear that this year.

 

I heard that on the last broadcast too!  I was thinking "Don't jinx it, don't jinx it"...

 

Huge series here against KC. Hurry up and get back, Miguel Sano! 

[Squirrel]

Game opens are hard enough without the additional pressure of accuracy.

Especially at this point in the season. And I know for certain that your editor also does not fact check these things ... she's more concerned with properly placed/used commas.

[Darius]

Huge series. Must win series.

[sampleSizeOfOne]

Game opens are hard enough without the additional pressure of accuracy.

[Blake]

 

Especially at this point in the season. And I know for certain that your editor also does not fact check these things ... she's more concerned with properly placed/used commas.

"Let's eat grandma" versus "Let's eat, grandma" sort of thing?  

[Riverbrian]

 

The winner of the annual football game between these two schools used to earn what I thought was one of the coolest traveling trophies: The Nickel (Bison on one side, Sioux on the other). I understand it is now suspended, I suppose at least in part due to the fact that UND has a different mascot (correctly so, IMHO).

 

I believe the Nickel Trophy is in our possession and has been in our possession since 2003 when the two teams were still NCC conference members. I've heard it has been hidden by UND and I've heard that the state legislature was trying pass some sort of decree that it be housed in Bismarck. 

 

All I know for sure is that the two teams have only played once since 2003 that was in 2015 and that game was not designated a nickel trophy game by UND I believe.

 

I have no idea what is happening inside the walls of the decision makers but from the outside it looks like both schools are playing some serious hardball with each other and it has prevented the teams from playing each other since they each moved up a level and into separate conferences. 

 

I can understand scheduling difficulties on occasion but for 15 YEARS!!! You can't schedule a yearly game that the entire state got jacked up for and the public claim is scheduling. It would be fairly simple... Hold the 1st Saturday in September and rotate home field every year. There is something going on between the two schools that probably includes some unprofessional language toward each other.  

 

It's a shame because all of the 500 plus residents of North Dakota are the ones to suffer. 

[Riverbrian]

 

Yep, the Fighting Hawks, as in How About We Keep Sioux.

 

I loved the Sioux nickname and I was always respectful in my support and I also have no problem with the new nickname. 

 

In 75 Years nobody will care anymore. Might as well just get rid of the drama and change the name and move on. 

 

The nickname decision was never life or death for me but to some it sure seemed to be. 

 

Go Fighting Hawks!!! Life goes on

 

 

[jimbo92107]

Hope this heat wave doesn't head east. I'm in Petaluma CA, and it's getting up to 106F today and tomorrow. 

 

It's just not cool when it's this hot.

[ThejacKmp]

That lineup:

 

1.) Wish Escobar wasn't batting 5th. Way too high.

2.) Sad Castro isn't back - all righties this weekend so it'd be nice to get a Fri and Sun out of him.
3.) Was really hoping Byron would be back but I guess it's good to be cautious.
4.) Vargas just doesn't excite me anymore. Hopefully he proves me wrong tonight.

[ThejacKmp]

 

I believe the Nickel Trophy is in our possession and has been in our possession since 2003 when the two teams were still NCC conference members. I've heard it has been hidden by UND and I've heard that the state legislature was trying pass some sort of decree that it be housed in Bismarck. 

 

All I know for sure is that the two teams have only played once since 2003 that was in 2015 and that game was not designated a nickel trophy game by UND I believe.

 

I have no idea what is happening inside the walls of the decision makers but from the outside it looks like both schools are playing some serious hardball with each other and it has prevented the teams from playing each other since they each moved up a level and into separate conferences. 

 

I can understand scheduling difficulties on occasion but for 15 YEARS!!! You can't schedule a yearly game that the entire state got jacked up for and the public claim is scheduling. It would be fairly simple... Hold the 1st Saturday in September and rotate home field every year. There is something going on between the two schools that probably includes some unprofessional language toward each other.  

 

It's a shame because all of the 500 plus residents of North Dakota are the ones to suffer. 

Dakota problems.

[Dantes929]

 

Huge series. Must win series.

Nah.   Huge series.   Really nice to win series but way too early for must win.    Even if we get swept we are still in it.    My favorite time a series was considered must win was in 2006 when we played the White Sox and Detroit was playing last place KC the last 3 games of the season.    Fans were saying we had to sweep.  Nope.  We won one game and it was enough.   Experts also said Santana had to run the table in his last 3 games to even have a remote chance.   Nope,   He lost 2 of the last 3.   I am all for winning this series and particularly tonight's game because the more you win now the less you have must win down the line.  Just too many games left.

[beckmt]

Riverbrian,  Anyone who lives in Grand Forks should consider moving.  North Dakota rivals are now in different levels.  I believe one is division 1 and one is division 2.  That would be why they do not play.

[D. Hocking]

 

 

2. Our Twins – After the sweep of the White Sox, the Twins wrap up a fine month of August with a 17-10 record. 

 

 

If I remember correctly we did not win our 17th win for the entire year last year until sometime in August.  This year has been more fun.

[Bill Brown69]

 

Riverbrian,  Anyone who lives in Grand Forks should consider moving.  North Dakota rivals are now in different levels.  I believe one is division 1 and one is division 2.  That would be why they do not play.

 

The Hawks and Bison are at the same level, just in different conferences for now.

[USAFChief]

Dakota problems.

Third world problems.

 

I kid, I kid...