Game Thread 4/10/18 Twins vs. Astros 7:10 PM CDT

[USAFChief]

What was your favorite moment of the Ryan LaMarre era?

[Nine of twelve]

Bert knows his own stats. He indeed had 4970.0 IP.

[USAFChief]

Bert tryin' to self-deprecatingly pretend he doesn't know EXACTLY how many big league innings he pitched.

[jimmer]

Took Bremer a whole four innings to ask Bert about his pitching days.  Losing his touch.

[jimmer]

Man, I wish Astros broadcast was available on my MLB Extra Innings

[ashbury]

Welp,  got another class coming up soon, so I'll probably miss another half-inning or so...

You'll be ready to graduate some of your students by game's end.

[jimmer]

 

You'll be ready to graduate some of your student by game's end.

they'll be collecting social security by the 8th inning.

[twinssporto]

 

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

 

Screen Shot 2018-04-10 at 10.53.44 AM.png

 

I asked for a chance to do a game thread for Houston. Actually I begged for a chance to do a thread for the Houston Astros. On second thought, “begged” might be too strong a word. “Whined until the Powers-That-Be-Surrendered” is probably more accurate. Which might also define a certain request, oft repeated, that I’ve made of my dear wife over the past thirty odd years.

 

Anyway, my reason for wanting to thread the Houston needle (had to try and sneak that past you) was because despite the yuge amount of knowledge I’ve acquired over the years since my son graduated from high school, I’ve never been able to figure out just what an “Astro” is. So I thought I’d have a go at it.

 

I know what a Pirate is, as I proved last week, and a Giant, a Dodger (guy who avoids the military draft) a Damn Yankee and what Sox are, though I’ve never owned any red ones. The same goes for Mariners, Angels, Padres ( I did time in a Catholic school - still feel guilty about it), Reds (what we used to call Communists), Phillies (steak and cheese sandwiches), Rays (a drop of golden sun), Marlins (BFF), Orioles, Cardinals (the guys in those funny red hats who get to vote for Popes), Indians (both kinds), Tigers, Blue Jays, Royals (though you have to go to England for that - I’ve never been there either, but I kind of like the Beatles), Cubs, Brewers, Braves, Rockies (Sylvester Stallone’s gym shoes) and Diamondbacks (what you ask for after your fiancee dumps you). I even have a vague understanding of what a National might be (a guy who used to work at a National T grocery store) and a Met... well, I think that’s some sort of commuter train.

 

But what on this side of the universe is an Astro? The dog on the Jetsons? But would anybody actually name a team after a dog? I don’t believe so. Unless of course it was a rich dog and he bought the naming rights. Talk about a whoof... So what I was suspecting is that “Astro” is a reference to those stubby little vans Chevy used to make. How, pray tell, you ask with raised eyebrows, do I dare offer such a connection? I admit unashamedly (mostly because I don’t have any shame) that the raison d’etre for said tenuous connection between a baseball team and Chevy vans stems from a step back in time.

 

One recent evening while reminiscing the golden days of yore I was listening to old tunes on YouTube when I stumbled (yeah, you don’t have to say it, I stumble a lot) across this video and I had my answer!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFnkCIwGwiA

 

 

So there's the connection, in their younger days these Houston guys scored as much in Chevy vans as they do now in the ballpark. Which, if you think about it, also connects with my opening paragraph regarding begging, but which also begs (couldn’t resist) a few more questions; what if these guys grew up borrowing their parents Chrysler vans? Would they now be called the Mini-vans? Or what if their parents drove compact cars? Would that make them the Contortionists? Now there’s a good name for a baseball team. Has a certain twist to it...

 

The origin of Houston’s team name aside, as long as we’re not going to be playing on their turf (God I love puns!) I think the Twins have a chance to kick Houston’s Ass...tros tonight.

 

So enjoy the game. Me, I’m going down to the Chevy dealer. Gonna trade the Tahoe in for a Chevy van...

 

Because, you know, despite what anyone tells you, the Bird Ain’t The Word, Mum has the Word!

 

 

 

Throwing snowballs from atop the iceberg tonight:

 

For the Twins:  Jake “The Jammer” Odorizzi  2.61 ERA   0-0  1.16 WHIP

 

For the Chevy Vans:  Dallas “Cowboy” Keuchel  3.27 ERA  0-1  1.55 WHIP

Chevy Van is one of the best songs ever!!  

 

I drove 90mph from Chicago to get home and be a part of the Game Thread community.  I know everyone missed me.  Glad to be a part of the fun!

 

Great Intro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited April 11, 2018 by twinssporto

[jimmer]

Bremer: Puckett had 230 or more hits a season exactly once. Never had 240. Great player, Kirby, but come on, man...

Edited April 11, 2018 by jimmer

[LaBombo]

 

Lol ... that's pretty good ... but I still like the red shirts

 

162 games in a season, so I'm up for anything that adds a little variety...

 

http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/02-268x300.jpg

[twinssporto]

 

Welp,  got another class coming up soon, so I'll probably miss another half-inning or so...

Skip class.  We've all done it.

[jimmer]

Keuchel is usually VERY sure handed.

[LaBombo]

 

Welp,  got another class coming up soon, so I'll probably miss another half-inning or so...

 

No worries, the Twins have promised not to anything the slightest bit interesting while you're away.

[USAFChief]

 

162 games in a season, so I'm up for anything that adds a little variety...

 

http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/02-268x300.jpg

Ear muff night.  I remember that.

 

Seemed an odd choice of giveaways for Tampa, but whatev's.  

[jimmer]

never touched his glove but it's an error.  wouldn't be in Houston ;-)

[ashbury]

Is it an error if you step on the baseball?

[jimmer]

 

No worries, the Twins have promised not to anything the slightest bit interesting while you're away.

the threat of Sano's blazing speed made Keuchel rush that play.

[jimmer]

 

Is it an error if you step on the baseball?

yes

[D. Hocking]

 

Skip class.  We've all done it.

 

And look where that brought us and what we are doing now...

[USAFChief]

I think Every single AB with RISP to a RH hitter has started with a changeup from Kuechel.

 

Maybe, dunno, put away the analytics and do some ol' fashioned watching...and sit on a changeup.

[LaBombo]

 

the threat of Sano's blazing speed made Keuchel rush that play.

 

That, and he was maybe also thrown off balance a bit by the passing of Sano's gravitational pull.

Edited April 11, 2018 by LaBombo

[jimmer]

 

Is it an error if you step on the baseball?

Yes, it is, as long as you don't field it cleanly and can't get it out of your glove. If that had happened, it's NOT an error ;-)

Edited April 11, 2018 by jimmer

[Mike Sixel]

At someone's house, with mlb.tv! Watching the game. Well, we are a bit behind.... So, spoilers.

[twinssporto]

 

162 games in a season, so I'm up for anything that adds a little variety...

 

http://www.raysindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/02-268x300.jpg

Dino is our new pitcher!

Edited April 11, 2018 by twinssporto

[ashbury]

Keuchel is usually VERY sure handed.

What's the book on his sure-footedness?

[jimmer]

 

What's the book on his sure-footedness?

statcast rates it very high ;-)

[Squirrel]

 

At someone's house, with mlb.tv! Watching the game. Well, we are a bit behind.... So, spoilers.

MIKE!

[USAFChief]

 

At someone's house, with mlb.tv! Watching the game. Well, we are a bit behind.... So, spoilers.

We held on for the WC, but we faced the Yankees in the WC game.  you can guess the rest.

[Platoon]

And look where that brought us and what we are doing now...

Thats a sobering thought at my age. .

[jimmer]

What's the correct term. American Indians or Native Americans?