Game Thead: Twins@Yankees 7/14 12:05

[ashbury]

Fact : you can only contain Zoilo Almonte for just so long.

 

Didn't Chief just caution someone else about bringing facts into a game thread?

[Joe A. Preusser]

Did not think we'd have a 5 spot on CC by the 3rd inning. This feels good.

[Guest USAFChief]

Come on Chief. Look at all the 100M+ contracts given out to pitchers over the last 5-10 years and I would be willing to bet that there is more regret than value. Not saying the Twins shouldn't try to identify a top-tier guy to go after, but it has to be done intelligently and is heavy with risk regardless.

The only "risk" is to the bottom line. There is no other "risk."

 

Either he pitches well, and stays in your rotation, or he doesn't, and you're right back where you were if you never signed him, with a smaller profit margin. The "risk" was no different this year than it will be this coming offseason, or any offseason in the future.

[ashbury]

Ha! Gibson pulled the ol' "get to a 3-2 count so the runner is off with the pitch and force the hitter into lacing a rocket to the RF'er for a DP" trick.

 

Stupid Yankees fell for it.

 

Kind of bush league for the Twins to even try it. Expect retribution when Gibson comes up to bat.

[James]

Didn't Chief just caution someone else about bringing facts into a game thread?

Facts have no place in a game thread.

[ashbury]

You could find examples of it not working out as well. It's a crap shoot. You shouldn't judge all long term contracts by one other contract, good or bad.

 

Mild trolling in a game thread is condoned, when done deftly (Chief seems to always get a pass on those grounds). Falling for the troll... that earns you an eye-roll smiley face when Brock implements one.

[Guest USAFChief]

It's nice being on the other side of the "blow routine plays give up huge bomb" coin.

I'm looking at you, snepp.

[Squirrel]

Nice time to tune into the game - right as Hicks hits a home run!

[James]

Following Hicksie's home run, Gladden was talking about Hicks and referencing him having a chance at being rookie of the year.

 

It would be a pretty sad rookie class if the ROY had a hard time getting his BA above the Mendoza line. I know Hicks is doing a lot better lately, but I think he'd really have to step it up to win that.

[ashbury]

Vernon Wells, "outfielder."

 

One of my least favorite players of the past decade, through no fault of his own really. A lumbering center fielder, back in the day, just made me go "ugh".

[ashbury]

Facts have no place in a game thread.

 

That's a fact.

 

/ Expect to hear from the kangaroo court shortly.

[James]

Mild trolling in a game thread is condoned, when done deftly (Chief seems to always get a pass on those grounds). Falling for the troll... that earns you an eye-roll smiley face when Brock implements one.

I'm a sucker for trolls... one look at my wife is good enough evidence of that.

[ashbury]

It would be a pretty sad rookie class if the ROY had a hard time getting his BA above the Mendoza line. I know Hicks is doing a lot better lately, but I think he'd really have to step it up to win that.

 

Good reason to root for this outcome.

 

Has anyone ever won ROY and Comeback Player of the Year in the same season? I'll have to check.

[ashbury]

I'm a sucker for trolls... one look at my wife is good enough evidence of that.

 

All right, folks. If you choose to take a swing at this hanging curve, at the very least, be kind.

[Gibby]

Nice throw Thomas.

[ashbury]

Can someone watching the game please decode this pbp:

 

Z Almonte grounded into fielder's choice to center, I Suzuki safe at third on error by second baseman B Dozier

 

FC to center? Grounded?

[Guest USAFChief]

Can someone watching the game please decode this pbp:

 

Z Almonte grounded into fielder's choice to center, I Suzuki safe at third on error by second baseman B Dozier

 

FC to center? Grounded?

 

Runner on 1st, ground ball up the middle that looked like DP, Dozier goes to his right and the ball goes off his glove, rolls into CF. I'm sure it was scored E4, with "FC" the call for what should have been a force at 2B (can't assume the DP.)

[Guest USAFChief]

Mild trolling in a game thread is condoned, when done deftly (Chief seems to always get a pass on those grounds). Falling for the troll... that earns you an eye-roll smiley face when Brock implements one.

 

I get a pass because I'm having a bad day...I woke up grumpy this morning.

 

Should've just let her sleep.

[ashbury]

I get a pass because I'm having a bad century

 

ftfy

 

/ because, you know, he's old

[Craig Arko]

Ichiro doing his best Nishioka impression...

[Squirrel]

Wish we could play these Yankees all the time

[Guest USAFChief]

ftfy

 

/ because, you know, he's old

 

Yeah, but the first 2 were gang-busters.

[Guest USAFChief]

"Can't anybody here play this game??!?!??!?11?"

[ashbury]

Also from the pbp:

 

Joe Mauer Strike (swinging), Strike (swinging), Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Ball, J Mauer walked

 

The "Joe doesn't try in the clutch" crowd will just look at the walk and say that he wimps out when two guys are in scoring position. But the pitch-by-pitch tells another story. Sometimes you try and fail, and eventually the pitcher walks you because you won't swing at slop; that won't stop the narrative some people wish to carry.

[Guest USAFChief]

Also from the pbp:

 

Joe Mauer Strike (swinging), Strike (swinging), Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Ball, J Mauer walked

 

The "Joe doesn't try in the clutch" crowd will just look at the walk and say that he wimps out when two guys are in scoring position. But the pitch-by-pitch tells another story. Sometimes you try and fail, and eventually the pitcher walks him because he won't swing at slop; that won't stop the narrative some people wish to carry.

In this particular PA, I agree 100%.

[Beezer07]

Also from the pbp:

 

Joe Mauer Strike (swinging), Strike (swinging), Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Ball, J Mauer walked

 

The "Joe doesn't try in the clutch" crowd will just look at the walk and say that he wimps out when two guys are in scoring position. But the pitch-by-pitch tells another story. Sometimes you try and fail, and eventually the pitcher walks him because he won't swing at slop; that won't stop the narrative some people wish to carry.

 

TIL: Narratives are usually wrong, but people follow them anyway

[ashbury]

"Can't anybody here play this game??!?!??!?11?"

 

What's six unearned run, among friends?

[Winston Smith]

Gardy managing his tail off today.

 

[LaBombo]

Doumit with the little league 'run until they tag you' base running gaffe. It's been a great game otherwise, but holy crap is he lucky they're beating up on the yanks for a change. Would say something positive about gibson's day but don't want to ji... Wait, did that count as a mention of...ok, I'll just stop.

[ashbury]

Gardy managing his tail off today.

 

That blind squirrel still has his tail. Try again.