Riverbrian

Things will get back to normal tonight when the Twins open up a 3-game series in Tampa. By normal, I mean just a normal series in a normal location with no chance of abnormal weather changing plans. Don’t get me wrong… I had zero complaints about the 2-game series in San Juan. I was just implying it wasn’t normal because it wasn’t normal. Not normal is perfectly OK. In fact… I believe that MLB should choose a few more alternative sites to play some not normal regular season games. It may be shocking that I have some location suggestions but I actually do. Honolulu – It’s really hard for Hawaiians to see a professional baseball game. The closest major league city is San Francisco and that is 2,397 miles away. That’s a 5 hour non-stop flight and 48 years by car. Let the ball players come to them for a change. London – Baseball is making plans for a series in London in 2019. The NFL has a regular season game at Wembley Stadium every year but the dimensions of Wembley wouldn’t fit for baseball. The solution is to move the games back to America to find a stadium. Make no mistake… MLB is serious about playing some games in London… even if they have to be played in America. Here are some things to think about: Image courtesy of © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Things will get back to normal tonight when the Twins open up a 3-game series in Tampa. By normal, I mean just a normal series in a normal location with no chance of abnormal weather changing plans. Don’t get me wrong… I had zero complaints about the 2-game series in San Juan. I was just implying it wasn’t normal because it wasn’t normal. Not normal is perfectly OK. In fact… I believe that MLB should choose a few more alternative sites to play some not normal regular season games. It may be shocking that I have some location suggestions but I actually do. Honolulu – It’s really hard for Hawaiians to see a professional baseball game. The closest major league city is San Francisco and that is 2,397 miles away. That’s a 5 hour non-stop flight and 48 years by car. Let the ball players come to them for a change. London – Baseball is making plans for a series in London in 2019. The NFL has a regular season game at Wembley Stadium every year but the dimensions of Wembley wouldn’t fit for baseball. The solution is to move the games back to America to find a stadium. Make no mistake… MLB is serious about playing some games in London… even if they have to be played in America. Here are some things to think about: 1. Top Non-Trump News Story (Or Stories): A former 911 operator in Houston was found guilty of hanging up on people seeking emergency assistance. Records show thousands of calls that lasted less than 20 seconds were attributed to 44 year old Crenshanda Williams over a span of 18 months. Suspicions were finally raised after an audit detected the high volume of short phone calls. When questioned why, she replied that “she didn’t feel like talking to anyone at those times.” After a jury trial, she was sentenced to a misdemeanor and ordered to serve 10 days in jail with 18 months probation. I have some questions because there isn’t a single part of this story that I can get my arms around. What did she think her job was? How did she get away with it over 1,000 times over a span of 18 months? How is this only a misdemeanor? And why was a jury of peers required to take time off of work to decide a misdemeanor conviction? And… perhaps the biggest question of all… what are the best restaurants in Houston? 2. Our Twins: Byron Buxton was placed on the 10-day DL while Max Kepler is reported to be OK. The Twins were very close to having to offering a contract to Delmon Young to play against the Rays. Here’s another thought… the Twins have played very little baseball in seven days while playing a lot of baseball in two days. 3. The Rays: We will get to watch old traded friends Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Wilson Ramos this weekend. I won’t bring up Chih-Wei Hu who was traded for Kevin Jepsen because I know that trade is still a sore spot. Looking at this closer… it occurs to me that there are more ex-Twins on the Rays roster than ex-Twins on the Twins roster. 4. Today’s Joe M Conversation: Morgan: What are ya doin'? Montana: I’m writing a letter to Preparation H. Mauer: Why? Montana: Because it isn’t working and I want my money back. McCarthy: What does it say? Montana: Dear Preparation H, Your product does not work! I ate the whole tube and it has provided me no relief. I have enclosed pictures that show that it isn’t working. Maddon: Don’t put those pictures in there! 5. Secret of Success: I have been successful at almost everything I’ve done. I will give everyone the secret free of charge: If at first you don’t succeed… redefine what success is. You’re welcome. ____________________ Lineups: TWINS Brian Dozier(R ) 2B Joe Mauer(L) 1B Miguel Sano(R ) 3B Eddie Rosario(L) LF Logan Morrison(L) DH Eduardo Escobar(S) SS Max Kepler(L) CF Robbie Grossman(S) RF Jason Castro(L) C Lance Lynn (R ) RAYS Denard Span(L) LF C.J. Cron(R ) DH Carlos Gomez(R ) RF Brad Miller(L) 1B Daniel Robertson(R ) 3B Joey Wendle(L) 2B Wilson Ramos(R ) C Mallex Smith(L) CF Adeiny Hechavarria(R ) SS Chris Archer (R ) Game-time forecast: Outside it will be lovely. I don't know the indoor specs of the Trop, but it will be playable. View full article

You misunderstood me... I was talking about support... Blake is supporting me. It's an expression. It had nothing to do with an actual human back. Wait... I might have taken you seriously? OK... Now I mean it... I'm going to sleep.

It's 11:46... Why am I still typing stuff. Good Night All. The Twins are in First Place.

Blake obviously has my back.

I'm calling Mom to ask her to start inventing something.

It's quite possible that you have taken me seriously. In seriousness... (I'm getting dizzy trying to be serious) The only thing we know for sure right now is that Buxton is on the D.L. Even if Kepler and Rosario are OK to play on Friday. LaMarre just came off the bench, went 3 for 4 and drove in the game winning run. He is currently hitting .583 after hitting .471 in spring training. If Molitor doesn't start LaMarre on Friday... I will fly to Tampa and throw tomatoes at Molitor and fly back after at least one makes contact.

I make no assumptions... I make no prediction that he will carve out a major league career and I doubt I would place a bet that he will... but... I will defend his right to prove it on the field. He deserves a start or two... that can't be denied at this moment.

PLAY HIM! Until he cools off He's looking Molly in the eye right now and saying I'd like to stay in the majors. Let's see if he can.

You'd think but... It's Molly... I find it best not to assume anything.

I wonder if Molly will give LaMarre a start on Friday?

Yeah... I think he can get there. In high school... I once cleared 1 foot in the high jump.

Glad to see Logan try to bunt... even if he is really bad at it.

Gulp All 3 starting outfielders down in one night. That may be a record.

Belly Buttons Plural?

I'd say he'd have to make another start or two to establish a little longevity.

I know... My posts don't have the same bite they used to.

BABIP ranks 37th on my list of favorite subjects to talk about. Right behind Aspirin in the 36th Spot. Puerto Rico ranks 439th on my list of favorite subjects to talk about... Right behind Coffee Stains and about 1 Million spots in front of Donald Trump.

This one gets my vote for Post of the Night. Keep in mind I've only read the last page.

Got home in time to watch Encarnacion homer off Hildy. Finally got a chance to sit down and watch Hildy give up the double. I'm not saying that Hildy can't be fixed... it's a long season so I will continue to positively support him but he has options and I'm under the impression that he should be sent down to be fixed.

I figured there was no way I'd get home in time to watch baseball tonight. Boy was I wrong.

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Glad the game is going to be played... Sad that things still are not back to normal. Worried that the Twins have some sort of Jinx happening.

I'm just not sure if Geese have bumps.