stringer bell
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Everything posted by stringer bell
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Anyone who identifies as a minority would have a hard time in Trump's Republican party. If one identifies as a gun owner or abortion opponent who happens to be black, well that is different. I can see ample reason for Democrats to be concerned about their most loyal constituency--African Americans-because on the whole things have not improved for them. Hillary got a high enough percentage of the black vote, but she didn't get the turnout that Obama got in the two previous presidential elections. The choice would be between voting and not voting and I think a large percentage of people of color, particularly African-Americans have chosen not to participate.
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BREAKING: Twins to Sign Versatile Marwin Gonzalez
stringer bell replied to Nick Nelson's topic in Twins Daily Front Page News
The Gonzalez acquisition knocked both Reed and Granite back a peg. I would hope the Twins could get Granite to Rochester. They really need more guys 23-40 with options. -
Spring Training Game Thread: 2/26 vs. Orioles
stringer bell replied to woolywoolhouse's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Encouraging start for BB. I hope he keeps hitting when they start throwing sliders. -
Absolutely Ash. All players are not equal when it comes to making the 25-man roster.Adding a player not on the 40-man would necessarily cost the team the services of the player they take off the 40-man roster. Players out of options like Austin, Adrianza, and Meija get the longest looks because they are likely lost if they don't make the 25-man squad going north.
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Two Guys the Twins Should Have Signed
stringer bell replied to Linus's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
I thought Iglesias would be a good signing (with Polanco moving to second). Schoop at second and Polanco at short is still less than optimum to me, especially on defense, but that move does have a higher upside offensively. I think Erv is cooked. He's been good after bad years before, but lost velocity with his stuff is pretty much the end of the road. -
I've seen Fox News join in so I believe the right is afraid of her candidacy. But yes, the left is wary of anyone who isn't pure, as well. I think the attacks on how Amy treats her staff are effective because they go directly against how she has presented herself to the voters.
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When I worked for the Postal Service, they had positions known as "unassigned regular". I believe that is what Marwin Gonzalez will be for the Twins. While I'm being arbitrary in going back two seasons and using WAR, a stat I have some trouble with, Marwin does have a higher WAR in the past two years than any player on the Twins' roster. I presume he will get as many plate appearances as anyone, just not at one specific position. Gonzalez has gotten full-time work (more than 500 PAs) on a team that won over 100 games each of the last two years. Will the 2019 Twins be better than that? With the addition of Gonzalez, they have a buffer if a player they are counting on this year doesn't pan out. They don't have a player in the minors who is ready to be a major league regular, so it will be good to have a proven major league regular available when the need arises. It's a bonus that wherever Gonzalez lands, he would figure to be at least league-average defensively. It is also really good to add a switch-hitter who has pretty even splits. When all the Astros were healthy the past two years, Gonzalez didn't play much at second, short and third. Then again, the 'Stos have All-Stars (and potential MVPs) at all three of those positions. I actually think Gonzalez would be fine defensively in the middle infield or third base. I can't find the quote, but his manager said he was as good defensively at every position for the Astros as the nominal regular.
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Escobar and Gonzales are similar players, but Gonzales is more versatile. He played more 1B and LF than anything else last year. The lack of depth at second, short, and third in the high minors would mean trouble if Sano, Polanco or Schoop is injured or ineffective, it could be a season-killer. Marwin covers all of those spots and more and can be a platoon partner with anyone who struggles against same-side pitching.
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Marwin Gonzalez and Twins Discussing Contract
stringer bell replied to Vanimal46's topic in Minnesota Twins Talk
Gonzales has played more games at SS than any other position. He is one year removed from a +.900 OPS, and he is a switch-hitter. Good signing with many, many scenarios for where he’ll get his playing time. -
Republican who "led" in votes in North Carolina 9 calls for a new election. Party bosses had called for Harris to be certified the winner of the election. Information heard this week made it look like Harris was complicit in election fraud. His own son said he warned the candidate that Dowless was "shady".
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I went four consecutive years with my older brother. Always enjoyable. Everyone is friendly and accommodating. You’ll never get closer to the players. We especially enjoyed watching minor league games on the back fields. My brother had a long conversation one year with Niko Goodrum’s dad. I met Jared Burton’s grandparents at a game and another time had a long conversation with a writer for Minor League baseball. My favorite experience was doing an impromptu Q & A with Terry Ryan. He was watching two minor league games and about a half-dozen of us fans peppered him with questions. I remember he was honest and didn’t dodge any questions. I don’t think fans could ever ask for better access than that. I had planned to come this year, but I’ve put it off ‘til 2020. Any baseball fan should go if they have the chance.
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Just as with the midterms, true independents can be picked off by an authentic Democrat in 2020, enough to throw out the incumbent president and keep the House and perhaps even take the Senate. The man in the White House is (IMHO) a criminal, a narcissist, and truly out of touch for starters and the policies he has championed are all red-meat right wing. Anyone that is truly between the two major parties has a pretty easy choice in two years. Trump is what unites the Democrats and I would expect that if he was vanquished that some large cracks in the coalition would occur.
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McConnell wants to put it to a vote so that vulnerable Democrats and presidential candidates are on record as supporting a "socialist" piece of legislation. Mitch will do nothing unless it benefits his party (in his eyes). He remains the absolute worst in my opinion.
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I agree with much of the arguments about Democratic candidates. However, there’s reality to deal with here. Donald’s Trump was beaten by 2.5% by a tarnished candidate. Trump was aided greatly by the timing of events just before the election and he won three “Big Ten” states by a grand total of 70,000 votes. Since his election,Trump has done precious little to expand his base and has shown the world his character. He would be a huge underdog to any candidate from the Democrats who can keep the party united and survive the primaries. The Democratic nominee doesn’t have to run a perfect campaign. I will grant that any nominee could lose given the way campaigns are run now and the fact that the Republican Party will put a huge amount of resources into destroying whomever the nominee might be. Trump can’t win on issues and most realize he is both dangerous and a terrible human being.
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Frank Robinson HOF, RIP.
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Not all low-population states are rural and conservative. Blue states Vermont, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Hawaii have either one or two representatives. Add in Maine and New Hampshire and there are six states easily winnable for Democrats. Currently 11 of the 12 Senators from the above states are Democrats and Hillary won them all. The six states are about as overrepresented in the Senate as Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. By my count, there about 20 lean-blue states and close to 25 in the lean-red column, with the rest being tossups It is a tough hill to climb for Democrats, but the reality is that ten years ago the Democrats held 60 seats in the Senate. Republicans have had a better strategy and better luck since and it would be difficult for Democrats to flip the Senate without help from Trump and the Republicans. IMHO, Republican greed and hypocrisy have opened the door for Democrats to reclaim the legislative branches including the US Senate. Republicans have corrupted processes, procedures and policies for political gain and public opinion is turning against them. Yes, the US Senate seats are not allocated democratically, but that doesn't mean it has to be a body representing the white and wealthy.
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TD Bears. Up 5 midway through the 4th.
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Daryl Dragon aka “The Captain” of the 70s duo The Captain and Tenille. Also 76 years old.
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Sanó is much more replaceable than Garver unless he becomes the elite slugger we envisioned in his rookie year. How long does the team give him a spot on the field and in the lineup based on potential? At some point, it has to be basis of performance, and Miguel’s hasn’t been good since the first half of ‘17.
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Except for the QB position, the difference in talent in the NFL from the top to the bottom is small. Impartial observers think the the Vikings have top-level talent, but they aren’t so far separated that they can show up and win. Coaching matters, and while Zimmer is well-liked (especially by defensive players) he hasn’t shown himself to be an elite head coach. Should he come back? I suppose, because almost all of the team will be back next year. One more shot, I think, and the window closes tightly.
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Ryan had a chance to be more than a party hack. He chose to accommodate his Orangeness and throw red meat to the Freedom Caucus. Living in Minnesota and watching the attack ads his Super-pac paid for told me he was another Republican that only wanted power.
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She has a good resumé and she’ll be Senator McSally when she runs for election. The Democrats must run a good candidate and Trump or the party has to remain radioactive.
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A full month after the election and they're still counting votes in some places (California). The final numbers look like Democrats will gain 40 seats in the House, while losing two in the Senate. The overall plurality will be between 8.5 and 9%. There's a real chance that one close race will be overturned. It appears there was real election fraud in North Carolina where a Republican "won" by less than 1000 votes.
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From seeing glimpses so far this year, a borderline NCAA team in a tough conference. The nice non-conference record will help get them in the Big Dance. Also Coffey might blossom into something special and getting Curry back may also lift them.
