JB_Iowa

Can I just have Kraft American on white bread, grilled???

Nothing like these posts as the Dinner hour approaches.

Since we've been on a bit of a patriotic/non-patriotic kick lately, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that Memorial Day is Monday, May 25 -- the earliest it can be, I think. It seems like it is coming up quickly. Although a great day for baseball, Memorial Day, known first as Decoration Day, originated after the Civil War as a way to honor the soldiers of both sides. My area of Iowa was not settled until 1870 -- a lot of the homesteaders were Civil War Vets. They soon established a post of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) and began decorating the graves of their comrades who had passed away. They also erected a Civil War monument in our local cemetery. When the veterans of WW1 came home and formed an American Legion post, they took over the task of decorating the graves of deceased veterans and continue with that responsibility to the present time. Today the Legion and its volunteers erect crosses and flags on each veterans grave, poppies are placed on the crosses by the Legion Auxliiary and an Avenue of Flags is erected. All of this takes a lot of man/woman/children power and, as with many small towns, we simply aren't gaining a lot of "new" veterans. It has become a bit more of a community affair with volunteers providing the work. I wanted to write this to encourage any of you with time over Memorial Day weekend to contact your local American Legion or VFW post (or your city cemetery administrator) to see if they need help with their Memorial Day activities. I'm sure most would be grateful for the help -- especially in small towns. It's an easy way to give back and say "Thanks".

Are there any native Austinites left in Austin or is it finally just a city of transplants???

UGH!!

Not a pretty first hit for Aaron but he's on base.

Those old knees held up!!!! Go Torii!!

Beyond Ick.

Would Gardy have walked Miggy??

Well, it was enough, Toriii.

Is Simon bringing out the best in Gibson??

I don't think the Right Fielder's identity made much difference on that one.

But if the Twins can come through May in decent shape, they won't see much of the Central until September. For now, I guess I'll assume that's a good thing. At least it will give us a chance to judge the other divisions.

I don't think they would jerk Hicks around like that given what Terry Ryan said last week. Robinson's emergency may have necessitated Hicks' call-up a little earlier than planned but I don't think they'll be sending Hicks down that quickly.

Berardino actually had a post on this. Trevor is a bit of a history fan, I guess. Theodore is Teddy Roosevelt. Winston is for one of Trevors best friends and for Winston Churchill. James is for Olivia Plouffe's dad's middle name. Read all about it : http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2015/04/09/twinsights-which-u-s-president-will-trevor-plouffes-son-be-named-after. Back to Shane Robinson, hope its a short absence and that all turns out well.

All the best to Shane and his family. Just as a matter of curiosity, I take it that the "Family Emergency List" and the "Paternity List" are 2 separate lists? Last weekend, I thought maybe Trevor Plouffe was gone because his wife Olivia was having their baby. I'd forgotten about his Grandpa's death. Plus I looked back and Theodore Winston James Plouffe isn't due until July 25.

Thanks. I got to thinking about that after I wrote it.

Nice story in the Rochester newspaper: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/baseball/minors/2015/05/11/twins-finally-give-call-aaron-hicks/27157091/ That leg kick timing mechanism must be awesome. If I remember correctly, Hunter had something to do with that.

And now the title is correct. Apparently the F.O. agrees with you, Nick.

Memorial Day is 2 weeks from today. Barring absolute collapse in the meantime (by either the team OR Hicks), I'm good with that.

Well, that was hardly worth wasting a click on. The one thing about Hunter -- that some of you like and some of you don't -- is his garrulousness. Win or lose, Hunter will talk. I appreciated the fact that he essentially said "I stunk' when talking about the early part of the season. He didn't try to hide behind past history and he made it clear that he expected HIMSELF to do better. That, to me, is leadership. A willingness to face the press in good circumstances and in bad. And much as Dozier was the go-to guy for the media last year, he really wasn't experienced enough to be brutally honest. And a little clubhouse dancing is a nice change from the library atmosphere described the last few years. I think his personality was more than 50% of why the Twins signed him.

I found this Rand tweet on Mauer interesting: RandBall ‏@RandBall · 26m26 minutes ago Joe Mauer is hitting .375 with a.927 OPS and 16 RBI with runners on base and just .212 with a .534 OPS with the bases empty For someone who is frequently criticized for not coming through in the clutch, Mauer seems to be doing pretty well.

He started them right after he invented the computer and later the internet. Oh, and remember all those storms that were coming at us? Nary a drop of rain - all stayed west and then went north. Enjoy it in Minnesota.

Maybe not but he didn't have a perfect game going .... He gave up a home run to Dozier and then got 9 out in a row. Maybe the jinx only works when it really is a perfect game????

Meanwhile I see tje Hawkeye baseball team is leading the Gophers 5-1 in the bottom of the 6th. GO HAWKS! Make that 6-1 on a solo HR!