Ricky Vaughn

I am one of those old timers who just cannot stomach the Ks.  Yes we create laboratory fastball pitchers and watch them limited to five innings and twice a career TJ surgery and yes first MN and now Atlanta set HR season records, but if the only pleasure I get from BB is the HR then let's change the format and have a HR derby instead of a game for each team meeting.
Look at this list of players with more HRs than Ks!  Johnny Mize hit 51 and still only struck out 42 times.  There are some great names on this list and people might be surprised by Barry Bonds being there - in 2004 - 45 - 41.  Good hitters get HRs without being a Joey Gallo bag of whiffs. 
On the other side do the new K records for pitchers really mean anything when everyone is swinging from their heals?  Nolan Ryan's record really stands out and even today no one can come close.  
Bob Feller won 266 games and had 2,581 strikeouts in 3827 innings while losing four years to military service.   1941 - Feller 25 - 13 had 260 strickeouts and 3.15 ERA.  Only three hitters struck out more than 100 times - Dolph Camilli 115, Jimmy Fox (58 hrs) 103 times, and Vince Dimaggion 100.  This year we have had 161 batters strikeout 100 or more times so far!  So how do we compare pitchers and their K rates with pitchers in other eras?

This looks solid.  I might choose Funderburk over a rehabbing Paddack, but I’m hoping neither will need to pitch.  Buxton returning strikes fear in my heart.  IF they use him to DH against lefties on the short side and as a possible pinch hitter, I can be ok with that I guess.  However, my fear is that he is penciled into the lineup as DH everyday, essentially eliminating Julien from the equation and clogging up the lineup.  Remember, Buxton hasn’t hit well most of the season and even more so the last month or so he was with the team.  He really needs to show something solid on his rehab stint and not be scholarshipped onto the roster.  

Love that for him. Hoping to continue to see him flourish. Impossible to not like the guy. 

Great that the marlins and state department  could get his parents  to come watch Luis play the game he loves  ....
Luis is a special player that is under appreciated because he doesn't hit the long ball ...
I'd still take arraez any day to be in the twins line up , he was a fan favorite  in Minnesota  and now in marlins Territory  ...
Keep it going Luis  ...

As bad as yesterdays move was, I thought Sundays lack of a move was worse. Letting Vazquez hit in the bottom of the ninth when Jeffers was sitting in the bench was truly moronic.

As bad as yesterdays move was, I thought Sundays lack of a move was worse. Letting Vazquez hit in the bottom of the ninth when Jeffers was sitting in the bench was truly moronic.

Today's managerial misconduct (PHing Vazquez) moved me over the edge.
Just simply can't stand him routinely getting outmanaged. And today was freaking ridiculously bad.

Couldn't agree more. Info is moved all over the place constantly. By the time you find what your looking for the at bat is over. I also agree about the noise, you have to pick your spots to have any kind of conversation. Maybe their just trying to get people to look up from their phones.
This was our first game this year so you can blame me for the loss if you want. Pablo looked great but the hitting uninspired. Seems to happen every time their in position for a sweep.

Who says we're still not in a dogfight?  As good as the first two games of the Cleveland series felt, this isn't over.

In his current state it's not a surprise that Correa isn't contributing more on the bases.  Plantar Fasciitis is not fun.  What amazes me more is how effective he has remained on defense.  It obviously speaks to his tremendous defensive game smarts and some pretty good reaction times. 

WEll, I've been hard on him but I've got to give credit where credit is due. Gallo sure can hit catchers ...

I know it was a whooping for the ages. But what do you think about putting a position player to pitch..in the sixth inning! Less that 2/3 of the game. I know Francona is a great manager, and I understand why he did it. But to me that is kind of disrespectful to the people who pay their tickets to see a major league game. 

I have a very strange feeling. It's like the opposite of pessimism. I can't remember what it's called, but it's good. It's very, very good.
Win the series, boys. Go get at least one more in Cleveland. Don't let up.

I keep going back and forth on "Bring on the playoffs" and "I hope Cleveland wins this thing so we don't get embarrassed in the playoffs, and continue the losing streak" . After the last two games I'm more firmly in the latter.

I've never met any of these people. I've never seen any of them interact with each other. 
Has a happy club house ever lost? Has an unhappy club house ever won? Is there some sort of harmony meter that can measure the degree of it and subsequent effect on the Win/Loss Record. 
Has anyone ever seen an office of 25 people in any industry where everybody likes everybody? Ross doesn't like you and he tells Joey, Monica and Chandler that he doesn't like you and they talk behind your back. Is this on Ross or You?  
 Is Ellen DeGeneres Mean? Have the Touhy's done Michael Oher wrong? 
What the hell do we know? 
Social Media ain't teaching us. 
 
 

I don't think you can correlate Max's second half surge with the absence of Donaldson.  
However, I agree wholeheartedly with your point being that something has drastically changed in Max's demeanor that, in the second half, is crystal clear.  Earlier, he appeared desperate, pressing and lost, while over the past two months he exudes a swagger and confidence at all times.  And, I could not be happier for the guy, who I have always felt there was much potential to excel.  Whatever it is, Max, keep it up!

Vital?  That's too strong a word.  The early 70's Oakland A's provide a counter example.  The late 70's Yankees, same thing.  Horrible clubhouse drama with both squads, along with World Series victories.  Teams and individuals can hate each other and still win a lot of games, especially in baseball: a team sport that is based on the individual match ups that occur with every pitch. 
A cohesive team/clubhouse probably helps a little.  Some players may focus better when there is minimal drama, and perhaps Kepler is one of those guys.  However if teams can't hit, pitch, catch, and run they will lose no matter how much they like each other.  Josh Donaldson was perceived to be a very valuable player when he was playing well.  He was so greatly valued that he won an MVP vote in 2015.  He became a "problem player" when he stopped hitting a couple of years ago due to age and injuries.  There are many great players that you might not want as a neighbor or friend, but they could really play ball, and they helped their teams win titles.  

I've had plantar fasciitis and it is painful.  I don't know how Correa continues to play every day.  Kudos to him.  
Kudos is an odd word.  It sounds like an about-to-be extinct bird from New Zealand.

I believe the players union was behind the elimination of the August waiver trade deadline in an effort to slow what they called tanking. 
Of course... teams found a way around that as evidenced yesterday and this version is worse because these players are sitting in a box marked "Free Puppies". 
If one team... let's say the Marlins grab the majority of the best of the available players because they can. That would be a fairly significant on-paper uptick. Also, to make room... the Marlins are going to have to release Yuri types to make room and what happens to the Yuri type? 
It's on paper so there are no guarantees that these acquisitions are the key to victory... However let's say the Marlins grab everyone and then roll right past the Giants for the final wild card spot. Regardless if those players got the job done... the other teams are going to be pissed. 
 Whatever change is made... the players union will most likely be involved but there will have to be an adjustment.  
I've got my popcorn... this will be interesting to watch what happens.  I hope the Twins can cash in. 
 

I honestly don't see any of the teams in the running that look like a sure thing. Seattle has great pitching, Texas has a great lineup, and Houston is well balanced, with experience. That leaves Baltimore and Tampa Bay. Show me a matchup that weigh favorably for the Twins. IMO, the Twins only advantage is the top 2 starters should be used (Gray and Lopez) and home field.

I really question the wisdom of the limited use of Raya.  If he is going to be a SP he needs to build arm strength.  If they are convinced he is going to have to have TJ surgery then we are just putting off the inevitable.  2 2/3 innings?  

I got a phone call from an old friend that I had not spoken with in maybe a decade just as the bottom of the 8th was getting underway. One ear on the conversation... one eye on the game. 
Old Friend: It's good to talk to ya... I think the last time I spoke with you was back at Mike's graduation party. 
Me: I know... what a pleasant surprise to hear from you. We really got some catching up to do. How is Mikey doing? He must be what... 30 Now. 
Old Friend: He's doing great... he's getting himself together. The Ankle Monitor comes off next year with continued good behavior. 
Me: Ankle Bracelet? Did he get in some kind of... (Wallner hits a Rocket off the RF Wall)... Holy... Wow... Atta Boy Matt.  
Old Friend: Matt? You Meant Mikey... Mike Right? My boys name is Mike.  
Me: No No... I'm watching the Twins right now... Matt Wallner just hit one a million miles an hour off the wall... I think it left a dent in the wall.  
Old Friend: You have always liked your Twins. I see that hasn't changed.  
Me: I still do and always will... you know me. So... How are you and Tammy?  
Old Friend: Well... We got  divorced a couple of years ago.  
Me: Really? (Correa rips a double)... Yessssss!!!  
Old Friend: I don't know... if it's a Yes... I still care for her but you know how it is... these things happen. She is happier now.
Me: You two were really close so it's kinda surprising.  
Old Friend: After the house fire burned everything we owned to the ground... Things got kind of stressful for us. 
Me: House fire? What?
Old Friend: Yeah... Mikey had a bad day... came home and set the house on fire. That's why he was in prison and wearing that ankle bracelet. 
(Jeffers hits the home run)
Me: Boom! It's Gone! 
Old Friend: Yep... Gone... Yes... Big Explosion... We were lucky to get out alive.   
 
 
 
 

I have no insight into the front office workings, however I have an idea. Is it possible they were told no net increase in payroll. I'm not calling the Pohlads cheap here, but why would they approve an increase in payroll for an under performing team.  Attendance is down, and they are performing much like last year without the same number of injuries. Doing nothing is not like this front office so this is the only thing that makes any sense to me, and if its right I can't really blame the Pohlads.

I have no insight into the front office workings, however I have an idea. Is it possible they were told no net increase in payroll. I'm not calling the Pohlads cheap here, but why would they approve an increase in payroll for an under performing team.  Attendance is down, and they are performing much like last year without the same number of injuries. Doing nothing is not like this front office so this is the only thing that makes any sense to me, and if its right I can't really blame the Pohlads.

I thought the WPA (Works Progress Administration) ended in 1943?