Blake

I'll hold up that mirror..and point it at everyone other than myself. Because I'm dishonest that way.

I see you're sitting on the starboard side not too far from the dugout...

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

Hah!

Lineups to follow. Mods, please note, I may not have a chance to get lineups together before the game starts. Thanks. Twins: 2B Brian Dozier ® 1B Joe Mauer (L) SS Jorge Polanco (S) LF Eddie Rosario (L) CF Byron Buxton ® RF Max Kepler (L) DH Kennys Vargas (S) C Jason Castro (L) 3B Eduardo Escobar (S) MIN: Ervin Santana ®(13-7, 3.33) Sox: CF Leury Garcia (S) 2B Yoan Moncada (S) 1B Jose Abreu ® DH Nicky Delmonico (L) RF Avisail Garcia ® C Kevan Smith ® 3B Yolmer Sanchez (S) SS Tim Anderson ® LF Alen Hanson (S) CWS: James Shields ®(2-4, 5.72)

First off, I'd like to thank Vanimal for pointing me in this direction for this thread. (notice how I'm cleverly deflecting any blame if things go wrong while retaining full credit) I look at baseball and was thinking of players and which player I might most closely identify with. In my case, it has to be Bill "Spaceman" Lee. I remember reading in his book about how he handled contract negotiations without benefit of an agent. And, one time, his contract was up so, he decided to wait for the GM without any advance notice that he was going to be in the office. Mr. Lee was asked, upon the arrival of the GM "How did you get in here." To which Mr. Lee responded "Through the door." Such a quick witted response that, I'm quite sure, set the tone for a quiet discussion of the future of Mr. Lee with the team. Once I started pondering, it struck me the mods really can't be compared to players, probably closer to managers. For instance, Chief. For some reason, when I think of Chief, I think of Jim Leyland, the ex-manager of the Tigers. Old school, kind of crusty, but knowing how to laugh at the vagaries of life. I'll never forget Leyland laughing his head off when he sent a runner so many times, the runner was getting gassed. Then, there's Brian. I'm going with Joe Maddon here. Quirky, goofy, yet understands the game but isn't afraid to innovate. And who can forget, when Maddon was with the Rays, that he came up with a "clothing theme" during road trips. And we all know Brian is all about themes. Witness his Joe M. conversations. For TwinsNorth, well, that's a tough one. After all, North is Canadian, and, well, other than the show "Great White North" what do we really know about Canada? However, after much deliberation, I think the choice is pretty clear: Mike Scioscia. Pretty steady guy, a little enigmatic, gets the most from the limited talent he is given to work with and doesn't really fly off the handle. And last, but not least, ChiTown. Now, I admit, this one is hard, because I'm trying to define someone who basically breaks every box someone tries to put her in. I thought about going with the late Billy Martin, just because Martin was such a character, but, that doesn't really fit. Martin was never as serene as ChiTown. So, since ChiTown is one of a kind, let's go with the first female manager of a pro baseball team: Jennie Finch. And now, for some random thoughts: 1. Why port and starboard? Why not left and right? 2. Knots? Why not MPH? 3. Nautical miles? Because an ordinary miles isn't good enough? 4. Fathoms? Have mariners not heard of feet and inches? 5. Sheets? Sheets are on a bed, not used to propel a ship. Pitching: Twins: Ervin Santana White Sox: James Shields Play Ball!

I know Wrigley is a dump but I still want to go see the Cubs play there. Though, if I get the chance, I'll probably take in an afternoon game.

Yeah, but he looked good doing it. Arms up, legs up, chest down. I give it a solid 9.2.

I see I wasn't the only one who noticed.

Oh my, I wonder if Pelfrey will get a fine for that language being loud and clear over the television.

Bummer.

Whatever it takes. Either that, or it was someone repeatedly talking about being "done" with Gibson.

Because they can afford it?

Okay, that last batter? That was outstanding. More of that, Mr. Gibson, if you don't mind.

We got to see the bad Gibson and good Gibson all in the same inning.

The author of this thread lives in CA. And it has sort of been his "thing" since he started doing threads.

No need to stop and ask directions. Easy.

You know you need more drunken fans to deal with....

Lineups: Twins Pitching: Kyle Gibson ® 1. Brian Dozier ® 2B 2. Joe Mauer (L) 1B 3. Jorge Polanco (S) SS 4. Eddie Rosario (L) RF 5. Byron Buxton ® CF 6. Eduardo Escobar (S) 3B 7. Kennys Vargas (S) DH 8. Jason Castro (L) C 9. Ehire Adrianza (S) LF White Sox Pitching Lucas Giolito ® 1. Leury Garcia (S) LF 2. Yoan Moncada (S) 2B 3. Jose Abreu ® 1B 4. Nicky Delmonico (L) DH 5. Avisail Garcia ® RF 6. Yolmer Sanchez (S) 3B 7. Tim Anderson ® SS 8. Omar Narvaez (L) C 9. Adam Engel ® CF

I was waiting for someone to remind me of the game thread I need to write and finally gave up waiting. I decided I needed to get on my butt and get it done. I guess I've learned I shouldn't sit around waiting for people to remind of my obligations. That, and I managed to remember that I needed to do a game thread. Well, the Twins split the doubleheader (probably would have won the first if they could have batted Polanco back to back) by pounding the ball over the fence in the second game. The Sox have gone into rebuild mode and are debuting a starting pitcher by the name of Lucas Giolito. The Twins are trotting out Kyle Gibson on this fine evening. Why is it a fine evening, you ask? Well, baseball is on. So, by the very fact we have baseball, it's a fine evening. It has really turned into a great season. The Twins are contending for a wild card and the Sox are not. Even more amazing than watching our Twins play meaningful baseball this year is that last year, well, never mind. It's last year and a bad memory. And, with the core group the Twins have, let's hope THAT year (no longer will it be referred to by year, it will be THAT year) remains a bad memory. With that out of the way, some random thoughts: Easiest road trip in the US: Highway 10 from LA to Jacksonville FL. No map needed. Just drive west on 10 from LA until the highway ends. Of course, one may not wish to start in LA and prefer to go the other direction. Either way works. Easiest way to double your money: Fold it, put it back in your pocket. Easiest way to get fired from a job: Don't show up for a few months. Eventually, your employer will figure it out. Easiest way to lose money: Put the money somewhere you're "sure" you'll remember where it is. Easiest way to write a baseball thread: Find someone else to do it. Then take all the credit and none of the blame. With that, Play Ball!