After the fiasco of 10,000 and 1 Game Thread ideas, I thought I'd look for another source to crib from, I mean, another way to come up with an opener for a game thread. As luck would have it, I ran across the “Dwight Yoakam” method and decided to give it a whirl. As I was using the “Dwight Yoakam” method, (“face a white wall and beller”) My wife poked her head through the door, gave me “the eye” and asked why in the world I was making all that racket. I tried to explain and she said that while she was sure that game threads are important, she was equally sure the neighbors didn't appreciate me hollering at the top of my voice at the moon at 3am, no matter how much it might help start the creative juices flowing. She also asked why I couldn't pursue quieter forms of inspiration such as the one used by Irish poets and singers. Some people just don't appreciate creative geniuses and their methods. The Twins are doing their best to put last year in the rear view mirror. But, as the warning on those mirrors say, “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” Yes, it's been a great ride and completely unexpected. But, as a fan, I don't want to count my worms before they catch fish. I'm along for the ride and just enjoying the scenery. But, as they said in “George of the Jungle,” Watch out for that treeee!” Some things to think about: 1. Why do side view mirrors exist any more on cars? Why not use cameras and heads-up display? Why ruin the profile of a perfectly good Corvette with mirrors? 2. Umpires: Never mind, let's not think about umpires. 3. Knothole days: Where have they gone? Even the Dome had knothole days. But Target field? Nope, it's “fan appreciation” day. 4. Beer sausage..smoked...mmmm... 5. Guinness. 5a. Jameson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnNWUUZ7cEA Play Ball! ROYALS SS Alcides Escobar 3B Mike Moustakas CF Lorenzo Cain 1B Eric Hosmer C Salvador Perez RF Jorge Bonifacio DH Brandon Moss 2B Whit Merrifield LF Alex Gordon TWINS 2B Brian Dozier 1B Joe Mauer 3B Miguel Sano RF Max Kepler DH Kennys Vargas LF Eddie Rosario SS Jorge Polanco C Jason Castro CF Byron Buxton STARTING PITCHERS Who knows... Lets see who steps on the mound. -- Riverbrian