sampleSizeOfOne

Good point. It is possible Allen's opinion affected affected both trades similarly, but less likely, seeing as he was out of the organization when the first happened, and it doesn't bode anything about Allen's rapport with him. So never mind. I'll try to pay closer attention in the future.

I knew i was leavin' myself open to a lack of pop music knowledge... I can only hide behind Riverbrian's intro last night, and say i wasn't sure to which crickets he was referrin'...

Will he get here in time? Miami's like, just about as far from Minnesota as just about any other ballpark. (and they're playin' San Diego, so even if they were away, it wouldn't really help) And the $64 question: who gets bumped from the active roster to accommodate him?)

I'm optimistic, at least. And i guess i'm more curious as to what Neil Allen can do with him. It occurs to me that, seeing as Mr. Allen came from the Rays, and may have had some part in their acquisition of him from the Dodgers, that this might have greater immediate value than folk are crediting it for... Yeah, i too am waiting for the related roster decisions to pan out. A seller's market, i presume, and ya gotta give something to get something (else). Violence inherent in the system, and all that. I'm sure i'll keep an eye out for Hu over the next few years just as i will Colabello and other folk who have left the system.

Beatles sound pretty good. (More appealing than crickets, at least) I guess now that the deadline is past, i should catch up on the actual carnage. Did we win?

That fella is cheating! By using a headset, he doesn't even have to hum. Someone else can hum for him. Or he could be listening to real music even. Why didn't i think of that? Thanks! I'll use it next year... What real music should i have been listening to?

Can i take my fingers out of my ears yet?

"Fingers in the ears and humming loudly" Game Thread intro. Here's to avoiding all the speculation, and catching the actual factual moves perhaps after the fact, but waiting builds character. "Just because [i am] a character doesn't mean have character..." So if everyone else is doing it, that means i can do it too, right? Here goes... "There has been an unprecedented three team swap between Minnesota, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Unlike previous trades, where a few noteworthy players move around, this one is wholesale. The entire teams are moving, including mascots. In one fell swoop, Minnesota upgrades to one of the best bullpens. Matt Carpenter is reported to be looking forward to home field advantage in the World Series. And the (St. Louis) Twins suddenly become the owners of the best record in baseball. Not all this is well received. Some Kansas City fans are irate that they have to wear a whole new color. Sano is left without the DH spot, unless he's willing to pitch. The player's union is quietly looking into the matter to see if this violates various no trade clauses, but, as on the surface they are still playing on the same team, it is likely to hold up. Not surprisingly, national coverage takes no notice." -me See even i get distracted by this, and not a word of it is serious. At least now it's out of my system. I hope... But i digress... Round 2 between Seattle and Minnesota features Taijuan Walker #32 going toe to toe with Tommy Milone #33. Or rather they'll both be toeing the rubber, just not simultaneously. But that's toe to toe on average... #32 vs. #33? Looks pretty even to me. Looking further (the paragraph description on mlb's site) Walker's in a bit of a tough stretch, but has also been pretty good at times. He has more than twice Milone's K total, but probably 'cause he didn't spend time in AAA. Milone of course has been pretty sharp. I hope he can hold 'em. I'm sad our pitchers don't get to lock horns with Cano. But if that makes a win more likely, i guess i can't really complain. Presumably, we get to see Sano manning the hot corner again, and probably Polanco at short, but as the line ups aren't up, i probably shouldn't count my chickens before they hatch. How were they last night, as i only half paid attention? I recall a good pick by Polanco followed by an errant throw, but that's all... This is about the time they got Vargas up and swinging last season, so it wouldn't be without precedent to set that sort of thing up again. Is that enough thoughts for today? I haven't kept track... Oh yeah, left as exercise to your friendly neighborhood moderator, updating the weather and the line ups: Seattle Mariners: P Taijuan Walker, North Paw Marte 2B Seager 3B Cruz DH Gutierrez LF Trumbo RF Jackson CF Montero 1B Miller SS Zunino C Minnesota Twins: P Tommy Milone, South Paw Dozier 2B Hicks CF Mauer 1B Sano 3B Hunter RF Rosario LF Nunez DH Fryer C Polanco SS Enjoy the game!

Music to my ears... er, eyes, that is. No more losin' blues for me. We have regained our general blue shift tendency in the standings, um relative to the majority of the league.

And let's keep it that way. Yeah, the Yankee's announcers were proud to blow Perkin's first save op. The bane of small media...

Yes it is. Sorry 'bout that. Not bein' much of a gamer, yet knowin' about it, i guess i figured it would be more widely recognized...

That sounds like a qualitative assessment. How should quantify it?

Yup, they're gonna clean up. I think soap is involved... So don't complain too much if the cake is a lye.

Yeah, lookin' at Wikipedia, they seemed to have ended in '04. Also there was a brass instrument company up until the 70s. Some tubas seem to be kickin' around still. Neither are new i guess... Ya know something new every day, i guess. (then you knew it?) Thanks.

Hey, look! Again is Hicks up. (should we be drinking water?)

That would be new Olds...

That would work for me. I have a sneaking suspicion though that he'll need help from the Mariners to hit for the cycle in the form of being thrown out at second... I don't think they're up to it though.

Sano also goes down. As Hicks moves up to second. Nice steal there! (RBD)

Mauer strikes out looking? Say it isn't so! (On RB delay)

"I'm going to do him left handed. It is the only way i can be satisfied. If i use my right, over too quickly."

Oh yeah! Nice hit, Hicks! (with Riverbrian delay)

I was thinking step 4 is pretty non-specific...

This is one of those games where the offensive watch word is something equivalent to "pedal to the metal"

Kinda like the Fielder formerly known as Prince? (Except he's also currently known as such...)

Good ol' PTBNL. And i have it on good authority they'll announce him on Saturday: Trevor Plouffe.