Platoon

That's either a distant star, a super nova, or my eyeball the morning after we drank gin and tonic at John and Virginias until 3 30 am?

Last night was the battle of the Avators! While there was no clear winner, there were some very creepy entries. Nick went with a clown, I think it was It. Clowns mean different things to different people. Joy to some children, terror to others. A happy face at a birthday party, a sad face on Weary Willie. Or as in the Stephen King novel, a creepy look back into your childhood. Speaking of creepy, Chitowns obsession with eyeballs freaked out many. Did it reach a level of incarceration? Possibly in some jurisdictions, but doubtful in Chicago. Listening to the pundits, Chicago is the crime capital of the USA, so an eyeball peeking through a hole in a wall here or there is not likely to raise many eyebrows. The thought of crime, or criminal acts reminds me that the Twins still have more baseball to play this year. And while that fact alone could be an indictable offense to some, it's been fairly and endlessly adjudicated in various other threads. In the spirit of comparative anlaysis, let's see where this years team ranks with other criminal activities. In no order of magnitude. The Northfield Bank Robbery. Jesse and the Younger brothers were apparently still fighting the War of Northern Aggression when invading Northfield. It went horribly wrong, and I think some of the Younger brothers didn't get any older. The rest rode off into the sunset. I live about twenty miles from where they were captured, and every year about a week after the enactment, I go to that grove and wait for the townspeople to show up to finish the whole story. With the exception of the Watonan Co. Sheriff, none have ever appeared. He was skeptical at first, but eventually deemed me relatively harmless. Making a Murderer. This has got more twists and turns than a soap opera on Telemundo. While I have no idea who did what, it made for some pretty engaging Netflix, and from the sounds of it, it's not over yet. Stay tuned, and keep your subscription paid up. Two years ago, we were late for the ferry out of Manitiwoc. And if I knew then, what I know now, I would have never ran that red light in Manitiwoc. The guy in Kansas City, KS who robbed a bank. A 70 year old married man in KC, aggravated with his spouse for some reason or the other, told her he would rather be in jail than live with her. And meant it. Went to a local bank across the street from the cop shop, handed the teller a note: 'I have a gun, give me your money'! Took the proceeds and went and sat next to a bank guard and waited for the cops. I don't know what the argument was about, but it musta been a doozy. Be kind of funny if the judge sentences him to one year home detention! Donald Trump! Forecast. 69, PC, and 0% chance of precipitation. Mark this in your calendar, the weatherman never gets this specific! Good for James Beresford, he gets a chance tonight, and his folks are here also. I know MLB baseball is big business, and I have been less than complimentary about Molitor, but he gets a thumbs up from me on this move. Your lineups tonight are brought to you by Samsung. Keeping you warm and toasty since 2016. Twins Hector Santiago (L) 1. Brian Dozier ® 2B 2. Joe Mauer (L) 1B 3. Jorge Polanco (S) SS 4. Max Kepler (L) RF 5. Miguel Sano ® DH 6. Eddie Rosario (L) LF 7. Kurt Suzuki ® C 8. James Beresford (L) 3B 9. Byron Buxton ® CF Cleveland Mike Clevinger ® 1. Rajai Davis ® CF 2. Jason Kipnis (L) 2B 3. Francisco Lindor (S) SS 4. Mike Napoli ® DH 5. Carlos Santana (S) 1B 6. Jose Ramirez (S) 3B 7. Brandon Guyer ® RF 8. Coco Crisp (S) LF 9. Roberto Perez ® C

I have managed various levels of teams and of various calibers of players. I had one team that was so good, losing one game in a year was unacceptable. I had another that winning a game in a year was a miracle. And everything in between. Every team was treated as best I could per their talent level. But in all cases one thing I always believed: let's play as well as we can, and after the game look at the scoreboard and see how we did. Yes, I know it wasn't quite that simple. But it was a message. Good, clean, well played baseball will be your best chance to win in relation to your talent compared to the other teams. Crappy, sloppy baseball will negate any advantage you had. The Twins have major pitching issues, but they haven't done anything behind their pitchers, or on the bases to mitigate that deficit! And that's solely on Molitor.

It is, but his actions remain odd! He was the one doling out PTto guys brought up, or should I say not doling out. His allegiance to veterans who have no future here, vs getting playing time for future mainstays is troubling. As is his playing time dished out to the Grossmans, Shaefers, and Santana's of the world. Last nights DH of Zuke over Vargas? Ugh! Not because I could predict the AB outcomes of either. It's who should be getting the AB's, in this time and this season!

I could see myself not buying tickets, in protest of keeping a manager who I view as needing replacement. But I would never buy tickets BECAUSE a certain manager was in place. I think there is too much put on the abilities of a manager. The in game thinking does not change much at any level. The game is still the game, same diamond, same differences in players talents, same need not to wear out pitchers, etc. Many situations would seem self evident. And here's where Molitor fails. He does seemingly odd things. You can't bunt for a run early in a game with this staff. Cleveland maybe can, but you can't. You can't ignore OF defense with a fly ball staff. Your bullpen guys have to have a clue of their role, it cannot change based on your last gig! It goes on. But to me the biggest difference in a MLB managers job is the clubhouse, and how you treat your players. You are not gong to impress on an Eddie Rosario, or a DanSan the error in their ways, while ignoring the same errors by the teammates with whom you have a better personal rapport. It just doesn't work. They see through you, and tune you out. It's your job to be consistent and fair with your players. And it's their job to then pay attention to detail. Neither are present in this clubhouse!

?........... A very long time ago? Do you mean like our last legitimate playoff opportunity?

I understand their kids schooled together and have known each other for quite a while. It's going to impact the FO hire far more than we might imagine. Why take a job, where one of the biggest decisions you make, you can't!

It's too late, and I am too lazy to look. You may be right, maybe it just seemed that way?

That looks seriously uncomfortable!

Since last year was more or less a wash, just May as a winning month. Did TD GT even exist the last time we had a decent team? I wonder if they would be as much fun misery does love company!

In the beginning of the year, there were a couple threads calling for season predictions. I can't remember anyone who projected 62- 100. I was pessimistic, but even I wouldn't have sunk to that.

Speak for your self, I for one am of sound mind and body, or my mom would not have let me live in her basement for the last 28 years!

Gallows humor?

Don't you think we should finish the season first, maybe see if one of our.............. Ah, just forget it.

I wouldn't bother. Actually by TD GT standards your post was thoughtful and timeless......... And some other lesses also.........

That was a play. Quite the arm on young Sano!

Comments like that often tweak the interest of law enforcement professionals.

Your list seems somewhat short......

Now that's creepy....

Looks a little like the bathroom wall in room 7 at the Bates Motel.

I woulda went with "it's me", as compared to being a figment of Barks imagination!

The secret to a successful MLB career is to be able to hit as often as possible in the inning after the Twins score.

............. You mean that's not you?

Well Thats different......

Never has the word "available" struck such terror onto the masses!