89 thoughts on “June 20, 2011: Off Day”

  1. so, my job has been to clean up and repair a bunch of stuff damaged by floods last year. Well, it should be interesting today because the road that goes to the park is underwater because of high water and the forecast is not looking good for the next few days (up to 3 inches of rain?!).

    1. I am also not a fan of off days during winning streaks. Nor am I a fan of west coast road trips. At least with me working late every night this week, I can watch the games in their entirety.

      1. I am also not a fan of off days during winning streaks

        I'm usually not either, but with Nishi and Mauer just off the DL, it might be a good thing to get an extra day's rest.

    2. Huh. Interesting. Thoma isn't as bad as a lot of Minnesota's sports media, but I never understood why some give him so much love. Admittedly, part of the problem is that I've met him.

          1. That doesn't come through in his writing. Basically, he works for mainstream media but embraces more advanced metrics much more than most.

            1. I know it doesn't. I enjoyed him before that, and told him so when he came in. He wasn't appreciative whatsoever, and acted like it was a bother that I'd tell him I liked his work.

              Maybe he was just in a bad mood at lunchtime or something, but I saw him in there at least twenty times and never saw him smile once outside of his Free Press photo.

  2. Just got the new WGOM banner with all our gravatars for the first time. Love it.

          1. nah, i just thought it was a ridiculous photo, and had them off in the distance. i wasn't too happy with the finished product myself. the shape of the banner really limits what kind of content you can use if you're going with actual photos.

            i'm more than happy to entertain different scenarios for our two lovebirds to show up in. any ideas?

      1. And I obviously do not care that I'm not represented. I''m not around much anymore.

        1. Well, you're still with a default gravatar. Bring Mulder back, and he could probably replace Chico Esquela's Garrett Morris.
          /Not that I'm in charge.

              1. I just noticed that Whiffers' Nintendo controller was pushed out when I expanded the lettering and got zooomx.2 in as the "O." So, if Chico doesn't mind, I can put in that, for starters.

                Scot and seels58 are the only other gravater-ed people that aren't up there, I think, as far as people who do occasionally post. I could easily add one more column on the end.

                1. Personally, I think all of the banners are stupid and don't care if I am removed. I think of myself as more of an outsider anyway. No need to include me.

                  Also, I can't wait to see how the Twins blow this hot streak. Talk about a team playing over their heads.

  3. Hopefully, the Twins are in the midst of a winning streak, instead of at the end of one. Time will tell.

    1. The fact the he also has what is quite possibly the worst looking face in NBA2K11 greatly increases my support of this move. Then they can take Biyombo at #10 and not have to start him right away!

      1. I'll admit, I've been pretty skeptical of Biyimbo the past couple of weeks. It just seemed to be that he reeked of Saer Sene, taken 10th in the 2006 draft. Lately I have warmed up to him though as teams seem to be cooling off after his poor workout. I think that is due in large part to me not really liking a single player in this draft. I don't see a ton of value in him with the two pick. If it happens at 10, I'd be plenty okay with it. There just seems to be too many teams who like Derek Williams enough for there to not be value in trading down.

        People who like the Wolves like Biyimbo, that is enough for me to root for it to happen. I'm just not that into raw, athletic, 18 year old kids who I know nothing about before I start prepping up for the draft.

    1. yeah. i happened to be watching it live*. that was pretty ricockulous.

      *i had the game on in the background, but i heard to announcers freak out and ran over to the screen.

    1. Yeah, you have been having bad luck on the injury bug as of late. As you can see, I modified the offer and sent a proposal over today. If you don't like that player I would also make the trade for the other one originally offered.

    2. I think this will work out for the both of us. I owed you acquiring an injured player, too. Also, to other citizens, please feel free to offer me your closers for Wil Myers, superstud prospect of the Royals.

      1. Yeah, at least not getting Myers means I shouldn't have to make a decision later on about keeping Freeman.

        1. Yeah, I don't think I am going to have a draft pick the first couple of rounds.

      2. I will consider your proposal of Myers, but I'm already sitting on Mike Trout, so I don't know if I want another prospect.

        1. I will get back to you, Mags. I might have something a little better looking.

  4. I love that the Marlins have re-named Jack McKeon as manager. David Cameron pointed out that McKeon once had Lou Pinella as a 29-year-old left fielder back when he was managing the '73 Royals. What Cameron didn't point out was that Pinella wasn't the only future manager on that team. Cookie Rojas played second, Hal McRae played some right field and occasionally DH'd, Buck Martinez caught a handful of games.

    Other interesting tidbits from the article:

    Other fun fact from the 1973 Royals โ€“ their best player was John Mayberry, the father of the Phillies outfielder of the same name. But, really, thatโ€™s nothing โ€“ that team also featured Hal McRae, the father of Brian McRae, who retired from the game twelve years ago.

    Plus, some rookie named George Brett played in 13 games. I'm really looking forward to seeing McKeon's cigar-chomping mug back in the dugout.

    1. Chris Jaffe pointed out that when Jack McKeon was born, Lou Gehrig had only played in 887 consecutive games.

  5. Watching a bit of the College World Series, I noticed a North Carolina player named Ben Bunting. Sounds like a future Twin to me.

  6. Twins 1st round pick, Levi Michael of UNC, is playing in a CWS game at the moment. UNC is playing Texas in an elimination game. Levi had a singl in the 2nd inning. Also at the CWS, Vanderbilt pitcher and Twins 3rd round pick, Corey Williams.

  7. Farewell, Ryan Dunn of Jackass.

    He was pulling the most dangerous stunt of all: drinking and driving. I wish there were magic words to make people stop making this decision.

  8. The 4ltr has their weekly power rankings out. Wait, what? KC is ahead of the Twins?

  9. CC to Can of Corn: Here's the details on the Saints game this weekend. Are you in class with my brother? If so, I can probably get him a ticket to bring you this week.

    Oh, and if the Bossman, Moss or anyone else of the lawyerly persuasion is interested, there's still a few more tickets available to the St. Paul Saints game on Saturday evening with the Hennepin County Bar Association.

  10. and then there's Howard, speaking for the common fan (and doing it well):

    My hope for this team is that the regulars will return and contribute the things we expect from them so that Gardy can transition away from the irregulars -- who have been invaluable but can't be expected to keep up the good work -- while fielding a lineup that continues their recent success.

    Asking for that is asking for a title run. And I don't think that's too much to ask for anymore.

    Can you hear that, Citizens? That's 2006 singing....

    httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky1rlAmJchg

    1. I wasn't following that closely last summer, was Infante picked over Votto because the NL manager wanted someone with positional flexibility because he was, you know, trying to win the game? Infante vs. Votto is a positional question more than it is a talent question. Votto can hit much better than Infante, but he can't play SS, which hurts if you find yourself in a situation where you need a shortstop.

      I just can't stand some of these writers complaining about how there are so many great first baseman getting snubbed. Hey, if there are so many first basemen who can hit, maybe they should try making it at another position. What's that? They can't play any other positions? Okay, then.

      Excepting starting pitchers, it's difficult for me to feel that strongly about anyone getting "snubbed" unless I actually think they are the best in their league at their position.

  11. I got my letter today from University of Ulster. I was not among the 65 selected out of 900+ for PhD funding. I suppose now I figure out what to do instead.

    In all seriousness, anyone have any decent job leads in the Twin Cities? I've been seriously considering moving up there after my lease is up in August.

    1. sorry to hear that, Magoo. 900+ applicants? Good lord. And an entering (funded) class of 65? Again, good lord.

      Good luck.

      1. Cheers, bS. I had been trying to steel myself mentally for the rejection (my natural inclination towards pessimism helped) but to actually see it ink on paper hurt more than I expected.

        1. Yeah, sorry to hear that, man. I will also echo bs's good lords re: applicant numbers and entrance class size. May a move to the TC area work for you so you may see many Twins games.

    2. If you do move up here and if you want any apartment hunting help, I just finished and would be willing to help. Work is also hiring, but it might be a bit out of your domain: programming/scientific library work (HPC specifically).

    1. It was the only way to get everyone in there! Of course, now zooomx.2 can never change his avatar, but he never has, so I suppose I'm not worried.

      1. zoo0omx.2 can never change his avatar

        Or can only change his avatar to a toroid, o-ring, donut, whole wheat O...

      2. Actually, at one time I had a "puttin on the foil" avatar in honor of Slapshot, but eventually settled into the Hal2000. I knew there was a reason I couldn't bring myself to change it. Definitely, nice work spooky!

  12. Just did my first sprint triathlon this last weekend in a small town in central CT on Saturday.

    Observations: Water was quite cold in the lake (65F) - had rained for 3 days prior - a short swim (1/3M), but in survival mode with the water that cold.

    Really enjoyed the bike (12M) - hilly roads, but had practiced on them and was able to compete well - gained 3 minutes over my best practice run.

    Rubbery legs for the first 1/2 mile of the 5K. Someone at work said was a good idea to start with a lengthly stride in order to stretch out the legs after the bike ride.

    My transition times can improve some - I noticed that the veterans packed their gear in a milk crate so they had something to sit on whilst changing their gear.

    Was fun to train for, and am happy that I performed relatively well for a desk jockey who is closing in on two score and ten this year. Also recently got my blood work numbers and for the first time (ever), the lipids profile is showing in the normal range. Not sure how much of that is due to the tri training - prolly summat.

    1. Nice work, NBB. I can say pretty confidently that I could not do what you did at one score and closing in on ten years.

    2. I've been considering the triathlon up at Mom & Dad's in July. It looks to be the same length as the one you just did. The only problem for me is it's the day after a rugby tournament. Nevermind my legs being jelly, my head'll be killing me after the after party anyway.]

      But good on you for competing and doing well. That's definitely something to be proud of*.

      *Of which to be proud. Whatever, stupid journal writing.

  13. Indians, Tigers and White Sox all lose. Now that's what I call a good off day.

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