I'm losing track of the number of games this season we could classify as "heartbreakers."
52 thoughts on “May 24, 2011: Broken”
I fell asleep after Thome's second HR of the night. I was surprised this morning that we lost the game. sigh.
I don't know, after a girl puts a knife threw my chest eight or fourteen times, I come to expect it. It still hurts, but it's not exactly heart-breaking.
remember at the beginning of the season and there was doom and gloom for the Boston Red Sox? They are 25-21 and a half game out of 1st place
Ditto the Rays. I figured all three teams would be pulling out of their tailspins.
You know what they say: Two outta three ain't bad.
True, but when one of the two is the Red Sox, it starts to cross over into bad.
Matt Capps is no He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. /GOML
The Twins need to go 48-68 (.414) to avoid 100 losses. Sure, Mauer will come back some day and apparently Thome hits 2 HRs a game, but their third order winning percentage is .280. It's bleak right now.
What keeps me going is that, unless the FO bizarrely goes into fire sale mode like Stribbie/Twinkietown/Gleeman's commentors seem to want to have happen, the general core of the team is going to be around next year (minus _elm_n if there truly are baseball gods) with the bullpen having a chance to be the focus of off-season moves, so this certainly isn't a T-Wolves or Twins-mid-to-late-90's type of situation.
There's a lot of potential to dump salary with seemingly minimal negative impact.
$9.25M -- Nathan
$10.5M -- Cuddyer
$7.2M -- Capps
$3M -- Thome (unless he is an ageless wonder)
$2.7M -- Slowey 🙁
At around $4M/win, you could maybe squeeze 7-9 wins out from that much payroll.
That isn't so bad, as those are older/ineffective guys. I was thinking trying to dump off the younger core of the team like the Marlins were fond of doing back in the day. Not that I think it would happen, though.
I saw all the Slowey trade chatter yesterday, and I'll just chime in to say that I'm pretty sad about that.
I definitely think the Twins will have a pretty decent amount of money heading into next year, but I have concerns on if Smith will use that money correctly. But that's neither here nor there.
At 2 HRs a game, and assuming he plays about half the remaining games, Thome should be well past Mays for fourth all-time and closing in on Babe for most homers by a white guy. I don't think anyone's ever celebrated their 600th and 700th career HRs in the same season, though, so chances aren't that great.
Ruth wasn't white, at least if you believe certain folks back in the day.
I stayed up for that? I can't help but watch this team, but more and more, I'm thinking the outlook is bleak. I'm headed to the game this evening...
Boy talk about selling low but I may have two tickets available for the Sunday game against the Angels. You'd be joining me and the Mrs. up in Section 324 (although you can roam around TF if you like). I'd sell them for face value ($16/each). I have a couple other feelers out there so let me know if interested. I'll probably post this again later in the week as a reminder and if no one claims them.
Doubt my wife would like it if I took my daughter away from her first communion party for that.
I'd also be afraid of ketchup stains on the veil.
In positive news, you can get this bizarre Kevin Slowey Pittsburgh Twins replica jersey for cheap. $77 +S&H, if you're a Medium or XXL.
Or you can get the Kevin Slowey Pond youth Tee for $8 +S&H. S, M, and L are still available.
Finally, and not Slowey-related, the abomination shirt can be yours for $112. (Link kindof NSFW.)
At least the Twins are down to just one real problem area, although it's a disaster area, but at least the offense seems to be running on all cylinders after starting the season historically bad. The rotation seems to be in pretty good shape, although Pavano giving up four runs to the Mariners wasn't good. He at least pulled himself together and held down the Mariners when the Twins rallied. This bullpen is as bad as I've seen. Meanwhile, the Red Wings' bullpen last night went four perfect innings, two by Chuck James. Anthony Slama struck out two in an inning and Hoey struck out the side (Thanks, Jeff). Hopefully, Slowey will go down and dominate and the Twins will either have Duensing go to the bullpen and recall Slowey to the rotation (though that doesn't sound likely) or trade Slowey for a setup reliever.
I hear that the dude who predict the Rapture has now said that his calculation was off by five months and that the real one will be on October 21, 2011. People actually quit their jobs and blew their their retirement savings, having believed this old fart. I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the end of the world, for realz this time.
Which was originally the date for the world ending. Is that delayed as well now? Or is everything just going to be compressed?
Well, see, there was a spiritual rapture on saturday. I'm not surprised you missed it, as only 200 million evangelicals will be transmogrified.
Praise Chtulhu!
Didn't a lot of those people (who I would assume are now un-employable) give their money to that radio station as well? If so, this guy seems to know exactly what he's doing.
My favorite part is that apparently some of his radio station offices have leases through 2023. Nothing says true belief like hedging your bets!
Mo chailín and I watched the first two episodes of "Breaking Bad" last night. We have been looking for something to watch together since "Justified" ended a few weeks ago. She's not seen any before, I watched seasons 1 & 2 last summer. Hopefully we'll be caught up through season 3 in time for the season 4 premier in July. I think she'll get into it. She seemed to like what we watched, and it was so well done that I didn't at all mind seeing it again.
I finally found time this past weekend to finish up the last couple episodes of Justified. I was not really expecting the season to end that way.
June 7th for Breaking Bad season 3, finally!
Up to date with Game of Thrones, CT?
I'm halfway through season 2 of Justified right now (I've only been knocking out an episode here and there since I started from the beginning a few months ago). Hopefully I finish that in time to rewatch most of Breaking Bad before that season starts.
Which reminds me, I'll need to get a new avatar here pretty soon...
I just started reading the novel. I'm just past the point where Littlefinger takes Ned to see his wife.
I won't say anything about the plot here since it deserves to be read fresh, but I do hope you are (and continue to be) enjoying it. The first time I read the books was maybe my favorite reading experience in the fantasy genre.
so far, very enjoyable. But then I am easily entertained
[The Shat]
I would agree on the experience. I find myself getting very interested in many of the character arcs and have pre-ordered A Dance with Dragons.
I'm planning on watching episode 6 tonight. The entire thing is so well done that, even though I basically know what's going to happen, I'm finding myself waiting for different things to see just how well they deal with it, which still makes it all very engaging.
In that case, I think you won't be disappointed by the ending of this one.
That show wastes no time messin' around. The story with the kid they keep downstairs makes it thrilling from the beginning, and Walter goes through a strong and memorable but always believable arc in the first...three?...episodes.
Not only does it not waste time, it tells more without dialogue than anything since Sergio Leone.
Better late than never: you can catch the last few innings of the Red Wings game today by going here.
Another win! It looks like they like having their leadoff hitter and No. 3 hitter back with the team.
Btw, I want to compliment the Citizenry on last night's game log, in particular the way spooky and vodkatang managed to diffuse what had the potential to be an overly heated discussion about Slowsky. Arguing can be fun, but coming out the other side intact is always nice.
2011 Twins' leading baserunner? No surprise, it's D-Span. #2? _elmOn.
Also listed as a positive: Jim Thome.
You can't teach plodding.
Long story short, after a long, drawn-out process wherein my company gave me false hope before dashing it away again, I'm being laid off. However, another long story short, this affords me the opportunity to finally get to LA, where I should probably be considering my careers.
So, firstly, do any of you live in LA? Furthermore, if you do, how badly could you use a roommate? It would be just me, as my wife and daughters would be in Phoenix for the time being (yet another long story short, but no worries, as there are no troubles in paradise aside from the financial one). I know this is a long shot and realistically I should have no trouble finding a place considering the number of people I know there, but I really don't want to live in a party house, and I have a feeling that most of my friends down there are still living that life.
I moved to LA 16 months ago, but barely have room enough for Ms. Klaw and myself; we are moving next week, actually, to a smaller but better place. Best of luck with the move and I am glad to give what little advice I can.
spooky, I loves you but you just keep making the Party Down references even easier!
Anyone have anything bad to say about Asus products? I'm looking at an external DVD-RW and most of the reviews look pretty good. My idea to cannibalize my old laptop has been shelved in order to fix it with a new HD and give it to my uncle. Also, any HD manufacturers I should avoid? I know Maxtor got an unfavorable review from some people during discussions about bS's woes.
I can't say about drives, but I've used ASUS motherboards in the best with good results.
No quibbles with ASUS products back during my PC-owning days. As for HDs, I've had good luck with Toshiba and Western Digital.
Grasping at straws stat of the day: The 2005 Astros were 16-31 and ended up going to the World Series as the NL Wild Card with 89 wins. The Twins need to win today to match that record.
UPDATES: Joe Mauer is going to DH in an extended spring training game tomorrow, and there's a chance he could start catching in those extended games sometime next week. His shoulder is regaining strength and he's working on catching drills.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka is getting close. He will try sliding drills on Thursday and, if that goes well, he'll play in an extended game the next day.
Correction on Mijares: He threw lightly off a mound today but will go through a full bullpen session tomorrow. And he'll probably head out on a rehab assignment at the end of the week.
Also, Delmon back in the lineup, but Tolbert, Casilla and Rivera in for Plouffe, Cuddyer and Butera.
I fell asleep after Thome's second HR of the night. I was surprised this morning that we lost the game. sigh.
I don't know, after a girl puts a knife threw my chest eight or fourteen times, I come to expect it. It still hurts, but it's not exactly heart-breaking.
remember at the beginning of the season and there was doom and gloom for the Boston Red Sox? They are 25-21 and a half game out of 1st place
Ditto the Rays. I figured all three teams would be pulling out of their tailspins.
You know what they say: Two outta three ain't bad.
True, but when one of the two is the Red Sox, it starts to cross over into bad.
Matt Capps is no He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. /GOML
The Twins need to go 48-68 (.414) to avoid 100 losses. Sure, Mauer will come back some day and apparently Thome hits 2 HRs a game, but their third order winning percentage is .280. It's bleak right now.
What keeps me going is that, unless the FO bizarrely goes into fire sale mode like Stribbie/Twinkietown/Gleeman's commentors seem to want to have happen, the general core of the team is going to be around next year (minus _elm_n if there truly are baseball gods) with the bullpen having a chance to be the focus of off-season moves, so this certainly isn't a T-Wolves or Twins-mid-to-late-90's type of situation.
There's a lot of potential to dump salary with seemingly minimal negative impact.
$9.25M -- Nathan
$10.5M -- Cuddyer
$7.2M -- Capps
$3M -- Thome (unless he is an ageless wonder)
$2.7M -- Slowey 🙁
At around $4M/win, you could maybe squeeze 7-9 wins out from that much payroll.
That isn't so bad, as those are older/ineffective guys. I was thinking trying to dump off the younger core of the team like the Marlins were fond of doing back in the day. Not that I think it would happen, though.
I saw all the Slowey trade chatter yesterday, and I'll just chime in to say that I'm pretty sad about that.
I definitely think the Twins will have a pretty decent amount of money heading into next year, but I have concerns on if Smith will use that money correctly. But that's neither here nor there.
At 2 HRs a game, and assuming he plays about half the remaining games, Thome should be well past Mays for fourth all-time and closing in on Babe for most homers by a white guy. I don't think anyone's ever celebrated their 600th and 700th career HRs in the same season, though, so chances aren't that great.
Ruth wasn't white, at least if you believe certain folks back in the day.
I stayed up for that? I can't help but watch this team, but more and more, I'm thinking the outlook is bleak. I'm headed to the game this evening...
Boy talk about selling low but I may have two tickets available for the Sunday game against the Angels. You'd be joining me and the Mrs. up in Section 324 (although you can roam around TF if you like). I'd sell them for face value ($16/each). I have a couple other feelers out there so let me know if interested. I'll probably post this again later in the week as a reminder and if no one claims them.
Doubt my wife would like it if I took my daughter away from her first communion party for that.
I'd also be afraid of ketchup stains on the veil.
In positive news, you can get this bizarre Kevin Slowey Pittsburgh Twins replica jersey for cheap. $77 +S&H, if you're a Medium or XXL.
Or you can get the Kevin Slowey Pond youth Tee for $8 +S&H. S, M, and L are still available.
Finally, and not Slowey-related, the abomination shirt can be yours for $112. (Link kindof NSFW.)
At least the Twins are down to just one real problem area, although it's a disaster area, but at least the offense seems to be running on all cylinders after starting the season historically bad. The rotation seems to be in pretty good shape, although Pavano giving up four runs to the Mariners wasn't good. He at least pulled himself together and held down the Mariners when the Twins rallied. This bullpen is as bad as I've seen. Meanwhile, the Red Wings' bullpen last night went four perfect innings, two by Chuck James. Anthony Slama struck out two in an inning and Hoey struck out the side (Thanks, Jeff). Hopefully, Slowey will go down and dominate and the Twins will either have Duensing go to the bullpen and recall Slowey to the rotation (though that doesn't sound likely) or trade Slowey for a setup reliever.
I hear that the dude who predict the Rapture has now said that his calculation was off by five months and that the real one will be on October 21, 2011. People actually quit their jobs and blew their their retirement savings, having believed this old fart. I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the end of the world, for realz this time.
Which was originally the date for the world ending. Is that delayed as well now? Or is everything just going to be compressed?
Well, see, there was a spiritual rapture on saturday. I'm not surprised you missed it, as only 200 million evangelicals will be transmogrified.
Praise Chtulhu!
Didn't a lot of those people (who I would assume are now un-employable) give their money to that radio station as well? If so, this guy seems to know exactly what he's doing.
My favorite part is that apparently some of his radio station offices have leases through 2023. Nothing says true belief like hedging your bets!
Mo chailín and I watched the first two episodes of "Breaking Bad" last night. We have been looking for something to watch together since "Justified" ended a few weeks ago. She's not seen any before, I watched seasons 1 & 2 last summer. Hopefully we'll be caught up through season 3 in time for the season 4 premier in July. I think she'll get into it. She seemed to like what we watched, and it was so well done that I didn't at all mind seeing it again.
I finally found time this past weekend to finish up the last couple episodes of Justified. I was not really expecting the season to end that way.
June 7th for Breaking Bad season 3, finally!
Up to date with Game of Thrones, CT?
I'm halfway through season 2 of Justified right now (I've only been knocking out an episode here and there since I started from the beginning a few months ago). Hopefully I finish that in time to rewatch most of Breaking Bad before that season starts.
Which reminds me, I'll need to get a new avatar here pretty soon...
I just started reading the novel. I'm just past the point where Littlefinger takes Ned to see his wife.
I won't say anything about the plot here since it deserves to be read fresh, but I do hope you are (and continue to be) enjoying it. The first time I read the books was maybe my favorite reading experience in the fantasy genre.
so far, very enjoyable. But then I am easily entertained
[The Shat]
I would agree on the experience. I find myself getting very interested in many of the character arcs and have pre-ordered A Dance with Dragons.
I'm planning on watching episode 6 tonight. The entire thing is so well done that, even though I basically know what's going to happen, I'm finding myself waiting for different things to see just how well they deal with it, which still makes it all very engaging.
In that case, I think you won't be disappointed by the ending of this one.
That show wastes no time messin' around. The story with the kid they keep downstairs makes it thrilling from the beginning, and Walter goes through a strong and memorable but always believable arc in the first...three?...episodes.
Not only does it not waste time, it tells more without dialogue than anything since Sergio Leone.
Better late than never: you can catch the last few innings of the Red Wings game today by going here.
Another win! It looks like they like having their leadoff hitter and No. 3 hitter back with the team.
Btw, I want to compliment the Citizenry on last night's game log, in particular the way spooky and vodkatang managed to diffuse what had the potential to be an overly heated discussion about Slowsky. Arguing can be fun, but coming out the other side intact is always nice.
[sotto voce] It was twelve years old.
so, i heard there was a spaceship going to the smithsonian...
AJ and the Prez! A new sitcom coming to ABC this summer!
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/A-J-Pierzynski-chases-foul-ball-meets-George-W?urn=mlb-wp7540
Fangraphs has added a baserunning component: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/ultimate-base-running-ubr/
2011 Twins' leading baserunner? No surprise, it's D-Span. #2? _elmOn.
Also listed as a positive: Jim Thome.
You can't teach plodding.
Long story short, after a long, drawn-out process wherein my company gave me false hope before dashing it away again, I'm being laid off. However, another long story short, this affords me the opportunity to finally get to LA, where I should probably be considering my careers.
So, firstly, do any of you live in LA? Furthermore, if you do, how badly could you use a roommate? It would be just me, as my wife and daughters would be in Phoenix for the time being (yet another long story short, but no worries, as there are no troubles in paradise aside from the financial one). I know this is a long shot and realistically I should have no trouble finding a place considering the number of people I know there, but I really don't want to live in a party house, and I have a feeling that most of my friends down there are still living that life.
I moved to LA 16 months ago, but barely have room enough for Ms. Klaw and myself; we are moving next week, actually, to a smaller but better place. Best of luck with the move and I am glad to give what little advice I can.
spooky, I loves you but you just keep making the Party Down references even easier!
Anyone have anything bad to say about Asus products? I'm looking at an external DVD-RW and most of the reviews look pretty good. My idea to cannibalize my old laptop has been shelved in order to fix it with a new HD and give it to my uncle. Also, any HD manufacturers I should avoid? I know Maxtor got an unfavorable review from some people during discussions about bS's woes.
I can't say about drives, but I've used ASUS motherboards in the best with good results.
No quibbles with ASUS products back during my PC-owning days. As for HDs, I've had good luck with Toshiba and Western Digital.
Grasping at straws stat of the day: The 2005 Astros were 16-31 and ended up going to the World Series as the NL Wild Card with 89 wins. The Twins need to win today to match that record.
From LEN3:
Also, Delmon back in the lineup, but Tolbert, Casilla and Rivera in for Plouffe, Cuddyer and Butera.