I cursed all last night, I cursed in my dreams and I woke up cursing. Effing Capps.
76 thoughts on “July 16, 2011: Pig Roast”
Remember early in the season, when Gardy continued to use Joe Nathan as the closer until Nathan himself volunteered to give up the role because he wasn't getting the job done? I think it's time for Capps to follow that example. Bremer kept saying "Nobody feels worse than Matt Capps" and I'm sure that's true--it's not like he's stinking it up on purpose or something--but the fact remains that, no matter how hard he's trying and no matter how bad he feels when he fails, he's just not getting the job done. If the Twins are at all serious about trying to win the division, they cannot afford to go on this way.
I think the manager should tell Capps to volunteer to give up this role.
I would love to hear Gardy say that they've got three late inning guys who will pitch when the situation correctly calls for it.
That sounds like the manager might have to think and make decisions, though. I thought that was only allowed for defensive/pinch running substitutions, not when something as important as a SAVE or a WIN is involved.
Oh, so do I. It's just that it looks like Gardy's not going to do that, apparently out of "loyalty" or something.
Loyalty's a good thing, up to a point. At some point, though, there needs to be loyalty to the other 24 guys on the team, too. They may all love Matt Capps--I have no idea about that--but they also can all see that he's not getting the job done, and they can see what that's doing to their chances to make the playoffs. They'll probably never say anything publicly, but they all know something needs to be done.
when he went back into the dugout after that, i didn't see anyone rushing to console him.
The only guy talking to him was that persona non grata Mauer.
Where's that FOTF punch when you need it? That's true leadership.
I can see how that could be mutually beneficial. Milwaukee can use K-Rod however they want to. K-Rod can rack up saves for free agency.
I just want to again say, THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES
ARE IN FIRST PLACE!
You may not recall they have been my NL team for five years now.
Noted.
I did know that, yes. I'm a Pirates semi-backer from way back when they last had a winning team. I wonder if any of the guys on their last winning team aren't retired.
Wakefield? I think I heard that
That is correct as is Miguel Batista
Wow, Miguel Batista was on that team? Good for him.
I suppose I should have remembered Wake, but he's become a Sawk lifer in my head, I guess.
Five years? Big deal. I know a guy from SBGville who has been a die hard Pirates fan for 50 years. Fifty. He's never wavered.
sounds like the vikings old timers.
Yeah, except that he lives 1000 miles from Pittsburgh. He became a fan when Mazeroski beat the Yanks in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. There have been some good times, but a lot of bad times over the last 20 or so years.
That would be a rough 19 years. I just put in that disclaimer to protect myself from bandwagon accusations.
My grandfather passed last year. He had been a Cubs fan since he came over from Germany in 1926.
so, he was a fan from the first days when they had stovepipe hats? Kewl.
Before the stovepipe hats.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix848GU0gNo
waz joak. about the original stovepipe hats, when they all had handlebar mustaches too.
Can't really see if he touched home plate there.
I am going to the game tonight. It will be the first time at Target Field for CER and HPR (although they both had 5-8 Dome games).
This was their Fathers' Day gift to me. But now I can't find the tickets.
How did they get them? I went to one of the 2002 ALDS games without my tickets, but as they had all my information, it was no problem for them to reprint them at Will Call.
If I can't find them soon, I'm going to figure out if I can print them.
My wife bought them and had them mailed. Don't know if that makes a difference.
$5 Service charge each to reissue.
Less stress on my part.
Still searching, though.
Found them! Wife put them where she puts things like that. In a pocket on the back of the calendar.
And she didn't tell you?! Time to smack her in the EAR...
Oh, I wanted so much to accuse her of moving my stuff, but I held back and just got exasperated looking.
Then she asked "Did you look behind the calendar?" By not blaming her, I came out the winner.
congrats. I find it incredibly difficult to keep my trap shut on those things. The Mrs. likes to "clean up" and never admits to having thrown my sh!t away. But I'm so forgetful that at least half the time I pull the accusatory trigger, I end up being at fault (for realsies; I'm ALways at fault for pulling the trigger).
Oh, I've got a worse than 50% error rate when I accuse her of moving or throwing away my crap.
I'll be at the game. My 30th reunion was last night but instead of spending $115 a couple to hang with people we hated 30 years ago 8 of us decided to go to the game instead. BBQ/home brew at my house first, then the game. We'll be the hammered guys at the game.
I know what you look like, so you won't trick me into asking some plastered big black man* if he's "free."
*I believe an actor from "the Wire"
Correct. Also, see "The Wire."
just like bubbleS
That is beautifully idiotic.
my 30th is next saturday. As I was a BMOC, I will be hanging with people who hated me. I won't know who they were, of course.
I won't know who they were, of course.
That's why they hated you.
xackly.
the scary part is, I have a crappy memory for names, and it really has been 25+ years since I've seen most of these people, and I really was a BMOC, so a lot of people "knew" me and may have stronger recollections of me than I do of them. So my stupidity may well come across as arrogance.
on the bright side, my oldest friend (I recruited him for cub scouts in like, 3rd grade) and best friend from h.s. will both be there, plus a number of others from my various social circles. And the biggest BMOC (the star of the basketball team, a friend and a good guy) actually still lives in Spamtown and will be there. So I can genuflect to him and go sit in a corner with a beer to people-watch.
I'm going to the Wednesday Noon game with work.
I may get an extra ticket. Anyone interested?
Beau has claimed it if I get it.
CC to cheaps: the first full-disc recommendation I'm taking from yesterday is Vintage Whine.
I frakking love this. You've done it again, you magnificent bastard.
You are most welcome.
I walked down into my basement this morning after having been warned by Cornsilk that I wouldn't like what I was about to see. First thought, "Noah don't have sh*t on me."
What a lovely way to waste a morning: moving furniture, hanging area rugs, creating methods to hang said area rugs, buckets, mops, sponges and dirty basement floor water.
I priced out drain tile and sump pump systems in April but didn't take the leap due to cost...Another morning like this and I may have to find a way to come up with $5000.
Oh, and my "new" roof leaks. Just ridiculous.
neat story this morning on Weekend Edition about mathematical legend Fibber Nacho, or something like that. He wrote a biography of Liberace.
Start by cracking open one of your most recent homebrews - Surly F. here.
Juice down 4-5 limes, depending on how much fish you have.
Cut up firm, white fish into thumbnail-sized chunks (cod, red snapper, grouper, sea bass - my favorite is corvina, but its seasonal).
Finely chop up green pepper (I just used poblano and a jalapeno), some onion, and tomato for color.
Put into glass refrigerator storage container and top off with the lime juice.
Let sit in frig for 8 hours - will be ready to serve with plain saltine crackers. Muchas refrescas.
You can now make posts, NBB. You should have the option right underneath the Cup of Coffee link on the sidebar.
Cool. I'll give that a shot next time.
Dude, what spooky said. Do a full-blown post and upload a pic if you have one. This deserves its own post and we want the ability to search for it down the road.
I post these in the "Miscellaneous" category and tag as "The Nation Has An Appetite", plus whatever other tags suit my fancy.
This recipe is ridiculously easy. Do you add any chopped greenery (parsley, cilantro) when ready to serve? No salt?!
Yumm. I am a fan of ceviche, but can't get away with it at home. The Mrs. recoils, the Girl is vegan, and the Boy has not yet stepped that far outside his comfort zone (of relatively plain meat, starch, vegg; although he has recently started to use salad dressing).
You could add cilantro, I don't. Don't need salt, as you will get with the saltines. Key thing is fresh fish. I also do with octopus and squid if its just me - NBBW prefers ceviche with fish or shrimp.
There is also some satisfaction at getting your limes/veggies at an incredibly low price at your local West Indies marketplace.
I also found they had some fresh Quenapa today (we use to call them ginnips - I've also heard them referred to as mamosillas by the Spaniard. A distinctly different taste from anything you've ever had.
Right -- without pics, it's assumed to taste like Capps.
*I kid!*
/* Adds lighting, plating, and food photography to list. */
Thanks for this, I can't wait to try it out. Cornsilk is not a seafood fan, but this will definitely be on my menu the next time she's not home for dinner. First time I tried ceviche was at a sidewalk restaurant in Panama. I didn't really know what it was (at least not the uncooked fish part), but the guy at the next table was wolfing some down and seemed really pleased so I decided to give it a whirl. I'm glad I did.
Yeah, down in Panama they have specialty crackers made that are scoop-shaped for ceviche. Common to see a 5X ceviche platter w/ fish, octopus, shrimp, conch, and squid.
I've always wanted to try ceviche, now I have a recipe. That's going on the list for sure.
Watching Sox-Tigs start. Negro leagues throwbacks (but the Tigers still have the Sparky tribute patches, which do not look out of place). I really wish they'd get throwback-looking helmets, too. Otherwise it gives an horrible Pro-Bowl look.
Detroit's caps are White crown, Black or Dark Blue bill and button, and just a Red star for a logo. Damned sharp. I'd get one if I was from there.
It also looks like they're all wearing their socks high, so nice. These helmets look like mousepoops in ceviche.
True retro helmets would be none, which wouldn't be allowed.
True, but the jerseys probably aren't wool either. Just take the look and apply it to a helmet. The NFL does this reasonably well.
Tigers: Navy or Black with Red star. Maybe with a white front triangle, like Mauer used to do with the catchers' helmets.
Sox: Blue with White interlocking "AC" from cap and jersey.
Just watched that Pirates' World Series clip from above. If they could ever put cloth or flocking on the helmets like the Ps used to do, that'd be even awesomer.
Man, I'm loving those Detroit Stars unis. Hats, jerseys, pants, socks, helmets. Dapper as hell.
These helmets look like mousepoops in ceviche.
Are you sure those aren't peppercorns?
Dapper as hell.
Damned straight. Colored pants-pocket flaps, too. I know I should cheer for the Sox today, but it's hard to root against that laundry.
Also, if the communist party ever needs to start a baseball team, they wouldn't need to design a new one.
also cool, the back pocket 'flaps' are a navy blue. The normal home Tigers jerseys are sharp (white, blue trim, Old English 'D'), but these would make a great alt
I find it odd that I can't find any national writers that are cautioning people to watch out for the Twins. Yes, the task ahead is daunting and no one should predict the Twins to win this thing at this point, but I would think someone would think that the Twins shouldn't be totally counted out yet. And yet, it's like the team doesn't exist. Very few believe the Indians will hold on to this (they've been below .500 since the end of April), but I hear only about the Tigers (yeah, they've been known for their great finishes, right?) and the White Sox (Ozzie still has a job?), but apparently no one thinks what the Twins have done over the last six weeks is for real, or that they will ever get healthy despite Delmon and Thome (occasionally) back in the lineup and Kubel and Span on rehab assignments. The starting pitchers are very deep. In fact, they could sustain injuries to three non-Bakers and I wouldn't be surprised if the pitching improved with Swarzak, Slowey and Gibson moving into the rotation. All that would be left after that is to get Morneau healthy and so far he's on pace to return as predicted, which would be a pleasant surprise the way this season has gone. If the Twins get within four or five games by that time, watch out! This is basically the same team that won the division after trailing by three games with four left. They certainly believe they are not out of it. Then again, I shouldn't complain, because Gardy's teams usually prefer not to be weighed down by expectations.
I find it odd that I can't find any national writers that are cautioning people to watch out for the Twins.
Not while Capps is closing, they aren't
sounds like those columns should start tomorrow then.
wow, 80 degree dew point this afternoon. If the weather forecast holds up, its going to be a long hot, steamy, think about going outside and getting sweaty week
Sounds like it's official -- Nathan is closing, Capps is back to middle relief.
So it was the vote of confidence, and Gardenhire probably just wanted to get the hell away from that conversation.
Good, then.
Good call on your part...I didn't know what the h*ll was going on during that presser.
Remember early in the season, when Gardy continued to use Joe Nathan as the closer until Nathan himself volunteered to give up the role because he wasn't getting the job done? I think it's time for Capps to follow that example. Bremer kept saying "Nobody feels worse than Matt Capps" and I'm sure that's true--it's not like he's stinking it up on purpose or something--but the fact remains that, no matter how hard he's trying and no matter how bad he feels when he fails, he's just not getting the job done. If the Twins are at all serious about trying to win the division, they cannot afford to go on this way.
I think the manager should tell Capps to volunteer to give up this role.
I would love to hear Gardy say that they've got three late inning guys who will pitch when the situation correctly calls for it.
That sounds like the manager might have to think and make decisions, though. I thought that was only allowed for defensive/pinch running substitutions, not when something as important as a SAVE or a WIN is involved.
Oh, so do I. It's just that it looks like Gardy's not going to do that, apparently out of "loyalty" or something.
Loyalty's a good thing, up to a point. At some point, though, there needs to be loyalty to the other 24 guys on the team, too. They may all love Matt Capps--I have no idea about that--but they also can all see that he's not getting the job done, and they can see what that's doing to their chances to make the playoffs. They'll probably never say anything publicly, but they all know something needs to be done.
when he went back into the dugout after that, i didn't see anyone rushing to console him.
The only guy talking to him was that persona non grata Mauer.
Where's that FOTF punch when you need it? That's true leadership.
Milwaukee is now out from underneath the 55 games finished issue with K-Rod and it only cost them $500,000 to get out.
I can see how that could be mutually beneficial. Milwaukee can use K-Rod however they want to. K-Rod can rack up saves for free agency.
I just want to again say, THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES
ARE IN FIRST PLACE!
You may not recall they have been my NL team for five years now.
Noted.
I did know that, yes. I'm a Pirates semi-backer from way back when they last had a winning team. I wonder if any of the guys on their last winning team aren't retired.
Wakefield? I think I heard that
That is correct as is Miguel Batista
Wow, Miguel Batista was on that team? Good for him.
I suppose I should have remembered Wake, but he's become a Sawk lifer in my head, I guess.
Five years? Big deal. I know a guy from SBGville who has been a die hard Pirates fan for 50 years. Fifty. He's never wavered.
sounds like the vikings old timers.
Yeah, except that he lives 1000 miles from Pittsburgh. He became a fan when Mazeroski beat the Yanks in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. There have been some good times, but a lot of bad times over the last 20 or so years.
That would be a rough 19 years. I just put in that disclaimer to protect myself from bandwagon accusations.
My grandfather passed last year. He had been a Cubs fan since he came over from Germany in 1926.
so, he was a fan from the first days when they had stovepipe hats? Kewl.
Before the stovepipe hats.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix848GU0gNo
waz joak. about the original stovepipe hats, when they all had handlebar mustaches too.
Can't really see if he touched home plate there.
I am going to the game tonight. It will be the first time at Target Field for CER and HPR (although they both had 5-8 Dome games).
This was their Fathers' Day gift to me. But now I can't find the tickets.
How did they get them? I went to one of the 2002 ALDS games without my tickets, but as they had all my information, it was no problem for them to reprint them at Will Call.
If I can't find them soon, I'm going to figure out if I can print them.
My wife bought them and had them mailed. Don't know if that makes a difference.
$5 Service charge each to reissue.
Less stress on my part.
Still searching, though.
Found them! Wife put them where she puts things like that. In a pocket on the back of the calendar.
And she didn't tell you?! Time to smack her in the EAR...
Oh, I wanted so much to accuse her of moving my stuff, but I held back and just got exasperated looking.
Then she asked "Did you look behind the calendar?" By not blaming her, I came out the winner.
congrats. I find it incredibly difficult to keep my trap shut on those things. The Mrs. likes to "clean up" and never admits to having thrown my sh!t away. But I'm so forgetful that at least half the time I pull the accusatory trigger, I end up being at fault (for realsies; I'm ALways at fault for pulling the trigger).
Oh, I've got a worse than 50% error rate when I accuse her of moving or throwing away my crap.
I'll be at the game. My 30th reunion was last night but instead of spending $115 a couple to hang with people we hated 30 years ago 8 of us decided to go to the game instead. BBQ/home brew at my house first, then the game. We'll be the hammered guys at the game.
I know what you look like, so you won't trick me into asking some plastered big black man* if he's "free."
*I believe an actor from "the Wire"
Correct. Also, see "The Wire."
just like bubbleS
That is beautifully idiotic.
my 30th is next saturday. As I was a BMOC, I will be hanging with people who hated me. I won't know who they were, of course.
I won't know who they were, of course.
That's why they hated you.
xackly.
the scary part is, I have a crappy memory for names, and it really has been 25+ years since I've seen most of these people, and I really was a BMOC, so a lot of people "knew" me and may have stronger recollections of me than I do of them. So my stupidity may well come across as arrogance.
on the bright side, my oldest friend (I recruited him for cub scouts in like, 3rd grade) and best friend from h.s. will both be there, plus a number of others from my various social circles. And the biggest BMOC (the star of the basketball team, a friend and a good guy) actually still lives in Spamtown and will be there. So I can genuflect to him and go sit in a corner with a beer to people-watch.
I'm going to the Wednesday Noon game with work.
I may get an extra ticket. Anyone interested?
Beau has claimed it if I get it.
CC to cheaps: the first full-disc recommendation I'm taking from yesterday is Vintage Whine.
I frakking love this. You've done it again, you magnificent bastard.
You are most welcome.
I walked down into my basement this morning after having been warned by Cornsilk that I wouldn't like what I was about to see. First thought, "Noah don't have sh*t on me."
What a lovely way to waste a morning: moving furniture, hanging area rugs, creating methods to hang said area rugs, buckets, mops, sponges and dirty basement floor water.
I priced out drain tile and sump pump systems in April but didn't take the leap due to cost...Another morning like this and I may have to find a way to come up with $5000.
Oh, and my "new" roof leaks. Just ridiculous.
neat story this morning on Weekend Edition about mathematical legend Fibber Nacho, or something like that. He wrote a biography of Liberace.
Orioles agree to three-year contract extension with J.J. Hardy
The Nation has An Appetite.
(bS - not sure how to do a real log)
Panamanian Ceviche
Start by cracking open one of your most recent homebrews - Surly F. here.
Juice down 4-5 limes, depending on how much fish you have.
Cut up firm, white fish into thumbnail-sized chunks (cod, red snapper, grouper, sea bass - my favorite is corvina, but its seasonal).
Finely chop up green pepper (I just used poblano and a jalapeno), some onion, and tomato for color.
Put into glass refrigerator storage container and top off with the lime juice.
Let sit in frig for 8 hours - will be ready to serve with plain saltine crackers. Muchas refrescas.
You can now make posts, NBB. You should have the option right underneath the Cup of Coffee link on the sidebar.
Cool. I'll give that a shot next time.
Dude, what spooky said. Do a full-blown post and upload a pic if you have one. This deserves its own post and we want the ability to search for it down the road.
I post these in the "Miscellaneous" category and tag as "The Nation Has An Appetite", plus whatever other tags suit my fancy.
This recipe is ridiculously easy. Do you add any chopped greenery (parsley, cilantro) when ready to serve? No salt?!
Yumm. I am a fan of ceviche, but can't get away with it at home. The Mrs. recoils, the Girl is vegan, and the Boy has not yet stepped that far outside his comfort zone (of relatively plain meat, starch, vegg; although he has recently started to use salad dressing).
You could add cilantro, I don't. Don't need salt, as you will get with the saltines. Key thing is fresh fish. I also do with octopus and squid if its just me - NBBW prefers ceviche with fish or shrimp.
There is also some satisfaction at getting your limes/veggies at an incredibly low price at your local West Indies marketplace.
I also found they had some fresh Quenapa today (we use to call them ginnips - I've also heard them referred to as mamosillas by the Spaniard. A distinctly different taste from anything you've ever had.
Right -- without pics, it's assumed to taste like Capps.
*I kid!*
/* Adds lighting, plating, and food photography to list. */
Thanks for this, I can't wait to try it out. Cornsilk is not a seafood fan, but this will definitely be on my menu the next time she's not home for dinner. First time I tried ceviche was at a sidewalk restaurant in Panama. I didn't really know what it was (at least not the uncooked fish part), but the guy at the next table was wolfing some down and seemed really pleased so I decided to give it a whirl. I'm glad I did.
Yeah, down in Panama they have specialty crackers made that are scoop-shaped for ceviche. Common to see a 5X ceviche platter w/ fish, octopus, shrimp, conch, and squid.
I've always wanted to try ceviche, now I have a recipe. That's going on the list for sure.
Watching Sox-Tigs start. Negro leagues throwbacks (but the Tigers still have the Sparky tribute patches, which do not look out of place). I really wish they'd get throwback-looking helmets, too. Otherwise it gives an horrible Pro-Bowl look.
Detroit's caps are White crown, Black or Dark Blue bill and button, and just a Red star for a logo. Damned sharp. I'd get one if I was from there.
It also looks like they're all wearing their socks high, so nice. These helmets look like mousepoops in ceviche.
True retro helmets would be none, which wouldn't be allowed.
True, but the jerseys probably aren't wool either. Just take the look and apply it to a helmet. The NFL does this reasonably well.
Tigers: Navy or Black with Red star. Maybe with a white front triangle, like Mauer used to do with the catchers' helmets.
Sox: Blue with White interlocking "AC" from cap and jersey.
Just watched that Pirates' World Series clip from above. If they could ever put cloth or flocking on the helmets like the Ps used to do, that'd be even awesomer.
Man, I'm loving those Detroit Stars unis. Hats, jerseys, pants, socks,
helmets. Dapper as hell.These helmets look like mousepoops in ceviche.
Are you sure those aren't peppercorns?
Dapper as hell.
Damned straight. Colored pants-pocket flaps, too. I know I should cheer for the Sox today, but it's hard to root against that laundry.
Also, if the communist party ever needs to start a baseball team, they wouldn't need to design a new one.
also cool, the back pocket 'flaps' are a navy blue. The normal home Tigers jerseys are sharp (white, blue trim, Old English 'D'), but these would make a great alt
I find it odd that I can't find any national writers that are cautioning people to watch out for the Twins. Yes, the task ahead is daunting and no one should predict the Twins to win this thing at this point, but I would think someone would think that the Twins shouldn't be totally counted out yet. And yet, it's like the team doesn't exist. Very few believe the Indians will hold on to this (they've been below .500 since the end of April), but I hear only about the Tigers (yeah, they've been known for their great finishes, right?) and the White Sox (Ozzie still has a job?), but apparently no one thinks what the Twins have done over the last six weeks is for real, or that they will ever get healthy despite Delmon and Thome (occasionally) back in the lineup and Kubel and Span on rehab assignments. The starting pitchers are very deep. In fact, they could sustain injuries to three non-Bakers and I wouldn't be surprised if the pitching improved with Swarzak, Slowey and Gibson moving into the rotation. All that would be left after that is to get Morneau healthy and so far he's on pace to return as predicted, which would be a pleasant surprise the way this season has gone. If the Twins get within four or five games by that time, watch out! This is basically the same team that won the division after trailing by three games with four left. They certainly believe they are not out of it. Then again, I shouldn't complain, because Gardy's teams usually prefer not to be weighed down by expectations.
I find it odd that I can't find any national writers that are cautioning people to watch out for the Twins.
Not while Capps is closing, they aren't
sounds like those columns should start tomorrow then.
wow, 80 degree dew point this afternoon. If the weather forecast holds up, its going to be a long hot, steamy, think about going outside and getting sweaty week
Sounds like it's official -- Nathan is closing, Capps is back to middle relief.
So it was the vote of confidence, and Gardenhire probably just wanted to get the hell away from that conversation.
Good, then.
Good call on your part...I didn't know what the h*ll was going on during that presser.
and a nation rejoices
Off to the game...Go Twins!
Score, Once Upon A Time in Mexico is on TV here.