#5 Maybe Inception? #3 At first I thought Supertroopers, but there are knives in the target. I dunno the dude looks like he's dressed like MacGruber, but I've never seen that movie. Tough week.
On last Wednesday's episode (#455) of Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh & Sam Miller discussed what they consider to be the waning significance of record-setting events and juxtaposed newly-set sabermetric records with significant records of 1980. It was an interesting discussion, so you might want to check it out.
One of the things bandied about was which season-length records they'd like to see chased & broken. I agree with two of them: single season stolen bases, and highest caught stealing percentage by a catcher. (I would be shocked if anyone could guess more than one catcher in the top ten.) What single season record chase would you be interested to watch unfold?
Caught stealing is a tough one, since runners stay put with the really good catchers. Makes me wonder if Fewest Attempts Against might be interesting to track.
How about Most Pickoffs (or Most Times Picked Off)?
HBP. Leaderboard is a mix of 1880s, 1890s, 1971, and 1990s.
We have DirecTV, and we are not able to use that log in. That's pretty annoying.
I am similarly annoyed by the DirecTV situation, although for some reason I get ESPN3 access at work without needing to enter a cable provider or anything.
Four years ago, I won the World Cup pool at The Local (still haven't received my prize). This year, I submitted my picks in a hurry and forgot about them. On Wednesday at softball, my brother told me that a friend of ours was in the lead and would win if Argentina won the tournament. I wasn't told that I was near the top of the Germany people. Sure enough, I tied with three people. The tie-breaker was goals scored in the whole tournament by the winning team. Germany scored 18. I picked 19, one person picked 17, and a third picked 14. I'm not sure what second tiebreaker is, but I may have won for the second consecutive tournament (this year they had 130+ entries).
I attended the Futures Game/Celebrity Softball game yesterday. I'm dragging this morning, but that was a blast. The Futures game was a good game, though a lot of it seemed to be prospects trying to showcase their power. Lots of pitchers hitting 95 or 96. Berrios pitched really well, and Meyer was out of his inning in, I think, 4 pitches. And Joey Gallow busted the windshield of the truck parked in right center, which was awesome.
In the Celebrity game they did a solid job showcasing local athletes (AP, Maya Moore, Parise), which helped make up for the lack of pure celebrities. That game was way more fun than I anticipated. Just a lot of funny moments. And then there was this play... (I haven't found video of it yet). Each team had a player from the U.S. Wounded Warrior softball team. One of them, who has just one arm, made an excellent catch going back on a ball, and then just flipped it up in the air, dropped his glove, and chucked it in to the infield. It was impressive. He got himself a second standing ovation for that.
The atmosphere was amazing, the weather perfect, and all-in-all, that was one of the best times I've had at a ballpark. And that's saying something.
If you go in realizing the celebrity softgame is just that: celebrity softball, I can see where it would be an absolute hoot. I have a chance to go to HR Derby tonight but my friend still wants face value of $145. He's a friend so I shouldn't try to talk him down but the coolish weather and the fact that the seats are nowhere near where the balls will be landing is making me think about just staying home. I know if I waited to late on Craigslist I could get tix for a lot cheaper but that would not be nice to my friend.
I thought the Derby would be fun to go to on a lark, but $145 for tickets is about ten times what I'd be willing to pay. Maybe five times since I wouldn't have to hear backbackbackbackbackback for three hours.
And Phil, the softball game is on tape delay which is probably why you haven't found video. It airs tonight after the Derby.
Also I'm back now. Hi everyone!
Welcome back, Zack!
Linds' co-worker bought strips for the All Star game and then decided she wanted nothing to do with any of it. We got the tickets for the game proper, and were offered tickets to the HR Derby, as well, but couldn't talk ourselves into spending that much for a couple days of baseball entertainment.
Of course, that was before her favorite player and favorite Twin were added to the festivities. Now she's wishing we had pulled the trigger on it.
Enjoy. That's awesome.
I was offered HR derby tickets too. In my head I was thinking about $40 per before he told me face value. That is where I would place their value, even though I would much rather see that then the game itself.
As it turns out, I have a 1st grade Orioles team party tonight anyways. I spent about the same as I would for the game on little bottles of Gatorade.
Face value is the cheapest I've seen on CL and StubHub. I'd like to take the boy, who turned 11 yesterday. But $300 just to get in is just so insane.
If you can afford it, I'm of the mind that it could be worth it. The atmosphere was very cool yesterday, with fans from all around the country. It is a lot of money, but it's also a unique experience.
Yeah, but $145. It's funny about the weather, weather geeks are definitely getting over hyped about that. I just checked forecast and it's still going to be in low 60s at 10:00p. A little windy too. Sure low 70s would be nice but for me, low 60s is still shorts plus perhaps a hoodie weather.
Understandable they would make a big deal about it possibly being the coolest in recorded history on this day. The previous coldest high was set in 1884. I don't think the Twin Cities have had a 90 degree day yet either.
AMR, can I pick your brain on renting houses?
Yes.
Do you have my google-mail address?
firstname.lastname
firstname completes the well-known palindrome "Madam, I'm..."
lastname is like Brendan Boesch except with an R. (Prounounced /resh/.)
That's a long email address.
Upper 80s already, headed for 105. And I have a chest cold, natch.
Lower 60s now, headed for lower 60s...bit of an odd cold front. Not exactly what you'd call baseball weather in July.
Will give the game a playoffs-type atmosphere!
This one counts!
Mid 80s with a heat index of mid 90s. The swamp funk is nasty this time of year.
Considering driving downtown tomorrow after lunch to hang around the stadium and just see what's up. Does anyone know what's all up down there? Any chance I could spend an entire afternoon with a friend walking around and seeing what I can see?
(Also, related, I'd probably con myself into paying too much for a ticket on the street and going to the game…)
There's a block party at Butler Square that's free to enter. Also I think there may be music at the Target Field Station area. Otherwise I think a lot of other baseball fans milling about. I don't think you'll see a former all-star or anything hanging out in the street. But probably a lot of media-typle people and event marketers. Since I'm a 10 minute walk to the ballpark I think I mill around during my lunch hour too, just to see what's up.
Thanks for the info, Free. I'd be driving 75 minutes one way (if I'm lucky)…
I expect I'll get curious and wander around a bit over lunch as well, then get overwhelmed and beat a hasty retreat back to my office.
I know there's a parade down Nicollet Mall at some point because it'll be closing my bus route and I have no idea where I'm supposed to go to get home.
Pirate, you live 5 miles from work. That's an easy bike ride. Dump the bus.
Yes, but then I'm all disgusting and nasty. But, on the other hand, if it is unseasonably cool you might just be onto something.
Riding to work and getting too sweaty is overblown.
First one doesn't have to be a speed demon, that cuts down on the sweat factor. Second, I usually stay in my riding clothes at my desk until my core cools down, which isn't hard in these over airconditioned offices. Then I change my clothes. All I do is swab on some extra underarm deoderant when I change. I've never recieved any complaints about being smelly and that could just be Minnesota nice, but I don't notice anything either. I do realize however that hanging out at your desk for 20 minutes in shorts and t-shirt may be frowned upon in a law firm.
heh. I used to ride (10 miles each way) occasionally to my office at the university. 85+ degrees in the morning, fighting a headwind. I was always soaked with sweat by the time I got there. Luckily, I could sit in shorts and a tee-shirt in those days (Because Professor), and had easy access to showers on campus.
Was it uphill both ways? 😉
Professor, so it was downhill both ways thanks to grad students.
Are you kidding? Grad students are millstones. They think they are doing all the work, grinding away, when in fact they are draped on your back, weighing you down, making noise!
Also, not uphill both ways, but damned if it wasn't headwind in both directions!
Did this when I lived in Arlington (from Crystal City to Courthouse). There was a giant hill on the way to work. Cool down + extra deodorant + washing my face in the bathroom sink. No problem.
Now I've got a shower in my building, but no working bike.
MLB All-Stars from the Minnesota Twins and every other Major League Baseball team will travel through the streets of Minneapolis in Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Silverado and Camaro vehicles prior to the 2014 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15 [...] the players will start at the corner of Nicollet Mall & 13th St., turn down S. 7th St. and proceed to Target Field on an approximately 5,700 linear foot red carpet.
The event, which is free for fans, will begin at 1:00 p.m. CT and is scheduled to feature all of the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Stars in Chevrolet Silverado trucks. Serving as Grand Marshal, Rod Carew will lead the parade through the streets [...]. A number of Twins legends including Bert Blyleven, Paul Molitor and Tony Oliva [...] are scheduled to take part in the parade.
Edit - what DPWY said...
So the very first ASG home-run derby was held in the Metrodome in 1985. The price for a ticket that year was just $2.
You wouldn't be implying a Cash Grab, would you????
Not necessarily. I imagine there are other markets where hyperinflation is the norm.
Howdy citizenry, long time.
Here is a lost of things:
1) By the urging of free, Mrs. Buffalo and I spent last Friday night watching Snowpiercer. While I am sure I enjoyed the movie more than the Mrs. I would say I am shocked by its rotten tomatoes score. 94% is awfully high. The movie had its moments and it had more creativity in one scene than many summer blockbusters have in the whole film. On the whole it seemed uneven. Half the time it seemed the violence was for comedic purposes, the other half it was meant to shock in its gruesomeness. I encourage others to watch it. It was a clever ending and was well worth the night out of the house, if only for its run time, 125 min.
2) If the Wolves can get Wiggins for Love I am in. If it is some combo of Waiters/Thompson/Bennett/1st rounders I am out. Love is a top five player in the league and it is not an outrageous asking price.
3) Bennett and Wiggins are looking awfully great together in limited summer league minutes
4) For the second year Great Lakes is not making Holy Moses White Ale. This year I have found a suitable replacement in Bells' Oberon
5) Thanks to the Padre to wishing the smallest calf a happy first birthday last week!
You're welcome. Good to have you back!
Since I won't find the HRby, can someone please grab some of the Bermanisms and post them here?
For example: "Backbackbackbackbackback all the way to Blaine!"
perhaps a "game" log?
Nice. In the intro, Boomer gushed about Josh Hamilton.
Duke Welker, the reliever the Twins got in the Morneau trade along with Alex Presley before sending him back for Kris Johnson, just had TJ surgery and was released by the Pirates.
someone else who can't have nice things too, I guess
Odd -- I can only figure out the right side. Four right:
? X
? X
? X
? X
Ahem, Philo.
Yeah, I knew #2. I just said I had nothing to add to the previous ones.
I love the framing on #3. I got it, but it would have been a lot easier if it had been zoomed out a bit more. Other than that, I knew #2 and #6.
Managed to Google #7. Never saw it.
My four, for completeness:
On last Wednesday's episode (#455) of Effectively Wild, Ben Lindbergh & Sam Miller discussed what they consider to be the waning significance of record-setting events and juxtaposed newly-set sabermetric records with significant records of 1980. It was an interesting discussion, so you might want to check it out.
One of the things bandied about was which season-length records they'd like to see chased & broken. I agree with two of them: single season stolen bases, and highest caught stealing percentage by a catcher. (I would be shocked if anyone could guess more than one catcher in the top ten.) What single season record chase would you be interested to watch unfold?
Caught stealing is a tough one, since runners stay put with the really good catchers. Makes me wonder if Fewest Attempts Against might be interesting to track.
How about Most Pickoffs (or Most Times Picked Off)?
HBP. Leaderboard is a mix of 1880s, 1890s, 1971, and 1990s.
edit: If it wasn't apparent, I was going for "most stolen bases in a single season by a catcher", and a quick search tells me that I was right on.
I would love to see another batter flirt with .400 in my lifetime, but I'm skeptical it will happen.
I'm hoping the HR Derby final is Dozier vs Morneau.
I don't think I'll be able to watch. There's no internet stream, is there?
ESPN will be streaming it, but you need a login from a "participating cable provider." Booooooooooooooooooooo.
Yeah, that was annoying when I was trying to find a feed yesterday to watch the World Cup Final while I sat out on the deck.
True, I could've just gone inside, but that seemed like a sacrilege.
Considering ESPN is one of the major reasons why cable is so expensive in the first place, that's worth of a double booing.
I guess I can hope it's on ESPN/ESPN3 and my 15-channel Charter package will get me in on the game.
(I just checked. My hopes are dashed. Oh, yeah, I have softball anyway!)
Guess it's on?
http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/83688866/v34468095/live-gillette-home-run-derby
We have DirecTV, and we are not able to use that log in. That's pretty annoying.
I am similarly annoyed by the DirecTV situation, although for some reason I get ESPN3 access at work without needing to enter a cable provider or anything.
Four years ago, I won the World Cup pool at The Local (still haven't received my prize). This year, I submitted my picks in a hurry and forgot about them. On Wednesday at softball, my brother told me that a friend of ours was in the lead and would win if Argentina won the tournament. I wasn't told that I was near the top of the Germany people. Sure enough, I tied with three people. The tie-breaker was goals scored in the whole tournament by the winning team. Germany scored 18. I picked 19, one person picked 17, and a third picked 14. I'm not sure what second tiebreaker is, but I may have won for the second consecutive tournament (this year they had 130+ entries).
I attended the Futures Game/Celebrity Softball game yesterday. I'm dragging this morning, but that was a blast. The Futures game was a good game, though a lot of it seemed to be prospects trying to showcase their power. Lots of pitchers hitting 95 or 96. Berrios pitched really well, and Meyer was out of his inning in, I think, 4 pitches. And Joey Gallow busted the windshield of the truck parked in right center, which was awesome.
In the Celebrity game they did a solid job showcasing local athletes (AP, Maya Moore, Parise), which helped make up for the lack of pure celebrities. That game was way more fun than I anticipated. Just a lot of funny moments. And then there was this play... (I haven't found video of it yet). Each team had a player from the U.S. Wounded Warrior softball team. One of them, who has just one arm, made an excellent catch going back on a ball, and then just flipped it up in the air, dropped his glove, and chucked it in to the infield. It was impressive. He got himself a second standing ovation for that.
The atmosphere was amazing, the weather perfect, and all-in-all, that was one of the best times I've had at a ballpark. And that's saying something.
If you go in realizing the celebrity softgame is just that: celebrity softball, I can see where it would be an absolute hoot. I have a chance to go to HR Derby tonight but my friend still wants face value of $145. He's a friend so I shouldn't try to talk him down but the coolish weather and the fact that the seats are nowhere near where the balls will be landing is making me think about just staying home. I know if I waited to late on Craigslist I could get tix for a lot cheaper but that would not be nice to my friend.
I thought the Derby would be fun to go to on a lark, but $145 for tickets is about ten times what I'd be willing to pay. Maybe five times since I wouldn't have to hear backbackbackbackbackback for three hours.
And Phil, the softball game is on tape delay which is probably why you haven't found video. It airs tonight after the Derby.
Also I'm back now. Hi everyone!
Welcome back, Zack!
Linds' co-worker bought strips for the All Star game and then decided she wanted nothing to do with any of it. We got the tickets for the game proper, and were offered tickets to the HR Derby, as well, but couldn't talk ourselves into spending that much for a couple days of baseball entertainment.
Of course, that was before her favorite player and favorite Twin were added to the festivities. Now she's wishing we had pulled the trigger on it.
Enjoy. That's awesome.
I was offered HR derby tickets too. In my head I was thinking about $40 per before he told me face value. That is where I would place their value, even though I would much rather see that then the game itself.
As it turns out, I have a 1st grade Orioles team party tonight anyways. I spent about the same as I would for the game on little bottles of Gatorade.
Face value is the cheapest I've seen on CL and StubHub. I'd like to take the boy, who turned 11 yesterday. But $300 just to get in is just so insane.
If you can afford it, I'm of the mind that it could be worth it. The atmosphere was very cool yesterday, with fans from all around the country. It is a lot of money, but it's also a unique experience.
Yeah, but $145. It's funny about the weather, weather geeks are definitely getting over hyped about that. I just checked forecast and it's still going to be in low 60s at 10:00p. A little windy too. Sure low 70s would be nice but for me, low 60s is still shorts plus perhaps a hoodie weather.
Understandable they would make a big deal about it possibly being the coolest in recorded history on this day. The previous coldest high was set in 1884. I don't think the Twin Cities have had a 90 degree day yet either.
AMR, can I pick your brain on renting houses?
Yes.
Do you have my google-mail address?
firstname.lastname
firstname completes the well-known palindrome "Madam, I'm..."
lastname is like Brendan Boesch except with an R. (Prounounced /resh/.)
That's a long email address.
Upper 80s already, headed for 105. And I have a chest cold, natch.
Lower 60s now, headed for lower 60s...bit of an odd cold front. Not exactly what you'd call baseball weather in July.
Will give the game a playoffs-type atmosphere!
This one counts!
Mid 80s with a heat index of mid 90s. The swamp funk is nasty this time of year.
Considering driving downtown tomorrow after lunch to hang around the stadium and just see what's up. Does anyone know what's all up down there? Any chance I could spend an entire afternoon with a friend walking around and seeing what I can see?
(Also, related, I'd probably con myself into paying too much for a ticket on the street and going to the game…)
There's a block party at Butler Square that's free to enter. Also I think there may be music at the Target Field Station area. Otherwise I think a lot of other baseball fans milling about. I don't think you'll see a former all-star or anything hanging out in the street. But probably a lot of media-typle people and event marketers. Since I'm a 10 minute walk to the ballpark I think I mill around during my lunch hour too, just to see what's up.
Thanks for the info, Free. I'd be driving 75 minutes one way (if I'm lucky)…
I expect I'll get curious and wander around a bit over lunch as well, then get overwhelmed and beat a hasty retreat back to my office.
I know there's a parade down Nicollet Mall at some point because it'll be closing my bus route and I have no idea where I'm supposed to go to get home.
Hennepin-ish I think.
Pirate, you live 5 miles from work. That's an easy bike ride. Dump the bus.
Yes, but then I'm all disgusting and nasty. But, on the other hand, if it is unseasonably cool you might just be onto something.
Riding to work and getting too sweaty is overblown.
First one doesn't have to be a speed demon, that cuts down on the sweat factor. Second, I usually stay in my riding clothes at my desk until my core cools down, which isn't hard in these over airconditioned offices. Then I change my clothes. All I do is swab on some extra underarm deoderant when I change. I've never recieved any complaints about being smelly and that could just be Minnesota nice, but I don't notice anything either. I do realize however that hanging out at your desk for 20 minutes in shorts and t-shirt may be frowned upon in a law firm.
heh. I used to ride (10 miles each way) occasionally to my office at the university. 85+ degrees in the morning, fighting a headwind. I was always soaked with sweat by the time I got there. Luckily, I could sit in shorts and a tee-shirt in those days (Because Professor), and had easy access to showers on campus.
Was it uphill both ways? 😉
Professor, so it was downhill both ways thanks to grad students.
Are you kidding? Grad students are millstones. They think they are doing all the work, grinding away, when in fact they are draped on your back, weighing you down, making noise!
Also, not uphill both ways, but damned if it wasn't headwind in both directions!
Did this when I lived in Arlington (from Crystal City to Courthouse). There was a giant hill on the way to work. Cool down + extra deodorant + washing my face in the bathroom sink. No problem.
Now I've got a shower in my building, but no working bike.
Also, there's a parade:
Edit - what DPWY said...
So the very first ASG home-run derby was held in the Metrodome in 1985. The price for a ticket that year was just $2.
You wouldn't be implying a Cash Grab, would you????
Not necessarily. I imagine there are other markets where hyperinflation is the norm.
Howdy citizenry, long time.
Here is a lost of things:
1) By the urging of free, Mrs. Buffalo and I spent last Friday night watching Snowpiercer. While I am sure I enjoyed the movie more than the Mrs. I would say I am shocked by its rotten tomatoes score. 94% is awfully high. The movie had its moments and it had more creativity in one scene than many summer blockbusters have in the whole film. On the whole it seemed uneven. Half the time it seemed the violence was for comedic purposes, the other half it was meant to shock in its gruesomeness. I encourage others to watch it. It was a clever ending and was well worth the night out of the house, if only for its run time, 125 min.
2) If the Wolves can get Wiggins for Love I am in. If it is some combo of Waiters/Thompson/Bennett/1st rounders I am out. Love is a top five player in the league and it is not an outrageous asking price.
3) Bennett and Wiggins are looking awfully great together in limited summer league minutes
4) For the second year Great Lakes is not making Holy Moses White Ale. This year I have found a suitable replacement in Bells' Oberon
5) Thanks to the Padre to wishing the smallest calf a happy first birthday last week!
You're welcome. Good to have you back!
Since I won't find the HRby, can someone please grab some of the Bermanisms and post them here?
For example: "Backbackbackbackbackback all the way to Blaine!"
perhaps a "game" log?
Nice. In the intro, Boomer gushed about Josh Hamilton.
Duke Welker, the reliever the Twins got in the Morneau trade along with Alex Presley before sending him back for Kris Johnson, just had TJ surgery and was released by the Pirates.
someone else who can't have nice things too, I guess
Like elbow ligaments?
Twins should sign R.A. Dickey as pitching coach.