84 thoughts on “June 11, 2015: The Mean”

  1. It was only a matter of time: we lost actor Christopher Lee.

    I was also sad to see that Tim Curry had a stroke...back in 2012?! Dang, how did I miss that?

    1. My namesake, though I was never sure why. I'll have to look up what he was doing in the early 80s.

      1. Well, he only has about 15 movie credits in the few years before I was born...

          1. To be precise, pre-me would be late 70s. Not one of those rassin-frassin Millenials...

  2. So, I joined a golf league at my work. I did it because I'd kinda like to get into the game a bit more, and I need practice, so I thought the best way to do that was to get more dates on the calendar. Also, it helps me to get to know some of the people at work.
    I played one round before the league started with a couple friends. I shot 28 over for 9 holes. Pretty pathetic. But at least I beat one of the friends.
    I played my first round of league golf a week and a half later. I shot 35 over. Oof. Tough course, and I really did horrible on one hole where I don't think I got a decent hit until the 5th stroke. Also, we have a 10 stroke limit, so on that particular hole, I didn't even make it to the green before my 10th stroke.
    Last night I played my second round of league golf. You'd think that the more I play, the better I'd get. Nope. Shot 46 over. An average of 5 strokes over par per hole. I had 5 holes where I hit the limit. In fact, I was only 8 strokes under the maximum. I'm starting to think that my team is better off playing an empty spot.

    1. I... recently had an outing like that. I couldn't drive the ball at all. It was embarrassing. And then I hit a great drive on the last hole, and now I want to play again...

      Usually my goal is double-par. If I can beat double-par, I'm happy.

      1. I don't think I even hit double par more than two holes per round. Golf is the one athletic endeavor I've never gotten even remotely passable at.

        1. I think I've only successfully made double par once. But I have fun doing it!

    2. You'd think that the more I play, the better I'd get.

      I've been playing at least twice a week during summers since I was 15. Your statement is...untrue. In many ways, I'm better than I was was five years ago, but in a few ways, I'm actually worse. Golf is a game that makes no sense.

      I have tied my 9 hole record a couple of times already this year, though, so it always feels tantalizingly around the corner.

      Plus, like Novak says, one great shot (a huge drive or a really close chip or a nice long putt made) erases a lot of bad.

      1. We should find an evening for 9 holes sometime in July. We close in a week and a half, so... I'll be availablish sometime after that!

      2. I once (3 or 4 years ago) shot an 89 in 18 holes (par 71) - that is far and away my best round, I'm usually trying to average a double bogey (so around 100+).

        That last putt to break 90 was the most pressure I've ever experienced on a golf course.

        1. My dad always calls it the "pressure that doesn't mean anything". I love that feeling, because so much is riding on that putt, and yet it carries no significance whatsoever.

    3. All that said, golf is a great sport, and you will definitely get better the more you play - just not right away. For now, just keep your eye on the ball and have fun.

    4. Golf is something I want to get into, but aren't really sure how to go about it. One person told me that you should start by taking 3 lessons, then figure out the rest yourself.

      I can play some mean Golden Tee though.

      1. The nice thing is, it can be anything you want it to be. Do you want to spend $30 on your golf clubs? You can do that. One of my favorite, most reliable clubs in bag is a 4-wood that I bought used for $6.

        I haven't had any "official" lessons (though I have picked up a number of tips when I've asked why I'm pulling my irons or whatever the age may be that day) but it wouldn't be a bad idea to get a couple of lessons under your belt so that you have proper foundation. You'll find that once you've golfer for a while, and your swing starts to solidify, changing it is a very difficult thing to do, and even small changes take a long time to incorporate.

        1. Heh. I bought all of my clubs (and my bag) used from the thrift store for (I think) about $12. The only wedge I have is an "E" wedge. The way I golf, I think that stands for "emergency".

    5. I've played 9-holes so far this year. My first five holes: 8, 7, 6, 5, 4. Sadly, I didn't get down to a hole in one. Still, 9 holes and 14 putts total means I just need to get better at getting onto the green.

    6. I got worse as I played more.
      Mostly because I didn't count when I completely missed the ball.
      I am a horrible, horrible player and will probably never play again.
      Several times, I've played with someone golfing for their first time ever. They've always whooped me.
      My 9-year-old could probably beat me.

      My best score ever (again not counting complete whiffs) was an 81 on the front 9 at the New Ulm Country club. I got really lucky with a drive on a par-3 hole and the subsequent putt for my only hole under par of my life.

      1. I almost did that in my first round this year. Par 3, I hit the sand trap off the tee. My subsequent pitch from the trap got onto the green and lipped the hole. I did get the next one in for par. Best hole I've had all year... well probably ever.

    7. Played in a tournament a week ago Monday and almost won a $10,000 hole in one contest. Bummer. Played in league last Thursday and chipped in twice. This all in two of the worst rounds of golf I have played. Funny game.

      I would be up for a round with Nibs and Philo if you guys want to get together sometime. Feel free to call me at the Pint.

  3. Tomorrow marks 1 year since my sister died. That means today is 1 year since she came off the donor list and we knew it was imminent. I'm feeling a bit distracted today.

    1. Yep, those anniversaries are hard. The one "nice" thing is that all the firsts are over (First Christmas, First Birthday...) Then you can focus on the "seconds." They tend to be a little easier.

      1. I've been amazed how, as I've gotten further from her death, I've actually remembered more of her life. Things I can't believe I didn't remember a year ago. Like the death itself was front and center, and overshadowed so much else about my relationship with her. I like that I can remember her this way now.

    2. I am already planning a trip on the one year anniversary of my mom's death next spring. We are going to try to get my dad to go with us.

  4. One thought on this slide from the Twins... I really it hope it convinces them to be sellers, but I'm worried it will convince them to be buyers.

      1. No? There are major issues with the team. The prospects aren't in a position of being able to immediately help. The team would have to trade to fix those holes and that's going to require trading a lot of players. This team wasn't really built for 2015 unless a lot of things went right. Well, more than we expected did go right but I don't think enough has for the team to be able to sustain this through October.

        1. I suspect that if they were able to stay within spitting distance of contention until the end of August we'd all be more than thrilled. As it is, this team has created a great deal of positive buzz around here for the first time in years.

          All that said, there's a reason that sean, I, and others have been expecting the wheels to fall off the bus.

        2. Exactly. The volume and quality of prospects they'd need to get rid of in order to adequately patch holes is almost certainly too high a cost for my tastes.

          Especially so when they've got a bright future getting closer and closer.

          Especially especially so when they could probably brighten that future even more by cashing in on some of this year's great performances by being sellers.

          1. But what veterans do we have who would bring any kind of meaningful return? I'd rather enjoy a few more wins this summer and maybe finally take the step from terrible to mediocre. Don't trade any good prospects, but if deals along the lines of Pavano, Mahay, or Rauch are available, I'd be okay with that.

            1. Seems like Pelfry and Boyer for sure. I'd entertain a discussion in whether Plouffe offers more value in a trade or on the team.

              1. Plouffe has two arb years left so he could get a nice return.

                Looking for players that will be free agents next year: Pelfrey, Hunter, Duensing, and Boyer. Duensing is a (not that good) LOOGY, so nothing there. Boyer is a possibility but his FIP and xFIP are above 4 so I think teams would pass on that. Hunter is a possibility if he keeps this up, but he might be AL-only if other teams view him as more of a DH. Then there's Pelfrey who I think is the most likely to be traded. His peripherals aren't great, but makes sense as a middle-to-backend starter and I bet he would do pretty well in relief if he ends up being the fifth man of the rotation. Trading him also opens up a spot in the rotation (Santana? Nolasco? Berrios?).

                1. Hunter's not going anywhere. He signed a below-market deal so he could retire with the Twins. The Twins would have to show themselves to have no class at all to trade him after that. I expect a contract extension for him to be announced sometime this summer, unfortunately.

        3. There's a big difference between thinking they can't sustain it and the team actually not winning. The Twins are right now in a playoff position and would actually host the wildcard. You can't just start selling off the team when they're in that position or even close to it. Has any team ever done that in the history of sports? The Twins would have a fan revolt on their hands. Yes, the Twins need to be cautious and not trade away prospects to try to bolster a flawed team, but you don't just give up on them after one bad week and when they're still in a playoff spot. I agree this team has played over its head, but those wins are in the bank, and I would argue the Twins are a better team now than they were at the beginning of the season. Plus, they still have Ervin Santana coming off suspension in a few weeks.

          1. It seems to me that it's kind of a tough decision for them. I doubt that TR or any of the Twins' brass really thought the Twins would make the playoffs this year. Yet, here they are, in position to do that. Do you say "This is an illusion, we're not really that good, we still need to build for the future"? Or do you say "We've got a shot, let's go for it"?

            They don't have to make that decision now, of course. By the end of the month, we may know more. If the Twins continue to lose, then they probably decide that this has, in fact, been an illusion and become sellers. If they go out and win thirteen out of seventeen, then they probably decide that they have a shot and should go for it. The more difficult thing will be if they play about .500 ball for the rest of June. If that happens, it's going to be a tougher choice.

          2. You can't just start selling off the team when they're in that position or even close to it. Has any team ever done that in the history of sports?

            the 1997 White Sox comes to mind.

          3. I don't think they should be "sellers" but I wouldn't be surprised to see an OF get traded. A little like the Lawton for Reed trade. That trade involved a contending team trading away their leadoff hitter.

  5. Heh.

    "I went out there and tried to protect him," Molitor said. "I became a sideshow to the big show, from what I hear."

    "I thought they were cheering that I was arguing for a change," Molitor said. "When I turned around, I saw the jersey coming off and then I realized that Torii hadn't quite reached the end of his whatever you want to call it."

    I could be misinterpreting/missing context, but he doesn't sound exactly pleased.

    1. Glad he didn't do the full monty. I don't think Target Field is licensed for that...

  6. We went garage sale shopping today and I got "Waylon and Willie" and "Springsteen Live 75-85" (5LP boxed set) both for $2 each.

    1. Oh, also Casino Royale* for $1, which I'm currently watching whilst wearing my boxers, sitting in my recliner. Wouldn't be half-bad of a day, expect is possible because I'm still looking for a job (lazily and poorly at that)

      *Completing my Daniel Craig as Bond collection. Not entirely sure how I acquired this one last.

    1. Christopher Lee, Ornette Coleman, and Dusty Rhodes. What a weird conglomeration of cultural icons all in one day.

  7. I just got back from kart racing, which is something I haven't done in about 20 years. Holy balls, that is a lot of work. It was two 20 minute races and they were exhausting and now I'm sore all over (especially my elbow). It was fun as hell, though. I did well enough in the qualifying heat, finishing 5 out of 8, but I did terrible in the group B race, finishing dead last. I think I got a dodgy car in that second race, because it didn't feel like I was driving all that slow.

  8. I bet GSW* leads wire-to-wire tonight. I can't imagine LeBron isn't just gassed. Not to say he won't give his all, but I wonder if he's enough.

    Tonight's analysis brought to you by a guy who has seen less than 3 full games of any basketball this season.

    *I read it is as "gun shot wound" in my head every time and have to correct myself.

    1. Not quite wire-to-wire. But Delly and LeBron looked pretty gassed tonight.

      Also, too bad JR Smith retired. Cleveland really could have used his shooting tonight.

  9. Doc and cheaps, shoot me an email zero zero two shores (/at\) the gmizzle dot comizzle.

  10. So for those citizens in my area, who are also beer fans we are hosting reps from Mankato Brewery on Monday, Fargo Brewery on Tuesday, Fulton on Wednesday and Summit on Thursday next week Details on our book of face website soon. If you stop in, ask for me and this time I will actually come out to your table. 😉

      1. Their west MN/nodak/sodak territory mgr. He is also a golf buddy of mine. Pretty excited for 4 days straight of talking craft beer. Met an owner of Mankato brew today. Fun guy!

  11. About that "best NBA Finals performance ever"....

    Shit just got real. Props to Cleveland, which has made the series a battle despite playing with LeBron, Mozgov, chewing gum and string. But you gotta give Kerr credit for going to the small lineup.

    Iguodala is setting up to be the MVP of this series, unless the media goes all Jerry West to pick LeBron in what now looks like a losing effort.

    1. But you gotta give Kerr credit for going to the small lineup.

      I think Captain Obvious told him to do it.

      1. Captain Obvious also told him to stick with it even as the Cavs jumped to an early lead, and despite Mozgov torching them all night inside.

        I would probably have gone with a lot more David Lee, and I probably would have given Ezeli 10-15 minutes and Speights 10-15 minutes. Not quite as obvious as you are suggesting.

        If there was an obvious part, it was starting Iguodala, not moving Green to the 5.

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