A good day to try to distract yourself from the Minnesota Playoff Experience™.
37 thoughts on “April 20, 2023: Healing”
I only watched the first quarter last night, because yikes, but everything I've read this morning is all "KAT is such a losing loser who sucks and will never be good in the playoffs because he's a stupid loser whiny baby" and "Ant willed the team back into the game by himself he's the greatest player of all time!". But, like, from what I saw Ant was a big part of why the Wolves were down big to begin with (the whole team was bad)?
Moral of the story, I hope KAT gets traded to a team that appreciates him and wins a title ala KG and also Wolves coverage is simply the worst.
I'd been a KAT defender but I'm starting to come to the other side. He just can't control his emotions and play within himself.
I probably would have a hard time with that as well if I was 27, lost a lot of family members to the pandemic, get hammered constantly but get the worst whistle I've ever seen (and also the list of top tier players who whine about the refs constantly is loooooooong), came back from a pretty bad injury, had to deal with Jimmy Butler and Thibs at one point, but also get routinely blamed for all of the team's failings by the local press. He's only been in two playoff series now and was a large reason they went six games last year despite the most biased reffing I've ever seen. I just feel bad for the guy and also hate how bad local Minnesota sports journalism is, in general.
And also, the team is down two very important players so the bench lineup is... woof.
also hate how bad local Minnesota sports journalism is
Happy 40th birthday to Joe Mauer yesterday!
Joe Mauer is the only person the world has ever seen who could deal with Shecky and Reusse and Doogie and keep his cool. (I don't even remember if Doogie was around when Joe was playing, I just think the guy really sucks).
“It’s like The Fonz,” said Mauer. “You know, ‘Ayyyyyyyyyyy, I’m The Fonz.’ Happy Days was pretty decent. Potsie and Ralph, those guys.”
formidable amount of zippers!
I don't think Doogie belongs in that category. He's more of a rumor guy than a pot stirrer like the other two.
I've definitely seen him stir the pot with baseless rumors, then act like a dick to anyone who calls him on it (on twitter), so I'm sticking with including him here.
(I unfollowed him long ago, though, for full disclosure)
that bum!?
I tuned in again last night in the 4th quarter and was underwhelmed by his play.
I also tried to remember that they're playing the #1 seed, and he's got a mostly disappointing team around him, so expectations should be appropriately adjusted. It just seems like he isn't a "put the whole team on my back" player most of the time.
I don't think I've plugged it, but I bought Honest Abe Craig Calcaterra's book when it was released last month, and he loves it. It's exactly the sort of book I read at his age, and I figure some of you may have children who may also be interested.
I always had hoped the WGOM would hit 420,000 comments on April 20th (or ideally 420,069) and given that I think this is comment 417,249, I doubt that we will get there as I think there will be more that 2,750 comments in the next year. Perhaps something wild will happen during today's Twins game and we get there today.
As of this writing, there have been 416,498 comments (there have been some deletions, etc). There have been 4739 comments this year and 18,040 last year. That was an improvement over 2021's 16,653 comments. Peak comments was in 2012 (ouch) with 70,667.
Glad the Twins didn’t pivot to ”Mason Saunders” after missing out on Zach Wheeler…
Reading through the Cup when Bumgarner signed is interesting. Bumgarner was released early, Ryu hasn't pitched this year thanks to TJ last year, Strasburg has been real bad the entire time, and Cole has been great.
That was an interesting read. I don't remember typing that Bumgarner was "the next Barry Zito", but heh, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
I clearly had the worse end of that argument.
Heck, that whole offseason I was just wrong. I was super irritated at the FO for not signing a Bumgarner, and then totally flipped my opinion when they went out and got Donaldson...
Yeah, I try not to look back on comments too much, as I have been wrong so many times. In fact, I believe I celebrated the Donaldson signing.
I remember the exasperation at whatever roadblock was styling the FO’s ability to bring the premier free agent starter to Minnesota. I’m glad it didn’t turn out to be Bumgarner, but as excited as we might be for Jorge López’ extension, his acquisition cost was a direct result of the Twins desperate need for a starter of that caliber and the FO’s inability to sign a free agent in multiple past offseasons or acquire a fully healthy starter via multiple in-season trades.
For all their accolades in rebuilding the entire organization’s player development structure and embracing modern analytic & training tools, this front office remains profoundly conservative when it comes to signing pitchers.
dun worry. we'll get ohtani next year for sure.
Insha’allah.
Pearl Jam
Thursday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
There is no venue presale opportunity for these shows. Register for Ticketmaster Verified Fan now through Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. for your chance to buy tickets on Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
I wanna! I think this is one of those concerts that will be impossible to get into later. I don't think I can commit...
Local Dads are in a quandary as that September 2 PJ show is the same date as Hold Steady, Bob Mould, D4 show at the State Fair. Good thing I am not a Hold Steady or State Fair fan.
Why don't you just call me out by name?!
Local Dads would be an awesome band name.
There is an indie wrestler named Dan the Dad who I've seen at First Avenue a couple of times, and his shtick is hilarious (tube socks, white New Balance shoes, fanny pack, etc.).
On top of that conflict, it’s also Labor Day weekend. This Local Dad is hoping to get tickets to the tour kickoff show on the 31st, but will be happy to secure whatever tickets are made available and adjust holiday weekend plans accordingly.
I only watched the first quarter last night, because yikes, but everything I've read this morning is all "KAT is such a losing loser who sucks and will never be good in the playoffs because he's a stupid loser whiny baby" and "Ant willed the team back into the game by himself he's the greatest player of all time!". But, like, from what I saw Ant was a big part of why the Wolves were down big to begin with (the whole team was bad)?
Moral of the story, I hope KAT gets traded to a team that appreciates him and wins a title ala KG and also Wolves coverage is simply the worst.
I'd been a KAT defender but I'm starting to come to the other side. He just can't control his emotions and play within himself.
I probably would have a hard time with that as well if I was 27, lost a lot of family members to the pandemic, get hammered constantly but get the worst whistle I've ever seen (and also the list of top tier players who whine about the refs constantly is loooooooong), came back from a pretty bad injury, had to deal with Jimmy Butler and Thibs at one point, but also get routinely blamed for all of the team's failings by the local press. He's only been in two playoff series now and was a large reason they went six games last year despite the most biased reffing I've ever seen. I just feel bad for the guy and also hate how bad local Minnesota sports journalism is, in general.
And also, the team is down two very important players so the bench lineup is... woof.
also hate how bad local Minnesota sports journalism is
Happy 40th birthday to Joe Mauer yesterday!
Joe Mauer is the only person the world has ever seen who could deal with Shecky and Reusse and Doogie and keep his cool. (I don't even remember if Doogie was around when Joe was playing, I just think the guy really sucks).
That's because Mauer is like the Fonz.
formidable amount of zippers!
I don't think Doogie belongs in that category. He's more of a rumor guy than a pot stirrer like the other two.
I've definitely seen him stir the pot with baseless rumors, then act like a dick to anyone who calls him on it (on twitter), so I'm sticking with including him here.
(I unfollowed him long ago, though, for full disclosure)
that bum!?
I tuned in again last night in the 4th quarter and was underwhelmed by his play.
I also tried to remember that they're playing the #1 seed, and he's got a mostly disappointing team around him, so expectations should be appropriately adjusted. It just seems like he isn't a "put the whole team on my back" player most of the time.
I don't think I've plugged it, but I bought Honest Abe Craig Calcaterra's book when it was released last month, and he loves it. It's exactly the sort of book I read at his age, and I figure some of you may have children who may also be interested.
I always had hoped the WGOM would hit 420,000 comments on April 20th (or ideally 420,069) and given that I think this is comment 417,249, I doubt that we will get there as I think there will be more that 2,750 comments in the next year. Perhaps something wild will happen during today's Twins game and we get there today.
As of this writing, there have been 416,498 comments (there have been some deletions, etc). There have been 4739 comments this year and 18,040 last year. That was an improvement over 2021's 16,653 comments. Peak comments was in 2012 (ouch) with 70,667.
That improvement is probably all Wordle
5971 comments start with "Wordle ".
and "sandwiches"
Squad Goals™
D-Backs eat $34m and drop Bumgarner.
You were two hours early.
He is cooked
Glad the Twins didn’t pivot to ”Mason Saunders” after missing out on Zach Wheeler…
Reading through the Cup when Bumgarner signed is interesting. Bumgarner was released early, Ryu hasn't pitched this year thanks to TJ last year, Strasburg has been real bad the entire time, and Cole has been great.
That was an interesting read. I don't remember typing that Bumgarner was "the next Barry Zito", but heh, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
I clearly had the worse end of that argument.
Heck, that whole offseason I was just wrong. I was super irritated at the FO for not signing a Bumgarner, and then totally flipped my opinion when they went out and got Donaldson...
Yeah, I try not to look back on comments too much, as I have been wrong so many times. In fact, I believe I celebrated the Donaldson signing.
I remember the exasperation at whatever roadblock was styling the FO’s ability to bring the premier free agent starter to Minnesota. I’m glad it didn’t turn out to be Bumgarner, but as excited as we might be for Jorge López’ extension, his acquisition cost was a direct result of the Twins desperate need for a starter of that caliber and the FO’s inability to sign a free agent in multiple past offseasons or acquire a fully healthy starter via multiple in-season trades.
For all their accolades in rebuilding the entire organization’s player development structure and embracing modern analytic & training tools, this front office remains profoundly conservative when it comes to signing pitchers.
dun worry. we'll get ohtani next year for sure.
Insha’allah.
Pearl Jam
Thursday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
There is no venue presale opportunity for these shows. Register for Ticketmaster Verified Fan now through Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. for your chance to buy tickets on Friday, April 28 at 10 a.m.
I wanna! I think this is one of those concerts that will be impossible to get into later. I don't think I can commit...
Local Dads are in a quandary as that September 2 PJ show is the same date as Hold Steady, Bob Mould, D4 show at the State Fair. Good thing I am not a Hold Steady or State Fair fan.
Why don't you just call me out by name?!
Local Dads would be an awesome band name.
There is an indie wrestler named Dan the Dad who I've seen at First Avenue a couple of times, and his shtick is hilarious (tube socks, white New Balance shoes, fanny pack, etc.).
On top of that conflict, it’s also Labor Day weekend. This Local Dad is hoping to get tickets to the tour kickoff show on the 31st, but will be happy to secure whatever tickets are made available and adjust holiday weekend plans accordingly.