All posts by freealonzo

Friday Music Day

FMD — Liz Phair

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Liz Phair was at the Turf Club this past Monday. Since the Turf Club only holds 350 people it sold out immediately and I was bummed I couldn't get tix (or was unwilling to pay $150 for a ticket). By all accounts a great show. This was a short little tour of smaller clubs (her L.A. gig was in a 150 seat bar) and is basically a warm up for a larger tour that will hit First Avenue in September (also immediately sold out). Phair has somewhat kept in the public eye and has done some touring, but for some reason has seemed to spark more interest lately than in the immediate past. Not sure why, but it's welcome.

Any other acts, still around, you'd wish would have a second half career resurgence?

Drop your lists.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game Log Games 56 and 57 — White Sox and Twins

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We have a doubleheader today and it's one of those old fashioned doubleheaders where they don't clear out the stadium between games. In celebration, we'll have a doubleheader game log too. No need to find a new game log for game two. All its all right here.

Twins against White Sox and again, if the they want to be competitive in the AL Central, sweeping the double against the Whities is imperative for the Twins.

Twins putting up a couple of rookies against Chicago. Fernando Romero in game 1, and Zack Little in game 2. According to the Strib, Zack Little was "acquired from the Yankees for Jaime Garcia last July, was 0-3 with a 5.87 ERA at Class AA Chattanooga before being promoted to Class AAA Rochester. He’s 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in five outings for the Red Wings, including four starts. In 28 innings, Littell, 22, has given up eight earned runs on 20 hits and 10 walks with 30 strikeouts." he's only up for the doubleheader so hopefully he takes the opportunity to impress Molitor and the gang, while also enjoying some sweet big league perks.

White Sox are putting up someone called Reynaldo Lopez and Lucas Giolito who have records and stats you would associate with a team 20 games under .500 on June 5th. Both are young however. Not sure if they fit in the Sox overall plan.

First game at 3:10. Looks like a gorgeous day for baseball. Let's play two!

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 50 — Twins at KC

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Twins play the second game against the scuffling Royals after winning 8-5 on Memorial Day. These are the games the Twins need to keep winning if they want to keep pace with the Clevelanders, especially given their upcoming four game series this weekend at Target Field against the dreaded [redacted].

Danny Duffy on the mound for KC and he’s been a bit of disappointment after a 2016 breakout season. 6.14 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 2-6 record shouldn’t strike fear in the Twins’ batters hearts. Gibby pitching for the Twins and he’s been much better than his 1-3 record would indicate.

No Hockey or NBA Playoffs tonight so the Twins can have your undivided attention. 7:15p start, so grab some KC-style bbq, your favorite beverage and enjoy.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 44: Old Gardys versus New Gardys

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Game two in the showdown series between the Twins and Tigers as both teams battle for second place in the AL Central. Twins took game 1 and look to solidify their second place standing. Lance Lynn on the mound for the Twins and the less said about him the better. Matthew Boyd on for the Tigers and he's been decent with a 1.06 WHIP, winning record, etc.

Twins only have a 7 man bullpen so let's hope the batters can give Lynn a nice cushion so that he can turn it over to the bullpen by the 5th inning and win this game in memory of Phil Hughes.

Game time 7:10p at Target Field.

Friday Music Day

FMD — The Current’s Essential 893

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As part of their Spring Member Drive The Current did a list! The 893 most essential songs. Apparently they got in over 4,000 entries with nearly 12,000 different songs. No surprises at the top as Purple Rain takes honors, Bohemian Rhapsody 2nd, and Heroes third. I had 2 songs place in the 893 (Bastards of Young, Into the Mystic). Of course I have quibbles all over the place but was surprised that 20th Century Boy by T Rex didn't make the list at all. That is practically the definition of an essential rock song. Also I would've thought that I Am a Scientist and Motor Away from Guided By Voices would have been in the 500s or 600s. But that's just me.

Here's the entire 893

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18x40ssTjXIC5kF24qQMkob9IjQGoljvoitdbjtYuZ5g/edit#gid=0

Comments? Drop your list (it doesn't have to be 893 songs long, but I'm not stopping you).

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 38 — Redbirds at Twins

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St. Louis Cardinal time again. After dominating them last week in St. Louis the Twins are looking to pluck the Cardinals once again and put a stop to a 2-game slide. Jose Berrios on the mound for the Twins and it sure would be nice to have the April Berrios and not the May Berrios show up tonight. Jack Flahery for the Cardinals.

7:10p start and it looks like it will be absolutely gorgeous weather tonight.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 32 — Twins at Cardinals

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Twins on a four game winning streak. Only 1.5 games behind the Clevelanders. Byron Buxton should be ready to play this week. All looking rosy for the Twins after a dreadful late April. Could be a nice pitcher's duel today with Jake Odorizzi up against Carlos Martinez, who's been pretty dang good this year. Perfect St. Louis weather for an afternoon game. If I worked in downtown St. Louis, probably a great day to play hooky and head over to the ballpark.

12:10p Start.

Friday Music Day

FMD — Live Albums

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Live albums get some deserved and undeserved derision. Usually they are obligatory, just a one off to fulfill a contract obligation and they rarely capture what it's like "being there." In addition almost all live albums have the crowd noise artificially inserted, vocals are fixed, and sometimes guitars are augmented in studio. On the other hand, where else but a live album are you going to hear a 20 minute version of Cowgirl in the Sand?

Kiss Alive! is famous for probably being barely "live." The some reports are the only actual live parts are Peter Criss' drums.

I bring this up because this past weekend was the 40th anniversary of Cheap Trick playing at The Budokan theater in Japan. Cheap Trick Live at Budokan was originally suppose to be a Japanese only album but it sold many imports that it was eventually released stateside in February of 1979. The original album was only about 1/2 the concert and eventually Cheap Trick released the rest of the concert in a second album and then the whole show (actually it's from two different concerts two days apart). I have take both Budokan I and II and rearranged the songs according to the set list. I still love this album and listen to is every so often.

What other live albums to you like? Throw in your list.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 18 — Twins v. Yanks

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It's young versus old, skinny versus fat, good versus evil. Berrios versus C.C. Sabbathia. Berrios for the most part has been lights out for the Twins this year, and they are going to need it given the 4 game losing streak the Twins are currently (not) enjoying. Berrios has some nice stats like a tidy 1.63 ERA but his most impressive is the 9.43 k/9 v. 0.33 bb/9 he's been tossing in April. More of that please.

C.C. Sabbathia still at it and has been pretty decent this year. It seems like a long time ago (because it was) since Batgirl referred to Sabbathia as Captain Cheeseburger.

Game is 5:35p Central time so eat early and be ready for a fun pitcher's duel.

2018 Twins Game Logs

Game 12(!) — Twins vs. Cleveland (In Puerto Rico)

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Finally, more baseball. After a cold, wet, snowy homestand in Minnesota, the Twins go down to Puerto Rico to play to against the Cleveland [Redacted]. Besides being excited for baseball, it seems pretty cool that these two games are in San Juan. There are a number of Puerto Ricans on both teams (?? -- I didn't check Cleveland's roster) and after Hurricane Irma, any thing that brings positivity to that island is welcomed.

Jake Odorizzi versus Casey Kluber so it could very well be a pitcher's duel. Both have pitched well and have nice ERAs, Strikeouts/9 innings, etc. Couple with the fact that these two teams should be battling for the Central Division crown all year and we have a nice little series here.

Game time at 6:10p. Game on Fox Sports 1 so check your local provider for whatever channel that is.