I thought I'd relate this spring training tidbit. I swear, the following story is absolutely true.

 

 

A buddy of mine and I were at Spring Training, watching Chris Sale show a few batters who's the boss.

 

My buddy leaned over and said, "Watch this, I'll get Chris to pitch to me."

 

I looked back and said, "Yeah, right."

 

Buddy: "No, seriously, Sale will pitch to me. I swear."

 

Not wanting to entertain my buddies delusions, I merely nodded and watched as Mr. Sale sent batter after batter back to the dugout. 

 

Next thing I know, I see a guy who looks somewhat familiar settling into the batters box, getting ready to take a few swings. And I could swear he was talking trash to Chris Sale!

 

Needless to say, after a few awkward swings, along with some chin music, my buddy returned all smiles.

 

I looked at him and asked him how in the world he pulled that off and was Chris Sale some sort of college roommate once removed?

 

Nope, he replied, "First time I've ever talked to Mr. Sale."

 

Finally, after I couldn't take it any more, I begged him to tell me how he pulled it off. He said it was easy. I merely  mocked Chris and told him I could easily hit his stuff. 

 

I looked back and said, "No way that was enough to get Mr. Sale to pitch to you!"

 

My buddy smiled and said, "Well, I might have bet Mr. Sale a good sum of money that I could hit him. Money talks."

 

I said, "Okay, and how much did that cost you?"

 

"$5,000," was his reply.

 

"$5,000," I said? Where in he world did you get $5,000!!"

 

"I bet a bunch of friends a total of $15,000 before we left that Chris Sale would pitch to me in Spring Training," my buddy said, with a smile.

 

 

Anyway, with that long convoluted joke behind us, it's time for today's game thread. 

 

The final game of a 5 game series at Whatever Field. 

 

Let's hope the Twins brought the bats and club the White Sox into oblivion this evening.

 

Some random thoughts:

 

Tabula Rasa! 

 

On the mound for the Twins:

 

Jose Berrios

 

For the White Sox:

 

Derek Holland.

 

Lineups:

 

Twins:

 

1. Brian Dozier ® 2B
2. Jorge Polanco (S) SS
3. Byron Buxton ® CF
4. Eduardo Escobar (S) DH
5. Mitch Garver ® 1B
6. Eddie Rosario (L) RF
7. Chris Gimenez ® C
8. Ehire Adrianza (S) 3B
9. Zack Granite (L) LF

 

White Sox:

 

1. Leury Garcia (S) RF
2. Yoan Moncada (S) 2B
3. Jose Abreu ® 1B
4. Nicky Delmonico (L) LF
5. Kevan Smith ® DH
6. Yolmer Sanchez (S) 3B
7. Tim Anderson ® SS
8. Omar Narvaez (L) C
9. Adam Engel ® CF

 

Play ball!

Hopefully this one will be less eventful than that Yankees-Tigers game this afternoon.

This is 3 straight games Kepler has missed. Any word on how serious whatever he has is or when he is expected back in the lineup?

This is 3 straight games Kepler has missed. Any word on how serious whatever he has is or when he is expected back in the lineup?

Kepler played yesterday. Looked like he was still under the weather.

Giminez, Adrianza and Granite. Berrios in Molly's doghouse or what?

Kepler played yesterday. Looked like he was still under the weather.

Hope he gets over the weather soon.

I shoulda knowed what tabula rasa meant...

 

I looked it up and it's like Latin for blank slate.

 

I agree. But more than that, I hope Berrios blanks them early as well.

Special shout out to Blake for taking on game thread duty for the final 3/5ths of this series.

 

Nicely done, and thank you!

 

Which reminds me...we have two games left this month in need of volunteers...8/30 and 8/31. PM me and Chitown.

I just got home from playing tennis ... just too tired to hurry and get myself to the game tonight ... I'll be watching at home.

 

I just got home from playing tennis ... just too tired to hurry and get myself to the game tonight ... I'll be watching at home.

I hope you regret not going. In other words, I hope the Twins have a game that's so memorable in a positive way that you'll regret missing it.

 

Special shout out to Blake for taking on game thread duty for the final 3/5ths of this series.

Nicely done, and thank you!

Which reminds me...we have two games left this month in need of volunteers...8/30 and 8/31. PM me and Chitown.

I had a lot of fun as per usual, and a shout out to the mods for letting me use their names without really questioning just what I might have in store for them.

 

Again, though, I want to know how Brian does all the series openers. I can understand the first few, but by the time the season hits August...

 

I just got home from playing tennis ... just too tired to hurry and get myself to the game tonight ... I'll be watching at home.

Sacrilege! Five Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one very large strawberry margarita.

I hope you regret not going. In other words, I hope the Twins have a game that's so memorable in a positive way that you'll regret missing it.

I actually do, too.

Sacrilege! Five Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one very large strawberry margarita.

I'm not sure what the first two are or mean, but yes to the third.

I'm not sure what the first two are or mean, but yes to the third.

Have a second strawberry margherita and then it'll either make sense or all will be forgiven. If it doesn't, have another margherita.

Edited August 25, 20179 yr by wsnydes

 

Sacrilege! Five Our Fathers, three Hail Marys and one very large strawberry margarita.

 

 

I'm not sure what the first two are or mean, but yes to the third.

You (and I) grew up on the other side of the reformation.

Edited August 25, 20179 yr by spinowner

Sitting in my recliner, done with work for the week.  Ballgame on.  I might have a cocktail or three myself.

 

Sitting in my recliner, done with work for the week.  Ballgame on.  I might have a cocktail or three myself.

What does the first sentence have to do with the third?

What does the first sentence have to do with the third?

In the same paragraph?

Sitting in my recliner, done with work for the week. Ballgame on. I might have a cocktail or three myself.

I just sat down to a juicy bacon, mushroom, Swiss burger with a glass of Cabernet. Not the greatest pairing, but it's filling the void.

 

 

Special shout out to Blake for taking on game thread duty for the final 3/5ths of this series.

Nicely done, and thank you!

Which reminds me...we have two games left this month in need of volunteers...8/30 and 8/31. PM me and Chitown.

 

What does the first sentence have to do with the third?

Two of the three things mentioned in those two sentences happen pretty much every night?

Have a second strawberry margherita and then it'll either make sense or all will be forgiven. If it doesn't, have another margherita.

Just have another margherita anyway, make it a double...then come post something.

Just have another margherita anyway, make it a double...then come post something.

Just be careful that you don't pass the point of enlightenment.

Sitting in my recliner, done with work for the week. Ballgame on. I might have a cocktail or three myself.

Three? What's the plan for the 2nd inning?

Three? What's the plan for the 2nd inning?

Get out of the recliner and go get more...

 

What are you, a rookie?

Just be careful that you don't pass the point of enlightenment.

Dare i ask...

 

What's the point of enlightment?

Get out of the recliner and go get more...

 

What are you, a rookie?

Get out of the recliner? That's what children are for...or dogs.

 

Who's the rookie pal?

 

I just sat down to a juicy bacon, mushroom, Swiss burger with a glass of Cabernet. Not the greatest pairing, but it's filling the void.

Social faux pas! Everybody knows burgers are best washed down with a brewski. And an after burger burp is mandatory. Cabernet, unfortunately doesn't provide the necessary explosion. Brush up on your etiquette, please!

 

Get out of the recliner and go get more...

What are you, a rookie?

Ask Mrs Chief for a refill or three.

 

What are you, single?