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Yes, we know the virus is the boss (at least most of us, I hope). Those names lumped together play very different roles in our lives and serve very different interests. Just because they are not the "boss" doesn't mean they don't have impact (negative or positive). I agree with you about the scale of things. If you want to avoid the virus, you know who to ignore on that list. For me, I'll trust the doctor and our governor.

What's more troubling to me is that a billion-dollar organization, with a testing system in place, can't prevent the spread of Covid-19. MLB has the worst response, with regions instead of bubbles. And yet, we are supposed to be rushing our kids back into school and our workers back to work. Whether or not sports returns or continues will be far less impacting on our lives. I want to see baseball badly, but not at a high cost.

Fun article. 1. So far, I agree (I'm waiting for Josh Donaldson to show his power). 2. I thought we had that depth last year as well. Cave started getting going near the end. 3. I could actually see this. He is so consistent and looks like he hasn't missed a beat since last year. 4. This one is harder for me to swallow, although I was looking at the White Sox roster and wondering who I would want on our team and I thought of Jose Abreu. I would take him straight up for Sano, but I doubt Chicago would do that! 5. I was also wondering where Rogers was all weekend! I'm glad you titled this "5 Overreactions" and not "5 Early Musings" like you see far too often in sports media.

It goes to show you how different it is to see a game in person (especially in the Press Box) vs. TV. When you watch on TV, you miss a lot of elements of the game. You only get what FSN's producers and broadcasters decide to focus on (that's the industry). I heard a Twins scout talk on WCCO about the same thing happening to scouts these days. Covid is forcing us to look at the basics in many areas of our lives; this is one place we see it sports.

Kaat used to be one of the best commentators in the 80's (he went to the Yankees after us). He was very insightful and funny and didn't say more than was necessary. He's not quite the same anymore.

So true! That is one of my biggest problems with modern announcing (in all sports). They are compelled to fill all of the space, but instead of adding, they are detracting from appreciation of the sport. Sometimes I'll have the game on in the background. I will miss details of the game, because personalities are blabbering on about something that isn't happening on the field. At least radio, will almost always pay attention to that. "Younger viewers" (anyone under 25) - start paying attention to what is actually happening on the field vs. what is coming out of the broadcasters' mouths. It's harder to do these days...

As far as Twins announcing goes, I would have to agree. Herb brought a passion to his calls. You could tell he cared about the game and was as excited as the listeners were. Combined with his knowledge and assurance, he was so easy to listen to. After he left the game, we haven't had that depth to our baseball announcing since.

I wholeheartedly agree with you about variety in life and announcers. I think we all get used to certain things. I have been comforted by hearing the games recently. Along those same lines, I also need breaks from too much of one thing. I personally appreciate announcing on the radio far more than tv. While I'm sure Dick Bremer would be a great neighbor, I sometimes wouldn't mind a different voice at times. I have listened to him since he started with the Twins (when I was a teen). He seems a little more negative/jaded at times, which might surprise some of you, because it's not always very noticeable. Also, he may not be current with the times. As far as favorites go - Herb Carneal was great and Joe Angel was entertaining growing up. John Gordon annoyed the heck out of me, but he became a fan favorite. I think we all experience the exposure effect - the more we are exposed to something, the more we think more highly of it.