Blake

That's hardly what I was saying. Very disappointing to see that comment.

5. The Story Arc – The Middle is very important to the structure and flow of the story. Writers have a strict formula that they follow that is referred to as a Story Arc. A beginning that shows the world before it changes… an inciting incident that compels the hero to action. The middle or mid-point is very important because that is where the tables turn. The back half of the story is usually the Antagonist looking like he is going to win which leads to the Climax… and that’s the deciding battle between the hero and the villain and finally… “The End” which is usually a big graphic in a unique font that says “The End. It should be obvious to all that our General Manager Terry Ryan does not follow this Arc when building the Twins because our hero is still looking out his office window waiting for the inciting incident to force him into action. It should also be obvious to all that I do not follow this established arc when I write because that would require actual thought and this is how it ends… You forgot a very important part of the Story Arc: The big reveal. There's always a climactic "reveal" designed to explain who, what or where. For instance: "Luke, I am your father!"

About the whole tires thing: Putting Michelin tires on a Yugo does not magically turn the Yugo into a Ferrari. It doesn't even turn the Yugo into a Camry.

Instant classic.

Is the bullpen bad? Yes. Is the bullpen the only problem with this team? Not even close. Let's say the Twins get some good bullpen help this year. The Twins are still going to fall on their face this year. Where does that leave the team next year? Instead of cleaning house they stumble into next year, once again. Okay, okay, I admit I'm taking a leap of faith that the FO is going to clean house. Anyway, we can debate the "no help for the bullpen over the winter" all we want, but it still ignores the total system failure. (Personally, I prefer "debacle" but that's just me.) I have to admit, this is an impressive season of failure by my favorite baseball team. However, next year, it will be 91 redux with Atlanta and the Twins in the Series. (I'm off my meds again, what can I say?)

Yes, I think you're pretty much right-on.

The Twins traded for Jepsen last year and it was a rather expensive acquisition, all things considered.

Well, I think money should be spent wisely. Which is why I thought Brandon made some good points. Also, considering the huge FA pitching contracts the Twins are currently saddled with, I'm not sure I really want this FO spending money on FA pitching ever again.

Yes, and it is always easy to spend someone else's money.

Would a closer and a setup guy really have made a difference this year? I don't think so. I think Brandon makes a good point when it comes to dollars and effectiveness.

I'll chip in!

Game of the year! Andy MacPhail is in the booth with Bert and Dick! To me, it's interesting that MacPhail went back to the story about how the Twins won the Series just as things were getting organized. Then the Twins went on to win the 1991 Series. Seems rather prophetic. Either that, or Mr. MacPhail actually had a plan.

One of the great things about streaming to my tv is the lack of commercials. Boo computer streaming!

I think you did a fine job.

Manscaping before the game starts?

Supposedly, ergonomics have invaded baseball bat manufacturing. http://axebat.com

Hopefully, Suzuki, Plouffe and Grossman are on the trading block and Suzuki will be gone before the magic wears off.

I seem to recall Hrbek saying that "He wanted to remain a Twin and if that costs him a few bucks, so be it" when he signed a new contract with the Twins. It always seemed to me, and Hrbek may have even said it, that Kent Hrbek was going to play the game as long as it was fun and when it stopped being fun, he was done.

Well, in a season of misery wrapped in dismal and surrounded by incompetence, you gotta find a bright spot somewhere. And if the bright spots are few and far between then they're going to get repeated.

Nice of Perkins.

Rain Delay? As in Mike Pelfrey pitching to Brendan Harris?

I wonder if we're looking at another 4 hour pitchers duel tonight?

I think the Ump has expanded the strike zone so everyone can get home before the New Year.

Well, you can always buy things that take up less space, like an iPad....

MY EYES, MY EYES!! Gad, that's awful. Seek help!