Cup of Coffee: July 16, 2008
Posted by SBG on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 5:56 am
I don't know if the All-Star game was particularly good, but it was long. Justin Morneau had quite the week at the festivities, and it would have been great had he put a ball in the seats and won the MVP. Oh well, he did score the winning run and between he and Mauer they were 3-5 with two walks and a double with two runs scored. Plus, Nathan was very good. All in all, an excellent showing by the Twins representatives. Plus, Game 7 of the World Series, if there is one, will be played in Minneapolis. 
Related WGOM Posts
- July 16, 2008 -- Justin Morneau and SBG Think Alike (1 LTEs)
- July 15, 2008 -- 2008 All-Star Game (349 LTEs)
- August 21, 2008 -- 2008 Game 127: Minnesota at LAAA (419 LTEs)
- August 17, 2008 -- WGOM Radio #2 (16 LTEs)
- August 3, 2008 -- In Which SBG Suffers Greatly (17 LTEs)
- July 18, 2008 -- Top Jimmy: Excuse Me, But These Twins Stories Are Pretty Good, Too (10 LTEs)
- July 16, 2008 -- Semi-Hilarious ASG Note (2 LTEs)
- July 14, 2008 -- 2008 HR Derby (148 LTEs)
- July 8, 2008 -- One Of These Pitchers Is Not An All-Star (5 LTEs)
- July 7, 2008 -- Team Handedness (1 LTEs)
- June 27, 2008 -- Game 80: Milwaukee at Minnesota (202 LTEs)
- June 24, 2008 -- Game 77: Minnesota at San Diego (306 LTEs)
- June 24, 2008 -- 2nd Annual SBG Convention in Pictures (22 LTEs)
- June 2, 2008 -- I Fall For It Every Year (11 LTEs)
- May 28, 2008 -- 2007 The BIGS (limited edition Canadian version) (7 LTEs)
Tags: All-Star Game, Justin Morneau
Anyone else catch the very awkward Terry Francona hug of Jim Leyland? Priceless.
It was like Leyland was trying to avoid a hug from a leper.
See what happens when you play the game the right way.
I'm looking forward to some far-off day when our children can enjoy the game announced the right way as well.
I still don't consider Gardy a genius, but we safely confirmed that he isn't the worst.
Does anyone out here have suggestions for a good / inexpensive personal laser printer? The pork chop is printing scads of pages and burning a hole in our bank account with the amount of ink our little ink jet is using, so we're looking at switching to a monotone laser.
If you find one, let me know. I've been wanting one for some time now. Lucy does the same thing to me.
The Brother HL-5250DN sells for about $230 at Newegg.com, but you can get a refurbished model from CompUSA for about $160.
+1. I use it as my printer. Fully network enabled, anyone can print from anywhere once you plug it in and get 'er set up. Works with PC's and Macs.
If you identify one you like, I use pricewatch for my online electronic purchases. There are good deals out there if you dig a little.
Pricewatch is awesome. I've been using it for many years because I like to build my own computers and do all my own upgrades.
My bro recommends the Samsung clp-300- he says that the images aren't the highest quality, but certainly passable. Anyone out there have any experience with Samsung printers? I see that all the reviews are mixed, I guess you either love this thing or hate it.
I got a used HP BW laser printer from a local (Twin Cities) shop called The Box Shop that sells used computer hardware. It was cheap, like $50, and pretty solid hardware (one of the ubiquitous for its era HP laserjets). There are some cheap laser printers out now, though. I'm a fan of trying to use old computer equipment, and at least enough of a geek to usually make it work.
The local Fox affiliate had lots of trouble last night, up here in the heartland. No signal for the pregame or the first 3 innings. Then, when it came on, no sound. I was OK with that, however, because it meant I didn't have to listen to the worst announcing team in the history of the world. Was Buck as insufferable as always?
The highlight was McCarver's reaction to Milton Bradley getting picked off. I'm not a Bradley fan, but he just got caught trying to stretch his lead at the wrong time. McCarver reacted as if Bradley was standing there scratching his ass.
This came after Bradley forced an error by Hanley Ramirez by hustling down the line on a grounder to SS.
I didn't notice. My friend and I were too busy talking about the game and players that we realized we weren't even listening to the announcing.
HP LaserJet P1505 Printer gets pretty good reviews -- also, you can always calibrate the print settings to "draft mode" and black only to stretch your ink dollars. Walgreen's also refills black cartridges for $10.00 and color cartridges for $15.
While we are doing the electronic recommendation thing, thoughts on smallish flat-screen TVs? I'm about ready to take the plunge and will be looking for something under 40 inches to go in the master bedroom.
*How noticeable a difference is there between the 8-ms, 6-ms and 4-ms refresh rates?
*I don't have, nor do I anticipate getting, satellite or high-def/digital cable any time soon (although I'm thinking about an antenna for over-the-air digital), so what models can deftly handle conventional signal conversion as well as digital/HD? I'd like to stay well under $1500
I'd hit your local Best Buy or Circuit City to see for yourself, and then shop the prices from there. TV is in the eye of the beholder.
I've heard real good things about the Sharp Aquos LCD line. If you shop around you can pick up a 37" model for around a grand. Refresh rates are most important if you're going to use the TV with a gaming console, but typically the higher the refresh rate the better (the lower the refresh rate, the more screen flicker you'll experience). Most new TVs will have digital and analog tuners, and most but not all will be HD, so be sure you check that. For HD signals, you'll probably want a set that can handle 1080 (lines of vertical) resolution, but I have heard that some HD TVs set to 1080 don't handle standard definition signals as well as 720 sets. Sets capable of 1080 can usually be manually set to 720 as well for better standard definition reproduction. 1080p and 720p denote the set is progressive (non-interlaced) scan, while 1080i denotes non-progressive (interlaced) scan. Progressive scan is better as it provides a smoother image with less 'twitter'.
Re: antennas. If you have an older TV antenna rattling around, don't be afraid to try it out. Just because it doesn't say HDTV on it doesn't mean that it will fail to pick up HDTV signals.
Seconded. The antenna I currently have on my HDTV is older than I am, but that doesn't stop it from delivering crystal clear HD pictures.
My parents have been enjoying this trick as well. Of course, it only picks up the local channels for them and not the cable channels, but still...
You mean I don't need an Ansible or hyperwave relay transceiver or summat?
Mainly, I mean don't pay extra because the antenna says it's an "HDTV" antenna until you've tried the bargain basement route. I don't personally own an HDTV, but judging from people I know who have had HDTVs, old-school antennae work just fine and the "HDTV" label almost seems like a scam.
looking for something under 40 inches to go in the master bedroom.
*Punchline writes itself*
yea, my old 13-incher just wasn't...awwwwwwwwww
So, let me guess... next year's ASG is in the New Yankee Stadium?
No, I think next year is at the Metrodome, where they'll get all waxy and reminisce over all the historical moments that have occurred there over the ages.
The "Baggy." The plexiglas. The fans. The curtain.
Two triple-plays in the same game. The '87 series. The '91 series.
Prince Fielder's first inside-the-park homerun.
An all-star game, at least one super bowl, and a bunch of NCAA tourney games.
Celebrate as we say farewell to the "Hump Dump."
The two triple plays in one game were at Fenway Park.
You could add Dave Kingman's lost-in-the-roof double.
right. But Fox newscasters would probably make that mistake too, now that I think about it.
btw, I remember that 2-triple play game also had an interesting fielding line the next day, too.
Wow, ten combined double plays.
yep. those were back in the days when the Twins really did play fundimental ball
exactly. although, wasn't the 2-triple play game in Boston? no matter
Wasn't the two triple-play game in Boston? How about two inside the park HRs instead?
Wow, sorry we jumped all over you there, AMR.
Dont forget about this gem in front of 50 people
Look at the losing pitcher and his all to familiar ERA.
I liked the Twins' starting SS.
There was a Cleatus Davidson on the 99 Twins? Whoa.
on a hot, humid day like this, 100 fans turned on High are not enough to keep me cool. *goes to stick head in the freezer*
I guess I had my kids' names wrong. And I lost a lot of money recently.
Delta and American parent AMR swing to $1 billion-plus losses in 2nd-quarter
Family update:
Delta just had her fifth birthday and celebrated with a Fairy party.
American is 2 1/2 and really likes trains.
I'll have to procure a Union Pacific calendar for the youngster next time I'm in Omaha at the HQ.
To be fair, the UP museum is actually in Counciltucky.
Who said anything about a museum? UP company store is in the HQ in Omaha.
My back is killing me. I managed to get some sleep between 1AM and 4AM thanks to 3 Advil, but there is no position I can sleep/sit in anymore that relieves the pain somewhat. I'm alternating heat/cold, and I have some naproxen, but can't get in to see a specialist until next Tuesday. I'm supposed to be helping at band camp next week. And I couldn't get enough pain-free leverage to open the stuck Amish cherry-rhubarb jam jar. I could cry...
That sounds awful. Hang in there, Rhu_Ru.
Sorry to hear of the back pain. Have a vicodin, everything will seem better.
ooooh, meat - thanks! I must have something laying around here I could trade. Got any allergies?
no allergies, but I do have a predilection for railroad memorabilia.
FWIW, I believe it is quite safe to pair the naproxen (or any other NSAID) with acetaminophen. It won't help any with swelling, but might help relieve some of the pain.
I recently bought one of those overpriced, hard foam rollers (at my local Big 5, not on-line; no endorsement of specific product implied). Jury is still out as to effectiveness at working out muscle knots. It worked great on Mrs S's calf spasms the other day and I use it daily on my IT bands and less frequently on back, calves and hammies.
Well, I'm (unfortunately) really certain it's not muscle problems. Well, unless you count weak stomach muscles, which I'm sure contribute to poor posture, etc. Got a little more than a six-pack under the shirt, and until I feel better, I can't get back to the workouts, and softball isn't even an option at this point.
Acetaminophen can be harmful to the kidneys, so don't overdo it.
So I've been sitting on NHL.com waiting for the schedule to come out... and I realize that I keep refreshing the page and it's still over 10 minutes until they release it... 1:00 can't come fast enough
It appears after refreshing until 1:15 with no results, giving up and going to lunch that they have post poned the schedule until tomorrow...
It looks as though the current run on pink taffeta and leather studs is set to be truly bi--uh--coastal.
Anybody got the new Hold Steady record, yet? Once again, they're getting raves. I should have it by nightfall. Watch a killer in-studio performance of "Constructive Summer" here.
Raise a toast to St. Joe Strummer
I got it. It's solid, pretty typical Hold Steady, which is just fine by me. The hard copy with the 3 bonus tracks is worth it if you are getting that cause those tracks are all pretty good. I'll be seeing them next Tuesday at First Ave., pretty pumped for that.
Got it and currently playing it repeated times. Holds up pretty nicely against their old stuff. Wish I was going to the First Ave show.
Got it--diggin' it. If they aren't careful, they could become huge.
They're on Letterman tonight--Neil Young is a guest. Could be interesting.
Closed circuit to Will:
I noticed that but it's not going to last long. He's in a bind because he can take a non-guaranteed NBA contract and likely spend the season bouncing around the D-League for $200K or he can play in Europe for a guaranteed $500K. Plus, he has the advantage of being European so he doesn't count against the European league's quota of American players.
I guess I'm a bit slow at times, but I just realized that with the addition of FTLT, the BKAC map now stretches from coast to coast. So we have that going for us, which is nice.
Here's the picture accompanying Rick Reilly's latest column:
Here's the beginning:
Nothing further needs to be said. Except this. He injects himself into the story, of course.
Do it Charles! Do it!
I love the WGOM polls. Not a single extremist in the lot of us.
I noticed that too
I dunno that there's a lot of room for extreme opinions about Smith so far. He's had some lousy decisions, some good ones, and some that should have worked, but didn't pan out. We're playing decent baseball right now, better than expected, but not earth shatteringly awesome. Plus it's his first year.
I suppose if I wanted extremists, I could go hang out in the Strib comment boxes.
I suppose if I wanted extremists, I could go hang out in the Strib comment boxes.
That rimshot kills me. Excellent work sir.
Well played, sir.
Here's a new one on me: Stephen Jay Gould was a Marxist.
or is that true of every Jew who disagrees with E.O. Wilson?
I know Sports Illustrated is considered a garbage magazine round these parts, but Tom Verducci had a fascinating piece about Tim Lincecum and pitching mechanics and the field of biomechanics.
I learned a couple things reading
(warning, its a lenghty piece)