Are you sure Bill Smith didn't write this?

I did the same sort of analysis, albeit on a different subject, and figured out that Ozawa still has a chance to prevail at Cape Engano.

Mmmm, yes. Ballyhoo, Ben. Ballyhoo!

Jesus Christ. you've been wronged by the Twins in so many ways. Just let it go.

Kool-Aid at 1:25AM on my birthday --- I'm impressed!!!

Kool-Aid at 1:25AM on my birthday --- I'm impressed!!!

Double impressed!

"His latest item is a warning cry to fans in major league cities that are being told their teams are building a la Billy Beane, attempting to construct a young nucleus of homegrown talent that will enable them to contend year after year."

Who on this board thinks this? NO ONE!

Smith has as much of a chance as Lee does defending Richmond!

Happy Birthday. And thank you for your service

I keep checking the standings on the yahoo sports site, and looking at the 'last 10' for each team.

Been seeing a lot of 5-5 and 4-6 for our guys. Until we start seeing more 7-3, 8-2, 9-1 - they're not going anywhere in the standings.

Maybe Thome will #600 on the national broadcast Monday night.

^ Maybe Thome will hit #600...

I need more caffeine this morning.

That Baker piece on the Verducci article was depressing. And accurate, in the big picture.

Separate note: I drove by Gate 14 this morning around 8:20 and then walked by Gates 6 and 3. Total number of people already camping out for bobbleheads? About 15. Maybe there are more at the main gates, but if you were planning to get down there this a.m., you can relax a bit and grab another cuppa java.

I'm definitely hoping to come to BPM night...
Although it might just be me.
gf has to work that night.

Oh boy.

Rick can you change the date? I know the Twins have plenty of tickets for that Orioles series. I am sure there are several posters who'd like to meet Luke AND his newest squeeze. I have to see with my own 2 eyes that this cat is for real. I mean some of the things he posts are so bananas that no one in their right mind could possibly think...

Bobblehead update: i went for a stroll by the ballpark over lunch. There were about 70 people in line at Gate 3 and the same number at Gate 6. If the other gates are similar... there were likely no more than 500 people in line as of a half hour ago (1:20). That's not much demand. I think some people will get them even if they arrive after the gates open...

That will change as soon as the line budgers start showing up in force - they are inconsiderate jerks, but wise enough to not spend any more time than necessary in line.

Thanks, Max...I think.
I'm for real, there bub.

On a weirder note: I heard through the grapevine today that KFAN might be switching to the FM dial. Of course, I don't think anybody here cares - I know I don't, 1500 is my source of sports information. I just thought it was interesting. Click.

Shall we call this series loser goes home? I will be at the Aug 23rd game as that is part of my 20 game pack. I will be trying to improve on my 1-7 record at TF this year. Too bad they are blocking out the WGN broadcast for both Sat and Sun. Nuthin finer than listening to the Hawk wine and moan about his good guys!

LOL, Rick. Now, that was funny.

Isn't KFAN already on 103.5?

Anyone have a good sens of when the bobbleheads ran out? Did it seem like one in four attendees had one?

"sense" --- sorry

How is your kid doing, Rick? Hopefully not still throwing up!

Having a sick kid is no fun...

Ben,

I went in at Gate 29, gone in line about 2:30 or so and had no issues, people behind us were able to get in. Someone by us stated they got in line at Gate 34 by Huberts at around 4:50pm and was able to secure one. Someone who got in line at 5:08 was not (duh). So somewhere between those 18 minutes they ran out at Gate 34.

I believe Jared was at Gate 14, looked like they only had 6 boxes when I stopped by to say hi, not sure if he was able to get an actual count, but that gate looked like they had the fewest count of bobbleheads and there line was longer than Gate 29.

When I go in, I like to go to Gate 29, as there seems to be the fewest people, as everyone thinks people come off the light rail and get in line there. We saw only a handful of people getting off to get in line (mostly caused by the shutdown yesterday), as most traffic from the light rail gets there closer to the gate time. In previous "big time" giveaways (e.g. Minnie/Paul; Mini TF) very few people would get off the light rail to get in line early, so we like that entrance. However, this set-up is notorious for the line cutters, as there is so much commotion.

I'm just curious about how long they lasted once the gates opened and whether anyone in line before got shut out. It's nice to see those who come and stand in line get one, I suppose. At the Dome the last few years the lines would usually peter out before the bobbleheads and you could just walk up and score until maybe a half hour after gates open. Apparently there are still alot of people standing in line just to sell on the Bay - not all that profitable any more. It also looked to me like lots more than 75% of crowd with empty hands.

Ben, I know that I was not answering your question specifically, but it appeared that gate 34 people were able to get in line 15 minutes before the gate and still get one.

I, too, thought that there were a lot of empty hands. Also, I know that when I was in Detroit and went to a premium area, I was handed a giveaway, so I am guessing the Twins hold enough for the Champions Club entrance and possibly entrances to the suite areas.

Also, does anyone know if the 10,000 is what is given away at the gate, or if they order additional bobbleheads to include in the giveaway guarantee to STH?

I am guessing in 25-40 years when a new stadium is needed, you will be able to go to the Target Field garage sale and buy one for $5, just like the Torii Hunter bobblehead from the Dump.

There is no bobblehead in the STH guarantee this year - another example of the team decreasing value while adding cost. Did you notice that there is no "second chance" deal anymore either? The stated issue is just that - whatever they say - and bears little relation to reality. Informed sources tell me that as many as 5,000 additional bobbleheads are ordered for players, employees, VIPs, etc. I think if the say "the first 10,000" to enter they should do it that way but doubt that is the case.

Thanks Ben, I know remember why I didn't order the giveaway this year...or ever again.

i wonder how popular the game 6 DVD will be tonight?

Completed sales on ebay show the lowest price paid so far for one of the Herbie/Gant bobbleheads at around $50. Anyone know of the material/quality? Had to have been better than M&P.

Schweady, that is the price I saw people paying for in the stadium. A guy bought 4 for $200 near us at the game last night.

As far as quality, I opened briefly, and it looks like the think could more easily than others (e.g. Kirby Game 6 catch), as I think Gant's momentum is still carrying Hrbek.

I think the painting of the piece was rushed, but overall it looks decent. Definitely worth the wait in line, but not sure $75 worth on ebay.

Wow, not sure what I was typing, but this typing...

"As far as quality, I opened briefly, and it looks like the think could more easily than others (e.g. Kirby Game 6 catch), as I think Gant's momentum is still carrying Hrbek."

This is what I meant:

As far as quality, I opened briefly, and it looks like the thing could more easily tip than others (e.g. Kirby Game 6 catch), as I think Gant's momentum is still carrying Hrbek.

The M & P bobbleheads were junque, at least most of the first batch. A guy in front of us opened one of the new ones up --- it's two mini-bobbleheads but it looked pretty good, for sure better quality than the M & P ones.

Word is that the bobbleheads are BDA vs. AGP manufacture.

1130 AM, there Duff.
Won't be there too much longer.

I wonder when the ID check sting will happen at TF...vendors seem to be more vigilent tonight.

Hmm...perhaps Wally snuck in tonight, and is hawking beer in the aisles again??

I didn't think this series would be the one the Twins would let us know the "seasons over." Nice to see the '91 guys, but they have to be embarrassed by this Twins team. Twins show some hustle and heart, they are in this game and theirs to win.

Young has no right to be in Left Field, would have loved to see Revere go all out to make an attempt to catch the homerun.

"Cha Cha Slide" dooms the Twins again with Thome at the dish.

Delmon really has the vertical jump, doesn't he? I think he might have gotten his toes off the ground.

Scoring one run is not going to win many games... /sigh/

Season Ovaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

More errors than runs tonight. Never a good sign.

On another topic, I left my seat at the start of the 7th inning to get a beer. I got in line at the only open stand near our section. There was only one vendor at that stand and the top of the inning went quickly (Gardy hadn't gone to the bullpen yet). The 3d out was made and the vendor told about 5 or 6 of us who had been in line throughout the top of the 7th that he couldn't serve us. I felt like I was in that scene from "The Sting" where the con men start calling the race just as the bad guy gets to the betting window.