State Fair Blog: Work Day 4, Fair day 2

2:00-Second shift has arrived. Alyson should be back tomorrow for team legendary. I am off to Canterbury tonight for some horse racing and some gambling. See ya tomorrow!

1:00-The official SUV of Biffs just went by. On the side it was marked with a yellow piece of paper and colored in black sharpie spelled out Biffs. The paper was duck taped to the side. God what fun here.

11:15-Went up in the fair for my break and I ran into Eric Eskola. Eric is a close friend of my fathers as they worked in the media buisness together. Eric can be heard on WCCO radio 830 every weekday morning from 6-9 as the main political analysist. We talked for a bit before hr had to leave. I then went to another favorite place of mine on the fairgrounds, the u of m building, which is located on dan patch ave. I then went up to the SPAM stand and tried a SPAM breakfast sandwhich, that consisted of grilled spam, eggs, and a bun. That was pretty damn good. I am picky about the SPAM I eat and I love grilled SPAM which made it all the better. I would definitely reccomend checking out the SPAM shack.

9:30-Rain finally let up and the sun came out. I heard it's supposed to rain again around noon today. The news of the day so far came from Nancy today as Emmy used the potty today. Pretty soon I'm gonna go in the fair and get some food. It's not that busy anymore.

7:30-The rain is here. We have all retreated to our cars until it dies down. It looks like there's a accident by the transit way because the emt's are out there. I guess last night a decision was made that involved the trailer lot across from us where they have to open up another gate and Gene was a part of that decision and him and the people across the street and a argument with him and they aren't on speaking terms anymore. I don't like the lady. She gets more cranky every year. It'd be a better place without her.

6:30-Got here and ripped my thumb nail opening the cooler a little bit so I have a owie now. Please note in your team legendary program today, scratch Alyson and write in Nancy Hochschild. Alyson had a work thing today so she is unable to work the fair today. Cows are starting to head up to the barn now. Got to drive the #7 golf cart this morning to move it out of the way. That was fun. We need a golf cart!

State Fair Blog: Work Day 3, Fair Day 1

2:00-Second shift is here now so our day is over. The girls are going to be out here all night for tonights concert but I forget who it us. As for me, I am off to home now. The Twins have today off so I will catch some early sleep tonight. Later!

1:00-Went into the fair. Usually I get a footlong hot dog but a long line and $4 for one wasn't working for me so I had a taco from taco king. Best taco I ever had. Then I eat some other favorite foods of mine. A fudge puppie and a deep fried 3 mousketeers bar. Then I checked out the new fan central building which used to be modern living. The Vikings, Wild, and T-Wolves are among the teams in there. It's a pretty meat place so of course I reccomend going there. Also on my way through the fair I walked past my favorite radio show host, Paul Allen, who can be heard on KFAN 1130 from 9-12 every morning. It was a shame I didn't recognize him till he walked past me.

9:30-Moved over to the barricade now. Everyone that needs to be here today seems to be here cause it's kinda dead now.

7:00-So yesterday Team Legendary was saying how we could use a golf cart. Then this morning this guy comes whipping through here and I'm like wow your reckless as he pulls up I realize it's my friend Derrick. He is lot captain of the Robin lot and he gets a golf cart to sit in. I should be captain of Lot A, B, and C.

6:45-Upon reading the sports page this morning, I saw that Jake Mauer will no longer be doing his $2 cheat sheets at Canterbury Park anymore. He is done after this weekend, so I just might trek out there now to get one more before he is done. And just now as I'm typing this, the water cooler guy brought our water cooler back and it's been refilled. Yay!! Apologies to second and third shift guys for blaming you.

6:20-Good morning. I am very tired today, thanks to my father for that. I have had a extra strength 5 hour energy and I'm working on coffee as well. Cows are across the street so it's boring here this morning. The water cooler in our shack was stolen so Alyson is freaking out cause she drinks water 24/7. Suspects include the second and third shift guys for losing it.

State Fair Blog: Work Day 2

2:00-Second shift has arrived so we are out of here. Tomorrow is Day one of the fair and Team Legendary will have it's photo day. The blog will have more chatter tomorrow as I will have food and everything else to write about. I'm off to the Twins game tonight to watch the beloved team go for the sweep against Baltimore. Bye now!

1:49-Soft moment here when I dark blue dynasty without the cover for the trunk lock went by. Made me a bit weepy, not gonna lie.

1:28-Just noticed that Gene's golf cart number is #7.

1:20-Just went up and got a turkey sandwich from the turkey booth. Oh man was that good.

12:48-The fair hasn't evenbegun yet and we have been asked today if we do stamps here. Wow.

11:27-Animals still coming in. Breakfast was good. I had a biscuit sausage thing. Bought tickets for the Gopher Hockey vs North Dakota weekend in mid January so I'm quite broke now. Monica decided she was too good for team legendary and went and had lunch with some other dude. Every team has a rotten apple.

8:50-Bossman Gene has taken out his safari hat so it's pretty sunny out. Today is Gopher Day for team legendary so we all have Hopher attire on to impress the worlds biggest gopher fan that camps here. The animals are in their respective barns now so it has quieted down. Today is also McDonalda Breakfast day so I am going to get that. Everyone is having a biscuit with whatever they are having thanks to Alysons dramatic biscuit saying from 07.

6:50-Oh great, they decided to let the animals in early. Moo!

6:05-Got here this morning to see all the animal trailers lined up down Como Ave. Actually saw the third shift guy and talked with him. I never saw him at all last year. Yesterday we found two old oranges in the shack here and we threw one away and kept one as good luck. Bill (Third Shift Guy) said he left that orange in there from last year. Haha. It's clear skies this morning but a bit of a chill. Animals come in at 7. The rest of team legendary is here now. So more updates to come.

State Fair Blog Work Day 1

2:30-After getting relieved at 2:00, team legendary decided to go stroll around the fair. We checked out the souvenir shop again and then just drove around the whole place. We then adjourned until tomorrow. Check back tomorrow as the animals come visit Team Legendary for the first time in '09.

1:15-Crazy Carney came and talked with us about the rides here, dating LeeAnn Rimes, and how big Joe Mauer's house is. Then we went for a stroll around the barns.

12:23-Twins Territory truck went by. It had Mauer, Morneau, and Nathan in each side. I waved at it while wearing my twins apparel hoping to get something free, but they kept going. :(

12:13-For some unknown reason, my father showed up. Still trying to figure out what got him away from the computer?

11:21-Me and Monica went up and checked out the state fair gift shop. I found out employees get 15% off so that made me happy. Then we went and got lunch at Nelsons. I had the best sandwhich ever. Campers come in at 12. Might not get back till the days done

8:30-We have voted and our team name is now Team Legendary.

7:40-it's slightly drizzling so we are all sitting outside in the mud doing our daily crossword puzzle. Just got my car stickers for me and my mother ;). Hopefully the rain will let up.

6:55-The rain finally let up. We can talk to each other again. Talked with the boss as well.

6:20-Its just a downpour now and the radio is my friend now cause the team can't talk.

6:05-Team competition is all here and it pouring pretty good now so we are sitting in our cars.

5:50-I have arrived and it's been raining on and off.

Twins Blog-8/10

All year they have fluttered around .500. If your the Minnesota Twins, the time is now. Tomorrow they open up a six game homestand which brings Kansas City and Cleveland to town. These two teams are the AL Central's bottomfeeders and they give the Twins a glorious chance to get on the right foot and get their season to where they need to be. They have acquired Carl Pavano to jump start the rotation and so far after the three game series against Detroit, Pavano shut out the Tigers and the other starters gave up 18 runs. The starters are the teams biggest problem. They give up a 2 or 3 runs in an inning and they just give up and let 6 across. This is a problem that is trying to be addressed, but it is not showing results. If the Twins are to turn it around this year, their pitchers must start going 6 innings in one start not two. Their offense can put up the runs, they just need to prevent other teams from scoring runs. But back to the point. The Twins play 27 out of 51 games at home. And most against teams that have .500 or worse records. That gives us a fighting chance. A prayer. A shot in the dark. Because right now, we need one.

Twins Blog-8/2

Friday, the Twins finally made their first upgrade at the trade deadline since the Shannon Stewart trade of 2003, when they acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera from Oakland for minor league infielder Tyler Ladendorf. This was a much needed move. They addressed a key problem for this team by getting a middle infielder that can hit as well as play gold glove caliber defense. Obviously I would of liked to see them maybe acquire a relief pitcher to give another decent arm down there, but the asking price for some was just to much so I won't complain. Maybe the Twins can use the waiver wire to address that issue later. But back to Cabrera who is a career .280 hitter and has won a gold glove at shortstop, which fits in with the Twins way of pitching and defense. He wasn't the best upgrade for us, but after Freddy Sanchez was traded to San Francisco, Cabrera became the only option. I didn't really see the Twins getting Sanchez either as the Pirates repordedly wanted either 3B Danny Valencia or OF Aaron Hicks, two of the Twins best prospects. But never the less i am happy to see Cabrera here and he has come in and said his only goals while here are to make the playoffs and play every day, which is fine seeing that anyone besides Brendan Harris that can play short has problems hitting above .200. Meanwhile i'll be happy to see the Twins no longer have to play the Angels anymore as they have just beaten us around good this weekend and last weekend in Anaheim. They play the pirhana baseball that the Twins have done so well. The Twins have the Indians and Tigers on the road this next week. It will not be easy as the Indians have a bunch of young guys looking to make a name for themselves after the tribe dismantled their team at the deadline, and the Tigers continue to lead the central with great pitching. The twins have to win at least three games on this six game trip. It is too late in the season to have another bad road trip, you have to play at least .500 baseball on the road.

MLB Trade Deadline Blog

I havent been on here in a while, and seeing today is the MLB trade deadline, I am glued to my television and computer for updates. So I will do the same and offer up my opinions as the trades come down. I'll update this with any trade that comes across my vision this afternoon. Deadline is at 3 P.M. Central time.

Wrapup-This was a unique trade deadline as we saw some teams just strip down to young prospects, the Red Sox offer up desperation as they chase the Yankees in the AL East, and the Yankees stay relatively quiet. This years winner at the deadline is the Phillies. They got Cliff Lee from Cleveland and the Phils did not even have to give up the same prospects they were offering Toronto for Roy Halladay. Lee makes the Phillies a contender for the National League with the Dodgers now. The losers are the fans of the Indians and Pirates. Both teams just stripped down and traded away most, or all if your the Pirates, their star players. Granted in three-four years both teams could be back in it again if these prospects fan out. You can't help but feel sorry for the fans that remain for those teams as you can only wonder the agony they must be going through.

3:36-MLB Network now reporting that the White Sox and Padres have completed a deal that will send Jake Peavy to the south side for pitchers Clayton Richard, Adam Russell, Aaron Poreda, and Dexter Carter. Peavy has been injured since June with a ankle injury and in May rejected a similar deal with the Sox, but given the Padres state of being he decided to move elsewhere.

3:12-FoxSports Ken Rosenthal reports that the Marlins have acquired 1B Nick Johnson from Washington for Minor League left hander Aaron Thompspn.

3:00-Deadline is here. There were Heath Bell Rumors out there still so it might not break until after. Final Thoughts coming up after all the deals are out there and done.

2:51-Yankees acquire 3B Jerry Hairston from the Reds pending a physical.
Braves trade 1B Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox for 1B Adam Laroche
Nationals trade RP Joe Beimel to the Rockies for two minor league players

2:43-MLB network now reporting that the Blue Jays and Reds are working a deal involving...3B Scott Rolen going from Toronto to Cincinnati. Not sure as to who the Reds would give up.

2:41-ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Twins are talking with Oakland and San Diego respectively and trying to get either reliever Michael Wuertz (OAK) or Heath Bell (SD). He says the Twins are working hard to land one or the other before the 3 P.M. deadline.

2:35-MLB Network reports that Victor Martinez to the Red Sox is done. In return the Indians will recieve pitchers Justin masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price. Coincidentally, tomorrow is Victor martinez bobblehead day in Cleveleland. Correction: Victor Martinez bobblehead demolition day.

2:00-One hour left. Now hearing that the Dodgers are talking with the Padres for Heath Bell and/or Adrian Gonzalez. Potential blockbuster happening. Man I live for this.

1:43-It appears the Victor Martinez to the Red Sox is in the final stages of completion. The Indians are going to recieve pitchers Justin Masterson and 2007 first round pick, Nick Hagadone.

1:13-USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale writes that the Red Sox are on the verge of acquiring Red Sox C Victor Martinez. Unclear as to who would go to Cleveland. More to come.

12:56-Also involved in the Cabrera to the Twins deal is the Athletics are sending cash. LA Times is reporting that the Angels are calling up utility man Sean Rodriguez and catcher Bobby Wilson adding fuel to the fire that the Angels are making a trade. They have been in serious talks this morning for Padres closer Heath Bell.

12:51-If you read further in Lavelle's blog he writes that someone in the Twins organization told him they are "wheeling and dealing" today. Could that mean more to come?

12:25-Orlando Cabrera to the Twins is done. Lavelle E. Neal is reporting that the Twins will send infield prospect Tyler Ladendorf in return. That makes me quite happy. Even though Cabrera is not a significant upgrade he is still a decent one due the Twins middle infielders inability to hit.

12:16-Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Brewers have brought back reliever Claudio Vargas from the Dodgers for minor league utility man Vinny Rottino. Vargas has a 1.64 ERA this year in just eight relief appearances with LA.

12:00-Three hours to go. No trades since the Washburn to Detroit trade. Lots of rumors out there. Lots of them around San Diego regarding closer Heath Bell who the Angels and Marlins are interested in and Adrian Gonzalez is getting alot of attention from the Red Sox. Personally I don't know where he would fit in their lineup. Hopefully there will be more to come.

11:34-Just read Lavelle E. Neal's blog on the Star tribune Website and he believes that the Twins and A's aren't close to a deal involving SS Orlando Cabrera coming to the Twins. The A's are reportedly asking too much for Cabrera, but A's GM Billy Beane might lower his asking price as the time ticks down.

11:32-Around a half hour ago the Tigers acquired P Jarrod Washburn from Seattle for two minor league pitchers. Not good news for the Twins and the White Sox who have yet to make a significant move. The Tigers lead the AL Central by 2 games over MIN and 2.5 over CWS.