We all know that baseball is a game filled with traditions and that's one of the things we love about it.  The 7th inning stretch, the ceremonial first pitch, not mentioning it when a pitcher has a no-hitter in the works, and booing AJ Pierzynski are a few.  Once in a while, though, it is time to set tradition aside and (dare I say it?) break the rules.  That said, I herewith suggest the following line-ups for the 3-game series beginning tonight against the Boston Red Sox:

In the Field (Lord knows most of these need the practice)

C    Mauer

1B  Cuddyer

2B  Plouffe

SS   Tolbert

3B  Valencia

RF  Kubel

CF  Span

LF  Revere

On the Mound

Monday - Baker

Tuesday - Slowey

Wednesday - Felix Hernandez (after the blockbuster trade.  We'll miss Delmon, Nishioka, Blackburn and Capps, but wish them all the best in Seattle.)

Batting order

Jim Thome (until he hits # 600)

After that, .................. whatever.

OK.  Yes, I know this is fanciful, and I am aware that his body can't stand up to so many mighty swings and he will be facing lefties Bedard and Lester and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and that the trade dealine is past, blah, blah, blah.  Let me dream.  Thankfully, Gardy has said he won't play Thome on the road, so I hope that is the case. even though Jimmer himself probaby wouldn't mind doing it in Cleveland where he began.  But Cleveland is still in the race.  They have plenty of reasons to cheer.  We MN fans have had a rough season except for June and we really want to see that HR here. 

Go, Big Jim!