"Rainy Days and Mondays" and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and the rest of the week are getting this fan base down. The Twins, the personification of the term "pear-shaped." Like a pear shape, the team looked decent from the top -- kind of succulent and enticing -- then the whole thing became distorted and bruised and, went "pear-shaped." Diseased.

Swept at home against Boston. Swept at Atlanta. Starters never get passed the fourth. PERK blew his first save, then we lost on a walk-off shot.

THE CATCHER had an off day and mysteriously was scratched last Friday against the BoSox due to "back stiffness." Since the skipped game he is 4-for-17 with triple the strikeouts compared to doubles.

The opening-day starter VANCE WORLEY was demoted today to Rochester after nibbling and getting smashed against the Braves, one of the better teams in the game.

THE FIRST BASEMAN has two home runs this year, none in May and just one the last five weeks.

DENARD SPAN was dealt to the Nats and his replacement AARON HICKS doesn't even lead off anymore. Hicks' OBP is .231 and he fans almost once every three at-bats.

KEVIN CORREIA, the innings-eating starter, has allowed five home runs the last four starts.

PELFREY clearly isn't what he used to be off the Tommy John surgery.

They have lost eight in a row.

They are in last place.

They have been one of the best interleague teams the last 10 years and just were swept by a NL team.

They needed a new starter Friday at Detroit and elevated SAM DEDUNO, not KYLE GIBSON, and that may be to keep him from hitting arbitration a year earlier. The deadline for that is like mid-June but even if he joins after that he only gets like 130 innings this year due to his recovery from TJS. So, maybe elevating him after the money-saving deadline and using him out of the 'pen is a sneaky way to keep him in the mix most if not all of the year?

At Detroit beginning tomorrow. Sounds like a sweep. We currently are awful with RISP and the starters are not protecting the bullpen. Or, maybe in last-ditch-effort mode, we suck it up and win two of three from the Motor City Kitties?

"Other than that, Miss Lincoln, how was the play?"

The COMMISSIONER has mentioned again he might be jacking with the NFL schedule as we know it, and one day -- by maybe 2014? -- the four-pre, 16-reg, 12-team post. slate may be amended. This stuff matters a lot in NFL circles, which means I need to think it out and to have an opinion.

The parties about whom to be most concerned are owners, players and fans. To wit, at first blush I like the 18-game regular-season schedule with two preseason games and the playoffs as they are now. Teams gain two extra games of regular-season revenue, and fans never again can complain the preseason is too long and boring. They can't bitch about buying tickets to see BALTAZAR throw "nine routes" to ADAM THIELEN. With just two preseason games teams would have to giddy up to get squared away for the longer season.

That's part of the problem - not enough prep time for a longer regular season, and I'd be surprised if the NFLPA doesn't fight the extra two games due to the wear and tear on its players. For guys who play all the snaps (GREENWAY, SULLIVAN, KALIL, SMITH, LOADHOLT etc.) their bodies are mangled at the end of 16 regular-season games. The more games the more battered the bodies. The fewer the preseason games perhaps the more they'd need to play in August to hone the skills, dust off the cobwebs and develop timing with rookies and new teammates?

I like the postseason format the way it is and feel adding a couple of teams and two more games would oversaturate things a tad. Nearly one-half the league would make the playoffs and the urgency to win them all might not be the same. The chance to sneak into that last "Wildcard" and do some damage would be in play, and more 8-and-8 or 7-and-9 teams would be in play. I don't hate this idea but prefer it stay the same.

What about 16 regular-season games, two preseason games and the postseason format staying the same? I cannot see the owners agreeing to that because they scoop all the chips during the preseason given players don't get paid until week one.

Tough topic. Compromise will be needed. The thrill of two extra regular-season games would be cool but at what cost to the every-snap players? I think that's a fair take. Extra playoff games would be fun and good for the TV people, but I am not sure of the quality we would get. Other side of the bit is the 10-and-6 teams getting denied would receive a chance to make some memories.

How about 16 regular-season games and three preseason games? That would lessen the load on the players, keep fans from complaining and only cost the owners one game of revenue. I don't know, I thoroughly enjoy it the way it is, and the current format has made the NFL by far the most popular sports entiity in the land. I like the slow-burn lead up to the regular season and always have loved the preseason feel. I know that fourth preseason game doesn't solve much of the equation and the best players never play, but the kids trying to earn the $90k on the practice squad embrace the events, and that makes for some cool moments for harcore NFL Rubes like me.

When MIKE FLORIO of profootballtalk.com last week asked me to join a select group in compiling a list of the 50 best players in the NFL I didn't realize it would turn my greying hair a complete shade of MICHAEL MCDONALD white and shave years from my life.

What an impossible, agonizing process. Put together a preliminary list Friday, got to number 32 and didn't have PEYTON MANNING in the mix. GOT! Did another, got to 35 and failed to include VON MILLER. MOTHER! Seriously, this bad boy is difficult, and the list you see below this hit is totally revisable. Florio joins tomorrow for his weekly hit (9:35 a.m.) and I am sure he'll blast me for my list. My head may explode for profit on the radio tomorrow around 9:45 a.m.

I can argue JOHN SULLIVAN is the best center in football, and forgot to put him on the list. I feel Atlanta's SEAN WEATHERSPOON might be the best 4-3 OLB in the game and listed him behind GREENWAY. I love St. Louis DT MICHAEL BROCKERS upside and desperately want him on the list but in using him I omitted CLIFF AVRIL, the Seattle LDE who was awesome with the Lions. I am a big Cliff Avril fan. SONOFA!

Some Tweeters/emailers are ripping me because I used JARED ALLEN in the 11 spot, but that ain't changing; he was hurt most of last year, had offseason surgery to correct the problems and remains the best pass-rushing DE in the NFL. Jared will be good for 17 sacks minimum next season and always is first and foremost when scheming against Minnesota's defense.

How does one handle Baltimore G MARSHALL YANDA and SF G MIKE IUPATI? Both are very important to their teams and quality at their toil, but I ran out of room. Yes, I do believe MATT KALIL (28 on my list) is the best LT in the NFL, but in making him the first OL in my top 50 I guess I am indicating I think he's the best OL in the NFL. That's tough to say.

Vikings fans are bitching at me because I made JORDY NELSON 46 on the list. Sans injury, Jordy is a freaking stud and better than JAMES JONES. He doesn't drop as many passes, is tough in the downfield-blocking game and is a Scholar of the Game. I always have appreciated Jordy's game and approach and wish we had drafted him a few years ago.

WOBBY, an Elite FB Mind, checked my list and immediately texted me some players I HAD to have on the top-50 list. His suggested list did not include QBs and included luminaries like VERNON DAVIS, DASHON GOLDSON, MAURKICE POUNCEY, NDAMUKONG SUH, DUANE BROWN, PEANUT TILLMAN and JONATHAN JOSEPH.

And what about VICTOR CRUZ, PHILIP RIVERS, HAKEEM NICKS and little EARL THOMAS? ERIC BERRY? CAM NEWTON and ANDREW LUCK are not on the list; is that a major bleep up? Included PERCY but not WES WELKER. Dohkay, right?

See, the sucker is freaking impossible. Just emailed back and forth with Florio, who I know hates my list. Guaranteed argument tomorrow between our FB minds starting at 9:35 a.m. Not matter how much he brow beats me I am not changing my top 10, which is unique and I love. Yep, I think ADRIAN PETERSON is the best player in the NFL, AARON RODGERS is right behind him, RICHARD SHERMAN is the best CB in the game, CALVIN JOHNSON the best WR and AJ GREEN as a top-10 guy.

Fun, yet taxing. Controversial, yet complimentary. Let's play!

Check out version one PA's Top 50 NFL Players. He'll re-work this list with help from the Rubes Tuesday between 9:00-9:35 a.m. The team represented most is San Francisco with five players. Four Vikings made the top 50.

1. Adrian Peterson - RB - Vikings

2. Aaron Rodgers - QB - Packers

3. J.J. Watt - DE - Texans

4. Tom Brady - QB - Patriots

5. Calvin Johnson - WR - Lions

6. Peyton Manning - QB - Broncos

7. Richard Sherman - DB - Seahawks

8. Drew Brees - QB - Saints

9. A.J. Green - WR - Bengals

10. Larry Fitzgerald Jr. - WR - Cardinals

11. Jared Allen - DE - Vikings

12. Demarcus Ware - LB - Cowboys

13. Roddy White - WR - Falcons

14. Joe Flacco - QB - Ravens

15. Robert Griffin III - QB - Redskins

16. Von Miller - LB - Broncos

17. Andre Johnson - WR - Texans

18. Rob Gronkowski - TE - Patriots

19. Eli Manning - QB - Giants

20. Cameron Wake - LB - Dolphins

21. Matt Ryan - QB - Falcons

22. Brandon Marshall - WR - Bears

23. Aldon Smith - DE - 49ers

24. Arian Foster - RB - Texans

25. Patrick Willis - LB - 49ers

26. Troy Polomalu - S - Steelers

27. Tony Romo - QB - Cowboys

28. Matt Kalil - LT - Vikings

29. Clay Matthews - LB - Packers

30. Percy Harvin - WR - Seahawks

31. Ray Rice - RB - Ravens

32. Navorro Bowman - LB - 49ers

33. Joe Thomas - LT - Browns

34. Darrelle Revis - DB - Buccaneers

35. Julio Jones - WR - Falcons

36. Ben Roethlisberger - QB - Steelers

37. Geno Atkins - DT - Bengals

38. Haloti Ngata - DT - Ravens

39. Joe Staley - LT - 49ers

40. Jason Pierre-Paul - DE - Giants

41. Doug Martin - RB - Buccaneers

 42. Chad Greenway - LB - Vikings

43. Demaryius Thomas - WR - Broncos

44. Patrick Peterson - DB - Cardinals

45. Sean Weatherspoon - LB - Falcons

46. Jordy Nelson - WR - Packers

47. Jimmy Graham - TE - Saints

48. Michael Brockers - DT - Rams

49. Justin Smith - DT - 49ers

50. Marshawn Lynch - RB - Seahawks

I am exited for my 19th season calling races at Canterbury Park, which opens tomorrow night at 630. And while performing for the locals is what keeps me going for the four-month season, I am becoming increasingly more excited for Saturday's Preakness, on which you can bet at Canterbury.

Orb crushed all-comers in the Kentucky Derby and will be even-money or less to win the Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown. I don't bet favorites so my best play is find a way to beat him or pass the race. After handicapping the race it looks tough; Orb is red-freaking hot and made a GIANT move in the Kentucky Derby to win it.

A relatively well supported animal named Itsmyluckyday ran terribly. Think he finished 15th, beaten a zillion. The race clip I included here is the 2013 Florida Derby, a race in which Itsmyluckyday ran well off a two-month rest and second to Orb.

Now I am stretching a tad in hopes of beating a big favorite, but I feel the bettors Saturday will completely forget 'Lucky and overvalue Orb, who I predict will regress a tad and not "pop" the way he did in the Derby. Orb is a grinder, a beast who hangs around and wears you down. In the Derby he came swooping into play with an electrifying move I feel was the best effort he will give all Triple Crown season.

'Lucky will be closer to the pace, and that's where you want to be at speed-favoring Pimlico. He also is ridden by jockey JOHN VELAZQUEZ, the same guy who has ridden Orb to two wins and the Florida Derby crown. What if he knows how to beat Orb?

Itsmyluckyday will bounce back from an awful Derby performance because (a) if he was that bad his trainer wouldn't have him in this race and (b) well respected Velazquez would not take the call. 'Lucky is 10-to-1 on the morning line and might be 13-to-1 when they pop the gate around 5:20 p.m. Cornfields time. This is not the 19-horses clomp that is the Kentucky Derby; it's a nine-horse race with mega running room. Both 'Lucky and Orb will appreciate that.

Hey, maybe I am channeling my inner 1986 Triple Crown series. Then Ferdinand, ridden by the great Willie Shoemaker, zipped down the rail and won the Derby. His arch-rival Snow Cheif, the gritty Cal-bred, was embarrassed by finishing like 11th, a zillion from the win.

Orb's Florida Derby rival Itsmyluckyday represented poorly in the Derby and might turn the tables Saturday and at a fat number. Snow Chief, by the way, won the Preakness and upset Ferdinand, the Derby champ. So, it has happened. Sounds like a win bet on 'Lucky and a saver Exacta, Orb-to-'Lucky. Bet.

Show-page song dedicated to DAN COLE THE COMMON MAN, our Noon-to-3 guy. He celebrated 20 years at the 'FAN today, and I genuinely am happy for him.

With these on-air jobs the lines are long and the gigs are hard to find. There's good money to be made with these privigeled jobs, and my man has developed massive equity with listeners and clients.

They 'Montaged his big day today out of the gate -- spectacular work TENNA B; 'montage was breathing -- and shared some memories. I listened to the "progrum" because it had some nostalgia to it. I always dig it when Common takes trips down memory lane a couple 13, 14 times a show. Those of us who have been there 14 years or longer like me appreciate the humor and get even the most inside bit ("Does it? Will it?/"Look at me, look at me"/"Done this at a high level").

These newshooters are popping up left and right and quickly are realizing you can't just plug any Rube into a timeslot and make your bosses money. Again, cocksure newbies -- just because you amass 10,000 Twitter followers doesn't mean you have arrived or will sustain and, again, the lines are long and the gigs are hard to find.

Common has sustained. And he has done it his way. Like KFAN or not all our shows are different, we don't take things too seriously and while BUMP may discuss war overseas none of us are interested in discussing (narrowcasting?) WAR the baseball stat. Lines. Long. Gigs. Hard. To. Find.

And in a social-media, I-have-to-be-first world, breaking news is something on which many in this market pride themselves. My all-time favorite Common memory involves the overrated "breaking news" and the win Noon-to-3 experienced.

It was December, 2010. Vikings QB BRETT FAVRE had been listed as "Out" on the injury report by the home team, playing a MNF game at TCF Bank Stadium against the Bears. Favre had missed practice all week and many were predicting his career was over.

So, 9-to-Noon closes and here comes the Common Man. He claimed he had a source that indicated Favre would play that evening, perhaps making him the first player in NFL lore to go from "Out" gameday to in that game. Never seen anything like it. I didn't know what to think. My depth chart was littered with JOE WEBB nuggets.

But I had plenty of #Faith the Common Man was correct because he rubbed his temples, tapped on his sources and truly believed it. He swore up and down the "progrum" Favre was playing that evening, and the in-town Negatives mocked and ridiculed the Common Man.

Favre started the game, much to the amazement of said Negatories. They couldn't uncover the biggest "break" of the year and were housed by our Noon-to-3 guy. Favre led us down the field and we scored on a TD pass to PERCY. Shortly thereafter COREY WOOTEN sacked Brett and slammed him into the icy turf and his career was over.

But he started the game despite being "Out" on the injury report, and Common earned a Bald Eagle-like feather in his proverbial cap.

Working the 9 am-to-3 pm spots mean you don't have the built in stuck-in-traffic crowd. They have to work to find you. And for 20 years our Class Clown has thrilled you with humo...witty talke....classic bi. Well, he cut to the front of the "long line," did it the esoteric way with his second-to-none variety show and in a "gigs-hard-to-find" game, he has managed to keep his spot in the lineup for more than "a couple of 13, 14 years." Two decades of radio at the same station in a top-16 market is something of which to be proud. Well done, Diamond Dan.