by
Greek Giant
It’s been an interesting week. First, the Cubs win the World Series. Second, there was an election or something with some guy who was an underdog winning or something like that…. Third, and most importantly, Joe Panik, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford won Gold Gloves for their 2016 seasons! For Buster and Joey Baseball the awards are the first of their careers. We hope and expect that many more are on the way. For Brandon Crawford, it was just another year at the office: defensive awesomeness mixed in with some wizardry at the plate.
The Giants are in the middle of one of their golden ages and in that golden age we have an infield for the ages. Third base, with the departure of Matt Duffy, remains a bit of a question mark. Yes, Eduardo Nunez is penciled in for next year and played great in limited duty last season. But the future remains a bit of a mystery. Nobody expects the Giants to retain Nunez beyond his contract and all eyes and hopes may rest on the prodigy, Christian Arroyo.
But back to the Golden Three! The Giants are the only team with three winners this year and each award is well-deserved. Buster Posey displayed a superb arm and excellent athleticism behind the plate all season. His ability to throw out runners was among the best in baseball. He was a key contributor to the excellent numbers by the starting rotation. His pitch-framing and pitch-calling duties are already legendary around the league. We all know how good Posey is with the wooden stick at the plate!
The Giants are blessed with the best all-around catcher in baseball. Praise Mays!
Buster Highlights
Joe Panik’s award was a bit of a surprise because of how many games he missed and his slight downturn at the plate. But his defensive runs saved lead all second basemen in baseball. There are few, if any, second baseman who turn a crisper and more beautiful double play than Panik. His overall baseball savvy on the diamond, particularly going into the hole and into the outfield, is a thing to behold.
Joe Panik, that once and former un-heralded prospect is now a genuine star.
The Double Play
When you go to google.com and type in “Joe Panik d” the auto-suggest gives you “Joe Panik double play game 7” which leads you to this:
The Official MLB Highlight Reel for Joe Panik
Brandon Crawford continues to exemplify the athletic and elegant mastery of Giants baseball. His greatness on the field is almost routine now. Crawford goes back in the whole so quickly that it’s absurd. His quick release and bazooka arm leave me speechless on a regular basis. Throw in his leadership and capacity for big hits and you have arguably the best all-around shortstop in baseball. We are lucky to have him.
Baseball seems a tad trivial today.
Is it two minutes to midnight or just one?
Is that the way everyone is going to be?
I think Anti-Lasorda summed it up: No one man or one women will significantly make a difference ANY MORE regarding Planet Earth.
We all are the Parishioners of the Church of America and “we” are more important than whomever is on the Throne.
I thought our President and Mrs. Clinton were fantastic in their speeches today, and hopefully we all follow their lead. Democracy isn’t easy.
In 4 years, assuming we’re still here, lets talk again. We/I all have our personal opinions, but this isn’t going to turn out like you hope, IMO. It’s not the way ‘everyone is going to be’, it’s the way things are.
deal.
IMO, it hasn’t been too rosy for about 20 years, and status quo hasn’t worked.
You know what else “the way things are”? Democracy has spoken. I know TO took grief for what he said, but he was right: media, entertainment and political machines lost. There are reasons, and they are legitimate.
I’ve lived through many political losses. I was conciliatory.
Obama “we aren’t Democrats first, or Republicans first. We’re Americams first. We are patriots first. We owe our President-elect the chance”. God bless that fine man. By the way…I’ve done what he suggests through many I didn’t prefer.
Can this country do that? I hope so.
We’ll find out. I hope I’m wrong more than you know. If one reads critically, you can’t blame this on the media, that’s a copout, IMO. There probably are reasons, but media isn’t one of them.
I personally feel the media is one of , if not the most, corrupt organizations in the country….anger and backlash against them played a role.
I read critically. I promise.
I love you, man. You know that. We’ll all be OK
As a disabled woman, I hope I’ll be OK. If anything happens to change my Social Security and Medicare for the worse, I’ll be toast! 🙁
I know you mean well, but you’re a little glib and a little smug, speaking from your straight white male privilege. I’ve “won some and lost some,” too in my adult voting life. But this wasn’t an ordinary election, for either side, which is why it was so ugly. The losers potentially have a LOT to lose:
–health care
–marriage equality & other civil rights for LGBT folks
–reproductive rights (and no, I don’t just mean abortion on demand; I also mean contraception and health screenings)
–families being split up and children being left without parents when undocumented immigrants are deported
–any sense of safety and security, even for LEGAL citizens and immigrants–white nationalists see people of color, and they taunt and threaten and attack them–they don’t distinguish; Trump has made that OK and normative and even admirable
–any sense of safety and dignity for women, now that half the country has said they’re just fine with a crude, misogynistic sexual predator in the White House
And those are just the personal losses. It remains to be seen what happens with climate change, the economy, and foreign policy. I’m not going to get hysterical yet about something that may not happen, but if it’s bad, it could be really bad.
You said below: “We’ll all be OK.” YOU will be OK. I probably will, too. But there are a lot of people who may not be OK at all. One would have to be made of stone not to have empathy for the grief and fear they are experiencing today.
I’m not going to take the time here to reply as much as I should. I didn’t want Trump. I didn’t want her more.
I will email you with my list of things that are worse in my opinion.
Guess who else might be OK with this? Working class of all races and sexes. I know we are a long way away from those people here in California….but our economy and jobs are a disaster, and our % of government spend to GDP is tragic.
By the way, I get the concern over his disgusting talk. It was real. I’m old enough to remember guys like JFK, LBJ, Bush the elder and Bill C who were as disgusting in actions, but protected by the media.
I listened to Trump and he actually embraced many of the equality issues ( not all, no doubt)… Here is my take personally – we had two terrible choices – I know you may not agree. But that is how I feel. And, the people have spoken. Just like they did for Obama, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Etc….
On this very blog, most everyone is very comfy with one sided jokes, taunts, opinions…I left them mostly alone. I’m a fiscal conservative and social progressive. But , how dare I criticize without being called glib, smart assed, inciting, etc. what happened to discourse
. Is it one way.
This country has been through way worse than an egomaniacal president. We survived. Democracy is tough, but we – you, me, everyone, still have common goals and vision for the most part. Let’s see what happens.
I still zero empathy in your response for people who may truly suffer under a Trump presidency. I understand that other people were/are suffering, too. None of it is OK. There are no winners today. We all lost.
But I’ll just share part of a Bernie Sanders quote from today with which I totally agree and leave it there:
“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him. To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him.”
Ayotte lost to Hassan in New Hampshire. That’s what worries me, the Senate count and judges.
I checked on the NH Senate race off and on all day. I believe it was first called for Maggie Hassan around 5 pm our time by the NH Secretary of State and Kelly Ayotte conceded graciously. 1,023 vote margin. This was actually a groundbreaking Senate race between two competent smart women but that got lost in the overall terrible mess at the top.
Sorry I didn’t hit the Lefty Empathy Meter… I’m not trying to be smug…literally, what I’m saying is that the people spoke, and that’s democracy. Now let’s work together. Is that too basic?
It may be a bit too basic–unity isn’t always admirable. Sometimes it’s lazy, and sometimes the morally best choice is resistance. And that’s a general statement, not a partisan one. Both conservatives and liberals have (different) issues they can and should fight and resist.
It’s also too soon. People are grieving. This was not an ordinary election, and it’s not like shaking it off after your team loses the NBA Finals. There were going to be real consequences that were going to hurt real people regardless of who won. Telling people to get over it less than 24 hours later is unrealistic. If things had gone the other way, it would be wrong of me to say it, too. We all should be in mourning, frankly. This was a terrible election and it took an awful toll on our country. Some relationships will never recover.
LOL!!
Many of those jobs are lost for good because of automation. It’s only going to get worse. Another bogus Trump promise along with his mexican wall.
“… Social progressive…” ? Really? And you support Trump, who vows to “Make America Great Again” by rolling back most all the progressive gains this ccountry has made in the last 50 years?
Working class folks have voted against their best interest for decades by voting Rethuglicans into office. We, the working middle class, are doomed to more abuse and degradation and financial ruin as the Predator In Chief rolls back financial regulation, corporate taxes, income taxes on the rich, environmental safeguards and basic human rights for women and minorities. All in favor of his people the super rich and corporate “personhood”. Not to mention foreign policy that threatens to send 10’s of thousands of middle class and poor kids off to die. While The Donald cozys up to Putin and the Russian oligarchy.
We, the middle and underclasses are doomed. And America is destined for obsolescence among nations. Yay ‘Murica!
I am… I didn’t say Donald was.
A very articulate post, Lefty. I agree. This was not an ordinary election. I didn’t know we were allowed to talk about this, but I’ve been wanting to say something about the media here all day. The “media” is not a monolith. The media is as deeply divided as the country.
A nuance often skipped over.
Thank You!!!
I fear dark days ahead.
I’ll say one thing. Anybody who thinks “the establishment” lost is fooling themselves. They won, and won big. How many incumbents do you think lost yesterday? Hardly any. The establishment not only won, but once this disaster is fully realized, people will flock to the establishment in greater numbers than ever.
As many times as I’ve asked in various forums, I’ve never gotten a satisfactory explanation of exactly who ‘the establishment’ or ‘elites’ actually are.
The Democrat Establishment lost. It just tells me that there WAS a silent group that is ignored who came out at unexpected numbers.
Again, how many were voted out?
Is that the way to tally? I just know – and quite frankly are concerned with – the the House, Senate and White House being a one-party majority…the Dems needed to either win the WH, or take back the senate. There were very few who were going to be “voted out” because they didn’t have incumbency at hand. One-party majorities are not the way our systems work best in theory
LOL, let’s hope you’re right.
Old video on Holland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzeh98z5T5M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-wzBEEY5X8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9pkcus6Jqc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwoWoAcgwrA
Thanks, GG. Awesome post with the video clips.
Just “heard” from Allen. He approves of this post.
https://disqus.com/by/avwh/
Allen is dead, and therefore pretty irrelevant.
I disagree – he and I “talk” all the time.
It’s the dialysis.
I will give him your “number” 🙂
Sadly, I have it. 😉
A couple of Snorkels favorite pics:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/85f920793a03aa2d10a5af89fc55ff5f7e3523b3c9930ab574dbf256c665739d.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/95725915c75c5c0541f85359069598251c79ebad92e2d2fa17cf7e90f480f872.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/89f548a2bf3dfcd4d31fc90a6218616ec48d271bc9ef3c04bc08c76003efc291.jpg
Le Grand Orange – now 72 yrs old – was an original Colt 45 but nobody quite revered him like the Montreal fans
Houston Colt 45’s – Astros 1963–68
Montreal Expos 1969–71
Mets 1972–75
Tigers 1976–79
Expos 1979
Rangers 1980
Mets 1981–85 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/545d03e244c0ef26d0295fe9fff6d32c88c1ad66ec750fa8943e52496d905aeb.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/975c711f5e27725118951e5c5b25b764e271d7c3cca7f219d76f508930338095.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/32773f456269b35bad33caf2c0b4e0bcebf5550031369d7708bc5afda5bfcac5.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/aed60b56164b992892f76498bca4469587a09f7044ab35566b6e4e6672452a98.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6a8222858e69a21d996bd42db6f719567d2f5c66a95f797ae25ee448f7cfb334.jpg
I wonder if Adam Atamanuik ever impersonated Rusty Staub?
Fabulous. Now we’ve been warned about rabid bats on the UCD campus. Maybe the turkeys should eat THEM.
Just got this email:
The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and UC Davis are warning people to stay away from bats because some found on the UC Davis campus have tested positive for rabies.
The bats were found in the area of Gladys Valley Hall in the Health Sciences District of the campus.
If you find a bat on campus, do not touch it or pick it up. Please call Yolo County Animal Services at (530) 668-5287.
More information: http://bit.ly/2fTeq6m
Bats in Africa are now thought to be the native reservoir for ebola and a few other really nasty diseases. They do seem to be a thing to stay away from. Tell us more about the turkeys, which are fascinating animals to me. They’re in my county, but not on my campus!
This is from Davis California
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLdaRlWf2GU
I remember being terrified by a turkey in a zoo when I was about 12 years old, it was free range within the zoo grounds, and clearly thought the ticket buying public was an unnecessary nuisance.
The Giants need some big bats…I say we put you in charge of a transfer to the yard.
Send the turkey to LA
How about this big young man being sent to Davis. He was lounging in my friends back yard in Michigan. He could eat the bats and chase down the turkeys for dessert. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fc9f499a60feefbae4692c4da6e0b9167d9c10292223d41fca2855dfe99ff29f.png
He’s beautiful. I’d rather have him than turkeys and bats. We also have hella ducks on campus (so far not aggressive/rabid, but stay tuned) and hella horny squirrels.
You just need good belfry close by.
This is too much. Your town and campus are being overrun by critters.
Some of my favorites and some of HIS best work ever: http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p244431102/h7ff9fa5#h7ff9fa5
Congrats to Posey, Panik and Crawford for their outstanding fielding this past year.
Congrats to your Cubs (my mom approved of the WS outcome)!
One of Annie Savoy’s best comments: “Oh no he’s shaking off the signs, big mistake.”
(Nuke with the ailment so many Giant’s Pitchers had – shaking off Buster)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBUS3vQtDCA
Another “eye chart” last name. Total Fan 62 will be thrilled
The Giants added righty Ian Gardeck to their 40-man roster. He missed all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. Gardeck’s most recent showing came at the High-A level in 2015, when he pitched to a 3.54 ERA with 10.8 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 over 86 1/3 innings.
Colin Kaepernick, deep thinker. I can’t wait until he’s taking a knee in his living room.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/49ers/kaepernick-cites-systematic-oppression-not-voting
Well, that’s his right, too. We don’t have to agree.
But, I respect and understand why you have issues with his recent actions and explanations…
I broke my own rule here and tried to have political discourse with folks who see things differently. Oops. Hell hath no fury….
It has less to do with his views than attempting to call yourself a political activist while, at the same time, being too lazy or ignorant to vote.
Good point…
I’m sorry you feel disrespected. I tried to express my views honestly but constructively, but apparently you didn’t see it that way. I’m also sorry you felt the need to use a sexist literary quote to mock me, too. You may have trailed off with your three dots, but I know the rest and I know its context.
What sexist literary are you talking about…? Huh? Why do you think everything is about you? its about the litany of folks who are going bonkers today…
This country is in terrible shape. Terrible. Enough so that half of them voted in the way you can’t comprehend. I trying to say there should be a faith in this country and a chance to actually see what happens. Democracy…the people spoke…What about that isn’t resonating?
How many people voted, Matthew? Not half, I bet. And half of less than a half is less than a quarter.
Parse the numbers…I get it, but welcome to our democracy…it’s how it is and has been. Those who voted have spoken?
I can’t imagine, since Clinton won the popular vote, it will be as easy the ‘people have spoken’. People will accept the rule of law and custom, but I don’t think simple acquiescence to fate is going to be the operative behavior.
The complete quote is “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” It’s about a woman being vindictive because a man betrayed her. It’s from a British play. If you really didn’t know the origin, my apologies.
The fact he didn’t vote…
Such a dumb a**.
What makes a relief pitcher, closer worth a 100 million.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/will-we-see-a-100-million-reliever-this-offseason/
A couple of mentions on MLB radio during my evening drive:
1. The only teams that could afford Chapman’s asking price is Boston (no), Chicago Cubs (no), Yankees (MLB radio is saying no), Dodgers (who MLB radio is saying wants him), and the Giants. Not a great market. Prediction: takes a Cespedes 2016 contract
2. Dodgers supposedly not interested in Jansen. They didn’t even negotiate with him during exclusive negotiation period. His previous heart condition was brought up, because hosts were baffled by LA’s supposed lack of interest.
3. Remember when Giants were discussing Andrew Cashner? They think some team should offer him a 1 year to test out a bullpen role, since starting isn’t working. A caller said Cashner was a closer at TCU
Thank you for relaying these. You are better than mlbtraderumors. Something to think about temporarily other than this other big thing.
I’d think it was just fine if the Dodgers ended up with Chapman and we got Jansen. Jansen was a stud in the postseason. He (and Kershaw) kept the Dodgers alive longer than they probably should have been.
I know Chapman had some good outings, too, and notably nailed down that 1-0 Game 5, but I also remember him getting knocked around by the Giants, the Dodgers, and the Indians, with Game 7 being the most memorable, of course.
Maybe the Dodgers want Chapman and don’t mind letting Jansen walk because they want that draft pick?
Chapman was lousy in the playoffs. 3 blown saves and he would have gotten a 4th in game 1 vs. the Giants if the wind hadn’t knocked down Posey’s double. And he was throwing meatballs and praying in the 9th inning of Game 7 vs. the Indians, he’s very lucky he didn’t lose the series right there.
It just goes to show you how hard it is for a team to hold 1 or 2 run leads for 2 to 3 innings. One of the elite closers against an elite team gets knocked around a bit.
As I had said Casilla and the Giants had an offense issue in that the offense was only handing 1 run leads to be held for 3 innings so so many times. Statistically with runs scored at 1.4 per 3 innings the odds leads being blown were sky high. Casilla had blown only 1 2 run lead.
Glad to see the actual stats, count them yourself? I knew it must be something like that because casilla’s gmli last year was literally one of the highest in history.
This is a point that was missed a lot. The giants hit like ‘insurance run’ was a dirty word.
Yes I counted all his BS. I posted those stats before the season ended.
But i have to say that chapman’s performance in the postseason was to me more offputting that just a random couple of weak performances against playoff hitting. He just looked very uncomfortable in any role other than coming in to start and complete the 9th. Especially for the playoffs you would ideally like someone who you can use flexibly, and chapman looked just awful in these situations.
Jansen has a heart condition? That sounds concerning. Any details available?
Here’s an interesting article about it. He has AFib which was treated surgically in 2012. According to this article from a couple months ago, he’s been symptom-free ever since.
http://news.heart.org/dodgers-pitcher-kenley-jansen-isnt-afraid-to-talk-about-his-heart-condition/
Thanks Lefty.
The relief arms available this off season.
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/10/14/13279582/free-agent-relievers-2016-2017-sf-giants
Has anyone mentioned this?
Ken Rosenthal ✔ @Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #Giants sign 1B/OF Chris Marrero to minor-league deal. Former #Nationals 1st-round pick; 23 HRs, .838 OPS at AAA Pawtucket in ’16.
I got excited until I looked him up and saw that he’s already 30. So Justin Maxwell/Kyle Blanks but without the major league experience.
Agreed. Speaking of 1B who is the back-up first baseman for the Giants this upcoming season?
Buster & Gillaspie.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/01c0d818d4e37077301d564190d4752790cd3d9d2cd8ece7068100c7d0d02c0b.jpg
I have a t-shirt for you.
i was gonna look up his age as well! Oh well!
I think he’s 28…
You’re right. I must have misread it or looked up the wrong guy(!).
Damn, now you need another trip to the stone mason for his headstone. 😉
30, and already an epitaph. So sad.
Reminder for the AM crowd with Mooooose’s comment below; our picks on this need to be players that can be penciled in for the 25-Man, not shots-in-the-dark like Marrero.
MyHotStoveGuy™ Contest
1) Pick what position gets addressed first.
2) Pick what Giants player gets dealt first.
3) What current Giant gets extended and on what terms?
Give me your guesses by Replying to one of my posts/comments so I do not miss it.
If you have a question, or want to send me your picks and play your cards close to the vest,
write me: My SF Giant Guy at Gee Mel dOtt com
Five picks so far with five different Giants being dealt: Blach, Blackburn, Mac, Osich and Parker. One option here is “No One” which is how it happened last Off Season.
Haak did I miss he MyGuy results or are they still in process?
Yes, still in process … for you Beede and Coonrod did well and Arenado is in the upper half.
Haak, by “dealt,” do you mean traded or DFA’d?
To add a question: players on the MLB Giants, right?
Traded is right.
Anyone in the Organization counts; minor leaguers are fair game here.
1) back-up catcher
2) sam coonrod
3) bum-6 yrs. 175 mil
Got it … so add a sixth possible TradeGuy™ and are theonly one with me on the Catcher idea. Good luck to us.
1. Closer
2. No one
3. Romo, 1 year, same as last year’s salary.
Got it … Bold on Romo with all the talk of his unhappiness with Bochy.
Not really a place for Romo on the roster. Too many pitchers.
1. Closer
2. Parker
3. Nunez 3 years 18 mil. But for true current contract extended Bum to 2022 for additional 80 mil done during the year.
Got it … thanks for adding Nunez to the mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY
Big Steve, I have this ‘Songbird’ CD that a friend burned for us a few years ago. Sad story, he passed away after a brief battle with aggressive brain tumors. He was a beautiful, humorous, smart, and gifted musician. He taught art in the prisons. He’s one of many that passed while the world was becoming more and more bewildering, but before this extreme bewilderment. I digress.
Some irony that you have selected a song that we know from The Wizard of Oz and I have selected one from Dark Side of the Moon. Surely you are aware that if you press play on DSOTM at the third roar of the MGM lion, the tracks will be in some kind of mind-blowing sync.
Especially the moment when Dorothy steps in the amazing technicolor dream reality.
Off to face the reality or the illusion that is generally accepted as reality.
Thanks. I like her cover of “Fields of Gold.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deU_uwlNpOo
Toast -Oatmeal
Antigua Ja
lumpy cream o wheat and coffee with toast is delish
I think there was a “Lumpy” in Leave it to Beaver? Way before your time?
I can’t do lumpy oatmeal. Gives me a gag reflex.
Yep there was his name in real life was Frank Bank LOL I love lumpy oatmeal lumpy cream of wheat especially lumpy cream of wheat taste so good
I’m partial to lumpy grits with hot sausage crumbled in it for breakfast plus hot, black tea and a bagel or English muffin.
damnit that sounds delicious CC
Man, you have no idea. Tomorrow, oatmeal with raisins, walnuts and cinnamon.
What you have your breakfast already written out for the entire month?
Lumpy grits is one thing. Lumpy Creame O Wheat – is another ..
thanks for RT, Baggs, and for having him linked here, GG.
File this one under Together We’re Warrriors:
https://twitter.com/erikmal/status/796534987528933376/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Video of comments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_owL9bTsWQ
I read this late yesterday. I was hoping someone would post it here. What stood out for me:
“But it’s tough when you want there to be some respect and dignity and there hasn’t been any and then you walk into a room with your daughter and your wife, who’ve basically been insulted by his comments, and they’re distraught. And you walk in and see the faces of your players, most of them who have been insulted directly as minorities. It’s sort of shocking. It really is. We talked about it as a team this morning. I don’t know what else to say.”
As long as there are courageous men like Steve Kerr in our country, who speak up and push back, we’re going to be okay.
Pleased to see that (according to Pavs) the Giants are looking to Parker and Williamson for their outfield future.
Guess they did talk to Chapman yesterday. Not a fan. And definitely not if they have to pay him more than Bumgarner. $100M for a closer for 6 years? Crazy.
Paperbon is the last closer/reliever to get the highest contract: ~$50 mil. Can’t justify paying a one inning player and one who doesn’t play everyday that absurd amount of money.
Apparently Chapman’s agent didn’t get that memo.
And that contract turned out to be a disaster for several teams. Chapman’s agent is kidding himself.
Chapman won’t get that. Asking/getting are 2 different things and he forgets that people still remember his domestic abuse situation (another incident = longer suspension)…in addition to him being “just” a 1 inning guy. Andrew Miller has changed the way people look at closers/relief pitchers.
Please see my MLB Radio-related post below. The market isn’t that big for that kind of salary.
I’m still doing my “I told you so” dance.
You and Vladimir Putin, baby
What happened to the “No politics” rule here?
The 2010’s have been good to us Giants fans. Three titles, countless memorable moments, our first back president and now our first orange president. What could be better?
LOL!!
Fangraphs has an interesting discussion on the $100 million closer. Recently, Papelbon is about the only comp. He lived up to expectation one year. The expectation for an elite closer is 3-4 extra wins a year over a more nominally talented closer. Papelbon cost them $10 million per extra win over a closer off the shelf.
Well CC I wasn’t sure if people would like my joke or not but I wasn’t expecting a response about some relief pitcher.
These are serious times, partner. 😉 I’m trying to not think about Cheeto Man today.
All the talk and attention on Melancon Chapman Jensen but…
“You create an order of preference but it’s not limited to those (first) three,” Evans said. “You have a good number of guys with the potential to close games.”
After reading the American Heart Association’s interview/article about Jansen’s AFib and his family history of, I believe the Giants need to be careful here. Good for Jansen for being open about his diagnosis and treatment and encouraging athletes to pay attention to warning signs that something could be amiss with their health.
Lefty found and linked the article. Here it is again:
http://news.heart.org/dodgers-pitcher-kenley-jansen-isnt-afraid-to-talk-about-his-heart-condition/
I read your response (last night) when I was out to dinner, so I couldn’t take the time to look Jansen’s details up on the web (thanks, Lefty!). You’re all over this heart thing now 🙂
It was ever clear exactly what Jansen’s heart problem was to me. AFib is what got/caused JR Richards demise as well. It was at the root of the strokes (and arm fatigue) he suffered.
The Braves signed R.A. Dickey to a one-year deal.
Mike Krukow brought up a VERY interesting item this morning, regarding the 2B Gold Glove. He feels Panik is a great defensive player and GG-worthy, but he wonders if the voting masses were punishing DJ LeMahieu on the way he won his 2016 batting crown.
Hmmmm…
I’m real sure Panik will appreciate speculation from Mike Krukow that a protest vote could be the reason he won the 2B Gold Glove.
He was very gracious towards Joe, so I don’t think Panik will have any issue. If you look at the fact that LeMahieu was the defending GG, he didn’t miss all the games Panik did, and he’s still considered an awesome defender…it was a fair point to bring up.
I didn’t hear Krukow’s gracious tone. I hope he happened to mention a couple of Joe’s salient fielding stats:
“In a career-high 126 appearances in the field with the Giants this season, Panik committed just five errors in 601 total chances, good enough for a NL-leading fielding percentage of .992 among everyday second basemen. Only Robinson Cano of Seattle turned in a higher fielding percentage (.996) at the position in all of Major League Baseball. The Hopewell Junction, N.Y., native also helped turn 82 double plays in 2016.”
– St. John’s Baseball
Looking at the various defensive metrics on Fangraphs, it looks like the guy who really got hosed was Cesar Hernandez of the Phils, who played more innings than any of the three finalists and led the league in overall defense at 2B (Panik was third & Walker was second), Defensive Runs Saved (Panik was second) and UZR/150.
Neil Walker was also ranked higher than Panik, but he played fewer games and innings than Panik did (broken back, IIRC). Panik played the fewest innings of the three finalists, but he wasn’t ridiculously behind Segura and LeMahieu…and they’re way down the chart on defensive metrics.
If there’s anything to be outraged about, it’s not that Panik out-pointed LeMahieu or Segura but that Hernandez wasn’t a finalist (and maybe Walker). Considering the field of three, Panik was clearly deserving.
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=fld&lg=nl&qual=y&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
LeMahieu won the GG in 2014. Dee Gordon won it last year.
You’re right. Dee Gordon was mentioned, but with his suspension and all. I would wonder if he might get “punished” by the voters next year.
That probably made it easier for LeMahieu not to get the nod–if he’d been the defending GG winner, there tends to be some inertia there. I won’t be surprised if Panik has more GGs in his future. He’s really good, and I figured it was just a matter of time. I didn’t expect it this year, but I’m happy for him, and he deserves it.
Agreed
Sounds like politics to me, and we have firm rules against that here 😉
Other than that, LeMahieu is very Gold Glove worthy – especially for a tall middle infielder.
And once again, thank you for your transcriptions from the radio waves.
What are your thoughts on Nikola Tesla and the Great Radio Controversy or the album by same name from the band Tesla?
I’ll take my answer off the “web” waves.
It’s funny you would bring up the band Tesla. I live in the area that they come from, but haven’t heard a single song by them. Huge following…
Omg. Back on air Have to respond. Google Love Song.
Love will find a way!
It’s the medicine we need.
Then look up Edison’s Medicine!
You will either thank me or go on ignoring a cool band from the 80s & 90s that still does the state fair circuit
And the sign says you’ve got to have a membership card to get inside!
my brother in law is a film maker who did a great documentary about tesla. here he does an interview, which is worth a watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv2iNjrA3U8
A genius and a dreamer, but enough about you, Steve…
Krukow has an opinion about as informed as anyone else’s here, I suspect.
no need to put us down like that, cc
Nasty boy. 😉
Panik really didn’t look nearly as good in the field this year as 2015, it does look like some weird considerations might have been involved. It’s not like the voters have shown in the past that they’re anxious to give Giants Golden Gloves.
On the other hand, LeMahieu didn’t have a great defensive year at all by Fangraphs’ stats:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=fld&lg=nl&qual=300&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
Yesterday it was reported that the G’s met up with Chapman and his reps. Well apparently they met with Melancon and Jansen this week too, so good to see they’re not sitting on their butts.
Per Jon Morosi’s twitter: “#SFGiants officials have met this week with reps for closers Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon, sources say. @MLB”
Where are Alex and Andrew’s reports?
I also read that they’re still very much “in” on Wade Davis. So they’re checking off all the boxes.
Another FA note…and I apologize for spacing out on this…MLB Radio was saying this morning “Big FA signings probably won’t take place until a new CBA is agreed on. Current one expires on 12/1”.
I know that burst my personal Giants FA signing balloon…
I guess the hot stove just has rumblings, the gas percolating through the regulator.
Unless you are the Braves and RA Dickey. Boom.
About Chapman: I have Yankee fans in the family so I pay some attention to them and my impression was that in general they valued him not just as a top closer but as a teammate. A number of them expressed sadness at seeing him go in a way which made me think that he probably isn’t nearly as destructive a clubhouse presence as his general public image might suggest.
This said, his performance in the postseason was pretty bad. He had three blown saves and would have had another if the wind hadn’t blown down Posey’s double. Beyond that, it was difficult to avoid the conclusion that Maddon had no idea of how to use him. For one reason or another, it appears that he’s completely different from Miller and Jansen who can just be sent out there when the manager thinks it’s good for the team, warmup time, running out of gas, all of this seems to be very difficult with Chapman. This is the reason I think Melancon or Jansen would be much better choices.
Lets see Jose, Bengie and Yadier try to pull this off…..as HW Bush would say “not gonna do it”
https://twitter.com/AlexPavlovic/status/796156771903471616
Pavs: https://twitter.com/AlexPavlovic/status/795811975783587840
One of College and Pro baseballs best teaching coaches Jerry Weinstein says ALL coaches should
encourage their runners to go from 1B to 2nd to 3B on their own based on whether they think they can make it & not based on # of outs. It promotes aggressiveness.
Saw that too.
Interesting LA Times piece by Andy McCullough on the Dodgers’ pursuit of a closer. It focuses mainly on Jansen vs. Chapman. A couple of tidbits: In the Andrew Friedman Era, the most the Dodgers have spent on a free agent is Brandon McCarthy’s $48 mil. deal (a disaster so far). Also, it’s expected that both Jansen and Chapman will blow away the previous record (Papelbon’s $50 mil. in 2011) for a closer–if not into nine figures, at least a lot closer to it than ever before.
The comparisons mentioned, bearing in mind that they’ve been the two best closers in baseball over the last four years:
Jansen is a year younger than Chapman
Jansen is not Mr. Fitness; Chapman is
Jansen leaving would bring the Dodgers a draft pick, and they’re way into that
Jansen is more flexible; Chapman’s really a one-inning guy
They know Jansen and Chapman has his “off-field issues”
It will be interesting to see how this turns out. (Meanwhile, I wish the Giants would just go sign Melancon while everyone else is bidding for these other two.)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-jansen-chapman-20161109-story.html
I read Papelbon was 65 million, but point made.
I got the $50 mil number from the LA Times article: “No reliever has received more than the four-year, $50-million pact Jonathan Papelbon signed with Philadelphia heading into 2011.”–But I checked BB Ref, and it’s $61 mil., so you’re a lot closer than Andy McCullough was. 🙂
I think the discrepancy is that he had an $11 mil. vesting option for 2016 which he collected on. So there’s the $50–61 gap.
Could be, I wouldn’t have had any idea, to tell the truth, but it’s mentioned in the Fangraphs article about value vs cost of a closer I posted this AM here.
Mark Melancon. Get it done Bobby. As Krukow says, “Stop jimmy-jacking around”.
I don’t buy at all that they’ve been the best closers in baseball. I think the most important statistic for a reliever is WPA, and by that measure Chapman is #7 and Jansen is #9. Melancon on the other hand is #1:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=rel&lg=all&qual=y&type=3&season=2016&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=3,d
Yesterday I wore my dark purple New Balance sneakers down town. Most nurses – it went over their heads but since Will and Hill wore their respective wardrobe colors I figured I should be in lock step. Today was back to normal except the cafeteria menu was in purple. They finally come around up here but it takes awhile.
New Balance appreciates your business. http://www.si.com/more-sports/2016/11/10/new-balance-donald-trump-burning-shoes-video
Does anybody remember if Willie was injured on this play?
Bonds looked like he was concerned and motioning for help … ?
I also think this is one of his catches that he says was better than his WS catch
https://launiusr.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/the-joy-of-watching-willie-mays-play-baseball/
Without even looking at it I bet it is when Bonds gives him a knee to the gut and just knocks the wind out of him. That would be a good interview question for SayHey™ when GG lines him up.
Bobby Evans on his plans for the Free Agent market:
” We’re going to do some very incredible things
and we’ll be doing them very,very, soon “
Where is this quote from?
Think about it.
Is this some kind of trump joke? I have a screaming 11 week old in my house so thinking is not at top of my priority list
It’s not a joke. Bobby knows that he’ll dealing with sports agents. Bad people. Very bad people.
Congrats!
He’s said to be close to locking up a closer.
Why thank you
Whoa. Congrats and good luck.
Congratulations! It’s gets easier eventually, except not always quickly.
Thanks all, makes working from home interesting and fun
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d7d521c3fa11e874d8aa77779c2479de87a765e185474b5d2789d6de5ff32325.png
What a cutie, Panda Puffs! You must be so proud.
No doubt, he is awesome.
Your first?
It is indeed
You found it on your cave wall, in an ancient language?
Actually it’s a total rip off from one of Ronald Reagan’s slogans
So who is ripping it off?
Borrowing?
But WHO are you saying did that??? If anybody, it would be your guy, The Donald. I was just doing a parody of TrumpSpeak. If Reagan said that, it’s news to me.
Make the Giants great again!
The Giants are ALREADY great.
When you’re a big time GM, you can grab free agents by the jock strap and get away with it.
Dexter Fowler?
Not my first choice.
Mark Trumbo?
Disgusting. Just look at him out there trying to catch a flyball. Believe me, he’s a DH.
The only things I like about Fowler are he’s pretty good against lefties and he’s the best anti-Kershaw hitter in the world. He was really lucky with BABIP last year so we can’t take his stats too seriously.
The Rockies may be closer than many think. Encarnacion, Verlander, and Cabrera are in the speculation going on.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-rockies-may-be-closer-than-we-think/
This is one way us out of towners’ can get the season give a ways. I did it last year and will do it again this year.
https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/donate.aspx?eventid=209309&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone
Very cool. I had no idea they did this. I knew they offered this to season ticket holders, but not joe public.
Not sure if this was mentioned already, but tonight’s episode of Pitch will apparently be showing AT&T Park. Also I didn’t realize Zach from Saved by the Bell is on this show (albeit with a grizzly beard), so I may actually have to give it a chance.
Minor League ball parks A- Grades
http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Ashford%20University%20Field&in_city=Clinton&in_state=Iowa http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Autozone%20Park&in_city=Memphis&in_state=Tennessee http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=BB%20T%20Ballpark&in_city=Charlotte&in_state=North%20Carolina# http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Bernie%20Robbins%20Stadium&in_city=Atlantic%20City&in_state=New%20Jersey http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Bethpage%20Ballpark&in_city=Central%20Islip&in_state=New%20York http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Bill%20Meyer%20Stadium&in_city=Knoxville&in_state=Tennessee http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Bosse%20Field&in_city=Evansville&in_state=Indiana http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Campbell%27s%20Field&in_city=Camden&in_state=New%20Jersey http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=CarShield%20Field&in_city=O%27Fallon&in_state=Missouri http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Centene%20Stadium&in_city=Great%20Falls&in_state=Montana http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Centennial%20Field&in_city=Burlington&in_state=Vermont http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Champion%20Stadium&in_city=Lake%20Buena%20Vista&in_state=Florida http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Cheney%20Stadium&in_city=Tacoma&in_state=Washington
A Grades http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Bears%20and%20Eagles%20Riverfront%20Stadium&in_city=Newark&in_state=New%20Jersey# http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Bruno%20Stadium&in_city=Troy&in_state=New%20York Fresno http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Chukchansi%20Park&in_city=Fresno&in_state=California http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=City%20Of%20Palms%20Park&in_city=Fort%20Myers&in_state=Florida
Parks I have visited, coached in – watched my son play in
* Billy Herbert Field – Stockton Ca – Graded out C+ but team was in awe. http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Billy%20Hebert%20Field&in_city=Stockton&in_state=California#
* Muni Stadium, San Jose CA Grade B- http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Municipal%20Stadium&in_city=San%20Jose&in_state=California
* Washington Park Santa Clara Ca http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Washington%20Park&in_city=Santa%20Clara&in_state=California
* Recreation Park Visalia Ca http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Recreation%20Park&in_city=Visalia&in_state=California
* Pete Bieden Field Fresno CA http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Pete%20Beiden%20Field&in_city=Fresno&in_state=California
* No Grade – Nut Tree Stadium – Vacaville, California – Rest In Peace http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Nut%20Tree%20Stadium&in_city=Vacaville&in_state=California#
* Grade C – Nettleton Stadium Chico CA http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Nettleton%20Stadium&in_city=Chico&in_state=California
* Grade B- Florida Auto Exchange Stadium Dunedin FL http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Florida%20Auto%20Exchange%20Stadium&in_city=Dunedin&in_state=Florida#
* Parker Field Yakima Washington http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Parker%20Field&in_city=Yakima&in_state=Washington#
*** Rosenblatt Stadium Rest In Peace – Omaha Nebraska Grade A http://www.ballparkreviews.com/template2.php?in_name=Rosenblatt%20Stadium&in_city=Omaha&in_state=Nebraska
Superb Honorable Mention to:
*** Doreyland Park in Chico. Nothing better than having the 8 pm game with every person in Chico at the game with (still 88 deg temps)
https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/294530588/
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9664f25aeda1903740d90be2eb4289076bb888b0d351cda511b0647d374cb400.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c154d59a6fcb467d0b5ec3d58d9095568f5d7ea0b311d5a12ce5fc1e03ce42e6.jpg
*** Cleve Borman Field located in Yountville at the Veterans Home with 350 Vets drinking one dollar beer with 100 of the Vets driving around in the motorized wheel chairs.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/595ecd6885a3b14a7ac1b58aa20a4c63ddcd90618c73f398e8ff0526066f684d.jpg
*** Papa Pizza Tournament Eugene Oregon at Swede Johnson Stadium
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e1b9f18d0e0a8ab5737a9c343cb76896a1a38c492390c7c5db69dc3238a16067.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/caeab2e7895f37985e86d8b80e1e79c1cfcf31e4f1b8d235a8756243a4125110.jpg
Arrietta may find the winter colder than usual in Chicago. He went full Schilling after the election. Given the protests and strong feelings about the election in Chicago, it may be a little delicate for a while.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-arrieta-epstein-sullivan-gm-meetings-spt-1110-20161109-column.html
Augi getting in on the action
https://twitter.com/Agui13Jose
https://twitter.com/Agui13Jose/status/796577820294189056
Fun physics about black holes and sonic fish (not a band).
https://www.quantamagazine.org/20161108-sonic-black-holes-analogy/
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/philosophy-of-baseball/why-major-league-baseball-players-should-shake-hands-after-every-series/
Gracias, Greek, for this ray of sunshine.