by
Greek Giant
The Chicago Cubs have won the World Series. That’s not a glitch in the Matrix. That’s not some alternate reality flick. Time stands still. The sporting world has been torn asunder…
Growing up (I am old enough to remember Harry Caray) the Cubs were always a sports joke. Their ineptitude and futility transcended baseball. It transcended sports. The team was a punchline, a cultural meme before there was social media or the Internet. Indeed it was often theorized by Cubs devotees themselves that the Wrigleys never were serious about fielding a contending team, or even a good one. The theory goes that chewing gum magnates did not want to have to devote too many financial or other business resources to their cash cow since the Cubs were so profitable already.
This is a franchise whose middle name is tradition. Remember when the first night game at Wrigley in 1988 provoked a public outcry and made headline news? The Cubs were lovable losers, sentimental failures, the pathetic uncle or brother nobody liked but everybody loved. Note the past tense of the previous sentence!
To Chicagoans, the Cubs are also a cultural paradigm, like the Yankees in New York, the Canadiens in Montreal, the Fighting Irish wherever the Irish fight, and the Cowboys in Dallas. They are more than a baseball team. They are a generational identifier. A signifer of innocence and simplicity, two very mid-Western virtues. In short, the Cubs embodied that old quaint notion of “It’s ok to lose if you tried hard, were fun, had a good time and played fair…”
Then Tom Ricketts and family bought the team. Then they hired Theo Epstein, who begat Joe Maddon… Some great trades and draft picks, a few fortunate fateful turns later, the Cubs are now a powerhouse. It is still taking me time for all this to sink in quite frankly.
After watching baseball for 42 years and witnessing the Red Sox, White Sox and Giants end their championship futility, watching the Cubs win an exhilarating and exasperating ten-inning game 7 goes down as one of my top ten baseball memories.
What does this mean for the Giants?
Should the Giants brass start to build their team as a foil to the Cubs, the way the Red Sox crafted their team to defeat the Yankees in the early 2000s?
With the Giants already winning 3 rings this decade, will the Cubs challenge our beloved boys from San Francisco for baseball supremacy?
Breckeroni says great article GG. I think, for a while, given the Cubs presumed dominanceof the NL Central, they’ll be the new Cardinals in the Giants future.
Fortunately eveyone associated with the Giants is free of “greed and ambition” so I am saying they “have a chance.”
But let’s keep drafting, griping and MyGuying™ just in case it is needed.
LOL, that makes me feel like a cast member of Pinky and Brain.
That’s the show that I was looking for when I saw that Rajai was on deck.
You can be Brain and I will be Pinky.
World domination is harder than it looks.
Most of the Cubs’ key players are young and under team control for the next several years. They have a good shot. The Giants need to get better.
A team always has to adapt and get better. As to the Cubs, after the playoffs, IMO, they don’t seem that formidable, very good, but hardly invincible. I wonder if they’ll have a sophomore slump? Whatever happens, I hope they keep a 4/4 home and home format. Good baseball, and a great measuring stick to understand, hype free, how good a team really is. Taking the crown from them next year will be quite a kick.
The Giants should first worry about winning the division, something they haven’t done since 2012.
So, just make the cut for October baseball, and have your socks pulled up by then. I frankly don’t care who wins the NL West as a goal except insofar as it is a step to October.
The Giants are 2-2 in wild card games, but the nature of baseball should tell you that’s not the ideal path to ultimate success. 2017 should be really interesting. There are a number of great questions that will be answered:
1. Can Williamson and/or Parker be the answer in LF? If so, will the Giants be able to recognize that, or will they make the same mistake they made with Duvall? Because you know that if they sign some aging vet, whoever it is will be Bochy’s man;
2. What will they do about the bullpen? If they can’t sign one of the big three, then what?
3. Can one or more minor leaguers make a significant impact?
4. Who is the real Joe Pank?
5. Did Posey just have a bit of a down year, or has he peaked?
The answers to (4) and (5) are the most nerve-racking. I am cautiously optimistic Panik is a .300 hitter and Posey, while maybe never again the 2012 Posey, is still an elite defender and offensive force. I would also suggest, even though it may not be as important as the ones you listed, getting a more competent back up catcher. Having a guy as bad as Brown back there forces Posey to play more than the Giants want him to. I just have no idea who said backup catcher should be. It would be awesome to sign Ramos on a 1-year “rehab” type deal, but I doubt he’d go for that because it’s harder for him to build value as a backup. So, I have no idea who would be an ideal backup catcher, but I know Brown is not an ideal backup catcher.
Jason Castro intrigues me as a Bay Area guy – but he’s probably more starter material than backup material. So then you are left with the Todd Hundley and Giovanni Soto’s of the world.
Isn’t is Nick Hundley (I think Todd retired a long time ago)? And that’s actually a pretty good suggestion. I think Hundley would be a far superior backup than Brown.
you got it.
Here’s the list of free agent catchers. It’s not a bad list. I agree the Giants should upgrade and send Brown back to AAA for more experience and for depth.
Catchers
Alex Avila (30)
Drew Butera (34)
Jason Castro (30)
Hank Conger (29)
A.J. Ellis (36)
Ryan Hanigan (36)
Nick Hundley (33)
Chris Iannetta (34)
Jeff Mathis (34)
Dioner Navarro (33)
A.J. Pierzynski (40)
Wilson Ramos (29)
Wilin Rosario (28)
Carlos Ruiz (38) — $4.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (32)
Geovany Soto (34)
Kurt Suzuki (33)
Matt Wieters (31)
I suspect Panic will settle in as a ,270-80 hitter, barring injury.
#1 – do they Giants have the patience to wait through whatever doldrums Mac/Park may very well go through – or would they prefer the security of a been there, done that, professional grade bat? That is the question!
#5 – Posey’s peak was in 2012. ’14 was pretty rock solid too, but with bat it’s been downhill, and hopefully plateaued. With the glove it’s hard to get much better, so you figure he stands to lose a step behind the dish.
Posey hit .318 in 2015, fourth in the NL. He had 19 HRs and 95 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting even though the Giants didn’t make the playoffs. And he won the Silver Slugger at catcher.
But yeah, nothing but downhill since 2012. Sorry to let facts interrupt your narrative.
wRC+ since ’12
164, 135, 142, 136, 116
Boom! Sorry to let the numbers interrupt your snarkiness.
Not quite matching your MVP season isn’t a decline. Only this past season was a real step down from his prior standard.
LOL. Your narrative, dating back to 2012, is all based on your disdain for Belt. You use “freeing up poor Posey from the exhaustion of catching” as an excuse to get rid of Belt. Your claim that Posey is “declining” is simply to serve that narrative. Never mind that he had his best defensive year of his career and still was comfortably above league average at the plate, even in a down year. Must get him away from catching! It’s the only way! Last week you were signing Castro to catch “70-80 games a year” even though Evans said there was no intention of moving Posey away from catching.
And why do you despise Belt so much?–Because he proved you wrong. You spent the entire 2012 season sneering that he was going to be sent to Fresno any minute, and replaced by Brett Pill and–huh. He never went. He was playing first base when the Giants won the World Series that year. And in 2014. And signed a big contract extension, even though you spent years trying to trade him and speculating that the Giants would just let him walk after 2017. And was an All-Star. Brett Pill? Where is he again? Japan? Korea?
Maybe around 2025, when Belt is 37 years old, he’ll have a terrible year and get DFA’d, and then you’ll get to say “See? I told you he’d never amount to anything.”
But puh-leeze. You’re not fooling anyone with your “concern” for Posey. Not after all these years.
Me, I’ll wait until real options start to become clear. As to the issues you raise, gosh, they seem familiar. Some will get addressed, some won’t. In the end, whatever the personnel, the team has to navigate the season with what they have. I just don’t enjoy pointless speculation (ala Footy) about pie in the sky options with someone else’s money. A quirk of mine, I suppose. I’m a somewhat patient fellow. Consider these next few weeks/months a talent stakeout…you get the coffee.
Two more for me:
–Will the Giants let Ty Blach (and/or other minor leaguers) have a real shot at the fifth starter role, or are they just going to hand the job to Matt Cain again?
–If Span has another below average year, how long does he stay in the leadoff spot? By the end of September and even into the playoffs, he was being platooned. How long is the leash this year?
I left out a big one…did Bochy learn anything from 2016?
That’s a big one for me, too. I know that will get us mocked as Haterz, but–it’s an actual concern I have.
Beyond the actual bad decisions themselves, I think there were indications that some players weren’t happy with his performance. There was the obvious. like the on-field reactions of Casilla and Romo, and the more subtle, like when the obviously sill connected Affeldt politely but pointedly questioned his general handling of the bullpen. If the players lose faith in the manager, it’s a real problem. And then there was his attempt to spread the blame to his coaches, which isn’t something a good leader should ever do.
I read a quote during the World Series by Mike Napoli about Francona. Or maybe it was Kipnis. One of the veterans. He said that not a single player in the dugout ever questioned Francona’s decisions and they had total trust in him. It made me think of Bochy. Even last year, certainly two years ago or four, I think the same would have been said about him. Now? I’m not so sure.
I think the Cubs’ lineup is and will be formidable, even without Fowler (probably). Those guys are young and likely to get better. A healthy Schwarber makes them scary, plus the emergence of Baez and Contreras along with superstars Bryant and Rizzo. And you figure even Heyward won’t stay quite as bad as he was this year.
The rotation may need attention, and the bullpen, too, assuming Chapman takes his talents elsewhere. But the Cubs have resources and trade chips and players want to sign there, so I’m guessing they will get what they need one way or another.
I tend to agree, Heyward and Schwarber have real upside on that team. In the rest, skill wise, what you see is what you get. IMO, they got revealed as a team that couldn’t hit a good curveball if their collective lives depended on it. The indians found out the hard way, that’s among the first things to go in most tired arms, command and control of the breaking stuff. A lot to think about.
I tend to believe that a solid young position player core has more staying power than a stud rotation. Pitchers break (see 2016 Mets) and falter (see Lincecum, Cain, Verlander, etc.). The Phillies had Werth, Utley, Howard, Ruiz, and Rollins and won five straight division titles, two pennants and a World Series from 2007-11. But the year when they had the “best rotation ever” with the four aces on the cover of SI? They won 102 games but didn’t get out of the first round.
You can’t make things happen in a season of baseball, you can, IMO, mostly be poised to take advantage of the breaks when they come.
You honestly think Bryant isn’t going to continue to improve?
And most amazing- they did it all in spite of Maddon!
It pales in comparison to the Giants doing it 3 TIMES in spite of Bochy.
I don’t know if you heard Krukow this morning, but he wasn’t kind to Maddon. He felt that Maddon over-managed the game and his arrogance (to put his “personal imprint” on the decisive game) almost the cost the Cubs.
Right/wrong/indifferent…that arrogance that Maddon projects is why I don’t care for him.
That was the most critical I’ve ever heard Krukow be of anyone, ever. It was refreshing. And he was 100% correct.
So Krukow’s commentary is the benchmark for incisive analysis ?
When he says what folks want to hear. I’ll give him credit, he can work a room.
Krukow had a bad year. He made excuses for his favorites, mailed in his commentary… worst of all- he couldn’t be trusted to make honest observations. What with Kuiper stuffing his pie hole during the broadcasts and misidentifying the players, they were, uh, not good. And not professional
That’s a typical Krukow year.
They have that “my old shoe” thing going for them
Krukow is almost always talking about the Giants, so honesty is not usually his priority.
Getting Lester and Ross in there kind of had that imprint stuff. I guess the 3-2 bunt did too, even if a lot of people saw it coming.
So how was an ego maniacal move to get Lester and Ross in the game?
I leave you with the burden of proof and a head of cabbage. Now make it work!
It’s like pulling a tractor with the bit in your teeth.
the cubs had way more talent than did cleveland. they should have won the series in 5 or maybe 6 games. maddon really was terrible. he made so many unnecessary moves, just to make himself look like the genius he thinks he is.
Completely agree. Francona almost pulled it off, he managed circles around Maddon. The Cubs talent saved Maddon from himself. Just too bad the undermanned Indians finally ran out of gas. Kluber and Miller were clearly not themselves last night, just too much to ask in a short span.
Green is not a color that becomes you.
Maddon did a terrible job in Games 6 and 7. He almost lost the series for them. He’s a good manager, but he did not have a great World Series. Similar to Bob Brenly in 2001. Brenly’s managerial job in the 2001 World Series was the worst job for any series I have ever seen, but the D’Backs won in spite of him. Maddon is a very good manager who got overzealous in Games 6 and 7, but they had enough talent to win. Even our very own pollyanna, and Cubs softie, Kruk excoriated Maddon. And I think brown is a color pertinent to the majority of your commentary.
LOL. Maybe tell a priest friend your issues or pound a desk top in the lunch room. Although we can safely conclude Maddon is both a damn lucky and good manager , I figured that out before he left AT&T in October. From what I hear today, Jason Heyward kicked him out of the clubhouse during the rain delay, and got those ‘kids’ feet back under them for the 10th.
it was a wild, whacky, great game.The sniping at Maddon began well before the series started.Actually it was hard to find many cogent comments about the actual play, what with all the paranoia about biased coverage, douche bag Cubs, Maddon’s ego…My first thought when the game was over was- wow, what a game! Yours?
As to my comments, I don’t take baseball as seriously as many do and most of my comments reflect that. When you see that cute little chef avatar, I’m fine if you pass on by.
And that wasn’t because Francona over-used them?
Groan.
I wasn’t paying much attention. What are some of the unnecessary moves he made in games 1 3 and 4?
All of them.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/death-irony-cruel_irony-harp_player-harpist-musician-wda0119_low.jpg
Happy day to your wife – and to you too.
Hey, a harp is quite a gadget to a blues man.
Good article, GG. I can remember listening to the Cubs radio broadcast back when Ron Santo was alive, for several reasons. One, it was the choice available to me, to fill my house in summer with the sounds of a ball game. Two, to find out how they would manage to lose the game, which they could accomplish in varied and novel ways. Three, to listen to Ronnie’s reaction to the bumbling play that cost the game. I always figured that if the Cubs pulled it together well enough to win a WS, that they’d be sort of adorably cute in the process. Joe Maddon’s management style was not what I had in mind at all, but I am truly happy for the many decades of fans who finally saw the goat slain, including my mother (who was listening to Cubs radio, not FOX TV in the 7th game).
Ron Santo must be promoted into the 7th level of heaven this week.
Happy Day to your momma, Mrs. 475 nm.
MyGuy™ Button Design Contest
Sparing no expense 22’sSweetSwing and I have come upon the idea of having a button made to be awarded to the annual winner of MyGuy™. Maybe it could refer to Allen [“avhw”] Hirsch who died December 20, 2015 by using his handle? He gave us plenty of pictures if that might work? Let your pugnacious, creative, Off Season minds go to work on this. Post a picture/sketch if you can and all the TWGers can “Upvote” to pick a winner.
I am thinking about 2″diameter in color so avoid small print and details; something you could wear on your SF hat without setting off metal detectors or blocking doorways.
If have a question write me: My SF Giant Guy at Gee Mel dOtt com
Early returns on 2016MyGuy™ show category winners of:
Derek Law, Dylan Davis, Cain and Pagan [Remember it is about Improvement over last year]
I think a photo of a bird, “avwh” and “MyGuy™”–and call it good. Obviously the color scheme should be primarily orange and black.
An ariel view of the Gulls swarming over ATT
That’s not bad, actually. Allen had wonderful seats at AT & T.
Simplicity. That is hard to beat.
I will look back at his Obit and locate his wife and kids to send them each one. Their “MyGuy” is obvious. This will motivate me to get it out by December 20 to them too.
That would be a very nice thing to do. I think I still have his home address–I got it via email to send him a check for some tickets–if you need it. You know how to reach me.
GG, I have this image of you dictating your blog posts to your secretary, old school, then boom, it hits the press.
Giants should worry about unseating the Dodgers in the West, then go from there. Cards and Buccos have their hands full.
Indians are gonna get some of that trophy action, as soon as next year.
I think it’s creepy how some Chicago fans now want to forgive Bartman and want him to come to a game or in some other way make a spectacle of himself so that the Cubs and Cub fans can forgive him and feel good about themselves. My guess is they’re not so much interested in the guy as they are in alleviating their own guilt. The recognition that he was wrongly blamed should have come shortly after the game or the series. Heck, even a year later would have been fine. But 13 years? Go see a therapist about it and leave Bartman alone!
Having won they don’t need a scapegoat any longer. It’s a human way to be all to often.
i couldn’t believe it when I heard that Maddon was going to have Bartman pitch the 11th inning. Is that ego ever satisfied?
After dinner at Mike’s.
Pardon me? No cognac and Havanas for you, pal.
Good. I’ll take an extra tiramisu and Turkish coffee, medium sweet. -)
To think that I stuck up for you when you were outed as a Cub’s fan- in a featured post, no less.
ex-Cub fan, but I will cop (sorry TO) to a lingering affection.
You know who’s really pissed off-Bochy. Maddon gets to be sort of a Mad Genius making unconventional decisions in attempt to prove his genius. Bochy is just plain dumb.
Yes Bochy doesn’t speak a lot, Maddon is a chatty Cathy. I here tell he’s adding a punctuation mark o his name. Maddo’n
You’re just jealous, you want your ego shattered too. ;_)
Agreed, then they should stop scapegoating him then and be done with. But the public bleating? Please. It’s not Bartman’s job to fix the psyches of anyone who blamed him for 13 years. They can own it themselves.
LOL, when does that happen.
I find it a very strange thing to defend and laugh off. I’m not saying ALL cub fans and I know you know that, so I don’t get the pushback at all. A better question is how often does a set of fans hold one guy accountable for such an innocuous thing that he did, while not even a player, or an ump or even associated with the game. Bartman’s a person. Not a goat. It’s shameful behavior, imo
Despicable. I said it before and I’ll say it again: I don’t empathize those fans who threatened Bartman’s life and forced him and his family to move away. That’s one of the reason’s why I was rooting for Cleveland to win it.
Ugh, the Angels got Cameron Maybin in a trade with the Tigers. All they had to give up was some pitcher, their #8 prospect. The Angels have the worst farm system in the majors, so the #8 prospect isn’t anything worth mentioning. The Angels picked up Maybin’s $9 mil. 2017 option as part of the trade.
Maybin hit .315 in 94 games with the Tigers and had more stolen bases than Denard Span did in a full season. He’s primarily a CF but will play LF for Anaheim because of some Trout guy.
Sighhhhhh. That would have been a nice trade for the Giants to make.
What?!? How is the hot stove operating already?!?
that would have been a nice trade. who knew the Tigers were punting him for salary relief? Apparently not Bo-Ev’s. You’ve torn into Evans, you’ve praised him recently, are you ready to get the knife back out?
For not making one low-impact trade that would have provided a slight upgrade to Span? No. I’ve always kind of liked Maybin, and I’d rather have him than Span if I got to pick, but I’ll give Evans a few more days at least before pronouncing this offseason a failure. The World Series hasn’t even been over for 24 hours yet.
It’s never too early to declare that the offseason was a failure. it’s easy to do when Spring has sprung, only the greats pre-declare.
Well, technically it hasn’t started yet. The free agency period begins Tuesday. The trade could have been made last week or last month.
Us pre-declarers should get even more props when we declare before the declaring season has begun. BTW, what time Tuesday? i don’t want to be late.
12:01 a.m. EST, so 9:01 pm Monday here. IMPORTANT: Don’t forget the time change on Sunday, or you’ll be an hour early. Or late. I’m not sure which.
Here’s your shopping list.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/11/03/139-mlb-players-becoming-free-agents/93256094/
I don’t like the “fall back” thing. “Spring forward” doesn’t work for me, either.Been there, done those.Lay back- that’s the ticket.
That shopping list makes me even more convinced that doing nothing might be the way to go. Mostly because I get dizzy reading that “Nathan, Joe” stuff. I almost wanted to get Carlos Desmond.
Maybin has always been a favorite of mine. Kind of “Fowler – Light”
He was one of those “top 10 prospects” (2-3 years in a row) in the late ’00s who never quite arrived.
A couple of posts ago some were disparaging the behavior of various Cub players but here is another opinion. If everybody could have treated themselves to queuing up Dan Schulman and Aaron Boone to the TV – you would have heard a descriptive narrative about how the game was played, the off the wall skill sets of both teams and of course the passion and emotions of players on both teams. Both Sculman and Boone are very capable of describing behavior that “we here” often take offense to compared to the class and stoic play of our Champion Giants. Whenever I wanted to listen to Buck and the enormously underrated Smoltz I just muted the radio sound.
Again nowhere did I hear especially from Smoltz – that various types of boisterous behavior was unacceptable. I just think that there is ‘room for every type of player. Arrieta Zobrist, Baez, Rizzo and company have never bothered me. Davis Ross would have gathered them a bit had anything resembled disrespect. Yes I DID think that Maddon went to the well too often with Chapman.
I saw 55 year old Cubbie fans sobbing thinking about their relatives that have passed already. The Cub fans travel well and so MANY have left Chi Town to other cities. Many held onto the 108 item dearly. There was even about 3-4 centenarian’s the last couple of years – who had stories ran about their Beloved Cubs.
Almost every current Cub who showed too much of something during this postseason would be welcomed into the dugout by a Bochy or a Posey-Pence be it hypothetically or literally.
Years ago Giants fans always heard to ‘stick with the NL’ once their guys were eliminated or never made it. This year I rooted for “Tito” and his Tribe – but there was nothing about Cub baseball that made me not want to watch as they came back from a 1-3 deficit.
Jeff Kent once said “Enjoy the Game More” and I think what he meant was to watch how that days game unfolds from both teams and their dugouts as well as how freakishly talented certain players on all 30 of the ML teams. A baseball game could not exist with just one team playing itself unless that team was having a scrimmage.
Butte-e-full !!
Aaron Rogers neighborhood
Remembering Allen
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/116ccda2cac8d69cd43ae2c4966e1851add0461012f4add78f84761b0d8e30b6.jpg
Beautiful ! ! !
I’m listening to a CD I just got in the mail today. It’s the play-by-play highlights of the Raiders’ 1976 championship season. I’ve still never heard anyone who was better than Bill King.
Bill King was awesome. He even looked like a Raider. Greg Pappa is pretty good too. Even when he’s had a few.
I agree about Papa.
Me too. Even those couple games he filled in for the Giants this year, I thought he was excellent.
His TD call is terrible. How terrible? Enough to drive the rats back to Hamelin
TTOOOUUUCCHDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWNNNNNNN
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAIIIDDEERRRRRRRRRRRRSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No matter how many times I hear that, I think of Daffy Duck cartoons.
I may have asked you this before, but did you ever read the biography of King that came out a couple years ago (appropriately titled “Holy Toledo!”)? Very good. The Warriors were my first sports team as a kid and Bill King was my first announcer–I’d listen to games at night on my radio in my room. Pretty shortly I’d added the Giants–it was still Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons. I was spoiled.
I haven’t read it, but I’m heading to Amazon/eBay to check it out.
It’s on the way for $6.29…the internet is great.
I’m more about the instant gratification. Kindle books are on my device in 30 seconds!
A complete list of MLB Free Agents. Meat market’s open, shoppers.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/11/03/139-mlb-players-becoming-free-agents/93256094/
In case anyone was wondering about the turkey situation in Davis, “Downtown Tom” is still terrorizing people.
http://www.kcra.com/article/aggressive-turkey-terrorizes-downtown-davis-residents/8110346
With Thanksgiving just around the corner I’d venture to say, problem solved.
It tells you a LOT about Davis that someone hasn’t already run this guy over or shot him dead.
Or that Obama forgot to seize their guns.
I can’t wait till this election is over. Only because I’m so tired of hearing and seeing and reading about two senior citizens going at with such vile contempt towards each other. You’d think they’d been married to each other by the way they carry on. Such disrespect and mud slinging is sort of unnerving. Just get a room already. WTH
LOL.
I suppose ‘Tom’ would have to injure somebody before a certain element of townsfolk show up with pitchforks. We had a black bear up here hanging out on the interstate for awhile and he was eventually trapped and transported up into the mountains. Seems like a turkey should be a no brainer.
Davis is a very, very, very tenderhearted town when it comes to all God’s creatures. We have a toad tunnel. So they shouldn’t get run over crossing the road. How the toads know to go through the tunnel has always escaped me. Can toads read signs?
Also, if you feel it’s time for Fluffy or Fido to go to the Big Kennel in the Sky, sometimes you have to drive to another town (or county) to get the deed done. The vets here will try to talk you out of it.
They must’ve ‘pre-scented’ the tunnel with toad secretions prior to opening up for road traffic.
Ha! They probably did just that!
Meant to say toad traffic.
As you probably know, the British have a dish called “Toad in the Hole” Not bad, really. Sort of a Limey breakfast sandwich.
Joe West says yes
Marin County with summer.
LOL–that’s where I grew up.
I’m not psychic, promise.
We have wildlife overpasses and tunnels in Montana. The cameras and research (by MSU) shows that animals acclimate to using these crossings and teach their young to use them.
http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/missoulian.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/eb/6eb4c6ac-ce91-11df-a109-001cc4c002e0/4ca7e2cba2d56.image.jpg
I was trying not to laugh because I realize being challenged by an aggressive turkey is not particularly amusing in the moment, but I laughed anyway.
“On Tuesday, wildlife officials attempted to catch Downtown Tom without success. However, the half-mile chase pushed the bothersome bird out of downtown, where they hope it’ll stay.”
It IS funny. It’s been going on for months! It really captures the character of this town that they’d rather let a large bird bully everyone (even posting signs) than actually DO something about ol’ Tom.
Me, I like turkey. I like it roasted or grilled. Deep-fried, not so much. Maybe Tom will make it to my house, 4 miles west of downtown. 🙂
So as not to misconstrue that the Angels gave up junk and got Maybin, here’s a preseason blurb on Victor Alcantara, C+/B- prospect, and at the time, considered the Angels 2nd best prospect behind CSU Fresno alum, catching prospect, Taylor Ward:
“2) Victor Alcantara, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Age 22, fireballer can hit 97-98, posted 5.63 ERA with 125/58 K/BB in 136 innings in High-A, 152 hits. Slider is plus when he is going well, change-up and command still need work, many see him as a reliever but the Angels will develop him as a starter as long as possible. High upside, high risk.”
-J. Sickels
He was promoted to AA this year, and didn’t have the greatest numbers, but not too bad either. So big arm, maybe similar to Kyle Crick a year or so ago. I guess you can assume the Tigers GM and the Angels GM have some kind of relationship, the Tigers needed to shed some payroll, have young players/prospects they want to have compete for center, and that Victor Alcantara has excited a key scout in the Tigers org.
Suede goats. Maybe there’s somebody else out there, even better, for Bobby Evans. Yo Dayton Moore, wanna shed some Lorenzo Cain contract?
Feels like the hot stove is on and it’s flying too fast for me to keep up with !
Nuke Laloosh!
Ray Crick!
extra note: Alcantara had been playing with the Scottsdale Scorpions this fall. He may stay with them, IIRC.
GG – it’s very true that the Cubs are a cultural paradigm. There are cities that thrust their chest and demand it. Chicago is one of those. Yes, years cement that culture. In the Cubs case, they have grown in popularity through failure. I know that sounds a bit rude, but it’s true.
I am happy for every Cubs fan that has lived through all of the years of failure…some that were known in April, but others in October. They rooted for Ernie and Billy and Fergie and Ron and many others.
For me, I was born the same year as the San Francisco Giants were born. Out here, we are used to a dismissive attitude about the importance of our teams. We’re not LA. We’re not east of the Mississippi. We’re just a weird city of weird people…
I’m happy for Chicago. I’m happy for their fans. I don’t think it’s more important than 2010. I’m biased.
Their fans were raucous,crazy, screaming, ear splitting maniacs. In other words- great fans.
Still can’t believe they blamed Mrs O’Leary and her cow for they great fire. Even tho they were exonerated, still can get past that they blamed it on her at the time. Actually, I still can’t get past that we lost game four to the Cubs.
Got a lot of work to do, Bobby E. Good, but a no brainer, to pick up Moore’s option. Let’s see what else you’ll do this offseason.
Cubs won whatever, yada yada yada………now let’s see what Evans and Sabean can do.
Anything else is bull shit.
Sunshine and dirt clods!
If you are counting on a rockin’ offseason, don’t.
Are you saying I shouldn’t expect to find Cespedes and Melancon under my tree on Christmas? But I’ve been such a good gi– Nah. I haven’t. Oh, well.
Thank goodness it was you. I was bracing for a tongue lashing from E-Train.
Now that the rancor has abated (?), look at Wil Smith’s numbers against the Cubs (Baseball Ref). Recall he was with the Brewers as well, and the Cubs had seen him a good bit. It ‘might’ shed some light on the decision not to go to him, and ease your discomfort.
Well, but he’d mowed them down in 9 pitches the night before, three up, three down. He’d been rolling. I thought Smith was the best choice, but I’d feel better if there’d been ANY choice. Moore. Law. Strickland. Smith. Romo. Just pick someone!
It’s over and we need to move on. I doubt we’ll ever all agree about what happened that night.
Even Strickland would have been better than Law-Lopez-Romo. Law and Romo had pitched 2 innings each the day before and Lopez was just generally lousy.
Regular season numbers don’t mean much, as a rule.Good or bad.
Oh yes. Now I can see it. Bochy’s decisions were sheer genius.
Sorry. Bochy screwed that pooch
Bochy was dissing Smith more or less since they got him even though he gave up zero runs the last 6 weeks of the season. That wasn’t the reason.
I was looking forward to learning about the possible moves by the Giants this offseason until I realized that after the offseason before last, in which the Giants publicly courted Jon Lester, pretty much chronicling their every move, and then, “did not get a rose,” which had to be a bit embarrassing, they operated in stealth mode and we didn’t find out much until the Giants made an announcement. Surprise! They kept things tight and there weren’t many leaks, and therefore, there wasn’t a whole lot that was real to discuss and ponder.
The Cueto signing in particular. We knew they’d been interested in Samardzija and even that they’d brought him to SF for a meeting, so when they didn’t get Greinke, I wasn’t surprised when Shark signed within hours.
But the Cueto thing came out of nowhere. I had never heard that the Giants were pursuing him. The first word from anyone was maybe an hour or two before the Giants announced the deal. That was a really nice surprise.
I’ll be happy to spread some false rumors if that will help
The Fast Break crowd in s even worse this season….
Durant is GREAT.
I’m noticing he’s pretty good. 🙂 You think he’s a little motivated?
Wow, the TNT guys are a nightmare tonight, that was the most annoying halftime show ever.
Barkley with the party line…their defense is worse. Their bench is worse. Just like Lillard said AFTER the Warriors kicked his team’s ass. LOL
I wonder why Barkley feels he needs to keep up the shtick. Maybe he’s so far in that there’s no turning around.
He should run for president
He was proven right last season.
I KNEW you would make that claim. No, he wasn’t. The Warriors lost Bogut and the series changed. I know you think the entire series was lost because of Green, and your whipping boy, Curry. But apparently you don’t understand the team game that was destroyed by losing their interior defense.
Barkley was most definitely not proven right.
BOOM!
They beat a crippled Cavaliers team the year before, a team that had lost much more than Bogut. I don’t think you liked the excuses then. They still had enough to finish it. They didn’t.
And they didn’t because they didn’t play quite hard or smart enough.
For a guy who claimed on here to be a basketball player, you have an incredibly narrow view of the sport. Too bad. You’re missing some great individual and team basketball. I’ve know “stubborn”, but you are in a special category
I’ve said that Curry is the best shooter, ever. He’s an outstanding player, but he’s not always a smart player, and he’s too often more interested in putting on a show than playing smart. But as far as all around greatness goes, he can’t match Durant.
The last thing the Warriors need as they reconfigure is ongoing debate about who is the best player on the team. From everything they’ve said (and shown) so far, especially in the process of recruiting Durant to join the team, what they want is to get better together.
We’re not on the team, and I think the players know.
That’s the only irrational explanation.
Yep
Has anybody ever gotten a triple double while losing by 40+ points?
People are actually watching this game?
?
I am, game number one for me.
Why wouldn’t we?
Because I said you shouldn’t?
OK, here’s how it should go. i might have told you this before, obviously it didn’t sink in.
12 Minute games, spot the underdog 4 points,3 point line is at midcourt, Season ends before spring ends
Sorry. I listen better.
Me listen better, too.
Just messing with you,
Durant’s first time playing his former team? The Dubs playing the team that nearly knocked them out in the conference finals? You bet. It’s early season must-see TV.
I am now, but earlier I looked up the box score.
This is the best they’ve looked on both ends all year.
Here’s a synopsis and the recording of Krukow’s comments on Maddon this morning. I find this fascinating. Captain Rah-Rah usually, and the morning after Maddon wins…this. Not that I disagree with the substance of his critique, just the timing is odd. Wonder what got into him?
http://www.knbr.com/2016/11/03/krukow-outraged-over-arrogant-joe-maddon-i-just-wanted-to-slap-that-guy/
He sounded like us…I didn’t mind him airing his opinion. It bothers me that he flat out refuses to be “self critical”of anything Giants unless it’s a guy he doesn’t like.
Every Cubs fan I talked to thru the last few games and today were pretty aligned with the “Maddon makes moves to be different” narrative…many were ready to disown him had things not turned out after the tie
Maddon got lucky. There would be a LOT of wrath today if they hadn’t pulled that game out. A LOT.
If I were a Cub’s fan and they won their first World Series since the Amazon was a creek bed, I wouldn’t care a rap how they did it.
Got to work early today and missed his segment. Wow. If I remember correctly he gave Bochy a free pass after Bochy really, really over managed. I’m surprised he went down this road.
All I can come up with is that he was rooting for the Cubs and was beside himself how close they/Maddon came to blowing it last night. He hadn’t gotten over how upset he was for a couple innings there.
Another way to look at it is he wasn’t on the Giants payroll during this particular interview, so maybe what we got was Krukow “unplugged”.
Look at that smile! His teammates are feeding him. They want it for him.
As great as Durant has been, he’s been even better (which isn’t surprising) playing with guys that play team basketball. He’s shooting around 60% now for the season.
You mean instead of being an evil traitor, he chose the opportunity that would allow him to be the best he could be? How…selfish.
I think he chose to go somewhere he would have more fun.
Horrible
…and he wanted a different challenge.
And he heard that the ball carries well to left field.Oops, wrong guy, wrong sport.
Does running as hard as you can into someone and flailing the ball at the basket make you everyone’s darling in MVP talk?,
“Of course.”–James Harden
You’re on a roll, Lefty!
James Harden on tonight’s game: “I want to see Russ do his thing.”
He WOULD.
And he IS!
It didn’t help me when I tried it at home.
And then there’s what’s-his-name, the little skinny guy, doing THAT.
This is going to be fun to watch–the ups, the downs, the growing pains.
For some of us.
Others want Hickory High picket fence, set shots and two hand chest passes
Rangers to extend Q offer to Desmond….
That will really kill interest in Desmond
Seems like MLB really needs to change that to a one time only deal…
No back to back Q offers…
I love it when the women talk like real fans..
OK, that’s not too funny but funny was what I was trying for.BTW, I missed the score, how many points did Fowler score?
There i go again. I forgot to take my meds.
Bummer.
So any speculation on the difference between 2011-2 Bochy and 2016 Bochy in terms of dealing with transition in the bullpen? How could things go so well one time and so badly the next time? And don’t say it was just the players, we know that Smith and Gearrin were simply ignored no matter how well they pitched.
The problem was 2016 Bochy had the 2016 versions of Romo, Lopez and Casilla along with untested rookies who were not always up to the task.
I was wondering if you are also a Warriors/basketball fan, GG.
I root for the Warriors since all you do but I am not really a basketball fan. I prefer hockey in the winter. It’s the Montrealer in me… Though I do respect the athleticism of the players. It is impressive. I loved watching Michael Jordan play in his heyday.
we’re gonna send you some Air Jordan classic shoes, circa ’88, as a token of our appreciation for running ‘Together We’re Warriors’ over the winter.
hahahaha That’s a great name for a blog! You will be the Managing Editor!
That’s above my skillset. I’ll see what I can do about keeping the toilet bowls tidy and the urinal cakes fresh.
Montreal, GG? But you live in Florida!
I meant smith and gearrin. They were both awesome in september when the situation was most desperate, they had even traded specifically for smith, and bochy literally never gave either of them a chance. It’s very difficult to square that with what bochy did in 2012.
Who says that the water has no colours? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ac22fe1f1864ee9fa1b49a0d41a8f3cd5ea26fbd5c49f320e655164952fbb68d.jpg
Good morning, Alvise.
Hey, sorry for coming at you strong yesterday. You came at my guy, Zobrist, and I overreacted. Sorry.
I get sensitive, defending my guys. I’ll probably come at somebody in the near future for saying the wrong things about Denard Span. They don’t call me “the bodyguard” for nothing. Have a nice day, strolling though the canals, reflecting on wavelengths, frequencies, and the speed of light.
Yours truly,
SFB
You should be more upset at anyone (or two) who actually believe Zobrist WOULDN’T have helped the Giants last year. Had the team listened to you, and signed him, think of all of the situations that occurred last seaon that he would have been the PERFECT antidote. I tese my Cousin, but you have been nothing but right about the guy
Hey, his WAR didn’t lie 🙂
So Zobrist and giving the Pirates whatever they wanted for Melancon – or rewinding and signing Andrew Miller – would have given the Giants 4 in 7 and kept the even year streak going!!
Hot tub time machine isn’t that great of a movie….
I believe Zobrist would have helped too, but not in the bullpen unfortunately =(
Grazie.
Prego
This is gorgeous, Alvise. Looks like a watercolor painting!
This looks like Venice. I love it. It reminds me of the beautiful light and the colors I saw when I was there.
A canal in Burano island, few miles north east from Venice, in the Venice lagoon
I’ve always wanted to visit Venice, but the two times I was close by, it was flooded. Now it seems the year round hordes of tourists makes it difficult. Any suggestions on a time during the winter to visit?
Any time when those hordes aren’t around. March I’d say, or before the end of April aniway
Thanks!
Did you take this photograph, Alvise?
I’m not so good, I wish I did. I simply like to share with other people my love for my city.
It’s appreciated.
Mostly quiet Fall League continues for Giants prospects, or any team’s prospects, really. I mean, really, does it really matter what these guys do in these scrimmages?
Hunter Cole singled in 4 trips to the plate and picked up two free passes. Quietly had a nice game.
Angels top prospect Taylor Ward was 2 for 4 with a K.
Scorpions were shut down by Nats pitching prospect Austin Voth who went 5 scoreless allowing 3 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 2.
Prospect reporting season starts early. This is a cool format with great detail in the reports from fangraphs.
Padres, all of a sudden, have a strong system with some elite talent up top. We got to see a little of Margot and Renfroe in September. Check out the bar graph representing the “possible outcomes” for each prospect. That’s a helpful reminder that in spite of being valued highly by scouts in and out of their own organizations, it is tough sledding transforming from top prospect to valuable major league asset.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/prospect-reports-san-diego-padres/
——
More on the Maybin “blockbuster”….
Maybin only came to the plate 391 times for Tigers last year because of injuries and that is something that made it easier to let go. Nice batting average last year, walk rate too, but only left the yard 4 times with ISO of .103; and not having a track record of success kept his perceived value lower. He would have been an interesting quick strike pickup for Bobby Evans, pushing Mac/Park to the bench role and probably sharing some time in CF with Span. Would have been interesting, but it’s widely agreed that the Giants need some pop coming out of LF.
What about his defensive rating the last two years?
I see where the Nationals declined to pick up the option on Petit. Wonder if the Giants want to reunite with him?
Also, Ryan Howard’s option with the Phillies was declined. He should just retire. Charlie Morton, a sometimes Giant killer, also had his option declined.
Petit minor league deal? The market is kind of saturated with mid relievers.
Slikk, if you’re out there, checking in, I hope your day went alright yesterday,
and that you have a great Friday, and that you do yourself right and treat yourself to something nice 🙂
Hey, the same goes to everyone else too. Have a good Friday. Finish the week strong with a productive fervor.
Know that Bobby Evans is also working his butt off.
Yes. A person who started the morning yesterday with mean-spirited attacks on other commenters, particularly one who almost died a couple months ago, certainly deserves to be singled out for well wishes. Better reach out to him and make sure his feelings aren’t hurt after mean ol’ Lefty called him out.
You might go back and read the incredibly nasty things he said to Alvise and then to me when I tried to stick up for Alvise. And what provoked that attack from Slikk and from you? Alvise said something negative about Ben Zobrist. The unforgivable sin, I guess. The horror!
You are one steaming pile of hypocrisy. All the self-righteousness a couple months ago about being good to others, blocking people who are negative…guess that wore off, huh?
I think you are a hypocrite.
I am sending Ty Blach to the hill to sit you down and muzzle your fingertips.
Grab some pine, meat!
All dogs need a muzzle.
Are you calling Lefty a dog? And are you saying she needs a muzzle?
I love dogs. Women have had to put up with this demeaning crap from men for years and years.
im a dog lover myself.
WHOA!
And to think I missed the whole damn thing!
Recess at TWG sounds like it will be a spirited match by the oak tree today
Yes. I’m going to have to look that up.
The TWGers don’t know what to do with themselves now that the season is over..
“Behind the Backstop after school …”
The Turlock Marauders
You have to understand that Scout Finch Baseball is one of the keenest, wisest observers of baseball talent alive today, at least he is in his own mind. If it wasn’t for him, I would’ve relied on my own two eyes would never have realized that Denard Span is an outstanding player. So if you’re going to go against his opinion, you deserve whatever you get. But, to be fair, Alvise is not above personal attacks himself. But I enjoy them when they’re directed at me.
Alvise is no saint, go look at his posts last week written in latin. Those should be a premiss to ban him.
Dude, are you watching this ceremony? Beautiful stuff from the Cubs.
I would love to but travelling back to the Bay area.
Indeed we’re short on saints, but we seem to have a surplus of trolls.
Read this and thought a non-baseball thought or two might interest you. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/opinion/sunday/schools-that-work.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=opinion-c-col-left-region®ion=opinion-c-col-left-region&WT.nav=opinion-c-col-left-region
Thanks, CC
Thanks bud i had a great day yesterday hopefully you did as well. I’d like to thank The good doctor for her well wishes because without her it would not have been possible so thanks doctor lol. BTW the clown known as the doctor lol could never hurt my feelings but with a face like hers im sure her feelings are hurt everyday.
To disagree on a player is good but no personal attacks. I’m out of here for now.
Enjoy the weekend.
I definitely agree. Very well said. To the point. Thanks, Noce.
The last half hour has led me to the following:
We Ain’t Together
No we’re not.
It started long before today.
Yes it did and it’s been allowed to go on.
If anyone ever gets out of line or is attacking someone personally please write me using the contact form and I will handle it.
You spend a lot of time maintaining this community blog for us, GG, and I really don’t want you to have to spend time being a blog cop. Many of us have been here for many years, since 2009 or 2010, and know enough about each other by now to know we’re not a bad lot. We should be able to prevent our disagreements from turning into personal attacks on our own.
I want to belatedly express my appreciation for your offer on this, GG. My impression was that at times Alex became weary with trying to moderate the blog, and I don’t want that to happen to you. Where is the contact form? Perhaps rules for interaction on the blog would be helpful for all of us? Thanks again for your support for civil discourse.
And what should be done? You would’ve been a great librarian. You love trying to shush people. I’m pretty sure no one got hurt. I read the exchange, and the same kind of stuff has been directed at me many times, even by you, and I can tell you that I’m fine. If tempers flare occasionally, so what? It’s honest, and it’s far more interesting than endless agreement.
Of all the people here this morning who are concerned about personal attacks among us, you single me out for my concern. Where’s your comment to Noce or GG or Bapah or Matthew?
This is typical of you to single me out. I’m not the only one here who prefers rational and civil discourse. You tend to characterize me as wanting Pollyanna agreements among us. It’s not true, but that’s your usual characterization of me.
I don’t believe that I have ever personally attacked you. I mixed it up with Ryan recently and we apologized to each other and worked things out.
Listen Gang, Personal attacks will not be tolerated here. Control yourselves. It’s not worth it and when you attack someone personally you only demean yourself in everyone’s eyes. Don’t make me have to start blocking you from the blog.
I understand GG but you removed my comments and left the doctors comments alone, any reason why?
Repost of something positive to finsih off the AM Shift here; Happy Friday (I get to be on Grandkid Watch tonight so I have nothing to complain about.)
MyGuy™ Button Design Contest
Sparing no expense 22’sSweetSwing and I have come upon the idea of having a button made to be awarded to the annual winner of MyGuy™. Maybe it could refer to Allen [“avwh”] Hirsch who died December 20, 2015 by using his handle? He gave us plenty of pictures if that might work? Let your pugnacious, creative, Off Season minds go to work on this. Post a picture/sketch if you can and all the TWGers can “Upvote” to pick a winner.
I am thinking about 2″diameter [EDIT: found a 2.5 inch Diamond shape I like] in color so avoid small print and details; something you could wear on your SF hat without setting off metal detectors or blocking doorways.
If you have a question write me: My SF Giant Guy at Gee Mel dOtt com
Early returns on 2016MyGuy™ show category winners of:
Derek Law, Dylan Davis, Cain and Pagan [Remember it is about Improvement over last year]
Haak, I checked just now and Allen Hirsch Photography is still online and accessible. If the decision would be to use one of Allen’s photos for the button (of a seagull, perhaps?), all of his photos are copyrighted. I remember when Allen was still with us, people would ask him if they could use one of his photos for various projects. I believe Allen always said sure because each photo is stamped: © Allen Hirsch. Even still, I think if we wanted to use one of his photos for the button, his family or executor of his estate would need to be contacted.
Yes, that is partly why I would reach out to his family. Copyrights need to be honored. Thanks.
I’m really sorry to have started all this fuss commenting about Zobrist. I hope that all the sincere Giants fans will unite together again.
Post scriptum: I didn’t know the existence of the 11th comandment:
“Thou shalt not call the Name of Zo in vain”.
Bobby Evans just now on KNBR seemed to be saying that Williamson/Parker is the first option in LF, which I like. He also seemed to be referring to Duvall when he said something like “you need to give your young guys a chance, or you might have to see them doing it for someone else.”
And here I thought you were a committed 95.7 The Game aficionado?
Warriors moving to 95.7 was the biggest blunder of Lacob’s tenure. They are losing listening fans, because their signal is infinitely inferior. I also think there on-air talent has no business being in the pre-game/post-game basketball business. Pretty sad. Thank goodness NBA Sirius had the game last night. I would have lost the game signal in Concord…on my way home to Roseville.
Huge blunder. The signal is horrible. How long is the contract. Lee Hammer is reading to take over the on the road work of just retired Lee Jones and wow, what a gaffe my Lee and his advertising department.
Pushing the DUBS to KGO or KCBS during that one Spring Training game must have pushed Joe and his son Kirk over the proverbial top.
pAAAArker and mAAAAc. Giants need other LF options.
Well, DuvAAAAl proved that patience can be the best option at times
So is that going to be the comparison that will perpetually haunt?
it’s fresh, Dubs. I tried Neosporin and a styptic stick, but it keeps bleeding a bit.
I don’t think any of us can in any way determine that either Parker or Williamson can or can’t handle the job. They have NOT been given anything other than very short leashes
I agree – in a vacuum and not to compare to Duvall, tempting as it may be – that a team needs to give their young’uns a chance before dumping, but I don’t believe our current 2 will ultimately produce enough to be the first Giants home grown OF’s to stick and become longish term starters since 1984 (it’s true!). So unless Evans goes out and signs a FA OF (2 in the hand v 1 in the bush), this is what he’s got right now. What else he gonna say?
I miss Sabean’s Efrainian style
so true…so true
I’ve got much more confidence in the young relievers than in the young ofs.
Parker will be 28. It’s getting late for him to amount to something.
Why? is 28 over the hill?
A whole lot of players peak from 28 to 32. I don’t see the problem. I’d worry more about Span, who is 53, and Pence. Parker can get his chance and they’ll see what he’s got
MLB totals
Parker: 205 PA… 267/371/494 … 139 wRC+
Mac: 161 PA… 222/298/382 … 88 wRC+
So that favors Parker but it also shows neither of them have been given much of a shot.
I like starting the hot ST player for April/May and if he is failing give the other one June/July to prove himself. If both fail then you go get the best player that fits before the deadline.
It sounds like being Duvalled might lead them to try something crazy like that.
If you check out xbabip. Mac got very unlucky and parker got a little lucky.
I agree but i’m not optimistic.
Just like NAAAAte Schierholtz, John Bowker,
Daniel Ortmeier, Tony TorcAAAAto
First order of business is to re-claim Yusmeiro Petit since the Nats turned it down.
He got “Cain-ed” who is now the New Petit since Cain can best go three good innings unless he does an amazing off-season comeback.
Watching the parade on MLB. Now that all is said and done, I’m happy for the Cubs and especially for the city of Chicago. Vicarious joy.
I think Kyle Hendricks in a Lincecum wig would blow minds.
By the way…brief Warriors note on this fine amicable Giants morning –
It took 5 games, but last night was one of those patented satisfying Warriors wins.
Westbrook has abundant talent. But, boy, I’m just not a fan of his style, either on or off the court. I know a fan should just concentrate on the performance of their own team, but Russell had that one coming
So did the rest of the Thunder. Lots of chirping coming from that bench. Katner? Please…
I listened on the radio (saw the chirping later on ESPN), but they were giving high praise to Steph regarding his defensive effort on Westbrook (when he was on him).
Steph was in Full Mosquito Mode…and what ALSO was different to my amateur eyes, is the interior help defense when guards were funneled was better, mostly KD and Green.
Adams exposed Zaza’s foot speed issues down low, but the rest of the defense clamped down, AND …OKC seems to be a perfect target for the small lineup. Though Iguodala’s offense is sputtering, his defense, quick hands, and movement was critical.
I thought it was Draymond’s best game so far, too. He looked like…well, himself. His best self.
Looks like it took a small amount of time for them to gel. Not to jump the gun, but watch out, Lebron.
I too listened to Bobby Evans last night and this was my takeaway:
1. They are all over Holland. They’ve been tracking his process (and looking at his medicals) for awhile. Bobby also mentioned that having a showcase this soon is very encouraging and shows that he must be ready, because showcases usually happen before Spring Training. I also heard something that made me think he would be part of a bullpen solution; not necessarily the finishing touch. That may mean that they plan on getting other setup folks or perhaps they may be interested in a closer too.
2. Yes he did talk about giving Parker and Mac a shot. I was somewhat surprised how he kept mentioning Parker first, because I think Mac is better…but that’s just me. Bobby mentioned these guys in the context of adding power to the lineup. He also mentioned in the same topic that adding power via guys that fit into their model (not a big $$ FA signing) is something they’ll be looking into too. It made me think of guys like Matt Holliday, but that’s just me.
3. There will be a competition for 5th starter…and yes…they’re still on drugs thinking Matt Cain could be that guy. I get the $$$, but when your #1 rival can’t hit LHP…why do you go with a guy that’s 5-11 lifetime against the Dodgers? That includes his dominant year or so.
Thanks for the report, KIR. Very thorough.
Keep’n It Pithy
Keep’n It Relevant
Keep’n It Awesome
You win!
When is his so called Showcase?
Joel Sherman, NY Post, reports that Scott Boras reports: Showcase expected “in the next week, either at Boras’ sports facility in Florida or near the righty’s home in North Carolina.”
http://nypost.com/2016/11/01/the-comeback-lights-out-closer-who-spices-up-bullpen-market/
He is from the right state then; send Bum to the Showcase (but keep him away from Boras).
He played high school ball about 30 minutes away from here and pitched for Western Carolina in college. I believe he was a walk-on who eventually earned some scholarship help. Not highly touted prior to his later college years. His hometown is about an hour or so from Madbum.
Thanks for B.E. report.
If Holland is throwing low 90’s now, that could translate to 95, aka like he was, mid-season.
Is Evans slowly pulling the RV away?
Parker has better #’s production wise in their respective small samples.
Check xbabips, mac was better if luck is balanced
RV is still parked there.
It is nice to hear that he isn’t blowing smoke about the big name relievers (drove me nuts when Sabean BSed us that way). Are there really any good LF available anyway? Of course there is going to be a competition for the 5th starter spot (the Giants never use a rookie in the 5th spot unless there is some kind of extreme emergency). Not that they should just give it to a rookie, but they it takes an impossible amount for a well paid, good track record guy to be bumped, which might be detrimental to developing starting pitchers (name the last good one since Bum).
There’s cespedes and desmond but i’m optimistic about either
I don’t recall how they approached things last off-season with free agent starting pitching, but I seem to remember it was different than what Sabes used to do. I bring this up because maybe they’ll take a similar approach and end up with Melancon.
I hope Blach wins the 5th starter job outright. He was impressive when he got called up and didn’t look like he was fazed by the playoffs. I know it’s a small sample size, but he made me a fan of his play.
He has to say about Matt Cain, regardless of what they might really think internally. What else is he going to say?
I’d say the fact that Ty Blach got that must-win start vs the Dodgers and made the postseason roster, both instead of Cain, tells you a good deal about what they think.
Cain will get a bend over backwards chance in ST. IMO, that is the right thing to do, he’s earned it.
He went out of his way to bring up Cain and commend him on his improvement over the season. The extra mustard on the response didn’t sit well with me.
“Improvement over the season”? I must have missed when that happened. Was that before or after he’d been dropped from the rotation by mid-August?
I don’t like going after holland or washed up stars in general. I have yankee fans in the family and the whole experience is demoralizong.
this goes out to those who had that minor disagreement yesterday. we are all big boys and girls, so even though feathers were ruffled, i’m sure that putting it behind you, and moving on should be no biggie. most surprising to me was that neither etrain or TO were involved. now that’s an upset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM_eK2mFogk
…and after Wednesday, we can (hopefully) put another “cluster” behind us.
Hope you’re feeling good, Big Steve.
i’m ok pal. thanks for the ask.
Be well SK – prayers and group hugs all around.
back at you, squire
We saw him in concert with Lyle Lovett earlier this year. Great show.
we saw the 2 of them together here last month. saw lyle, and your fave, john hyatt last year. both shows were great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzDj4eiEA10
Now that the parade is happening – this upcoming week may be met with some untimely deaths from some of the greatest Cubbie centenarian’s – nonagenarian’s and octogenarian’s who have been waiting most of those 108 years for this to happen.
“They Have Been Completed”
http://abc7chicago.com/sports/chicago-cubs-world-series-parade-rally-begins/1589102/
Went back to the Yuba City Walmart this morning to check on my favorite Cubs fan. He was a little old man wearing a beat up old Cubs cap. I saw him a few times and he knew Cubs baseball from before time. Jenkins, Santo, Billy Williams – he knew it all. I asked for him a few weeks ago and the lady wasn’t sure, but thought he had passed away. Today I confirmed it. 87 years old and still working at Walmart every day like a champ, flying his Cubs colors. We shared a tear hoping his family has been partying.
I was in the front yard yesterday afternoon as people were arriving home from work. It was surprising to see how many people were getting out of the cars wearing Cubs jerseys. Who knew? 😉
I like those Twin Cities and that part of Cali, north through Chico too.
If you want a quick glimpse of America, visit a Central Valley Walmart. For better or for worse.
I went on Halloween day to pick up some cleaning items, and was again reminded of the diverse nature of the Wal Mart crowd. “Educational” doesn’t begin to describe the experience
It’s a “welcome to America” moment. Try the 1st of the month for a real experience.
I think you mean “welcome to ‘merica”
All ‘merican votes count the same. Walmart is an eye opener.
You’d be right at home here Ryan. I’m surrounded by walnut and almond (pronounced amond. They beat the L out of ’em up here.) orchards. Some plums too. Heavy truck traffic at all hours this time of year with processing plants within walking distance. A couple of miles from the river. Worried about the bees.
Go visit Coach Evo at Yuba City College. Runs a GREAT baseball program.
Just “Yuba College” but thanks for the respect. I think he has a few Stassi brothers approaching the MLB now.
I knew that and still typed it wrong. 🙂
Evo is a local SF Peninsula “kid”…… Aragon HS, CSM and University of San Francisco. Coached at Sierra College for many years. Former head coach took a year off. Evo took over and led the team to the Dance. Other coached wanted to return and so bye bye said Evo.
Yuba City/Marysville is an interesting place. Haak knows. A brew of Air Force, and Sikh, and rice farmers and nut farmers. Refreshing racial tolerance for such a rural community. They remember the Juan Corona nightmare, and the tragic school bus crash. when bus filled with the Yuba City High School choir headed for a performance in the Bay Area crashed and killed 27 students on a Martinez offramp. I was at the destination school that day. It left a mark.
This should be FEATURED post of the day!
That has such an Americana sound to it Yuba City Walmart !
The crowd estimate in Chicago for the Cubs WS parade and celebration estimated by USA Today has surpassed 5 million people.
I am out here on an island of office inactivity
It’s like a massive purging. Wonder what Cabrito is going for in Wrigleyville? Sooner or later, after the humm subsides, I wonder if anyone will write a book about how Tribune ownership forestalled this event for 30-40 years by their ownership approach, and the termites they left in the Cubs house when they left?
Diamondbacks to name former Bruin, Torey Lovullo, manager. Bruins at the helm out west. Can he make a difference?
Tito’s options exercised. Duh.
—
The thing to watch during this exclusive window is the Dodgers.
Will they ink Turner or Jansen before everybody else gets a chance to bid? Same for Hill to a lesser degree.
They sure as heck let Greinke get away unexpectedly, could they lose Jansen and/or Turner and how would they patch those gaping holes? Blanton is also a free agent. Interesting offseason for those guys.
I heard also that Phil Nevin was in running for D-bax manager and if he didn’t get the gig, that he could become a Giants base coach. He was nanaged by Bochy while in San Diego.
Torey Lovullo = solid – SOLID – BASEBALL guy!
Former Twin. I believe Chef is is the artist formerly known as Twin Fan. My guy, John Sickels, is also a Twin fan, which is why he evaluates the Twins before any other team every year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKZixANuNNg
Lakeshore Drive never looked so Beautiful
http://abc7chicago.com/sports/chicago-cubs-world-series-parade-rally-begins/1589102/
Jeff Passan’s Ultimate Free Agent Tracker for 2016 is not out yet. But Comcast released the names of 139 MLB players “eligible to negotiate and sign a contract with any major league club beginning at 9:01pm PT on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016.” The players are listed by team.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/list-139-mlb-players-become-free-agents-giants-fourth-most
So since Lovullo followed D’backs GM Mike Hazen from Boston to Arizona, and Hazen hired Lovullo over fellow finalist Phil Nevin – does that MEAN Phil Nevin will be the Giants new Third base coach?
Thoughts?
I don’t know enough about Nevin to say if that’s a good move…what can you share?
Nevin’s name was bandied about the day after they fired Billy and Roberto. He must have some personal friendship with somebody in the G’s organization otherwise I think the jobs would remain in house via Decker or ‘Augie’
played for Bochy, right?
Nice article on Nevin from his AAA days when he had to be restrained from going into the stands when a fan started going after his wife and daughter with abusive language. The fan was arrested. Nevin was the guy the Astros took instead of Jeter in the 1992 draft.
http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-10/sports/sp-11716_1_phil-nevin
Nevin, 45, has spent the last three seasons as the manager of the Pacific Coast League Reno Aces, Arizona’s top minor league affiliate. Since 2014, the Aces have a 227-205 record. Nevin guided them to the PCL championship series in 2014, where they lost to the Omaha Storm Chasers three games to two. Nevin had been rumored as a possible replacement for Hale in July when rumors persisted the Diamondbacks were considering making a change in dugout.
The former first overall selection of the Houston Astros in the 1992 MLB Draft spent 12 years in the Major Leagues, hitting 208 home runs, driving in 743 runs and posting a career .270 batting average.
Alex Cora, a former big-league player and current ESPN broadcaster, was also interviewed by the D-backs, but is not being considered for the job, according to Nightengale.
Sounds good to me. Cal State Fullerton Titan right there. Him and that Kevin Costner guy and quite a few others.
He lives down the street from Bochy, so I would assume they know one another.
He’s the guy that asks Bochy to “borrow” an egg and a cup of sugar?
ps – I take it you are also responding to the Nick Piecoro tweet about Nevin being expected to take a job on Giants staff.
Maybe but thy brain does not go that far back to remember NP’s tweet …
At any rate, welcome to the Giants, Phil Nevin. I suppose you are right on the mark, Nevin will be waving Denard Span around third base in 2017.
I didn’t know Melancon wouldn’t be tied to draft pick compensation because he was a mid season trade. Interesting.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/so-you-want-to-sign-a-closer/
Keepin it Real brought up Melancon’s Western roots, specifically the University of Arizona.
The Diamondbacks do not have a closer and have a pen that is in much worse shape than the Giants. Given the talent presently on their roster and perception of a win-now window, they might be inclined to make a strong offer for Melancon to shore up their own bullpen.
Why would any self respecting pitcher go to a place like AZ to pitch.
see Greinke, Zack
$$$ ?
He said, “self respecting.”
Ouch.
The come back of the curveball. A revolution is breaking out.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-postseasons-quieter-pitching-revolution/
If samardzija would just throw it the first time through the order…
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