by
GreekGiant
“This was one of the greatest postseason games I have ever been a part of. You can’t put into words what Bumgarner just did.”
-Bruce Bochy
In what will be seen as another postseason classic in Giants and Major League Baseball lore, Madison Bumgarner pitched a complete game shutout as the Giants prevailed over the Mets in the Wild Card game in front of a frenzied New York crowd. Conor Gillaspie’s epic home run in the top of the ninth with two men on was the dramatic hit the Giants were playing for all game long after getting blown away and humbled by Noah Syndergaard for seven innings.
The Giants Legacy Gets Even Grander
With this epic victory the Giants have won 12 straight elimination games since 2012, an astounding testament to their championship mettle. This game was why we watch baseball. It had the classic battle of aces in New York between two evenly-matched clubs with different styles. Madison Bumgarner threw 7 pitches in each of the first three innings in a remarkable display of effortless efficiency. That efficiency, thanks to the aggressiveness of the Mets hitters, would play a huge role in the game, allowing Madbum to go the distance with 119 pitches. His postseason ERA is now a ridiculous 1.93, the second lowest in Major League history for pitchers with a minimum of 10 starts.
The Drama of an Epic Game
While Noah Syndergaard matched Bumgarner with the brute force befitting of a Norse God throwing 97 MPH laser beams on the upper and outer portions of the plate, his pitch count was just a bit more elevated than Bumgarner’s because of the testy and disciplined Giants at-bats. Despite their tenacity, the Giants were hitless till Denard Span’s single on a breaking pitch in the 5th inning. While the Giants were making mostly weak contact and striking out there was reason for hope thanks to hard hit balls by Buster Posey and Brandon Belt, the latter with a runner on second and two outs in the 7th. That ball by Belt was crushed and only a spectacular running catch at the wall by Curtis Granderson in center field kept the game scoreless.
The Fateful Ninth Inning
While the Giants hitters looked mortal against the golden-haired demigod Met, there was a feeling in the air that the game was turning in San Francisco’s favor after Madbum outlasted Syndergaard. The game had all the makings of a playoff classic from the first inning. It did not disappoint. Syndergaard and Madbum were two powerful aces matching each other zero for zero. Eventually Terry Collins would remove his ace after the 7th inning and 107 pitches. That is the moment when the game began to turn. After Brandon Crawford lead off the 9th inning with a double off Mets Closer Jheurys Familia, Angel Pagan struck out after two unsuccessful attempts at laying down a sacrifice bunt. The key at-bat of the inning that lead to the homer by Gillaspie was Joe Panik’s walk after fouling off many close pitches, following Pagan’s strikeout. With runners on first and second and one out the Mets had no choice but to pitch to Gillaspie even with MadBum on deck. If Panik did not reach, Terry Collins would have intentionally walked Gillaspie and Bochy later admitted that he would have been forced to pinch hit for his pitcher, potentially altering the course of the game.
And They Are Stunned in the Big City: Conor Gillaspie Hits a Home Run for the Ages
Conor Gillaspie was basically an after-thought on the Giants roster around the first of August. When Eduardo Nunez was acquired it was entirely probable that Gillaspie would not even make the 40 man roster in September or the postseason roster. It was conceivable that he would be cut from the team when he was batting in the .220s. Instead, Nunez pulls his hamstring, Gillaspie gets hot in September, plays sterling defense the last two weeks of the season, and finds himself starting in the Wild Card game. This is the stuff of bad baseball novels and another example of Bruce Bochy’s faith in his players being rewarded. Things are not supposed to go like this in real life. Conor Gillaspie hits the biggest home run of his career, so far, and the Giants upend the Mets in a do-or-die game that lived up to its billing for all its nail-biting drama.
My favorite part of the game after Denard Span caught the final out was watching Madbum’s very subdued celebration with Buster Posey. He was business-like and acted as if he had a mid-season win against the Rockies. Pure Madbum!
“Conor, I appreciate the hell out of that.”
–Madison Bumgarner to Conor Gillaspie after his three-run homer.
Madbum, We appreciate the hell out of you.
;
Breckeroni says, he knew it all along.
Whew. I’m so glad you did Breckeroni, Sgbssfg. I did the one this morning. We gotta keep this tradition going through the postseason.
When I wrote a comment this morning to Baldy about places many of us live around the country, I found myself thinking afterwards: I wonder where Sgbssfg lives? Do you mind saying?
Yer so cool, dgg.
Well thanks, paul. I don’t usually think of myself as cool. I’m in my sixties and a grandmother.
My grandmother was the greatest person I’ve ever known. And the coolest. She lived 96 years and woulda been 100 in September. Cherish every minute as a Gram, because I miss mine so much.
I live on the SF peninsula, but I am in Ireland right now (watching the replay and reading the comments). Yesterday I rented a bike and rode around the area my paternal grandfather was from. He died before I was born and my father died when I was 13. A couple of years ago I started doing some research on family history and yesterday I found the ruins of one of the family homes.
Wow, good for you, HF. I lost my Gram and my Mom (the 2 closest people in my life, and they both raised me) 3 years ago, within 2 months of each other. I watched my Mom suffer through cancer and literally watched her die in front of my eyes in a hospital room all by myself. I watched my father drink himself to death 8 years ago. I was in the room when my Gram passed on.
It’s so hard to lose family, especially when you realize they’re irreplaceable. Sometimes that’s too late. Or sometimes you aren’t given that chance.
I wish nothing but peace for you, and hope your trip brings you a sense of connection with your grandfather and your father.
Love you, brother.
Love you too, my man!
That’s very hard, TS, to lose your mother and grandmother within 2 months of each other.
I am still dealing with it, and will always deal with it, but they live on in me, and that is better than anything.
Been thru it all meself, Sincere. Hang in there, Amigo.
Thanks for sharing your story. The night my father died I remember him being taken away in an ambulance in the middle of the night. The next morning I woke up and my aunt was in the living room waiting to give us the news. He had been in and out of the hospital for a couple of years with a bad heart.
Your father and your family will always live on in you, and that is the most important thing. Death cannot replace that.
Hac – what a cool story…thanks for sharing with us.
Your welcome. The community here on GG’s blog is a really great one. I can’t wait to read your guest post.
It’s obvious, dgg. :o)
I’m one of the Northern California contingent. Have lived in Yuba City for the last 31 years. Before that, Davis, and numerous communities in the Bay Area and Central Valley over my 60+ years.
And I chose militant optimism while Breckeroni was more sure of him/herself. It was Bumgarner.
One of the best baseball games I’ve watched. Instant classic.
Agreed. And yet, if we had lost, I would have hated it.
Reminds me of all the Yankees fans I know who claim the 62 World Series was the best they ever saw.
Thanks, guys.
Great game.
Simply incredible. Pete Rose has NUTHIN on Madison Bumgarner.
No, he had some money on him tonight.
Lol all the smart money. Just saw that he is 2nd only to Christy Mathewson in career PS shutouts. Christy with 4, Bum with 3. At 26. His legend is just dwarfing everything.
He leads in postseason ERA, too. He could be HOF material.
He is, by far, the greatest big game athlete I have ever seen. I don’t know if anyone else has ever seen anything like it either. At least so far. He could make it even more epic. It’s just astounding. Did anyone think, at the end of the 2002 WS, we would ever be led to the promised land so many times with this MONSTER? What a saviour he has been. What a middle finger to the past he has been. We now EXPECT to win in the PS, and THAT, is beyond description. And liberating beyond comprehension.
Well said. He’s the centerpiece of this era of Giants baseball. Posey not far behind.
Absolutely. Not forgetting Posey at all. They are the Batman and Robin of this team.
I remember that Series. I cried.
Kept saying that all night. Was texting 2 close friends that are Mets fans and we were all losing our s#$t all night. Absolute classic.
Epic.
You better believe it, pal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG_k5CSYKhg
You want it all, pal…
You dig those guys!
I stand by my earlier comment in that “This team is hard to like.”
But they are easy to love. I’m in, brother. This season has been hard to maintain faith, but I am ready to rock. ROCK ROCK TIL YOU DROP…
SAVVVVVVVV
Get some sleep, Ace. There are students out there that want you to teach them War Pigs and Sia’s Unstoppable tomorrow.
No way. I’m putting on KISS “Laid in the Shade” and pouring another high hard one.
Don’t be this guy…
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2f/Def_Leppard_-_High_'n'_Dry.jpg
There is no guy I would rather be.
My Guy High ‘n Dry.
I lost my hope and faith in early Sept I think. I admit it. They tested us for 3 months. I buckled… gave up. Literally had no hope. Never quit watching or listening though ’cause I’m loyal to a fault, or just a glutton for punishment. I think because I had given up all hope this is one of the sweetest victories ever.
So the series starts Friday, correct? Then what’s the format? Chi, Chi, SF, SF, Chi?
Chi, Chi, SF.
Giants move on. Lol.
Good call.
I have seriously never been through a season like this. Ever. It’s beyond words. And it’s far from over.
House money from here on, Sincere. Let’s just enjoy it.
I hear ya. I feel like I’ve been turned inside out with this season. And you can bet your A$$ I enjoyed tonight.
And almost died 40 times lol. I coulda housed two fifths of bourbon and it wouldn’t have made a freakin DENT.
I opened a bottle of wine right before first pitch. I didn’t drink it ALL, but I was too nervous to eat a bite until the game was over. I was also too nervous to watch that game totally sober.
And me as well. I tried to eat and failed. Miserably. Or is it gloriously?
That first half, but then that second half, but then those last three, and now this wildcard game… I know what you mean.
Yes, that’s right. Will be interesting to see if it’s Moore or Shark in Game 2.
Giants postgame had it Cueto/ Shark in Chicago – Bum/moore in SF
Moore’s been stellar in SF–he’s a fly ball pitcher. His last two starts in that homestand were ridiculous.
Yup- he wasn’t bad in LA either – The Giants starters have to scare everyone a little bit
Also listening to KNBR post game – Flemming let this little gem out: Cubs organization is already designing their rings and planning the parade
Uh Oh- JoBu doesn’t like that
LOL. Four times in the last 26 years, the team with the best record has won the World Series. So that’s what, about a 16% chance the Cubs will win it all?
And, it’s the Cubs we’re talking about, so let’s lower it to about 10%.
The Cubs will have to earn it. The Giants will give them trouble. If they get by the Giants and the Dodgers win their series, the Dodgers will give them trouble. If they’re in the World Series, the Red Sox or Rangers will give them trouble. The Cubs are not steamrolling their way to anything.
The lesson is to never get the best record. Just don’t do it. Hang back a little. Baseball is so weird.
and then there was that little basketball “lesson” this year as well
So I was born a Cubs fan, and ended up adopting the Giants over the last 30 years- I really do want the Cubs to win a championship… but not this year…. and frankly they definitely have been a little arrogant and cocky- you can just smell it on them- and that really makes it hard to like them.
I would give my left testicle to win the first two in Chicago- just to watch the collective clenching….
That would actually be a fairly typical Giants script for the NLDS.
bad bad bad, or good for us. It is a looong way til the end. That is why it is so sweet and hard to win it all. A lot of things have to align just right in all the games. So, the Cubs getting cocky about it all is not a good sign.
I thought they already had the parade!
Cueto
mojofied!!!!!! bad ass bum et all!
great bb game. i love this game……and the result:) hahah
When they went to the ninth scoreless, I thought this had been such a tremendous baseball game that I’d be proud regardless of the outcome. I really did feel that way.
This is better, though.
I felt the same way. I was totally satisfied if the Giants lost cause the game was just epic.
It felt like they were going to lose. When Granderson made that catch on Belt’s ball and when Pence left the bases loaded, I thought “Well–not our night. The story of this season has been the inability to get the big hit. But Bum was Bum and no shame in losing when Syndergaard pitches like that.”
But there was still some magic left.
I totally agree. When Granderson caught that blast. My heart sunk and I thought. It was a good year but not in the cards. Any other team would have folded but these guys are used to this by now. All heart.
It was Bum. Bum kept them going. If he’d faltered just one little bit…
At some point late the G’Men were 0 for 5 with RISP. I figured, “so what’s new? We’ve been watching that since the break.” But right you are… there was Even Year Magic yet to be had.
they brought some of those AT+T particles with them — hope there are some leftover for wrigley
This was an epic pitcher’s duel with a perfect ending. No starter really lost. Syndegaard was every bit as masterful as Bumgarner.
I was sitting in my car watching on my phone. It was just nuts.
I thought you were working and taping the game, pac. Were you directing a movie from your car?
We got done early and I sat in my car cause I didn’t want to move.
That makes sense. I wouldn’t have moved either. I’m glad you got to watch the game live.
I thought if I moved. I would have jinxed it.
I was everywhere! Radio on my way to the water polo match. It was Senior night, so I had to stay there while they had players introduce the seniors. The one who introduced my daughter went with a whisper so I couldn’t hear a word and another girl taking pictures stood in the only spot that blocked my view! I snuck out in the second quarter to listen to a half inning. Then in the third quarter, I had the radio on again as I drove the boys to scouts. There was wifi there, so I tuned in the kindle to TWG on one page and Yahoo Sports on the other. I kept on the comments in the top of the 9th, knowing if there was a torrent, it would be a good thing. And it was! Stayed with the comments in the bottom half and let TWG tell the story. And a good story was told by all!
I got to watch 7th inning on.
I felt the same way because Bumgarner said before the game, “I’m going to give it everything I got,” and he did. But you’re right. This was the perfect ending for Bumgarner, Conor, the Giants, and us. The perfect beginning, I mean, to the postseason.
In all honesty, when I saw Familia on the hill, I thought “we’re scoring this inning”….
What a beautiful presentation of playoff style baseball….every single pitch mattered the entire game. That was exhausting fun.
For me, it was when Bumgarner caught that line drive at the mound for the 3rd out. Just felt like G’s were going to win after that.
THAT was impressive.
I believe I said that to mrs. spratt in the 8th inning.
Same. Absolutely. It helped that I was texting 2 of my closest friends that are both Mets fans. We just couldn’t believe we were witnessing this. One of the greatest baseball games ever played.
Just a terrific write-up, GG: “This game was why we watch baseball.” Brilliant!
Props to Denard Span for setting the tone atop lineup. He’s been dismissed as a poor leadoff hitter, but he knows how to professionally handle the job and his patience at the plate set the tone for getting Thor out after seven.
As for Conor Gillaspie’s swing? He’s always had a good stroke, and the brain trust in the Giant org has known this. He hit over .400 at Wichita St. when the Giants drafted him in the supplementary round years ago. He hones that swing and his work has paid off BIG TIME!
That swing of his is a beautiful thing.
I’m really happy for him, just like for Ishikawa in 2014. There was a very sweet tweet by his younger brother Casey, also a minor leaguer, about how proud he is of his brother.
Casey is a big time prospect in the Rays organization. 1B – .866 OPS, 18 HRs in AA/AAA.
High-ish first-rounder, IIRC.
we should trade for him and then move Belt in another trade;)
We’re going to make you a Belt fan yet, Efrain.
nope, won’t happen.
Not even if he hits 30/100, which many here think he already does because the live in never never land.
Casey at the bat?
He’s been on fire ever since he got the dentures I sent him.
He took em out for his interview.
maniac
People were beetching G’s couldn’t hit, but sheeesh, NS is a total stud. Give them credit for pushing his pitch count to get him out of the game. And Reed is no slouch.
Shulman : “and there’s handshakes all around for Synegaard”…
Me: “Yesssssssssss”
Yep. They’ve earned some doubt after the second half, but not tonight. When a guy like Thor is pitching like that, even a baserunner feels like a win. Heck, a three-ball count feels like a win.
And they got what, four walks out of him?
Okay… now the bad. Pence and Panik have to start hitting or this team doesn’t stand a chance. Pence’s head is in Jupiter cause he is swinging at garbage. Belt is locked in. Look for him to come up big in Chicago.
Pence and Panik made me especially nervous tonight. I kept saying, “Come on, Joe.”
I’m watching the game right now. Fast forwarding through it. Pence is completely lost at the plate. Maybe he needs to cut off all his hair and beard. He needs new mojo cause what he is doing … isn’t working.
I agree. He almost looks frantic at the plate. I wanted him to be more patient.
Pence frantic?
Okay, I deserved that.
You guys are freaking out. Keep your hands off Hunterpence, and he will be fine.
Joe P.’s walk in the 9th, after Pagan’s K, was huge. Kept the line moving for Mr. Happy. (Bochy noted it in his presser.)
The other bad is Pagan, who might have been the goat if Conor doesn’t homer, and if the Mets had done something after his fabulous rainbow throw. But despite his faults, and they are glaring, he has had a good year at the plate so what the heck, he stunk tonight but the Giants won, so it’s all good
I can’t go to bed. Impossible. And it’s almost 1 in the morning.
Yo, dude. :o)
With Lester on Fri, interesting to see who starts at 3b. Doesn’t sound like Nunez will be ready.
Oh gee, maybe….GILLASPIE??
Well, you know bochy and his R-L thing.
Yah I know…was just messin’. I think Gillaspie’s a shoo-in. Unless Gordon Beckham is miraculously added to the roster. Or Nunez rises from the hamstring dead.
Hit a homer, play the next day. Bochy law..
Yeah, well, that law has been broken a few times this year…However, I don’t think this will be the case in this instance.
Thank you Pal Joey.I did not want anybody but MadBum going out for the ninth. And to Conor Ishikawa -hit the game winner almost exactly where Ishi did. But most of all,thanks to me.I didn’t t fall off the couch when Denard squeezed the ball for the final out.
What a game.
Nice game, Pal.
Bochy laying on the Bumgarner platitudes in a locker room interview with a sticky champagne enormodome and finishes with…
“And he missed 2 home runs!”
23 scoreless innings in winner take all games. Bumgarner.
The focus…the mental toughness…he always is second fiddle to Kershaw, being in the same division and all of Kershaw’s accolades, but…there’s something just as special about being able to step up huge in the biggest moments. And that’s not just a shot at Kershaw or anyone else. I really feel that way.
I’m going at my friend right now saying that he better hope Opie doesn’t melt down again.
How could anyone (Giants fan or objective observer) feel otherwise? What is the goal as an athlete???
To win championships. By the REAL definition of the greatest, Bum is the best there is.
I think it was in the top of the 8th when I saw him chuckling in the dugout. Sleeping on the bus, laughing when everybody else was on the edge of their seats.He loves this stuff.
I saw that. But I think it was Posey laughing about something and pointing. Bum was like, “what, dude??”
that is a special gift no matter your profession – i’m thrilled that i get to witness this
PanIk had the biggest AB of the night.And that AB showed why we’re going for another title- the little things.
Bigger Bay Area post-season hero: Montana or Bumgarner?
Whoa – that’s legit.
Bum is 26. Breathing down Montana’s neck, dude.
Joe has 4 rings….Bum has 3
Joe wins for now. Stay tuned…..
Timmy who?
Must C clip: http://m.mlb.com/video/v1202970783
Nice post Dr
Let’s do it to them again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNLW6sEBlaQ
and Vinny made the call
Might not be a popular notion, but I’d ride this Connor thing out. He had a great O and D series in the last week of regular season and seems like a good enough fit on the field and in the line up. I’ve always liked Connor. Granted he had to find his happy zone but it looks like he’s found it. Until he goes cold, I’d ride him out. And if he does go cold, Nunez should be ready by then. Or at the very least, assuming Nunez is ready, start Connor vs righties.
Nunez will start if/when he’s ready. IMO.
Alex Pavlovic
@AlexPavlovic
31m31 minutes ago
A ton of praise for Syndergaard in winning clubhouse. Gillaspie: “As soon as he came out of the game, I was relieved.”
12 retweets
30 likes
Noah Syndergaard
@Noahsyndergaard
22m22 minutes ago
Baseball has a way of ripping your out, stabbing it, putting it back in your chest, then healing itself just in time for Spring Training.
I hope he’ll be alright by Spring Training.That’s a whole lot of stabbing and stuff.
Oy.
Get out, Noah, before they take it away.
The Mets anxious approach early in the game is what allowed Bum to throw a complete game, well, it helped to say the least. I’m a big believer in pitch count. Always have been. When you can rack up an opposing pitchers pitch count and get him out of the game while at the same time being totally inept at the plate, then the momentum shifts to your favor, as was evidenced tonight, in the 8th and the 9th innings ( I know we didn’t score in the 8th, but you could feel it percolating ).
I just hope that I have a close to average sleep Nite all.
I slept great…for 5 1/2 hours. Then…alarm clock!
Maybe a nap this afternoon, before the 49ers game tonight.
Conor Gillaspie: “I’ve worked my whole life to get an opportunity to play in a postseason game. I try to trust everything I do off the field and behind the scenes, what you guys don’t see. I work so hard at it. And to have a moment where it pays off is pretty special…
I won’t lie: I lost it. When I saw it go over the fence, it was like, this is something you dream about your whole life, to be able to do something like that in a postseason game. I’m so lucky.
It’s kind of overwhelming. I’m almost at a loss for words. It’s not that I don’t think I can do something like this, it’s just, how often does it actually happen? If I had taken a good swing and gotten out, I would’ve been proud of that, too.”
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/10/san-francisco-giants-conor-gillaspie-homer-wild-card-game-mlb
Wow. Just, wow.
I thought so too.
Me too. Conor, you definitely do NOT suck!
Tip of the cap to our skipper, who never stopped believing in Conor Gillaspie.
He was hardly at a loss for words tonight… probably the most humble, reflective, articulate athlete I’v ever heard. Every interview. The guy is deep and appears to really get how special these opportunities and personal successes are. And how fleeting.
I was awakened by a distant rumble…heavy footsteps approaching…the Giants are coming…it’s Orange October once again.
Welcome back Amigo! :o)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eb81e8d7d67dbda839973f98824b46bb67d0e2e5ff873ce36aca603e87e394b6.jpg
Shout out to Alvise!
Isn’t Molly Knight an LA writer?
Molly Knight ✔ @molly_knight
Connor Gillaspie breaking a ninth inning scoreless tie with a three run bomb is peak #EvenYearBullshit. Sorry Mets fans you were warned.
I think she wrote a book about the Dodgers being the best team money can buy, or something like that.
Sorry. I passed out after Connor’s home run and just woke up….did we win?
LOL – I’m sure it’s been said a million times here but Panik working that walk was HUGE. I mean it changes the entire 9th inning.
Picking up my playoff tickets on Sunday now..way to go Giants!
Who will be singing this next week, and where?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2N9SPvtZ6pE
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p-L0NpaErkk
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zXPipzonWvI
Conor running naked at Carnegie Deli trying to order Liverwurst and Egg Plant saying “I want to kiss Pete Malloy, I love that man”
Good timing– NYTimes reports Carneigie Deli closing on 12-31
Whoa, too bad. I wonder why. it being such an institution.
BTW, I don’t see (after 3 reloads) any page of your scorebook.
Damn there goes the BEST Pastrami
http://ny.eater.com/2016/9/30/13120024/carnegie-deli-closing
I wrote this another site (csnbayarea) yesterday:
‘I’ve had a feeling for a long time that Gillaspie could be this year’s Travis Ishikawa. He really has been hitting the ball well and fielding well all year if you just objectively look at his stats (I mean contact stats), he’s just hit into terrible luck most of the year. Bochy has stuck with him among all the infielders he tried this year and with Nunez down he’s getting his chance and making the most of it, hitting .500 and slugging .857 in 17 PAs in the last week. So I’m not too upset about Nunez being out.’
When he singled in the 8th, I thought, okay, maybe this is it. Then I was counting the batters until he came up in the 9th. I was afraid Panik would get out and they’d intentionally walk Gillaspie to force the Giants to pull Bumgarner (why Parker and not Tomlinson?).
Against the Cubs? I’d say stick with Gillaspie because he’s hitting like .500 recently but on the other hand the Cubs’ pitchers are the 2nd worst in the majors at preventing stolen bases (individually Lester, Arrieta, and Lackey are bad, Hendricks is the only one who’s even average), so that points towards Nunez.
I think I remember reading that over there.
Hee hee hee.
Good stuff.
http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-Bochy-expains-how-he-might-use-Cueto-9802225.php
https://twitter.com/kimberlybhudson/status/783870108259250176
Ew, Kim Hudson. Ew.
Not your cup of tea?
Oh no just the opposite – problem with email miscommunication – Kim is The Bomb.
And they are stunned in the big city!
i love how calm the team was after the final out. especially bum. act like you’ve been there before. and they certainly did, and they certainly have. well done madison, conor, and the rest of the squad. now the playoffs begin. we’re heavy underdogs? beautiful.
i went to bed with a stupid grin on my face. i thought for sure it would be gone in the morning. it’s not..
Went to bed smiling, woke up a couple times, smiled again, woke up this morning smiling. What a great game and I’m so thrilled we won!
Here is the Giants page of my scorebook from last night– forgot how to note how the crowd went silent after the HR
How do you write so blurry, lol?
I took the picture in my hotel room after getting back from the game at 1 am– maybe it was my eyes. Ill try another
Here is a less blurry version
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9f0bc268381eee4ff66094ff0417f4427d751d182e8834e7a5ffced18ebdef48.jpg
I’ve kept score a lot in my life; what are you writing with? It looks like a fine tip something. Pen or pencil? Looks like ink. My pages hardly ever look that tidy.
Pencil. Surf Maui has good pencilmanship.
Pencil, 9 mm. Easy to keep neater when there are few hits. You should see some other games. I have scorebooks going back many years. If my house survives the hurricane they will be on display at the Bumgarner museum in Boynton Beach Florida.
I will make the website for the Bumgarner Museum!
That’s right–you have Bumgarner’s locker from the clubhouse before it was remodeled, right? That’s a good start to the museum.
That is correct. Hopefully it survives the hurricane. Increased in value yesterday
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a3d000783398c537794ec46e5c539163a28c6e40a5d19556dc057c6eaa9daf99.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/48e47242ed1c72f884ed6d80833cc3300867cab76436ee387f4b3d7c59a61c70.jpg
I just realized that you aren’t tracking the pitches and count. That makes it look neater.
I was tracking pitches. Check out the little boxes in the lower left corner of each batter. I’ll confess to losing a few. But also the pitch count for each inning and total is in the big X at the end of each inning
Mine never are quite that tidy. Maybe your book is larger than mine. I also use a Pentel 9mm pencil. I must have had 50 of them in my life.
Prncils or scorebooks. I counted when I moved and if I remember correctly I have 7 books of 25 games each since I started keeping them in an organized fashion
Maybe I should publish them as a memoir
I think as much as you’ve traveled with the team, the books and photos of your trips would be really nice if published.
We’ll see if they survive the hurricane
Is your place all buttoned up? No lawn furniture left out and all that?
Pencils. Good on ya. I tried ink once… big mistake. I also number the pitches in the count and always have trouble with high pitch ABs
I love those three black squares in the last column to the right! What do they signify?
That would be runs– somehow I think that you knew that
Yes thanks, I was being humorous…
Deafening silence at Citi Field.
The sound of no hands clapping
Excellent response sir!
Attababe. Did you put a star on Granderson’s play on Belt’s deep drive? That was a play for the ages in a game for the ages – catch, then splat.
Yes– can’t you see it?
Why is everyone going Lady Gaga over that catch?? It was a catch that every credible CF makes, no? Nice play…but “for the ages”?
Morning cynic. Sorry
I agree. I think that other than Thor, there wasn’t much else, so, although very nice, wasn’t a “one for the ages” caliber catch.
LOL
at me, or you?
New York.
So glad that I’m not the only one who thought that catch was nice but not special. He didn’t need to fall over, points for showmanship and all but not that fantastic a catch.
I rate it between ‘really good’ and ‘game-saving’ – if the Mets had won. Everything gets blown up in post-season.
It was a Blanco-minus catch.
I don’t see the photo. Is it uploaded?
I see it? How are you doing? Im at LaGuardia on my way to ORD. Stay safe and be careful. I’ll email it to you.
Got it. Thanks. We are prepped here. I am going to try to do some work and I hope the power doesn’t go out for too long. I have visions of a long drive on Friday to try to find the game somewhere. Have a safe trip.
My house is further inland. You and your folks are welcome to hang out there for the duration.
Thanks, maybe we will do that and throw a hurricane party for all the 90 year-olds in your community. It is bound to get wild. I will make sure I stock up on the La Croix seltzer water and serve the food at 4pm.
That home plate umpire should never work another playoff game again.
The poor guy had a rough night but both teams benefitted with his erratic calls to be honest. My beef is with that bogus out call on Span’s stolen base in the 4th. How did they miss that after a review?
It was weird. I could understand if they decided that his foot came off the bag for an instant while the tag was still on. But that’s now what they said – they said there wasn’t indisputable evidence. In that case it’s just a fail.
Yes. Regarding the home plate ump, I should have written that frankly, Rivera was brutal behind the plate receiving pitches. He cost the Mets at least 4 or 5 strikes that may have turned the game so it was not all on the home plate ump to be fair.
You’re right, a lot of it was Rivera. Makes you appreciate Posey!
Yes, it shows you how important it is to receive pitches well and frame strikes.
never seen so many balls away from the target called balls that were actually strikes – Mr. Winters was not going to reward the pitcher for missing his target.
He had on major make up call for Bumgarner after a slider at top of k zone called a ball and Bum was like WTF? A pitch above the K zone was later called a strike on Granderson I believe. Bum’s stare down effective.
He and HPU reconciled at the end of the inning when Bum apologized. Smart pitcher.
Definite good move.
Really? You saw that??
I seen that too! ;o)
Rivera was minor league! Man, he’d jerk his glove about a foot with his poor framing attempts.
Rivera is good at framing high zone strikes, but he was really stabby at those low zone strikes. Numerous times you could see a strike on the bottom line of that PitchFX graphic, but then see his glove stabbing below the line to catch the ball. He seemed to do it more as the game went on, too.
It’s true that both benefited, but the Panik walk was in particular a lot of bad ball calls and that was huge.
I’m happy for Conor. He seemed genuinely thrilled. Probably a long journey for him from SF to other places and now back. It’s always nice when a guy like that gets to come through and be forever a hero.
I’ve told my Madbum story before but this seems an appropriate time for repetition. He came to Asheville his senior year of high school for a game with Reynolds, the school my kids attended. His team was ranked #1 in the state (and would later win the state title) and he was highly touted. Our team was pretty good too with a pitcher who would be drafted high by Kansas City. We ended up winning (I think 5-3) as Bumgarner’s defense made a number of mistakes. An upset victory for us.
That being said, he was clearly a man among boys with a competitive streak that was deep and wide. He was the best player on the field by far. He hit a home run that may still be traveling….longest one I’ve ever seen by a high school kid. My daughter and I left impressed even though we had no way of knowing he would end up with our Giants.
If you look at the Sports Illustrated article from the Sportsman of the Year award issue in 2014 there is a photo of Bum at the plate in high school. Painted on the dugout behind him you see “Rockets” in green and gold. That picture was taken at the game we attended in Asheville.
It’s just one of those little pieces of serendipity in life that I find so interesting (though others might not). On a night like last night it is fun to reminisce about that evening and what lay ahead of the high school version of Bumgarner. I can always say “I saw him first”.
Great story. Thanks. I honestly believe Madbum could be an every-day player if he wanted to be. I could see him at first base and hitting a cool .280 with 27 homers and 90 RBIs a year. He is that good an athlete and he would be a good defensive first baseman.
That pitch he hit in the 3rd when NO ONE was touching Thor….wow. Maybe the hardest hit ball of the night other than Belt.
Adam Dunn type!
well even imaginary 1B Bum hits has better numbers than actual Belt.
I see the West Coasters are still sleeping… Only post by us East Coasters…
And we were up late too!
Yup…
And those in the middle of the country!
Im up now at 7:20 am
Fellow Togethers, Hurricane Mathew is bearing down right at me and Palm Beach County as I write this. We will likely lose power for days. I will do my best to keep the site updated. Don’t Joe Panik if you don’t see new posts today and tomorrow….
Be safe, Greek. Hope you have provisions.
Thanks Cynic. Yes, we are well-stocked on Feta cheese, bread and wine… all the necessary things for a Hurricane!
i hope you have some olives to go with the feta..
Yes, of course! Forgot to mention those.
just make sure you and your loved ones are safe, my greek friend. we’ll be fine.
Will do. Thanks Steve.
Be safe, my friend…just keep us updated on your well being.
Worry about yourself and do what you need to do to keep safe! In the grand scheme of things, thats the most important thing.
I’m sure we can take care of ourselves.
Pulling for you GG. Be safe!
What’s way more important, GG, is that you and your family stay safe.
that’s right – he’s got his parents to take care of – super son/human being that GG is.
he’s a keeper, no doubt. any surprise he’s a giants’ fan? none
If you can, text one of us to let us know you’re safe and we can put it on the blog. Thoughts and prayers to Florida and all of you. I have other friends there, too–Miami, Orlando, Tampa.
Twin brother’s in Sebastian (north of Vero) (Dodgertown!).
GG — I have a house in Florida (with splendid renters battening down the hatches). I lived there for a while myself. I know of Florida weather. Take care of your fam. Let us know when you can that you’re safe.
Worry not. We will abide. And we won’t pee on the rug while you’re gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE_oIIIwWl0
The genius of the Coen Bros. And no one can drop an F bomb like John Goodman.
Did you see “Burn after Reading?” THE blackest, funniest movie ever.
Whoa. France, Oregon, Florida. You get around, GiantFrog.
Hah! Just keepin’ “One step ahead of the shoe shine.” (with proper props to Paul Simon)
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
May the winds blow easy on you. Stay in touch if you can.
Kudos need to go to Bochy and Evans regarding Gillaspie. Last year Gillaspie was cut by the Angles, a terrible team and signed by Evans who saw the potential in the young left-handed hitting third baseman. Evans surmised it was worth a shot to sign Gillaspie because of his sometimes potent bat from the left side that might play well in the postseason and regular season. Very shrewd move and foresight on this part. Bochy deserves a ton of credit too for keeping the faith on his veteran and giving him meaningful at bats during the season to prepare him for his epic moment last night. Remember when most on this blog and in Giants nation were screaming for Adrianza to play third or just about anyone else other than Conor?
Giants maintain faith in players they draft and develop. The Ishikawa comparison is facile because of the big homerun, but Gillaspie was always in the plans from spring to at least be a professional pinch hitter that could occasionally play 3B and 1B. Big props to the work Conor and Wotus put in on the defensive side. Conor has been solid at the hot corner, and that had been a real bugaboo about his game.
Well, his range still sucks, but his attitude has sure changed
But how about his hitting!!! He has been a monster the past two weeks.
Yup. Good for him. I think he’s had that potential and why he was drafted pretty high.
Hitting over .400 in DI can do that.
Compared to some not named Bob Brenly 😉
His range was pretty good when he dived over the railing.
That wasn’t range as much as it was cajones.
I think it’s the arm that sux – but his heart is HUGE.
If you haven’t heard the story about playing in Lancaster with Bum, Buster and Craw, he was playing 3rd Bum was pitching, Buster catching and Craw was at short. The batter hit a 2 hopper about 2 steps to the left of CG and he didn’t move, not an inch, and a run or two scored. After the inning, Bum asked him what the hell happened and Conor responded with, “I thought you were going to strike him out.” Bum just shook his head and said, “Yeah, I guess I should have.” Nuff said.
Just listened to it. It really makes the Bum quote (in the dugout following the HR) make sense – ‘Conor, I appreciate the hell out of that’. :o)
I always think of Conor and Culberson at the same time – both 3B busts – ironic that Charley is now a doger.
Conor has had an attitude problem for years. I think there were interviews before his coming back that convinced the Giants that his attitude had changed. Once back, his work with Wotus and his grinding played a big part. Lot’s of similar kind of guys never get that chance to come full circle.
Interesting. He seemed incredibly humble and articulate in the postgame interview on MLB. it was downright touching to be honest. He talked about getting released by the Angels and that it was not the worst thing in the world and he was ready to live a good life outside of baseball till the Giants came calling…
I think he was a 30-something overall pick who thought he was God’s gift to baseball. All that changed to the contrary over many years and many teams. Good on him.
I read that when he was drafted he signed with an agreement that he would be called up immediately. Clearly wasn’t ready.
From what I read, too, that call-up rubbed some of the veterans the wrong way and kind of poisoned his relationships within the team.
I remember reading similar things about Ishikawa’s first go-round–he resented that he never got a shot to be an everyday 1B and had an attitude about it (see Schierholtz, Nate). But when he came back he was just happy to be there.
It’s gotta be tough for the guys. I can’t blame them. Bochy always had a reason to not give Schierholtz a shot. Even in Randy Winn’s last season, when it was clear he wasn’t going to be resigned, Nate still couldn’t get much playing time. It has to be maddening.
I think that’s on his agent getting that agreement in his contract that Cynic points to…he wasn’t ready to be called up, he didn’t know he wasn’t ready, and the dugout listened to his naive bravado and turned away.
Flan told a great story last night about Conor finding him in Spring Training and apologizing to him and others for that…
Also, a post-game quote (somewhere) last night indicated he had other offers, but wanted back in S.F. Very Vogey of him!
Paul Konerko helped Conor fix those attitude problems for yrs now you are right
Both Tim Flannery and Rich Aurelia mentioned he apologized to them for his previous behavior when he came to spring training.
I recall a quote he made to the press about basically ‘being a jerk’ his first time around, and being grateful for another chance, and determined to make up for it.
It’s easy to remember. It was just last week. But it had to be this way, right? There always has to be “that guy.” Remember Cody Ross hitting that first homer off Roy Halladay–who hadn’t even given up a hit in the postseason at that point?
I remember those Cody Ross homers off Halladay like it was yesterday. The shock on Halladay’s face. The way Ross set the tempo for the series in that first game and Timmy hanging on for the win. It was something. Even my dad who is not a Giants fan couldn’t believe it. He was laughing at the amazement of it all…
When I watch the highlights of that game, after the first homer, when Cody comes up again, I always yell “Down and in, Doc. Cody can’t hit it down and in. Throw it down and in.” And every time, he throws it down and in, the exact same spot the first HR went to. It was an identical pitch, and Cody hit it almost to the same spot.
I went to that game with my son. The Phillies fans were _so_ angry at us. I remember the first homer, it was like a funeral: except for us acting out.
I always liked Gillaspie, but back then we had Panda. Gillaspie is one of those guys, like Duffy, where you think they are good guys to have around. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. It worked out here.
I’d like to think the Giants will never face as tough of a pitcher as they did last night. But with this offense, they might have trouble hitting against anyone. Hopefully it gives them some confidence that they’ve beaten a guy who was as unhittable as could be.
I was thinking the same thing last night. No way anyone left in the postseason will be as tough as Thor. He was electric and dominant, whatever cliche you want to use. I was very impressed how the Giants hung tough and never quit on a single at bat.
…and drove up his pitch count to knock him out of the game.
Well, there’s that Kershaw guy, if we/they get there. I know he’s no Ty Blach, but on a good day, he can be pretty tough.
If I had to choose between facing Kershaw or Thor I would probably choose Kershaw but you are right, he is special too. Is it me or does it feel like the Dodgers and Giants are on an NLCS collision course?
Considering that we have two and possibly three lefty starters to throw at them, the Dodgers have to be praying we don’t get there. Pretty tough choice–the best team in baseball or your rival that beat you 11-8 in the season series…the only one with more than one lefty to torment you with.
It’s not just you, GG.
I think Kershaw is basically the best pitcher in baseball. Problem is, Bumgarner has a tremendous postseason performance record, while Kershaw, not so much.
Bumgarner is the biggest bargain in baseball. I remember when they gave Bumgarner this deal, it was considered a gamble by both sides. So far the Giants management is winning this bet by a long shot. That he is under team control through 2019 is nuts
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/54aaa5363d81c017ae7649fc1390fc7eedc13f40a305156ad8e21227ea54e0ee.jpg
Yes. I bet he doesn’t much care and I am sure the Giants will reward him well eventually.
I was gonna say the same thing! Bum is a country kid who feels honored to be making the type of coin that he’s making! With that being said he will get PAID HANDSOMELY!
Stay safe, Greek.
Thanks Chef.
Pay the man! Give him his 200 mil and a statue 🙂
With Peavy off the payroll and 3 possible 5th starters, Heston, Suarez and Blach, really cheap for a few more years, just hand him a new contract after the parade.
Funny to think of that alternate universe where Bochy cedes to the cries on the internet to play Tommy at third base. Tommy punches a single through to the right side and the Giants go ahead and win 1-0. That would have made for more tension in the bottom of the 9th.
Or the universe where Grandyman can’t hold on and Belt is the big hero.
Or MadaBum got one just a little more to the sweet spot and took care of all the bizness hisself….
Bum got a slider in his first AB and allllllmost…even fooled Kuiper for a second…wouldn’t that have been something?
I think you meant HisOwnSelf.
MMimosa and Sumatra
YEZZIR!!
whoa – those nurses know how to party.
Good, you’re here, ClutchUp. Would you send me an e-mail when you get a chance? Something happened to my contacts list.
I enjoyed this piece about the game and the Giants by the great NYT baseball writer (and lifelong Giants fan) Tyler Kepner: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/sports/baseball/mets-giants-madison-bumgarner-conor-gillaspie.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share
One thing missed by many is his sense of humor (Bob’s),
“He did what everybody expected him to do,” first baseman Brandon Belt said. “It’s almost boring. He needs to do something different next time.”
I liked what Jake Peavy had to say about Bumgarner: “He doesn’t let anything that’s happening affect the next pitch, and I think that’s what makes him so special. Just the poise and under-controlness, with all that rage and anger and competitive adrenaline throwing–the poise to throw the ball where it’s supposed to be thrown.”
Good piece. The comments were interesting too.
I had to pull Kepner’s most-excellent piece up on my phone to read because I already used up my 10 free articles this month reading about Donald Trump’s 1995 tax returns.
Tyler Kepner: “These are the San Francisco Giants. This is what they do. You were expecting something else?”
I liked that he made the connection from Cody to Marco to Travis to Conor. That’s a guy who knows his Giants.
That’s for sure.
Madison Bumgarner, Mr October for the new millennium.
Matthew not gonna meddle with game it DC after wreaking havoc south?
Sure hope it’s not as bad for the SE coast as it seems it will be.
—
Seems a long ways to Friday, but the AL will just have to help bide your time.
Gonna be some heat in Texas this afternoon! And Tito returns home….
The other Matthew advocated intensive flooding, but localized into the visitor’s dugout. That’s a great plan.
Conor- Look, I made fun of his teeth, called him a mouth breather who had not developed opposable thumbs,.. what more can I say? I love the dude.
Game balls in no special order
* Bum with Buster being a savant
* Conor
* Panik
* Crawford
* Span
Honorary game Balls
* Allen Hirsch
* Bapah for reverse Mojo
* JoBu
Mr Happy Comes Through!
Decided to get super nosey and stroll on over to the NY Mets fan page and it ain’t nothin nice over there!! Cats have some serious hatred for the orange and black but it’s all good.
I’m sure they’re disappointed like we would have been if it had gone the other way, but they have nothing to be angry about. It was a great game and the Giants won it fair and square. The Mets deserve credit for making the playoffs at all with all their injuries. Their fans should be proud of them.
At least they used their closer!
Well, I’m pretty happy we didn’t.
Yes, but Baltimore is not.
Their fans are ripping Familia apart.
The headline is stupid, but this is a nice article about Bumgarner by ESPN’s Jayson Stark. The stats he includes about Bum’s postseason exploits just take your breath away.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17726162/san-francisco-giants-madison-bumgarner-owns-october
This is really good too. Thanks for finding these Lefty. You’re right about the headline. Just ignore it and read on.
Buster Posey: “Syndergaard was unbelievable. But there was such a calmness in our dugout. And I think it’s safe to say Bum deserves a lot of credit for that.”
I liked this one a lot.
Yep. Got no sleep all at all last night.
Stupid Bochy.
I’ve gotten a few texts from office folks in Chicago…most sound nervous. One old timer trying to act tough with a “this will be easy” note…I always find that interesting. Dudes my age, been watching his beloved Cubs for a lifetime, and hasn’t yet figured out the best way to show quiet confidence.
I asked him: “When Maddux throws out the ceremonial first pitch, can we have The Thrill at the plate, please?”
This is what 108 years of bumbling leads to. I’m around a lot of their fans. Somewhere down deep, they expect a peculiar event to thwart them time and time again. But they have a very solid team and the Giants of the last week need to show up in full force. Although they know their own team is good, that is in their brains, not their hearts and souls.
Cubs fans and announcers, by the way, know that the Giants are going to give them a very tough match, so it isn’t all self-doubts. They know that Cuetto and a revived Smaradzija and Moore are coming to town, with Madison Bumgarner standing tallest of all.
The natural way to end this seems to be to type Go Giants (sorry, Mom).
Reminds of something that happened in Spring Training 2008, I was in Scottsdale for a Giants / Cubs game. The beer vendor was coming around and a Cubs fan got a beer and was giving the vendor a little ribbing for whatever reason.
After the Cubs fan paid, the vendor said, “Here, I’ll give you a dollar in change. You know what that is? A penny for every year since your team last won the World Series.” He said it loud enough for everyone in the section to start howling.
It was classic!
Say, ‘Vamos Gigantes’ – maybe she won’t know what you’re saying.
Cubs fans are just ready to turn on their team. All they need is to lose Game 1 and they will be wallowing.
POTD
Nino, where are you?
Here of course. Just reading and being amazed by the baseball knowledge of my fellows in orange & black faith. Having a real good time (with the help of some shades…).
I did not think that we’d win this game if we fell behind- even by just a run. I’d bet that MadBum felt the same way.The game then became a microcosm of why we win these things. When the biggest at bat of the game was a base on balls, that says it all. They’re a bunch of dweebs who get lucky in the 10th month of the year 😉
U2 was nice enough to not start the show last night until a couple minutes after the win last night (I may have already posted this last night but I was a few beers deep so oops)
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!!
The Giants didn’t let it slip away. They still haven’t found what they’re looking for.
Long live Peachy_Just
The moderator deleted your U2 photos for some stupid reason – wow you got down REAL close to the stage. Where was this show?
Really? Our Mod? Doubtful. Try re-posting. Disqus has been acting up for me and had to repost several things last night.
I was somewhat close-ish to the stage (showed up before 7 for an 8:15 start time), but they actually had an extension to the stage that went farther out into the audience (which I didn’t even realize until they started walking toward us) https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c2b4282d66a96dd1d763d49ed2b9c6aaef3b79181fd93eb58d2bb008751b7f90.jpg
It was at Cow Palace
Also, when I got home after the show at 1am last night, I watched the end of the recorded game, but gosh darn it, it stopped recording in the middle of the top of the 9th. Lame sauce comcast.
Go to MLB channel right now! They’re showing the game with out a lot of the in between stuff.
The Giants won!!!
In spite of a so-so performance by Bumgarner…
Madison really sucked.
What?! Really? 😜
The Giants painted finger nails did it
I have all the highlights for you
Ahhhhh… It’s a beautiful fall morning here in the Sierras. A Post Season morning. An Even Year morning. Bathed in the afterglow of an amazing victory. Good morning all. Feels pretty damn good to be a Giants fan right now doesn’ it. Man, whatta game.
So, Conor’s this sort of prodigal Giants son I guess. Drafted, brought up, then nearly as quickly sent away. He wandered through baseball for several years, highs and lows. And perhaps when he seemed to be nearing his professional end, the Giants brought him home. Then he won a game in a most spectacular way, creating yet another unforgettable Giants memory. That was some serious Even Year Bullshit right there friends.
So we add the name Conor Gillaspie to a short but significant list. Ex-Giants who became Forever Giants:
Vogelsong… Ishikawa… Gillaspie.
The ways of the Baseball Gods shall remain a mystery. But one thing we can know is this… It’s Orange October once again!
“serious Even Year Bullshit” – awesome. :o)
I gather it will be Cueto versus Lester on Friday night. Remember, this is the team Cueto talked about at the end of August. Any fans going there, make sure to bring along some orange and black painted coconuts.
Ken Rosenthal’s post-game story:
“Jarrett Parker was in the on-deck circle, ready to hit for Bumgarner. Bochy said he watched Parker high-five Gillaspie, then screamed at him to return to the dugout.”
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/mlb-playoffs-sf-giants-new-york-mets-madison-bumgarner-ready-for-chicago-cubs-100616
Nice shot in the dugout- Parker on the left rubbing up his bat and KT on the right side rubbing up his bat.
I wrote this earlier but it looked like to me, MadBum was in such a zone that he didn’t even know he could get pinch hit and maybe Buster told him “Hey look Parker is on deck”. Even then MadBum didn’t look fazed.
dgg
Because if Parker gets tooooo close to homeplate batters box they declare Parker in the game and Bum would have been out
Conor, Conor, Conor. What can I say? This has Edgar Reneteria-ish feeling…although looooong way to go until the Fall Classic. But, Conor, I was wrong. And thank you so very much for proving me wrong. Even Bobby Evans admitted he wasn’t sure if you’d still be around come June/July when you were hitting on the interstate. But Ron Wotus stood up for you and said he believed in you. And wow does that man look like a genius now. It’s like the spirit of Mike Schmidt has possessed you for the last few weeks (although you’ve been hitting better for much longer than that). You have been remarkable in getting the Giants to this game…and then winning it in dramatic fashion. Onward Conor, hope to see you starting at 3B on Friday night.
MadBum is a living legend who has accomplished things, at age 26, that I didn’t think was possible. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 23 postseason innings and has yet to allow a run in 23 elimination game innings. It is a true privilege to watch him in the postseason.
On to Chicago were I guarantee you the Cubs and their fans are getting more nervous by the minute.
They never forget that The Goat is always at work.
Great Admit from a great Giant Fan. Bravo!
Last nights game inspired me to pop the 2014 dvd in while home today. Love these world series movies, let make another!
Conor Gillaspie hit his first home run 5 years and ten days ago: Also in support of a Bumgarner shutout.
https://youtu.be/d5THPG02Xzw?t=9399
Dear Edoardo Quattromani, I love your avatar. Good ole Desiderius.
Great find!
Awww, there’s Andres Torres, first guy out of the dugout to greet him. Andres was ALWAYS the first guy with that great smile.
Wow I remember that now – he was running on empty when he flopped over HP. Great call.
(Boy has Conor aged in 5 years! Mr. Happy worries too much…)
I didn’t realize that was the second home run the Mets closer allowed all year. And it was to Gillapsie. He of 30 career HRs.
Familia only gave up one home run all season long.
Two now!
One in the regular season. One in the postseason.
I hadn’t realized he blew three saves in last year’s World Series, though. I vaguely knew he’d had a rough time, but…three?!
i just remember the gut punch HR he gave up to gordon, to dead center field, in the first game. it set the tone for the rest of the series.
I feel sorry for him now. He’s toast in NY.
I have to say first couple ABs I thought there is no way Gillapsie is making contact tonight. His swing looks too long and loopy. But when he hit that ball from Familia…. wow. What a sweet swing when he is on.
here’s a video where he admits that he was over matched by thor..
http://www.csnbayarea.com/video/gillaspie-3-run-hr-best-thing-thats-ever-happened-me
well, a fastball from Thor and a fastball from Familia are two different monsters.
CG himself said he was over overmatched all game and was glad when Thor was out.
I’ve watched it over and over and can’t see the contact, he was so short to the ball.
Never let it be said that I’m one of those professors who never updates her lecture notes. This is on one of my lecture slides for today as an example of a compound sentence:
Conor Gillaspie hit a three-run homer, and Madison Bumgarner pitched a shutout, so the Giants won the Wild Card game last night.
(Oh, and there are a couple of photos to accompany it, of course.)
What do you teach? I teach engineering so I like to bring in examples of curveballs.
I’m a professor in the writing program at UC Davis. This quarter I’m teaching an English grammar course that’s cross-listed between Writing/English/Linguistics. Mostly Linguistics and English majors, but many who just want to improve their own writing.
Very cool. No wonder you never have mistakes on your posts!
I do, though. I’m a terrible proofreader. Knowing the rules doesn’t mean you don’t make mistakes! I can’t tell you how many times I look at a comment I’ve made, see a missing word or a typo, and edit it.
That’s a terrific here-and-now compound sentence, Lefty. Good work!
Next week is subordinate clauses, so hopefully there will be some new material!
Guilty as charged Lefty. My headlines are really long but I want everyone to know what is going on when they ready them!
I like your headlines. They’re good guides to what’s inside.
That was an excellent writeup, BTW.
LOL. Even Baggarly reads your stuff.
He must be lonely over there in his little ghost town
He’s his own best audience, so I’m sure he’s just fine.
Bada bing.
One reaps what one sows.
Wish I could have had an English teacher like you.
I try to make it fun…Youtube videos, cartoons, funny sentence examples (I have a whole riff about Prof. Lefty running a meth lab out of her office because she’s breaking bad). Last week I used the first verse of “Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds” to illustrate how to identify parts of speech. For extra credit, they could do the first verse of “Born to Run.”
speaking of “Breaking Bad” — PS It didn’t work …….
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuAzbBdWIAQL_Fn.jpg:medium
My teacher had a chalk board!
Mine had a clay tablet.
Have you ever had any student who was a Doggies fan? I would like to have been present at your dialogues.
Some years ago, a young man sauntered into the first day of class wearing a Dodger cap. I said, completely straight-faced and grim: “I’m sorry, but there will be no Dodger gear in my classroom.” He looked chagrined, and I told him I was kidding, but two days later he came in wearing a brand-new Giants cap and wore it everyday for the rest of the term. We still keep in touch, and he wrote me after the Giants won in 2010 to say I was the first person he thought of.
Very cool indeed.😎😎😎
Obviously his future was so bright, you must have worn shades.
Cespedes is opting out evidently. Is he our left fielder for next year?
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/124595/opt-outta-here-mets-brace-for-yoenis-cespedes-expected-free-agency
No, too expensive and too injury-prone. He will break down physically during the term of his next contract. And Crawford’s double in this ninth was fantastic but Cespedes’ route to that ball was awful so it gave me a glimpse why defensive metrics aren’t kind to him. He’d obviously provide much needed pop, but IMO the cost is too prohibitive and the Giants don’t need another expensive aging outfielder.
Agreed on all counts. He is more of an American League player in my book.
It WAS an awful route. Glad to know it’s not just OUR left fielder.
I’ve been a Cespedes supporter…however…
Besides being swing happy, his defense is an issue. Whereas Angel has an aversion to walls, Yoenis has an aversion to baseballs
MadBum sure had his number last night.
big key to the game
I surely hope not.
None chance. He won’t come here.
he thinks Bay Area clubhouse toilets are all backed up like his homeland…Oakland left a mark
I too don’t think he liked the Bay Area as member of the A’s.
However (and not about Cespedes) I think other top Latin talent will take the Cueto example and think of the Giants as a destination more so than before this season.
Or Reddick, or Ian Desmond, or Brandon Moss or Pagan/Williamson/Parker, or …
Desmond is very intriguing. Can play multiple positions, extremely athletic with power and speed. Will be interesting to see what lies ahead in the market for Desmond now that he no longer plays the premium position of SS. I think October may play a role in Desmond’s offseason contract too.
He’s become a Zobrista – & can play CF!
Desmond could probably play 3B, right, after all those years as a SS?
My Mom (a Cubs fan) has now made contact:
“And I am very worried that the Giants will kill Cubs’ hopes for reaching the World Series. As you can imagine, local sportscasters are in ecstasy about former Shocker Gillaspie!”
Shocking!
http://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/cowkzy/picture50906720/ALTERNATES/FREE_640/Conor%20Gillaspie
Cool pic!
I remember when they drafted him, I really liked the pick. He seemed like a pure hitter. Not as athletic as other players but a good swing. I guess he rubbed some the wrong way having a MLB 25 man clause placed in his contract. But all worked out fro the best. I think he was more misunderstood than anything. He has always been soft spoken and quiet and as far as I know humble.
Not quite. There’s been quite a bit written about his “career.”
Portent of things to come? Our closers in the postseason:
Casilla 2014 4 for 4 saves 0.00 ERA
Romo 2012 1 win 4 for 4 saves 1 ER
Wilson 2010 1 win 6 of 7 saves 0.00 ERA
That has to be a record. 29 games pitched ,1 ER, 14 of 15 Saves.
i think that those numbers are correct.I have fact checkers on board so we’ll soon find out.
Certainly better than Familia’s postseason numbers…
Seriously. 51 saves this season notwithstanding, I wonder how we’d feel about a closer who blew three saves in the World Series and the next year lost the Wild Card game. Not very good, I’m thinking.
It seems like Romo got more than four saves in 2012. He had three in the World Series, and there was that epic one in Cincinnati where he faced Jay Bruce for 273 pitches in one AB (I may be one or two off on that pitch count, but I’m close). I’m sure he would have closed that Game 3 in Cincy where they got the extra-inning run on Arias’s grounder that Rolen bobbled, but maybe Romo was already in that game and got the win(?). All of their wins vs. St. Louis in the NLCS were lopsided, so no save opportunities.
Casilla had a bad outing in the last NLCS game right before Ishi hit the homer. Affeldt had to come in and finish the inning after Casilla loaded the bases. But that was a tie game, not a save situation, so it doesn’t mess with your stats. It does, however, mean that Affeldt is the answer to a pretty cool trivia question about which relief pitcher ended up being the winner in both the pennant and World Series clinchers in the same season.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=garcija01&t=p&post=1
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=romose01&t=p&post=1
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=wilsobr01&t=p&post=1
i’m waiting.
I believe you. I just went from memory. Anyone can look up BB Ref, right?
Right, we all do. I looked them up to confirm what I suspected- all three were lights out closers in our title years.
Not arguable.
That 2012 postseason was so intense that I remember every game like it was last week.
I remember every detail of the Reds and Cards series. The actual world series is almost a blur for me though. I think I was emotionally spent by that point.
You’ve got me on that one. I remember more from 2010 than the later ones.
I would bet someone out there has better numbers, perhaps Mariano alone.
If you’re surmising that this 2016 pen will keep those numbers going because of numbers as far back as 6 years ago, that’s absolutely ridiculous.
The pen’s numbers this year are due to performance issues not luck or timing or a bad spell, getting into the playoffs does not change that.
The key is the closer, though, not the whole pen. In 2010, it was really about Wilson, with a supporting actor nod to Javi Lopez for neutralizing everyone’s lefties. (Affeldt had that epic performance in Game 6 of the NLCS, but overall, 2010 wasn’t a great year for him, and Romo gave up a bomb that almost lost them Game 3 in Atlanta.)
In 2012, they had key contributions from Lincecum, and in 2014, it was Petit.
But really, in the postseason, Bochy rides his starters as long as he can, minimizing bullpen exposure. This year’s team is most like the 2010 team, with excellent starters who can go deep into games. I expect to see 2010-like managing for as long as this run goes.
wholeheartedly agree! The Giants will go as long as the starters will go.
The cubs most likely eat our relievers for lunch if it gets to that point.
No matter whats happens this post season, the Giants must and should fix the pen by next spring. A strategy of having to throw the starters out there for as long as possible is not a recipe for destruction. Good thing that Cueto and Shark pitch around 200 innings, this year its the most Moore has ever pitched (plus he had the injury).
It would behoove the team to kept hem as fresh as possible all season long.
I still hold that the 2nd half collapse was partly due to all the innings accumulated in the 1st half (wasn’t it 3 starters in top 5 in innings in NL?) Even Bum looked a bit tired at the start of the 2nd half.
Yep. Bum, Cueto, and Shark were in the top 5 in innings, all over 200 IP. Moore had 198 innings. If they give Blach a shot at the fifth starter position, well, he’s an innings-eater, too, having led the PCL in innings for the last two seasons. With Blach’s AAA and MLB innings, he’s almost at 180 now (and could get more if he’s the middle reliever in a postseason series).
Still–they can’t go nine EVERY night, and the Giants MUST fix the bullpen. I’m sure they will. Last year they knew it was the rotation, and they did a great job overhauling it. MadBum is now the only guy left from last year’s rotation. This year Evans will know he has to fix the bullpen.
that’s true, crazy that Bum is the only one left from last years starting rotation, that’s a hug overhaul. Says a lot about the core of the team (Posey, Crawford, Pence, etc.) to be able to keep the ball rolling and still be competitive in a hard league to stay at the top continuously.
Now let’s trade Belt for Chapman or Britton in the off season and we are golden!!!! 😉
I showed the CLOSER’S records in in our title years.
Samardzija 2016 2 for 2 saves, 0.00 ERA
Up yours, E
Thank you for the lesson, Bapah. I didn’t know that sentence. Very up to the contingency, I think.
A hole
Coming from you, that’s an honor.
Amazed that Collins apparently got no questions about removing his best pitcher, who may have been able to go 2 more. Once again only Bochy understands the meaning of elimination game. At best Collins burned through his supposed 3 best pitchers and would have faced extra innings without them. And no questions on it that I can find.
No one in NY is questioning that since most think it was the appropriate time, he was at his pitch count. He is not Bum and the Met’s lost three of their young starters to injuries this season.
If they had won the game they would have needed Thor to be ready ASAP for the Cubs.
Shouldn’t be so “amazed” if you put logic into the equation.
Not very pitcher is Bum.
Nothing to do with being Bum. 120 pitches is not a heroic workload. Unless Noah asked out, he pulled a dominant pitcher for no reason except speculation and fashion. Bochy wouldn’t have done it regardless of who the starter was. But the real point is, a journalist asks a relevant question without assuming the answer. Collins should have been given the chance to explain his possibly game losing decision. If he gave the pitch count answer so be it. If he said he needed him for the Cubs it would prove he doesn’t understand the elimination.concept
Thor is usually on a pitch count, the local press know it as well as the team.
livefree: The Mets have a roster of damaged aces, AND Thor had a slight arm issue earlier this season. Kinda makes good sense
and Buck says “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t…”
Probably true … But it reduced the Mets of winning. The question should be asked. Collins will have his answer.
I just looked up Thor’s game logs. His high this year was 118. He was over 110 just four times, and the last time was his first start in August. In September, all but one of his starts were under 100 pitches. Remember he has bone spurs in his elbow that he’s pitching through. They’ve been handling him carefully, and I can see why.
Remember Thor is a kid, and many young pitchers are overused. I don’t think it was wrong to take him out. I’m not even sure it was wrong to take out the pitcher after he walked Buster in 2014, but that pitcher at least was very experienced.
Wow. from Baggs column this stat is remarkable: “The drive left Belt’s bat at 105.9 mph with a 25-degree launch angle – a combination of contact that cleared a major league fence 91 percent of the time this season, according to Baseball Savant. The expected batting average on such a drive was .971.” So the odds of it not being a HR are very small and not being a hit that much smaller…and Belt is basically the one guy who didn’t get a hit on that. Good thing Conor was there in the 9th to save the day (a sentence I had no doubt I’d be typing in June/July/August).
Belt smoked that ball and deserved better, as these stats show. Great AB by him!
It *was* a great AB, very encouraging. I actually thought at the time, man Belt is looking locked in since moving back to the 2-hole and that was a great AB. If the Giants can win this game I want to see what Belt can do for the remainder of the postseason. Well, thanks to MadBum and Conor we get to find out.
Belt worked two walks, too. In fact, the Giants did a great job of working walks against some tough pitchers. I think they had at least six(?). They may not be so great with those clutch hits, but in a close game if you put pressure on the pitcher and defense, good things can happen.
Belt was actually very good in the 2014 postseason. Watch out for him ……
He was. One behind Crawford for the team lead in RBIs.
It led to getting Thor out of the game which was huge. CG was not picking up Thor but got the pitch he wanted from Familia.
JP12 had an enormous AB right before CG’s. i think the count was 1-2 before he started fouling off some tough pitches, and getting a walk. there was one filth sinker that he somehow just barely clipped a hanging red thread on the ball to stay alive. if he strikes out there, gillaspie gets an IBB, and who knows what happens. pretty cool game, baseball.
Yep. Obviously CG’s AB was the AB of the game, but JP’s walk set it all up.
Yes. Belt had a good game overall in his other at bats. Belt, Span and Posey really pushed Syndergaard in their at bats even when they made outs. They and Panik helped set the stage for Syndergaards pitch count climbing… Then he was pulled, correctly by Collins I might add, after the 7th. I think Bum’s stamina, his conditioning and fire are also among the greatest all time. To keep doing what he does is really something special. I have been watching baseball for 41 years and I have never seen anything like it.
Yeah, he crushed that and with Belt’s bat speed, it took a lot to keep that in the park. It was 408 to center and also I think the ball wasn’t carrying well. You could tell by Belt’s reaction that he hit that one well
Imagine if Bumgarner pitched like that year round? Not sustainable, right?
It’s like he saves himself for these moments. He perfectly channels his adrenaline into every pitch.
His 93 seems like 99 with his slinging deception. His fastballs ride up in the zone such that pro hitters cannot get on top of the ball for the life of them. Just pounding the upper quadrants relentlessly, then toying with the hitters who have starter their swing early by dropping a slider in the dirt – or even more cruel, the back door slider.
Can he bring this same intensity into his next postseason start? Stay tuned…
Yep, his average fastball velocity last night was 92 and I think in the regular season it’s below 91. I recall in the 2014 WS he was regularly hitting 94. He really does have an extra gear for the postseason, which makes him so much fun to watch. And his placement with the high FB last night was impeccable, probably the best game I’ve ever seen from a pitcher consistently pitching up in the zone.
It’s a special gear indeed. Uncanny to be able to so deftly find it every October he gets a chance. He ain’t too shabby in the regular season – but this is a cut above even how outstanding he is in the regular season (#3 in the Bill James rankings).
Definitely noticed that about his velocity. The life and velocity definitely played up last night compared to the 2nd half. He was leaving it all out there. Great zip on the ball and routinely hitting 93 with life. It makes a difference for him when he is in the 93, 94 range…he is very toug to hit when his fastball is that live.
Makes you wonder what he was like in high school. He threw upwards of 98 mph in those days.
Hitters used to tell the umps, “Hey! That sounded low!”
LMAO. I bet some kids just backed to the back of the box and waited for the inevitable.
Bum ended up fourth in the NL in ERA, had a career-high 251 Ks (which also set a new franchise record for a lefty starter), and pitched 226.2 innings (second in the league), taking the ball 34 times. His W-L record was mostly bad luck–he could easily have won 20-24 games with some run/bullpen support.
This is to say that Bum is one of the best pitchers in baseball in the regular season and THE best in the postseason. We don’t have to imagine anything.
# 3 in the Bill James rankings behind Clayton and Max – with a game score like last night, he’s moving on up (playoffs count).
What was his game score last night?
I believe 88 for Bum & 82 for Thor
Wow.
he doesn’t operate as consistenly up in the zone during the reg. season like he does in the post.
he plays off not only his adrenaline, but that of the hitters. It’s a perfect context for his stuff.
great response, not many would understand that nuance if you didn’t play the game.
you can also throw in that certain umpires alter their strike zones in the post season.
In a one game WC every pitch is important, the batters are trying to do too much and that’s an advantage to the pitchers.
I love how they attacked Cespedes up in the zone. Another great postseason game plan executed.
those battles were epic – he was swinging for the downs.
I think his arm action is so tough to pick up with his athletic delivery-0 hitters can’t pick up in enough time whether it is a cutter, fastball, or curve because they all look identical coming out of his hand and release point. Bum must have worked really hard to make those all look similar coming out of the hand.
But still I think this year was Bum’s best regular season of his career. He would have had more wins if not for a few blown saves and some non existent offense.
if the cy votes were made today – a shoe in!
Thinking ahead to the Cubs, thought back to 2014. Memory is sketchy at best so…
http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2014_NLDS1.shtml
Interesting to me how they pulled that series out without Bum winning a game. (He lost game 3).
Forgot about Petit 6 amazing shutout innings (7k’s!) to get the win in game 2, after Belt’s 18th inning hr. Casilla had already been used, so Strickland gets the save on 29 pitches!
A walk in the park.
Giants win game 4 behind Vogelsong, who was 8-13 during the reg season. Everyone probably remembers Strickland giving up the game tying hr in the 7th. Giants come back the bottom of the inning and Romo Casilla, nail it down with near perfect 8-9th.
Somehow, someway. October magic.
Last night I was comparing what Bum did to Petit’s six innings in extras in 2014. Petit had zero margin for error. Every one of those innings was sudden death–one mistake and it’s over.
Bum had almost no margin for error, either. The way Syndergaard was pitching, you just knew that if the Mets scored first, it was going to be tough. And unlike the game in Washington, it was an elimination game.
Those two games, along with Bum’s five scoreless in Game 7 of the World Series, are the gutsiest pitching performances I’ve seen in this golden era of Giants baseball.
I thought it was also gutsy because I’m not sure MadBum had his A+ stuff in terms of command or movement. Lots of hitters were getting wood on his balls. But he was mixing pitches by the middle of the game and being very very smart (for example how we pitched Cespedes). Lots of smarts and moxie there.
Great essay on Bum and last night’s game from Mike Lupica:
http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/205129258/giants-beat-mets-wild-card-bumgarner-gillaspie?partnerId=ed-10911987-934938883
I repeat: We need a shot of Cueto going into Wrigley with some coconuts: I guess a few cans of black and orange rustoleum wouldn’t hurt ……
I get the feeling a lot of players have a sour taste from that Cubs series and are tired of hearing about them.
I got that impression from Bum’s postgame interview too.
I notice that Baggs just retweeted that quote about Cueto and the Coconuts.
“Cueto and the Coconuts” sounds like a cool garage band …
Love that he blew off Olney’s stupid question about ‘legacy’ – “Aw, what’re you asking me that for? I dunno. We just gotta get to Chicago…”
For reasons that on the face of it make absolutely no sense, I waked up this morning with fragments of this quotation running through my mind. Given it was 4:30 AM, some might say I was out of my mind.
“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”
―
William Shakespeare,
Henry V
It absolutely makes sense, it’s the greatest locker room speech of all time.
What personally struck me was I saw Kevin Branagh in Henry V in Chicago, where we are headed now.
Speaking of which, St Crispin’s Day (cobbler’s patron saint) is October 25; that corresponds to Game 4 in 2014 (Win) and Game 2 in 2012 (Win). I don’t think the G’s have ever lost on that date.
It’s also our anniversary ….. thanks for bringing it up! 😉
Wow, that beats my first wake-up thought of the morning:
“My bologna has a first name… It’s O-S-C-A-R …”
Fantastic speech. I can visualize Kenneth Brannaugh saying the words.
Sweet victory and sweet lovely silence from the loud mouth know-it-all Bochy detractors.
Where’s that guy who said Cespedes was going to hit a home run, helicopter his bat, stare down Bum, and salsa around the bases?
He didn’t say it would happen. He said he would like it to happen and it was a very funny comment.
They’re here.
Well, Bochy didn’t really have to do anything in that game.
“Don’t take Bumgarner out.”–Check
Uuuhhh,TWG pinch ran for Gillespie earlier in the game.
So did Krukow and Flemming on the radio when it was happening. (I had the TV muted and listened to the KNBR call.) They even pointed out that Bochy could bring in Blanco as just a straight pinch runner. I knew he wouldn’t take Gillaspie out, though, because KT hasn’t played any 3B at the big league level this year, and EA’s played very little. Too risky late in a tight game.
Yeah, that is kind of scary. That both EA and Kelby don’t have much any experience at 3b this year and with Nunez hurt we don’t much else to play 3b even late in a game. I guess that is why they got Beckham, even though he can’t hit. But in the playoffs they don’t have a real solid defensive 3b option.
Well, I actually think either one of them would probably be fine–but off the bench, cold, in the late innings of an elimination game is not the time to find out.
It will be interesting to see if Nunez is right back in there if/when healthy or if Bochy goes with a platoon with him and CG. The Giants are 6-1 since Nunez got hurt–and he was about the only guy sparking the lineup when he went down.
Anybody not watching, MLB Network now has top of 9th on.
Thanks, Bap! I may dial up the whole game after work tonight. Now that it’s over, I think I’d really enjoy watching it!
Ooooh, Angel said a bad word in the dugout after striking out. Hope his kids weren’t watching.
I was confident that Angel could get that bunt down. He bunted vs COL the other night and it was a beauty.
HAHA Gotta love NYC were the team’s fans give each other the business.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eda1df6f0b4158152a2417d9c959a5e9d73c0f5ac53a8112bf8e0b9dd9f8ba98.png
I think I was a little rough on Conor earlier this year. He has given me two thrills now, just in the last week. The first was vs COL last Thurs when he laced that double into the RF corner near where my son and I were sitting. There were high fives all around and much celebration. And we all saw the second. Conor: I was wrong, I apologize, and THANKS!!!
Good for you Sir! I will relay this to Gillaspie and have you added to his Christmas Card lis and fan club!
NY Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/sports/baseball/mets-giants-madison-bumgarner-conor-gillaspie.html?smid=fb-share
So is Shark for sure starting game 2? Has that been announced?
I would have thought Moore made sense starting gm2 but I keep hearing Smarge for Gm2 everywhere. I guess one thing is that Shark is comfortable pitching at Wrigley and may be better suited for it? Although Shark also has better numbers pitching at spacious ATT
Moore’s been the #3 starter since he was acquired, but…there are three arguments for using Shark in Game 2. First, he’s been absolutely dialed in the last month or so. Second, Moore is fantastic at AT & T, and I might save him for a game there.
Third, if you use Shark in Game 2, you’d have the option of using him out of the bullpen in a Game 4 or 5. Assume the rotation in five games goes Cueto-Shark-Bum-Moore-Cueto. Then you have Bum ready to go for Game 1 of the next round on normal rest. Considering how shaky our bullpen’s been, I love the idea of Shark getting some relief opportunities.
Spot on!
Good point on Moore starting at home. Unless they go down 2-0.
They should slot Moore in a spot would would allow him to pitch twice against the Dodgers, should they have to face them next.
Seriously. And I bet Ty Blach’s on the roster if they face the Dodgers, too.
Really a great AB by Panik. That 2-2 pitch that he BARELY fouled off (just inches from the ground) to stay alive…it was THAT close.
He is such a good ballplayer. I know he is struggling, but it can’t last forever. I hope he gets hot. That plate appearance was gutsy.
Whenever he is up I always think its about to turn and good things will happen. Agree, he will turn it around eventually. Too good and too smart a player.
I’m waiting for him to bust out. His timing is off. He loves high fastballs and he is often great at hitting them but these past weeks he has been late on almost all of them. He either flies out or pops them up. I am sure they are addressing it. I wonder if this is still a by product of his concussion.
The secret to this post season is, IMO, to get Pence going.
His zone right now is Pablo-esque.
He has a zone?
Good point.
He got absolutely porked by the HP ump in the 6th(?) on 2 outside pitches for a called K.
Had he walked, and Span’s SB call reversed, Thor would’ve walked the bases loaded with 0 outs. As it turned out, nobody remembers that today.
Get his hair mown down
Yeeeesshh, that AB in the eighth with the bases loaded…
He a bad night- like most of the hitters, but he has not been struggling.
It lasted all season.
The Reverend needs a Reverse Samson. Trim the beard and he’ll destroy the Midwest Philistines.
Zackly – dunno how he hit that pitch, and the BB was huge.
it was discussed quite a lot last night- even the ESPN crew talked about how crucial that was. While on the subject, those HRs in 2014 were probably the hurrah for Ishi and Morse, it was a sweet way to go out.
( I know that they have played a bit more since then but with not much success.
This piece from NYT ends with the statement…”the Cubs should be terrified”.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/06/sports/baseball/mets-giants-madison-bumgarner-conor-gillaspie.html?ref=baseball
I love it when the Times does our PsyOps for us. BTW, Anyone asking Arrieta about his “I don’t give a sh*t who we play” remark?
Tyler Kepner at the Times ought to be the archetype for a first rate sports writer, IMO.
And he’s a Giants fan!
No kidding, I didn’t know that.
Yep, I believe he’s a NorCal native. Also a Warriors fan.
He must have a real grin on his face this AM. Finnerty’s must have been wild last night. Wonder if SM made it by post game?
That’s the replay I’m dying to see. Any film of Finnerty’s celebration?
Efrain was at Finnerty’s, and he said it was rocking!
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportunities,” said Bumgarner, now 8-3 with a 1.94 E.R.A. in nearly 100 career postseason innings. “But I’ve played this game long enough to know that anything can happen, especially this time of year, so I’m not going to take anything for granted or expect it to come easily.”
He might not expect it, but everyone else does. After three harmless fly outs in the ninth, the Giants had done what the Giants do. The Mets should not have been surprised — and the Cubs should be terrified.”
One of my pet peeves is hearing that a game is must win. Unless it’s a do or die like last night, no game is really must win. But it sure feels like to me that Game 1 is very important. With Cueto pitching and MadBum not pitching until Game 3 and Hendricks going in Game 2….a Game 1 win would be really nice.
Now that the Giants got over the Wild Card hurdle, which they had to do because they lost the division, and now that they have won 5 games in a row (last 4 games reg season and this one), which were all, in effect, playoff games, I have to say I am satisfied.
The three other teams — Chi, Wash, even LA — have endured long droughts and could easily win a ring, and I’d be happy for them (well, the Dodgers, that would be hard.) However I would not be happy if we lose to Cubs who then lose to LA, or, we lose to any of them who then lose to the American League.
I’m just going to enjoy the rest of the playoffs.
I’m just happy to see more games.
Yesterday on KNBR, I heard Murph & Mac talking to Chris Russo from MLBN’s “High Heat” program. They asked if the Giants making it to the Wild Card game erased the “epic collapse” storyline.
He said “No. If they win tonight, it does.” That puts them in the same spot (in a five-game division series) that they would have been if they’d won the NL West (i.e., no “epic collapse”). Sure, they have to play the Cubs without home field advantage, but in all likelihood, they would have had to go through the Cubs no matter what at some point.
I agree. Winning the Wild Card game rescues the narrative. Losing it would have had us thinking about a lot of “what ifs.”
Even when they were playing their worst in August I still expected them to make the playoffs, it’s just that as second wild card or even first wild card it doesn’t amount to much, since it’s an elimination game.
However, in all fairness, it _is_ a postseason game; it’s not like 1998 where we played 163 — and lost to the Cubs.
Ugh, I remember that. They had a late lead in Game 162 and blew a save, forcing a tiebreaker.
Neifi Perez off of Nen… Still have nightmares about that one
That’s right–I remembered Nen but not who hit it…then they went out and got Neifi later.
Plus you would think it easier to beat “the best team in baseball!” three times instead of four. Hopefully the Cubbies will show some rust, which they would not have in the next series.
He actually said that–could be easier to knock them off in a five-game series than a seven-game series.
I thought that last night. Especially if we can steal Game One behind Cueto.
Here’s hoping that Matt Moore sends the Giants to the NLCS with a win in game four, proving that a little bad karma is no match for an actual curse.
Just watched the replay of last night’s game, and now I get to watch MadDog Russo wave his arms around. Wonderful stuff.
Just also wanted to say how much I appreciate this site – thanks to GreekGiant (and I hope you are safe through the hurricane) – what with quotes from Shakespeare and great posts. Thank you all for making this season such fun.
Amen. Thanks everyone, and especially GG!
Ditto, GG. Stay safe.
Same guy, different year. Even the HR “trots” were the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uogT8X26-ko
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1VZjkEfPiU
Where was Peavy this time?
Yeah, Conor didn’t molested between 2nd and 3rd.
i’m not a big fan of buck, but that’s a great call on ishi’s HR
Yeah. I have to begrudgingly agree.
I always laugh when he hands it over to “Jake and Dan” at Fox Sports Live… and no one is there. LOL
Considering we won all three WS clinchers on the road, is that Ishikawa walk-off the biggest single moment in Pac Bell’s history?
We talked last week about the JT Snow HR in 2000, but they lost that game so yeah, I think the Ishi HR ranks higher.
To me, the only thing that comes close was the rain falling in Game 7 of the 9th inning vs St. Louis in ’12, but that wasn’t a “play” so much as an extended visual.
That was as close as I’ll ever come to a religious experience in baseball. Scutaro’s image is transfixed in my mind.
Yup.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e6e6df65c3fa13cc5f641d887b86afd5b6682595c89673508335370012c955c0.jpg
Remember Lofton single for 2002 NLCS walkoff …..
They are close, because in 2002 it had been 13 years since the WS ……
The walk-off to win the pennant in 2002 was pretty big, too–not a HR, but still a pennant-winner.
I’ve noted this before, but Reynolds nails Ishi’s HR- even before hits it.
I noticed that too. :o)
Excellent dissection of what Bumgarner did to Cespedes last night, and a hint at what Chicago should expect. Look carefully at the table that highlights Cespedes relative problems with the fastball and notice Belt’s name.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/madison-bumgarner-yoenis-cespedes-and-two-extremes/
Gotta love NY tabloids…
Kuiper posted this on Instagram this morning:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/26b4f56b4b0e9e69311f1f592c5263e1c2f4998c9025d5dc5c8b959484f2b7b4.jpg
Those Mets fans looked VERY annoying. I wonder how SurfMaui was treated.
Their annoying but nothing like Yankee or worse, NY Giants fans.
I’ve worn my Giants cap to Met’s games for years and other than a couple friendly jabs no big deal.
If they leave the effervescent, sweet toned Efrain alone, we’re ALL safe!!!
I said it before, Efrain is made outta teflon. You can’t hurt him.
hahahha, well as much as a jerk I can be on this blog, I’m a pretty easy going and respectful fan at other peoples stadiums. Figure it’s the best way to be. I will wear my gear, but never obnoxious (Funny thing, I am a HUGE sports nut and actually hate sports bars, with exception of Finnertys).
The one time I did go off was once seeing the Niners at Metlife, because NY Giants fans are the scum of the earth. I wore a Niner hat and tee and I was yelled at, threatened, called a f%$@#t, etc.
It was quite funny, I called out a whole section of drunk firemen who kept giving me the business to come to my section to fight, They talked a good game but non of them had the cojones to back it up. F’ em.
You are like the new magic copper pan I won in a raffle. Everybody wants to use it but nobody dare goes first ……..
never would have guessed the NY Giants fans are annoying. Are they bitter at SF?
Don’t know if its an SF thing per se, the crowd is much more blue collar than the other teams in NYC, a lot of drinking so it turns into a sort of Raiders East sort of vibe. A lot of guidos from New Jersey and such, steroid looking muscle bound idiots.
I was thinking NY baseball Giants (since you cited Yankees & Mets), not football Giants. That makes more sense, football tends to have a more…how do I put it?….plebeian crowd than baseball.
very much so, plus any sport that allows it’s fans to drink and build up a frenzy in the parking lot 4 hours before a game is looking for unruly crowds.
Was that from the Hooker or the Mets fans?
6 “pages” of highlights
http://mlb.mlb.com/search/media.jsp?game_pk=487596&partnerId=ed-10900957-55341579
Jenkins reporting Krukow is making the trip to Chicago after swearing Wrigley off two years ago due to their stairs. Gotta love it.
http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Wary-Krukow-heads-to-Chicago-9877353.php
atta babe!
Those guys have fun together in the radio booth. Kuip would piggyback him if he had to. When on the radio, they can wear whatever the hell they want, which naturally means they can wear their chaps.
Have a great sweaty day, podnah. Woof woof.
-Big Dog
Eat, Big Dog.
Haven’t played golf in years. But for you, I’ll dust off the old bag and unleash the Tommy Armour’s on the range.
Do it!!! Seriously, though, the next time you’re in the area we gotta meet up. I’ll brush my teeth and everything.
I’ll come and see momma and poppa within the next few weeks. Look for me on I5.
Cass Elliot?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWZfKcYlefE
I will carry your bag and even intro you to a Renee Russo carbon copy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb9ARJdM81I
I love the ramps. It had been 40 years since I had been back to Wrigley this summer. Not to much has changed outside of the Monster scoreboards lights and stands across the street.
There is an elevator now. Carey had one installed.
I’d be careful. If the Giants win this next series the vengeful Cubbies might take it out along with all of the ramps in the place.
Well, he IS the original Gamer. They don’t give the Willie Mac Award twice to just anyone.
He now has re-upped on his various REI walking sticks – the recent purchase will allow him dexterity
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11617731/the-giant-friendship-san-francisco-giants-announcers-mike-krukow-duane-kuiper
It was nice to be in Giants playoff mode last night and not worrying about the lack of hits early on, because Thor’s pitch count was getting up there and they were getting him in the stretch…more and more. It was also nice seeing Bum at only 21 pitches after 3…and knowing he could go a long way.
Conor Gillaspie? Keep it going, dude!
Credit to Bum, Buster, and the advanced scouting folks…that did their usual outstanding job of keeping dangerous hitters quiet in the off-season. I expect the same in the Cubs series.
The only head-scratching moments…in my opinion…came from my good friend, Angel Pagan. Rivera’s double should have been a single with any amount of hustle to the ball. Many guys in the dugout would’ve busted their &%$# to try and catch the ball…let alone getting over there to throw the ball to second right away to keep the guy to a single. Then the bunt. I know there was balls being thrown, but it seemed like he was more concerned about getting a walk…perhaps getting a hit…then executing the sacrifice that was needed. Heck…Bum looked infinitely better at executing the bunt. How many of you were thinking that could’ve lost the game? I’ll cheer for him loudly the win the 2016 World Series for the Giants, but I look forward to another LF in 2017.
Great job with the scouting report once again indeed. They pitched the Mets club very well and clearly had a plan in place. Good job in particular with Cespedes and Granderson.
Timing is everything!!!
Giants CommunityFund @giantscommunity 2h2 hours ago
Check out this Conor Gillaspie autographed jersey in our 2016 GCF @MLB Playoff Auction! http://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/auctionDisplay.action?auctionId=1384413&pgmode1=teamsearch&pgcust1=GCF&pgmode3=livebid&&qt%5B0%5D.type=fieldmatch&qt%5B0%5D.name=panname_keyword_s&qt%5B0%5D.value1=GCF …
So Arrieta is pitching game one?
And I thought he was their third best pitcher this year.
The Giants have Joe’s attention and he thinks this is the move. We’ll see…
Even though Hendricks has the best numbers, I would make him the number 3 starter. Think Arrieta and Lester are better pitchers and more capable of dominating.
Then again we struggle with guys like Hendricks too
He is Pitching game 3, Lester Game 1, Hendricks Game 2, Arrieta Game 3, this is old news was announced a few days ago .
Bingo. Sorry for my confusion. Kept reading his name. My bad, Pete.
Get with the effing program, BD.
Too many Visalia bullpens?
No…he’s game 3
From my understanding Arrieta asked for Bum….. careful what you wish for.
Objectively speaking, if I were a Mets fan, I would have preferred the band-aid be peeled off quickly, rather than enduring the slow(er) pain of advancing with the only realistic hope being for one more win, Thor on Monday. Not a good team. Decimated yes, but still. Would have been a very ugly series, whereas Giants-Cubs could be epic.
you’re right about one thing, pretty OBJECTIVE.
More than one I think, Mr. Easy Going.
that’s him!
Steal on of these two in Chi-Town. Bum goes in game three…..
Play to close out in four.
People seem to forget in 2014, that Peavy , Hudson, and Vogey were the Starters in the 3 games the Giants won vs the Nats, and the Giants lost Bums start, all I hear on the radio and on tv is in 2014 the Giants had a 1 man rotation and Bum carried the Giants to the title .
Yeah, I know. People exaggerate. In 2012, it was Vogelsong who saved our bacon over and over and over. Him and Timmy.
Bum had a kink in his delivery, and blew two starts. Cain was average, Timmy’s start wasn’t good, Zito had two good postseason starts, etc. Vogelsong and Timmy in relief.
Yep, and that’s why Bum’s ERA is so much better on the road, his 2 bad starts in 2012 vs the Reds and the Cards were at home .
They lost the Bum start on an error….. granted it was a throwing error by Bum, but still……
Bum will be Bum.
I was worried it was 2014 anymore before last night.
But Bum was Bum….
I think we showed during the regular season — including the end of August set — that our starting pitching can contain Chicago’s offense. So then the question is which Giants hitters show up, and which bullpen.
If the hitting in the past ten days — except for last night and the Chatworth start — is for real, we should be able to score runs and make a series of it.
Then the question is bullpens. As long as Casilla doesn’t close, I think we are OK.
In short, if the first half Giants show up, we can win this thing. If the second half Giants show up, probably not.
Casilla can close just give him a 2 run lead. He is nails on that. He is 65% on 1 run leads handed to him
Or have him pitch the 8th. He’s great with runners on and at any point before the 9th. I don’t have stats, that’s just what my observations tell me.
But you don’t care if they if lose,though
“I don’t care if they if lose though”?
I care, but it’s different after three rings. I mean, as a 49er fan, I didn’t like losing the NFC title games three years in row to NY and Dallas (1991-1993), but it wasn’t like the early ’70’s. Not at all.
I wouldn’t like to get swept by the Cubs. But I’m not greedy. It’s been a long time for them. But if the Cubs beat us, and then lose to the Dodgers, not good.
“I’d be satisfied with 1 or 2 wins against Chicago, TBH. I’m not greedy.”
Just one example. But maybe you were gong for a reverse jinx.
No, my position is consistent. I wanted to win the division, #1 to show up LA, and #2 to avoid the WC. Now that they have hurdled the WC, I want them to win, but I don’t be on pins and needles like last night or in previous years. I’m just being honest. I won’t be bent out of shape if they lose at some point here.
This team has 3 rings this decade, tons of national exposure and players who get a ton of national respect. I have nothing to complain about at this point.
But I do think that the Giants can take the Cubs. Whether that happens or not, is why they play the game.
You guys should listen on the KNBR podast to the Interview Brandon Crawford did on KNBR yesterday on the Murph and Mac show, at the end of the interview Crawford told a funny story about Connor when Brandon was playing in Lancaster with the San Jose Giants , with Bum, Buster and Connor .
Per Peter Johnson
https://audioboom.com/boos/5130823-10-5-brandon-crawford-talks-about-the-giants-match-up-against-the-mets
When my bus pulled up at my brothers condo last night I noticed his “friend the painter’s” van was still outside. This meant to me that the painter was either (1) not finished or (2) my brother invited him to stay and watch the game. The over sized pizza on the table confirmed it. My first reaction was Oh No, because the painter is a Canuck who sleeps with his hockey stick. The thing I did not know was he is a magic wandoo guy when it comes to syncing up Sirius KNBR with the TV broadcast to the DVR. WoW, I love Jessica Mendoza but to be able to listen to all four of our guys – Jon-Dave-Kruke and Kuip was amazing. There was no lag in the TV with them announcing.
Kuip (like Lefty said) even had Bum’s first A.B. going out. Later after the game Jon mistakenly gave Dave some news on Conor that Jon meant was an Ishi moment – when Ishi almost retired from baseball. With his earpiece in Dave mentioned to Conor “I hear you considered retiring”? Conor: ” Well no I don’t think that ever crossed my mind”. Later during the Post game Pick your players and when Miller did the highlights Jon sort of apologized over the air for giving Flemm some fuzzy information.
That said – for Krukow and Kuiper – this articles a thumbs up to you guys for your great relationship.
http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/11617731/the-giant-friendship-san-francisco-giants-announcers-mike-krukow-duane-kuiper
Conors Home Run in Spanish
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1203002883/?c_id=mlb
Bust out the Guns Madison
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1203014983/?c_id=mlb
http://m.mlb.com/video/v1203007483/?c_id=mlb
John Miller calls all homeruns in Spanish the last couple years, so no need to listen to the Spanish version of that call .
Adios pelota! Vaya con dios!
Te amo estribaciones
“Raul de las colinas”
“em del paseo del vaquero”
Not so Peter. All JON (not John) does is say the words Adios Pelota. This was in it’s entirety and done so by the great Tito Fuentes with Erwin Higueros.
I will say that was a more enthusiastic call. That was Erwin with the call, right?
Correct!
ummm, nope.
Worlds of difference, Peter
Yeah, what’s up with that? The “Adios pelota!” call used to only be used when a latin player blasted one. He must have been called a racist by Efrain and decided to use it for white guys too…
Seeing MadBum sitting next to Gillaspie demonstrates just what a phyical presence he is. Gillaspie looks like a little kid next to MadBum. He is a real man!
The manliest man I knew was a sailor 5′ 3″ tall. Harder than iron, more stubborn than a mule, swift as a viper.
Amen to that!
How do we know that?
Now, it’s better the Giants didn’t win the division. Although they might have had a better chance of advancing to the NLCS against Washington, they’ve been there, done that. The five game format is the most exciting, Wrigley Field and AT&T are the two best venues in the NL.
If I were writing a script: Sweep the Dodgers to make wildcard game. Win a nail biter against a seemingly unbeatable starter in New York. Win three out of four against the Cubs in dramatic fashion. Sweep the Dodgers again. Play game seven at Fenway with Bumgarner going all Babe Ruth on the mound, doing a Carlton Fisk HR shimy-shake to go ahead in the ninth.
Ahhh yeah, I think my avatar is looking a bit manlier.
Boom! CG = Complete Game = Conor Gillaspie
Nothing computer generated about last night. That was real men playing real hardball.
Wheras MOST complaints from peeps on this board come from their belief that what they are watching is “hella” easy….
“Why’d he do that”
“He’s not hustling”
“Terrible route”
“DFA him, cut him a check”
the majority of Bochy’s moves stem from how he and his peers were treated as professionals – I’m gonna give my guys every chance to prove they are the pros that I believe they are.
Your post might be the Summation Post of the last six years. Nice!
Bochy played for Skippers who (a) treated players like men (b) were gentleman (c) Were Hard nosed (d) were maniacal
(1) Bill Virdon all his years as a Astro 1978–1980)
(2) George Bamberger for 82 Mets
(3) Dick Williams 1983 Padres 1984 – 1985
(4) Steve Boros 1986 Padres
(5) 1987 Larry Bowa 1987 Padres
I just did our complex home run handshake at the plate after your bomb…well said
I use to know that one ……
even if it leads to long loosing streaks, an overall record that is close to .500, and not making the playoffs every other year (despite having nearly the same lineup as the previous year that was successful). How much credit is the guy going to get for sticking with the simple rule that past performance predict future performance? Is there a more conservative way to choose a line-up? It is a minor miracle that Belt, Panik, and Crawford ever got enough time to prove they belong based on how other young guys have been treated.
You forgot Duffy and Kontos and Romo and Kontos and Strickland and Sandoval and Heston and probably a bunch of others. It’s a myth.
Well sure it sounds like a lot when you count all of the different Kontos.
It’s not and you are the one forgetting. How long did Duffy sit behind McGehee? How many tired old guys were tried before Panik and Crawford? and how long did we have to suffer with Huff with Belt on the bench? Do you remember what it took for Heston to get a chance? As for the bullpen, Bochy defers to Rags so I don’t give him any credit/ blame for any young guys who make the team.
Of course you can’t give Bochy any credit. After all, he’s the worst manager EVER! I’m sure you remember Bochy was run out of San Diego because of the vet love myth. How’s that worked out for the Padres, who went to the playoffs 4 times with Bochy and every year since. No, wait. It’s every other year. Or is it every 3 years. Nope, it’s NEVER. I bet to this day you can see Padre fans walking down the street wearing their #NeverBochy T-shirts!
Getting back to the Giants – How long did Duffy sit behind McGehee? Let’s see, Duffy wasn’t even a 3rd baseman, so it’s not clear he was even sitting behind McGehee to begin with. If Bochy hated rookies so much, how did Duffy even make the team? Oh, that’s right, he EARNED it. Even at that, this rookie who had never played 3rd base found himself to be a starter after only 6 weeks. Kind of daring to put a rookie in that position, wouldn’t you say?
As for Panik, he was given the 2B position despite being released by the GE Board, because he dropped a couple of throws from third base and was hitting about .208, but despite that, Bochy stuck with him. Unfortunately, he turned his ankle, and with Adrianza with a hamstring pull, their hand was forced and they brought up Uggla, who had been playing in Fresno for about a week. They stuck with him for what seemed like forever (3-4 days) before Panik was well enough to play and Panik took over 2nd base for good.
Since Heston (who wasn’t claimed after being DFA’d) will be getting several Cy Young votes, I guess you got me there.
Giants are Heyman’s second favorite to win it all…
http://www.todaysknuckleball.com/inside-baseball-with-jon-heyman/heyman-power-ranking-mlb-playoff-teams
Giants and Red Sox WS – Boom!
Cubs Indians WS. BAM! Zing! Pow!!
Reading between the lines it looks like either Giants or Cubs. I was sort of hoping the Nats would knock off the Dodgers, but now I don’t think so.
And if they win again, everyone will start to believe.
Uhhh, come on. If you don’t believe now, you’ll never believe.
#beliEVEN
Peter mentioned the Crawford interview (thanks PJ) that Clutch linked….and listening to it gives you such a great sense of the cool collection of characters we have.
We sit and watch every game through the years and the players change out as the core is built and polished. What we forget is the way they all grow up together. Hearing Brandon talk about a random game in Lancaster with Bum on the hill, Buster catching, Crawford at short, and Gillaspie at 3rd…think about how these guys not only rode buses together all over the country, but how they really transitioned from High School and College kids into men chasing the major league dream. They have gone through everything together.
You know as they were in a rental bus outside of Earlimart heading to another game, San Francisco was a very long way away…it was that prize dream. It consumed them…and every error or strike out or mistake seemed to have such high stakes. Yet they all made it in some form, and now, as the 3 stars with their rings go for yet another, the kid that was at 3rd base is now getting his taste of the playoffs.
One of the reasons that I think the Giants get more out of what the experts think is “less” is there is a Giants Way. No, they aren’t the ONLY team that has a way, a method. But this run of unprecedented modern success has roots. It has roots in an organization that preaches trust, brotherhood, togetherness….Conor, last night, jumped into the lore of this glorious period.
It’s been a different ride, but it’s a world away from 3rd base in a random game in Lancaster, CA in Class A ball alongside other dreamers.
Conor, welcome to October Glory. Your buddies had been hoping you would join them
Conor is an original Giant. There’s a reason the team keeps signing guys like him, and Ishi. Tradition is important in any group setting. I don’t know why other teams don’t emphasize their roots the way the Giants do.
The Oracle and giantc trashed his a$$ from the git go
I also have to admit to a certain bias which was historically based.
That was fine because I knew you knew what you were talking about…
Where’s the link for Crawford’s interview?
ClutchUp put it right below Peter’s comment down below about an hour ago
Okay, thanks Matthew.
…..
https://audioboom.com/boos/5130823-10-5-brandon-crawford-talks-about-the-giants-match-up-against-the-mets?t=0
Here ya go
https://audioboom.com/boos/5130823-10-5-brandon-crawford-talks-about-the-giants-match-up-against-the-mets?t=0
Dude,… Nobody told me you were this literate. I always thought you were a marketing guy.
But then again, you DO have a staff, right?
You mean Team Millineal Noodleheads? Yes, I do.
Well, Cudos, Kudos or Qudos. Whichever applies.
I see the team named themselves without the aid of a spellchecker.
They specialize in selfies at bars, and asking for raises.
Giants on a mission at Wrigley Field. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7e063c555499fd3ed21c9eb5d9b47acafce9e48640bdfc0af4177b34df95270c.jpg
I am pretty confident that whichever team comes out on top in the Giants Cubs series, they will win the WS.
My guy Matthew thought this was a pretty pedestrian catch last nite.
I think the context makes it a little more impressive – the distance to the ball, the route, the wall, the score, the stakes, and that the Grandyman is 35 and hasn’t exactly been playing a lot of CF the past few years. Grandyman would’ve been perfect in SF, but it wasn’t to be.
http://thebiglead.com/2016/10/05/video-curtis-granderson-made-a-sensational-catch-while-crashing-into-the-wall/
I stand firm in my analysis, Cousin. None of the factors you mention: not the distance, not the route needed, not the wall, not the score, not the stakes make it anything more than what i see it as:
A catch that should be made by every major league centerfielder every time
I believe the headline “sensational” should be tweaked. It was a wonderful catch, a good catch, a nice catch but not a great or sensational catch.
The key with the Grandyman was his JUMP. The Jump or READ that Centerfielders like Paul Blair or Darren Lewis or Garry Maddox or Jim Edmunds is what makes those balls catchable and yes every true major league centerfielder needs the ability to get that JUMP.
Grandy as a non-true CF with those stakes really pumped it up for me.
WOW! & EPIC! given the circumstances.
Tigers – Yankees and Mets – he has had lots of reps out there IMO
Back in the day…
or Juan Perez.
True, there ARE several past-current CF’s that get that initial read and are off to the races. The KC Royals have about three guys that come to mind.
The “Greatest Basket-Catch” in Baseball history.
Span yes, Pagan no?
WALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walls retired Rowand’s Mojo
nice to see Belt put a rip on that pitch – that pitch found it’s way to his happy zone: lower half and away where he gets his power extension.
Given our destination in Chicago, Wrigley Field. Interesting analysis of baseball in October in Wrigley.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/the-physics-of-october-baseball-in-wrigley/
Bumgarner’s curveball has changed and the speculation as to what he did is rampant.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/how-did-madison-bumgarner-fix-his-curve/
You are correct + Rags is a savant and Buster is a master.
Due to slow mo HD video and Krukow, we know he started throwing a spike curve. Our secret.
If you’re reading around the web, a surprising amount of pundits are picking the Giants. The majority is picking the Cubs, but after all the publicity the Cubs received during the season…35-40% are picking our guys.
All the Giants need is one game in Chicago; preferably in the first 2.
Can’t discount the rust factor. When was the last time they played a truly meaningful game, let alone that they haven’t faced game action since Sat/Sun?
That factor has hurt Giants’ opponents in the past.
I really think that’s the overriding factor as to why so few teams who finish with the best record end up winning it all. You’re usually facing a club who have been grinding for a few weeks already. Its hard to just flip the switch.
my rust may catch up with me on the links. If I shoot 120, I have my excuse.
I thought for a bit, your BBQ grill just needed cleaning. Phew.
I shot a 115 in Tahoe two weeks ago.
How many holes did you play?
54
Neat. you beat the all-time lowest 18 hole score in the universe .3 times!!
How’d you do on the back nine?
lmao
Be that as it may, they were the best team in MLB this year, and they’ll have a good home field advantage. These guys can rake; Bryant, Rizzo and Zobrist are major threats. Hold them down and there’s another group of guys who will hurt you.
We will need clutch hits with RISP from Belt, Posey, Pence and Crawford.
All good points, they had the best record and best offense by a wide margin. They have a top 5 pitching staff and a smart manager. I seriously doubt that some rust and the pressure of 108 years will affect that team.
Nice Sacramento Bee look at last night via AP writer BY Mike Fitzpatrick
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mlb/san-francisco-giants/article106325917.html
A Chicago take on the Cubs weaknesses.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-worries-playoffs-spt-1007-20161006-story.html
Co-Anchorman Spoof including Our Girl Jaymee Sire
https://twitter.com/HisAndHers/status/780801148907245568
“The Giants Got Conor Gillaspie for Nothing” (61 photos)
http://tinyurl.com/Hank-Talking-Conor
His post season share could be more than he’s ever earned before.
John Sickels on Derek Law: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/10/5/13175806/giants-rookie-derek-law-what-happens-next?utm_campaign=minorleagueball&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
I think the only worry about Law is him staying healthy.
Yes indeed. The only thing that may hold him back from being “the closer”. How much load can be put on his arm ? – his delivery seems to created a hot spot. He may be well suited to a “closer platoon” which could happen next year. Or just be a Big Dog set-up man with Big Dog Mark Melancon in for the 9th.
If he does close successfully, he may become known as the goofiest closer ever.
Jim Nabors?
His cousin (Goober?).
Lots of serious competition there.
I know he doesn’t look it, but Gearrin may be the goofiest of all of them.
I also believe when he implemented the Cueto quick pitch gizmo it hurt him rather than helped him. Law IMO is all about consistency. When he had some scuffles he seemed to throw the ball in areas that were “easy takes”
John Sickels is good. His take on Law is pretty much the consensus.
He’s my guy, but I’ve found some of his blind spots.
He’s missing Tyler Beede in his Top 100 prospects and he has Phil Bickford greatly over ranked.
YMMV
We really need to see Beede take a big step forward in 2017. All these first round pitchers seem to have stalled. We need one to break through and jump to the 25-man.
How is 2017 any different than other year where there was atleast 1 hole in the rotation? Does the problem lie with the young men or those who set the standard to make the team or those who drafted and coached them?
Beede didn’t stall. He had a great year and won the ERA title in the Eastern League.
The only thing stalling some of these pitchers is the team not bringing them up. I’m not sure what some of them could even accomplish at this point to make them look more “ready”.
Lefty and Syndergaard
http://tinyurl.com/Lefty-and-Syndergaard
Ron Wotus backing Conor Gillaspie
http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-Bochy-expains-how-he-might-use-Cueto-9802225.php
Was great to see Cory Gearrin in the dugout last night and was one of the first players who jumped the railing as Span caught out number three!
Roberto Kelly channeling https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f8586371883d4bc2079de07edd07cb93c2541d9f2706c60b3b733c143ea0cb2d.jpg John Travolta
Conor with eyes CLOSED.
Time to name that Giant from left to right below https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e6622b054946987ac5c81178aaf03f0a3796be57cd834539b7729ddf542c1079.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8d21fc6d41703fcf369976630ea71088bfd069c39f49267e9a6f54b05038e3a2.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ffb0a6fb73deaeae55fcd0e300f04dda8a5e43da16c7e8dbd6b29c6a73dfbbb1.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d30619dac70fa8e897093337534ad6e41eb2a81220a7bd81aa4c696e93f55f34.jpg
Finally, Finally, Finally our own Goof Ball BB9 decided to leave the confines of the Clubhouse – go OUT onto the field and drag Conor back in.
https://twitter.com/SFGiants/status/783874189296017408
https://twitter.com/BigCaseDawg16
What a moment for a good kid
And Wotus is center middle cheering like a proud papa
That’s cool. I love all the joy. Nothing like winning in the postseason!
The blow back from deferred contracts. Bobby Bonilla and the Mets.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-bobby-bonilla-retirement-plan-quit-baseball-in-2001-get-paid-until-2035/
They gave the Ivy some fertilizer – still green says Baggs
https://twitter.com/extrabaggs/status/784134345061642240
Happy flight https://twitter.com/SFGiants/status/784091575592873984
Although it now appears Hurricane Matthew may miss the DC area and not interfere with the NLDS, it will body slam Florida twice maybe. Current predicted track.
https://i.imgur.com/seDeyBw.png
whoa, is there predicted track with wind speed estimates? Does it have the potential to pick up energy again after veering south to warmer waters?
Hurricanes are like the baseball gods: they do whatever the h*** they want to do.
CBS Sports concludes Madison Bumgarner is a cyborg. Nothing else seems to explain him in October.
Well there was that pod people rumor that was used to explain the post ASB performance.
He was originally sent back in time to save John Connor, but he blew off his mission to instead become the most dominant postseason pitcher in history.
Poor Mama C did not choke on a ham sandwich AND the gal could sing (and dance)
And rumor of Karen having no kitchen in her house were reprehensible Hollywood fodder.
Both left their marks.
California Dreamin
We’ve Only Just begun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN3GbF9Bx6E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__VQX2Xn7tI
My Father’s second wife kept the phone books in the oven. I’d guess that they ate out a lot.
Was that the origin of cooking the books?
Hey, y’all: this hurricane is a serious issue. Thousands of people fleeing westward; this is going to cause major damage, and likely some injury and death.
GG: are you OK down there? We’re appx 300 miles inland (Atlanta suburbs), so we’ll be OK, but a lot of people are already here seeking shelter.
You know it’s serious when they start talking about changing start times and game days for SEC football games.
I am sending lots of safe charms to GG and whoever else lives near this horrible hurricane.
Thanks vixenflem. We have battened down the hatches and stocked up on wine, feta, olives and bread! I’m just hoping I can find a place to watch the game tomorrow night as I am sure we will be without power or worse very soon.
I love the wine & food, so sorry this is going on for you et all:(
Have you been through this before?
I
Mix in some pastichio, dolmathes and spanakopita and I’ll be over…after the hurricane passes! So glad to hear you are hunkered down. I know you’d be out of there if they told you to go.
Thanks TF. Yes, so far so good. We are braced for the worst.
The Art of Adjusting Ones Cup
Conor – Adjusts his cup. Rubs dirt. Adjusts cup again. Only heroes “adjust” in mid at-bat on live television.
https://twitter.com/aaronfalk/status/783868347947454465
Yeah, I’ve mentioned that.I thought that he was checking to see if his balls were still there.As we can see, one can never check too often. They like to get out.
almost forgot – there is a ballgame. Seems Toronto has 5-0 lead on Texas.
Not Cole’s best day on the bump.
That lineup can chew up LHP
Melvin says 6-0 .
7-0
Ian Desmond might be off the Giants Outfield wish list, he just pulled up on a fly ball to the wall with the bases loaded .
Throw Cespedes in that pile too
Weird route last night but what happened was he did not negotiate the speed of Crawford’s slicing line drive.
Pretty much the downside of being a jack of all trades.
Saw that….ouch.
Not sure if this was posted or not. Great piece on Bumgarner’s epic game last night.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/madison-bumgarner-yoenis-cespedes-and-two-extremes/
The Giants really do a great job with scouting reports in the postseason. Especially good job against other teams best players.
Last nights Span attempted steal attempt – out call – appeal – upheld – still bothers me. To quote Matthew: “Why even have replay then”?
About two-three months ago I posted to get rid of the “preponderance” word as in “preponderance of evidence” because this is a baseball game NOT – a court of law. I watched his lead slide leg come in hard to the bag and with contact kept, slide over to the back of his thigh area, meanwhile his bent leg rear foot – piggybacked the front side without any “daylight” occurring. I would say this regardless of who I was rooting for.
So if the call is OUT and the evidence (without having to use ‘preponderance’) shows he was safe, then he should be safe. Somebody is too confused with *Confirmed* – *Overturned* * Upheld* and all the other semantics. Do the right thing. If he is called safe and it shows Out, call him out. If he is called Out and evidence shows Safe, then he is safe.
Flannery said: @TimFlannery2 The System needs fixing. Might as well,”challenge”, then Judge Judy comes out, hears testimony, & yells at both sides.
Preponderance of the evidence is not the standard. It has nothing to do with MLB replay. The actual standard is that, in order to overturn a call, the video evidence has to be “clear and convincing,” which is a much higher burden of proof. Preponderance means more likely than not. If that were the standard, then the Span call would likely have been overturned. Because of the angle, however, I don’t think it was completely clear that Span’s lead leg stayed on the bag until his knee made contact. If it wasn’t clear, then the call can’t be overturned.
So since the game was in NY and the headquarters is in NY – do we gather that there were more camera angles than a normal regular season game?
Flannery “Good Day” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaTC8kmh_OU
I just thought of a headline for the Dalls papers tomorrow with a nod to the brilliance of New York papers:
NOT KING COLE
Whaddaya think?,
Very punny, Bro.
Punter Hence says Yes-siree-Bob
Everybody needs to check out the long haired righty kid out of the Texas pen, Barnette….he is seriously a Cory Gearrin Doppleganger in both looks AND delivery…
An interesting podcast by Statcast on last night’s game. There will be a handful of things you’ve never heard discussed..
http://mlb.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&podcast=statcast_podcast&partnerId=as_mlb_20161006_66649986&adbid=784155039208054784&adbpl=tw&adbpr=2565963218
The before and after New York Post Sports covers
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4df591490c38a1c6e172217f8de0a151f3c73d3982efc863bb3d8b6afdc45c15.jpg
It was pretty funny that ultimate cheerleader Tim Ryan got caught calling Mike Purcell “garbage” when he didn’t realize his mic was live.
Love the Jays. Lol this post-season is starting wonderfully.
I got the Indians beating the Red Sox.
I dunno man. The Panda factor….
The Mookie factor.
So you can take the cookie and sti…
Mookie Wilson? That ship sailed, brah…
Does Panda ever make his way back? He had some good postseasons.
Funny how the player making the least but with big hunger hits a money shot.
Ah, the generic player prop is here. What sport, sport?
Article on Koufax. How sabermetrics shaped him (yes it did), his early pitch tipping issues, and to grunt or not to grunt.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/10/sandy-koufax/503036/
Just read that they’ve closed Disney World through tomorrow. That’s huge. Be safe GG.
Whoa – Bauer draws the start in G1 – one of Bapah’s guys along with Juan Perez and Andrew Susac. There’s a king and his court somewhere in there.
I like him because he’s smart. He has an ego I don’t care for, but he has to deal with some pretty stupid people in his line of work. His problem is he gets too amped when he starts and needs to get through an inning or two to settle down. Trouble is…
As for Perez, anybody that didn’t like this kid’s defense in CF just doesn’t know squat about baseball. Andy I just like because I’ve seen him play over several years. He’s a good baseball player and could be a very good hitting catcher. He’s a better one than Trevor and certainly has a much higher upside.
Yo quiero Juanito Perez!!!
Ah the old the kissing defense.
http://m.huffpost.com/ca/entry/12376116
Ok so I now have absolutely no idea how to change my avatar photo…please help…
Go to gravatar.com …. It should walk you thru
Is this the only way to do so now? I tried doing it the old way and it just won’t happen.
That’s how I always do it. You can log into your account and upload as many different images as you like. Then you can easily change it. Takes maybe 10-15 min for it to show up here after a change.
When I try uploading a photo on Disqus after opening the file, it just won’t pop up. Unbelievably frustrating.
I meant Gravatar, not Disqus.
I always changed it on Disqus. And now it’s just impossible. Technology is such a wonderful thing.
Do you save changes and then look to see if the new photo appears in the box the old one was in?
Go to your little name pull down just above “Sort by newest.
Click to open
Go to profile
Go to Avatar, Choose method
download from computer
Open file with pic
Click on pic then open
Once it appears in Avatar
then save
Yes. Everything.
Except save.
Then it occurred to me. I am a freaking moron. And starving.
One thing in my defense. The pic never appeared in the avatar after I clicked open. That’s why I never thought to hit save.
Welllll
Dude I need a sandwich or Chicken Piccatta or something.
Well as the old saying goes, Suede Goats
I’m waiting on my co-engineer to get here to mix an album I started 2 years ago. He played keys, and is a brilliant musician. And certified in Pro Tools. He’s supposed to bring the grub. And he’s late.
It’s how I’ve always done it, by I’m partial to Juan anyway
LOOK AT YOU, tech wizardry at its best
That’ll be quite enough from you, young man. I had a small-ahem-oversight. Now I’m starving. Help me with that, Disqus!!!!
Tomorrow’s lineup: Does last night’s hero get the nod vs the lefty Lester, or is it KT or EA if Nunez can’t go? Any other changes? Bochy used Beckham vs Hill and Kershaw last weekend, but we know that’s not an option. KT instead of Panik? Gorkys instead of Span?
I think the Panik platoon is over. I think Conor gets tomorrow. Just my guess
I think Bochy plays the “same soup” routine. Conor and Joe P. no brainers, Gorkys over Span a tough decision–I think BB leaves Denard in CF.
KT probably more value as a PH. My guy Joltin Joe Jr stays in for defense and stay with the hot and settled in CG. But we shall see.
I think Panik is not a platoon lefty hitter, any more than Belt and Crawford are.
Hope so. Hope Panik starts and stays, and heats up. His walk in the ninth changed the game. CG can handle it. Boch has a seasoned line up.
I agree, but his ABs have not looked good. I vote for Panik, but Kelby could deliver a big hit.
yes, the strong RH lineup — get everyone involved and do what has been successful over the course of the last week. Conor can rest until a RHP comes in. He will be a valuable bat off the bench, if needed. I’m not big on EA, so I would prefer KT at 3rd and Panik at 2nd. But if we have to have EA in there, who knows, he may be the next hero.
Who cares, just play ball.
OK, Mr. GrumpyPants. I think it’s fun to have a roster/lineup to still talk about. 24 hours ago, there was no guarantee we’d be talking about anything except the 2017 team.
I woke at 4:30 thinking about Henry the Fifth’s Band of Brothers speech, Agincourt, and the Giants this morning. I’m a little taciturn about now. 😉
That’s really strange. I woke up thinking about exactly that, except for the part about the Giants.
LOL. Welcome, you Welshman.
It was a beautiful speech. Almost as good as Hunterpence.
(I could see that crazy bastardo (not Antonio) in kilts.)
To those who haven’t seen Branaugh work. Great stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvFHRNGYfuo
Definitely. What we need are more links to articles examining the effect of high winds on the slider, both above and below the equator.
I heard that was totally what sunk Casilla this year. It’s science, people.
I think it was sun spots.
I told you to wear your shades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qrriKcwvlY
It means Arietta wil be 4-6 inches high in the zone in the 1st inning. It means get him early, my man.
As I mentioned earlier, there is NEVER EVER a question to the Giants organiztion or Bochy regarding Panik or KT.
PANIK IS THE STARTING 2B ON THIS TEAM, PERIOD!
Roster guesses for LDS:
Starting lineup: Span, Belt, Posey, Pence, Crawford, Pagan, Panik, Gillaspie (8)
Starting rotation: Cueto, Shark, Bum, Moore (4)
Bench: Brown, Gorkys, Kelby, Adrianza (if no Nunez), Parker (5)
Bullpen: Romo, Casilla, Law, Strickland, Smith, Lopez, Kontos, Okert (8)
I’m also guessing that if they advance to a NLCS (7-game series), they’ll swap in Blach or Suarez–definitely Blach if it’s the Dodgers.
OK, 49ers: national audience, good sports karma in the Bay Area, AZ struggling–good place for “rise up” win. OK, at least play a good game.
Color splash unis’? 90% yes. Gross. But have seen worse.
Hate these unis. Same as they wore for one game last year. These Thursday night monochromatic themes: dumb. Especially given our classic, long standing red, gold and white.
“Absolutely no talent” trumps “good sports karma” in the National….Football ….League
Mini toilet bowl game?
Blane Gabbert: who we thought he was
Word. Others, too.
Here comes top five draft position next year…maybe worse.
That doesn’t help if Baalke makes the pick,
or if the owner’s son can’t stop meddling with stuff he knows next to nothing about
Though the black uni’s seem to make the team look faster.
* Conor hasn’t hit lefties well at all this year, or ever. But seeing as he’s played good defense of late, I don’t see him sitting for KT or EA.
*Gorkys or Blanco? Bochy is a sentimental guy- I think he’ll go with Gregor unless there’s still concern about his shoulder Tough call.
*Panik, KT-the only question is Game One. Another tough call- sound of coin flipping in the background- KT in game 1.
*Not much more intrigue.What we’ve been seeing is what we’ll get- and why the hell not?
I think Gorkys is a done deal and that it’s Blanco vs Parker for a spot. I’d go with Blanco for speed and defense, but Bochy did have Parker ready to pinch-hit last night, so that MIGHT be a clue (but might not, too).
Question- WC roster seemed fine, is there a compelling reason to change it?
Usually in a WC game, you have every available position player and a couple fewer pitchers, since it’s just one game. Also, Moore wasn’t on the WC roster, and I’m guessing you’d want him. 🙂
Yes
Not really.
Michael Scott’s Game # 4 starter – Javier Lopez!
It was just a trial softball toss. Good news- you passed!
I think we will see platooning in CF and 3rd. Gorkys and Nunez.
There is NEVER EVER a question of Panik or KT.
Panik is the starting 2B on this team through thick and thin.
PANIK
“There is NEVER EVER a question of Panik or KT.”
Bochy used KT at 2nd against lefties 6 times in September, including against Hill in the Dodgers series.
You may be right about today’s game but get your facts straight- you seem to have problems with that.
.
You may be right that at times I post without checking my facts as you call them, but I know baseball.
Joe Panik is the Giants 2B, he is their best option in critical games, and the post season they are all critical. Knowing baseball, you shoud understand that starters need rest during the season, they all look flat time to time.
And you may like KT, which is cool. But no Michael, it is never a question, barring injury, at this time of the year who will or should start at 2B. KT is a backup, a roll bench player, this is not a platoon system going on here.
Best postseason HRs, from 2010 through last night? Here’s my list, considering various factors such as whether it was a walkoff, an elimination game, etc.
1. Edgar Renteria (2010, World Series Game 5). Because it just is.
2. Travis Ishikawa (2014, NLCS Game 5). Because it won a pennant in Bobby Thomson style.
3. Buster Posey (2012, NLDS Game 5). Because it was an elimination game AND off Latos.
4. Juan Uribe (2010, NLCS, Game 6). Because it won a pennant.
5. Conor Gillaspie (2016, Wild Card Game). Because it was in the ninth inning of a scoreless elimination game.
6. Brandon Crawford (2014, Wild Card Game). Because it ended an elimination game in the fourth inning.
7. Pablo Sandoval (2012, World Series, Game 1). Because it broke the Tigers and Justin Verlander.
8. Cody Ross (2010, Game 1, NLCS). Because it broke the Phillies and Doc Halladay.
9. Brandon Belt (2014, NLDS, Game 2). Because it ended an 18-inning marathon and turned a series.
#7 Give Pablo 3 on that one.
And two for Cody on #8
Your gargantuan memory, and incredible Gigantes’ freaky history – are making me feel guilty. A surfeit of success. It’s too much. It’s not to be believed.
This cannot continue. No way. Nunca. Niente.
BELIEVEN!!!
Honorable Mentions:
–Michael Morse, 2014 NLCS Game 5–tied the game that won the pennant
–Hunter Pence, 2014 World Series, Game 1–gave Bum all the runs he’d need
–Angel Pagan, 2012 NLCS, Game 4 (led off an elimination game)
–Aubrey Huff, 2010 World Series, Game 4–gave Bum all the runs he’d need
Yeah, I was gonna throw in Huff’s, because like you said–it put Bum in charge. Also because it was a majestic moon shot.
Morse has to be on your first list.
I was being somewhat selective. You have to have Ishikawa’s HR because it was a walk-off and it won a pennant. But the Giants were in the driver’s seat in that series, up 3-1. So Morse’s homer, while very memorable, wasn’t quite as do-or-die as the others on the list.
It might not have been do, but it might have been die!
Yeah, that makes sense. I just remember thinking “we lose this game and go back to St. Louis it’s 2012 reverse deja vu. When Morse tied it, I felt in my heart we would win.
How about Buster vs. Tigers?
I thought about that one, but it just put them ahead in the sixth inning for about five minutes. Scutaro’s single in the 10th won the game. There was also Renteria’s HR in Game 2 of the 2010 World Series–put them up 1-0 in what was then a tight game–and Uribe’s HR in Game 1 of the WS, which broke the game wide open.
Uh, what you said.
What I love about this list, including my Honorable Mentions below: There is never the same guy twice.
I figured it was driven by your bobblehead census.
Wow. So many awesome moments .
I know. I can envision every single one of them.
But will you be able to after tomorrow???
I think so. I’m having a tooth out and a graft, not a lobotomy. At least that’s what they SAID.
That’s what they always say to the patient before a re-frontal; it calms everyone and makes the office run more smoothly.
I thought the Morse HR was bigger than Ish.
I don’t know about bigger but I think it should be up on that list. It was massive HR. Nothing doing, pinch hit HR down by 1.
I love being lectured by Simms and Nantz.
I love being lectured by Matthew.
Show us how much, say something collegial..
University of Michigan football. That’s collegial, isn’t it?
I think you mean “collegiate” (!)
No. Try congenial.
Atta babe!
Simms trying to stir some excitement of a barn burner.
That was a nice drive. Now play some NFL caliber defense.
Florida Hurricane, a buzz saw. Keep your head down.
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-matthew-bahamas-florida-georgia-carolinas-forecast
Gabbert has all the tools to play QB except accuracy.
Game is definitely a lot closer than the score.
Herm Edwards said it best on ESPN today. Gabbert will never be better than he is right now, a QB that already has taken 4000 snaps in the NFL will not be “better” due to some magic swing of a wand.
The need to just go to CK now.
Hey, George, Maybe we should launch a new post before you get hit by Matthew. The hurricane might be a problem too.
In this corner…standing 5’10″…. Weighing in at a strong 163 pounds….fighting out of White Linens Gym in Modesto…..The Executive Execitionerrrrrrrrrr….
Mmmmmmmmmatttttttyyyyyy
I really like how Cleveland plays baseball. They have 22-game winner Rick Porcello headed for the showers before the 5th inning is over.
Since I have no intention to be sentimental about the Cubs, I’ll gladly give all my Cinderella points and one glass slipper to Cleveland.
Are you being Dr. Lefty, or TheSarcastic?
Nope, I’m being sincere. They just stole a run with aggressive, opportunistic base running.
I used to like the Bosox. Used to. Screw them.
You’re being TheSincere? Joke’s on you, Paul.
That’s MR. Sarcastic, thank you very much…
Not watching the game, but if you’re getting bombed, you’re getting bombed.
They’re a really solid team. Francona is an excellent manager.
I hope I’m the first to pass this along:
Madison Bumgarner basically retook the division for the Giants in an abstract, glass-half-full sense. He did it with one start, another impossibly strong start. Maybe his most impressive start yet, considering it was a 0-0 game for the first eight innings in an elimination situation.
How does it happen? I don’t know. All I know is that it keeps happening. And it’s already made up a pile of the best sports memories that anyone could ever have. We’re so, so damned spoiled to watch this guy.”
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/10/6/13189632/madison-bumgarner-wild-card-game-mets
Nice, thanks, Paul!
My computer’s been down today while we replaced the modem and I have to get caught up on Giants news. This story looks like a good place to start. Thanks, paul.
Ron Darling sounds like he’s doing a bad Christopher Walken impression…
After listening to that crew last night and anyone else, Kruk and Kipe are the best, hands down. Miller and Fleming are great too. Our guys are simply the best. You could see the air come outta Boone and that ESPN crew when CG launched it. They couldn’t hide it.
I muted the ESPN clown act and listened to the KNBR guys the whole way. That’s going to be the plan for the duration here.
I gotta find a way to get KNBR up here.
I use the MLB At-Bat app and play it from my phone through a Bluetooth speaker. Usually I have to sync it up a bit between the TV and radio feeds, but last night it was perfect.
Will get it. Thx
MORE COWBELL!!
This 49ers team would finish third or fourth in the seven-team SEC West. Serious.
Niners helping my fantasy team by allowing Fitzgerald to break out.
Fitzgerald was on my fantasy team like 10 years ago – I once had T.O., seems I had Andre Johnson a couple years, and Raider Jerry Rice too!
OK, now the best/most memorable/most significant pitching performances from 2010 through last night. I’m going to keep it to 10, and that won’t be easy.
1. Madison Bumgarner, Game 7, 2014 World Series
2. Tim Lincecum, Game 5, 2010 World Series
3. Madison Bumgarner, Wild Card Game, 2016 (gets the nod b/c it was such a close game)
4. Madison Bumgarner, Wild Card Game, 2014
5. Barry Zito, Game 5, 2012 NLCS
6. Ryan Vogelsong, Game 6, 2012 NLCS
7. Tim Lincecum, Game 1, 2010 NLDS
8. Yusmeiro Petit, Game 2, 2014 NLDS
9. Madison Bumgarner, Game 5, 2014 World Series
10. (Tie): Matt Cain, Game 2, 2010 World Series, Madison Bumgarner, Game 4, 2010 World Series, Barry Zito, Game 1, 2012 World Series, Madison Bumgarner, Game 2, 2012 World Series, Madison Bumgarner, Game 1, 2014 World Series
Honorable Mention:
–Ryan Vogelsong, Game 3, 2012 NLDS
–Matt Cain, Game 3, 2010 NLCS
–Matt Cain, Game 7, 2012 NLCS
–Tim Hudson, Game 2, 2014 NLDS
–Ryan Vogelsong, Game 2, 2012 NLCS
–Ryan Vogelsong, Game 3, 2012 World Series
–Jeremy Affeldt, Game 6, 2010 NLCS
–Jeremy Affeldt, Game 7, 2014 World Series
–Sergio Romo, Game 5, 2012 NLDS
–Sergio Romo, Game 4, 2012 World Series
–Brian Wilson, Game 6, 2010 NLCS
–Tim Lincecum, Game 4, 2012 NLDS (relief)
You are out of control.
I’m having oral surgery at 10:30 am tomorrow and will be under heavy sedation and pain medication the rest of the day and maybe much of the weekend. Gotta get all my brilliant insights in now.
Can we have some dumb insights when you’re stoned on the painkillers? Please?
Yeah…I really wanna hear some “Stoned Lefty” lists.
I made Mr. Lefty promise to keep me away from the computer and hide my phone. The last time I had a root canal, I thought I was fine to send work email the same afternoon. I wasn’t. People were pretty puzzled about the incoherent messages I sent.
This is a more intense procedure. I’m just glad the game will be available on MLB.TV later in case I’m too out of it to know what I’m watching.
Buen suerte, Maestra.
Mission accomplished, you freak. And good luck, btw. But heavy sedation and pain medication???
WORD.
Best of luck tomorrow. Sounds excruciating
I am incredibly excited for Sedated Lefty posts!!!!
Me too!!
All y’all are just moving me to tears with your sympathy. 🙂
Are self medicating early by any chance. 😉
good luck ! hope you feel better soon
I would probably have to switch #1 and #2.
Bum gets that nod from me because it was winner-take-all and on two day’s rest, ending the most dominant postseason run ever. We were watching history that night. But that Game 5 performance from Timmy was one for the ages. Last night’s game reminded me of that game–ace vs ace, trading zeros, finally won by a dramatic three-run homer from a fairly unlikely source. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve re-watched that game. Timmy was so, so good that night, and so was Cliff Lee.
Agree. Timmy was amazing and redefined our SFG world, with 2 games left. Madison was epic, and there was no tomorrow.
there was a great youtube vid circulatiing for awhile of 55 pre-game doing those yoga stretches on the field and then warming up with buster and the person who took the vid caught this wonderful sound of the ball snapping into the leather for Timmy’s warm up pitches – he looked like it was a summer day @ 3rd + king – so calm and cool and then that ball would fly and SNAP that lovely ball on glove sound
Nice list.
Matt Cain’s perfect game?
Sorry, I meant just playoff games, but I didn’t specify, I guess.
Why is chip Kelly wearing red face paint?
Michigan still undefeated, the 49ers still terrible, Jed York still looking like a complete idiot…I like it.
Span still safe.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fd0b8826dfc021350c46191adefecc632d29929b586ffe5e2067362aa83d75bb.png
Totally. A fraud was perpetrated.
Arizona only up by a touchdown. They must really be struggling.
Heard that Jose Ramirez really saved The Tribe’s bacon when Michael Brantley went down and stayed down – sort of a team MVP. 24 year old Ramirez broke out with a .312 avg, 11 HRs, and 76 rib eyes. Now that Project Runway is over, I can check him out .
Where did you hear that?
A conch on the seashore.
or the radio pregame with quote from Tito.
Hard to be MVP with studs like Lindor and Kipnis in the lineup (Napoli too), but he really closed a void.
I miss the old Foothills. You’re too analytical now (except when you’re trading Van Halen love notes to the Sincere or rubbing up Rob Deer).
Come back Foothills… Come back..
Yes, please. Come back, Foothills Ryan. I miss photos of the fence line and stories about your farm/ranch.
I am the egg man…
You want some love too?
ACDC right?
If you want blood,
You got it.
Are you a child of the 70s also?
Why didn’t we figure this out sooner? It’s her students.Duh.They are her slaves. “Guys, I need that info on the PCL SB leaders,’04 through ’09.STAT!! There are 3 others typing already…”
I prefer “volunteer research assistants” to “slaves.”
It’s Blog Fraud!!
At least you didn’t ask for their girlfriends/wives pictures.
Grad students need practice in finding info quickly. We would do google competitions in the lab. That was fun.
Google has been getting pretty cheeky of late. you how they will suggest your recent search’s”Well I start to type “who knows..”and go to this website’s homesite and click son a
Didn’t finish. there’s a video already playing. so this guy asks ” what kind of weirdo wants to know Hillary Clinton’s dimensions?’
I know, this was like 10-15 years ago.
I’d like to thank Nantz and Simms for explaining that the reason Gabbert is a terrible quarterback is because he’s had too many coaches. Apparently they all specialize in teaching interceptions, check downs, and proper sack taking decisions.m
They’re going to have to give Kaepernick a shot.
NFL viewership is down ~11%. That’ll help.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2016/10/06/nfl-tv-ratings-monday-sunday-night-football-debate/91694894/
good ! adding this thurs night game is just over exposure not to mention detrimental to the players IMHO
the fact they haven’t to date is jut making them look ridiculous and vindictive – kelly’s reasons for not playing him sound like he is being told what to say [not in playing shape ? doesn’t weight enough?]
I think Kelly’s arm are tied on this one.
It has to do with the FO not wanting to pay CK the 14MM+ next season.
They charged someone in the Jays beer can toss. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/06/toronto-police-confident-they-have-id-of-man-who-threw-beer/91667596/
Pagan! 😮
Big Papi hustle play?!?
49ers may not win another game this season.
Replace “may” with “won’t”..
It’s not a good sign when the guard from Stanford who the 49ers took in the first round can’t see the field.
Phil Simms : ” you want Gabbert to be careful and not throw another interception because people reading the paper tomorrow will see the stats and think he had a bad game.”
Ummmmm. What?!?!? He DID have a bad game, Phil.,
this charade needs to stop and CK needs to start, Gabbert just can’t make the basic throws for this offense. Never will.
The guy is beyond terrible.
Kelly sounded way less supportive in the post game this time
Pretty awesome playoff baseball going on right now. It appears to be better than the NFL game some of you are watching.
They’re not baseball fans. Giants fans yes…
Excuse me. That’s absurd.
A local football team played. Like them or not.
Don’t. Just don’t.
Tranquilo
Then don’t say stupid shit.
I wish we managed to get Andrew Miller.
Right?! Saw him at Yankee Stadium vs the Giants just before he was traded. I was so impressed that Mac Williamson managed an RBI double off him. He’s really hard to hit.
I remember that at bat. Grinded that one out.
The Yankees wanted Joe Panik.
Damn, I say no to that but I wish we could gotten it done another way. Maybe a few more top prospects to go with Bickford and Susac
Everything I’ve read about the discussions between the Giants and Yankees about a possible trade for Andrew Miller says that the Yankees asked for Joe Panik in exchange. I don’t know if the Yankees wanted prospects thrown in too, but they would only consider the deal for Joe Panik. Bobby wisely turned them down.
Amazing we couldn’t manage to swing a closer at the trade deadline with all the ones available. Just shows how high the asking price was. Bickford and Susac brought back Will Smith.
It was not for lack of trying. Evans has hinted that the asking prices were high. I read one interview in which he said other teams asked for Giants MLB players. The Marlins had wanted Matt Duffy for a long time. Bobby made the deal (with sadness, I think.)
I’m still glad he didn’t trade top prospects for a rental closer. Miller would have been different because he’s signed for two more years, but obviously they weren’t competitive to get him.
After Phil Bickford was traded, I was worried Tyler Beede could be next.
It’s all about shelf life.
5th inning to nite?
Brian Kenny approves. Use your best guy when you need him most. Miller quieted things down. Still can’t believe poor Zack Britton had to watch from the bullpen while his team was eliminated.
It’s a good thing they gave Allen at back
Impressive. Can go multiple innings, put out fires, swing and miss stuff, LHP…Pretty much ideal candidate for our club.
It’s one game but Indians bullpen looks legit.
Cleveland wins! Their closer is naassssty.
Oh, and I found Phil Cuzzi. He’s working the Indians/Red Sox series. He just ended the game on a close call and Pedroia is screaming at him. Hopefully that means he never gets near the Giants.
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving hootie baby (Pedroia). :o)
That was close….gotta love Cuzzi being the Factor!
Welcome back!
Cmon dude… Why you say stuff like you did? Think first.
Football doing bad things to your head. Take a chill pill.
Ron Darling despises Cuzzi so much he didn’t like the call even though Cuzzi guessed right this time.
Tight bullpen mgmt by Tito
Dustin will calm down once he looks at the replay.
Jake Arrieta called Bumgarner “really good, but beatable.”
At the risk of sounding like Mr. Connected , let me apologize for repeating this:
My son met Rizzo, Lester, Ross and Arrieta at a Kenny Chesney concert. Three were very engaging, interested in conversation, humble, fun. One was not….Arrieta was a cocky jerk, saying things like “You see me own the A’s. Watch me in October”
What a shock.
A zeek.
Well, the same could be said for Jake Arrieta.
I don’t think Jake Arrieta realizes how stupid it is of him to say that.
I don’t think he cares…sorry. I can’t stand the guy
It’s arrogant because Jake Arrieta is essentially a nobody, while Madison Bumgarner is already a legend, SI Sportsman of the Year in 2014, the best postseason pitcher in MLB history, and likely on his way to Cooperstown. And, it’s plain stupid to throw down the gauntlet and insult Bumgarner before the duel.
It’s hard for me to understand how calling Bumgarner “beatable” is an insult. He’s lost before, even in the post season.
He’s 2-0 vs. the Cubs this year, though. That Sunday night game in May where Bum pitched a shutout and knocked in the only run was pretty epic.
Bumgarner beat Arrieta in the September series.
Yes, he did.
Arrieta seems to need to say stupid things like this to puff himself up.
In such situations it is always better to say less rather than more. Action on the field speaks louder than words. The interviews with Bum before the wildcard game were funny. they kept asking him so many stupid questions and his answers were minimal or that he doesn’t have an answer.
I would imagine you go around life talking to people with a similar attitude as Arrieta.
I think you are fully aware that the guy comes off as aloof and cocky, but you , of course, have to be the “other side” guy …because…Oracle.
Do you think Bumgarner would spend a lot of words gushing over an opponent? I doubt Arrieta is afraid of the matchup. He wouldn’t be much of a competitor if he was.
Actually, Bum did just that in the post game on ESPN.
Yes, he did.
He’s nobody other than the 2015 NL Cy Young winner.
Who is pitching in the 3rd game in the NLDS.
2015 was so last year. Something was off with Arrieta this season. He had career highs in walks (76) and wild pitches (16).
I don’t think so, either.
I don’t see Bum saying that.
Nor do I. It’s smart to have respect for your opponent.
What do you expect him to say? ‘There’s no way we can beat this guy?”
Chip Kelly talks really fast. Like super lightning fast. Like Olympic speed fast.
too bad he can’t talk himself up a football team
If you read Brisbee’s piece, you know the answer to this, but it’s pretty good 2016 trivia. The Giants won 3 of 7 games vs. the Cubs this year. Bumgarner was the winning pitcher in two of those. Who was the third?
MyGuy Cain Cain Cain Cain
Has GreekGiant been in touch with anyone the past couple hours? Do we know if he and his family are somewhere safe?
I haven’t heard from him.
Darn. Of everyone here, I thought you might have, Lefty.
He has my cell number because we met up in Boston. I asked him to text me if he was able.
I read your conversation earlier today. I’m glad you asked him to do that.
He may be without power.
Yeah, very likely. In a news report on NPR this evening, Florida’s Governor sounded quite serious about the need for people to evacuate and move inland.
Greek will be without power, and you will be delirious from oral surgery. Who’s our backup relief pitcher now? ;o)
One of his comments today he said the power would go out for sure. So it’s likely that I”m guessing
I remember reading that too.
Of course I should read all the comments before posting.
It’s hard to do.
I think he’s in W. Palm? I talked to my twin brother in Sebastian (40m north) a couple hours ago, and he still has power. Expecting landfall mañana around 7am…
Something new, paul! You’re a twin! How’s your brother doing down there?
He’s just toodling along, just like moi. :o)
For TBT (Throwback Thursday on Instagram), the SJ Giants posted this photo from 2009. It’s hilarious. Everyone is smiling except Gillaspie–and Bum.
https://twitter.com/sjgiants/status/784247347215671300
this is super cool!
No Craws there.
I’m curious about the OTHER 3 guys who didn’t make it. Wonder who they are, and what became of them.
Nick Noonan #48 , Craig Whitaker #10 and Ryan Shaver #38
Whoa that’s impressive. Gracias!
I was a BIG Nick Noonan fan a couple seasons ago. Wonder if he’s still hanging around. Gotta be tough…
he was DFA’d by the Padres a few months ago
Damn! Gracias, Jaime.
p.s. How do you know all this sheet? ;o)
web searching : )
Didn’t get picked up, I guess. Had a nice year in El Paso. All is not lost.
paul is right. This is impressive.
i’d like to enter this into the “best quote after the game from a met” contest……
“He was supremely Madison Bumgarner,” Jay Bruce of the Mets would say. “He was as Madison Bumgarner as you can get.”
hope all our TWGs folks come out of that hurricaine ok
This is SO cool. When I grew up Tito was playing in Cleveland (we lived in Mansfield that year) – forgot that he was LH – he looks like he could still get out there.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/205213792/tito-francona-throws-out-first-pitch-at-alds/
Back in the day they had some great names. I remember those Indians, especially Tito Francona and Al Luplow. The Giants used to play them extensively in spring training, before they moved to Florida.
Al Luplow! Good one total.
Colavito (traded for Kuenn!), Herb Score, Mike Garcia, Woody Held…
Joe Maddon: “This time of year, the numbers are cool, but it really comes down to individuals and players and heartbeats and things like that, and I think the Giants get all of that. That’s why they’ve been so successful. Purely, simply, that’s it.”
This could be an epic series. I’m glad it’s only 5 games. And the winner might just stomp everybody else.
Or get swept.
By whom?
Whoever they play next. Nobody, not even the most ardent Giant fan, had the Giants over the Tigers in 4.
Wrong. I did. Ask Clutch.
Well, if I must be truthful, so did I 🙂
Actually, it was Snorkel, not me. The Giants’ rotation was upside-down after the Cards series, and he said, if Zeet gets thru the first inning against the Tigers, they sweep. Little did I know! :o)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/593adcad9bedb6bd9cd70357ebac4f7c78497755f79193a48e25a74665e71afb.jpg
p.s. Still waiting to hear from him on the cubbies…
Spot on. I am super excited about this series as well. I also have tickets for game 4, my very first post season game live. Assuming that neither team sweeps the other, but I think that has a very low chance.
Until we know the Game 2 starter, we won’t know the Game 4 starter. Will Game 2 feature Samardzija or Moore? Bochy will let us know tomorrow.
Will he tell us before the game?
or wait how the first game is going?
I’m guessing there are deadlines for when Bochy has to announce the rotation order. Before the first game tomorrow?
Gotta save Moore for ATT.
Agreed. Also, Shark back in Wrigley, postseason atmosphere.
Playoff games at ATT are electric. Have fun!
Chip Kelly needs to go back to college. What a stink fest that was. NFL must be so happy with Stanton vs Gabbert. I predict all time lowest ratings.
Take out Fitzgerald and the was one heck of a watered down version of NFL football. Unis’ beyond next level gross.
Brisbee’s guess on the 25-man NLDS roster:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/10/6/13193330/sf-giants-25-man-roster-division-series-cubs
Damn I forgot how good the 1993 Gints were – and how bad it stunk to lose to the Fish in the first round. Brisbee knows where all the bodies are buried.
You meant the 2003 version of the Orange and Black attack, although both 1993 and 2003 were both great teams. Always felt like we did something “wrong” in that Marlins series, which caused us to lose. Then they go on and win the WSC…
Bisbee says they’ll keep Parker over Blanco for the last OF spot but I doubt that. Both hitters are as rusty as can be, might as well keep the better defender and of course Bochy is partial to the vet, I say Blanco gets the nod.
That being said, you just don’t need eight relievers in this series. Short series, two off days if it goes the distance, four quality starters, eight man pen is overkill.
Question how healthy Blanco is.
Yeah, that was an interesting tidbit: The Marlins didn’t have any scary lefty hitters, so the Giants really didn’t need more than one lefty out of the pen, but they had two, which meant a short bench and no pinch-runner for JT Snow, who got thrown at the plate to end the series…these decisions seem minor, but they’re important.
good luck with the surgery later doc, and a speedy recovery. gonna need you for game one. will be thinking about you.
Hello everyone! First time poster! I’ve been a lurker from back in the Giants Extra days as early as 2010 or 2011 I think. From Baggarly to Pavlovic, back to Baggarly, and then the mass exodus that led everyone here (props to Dr. Lefty, who has always been a favorite).
Warning, this is going to be a little long-winded, but I promise future posts will be straight and to the point.
I’ve lived in St. Louis for 6 years now, but I’m originally from the Bay Area and my father started taking me to Giants games starting in 1986 when I was 9 (Will Clark has always been my favorite player). I experienced Game 4 of the 1987 NLCS, Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1989 NLCS, Games 3 and 4 of the 1989 WS, earthquake and all, Dave Dravecky’s comeback game against the Reds, and many many other great Candlestick moments. I left California in 1997, so I only get to see them in SF once a year when I visit family during the off-season, but I proudly wore my orange and black in 2012 at Games 3 and 5 against the Cards, and Games 1 and 2 of the 2014 NLCS.
I just wanted to say how much this blog has meant to me over the years. My uncle passed away in March 2015 at just 44. I introduced him to baseball and the Giants around 1991, teaching him about the game and the various rules, answering questions about certain situations, and he grew to love the game and the team that I loved. We were like brothers, and we went to many games together. After he suffered a stroke and a heart attack, with his health declining and unable to walk on his own, I would rent him a wheelchair during visits and take him on Caltran to AT&T Park. He was so appreciative and the look on his face when I took him around the park during batting practice was something I’ll never forget. During the 2010 run, while living in St. Louis, we would Skype in preparation for the game, and because we hated listening to Joe Buck and Co., I would sync up the radio broadcast to the TV broadcast, and he would listen to Kruk and Kuip with me. We watched every postseason game together (the ones I didn’t attend) in every WS year. I’d read him the articles from here before and after each game, we’d listen to the post-game shows together, and talk baseball almost every day.
The Giants making the postseason this year has reminded me that this is my first postseason without him. While it’s bittersweet, I am thankful he lived long enough to see his team finally bring a championship to San Francisco not once, not twice, but three times. And I have enough in me to root for the team I’ve loved since I was a child for myself and for him as well.
So thanks to you all. I know you didn’t know it until now, but all of you unknowingly were a baseball family to us.
If you made it this far, you’re a trooper!
Welcome on board, orange & black fellow.
Welcome, Cube. It’s good to have you here with us. Glad you found your way here. Great story about you and your uncle. Those types of stories are an essential part of the fabric of baseball.
Welcome from another lurker. Nice post and nice work at 2012 Game 5 in St. Louis.
Great post.
Nice post. I’m a little suspicious though. You say you’ve been lurking for years. So, you know all about the nut jobs in this group, yet now you are going to participate? Well, at least you know the rules; no music videos, no pasting links with no indication of what they contain, no negative comments about Belt, and no telling other posters the rules, they can post whatever they want.
Welcome.
Riiiiiight.
You don’t know how many times I’ve seen a negative post about Belt and thought to myself “what did he ever do to you”? Besides, Belt and Crawford have my name, so how can I not root for them?
Every community has its occasional drama. I assure you I won’t have any desire to participate in it.
Thank you all for the warm welcome.
I initially read cub and thought you were a Cubs fan trying to troll this site.
Belt, Crawford, you, and my older son!
One of my favorite games was a couple of years back during a Giants A’s game when the record was set for most Brandon’s in the starting line up in a major league game with 5. Hicks, Moss, and I’m forgetting the other.
McCarthy?
I was trying to guess too. Sounds right.
I would guess that pre-TWG days, when Baggs and Alex were in their heyday, lurkers probably outnumbered posters 10-1 at least. Fewer now since I’m sure many are still scratching their heads about where Giants Extra and all the good comments went.
Participate in the drama. Please. We can always use new perspectives, especially when you punctuate well. I still mostly lurk because this is an impressive bunch. Lots of brainiacs here, baseball and otherwise. It’s hard to find something worthwhile to contribute. So I read and enjoy. I’ve learned so much from this blog. An amazing act of grace from GreekGiant
You forgot one more rule, PS35: No bashing Bochy!
Yup! That never never ever happens here 🙂
You forgot to tell him that correcting misspelled words from a commenter is a no no,
Awwww, thanks for joining in and giving us your story! I’m sorry about your uncle. Imagine him watching the fun with Wally Pipp and the gang up in Baseball Heaven.
St. Louis, huh? I’m guessing the Giants aren’t too popular there after 2002, 2012, and 2014–and beating the Cards out for the last playoff spot this time. But they’re great baseball fans, at least the ones I’ve met.
Take care & go Giants!
Most of the Cardinals fans I’ve met since I’ve lived here are kind and knowledgeable. Some hate how bad the Giants have their number lately, but there’s definitely a mutual respect between fans. I received a humorous boo in a stairway at Busch at the end of Zito’s game 5 performance. There are a few bad apples just like any other fan base but most of them are good peeps.
Zito’s game 5, game 6 in Philly, and Scutaro in the rain game 7 are my favorite Giants games. Everyone patting Zito on the chest. The bunt. Great game to see live.
This post is definitely going to be the positive mojo that carries the Giants through.
2016 – The Year of Cubestepper.
Thanks for posting this great story. Giants fans are the BEST
Welcome, Brandon. I’m sorry about your uncle. 44 is a young age to leave this earth. You enriched his life with Giants baseball, your companionship and care.
Welcome Brandon.
Good stuff and welcome to this beautiful blog.
On behalf of the Together We’re Giants family welcome and thank you for your wonderful post. It is very touching and a reminder of why we love baseball so much.
Thanks to you and everyone else for such a warm welcome! You’ve done a great job putting this website together and keeping this community alive. Your writings are right up there with any professional sports writer and what you’ve done is greatly appreciated.
Dang it Cube! I just rolled outta bed, your “featured post” is the first thing I read. And right off the bat my day starts with tears in my eyes. I was hardly even awake yet!
Thanks for sharing your story. These sorts of human experiences are a big part of why I love this game and the people who get it.
And I’m with you and the Will Clark thing too. Cheers!
Welcome and nice post. I came out recently as well 🙂 Although, I posted occasionally last year. It’s never too late! I am sorry about your uncle.
Great POST Cubestepper. I loved your story about your Uncle. LOVED it.
Thank you for this cubestepper. Tugs at my heartstrings and reminds me of the times spent with my Pop. Nourishment for my soul.
USA Today article ranks the eight remaining playoff teams. And of course, they rank the Giants last. Thank you, we’ll put that to good use. I’d link it, but I deleted that foul piece of bacon so quickly that I don’t have the link.
Looks ,like Matthew slid on by S.Florida.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/fl-hurricane-matthew-story.html
Thanks for link.
Wasn’t the game supposed to start at 2:30, Ah, 2:30 P.M..That explains a lot..
Interesting decision by Francona to bring in their best reliever, Miller, in the 5th. Very Bochy-esque.
with Bumgarner as the Miller.
Thinking of you and your parents, Greek – hoping that indeed you guys are out of harms way – thinking of everybody in Haiti, Bahamas, and central Florida coast and upward to South Carolina…
This sounds as bad as they thought it could be :-
Thanks Scout. Everything turned out well. The hurricane avoided us for the most part. We were very fortunate.
Oh here you are. Good. All’s well. That’s very good to know, GG.
Count em 1-2-3-4 high stakes games today, with the Giants/Cubs as the featured billing.
If the Price ain’t right, Kluber can certainly put the Sox on the brink. A real bracket buster.
This is the upside of us playing the Cubs–we get the prime time slots. Even a Kershaw/Scherzer and Price/Kluber matchup can’t compete…not that there’s anything wrong with Cueto/Lester, either.
Does Maddon have his team ready after a series of parlor tricks to keep them loose? Or will their rust be super evident? Giants are primed, may take the Cubs several innings to get over the vapor lock.
Doc, I don’t want this to sound critical, but why, and here I’ll use Papi as an example, does he have no problem saying “tomorrow”, but find it impossible to say “game”?
The M in tomorrow is clear and “hard”, while the M in game is more an N with no resemblance to an M sound? It’s not something that’s unique to Ortiz, but pretty common to a lot of Caribbean and other Latin players.
Dude, seek help.
Why would you say that? She’s a Linguist. I have wondered about many pronunciation quirks for a long time. Why wouldn’t I pose that question to someone knowledgeable in the language arts?
Just making a joke. Seemed like it really bothered you. Ask away.
“really bothered”, not. I was expecting “knee jerk” reactions by a few, but not you, particularly.
It was 100% in jest. Friendly ribbing. Didn’t mean anything by it.
A lot of pronunciation variations have to do with the sounds surrounding them. [m] and [n] are both nasal consonants, so they are phonetically similar but formed in different parts of the vocal tract. The [n] may emerge in certain words because the vowels surrounding it are formed nearer to where [n] is than where [m] is.
A similar quirk is Brits’ usage of [f] instead of [th] at the beginning of words, e.g., “F”anks instead of “Thanks.” It’s more common in the working class dialects in England.
Anyway, the general answer is that different sounds are produced in various parts of the mouth, and where they’re co-located with other sounds in particular words can cause some variation.
I can see the lips are more out-thrusted in tomorrow making m easier and game the lips are more retracted in game making m possibly more difficult.
I had a friend teach me about location of sounds in the mouth when he explained the use of the umlaut in German.
Best time of the year. Hope it never ends. Night cap being Giants/Cubs which could be a series for the ages. Baseball Heaven
You calling in sick today? Just kidding – as long as I can catch the end of the Nats/Dogs game before the full tilt, I’ll be good.
You know it! Nice being your own boss every now and again. I’ll do my time when I can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxGh6VGxuw0
Sublime notion dude – way to be your own boss.
Sublime reminds me of college, had some buddies that were Sublime heads. Good times.
I used to listen to them all the time back in the day. Was randomly listening to them again recently and they are still gold. Shame Bradley couldn’t kick the junk.
grab the reef underneath my bed…
Boom. Ryan, You are sharp as a knife.
Butter knife. That song is one of the greats to come out of that decade. Beautiful/painful, quite the surfing/heroin metaphor.
For sure, for sure. Glad I am not a Badfish too these days.
Alex Pavlovic (in a story yesterday):
“Bochy did not reveal his Game 2 starter, saying the staff was still in discussions. Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija are the options, with Madison Bumgarner lined up for Game 3. Bochy said he would announce a choice on Friday.”
Could the thinking be to save Samardzija in case he’s needed to come out of the bullpen in these first two games in Chicago?
Thinking maybe it depends on if they win or not or if they need/want to call on Shark in relief in Gm 1.
Could Jeff start Game 4 if he pitches in relief in one of these two first games?
Possibly, but I don’t think that is something they can plan on. Giants have 4 good starting pitchers and I think Bochy plans to take advantage of that in any way he can even if it means being a little creative. Bullpen hasn’t been great, so he might get unorthodox
Might br messing with Maddons head. Doughnuts also correct.
Or maybe Sharks memories of Wrigley are not good so it might be Moore in 2
I did read somewhere that the atmosphere at Wrigley could have an adverse effect on Samardzija. Perhaps Bochy needed more time to talk with Jeff.
Funeral services today for Mrs. Bob Fitzgerald. St Barts Church will be packed. Great lady, mom, wife, daughter, sister. RIP
Im praying to the heavens that Roberto Kelly’s name remains silent for awhile.
What’s that about Slik?
If Roberto Kelly’s name is mentioned at all it usually means something bad since he’s our third base coach!
Hurricane danger you mean? He’s from DR? Didn’t know.
No no im talking about in game decisions geez!
From what I know about you Slik, I think we would get along well in person.
I still have Tuesday game 4 tix. Can you go?
Can’t go hv to chk in with my Parole Agent!
Be fun to catch a game someday.
You’re busting my balls aren’t you LOL LOL
You’d hate me less at a ballgame Slik. We’d probably get along. The game 4 offer was serious. I usually sell tix for $, but these are still available and I need a reason to make the trip from Chico. I could bust up my schedule to see game 4. If you’re up for it let’s go to a playoff game.
Can’t make it but thanks for the offer I appreciate it
Cool. I usually sell all these tix, but they’re fun seats. When Pagan hit that HR in the Blach game, I watched it hit the padding 6 seats away. Real seats in front of section 139. We’re good Slik.
we probably would one thing though it takes me awhile to warm up to a person!
Serious offer.
I guess we’re getting close to the decision on Gillaspie’s understudy and the roster spot….
We sure could use the chaotic speed of Nunez
We have a featured comment so Greek Giant must be here somewhere and okay.
yeah, i sure hope so!
greek?
Thanks GV. all is well.
All is well, see above. Thanks dgg.
You can’t kill Greeks. They’re the cockroaches of our world.
hahahaha! Especially when we’re stocked up on wine, bread and feta cheese!
You left out the five lbs of prosciutto.
Yes!
I guess these are the Greek staples of survival. We’re boring. We only have flashlights, blankets, canned food, and bottled water.
Are you in Florida too?
Gosh no. I’m a mountain gal. Montana. We really don’t travel anywhere (even in summer) without survival supplies. It can snow even in July!
Having lived in the Canadian Rockies, I know that state of mind. It took me a long time to take the sleeping bags, water and candles out of the trunk when I moved back to CA.
You do know the “candle” necessity for your car? Right?
I’m afraid to ask. We always carry Dorcy flashlights and one Rayovac flashlight lantern.
I had several friends that were survival experts when I lived in Banff and each told me that a candle could (and had) save lives if trapped in your car.
In the C. Rockies, even on the Trans-Can, avalanches kills lots of people that are trapped in their cars and freeze to death when heaters won’t work, the cars won’t start, etc. etc.
Cracking a window and lighting a candle on your dashboard would keep the temp in your car above deathly. It also indicated if CO levels reached critical levels. It has saved hundreds of lives in mountain avalanches and something I still do (put a couple of candles in the trunk), when traveling to the “Frozen North.”
I truly did not know that. I always carry matches in a waterproof, mouse-proof container. I’ll start packing two candles now. I can carry them in an old Tupperware container.
REI (and others) sells survival candles that are sootless and very long burning. They’re a good buy but not necessary.
Sootless sounds good. I’ll google “survival candles” and see if I can find any locally.
Then light one at 6pm tonight.
I’m not sure they’re called that, but that’s what they are. Look for long-burning sootless.
This was perceived wisdom in North Dakota, too. Fortunately I never had to try it.
Unfortunately, avalanches on the TransCan and in the upper Rockies are pretty common. It’s a necessity to prepare for these if on the highway during winter. It seems to be common for deaths from these to occur every winter.
All is well here at the Florida San Francisco Giants Fan Club headquarters. Many thanks for your kind thoughts and wishes. Hurricane Matthew decided he did not want to mess with us and instead proceeded due north. We just got some wind and rain and were blessed not to have had it worse. We did not even lose power in my municipality, though others nearby did.
yes, yes, yes
Good to hear. i posted earlier that the storm had pretty much passed you by.Happy to hear that Matthew didn’t change his mind.
Typical Matthew. All wind, no substance.
Bravo.
I’m having Philip pull stats on your WCBSAM rate..wind created by swing and miss rate
Best news of the day, so far. Stay safe and dry, GG!
Great to hear!
I finally found Philip Fabiani through Disqus and asked him to come join us here. The last time he posted a comment on Disqus was 4 days ago.
Philip: “Syndergaard is supremely confident and mentally tough — he won’t be easy to hit if he’s got his A stuff.”
dgg: Syndergaard definitely wasn’t easy to hit, but the Giants purposefully drove up his pitch count to knock him out of the game. Philip, come join us over at http://www.togetherweregiants.com!
I can’t wait to hear what his exit velocity was when he makes the move.
Speaking of velocity, that was a 96 mph fastball Gillaspie hit out of the park.
SOTD!!! Segue of the day!!!
Non-sequitur.
NSOTD?
Sounds good!
Rob Deer is en fuego today! He is in prime post-season form!
I saw that! It was impressive.
Sure was.
Wouldn’t mind knowing how the wind vectors will affect Cueto’s quick pitch.
As well as the extent to which the ivy will be rustled.
It all depends on the babip of Angel Pagan’s hair.
https://twitter.com/extrabaggs/status/784411246351175680
Nunez on the roster, no parker.
I like it. And Blach, no Suarez.
Since either would be long man,Suarez would have been the better choice.
I’ll happily take Blach over Suarez.
No doubt you would.
No doubt you wouldn’t?
Suarez got shafted- again. They both deserve it. Gorkys can compete for an OF spot next spring.He’s redundant with Blanco on the roster
Gregor, still has a bad shoulder and can’t throw like he does when not hurt.
Love Gregor, but I would have rather seen Parker on the roster
I agree on that one!
You are on a bad roll this morning- and your turnabout in the last month from Captain Doomer to Missy Polly was bizarre to say the least
Hurricanes choose their own path….
Parker would been there for one reason- power off the bench.I didn’t realize how bad he been that role until I checked last night- 0 HRs, 3 RBI since the ASB. Blanco is an asset in the dugout, in the field, and on the bases
In only 29 at bats. Didn’t get much of a chance to get going being a LHH. Blanco’s 2nd half was actually much worse.
Blanco was injured- one can almost point when it happened .As to Parker- he failed in his role-that’s why he was used less. Speed, defense, and postseason experience trumps what Parker brings to the table- no contest.
Thanks for your input 😉
You’re welcome
Also, Parker’s OPS for the year was .751, one of the better OPS on the club. Can hardly say he failed. Just wasn’t much of an opportunity for him with everybody healthy being a LHH.
I get the speed and defense thing but with Gorkys on the roster and Span a better LHH than Gregor, its hard to envision Blanco getting much time in the field. Most likely going to be a PH. But I wish Gregor the best. He deserves to have a memorable 2016 postseason for the Giants. Great teammate.
I get your point, disagree with about all of.it.But with Gregor here, I guess that you’ll have to live with it ,as we all will if our guys didn’t the nod.
Lets disagree to disagree. And I’ll have no problem living with Gregor on the roster. Might come in handy as a pinch runner too.
Hey, 3 complete games, no need for anybody but the starting 9- we all be happy.
Where do you get that he can’t throw?
Eyeballs.
When was that? Must have been in a dream
Surely Gregor must be recovered or Bochy wouldn’t have him on the roster?
He’s still a good baserunner and can cover a lot of CF late.
Of course he wouldn’t.
It is far more important to have an extra position player on the roster than *both* Blach and Suarez. Unless one of the starters get hurt, or there’s another 18 inning game, it’s quite possible Blach doesn’t even see an inning. Gorkys is the best defensive OF on the team and probably has the best arm as well. Plus, he balances out the OF bats: Pagan – S; Span – LH; Pence – RH; Blanco – LH; Gorkys – RH. Blach earned his spot over Suarez with what he showed in a critical game beating Kershaw.
Thanks for your input.
You’re welcome.
There are always impossibly tough decisions in cutting down to 25….I’m not sure I agree Suarez got shafted. Blach has proven a bit more dynamic in a very short sample size, and they must believe that , and his LHP status must be the tipping point.
It’s a tough decision. Not surprising. Not earth shattering. No one is shafted
See my comment to Deer on that. They both could have been on the squad.Albert saved our ass this summer. Deserves to be there.
I saw it.there are about 28 guys who saved our ass on several occasions , some that are forced out. Having both on the squad, you drop who? Gorkys and Blanco are NOT redundant. They hit from opposite sides.
Nunez could not possibly be ready for today’s game, right? Blanco instead of Parker for defense.
And base running. Lester has trouble holding runners.
Bochy just said on the radio that they think Nunez will take another day or 2 but may be available in the later games of the series.
Thanks for the update, GGF! You could just stay on radio watch all day and fill us out-of-towners in. I’m sure you have nothing else to do today!
LOL I am actually working from home today and will have the TV on all day with the games. But I am happy to always give updates from the radio when possible. Good day to be home. Will watch pregame on CSNBA for the Giants game too.
I forgot to say: Thanks, Panda Puffs.
Still can’t see these things but i get the jist. With Blach on the roster that is 5 SP on the roster. I am guessing he fills in if a starter needs to work in relief.
Per Baggs: So Adrianza, Parker and Okert were subtracted from wild card roster. Moore, Blach and Nunez added.
Gracias. Thinking they could really use Okert but I guess Chicago has a lot of switch hitters and good versatility off the bench.
Marge !
That sounds right.
Always need a long man if, heaven forbid, someone gets knocked out early.
Good point. He fits that role well.
Or if it goes past the 11th a la Washington.
https://twitter.com/extrabaggs/status/784411176008491009
Thanks Panda Puffs.
For sure, too much time spent on twitter
Wait a minute.
Alex Pavlovic 31min ago:
Giants pitchers: Blach, Bumgarner, Casilla, Cueto, Kontos, Law, Lopez, Moore, Romo, Samardzija, Smith, Strickland.
Baggarly forgot Cueto.
Say no to Santi….
Too bad Okert didn’t make the cut. I thought he made enough of an impression in September to stay on.
He did but with only 11 pitchers that 3rd lefty is a luxury. I’m glad they opted for an extra bench player. If we were playing LA they might’ve done the opposite.
Yeah, just wanted to see him get some postseason experience because he did well for us down the stretch. Something tells me that Will Smith will be pitching in many crucial moments for us this series.
If next round is LA, he will be in there
No they had room on the roster for him , they went for Blach instead, which is very interesting, do they plan on using as a long man are a starter .
Thanks, Peter, for your post and link to Crawford’s interview on the radio.
I just heard Bochy on the radio with Murph and Mac. They threw out the option of Blach as a starter and Boch’s reaction was “yes he could start”. So, who knows.
How do you see Conner matching up against Lester’s fast ball? Good call on Connor on Wednesday (even though he parked a sinker).
What are you reading, they did not add an extra bench player, they added a 5th starting Pitcher Blach , who happens to be Left handed too, just like Okert , 12 Pitchers not 11 .
Alex Pavlovic: “Eduardo Nuñez is not ready to start, but the Giants believe he’ll be ready to help at some point of the NLDS, so he was on the roster turned in to Major League Baseball on Friday.”
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/giants-set-roster-nlds-vs-cubs
I think it’s a good choice.
I do too. Alex reports Cubs decided on 11 pitchers, Giants 12.
That is good maybe he is close enough to play if the series goes to 5. Otherwise the SFG know that these teams aren’t evenly enough matched for the last guy on the list to matter.
If his hammy is OK, he could be a great pinch runner.
let the games play out, it will all come down to what the starting pitching does becuase this team can’t get into slugfests with the Cubs, just can’t.
any discussion about the last players on the roster….who cares.
Since it’s Nunez, and Nunez could disrupt Cubs pitchers by his threats to steal, I care.
Good point, particularly given how liberal Cubs pitching is with the BB.
Has Leste figured out how to throw a baseball to first base yet?
Well find out soon. LOL.
Joe Maddon: “Looking at their record (Giants), I didn’t even realize the last time we played they were all one-run games. They’re good. They know how to do this. I have a ton of respect for Boch and I’ve known him a long time. They’re formidable. It should be interesting… At the end of the day, man, they’re not afraid. To me, that’s the number one requirement.”
I don’t believe FOR ONE MINUTE that Maddon forgot about those one-run games. Not even for one second. This guy is no dummy.
agree!! hes playing the maddon game.
Maddon’s iPad remembers everything.
‘Yeah, I also forgot they only managed 10 hits in 4 games, and nearly won 3 of them…’
I wish Joe Buck would continue getting hair plugs if it almost ended his career. Anyone actually going to read his book?
Hair plug addiction is serious issue and needs to be treated with respect.
So does Joe Buck.
NOT
I couldn’t bear to read it. WTF is a “hair plug addiction?” Is that like a “plastic surgery addiction?”
It certainly hasn’t made him look any better!
Getting geared up for my hot date with the oral surgeon, but a few thoughts on the roster:
–adding a long man/extra starter makes sense and gives Bochy flexibility to use anyone he wants out of the bullpen. Blach over Suarez is a tough call, but since they dropped Okert, that leans toward the lefty Blach. Also, Blach was near perfect in six innings of middle relief (two three-inning stretches), not to mention what he did against the Dodgers.
–Blanco vs Parker is a tough call, and if Parker had hit at all in September, it might have gone the other way. But since neither one is really hitting, might as well have Blanco’s speed and defense available, not to mention his excellent postseason experience.
–Kelby getting the nod over Adrianza is a no-brainer. On paper, EA is a much smoother and more versatile defender, but on the baseball field, EA seems to get the yips, and KT’s a cool customer. He can pinch hit and run, and in an emergency, he can play at least four positions.
–Interesting and a little sad to see Cain, Peavy, and Nathan out of the picture. Interesting and less sad is Gearrin and Osich not making it, since they were both go-to relievers in the first half.
I’m so excited and happy to have at least three more days of Giants baseball to enjoy (hopefully many more!) and relieved that George and his family are doing fine. See you all later when the drugs wear off!
“Kelby getting the nod over Adrianza is a no-brainer.” A+
Did you tell your surgeon that you’re already on a high with the Giants and don’t need any painkillers?
That would be “Hell no.” In fact, I usually take every painkiller they’ll give me and then hoard them for the next time one of us throws our back out.
Or Casilla enters the game in the 9th?
Good to see some agreement on Blanco. Thanks. Doughnut is a good guy and a smart guy but he won’t argue it with you.Some of the boyz are like that,
Good luck today
Thanks, Chef. Ice cream for dinner tonight. 🙂
I recommend the Double Down Death By Chocolate.
It is especially sad to see Cain and Peavy off the roster, but necessary. The Giants want to win. Cain and Peavy know this.
I had a horrible time getting my wisdom teeth pulled in my late twenties. My face looked like I had been in a prize fight afterwards. I was beyond nauseous for two days. It turned out that I had an allergic reaction to a certain medicine. It’s been on my “known allergies” list ever since.
I’m not trying to scare you, Lefty. I’ve had no adverse experiences at the dentist ever since. I hope things go well for you today.
p.s. I totally agree with you on Blanco.
Me too when I was 24 – one was impacted – hammer-and-chisel time (literally!), and I was awake. It looked like I ate a softball for a week.
So, apparently, the Giants are confirming the belief that only the salaries dictate who makes the roster.
Root, root, root canal for the Cubbies.
Oh, please come back before that. We need the comedic relief.
I truly think Arrieta is an a$$. Hopefully the Giants light him up and send him home to continue admiring himself in the mirror.
The Oracle is about to go Full Kershaw on us about the unrecognized greatness of Arrieta
Nope. Kershaw actually has the track record from a young age up until today. Arietta was a mediocre starter pushing 30 who suddenly had a tremendous 12-month period and is already showing signs of regression.
The Charming Jake will live to regret turning down the big extension the Cubs offered him.
“The Charming Jake.” Good one, Lefty.
That already started last night.
Arrieta slumped this year. His 18-8 record does not tell the full story. He had career highs in walks (76) and wild pitches (16). Joe Maddon said his pitching order for the NLDS is about “meritocracy.” Clearly, Arrieta did not “merit” starting the first game.
Good sleuthing dgg. Love those wild pitches. Screw Jake.
Let’s hope he doesn’t look foolish by doing that. Arrieta is struggling.
https://i.imgur.com/hdDk3P6.png
You know there’s this guy in Michigan that is doing great things, turning around teams very quickly, with NFL experience as a head coach and player, that would be a great hire for the 49ers and could fix everything.
The only way I can see that happening is if Harbaugh gives Jeb a list of things to do (including stuff with farm animals)…and even then as Jeb crawls on all fours to kiss Harbaugh’s feet (with all sorts of shame written all over his face)…the khaki’d one would look down at Jeb and say “just kidding…no”.
No way Harbaugh is ever coming back. Jed burned that bridge and also every bridge with a credible reputation by firing someone who was as successful as Harbaugh. As long as Jed is running this team we’ll continue to get guys that have no other choice like Chip and Tomsula.
I know he’s not coming back, hence my sarcastic response.
By the way – The reason I agree that the slide started on his watch is that Harbaugh approved of Roman. Roman sent the plays in with first and goal at the six. Harbaugh NEEDS to over-rule when his gut tells him to. His brothers team had great Corners and Safety’s.
And NO Jim Harbaugh is not coming back unless it is to attend a Palo Alto HS reunion.
Yeh…I’m going to have to strongly disagree with you. It was one bad set of downs and you don’t see anyone in Seattle blaming Pete for any team slide after what was an even more bone-headed offensive decision. Kaep also couldn’t throw a fade route of his life depended on it.
Bottom line is he’s a great coach and he had no opportunity to improve the team the following season with the backstabbing of Tomsula and the childish behavior of Jeb and Balky.
I’ll repeat myself, Eddie would have never fired Harbaugh. Balky would have been gone and Jim would have selected a GM that he could have worked together with . Any veterans that were growing tired of Harbaugh would have been traded or released until they had a team that marched to the same step…and would (without a doubt) be contending for a title.
You’re right…JH won’t be coming back and my earlier sarcastic answer would confirm that, This said, the 49ers and their current ownership doesn’t deserve someone at that level.
Really? Pete was grilled from AAA to ZZZ. Harbaugh should have:
(1) Not called time out on the play that Kap ran for a touchdown
(2) Veto’d one of Romans “Same – Same” plays
Being grilled is not close to being attributed to the start of a declining franchise; which you are accusing Harbaugh of.
You don’t like him…I get that…but whether you agree/disagree with the Roman plays…Harbaugh was the second best HC for the Niners ever. You don’t let that walk away because of a kid-owner and a GM that no one else would hire.
The action taken by Jeb and Balky will prevent them from hiring attracttice HC/GM talent moving forward. Can’t blame that on Harbaugh.
Time for clarification: I loved Harbaugh. His early exit was too soon. I believe Walsh said that 10 yrs is the ceiling. What I do know is that Baalke, Jed and Paraag pushed him out, not Tomsula. Prior to that however Harbaugh had become a Mark Jackson type candidate within 4949. Look up Bob Sargent SF 49ers. He and I coach baseball together. He said Harbaugh was a great ball coach and I agree. But he started some of his same shtick that he is known for. Research his relationship when he was at U. of San Diego. After two nice years he went into his AD’s office daily asking for a myriad of items he needed. The AD would smile and politely tell him “we’re not a DI school coach”. Harbaugh would look right at him while exiting the office and he would say “OK then I guess I will just have to find a way to say what I just said, only another way.
KIR: I never disliked JH. Do I like John better of the two? Yes, but Harbs was the “right guy for the job – until the moment he no longer was”
Harbaugh botched the Smith vs. Kaep situation however in my opinion.
Kaep’s QB fundies are not good. His release point is like a Pitcher, which he was.
Smith had better mechanics. Kaep is a football athlete (trying) to be a QB. Some coach along the way should have made Kaep a Wide Receiver.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0aa8e118eea32c5c9e29e8f2f5d55e6485b37afb5dd86191620d5411350c6ae9.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8ab0fa654a01ed517dbcd3d2f23f01f0cd78b56ba390455303696579221b9a30.jpg
The slide into the black hole began on Harbaugh’s watch, as did CK’s regression.
This is true
Great day to have nothing to do but watch baseball.
Just saw Kipnis on MLB. Good, funny, smart guy. He’s be a good get.
Re Nunez: For the past few years, since they acquired Pagan, the Giants have made the same mistake, over and over with injured players. During the course of a long season it’s hurt them, in a short series it may make more sense. If someone pulls a muscle or gets a concussion, replace him right away, even if you’re certain he’ll be able to play in a week to ten days, or in this case, say Monday or Tuesday. Having a position player available for a few days doesn’t justify playing with a short bench for ten. For this series, the short bench probably won’t matter, not having a ground ball inducing relief pitcher like Guerin might.
Bochy also said this morning on the Murph and Mac show that they made a decision on the game 2 starter but hadn’t talked to the pitcher yet. After he talked to the pitcher he will make it public.
Thanks for the update, GGF!
Especially for those of us who can’t listen to KNBR wherever we are.
Re Blanco: This is a head scratcher. While I think Blanco has been a superb fourth outfielder for five seasons, 2016 isn’t one of them. Hernandez is filling that role and Parker can play all three OF positions or hit a HR coming off the bench.
Re Blach: Good call! IMO, the front office had a great season. The free agent signings and trades made sense at the time, and for the most part have worked out well. My only criticism was not giving Blach a look earlier. Maybe he’s not suitable for long or short relief, but his work in the hitter happy PCL should have earned him a start or two.
He’s absolutely suitable for long relief. His first two outings were three-inning stints at Coors Field and Dodger Stadium–six innings, no runs, 1 H, 1 BB. He’s proved that he’s calm and poised by facing off against Kershaw in a must-win game and out-dueling him. And he’s a workhorse.
In 2012 they had Lincecum and in 2014, it was Petit. This year it might be a creative combination of Samardzija and Blach.
I worded that poorly. I meant in July, when their LH relief pitching was lousy and Suarez was starting, they should have called him up, not knowing what role he’d be best suited for.
He didn’t start pitching really well until late June. I’m sure they didn’t want to throw him to the wolves until he had some extended success. Then in Aug, he had a couple of shaky starts. It seems to me their timing was perfect.
San Francisco Watering Hole when Conor the Forever Gillaspie hit his game winning 3R HR
https://www.facebook.com/Giants/videos/10153886767196828/
Hawesome! (Which one?)
We will have to ask Lt. Colombo
Re Game Two Starter: This is a tough call, neither Moore or Samardzija are well suited for Wrigley Field if balls are carrying. Actually, neither is Bumgarner. I’d go with Moore; the Cubs haven’t seen him as much and he’s got more moving parts in his delivery that a longer layoff might screw up.
I think not naming the number two starter is not as important – as Bochy has not told Who It is Not.
That tip may mean that Boch knows that “some part” of Wrigley’s extended family” bugs Marge and so although he has not named Moore – that may be who it turns out to be.
It’s not hard, I think, to figure out. Larry Rothschild, ex-Cubs pitching coach, tried his best to destroy Samardzija with his ineptitude and Cubs management. made Samardzija the goat, not that grade doofus Rothschild.
Great insights
Or else he just wants to cut into Maddons prep time.
Are you still in Yuba City? If you get a Jones for ball after November Stop by Yuba City College baseball. Coach Ryan Evangelho does a nice job with the young men.
http://athletics.yccd.edu/coaches-staff.aspx
It’s all part of Bochy’s incredibly brilliant plan.
Why the unrelentingly negative posts of late?
Of late? Actually, I think I had some very positive things to say about Bumgarner, although it would be hard not to.
Why not? Great pitcher but there is the ” don’t look at me” deal. Definitely grade school stuff.
Thank You Pete Malloy. I am sure Chief Eddie Garcia and Mayor Sam Liccardo are delighted you are such an outstanding person and Giant fan.
Tremendous Post TO
You’re probably right, but Samardzija will scream for this shot in Chicago. He was treated pretty shabbily by the Cubs abd their fans, IMO, and has something to prove. It’ll be interesting if Bochey, Righetti, and Posey buy in.
I would let Jeff have the ball. He’s thrown a lot more off that mound than anyone else and his Wrigley number are purty good.
You bring a dark secret at Wrigley that they learned from the Cardinals. The mound in the bullpen is purposely different on the visitors side. That difference in slope and height is cultivated at a height and slope to assure among the unsuspecting new comer to Wrigley his first few pitches off the game mound are higher in the zone. It takes maybe 2-3 batters to re-acclimate, but for a little bit the unsuspecting starter or reliever is high in the zone.
Interesting claim cc. Can you authenticate?
You know, I’m not sure if I ever read it. But when Jim Edmonds moved to the Cubs from the Cardinals is when I first heard it discussed on the radio.
Great story. I plan to repeat it as fact. Maybe embellish a little.
LOL, go for it. I once raised it on a Cardinal’s blog and the responses varied from “You’re crazy” to that’s old news, so what. In my experience, Cubs fan’s in general, aren’t sophisticated/knowledgeable enough to care. I remember screaming in frustration at a Cubs game in 1989 at the Cubs RF on a throw into the infield to “Hit the GD cutoff man, you dumb shit” and fellow Cubs fans admonishing me (;_)) and a couple who weren’t drunk, turning and asking me, ‘whats a cutoff man”. SMH.
He passed thru CHI so quickly I forgot – did they trash him?
He came up in Chicago. I first saw him in 2008, as I recall. He bounced up and down and in and out of a starter/bullpen roll for years with the Cubs. He had that magic 100 mph FB in the beginning.
Oh yeah, now it comes back. Million-dollar arm. Gracias.
What slacker is running this site. I mean the playoff roster have been out for over an hour and no preview post?!?!?!?! Sheesh…. You’ld swear Baggardly was back at it.
Yeah really…like he’s been dealing with like, a hurricane, or something. Total slacker.
…and a full-time job, and family to care for.
You realize A-L and I were joking, right?
That would require a penis. The Female gender fails to understand the male bonding ritual of the good natured ribbing. They’re just too sensitive.
Lol whoooaaa!!!!
Hey, now! dgg is a very cool lady…do NOT diss her like that…
Of course she is! I love dgg. But why all the periodic scolding on here (and I am not singling out dgg) for harmless joking between friends? Everybody knows we love the Greek and A-L was just busting a bit. Geesh!
There is a long history on GE of hounding the blog’s author for more posts and/or quicker posts. I realize it was a joke, but there was an edge to it.
Most humor has an edge to it.
Yours certainly does.
I wasn’t dissing dgg saying she was representative of her gender. I would assume rather the opposite. Men and women are different and better at certain things than one another. It doesn’t mean any is less valuable, they’re different.
Sort of like a gold glove shortstop and 1st baseman.
~YMMV
But they do understand the concept of relative hat size, depending on the head one is using, of course. 😉
Touche…. I don’t know if I was expect the one to get in the jewels would be you, but I should have.
It’s my appreciation of the skill of diamond cutters.
Sometimes you’re a real jerk, A-L. This is one of those times.
Guilty as charged! Last guy I knew that was perfect they mounted on a cross.
While not universal, there is some truth to this. I’ve never women stand around in a group, insult each other, and have fun doing it.
How would you know?
Actually I have seen it, but the person receiving the “ribbing” isn’t having any fun.
Two words: “mean girls.”
Oh gawd – talk about not getting it…
I get plenty, now you Mr. Touchy-feely I have to wonder about.
Gracias, A-L!
Yes, of course, TS. I usually don’t joke about natural disasters: avalanches, earthquakes, wildfires, or hurricanes. We all appreciate what Greek Giant has done here while holding down a full-time job. I really don’t want GG hounded with snap-to, put-up-another-post comments when dealing with all his other responsibilities. We can manage. We’ve gone to 4000+ comments before.
That’s why it wasn’t you that made that joke, or any joke.
Piling on is one of the things you do best, TO.
How was that “piling on?” A comment was made. You and Matthew responded to it in a negative way. I had an opposite response. I have no doubt you’re a nice person, but it seems like you’re constantly taking offense at one thing or another.
LOL. And you aren’t? LOL.
That’s two LOLs in one comment, which is highly offensive. You’re mocking me, dismissing my feelings, and damaging my self-esteem.
I can’t believe I have to be put to suffer through this offensive behavior on here. I mean, two LOL’s?? TWO? My feelings are so hurt because your feelings are hurt, TO. It’s uncalled for.
It was very derisive. This should be a safe space where I can freely express my negative opinions without being victimized and humiliated by people responding negatively to them.
And if you cannot have that sanctuary, then you must feel compelled to create unnecessary drama (which is just as mean-spirited) by becoming blog police. But you are in law enforcement, after all…seems reasonable.
We can only hope.
He’s not Laughing Out Loud, He’s calling you a a Little Old Lady.Not that that’s a bad thing. Right, girls? I mean gals.
Uh, I mean that i’m in trouble again.
That’s enough out of you, bub.
Hey doc, it seems that gadflies are hovering over you again.
It’s just time to go do something fun. Go to the gym to workout or hike up the nearby mountain.
Fruit flies, Alvise.
Standing O GG! Moderation genius. Be well.
Anyone got fresh news about GreekGiant’s situation?
Scroll down, Alvise.
I beg your pardon, gentle madam, but scrolling down 700 posts is not an easy task. Anyway let’s do it. ‘Ndemo avanti Alvise…
I apologize for my shorthand, Alvise. There’s an easier way. Just google: GreekGiant Disqus. His profile will pop up and you can read his recent comments. I think this is the one you want, posted 3 hours ago by George:
“All is well here at the Florida San Francisco Giants Fan Club headquarters. Many thanks for your kind thoughts and wishes. Hurricane Matthew decided he did not want to mess with us and instead proceeded due north. We just got some wind and rain and were blessed not to have had it worse. We did not even lose power in my municipality, though others nearby did.”
Thank you indeed doc.
He’s being fed dolma while two young vixens fan him with palm fronds.
I wish!
😎😎😎Cool…The bright side of an hurticane.
Present and accounted for Alvise. Thanks for your concern!
If you are OK, it’s OK for me too.
SO glad to hear this. (My twin brother lives just up the road, in Sebastian.) :o)
On second thought, start Samardzija tomorrow. You know he wants the ball more than Moore.
Moore just loves AT&T.
I prefer Verizon
Can you h— me now.
Haven’t seen Haak for awhile; anybody know wha s’up?
I’ll email him and rattle his cage ..
I keep hearing some people say something along the lines of, “You Giants fans wish MadBum would pitch every game in the postseason.” While that may be true, it’s insulting to the other starters in the rotation including Cueto who is almost the co-ace with Bumgarner. The Giants starters have recently pitched very well in these last few weeks, and I hope they replicate that this postseason.
Let’s hope good Johnny (not All-Star game Johnny) appears and dominates and the Giants bats come alive. I would like to see Chicago cry and have an early exit in these playoffs, please.
Sounds more like a strawman argument to me.
Am I the only one concerned that there is no power threat on the bench?
Nunez
Welcome to the 2016 Giants.
nope
The experts are already backing into the possibility of the Giants beating the Cubs. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-2016-cubs-are-already-a-success/
I like it when the Giants are counted out in the playoffs as underdogs.
New post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/2016-postseason/n-l-d-s-game-1-preview-giants-face-cubs-with-history-at-stake-begin-second-stage-of-title-quest/
The DJ at my go to community radio station in Warren, Vermont is a big Cubs fan. He’s playing a killer set today.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vNMIkqS688o
Are you a Vermonter, Yogi?!?
(I wuz born in Proctor and raised in Pittsford.) :o)
No, I’m a New Yorker who went to school there, then stuck around for an eighteen year after-party.