by
Keepin’ it Real
It was May 23rd, 1970…and my parents were taking me to a Giants Game for my Birthday. prior to this game, the only exposure I had to the Giants were listening to Russ and Lon…and the occasional TV games on Channel 2. As luck would have it, it was also bat day!
Thinking back on this game, I came to realize that my Dad actually purchased some great seats; which is something I never thought about before. We were slightly left of home plate and I remember walking down to our seats and being floored by the ugliness of the Padres’ brown uniforms. The Padres were only in their 2nd season and I hadn’t seen their “aways” before.
I was able to bring a friend and we both received an full-size bat from the Giants. For the life of me, I can’t remember what player’s bat he got…but I do remember having the more popular player’s bat…Ken Henderson. The bat become even more treasured, when Ken blasted a home run in the 2nd inning.
As an adult, I can look at the Giants schedule and figure out who the scheduled pitcher should be…and purchase tickets accordingly. When I selected this May 23rd game, the only criteria I had was it was on a Saturday…the Giants were at home…and it was close to my Birthday. Bat Day was known at the time I told my parents about the game…but then we got lucky and Juan Marichal was pitching!!
Just like anything as a kid, the crowd seemed much larger than it actually was. I would have said (and guessed 50,000), but it was only 15,536. I’m not sure how many bats were given out, but every time the Giants were on base…all those bats were pounding on the cement in unison. I remember my Dad being somewhat annoyed with the sound after awhile, but that’s why they have beer 🙂
I was in baseball heaven. Candlestick was sunny, I got a bat, I was eating hotdogs, and Mays (2), McCovey (1), and Henderson (1) all homered! I also got to see Tito Fuentes (one of my favorites) and a guy named Bobby Bonds in RF.
The other thing I remember about this game is how many innings it was…15. I was (obviously) hoping for the Giants to win the game, but I was also really happy to see extra innings of a MLB game for free. I think my Dad was ready to leave after about 11 innings (and 11 innings of bat pounding), but he was a trooper and we stayed the whole game (5 Hours, 29 Minutes).
Attending this game did wonders for my love of baseball. Whenever I looked at the box score in the San Jose Mercury (which was the morning paper) or listened to a game with Russ/Lon…I now had a visual of all the players I saw at that game. I could also tell (brag to) my friends that I went to a major league game at Candlestick Park.
The next year we went to see the Montreal Expos for my Birthday and that was the last time we celebrated that way. And the Ken Henderson bat? It became my favorite as we played softball in front of my house on a daily basis. I obviously no longer have it, but it looked exactly like the bat pictured here. I’ve been admiring this bat on eBay for quite some time and maybe I’ll buy it one day to commemorate this Giants game that meant so much to me.
That was my first year following the Giants as a kid. I loved that team! Dick Dietz was my favorite, and I still have the autographed photo he sent me. In those days, you could just write to them at the park and ask. Thanks for the great post.
He had a great season in 1970, the best of any SF Giants catcher not named Buster Posey. He hit .300/.426/.515/.941, with 36 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 22 HRs and 107 RBIs. He also walked 109 times.
very nice job, KIR.. 2 homers by mays, and one for willie mac..wow, what a game you saw!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc
why did whitey ford (2.24) go into his full, slow wind-up with JR42 dancing off 3rd? makes no sense..
Sweet! I love this post. (Other than my heroes pitching line….)
The way I remember it, he didn’t have many bad starts.
Lineup (via Alex P):
Happy Posey Day: Span CF, Crawford SS, Posey C, Morse 1B, Hill 3B, Ruggiano RF, Williamson LF, Nunez DH, Tomlinson 2B. Cain RHP.
Two starts in a row for Morse. Can you tell which way the wind is blowing there? Span leading off and Nunez hitting eighth. Can you tell which…?
Morse is best buds with Pence, don’t you know? : )
As for Marrero, he gets 2 hits, drives in 4 and what do you know? He sits today.
It’s ST, not Armageddon.
Stand down, soldier. We’re kidding around here.
No kidding.
WHAT?! Craw isn’t leading off?!?!?!
FIRE BOCHY!
Bravo KIR
Great post/memories. “Kenny” married Miss San Mateo County Fiesta Queen. Great looking couple.
Awesome post KIR. I still have a bat from Willie Mac and Larry Herndon.
Another thing about this sublime KIR post: I pride myself on having razor sharp memory on all Giants players…and I see some dude named “Puente 1-3” as the losing pitcher….I got Frank Reberger with no issue. At a loss on Puente.
Could you imagine the blog the night after the loss that KIR went to?
“Mays is worthless. 2 errors?”… ” You just CANNOT lose a game you lead 8-0″….”Fox is terrible managing the bullpen”….”Peters and Ira are gutless. They should have asked that idiot manager what he was thinking instead of those softball questions”…
Ain’t baseball grand?
“We need to stop relying on old vets like Mays and start playing the youngsters.”
“Look, the Padres drafted this kid Randy Elliott last year…I say we package Mays and Puente for him…maybe throw in Ron Bryant”
LOL. I’ll add, “Mays is overrated! DFA him!”
Here’s a nice piece on The “Say Hey” kid.
Willie Mays, still a much-welcomed presence at Giants camp | Newsday
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/willie-mays-still-a-much-welcomed-presence-at-giants-camp-1.13174567
This is maybe the craziest box score I have ever seen.
Dave Campbell – once a hack, always a hack
I only know him from ESPN and his voice makes me nostalgic because I grew up listening to him call games.
Not to be confused with Joseph Campbell https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8f9f3e93e08f80d1ce7f958a4c7ed696588e701f7f95f8af28f9aeb601aab768.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/89733529593123f88a431b3e6dfb4c708509f859caa4c00e32c364576dafbaa7.jpg
Chris Marrero makes “us” think of …Randy Elliott or Johnny Dickshot ?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Dickshot ?
Here’s BOCH telling Marrero ….”You’re the kinda washed up – soon to be veteran that I’d like to marry my daughter, even though I don’t have a daughter”
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9d7bd44f39dfd7dfab0e88e6d4aa2580c79d42b2ff9357f682b5bc50006f16ad.jpg
Carl the Stew – Calling a balk on the new intentional walk rule
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/24/steward-calling-a-balk-on-the-new-intentional-walk-rule/
Good analysis. Carl’s right.
and Carl’s funny!
The longest HR of 2016. No loft, no backspin, just power, a LD.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/an-exploration-of-the-longest-home-run-of-2016/
Who signs first since they are still looking for jobs:
Angel Pagan, Coco Crisp and Billy Butler
— Not too late, Mat Latos still available and Big Time Timmy Jim.
Coco. I’d think an AL team would much prefer Morse, good clubhouse guy as a DH, over Country Breakfast, not a good clubhouse guy.
WTF?
Can someone clarify?
Matt Cain
Age: 32
Throws: R
Contract Status: 1 year, $20MM (club option for 2018 at $21MM, with $7.5MM buyout; vests with 200 IP if Cain doesn’t end year on DL for elbow/shoulder injury)
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
from: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/02/camp-battles-san-francisco-giants.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MlbTradeRumors+%28MLB+Trade+Rumors%29
Does vest here mean that if Cain pitches 200 innings and doesn’t end season on DL the $21 MM for 2018 becomes a Cain rather than a club option?
Or is something wrong in this report?
Sounds like it–I didn’t realize there was a vesting option. But Cain hasn’t hit 200 innings since 2012, so…
Might have to pull a Marlon Byrd on him in Sept.
Byrd the juicer! Although he did rake when he was with the Giants.
I was happy to hear there wasn’t a vesting option the other day frankly much as I like Cain.
Not much chance that Cain gets to 200 innings.
Is it just my feed or does KNBR not have it together with when their commercials play? They always seem to cut off something interesting and sound like the connection is lost.
They are hacking it up.
A Lunger?
The feed’s been interrupted a half-dozen times in a half hour. I give up.
KIR’S_BAT_GUY http://m.mlb.com/news/article/16538652//
Kelby getting major balls hit to him or thrown to him.
KT – Morse not the guy that is gonna pick-it for you…..
He doesn’t belong at 1st unless it’s just practice.
Agreed or a 27 extra inning game vs the Nats. Morse would be the kind of candidate that for every time a ball is thrown TO him – ONLY if it is not close —- he should catch the ball straight up and then tag the bag later. There are a handful of plays where a non-firstbaseman can actually do it this way.
Great “Times” to home by Cainer allowing Buster to do what Buster does.
Cain allows two runs in two innings but only one run earned. Pencil him in.
Wait for it …….. 100 99 98 97 96 ……..
I love when you cue the band.
…….one of the first things “we” might hear is “It was only a split squad……..”
Apparently, the ball was coming out real nice…
….effortlessly….” ?
Stephertless
Thatta Babe Kelby-san
1-2-3 for Melancon. Against the Cubs… just five months too late.
He would have only faced one batter
lmao
Oh geez, RD. Thanks for the reminder.
HUMM BABY Mac Will …. NOT.
??
Runner at third and less than two down (fail)
Kelbysan comes through with Ribbie
Kelby. Never count my guy out.
Twice!
Did you write down KT more than once in your My25Guys entry?
Ha ha. All 25 positions.
Ha ha ha. Love me some KT.
For Bapah (sigh) http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/driver-calls-911-to-complain-about-ticket-1.3992659?cmp=news-digests-ottawa
“Addressing” concerns has always been one of my favorite duties. OPP are not as courteous as the Mounties.
So KT might not have 100% solid defense, but he’s not boring, especially on the basepath.
Andrew Baggarly 22min ago:
The Cubs have a couple extra-base hits on hard grounders that 1B Michael Morse couldn’t knock down.
Morse cannot be in the field. Which is a big problem for playing in the National League.
Kelby might have something to say about him playing 1B as well. And we all remember what he looked like in LF. The man is a DH. Great guy, but he’s a DH and needs to be in the AL. Anybody taking book on how long this experiment lasts?
The only thing they are really looking for is how the baseball “comes off his bat”
IF perhaps the bat-ball-exit speet off his bat is vintage 2014 – then OK – however he spent most of last season lounging on the bases so he should not be here long unless …
Well, yeah, but wouldn’t you rather have a bat off the bench who could actually be a bench PLAYER?
I get your point. One year did not make me a sure fan of what he did. 2014 is now heading three years away. He’s on the outside looking in for sure. WAY on the outside.
He probably needs to be retired.
Maybe he wanted to retire as a Giant. He does have that ring.
Awkward phrasing…
I guess Morse looks kinda like a horse
If someone is only a DH, then, by definition they’re not a baseball player anymore.
First Play of the Spring the OTHER day – Overthrown Two Base Award
http://www.closecallsports.com/2017/02/first-play-of-spring-overthrown-two.html
Spring Training Ejection – Hunter Wendelstedt (Frias)
http://www.closecallsports.com/2017/02/spring-training-ejection-hunter.html
The Korean Natural
So who is the USA Natural? Canadian Natural? Dominican Republican Natural? etc.
That was kinda fun!
Giving you until game time today to get your 25-Man guess in since I know you wanted to … or did I miss it? Please repost it if I did miss it.
Thanks for slipping the deadline…lot going on.
Bum
Cueto
Marge
Moore
Cain
Buster
Belt
Panik
Craw
Nunez
Pence
Span
Parker (kills me to write this)
Hundley
Gillaspie
Hwang
Hernandez
Marrero
Kontos
Strickland
Law
Gearrin
Smith
Okert
Melancen
You are in … More Marrero-Hwang-Love. Sure, why not root for some NewGuys™ if they can earn it and help lead to the World Series Promised Land?
3/25 update…please remove Smith and add Suarez. Thanks!
Thanks for keeping it to the point for me.
Good luck.
Federowicz with the eye chart faux pas while running to third
Hey! The Giants are scoring runs!
Not such a great start for Osich’s comeback effort.
I turned it. Did he rough himself up or did the Cubs rough him up? Location?
I’ve never thought Osich was going to make it. As I said the other day the Giants were still looking at FA LH help last month.
I think they will continue to search till the time is right, perhaps after ST cuts up to mid season trade deadline.
The guy is 28. There are guys who make it to the show already out of baseball by then.
That’s why Okert’s on my 25-man list for HaakAway’s contest. Okert is only 25 and has stayed healthy through his career.
Fingers crossed that Will Smith is OK–sounds like the news was encouraging today. If not, I’m not going to be surprised if Blach ends up in the Giants’ bullpen.
Agree on Okert over Osich on the 25.
No so sure about turning Blach into a LH relief option just because he is LH. It would behoove him more to stay a starter at AAA till he gets the call. Going back and froth from pen to starter could hurt him more than actually help. It’s not mandatory nor necessary for him to be on the final 25, although I’d like him there.
I’m still sticking to the GIants getting a LH relief option during ST/Season who is not currently part of the organization.
I agree it’s better for Blach to continue as a starter, but if the team needs a reliable lefty/long man, they could do worse. A number of good major league starters got their feet wet in the bigs that way, including our own Samardzija. Remember rookie Adam Wainwright pitching out of the bullpen in the 2006 World Series run for the Cardinals? (Not to mention Bumgarner’s a pretty good relief pitcher in an emergency.)
I’d say the main thing about Blach is that he’s such a durable innings-eater that it would be a shame to waste that in the bullpen. That’s a very valuable attribute in a pitcher.
Good points, however when speaking of Bum and Wainwright , in the pen, you have some special arms. Blach is more of a crafty guy. I’d rather have a LH pen option have a power arm.
Well, it takes all kinds. Affeldt and Lopez got things done, and neither was especially a power arm–Affeldt more so, but not like Chapman or Miller, for example. But stud pitching in three title runs counts for something.
Wrong, Affeldt was a power arm in in his early days with KC, he even was a starter, and throw upper 90s and even touched 100, similar to Miller who was a bust as starter as well, and Miller is more of a mid 90s guy. Affeldt as he got older used the curveball more and lost velocity, and became a pitcher rather then the thrower he was in his younger day .
I agree that it’s more important for Blach to keep busy than to stay in the majors. He’s going to get his chance later in the year.
OFF TOPIC http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/earl-mitchell-49ers-lot-familiar-faces-helped-career/ https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b3277ab8db5569f3a22ca9385534128dbd5b6e632f20a4c8ec156cdebf56a95c.jpg
What a wonderful smile:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/willie-mays-still-a-much-welcomed-presence-at-giants-camp-1.13174567
POTD !!!
New Crawford blog. I’m glad we still have our Brandon bloggers, but I’m going to miss the White Shark posts. Wonder if they’ll get someone new to replace Blanco. Maybe Melancon–he’s a pretty good writer (his Players Tribune piece), and he’ll be here for awhile.
https://brandon.mlblogs.com/and-as-always-disneyland-brandon-crawford-327a7949c42c#.nzl2gmij9
Interesting to see that Gary Brown is still such a friend close enough to travel to Africa with Crawford and their families.
That Gary Brown that was the centerfielder of the future for the Giants and had a monster season age 22 with San Jose and a .429 BA during a cup of tea with the SF Giants.
That Gary Brown that played independent baseball in 2016 and I have no idea about Gary Brown and this Spring and season 2017, he is still a relatively young man.
What happened with Brown? Is there backstory? Was he hurt or attitude problem? He doesn’t seem to have played that badly, just mediocre without the brilliance subsequent to 2011.
Yes, I think the Crawfords and Browns have been friends for years.
I remember in 2011, when the Giants traded for Beltran, the initial word was that they’d traded Brown for him–and we were all horrified because the Giants had tons of pitching but not many homegrown position players. We were relieved when it turned out to be Zack Wheeler instead. Little did we know that was going to be Brown’s high point, that season.
I don’t remember hearing about him being injured, but there were stories about his attitude–apparently they wanted him to make various changes and he was resistant. He certainly turned out to be a bust. Kyle Crick seems to be the next one.
The only difference was that Brown flew coach.
Brown was a first-round draft pick. He must have made a few mil as a signing bonus, right? Might have some of it left.
1.45M
It’s a little sad that although he’s still playing ball, he isn’t doing it for a MLB affiliated team.
Just because a player doesn’t have “it” doesn’t necessarily make him a bad attitude type of guy, although as Lefty points out below, there where stories about Brown being hesistant to make certain changes.
Also, do you think Crawford is shallow? I mean, if he played college ball in California and was a Giants draft pick, plenty of circumstances where he and Crawford could become friends. Your logic suggests that Crawford can only be buddies with major leaguers.
News flash, not every draft pick makes it in the show, not even all 1st rd picks. And that does not mean that those that did not are trouble makers. It was just a bad draft pick for the Giants that’s all.
No Not at all.
I actually think that the continued friendship despite Crawford having great success and Brown having a disappointing career reflects well on both of the young men so you are implying a logic on my part that does not exist.
What is odd about Brown’s career with the Giants is that while he did not progress as wanted, his numbers were still not so terrible and his age was still young. Others do worse and remain within the farm system.
Brown is released and he must desire to play as he plays in the independent league.
This was not a situation where the Giants gave up too early. His numbers overall in the minors where not special, and the most bothersome were his strikeout rate and his bad stealing percentage, both counter productive to a guy who was supposedly the CF/lead off guy of the future.
Both the Cards and Angels released him for a reason as well.
Again, not all high draft picks make it. Just a bad decision by the Giants. Speaks to their track record being able to draft a starting OF.
Nice comment in that about Leland’s wanting Craw on his WBC team.
i vote for law
“We also went to Montana for a week over New Year’s Eve, staying at the same house we did two years ago… It was a lot of fun. Tons of snow. Board games or cards at night… I’m not sure I was ever so cold in my life, though. Our last night there, the thermometer at the house registered 20 below zero.”
Brandon knows where to travel.
Awesome post! Enjoyed it very much.
Apparently Possum Magic is no longer allowed.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/25/australian-childrens-author-mem-fox-detained-by-us-border-control-i-sobbed-like-a-baby
Stupid, impolite and backward can indeed be a direct consequence of an Executive Order. What’s scary is these imbeciles have been waiting to be released on the public for some time, apparently.
Petty tyrants abound.
To you Duvall enthusiast, you mourn his loss, imagine how Epstein and company with the Cubs feel after walking away from D.J. LeMeahieu.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/sports/baseball/dj-lemahieu-colorado-rockies-cubs-theo-epstein.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbaseball&action=click&contentCollection=baseball®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront
Not the same, since the Cubs have a burgeoning All Star in Baez.
The Giants have squat as a full time LF solution.
Ha! See my comment.
I promise to get over Duvall the minute the Giants have the same guy start in LF for two Opening Days in a row. It doesn’t seem like too much to ask.
2007 Bonds
2008 Roberts
2009 Lewis
2010 DeRosa
2011 Burrell
2012 Huff (yes, really)
2013 Torres
2014 Morse
2015 Aoki
2016 Pagan
2017 _______?
You neglected to acknowledge the 3 WS Champs during that span of ignoble LFs. Whatever your thoughts, the record speaks for itself. Far more loudly than what success Duvall has brought to his team(s).
And more’n half those players were key components of championship success.
Not playing LF and not in those specific years, though. Torres was great in CF in 2010, but not in LF in 2013. Same with Pagan. Huff certainly didn’t make his contribution from LF (or in 2012). Burrell and Morse are the only ones who both played a substantial amount of LF in a year the Giants won the championship.
That’s why I still miss Melky, even though I know why I shouldn’t. Our LF solution for years turned into a cruel mirage! 🙁
Two things can be true at the same time. They’ve had tremendous success–and they haven’t had stability at this particular position for 11 years now. Another thing that strikes me about this list is that, other than Fred Lewis in 2009, every one of those guys was well on the wrong side of 30. It definitely seems to have been an afterthought of a position all of these years.
Give me Klays Brother
Still struggling with that injury (broken bone in his back) from last season.
Stupid Dodgers broke Aokiさん’s leg, then stupid Cubs beaned him. I would have liked him to continue his good season into 2016. I would not mind seeing Pence’s name in your blank space, and again in 2018.
Pence in LF? Hmmmmm
Winebaroness’ idea. Based on his getting older, and Mac looking like a good fielder. It isn’t a bad idea at all, IMO.
Agreed. Mac made some stellar plays in RF last year, Pence has never been more than a passable OF, and playing LF would expose him less and perhaps save his legs. Mac’s got a great arm and Pence has a good one. An alignment of Mac in right and Pence in left would improve them defensively, even with Noodle Arm in CF.
Once williamson got over his nerves he was excellent in the outfield last year. Good jump, good routes, good arm. I’m more excited about that than his offense actually.
Our outfield defense last year (and the year before) was horrible with a capital HORRIBLE. I know PJ accuses me of not caring about anything but defense, but it DOES matter.
I agree (except that Maxwell at least was really excellent in the field, strangely enough). Possibly the most bizarre thing about the Giants is that even with starting pitchers who get a lot of fly balls, and the huge park, they’ve never emphasized outfield defense. The reverse of the Royals.
As you often said last year, with a runner on first most every single to left or center was basically an automatic first and third. Countless weak-a** throws from Pagan and Span.
#FreeNoodleSpanoli
Oh, he’s free as a bird.
“Passable?” Until last year he was nearly as good as Nate. Injuries (and I think 20 extra pounds) have definitely cost him a step, and more importantly, self-confidence in RF.
It’s coming sooner than later. It *should* be Mac in RF and Pence in LF this year, but…that’s not the way we roll, I guess. Sigh…
Today’s lineup has Parker in RF and Mac in LF. IMHO, Mac is a much better outfielder than Parker is, and if they’re both in the game, Mac should be playing the tougher field.
RF is not always the tougher field
It is at AT&T. Mac reminds me of Nate Schierholtz, who gave us the best RF play we’ve seen in AT&T history, IMHO.
Giants disagree, started Parker in CF last year a few times, and he did well .
Mac in Triples Alley?
Yes, please.
They won the World Series last year and have a budding star at 2B. I think they feel fine.
And if Baez isn’t cutting it, they can fall back on Ben Zobrist. Yeah, I think 2B is in good hands for the Cubs.
Baez arrival was the real deal
It’s pretty clear that Epstein made more right decisions than wrong. Kind of like Sabean.
As for DJ….my eyes tell me to watch out for Colorado a bit this season. They will probably fade later than usual. That stadium eventually kills the pitchers. Bud Black is a huge upgrade
CC, what’s going on with Fangraphs stats? When you click ‘team’, nothing happens. Are they demanding that we pay money or something like that?
This for Dr. Lefty from a post below, Affeldt was a Starter in his early days with KC, and he throw upper 90s even touched 100 a few times, just like Andrew Miller he was a bust as a starter and developed his curveball and was more affective in the bullpen, Andrew Miller is more of a mid 90s guy with a devastating breaking ball .
On Oscar day, RIP veteran actor Bill Paxton, who passed away suddenly at age 61 due to surgery complications. Known for movies such as “Apollo 13,” “Twister,” and “Titanic,” and for his lead role as the patriarch on the quirky HBO series “Big Love. ” Also, baseball related, played Tom House (the pitching guru) in the movie “Million Dollar Arm.”
Game over, man.
How can you forget as thug #1 in “Terminator” and as Chet in “Weird Science?”
Draymond Green is one of the most compelling, intelligent, unique basketball players I’ve ever watched.
And I’m sick of his moods, his temper, and his drama being a constant sideshow. You’d think he’d have learned something after getting suspended during the Finals and being arrested in Michigan a month later, but it doesn’t seem like it. As a fan I find him untrustworthy–a game can be rolling along and then all of a sudden, there’s Draymond being T-ed up or ejected or trash-talking Paul Pierce or yelling at Kerr or….
He’s an NBA champion, a two-time All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist, and a highly compensated star of the best team in the league. Oh, and a new first-time father. It’s time he grew up.
He is shooting .427% and .321% on 3 pointers, and the only current Warrior on the 15 man roster with an AFG% under .50 % and his rebounding has gone down from 9.5 a game last year to 8.1 a game this year. The Bay area media love him, because he is a great quote machine, but he is over rated in my opinion .
His defense is incredible though. There have been several close games where the other team’s star has gone one-on-one with Draymond and he’s shut them down every time, leading to Warriors wins.
When we were at the Warriors/Kings game in Sacramento a few weeks ago, our vantage point–upper part of the lower level–was excellent for watching defensive coverage. Draymond was the only person who could stop Cousins, and when he was on Cousins, he just Shut. Him. Down. It was remarkable, really.
I also seen Harrison Barnes light him up, and others too, I do admit I am a big Harrison Barnes fan , and he is the #1 option on his team and is averaging 20 points a game, and shooting .475%, and Green is the 4th option on his team and is only shooting .427% .
I’m happy to see Barnes thriving. Always liked him.
Wish he did that consistently with the Warriors. I miss him when I see Green lose his temper.
It was tough to do that here, since he was a 4th option. He’s getting better because he’s getting the chance. That’s my take.
They play completely different games, with the only similarity being both are forwards. Barnes is not switching off on a nightly basis from guarding the other team’s big man to their point guard and sometimes initiating facilitating the offense.
Agree, warriors stuck him in the corner, for 3’s, that’s the worse part of his game this year, he has developed a great mid range game, and is driving to the basket more .
Agreed. If he had played where he was drafted, I think HB would still be here.
He seemed like a calm, down to Earth and smart young man.
Green, like him or not, is the front runner for NBA defensive player of the year, enough said.
Very nice you like Barnes, but he is not the same player nor seen in the same level.
Nice player though.
Maybe if Barnes has played better D last finals, the Bubs would have won and kept him.
My point is this, if Green was signed by another team, he would be expected to score more for the money he would get, and he has no post game, are mid range game, and with the Warriors he is left wide open, and is still the worse shooter on the team from 3 point range .Harrison is doing that this year, with the Warriors he only shot 3’s, this year his mid range game and post up game has been great, his 3 point shot has been worse, Warriors used him wrong .
your response shows how little you know of the game. You can’t compare their games because they are two completely different players asked to do vastly different things on the court.
Of course Green would not be a huge scorer is he was another teams #2 option, since he is not a shooter. He is paid because of his defensive ability to guard 5 positions and his ability to keep the offense moving.
Your comparison and argument Barnes is better is pretty weak.
It’s too early for you to go Full Efrain, isn’t it?
nope never not too early. Specially when making a weak analysis.
Green and Barnes are both forwards and African American, after that, their games are completely different.
Everyone knows that. (Almost everyone…)
You do not seem to get it , with the Warriors ,Green is the greatest role player in the NBA, and because they have 3 other players scoring over 22 points a game,, they can afford to pay him big money, with out him being much of a scorer, but most other teams would need him to score more for the money, because they do not have Curry, Thompson and Durant .
The pint is the Dubs paid him what he is worth to them due to the way they are structured. Of course he is not the type of player that could easily move from one team to another, as say Durant did. But on this team, without a true starting center and will a Defensive alignment that asks certain players to switch off all the time, he fits their needs given the other 3 you mention. It’s not an easy comparison.
There isn’t a team in the NBA that would take Barnes over Green. The Warriors’ problem is that while there are a lot of guys who can do Barnes does, there’s no one who’s quite like Green.
Green only works with Teams that do not need offense , from a player making over 20 Million a year, what Green would get in next contract, playing with Curry and Thompson, and Durant, teams want Green to shoot, and he is still the worse shooter on the team anyway .
You’re right that Green’s lack of offense might not be as insignificant with another team as it is with the Warriors, but every team would love to have a guy who does what he does.
Barnes lit up Draymond?
Yes , in the last game they played vs each other, Barnes hit lots of shots over Green, scored 25 points in 3 quarters of playing time .
Also, Draymond’s mom has been mixing it up with Kawakami on Twitter this morning because he wrote that there seemed to be tension with Dray and Kerr after the game. I’m over Draymond’s mom getting involved, too.
Maybe the apple did not fall far?
I was just going to say the same thing.
Felt like she was going to go across her iPhone screen and kick Kawakami’s butt.
Wonder what the root cause is. A shrink would have a field day.
Whatever it is, the Warriors’ coddling him isn’t helping anything. Both his line and the team’s is “Well, that’s what gives Draymond his ‘edge.’ Can’t take that away.”
It’s not getting better. I honestly dread what might happen in the playoffs.
I would bet that the private conversations are much different than the public “his edge” talk.
Kerr, much like Bochy, is THE public defender and circles the wagons. I applaud that. Coaches/GM’s who let anything slip publicly can lose the entire locker room in record time.
Dray was sent a message last night by Kerr. It wasn’t a message of words to a rat like Kawakami, or a toad like Ratto. It was playing time and rotations. His only words were ” it wasn’t his night”.
Isn’t that the best way a great leader -and Kerr IS a GREAT leader – handles such situations? Fans may want a short term public scolding. Steve has more layers to think about.
I would bet they tip toe around Green out of fear of causing a major internal problem.
I would bet that Curry and Durant continue to talk it out with Green, and Kerr is ratcheting up tougher talk.
Green has proven very clearly that no one gets through to him. His lack of self control contributed in a major way to blowing the series with the Cavs, but he hasn’t changed s bit.
Actually, I disagree. It’s never that clean when someone tries to change…he appeared much better for the first half of the season. He’s regressed the last week or so.
There’s no magic pill for strange behavior. I just hope he learns, but I’m beginning to be resigned to the fact that it may be best for both sides if he move s on ( if he continues these regressions)
The Warriors won’t move Green unless or until Curry and/or Durant decide they no longer want to put up with him.
Lacob-Meyers-West don’t usually tip-toe
“It wasn’t a message of words to a rat like Kawakami, or a toad like Ratto.” Love it Mateo.
A wise and experienced NBA coach once said “my best tool to control behavior is allocation of minutes.” Kerr did a great job of that last night.
I’m sure the Warriors’ organization doesn’t like it any better than you do and wishes he wasn’t such a valuable player. They’re in a very tough spot with him.
But he’s just “firing the team up.”
Sounds like always uses that excuse, but he doesn’t seem to think that his antics will get him kicked out of a game.
Just exhausted from his act too, Doc.
Don’t hold your breath. Entitled, immature, unchecked, arrogant…as you say, tremendous talent with major behavior issues. Draymond: look up “professional” in the dictionary. Strive to be that.
He thinks the Earth is flat. You might want to add studied, professional ignorance to your description.
He only thinks he might be flat. He’s studying the evidence.
He came to the defense of a fellow professional…cmon, Brother.
A fellow severely challenged thinker.
He called another Man , he did not know a Slave Master, that same white man that backed the original Isiah Thomas, when he was involved in a sexual assault case .
He’s an ignoramus.
He’s a moron with chicken legs. And he needs to stop flexing cuz he has no biceps.
Dude! you hibernated to get through the off-season?
LOL, watching Aus thrash Ind was sobering enough. How you been?
I’m good. The cricket sounds like a bad experience for you.
Hope you are all well! Watching from Omaha.
Welcome back! How’s the weather there, cold?
In the 70’s till Friday. Snow now melting though. How is Aggieville?
We’re drowning out here. This week we’ve had a break from rain, but it’s chilly–highs in the 50s. Maybe 60s this week, though.
To this day I miss Rosenblatt. Many pilgramages to the old neighborhood.
The shame is the new place is empty for the most part. Many other changes happening; most of them for the best.
The name Ameritrade Center says it all. I have been once. NO SHADE. Very little ambiance. Even the Dippin Dots were not the same.
Anything to read into the fact that they’re starting Moore ahead of Samardzija?
I think I read that was one of Bochy’s considerations to change that up. No one like the right, left, right, left dance steps like Bruce (mound and plate).
Mm, right, didn’t think of that.
No TV coverage of a Giants’ game on mlb.com until Tuesday, is that right? Bah.
Right. Here’s the ST TV and radio schedule that Lefty posted a couple of days ago (refresh your browser if you don’t see it). Thanks Dr.!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ab6500464867e9fffbe84eb004c5d8113294bb5dcf5373f3ce3f541d18b25dba.jpg
Any video on Hwang’s home run yesterday?
MyGuy list and I could see him as an X-Factor if Bochy can play him on defense.
Boom, here it is. Opposite field:
http://m.mlb.com/sf/video/topic/26668474/v1226077483/chcsf-hwang-extends-lead-with-threerun-homer/?c_id=sf
Thanks! Somehow I missed that when I was on the video link of the site.
Didn’t look like it went very far…
Could Marrero be the starter? How is his Def? Can he play CF? His AAA yr puts him at least on par w/macpark. A once heralded prospect, I’m curious to see more. Have to wonder though what Boston wasn’t seeing.
He is a Big guy, plays 1st base, and Corner Outfield, and DH only, not much of a defender, his bat is the only strength of his game .
Boston has plenty of younger talented OF option, think it was simply a numbers game.
Hopefully HaakAway is willing to extend the 2/25 deadline for My25Guys first pass to more of us than dgg! Like her, last couple of days very busy for me. Here’s my list. Hope I make “the cut”.
C-Posey, Hundley
IF-Belt, Panik, Crawford, Nunez, Kelby, Hwang
OF-Pence, Span, Parker, Ruggiano, Morse
SP-Bum, Cueto, Smardzjia, Moore, Cain
RP-Melancon, Smith, Strickland, Kontos, Law, Okert, Blach
No Conor?
This blog is way defense crazy, they do not care about his playoff heroics , are that he just homered again today, all they care about is his glove and arm at 3rd base , me and you no that the bat matters too .
I didn’t ask for an extension. My revised selection occurred before February 25. As did Lefty’s.
Haak will confirm that I made my revised selection 4 days ago well before the February 25 deadline.
I think A7 and Brownie have to jump in.
Maybe PJ, yoo.
Are you saying some people actually got extensions? Why?
not saying that, but Haak is such a kindly soul he’d probably take an entry today, or so I guess. I never saw PJ’s entry, which would teach us what the most non-slappy possibility is.
It’s an alternative fact (aka falsehood) that dgg asked for an extension. I think asking Haak for an extension puts him in a tough spot. I wouldn’t do that.
He asked me the other day, so I posted my 25 man roster, not what I would pick, but what Bochy and Evans will pick .
I saw your response to Haak at the time, Peter. That was 8 days ago. I thought your selections were interesting.
Time flies when having fun I guess, are I am getting senile at 51, do not remember exact date .
All you have to do is check your timeline. That’s what I do!
p.s. 51 is young, Peter.
I have no idea what tf62 is talking about. Nowhere did I say I’d been too busy when I made my revised selection. All I said was: “Here goes again, Haak.” I decided to revise my selections after Will Smith got injured. And I had second thoughts about initially choosing Ruggiano over Gorkys. I reversed my call on that.
Again, my apologies. Might have been someone else.
It had to have been someone else. All I ask is that next time you ask me a question instead of making an assumption. Anyway, I hope you have a good day after all!
It was me – see above…
Haak reached out to you, A7. “Before first pitch today” for someone who hasn’t been on the blog in the offseason and didn’t know about the My Man Guy 25-25 seems fair. That’s Haak’s call to make anyway. All I ask is people not go making assumptions that I asked Haak for an extension. As I said below, I wouldn’t do that to him. For one thing, I’ve been here all offseason and had plenty of advance notice about the deadline.
OK. Thought I read where Haak said “before first pitch today.” Apologies.
TTF isn’t crazy, nor did dgg ask for an extension. Haak graciously reached out to me to offer to accept an entry from me if I got it in before 1st pitch today. I’ve only been back on the blog since Friday, so didn’t know about it until then. I did submit an entry this morning before game time, thanking Haak for the extension, and noting that I’ve had a lot going on.
Nobody requested an extension, and if my submitting my entry today bothers anybody’s sensibilities, by all means, I’ll rescind it.
No Gillaspie? or Williamson? or Gearrin? Or some besides Span who can play cf (that is, Hernandez)?
Williamson has options, Giants like depth they can stash him in AAA, Kelby as well, I have Gorkys and Ruggiano as 4th , 5th outfielders, Rollins and Conor as infielders off the bench, Blach in AAA with options, David Hernandez making it in the pen as well .
But he’s the only promising young lf they have. It doesn’t make sense to keep a worse player (Parker) just because he’s out of options. That was the thinking which kept Adrianza taking up space for so long. For Blach I agree until Cain proves hopeless, which should be 6 weeks or so into the season. I have a positive feeling about Ruggiano but that isn’t really based on much other than how he’s hit against Bumgarner.
Parker actually has way better MLB numbers and AAA numbers then Williamson, I like Williamson too, but am sick of the anti Parker talk on this blog, and most of it is people do not like his body language, same reason some do not like Belt .
Williamson had terrible BABIP luck last year (about 60 points lower than it should have been) and Parker had good luck (25 points higher than it should have been). Plus Williamson is capable of being a good fielder while Parker isn’t. Plus Williamson hits right-handed while Parker hits left-handed. Plus Williamson is 26 and may well get better while Parker is 28. There’s just no reason to prefer Parker.
Left off Gillaspie unintentionally. He’ll be on my 3/25 ballot. I think Mac goes to Sacto (bad move). Rughiano can play CF. Gearrin is 50/50, IMHO.
Gearin has no options, I believe. If he doesn’t make the team, they’ll lose him.
Yes, you are in … you are #24!
I was reading about Morse’s defensive challenges yesterday, but just something to remember…supposedly the Spring Training infields in AZ are the worst. Extremely hard and grounders go by you much faster than what you’ll see in regular season. He may still suck in regular season, but something to consider.
Plus he only played about 3 months last year.
Sorry guys, these are excuses for Morse as a fielder.
He is not in camp for his glove .
Giants always like to bring players back who are on the brink of extinction to see if they can squeeze one more glass of juice out of them. It usually ends badly.
I do not think he will make the team , but my point is this blog is so defense crazy, they would cut Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, because they had bad gloves and poor range in the outfield .
If the dude can hit over 20 bombs. I’m all for it.
Ruth, prior to 1930, had a good reputation as a RF. His hangup was he couldn’t play the sun field at Yankee stadium. Muesel played LF at Yankee Stadium to give Ruth a break with the sun, but often played RF on the road. Williams was a good defensive player as well. Did you know Williams made his own ‘heat maps’.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/ted-williams-and-perception/
CC, what’s going on with Fangraphs’ stats? If you click ‘team’, nothing happens. Are they demanding that we pay or something?
I don’t know. I just connect via Google myself, which seems to work fine. You can pay, but it’s optional. $14 per year, or in that ballpark. I think, if you’ve got stored connections, they have changed some of those because they’ve made more options available to everyone, as I recall.
Are you paying? If not, can you access the stats anyway? I can’t, even if I do it through Google.
I knew you would come through, cc. I remembered Babe Ruth and Ted Williams as good defensive players. I just wasn’t sure where to look to back up my memory.
It sort of depends, at least with Ruth, how big his middle got. He was, as I recall reading, ranked the 2nd or 3rd defensive player in MLB his first year or two playing. Slow, but good routes, and a good arm, as I guess you’d expect a pitcher to have.
I thought he pitched his first few years.
The first 5, I believe, but he was pretty good defensively with the Yankees for a couple of years once he moved to the OF for a couple of years. That’s why I sort of ignored his Red Sox days.
…and tastes a lot like rind.
Of course he’s not. The Giants don’t need a bench player with a bat without a glove.
In 2014 he actually was not signed for his glove either …
Yes, I know ClutchUp, and it’s 3 years later. I’m sure you’ve checked Baseball Reference on Morse since then.
I knew when he lounged on the beach most of last summer after being released that his time in ML ball was done. But now the hard part. Players are usually not released in early spring training thus we just have to do the best we can. There are about four back fields and hundreds of hours available to scour all the young ability. As soon as MM is allowed to be told bye-bye – I am sure he will go back to the beach.
Michael Morse has a winning smile, and Bobby Evans got too nostalgic at the wedding.
Couple of cocktails ….
Understood, but it’s February. He’s far from the only guy who kicks a few early.
Spring Training February 2017 in AZ is not the only frame of reference for Morse.
Hmm. Rollins starting at ss. Obviously they need someone to back up Crawford. They may be doing a lot of auditions.
Rollins is making the team, you need to pay attention and learn the Giants way, they like veterans, and will give them the spot over a prospect, unless the veteran is awful and the prospect is amazing , and that still might be good enough for the prospect to make the team if he has options .
I know the Giants way quite well but they’ve brought in a huge number of old veterans and they can’t possibly keep all of them on the roster. By that logic Morse, Ruggiano, Reynolds, and Hernandez are also all making the team.
Couldn’t get to the keyboard during Belt’s first AB, but something occurred to me at that point. Some of the Giants broadcasters seem to opine that Belt has a better eye than many of the plate umpires. Belt himself seems to thinks the calls do not go his way pretty often, if you go by his reactions. It may be true that he knows his strike zone extremely well and takes when he should on close throws. However, it may be becoming a self-fullfilling prophecy that these calls are not going his way due to the frequency with which he is giving the stink eye to the umpires. Nobody likes to be second guessed, and if the officiating corps has taken a dislike to him, they may be no longer giving him the benefit of the doubt, whether consciously or subconsciously. Toning down his protests and expressions of frustration might, in the long run, cause more of those close calls to go his way.
It would seem, when the strike zone video box is in the game, Belt has a point.
Yes, but A7 has a good point too. Belt probably needs to take these calls in stride. It’s doubtful he’s winning over umpires with his petulance.
Spring training for Players * Coaches and Umpires.
Probably, but strictly speaking he does seem to know the SZ better than the umps generally seem to.
He’s probably the position player who would most benefit from balls/strikes being called by machines. Not saying I’m endorsing that conversion, by the way.
You’re probably right. But it doesn’t do Belt any good to be perceived as showing up the umpires.
He needs to do his educating of umpires under his breath while facing the pitcher. Maybe they’ll look at the B&S tape.
Guys like Votto and even Manny Ramirez have benefited taking that POV. I sometimes wonder what Belt is thinking about in the box.
Like they say, if it is close protect the plate, do not trust umpire with 2 strikes .
Cliche’s aside, Belt seems to have an excellent eye.
That’s not a cliche – it’s just good baseball advice. Once bitten, twice shy is a cliche, but it’s good advice, too.
It’s a cliche, mainly because it’s obvious. Nevertheless, I wonder what the odds are on taking or swinging, as to outcome.
He does. The difference between his Zswing% and Oswing% was just about the highest in the majors last year.
Absolutely not disputing that. I think he does know the strikezone extremely well. Doesn’t do him any good, though, given that the player doesn’t get to call his own balls and strikes.
Truth. If he were smarter, he could use his skill to work the ump. His gumby actis getting old, IMO.
There actually was a study that showed umpires are more likely to get calls wrong with lefty hitters, and Belt was among the most victimized in MLB.
Really, did not know that.
I’ll give my two cents on BB. Agreed he has a good eye, and yes, he does seem to get victimized more than almost any other player when it comes to getting rung up on balls off the plate. Some people on here just wanna bash Belt no matter what he does, that’ll never change. But I think some of us get frustrated with him for not being more aggressive, particularly with men in scoring position. I know it’s a fine line to walk to adjust your hitting mentality on the situation, but many times when he gets rung up, i think, ok, that ball was probably off the plate but how are you taking that close of a pitch in this situation?
His stats with men on base and in scoring position were actually pretty good last season. OPS of .954 and .876 respectively. Better than his #s with the bases empty.
Well, thanks for refuting that. :o) Still think his RBI total could improve if he were a bit more aggressive. Probably the main reason he topped out at 82 last year.
That, btw, is similar to the rap Votto has had for the last 2-3 years.
a guy that used to play up in beantown…williams, ted was accused of that as well..i think
a guy like bonds, or probably votto as well, will get the close calls because the umps figure if they didn’t swing, it must have been a ball, and that’s what they call. belt, with his gumby shoulders, and whining, doesn’t get the close calls. he’s just not a good enough player to warrant those borderline pitches.
Yep.
Bonds too, that was the one thing he would get criticized for besides the juice, was not being more aggressive and not going out of the strike zone with runners in scoring position.
One thing we’ve learned about Bob is, he’s a better OB guy than a RBI guy. Another reason he should bat 2nd.
Agreed. But that two-hole seems like the spot Panik should absolutely be hitting.
Actually, I think JP should be in an RBI position in LU rather than 2nd. I did like him there, but his eye is not as good as #9.
Maybe not but given the choice between the two to execute a hit and run I’d go with Joe ten times outta ten.
I would have Belt batting #3 and Posey #4. #3 is the place where you have the most opportunities to hit into double plays and Belt hits into like none (because he hits so few grounders).
Nice trick if we can do it.
Oh, I know you’re not a Belt Basher. I just find that, myself included, the “eye test” can lead to selective memory (e.g., “Span never ever ever gets a lead-off hit, just 4-3 groundouts”). That’s why checking the stats can be instructive sometimes.
That’s because men being on base messes up the shift against him.
On thinking about it, the hole in Belt’s swing is up and away. Given the growing penchant for calling the high strike, Belt’s going to have to do some serious adjustment. He’s got to go the other way with that pitch, or it’s a series of foul balls and out.
That lack of Aggressiveness at the plate may be mistaken for an understanding of the situational hitting. That in my admired opinion on this board is why he should not be a middle of the order hitter or a 2 hole hitter. If he changes from looking for balls to being aggressive, my opinion might change as might his K ratio
It isn’t so much an understanding of situational hitting, that’s how Belt hits no matter what the situation is. That’s why he should be near the top of the order. The problem what that is he isn’t the greatest baserunner in the world.
Actually for being ten feet tall, he’s a pretty good base runner and fast for a big guy.
I tend to disagree, you want in the 2 spot a hitter who makes contact and can move the runner over, who can hit behind a runner and not into a shift.
In the 3 spot you want a player that hits for contact and average that can drive runners in from 1rst or second either with singles or gap hits or the home run. Belt falls into that category except for the average part and his K rate. When I look at the average, I am not looking at batting average but rather times he goes up and makes solid contact. His walk and K rate basically takes out 250 at bats and 39% of the time last year you could not count on him to hit the ball to drive in that runner. His K rate is more in tune with a 4/5 hitter that bats with 2 outs the only difference is his walk ratio is not due to respect for power rather to his looking for walks instead of driving the ball.
When you look at RBI guys that is more suitable for the 3-5 spot you look at a Hunter Pence. They guy makes contact 75% of the time hits for just a bit more power and a couple points in average. Yet his walk rate is only around 50 a year and his RBI’s are consistently in the 90’s when healthy.
Jeff Kent was similar at a contact rate of 76% an hit for .290. He was usually under 50 walks a year.
Being aggressive and looking for hits is the way Bet can add several points to his average. The question is can he have the mental approach to do that.
I’m not sure what I wrote that you’re disagreeing with. I’m the world’s #1 fan of aggressive hitting, I think that the main reason for the Giants’ decline in hitting-that-wins-ballgames (though not traditional stats) last year was a general decline in aggressiveness. But I just don’t think that Belt is capable of hitting effectively if he’s more aggressive. Posey, Pence, Crawford, pretty much everyone else, yes, but that isn’t the kind of player Belt is.
But I do disagree about the role of the #3 hitter. This is non-traditional I know, but I think that the #3 hitter should also be a big OB guy, to set the table for the #4/5 hitters. The idea should be 2 of the first 3 hitters get on, then the #4/5 hitters drive them in. And he should NOT be a big ground ball hitter, because #3 is the place in the lineup where there are by far the most chances to hit into a DP. Belt is excellent for this.
Probably my thinking about the #3 hitter is related to being a Giants’ fan and assuming that offense should be based on stringing together singles and avoiding DPs rather than HRs and stolen bases, I might think differently if I were used to other kinds of offenses, but this is what works for the Giants.
Here’s MY thinking on Bob hitting second.
+If the lead-off hitter gets on, they take the shift off or, at least severely modify it.
+If the lead-off hitter doesn’t get on, they put the shift on and Bob gets on by bunting to the left side
If Posey gets on behind BB, he’ll never catch him on the bases. Bob’s much faster. Anybody batting behind Buster will be slowed down. A doubles guy should follow Buster..
But it happened to him a lot less last year. Word has gotten around among the umps to some extent.
Williamson running good routes is great news.
Hey – both my kids were born in Silver Spring, Maryland, too! Didn’t make them MLB ready, though…
Makes me smile to hear Joh Miller defer to Erwin Higueros – who is knocking the pronunciations of the Latin players out of the ball park. I have heard Erwin and Tito do their broadcasts and it is safe to say that Erwin is more laid-back than Tito is on the air.
Yes, I’m enjoying this broadcasting pairing. Lots to like here.
Sore shoulder – Eduardo Núñez
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/25/sore-shoulder-means-eduardo-nunez-will-ease-into-third-base-for-giants/
Not a good look for a 3B trying to make the club. Any idea what the malady is?
Articles says too much too soon. Had the flu back home and could not lift so got to ARZ and over-did the reps.
“Trying to make the club?” ???
Perhaps I should ask Haak for an extension on My25 Man Guy to pick someone else besides Nunez.
You mean “trying to lead off and play 3rd base 150 games”
Tyler Beede, moving on up.
He throw today?
Yes, just saw he did. Sometimes it pays to look at the tweets on the right.
Or listen to the game on KNBR…
http://player.listenlive.co/25941/en/programguide
Thx. Can’t usually listen down here in LA but this link works. How’d we score our 9?
Somebody posted the ST radio and TV schedule (twice) again today. I’m in San Diego, Rob, and I get all of them.
Nice
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ab6500464867e9fffbe84eb004c5d8113294bb5dcf5373f3ce3f541d18b25dba.jpg
Bases loaded single by a guy wearing #212
I love scoring 9 runs on one swing of the bat.
Name: M. Gomez
HaHa I read your post to say “How’d we score our 9th”
My_Bad
Ha
Conor and Parker both left the yard.
And Joe Cool.
I’m glad the link works. Here’s the Gameday Link with the Box Score:
http://m.mlb.com/gameday/giants-vs-reds/2017/02/26/509613?#game=509613,game_state=live,game_tab=
Thx, again
By wearing out Edwin Higueros
Homers for Panik, Parker, and Gillaspie, among other things.
Yes, if you were just listening he pitched 2.
Beede is being handed over the keys. Unless he sucks he’s being moved up the ladder quickly
He’ll spend some time in Sacto to get some AAA seasoning. But, I agree, right now he’s being given a good taste of pitching with the big club guys. I like the “keys” reference. He’s got a good head on his shoulders in addition to being given his driving gloves. Just a little goofy too.
Did everyone else know who Michael Roth is?
The way Eric Karros pronounces Michael Ross?
/drops mic
That was a new name for me, too. Geeze, but the Giants picked up a lotta spare parts this winter.
Without checking, it seems like a lot of left-handed spare parts.
The guy that started the IRA?
No Bapah. This guy. Erwin Higueros explained who he is. Then I looked him up.
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/6720/michael-roth
I’m ordering a humor transplant. Stat.
We all know this is the person behind the Roth IRA. April will soon be here and now that you’re officially retired, we need to take care of your retirement income and investment strategy.
I like the interplay between Jon Miller and Erwin Higueros.
So, I’ll be going to the games next Sunday (vs KC) and Monday (Cle) if any of ya’ll are attending. If PJ and Efrain are going I’ll have to somehow break the news to my lady that she can’t sit next to me.
that’ll go over like a lead balloon..
Believe it or not, she’d probably view it as a positive. I’d hate to sit next to me for 9 innings.
The Last Giants game I went to in person was in 2007, the game before Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s HR record, planed on going the next night too, but my son was not able to sit still at all, so it was not enjoyable at all for me, so watched it on TV instead , and have not been back since .
I friggin’ love you.
That’s really too bad, you live near Sac don’t you. Hope you see some River Cats games.
I am the only care keeper for both of my sons , if I plan it with another relative I could go to a Giants game , but it is easier on TV, last Year I went to Laguna Seca for Motorcycle races with my brother, and he helped me with the boys, but to much trouble , Tv easier, and better view and replays, I am good with it .
You might give the clinical folks at the MIND Institute a ring, and see what kind of community outreach they can suggest. They have a very active parents group over there.
Peter, I really hope you can arrange for someone to watch the kids so you can go to a game this year. Dads like you need breaks ever once in a while.
You are safe! My next games are in Queens against the mets in May when it counts!
Efrain, I’d sincerely love to knock back a couple with you.
Awwww, you should come out to AZ one year for some sunshine and margari–, oops, I mean some baseball.
TWG Spring Training Scout Schedule … Updated but please correct this as needed.
Feb. 20-23 … Cabbie and Bapah
March 5-7 … RobDeer
March 10-12 … DrLefty
March 10-14 … standardstarboard
March 23-25 … HaakAway & Sons
March 26-28 … JustPeachy
We need someone from TWG repping there until the 5th and the 15-22nd!
My FormerGuy™ Keury Mella now pitching for the Reds. He was traded along with Duvall for Mike Leake in 2015.
I remember how disappointed you were when Mella was traded. And all for a guy who got injured right away and didn’t do much and went nowhere with the Giants. No wonder people are still in an uproar about the loss of Duvall.
People are in an uproar over Duvall?
I don’t know what to even say to that, Rob. I’m laughing too hard!
:o)
Bobby Evans !
Mella was the main piece in that trade–at the time he was ranked as the Giants’ top pitching prospect–and Duvall was something of a throw-in. Yeah, that was a dud of a trade, but to be fair, the Giants desperately needed a rotation upgrade and were right in it in the NL West race at the time. Not Evans’s fault that Leake got himself injured 5 minutes later.
No, that was Mike Leake’s fault for not stretching.
He’s the Cardinals’ problem now. Their fans aren’t so enchanted with him, either. Big free-agent deal and had almost a 5 ERA last season.
He’s a bum.
Actually for not hydrating properly.
I think the shoplifting thing would have done it for Bobby.
Mikey Leakey. A real dedicated guy.
DuggarDefenseGuy™ … Miller: “Finest play of the day.”
I want him to start in CF 2018 … book it.
Undefeated!
They were just talking about the best record in Cactus League last year. Snakes. No thanks.
ST means nothing, but this is certainly a nice start. And the broadcasts have been fun.
It’s really nice though to have 3 wins rather than 3 losses.
For sure. Fun for us and has to be good for clubhouse morale.
I especially like that they’re scoring runs and coming from behind–all three games now, I believe. After last year, the team needs confidence at the plate.
Great first outing for Beede, too.
The problem is who is doing most of the hitting not from every day starters, Posey 0 for 2 , 2 double plays, Crawford not much better, most of the big hits from bench guys are players fighting for roster spots, exception Panik, and double by Pence in 1st game .
Sure is nice to see Panik hitting. That was a big question mark after last season, but the story about his vision after the concussion explains a lot.
A return of the 2014-15 version of Joe Panik, along with the 2016 Gold Glove, would be very good news for the Giants.
He had great post season, he hit in a lot of bad luck last year, he was the hardest guy to strikeout in MLB last year, he got AT&Td a lot last year hit the ball hard , admitted seeing double for a while last year too .
He hits .300 this year.
I don’t know about that. Even if he’d had normal luck he wouldn’t have been close to .300 last year.
Hard to hit when you see two balls at once, and he was trying to do that for a month or two after Moore hit him in the head .
Hope you’re right but I’m skeptical. Even before the injury he wasn’t hitting the same.
He hit .305 in 73 games in ’14 and .312 in 100 games in ’15 so I really don’t think predicting he hits .300 this year is much of a stretch.
.311
.312 and I’ll go higher if you push me!!
.313 with a slap
.321 with a bullet.
At first I read that as buffet.
You hit .321 and you should have unlimited access to the buffet. Then again, that might’ve been Pablo’s undoing.
That’s why it made sense to me. Hit .321 and i want endless pastrami on rye and a beer; maybe an occasional fruit salad.
Post-concussion recovery, especially for “eye-hand” timing, can take lots and lots of reps.
The motor programs are there and won’t go away, but fine tuning with vision is what takes time and reps.
I distinctly recall getting a concussion in Babe Ruth baseball, and you know what? The next season, I STILL couldn’t hit the baseball.
I’m pretty sure it affects some really bright and talented people that way. In your case, I can’t help but think it’s a permanent affliction.
BASTARDO!
Could you play the piano?
Just looked it up , highest batting average in MLB in post season in 2016, Joe Panik .462, and he hit the game winner in game 3 of NLDS off the bricks in deep right center , a HR in most MLB Parks, he seemed over it in post season .
He’s said he is still bothered by some residual symptoms
Kudos to the “eye-hand”
Did you see the article about Panik’s vision? Apparently after he was cleared to play, his vision was still blurry, so he changed his batting stance so that he could see the ball sooner. In the offseason, he went to an eye specialist and got exercises, and then he had to work with Bam Bam to make sure his stance and stroke were back to normal.
The tribulations we never know about. I bet it explains some of his late season defensive lapses too.
What happened to me after several concussions was there would be a hole in my vision. It isn’t a “blurry” kind of deal; more of an area that didn’t “resolve” into a finite image. I found that looking at it “out of the corner of my eye” not directly at it was the only way I could see it at all clearly. Eventually it would resolve and I could see normally, but for a time, I couldn’t. The time to resolve it was always different.
Hit MLB best .462 in Post season of 2016, he seemed back, pretty similar to Belt in 2014, when he got over his Concussion symptoms just in time for 2014 post season .
Yes, I remember he was raking, he and Gillaspie. I was hoping that was a good sign for this year. So far, so good.
SO GLAD he was not traded.
I especially like that fact that they’re HITTING HRS!!! :o)
Arizona homers.
Want to give them back??
NOPE!
Are you PJ?
BROWNIE!!!!! How goes it, bud?
Going well. Work, ball and chains 😉 etc. In other words, just life. You? Can we get a bunch of people together for a couple of games this year? sac and the yard?
Yes, I’m already working on a group outing for Sac. I have a folder of email addresses so I can get in touch with folks–yours is in there.
GG was talking about trying to have a get-together in SF this year, too.
I’m down if i get enough notice. Work is killing me.
The Cubs are thinking Zobrist or Schwarber in the one hole this year.
If Schwarb is their guy, maybe Bob should lead off for G’s.
If he had a lower K rate, it would make sense.
Actually the high K rate is why it makes some sense to have him leading off. The time you don’t want Ks is when there are people on base (with the bases empty a K is just another out) and the leadoff hitter come to the plate a lot with no one on base. The problem with Belt leading off is that he SHOULD be batting with people on base (specifically someone on 1st base) because (1) it means the other team can’t shift on him, and (2) he hits into very few DPs (because few grounders).
I guess when you have that much power you could care less about your leadoff hitter possessing even a modicum of speed.
Thinking just OPS thoughts.
I get it but still seems a little Joe Maddon overthinking out of the box.
LOL. Who could argue that.
They don’t have that much power. Last year they were 13th in the majors in HRs.
Mr Out of the Box Maddon.
Hahaha. We timed our posts pretty well.
The braintrust in Chicago.
http://images1.minutemediacdn.com/production/912×516/575ef7d8a89cda7f23000001.jpg
Maddon makes off-the-wall decisions just because he knows that he’ll get the benefit of the doubt because people assume he’s a genius.
Although it’s also true that without Fowler it really isn’t clear who should be leading off for them.
Just read todays game story, noticed Parker was on base 4 times with a HR, and 2 walks, poor guy gets no respect on this blog, mainly because a couple of ladies on this blog do not like his body language and his cockiness, they noticed watching him in Sacramento .
Damn women… always ruining the blog.
Earth has been renamed?!
Rachel?
That was “Antarctica”
So hard to keep up on this ever-evolving global blog.
Aunt Arti, Cuz
Parker – LF.
I’m actually good with that.
Williamson was on 3 times. I smell platoon when this all shakes out.
Nope, Williamson hits righties better then lefties, and has options left, Giants Management has already said it will not be a platoon .
Exactly. Williamson also has problems vs. lefties, serious ones. A platoon makes no sense.
Not me. I like Parker. Saw him a lot in Sacramento and he hit and ran well. My only beef with him is I don’t think he’s an especially good defensive outfielder. I’m not the one who has problems with his attitude–I’m the one who saw him being absolutely lovely to a wheelchair-bound elderly fan at Raley Field last year.
I prefer Mac for his defense and because he’s right-handed. That’s it. Nothing personal against Parker.
Honestly, I hope they both make the team, even if Bobby Evans isn’t rooting for them.
10 of 20 in My25ManGuy™ put Parker on the team. That shows a diverse opinion here.
I wouldn’t expect anything less from Paaaarker. It’s Spring Training – a perfect environment for a player like him.
Mainly.
That isn’t it for me. He looks like a nervous wreck at the plate, I like that in Pence and I like it in Parker. The problem with Parker is he strikes out much too much and he shows no signs of being a good fielder.
He’s pretty hacky out there.
Anybody here ever try chocolate brownies, and bacon. It’s great.
The Randomness of TWG is a wonderful thing
Washed down with a beer!
Hmm, maybe red wine.
sounds great with bourbon on ice
Spending on FAs was down almost a billion dollars this year, from about $2.6 to 1.6.
https://i.imgur.com/PS2ILge.png
Interesting. The drop off in the total sounds like collusion? I see the Dodgers are really committed to sticking to a budget.
It sure runs the gamut from nothing upwards.
It’s the new CBA. It’s changed everything. It might, for example, change Johnny Cueto’s view on whether he should opt out after this season.
The new CBA didn’t raise the luxury tax limit as much as was expected–AND it drastically increased the penalties for exceeding it. For many teams, it’s turned the “luxury tax” into a hard cap. So that’s affecting how much money they’re willing to spend on free agents. And it’s made guys like Greinke and Stanton virtually untradeable.
Good point, the CBA. Pujols must also be unmovable.
Oh, I think he was, anyway!
Especially out of the batters box….
Almost in regular season form.
Not yet, but close.
Pujols was unmovable even before this!
Oh. Lefty already said this.
I agree *and* I think people are treasuring their draft picks more these days.
You don’t have to collude to wake up. (And I’m on the players’ side.)
It could also be that there just weren’t so many good free agents available.
Re Williamson vs. Parker, just check out the defensive plays on their highlight films last year. Williamson is just a much better fielder:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko1wtGOjj_Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV3vp5Xdl7g
(Williamson’s game-tying double at 4:00 was against Andrew Miller)
Better watch out with that stuff, John. PJ will get you.
We were at the game in Yankee Stadium where Mac hit the RBI double off Miller. It was an impressive AB.
That was right after Green singled off Miller. And then the next day Green doubled off Chapman. Green looked really good while he was up…
I think Mac is a much better “athletic” fielder, as he reacts well. But his fundamentals, to my eyes, still need polishing. I can’t quite figure out Parker….but the boy has natural pop
Here’s my sense, from having watched Parker a lot in Sacramento: that “natural pop” isn’t going to hold up on an everyday basis. Pitchers will adjust and he’ll strike out a ton. Hope I’m wrong, but that’s what I think.
That’s not an “I hate Parker” or a “I love Mac” assessment, either. Parker played a full season for Sac in 2015 and I watched him a lot. I haven’t seen Mac nearly as much (except for that disastrous East Coast roadie we went on last year where he was the only bright spot), so I don’t have a strong sense of whether he’d ever figure it out on an everyday basis. I’m just pretty sure that Parker won’t.
Hater !
Really, I’m not.
Your a Mac fan, so it is hard to be fair , since you have been on the Mac bandwagon for 4 or 5 years now .
I am a Mac fan, but that doesn’t mean I “hate” Parker. I’ve been interested in Mac all along because he seems like an actual five-tool player. Hits for power, runs well, strong glove, great arm. For example, he had 15 OF assists in his first pro season. That caught my eye.
Now that said, I’m not yet convinced he’s going to hit like an everyday player in the major leagues. I’m not convinced he’s NOT going to, either–I think the Giants need to let him play regularly, whether at AAA or SF, and actually get into a rhythm. They really messed up his development last year with all the back and forth. It’s hard to say what he can really do yet.
The last several years have shown both the difference in their assessments of certain young players and the need:
Panic and Duffy followed Crawford and Belt as Quick Spot regulars.
Tomlinson, Parker, Williamson, as back ups, have been yanked back and forth mercilessly.
Ought to be a watershed spring for these young men…
Good game for MacParker yesterday: HR for Parker and a couple other times on base. Two hits, two runs, and a sliding catch for Mac. Still, given the option situation, it’s Parker’s job to lose, so PJ will get a chance to see his guy hopefully shine.
If you’re a hater, does that make PJ a lover?!
I honestly dig his passion for the Giants and his guys. I waffle so much on guys, but he is all in. That’s a great fan trait.
Well, I’m with PJ that it would be GREAT to see a bopper playing LF. I’m just agnostic over which choice is better at this point. Not enough data yet.
Parker is not my guy , I just hate when players get picked on , and I like rooting for the underdog, that’s all , I like Mac too, but he has all the fans he needs on this blog already .
I have no doubt that Tomlinson can be a competent starting major leaguer, though not necessarily with the Giants. I have more doubts about MacParker.
I actually like Parker better than Mac until like June. Then I was convinced otherwise.
Dr. Evil?!?!(just kidding)
Happy Monday, by the way! I am totally intrigued by LF this spring.
Back at ya!
Parkers pop reminds me of Steve Finley
Finley off Franklin still haunts me….
Speaking of, Pete Franklin “flushing” my phone call still haunts me. Hahah.
Actually Prove it, the numbers say otherwise, and the Giants started Parker in CF when they needed a CF with injuries, so most be ok in the field .
Check Fangraphs for both Parker and Williamson. Parker’s DRS and UZR numbers are negative for both 2015 and 2016. Williamson was +4 DRS for 2016 and his UZR/150 was +22.3.
Of course, it’s a very small sample size for both guys, but you asked for “numbers,” and there they are.
Parker has made adjustments as a hitter, has learned to take walks in MLB, his OB% much better then Williamson .
I’d want to see either of them get at least 200 solid ABs–not back and forth from the minors, not on the bench for a week–before I’d say anything about either one. I hope whichever one they pick, they give him a real chance.
Parker was a hacker when he was 1st called up by Giants, then made the adjustment and started to be more selective at the plate, then went on a tear after that , hit 6 homers in a week, including 3 in a game @ Oakland .
Oh, I remember. That’s where Parker suddenly went from a fringe prospect (a 2010 draftee who’d never broken through) to actually having a shot. I wish him well because they sure could use one of those guys to step up.
Give me the Minor league numbers, much bigger sample size .
Fangraphs doesn’t report advanced defensive metrics for minor leagues. The only stats I’ve ever seen are the basics–fielding percentage, errors, assists.
That mean almost nothing, unless you are familiar with the KATOH metrics and know how to parse them.
If they needed a centerfielder with injuries, wouldn’t they have just stuck with Pagan?
Want numbers to show Mac is a better fielder? Here you go:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=lf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=0&type=1&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=30&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=24,d
Thanks MR. Fangraphs, is your nick name , Phillip .
I thought you would respond with the numbers you claimed “say otherwise”. Where are they? Now, YOU prove it.
Parker 1024 inning in the minor leagues at CF, Williamson 0 innings in CF in the minors, Parker has a higher range factor in the Minors 2.01 to 1.94 for Williamson in the Outfield .
That’s it? A 3% range differential? In the minors? What’s the “n”? What’s the differential in the Majors?
Center Field is the position your best defensive Outfielder plays, and Williamson has never played CF, and Parker has played 1024 innings in CF in the Minors and 35 innings in CF in the Majors .
Just look at those highlights. They played the same number of innings in the outfield (241.2 for Williamson, 257 for Parker), look at all the great catches Williamson made, and Parker literally didn’t make a single impressive catch all year.
Just like ESPN a NBA player could go 2 for 22, but if those 2 baskets were amazing dunks, those 2 baskets would be shown on TV, and everybody would think he had a great game, if they did not watch the game or see the box score. They do not show errors or strikeouts in a players yearly highlight video .
I watched basically every game last year. Williamson was just clearly a better fielder after he got over initial jitters. It wasn’t even close. The only way you could not think that is if you just didn’t look at the games. The highlights and the fangraphs stats accurately sum up the difference between them.
Ayup.
Could not tell if it got posted already but Baggs had a real nice piece on Conor Gillaspie, he likes to chase storms in the off-season, who knew?
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/02/26/giants-conor-gillaspie-not-resting-on-october-heroics/
/raises hand
How did I know? Because at Petco Park, they put up “fun facts” about the visiting players on their giant video board when they’re batting. That was the fun fact about Gillaspie. I thought they were trolling us at first.
Petco, of all places. Nice work Dr!
Petco is my second-favorite park after AT & T, and the staff and fans are always lovely to us invading Orange-and-Blackers.
I went there a couple times when I was living in SoCal, it is an awesome place and I love being down in the gaslamp.
That’s because many are closet Giants fans.
You’ve probably all heard about the huge Oscar snafu last night. Mr. Lefty is smirking because he works for PwC’s biggest competitor (Pricewaterhousecoopers is the accountancy firm that screwed it up).
A lot of hilarious Photoshop jobs immediately popped up on Twitter–Beyoncé wins the Grammy after all, and Grant Brisbee inserted a “card” reporting that the Giants won Game 4 of the NLDS, with Moore getting the win and Casilla getting the save (and Cueto pitched a shutout to win Game 5, too). I’m assuming that somewhere, the Falcons won the Super Bowl and Hillary Clinton won the election.
I do feel bad for both movies, though–has to be so upsetting for “LaLa Land,” and “Moonlight” was robbed of its big moment, at least somewhat.
Beauty and i pulled a Totalfan last night and went on a YouTube roll, watching highlights and games from the past 7 seasons…then we got a text from Little princess on the gaffe. At least these awards shows are consistent in their new hooks
I was just happy that LaLa Land didn’t win. I thought there were at least four other films that were better than either LaLa Land or Moonlight, but Moonlight was more deserving, if it was down to those two.
When Faye Dunaway declared LaLa Land the winner, I went back to watching Traffik. The last movie I wanted to win was frothy LaLa Land. I had no idea Moonlight won until this morning.
I felt the same. I almost didn’t care what else happened except that I didn’t want LLL to win Best Picture. So many better (and more substantive) films this year.
As an adoptive parent, I really liked the story told in Lion.
I liked the true story more than I liked the movie. I thought the part with the little kid was amazing but that the Dev Patel part was not very compelling (until the end when he went back to India and found his mom). It seemed like an hour of him staring at Google Earth for years until suddenly he figured it out. I read that there was a Facebook group in 2012 that helped the real Saroo narrow down his search–that would be have been an interesting detail to include. I also wished they hadn’t skipped 25 years–I wanted to know how Saroo got from being a scared little kid in Australia to adulthood.
I think…at least for me…sometimes we get burnt out on all the accolades for a single movie during awards season. LLL did extremely well in the Gold Globes and the SAGs…so by the time the Oscars hits…it’s “enough already”. I’m glad Emma Stone won…because she seems like a genuinely nice person…but I immediately went back to “Walking Dead” when I heard LLL won. Mrs. KIR came running out of the other room to tell me to turn the channel back…because of an epic screw up.
You went back to watching Walking Dead, KIR, and I went back to watching Traffik. What does that say about us?
We like good writing? 🙂
…and compelling dark stories?
I figured Emma would win because it was a relatively weak pool. Two of the other nominees were virtual unknowns. Natalie Portman and Meryl Streep have won before. It was Emma’s turn.
Now, if Amy Adams and Taraji Henson, both of whom SHOULD have been nominated in that category, had been in there, maybe we would have had a horse race. Or, for that matter, Viola Davis, who won a Lead Actress Tony for the same role in “Fences” but chose to go in as Supporting Actress for the Oscar. I thought Viola absolutely stole that movie, no disrespect to Denzel, whom I love.
Scarlett Johanson (sp) hair was gorgeous omg is she a LOOKER!!!!!!!!!!!
You and Mr. Lefty should talk. He’s a big Scarlett fan!
I was txtng back and forth with a friend of mine who lives in the mission the entire show and boy was it fun but when she came on the screen it changed my life for 10 minutes lol!!!
Lots of us on that bandwagon…
I might be pulling this out of left field, or right, but I too, am glad La La Land didn’t win. Kind of like winning the World Series for movies. Having said that, that baseball team that plays in La La Land won’t win either.
Hidden Figures is the best movie I’ve seen in many years. Can’t wait to see Fences.
I loved that movie, too. Just terrific. It was wonderful on the Oscars last night when the three actresses presented together and brought out the real Katherine Johnson to say hello.
I was just glad to learn PwC gave Beatty the wrong card. I.E., that he’s not senile, or myopic. I noticed that Faye Dunaway got the hell out of that scene.
So Shaq’s mom told him to stand down on picking on JaVale, and Shaq says he will do as mama says. JaVale’s mom is not over it and thinks Shaq needs to be fired or suspended.
What I want to know is, can we get Shaq’s mom to talk to Draymond?
…Team Saginaw Megaphone will be tough to tame.
There’s been way too much mom involvement in this NBA season already. Mama Durant had plenty to say after that OKC game (not that I blame her–that was awful), and as for DrayMom, they should steal her phone and change her Twitter password.
Tell you what, though, if anyone ever attacked ME at work, I’d want Kevin Durant on my side. His comments about Shaq/JaVale were AWESOME. Good for KD–big star sticking up for a guy who barely made the team.
Except the comment where Durant said Shaq had “no skill” when he played is false.
Well, if you can’t control the POTUS, then an NBA mom won’t see the logic why she needs to stop😬
Speaking of, the Sac Bee this morning reports a poll in which 65% of American voters say POTUS’s tweeting is “distracting and reckless.” Finally something about Trump that Americans can come together on!
Yup….
Last night’s tweets by Kimmel were great. People can say it might’ve been disrespectful, but that was the same Twitter account that he called out Meryl Streep on. The tour bus portion of the show was the best!
You cant quiet a black woman that easily Dr trust me lol, as you know im as black as they come and i know this for a fact….trust me lololol!! Mainly speaking of Drays momma!!
What does Mama Curry think about all this?
I’m reminded of J.R. (Isiah) Ryder, one of the most immature players to ever set foot on an NBA court. Early in 2000-2001 season (playing for the Atlanta Hawks), he threw a temper tantrum, and his mother came out of the stands, dragged him off the court and chewed his a** in front of his teammates and coaches.
Shaq is not going to get suspended nor fired, rediculuous assertion. He and Chuck are paid handsomely to do what they do best which is provide comment and drive interest on the NBA. Just because a player’s mom sounds off does not mean anything should be done. If anything JaVale should have the balls to fight his own battles.
I’m guessing JaVale wasn’t too thrilled about his mom’s sounding off, either.
You’ll never guess what. When I googled “Donald Trump” this morning, pictures of George W. Bush popped up. Then I saw what happened. George W. Bush speaks out. I’ve been waiting since January 20 for President Bush to speak out on what this country stands for.
I missed that, thanks, just went away to read about it. That entire family including Jeb! was opposed before the election.
The country needs principled Republicans to do more than privately express their concerns and reservations.
25-Man question:
Here is what I have from you:
Add Tomlinson, Hwang, Gorkys Hernandez, Ruggiano (Parker released), Okert, Cain
Later you mention Conor will be released and go to AAA.
So I see you short two players: Who starts in LF? Who is your long reliever?
Thanks.
LF is Mac WIlliamson (this is my official entry, but if I was King, i’d play Pence in left and Mac in right). The OF reserves do not include Parker.
Long relief is Albert Suarez. I guess that means Blach is in AAA, unless he is needed to replace Samardzija at some point in the season. Contrary to many, I’m more worried about Jeff than Matt. Bullpen is super tough calls this year, as Gearrin seems to be on the bubble and can’t possibly survive waivers.
More worried about Jeff then Matt Cain, you living in a dream world
I feel about Matt like you do about Timmy. Cheers!
Difference is Timmy has a great personality ,and his post start interviews were great, lots of honesty and very hard on himself, Cain not so much personality, and lots of excuses after bad starts, if he even said anything worth remembering .
Very superficial analysis of Matt’s position with the club. He’s extremely well respected with the players and the staff. He’s very bright and represents the whole team with the MLPA. I love Timmy, but no way would he be able to handle that job.
Just to double check:
Mac starts [I like the RF idea and maybe if it is easier on Pence?]
Cain is your #5 SP
Bench is Hundley, KT, Gorkys, Ruggiano, Hwang
Bull pen is: Melancon, Kontos, Law, Suarez, Strickland, Smith, Okert
Do I have it right?
Is Pagan playing this year or what??? Where is he ???
Yes, Nationals might sign him, and he is playing in the WBC with Puerto Rico in a few weeks .
ok thanks so hes still a free agent then
It is hard for me to believe Pagan will make anyone’s roster. Back injuries are really bad. Jake Peavy is sitting out a while, but I suspect he’ll never pitch in MLB again. But I do wish Gregor Blanco success with Arizona.
Pagan can still make a significant contribution. He was pretty decent last year.
Doubt it. Don’t think he’ll get the chance. Teams are walking away from veteran, declining players and giving that spot to a rising youngster making the minimum. Pagan had a mediocre 2016 season.
Career high in HR, and as a Giant besides 2012, he had his best OPS and SLG% .
I’m with you on this one.
I also don’t think he’ll get much of a chance but he had a pretty decent season, WAR of 2.1 (#5 of the everyday players) in only 129 games, 12 HRs, hit .277, #8 in fielding among leftfielders.
He’s got maybe a 60-80 game season in him. It’s entirely possible he could end up platooning behind Worth with the Nationals.
….Unless he signs with Fed Ex international who hold their games at Laurel Creek Park in Fairfield. (killer snackshack)
Hey Slikk, believe you me Pagan will play this season. It won’t matter if it’s in ST or not. The WBC will be his showcase. Plus as the season starts and OFs start dripping like flies due to injuries.
Hello E yeah I agree he will play soon enough
“However, the Nationals and other interested parties are hoping to land Pagan on a minor league pact, Rosenthal notes.”
I don’t see Angel riding a damn bus. He belongs in the AL.
Pagan is the kind of player that WBC was made for: MLB level skills, WS experience/rings, might even catch the eye of an MLB that wants him. That is All upside even if the fans want to see Buster Posey. Sorry, he has another job right now. Papi not enough for you? A-Rod?
Bochy on Parker’s HR yesterday: “He smoked that one. I didn’t think it was going out, but he scalded it. It shows the kind of power he has.”
It’s hard to tell listening on the radio, but did it seem like this was the one Home Run by the Giants yesterday that didn’t get a lift from the air in Arizona?
Off Topic
I found the perfect two people to spend time in prison with Jerry Sandusky.
1) USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.
2) Former Baylor Coach Art Briles
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2016/09/12/former-usa-gymnastics-doctor-accused-abuse/89995734/
http://www.si.com/college-football/2017/02/07/baylor-art-briles-strength-coach-fired-arrested-prostitution-charge
Coming soon: Sticky Balls
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources-mlb-seeking-new-ball-with-stickier-cover-so-it-can-enforce-foreign-substance-rule-162554693.html
Endorsed by Pete Schweaty!
Weird. My Google Chrome browser on my computer wouldn’t load this blog–I got an error message. I tried it on my iPad (Safari) and it came up fine. Now posting on Firefox on my computer.
Anyway, MLB.com has posted the new top 30 prospects for the Giants. Here’s the article:
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/217158756/giants-2017-preseason-top-30-prospects-list/?topicid=151437456
And here’s the prospects page: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=sf
A couple of comments, and I wish Footy Ryan Scout were here today. I know he usually has some issues with the MLB rankings.
1) It’s ridiculous that Clayton Blackburn fell completely off this list. He didn’t have a great 2016, but he’s in camp (and pitched well so far), and he’s near the top of the major-league-ready list, after two full seasons in AAA (the first of which was excellent). He also just turned 24, so it’s pretty early to declare him a bust.
2) Very aggressive #4 ranking for MyGuy™ Steven Duggar.
3) If someone can explain to me why Jordan Johnson, a 23rd-round draft pick from 2014 who had a rough year at SJ in 2016, has rocketed to #9 on the list, I’d be grateful.
4) I think Slater is too low at #19. Nice to see Ty Blach has climbed back to #11 (he was #21 in the last list).
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/2017-giants-offseason-news/giants-spring-training-game-4-thread/