by
Surf Maui
On Tuesday afternoon, I was sitting in my new house in Boynton Beach, Florida contemplating the playoffs and Matthew (the impending hurricane, not the poster on Together We’re Giants). There was someone working at my house–actually, believe or not on making arrangements to place my Madison Bumgarner 2014 Locker, but that’s another story. We were discussing the storm, which was bearing down in a direct line to my still unpacked house, and he told me that in the last major hurricane in the area, 11 years ago that people were without power for 2-3 weeks and that I should be prepared.
I quickly surveyed my meager supplies– a couple of decorative candles (but no lighter or matches) a flashlight with questionable reserve power, a few double A batteries, and a few low carb power bars. There were already huge lines at stores for food. He told me that I should get out of the area if I could.
Normally I would not attend the wildcard game, but after weighing the possibilities— hmmmm: Heading for NYC to see the Giants-Mets in a cage match, no prisoners and then to Chicago to see my kids–win or lose–with the real possibility of seeing the Giants beat the Cubs versus sitting in my house for several weeks in the dark, without food, and missing the Giants run to another WS title because of no electricity, my razor sharp brain decided to get on a plane and head for the Big Apple, Chicago (where my son the Cubs fan has season tickets) and on to SFO to see MadBum win Game 3.
Within the hour I had secured one of the last seats out of West Palm Beach to NYC, got a hotel room, a ride to the airport, and scored a ticket on Sub Hub–way cheaper than I would have thought. (Then again how many Mets fans would want to see their butts kicked by MadBum and Connor Gillaspie–albeit they couldn’t have known about the latter, on Tuesday, though the former was preordained?) I dropped off my house key with Greek Giant who was left to guard all of Palm Beach County and I was off.
I went to the game Wednesday and the Mets fans were loud and obnoxious–though not to me personally. Everytime Syndergaard got two strikes on a batter–which obviously was a lot– they all stood. As a result I never saw any of the Giants hits–including the home run which was hit to the one place in the park that was not visible from my seat, even if everyone in front of me was not standing. However I did see Crawford jogging to home plate and the raucous crowd go deafeningly silent. It took me a couple of seconds to compute what had just happened–helped by the kid (Giants fan) next to me yelling HOME RUN!).
Obviously MadBum was masterful, however I didn’t know all of the stats about how epic this performance was until later. (To their credit, by the way, the Mets fan all thought that Span was safe.) Like the Mets themselves after the Gillaspie HR, the fans were defeated, and there was no chance of a comeback. Even Casilla could have closed it out–ok that might be an exaggeration– but maybe.
Then it was off to Chicago yesterday morning, and from the news reports, my trip here was less stressful than the team’s– though to be fair I had less luggage. I took my grandson to baseball practice last night, and even with about 15 years of rest on my pitching arm, it is sore today. My next scheduled start will be 12 years from today. My son and grandson (both Cubs fans) however gave me a new glove for a present. Check it out.
So I’m on my way to Wrigley in a while. Got my Johnny Cueto shirt on. Giants have lost 7 of last 8 here–all of which I’ve seen–but those weren’t in October. One further note. Listening to sports radio here the Cubs fans are already making excuses about the series– e.g. “its not fair to have the season come down to a 3/5 series, after all we were the best team over the season,” Wah, Wah, Wah!
More important than the wild card win–well, maybe almost as important–it sounds like Matthew (the hurricane, not the poster) went just north of me and GG, so all seems well so far with SurfMaui’s Excellent Adventure. Now that I’m in the swing of things I hope to be on a three week road trip culminating in the parade down Market Street. (Screw my kids inheritance.) It would be nice to win the WS at home for a change and to be there for the celebration.
Breckeroni believes in Surf Maui’s ability to chaperone the Giants into the next round.
i’ll do my best
Hey! I met that kid at Wrigley last season.
No…no, the one on the right. THAT kid. Because baseball makes us all into kids.
Thanks, Surf
In the grand scheme of things last night it probably had no bearing but i have to vent cuz it drives me effing bonkers. Pagan came up in the 9th with one out and nobody on base vs Chapman. The first pitch almost went to the backstop. Here’s where im always thinking in this situation the hitter is definitely going to take a strike as we’re down three runs and getting the tying run to the plate is the goal. Especially against a guy who is known for losing the strike zone at times and incredibly hard to hit. What does Pagan do? Swings at the second pitch that’s at his eyes and does the same on the third pitch. I just can’t for the life of me understand it. I’m not trying to pile on Angel, many other guys have done it in the same situation. It’s just a huge peeve for me.
Me too. Really poor thought process. I’ll be so glad when Pagan moves on.
Does sound most excellent even if the Chicago journey has been bogus.
All we are is dust in the wind.
You’re m’boy, Blue!
We’re streaking thru the Quad!!
Just don’t rub on me while we’re in the buff.
How did you let your kid become a Cubs fan?
Tell me about it
You gotta let your kids make their own decisions. I remember one of my friends’ dad giving us that life lesson: you pick your favorite team. Doesn’t have to be the local team. Thankfully we all chose the Giants. I think Willie Mays had something to do with that.
Jayson Stark
Jayson Stark – Verified account @jaysonst
Flight announcement at my gate for flight to SF: “If there are any San Francisco Giants fans at the gate, we have tissues available” #wow
That is an example of why Chicago fans are the worst. It’s very reminiscent of Boston before they won. False bravado to shield us from their younger sibling insecurity.
Those MFS havent won a god damn thing for so long, the effin nerve of those clowns to even say such a thing smh.
Between the fans and the national rhetoric I’m sick of them. Even the players seem to be acting like they’ve already won.
Show some respect.
Don’t you know, the Cubs are America’s team now? I didn’t buy that crap with the Braves and the Cowboys and certainly won’t drink the koolaid now
Stark is a Philly guy, I do believe.
The tweet was by Stark but it was about the Chicagoians.
I would have worked up a stinky air biscuit and deposited that at the check-in counter. Snarky Cubs BS at its worst.
Potd
Wow they really are counting their chickens before they hatch aren’t they?
I would not start Denard Spans pathetic ass for the remainder of this crap ass playoffs! As a matter of fact sit Pence and Posey as well. Those dudes hv nothing in the tank.
Sit everyone!!!
The Gs have never gotten any respect from the national media or baseball people. When my Warriors won the title last year they didnt get any respect from the national media. It seems to me that the media in general feels like bay area teams should be seen and not heard from.
BTW Jeff Smardzja pitched exactly the way i thought he would! this guy is a weird pitcher imho. Not a big game guy at all who tends to throw soup towards home plate on several occasions. This guy at best is a #4 starter at best but do not count on him to come through when you need him. Oakland left his ass of the playoff roster one year i do believe but im not sure about that.
He was left off for the Wild Card game started by Jon Lester. They choose to keep Hammel as the backup starter. Also left off were Kazmir and Gray.
Slikk, you were totally right about Shark. And I was totally wrong thinking he could continue his run.
But hey, if Matt Moore and Jeff Samardzija are your team’s #3 & 4, your rotation is in very good shape.
Jeff Samardzija is the type of guy that Championships are not made of
Whoa… None of the Giants championship teams were perfect either, Slikk…I see Samardzija as a key member, not a superstar. Zito was one of those ” not a champion” guys until he was after all….
I understand your point Matthew but you cannot count on a guy like Jeff Samardzija to Come Through when you truly need him to he never delivers when you need him to deliver a big outing. If I were Bruce Bochy if the Giants were to continue on during the playoffs I would not start him again but I’m not Bruce Bochy so that’s that.
Great guest post surf. Have a great time on your trip and bring a couple of wins to sf with you!
I’ll try
Pagan has the best career line vs. Arrieta. Everyone else is putrid.
So…does Cueto start Game 4?
Game 5. Still have to win a Matt Moore start at some juncture.
It’s one day at a time in the postseason. It could be Cueto in game 4 if there is one.
I like their chances with Superman tomorrow. Moore at home with all hands on deck, then Cueto for the coup de grace in the Windy City.
We’ll see how it all shakes out. I have a hard time seeing Bumgarner being anything other than dominant.
See above.
Ymmv?
My gut is telling me Chi gets about 3 across somehow, so it’s time for the offense to act like big boys if they’re able
He’ll need some off. support. Being dominate won’t be enough.
On three days rest? Highly unlikely.
He probably will not. But it’s not of the question that Bochy decides to get 70 or so pitches out if him.
Moore has been great his last 2 starts, why mess around, if he is off then anything goes, everybody is available .
The problem that I see with Moore is that when it goes south, it goes south fast,But what frigging ever- i was just musing over some possibilities.
He’ll be available.
the mood in Chicago would probably be pins and needles if the Giants could have stolen one game. You’ve got to tip your cap, they did what they had to do and aren’t facing the prospect of Bumgarner taking them to the brink of elimination.
Win game #3, then go from there. I like Moore (at home) with game #4 and try to get back to Chicago. Lots more confidence in these next 2 games after seeing the Giants take care of business at home against the Dodgers. Get to a game #5…and see what happens.
Seager just schooled the eff out of Roark for that headhunter move.
That’s how you answer. This kid is legit
We need one of those legit young guns!
Word. Top five franchise, #16-20 ranked farm system.
Bickford! Fox! Uh…never mind.
Maybe 25-30!
Those are very rare. I’m fine with guys like Crawford, Panik, Belt, Duuuu…well, those 3 , if we get championships at a regular rate.
We keep hearing about those amazing Dodgers kids…but so far, it’s the same Octobers every year. I’ll do a Scout Hat Tip if they win it all. Hasn’t happened yet.
Another of same caliber you mention would be great. Maybe Arroyo.
He truly is. We’ll be competing with him for years.
Nice saga, Surf, you are living the dream. And not to worry, your kids would only have wasted the money on stuff like rent and groceries.
Great…Verducci went to the same course as Costas : The Proper Use of Cliches, a Study In How To Illicit Groans
U r in true postseason form. A Mad Bum of media critique.
He’s a really good writer, but it doesn’t translate well to TV commentary…but I’ve certainly heard worse.
(I think you meant “elicit”–“illicit groans” sounds dirty)
That’s my prof!
Yeah, anything that reduces my exposure to Harold Reynolds noise is a win for me.
Some people think it sounds Presidential!!
Awesome, Surf Maui, thanks for sharing!
Great job, Surf Maui!
Nice post Surf Maui! Well done, sir. BTW, re your children’s inheritance? I say spend away and enjoy! I’m thinking they’ll be fine on their own.
Good job Counselor. I have good feelings your Quest will come true.
Morning Clutch!
Top Of The Mo Des To morning to you #27
Next hitter that takes Hill deep needs to style it and exude a lot of emotion. In your face!
Not sure the Washington Papertigers are capable of that.
The Nots?
It takes a team. Giants are 8-5 in games Bumgarner has started since the beggining of August. The team is quite beatable when Bum starts . That 8-5 record is not good considering some of those games are the Phillies, SD, Atl and Co all fairly poor teams.
I wanted a 5 game series anyway.
Postseason is an entirely different animal, Cubs breath.
=air biscuit breath
You keep posting how beatable Bumgarner is. Seems like a real concern for ya.
I can’t get over Arrieta saying that MadBum was beatable. What an insult. Drill him.
I think 2hole is Baggarly incognito.
I was referring to the absurdity of having a problem with what Arrieta said.
I know.
Tonight will be our country’s first NC-17 rated presidential debate. Keep it classy St. Louis.
Tomorrow’s game will likely be Deja Vu, 2012 NLDS game three. Our Giants had one hit in the first nine innings, and scored their one run in the fourth inning on HBP, BB, sacrifice and sacrifice fly. Scratched out the winning run in the 10th.
The next day we jumped on Mike Leake early and won going away. I think we can do that against ugly, horses ass Lackey on Tuesday, IF we can win tomorrow.
Bum vs. the reigning Cy Young winner: likely same as it was in the WC game. I’d like nothing better than to knock Arrieta all over the yard, but probably won’t happen.
I’m gonna have to watch tomorrows game with the sound turned off. Listening to all the announcers gush over the cubs causes me to vomit and get violent. I’ve never heard so much DS for the cubs. I hope the mad axe man mows them down. I like our chances if we get a win tomorrow.
I do that all the time anyway, even the Giants announcers get on my nerves .
I’m pretty sure everyone gets on your nerves, PJ!
just you
I take offense to this.
Me too.
I’m hurt, truly hurt.
I’m honored! Even though you’re just being kind.
Who do u like ?
Flemming
i can see that. the other 3 are like caricatures of themselves. flemm is an announcer 1st, comedian after that. good choice for a man that takes the game seriously.
The idea that a team that hasn’t done it in over 100 years could win the World Series is a great story. The idea that they have the best team and should win, but might not and thus continue the fan torture that has lasted for generations is also a great story. Win or lose, the Cubs are a great story.
But, it’s not the ONLY story of the series. That’s the only issue…
No need for a TO List of Major Failures-2016. I get it. But one team has owned the decade. The other is Susan Lucci
I don’t care about the Cubs and hope they rot for another 100 years. I want Giant wins and WS.
Media people, understandably, like a great story.
They have pushed that story for 2 years now, Bob Nightengale has become a Cubs beat writer all year , all he writes about and tweets about is the Cubs .
An intertesting innovation that some Giants hitters might try, the axe handle bat.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/axe-handle-bats-might-lead-hitting-revolution/#OR0vt5FFi3xazOcj.97
Should be right up Bumgarner’s alley. Let’s do Titanium Bats.
Depleted Uranium bats would be awfully heavy but if they ever hit a baseball, watch out.
I was thinking Belt, given he doesn’t seem to know where his hands are on the bat. What suggested to me their utility was, quite frankly, Chili Davis endorsement. He’s got Pedroia and Betts using them.
I always liked Chili Davis. However, he seemed so unhappy most of the time. Also, he dissed Candlestick. The nerve!
You might be right about Belt. He’s still learning. I note that one of the commentators before the game last night indicated that he _will_ hit 35-40 home runs some day, because he has a natural power stroke.
LOL, next year? I’d be plenty satisfied with line drives to LF.
But he’s totally lost his swing, because of Meulens. They need to hire Will Clark as a hitting coach yesterday.
Look! Other good pitchers throw bad pitches to #8 hitters with a pitcher on deck and 2 out, too!
Lobaton! Did he pump his fists and scream for Hill?
There was some fist pumping.
Nice! Saw on the replays.
He won a playoff game for the Rays a few years ago with a HR in the Rays tank at the Trop.
Missed what Deer Hunter saw…Beauty is supervising me out front as I put up Halloween decorations and lights. Interior Designers can be exacting in their expectations of unpaid labor….it’s gonna be a great day.
Beauty supervising you reminds me when i was a kid watching Sanford and Son and Fred was sitting on the couch with his good friend Bubba and someone knocked on the door and Fred said to Bubba ” I’ll Get It” and Fred promptly yelled ” COME IN while still sitting there!!! So hilarious to me.
They Do?
Beane cast offs abound.
It’s like a fish cleaning station in Oakland.
We sometimes call the DC team the Washington Tigers, because of their pitchers.
BTW, making a nice comeback against the hated enemy.
My Latina friend watched the game with me last night and she seemed very apologetic that the Gs lost after predicting a Gs win the day before. I told her no more predictions just sit back and let me enjoy your company lol
I see what you did right there ….
Lol
She knows nothing about baseball but is a huge boxing fan.
….watch out for her left cross and jab….if you cross the line *too* soon 🙂
Hey man Mexican chicks aint no joke!! Born and bred in Richmond, Cali but not the hood rat type.
I’ve sampled many beautiful species back in the day. Latina’s and Jamaican women are wonderful, although the Jamaican gal once tried a Lorena Bobbit maneuver. Very jealous….at least she was…
Damn no Got Damn
I had zero business being with her. I mean you don’t see Danny DeVito with Sofía Vergara do you. She was DD gorgeous with zero self esteem, so if I got “home” about 15 min late – she had her moment.
Drop dead gorgeous with low self-esteem that’s a bad combination
You should try drop dead gorgeous and high self-esteem its worse
Nah, I can spot those from afar….No Way Jose
Yeah to be honest with you I’m a little afraid of her and I told her that when we first met.
“I’ve sampled many beautiful species back in the day.”
You really should make a couple of edits there, For real.
Me and Bald were joking around but just for you I will put it in (‘ ‘) (” “) and go on from there. You and all of us have *done ‘it’ before*.
Thanks for trying to help Chef.
I don’t think of women as a “species” to be “sampled”
You got it Mike, thanks!
http://tinyurl.com/jufbagm
I love the “on the for real side”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFA9dP967ts
……………. http://tinyurl.com/jufbagm …………
http://tinyurl.com/jufbagm
……………
Got that right
does she remember manos de piedra?
Mr Duran yes im sure she does
“On the Brink” http://tinyurl.com/On-the-Brink-been-here-before
Both Cub Pitchers knock in the deciding runs…..
http://tinyurl.com/Cubs-Pitchers-Produce-Runs
I spent the day mowing the lawn and cleaning up the yard in hopes of bring Bum good luck. Unfortunately I am not the pitcher or outdoor person that Bum is.
Steve Kerr is feeling healthier https://www.facebook.com/warriors/posts/10154693788177526
Weird footwork by Bryce but wow, what a cannon
http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/94784514/v1204527483
Took a quick break, and all I see is Philip Rivers screaming his yayhoo fool head off at a teammate….dude will never change, and never win. He thinks he’s a college coach or something.
And the SD Organization HAD a great field General in “under 6’ft tall” Drew Brees, sigh…
Can’t stand ‘cry me a rivers’.
Joe Panik put it succinctly when he talked about the Cubs pitching staff: “Look at their ERA’s!” We’re not a good hitting club so I suggest prayer at this point. Whatever one might think of the Cubs, they’re looking like the real deal.
Good post E. As a fan of baseball first, but a close second becoming a Giant fan – I love the “dance” from both dugouts. Sure – I may sigh a bit at all the Joe Maddon stuff but here is a guy that cut his teeth as Mike Scioscia’s bench coach and then skippered the Rays. His methodology makes many roll their eyes but he has become the perfect fit for Theo and the Cubs and their fans. When he laid out 162 baseballs in spring training + one wild card baseball + 5 for this series + seven and 7 for the WS – he presented a visual to “his guys”. Then when they had four days off the other day he put out all 162 – each with the winning and losing scores – minus – the un-needed wild card game but still with + 5 + 7 and + 7.
I can see the entire picture as can others on TWG. We hurt, are disappointed, chagrined, sleep depraved and some are in parts of the USA where their homes are in jeopardy. Although Syndergaard seemed to have “stolen” from A. Bartlett Giamatti when he was quoted the other day – at least Syndergaard had some perspective.
After the WC win the other night, DrLefty said “we’re playing with house money now” and she is spot on. However we ALL do know that the Core Giant Players know how to win one game in a row and then another and then for all the marbles back in ChiTown.
Giamatti Quote
Baseball breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall all alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops.”
I’m not upset with how the Giants have played, to be honest. Not even that disappointed in Samardzija. He is who he is. 3 of the 4 runs off of him were on bloop singles, and that’s baseball. He certainly could have pitched better….but, the game 1 breaks were what they were:
First batter of the game, Gorkys beats out a bunt, but Baez does a “random guy street ball” move of diving awkwardly at first base with no chance to get Hernandez….and twists Gorkys ankle. The team had decided to run on Lester, so they immediately send Gorkys. Bad decision…I think his bad jump was mostly because his ankle wasn’t yet right.
9th inning: Porter. It was beyond huge. It was the game. Posey always hits Chapman well, and would have again. With a little break, not only does Gorkys score, but Posey barely missed a HR.
Those ended up helping decide the game. It happens.
I felt game 1 was the winnable one….but then the guys were rallying against Hendricks. The ball off his forearm actually helped the Cubs…
Let’s just let it ride out and see.
What I am upset about, as usual, is the blatant disregard at the most dominant organization in the decade. Back in 2010, the Giants got no media respect, and the announcers treated them like cute upstarts that would be home soon. In literally every series since, they have been underdogs. But, instead of being treated as a great story, we are forced to listen to endless stories about opponents….
David Ross is a random .229 lifetime hitter, but is treated like a king because he’s retiring. Did we hear gushing about Javy Lopez as his great career appears to be winding down?
I get Chicago is a cool story and great team. Costas, Vasgergian and Smoltz should be ashamed of themselves. They won’t be. They live in a media bubble, and would be dismissive of any criticism.
The SF Giants are the greatest team story of this decade that only we know about
Did Bochy say that he sent him then? If not, it’s on Gorkys. A green light is not a “go” light. The runner decides when or if to go.
Not sure, Mike….
And they haven’t bunted since
Great Great Great Post
Great Giamatti quote and so poetically accurate. If the Giants do go on to lose the series we can’t be too sad because, as Robert Frost once said, “Nothing gold can stay”. We had three golden years and some teams don’t get one in a generation or a century. Lefty is right that we’re playing with house money just being in the playoffs. If there’s a pervasive sad nostalgia it’s the sense that the second half of the season is a preview, not an anomaly. Our pen is a mess. Cain is done. Our aging players like Pagan have “injury-itis”. We’ll always have 2010/2012/2014 but, as always, in the here and now we always want more.
Agreed. And some on here have said they’re not impressed. I’ve been impressed. Their defense and fundamentals look very sharp. They’re fast to the ball. I’ve seen good plays from Hayward, Bryant, and Baez. There won’t be any cheap runs against this team.
Well I’m so bitter at losing that I can’t see anything good about them (cubs). The Giants are a great team, only problem is we played shittier than they did. Losing sucks so bad, I’ve failed to see anything beyond the loss. I can thank my HS coach for that. When you lost it was because you were dog ****. Nothing more. There was nothing about the other team.
Well I didn’t say I was happy about it or not bitter. But as I get older I try to have some perspective. Try. It’s a work in progress.
And you should be better than your HS coach. He sounds angry.
I’m working on it.
No, the Giants are a very mediocre team. They did great in NY but apparently they’ve let it go to their heads and here they are. Bochy is a HUGE part of the problem, but the hitters have to hit. They do not.
Spot on, cynic. While we may not like the Cubs, and we might get tired of all the Cubs hype from seemingly everywhere, this is a really good team. They’re well constructed, young, they have a strong farm system and cutting edge informational and philosophical strategies in their front office. They’re going to break that 100+ year jinx, *and* be a strong contender over the next few years.
The talent in their org runs so deeeeeep. What the Dodgers are trying to emulate. And what Giants can only dream of right now.
And it will remain a dream, since the org doesn’t believe in trading for prospects. Rebuilding the minors through the draft alone will never cut it. They have to get extremely lucky.
GREAT story
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/watches-woman-graduate-18-years-saving-life-article-1.2642961
Umpire Alan Porter………. http://tinyurl.com/Alan-Porter-UGH
My guess is this: the fans went crazy yelling , helping sway Porter…he played to the crowd, and got a gigantic cheer. Big moment, 9th inning, fans on their feet….that is when umps with less self confidence get intimidated.
Bochy’s question has an answer: You can’t have replay as the rules currently stand because a swing is not objectively defined. It is NOT defined as breaking a plane.
He knows that…he was lobbying for change
This completely explains baseball blogs. LOL.
http://www.pnas.org/content/113/11/3102.abstract
Raiders just went up 27-24. A Raider victory will be like some aspirin for the migraine 0-2 Giants start.
If they don’t figure out a way to stop anybody, they will probably be home for the holidays again.
I feel the opposite … every Raider loss is a bit of a tonic
The honest truth is that the Cubs are better than the Giants. The Giants have an excellent rotation. The Cubs’ rotation is a little bit better. The Cubs’ bullpen is significantly better. Their lineup is better and hits for much more power. Almost everyone’s bench is better than the Giants’ bench. And none of this means that the Giants can’t take three in a row and win the series.
The lack of power is pretty glaring. It’s great the the Giants don’t strike out much (per the stats) and are perceived to be a contact team, but when you can string a bunch of hits together…it’s nice to have power in your lineup to hit a homer to win close games…like the Cueto 1-0 loss the other night.
There is no Javi Baez in the system.
Precisely.
So…does Donald Dick make a grab for Hillary’s lady-parts at the pre-debate handshake?
Wow, no handshake at the beginning, just very awkward hellos.
Like MMA. Really disturbing.
Lmao – see comment above.
After many, many years as a student, teacher, son, brother, father, husband, coach, scientist, medical professional and general pain in the ass, I’ve come to the irrefutable conclusion that, There is no Magic.
After many years as a Giants fan, I’ve come to the obvious conclusion that there is.
I’ve got a coin. Call it in the air.
Gandalf can’t save us.
No. No he can’t. Only the boys; just not sure they’re up to the task. I’d be disappointed (and surprised) if we got swept, though. Let’s get on Bum’s back and ride the bull.
Oh, you were talking baseball. I thought you had something more eschatological in mind.
The ultimate demise? I think not. I never did well in my theology classes. It’s just that there is no magic. Jobu, is real, however.
I see what you are up to which suggests an underlying belief in the dark arts.
I use what’s available.
Somebody in Toronto must have taught Biagini that changeup and to stay on top of curveball.
Anyone worried? I don’t think Trump can win, but he did well in that debate.
I think Toronto will take it in 3.
Any swing of the bat now…
Actually, these truly mediocre announcers have made a good point, if you have a pitcher who throws> 94, just meet the ball. Take on his velocity. I’ve watched way too many Giants batters swing for the fences, and walk back to the dugout. Use the slappy.
RTI, that’s our MO.
I think they play like they’re pissed off.
I’m not going to answer….Michael Scott gets too upset
He didn’t grab her crotch, if that’s what you mean – altho he snuck up behind her a lot.
That was exciting….the Jays are on a roll
So what happened there and what were they reviewing. I just turned on mlb.tv and it’s in spanish!!
Hola!
Es bueno, eh?
Muy.
Bannister was hoping to see if the slide at 2nd was interference…
That’s the only thing I could think of. I wonder if they could have caught Donaldson at third if he threw there directly instead of to first.
no need to throw to 3rd. should have been a DP, and out of the inning. ss made a lousy throw to 2nd, and he made a worse throw to 1st. giants turn that 99% of the time.
Steve, that was a slow grounder in the hole. So they had to rush…it wasn’t perfect.
You’re totally right: the Giants would have turned that, but we are spoiled.
i’m not saying it was tailor made, but with a catcher going down the line, 2 better throws, and he’s out pretty easily.
Given the throw to second, there was no real chance of getting the runner at first, IMO.
And yes, Crawnik would have made it look easy.
Crawlinson?
Can’t believe I typed that.
You TWG privileges have been revoked for 5 minutes.
Edit…
Now it’s 10 minutes
Without credit for time served
Crawggla? Greenford? Crawena?
Jays! Nice. O Canada, baby. So much bad facial hair all over MLB.
Pedro Martinez’ use of cliches is really close to his vintage curve ball. Neck and neck. Totally convinced he’s drunk every time he’s on air.
So the Jays mean business this year. They play with a lot of heart. Or are the Rangers so bad? I’d love to see some of the same spirit tomorrow from the Giants.
If you like the way Encarnacion puts the ball in the seats, he’s a free agent this winter. Don’t know where he’d play but that power is attractive. Bautista also a FA as is Saunders.
He plays left you dolt and ensures Duvall doesn’t win two Gold Gloves in a row.
My bad. Got history of the 90s on my mind. And blue dresses.
Frontline on Donald and Hillary sure is interesting…
You mean “The Choice?”
Curt Schilling tweet during the debate: There is NO GUNSHOW POOPHOLE. Stop lying!
Can we all, regardless of our political views, agree that Curt Schilling is an illiterate idiot? “Poophole”–LOL
So, wait….gunshows aren’t poopholes? I’ve always stayed away from them cuz I thought they were total poop shows
Yes, please stay away. We need more easy victims.
Crank up the joke-detection meter. If you read my stuff, you know where I stand
I saw a recent stat that 3% of gun-owners own 50% of the 300M guns out there, and average of 12 each. Gun hoarders.
A least he didn’t say gloryhole.
Or maybe it was a Freudian slip.
I think Schilling might be Jon Voight’s son. Which means Angelina is his sister. It’s all so confusing I can’t even keep it straight.
No point in another debate it’s over.
Fox News agrees with you, Chef. Donald was a slam dunk winner in their opinion. Very disheartening.
Yes,I also put a lot of stock in what the Fox News folks think.
I always record multiple channels in order to watch the various spin cycles. It makes my head hurt but I force it all down, kinda like brussel sprouts.
brussel sprouts are yummy!
No, Peachy. They’re little balls of vile texture that taste like potted soil.
There’s a good chance you are both right! Brussel sprouts are a food strongly affected by each person’s taste buds. There is a high variance in different accounts of their flavor, with certain tastebuds actually reporting they literally taste like dirt. The same thing happens with mushrooms. A lot of people report cilantro tastes “soapy”.
Cilantro is awesome! Although Korean people don’t like it.
Let’s get back to baseball.
How ’bout those Chihuahuas?
Great post!
true enough, and yet, somehow, they still taste better than broccoli.
Their bar is so low anyone off the street without epilepsy should’ve nailed it.
Fox News is an empty clown car running around in circles.
Take a look at the “transcript” I posted above. You’ll get a kick.
Gunshow Poophole sounds like the opening act at a death metal concert.
His kids are on it. Redneck death metal trailer park tour. Sponsored by Mountain Dew.
Inbred redneck version of Jose Canseco. They have a combined IQ of 57 on twitter.
He embarrasses himself every time he makes a comment related to politics. His family and friends need to intervene. He was a great pitcher but he is a terrible social and political commentator.
He’s considering running for President. Really! Please, oh please, ‘Shilling in 2020.’
(Let’s see – that’s an Even Year – but he’s a Phillie, so what.)
Koyaanisqatsi…
Scheuaxough…..
I heard Donald and Hillary ended the debates with a ripping harmonious A cappella version of Sinatras’ Strangers in the Night.
refresh for pic https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/be76ba7c34d6d6f2f884dbad42ce079a1ce5cf44c4a1912f72c44c8d110227f0.jpg
Looks like a beautiful duet!
Since I missed the debate, I ran across this transcript of last night’s debate. Hilarious.
http://waitbutwhy.com/2016/10/second-presidential-debate.html?utm_source=List&utm_campaign=a657360479-Second_Debate_Recap_10_10_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5b568bad0b-a657360479-51828153&mc_cid=a657360479&mc_eid=bf1133c06b
No good choices.
Hillary is a career politician who is soo good at lying she doesn’t even know when she does it anymore and she murdered her best friend to try to keep her ass outta of the sling about Whitewater….
Donald is at least sooooo unslick its comical. He is unfit to be president. You can bait him with a tweet. He is a misogynist, isolationist and fiscally irresponsible to say the least. He is a self absorbed opportunist only running for office as a publicity stunt. How he got the nomination is beyond inconcievable and only shows how far the Repiblican party has fallen. Trump has been a Democrat for most of his adult life, how the Republicans adopted him is just sad.
It would be perfect for a third party candidate and Gary Johnson as a former moderate Republican that successfully ran a historically Democratic state for two terms in New Mexico on paper would seem perfect. One problem is he has smoked his brain away and his foreign policy is that of an ostrich. That hasn’t worked since 1914. At least he means well and would change the grass grown on the White House Lawn.
Damn how did we ever get here…..
I guess that you missed his Aleppo moment with Chris Matthews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXFb0eSYjEA
Love it.
Didn’t miss it. No more brain. Check what he’s done since being govenor. He’s on the homegrown.
It does show how people view Trump and Clinton in that about 8 percent would rather vote for a moron,
My experience talking with people about this election is most people are voting against someone, not for their candidate. I would guess 80 or more are convinced the candidate they are not voting for is the anti-Christ and they are voting for the least flawed candidate. This isn’t choosing between the finest the country has to offer.
Can we vote for Brewster?
The finest the country has to offer like Bush perhaps? Obama’s been trying to clean that mess with little help from the psychopaths across the aisle.
Like I told Chef yesterday: Gregg Popovich
That’s been the case for years.
The Republicans got to their current sorry state by actively seeking to obstruct and thwart the will of the electorate circa 2008. By fostering and encouraging their low informational Right-Wing media demagogued hoi-polloi into grass-roots activism in the form of the Tea Party as a means of combatting President Obama’s initiatives, they inadvertently created a Frankenstein’s monster that has swallowed their Party whole. Hence the most irresponsible candidate any party has ever nominated in the history of this Republic. On the other hand, the Democrats have always striven to practice the opposite tact, hushing the voice and keeping the agenda of its extreme left at arm’s length in the misguided belief that it makes the Party more palatable to the broadest spectrum of the electorate, hence an endless parade of centrist middle of the road political creatures more comfortable amongst corporate donors than shop stewards. So, you’re right. To quote Will Rogers on the difference between the Democratic and Republican parties–“They’re both worse!”
Verdad. It’s been building since Reagan, when the GOP “first ate the monkey brains,” to quote Charles Pierce:
http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/news/a49415/america-waiting-for-donald-trump/
Some polls its about 12%.
He’ll be getting quite a few DT defectors.
True the irony is, the DT defectors jumping ship to Johnson only helps Clinton in a Perot v Bush like effect.
I honestly think no Ross Perot in 92′ Bubba never wins……
Gary Johnson is by far the most sane and best suited candidate for the job. That he only has 8 percent is a testament to how the two parties combined with the establishment have teamed up to destroy and reasonable 3rd party candidates. The system is supposed to weed them out. And GJ being the most sane doesn’t mean he hasn’t killed his fair share of brain cells…he has…but he is still better suited by about 1 Billion miles than the other two
OH yeah, thats all subjective and my opinion so don’t even try and tell me i’m wrong pal ;-)))
Please do mind.
I wanted Kuscinich to run again……
The Republican Party establishment did not and still does not want anything to do with Trump but what is it supposed to do, it’s party members voted for him. I’m convinced that he’s where he’s at because of one issue; immigration. He wants to close the borders, Clinton wants to keep them open, lots of people don’t like that.
I wonder if there is a way to measure this; what’s bigger, Trump’s ego trip or Clinton’s power trip? Both of them just make me want to puke.
Here is a fun fact, in 9 games against the Cubs pitching, the Giants have scored more than 3 runs twice.
6 times they have scored 2 runs or less
4 times they score 1 run or less
Only twice in the past 7 games has Bumgarner held a team to less than 2 runs.
It takes a team to win……
The Giants are going down today on their home Turf.
There are no stats you can quote that will tell you the outcome of one baseball game before it happens. None.
But since you’re all about the small sample sizes, Bumgarner is 2-0 vs the Cubs this year. The Giants scored a total of four runs in those games and he drove in one of those, but he still won both times. (That also means nothing before a baseball game that hasn’t been played yet.)
A plus of a Bum start is he’ll be batting 2 or 3 times. He hit probably one of the hardest balls last game, as well as the Syndergard game. I know his average isn’t good, but he sure puts some fear into the other pitcher.
A low batting average isn’t surprising for a pitcher, but he also drew 10 walks and had an OBP of .268, which is very good. He doesn’t just hack. He takes competitive ABs. Unfortunately, Arrieta’s a good hitter, too. But then, so was Syndergaard.
In 12 starts against the Cubs, Bumgarner is 8-2 which doesn’t mean that much except Giants fans are happy about who they’ll have on the hill tonight.
I’m always happy when he’s on the hill. 😉
He’s utterly awesome. And steps it up in the postseason.
And the Giants have score 0 1 and 1 run in 3 games against Arrieta. The odds are not good based on track records as Bum will have to throw another shutout.
Win or go home. Giants are already home. So just win.
Brisbee, on the Giants’ chances:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/10/10/13227622/sf-giants-cubs-comeback-postseason-history
We’ll see what Bum is made of today. I mean when’s the last time that guy showed up for a big game?
Don’t stop #beliEVEN…
He IS human.
(Isn’t he??)
Hunter says he enjoys his teammates and just wants to play more. I say I enjoy this blog and I just want to watch more games!
Oh, we’re here year-round. We have a lot of Hot Stove talking to do!
Oh Yes! Just wait till you all see what I have in store for this blog during the offseason!
That’s when you and Scout really step up…
I’ve been under a cloud all weekend, mulling about our season ending today.
(There – reverse jinx invoked.)
Another impending free agent just finished his season last night: Ian Desmond.
Desmond finished the year with a strong .285/.335/.446 with 22 HRs, 86 RBIs, and 21 SBs. His .350 BABIP was career high. He had a 6.5% walk-rate and a 23.6% K rate. Overall, his park adjusted offensive production…
Since he can probably play at least three positions the Giants could use (LF, CF, 3B), I say go get him if you can. I assume he could play 3B, having spent years as a SS. So he plays LF next year, and if a young OF is ready after that, move him to 3B after Nunez is gone.
was also going to add that he is somewhat of a generic Ben Zobrist with a higher K rate. He can play CF and pretty much all over. The Giants could emulate the Cubs and utilize versatile players. Kelby could continue workin on his outfield skills. Belt can take some more fly balls in LF.
YMMV
You and I are on the same page with that one. I really do wish they’d do more with versatility on their roster. It’s a real problem considering they seem to always have a short, weak bench. (And going forward, why is that? They had four starters who had 198 or more innings this year, and Blach, if he’s the #5 guy, is just as capable of eating innings. You don’t need a cajillion guys in the bullpen.)
I also wish–I said this many times in September–that Bochy would rest and rotate players so that A-listers don’t wear down and bench guys don’t rust.
Definitely need to give Bochy better options on bench and better options in the pen – guys that can get 3-6 outs vs. RHH and LHH
Will Smith seems to be one of those guys. And you figure either Blach or Suarez will be long man next year (or, I guess, Cain if Blach’s in the rotation).
Did your opinion of Williamson suddenly go South?
(ooops, wrong key)
…park adjusted offensive production (wRC+) was 106 – or about the same as Angel Pagan and Josh Reddick. Desmond just turned 31, and he may be in line for a 3-4 year deal between 30 and 45 million.
raise that contract floor to at least 40 mil, and bump the ceiling over 50 mil – my bad.
I don’t know if I want anymore Nationals castoffs.
You don’t like Hunter?
He was not a National .
Strasburg?
Maybe he heads to LA.
The Nats signed Strasburg to a a 7-year extension earlier this year.
Whooops! Missed that one 🙂
They may live to regret it, considering how fragile he’s been.
Hitting in Texas can make a lot of players look good
Mr. Lefty and I had a discussion yesterday about whether or not Angel should be Pa-Gone after this year. I raised the question of if the Giants should/would give him a qualifying offer. I see three possibilities:
1. He takes it, and the Giants overpay him for a year, but at least they have a major league outfielder while hoping one of their younger guys (Slater, Duggar, Cole, Davis, Quinn, Reynolds) develops quickly.
2. He turns it down, signs elsewhere, and the Giants get a draft pick.
3. He turns it down, no one signs him because they’d lose a draft pick, and the Giants bring him back on reasonable terms.
Mr. L said the Giants would never do that to him unless they’d first made him an offer they could live with (say one year with an option) that he turned down to test the market.
I’m with Mr. L – I’ll bet that’s how it plays out. Angel had a more-than-solid year, and has been instrumental down the stretch. It’s not clear that SF trusts that any of the young ones are close to MLB ready, and few, if any, good free agent options are out there.
So, in a shocking turn of events to blog folk far and wide, I see him coming back
Yep, I forgot to mention the free agent options. It would be great to get someone like Desmond, but that doesn’t mean he’ll sign here. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Pagan was back.
He hit .190 in September, but was good in the final two games.
last 6 games .409/.462/1.143. Last 12 games .333
Monday Oracle out in full force. Atta babe
At least he is honest, pretty funny that people who have bitched about Pagan for years, now are looking to bring him back, when they have complained about his defense for years, and actually think 12 HRs is good for an everyday LF, and have given up on Williamson just like that, what happened to loyalty .
Everyday Peter out in full force. Atta babe
I wanna be on the “babe” list !
Oh God no on comp pick – that’s like 16+ million.
They’ll keep Pagan on the back burner and sign him late if needed for about 8 million.
Please…no…not that. A qualifying offer might be more than Pagan could get on a two year deal.
He had a pretty good year–career high in HRs. The free agent market for OFs is very thin.
It would be a terrible idea, which is why I now think they might do it.
Just brace yourself. I’m not saying I think they should give him a QO. Just that it wouldn’t be a stunner if he came back.
yeah, I don’t think “very thin” is an accurate assessment. No more thin than usual and probably a bit better than recent years. Wheel sea what happens with options and opt outs.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/2016-17-mlb-free-agents.html
I say offer him $10 Mil for next year, but deduct $1Mil for every play he loafed on or played badly. At that point we’d have him next year and he’d have to pay the Giants $5 Mil just to get on the field.
You know, as much as i really didn’t want him back, you make a great point(s). The market for FA outfielders is thin.
I’ve seen worse. It’s not so bad. The best talents usually get locked up – free agents usually have their flaws; being relatively long in the tooth being the most common. If a free agent seems relatively free of flaws and a perfect fit for everybody, then his price tag and accompanying risk becomes the “flaw”.
Wonder what it would take to pry Cutch from the Bucs?
Arms, legs, bats. Preferably with big league service time.
Cutch was so hobbled this year that a trade is too unlikely. Pirates aren’t going to sell low Yeah, his bat played barely above average, but every team in the league saw how flat out slow he was, and saw that he’s certainly not a CF anymore, and maybe not even a LF. So the Pirates still have him at 2/29. For them to trade him now a team would have to offer them a price as if this past season hadn’t happened. Or else it just won’t be worth it for Pittsburgh, when they can wait a year, see if he improves in any way, and then trade him at the deadline or next offseason. Right now it would be a buy high on a guy coming off a bad year. You know, like the Giants signing Samardzija!
The QO would be crazy for Pagan, as it will be 17 mil, and Pagan is a guy who would easily be signed for a 2 year 17 mil deal. If he was offered 17 mll for one season, there’s no chance he would turn that down. He’ll be 36 middle of next season. You look at what other 34+ outfielders got last season, and 6 mil a year would be max. Rajai Davis got 1/5, Chris Young for 2/13, Aoki 1/6, Howie Kendrick 2/20, etc. A 36 yr. old oft injured OF for 2/16 would probably end up badly, but tying up 17 mil for one season? No way the team does that.
I sincerely doubt Angel will draw $17M/per for ANY contract, so a 1-yr. QA would represent a good raise for him, and an opportunity to prove he’s still a viable OFer.
I hope Mr. L’s wrong, because the Gints should get a draft pick at the least from this.
Angel was born to dance with the stars.
What a cool esposo, sitting around cogitating on next year’s roster. But I hope he’s wrong.
I see him gone.
Why?:
– the team suffered a great deal of fall off this season because of injuries and anyone with any sense can understand why one of the older teams in the league has so many injuries.
– I’ve seen Pagan since he was a young Met, and the guy needs to play 110% all out to be effective and that also leads to injuries (similar to what we are dealing with Pence, another guy who is constantly getting dinged because of his style).
– The Giants need to get younger and better defensively in the OF and I think they will go out and sign an OF, not a top FA, but at least someone who is a step up defensively and younger.
– It’s great naming all these young Farm hands, but let’s be real, you and I both know the Giants Success the past 30 years with “top” farm talent (in name only). And Duvall does not count because he had to go another team to get a chance to succeed.
Riding the broad shoulders of Bumgarner…
Span
Belt
Posey
Bumgarner
Crawford
Pagan
Gillaspie
Pence
Panik
We really need the Hot Span tonight. I don’t want the game to start with a slow roller to 2nd and his resigned mug trotting back to the dugout.
how bout a sharp 2 hopper and an eff bomb?
I understand the frustration with Span, and the boys are pretty fed up. In fact, I hear that there might be an intervention- they want him to start hitting as well as the rest of them
I think he’s already there 🙂
We need guys that can hit.
You are usually better at your homework than the AAAA blog team. Step it up or you are going to the Instruction league.
I’ll be a roving instructor. Would you like to come and hit some fungo?
Stand 6 feet away and you have a good chance to catch one before it lands in front of you.
Please do not get me going on him!!! Cool as pimp jog back to the dugout like Im The Man!!!
Bummer that MLB wouldn’t let him wear his off season duds.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU1NFgxNjAw/z/VnwAAOSwrklVe1uR/$_1.JPG
Yeah, one oh-fer makes him game for another round of whipping? I would like the hot *everybody*.
i believe he has about 130 o-fer’s …and i think you know that we all want an “everybody”.
I’m so glad I’m on the Pal List. It’s an honor to get a response to my every thought.
Do your homework, he’s been one our best hitters down the stretch..
You have been off my Pal list for awhile now. You are on the duckweed list.
Of course he has been. New season. Everyone starts over. Let’s go Span!
Signed,
Foie Gras Weed
I’m driving all day, but should make a hotel before the game. Lots of loving from the blog during the day today by the rest of you will surely translate into glorious victory tonight. Go Giants.
Good luck finding the game on television when you check in.
IN MEETING UPDATE: Cubs fans are tremendously loud and cocky front runners…
As if Monday morning conferences aren’t obnoxious enough…these 2holes started the meeting by playing “Go Cubs, Go”…
I am supposed to be honored by the fact that I get to them this much. I’m not.
It’s fear…the most dangerous animal is the one you’ve just backed into a corner. (Well, at least that’s what I keep telling myself.)
Show them your Mad Bum.
I’m sure you’ve always been a perfect gentleman when the Giants have won.
In truth, I have been. Totally.
In each of our winning years, most Cubs fans ended up rooting for us (especially when St. Louis was involved). Never once did I, or do I ever, pull that taunting crap. The amount of bravado out of them is alarmingly Dodgers Fan level….I think Cueball nailed it.
I have always gone out of my way to compliment the teams we have beaten, either in baseball or football, usually on their hometown newspaper websites.
Why? Because any real Giants (or 49ers) fan knows what it feels like to lose. And lose. And lose.
That said, I don’t really care who wins the pennant if it’s not the Giants. I don’t really want the Dodgers, of course, but it has been a long time for them, too.
And as for the Cubs, remember they were swept in the NLCS last year. That’s a heavy burden to bear.
How did you not throw up in your mouth?
Brutal! Hang in there
Oh yeah, don’t do anything you might regret later though
Fun Facts,
In 3 games against Jake Arietta this year they have score 1 non and 1 run. Madbum better be pitching a shutout again or the Gmen are in bigly trouble.
LOL @ “bigly”
Wow, 2HH. Bad enough that you come on this Giants blog–where you’ve been a respected poster for years–with this “rub your nose in it” nonsense. Then you put up this unintelligible patter. You do realize you can EDIT your posts to fix the mistakes you’ve made?
I’ve said here and elsewhere that if the Giants are out of it, I hope the Cubs win. Many of us have experienced the drought of a lifetime, and that is painful for any baseball fan. I have to say, sir–your behavior here is making me rethink that position.
They seem to be an infected fan base.
You are a kind and tolerant person, tf.
Cubs fans should really hope for another choke job.And secretly they do.
Lets hope the Giants oblige them
A Trumpism.
I know. 🙂
Nope, only faced him twice this year .
some how I can not read, but in the 2 times they scored 2 and 1 run of Jake
As I’ve said to you before, trolling takes no talent. But you’re even doing a bad job trolling!
wow, a math whiz to boot!
Chicagoan vernacular aka bigly
I just hope Arietta pitches true to his current form.
https://i.imgur.com/hFzXCh1.png
Love these.
2hole is like a duck on a pond. Beyond his schtick, he really, like most Cub fans, doesn’t know much about the realities of baseball. There are some notable exceptions, like Bradley Woodrum at Fangraphs. But even Bradley chose to live in Chicago’s Chinatown, far from the Northside, where baseball ignorance is a cherished trait.
Ken Rosenthal calls Joe Biagini an “unsung hero” in the Jays’ postseason run: https://twitter.com/ken_rosenthal/status/785483856065417216
Go Ags!
He’s looking real good. Jay’s pitching coaches must have taught him a trick or two – especially the changeup and the 12-6 curve.
I’m sure the Giants would love to have him back and would rather have dumped someone like Joan Gregorio or even Kyle Crick, or whoever else could have been done away with.
Suede goats.
Refresh your browsers to this post with SM’s glove. I added it this morning.
Some grim #’s vs Mssr Pilates’
Belt 0-10 7k;s
Posey 1-15
Craw 1-13
They are due!
Bum is pitching. All we need is one. He’ll make it hold.
Good morning my fellow TWG friends. I’ve been away with friends this weekend in the North Bay of the bay area. Mrs. Crawnik is feeling much better.
Throw out all the stats about how many teams have come back from an 0-2 deficit and what the Giants are hitting against Arrieta. We’re going to win today. Just put all of our energy and particles towards tonight’s game.
They’re playing a doubleheader?
Wiseacre.
Is that called a Wisehectare in Mexico?
Another wiseguy.
This is totally off topic, but saw this on a tweet on the MMQB page and thought it was cool. As one of the coaches on my daughter’s baseball team, we’ve been very lucky in avoiding these kinds of parents at the games, but know they’re lurking out there.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/43648ec1da9899bf972a365248373da9c3cae70fc79a80d712517cc0f583e026.jpg
@Cue – great add, thanks for sharing. Most ALL baseball coaches have given a shoutout to Mike Matheny for coming up with THIS:
http://bgparks.org/pdf/youth-sports/soccer/Matheny%20Manifesto.pdf
That’s awesome. Thanks!
Here’s what’s wrong with that: Parents don’t believe it. We have travel ball for 4 year olds (yes, slight exaggeration) because parents begin thinking scholarships immediately and willing “enterpreneurs” are there to suck the life anf joy out of the game as early as possible. So while the sign is a good effort, and we have the same thing, believe me it just doesn’t matter. If it appears to work, it’s because the unreasonable parents have left the rec leagues anyway.
In Bum We Trust
#RallyBum #DontStopBeliEVEN #LetsGoGiants
Well, win 1! I will be there and will once again mojofy the Giants with a win;)
GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!
Eddie Debartolo once said “he gone”
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/ravens-fire-offensive-coordinator-marc-trestman/ar-BBxfgkG?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout
Looks like the too tiny guard from Davidson is sticking around. http://www.sacbee.com/news/business/article107226637.html
Thank YOU Larry Riley….
Five bucks – Bum’s first pitch to Baez is in his ear….
Yeah! Once we buzz a high fast one near his head he’ll think twice about hitting home runs and winning games!
Did he actually win a game? He hit one home run, in a 1 run 1-0 loss. He did over-react.
Then he hit a double he thought was a home run, turned out to be a double, and turned out to be an out, and he got a bloody nose in the process. Then Strick threw at him.
I think he’s been schooled enough.
hey buddy, are you excited!
Let’s play ball!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIE8F_OL_Ds
So strange seeing Axl Rose finish out the tour with them after Brian Johnson was in danger of losing his hearing …
Yeah, WTF? Isn’t Axl fat now or something?
How is Malcolm Young doing these days? I heard not so good so his son had to pick up his part.
Anyways, I think that balls held for pleasure are the best.
And Madison Bumgarner has the biggest balls of them all!!!
IMO if you move a hitters feet – they get nervous. If you throw high and inside – they bear down more and can do more damage.
MOVE their FEET
ROTD
LOL on Review …
This game will revolve around what Pence is able to accomplish tonight.
Perhaps Pence takes an 0-fer, but Crawford picks up the slack with a 3 run tater.
Not IMO.
Your theory will surely be put to the test, Dr. Oppenheimer.
It’s not a theory, it’s an opinion. Footy, not knowing the difference between the two is your nemesis.
http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/PbHood1.jpg
I suspect, sadly, your atomic skills are bit North Korean.
http://67.media.tumblr.com/8cbac558d272255f946dc60cc94892d3/tumblr_nmu1i0P91b1qm0sovo1_500.jpg
So, “How You Doing…. No, How YOU doing?” https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f357a62568e9a601e04ff2d5a5f7967b17f566cb047402f45d91a53858f605fd.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dbe50022137e0fee59a02aafa8a1b0108ec50a058df4fda514c95355309b39b7.jpg
Sorry if this was posted already. Good article that talks about the difficulties most aces face in the playoffs.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/17759164/why-all-aces-giants-madison-bumgarner-october
The pitching coach that posits this – Take a look at the deliveries of Kershaw and Price — versus
Bumgarner’s,” he said. “Quick jerk versus easy, fluid. Most times, that
[delivery reflects] their personality as well.” is really grasping at straws. In what other demonstrateable way has someone’s physche been determined by their physical abilities?
Apologies if Paulo in PV posted this, but are you ready for some even year non-sense? Like maybe a Kelby Tomlinson walk off HR?
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2016/10/10/13227622/sf-giants-cubs-comeback-postseason-history
I wònder if Maddon will pull out another one of his parlor tricks to get under Madbum’s skin.
Susan Slusser writes about “Backs Against the Wall”
http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Down-2-0-to-Cubs-Giants-know-the-drill-9958826.php
The Giants’ season rests on the pitching — and perhaps hitting — of Madison Bumgarner on Monday.
Bumgarner can help team see down is not out
San Francisco Chronicle Late Edition 10 Oct 2016 Bruce Jenkins:
Madison Bumgarner will try to keep the Giants’ season alive when he pitches against the Cubs in Game 3 of the NLDS on Monday night.
He came off the bench as a pinch-hitter, stone cold, in the pulsating climate of Wrigley Field. It was National League baseball, the best kind, and this was a pitcher stepping up to the plate. The Giants weren’t hitting, at all, so why not Madison Bumgarner?
It took about eight seconds to validate manager Bruce Bochy’s call. Bumgarner absolutely scalded a shot to third base, where the Cubs’ Kris Bryant mishandled it, then committed a throwing error. In Saturday night’s 5-2 loss in Game 2, it was the hardest-hit ball struck by the Giants all evening.
This came in the wake of Bumgarner’s stunning batting practice display, in which he
launched drives deep into the bleachers against the wind for the second straight night. For heaven’s sake, the man didn’t throw a pitch in Chicago, and he was the most impressive Giant with a bat in his hands.
As the series returned to San Francisco, both teams working out Sunday in gorgeous weather at AT&T Park, a sense of renewal filled the air. Shirtless men strolled the walkway beyond the rightfield arcade, gazing onto the bay. Fans gathered behind the see-through gates to watch batting practice. Groundskeepers worked to create an immaculate playing field for the first pitch.
That it will be thrown by Bumgarner, with pure Giants desperation in the air, could not be more perfect.
He’ll be working on a streak of 23 scoreless innings in potential elimination games, which isn’t just the all-time record, but 11 more than the No. 2 man, Tom Hall. Bumgarner’s postseason numbers measure up to anyone’s, any era. There’s even a touch of Babe Ruth, whose bat and left arm delivered with equal force. And there is no shortage of admiration from Joe Maddon, the Cubs’ manager.
“It’s like when I was a kid,” Maddon said before the Cubs’ workout. “I was a Cardinal fan growing up, seeing Bob Gibson do what he did in the ’60s, and then Mr. (Sandy) Koufax, and maybe with Whitey Ford with the Yankees prior to that. It’s unique. So I hope the kids that are really watching right now understand how good this guy is, and how it parallels through baseball history.
“It’s not purely his stuff,” Maddon added. “It’s his competitive nature. I think that gets lost sometimes. Everybody’s always analyzing numbers and pitches and how he does this and his spin rotation and whatever.
That’s what the kids should be watching, how he competes every pitch. That’s why he’s as good as he is.”
Maddon will be remembered among the game’s most fascinating characters, a group as diverse as the mind can imagine. Baseball has been explained incomprehensibly by the likes of Yogi Berra and Casey Stengel, countered by the erudite Jim Palmer, the country-wild Will Clark or the down-home Dusty Baker. Maddon hears a question and answers expansively, creatively, to the delight of every scribe. Bumgarner always seems to be someplace else — maybe hauling fallen tree limbs across a patch of land in North Carolina — letting his deeds speak quite clearly.
Where does Bumgarner’s on-the mound mentality come from? “Just preparation and work ethic, is the best answer I could give you,” he said in the interview room. “I work on being that way. And it don’t always happen.”
What’s the challenge in not getting caught up in history and his reputation? “Well, you can’t,” he said. “Soon as you start buying into that, you’re probably gonna take a turn.”
Game 3 brings a vintage matchup, free of designated-hitter nonsense and featuring authentic ballplayers on the mound. Just before the All-Star break, Bumgarner and the Cubs’ Jake Arrieta were the two loudest voices advocating a Home Run Derby round for pitchers. So much of the Cubs’ Game 2 attack was about pitchers — Kyle Hendricks’ two run single, Travis Wood’s booming homer off George Kontos — and Monday night has main-event potential.
“Bumgarner’s one of those guys you treat like a position player,” Arrieta said. “He’s a great athlete and he can handle the bat, so you have to approach him like you would any of the other eight guys in the lineup. Try to mix things up and try to neutralize his power, because he’s a guy that can leave the ballpark at any time.”
Growing up, Arrieta said, he was a typical kid imaging himself in the ninth inning of Game 7, “bases loaded, two outs, you’re at the plate.” Correct: Not blowing away that last hitter, but homering as the crowd goes wild.
“He’s one of the best, no doubt about that,” Bumgarner said of Arrieta. “The last thing any pitcher wants to do is give up a hit to another pitcher. You’re not going to sit there and throw three fastballs by him.”
Naturally, after all this stud-pitcher talk, Monday night’s key hits probably will be delivered by guys like Trevor Brown and Tommy La Stella. But think about the Giants’ deep regrets about the series: a non-checked swing (Gorkys Hernandez). A hesitant baserunner (Buster Posey). A failed stolen-base attempt (Hernandez) and a runner picked off first (Conor Gillaspie).
Those are laments of the vanquished. Somebody has to light the fire Monday night. Nobody in China Basin will be surprised if it’s the man with Ruthian powers.
My brother took this this morning. Looks fairly positive. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8786cbc0d5c2b51c6db861852c5c3efb0efefbc2b29c3a2514246661137839a4.png
All it needs is a rainbow.
had to put my sunglasses on to view this.
could also be a close encounter of the third kind.
got to go build a to scale model of Devil’s Tower, talk later.
Particles, and mojo:)
How is Whitetail doing? Thank him for the pic
Kevin Mitchell throwing out first pitch! This bodes well.
An original My Guy!
http://wiki.dee-nee.com/w/images/6/6c/MitchellGiants.JPG
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f12251906b7758bc442a1f50a66f8ee3a18295743275a4b69c6cff0709db71de.jpg
Here is Mitch as a Sonoma Crusher
A.P.: “That reality pushes a bit more down on Bumgarner’s shoulders, but on Sunday he again appeared unbothered by the mounting pressure. Bumgarner was one of the few Giants to take the field during an optional workout, a relaxed look on his face as he played a light game of catch…”
Am I the only one wondering where his teammates were yesterday?
Fantasy football monitoring is an epidemic…
I believe there were more guys there than reported …
They were hanging out with me, getting mojofied.;)
Full schedule of everything
http://m.mlb.com/postseason-schedule?partnerId=ed-10917437-935448463
24 pitches and rising for Maeda.. 25 + bases loaded
As a rule, they don’t go down.
Spiffy news, thank Mike for helping
No prob. BTW, thanks for delivering me the women’s vote. That just about puts me over the top.
You bet…. Billy Bush said it was okay to release the video …
Forgot that was the early game today. Despite them playing in DC yesterday. But we wouldn’t want the Red Sox not playing in prime time on the east coast so lets just stick it to these two teams. That’s awesome.
Remember when certain rosterbators were feeling tingly things over Ryan Zimmerman???
Yeah…that last at bat represents why I’m thrilled that didn’t happen.
Yuppers. Oh, thought you meant Jordan Zimmerman. Nevermind. But Ryno used to be a premier hitter.
Ryno was premier along the lines of Aubrey Huff time line
Did people really want Ryan Zimmerman? He’s been hurt since 2013. How far back were these rosterbators…
About then….signs were showing regression were coming….
I think the Nats had him on lock down early.
Lucky them
That shoulder injury ruined everything. Until this year he was able to maintain his same level of offense, but once he couldn’t make the throw from third it all started going downhill.
Knock it out of the Park Lena Hall
Singing the National Anthem at Giants – Cubs game tonite
Seager I like. Justin Turner….not so much 1-0 LAD
yeah, if you don’t like/appreciate Seager, you don’t like/appreciate baseball.
Amen. JRoll helped him GROW before Jimmy said goodbye
Superstar in the making….
You heard it here, first. Just kidding – hey, sometimes you got to give credit to the prospect rankings. They are not just voodoo – the Top 10 overall prospects very often become star players.
I love those younger siblings…they have to be tough, smart and talented to keep up on the sandlot. That kid is legit
And when dad is a big time HS coach in N.C. – or something like that.
The Cory Lidle Story by Melanie Lidle
10 years ago tomorrow
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/10/10/cory-lidle-plane-crash-10th-anniversary/#.V_vijiRK2y9.twitter
wow.
In the midst of that incredibly touching and tragic story is another example of the rats in the media: The power went out on their street with a media crush waiting for her and her son to come home for the first time after the death of their husband and father.
Sickening.
Nunez “several days away from starting” …
let’s hope that’s exactly when he gets a chance to start again
This play by Conor got National attention but his pick up and THROW in foul ground was impressive in game two.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/205073646/conor-gillaspie-fills-in-nicely-at-third-base/
Wotus’ work paying off? Think Conor returneth in ’17?
Yes and Yes
Wotus definitely paying off, and I’m sure he’s much more comfortable throwing to his 1B now. Considering he’s just now arb eligible he could probably be had for 1-2 mil, so I bet he’s a lock to return.
The toughest thing to “teach” at all levels of baseball it the “Pre-Pitch-Thought”. Why is this? Because it is difficult to NOT take a pitch off….and then do it on the next pitch. My college coach use to say “if you take a pitch off without a pre-pitch-thought” and nothing goes wrong, you have dodged a bullet and he would say it was “dumb-ass-luck” that nothing did go wrong.
Did Mitch Moreland have a “pre-pitch-thought” just before Bush delivered the pitch to Martin? Hard to say. Moreland perhaps thought he could ‘glove it’ for an inning ending double play – but had Moreland had a heart to heart – “what if” talk with himself – because they are visitors – it may have gone like this:
“Be SURE you come OFF the bag if the final throw is errant – to securely save a run and keep Donaldson at third base and give Bush a shot at retiring the next batter”
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/205580012/blue-jays-josh-donaldson-scores-to-win-alds/
Ex-Dodger/old guy/Jesus for Halloween Jayson Werth can still play.
Stick it to em, Jayson.
Play by Play http://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=361010119
Rendon can really hit.
Rendon is one of the more underrated guys in MLB. He rarely gets talked about.
seems injuries have held him back – finished top 5 in MVP a few years ago
He was amazing in 2014, hurt last year, and bounced back great this year. Good player.
Perfect Baseball Day on 10/10/2016:
1. Dodgers go down 2-1.
2. Boston Red Sox sent home for a cold winter.
3. Bum and the Giants beat the Cubs and shut Arrieta’s pie hole.
Not liking that a player can lean over the plate and get nicked on the elbow with a pitch in the strike zone. Wasn’t there a famous Ron Hunt episode where the umpire said he didn’t try hard enough to get out of the way of the pitch?
Dick Dietz, but it was the ump keeping a scoreless inning streak going for Drysdale. Harry Wendelstedt is forever a jerk
It might be time to let it go.
Why? You must be kidding!
Maybe you’re right. We’re still a couple of years away from the half century mark on that one.
That’s more like it…
I’d rather have Craw batting fifth and Pagan sixth.
Larry King is morphing into looking exactly like Stephen Hawking
Who has had more work. ? Steve Moskowitz – Larry King or Dolly Parton?
Jerry Jones
Fer Sure Fer Sure
Moskowitz should sue based on results
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/39cecb34fbcd359e8c32f30fcf8a685faa08941d1a77b25de7b5150584df417e.jpg
Moskowitz’s twin brother
The Dodgers are a different team with no Greinke lined up behind Kershaw. Hill and Maeda haven’t held up very well in this series. I wonder if they’ll revisit trying to get Greinke back this offseason.
I bet they’ll go hard after a trade for Greinke. Didn’t make sense for AZ to move him at the break. But in the offseason they’ll have more time to hammer out a deal. Would not be surprised at all.
Well, supposedly they didn’t want to go the sixth year with Greinke. Now they don’t have to. He has five years to go on his contract!
Or Strasburg… nevermind.
How they address rotation should be intersesting given all they guys they have in the fold on contract with injuries – McCarthy, Kazmir, Ryu. And how they plan on implementing the two young studs: Urias and De Leon.
I’m guessing they sign Rich Hill on 2-3 year deal.
What’s sad is that one of the biggest rumors was that they’d go after Jose Fernandez. 🙁
I think Ryu’s probably finished, which is sad–he was pretty good for them. McCarthy isn’t likely to make much of an impact. I almost forgot they had Kazmir, but he could still help them. The young guys have the big upside.
I bet they wish they’d bought Cueto when they had the chance. They may get another chance. (Aarghhh)
will he want to go back if Puig is there. His fav player ever. Ha.
will you be at Park Lefty? It is Bum after all:)
No, I’m working today. I’ll be home in time to watch on TV, though. You have fun and represent! I know Surf Maui’s around somewhere, right?
I sure will represent. I went away from my usual lucky clothing, necklace and shoes the other game – NOT TONIGHT- and never ever again if we are so fortunate to win, win & win.
I bet Puig gets traded for Braun in the offseason, and then LA works to bring back Greinke in a trade. In other words, the Dodgers will be beasts next year.
and Grandal becomes the backup?
Who would replace Grandal? Or does Greinke not like throwing to him or something.
Yes, I think it would be excellent if the Dodgers traded young talent and encumbered their payroll for years to get two guys closer to 35 than to 30. I hope they make both of those deals!
My eyes tell me both Greinke and Braun are on the backsides of their careers…Puig has just begun his potential rise, and a new environment may help him blossom. I know fans dislike the guy, but I see incredible untapped talents
If his head ever grows up, and he learns to value and treasure the tools he has, he could be great.
Bumgarner’s HS Coach on KNBR https://audioboom.com/boos/5147105-10-10-jeff-parham-tells-us-bumgarner-has-always-loved-the-big-moments?t=0
Baggarly on KNBR https://audioboom.com/boos/5147801-10-10-andy-baggarly-talks-giants-cubs-nlds
JT Snow https://audioboom.com/boos/5147555-10-10-jt-snow-key-to-big-games-is-to-stay-relaxed?t=0
Krukow https://audioboom.com/boos/5147406-10-10-mike-krukow-talks-giants-0-2-start-to-nlds?t=0
Jon Miller https://audioboom.com/boos/5147552-10-10-jon-miller-says-scoring-early-is-a-big-key-for-giants-tonight?t=0
Scott Miller Bleacher Report https://audioboom.com/boos/5148333-10-10-scott-miller-says-giants-are-not-done-just-yet-despite-cubs-superior-roster
Clubhouse is rocking – so the reports go … … …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCCkb6k_aow
Let’s go get Harper this offseason
Scout can work out the details
I like the prick, and he’s made it clear, he likes San Francisco.
ROLF. My sentiments exactly
I can remember ALL too much how people crushed him for his bad _______ ‘everything’ regarding body language, diva attitude, brashness, arguing with umpires etc.
Dude could ALWAYS flat out play. He was the apple off his dads tree. Now daddy is way in the background. Bryce in O and B would be Mahvalous https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7chGllVEks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKJM7QKuO0
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/2016-postseason/n-l-d-s-game-3-preview-the-cubs-are-3-games-from-elimination-at-the-hands-of-the-giants/