by
Total Fan 62
In 1986, our Giants bounced back from a last place finish in 1985—the only 100-loss season in the history of the franchise—to win 83 games and finish in third place. My wife and I were very fortunate to spend much of that year watching our guys play. This is our story of that most wonderful year.
Part one of our story begins in July 1985. Mrs. TF and I were living in Southern California, and we were married late that month. Work responsibilities precluded a proper honeymoon, so we took a long weekend and drove to Central California to visit family and friends, and take in a couple of Giants games. Mrs. TF wasn’t into baseball when we met, but she caught on fast and became quite the dedicated Giants fan.
Through a business connection I met Mike Murphy, the Giants legendary clubhouse manager. He was very cordial and gracious, and during our visit to Candlestick that weekend I was allowed clubhouse, dugout and batting cage access before and after that weekend’s game vs. the Braves. They say you have to have a lot of little kid in you to play baseball, and I felt like that little kid as I took pictures, got autographs and hung out with the guys.
Unfortunately, given the way that season had developed some of those players had mentally checked out, more concerned with the after-game party, or maybe their upcoming off-season plans, than winning baseball games. Guys arrived late and didn’t show much effort or concern as to whether they won or lost. I’ve always said that 1985 team was the worst in SF Giant history, and what I saw over those few days planted those seeds of discontent. I did have some great conversations with a few of the veteran players who were still working to win, such as Bob Brenly, Chili Davis, and Vida Blue.
As I was exiting the clubhouse to go to our seats I ran into Mike Krukow. I had a ball that Murph had given me, and most of the guys with whom I spoke signed it. I asked Mike if he would sign. He did, and we spent a few minutes talking baseball. I told him I was a diehard Giants fan for the past 25 years, and how much it hurt me to see our team wallowing in last place. Krukow then said something I’ve never forgotten: “this team is not as bad as it looks and plays right now. We’re only a couple of players away from being a contender…a couple of additions, and maybe more than a couple of deletions.” Kruk won the Willie Mac that year (and in 1986 as well), and he had tons of cred in that clubhouse. That conversation gave me a ray of hope that maybe things would be better next year.
A few weeks later the Giants fired GM Tom Haller and manager Jim Davenport, and hired Al Rosen and Roger Craig. Over the last month of that awful 1985 season we began to see signs that a new era was beginning, and happier times would indeed soon follow. Little did we know we were about to enjoy an unforgettable San Francisco Giants season!
PART TWO
1986 was indeed a fresh start and a much better year for our Giants, compared to 1985. Many of last year’s players were traded, waived or released. Fresh, young faces arrived. Rookies Will Clark and Robby Thompson, second year infielders Jose Uribe and Chris Brown—“you gotta like these kids”—and we certainly did. The Giants got off to a quick start, and came to L.A. in the first week of the season. We attended all three games, the Giants won two of them, and we were both excited by what we saw. The blend of young talent with a core of proven MLB players was a great mix. Roger Craig taught all his pitchers the split-finger fastball and we were off and running.
Mrs. TF and I committed to attend all Giants games in L.A. and San Diego that year, and maybe make a trip or two to San Francisco to watch Giants games with our great fans. Our first trip of the year to SF came a week later, as the Giants swept a four-game series vs. the Padres. Memorial Day weekend we drove up to The City for our second trip, a series vs. Montreal (Mrs. TF was born in Canada, and wanted to see their NL team up close). During that trip we decided for our vacation this year we would take a road trip with the Giants. We selected a mid-July swing to Chicago and St. Louis. We made our plans and looked forward to seeing two cities we had not visited, and watching our beloved Giants.
The Giants continued to play well, and were starting to get national attention. The Houston Astros were also playing great baseball, and quickly became the team to beat in the NL West. Looking ahead we saw a four-game series—featuring a Sunday doubleheader—against the Astros in late June. This was our third road trip of the season to the Bay Area. The Astros arrived in SF on June 20 in first place, with a 2 ½ game lead over us. The Giants swept that series, and finished that doubleheader on Sunday June 22 in first place! After game one of the DH, the capacity crowd was standing and cheering. I looked up to Al Rosen’s box, and made eye contact. I gave him a virtual fist-pump, and he gave me a thumbs-up! Cool moment for sure!
Soon thereafter it was vacation time. Chicago here we come! Getting off the El at Addison and Clark, after the train passed, it looked to me like we were standing in CF. Entering the park, I was amazed by the lower grandstand being so close to the playing field. You could see and feel the tradition and beauty. This was prior to the installation of lights, so all games were played during the day. We split that series, and the highlight of our Chicago visit was the opportunity to have dinner with our pal Mike Murphy and David Lowenstein (assistant clubhouse manager and Al Rosen’s stepson). Also joining us for dinner: Vida Blue and Chili Davis! We got to know the players a little; we talked baseball, and enjoyed a nice dinner. What a great evening. Murph told us to bring our bags down to the lobby of the hotel the next morning, and he would ship them to St. Louis along with the player’s luggage. He also showed us how to take the El directly from Wrigley to O’Hare.
St. Louis was not nearly as much fun as Chicago. The Cardinals swept the three-game series, and the Cardinals fans were nasty. Our seats were in a group reserved for Giants family and friends, and the fans ragged on us every night. That was the beginning of my intense dislike for the St. Louis Cardinals. Game two of the series was one of the most memorable games of the year. Vida started and got shelled. The Cardinals scored eight runs in the fourth, and took a 10-2 lead. In the fifth inning, Vince Coleman reached base, and stole second. Then he stole third. With an eight-run lead. The Giants dugout went nuts—five or six of them were standing on the top step, yelling at Coleman. He then tried to score on a short wild pitch, and Juan Berenguer took the catcher’s throw and applied a hard tag on Coleman for the third out.
Bottom of the seventh, Coleman comes to the plate. Frank Williams (our sidearm reliever) brushed him back, and home plate umpire Bob Davidson issued a warning to both pitchers and managers. Williams nodded OK, I’m cool… and then fired the next pitch right into Coleman’s knee. It was ON! Benches emptied, Herzog and Craig squared off, and Chris Brown tackled Coleman. One of the Cardinals tackled Krukow and injured Kruk’s shoulder (Krukow would subsequently miss five starts, which cost us dearly). The Giants scored late to make it close, but lost the game 10-7.
After the game, we went to the bar in the Giants hotel. A few other Giants fans were there, including three young guys who were driving cross-country to Cooperstown to attend Willie McCovey’s Hall of Fame induction later that month. We bought them a couple of beers and gave them some food and hotel money for the balance of their trip. Soon thereafter a few of the Giants players came down to the bar as well. They were cordial, bought a couple of rounds, and discussed the game, series and current road trip with the handful of fans that were still there. Suddenly Chili Davis stood up and said “Hey, SportsCenter is on right now. Let’s go watch highlights of the fight!” We all went out into the lobby, gathered around the one TV showing SportsCenter, and watched the entire episode together. The players were really into it. Another unforgettable moment!
Mrs. TF and I made another road trip to SF later that year, and attended all the Giants games in L.A. and San Diego. During one of the games vs. the Dodgers, Kelly Downs finished the win, and as he walked to the dugout I ran down to the first row and hollered out “great work Kelly Downs”. He looked up at me, tossed me the game ball, and said, “thanks, man.” I still have that ball. All in all that magical year, we attended 38 games in five different cities. The Giants faded at the end, and Houston won the NL West, clinching against us as Mike Scott threw a no-hitter. Nonetheless, it was a GREAT year. Our Giants won 83 games, a 21-game improvement over the previous year! In 1987 we won the NL West and began a three-year run that led to the 1989 World Series vs. the A’s.
At the end of that wonderful 1986 season there were a couple of outstanding and unforgettable games that must be remembered and shared, but that will have to wait for another guest post. Thanks for letting me share our great memories from our most wonderful 1986 season with our San Francisco Giants!
Glad to see that I was not the first person here this morning. Unlike the great Martin Mull, I don’t fancy being the first one to the party and the last one to leave,
On this newest closer deal, it is my opinion that with a 3 run lead he could have gone to Santiago and I think that Casilla would have closed it out. The problem there is that he’s committed to Casilla for the postseason and I don’t that think that’s a good thing.They aren’t all going to be 3 run leads
He never should have started the inning with Law. It was not the time for an audition. Smith was the obvious choice- batters were 2 for 27 in the last month of the regular season.Again, it’s a SSS, but who else? Now that’s all I have to say on this unless I’m forced to 😉
Good morning.
I thought it should be Smith even when it was happening. For one thing, they’d played 13 innings the night before, and Law and Romo had both pitched two innings, while Smith had thrown only 9 pitches in his one inning. Having Smith start the inning against Bryant wouldn’t bother me with a three-run lead, and then he’s in there for Rizzo.
Unlike some, I didn’t question Bochy taking Moore out after eight–just the bullpen decisions in the ninth.
At the time I questioned the overall strategy for the 9th. I think that Bochy had a predetermined plan and when it started to unravel he didn’t adjust. Law and Lopez would handle their one hitter each and Romo would throw a few pitches and it’s on to Chicago. It’s an understatement to say that it didn’t quite go as planned. Yet despite all that, they still could have won until Lady Luck deserted them after Romo did his thang.
Never should have taken Moore out, but if he did it made no sense to base it on Law and Romo, who’d been two innings the day before (especially using Romo was just insane, they weren’t even supposed to use him 2 days in a row, let alone a day after he’d pitched two innings), or Lopez pitching to Rizzo, because earlier in the game Rizzo had stopped swinging and low and outside pitches out of the strike zone as he had been all series (I’m pretty sure Bochy decided before the game that because Rizzo was swinging at those pitches he was going to Lopez on him, and he simply didn’t notice that Rizzo had adjusted by his first AB in game 4). If Bochy insisted on pulling more, he should have left the 9th to Smith and Strickland. Or for that matter Gearrin if he hadn’t unfathomably been left off the playoff roster–if they weren’t going to use Casilla or Kontos in a high-leverage situation like that, why not have Gearrin on the roster after the great September he had?
Do you think they should have left Moore in?
whats for breakfast Mister?
Fruit, waffles, and strong coffee.You?
okay, but what’s for 2nd breakfast?
Wait. There’s a second breakfast?
probably not today, but sometimes got to go big on fuel.
Always on Sunday. Burp.
Great piece about one of my favorite Giants teams. If you went to all the games at Dodger Stadium, you must have been at Krukow’s 20th win, right? IIRC, it was the last day of the season. We had moved to LA in August of 1986 to start grad school and I remember being in the kitchen of our rental house in Pasadena listening on the radio to Kruk finishing that off.
This year they did a bobblehead day in honor of Krukow’s 20-win season (30th anniversary). The bobblehead is sitting on our piano next to Kuiper!
Yes, we were there. It was the last day of the season, and the Giants were determined to get Kruk his 20th win. When Candy Maldonado hit the grand slam, I jumped up and hollered GO GIANTS!! and other such cheers…and got pelted with Dodger Dog wrappers and other stuff. Just turned around and smiled, and one more time yelled GO GIANTS!! Great end to a great season!
Wow, awesome story TF, sounds as though you and the Mrs. had a blast that season. Thanks for the memories, before reading the only things I would have remembered about that season were Clark’s HR off Ryan in game one and Krukow’s 20th in game 162.
I remember watching Clark hit that HR and Hank Greenwald drawling: “How do you do, Mr. Ryan? I’m Will Clark.” He KILLED that ball to CF in the Astrodome!
Sweet story from a GREAT diehard fan. You and Mrs. TF are part of the Redeemed who stuck with it to witness this glorious decade!
Cespedes is not comin to SF i guarantee it!! Robby Evans will do an interview around mid to late February explaining that he felt like they were in the running for the power hitting slugger but his demands were just to high so we’ve moved on to a more team friendly signing! Book It!
They will not “receive a rose”
Exactly! Were always at the party where all the pretty girls are but we continue to go home all alone lol!
Oh yeah, well, after reading your post, Bobby Evans say he won’t even bother to call Yo. He says that you’re on to him 🙂
Cleveland has noticed that the Cubs are getting all the attention, but this piece isn’t just whining. It points out that there are plenty of compelling storylines on the Indians if anyone cared to cover them:
–Kluber’s ridiculous postseason
–Andrew Miller’s even more ridiculous postseason
–22-year-old Lindor hitting .370 in the postseason and 7 for 15 in the World Series
–Cubs fan Kipnis breaking his hometown team’s hearts
–Josh Tomlin’s gutty performance with his paralyzed father in the stands
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2016/10/chicago_cubs_receive_the_fanfa.html
I read this story by Zack Meisel last night. It was one of the first stories posted after the game. I really like this on Kluber:
“Corey Kluber should be hogging the spotlight. He has posted a 0.89 ERA in six postseason starts, including a 0.75 ERA in a pair of World Series outings, including Saturday’s lesson on how to pitch on short rest. He permitted Chicago only one run, on a pair of bloop hits in the first inning. He even chipped in a single on a chopper that never left the infield, and Kris Bryant’s wild throw allowed the Indians’ second run to score.”
Best start to a postseason career since Christy Mathewson, and unlike Matty, Kluber is not pitching in the Dead Ball Era–he’s faced three of the best lineups in baseball.
Yeah, Kluber, Bill James’ #3 starting pitcher (those games scores), with a 0.89 ERA and sub 1 WHIP in his first 30.1 postseason frames. Also with 35 Ks.
Bumgarner also sub 1 WHIP, even lower also, but with lower K rate, and 2.11 ERA (regression with larger sample size – a half season worth!)
Lindor and Kipnis best middle infield in baseball.
Having the top shelf prospects to swing the Miller deal.
Yes, Cleveland rocks and that is why, with great prescience, they put the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame there.
Not sure Miller’s been more ridiculous. Kluber has 30.1 IP, Miller 17, ERAs are Kluber 0.89, Miller 0.53.
Bobby Evans started the offseason with a BIG signing already….
Yup, Kyle Blanks…
He’s big alright. Maybe they just like having him around to carry the bags and equipment I don’t know. They must like him as a man and want to give him a chance in Sacramento with an iota of a chance to do something in SF.
Isn’t he an over 30 MiLB player?
Brilliant! Great memories, wonderful writing. Thanks, TF62, Giants fan Hall of Fame !
I enjoyed reading your conversation with Mike Krukow in 1985, TotalFan62.
Who knew? I guess we should have. TF is such a down to earth guy, that really comes across in all his posts. And that he has a true appreciation for the players as human beings.
ps – raining, can see the little sprouts. breaking through the top soil from rain on thursday night. We are cruising towards an inch and a quarter which should turn things a shade of green within a week or so, then God willing, more rain will within a couple of weeks will really set the winter forb/grass crop.
Yesterday I weaned our three calves from their mommas, they’ve been doing some bawling. We like to look at the ol Farmer’s Almanac to see where the moon is – if it’s in their neck that’s bad news. If in their ankles, that’s ideal. Moon was in the lumbar region, so normal crying. This has been your farm report. Oh yeah, the kale, broccoli, and cabbage are loving the rain too. Looking good. More? My wife has reallly gotten into agave. Planted one in the ground yesterday and protected it from rain at midnite. Today I need to build up the mound around it. She has a whole bunch in pots in special soil mix, with a myriad of cultivars.
First Total Fan 62’s amazing story of the 1986 season, and now you come along with a wonderful down-on-the-farm post. I always enjoyed reading these. (After that unpleasant exchange on here last night, I was about to take an extended break or call it quits after what, almost 7 years now?)
I’ve been re-reading James Herriot’s books. I started reading his illustrated book: Favorite Dog Stories after we lost our beloved dog in late May. I couldn’t talk about her last days then, and I can barely talk about them now. She was with us for 16 years and surrounded by her loving family. James Herriot’s books have helped me these past months. I’m nearing the end of All Things Bright and Beautiful, and just ordered All Things Wise and Wonderful. If you haven’t read these books, Ryan, I think you would really like reading about his work with the hardy farmers and their cattle and sheep.
I’m so sorry about your dog. Our beloved old girl is slowing down big time, and I can hardly bear to think about it.
Thanks Lefty. I better go finish raking leaves. I’m just going to start crying again.
WAH! :o(
great suggestion, great post. I remember your dog stories – a Scottish Terrier? Maybe some day we’ll get a terrier to help with the ground squirrels. Our two dogs are coming up on 9 and 12 I think, but doing well.
Westie. West Highland White Terrier.
Burying my 18yo Lab was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Of course, euthanizing her was tough too, especially after the recommended dose of Euthanol resulted in her waking up so I had to do it twice. (After 18 years, I wasn’t going to put that on anybody else.) It took three attempts on digging holes to find one that didn’t hit solid rock after 6-8 ins.
I’m sure you gave her a great dog’s life. Great memories for you and her both.
Thanks, H&E. This is wonderful of you to say. She was playful and spunky and our much loved faithful companion.
Been there Bap – El Snorkel was 18 too.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/593adcad9bedb6bd9cd70357ebac4f7c78497755f79193a48e25a74665e71afb.jpg
Given the fond memories I have of Snorks, you must have tons. Boo just laid her head in my lap and looked up at me until she closed her eyes. She had a tumor in her mouth so big she couldn’t eat any more, so it had to be done.
I think of Snorks often here and miss his commentary.
Countless memories – we raised him and Myrna (his sister) from 2 weeks, bottle-fed them, drove them across country in a Penske (photo – what a blast that was!), and then to Mexico. It’s been 2 years and 2 months (just before the Gints’ last miracle run) but seems like yesterday. It sounds morbid, but they take a piece of you with them when they go.
Everyone on this blog made his passing bearable, and I saved the comments they were so beautiful.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2959984fda51c54660be1662b1980e052bc5f8570a2aea57caa05bb030b79166.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6a16225751a80e4cb1100865d872d9d70897419c949f8180acc70548d179423d.jpg
p.s. Is that a skunk eating that doggie’s food in your avatar?
Yes it is.
The caption reads:
“Two of the greatest qualities of life are:
…Patience…
…and Wisdom.”
They are awesome books! Haven’t read them for a long time, but I remember how great they are!
Here’s the best dog song I know, dgg. Give it a listen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWXOKUJo_9Y
Great reflections of a great time to be a Giants fan. Thanks ! Humm Baby!
Looking for a three hitter, looking, looking, looking somewhere outside of Cespedes or Turner…
What if Joe Panik? What if he gets his three hundred stroke back with extra base and some HR pop back?
What if Joe is watching Kipnis in the WS and saying to himself, “I can be that kind of guy in the lineup”? Kipnis had a down season in 2014, similar to Joe’s down year this season, which was probably injury related. Kipnis came back strong in ’15 and powered up this year (would you believe Kipnis stole 30 bags two years in a row in ’12 & ’13?). Maybe Joe can be the guy in 2017.
Span
Belt
Panik
Posey
Pence
Crawford
Williamson/Parker
Nunez/Gillaspie
P
Nunez will not be just a platoon guy.. He’s the best all around player on the team.
what do you think of Nunez getting some time in the OF?
Too many if’s to think about.
You raise a good question. Nunez seems to like it here, and seems to have grown as a teammate (LOL, whatever that means). Can you build around him, and will he step into a role such as that, a team leader?
Panik and Gillaspie were the Giants’ hottest hitters at the end. I believe in Joe. And it’s his birthday today!
Conor for 3 hitter!!
Let’s not go overboard here. He still might be the guy we saw for the first 5 months of the season. IMO, Nunez is the everyday 3rd baseman until/if Con-Rod forces the issue.
Con-Rod has a ring to it. Sounds better than E-Nun.
Conor had horrendous BABIP luck this year. I calculated xBABIP after the Sept. 7, his BABIP was .265, his xBABIP was .320.
The problem is that he’s much better against righties and Nunez has a reverse platoon split.
Nunez has to play every day, where ever it is. If that means that Conor sits, Conor sits.
I wouldn’t assume that. If Nunez starts to develop normal platoon splits it would change things. His peripherals just aren’t that impressive.
Conor has one tool. Nunez has 4 . Do you really think that Conor is even close to Nunez as a BALLPLAYER? Get real, John
It you look at their stats since coming to the Giants, they’re pretty similar:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=30&rost=0&age=0
Nunez steals more bases but Gillaspie’s fielding is a good deal better. And if you consider that Nunez was getting good luck on BABIP while Gillaspie was getting bad luck, Gillaspie looks like the better bet for next year. The Giants gave up prospects to get Nunez so of course the natural assumption would be that he would start instead of Gillaspie, but that isn’t based on performance.
You persist in taking the smallest sample sizes possible . And you offhandedly toss in stuff like “Nunez steals more bases|”. Yeah, 40 to 1.Why don’t you scroll down to the “value” portion of their Fangraphs pages, take a long look. case closed.
You want a bigger sample size? Okay, let’s look at career. Nunez LD% for his whole career is 18%, his Hard % is 26%. 5% walks. Last year was the first time he stole more than 11 bases in a year. Nunez and Gillaspie both have a career WAR of 2.1 but Nunez has taken 400 more PAs to get that.
Take my advice and scroll down to their “value” section on their Fangraph’s page. That says it all. Now I’m done with this.
Um, Gillaspie is $9.0, Nunez is $8.3. Gillaspie is higher in RAR and WAR. What’s your point?
Conor was $9.0 in 2016.Nunez was $21.6 in 2016. and Nunez is higher in RAR and WAR for 2016.
Um, you better look again:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=6&season=2016&month=0&season1=2016&ind=0&team=30&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
Ah, you’re talking about Nunez’ whole season, not just the time he was with the Giants. Well obviously, he had 595 PAs, Gillaspie had 205. Gillaspie’s WAR, RAR, and Value per plate appearance were higher, it wasn’t even close.
Well, you obviously have a lot of time to try to make a case that Conor is a better ballplayer than Nunez. I can cherry pick stats with the best of them but I’ll let 2017 tell the story. Now let it go.
…and then I woke up…looked around and realized it’s time to check out those lil sprouts outside.
They’re coming along!
If Will Clark believes in Joe Panik, I believe in Joe Panik. There’s a reason why he didn’t go to the Yankees for a reliever.
Nice piece, TF62,
Sorry about your guys in the last 2 weeks. Maybe next year.
Thanks, Chef. Yeah, my Volunteers…I knew they’d likely go 2-2 in the tough four game stretch vs. Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Alabama. That’s what happened. We were still on target to win the SEC East…until last night.
Oh well. Win out, finish 9-3 and it’s still a good season.
Nothing could be better than for the Indians to get the early lead on Chicago. They just gotta make sure the upper deck is barricaded and the food venders hide the knives and forks.
Very cool! I felt like we were right there with you throughout! Wonderful write up!
I was fortunate enough to go to the players post-game meal with season ticketholders in 1984. That ” checked out” feeling was very also very obvious in the player’s body language during that event. I remember seeing Johnnie LeMaster, Frank Robinson (looking really beat up), and the highlight of the evening…Mike Krukow. Krukow was the highlight because I was playing lots of basketball at the time and he comes in wearing basketball hi-tops (untied) with his jeans. I’m thinking, “hoopster”. The funny thing is I forgot how tall he was when my kids/I took a picture with Kruk about 5 years ago.
I can think of at least two games to end the 1986 season: The Bob Brenly game and Krukow’s 20th Win.
BTW, excellent memoir.
Thanks. The Fan Appreciation Day game vs. the Dodgers, 9/28/86, was between those two and *very* memorable. Giants won in 16 innings on a Brenly walk off double, and Minton pitched five innings in relief (last guy in the bullpen). Giants infield for the last four innings: Maldonado 3B, Youngblood SS, Spilman 2B, Will Clark 1B. First three guys making their first appearance at that position all year! Great game.
No Mike Scott? Sorry.
I know all about that game, it has been stricken from every pylon and obelisk.
Shame! Shame! Shame! 🙂
So…if the Indians finish this off, can ESPN (and others) please stop licking Joe Maddon’s cleats??? He will be 0-2 in WS play and lost with a team that was heavily favored. Unfortunately, I think he’ll continue to tell himself how great he is, when he looks in the mirror.
BTW…can’t wait to hear/read how all the chowderheads swear how great Terry Francona is, after they were so happy to see him leave Boston.
Bobby Evans…do you have that RV…with the exterior professionally “wrapped” with scenes of AT&T Park and the Giants tradition…parked outside of Mark Melancon’s house yet? If not, you better get that puppy out there now…because this may not be going back to Cleveland. FA signing period could be sooner than we once thought!
The very first question, if the lose, should be :
“Joe, you chose John Lackey over Jason Hammel throughout the playoffs. Why?”
Hammel? Seriously?
Lackey? Seriously???
It’s a legitimate question. Ask every fan who watched the Cubs over the last two seasons.
The more serious question for the Cubs next year is how to sustain winning absent their rotation, assuming they rotate out to FA. Good as they are, without that rotation, they’re very Brewers like.
Who are their FA pitchers after the season? I know Arrieta is one of them.
For all of the doom folks on here are saying on here about SF, they have 4 starting pitchers -all from good to great – under contract.
I’ve been saying “polish the OF and pen”. Much less needed than many teams
I’d agree there is reason for optimism for the Giants next year, regardless of the whining to the contrary. I’m not sure who’s a FA next year on the Cubs…I think both Lackey and Lester may be, but in truth I’ve just read/listened to folks talking about this being the Cubs big shot at a title because of the folks moving on. Maybe someone else has the details, I don’t.
see above 🙂
Lester…signed through 2021
Arrieta…Arb eligible in 2017, FA in 2018
Lackey…FA in 2018
Hendricks…Arb eligible in 2018. FA in 2021
Hammels…FA in 2017
That’s better than I thought.
Because he sucks?
Mr. hAppy, what exactly do you think Lackey generally does in the post season?
Suck worse.
He was okay vs. the Dodgers.
Using Lackey as the 4th starter was hardly a bad decision.
I’m glad we all can have opinions
Yes, and we all know what opinions are like…
Knock that crap out, you stated an opinion, and so did I.
Relax, Chef. That’s exactly what I was saying
That’s not how it read . If you hadn’t floated that turd before, I’d give you the benefit of the doubt.
It was a Baby Ruth, pal
But don’t want to scare him away like crazy infatuated stalker. Got to play it a little cool. Invite him to a jazz club, have some scotch…
The, “Game of Seduction,” I see you working Finch. Very continental.
Thank you for mentioning the other manager, Terry Francona, who now has an 11-1 record managing World Series games and is one way away from wrapping up his third title and punching his ticket to Cooperstown.
Francona had to love his team sweeping his former employer out of the playoffs after they ran him out of Boston in 2011. And who were the poster boys for the 2011 Red Sox collapse with their clubhouse beer and fried chicken parties?–John Lackey and Jon Lester (and Josh Beckett). Can’t tell me Francona wouldn’t enjoy finishing those two guys off, too.
If they were eating KFC then Lester and Lackey deserve a comeuppance. I’m sure that their contracts will lessen the blow of their current predicament. But, alas, a comeuppance is still a comeuppance.
Maybe Lackey can get a Colonel Sanders gig when he retires.
Baseball is sort of the ‘what comes around goes around’ demonstration project, isn’t it.
Forgot about the Lackey/Lester connection. Karma could be a …
Tito has outmanaged Maddox in this World Series.
Lots of anger at maddon from cubs fans. His reputation as a genius is in tatters. They need a scapegoat.
Small minded people always need to find someone to blame.
Never talk of goats to a cubbies fan.
I wonder if the Cubs have the grits to compete in an elimination game situation. I think everybody here knows that takes a special kind grit and determination that to date they haven’t shown. We’ll find out pretty soon, win or lose, what kind of ballplayers they are.
Well, they did win the Wild Card game last year.
LOL.
I’ll be curious to see how Baez responds to the pressure. He looked pretty silly striking out on that bad pitch to end game 3. I think he’s young and cocky enough to put that behind him and have a break out game tonight. When he’s on the Cubs’ are a tough beat and look like the best team in BB.
Tonight is the test.
Not really. The test will come in Cleveland.
Cleveland, we’ll see.
I was laughing when I read…even before last night’s game…that Cubs’ fans were saying “Not going back to Cleveland” and were now saying “Praying it goes back to Cleveland”.
Baseball tests the limits….of pretty much everything.
The line between win and loss is often thin, and the Indians are making it work for them.
Really happy got the Indians fans. 68 years is a long dry spell as well.
They face Bauer tonight…I think he’s in way over his head. The Cubs may very well get “healthy” and clear their heads facing this guy.
Special G&D as opposed to the regular grit and determination it takes to win 103?
All for nothing to get beat 4-1 in the series. If this series were to go 7 games, maybe, but the way the Cubs have lost doesn’t suggest they’re a 103 win team at heart to me.
I don’t see anything inconsistent. They’re good at beating up on weak teams.
They did pretty well in the ninth against the Giants.
The Giants relievers were unable to execute to the game plan, period. I chalk it up to youth and guys that just can’t hit locations anymore.
The Cubs team batted a mere .200 as a team against the Giants (advanced scouting was…as usual…awesome) and the Cubs non-pitchers were way below that. Without that ninth inning, that team BA would have been below .200.
Without the 9th inning of game 4, the Cubs’ team batting average for the series was .179. With the pitchers and that inning, it was .168. The Giants hit .252.
Thanks for doing the number crunching. Up until that 9th, Giants pitchers were doing a great job.
The other problem was the 2 innings Samardzija pitched when he refused to throw his curve because he was ‘setting it up for the second time through the order.’ Take that out and the Cubs hit .139. One fucking thirty nine. And they won the series.
IMO, they exposed a weakness in the Giants the Indians don’t have, the bullpen.
They didn’t expose it. It was pretty visible the whole time.
It a term of art. You need to move on or be stuck as a cynic 3rd class. BTW, Michigan is building a national audience it seems.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/2016/10/michigan_michigan_state_tv_rat.html#incart_river_home
And with only one full Harbaugh recruiting class.
No denying Harbaugh’s genius for turning a sows ear into a silk purse. The guy has the touch.
Also the manager.
Not really.
Because Bochy sent out weak and tired pitchers.
Yes . a different kind.
Haven’t seen any definitive word but it looks like MyGuy Alex Smith might be out with a concussion. Took a pretty hard hit to the helmet. Looked very woozy on the sidelines, Foles in.
Sorry, carry on with beisball.
I saw a C. Walken movie where he was struck by lightning and acquired some extra normal ability because of the lightning strike. When Alex comes to in a couple of weeks maybe he’ll improve on his red zone opportunities and lead the Chiefs to the AFC championship and beat Tom Brady in crazy shootout in NE (45-44). Then go on to rout Dallas 44-7 in the SB.
He came back today and completed a TD pass to Maclin for 13 yards just before the half Red Zone
Not a 49ers fan, but purchased a #11 t-shirt…because I was an Alex fan. He made me actually watch 49ers games. It’s good to see him continue on, as the 49ers and #7 spiral downward.
Uh oh- Alex injured again
Foles looking good. TD pass to Hill. 24-7 Chiefs
This time it *was* a concussion . Brutal day.
To those anticipating a long off season, some incredibly good history lessons in podcast form. Many are free, and they are great, IMO.
http://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/
Thanks. Are you familiar with this site? This is one of his pieces I found amusing.
http://waitbutwhy.com/2016/09/spacexs-big-fking-rocket-the-full-story.html?utm_source=List&utm_campaign=73e2e2b448-SpaceX_BFR_09_28_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5b568bad0b-73e2e2b448-51828153&mc_cid=73e2e2b448&mc_eid=bf1133c06b
I just started poking around on it this AM, but just the free stuff snagged me. Some new video game (Battle Field #N) about WW1 used the history there (20 hrs of it) as it’s resource material, and historians seem to be mesmerized by it and the game. For my part, I haven’t ever read a detailed history of the Punic Wars, much less such a podcast.
Meanwhile, in Newport Beach… https://instagram.com/p/BMMoY0gAcuv/
Just noticed the new avatar. Very cool!
thanks!
Are you stalking him? 🙂
Only on social media. And by social media I mean instagram, since twitter gives me a headache.
Jon Hamm…boss.
https://twitter.com/SI_ExtraMustard/status/792540812219473925/photo/1
I’m not normally a fan of Hamm (the person or the lunchmeat), but at least temporarily I’m a fan of Hamm (the person, still not the meat though).
Why is he there? At least the Miami guy goes to every sporting event and makes charitable donations.
Saints just kept the chawks from getting a td inside the goal line. Late in the 4thq. Saints up 22-20.
Just finished binge watching Bloodline on Netflix this week. It takes place in Greek Giant’s neck of the shore line. Its binge worthy.
Russell Wilson has 1:57 to produce 6 points to get the hawks a win. Its like watching Jack Bauer getting himself out of a perilous jam on 24. He has no time outs at his disposal.
Chawks lose.
The $50 million under the cap 49ers decided they couldn’t afford Crabtree.
No one to get it to him,anyway.
Good for Crab. He seems to be playing energized and happy.
I’m not sure if you clearly remember his issues in SF. Richard Sherman was spot on. Crab has improved since he left.
Whoever replaces Baalke has an ever growing hole to dig out of.
Issues? He had good seasons for the 49ers. The 49ers won’t be digging out of any holes any time soon. As we saw with the coaching search, the way York dealt with Harbaugh is going to keep the top candidates looking elsewhere. There will continue to be good times ahead for those who view the team the way I do.
Yes…now you’re using revised memory. Crabtree , on his own, was much worse with the Niners. Sherman was right. You know it , but have an attitude that everything Niners now is bad (I agree) but everything then was perfect ( not quite)
Look at Crabtree’s numbers. He was productive. He was NFL level starting receiver. They no longer have one of those. Not bringing Bolden back was just as dumb.
Not bring Bolden was a bit worse to me.
Crabtree decided he wanted elite money even though he had given no indication he was an elite reliever. The issue was Baalke not replacing him
Not overpaying for Crabtree might have been a good idea…if the money had been used elsewhere. It wasn’t, and they have been left with a bunch of guys who shouldn’t be starting, and others who wouldn’t make most other teams.
Crabtree was a me, me, me guy that looked at Neion Deion as a role model. His treatment of Alex Smith during “Camp Alex” (Harbaugh’s first year during strike)…with “I dunno who my quarterback is”…then appointing Kap as “his guy” after #7 took over (when he had just as much success with Alex) showed me a lot about what a piece of ^%$ he was. Then he dogs on Kap after he leaves the 49ers.
I think his success with the Raiders can be attributed to…no one else wanted him at the time he was a FA (except the Raiders; which had to be eye-opening) + Amari is clearly better than him (and Crab seems to have grown up a little to actually know this) + Carr is as good as Joe Montana was saying prior to Carr’s draft.
Bingo
Awesome stories tf – coleman was such a pig.
mil gracias!!!
Gracias, amigo. Glad you enjoyed it.
I love the factoid of Williams drilling him on the knee. Right where he lived. :o)
Fin Greenall is an acquired taste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU7HD1tldd0
Whoa. Just heard the Warriors’ starting lineup announced in Phoenix. The way they were cheered you’d think the Giants were playing in Petco. Is Talking Stick Arena now Oracle East?
I’m really hoping Klay shakes off the funk….Curry and Durant have looked fine, especially offensively. Klay’s defense us always solid. His shooting us not where near where it should be…again
The Cubs players might be the only people in the USA who want to go to Cleveland this week.
Is Cleveland an ugly city?
It’s a typical, old, Ohio Valley industrial city. Winters can be brutal with gobs of snow, given it’s located in one of the Great Lakes snow belts.
http://assets.atlasobscura.com/media/W1siZiIsInVwbG9hZHMvcGxhY2VfaW1hZ2VzLzZiMWJlOGI5ZDRhMzM1YTQ5ZGRhZGQzNTdiNTFmNjJiZnJvemVuLWNsZXZlbGFuZC1saWdodGhvdXNlMS5qcGciXSxbInAiLCJjb252ZXJ0IiwiLXF1YWxpdHkgOTEgLWF1dG8tb3JpZW50Il0sWyJwIiwidGh1bWIiLCIzNzJ4MjQ4IyJdXQ/frozen-cleveland-lighthouse1.jpg
Arrrggghhhh!
That’s quite impressive (oppressive?). I grew up all over New England and the Midwest, and it mystifies me why anyone would stay in a place like that, if they had the means to leave.
The magic wears off, and you’re trapped. I used to go to Columbus via Cleveland on business, and winter there is just forever. I understand the excessive drug use.
The whole concept of “Lake Effect… ” is enough to drive me elsewhere in a blink… and I used to live in the “Frozen North.”
Ohio Valley = along the Ohio River specifically in southwest Ohio in the Cincy tri-state
that reminds me of this- https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5c47b762a4a41094f9fd8b87ebbc02c0bde66993bea5e407ef09f33266a505ae.jpg
Where wind shields eat credit cards. Cleveland.
LOL. My sister lives in Napa, and the property above their house is for sale. She just bumped into a Russian couple wandering in their front yard, absolutely horrified at their “country” road. “How do you even get up here in the winter, with the ice?” She explained they don’t really get snow and ice in Napa, but it was clear they didn’t believe her.
It’s not unlike Venice.
Well, lots of water.
http://thebaffler.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BallardVenice13.6_60.jpg
Matt Duffy’s after picture?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxhKZGcPxkc
Cleveland City Hall
https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6192/6131462424_b0174a2
absolutely NOT — Cleveland has earned a lot of disrespect over the years being in the rust belt and all and then there was that incident on the Cuyahoga in ’69 but they are really turning themselves around up there – there is a lot to like about Cleveland…. sports, the arts, Case Western, beautiful architecture and neighborhoods not to mention a more than reasonable cost of living and the rock ‘n roll HOF. The city is 220 years old and the greater Cleveland pop is a little over 2 mil. I grew up in Cincy and there was a lot of competition in those days between these 2 venerable midwest cities.
My father and grandparents were from Canton, and I still have a lot of family there. I realized, though, I’ve never set foot in Cleveland (or Cincinnati), despite all the traveling I do. I’ve been to Columbus to speak at OSU, and I was in Canton a number of times as a kid.
buckeye genes !!! Columbus has REALLY changed in my lifetime more so than CLE and Cincy IMHO — I remember taking my RN licensing boards at the State Fair Grounds, 3 days of cows mooing, no A/C, overhead fans churning, and hundreds of scratching #2 pencils….thank God I passed : ) I’ve never been to Canton but always wanted to see the HOF
From the LU, Francona doesn’t. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/10/30/world-series-cubs-indians-lineup/93021436/
Cam Newton post-game, decked out in a full-on pimp outfit, saying “I’m gonna talk to the Commissioner. I don’t feel safe out there.” Yeah, Cam. It’s all about you. I’d say unbelievable, but then again–about what we’ve come to expect.
Willy Montnez was the prime propect to come out of the compensatory players given to the Phillys when Curt Flood failed to report in a trade to the Philly’s from the Cardinals. Out of that trade and Floods decision, Free Agency was birthed.
This is the game for the Indians to try to run wild on Lester from the beginning. The Cubs are ready to fall apart like a house of cards. There’s a stadium full of Cubs fans who bought their tickets hoping to see the Cubs win the World Series for the first time in more than a century, they got their expectations up beyond all reason and are now hoping against hoping they won’t see the Cubs lose the Series at home, a lot of them are going to be ready to let loose and boo at the first sign things are going badly, and things are going to fall apart pretty fast when they do. Don’t let the Cubs pull themselves together and settle into a normal game mood.
LOL. Do you have a movie clip of the Titanic leaving the dock side that stimulates you?
I wonder if the Giants would consider Stanford Alum, Castro Valley native, Jason Castro as a potential upgrade at the backup catching position. He’s started over 100 games behind he dish the past three years, bats left handed, has some good catching metrics, has some pop. Maybe they would tell him he’s catching 70-80 games and Posey is catching the rest and getting more days out of the croutch.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castrja01.shtml
70-80 games? You are either kidding or drinking again.
It’s about that time.
thinking about you & mom today, pal…praying hard…
So Posey just caught a career-high 122 games, is the favorite to (finally) win the Gold Glove, and the Giants said in the postgame presser that there are no plans to move him out of catching. On the contrary, with a stud rotation that’s likely going to carry the 2017 team as far as it will go, they’ll want their A-list catcher driving that bus. Not to mention that Bumgarner and Cueto both adore him.
I don’t see anything in that fact pattern that suggests the Giants have any intention of cutting back Posey’s catching by 40-50 games next year. 2-3 years from now, maybe. 2017? Nope.
But I do think they should upgrade their backup catcher situation. There are some good veteran backups available. Send Brown to AAA for the year to catch everyday and see how that goes.
Giovanni Soto was released by the Cubs to make room for Kyle Schwarber.
Yeah, like him, for example. But there are others.
Tons of experience, and priced right for a look see.Was 2008 or 9, ROY.
I wonder if the wear and tear last year with the declined production is giving them pause on that notion.
That specifically was asked at the presser–whether Posey’s down year at the plate was making them rethink things. They said no–Posey had his best year defensively and provides so much value there. Posey had nagging injuries that he was playing through, and I think they believe he’ll bounce back, but they also said they’d be OK with slightly lowered production because of his elite defense.
They need another bat. A professional, middle of order…
I suggested this a couple weeks ago (to no reaction)! I don’t think Castro is going to get a huge contract, maybe 2/18 or 3/24, and I think he’d be a great fit. Poesy caught so many games because Brown looked like Trevor Brown behind the plate. With a fully competent defensive catcher back there I think Posey gets more rest, and I think the team gets better. It’s why I always wished they had kept Chris Stewart (who was one of the most fun catchers I’ve ever watched).
Designated hitters often get a bad rap for being “half-ballplayers” or “not real ballplayers”.
Here’s to Carlos Santana and Mike Napoli who look close enough to real ballplayers and may get to share a champagne shower with the rest of the team.
Watching Napoli at first reinforces that 1/2 player theory
Party at Napoli’s!
Really? Napoli has looked good at 1B to me.
I’ve looked at number of articles in different city’s newspapers out of curiosity. One theme I’ve noticed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer site is one of fans of different teams exhorting the Indians to put the Cubs away tonight. Apparently no one can endure the thought of the celebrations in Chicago and everywhere in Cubbies Nation and the media coverage the world would have to live through while the irrational mania subsided.
Factoid. The Indians have more lifetime World Series wins in Wrigley than the Cubs do.
OUCH!
Rather than trying to find the particular conversation, I’ll put it here. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/64f572f34dd91ae7823dd7d6b449effad9585bae45e459b7460f3e71669045c3.jpg
That’s face-bookable!
I don’t do FB at all. Period, EOS. (Heard too many horror stories)
Me too. They never had me.
You are correct.
You’ve defined a virtuous cycle. 😉
Something to live by, in my estimation. (Also the concept of “delayed gratification.)
Also one other… Divine retribution.
” Throwing the knuckleball for a strike is like is like throwing a butterfly with hiccups into your neighbors male box across the street.”
…………………….Willy Stargell.
The knuckleball in a short 2 minute cartoon.
http://www.businessinsider.com/baseball-physics-strangest-pitch-knuckleball-2016-9
When I worked as a paramedic in the City, I saw a “drag crisis” in Norta Beacha once.
Please stop. It’s Willie, or Wilver
He’s a Renaissance man.
Like Willy Mays?
Yep. The coyotes nemesis.
I’d like every Cub fan and Cub sympathizer (I’m one through marriage) on this Greek Giant’s TWG (2-Hole and others) view this link for a good laugh. I was reading it after a glass of PG and it cracked me up immensely. Knowing that the Cubs’ story book year of reversing the curse could end tonight is heart breaking in a lot of ways. The glass of PG and this link numbed me like novocaine with a dash of cocaine to the inevitable likelihood that the Cubs will not win this years WS (9 out 10 ancient astronaut theorists agree they’ll lose tonight’s game). There are more important things going on in the world right now than the Cubs winning the WS this year. There’s always next year and the next year… Let’s just all take tonight’s game in stride (whatever the outcome). The Cubs (these Cubs) will eventually win the WS. Maybe not this year, but, at least before the Nationals do. The writer clearly has an agenda going on.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/10/30/why-do-men-treat-megyn-kelly-like-a-malfunctioning-westworld-host.html
Poor Meg.
I hope they test Lester with some bunts and stolen bases
I hope Kipnis has one or two of those big hits that earns him Co-MVP with Kluber.
A good start would have been Rajai getting on base for a change.
How can Bauer’s finger be healed?
He put some Windex on it.
LOL!
OT
This video clip show the ruins of what remains of one of the most beatiful villages of central Italy.
http://video.repubblica.it/dossier/terremoto-30-ottobre/terremoto-centro-italia-la-devastazione-di-pescara-del-tronto-nelle-immagini-aeree/257474/257740?ref=vd-auto&cnt=1
Guess there are things more important than baseball. I hope the residents are safe.
It looks like a Hollywood cgi apocalyptic movie scene. A 6.6 quake and no deaths reported as of now. That’s pretty miraculous. I hope that, “Giants fan from Italy” hasn’t been effected by this property wise.
Sit down!
Nice first for Lefty and Bapah’s guy.
It’s all fyziks.
Baseball? Pretty much, Dr. Adair.
Bauer, to the Cubs consternation, looks sharp tonight.
great use of the curveball!
He has good stuff and not afraid of the moment. Should not be underestimated….then again Lester looked even better in the 1st
OH SHIT!!!
This Ramirez guy is something too!
Hey yeah!
Homer ump should of got it right.
The Curse of Wrigley
Would be truly amazing if they didn’t manage to win a single WS game at the unfriendly confines
Truly…so Cub-like if it happened
Cubs dodge a bullet when Francona doesn’t challenge the throw to 1B. Rizzo just seems pretty average defensively.
He would have lost the challenge.
That’s what he thought.
His guy obviously saw that Rizzo got his foot back on the bag in time.You are doing what many are doing- driving your comments by your dislike of the Cubs.
LOL. As a recovering Cubs fan, do you think I want to risk my healing. The was nothing obvious about that play. I’ll give you the slow mo made it made first impressions a risky.
Baez’s range makes him a better 1b defender. He’s in the top 4 for GG consideration this year.
He’s got great tools, below the neck.
Attababe, Drone Boy. No one believes in you. Except ME.
Bruins have been growing on you. I’ve noticed 🙂
Methinks your rooting, not believing…
Baez. Not.
Such a bad swing there. Also didn’t make a faint attempt to head down to first when the ball got away.
He’s just lost at the plate. Cocky was yesterday, today he’s humbled. High price to pay for a learning opportunity.
Kid has a ton of talent, but has a lot of growing up to do. Panik would *never* behave like that.
Agreed, our rookies seemed to rise to the challenge.
Lindor’s 22, and he plays like a mature veteran.
Even Joe has had his troubles on the “Big Stage”
Ive seen Cricket pitches more hittable than that. Smoltz has him pegged
Is Rizzoli the only 1st baseman who pulls his foot in order to stretch for a throw in hopes he can get back in time or do other guys do it and I just don’t watch enough?
I think he has last night’s play stuck in his mind. Bryant threw wide and instead of coming off the bag and making sure to keep the ball in front he tried to make an impossible play and it cost them an important run so overcompensated today
Maybe.
that was a bad muff by Rizzo. He has not looked good defensively, but he’s the Gold Glove favorite. This is an Eric Hosmer situation.
Yeah, he’s nothing special defensively imo.
Impressive.
Could’ve been another Bartman type thing going on there.
Was thinking the same thing. Looked like the fans were thinking that too…nothing too egregious
The fan that might have tried to grab that ball was older than Bartman was and he still had to keep his arms to his chest to resist the urge to reach out for the ball.
You can tell it is his first cold season there otherwise he never leaves his feet.
That was some spider monkey type of catch..
There was a potential for a Bartman II in that catch at the wall in foul territory.
I was thinking that, too.
Call it?
MEDIC!!!!!Buck needs paddles. He just had a heart attack
It’s ok, I just turned off the sound.
And hair plugs.
Getting close to Miller time.
Tito’s Vodka time !
Tito’s last name is Beveridge…tell me that isn’t perfect!
Hello. Tito’s is good shit. I’m in.
a couple parts Tito’s
a half part fresh lime juice
a few parts ginger ale
slice of lime
BOOM
i’ll add cherry juice and cherry for my honey, backing off the sour emphasizing the sweet
The real Slim Shady just stood up, just stood up.
Get the pen going
Once again, a Cub stood and admired his blast instead of running (Rizzo this time). Speaks to a poorly coached and low character team.
Impetuous youths.
Either you play the game the right way or you don’t. Those guys aren’t too young to know that.
I tried to watch the game but cut to SNF. That kind of Cub baseball is grotesque. It’s starts with the manager.
WTF are they yelling?
Bauer? Trying to rattle him?
Some type of primordial cry.
It’s in goat lingo.
https://youtu.be/1paueaTWFRE
Yep.
And Zobrist stood there on 1B hot dogging it because he hit a single. I guess the bad examples come from the veterans on the Cubs.
Impetuous geezer.
the last person I’d expect!!! WTH is going on!!??!!
Pretty amped up, all of ’em. Understandable.
Zobrist needs a punch in the throat.
I’ve decided I’d like to see the Cubs win. 100+ years is too long.
Wait….. I thought…..well, welcome back!
Turned to it in between finishing my recording of the Warriors’ game and starting The Walking Dead. The crowd noise swayed me. Generations of Cubs fans have lived and died without ever seeing a winner. You can hear it in their voices.
Yup. Just like Cleveland.
Doesn’t Bauer kind of resemble Jay Cutler? He sure the hell is playing the part.
Francona’s first bad decision of the series–he’s sticking with Bauer too long. Basically punting this game.
Uh oh….
Ruh roh, Shaggy.
Dude, I’m looking and feeling Shaggy. Jumping out of the Mystery Van and searching for mysteries without any clues….
Jinkies!
True. But hope that this is his last inning. 3-1 but it could have been way worse.
Well that’s a big run. Give it up for old guys.
Ross always has his head in the game. Wily coyote.
I respect the hell out of that shit.
Personally, I do want the Cubs to win game 5 to send this series to Cleveland and make it interesting.
Let’s keep the season going another few more days.
Let’s end it so free agency can start and Evans can fix the Giants.
I’m really excited about TWG Free Agent Debate Theater….gonna be spirited
I’ve done a 180 on Evans. I think he’s their best hope right now…and the manager may be their biggest limiting factor. Hopefully Bochy will be the Comeback Manager of the Year.
With a closer he trusts and some stud in LF, he will be
I second that!
If I can get another week of baseball, I want it. Take it 7.
Dude, WBC bring baseball in February!
Tue and Wed in Cleveland supposed to be in 70s w/ slight chance of rain.
doesn’t sound like Snow to me, JT.
I want it to go 7. Winter, and no baseball, is upon us.
Gotta love the fight from Cleveland.
Bill is sweating it out.
I’ll bet his sweat smells like alcohol
That’s an awful aroma.
or BM
Now tell me again how umps are consistent?
That call was pretty brutal
WHAT A JOB BY LESTER!!!!!!! –screams Joe Buck
Yes. Lester is the first pitcher EVER to pitch around a leadoff double in the history of baseball.
I’ve actually turned down the volume; especially when the Cubs are at bat.
Reading JB’s hair plug saga humanized him for me. I’m moving away from JB bashing.
i absolutely cannot abide Mr. Buck on the airways – muted and listening to the venerable Dan Schulman + Aaron Boone — that hair plug saga put me over the edge – now waiting for the botox reveal
Buck pretty much goes overboard on anything.
If you watch the highlights of the 2010 Giants run, his calls of big Giants moments (Uribe’s pennant-winning HR, Renteria’s 3-run HR), are pretty meh. By 2014 he’d figured it out. I thought his call of Ishikawa’s walk-off was better than Jon Miller’s.
Ahhh yeah. It’s a good one tonight. Getting our money’s worth. Yeah, that’s the way you do it, you make your enchiladas and watch the World Series on your MTV.
Wait, when did Jacob DeGrom get traded to Cleveland?!
Oh my..
and he’s been into the clairol !
I love to see MLB pitchers rocking the, “Timmy” cut.
Better than the Grizzly Adams look, for sure. Or the guy with the grocery cart look.
Looks like Timmy too! It’s a look.
Matthew called him a Gearrin doppelgänger. That fits too.
In our house, the poodle/goat curse has been applied to the Indians.
Cubs need at least one more run.
Turned over to the WS game at half time and my money says Buck has Cubs players posters on his bedroom ceiling and in his bathroom.
Being from St Louis you would think he would hate the Cubs.
He’s enigmatic.
Baez is incredible at catching throws and slapping tags….
I thought that he made that play more than Ross. Cleveland is Anton Chigurh (relentless).
Smoltz has our back
What position does Buck play?
Fan?
Moneyball time for Mr. Chapman.
Yep this is for the BIG contract
This is gonna be a fun final 3 innings….
I hate Lindor. That guy has been hitting everything.
I hated Baez in our series…now it’s just respect.
Just thinking the same thing…
What a stab.
Why do we never get other stadiums 7th inning stretch?
Drew Carey bring the house down in Cleveland?
You know what I mean…it’s absurd, gimmicky and tired for most everyone
I block out the media fest. Baseball.
Bring back MiMI!
Give me Roseanne Barr or give me death.
Wait, that is death.
I could see doing it once for the first World Series game at Wrigley since 1945, but EVERY game is overkill, I agree.
It would be like if Fox aired Tony Bennett singing “I Left My Heart” everytime the Giants win a postseason game. It’s our thing and we love it, but it’s a bit tone-deaf to think the rest of the country appreciates it.
But the Cubs are America’s team, like the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Braves. NOT.
What did Vedder say, seemed like an eternity before he started the song
Virtual fellatio to David Ross
It seemed over the top.
Right? It’s not like Ross is Ernie Banks. He just came to the Cubs along with Lester.
David Ross career average .229
Johnnie LeMaster career average .222
Didn’t even know Yan Gomes was on the roster
He caught the last couple innings in that 1-0 win in Game 3.
So i guess he lost his job to Perez? Gomes is solid player
He was hurt most of the season…just coming back
I assumed he was still hurt not to be playing
He was on the DL for more than two months.
He missed much of the second half with a serious injury. They have some decisions to make. He’s signed to a nice contract for the next few years.
He’s married to Atlee Hammaker’s daughter!
I knew that! 😊
I read that Atlee, who’s a very devout Christian, made his daughter promise to never marry a baseball player because he knew what they could be like (i.e., not always great husband material). But Yan apparently is a fine young man and won them over.
One of the few MLB players from Brasil
“We’re gonna be Championship!”
That’s a great story. Atlee was a good Giant. More good memories than bad ones. He led the NL in ERA in 1983. Yes, he gave up the only grand slam in all-star game history. Yes, he gave up the big HR to Jose Oquendo in the 1987 NLCS. Still, all in all, he was a good Giant.
I did not know that! Atlee’s mom was always at his games at Candlestick and would yell, actually more screetch, at the umpires.
I think I saw the guitarist from Rage Against The Machine in the crowd
Eff yeah. Should he be at the pipeline protest.
He was gonna drive his Hummer to it
Nice job covering first, Chapman! LOL
It’s a Cubs thing
No hiding that one.
He’s not supposed to pitch until the 9th. Don’t think he likes it.
Then Heyward returns the favor.
Hey, Fox….8+???
MadBum was 15… No comparison
I think Chapman is going to give it up.
Nice steal!
That was a Casilla swing
Twice
Nice drama going on.
2 framed strikes in 1 at bat. Sheesh
Didn’t bring out the rectangle on the last 2, even Chapman wasn’t sure about the called strike 3,
Tell me again that umps don’t get Frank Drebbin Syndrome when the crowd is yelling?
A new hologram for the robo umps!!
Cubs been getting some calls
All post season….
Yup
Chapman recovered.I thought he wouldn’t.
Only because Lindor kept his bat on his shoulder.
Casilla was ROBBED
I’m lovin’ Smoltz
Smoltz-Buck sounds like a new beer.
Then there’s Buck-Smoltz.
Smoltz IS a class act.
Chapman will exceed his highest pitch total in one outing this yr..36 against the Giants in July.
We’ll see you Tuesday night!
and hopefully Wednesday, so that Baseball Winter starts as late as possible.
I hope you won’t be deterred by the Cubs antipathy at TWG. 2holehitting has it coming, but your Chicago support deserves every respect. Let’s go 7! With the last pitch of the series having the highest leverage magnitude possible!
“Cubs antipathy”?- Maybe, but also honest respect for the gritty brilliance of the Cleveland Indians this postseason–and some nostalgia because they remind us of our own championship teams. This IS, after all, a Giants fan blog.
It’s also, I think, human nature to root for the underdog unless your own team is the favorite. And some resistance to any team, regardless of who it is, being anointed before they’ve actually earned it.
The media watchdogs at TWG have some bite! I have no problem tuning out the any bias in the broadcast and focusing on the two best teams in MLB going head to head. It hasn’t been the most enthralling series on the field to date, but there’s a chance for this to go down in epic fashion.
AND THE CUBS HAVE WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!!! ( game 5…. To make it 3-2 ….Cleveland)
“From your lips to Jobu’s ears”
The only thing I like about soccer is when the whole crowd is singing something. Win or lose, from a media perspective, the Cubs are the story…and it’s a great story.
Great ballgame. The curse of the poodle-goat worked!
Trevor Bauer is not a starter.
He is more of a Carnival side show
Bauer is tipping his curve ball.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/is-trevor-bauer-tipping-his-curveball/
He’s gonna be a free agent, isn’t he?
Henry Schulman @hankschulman 4m4 minutes ago
Henry Schulman Retweeted Chicago Daily News
Um….Henry Schulman added,
Chicago Daily News @ChicagoDailyNew
Aroldis Chapman Fired Bullets In Longest Outing As Cub http://cbsloc.al/2ed5IwP
I thought he has to surrender his firearms with his DV charge?
I predict a 10-yr. contract and a 4-yr. career.
That performance may have clinched a new contract with the Cubs. There were whispers the Cubs were going to let him walk, but after that performance…he’s part of Cubs lore…
Cub fans crack me up. This time in a good way. (About Bartman)
From a cubs blog, two commenters talking about Heyward catching a foul ball for an out, near the stands:
So I read that the Cubs are going to travel to Cleveland today all dressed up in their Halloween costumes! Maybe they can even go to all the airport shops trick-or-treating! Soooooooooooooooo fun.
Bah. You know what serious baseball teams do on Halloween? Well, there was THIS in 2010:
http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/14873506/v12942257/ws-2010-gm-4-bumgarners-amazing-game-4-start
The Giants didn’t play on Halloween in 2012 or 2014. The World Series was already over, so they had parades down Market Street instead.
I think you just gave me the topic for today’s post. Thanks Lefty!
I fell asleep- did Buck win? Note- Smoltz seems to get a pass but he he agrees with almost everything that Buck says.Not as loud, is all.
So now we want a game 7? Please. It’s time to get serious about what we want for Christmas.
I think a game 6 Cleveland victory is sufficient. Long live the goat.
One hundred miles north of my home you can find this, if you can fly…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG2HTePcMpU
I’m watching to many movies I guessed Hans Zimmer did the music. Thanks AC just the breath of fresh air I needed to see this morning.
My personal fave:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4iCx7LnbY
(Incidentally, he ‘borrowed’ theme this from an ancient composer.)
Muy bonita, Amico!
There is a new patent request submitted in Chicago for a product similar to a pacifier, though it looks to be shaped a bit odd. It’s to be used during Fox baseball broadcasts. The name of the product is Buck Plugs
I’m stealing this and posting it on twitter Sir Matthew!
Here is Mr. Ball Cannon Tit
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5626115e0d750d694416b4dff22482eef7ca683ac95415f24cff7d55d862d588.jpg
Jack Buck was one of the fine sports announcers of the past. His son, Joe Buck. is a competent play by play.announcer working on the Fox Network. So there you have it.
I’m calling Cannonball Titcomb for backup
Sure that’s not Puig, and meant as a homage to Bucks past HOF candidate.
“My half a day with the 1888 New York Giants”
It would have been a full day but Ledell “Cannonball” Titcomb came in the stands and beat me up because I was heckling him about his last name. He was a runt of a man, maybe 5’7″ on his tiptoes, but I was a kid, like 4 foot 6. It wasn’t a fair fight…
Well, I could go on but the Moderator guy here wanted to see my birth certificate before he’d make it a guest post. They didn’t even have birth certificates where I was born, just a note from your Mommy.
Well, you can understand why I’m so grumpy. I’m 135 years old and can’t prove it. I lost the note.
Metuselah
Or an immortal from Highlander.
there can be only one….
…and his name is Michael.
I’m not asking for immortality,, just an extra side of coleslaw.
I once knew a Jim-Bob Methuselah, maybe they’re related? They spelled things a little differently back in the day..
Moving on, I was thinking about who would be on a TWG All Douche-bag team and you know what? If they played here, they wouldn’t be douche-bags, they’d be great Giants 😉
Was the phrase ‘your Mama’ coined as a consequence of your circumstances and history of conflict? 😉
Mr. Fountain of Youth
Story header on ESPN:
Maddon, Francona punching tickets to Cooperstown?
Once again, WTF has Maddon done? Francona “yes”, but even 1 WS win (if that happens for Maddon) doesn’t equal an invite into Cooperstown.
Once again, ESPN licking Maddon’s spikes…or whatever he wears in the dugout (probably Uggs).
Francona, was the manager of the Red Sox when they broke the 86 year drought and he has won over a 1,000 games. Not bad even if he does not win this one.
I agree.
Maybe they won in spite of his poor management. Bochy has been the manager for WS winners in 2010,2012.and 2014. but according to some, he’s not a good manager. Or even a competent one.
I’m sometimes sarcasm impaired. Sarcasm, I think?
See above. Now he’s in. Blow this and he may be out.Again.
https://d1ai9qtk9p41kl.cloudfront.net/assets/mc/_external/2016_03/former-angel-obvs-the-dallas-p.jpg?h=447&w=300
Wasn’t Tito managing the Red Sox in the wings and brewski days? The year of the great collapse? Blew a 9 game lead in September, missed the playoffs. He’s in the Boston Hall of Shame.So now he’s with the Injuns, Lackey and Lester with the Cubs- the team that Theo built-after he built the- RED SOX!
As Heidi says- one day you’re in, next day you’re out..
Sorry…had to work through the Heidi visual in my head 🙂
I think the wings/brewski days were a sign that some on the team were done listening to Francona. I also believe our Dodgers friend, Adrian Gonzalez, was involved in some similar insubordinate behavior during that time. Boston fans were screaming that Francona was the problem…as the FO showed him the door.
I would love to see Lackey and Lester watching Francona and his team celebrate!
Well, he WAS the manager when the team had the epic collapse in 2011. Even our second half swoon can’t compare- imagine if we blew a 9 game game lead in September and didn’t even make it to the WC game. Bochy would have to go in Witness Protection.
“As Heidi says- one day you’re in, next day you’re out.”
F’ing brilliant!!
She’s not bad, either.
I can’t read the full article because it’s one of those so-called “insider” pieces. But this was written by David Schoenfield.
Off-topic, but Warriors fans better prepare for the Spurs opening up a good/early lead in the standings. Looking at the Spurs schedule, the only significant opponent they have is in late November and that’s the Celtics. Lots of cupcake games along the way. Maybe the Bulls on 12/8…then another Celtics game in he middle of December…then they finally play the Clippers, Trailblazers, etc at the very end of December.
It’s a good point, but I think the Warriors are going to be playing about .500 ball anyway for the first 20 games or so. They have a lot of adjustments to make with all the player turnover.
…and the absence of Luke Walton.
You know I agree there really is something to that. Luke was part of the cool vibe and he will be missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rls-KYnI6XM
I’m totally into the lights show stuff. I’m beginning to think there’s a standard stencil out there for the pumpkin faces,
“Chicago has the greatest fans?” (from song)…not according to the Giants FO and player’s families.
I might have posted this already, but…
I think it was Kuip that was saying on KNBR that the Giants contingent faced the worst fan behavior e-v-e-r from the Cubs fans in Chicago (during NLDS). So much so, it was brought up in the context of “So, I guess we’re all rooting for the Cubs to beat the Dodgers” and the Cubs fan behavior was brought up in a way that maybe they (Giants contingent) might…gulp…actually root for the Dodgers. No details of the behaviour were given.
Not bad.
It’s a hit at our house.
There is a house close by that does a Christmas light show to music which they broadcast on a low power AM channel. Kind of cool to go watch the light show to Christmas carols timed to music.
My whole court does it. Lots and lots of work, but very cool to watch kids/parents enjoying it.
The cats got scared or not?
Good Off Day Read: Tommy John (surgery) is dead
http://www.cleveland19.com/story/33483105/tommy-john-surgery-is-dead
@TotalFan62 – I might have to trade you three of my Leon Wagner and two of my Willie Kirkland and one Bobby Bolin for one copy of Robby (the Porn Star) Secondbaseman …
Interesting graphic on most valuable relief performances in elimination games in MLB history.
https://i.imgur.com/6grVoH6.png
http://www.fangraphs.com/library/misc/wpa/
Fun list of names.
everything ok, bud?
I think ok is the right term. Big mountainous tasks at work chipping away at. Work, work, work…
Momma is finishing up last chemo shortly – I will go down next weekend. What an ordeal, but she’s been tough – the oncologist called her a “tough old broad” – ha! She’s gonna come through and get stronger.
and thanks for asking.
one of the few things we have full control of is our attitude. mom’s sounds great and i know yours is as well. it’s really important. i have to remind myself at times, but mine has been pretty good, and it helps get through the tough days.
work is a necessity, but don’t forget what’s important. get down and see mom more often, and other family stuff. also, have fun whenever you can. you never know what’s around the corner. as they say, “you want to make God laugh? tell him your plans”.
fivethirtyeight.com also weighs in [http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-cubs-comeback-only-gets-harder-from-here/]:
“In the history of World Series elimination games, Chapman recorded the sixth save of eight or more outs, placing his Game 5 in a group that also includes Madison Bumgarner’s unbelievable 15-out performance in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.”
Happy Halloween Everybody!!
(i’m sure there’s more to come with this theme)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDpYBT0XyvA
Reymundo could scare the kids tonight…
My karaoke alter-ego Jack Spratt did that one Sat. night. It was a big hit with the young people. They’re ALL young people to me now. :o)
Excellent analysis of how Bauer’s hard head let the Cubs back into the ballgame last night. When you read something like this, you really, really appreciate what Posey brings to the game and its rotation’s game strategy and execution.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-cubs-continuing-curveball-crisis/
It sure looked to me like Bauer was shaking off a lot of called pitches.
Me too. But that’s his rep, a hard head.
I’m still puzzled as to how come Francona allowed Bauer to pitch that entire inning.
He was in the clubhouse at the time. With a bucket and a brew.
Fried or Roasted?
Game Plan + Faith
Also a bruin which explains a lot
it’s called “Pulling a Marge”
Wasn’t Posey catching in that fateful 9th inning?
How is that relevant?
Is the catcher the Captain on the Field all the time or just when things are going well? Maybe it’s like Tricky Dick- all of the responsibility, but none of the blame..
Come on smart guy figure it out.
From what I can tell, the spike curve would be a great pitch for Strickland to use. Interesting interview with a young guy in the Brewers system about how it works well with his slider.
http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/111969508/brewers-right-hander-jimmy-nelson-debuts-new-curveball-vs-royals/
i hate to admit this, but i’m starting to like “go cubs go”. just the song, not the team..
Prescription: Find one of your favorite songs…go listen to it many times…and let that get stuck in your head 🙂
you’re right. i have to do something. my wife is packing her bags, and getting ready to leave me.
Better make it one of your wife’s favorite songs!
What can be fun- turn the house into a pig sty and when she comes back- ask her to clean it up Ask a real nice way, of course .
Then duck.
Buy her a hat!
Go, Steve, go….just the song obsession, not the guy…
So Maddon brings in Chapman early yesterday and he’s a genius? Wasn’t he just copying Francona? And Roberts?
Can we just have all MLB managers take the Wunderlic Test so that we can definitively know who the smartest and best managers are?
If the criteria is “maximum pitching changes in an inning”, Bochy wins. Also if “head size = intelligence”.
So clever and original. No one has ever mentioned his head size.
Even if those other two did not exist, JM would have done it … he was pretty revolutionary as Mike Scioscia’s bench coach and the skipper of the Rays.
Scary stuff!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKBRc8zNQ30
Since the Niners are now arguably the worst team in the NFL, I’m liking the Raiders a bit. OK, don’t freak out with that, just saying that I’m an old fart who remembers when there was two leagues, so you could have two teams. The 49ers will always be #1, but I remember some great Raiders years. Like this team a lot, and not just because Carr is my #1 fantasy QB. Good young team.
I don’t mind following the Raiders. Same way I feel about the A’s.
No worries. I am a Raiders fan and enjoyed watching the 49ers when Alex was the QB. I got to meet him a couple times (really, really nice guy), saw that his charity regularly earns $$$$$$, and I thought he got a bad rap from Nolan…so I really rooted for him when JH came on board.
Carr is also just a down-to-earth guy. Joe Montana endorsed him prior to the Raiders ever picking him in the 2nd round. When Joe talks, people should listen 🙂
Sliding into an Opposing Bullpen (Close Call Sports)
When Indians batter Rajai Davis hit a foul fly ball to Cleveland’s right field bullpen, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward slid onto the warning track and around two uniformed Indians in an attempt to field the ball, which ultimately dropped untouched for a foul ball.
Heyward’s bullpen pursuit of the foul fly ball. An seemingly innocuous play on the first batter of the game, replays indicate the two Indians players/coaches whom Heyward had to avoid actually walked towards Chicago’s right fielder as he attempted to make a play on the ball, and that Heyward’s legs actually made contact with Cleveland’s bullpen catcher, Armando Camacaro.
With RF Umpire Marvin Hudson giving the “safe” mechanic, allowing Davis to continue his at-bat, we can surmise that offensive interference was not called. But should it have been?
http://www.closecallsports.com/2016/10/case-play-2016-12-sliding-into-opposing.html
Yes.
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/giants-history/great-moments-in-giants-postseason-history-game-4-of-the-2010-world-series/
This Day in Giants’ World Series History, 2014 (plus 10 days), 10.21.14:
This will be short, since it’s limited to the first game of that year’s Series. We were on an extended trip thru Europe, just after the demise of the late great Snorkel Evans: Amsterdam, a boat trip up the Rhine, a week in Prague, another boat trip from Athens to Istanbul, ending with 2 weeks in Florence and Tuscany. We had limited internet access on the boats and some of the apartments we rented, and I had ZERO expectation that I would need it at the start of the trip, given the Boyz’ second-place Wild Card draw, so I missed most of the games. I’ll try to make up for it with photos.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/721471b0e8088d9729c90e4accd8d3fe480c7dac07083bb8caac7a2131f2fe66.jpg
On Oct. 2, on the Greek isle of Syros (bonita!) I popped into the dial-up internet lounge of our barge to read about the 8-0 demolition of the Pirates (gracias, Craw!) (and Bum!), and thought, something’s afoot. As we floated and flew and drove along our journey – Ephesus, Istanbul, Bologna, Florence, Sienna and Tuscany, los Cucurachas kept emerging victorious from one microwave after another (Brian Sabean terminology), for sure due to the channeling of Snorkel’s spirit, and they made it to the W/S just as we pulled into Montepulciano, Italy on Oct. 21.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6c91bda195f1fe1777b0c75f9b4b04671a3f20fcff7ae148045dead4b746107d.jpg
We had a lovely apt. off the plaza, with NO INTERNET. But, being a shy and resourceful tourist, I got the wifi code of the only restaurant open that night (awning in this photo), right across from the steps of the duomo. AND THEY LEFT IT ON ALL NIGHT!!!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/73d65b2b9b05510602c2e2c7764114f84b12183f5bceaf80a5fa85fcdb707649.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2ecf42b14da979a166ec32a8952105ed7c1fd0ced5cbf359ec09d098ddc6e3df.jpg
After carefully setting up an altar in the apt. with the lucky red die I found in Delphi (really), Giants paraphernalia, and Jameson, I mosied over to the plaza before 1am, and set up in front of the door to the lower right. Altho my travel diary says the it was a mild day, it got down to 40*F that night, and I had the time zones screwed up, so the game finally started @ 2am, Italian time. Right away this happened:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eb81e8d7d67dbda839973f98824b46bb67d0e2e5ff873ce36aca603e87e394b6.jpg
Pence 2-run HR in the top of the 1st – Bum gives up 3 hits and a meaningless HR, Gints win 7-1.
The only other game I could catch on the trip was Oct. 29 in a Schipol (Amsterdam) airport hotel, the night before we returned. Another all-nighter, but at least I was warm. You know how it went:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA201410290.shtml
We headed to KLM at 7am, an hour later, for our Happy Flight home.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fc0f97b849d50bf0a7214851a771c9246ba8ec54098ad3171b120ea52d4ee5d2.jpg
nice job amigo. beautiful pics
I think that was another guest post in disguise! That was a great read, Paul. Love the pictures!
Epic post! Just got around to reading it. That must have been really fun.