by
Greek Giant
This is the first in a series of regular interviews with Giants prospects, current players, coaches and other characters in Giants nation. This interview was conducted over the course of the last month soon after the end of the regular season. I want to thank Tyler Beede for taking the time out to be interviewed.
Greek Giant: Congratulations on a great season. Tell us what was going through your mind when you attended your first Major League Spring Training with the Giants? What do you remember most about that experience?
Tyler Beede: Thank you so much! I was really excited to be invited and get to be around those guys! I knew I would only be there for a few weeks so i made sure to soak up as much knowledge as i could while I was around those guys. I remember a lot of the interactions I was able to have with the guys, throwing in a few games and learning a lot from watching those guys go about their business. It really helped me heading into the season!
GG: How have you adjusted your approach to pitching as you have progressed in the Giants Farm system? What do you notice most about the game and opposing hitters as you progress to different levels such as from Richmond to San Jose?
TB: I’ve adjusted in multiple ways. The first year I adjusted a lot of my pitching style from more of a hard throwing, low control pitcher to a sinker/cutter command pitcher. I still didn’t command the ball the way I had hoped when I initially got to Richmond in 2015 so I knew coming into this season I had some adjustments to make. I put 30 lbs on in hopes of staying strong through out the whole season and gaining my velocity back. I’m most happy with those two things, with how well I finished and my velocity jump the whole season. I’ve noticed the experienced approach of each hitter and how much more patient each hitter is. The game is always evolving and so as a pitcher we must evolve as well and continue to improve to stay sharp as the talent within the game gets better and better, the challenge is great.
GG: What type of training and conditioning do you do during the off-season to stay in shape? Do you throw regularly?
TB: As soon as the off-season begins I’m getting in the gym and preparing for the next season. I’ve spent 9 years with Eric Cressey at Cressey Sports Performance in Massachusetts working with them on consistent nutrition, work outs. What I’ve found is truly trusting their process and their recommendations. They have pushed my career to the next level each off-season. I begin throwing each off-season around December, to give my arm the proper rest.
GG: Your numbers with Richmond were excellent at 8-7 with an era of 2.81 and only allowing 136 hits in 147.1 innings pitched. Your strikeout to walk ratio of 135 ks to 53 walks is solid. Would you consider yourself a strikeout pitcher or someone who pitches to contact?
TB: I felt I got better each month this season which was a credit to our coaching staff and front office in consistently challenging me to be the best I can be. I improved every pitch through out the season which is a big reason my strikeout rate went way up. I felt like my command this year was the best it has ever been so I don’t pay attention to the numbers as much even though there was a stretch where I wasn’t too pleased with the free passes I was giving up leading to some more stressful innings than I’d like. Last year I was a contact pitcher, but this year I was getting ahead early and then hunting that Strikeout for sure!
GG: What was your favorite team growing up?
TB: I grew up in Boston so naturally I was a Red Sox fan growing up.
GG: What current pitchers in the Major Leagues do you look to as role models or players you find inspiration from and Why?
TB: I think there is something to learn from everyone in this game, especially people who have been in the game and around the game for a long time. I look up to guys like Jake Peavy and Matt Cain for how they treat the young guys in spring training. It’s truly a blessing to be associated with the Giants because from top to bottom in the organization people care about each other and that’s rare in this game.
GG: What went on in your mind and among your family once you realized you were taken in the first round by the Giants in 2014?
TB: I knew there wasn’t a better organization in the game to be drafted by and that selection alone was a boost in my confidence because it shows a team has interest in you, has belief in you and is putting you in a position to help contribute to a very successful organization. I couldn’t have picked a better team and it was truly a dream come true and still is to this day.
GG: Many fans and analysts believe there will be an opening in the Giants starting rotation in 2017 and that you are a prime candidate for that spot. How do you feel about this possibility?
TB: I’m very excited to get back to Arizona next spring and compete. If it happens to be for a spot in the rotation that’s great, but I’m not too focused on the outcome as I am trusting in the process and being the best I can be going into the spring. I’m very confident I can pitch at that level and hope to one day contribute, but that’s something that is out of my control. The Giants do a great job of developing players and getting them ready for when that opportunity presents itself and I certainly feel that they’ve prepared me very well, and I’m certainly ready for that opportunity. I’d love to be apart of such a special team, with a special group of guys and be apart of another championship for this Organization.
GG: The Giants with Righetti, Mark Gardner, Bruce Bochy and others are known for their expertise in developing and coaching pitchers at the Major League Level. Can you describe what types of interactions you have had with them while in Spring Training?
TB: I had the opportunity to be around them for about a month last spring and the wealth of knowledge those men have is incredible. You can learn things from them from just watching them, watching the other players as well. But they are really great at simplifying things from a pitching perspective and really making you feel comfortable. It will be great to play for them.
GG: What coach or coaches have had the biggest impact on you as a pitcher for mechanics and pitches or psychological approaches to the game and why?
TB: There have been a large amount of coaches who have a had a great impact on me within the game of baseball. From my dad, to coach Swedburg and Coach Margraf in High School, to coach Corbin at Vanderbilt and now through out the Giants organization I’ve had some of the best instruction and coaching a player could have. Matt Yourkin, Mike Couchee and Steve Kline have had major impacts on me as a pitcher and the list goes on for those guys that have truly taken my game to the next level.
Whoa – look who’s really stepped their game to the big time! Greek Giant!!
Interested to hear about your access – your interview was great. You’re like a seasoned pro, you just interviewed the Giants #1 prospect. Who’s next, Buster Posey?
Word. Nice work, Greek Giant!
You are welcome Sirs and Ladies!
I would like to hear the tale about how GG is getting access, or if Beede was just cool enough to respond to an IM or tweet and give him the time.
Holy cow, George. Imagine me bowing down in my living room a la “Wayne’s World”–“We’re not worthy!”
My pleasure Lefty! Tyler Beede is a very nice guy and super humble.
You probably didn’t notice, but he also has movie star good looks, too. 🙂
hahahaha! No I did not notice but I am sure my assistant Alyssa, here at The Sophia Group office and TWG World Headquarters, who first contacted him, did!
Without some explanatory facts, I’m reluctant to think this “interview” is anything but a fictional vanity piece fabricated (or maybe hijacked from other sources) by a very fertile mind.
You sir are a bigger conspiracy theorist than my dad and that’s saying something! First, this is 100% authentic and Tyler Beede himself can confirm it with any due diligence. Second, I would never publish anything fictional or untrue unless it were part of a larger humorous piece. Third, I’m flattered that you would think I would go to such under-handed lengths for our blog.
All I’m asking for is some background and history to your access and when and where it occurred, just like real journalists do. Why is that so conspiratorial? There’s a reason journalists do that; it’s for credibility. No one is excused from that sort of documentation.
See Tyler Beede’s retweet of my tweet announcing this interview.
This is all great… after the fact. I’m just saying that there should have been some background to this interview before the fact.
It all goes to credibility. I don’t get the hostility. It’s something anyone should do when conducting an interview or writing an article, even a well known and established journalist.
I think the hostility stems from you assuming that the interview was not real instead of just asking the question. You reference the “interview” and GG’s imagination. Now you are backpedaling.
You could have just asked him — how did you get to meet Tyler Beede — or something along those lines, but you immediately assumed the interview was not real.
It isn’t what I said. I didn’t assume it was false, I said, ” I’m reluctant to think” it was real without something more explanatory.
For it’s worth, I think you did a great job. Tyler was just responding as anybody would think he would.
About Bochy and his accomplices, what he said: “I had the opportunity to be around them for about a month last spring and the wealth of knowledge those men have is incredible.”
What he thought: ” Has Pumpkin Head been fired, yet?”
Great, great interview with Beede. Thanks GG.
I’d say the guy who’s put his own time and energy into building this great space for us as a labor of love deserves trust and respect, not accusations.
I think that Bapah got confused . Multi-tabbing can do that.He might have referring to a Geraldo interview with Charo.
Charo is going to be our next interview! She is a huge Brandon Belt fan evidently! Hoochie Coochie….
I did an interview with Christian Arroyo. Wanna hear it?
SFB: Christian, you hit three homeruns in the Eastern League last year, how many will you hit in the PCL?
CA: Thirty. Boom. (drops the mic and walks out of interview)
SFB: Thank you for your time, Mr. Giants #2 Prospect.
I said “fertile mind” not Fertile-izer.
SFB: Bapah tell me about your research with monkeys:
B: oooooh oooooooh, aaaaaaah aaaaaaaah
SFB: Interesting. How about hobbies? I understanding you are an avid seaman?
B: Sailing, takes me away….
SFB: That’s quite a voice you have, are you a singer too?
B: It’s a long way to the top, if you wanna rock n’ roll.
“SFB: Bapah tell me about your research with monkeys:”
B: First of all, they were apes, not monkeys. Second, they were substantially more intelligent and trainable than this Foothills Ryan guy. Other than that they were indistinguishable from him, other than they didn’t wear pants.
Here he is, the great ape himself, Silverback Bapah – handsome!
http://images.northrup.org/picture/xl/gorilla/silverback.jpg
I had to put a seatbelt in my chair and tape my hands to the keyboard. LOL.
Bapah – GG created this space…out of his own time…for all of us to continue talking about the team we love.
Why do you have to be such an a$$? If you have problems with his credibility, go back to Giants Extra and exchange thoughts with those people. No need to stay on here…and disrespect the guy that created this wonderful place to talk Giants.
The problem with that is he would just be writing comments to himself seeing as nobody posts there anymore. :).
Read what I wrote. I don’t have a problem with his credibility, just his lack of documentation and background for the interview. He isn’t an established journalist. Just button up your indignation. No one deserves blind trust. Of course I appreciate his work here, it doesn’t give him, or anyone, instant credibility, though.
I’ll stick behind Bapah a little on this one. I don’t think many of us here would feel like we could get Tyler Beede to sit down and answer some questions for us just because. Heck most of the time even for the TV spots the athletes are getting some sort of swag as incentive. Most of us wouldn’t normally think of having access to a professional athlete in the manner to arrange an interview. Kudos to Greek for getting in the game, but I think it’s fair for Bapah to wonder how he got access when GG didn’t provide the context of how he got inside.
I think it’s also fair, that if GG is transitioning to somewhat of a professional in doing/maintaining this blog as opposed to fanboy in his sparetime that he has a duty of disclosure. Just my two cents.
I just think it’s like being invited over for dinner, then accusing the host that they didn’t really cook the dinner.
What people need to realize is plagiarism is so easy to find/prove these days, so it serves GG zero purpose to steal a Giants-related interview and place it on a Giants-related blog.
Once again, until anyone proves otherwise, they should respect GG for what he’s done and stop with their own personal requirements to trust what he’s posted here. If anyone has trust issues, then stop using the gift GG has shared with you and go somewhere else.
Totally agree, and I’m speaking as both a writer and an academic who has to think about plagiarism. This reads like an authentic interview, and as for GG’s credentials, I’d say “he’s the guy who started this blog and made it an instant success,” and that’s good enough for me (even though, since I’m acquainted with him personally, I have some knowledge that he has additional professional credentials).
You’re really something. You should show Greek Giant you’re not going to stand for this type of the thing and take extremely vital comments elsewhere. TWG would probably collapse without you.
LOL. Every the cop. Whoa boy, fill your holster, not your hand.
Maybe the toughest thing for the interviewer is make an interesting interview with a person who gives generic answers, Seems like a nice kid, though
If this a spoof, you are a darn good spoofer.
Great job!
greek, once again, you have gone above and beyond the call of duty, for our little community. the amount of your valuable time you have given, as well as your personal resources, is truly appreciated. for anyone to question the veracity of this interview is just laughable.
Dittos
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f9b5f61be87cde3f03bd48a9b3b4909424d96798c2d2d86d93842a567b5339f0.png
Nice! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
Seems like a nice kid. For my pesos, Ty Blach earned first shot @ #5.
Yah, Beede still has to navigate the PCL. That could take two months, or it could take until 2018 that he is officially “ready”.
For my pesos it’s Blach’s job to loose unless Cain looks like 2012.
A bit from Baseball Amearica on the 2015 Rule 5 draft,
“|The Biagini and Bowman picks are the ones that may create a new template. Both were useful minor league starters with average stuff, but both saw their stuff tick up as relievers. The minors are filled with starters with average stuff and above-average control. Not all will become useful relievers with a move to the bullpen, but there are a number who could fit the Bowman/Biagini profile.
In Bowman’s case it let him focus on his strengths more–a two-seam fastball with sink. With Biagini, he’s still using his curveball, changeup and slider, but in shorter stints his fastball ticked up from average to plus. He struck out 5.8 per nine innings in Double-A in 2015 but struck out 8.25 per nine for the Blue Jays in 2016.
Long-term, Bowman and Biagini are the safest bets to be productive big leaguers for years to come, both as lower-leverage relievers.”
The whole piece :
http://www.baseballamerica.com/viewpoint/ask-ba-2015-rule-5-wrapup/#xsrOHGHZVYFle1TD.97
Mayhaps Dan Slania is the next one from the farm out of the Biagini mold. Guess they better hold on to him.
Or maybe Clayton Blackburn can uptick out of the pen?
Pretty sure that the Giants thought that they’d get Biagini back.
I bet they did. The full thirty teams don’t pick either – what was it 18-20 selections? And many more unprotected arms than that.
That bodes well for Blackburn who may find it hard to stay on the 40.
Thanks Greek … What an extra gift to us all.
AZL Report:
Honesty in reporting says I have to report the bad with the good:
Rodolpho Martinez can throw 100 MPH but he gave up a 9th inning grand slam and only got one out so his ERA down there is 27.00. Hunter Cole made a great catch but went 0-4. Tyler Rogers had another shut out IP and has yet to be scored on. [He is the one that went 20+ IP this year before he yielded a run too.] In the Relief Pitcher prospects he is a top one; submariner style.
Okay Greek, who’s next?
Ringo.
I would rather interview Barbara Bach.
I could have interviewed Brooke Burke but I decided to let her eat her lunch in private.
Paco !
Ba da ba dah dah
dah dah dah ba da ba dah dah …
(jazz genre?)
You’re gonna give me a headache. I haven’t even figured out “The Sax Song” yet.
Neither have I. Take two pills that Dr. Feelgood prescribes,
He’s gonna be your Frankenstein, Nikki.
ps- had to listen to some H & D yesterday
“can you look into my eyes…”
And what a great instrumental Switch 625 is. Tasty.
Oh absolutely. Your talks of getting a H&D shirt made me investigate, and I just may get this one:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f1fc2e40bfd9f6cc6a94879a70c0211a9b77a53d202c727a16e8effbd3228330.jpg
I’ve humming the lead riff to Lady Strange for 3 days now….. its stuck in me head.
Welcome! You’re in the band, kid. Would you like to be the one arm bandit?
Have you ever ate here?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/64ee179032705648f0812e7caadfdb6ec923a1ab8f53f267a1c2f44ed4193c6d.jpg
Nope. You?
Nope but I am looking for an older, much older mom and pop breakfast place in Visalia that we took our 22 man HS roster to in 2003 on our way to a tournament…. The Name has left my cranium.
Can’t I at least keep the low end for y’all. I’ll loose a string in the process…..
If you wanna be Sav, I can be Rick or Phil or Joe. this is gonna be great
Let it rock, let it roll…
I thought you two honyacks were Steve and Pete…. Phil wasn’t around until Pyro bro….
Send me your requests.
Williamson.
I would sit down to dinner with:
1) Jee-Zuss
2) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
3) Jesse Owens
4) Malcolm Gladwell
5) Margaret Thatcher
Please keep it on the tip of people Greek would have access to, and the content of this blog. Thanks.
Just for you I will :-/
I feel so honored.
Who says I don’t have access to Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher or the Son of God?
Cue Brian May…..
All Dead All Dead
All the dreams we had
And I wonder why I still live on
All Dead All Dead
And alone I’m spared
My sweeter half instead
All Dead
And Gone
All Dead…
And gone.
MARGARET THATCHER ??????????????????
I think it would be fascinating to hear what Matt Cain is thinking about next season if you could give him truth serum. Of course, I don’t think you’ll get that.
Barring that, a lot of guys in the bully we all need to know better. Let’s start with the new kid who is going to be Mr 8th inning next season.
Will Smith, the Fresh Prince.
Arroyo
1) Mike Murphy 1A Visiting Clubhouse Attendant Abe Silvestri
2) Retiring Radio Engineer Lee Jones
3) Tito Fuentes
4) Head Groundskeep Director, Field Operations Greg Elliott
5) Head of Saber Metrics for the Giants – Quantitative Analysis Yeshayah Goldfarb
#5 would be interesting, but I don’t think he would spill the trade secrets unlike Bill James.
They could finally asking about the Cray computer.
Bleacher Bob’s mom….
It seems this interview has generated questions and even skepticism about my integrity. This skepticism reveals so much about those doing the questioning, I have to say. I don’t take them personally. First, in my daily life I am President and founder of a multimedia branding, design and marketing firm called Mediasophia INC (mediasophia.com). Mediasophia’s resources built this beautiful website. We publish numerous websites and blogs and represent many celebrities and professionals in all walks of life. As a result, we have access to channels and credibility that most laypersons do not, with regards to access to celebrities. Second, Tyler Beede was very cool to give up his time. Third, as the editor, publisher, writer, and emperor of this blog I chose not to provide a lengthy prelude or overview of Tyler Beede’s interview since I do not abide by traditional “journalism codes” such as objectivity, citations, research, etc… I make my own rules.
I hope you just dropped a mic!
BOOM
“This skepticism reveals so much about those doing the questioning”
Pray, tell me what it reveals. I’ll tell you if you’re correct.
You’re a genetic skeptic. Anybody surprised?
That you’re an ingrate who doesn’t appreciate in the least the effort that someone else has gone to for the benefit of others.
You’d think bloggers would have investigated your bona fides before they made the leap of posting here. I did.
I didn’t. I chose to accept on faith, and stay posting with people I have been talking Giants with now for 6+ years. The Beede interview came as somewhat as a surprise, a welcome one, but not knowing Greek from Adam, hinted me at some skepticism. I don’t think Bapah was out of bounds asking for his credentials. It shows critical thinking skills which most internet bloggers lack.
Now, I think his delivery of his skepticism left a little to be desired, why I initially posted I supported him ‘a little’. Not standing behind him waving the banner, but at least supporting his right to ask the question. I think that’s a good thing.
Now, I think it says more about Greek Giant for posting his credentials, and explaining how he would have access that to most of us wouldn’t seem feasible. And I respect and appreciate that he took the time to do so.
I might add, that as the purveyor(?)/publisher of this lovely place in cyberspace, that most authors have an “About me” page or something to answer said questions. Greek’s choice not to make one, his site, but it shouldn’t be surprised given the amount of questionable content posted on the net that someone wouldn’t questions something that on the surface didn’t make sense.
In short Bapah, keep questioning, we’ll just send you to some Emily Post classes first.
~YMMV
Good gracious, I’m not criticizing anyone, least of all BAPAH. Checking things out just seems a basic risk evaluation thing to do. Aside from that, I can’t see anything in GG’s history to substantiate any uncertainty about his credibility, but I can see why some folks, based on life experience, might ask before they invest a lot of faith in this post. Why? Because this might be the opening of a new kind of baseball conversation with implications and an audience that goes way beyond our historical parochial experience. It’s pretty near impossible to troll this site if you don’t bring something to the table honestly. LOL, god walks among us a poster/mod.
The nature of my response was not merely targeted at you CC. If you took it that way I apologize.
Many on the blog were considering him an “ingrate” etc…… and portending the “How dare he?!?!?” type of attitude. I think it’s a little unfair and self-righteous to assume people shouldn’t be allowed to question and just have to accept the graciousness some choose to provide.
Very little in life does not have a quid pro quo attached (see Mark Davis conversation below) and if Bapah wants to understand the rules who better to get those from than the horse himself? We all shouldn’t be pile driving on the poor guy for having the gumption to ask a legitimate question.
Our societal political discourse suffers from the same group think mentality, and I personally am abhorred by it.
~YMMV.
(Off soapbox.)
We all behave in character. I thought BAPAH comments as I described, skepticism. He’s consistent. That’s good, IMO. I think this community was so relieved to have an alternative to SJMN approach, they cherish the space and the fact it exists and fear losing it. If you love baseball, this site is as near heaven as I’ve ever been. You have to admit an interview with Beede without some catty insight by Baggarly or troll input is a local sports journalism coupe of sorts, and on the face of it astonishing. I like being surprised, pleasantly, myself. Maybe GG has brought the occasional desert to the table.
I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical about your interview with Mother Teresa, seeing she’s dead and all.
Ignore it, GG. Thanks for a very insightful interview that got deep into how he sees himself as a pitcher. Your questions were fantastic…and his answers were expansive.
Great stuff on Tyler Beede. I appreciate your efforts. Thank you. I especially like the insight he gave regarding the uptick in his fastball velocity.
GG, that was a great treat to read this morning. It’s not my birthday, but it felt like it. Wouldn’t it be great if Beede popped in and read our humble offerings from time to time. Heck, he might even post from time to time. We better up our game in this venue, LOL.
This is Beede’s Richmond team photo. Dark hair, blue eyes–Crawford-esque good looks. But in case any of the Gamer Babes get any ideas, he has a beautiful actress girlfriend named Allie DeBerry:
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Tyler+Beede/Pass+Light+Premieres+Hollywood/2Qme2RG5gPx
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/89bbc5564acb42135ac6471409a8255ed106f065d98e3e36128f5e7089e3b8f4.jpg
TMA. LOL.
I think the GF beat him to the punch regarding any procedures…
I’m sorry, what? …did you say there was a guy in the picture? I didn’t notice
For those who care, the Raiders got the financial backing for a stadium in Nevada yesterday. The only barrier to their move from Oakland to Las Vegas remaining is NFL owner approval.
As a lifelong Raiders fan, I’ll believe it…when I see it.
It’s time for the NFL mouthpieces to put up or shut up. They’ve been saying “we would support a move to Las Vegas”, but a vote would determine if they were bluffing (to ping Oakland) or not.
There’s also a little issue with the guy financing the stadium. All along people were mentioning that he would want part ownership (even though he was telling Marky-Mark otherwise) and now there’s been some talk that he does indeed want “in”. Marky-Mark has been very stubborn in this area, so we’ll see.
I’m also curious about Ronnie Lott’s role in all this. Ronnie is probably more well-respected in NFL circles than Marky-Mark…and I doubt he would be working on an Oakland solution without some background meetings with the NFL.
Heck…after the LA move (which was forced by Rozelle’s tampering with Oakland officials), nothing would surprise me anymore.
Sheldon Adelson is the primary driver from the Vegas side. The rest of the crew is window dressing.
That’s the guy that told Marky-Mark he didn’t need part-ownership, but now it’s out there that he wants “in”. Now that he has leverage over Davis…
He’s basically laundering money through Vegas from his gambling interests in Macao. That’s massively more profitable than Vegas. The communist Chinese government and Triads gave him a license several years ago.
If Marky-Mark thought this Vegas Stadium assistance was “free”, he’s an idiot.
GUILTY!
LOL.
Unless it’s fueled by pizza and beer, a 30 pound, off season weight gain is highly suspicious. Maybe “highly” is understating it.
No it’s not, at all. It’s what, about a 12-13% weight gain. On a serious training regimen, that’s pretty trivial.
BS. No one is going to add that amount of healthy weight in an off season through natural means. Are you a weight lifter?
I have worked with weights in the distant past (way distant) and you are simply wrong. It requires no drugs or artificial aids, just focus, commitment, and time. It’s, one might say, his job.
One has to be on the right side of 30 years old….or rather it helps…
I forgot where I read it, but a human male maxes his strength potential at 35….agility and recovery maxes at somewhere in the mid 20s.
Have you ever, ever, ever thought a different way? Just Wondering…
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7bff9ef05e3708a92fc3377c514e6f119920bf0d533b367df41a1290faa09579.jpg
No. I’ve always been realistic.
Just as long as he’s not using what Kaepernick “stopped” using. 🙂
That was very drastic by the way. Went from about 235 to 189.
EAT MORE MEAT!
Yep. Thought it might lead to more film study (versus lifting), but that’s not happening.
you think everyone is on steroids, is that part of you “training?”
you probably think GG is on roids because of the progress made on the TWG site, lol
I’m suspicious of 30 pound, lean muscle mass weight gains accomplished over a short period of time. I’d imagine you don’t have a lot of experience with working out, so maybe you view it as normal.
not gain but I did lose 50 lbs the first year I marathon trained. I doubt CK was on steroids, he was always a really skinny guy and worked out and must have eaten a great deal.
He did become vegetarian and have seen friends lose 20lbs instantly, mostly runners who don’t need the mass and want to be slender.
These guys work out at times 2Xday, 30 lbs in a season is highly possible if not feeding the body the extra nutrients.
Losing weight is a much different process than gaining muscle mass, and much easier, assuming someone has the proper dedication. Gaining fat is also much easier than gaining muscle mass. If Beede gained 30 pounds in an off season, and didn’t have any chemical assistance, most of it wasn’t good weight. If it was mostly muscle mass, well, I hope he was also properly schooled in how to beat the tests.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/content/how-much-muscle-can-you-gain.html
I did 6 lbs muscle in 10 weeks doing nothing really special. Below is from that bastion of reliable information Tim Ferris, (I jest). He says 20 lbs in 28 days.
http://fourhourworkweek.com/2013/05/11/how-to-gain-20-pounds-in-28-days-the-extreme-muscle-building-secrets-of-ufc-fighters/
When Candlestick was built Mays learned how to hit HR’s the other way. The good guys from THOSE years had ALL the power hitters that they needed and yet 1962 was their benchmark. And yet Peter still needs a 30-40 HR guy in the lineup….
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/04d4cf285cfb3ec73ebb61463f882e2fcaf1a7a782c69b50b4bd3cfbc19906ea.jpg
Greek Giant, Terrific job, as always. Continue to be so impressed and appreciative of the time, effort and level of professionalism you devote to this space. Thanks.
My first thought in reading this was to wonder about Giants methodology for drafting, acquiring guys in trade or via FA. How is it with few exceptions, everyone seems humble and a genuinely good person and teammate? Some of it has to do with the existing culture they have built and kids are exposed to that and buy into it. A Matt Duffy was perhaps exceptional, but he seems hardly the exception.
Was on vacation last week and didn’t get to join the “end of the season” discussion. I want to say that I’m appreciative of Greek Giant’s efforts and those who frequent this site (and the previous version). The added information and colorful stories make following the Giants even more enjoyable.
There truly is a sense of community that is difficult to explain to non-sports fans or even non-Giants fans. The sense of belonging is a powerful thing and was illustrated to me while leaf-watching in Maine. On three different occasions my Giants hat produced reactions from other SF fans who were total strangers but were looking for a sympathetic ear to share their thoughts about the Game 4 loss. One fellow felt the freedom to sit down at our breakfast table and offer some insightful commentary on the state of the bullpen. They reached out to someone from the same “tribe” and we found common ground many miles from home.
The East Coast sleep deprivation produced by my MLBtv subscription is starting to wane. I will spend the remainder of the fall hoping for improvement from the Florida Gators and then come January will turn full attention to fixing the Giants roster. Thank you to those who clearly care about Giants baseball and express your passion so clearly on this forum. It is appreciated.
I’ve spent the two weeks traveling too. Thru the state of Depression. I think I can make it now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FscIgtDJFXg
A two year ago look back at two of our favorite posters “musing” about Our Giants. Avwh aka Allen Hirsch and Vegas Giant fan. Vegas —- pretty prophetic.
https://disqus.com/home/discussion/mercurynewsgiants/extra_baggs_why_a_functional_rotation_should_lead_to_a_more_functional_roster_for_giants_in_2016_exp/#comment-2311167506
https://disqus.com/by/vegasgiantsfan/
Thanks Clutch … seeing avwh will have to wait but Vegas will pop in some time when we least expect him; a great surprise for all. Like The Matrix, it reminds me that we need a Presence at the Merc in case Vegas checks in and cannot find us. Does anyone still go to the Merc that can keep an eye out?
Wow, great job GG
A very interesting look at the use of relief pitching, with an eye on October baseball as a model for pitching strategy in the coming year.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/in-baseball-october-is-reliever-season/
Excerpts from the Beede interview that landed on the editing room floor:
GG: Scout Finch Foothills has brought your name up in trade speculation early and often, he says you’re about the only real trade chip the Giants have that can really push the needle in a deal. Are there any other organizations outside of SF or Boston where you wouldn’t mind playing? What about Kansas City or Tampa? Would you prefer to play to in the NL so you can get your hacks in?
Beede: Oh man, that’s quite an honor to be valued like that and included in potential trades. I feel like a few more mentions and I’ll be up there with Brandon Belt – hey maybe your friend can package us for Evan Longoria and that closer of their’s. But really, I’d prefer to stay with the organization that drafted and developed me. They’ve really made me feel like part of the family and they’ve really helped me develop into who I feel is a much more complete pitcher than when I was at Vanderbilt. And National League all the way. The DH is a joke unless Big Papi is swinging (smiles).
…
I think I see it now: We use Beede to trade for Belt back, after SFB’s long awaited trade sending BB away. Carmot negotiating for the other team, of course.
Well hell if Carmot is on the otherside we should get Duffy and Longoria for Belt.
Edgar was a good DH
* Paul Molitor
Oxymoron: “a good DH”
I must have misspoke – An efficient DH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBco0H3g-tc
I will accept that; temporary insanity excused.
Intertesting Trump sports story. He almost became the owner of the San Diego Padres. http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/padres/2016/10/18/donald-trump-considered-buying-padres-steve-garvey/92355368/
You think his “You’re fired” phrase would’ve been overused there?
“This is good folks”
Ryan Spilborghs with suggestions for improving the game, especially September:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/10/ryan-spilborghs-improving-september-baseball.html
Good find and great ideas but … Follow the Money.
Players would like his idea [former player offering them] and Owners will not therefore unless the players force it then it will never happen. Plus for me, being Old School, returning to 154-game season would square up some stats that have gotten skewed.
I don’t like it. I was hoping for the 300 game schedule. Baseball everyday damn it!
That is what Winter Baseball is for.
I live in California, what is winter?
Well thought out, but misguided. You simply cannot give in to those ruining the game with pitching changes. Any roster expansion has to come with a limit on the number of pitchers used. It would actually add a bit of strategy. I suggest a limit of 3 pitchers in 1 inning or 5 in a 9-inning game, but the exact number is debatable, clearly. Managers, make your trade-offs (obviously exceptions for injuries). That means a bigger bench and a better game. The game suffers from an overuse of so-called relief specialists, many of whom don’t turn out to be all that special … but the manager is protected because he went by the book.
Greek …
Foots tongue-in-cheek gives me an idea (oh no, I am in troiuble).
Tell us who you might interview and let us submit questions.
With this crew you will have to exercise that Emperorship of yours.
Of course, not with me as my questions will be totally relevant and legitimate:
“Larry, could you offer one Throwback Game with no electronics beyond a microphone for a classic and calm announcer to just give us the players names only? The final exit song after the win would be live.”
So 5th starter next season? A Blach / Beede competition?
Do the Giants want three Lefties in the starting rotation?
We need to start seeing what the younger kids can bring to the table.
Keeping Cain may once again lead to a 13 man rotation, which I call the Lincecum factor
My guess: They have a master plan for Beede that involves him being ready to rock-and-roll if/when Cueto walks after next season. Beede gets a good look at spring training, goes to AAA, gets some big league experience, maybe out of the bullpen, later in the season (barring an injury to a starter, which could speed up the timeline).
From listening to Bobby Evans, they think of Beede as the next starter in the Cain/Lincecum/Bumgarner (Wheeler) pedigree. Those are some high expectations.
Blach and Cain fight it out for that fifth starter spot; I’d say Blach is in the lead unless Cain proves otherwise.
The 3 lefties plays into the Dodgers weakness, so I think that’s the path they should go.
Cain can be the long relief guy or work himself into a role that fits the team; not his contract.
I agree Beede is the “insert here”, if/when Cueto walks.
What a difference a couple years can make:
2015 rotation (ages): Bumgarner (25), Peavy (34), Vogelsong (37), Hudson (39), Lincecum (31), Cain (30)
possible 2017 rotation: Bumgarner (27), Moore (27), Cueto (31), Samardzija (32), Blach (26)
Possible 2018 rotation: Bumgarner (28), Moore (28), Blach (27), Samardzija (33), Beede (24)
Timmy with no 2017 job wiht any team at age 33? More than a little bit sad.
But yeah, Bobby Evans has really worked over the rotation this year.
Everyone but me seems to be assuming that Cueto walks next year, but I’m used to being the blog dummy. He seems a pretty good Giant now.
I’ve been saying for awhile that he seems to be a perfect Giant and truly appreciates being in SF, throwing to Posey, etc. I know it’s been said he signed for under market value last year due to concerns about his arm but $130 million isn’t chump change. If he stays healthy next year and wants to stay in SF, it’ll get done, one way or another.
Agree, i don’t think the brass will let him walk. Only question I have is signing him at that age with his milage and injury history going to be a bad investment? If he has another year like this one he is going to get paid big time..
You’d think but at age 32 you’d also have to think that teams will be somewhat wary.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see him restructure the deal next season. If he does want to opt out though, he’s gone.
I would restructure before the ASG.
Yeah, I bet the longer it goes the more likely he opts out. But, an extension will likely take him through age 38 and I mean, it likely wouldn’t be a total tragedy to not be the team to sign a pitcher for that long. I do love watching Cueto though…
I can’t believe Beede stole my trust the process line.
You stole my rhythm in the conga line.
The rhythm is gonna getcha, the rhythm is gonna getcha, the rhythm is gonna getcha!!!
Footy, will you be my Gloria Estefan?
FOOTY!!! Where are you?!?! I wanna be your Sound Machine.
I prefer the Miami Vice soundtrack to Gloria. Sorry.
Perhaps you’d understand it better
Standin’ in my shoes,
It’s the ultimate enticement,
It’s the smuggler’s blues
It’s the politics of contraband,
It’s the smuggler’s blues.
Always liked that song.
RIP Glenn Frey.
Under 2 minutes. Funny quotes and live footage. (Said to John: “Which one are you?, I’m Eric”…..
https://www.facebook.com/bigleagueideas/posts/1188941361178615
Are the Tribe really going to sweep the Jays? Just might with Kluber on the hill.
GG would really knock my socks off if he got an in-game interview with Kluber!
How does your slider feel today?
Tell me true, how much do you want to plunk Bautista out there?
Memo to GG:
When I read today’s post there was no doubt to me that you spoke with Tyler Beede. It was nice and level. Then after scrolling thru the comments I have a better understanding of your ability to generate this great blog site.
Now for my suggestion. Given your credentials, how cool would it be if every now and again you could perhaps feature an interview with a prospect, player or coach. Any uniformed Giant can see this blog is legit and seemingly would be happy to contribute 5 minutes of their time for Giants fans. What a great feature that could be.
GREAT drill for hockey kids (and maybe catchers in baseball)
https://www.facebook.com/jwbbslo/posts/986768988043671
When Maddon first got there we were already talking about his idiosyncrasies dating back to the Angels bench coach and then the Tampa Rays. I still think afte XxX years that it shall become their time vs SF’s rivals from SoCal. Sure we can say he gets too cute and all that stuff but more than his X’s and O’s – his number one task (like Bochy) is to be a Manager of men, to which he relishes. Bill Walsh did the Bellman Cap gizmo at Pontiac Superbowl and although JM is not there yet – they both were/are out of the box thinkers.
http://tinyurl.com/hzl9nq9
JM, as in Joe Montana was there. He started the game against Cincy.
Not sure #16 ever had the makeup to be a head coach or manager….
I agree. Sure was fun to watch him play though. The smoothest drop back I have ever seen.
Gregor Blanco https://www.instagram.com/p/BLtcbhajs6S/
http://www.sfexaminer.com/gregor-blanco-posts-ominous-video-thanking-san-francisco/
Writing on the wall… but maybe room for a return…. maybe.
Damn dust in here…
I was OK for about a minute but those words to the song…
That was sweet. Thanks Clutch!
Speaking of four late inning/closer types that jump out at everybody; Mark Melancon, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Hansen, and Andrew Miller (forgive me guys if I misspelled your name), Kenley Hansen`s cutter is maybe better than Mariano Rivera`s, Andrew Miller`s great curve with a good fastball, Chapman`s heat, and Melancon`s control make for a nice wish list. My choice is Hansen, Miller, Chapman, and Melancon in that order. Are they available next year as free agents? How far off base am I in my assessment? Any takers? Who would Giants` brass look at?
Jansen comes with a losing a draft pick. I would rather pay Melancon who doesn’t.
I`ve only seen a little of him, but he was dealing. Control guy with good fastball. Does he have any secondary pitches? I don`t think the other two have draft comp issues because they were traded mid season.
Two to three “cuts” still to be made http://www.nba.com/warriors/roster
Elliott Williams, Phil Pressley, Cameron James
call it a day
I think ONE of those three guards makes the team otherwise it is Steph – Klay – Ian Clark – Shaun and Patrick McCaw…
——-> But I think you are correct <———
Many reasons to love Terry. Father Tito was a baller and then there is this (off to the side)
@CAwesomeheimer
While taking Bauer out, Tito saw 50/50 was up to $82,000 on scoreboard.
Turned to Napoli and said, “Nap, we gotta get in on that.”
Great skipper. I liked that he got revenge on the Red Sox. I think the Indians can absolutely give the Cubs a tough time in the Series ( if the Cubs make it…..i think they do).
I wonder if fried chicken and beer are allowed in the clubhouse?
For sure, but no talking to journos this time
Greek Giant sure “runs” a great blog.
Yesterday on NPR, I discovered that Vangelis is Greek too (love the Bladerunner tracks big time, but gotta go with this one)…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSav51fVlKU
Scout Finch Pun
Happy the the Commish Manfred has been quoted ….”I’m fine with having the DH in one league but not the other… it makes the distinction….”
Because the ONLY reason the NL does not have the DH is: *Luck and No Cell phones* – other wise the NL would have used the DH since 1973.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBco0H3g-tc
This is NOT a play of a normal 23 year old http://m.mlb.com/video/v1207038383
People still bent over the juvenile behavior of guys like Harper-Pederson and Baez need to realize that some hot heads need or have a hot button and they will be like that until 27 years of age roles around. Meanwhile enjoy their various immense talents.
Tonight http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-dodgers-game3-nlcs-score-20161018-htmlstory.html
Bochy now said to be privately splaining the 9th inning moves…saying billybushmademedoit
Walked away with 9 million
…and deserving.
If the Today Show hires him to do a job and then decide they don’t want him in front of the camera for an action performed when he wasn’t an employee…pay up.
Not condoning anything that went on that day with the Trumpster 🙂
Playoff baseball is the BEST. The sikh in the front row with the Blue Jays turban reminds me of what I love most about this country.
Hey Greek – Nice scoop, but “anyone can self publish”.
LOL @ Baggarly
Every chance we get.
For the life of me, I can’t understand the decision to cut to a fan in the stands filming the game on his phone. Is it supposed to show the magnitude of the situation? This is so important, this guy is filming it!! Jesus christ… It’s like showing people at a concert filming the performance. This band is so great people are recording it!!! I hate humanity.
Well, you’re a deer. We shoot deers. So, your animosity is understandable.
It really is. Humans are so stupid they think the plural of deer is deers.
For your use RD, an apostrophe….’…..
Deer are so stupid , they run in front of cars….I take video of it with my phone. They are so great , I am recording it!!!!
You better watch yourself, Mateo, or you’ll be sleeping with the fishes.
I am so vain, that telling me to “watch myself” is redundant. Mirrors are my friend
you and ee cummings could roll together. maybe you’ll invite me for the roll at the bottom of the hill.
Humanity I Love You
Humanity i love you
because you would rather black the boots of
success than enquire whose soul dangles from his
watch-chain which would be embarrassing for both
parties and because you
unflinchingly applaud all
songs containing the words country home and
mother when sung at the old howard
Humanity i love you because
when you’re hard up you pawn your
intelligence to buy a drink and when
you’re flush pride keeps
you from the pawn shop and
because you are continually committing
nuisances but more
especially in your own house
Humanity i love you because you
are perpetually putting the secret of
life in your pants and forgetting
it’s there and sitting down
on it
and because you are
forever making poems in the lap
of death Humanity
i hate you
Where Andrew Miller got his slider, by Andrew Miller. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/andrew-miller-on-the-evolution-of-his-slider/
Now that the shock and the sadness are subsiding, I want to say goodbye to them.
JAKE: You weren’t here for long, but what a marvelous Giant, teammate, and person you are. Wherever life takes you next, I hope it goes gently for you. Good people deserve good things, even if it doesn’t always happen that way.
ANGEL: Besides being beautiful and sometimes infuriating, at your best you brought fire and intensity and you helped spark two championship teams. Enjoy life with your beautiful wife and little girls.
SANTIAG0 & JAVIER: Two of the best set-up men in the game for years. Javi, there are lefty sluggers who still have nightmares about you.
SERGIO: You were there when it all started. You were standing on the mound when my beloved 2012 team won it all. I’ve watched the video so many times, after you froze Miggy and screamed with joy as you waited for your Buster Hug.
GREGOR: I saved you for last because I loved you the most. You were always there when we needed you–when Melky got busted, when Angel went down, when Cain needed a miraculous catch, when a bunt needed to be put down late in a tied playoff game. One of the sweetest, most likable Giants I can ever remember. Don’t be a stranger, and thanks for the White Shark blog all those years.
Thanks to all of you, see you at the reunions, and Godspeed.
Give Gramps Bochy a big hug too.
Is he leaving? This was a tribute to guys who are probably done being Giants for now.
Only from the front pages. Wow, you have to die, figuratively, to get a smiling exit interview. Tough crowd.
No, but you have to exit. He’s signed through 2019 last I checked.
No kidding?
You are definitely free to write up a good by to Boch though!
I know in the press he continues to play it otherwise, but I wonder how long he really has left. If they would have ascended the mountain yet again I really wonder if he would have walked off……
I would hope they wouldn’t let Wotus walk, if Bochy has an itch to be a full-time fisherman.
Coming in late, here…just finished my lessons. So the above are all officially cut loose?
Nope. Just assuming.
You know what happens when you assume…
With those 5 out of the roster more than likely. How many rings will be in the clubhouse?
Cain 3
Posey 3
Bum 3
Pence 2
Belt 2
Crawford 2
Panik 1
Ehire 1
Kontos 2
Strickland 1
Total = 20
Those leaving
Pagan 2
Blanco 2
Lopez 4
Romo 3
Casilla 3
Total = 14
Those 5 are nearly half our playoff experience. And if they just cut Cain loose or trade him it literally could be 1/2.
Bochy 3
Wotus 3
Righetti 3
Gardner 3
Whiteside 2
Uehara 3
The family still has leaders with cred
Wait a minute…did we pick up Uehara? Koji Uehara?
He means the swiss army knife Taira Uematsu
Auto correct seems to like relievers
Lol or you do.
I ❤️ Gilmour and Shooter Beck
Peavy has two as well.
Touche Doctor
Reviewing my roster I can see Gregor coming back. I don’t see Bochy liking his bench to be Williamson, Hernandez and Parker without some veteran love.
If they let Gregor go, maybe John Jay as a replacement.
I’m predicting Mac or Parker will be traded this off-season.
Prolly for a closer. I think Parker makes sense
I could not help but notice that Gregor played the last two games. Always a reserve player at the start of a season, and even in an injury plagued 2016, he was back at the end. I’d be happy with him as 5th OF on a one year contract.
I actually expected him to have a big hit in Game #5 in Chicago. The rust was coming off.
Giants would have been dangerous if the bullpen had held that lead. Pence was starting to put wood on the ball, too, and Panik had come to life. Well, so it goes.
Ever heard the song “You’re my Favorite Mistake” by Cheryl Crow?
That’s what your write-up to Angel Pagan reminded me of, lol.
Good riddance to Pagan. Farewell to the rest.
Secretly you always had a crush on Angel
Is this a shtick, or are you just not “connected” to any players?
I think I’ve been pretty consistent in saying I can’t stand Pagan for his me first attitude and related lack of effort. The others I will remember as good Giants. That’s how I feel, not shtick.
Just seems dismissive…I misread “farewell” , but you typically don’t expand too much, so it’s all good
I almost got a little teary-eyed 😢
Mostly over Blanco. Regardless of his ups and downs, he was always a positive humble dude.
I was choking up a bit as well. Nicely done, professor.
You forgot to say good bye to Roberto Kelly. Billy Hayes will still be with the organization. Pretty sure Eli Whiteside is moving on.
Gonna miss Blanco the most. Just a happy kind of player proud to be in MLB
I echo your thoughts about Jake and Angel. A couple things that I would add about Javy-I don’t recall any loogy who has ever as much impact in the postseason.But he isn’t really a set up guy, he’s a situational reliever. Romo- Adios.
Gregor- *Always* MY guy. I wouldn’t say goodbye quite yet. Casilla- a great set up reliever in the 2012 postseason, and a very good closer in the 2014 postseason.in other words- playoff tough. We may see him again and I hope that he gets the ovation he deserves. He was a good Giant and he’s a good man.
This is a good one to lighten the mood after Lefty made me call my shrink …
http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/single-shots/don-t-forget-your-servers
Sorry Pacman but THIS is hilarious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVAL-cGCOfY
In the category of for what it’s worth knowing a beginning. In the year Mookie Blalock became Pearl Jam. Acoustic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-fdovSJPsw
Rich Hill with 534 pitches this inning and 34 conferences and 25 throws to first. I’ve been to operas that took less time.
two free runners in scoring position.
In other news, a space probe traveled to Mars and back.
Time flys when your sleeping through those Operas.
I’ve actually never been to one, but I would love to someday. “Pagliacci” looks interesting.
Tommy doesn’t count?
Lol no way.
Just checking….
JC Superstar?
JC is a musical, I believe.
First called a rock opera, back in 1970. Have you seen it? I go every chance I get.
I’ve always known it to be a musical. And rock operas are definitely a different beast from legit traditional operas. But I have heard nothing but great things about it. I think I got asked to play guitar for it, but wasn’t available. Andrew Lloyd Webber, I believe. Gotta be better than his “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which I have had the nauseating misfortune to play guitar for twice.
Wow, bro–I would LOVE to hear you play some of those tunes. There are some great riffs that you would take to new heights!
Thank you, 62. If you would like, give me your email address, and I’ll share music I have recorded with you.
ginn_john@comcast.net
My wife took me to the Flint Center to watch an Orchestra of tumes from Alexandre Courage(Star Trek Fiddler on the roof Superman etc) it was so Booooooooorrrrrrrriiiiiiing, I almost fell asleep numerous times
I’m sure there are excellent ones.
The Magic Saxophone 🎷 for one. I’m sure that’s where my song comes from.
my wife used to have season passes to the metropolitan opera (i know, she married way down). they are actually not bad, plus you can impress the hell out of friends when you get one right in the opera category on jeopardy!
Any faves? Sent you a new song, as well, buddy boy. Check yo email.
i liked turandot, and, of course madame butterfly. listened to the rockabilly ditty earlier. you found my sweet spot bro. keep em comin’, you talented mofo…
Thanks on both counts, brother.
25 or 6 to 4?
You forgot one thing-no runs.
I must’ve been asleep. Dodgers playing some good ball right now.
I’m with you on this. You may recall my plaint about games being too long in the last 20 years or so. Half the batters seem to need to adjust their gloves, too. I’ll never understand the “deliberate” pitcher because fielders love to play behind a guy who works fast. Slow pitchers can create inattentive fielders.
Sitting through the early part of this game…Bleacher Bob was right, playoff baseball is great…BUT…
Without our Giants, it’s just a game. So I get to pick apart Joe Buck, Bad OF communication, ho hum. This lacks drama.
It is a little bit more than just a game.
go, Cubs, go.
How’s it feel having something to lose and a tradition to build?
Unlike some, there is more to life than just baseball . Enjoy the game…….
LOL, to many baseball is an important adduct of life. You may come to understand that, and, as a consequence, come to understand why negative trolling is so revolting.
so why do you do the negative trolling?
Really.
I know…just not as excited…can’t help
The other thing about non-Giants playoff baseball: when it IS the Giants, I can’t eat…way to worked up.
Now? Well, we hit Costco recently, and stocked up with a few bags of Fun Size candy bars for Halloween….I’m conducting a personal survey regarding the Eaters Choice Awards.
“Man, Snickers are the greatest!!!…. Wait, Baby Ruth are fantastic!!!… You CANNOT beat a Reese’s!!!…..York Peppermint Patties…extremely underrated!!!….Those Twix are like a bite of heaven!!!!!”
Thank God they are like 8 calories each, because I wood chipper oh, about 30 a night. Looks like baby carrots for the kids.
Oh boy, Almond Joy!
Freeze those baby snickers. That was my dads favorite treat.
Gonna give Beede a run his money
TO thinks it was Roids
Butterfinger, hands-down.
Buying Halloween candy in advance is a trap!
Word. Snickers a close second.
You’re both wrong. It’s Milky Way. Well, Milky way Dark. Tied with Rolos. And Butterfingers.And Snickers. Wait, Tootsie Rolls are right in there. Kit Kats! How could I forget Kit Kats? They’re the best. Along with Milk Duds and Three Musketeers and Rocky Roads.
The best part of Butterfingers is the joyful little mini-surprise jolts of fun when you pick your teeth for hours after eating one
Soler with a Puig moment
I have to admit, Seager hits very well. Crawford will never win another SS with him in his division.
LOL. We just want Crawford to be a dependable .280-.290 hitter year in, and year out. That’s more than enough for him to provide.
My theory is that once upon a time, back in grade school, a kid named Brandon stole 2HH’s lunch money.
You may be right. It’s hard to explain logically.
Yep you and Donald like to make chirt up and spin it as reality
yes you do.
Robert DeNiro in The Fan
It’s more than we should expect, really. Craw is a .252 career hitter. I think it’s safe to say that the 21 HR in 2015 was an anomaly unlikely to be repeated. Love the guy but sometimes when a guy has a career year or two the temptation is to think his game will stay at that level forever. It might but it might not. I don’t think he’s a natural 80+ RBI guy but I’d love to be refuted.
Well, he popped 84 two straight seasons. I think 15 HRs and 75 RBI with his defense is excellent, but I can see his power being 20+ for a few years. I think he and a few others battled some nagging stuff this season.
I’m by nature an optimist.
I could see Seager moving to 3rd base in the future , his defense at Shortstop is not that great, and he is tall, when he gets older and puts on weight, might be too big for Shortstop .
He is about the same weight of Crawford and is the the height of Ripken. Kinda more like an ARod mold who moved to third only because of Jeter
His defense is not as good as, Ripken’s or ARod’s defense was , his height and his bat is similar to those two not his glove .
Once a troll, always a troll. A disrespectful troll.
He’s tightening like a rizzo…
Josh Osich tweeted that he just had knee surgery. Apparently he’s had a patellar tear since early in the season–second week or so.
I love it how these guys tough it out and play through nagging injuries. I hate it how these guys tough it out and play through nagging injuries.
Osich had a pretty bad year. I’m sure this is partly why.
Considering the severity of his injury it’s amazing he did as well as he did. The kid has terrific stuff if only his body would be kind to him.
Not smart, though. A knee injury can alter mechanics and put stress on the arm. Osich has had Tommy John and other arm troubles in his career.
I agree. Bob Gibson once said that you play through pain but you do NOT play through injury. You can endanger your entire career.
Wish he had let someone know – would have been nice to shut him down and replace him with someone else. Or maybe the Giants knew?
Given some of the commentary he endured, we might just rethink out heartfelt and passionate criticism of various players from time to time.
Pfffft!
Bingo…
NO EXCUSES! LOSER!
Your a JOKE. You love these guys. What a gluten for punishment.
Looks like Arrieta from the Baltimore days.
He’s baAAAack!
You throw a fastball in the only place Grandal can hit it … you really wonder. He’s clearly not the only one who thinks keeping the ball down is always a good idea
He hit lots of Homeruns this year, so I guess Lots of pitchers hit that spot .
Must be out of roids at Walgreens.
I know we’re supposed to be Dodger haters on this site but they’ve defied gravity this season with a bunch of no-names. The Dodgers minor league system is ranked 3rd in MLB and it shows. However, it takes more than talent to succeed in the bigs. Gotta have steady nerves in the bright lights. The Cubs could be in serious trouble if they lose this game 3 because Kershaw looks rested and at the top of his game.
Excellent job! Liking you more and more each day – who needs the Merc when you can get interviews like this.
If Cubs can’t handle this Dodgers team that was absolutely worn down in the Nationals series, they don’t deserve to win the WS.
The Giants should of beat them, that’s why it is so frustrating, the Cubs are not hitting at all .
After Game 4, I was willing to admit that the Cubs were a team of destiny but it was really just a testament to our pathetic pen and Bochy’s poor decision-making.
lot of it was bad luck, most of the hits in the 9th were just seeing eye grounders .
A lot of those grounders were quite well struck. Losing teams are going to claim that ALL ground ball base knocks are “seeing eye”. From my point of view those singles were dribblers.
You know the old formula: Good pitching beats good hitting. If Kershaw is anywhere like he was in game 1 that’ll be the third Dodger win after they finish this one off. The Cubs needed to take care of business at home but beating Opie is a daunting task for any team.
Need to win 4 this is a 7 game series, and Opie only pitches once more in this series, game 5 probably .
It’s a luxury to have a guy like Kershaw that’s almost a guaranteed two wins in a seven game series. Then in the other five games you only need to play .400 ball to win the series.
Good pitching only beats good hitting if you score more than 1 or 2 runs. Ask Cueto.
It’s the unknown poster!!!! You’re right, too. Zero runs never won a baseball game in all of history.
It’s the off season, so, isn’t nice how the Obama’s invite a sexual harasser to prepare tonight’s State Dinner? What? Google Chef Mario Batali.
You need to revisit your fact set.
Maybe check back with us when Mario Batali admits on tape that he sexually assaults women–and when he’s running for President of the United States.
Rich Hill is an enigma. This year his total ERA was 2.12 but in the rest of his career he’s been a 4+ ERA pitcher. Some guys just have magic years like Scutaro with the Giants in 2012 when he hit over .350 for us.
Which Cubs don’t smirk all the time? Maybe the bat boy. Nah he does too.
Well, everyone thought Cubbies in 5, that ain’t going to happen based on what I am seeing. Dodgers may have a 3-1 going back to Chicago. Time to choke.
This one is far from over, but the Cubs, with the prospect of facing Kershaw at least one more time, are not looking very spry right now.
I think at this point psychology takes over. They are looking over their shoulder.
I would like the Cubs to win, comparatively. But they aren’t showing me _anything_.
Oh I wanna see em go down in flames. The worse the better.
They might not be going back to Chicago.
Well, I’m calling this game for the Dodgers tonight. Then Kershaw in Game 5.
It could be a sweep. Dodgers definitely have major momentum. Chicago isn’t doing anything right. Poor defense, outfield collisions, Arietta is gone, hitters can’t hit, etc.
I really don’t want to see LA in the Series.
Neither do I, I am just enjoying whichever team is failing.
Looks like it’s gonna be the Cubs choking. Okay, I can enjoy that.
Rizzo is tearing it up in the post-season. Fearsome.
Until that single against the Giants, he was a failure.
Back to the good ole days again, it appears.
We are lucky.
I can see Cardinals or Pirates going after Hill this offseason.
Uhhh. I think the Dodgers will want him back.
Stiff competition from Bucs and the Birds?
I wouldn’t be surprised if they moved Hill because this season is such an anomaly compared to the rest of his career. They should move him while he has good trade value at age 36.
Free agent
These curveballs are insane. I confess to enjoying watching Hill pitch.
It’s basically impossible for me to root for the Dodgers but I have to say it’s nice to see the Cubs struggling.
I also like the barehanded grab Baez made on that ball that was four inches below his hand.
Especially Arrieta.
They are so cocky, arrogant, styling, and I keep hearing we should be indulgent because they’re kids, etc. But they deserve to be taken down a peg.
And now they are squeezing some sphincter….gonna be interesting from here on out
Think of the character being born. Oh, the miracle.
Yeah the ole “ah, they’re young.” I know plenty of young people that aren’t arrogant, douchebags.
It’s a flimsy excuse, to say the least.
It’s absolutely wonderful. The Weird Beard is done.
Either way, someone has to lose, and that will be enjoyable to watch!
LOL. Yep.
Lol Arrieta. Lovin this.
Can’t root for the Dodgers, but I’m loving Arrieta getting beat.
Arietta = overrated. Other than the WC game last year he’s been mediocre at best in the postseason.
Ever before have the Dodgers received such tacit support from Giants fans?
Not from me, go Cubs go.
This is as much as the needle has ever moved in history!
None from me. Enjoying Arrieta’s implosion, though.
Let’s not get carried away, now. I”m hoping for a grueling 7-game series that basically ruins both teams.
Winner of this series is winning the WS IMO
I am like the biggest Cleveland fan right now.
Cleveland seems like a team of destiny to me–like the 2010 Giants.
2010 Giants had dominant SP. Indians barely have two healthy SPs. I know what you mean and I hope you’re right but I don’t think they have the horses to beat either of these teams.
Cleveland looks good. These two teams look bad.
I’m with you there. However, and it looks like LA wins tonight, I’m afraid there might be a Hollywood ending to this season for a one Mr. Roberts and Mr. Kershaw and I’m really not looking forward to that.
Somewhere, Bobby Evans is banging his head against a wall saying ” I should’ve traded for a closer.”
I’m good with that. Go American League!
Not from me. It is nice to see the cocky grin wiped off the Cubs’ faces though.
The way the Cubs acted in the division series was weak. And as the Rhodes Scholar Pete Rose said after Game 2, “I don’t know how this team won 103 games. They can’t hit.” Cubs are looking more like a team that feasts on 4/5 SPs and can’t hit good pitching. Rizzo and Russell in particular have been embarrassing.
I’m not supporting the Dodgers. It just looks like Chicago is choking, and I’m enjoying it.
BTW, Cubs fans have the 9th inning from NLDS Game 4 on youtube and they spend a lot of time gloating about it.
Couldn’t happen to nicer fans.
Not me. But I am enjoying the journey not being easy-peasy for the cubs. Keep those egos in check. As if that were possible.
Never. I have intense dislike for the Dodgers, as any Orange and Black Faithful should. But this series?? No way. ANYBODY but the Smirks.
The thing is, as Giants fans, we don’t really have any _recent_ reason to hate on the Dodgers other than the traditional rivalry.
I mean, yes, they keep winning the division, but we play even during the season and the playoffs they have always been eliminated and we’ve done just fine.
Also they haven’t won a World Series since before my youngest daughter was born. That was a long time ago.
Yes that is all true.
“Remember ’88!!!”
Lol.
I guess what I’m saying is I could never root for the Dodgers but the Cubs just beat us last week, and were very classless in their conduct. They deserve whatever happens to them.
Absolutely. Cubs are way too sure of themselves, and that will be their downfall.
Wait…what?
Here is the most recent reason: they’re still the Dodgers.
I think they win the World Series if they win the NLCS, the Indians have too many injured Starting pitchers and the Bullpen is getting worn down in the playoffs, they can not keep getting away with it, Blue Jays odds are will not win 3 more games in a row .
Spot on analysis. I do want the Jays out of all the teams, and man, the odds are stacked, but I have this feeling that their bats are waking up, and if they get hot, they could steamroll the Indians. Coming back from 3-0 has been done before.
But the Dodgers have a gritty, do the right things at the right time champion look to em.
With Kershaw.
The camera work in the postseason is just peachy. “Here’s the lower half of Arrieta’s face!” “Here’s a shot of some dude who hit a homer but some other dude’s butt is obstructing him celebrating!”
They can’t even not have beach balls in the post-season? Amateurs.
I’m bringing back the issue of a lack of power which is why the Giants were 9th in runs scored though tied for 4th in BA. Look at the Dodgers. The two guys who’ve hit homers tonight both hit 27 this season. The Dodgers power is also well distributed in their lineup. The Giants have a lot of issues this postseason but I’d say that aside from the pen they need to find some power somewhere. In the live ball era I wonder if any team ever won a title with no guy at or over 20 HR. I doubt it.
I’ve been shouting that all year. Everybody else seems to just say “it’s ok that they don’t hit them, it’s that they give up too many.” Don’t agree with that. Hitting soooo few HRs leaves such a small margin for error and forces the team to string too many hits together.
I’m still bummed Vedder is a cubbies fan.
“Ten” is a CLASSIC album, but not much more PJ does it for me.
Ocean & Garden real nice
Dude, those are my two faves. Wonderful, deep songs. Just gorgeous, particularly “Oceans.”
Word. Ten is appx #50 on my top 100 all time.
Yeah, that’s the best one. But there’s also some other album I totally forgot the name of. It had “Daughter” & a few others.
“Vs.” I think that’s it.
Bingo. I liked the title song, too.
“Rearview Mirror” is a great song. My band covered it in ’94 lol.
Hahaha….time is a bitch.
Unless you make it your bitch.
I’ll have to remember that one.
Poetry. Right up there with the Shakespearean sonnets.
…and I love Bill Murray, but those constant camera shots made me vurp some bile
The Fox announcers have really swallowed the Koolaid, 3-0 Dodgers, Cubs have 1 on. The batter represents the tying run?
If the LA team can win this one, the Kershaws might take it.
It’s 4-0 LA.
That was earlier, when it was 3-0. Math skills lacking
Do the Bums have some kind of Vin Scully thing going on. They are a hot team right now and have the Cubs on the ropes with Kershaw looming.
Yes
Urias looming too and they can’t hit Hill.
Cubs are in trouble. Urias is tough. And he’s at home, which makes a huge difference. Then Kershaw in Game 5. Yep. They’re in trouble.
Urias also has a great curve. And has a nice set of pickoff moves.
These southpaws are giving them hell
Interesting because the Dodgers apparently can’t hit lefties either.
No, the Cubs are just overrated , the Giants blew it, by not nocking them out .
I’m with PJ, stip all the Vin Scully bullshit blessing.
Every Dodger win just shows no team was destined. When the Cubs finally beat the Giants many figured the stronger team had won.
The Giants FO just plain failed this season and it is unforgivable how they shit the season away. They had a team that could have gone to the WS this season, if not for the one obvious need.
The WS is not always the best team on paper, because then the finals would be the Cubs and the Red Sox. It’s who has the pitching clicking at the right time. The Giants won three WS and they were never considered the best team on paper.
The Giants FO is fully to blame for the loss to the Cubs and the 2nd half collapse, which are both attributed to the same reason, the lack of a closer.
Hell with Evans and Bauer and everyone else responsible.
Bauer?
*Baer. It has an invisible, silent “u.”
Got it. Thanks for spotting that.
Thing about having home run power is that, not only is it instant offense, it brings the momentum back into the dugout, and most importantly, it is demoralizing to the opposing team.
This series is a great example of that. 4 of last 5 (unanswered) Dodgers runs have come via the long ball.
Angel Hernandez is legendary
Then again…so is Heyward…
I’m going to write a children’s book about Heyward called, “The Two Hundred Million Dollar Platoon Player.”
Not trying to be a jerk, but does anyone know what’s up with Urias’ eye? I think I remember he did “elective surgery” early this season on it, and it still looks like one of his eyes has a lid problem?
He had a medical issue when he was young that was not fixed correctly. Appears his physical appearance is permanent.
It may have been he lived in an area without the right doctors available.
Thanks, E.
He, Arias, is scheduled for multiple surgeries to incrementally improve the eye.
Tough deal, but I’m sure he’ll get excellent care at this point.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/dodgersnow/la-sp-dn-dodgers-prospect-julio-urias-out-eye-surgery-20150518-story.html
Also important to know he is from Sinaloa, Mexico an area hit hard by the drug cartel situation.
He may only now be getting the proper medical care.
Wow Rizzo really needs a hug. Practically begging for one.
He even acts like a cub
Aptly named, for they act like children.
All you guys rooting for the Dodgers , are going to regret it, if they win the NLCS, and get to face an Indians team that is missing 3 starting pitchers, and is warring down a bullpen by using them to much in every game, they probably win it all . I do not understand why Terry Francona started Klubber today on 3 , rest up in the series 3-0, he only got 5 innings from him, and tomorrow is starting a rookie with only a few MLB starts, Blur Jays might have a shot in this series .
Klubber Lang?! Rocky kicked his ass!
Both teams are wearing out their best pitchers.
Those two dudes were the most Cubs looking fans ever.
I dunno man, there’s a ton of em. Millennial lookin sullen weirdos. Now they’re just salty. Saltdoggin it hard. Lovin’ the crowd shots. Always the best icing on the cake.
Only Joe Buck can reference a 4 run game in the 8th inning and pretend that it is close.
Sulk away, Smirks, sulk away.
You’re on a roll, but I’m with Peter…sure, the Cubs smirk. But, dood….it’s LA. I thought you were a huge Giants fan. This does not compute
There are certain inexplicably confusing phenomena which uproot the very fiber of one’s being into a veritable chaos of conscience.
Or, douchebags are douchebags no matter what uniform they wear.
The Giants….
The Dodgers…
The defense rests, your honor.
The Court of Anti-Douchebag Appeals denies your motion, counselor.
You ain’t no judge, Wapner
And you ain’t no lawyer, Cochran.
Jose Bautista is his guy.
No, that would be Biagini.
Lick it up, lick it up,
Ohhhhh ohhhhhh
You know that’s what the Jays rock out to.
Hahaha that and “Laid in the Shade.”
you know I love me Kershaw!!!! Plus even though I grew up a Giants fan I really got into the whole Fernando Mania, I had too! And I will back Urias up to succeed.
But, you’re different , E…you throw molotovs for sport
lol
Good grief, why not just change colors? You like everything about the Dodgers and despise everything about the Giants. It’s an odd expression of fandom, gotta say.
Too bad they don’t act like good Dodger fans and leave early
Been waiting for Urias for 3 years. No disappointment.
You two should get a blue-themed room. BARF
Law, Lopez, Romo, Smith, Strickland – Take notes.
yep, its shows what a bunch a scrubs they are compared to a real pen
Maybe if Bochy did not yank them after 1 batter, they would have done the job, Law got 6 outs Monday, Strickland and Smith got 3 outs each on Monday, it’s on Bochy PEOPLE, he is not getting a pass from me !!
yeah keep telling yourself that. lol
You like to kiss ass, on reputation , he choked, got paranoid and blew it !!
it’s called talent, something the Giants pen lacked.
32 blown saves were not attributed to Bochy’s pen use, it was because the freakin suck.
That really doesn’t work as an excuse when you blow a 3-run lead in one inning.
I blame Bochy, he is paid to make good decisions , and he blew it , and his players got rattled because he was rattled !!
I’d like to see Joc hit a bomb, hometown kid!
I’d rather see a bomb hit him, stinkin’ Fodger.
WHOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Set them straight, Dr. Right Brain
how’s your boy Mac doing?
don’t be mad he can’t hold Joc’s jock!!!
Double will do. Nice postseason. Come a long way from 2nd half last year.
& yes, giants could really use a guy like him off the farm. Can Mac sniff his production?
That is going to be one of the interesting questions in 2017. Mac had troubles making the jump to MLB, but then when past that, didn’t get much playing time. On his way up, but how high?
Duvall, he was having a better year in the PCL in 2014, before he was called up by the Giants .
nope, not a chance.
Oh for the love of Gawd show me some more salty Cub mugs.
Greek might have to save our blog…it’s turned in to Eastern Boys Blue Love. WTF
Yeah, where’s a moderator when you need one? SMH
Can “anyone self moderate”? We should ask Jeopardy Boy
Thank God you guys are here. I thought this was a Dodger blog
Impressive, Baez. That was one incredible kissy face to the camera play.
Save Jansen and take him out. This one’s in the bag, Smirks.
Go play some ABBA on your Walkman and leave this place to Giants fans.
I have some ABBA crankin’ with Joe Buck’s monotone totally silenced. It’s beautiful. You should try it Fernando, I mean Mateo.
Maddon: “Let’s keep pitching that Mariner kid….I’m sure he can relate to post season pressure….”
Cubs fans have to sweating by now.
Character test for them, tomorrow.
It’s all up to the lackey to save the Smirks from a 3-1 hole against Kershaw in Game 5.
Lol.
Now you’re just trolling
Because of all the Cubs fans on here?
Matty…please save the butthurt. It isn’t very becoming.
Save the Dodger love…you want unbecoming? You’re defecating in the Church of the Giants, man.
Look, I know they are our hated rivals for an eternity upon eternities. But not every Giants fan on here would agree with your assessment. I know you would, but you don’t speak for us all. The Cubs are a detestable bunch of take it for granted, sure of themselves PUNKS and yes they deserve this over the Dodgers. So root for the Dodgers I will.
Game. Over.
I’m reassessing things. This is weird.
It certainly is. A veritable baseball “lesser of two evils.” Perfect in an election year.
Here’s the deal: I’m a Giants fan, and have been my whole life. There may be occasional Dodgers I can respect. But, they are Dodgers, so I want them to lose every game they play. That will never change ever. I don’t want to understand anyone who roots for the Dodgers…ever. Ever.
So, do your thing. I vehemently disagree with your lesser of evils attempt. There is NO evil equal to the Dodgers…because I’m a Giants fan.
Again, it’s not about respect. I do respect some of them.
But, they are Dodgers. I want them to lose. I would venture that most Giants fans agree. If they don’t, they certainly don’t post 30 times about how they are openly rooting for LA.
I have fun going back and forth with you. But the fact that you are blatantly and openly rooting for them on this Giants blog is fucked up.
I respect your opinion 100%. I just happen to disagree. This is the only time I have ever in my life rooted for them, and it will be the only time unless they play this Cubs team. But with regards to this, we aren’t going to change each other’s minds, so it is what it is.
Btw…Pete Rose is drunk. You may be right.
Easy to laugh at Pete these days, but it’s really kinda sad.
Take it easy.
He’s angry at the Cubs and wants them to lose. I understand that.
Actually I turned on this game tonight to see the Cubs beat the Dodgers.
But, hey, if the Dodgers win, I’m going to at least enjoy the Cubs crashing.
I know they are the Dodgers and I never want them to win. However, they haven’t recently rubbed my nose in it the way the Cubs have. So, if/when the Cubbies lose, I will gloat a little bit. If/when the Dodgers lose, I will know there is a God.
I’m not going to “take it easy”. I don’t think I need to. We chatted it out.
Unless you’re standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.
Such a fine sight to see
I want the Dodgers to lose every game. But I want the Cubs to lose, too. It’s a quandary, all right!
The ONLY time I’m rooting for the Dodgers is if they’re playing the Yankees in the WS.
56 years of hating those bums…ain’t changin’
Burn it up
Go for broke
Watch the night go up in smoke!
Rock on…
They’re gonna crush Lackey
I’m just hoping for at least a few classic lackey f bombs. That ugly ass Rally Monkey-totin neanderthal…
As ugly as he is he’s still better than poor matt Cain.
With a mug like Cain’s, it’s too late for love.
Darkness settles on the town
As the children start to sing.
There’s a lady over there…she’s acting pretty cool…
I love you def fukkers.
But when it comes to playing life….
She always plays the fool….
Giants need another hitter. Offense is cool too. Mac? Nunez? Not so sure full seasons from them are enough.
Pence needs to win comeback player.
25 hrs!
Deal!
Pence can still contribute, but you are kidding yourself if you think he can come close to his best seasons, those days are over
Slater, and Shaw in 2018 .
Can Slater be ready next year to make the roster?
Why not, he was killing it in AA and AAA this year, most prospects, barely play in AAA .
I’m in, PJ.
What about 17? Closer to prime of stars.
Slater in 2017, Shaw in 2018 is what I meant .
Too much rookie. Need a pro hitter that won’t get owned.
Thanks Bruce !
Rookies suck!
The best hitter on the Dodgers is a rookie.
Need a rookie like that. An A level prospect ready to own MLB pitchers.
News flash: Larry King can still stand up
Weekend at Bernies?
The script is not being followed. Now the F’ubs are “getting a chance to look at Jansen.” I would love to see both teams lose. It will take another series for that to happen.
I’m not going to make much sense here but I think the Cubs are to the Dodgers, what the Cardinals were to the Giants. Likewise, Giants are to the Cubs what Cardinals were to the Dodgers. Giants won once out of 6(?) trips to Wrigley this year?
Making it to complicated, The Cubs young hitters are too tight in playoffs, the Mets owned them last year, the Giants were mostly only hurt by the hitting of Cubs pitchers, and blew it by not beating the Cubs, the Cubs are overrated .
Yeah, maybe it’s just an NLCS thing for the Cubs but it would be good for baseball to have another semi-rivalry born in the playoffs.
The Giants lost that series but could easily have won. We lost because of our bullpen and our own light hitting. Cubs can be taken, either here, or in the Series. Especially now: They are literally choking.
If they come back and win tomorrow convincingly, OK, get me re-write. But right now, they look pretty bad.
so true, take out the Cubs pitchers’ hitting number from that series and the script could have been reversed. That’s on the staff, Posey and the pitching coaches, to allow the other team’s pitchers to beat you.
‘Night all. 121 days until pitchers and catchers report.
67 days until Evans gets a hitter.
Dedicated to Matty and Fortyhands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJzvkHtfBfM
Thank you! You know they put up a statue to commemorate that song …….
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/images/az/AZWINcorner_3421.jpg
Flatbed truck in the window.
LOL I saw that. Didn’t know about the flatbed Ford, though. Did you notice that ole Glenn looks a bit like a mellow, loitering Jesus Christ?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1206b3f5baa28a2890340102756eeda5edaba668b93d42bba1e9ef2021690be3.jpg
Didn’t Jackson write that song?
Yep. He was “Running on Full.”
My guy. Same high school in so. Cal. Gary Carter too.
I ain’t a Pretender either. Except I will get up and do it again, amen.
Very cool. You’re runnin with the wind…a shadow in the dust.
Circus comes to town
And I am late for the sky.
I’ll bet you don’t have to struggle much for the legal tender these days! Atta babe.
Nolan and Jonah Arrenado went to my high school.
Yup
Back when he used to
Yep. But he had help by the Eagles to finish it. Or the other way around.
Heard that tonight on the way to get index cards for my 16 year old son who insists on listening to the classic rock station everywhere we go.
Now that i’m home, I’m listening to something I’ll never get tired of! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-AWLocy5Zw&index=20&list=RD4HWwzScZEUo
Wonderful. A 16 year old who is into our classic Rock ‘n Roll. It’s a *very* good thing!
Yes it is!
“And when the morning light comes streaming in
I’ll get up and do it again
Amen
Say it again
Amen”
Good morning to Bobby Evans too. Perhaps watching the Dodgers talents on display and watching them push further into the playoffs will push him to really put together one heck of Giants team – he’s got the building blocks to make a contender. He’s got the legal tender to make the Giants a legit threat to overtake the Dodgers in the West. With a strong bullpen add another legitimate pro hitter, the Giants will not be a Pretender in 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQiXQUGbac0
Let’s hope Scout, and good morning. Because if not, it’s going to be a long, dark cruel winter.
I know you’re playing on words (and I like Jackson Browne, too), but the Giants were hardly pretenders in 2016. They made the playoffs, won the Wild Card game, and without a bad ninth inning in Game 4, who knows? As for the division, the Giants finished four games behind the Dodgers and won their season series 11-8. If Bochy had exercised more sense about the back of the rotation and the bullpen, they win the division easily.
Other than Kershaw, whom we’ve known about for years, I’m not seeing such invincible “talent” on the Dodgers. Seager’s a star. Turner’s a free agent and well into his 30s. AGon’s getting up there. Jansen’s a free agent. Hill’s a free agent and old. They’ve come together well, and credit to them for that, but I don’t necessarily see the staying power–unlike, say, the Cubs, who will add Schwarber next year.
Look out for the Diamondbacks next year. It will be the Giants or Dbacks for the division. Dodgers will regress for the reasons you mention.
Well, we thought we were looking out for the Diamondbacks THIS year, and it turned out you needed a telescope to see that far…
Yeah, but their injuries were beyond the pale really. They have way way too much offensive talent… I think their pitching will be better. They are the only team really that scares me per se in our division. I think the NL will not be that good next year. It will be between the Dbags, the Giants and the Cubs for the pennant.
The DBacks will have no bullpen and we know how that goes.
that’s who i picked. it was before pollack’s injury, though.
Pollack’s had that same injury twice now. Hard not to wonder if it’s chronic and can happen again. If they offer him an extension like they did before last season, he should jump on it.
that’s why you can’t blame guys like bum for taking the money early. you never know.
Absolutely. Longoria was an early example of this: “Never turn down your first chance at wealth” was his quote. Thankfully, the Rays also locked up Matt Moore after about 5 min., which now the Giants will benefit from.
LaRussa was on Tolbert’s radio show on KNBR yesterday and he (LaRussa) had mentioned the rash of injuries, starting with Pollock. It went downhill from there.
Whaaaaaaaa….. whaaaaaaa…..
Yeah because Pollack was the difference btw the Backs and the Dodgers right?
I like their talents – doubts about them putting it together. Watch out for Rockies too!
Please, all you guys want to push the Backs and Rockies every year turning a blind bias eye to the Dodgers.
How do you figure they will still not have the primary threat to the Giants in the west?
And you side with Lefty? You actually think she will provide an impartial opinion on the Dodgers state? That’s like asking me to judge Belt. Lol
The Dodgers have, as I’ve pointed out since ST, once of the strongest 40 man rosters in the league. The have Kershaw, they can buy other pitchers. They have solid talent at the top of the system. Guys like Seager and Joc will only get better. Even puig if not kept had trade value. They have Jansen and a solid pen. Need I go on? Even their bench, while not scary is a mile better than the Giants.
Funny and strong post. You’ve been on your game of late, E.
You and Scout are hilarious. The Dodgers are always good and the glass is always half full and the future is always bright, and the Giants are always worthless. I get him because he’s from LA and has made it clear he’s not a Giants fan, but you claim to be one. I really don’t understand why you’d bother to follow a team that you think is racist and boring and has no talent and no farm system and a lousy front office that doesn’t get the job done. Sounds pretty depressing to me.
The truth is that both teams are good and have their strengths and weaknesses and question marks for the future. You mention that the Dodgers “can always buy pitchers.” But they haven’t really bought a star pitcher since Greinke in 2012. Then they wouldn’t pony up to keep Greinke, and they didn’t get Lester or Scherzer or Price or Cueto or even second-tier guys like Zimmermann or Samardzija. Their idea of signing pitchers is Brandon McCarthy and Scott Kazmir. Some geniuses they’ve got over there, yep.
For me the rivalry is more fun when both teams are competitive. And they are.
Buying pitchers is all you got from my response? They currently have pitching both ver and young. I meant to imply that if they need one they can go out and get one. Heck If Deleon and Urias and Lee are the real deal they don’t need to.
I’m a Guants fan first but overall a baseball fan. I can make unbiased opinions on other teams because I appreciate talent across the board. I’m more critical of the Giants because they are my team and while they obviously have made great moves, they make some that are unforgivable – such as not get a closer this season when they were so close.
Watching the Dodgers play the Cubs tough pleases me because it substantiates what I have said all season about how strong I the roster is top to bottom. It’s the very reason it could withstand all those injuries. As well as having far superior upper farm talent than the Giants.
That being said I still think the Giants are right there with them and could have won this season. The Giants equalizer is the top 4 starters and the veteran infield core, it can mask any blatant deficiencies on the roster.
Put Miller on the Giants and tell me they can’t beat anyone.
That is why I feel sabean and Evans and Baer shit this season away, because they were cheap and lack the cojones to go full throttle when needed.
Every year someone cries out look out for Az lol.
Good morning. Giants offense sure looked like Pretenders for long stretches – as they are wont to do. They can survive without that extra pro hitter, but that one guy could really be valuable insurance for the event the Pence isn’t all that, that Span’s numbers are down, that Posey hits like a beat up catcher, that the Brandon’s are down at times…
A guy that can hit around .300 and pop 20- HRs with professional, fearsome AB’s would sure help. There’s no denying.
As for the Dodgers, Seager is MVP level star. Pederson is very productive for a CF- comparable to Belt in production, the Giants most productive batter. I imagine they re-sign Turner because they need to. Gonzalez can still hit – out HR’d and RBI’d Belt this year. They’ve got their young ace pitchers to help. Toles is nice. Thompson a nice bench player. Puig. Grandal hit 27 HRs. They have some more talent on the farm, on the way…
Eh. You can look at either team through positive or negative lenses. Grandal is inconsistent and injury-prone and has been his whole career. Puig?–whatever. Pederson is a nice player sometimes, nothing special really, not star-quality like Seager. Thompson? I practically forgot about him. He hasn’t played since what, June?
“Young ace pitchers?”–Well, Kershaw, but there are a lot of miles on him, he’ll be 29, and he missed nearly three months this season. Urias?–Maybe. We’ll see. After that, there’s no one close to established. It’s like calling Ty Blach a “young ace pitcher”–maybe he will be, maybe he won’t.
“More talent on the farm”?–we’ll see.
Now, all that said, I certainly don’t disagree that the Giants need more hitters and to fix their bullpen. And I still think the latter is easier than the former.
This is funny. They just have more talent on the 40 man – like Efrain says. And like Donald says: “not even close”. 😉
We’re talking about next year, though, right? Don’t know who’s going to be on either team’s 40. The Giants have nine guys going off, maybe two more if they don’t offer arbitration to Adrianza or Gearrin. The Dodgers will lose/add guys too.
Schwarber? Lol ever see that bowling bowl try to place OF? Where are you going to put him? Kid belongs in the AL
Ready made DH
Still, he’s a great natural power hitter and the Cubs are missing that. Not that he would have helped them much against the Dodgers with all their lefties, but the Cubs’ problem right now is no one’s hitting except Bryant. Rizzo’s been awful and Heyward and Russell are weak links in the lineup.
Joe Maddon’s a creative guy. He’ll figure out ways to get Schwarber’s bat in the mix.
OurGuy™ Ryder went 2-4 yesterday …http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&sid=l119&gid=2016_10_18_scowin_msswin_1&mode=box&c_id=mlb
Look at those empty stands.
I say the TWG Road Trip should be the AFL; it is the New Spring Training without the Crowds. [Of course, only if the Giants miss the playoffs some year … maybe 2026 when Posey retires?]
I’m actually flying to Arizona this morning and will be there through Saturday. I considered trying to sneak in an AFL game but am just too busy at the conference (at ASU). I bet the AFL is cheaper than spring training, too, but I am fighting Homecoming at ASU this weekend.
i remember right where i was when i first heard this in ’76. 40 years ago..damn. i went right to record store, and bought the 8 track. might have been the cassette. life would suck without music.
When I was in college in the late 70s, one of my summer jobs was in a movie theater. We had the movie “No Nukes,” and I’d tiptoe in every time Browne and Springsteen did their songs…I’ve loved both of those guys ever since.
2 of the greatest song writers ever.
Weird Al?
Just kidding
one of the greatest parodist ever. great sense of humor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg
You’re right about another hitter. And that means OF, or a Zorilla type player (see what I did there?). I’m a Mac fan, but I’m not sure he’s ready for everyday play. Should be one of the 4-5 OF spots, for sure. I’d trade Parker. He needs a fresh start. A legit backup C would be a nice add as well.
So tired of the Cubs and their historical reminder in every story. Just about puts them on par with the Dodgers. Go American League, whoever it is.
Yes, must be a vibe going on in our neighborhood GS … I find myself rooting for the dodgers at this junction. Part of that is Roberts vs. MadOne.
c’mon haakman, not you too? i’d root for isis if that’s who the dodgers were playing..
Problem is I want both the cubs and dodgers to lose so does it really matter in which order? They way they are using Jansen even if they beat the cubs he will not be efective in the WS. It was probably said last night here but what is Roberts thinking using KJ with a six run lead?
Attaboy, Steve.
I find myself kind of apathetic. I didn’t even turn on the game last night. I watched Netflix and kept one eye on the At-Bat app in case it looked interesting and I wanted to switch over. I don’t like either the Cubs or the Dodgers so I can’t get excited about any scenario. Either way I win. Either way I lose. So who cares?
Attaboy Haak
Screw the cubs.
If you’re a Warriors fan, you’ll want to read this long but well researched piece by the excellent ESPN beat writer, Ethan Sherwood Strauss on their “Draymond Green Problem.” Fascinating and not a little alarming.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17790252/golden-state-draymond-green-problem
Damn its too long Dr i started getting bored.
Bottom line: Green is “unaccountable” and a problem for Kerr, in the locker room, and off the court. Kerr had to rush back to coaching because the team was getting undisciplined under Luke. The front office is not likely to back Kerr if there are problems with Draymond. There is a lot of tension between Dray and Klay, neither of whom would answer questions for the piece. The episode at halftime in OKC in February was so escalated that security was wondering if they needed to go in “like a SWAT team.”
I think it will be very interesting to see how the team gels with all the new players. I think part of what kept them mostly functioning the last couple years despite all the attention and pressure was they’d been together so long and had established relationships. This year half the team is new.
Green becomes expendable as Looney progresses….Looney will NOT be the overall force that Green is, but the roster is strong enough to absorb that removal surgery
Hi Matt havent spoken to you since the disastrous 9th.
Hey Slikkster! I’ve been doing pigeon drops in here…my Octobers are busy at the salt mine…Hope you’re doing well, my man! Can’t wait to see Durant’s impact on things
Same here matty in and out during the off season for yours truly. See ya on the ol blog later on.
I thought Looney looked really good in that game vs the Lakers the other night. I’m interested to see how he and McCaw progress.
Theyll gel with no problem although Green is startimg to get on my last nerve!! suspend his ass if necessary this year if his conduct is detrimental to my well being.
Mrs Dr, i have the attention span of a gnat at times.
I don’t think they’ll be as good. And I think Portland and San Antonio will be better. Sometimes less is more. I could see the Dubs flaming out before the Conference finals.
It’ll be interesting if he gets suspended again in the playoffs and what happens. Both Curry and Durant have options at the end of the year and they can dictate what happens with Draymond…and they could back Kerr over Draymond.
Hopefully it never comes to this.
Some people got bothered last season when I said that Draymond Green is a knucklehead. Draymond Green is a knucklehead. From the article, it also sounds like he might have the power to ruin the team. Choosing Green over Kerr would be a mistake, I believe. It’s apparent that neither Curry nor Thompson are strong enough personalities to keep Green in line. Durant is also a quiet guy.
What’s also interesting is that multiple team sources provided the material for the story. There was some intent behind that and I think it shows that there are factions within the organization, off the court. Obviously, Lacob’s side will win in the end, if it ever comes to that. Let’s hope it doesn’t, but there’s potential for a great thing to fall apart, for no other reason than the fact that one important person is an idiot.
I hope Kerr wins this power struggle. I think he has the potential to be a HOF coach.
Curry + Durant > Draymond
If he wants to stay in Golden State, he needs to remember that.
From the story, I guess the hope should be that Lacob remembers that.
That’s what Jerry West is for. Jerry threatened to leave the organization if they traded Klay for Love, so Lacob listens to him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zJU4c_DSL8
I’m ashamed to admit how entertaining this was.
I still can’t believe Haak was willing to bet my Seager vs. Duffy stats.
Geesh
That was Bryant vs. Duffy Road Stats. Bryant actually hit better on the Road than Home this year … What is that?
Did we talk about Seager?
Ah yes it was Bryant. Seager was with someone else.
Either way Duffy is not in their league as far as ability.
He will beat both of them in OBP next year.
Ooops… there I go again with my DuffyLove™. Must be my Long Beach connection?
I’ll do you one better – I’ll take Pederson over Parker/Mac COMBINED! Lol
No … Duffy was runner-up for ROY and GG in the same year. MacPark are still not MLB players, though they could be.
Pederson comp? I got nothing … need more coffee.
Duffy would to have change his approach to ever become a high OBP hitter.
Yeah, it was a “hit of the moment” statement and I still have not looked at his stats. But I see the high K’s of Bryant and Seager and think Duffy will improve his contact faster than them.
Giant fans fall in love with a guy so damn easily its ridiculous. guy has a decent season and were ready to anoint his ass lol. Seager V Duffy is no comparison. Haak youre still my man though!!
Nobody compared Seager to Duffy. They don’t even play the same position.
E stated that Haak was comparing their stats against one another Dr.
But E remember it was not me too. I bet him over Road Stats with Duffy vs. Bryant this year and that blew up in my face. E gave me an extension of Double or Nothing for a Five-Year comparison now: Duffy is the Tortoise, Bryant is the Hare.
OK gotcha lol
i totally forgot about his homes woes and his road dominance.
How are they not playing the same position? Duffy is slated to be the Rays SS.
The primary comparison was hitting. Athletic wise Duffy is not even in the same ballpark.
Dude needs a few steaks.
Exactly. Come on, Slikk. I don’t “fall in love” with any player “easily” anymore. I think most of us feel that way. They have to show me they have some chops, and that they can grow into a reliable everyday player. Matt Duffy did exactly that, with his last 2014 start and a strong 2015 season. He’s a gamer, and he’ll be a solid MLB player. Seager is a budding superstar and will be a top five NL player over at least the next five years.
I did – I admit it. I ‘fell in love’ with the Duffman. And Skeeter.
– lucita https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2b3c5fb5bc93e4f70efd24f3bdb3155c55422026a22a51e47c3ca6918348b1ea.jpg
Everyone liked Duffy when he came up in late 2014; he had hustle. Then everyone fell in love with him when that hustle allowed him to tied NLCS Game #2, scoring from 2B on a passed ball. Then those feelings were ratified when he won third base from McGehee and won the Willie Mac Award. No, the Giants do not need an entire infield of high contact low power infielders.
Expand E!
Maybe Ty Blach can be as good as Julio Urias. Any takers?
Beede could give Jose DeLeon a run for the money, we’ll have to see about that one, that could be an interesting bet.
That would be interesting but hard to say now since one is going to start game 4 in the WS and the other, who is older, hasn’t even sniffed triple A
Urias starts G4. I don’t think DeLeon is on the playoff roster, but he made his mlb debut after dominating the PCL. Blach pitched very well for the Giants after successful 2nd run in the PCL. Beed, is the one who has his nose on the PCL – he can almost smell it.
I think it’s really hard to compare Urias and Blach at this stage. Blach is a finished product, a college pitcher who’s always been polished and has gained confidence and poise. People can dismiss that final weekend series against the Dodgers, but you can’t tell me Kershaw wasn’t salivating to personally knock the Giants out, and Blach outdueled him on every possible level. It was extremely impressive.
Urias has great raw talent but is still very, very young. I suspect he’s going to be very good. But I also think Blach, if given the opportunity, is going to have a very nice major league career.
Blach is nice back of rotation pitcher. Urias is frontline material.
Why, because some prospect list said so? LOL. Let’s just see how their careers develop.
Reading my mind, Dr. Lefty.
You and your prospect list “voodoo”. You’re hilarious, like the Kristen Wiig of the blog.
Ever notice how these top prospects are very often quite good at the MLB level. Trust the scouts, a little 🙂
Ever notice how these top prospects are very often not good at all? Read through some first-round draft lists for the last ten years. I wouldn’t say it’s a crapshoot, but I also wouldn’t say it’s a sure bet. 50-50, tops.
You’re a veritable Kate McKinnon too. Love your work! 🙂
Now THAT is a compliment. She should get an Emmy! 👍🏻
Her Clinton is grrrr8!
You’re looking at insignificant things like how well a player actually does at the major league level. All that matters is how highly they’re rated.
😂🤔😇
I read somewhere it was about a 30% chance of being a 5+ WAR player.
Good Wednesday moning. I find myself down of sorts, as we’re almost through that wonderful Sept/Oct autumn. Tougher still our Giants aren’t in the postseason, and the baseball season draws to a close. Still hope the Cubs beat the Dodgers, but I like seeing that smug prick Arrieta get beat. Cubs/Indians would be a great World Series for all us old school baseball fans. Have a great day, y’all.
I’m on the other side, total – the DOGER side! Can’t stand the cubs, and my brother (from ATL) is a doger fan. Besides, he rooted for the Gints during their good years.
Can someone tell me when Bam Bam ( grown ass man named bam bam) will be released my goodness!
Why should he be fired?
Of course not he’s doing a fantastic job with all of the hitters. The greatest hitting coach there ever was!!
Check out our road stats the last few seasons.
But he could be another fall guy, of course.
2019 when Bochy may retire.
Bochy’s performance has been much more questionable than his. Did Bam Bam sleep for 2 months while the Giants failed to put on a single play to generate some offense?
Early morning listening, from that immortal rock ‘n roll era of 1968-1972:
Every Picture Tells a Story (Rod Stewart)
Muswell Hillbillies (Kinks)
Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie)
1967-1976
add a few years so you can get in Sargent Peppers and Presence.
Good add! That five year era (’68-’72) was my coming of age period, and the music of that period was the peak of the 60s renaissance, IMHO.
We really should go back further to 1964 to add the formation of the Stones and the Kinks…
No doubt. The British Invasion–led by the Beatles–changed everything about rock ‘n roll music. That later five-year arc is in my opinion the essence of that era. Artists honed their craft and produced classic, immortal rock ‘n roll.
Everyone always sleeps on the Animals. Short lived but brilliant…..
Need to scootch that up to include Def Leppard’s High and Dry and Pyromania 🙂
Pyro is ’83 If you go that far you got to squeeze in Hysteria in ’86
Pepper was 1966…. Presence was 76 so you’re close.
I would go to 78 to include In Through the Outdoor
No, Sergeant Pepper was issued in June 1967, right after the Human Be-in at Golden Gate Park, and right before the Six Day War and Monterey Pop.
Revolver came out in June of 1966. I can’t remember if it was before or after Yesterday and Today. That was the summer Gaylord got on the cover of Sports Illustrated because he was having such a great year — at the time.
You are correct sir, I was think Pepper was in 1966 because the sessions started late that year. Though do you include Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane which were released early from the Pepper sessions as a single in February of 67 I think were recorded in late 66 ~Nov. Both songs were later tacked on the Mystery Tour LP.
Yes, I forgot. I don’t really know what you guys were attempting to periodize but I just jumped in.
IIRC, SF was already eccentric because of Beat culture and got more into the Victorian and Psychelic scene by 1964 (hence, groups like the Beau Brummels.) The drug bit including LSD and banana peels (remember? LOL) started by 1965. Full blown psychedlia by 1966. Hippies in 1967 (“Summer of Love”).
I think if I were to periodize something I’d start January-February 1964 when the Beatles came to the US and leave it at that. It might not be 10 years exactly, but, that’s OK.
Is Jimi talking to anybody?
How about Living Colour? I’m the cult of personality!!
Of course Jimi was talking to us all but he was long since dead by 1976. And his best work is in 67, 68…..
where’s Steve K? – he said he was seeing Thorogood.
Last song on radio pulling in was Bourbon, Scotch, and Beer! Great story that one.
also heard Queen – I want to break free ! (that one goes out to Anti-Lasodra)
Not my favorite Queen period, but appreciated none the less. I’m more a The Game and back Queen fan when Brian May had more input into the music.
Guitar!!!! Drums!!!!
Rocket!!! Yeah!!!
We’re gonna fly! Satellite of love !
Thorogood had a brief, undistinguished MiLB career. Always liked him more for that.
I did not know that.
I’ll have your money next Friday…..
Muswell Hillbillies is an amazing and very under-rated album.
It absolutely is. It’s the Kinks at their best. Rocking and rolling, socially relevant, great party/concert songs–chock full of great R&R songs. Lola is my #1 fave, but Muswell Hillbillies is right behind it,.
Oh man, Maggie May/Mandolin Wind – sounds better to dig out that my old LP tonight than listen to any of the debate.
I’d go all the way back to 1956 myself. Back to “Roll Over Beethoven” by Chuck Berry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOrMg3pY7hw
I heard an interesting conversation between Tolbert and Lund yesterday. They were lamenting the Giants’ inability to land Andrew Miller in July (yeah, me too). They observed that the Giants draft and develop a certain type of player that they like, but not often the kinds of guys that are big trade deadline chips in the eyes of other teams.
Then they made this point: Duffy was one of those “types.” He was an 18th-rounder that flourished as a pro, never on anyone’s top prospect lists. And the Giants turned him into a former top prospect (ranked #1-2 before the 2012 season on every list) who may be a frontline starter for the next three years at least. So that is another way to get things done.
Since I work at a university, I’ll just go ahead and say that the skills of the teachers are a very big deal in developing a young person. As to the Urias/Blach discussion below, we don’t know how it will turn out, but Blach has been carefully ushered through Giants Pitching University and has apparently tried to learn from it. Beede is on the same journey. I’m still kind of stunned by GG’s interview, both in getting it, and how thoughtful this young man seems to be.
Duffy plus 6 million dollar bonus kid Fox (that’s like a late first round draft pick) and Michael Santos, a C+ pitching prospect with some upside. So not just Duffy, who the Rays understandably must have really liked.
Wonderful interview with Tyler Beede, GG. You asked solid, interesting, open-ended questions. Who’s Baggarly?
Who is care?
I have to say, GG’s interview with Beede rivaled that I read in Fangraphs with Duffy. Good stuff.
The discussions below – going way back into development and farm hand “rankings”, trade chips…all that stuff.
Why I think the Giants way works for MLB level results, using another sports story:
US Soccer has yet to flourish. Most point to it’s relative “youth” as an organization, but that isn’t a legitimate reason any longer. Here’s what i saw in the 90’s and the subsequent failure on the Men’s side (see recent World Cup, Gold Cup and Olympic flame outs for proof).
What US coaches and scouts do: Pick the “most athletic” players out at a young age, throw them in to academies, and try to develop them (think “Puig”, and not “Crawford”). They do so through an Olympic development system where each region sends kids. In my son’s years, the athletes always got picked over the fundamental kids, and over the “thinkers”. From my son’s 15 year old age group, 1 kid made the US Men’s pool eventually- a coaches kid (Michael Bradley). he was a thinker, but had an in. Every single athletic kid never made it. None. In other countries, they stress fundamentals and knowledge of the game – a vision and anticipation, which the US sorely lacks in its players
The Giants look for smart, fundamental ballplayers. Many on here lament the supposed lack of talent in the farm. Yet, the farm developed an incredible core of lasting talent at the MLB level. We see some more on the way.What the Giants do correct, in my opinion, is look at the totality. Athletic prowess, of course, is important. But so is baseball knowledge, fundamentals, game maturity, and “presence”.
Yes, Posey and Bumgarner were high draft picks, and Bum is a bit of an exception. Crawford, Panik, Duffy, Gillaspie, and others were athletic enough, but they weren’t picked for raw muscle. It may not seem an exact apt comparison, but in many ways it mirrors a philosophy that many MLB teams use (the hare), and it doesn’t work out the way they hope, while these Giants (the tortoise) keep winning at a steady pace
Somewhere in ‘there’ is an explanation of why women’s/girl’s soccer is growing so fast. Here in Davis, girl’s soccer is a bit like a religion. They are intense, driven, and competitive. Even people who don’t know a thing about soccer will congregate just to watch this young women play, for the sheer joy of it.
TO’s point has some merit, and that plays out on the women’s side. The percentage of participation is very high. The men;’s side – I gave one major opinion I have – is mostly hampered from the top
I sometimes think that the imperative to organize a sport as if it were part of a farm system for some sort of coming commercial/professional sports experience suitable for TV isn’t the wrong way to approach athletics.
Women don’t play professional baseball and football, and the WNBA isn’t a big deal. The talent pool isn’t as diluted by other sports.
so you say with your pop warner PAL coaching background LOL
So which are the other sports that draw American girls away from soccer, in the same way baseball and football do for boys? Did you pick that up during you’re many years in the post office?
Twilight zone comment…US Postal Service. Nixon changed it. I hope Dave Knopf doesn’t give up on your various future promotions.
US soccer isn’t very good because the best athletes in this country play other sports.
I’m not sure you are actually around enough youth sports to make such an observation. That generalization is trite and in no way reflects the actual participation numbers
He was not
Exactly. I was just about to write this exact sentence. US Soccer has no hope until the MLS salaries and the sport’s popularity rivals baseball, football and basketball. Until that happens USA soccer will be nothing more than a concept and international also-ran. No other country has this issue, with the exception of Canada.
But why is it an “issue”?
Greek, with all due respect: the best players from any country goes wherever for salaries ( the EPL is about 50% British players). If the only reason you think young athletes play is money, I believe you’re missing something.
It’s a reasonable point, but you are also overstating.
Again, start at the youth level: more now play soccer than baseball. Way more
“This is not good, folks”
But not the best athletes. In this country, soccer is generally a sport for those who aren’t good enough to excel in the major sports. It’s played by smaller, slower, suburban white kids who will one day grow up to be fine soccer moms and dads.
You’re kidding, right? What a cliche, uneducated generalization.
I wish you would have stood next to Ballistic United, where all 18 players went on to college to play. They ranged from 5’10” to 6’4″, and most had played baseball, football, basketball, but then concentrated on soccer. Several also ran track successfully – in their spare time. A couple were forced to choose between high level travel baseball and this. So, generalize as you see fit, but that is absurd in its blindness to facts.
You read a lot, but experience little in this arena. But, your goal is to debate irresponsibly, anyway
The results speak for themselves. American players aren’t as good. There aren’t any significant number of elite American athletes that are choosing soccer. Almost all kids have participated more than one sport, but where are the American soccer players who were also elite talents in other sports? What is your definition of “running track successfully?” What is physically impressive about “5’10” to 6’4″?
By what criteria do you define good is the question?
International success.
Never mind. You aren’t wanting to listen or understand. Anti has a much better understanding and take, and I personally have enough experience and relationships in that sport to make that claim. You don’t. At all.
Your seven core value points leave a lot to be desired when it comes to your TWG points: Glad your Peace Officer biases are not as pronounced as they are here. American Athletes are the best in the world.
* Integrity, Service, Courage, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, and Diversity. Wear that seven pointed badge with pride Malloy.
You amaze me with your oversimplification. I gave a reasoned explanation for a key to the results, and yet you feel, as usual, as nauseatingly expected, don’t SHARE a thought or addition, but plant your stake in the ground and say “I’m right, e wry one else is wrong”
Your style is annoying
Yes, I agree. I think you missed something in my original post. I stated that both popularity and money have to improve here for the US to be a competitive or quality team. I don’t see that ever happening unless football falls off a cliff, which could happen with society evolving and more understanding about the damaging effects of that sport on people’s brains and bodies.
Soccer can have a problem with head trauma too. Or go check the cranial and spinal impact given by a soccerball kicked 70 mph. if proper technique is not used…..
But they are not taught the beautiful game by their coaches. How many of them understand “Total Football” or even know who Johan Cruyff is?
The popularity has to come first, before the salaries can follow, and I don’t think it will ever get there. For the last few years, I’ve found it very annoying that ESPN and other sports media have been trying so hard to hype soccer. The coverage of the sport far exceeds actual interest, I believe. No one is calling into sports talk radio to discuss the Premier League. To me, and most of the rest of the ugly Americans, soccer is boring. The argument used to be that it’s popularity would grow once the kids who grew up playing soccer grew into adults. It hasn’t happened. It’s not going to happen.
I agree mostly except about one thing. The USA is made up of many immigrants and their kids from Europe and Spanish-speaking countries who do passionately follow the professional soccer leagues abroad and avidly watch them on cable. My dad is one example. But these types are not playing the game anymore. So, the popularity of the sport from a journalism or tv standpoint is probably at an all-time high in the US and Canada but it does nothing for the quality of play for the international teams. For the media perspectives though there is much money to be made broadcasting the EPL or the World Cup. In fact, I would say ESPN does a great job with their World Cup and Euro coverage overall.
I follow soccer purty avidly between now and June. The Euro leagues have been underway for 6 weeks and you have the landscape settling in. Between now and April is when all they Leagues get determined. Then beisbol is back up.
There is obviously some interest, but I still doubt that the TV ratings match the level of hype.
There is a lot of politics, as with all media endeavors.
If football players keep forgetting their phone numbers when they reach forty, the MLS won’t have to pay Premiership wages to get a much better athlete.
Right on Matthew. A player`s make up is as important as any physical abilities, maybe even more important. For example, Buster Posey was chosen, what #8(?) in his draft class. He and all of the others in the top ten were “can`t miss prospects”. How many have achieved the same level of success? Obviously, his talent is unassailable. His make-up makes him a superstar. Besides, they are much more fun to watch when the focus is on the team, rather than on themselves. You`re another good egg.
I saw this yesterday:
Barry L Bonds ✔ @BarryBonds
Congrats to Buster Posey’s 22 career postseason RBI, breaking a tie with me for most in SF Giants history!
I wanted to respond #PEDFREE #NOJUICEREQUIRED
Yeah, I thought that was a self-serving tweet by Barry.
it’s Barry. He inhabits his universe, and we are but observers
SFGiants must have felt obligated to retweet it.
True that. LOL.
Draymond’s mom is going apes**t on Twitter about that Ethan Strauss piece…guess he comes by that fiery temperament naturally.
And lack of self control.
You had to wonder who would follow an athlete’s mom
I heard Chris Sales father interviewed on NPR this AM. Randomly chosen from a group of voters that will be interviewed during tonight’s debate.
Is that a black thing you are referencing yet again. SMH
You forgot to mention Sullenberger, or reference any other examples of stalking. You’re slipping up.
Integrity, Service, Courage, Innovation, Respect, Excellence, and Diversity.
None of which you emboss.
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