by
Greek Giant
I don’t care who Aubrey Huff voted for. I don’t care what Buster Posey thinks about terrorism or what Denard Span thinks about former President Barack Obama. I don’t care what Aubrey Huff thinks about the new President and those protesting against him. I don’t care who votes for whom or what baseball players think about outside the diamond and the parameters of bats and balls. I just don’t. Neither should you and here’s why: Baseball players are not, repeat, are NOT role models. They are professional athletes. It is your job as an adult, father, mother, grandfather, sister, brother, grandmother, friend, pal, and responsible human being to know and teach the difference between what a real role model is and what can be reasonably expected of a professional athlete.
Your father who works hard every day to feed you and provide for you is a role model. My father came from Greece with nothing in his wallet and with hard work, good friends, support from friends and his sister, raised a family, bought and sold many businesses and put two pampered kids through college. He is my role model.
School teachers like Sonya Romero are role models.
While there have been numerous wonderful, inspiring examples of athletes acting heroically (Ted Williams and Willie Mays serving in the military; Muhammad Ali protesting the Vietnam War with his life and wallet on the line, Jackie Robinson (no need to elaborate), and others) it is the height of misguided thinking to expect any sort of moral or political leadership from athletes.
They are not philosophers. They are not trained in the idiosyncrasies of ethics, political science and philosophy. It is simply the height of folly and a sign of our own over-identification with sports and celebrity culture to expect that a pop singer or first baseman will be a teacher worthy of our children from a moral perspective.
My point is simply that we spend too much time following the lives and utterances of our baseball heroes and not enough time thinking about what a real everyday hero is. In this highly divisive and charged political culture we now find ourselves in I take great comfort remember all the kind people who led by example, who gave from abundance all they could without expecting anything in return and who were the types of people who should be lionized on CNN and praised in the tabloids.
It’s just baseball people.
Pitchers and catchers report in 12 days.
Right most ball players are dumb jocks who played sports growing up and in highschool. Many have been pampered from the time they were 10 and told how much better they are than the others. That is the grandeur of being an All Star in all their glory growing up. Some went to some college but most just did high school and some foreign players did not even get through that high an education. Many backgrounds were from poudunk towns of backwoods mentality. Their opinion like mine as you do not know my background means squat in the grander scheme of things. The only thing I got out of Aubrey is more pitty of an old aged soso alchaholic nervous wreck who failed to live up to his obligations and now wants to rub peoples noses in the fact he took money from the Giants. Atleast Pablo tried to get in shape every now and then
I trust and believe in what Brian Billick has to say about John Lynch and now Adam Peters the new VP of Player Personnel
http://www.49ers.com/video/videos/Brian-Billick-on-John-Lynch-John-is-Brilliant/3dd900af-b375-4c6b-845b-604282c31487
http://www.49ers.com/news/article-2/49ers-Hire-Adam-Peters-as-VP-of-Player-Personnel/0c90cacd-9a8c-4790-b364-0da9bc5ad4d9
rest easy big man..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TghVGS8cSGY&index=11&list=PLq90ASa1YwhENJt2R-vo6u-OkIlBUldS2
RIP
In a few moments we are to find who it will be. Neil Gorsuch? Thomas Hardiman? After the break we’ll see who is the real deal and who is a pretender to the bench….
OK, will the real nominee for the next Associate Supreme Court Justice please stand up?
Oh drat, will you guys please stop standing up and down and just spit it out? Donald, you are such a Drama Queen. Who cares, they’re the same guy, let ’em split it.
OOPs, it seems that one of the dudes was thrown off the plane.
And as a special treat, Donald will make many more of his really funny faces. And now, I’ll turn it over to Neil-Rod… Good night and good luck.
Good night? If I am not wrong it is 5:13 pm in Cal. How are you Chef?
Don’t forget Casper Weinberger!
I’m still trying.
Hmm, GG. A thoughtful post, and mostly I agree. By and large the players are chosen for their skill at something like hitting the curve ball, and that’s what they do for their living. And I can remember Steve Garvey and Kirby Puckett seeming a bit like role models, only to turn out to be anything but. Still there is something neat about watching Joe Panik just do his job, with no Canseco or Puig or Bondian airs. And I really do miss Matt Duffy, not least for his role in showing what a hard worker.
But my best role models have always been my teachers (leaving aside family, obviously).
I think it may be time for me to “move along”. I’ve probably been one of the worst offenders and most disrespectful to Greek Giant. And I’m afraid of blowing up at the next trumpeter that suggests a “wait and see” approach or to “stay calm and do your job” and that I might get liberal with insults such as “puddinghead” or “fascist sympathizer”. Besides, the only thing I’m good for is telling you guys that Giants prospects won’t net much in trade and that the Dodgers have a better farm system. Anyhow, these are troubling times. More troubling than many realize. I’ve got to figure some things out. Until we meet again…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHcunREYzNY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeyHPAdxuy0
I get it. I feel the same as you down the line. But I hope you don’t go. I’d miss you.
Plus you’d have to look at MY fake trades!
I hope you stay, Ryan, precisely because these are troubling times.
Yes yes yes.
What I find curious is that so many people in this country are OK with the things going on and even supportive of these new trends. I’m truly bewildered by this fact and feel I’ve somehow missed the clues that many people have felt, precisely, like I do now, for a very long time. How could I have misunderstood and miscalculated so grossly?
I don’t think evangelicals would put up with Trump if it weren’t for the abortion issue. That’s an issue on both sides that women could sort out, IMO. Men just have to butt out and let the ladies work through it.
I don’t think that Trump will finish out the year.
?
he sentence
From your lips to…
I hope so. He’s in last place right now.
We can only hope.
I pray for that every day Michael….
I thought that once, but I’ve been stunned by the amount of support he’s been getting that isn’t in California. It’s hard to believe that any sane person would not see the imminent danger
I don’t think he will make it 100 days. Then again I didn’t think there was any possibility that he’d actually get elected.
What does that mean?
Assassinations are cyclical. Some nut job will deem it his worlds ambition to do the so called bad deed. I mean if Andy Kaufman https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4f5c3df0358fec953dad2b914eabd641052ae7d9224ed3cbbf527f6c12cc1ae1.jpg was still living – it would be a slam dunk.
I notice lots of anger and rooting against anything ‘other.’ I frequently find in my Facebook feed some meme, some distillate of meanness seemingly designed only to relish the fact that it is upsetting to people, and garnering happy comments about other people being upset, therefore it must be good. It’s not healthy. I mean, as Giants fans we smile when the Dodgers lose, but I really don’t think we want their fans to be run over by cars, stricken with disease, or have their homes destroyed in disasters.
Hang around. You are one of the most valued people here, pudding head.
We have to weather this thing Together … it is part of our name!
It is just the worst timing since we do not have @RealBaseball to distract us.
I hope you hang in there.
All the Best. It’s a shame the reactionaries here, in their insecurities and confusion, have sent you packing. Stay in touch. J Street Slim values people of your caliber.
I only occasionally post here (but read daily). I’ve been guilty of letting my lefty political views out of the bag — going against the blog rules (or are they “guidelines” — Capt. Jack Sparrow). I know Footy will be sorely missed. I will miss his posts. But my conscience demands I join him in departing. I won’t make a difference like him. But we must “all hang together, or …”
Footy — I salute you, and join you.
A très bientôt, mon ami.
I care about what Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich have to say in these troubling times. I admire their courage and moral leadership. I could mention others in the world of sports, but you probably don’t care.
Whether it’s a sports figure, an educator, Mom and Pop,or the guy down the street ,many people have qualities that we might value and look up to as a role model. So I agree with you.
Yes, ballplayers may not be role models. But they are citizens. They have the right, and with access to the press, the forum to express their opinions. People can listen or not. But to dismiss them as simply performers, with no respect beyond their paid for talents as players is foolish.
It’s ok, even good for athletes and celebrities to speak their mind and share their opinion. They are entitled to that. They may or may not make sense, and they will certainly face more blowback and public scrutiny than the average public. It is probably too much to hope that they read more widely, and philosophize more deeply than everyone else — in this Steve Kerr definitely stands out.
Baylor football is skating on the edge of the death penalty.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/if-ncaa-ignores-baylor-rape-scandal-it-deserves-the-death-penalty/2017/01/31/e597cbb4-e7b9-11e6-bf6f-301b6b443624_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_jenkins-305pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
Pull the lever, I say.
I wonder if Mavo knows about this new device. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/als-patients-communicate-first-time-years-new-device-n715121
How life gathered right and left asymmetry.
https://www.quantamagazine.org/20170131-how-life-turns-asymmetric/
How about this; Greek Giant could create a post for us called The TWG Go for it Politics Post. “Have at it kids, I’m moving on to my next post discussing who the back up shortstop will be, those of you who are interested can stay here knock yourselves out, talking about Trump and Clinton and immigrants and judges and whatever we feel like. This way Ryan can stay and do his venting, The Oracle could make an appearance, I could argue with Efrain, Lefty could argue with Efrain, Surf City could argue with Efrain, etc. It would be a kick no doubt.
I think that’s what we already have.
Pagan for Trout.
Discuss
Is this what you want footy? You, and only you, can prevent it.
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20!!
It seems many contributors have already dropped off or lessened their participation on this site. It’s my impression and it may not be correct. It could be the time of year but somehow I think things are just too uncomfortable. I won’t engage in political discussions because one because GG ask for no more. His house his rules. The other is there is no sense of dialog here just bashing and I am too old deal with drama. I’m not pointing fingers because it seems to be on both sides which inflames the other, I get it. I think there are a lot of interesting people with outside interests here. I’ve enjoyed my time reading and learning. But I am getting the sense that unless you agree with one side your not welcome. And if you ask my closest friends its rare we agree on every point of any issue. This may be a subset of what the whole of this country is going through.
I feel you, Noce, but it is what it is. Part of it IS the time of year; it’s common for many to drop off the blog during the offseason. It’s happened for years.
I’ve been following the rules since GG made the strong post a couple of weeks ago, but at the same time–it is what it is, these are strange and difficult times, and I can’t blame people for feeling as they do.
At the end of the day, people are going to make their own decisions about their participation and what they’re comfortable with saying and/or reading. It’s really not our job to police each other, and it’s certainly not GG’s job, either.
Tomorrow is February and less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report. I’m not saying baseball solves the problems, but it’s a nice distraction.
For sure time of year for me. Work gets busy and not enough time to bring me here daily to follow every post, but I lurk around. Will be back in full force soon enough
Noce I’m conservative and I’ve never felt unwelcome here, though I can’t stand Trump and did not vote for him. I suspect Matthew will be back when the baseball gets going and who knows about Oracle, he was more interested in talking about issues more important than free agents or how many relievers the Giants will go with this yearequest (and frankly so am I). Hang around, where else can you read about Just Peachy having her way with Zito and Posey on the bedroom floor?
I missed the just Peachy thing and that is probably just as well. I’m not going anywhere to many people what to kick my *** in this year’s MyGuy. But I will still not engage in political discussion if I can help it. When I was in grade school, yes I had to walk uphill both ways in the snow barefoot, my dad gave me a poem “If”. I usually keep a copy in my wallet old guys don’t remember so well. But the first line always sticks with me. “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you”. It reminds me in these times you have to stay calm, agile, mobile, but not hostile. I hope your right that TO and Matthew do come back. I’m still here just lamenting.
By the way reading a good book, “Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea” Kinder. I rarely recommend but this one I do. It’s been around awhile.
The Peachy comment was hilarious, she was just kidding around, the funniest post of the day.
A few years ago I used to keep up with Warriors Fast Break but rarely participated. Lost the time to do that, the folks over there are quite long winded and seriously detailed about their basketball. Anyway, I just checked it out and they were really going at it with regard to Trump and you are right, there isn’t much tolerance for those on the right, more name calling and condescension comes from the left for sure, maybe just because in these parts most people are on the left and feel emboldened by their numbers. I don’t think it’s so bad here (probably mostly because we’re banned from talking about serious issues plus so many have checked our for various reasons), most folks are pretty reasonable and thoughtful.
Lots of unproven relievers. Just look at the blown save ratio of Strickland that many thought would be the closer. He had 5 BSV in 8 opportunities. Who’s left, Law 50% Gearin 43%. I mean it is good the Giants got a new closer because last years best person was romo with a 100% save rate but only 4 chances, and he is not back.. So who is the setup man and the 6th ad 7th inning guys as well as the alternate closer when Bochy over uses Melancon?
The bullpen wasn’t great but realistically it was about average. The real reason that the blown save rate was so high was the Giants had so many close games so there were just more cases where one slip would produce a blown save. The gmLI of their relievers last year was 1.41, the highest in the majors and the highest in the majors since 2005. The second highest was the Red Sox at 1.23, not even close.
I don’t like politics here but I’m here less now because there’s less baseball to talk about, not even the prospect of a trade.
My laptop is going in for repairs today so I will be less present but not on purpose. I love it here.
Here is the invitation to the current MyGuy™ Puzzle in case you are ready to give me your guess.
My25ManGuys™ 2017
Pick who will be on the 25-Man roster at season’s open.
Here are the obvious “Core 18”:
Starters: Posey, Belt, Panik, Crawford, Nunez, Pence, Span
Bench: Hundley, Conor
Starting Pitchers: Bum, Cueto, Moore, Samardzija
Bullpen: Melancon, Kontos, Smith, Law, Strickland
Post the seven others you think will make it here in response to any HaakAway post.
To save time do not list all 25 unless you think one of these 18 will not make the 25-Man.
”25-25Deadline™
By request here from some: You get two shots…
February 25 is the deadline for your first picks … Spring Training is wide open then.
March 25 is the deadline for your final picks … Spring Training is about to end then.
*Questions? Write me at: My SF Giant Guy at g Mel d Ott com
Adrianza claimed by the Brewers. He’s on their 40 man roster. I hope he wins a regular job and kills there.
For fans who were seriously paying attention, there no question that adrianza significantly improved last year when he wasn’t injured. However, there was also no question that he has no place on the team.
Exactly, so I whole heartedly wish Ade good luck with the Brewers. He has paid his dues, for sure.
I wish him good luck. But I’ll be surprised if it turns out he can hit consistently.
I was a critic of Adrianza, but I was happy for him when it seemed like he was improving on the other side of the ball. Best of luck to him.
Happy Hump Day, but more importantly, Happy February TWG. Only 12 days until pitchers and catchers report! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f90f52ca43489ed6f313c437112b4529c2af655b46f19a7ed13921d801115b8c.jpg
JOE.
Don’t trade him!!!!
that’s my guy. a huge bounce back season coming up. he’s going nowhere, except, in about 20 years…JP12#futureHOF’er
For those who care about that sort of thing, Keith Law is doing his annual pre-season prospect rankings. Beede is the only Giant on the top 100 and comes in at #62. It is behind a paywall but here is what he had to say which is all quite positive. Apologies if someone posted this elsewhere.
“After a very disappointing 2015 season in which Beede tried to throw more sinkers (at the Giants’ suggestion) and seemed to lose his fastball, the former Vanderbilt ace put everything back together for a big bounce-back year that restored his first-round luster and probably put him on track for a 2017 call-up.
Beede was back to throwing 92-95 mph on his four-seamer in 2016, with the full repertoire he showed in college, including a curveball that’s now his out pitch. His fastball command is probably still his main weakness (that or the lack of life on his four-seamer), but he was better at pitching in and out than he had been before, and he has added a cutter that might give him a fifth weapon along with the change, curve and both fastballs. Beede’s command still needs work, but his control made a huge leap forward last year, which I think is more a result of his renewed confidence than any physical issue throwing strikes.
He might reach the majors on the quality of his stuff before he’s fully developed as a pitcher, but by his late 20s, I expect him to at least be a solid-average big league starter. There are a lot of ways he could become a No. 2, depending on his command and the development of that new cutter.”
Keith Law’s top 10 Giants Prospects (behind paywall)
1. Tyler Beede, RHP (Ranked No. 62)
2. Christian Arroyo, INF (Just missed)
3. Bryan Reynolds, OF Just missed
4. Steven Duggar, OF
5. Jordan Johnson, RHP
6. Andy Suarez, LHP
7. Heath Quinn, OF
8. Sam Coonrod, RHP
9. Ty Blach, LHP
10. Aramis Garcia, C
Nice list. I always think Ty Blach should be higher. He showed himself to be major league ready at the end of last year, didn’t he? And there are 8 prospects better than him? Also, nice to see MyGuy Jordan Johnson make a list like this.
I’m really going to miss Foothills Ryan/Scout. This place isn’t going to be the same without him.
Indeed, he’s a terrific fellow in any number of ways, and danged smart about baseball too. I can only hope he comes back to us (along with Matthew), as Footy has a big heart.
I say, watch for another name change.
I hope so, but I’m not so sure this time around. I went back to the previous blog where Ryan talked about reaching out to a neighbor from Iran. His comment was gone. Just Peachy however had responded to Ryan with a remarkable comment of her own which I read for the first time this morning. I didn’t realize Just Peachy migrated here from Iran when she was 5 years old. It’s worth going back to the “It’s been a Long Offseason” blog to read what she wrote. I was very moved by what she had to say.
Did Matthew delete his account too?
He’s just been very very scarce for a couple of weeks. Matthew is also a sane person whose views I respect. I do hope both men report to “TWG camp” on pitchers and catchers day.
There’s a big difference between taking a break and deleting your account with all your comments erased. All that’s left is emptiness with no name except for the word “Guest.”
I found Matt’s comments in other posts, but you’re right, all of Ryan’s comments and references seem to be gone.
He’s deleted his account before and later returned. I’ll talk to him. We met personally a couple of months ago when he was in Davis for work.
Ryan and you and Mr. Lefty met recently too, right?
No, I’m sorry, I meant Ryan. I met Matthew years ago on an airplane. Yes, my husband and I met Ryan and his colleague at the local Irish pub and had a fun couple hours just recently.
I’m very glad you’re going to talk with Ryan. Thanks Lefty. Just as long as we know he’s doing okay, even if he doesn’t return.
Nope. Taking a break
With “a Beauty like that” – I don’t blame you :))))))
Good, glad you are not gone. I haven’t been keeping up as much as usual, but I was able to notice your absence. I don’t always agree with you, but your sense of humor is right up my alley.
Thanks , Hac…I’ll always bow down to the one flap down….
He had a couple of stressful presentations in the Los Angeles Greater Area
Whhhaaattt ??
What happened?
It’s all about some folks feeling this blog has no room for politics, especially Trump references.
Everyone nowadays wants to get their political information or opinions from certain silos that never challenge their own belief structure. (myself included) I’d imagine people reading about politics here are annoyed because they never have to come across different opinions in their TV show selections, facebook news feed, pod cast choices, etc so why should they have to put up with it here?
Because an adult should not be afraid to confront dialectically with other political ideas, and because if it does not compare his views with those of others, he will never be able to judge the goodness and validity of the same ideas.
Hence from being in a relatively isolated environment, (e.g. Calif. resident, Bay Area sports fan, this blog, liberal acquaintances, etc.) I’m astounded at the number of truly supportive followers of the present administration. I’m astounded at the large number like-minded individuals that want the same things this administration wants and in many cases, even more than already discussed. #perplexed
Parenthetically, I’m not averse to the dialectic, but have been astounded at my own naivety.
Aside: Naive spelled backwards is Evian.
ha, ha (Evian). Note that the “trade” you proposed below for pagans involves a ‘laminar animal’.
If that were a true trade, I’d keep those pagans.
My grandpa was used to tell me: “It may be that water is the source of life, but as far as I’m concerned, I use it only to wash myself. If you drink it, you’ll get rust in your stomach.” He died at 96.
My news is from a well rounded set of feeds. Big Think and Wired seem to be anti Trump at the moment. But I have read both feeds for a lot of good ideas over the years. From the other side I read Drudge who I am not really sure what side he is on, and Chicks on the Right both are very pro Trump. But what I find interesting is the headlines are inflammatory but the details in the stories could be interpreted in a number of different ways. I wonder how many people read only the headlines and not the details. On long drives I listen to Bloomberg, PBS and Fox. I find each site, except Bloomberg leaves out certain details that could change the narrative of the story. For me I think its about the money, editors focus on the bottom line feeding stories that keep audiences wanting content and reading adds. I am pessimistic about politics and media as its all about follow the money.
Guicciardini wrote at the beginning of the XVI century:”Se tu ti fiderai dei politici, sempre avrai delusione”. Transl. “If you put your faith in the politicians, you will always be disappointed.”
///For me I think its about the money, editors focus on the bottom line feeding stories that keep audiences wanting content and reading adds.///
Yep absolutely.The diminishing diversity and control of our press, radio and television is reducing the ability to get unfiltered news. Corporations now control 90% of the media distribution outlets and corporations are set on making profit. the will minimize dissent and views that they view ill reduce their ratings, access to partisans for discussions or cause loss of revenue. Why do industries that never sell to the general public need to advertise on TV? It is so they can use the dollars to influence the narative and filter the alternate views.
I read maybe 40-50 news sites. If your news s filtered, that’s a personal decision. You can’t on one hand decry profit as a motive, and on other believe capitalism a reasonable operating paradigm. When you succumb to being a victim, and blame the media, IMO, you’re commenting on your own shortcomings in critical thinking.
I have my news sources, just stating not everyone is internet savy, has high speed internet or cable or dish. A large part of the country does not have more than a couple radio stations. Where I moved to there is 8 radio stations and I get 3 TV stations over the air. My internet I was told would have to be dial up as DSL was not in my area(yeah ATT told be 114KB dial up was the only available service).
Just sayin, most people in the country do not have the luxury items that California has and do not have the knowledge nore capability to find it.
The media aren’t the money in play. That’s a distraction.
They don’t.
The talk here has not been about politics- it’s about fear for our country and our world. In my lifetime there has never been a POTUS who has inspired such concern.
Not even Tricky Dicky?
Not even.
Wow.
I’m talking about fearing that a POTUS would pull the trigger because he was in a bad mood.
Do you really think that the chain of command will obey that order without weighing the Commander in Chief’s mood?
If a true rebel were to emerge, I think it will be from the elite military.
There is no chain of command in the matter of hitting that button. The Commander in Chief has the sole responsibility to make that decision.
But physically the finger isn’t his.
No, the “button” isn’t by his bedside. But the decision is his and his alone. I don’t know what your argument is.
My argument is that I’m not so sure that his order would be obeyed “sine dubio ullo”, given that personality.
I think it is that someone has to pass on the order. I realize there isn’t a physical button until one gets substantially down the COC road. But…
There have been “false positives” before .In one such case NORAD detected a massive nuclear strike due to a malfunction in the system. Would we trust Trump not to act in haste ? The Russians once averted a nuclear war when they did not retaliate because they feared that their system malfunctioned when it reported that we had launched an attack. Again, would trust Donald use due diligence? If enemy missiles were really on the way, we would not be all stop all of them anyway so a check on the warning alert would be called for before we retaliated.
Ryan said late yesterday he needed to leave TWG because these are troubling times and he can’t pretend what’s happening in the real world is happening. This is a paraphrase, winebaroness, but I hope Ryan would agree that this is the essence of what he said. I wish I could ask him. I’d be happy if he came back only to disagree with me!
It’s occurred to several here, I suspect.
When “I” met Ryan he was Foothills Ryan and then Ryne-Ryno-Ryan and then Goldstein-Burriss and then Scout Finch and then …..
So we all commiserate together. Up HERE in Canuck Village their is a Web site called “Nextdoor Ottawa” aka City of Ottawa and people have been commenting about the current politics in the USA. Some ‘battleaxe” posted “No More” political talk. I posted – “Kind of a tough year to ask people NOT to comment *On What Just Happened”.
“The Person” kind of disappeared after about 400 others *thanked me” for my comment.
I’ve been going through previous threads and it is really, really weird to see these huge number of posts that are deleted and the references marked as Guest.
I was already feeling upset and sad. Now I feel sadder.
Me too. He was one of the few commenters on here I found interesting and entertaining.
Extracts from the Pericle’s Funeral Oration – 431 b.C. – as reported by Thucydides.
….
Our constitution does not copy the laws of neighbouring states; we are rather a pattern to others than imitators ourselves. Its administration favours the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if no social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life. There, far from exercising a jealous surveillance over each other, we do not feel called upon to be angry with our neighbour for doing what he likes, or even to indulge in those injurious looks which cannot fail to be offensive, although they inflict no positive penalty. But all this ease in our private relations does not make us lawless as citizens. Against this fear is our chief safeguard, teaching us to obey the magistrates and the laws, particularly such as regard the protection of the injured, whether they are actually on the statute book, or belong to that code which, although unwritten, yet cannot be broken without acknowledged disgrace.
…
We throw open our city to the world, and never by alien acts exclude foreigners from any opportunity of learning or observing, although the eyes of an enemy may occasionally profit by our liberality; trusting less in system and policy than to the native spirit of our citizens.
This of course is nicely stated for free men, but did not pertain the slaves of the time.
Of course, neither those in the Dixie States up to 21 centuries afterwards.
Dear Mr. Scout, in the few months when I attended this blog, I was able to appreciate your qualities. I will miss you. I hope that you will return soon.
My first – non-parental role models were Nuns from the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Most all of our Nuns wore the long full-on garment, with habit and long rosary beads.
Sister Joseph Cecile hit us fungo’s like no other coach we had had. She would hit the ball in the 5.5 hole and up the middle making us a better team. Sister Helen Angela put on our team catchers gear and caught bullpens. Sister Marie Bernadette could hit perfect cans of corn fly balls to the infielders or when needed hit them down each line or in the gaps. Sister Theophane showed us all how to turn a zippy double play. They did all this without worry for their Nuns Uniform – thus – we always had to be “dressed out” properly when representing our school versus the other catholic school teams.
When the 1962 WS rolled around – we worried about missing some of the radio action but when we saw our home room teacher – Sister Jessica Louise with her transistor radio and ear piece on her desk we were happy. After several rain outs due to downpours – a old black and white TV appeared in our home room.
Now those were role models.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0f5a441272097a8681fa8b451c9fddc4e1ef8d9477a4866f7ed88b11dbe61f24.jpg
thanks for sharing that very nice story.
Whether it be Athletes, Entertainers or Teachers – some of them need to re-wire their brains.
https://tinyurl.com/Going-Away-For-20-Years
Many agree with this http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/russell-wilson-president-trump-might-not-last-four-years-in-white-house/ar-AAmvopd?ocid=mailsignout
Got to say: I miss Jon Stewart http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4178872/Jon-Stewart-visits-Late-inauguration.html
Baseball is a game, play, as it were. It isn’t life. People who are critical of folks like Scouts concern, rather than dismiss it as an over reaction, perhaps should rent that old, 1970 (?) Academy Award winning film,
The Garden of the Finzi-Continis, or perhaps read Bassani’s novel of the same name, and come to respect those concerns as having substance and being real, as opposed to relegate them to childish, overwraught hyperbole. IMO, they are very real.
Bassani was from Ferrara. Have you ever been in Ferrara, CC? It’s an UNESCO World Heritage Site. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ae253e3d332cda208a57c4950c512c472e16bea1900053e275f7fae523ddced2.jpg
No. The purpose of the comment wasn’t the architecture, in any case.
I knew it. I read Il Giardino dei Finzi Contini when I was 17, in 1965. The movie, De Sica director, 1970, was considered by Bassani a betrayal of the spirit of his novel.
One doesn’t need to agree with Ryan to like him- as a an astute baseball observer and as a person. Like all of you, I hope that he comes back.
He’ll be back… The Toledo Mud Hens prospect rankings are about to be released …
Don’t bet on it. Scout, for all the fun he has here, isn’t a dilettante.
No, he absolutely is not.
He’s more of a debutante.
You’re neither funny, or cute.
Jesus Christ, CC. You’re something. Footy would find it funny and that’s all that matters to me. Lighten the hell up.
I’m not Footy or Jesus Christ, though am I? As to Footy finding it funny, I don’t know, but if he is to be taken seriously, I doubt it.
Him and I have been joking around on here for years. Fricken glum as a morgue around here. Whatever. Have a nice day.
Gee, who knows. Enjoy your afternoon as well.
I don’t know if anyone touched on this, but today is National Letter of Intent signing day for High Schoolers. Little Darren Baker is all grown up. Dusty’s son has signed a full-ride scholarship with Cal to play baseball. Best of luck to Darren.
My Trojans are having a great day so far. A few more announcements coming up at 1 p.m.
Any guesses who is in the photo?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/3dd19001cc5e0d068c58cdf8c0d91b609f7a46911f5f306c62edc786322a8058.png
Buster and his brother and sister?
How old do you think this photo is? My guess is nearly 20 or, likely more.
The car might be 40 years old. Station wagons came before SUVs.
I liked our station wagon. Of course I liked our 1948 Ford sedan too. We had the sedan before we got the station wagon.
Harbaugh?
John – Jim and Sister (yes)
Like it or not, he’s the man in charge. And I have to say, so far I agree with almost every decision he has made. Some of those decisions have been very controversial, and I know a lot of people don’t like him, but he has surrounded himself with some of the greatest minds and most talented people in the world. I’m confident that history will judge him as one of the best, if not the very best this country has ever seen. And there’s absolutely no denying his amazing leadership qualities. I know not everyone is going to agree with me, but these are just a few of the reasons I LOVE BRUCE BOCHY! 🇺🇸⚾ #GOGIANTS!!!!
For a moment I thought you went crazy. LOL.
That was humorous. Scary, but humorous.
Terrific punch line. Way to live up to your screen name, Mr. S!
Haha, saw that making the rounds on FB, too.
A few people “un-friended” me before they got to the end… LOL
HOF post!
That’s been obvious, IMO, for some time.
nice..very nice..some people were starting to get the guillotine blade sharpened, i bet
You are a very bad person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvXz9NdGJ4
I marched in 1967-8-9 down the streets singing this song…
Me too.
Familia !
The next song was vintage go go dancers…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtQj8O92eI
Original 1962 footage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d8eKvegLI
Point of order. GG, everything you say about athletes opinions in politics is identical to what one might say about a narcissistic reality TV star, LOL. We are sooo screwed. Aubrey Huff is poTus.
I think you mean POS To US
With reference to money earlier, this is what this nonsense is all about at its root. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/world/asia/donald-trump-vladimir-putin-rodrigo-dutert-kim-jong-un.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=b-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
My brother opined today that many seem to be moving up here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU1kTuVSUOw
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6d78016494c07a2cac4ef471e724d50cf4df051cb1dc52cc6e510b4bf6bb43c1.jpg
Is this him?
Just reporting back that Ryan appreciates the good wishes and isn’t closing the door on returning after taking a breather.
Best news all day!
Lefty, do me a favor and tell him I’m not going to be held emotionally hostage by his departure/possible return. I’ve been hurt too many times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5C6I7j96hE
http://www.nickibluhm.com/video/
Scroll down to the “I Can’t Go for That” video.
You had me at her photo! (but I did)
LOL. I’ll tell him that word for word. 🙂
Please do. I’m going to Spring Training games March 5th and 6th. I was going to post that on here as we got closer in case anyone was attending and wanted to meet up so if you’d also pass that along to him I’d appreciate it. Otherwise, tell him I’ll see him on the I-5.
We’ll just miss you. We arrive on the 10th.
Lame.
EDIT: By “we” I mean me & Mr. Lefty, not me and Ryan. Don’t want to start vicious gossip.
Ha
But new released by Ryno says it could be the three of youse
I wonder if GG can have a post just for everyone to figure out who’s going to ST and when.I’ll be there March 26-28th.
That’s good to hear. Thank you for calling to check on Ryan, Lefty.
Please tell Ryan that I will not be listening to Rush until he returns. It’ll be tough, but he’ll understand 🙂
Gather around and take a knee: Let us pray https://www.facebook.com/BusterPosey/photos/a.465138280230507.1073741825.109851025759236/1250370545040606/?type=3
A Young James Dean?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a20382c3fbcdfd2cca76e473346ccfc1e64b7f9974e29823711d42e0c56065d6.jpg
More comfort food tonight- Polish Sausages with Lima Beans.
Do you know why an Irishman will only eat 239 beans? Because one more would be two farty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUqGL4yI-jk
Had my leftover lamb stew for lunch today. Yum yum. And my burn didn’t turn out as bad as I thought. The ice water thing is the ticket, for sure.
I really love lamb but Merna can’t abide it. So she gets salmon when I have lamb. The cats are with me on that. They won’t touch leftover salmon, but they scarf lamb. Same with canned cat food.
But as a rule, they won’t eat anything if they decide not to. It’s totally random. I’ll put my foot down and say “eat it or starve” but I always back down before they do. I’d be tougher on Russia than I am with those ungrateful bastards.
BINGO!
Had to report that Martin, Bobby, Luke and John have almost everybody loudly singing (or humming) this song. And although it was bitter sweet when she earthly-passed, when Mary Tyler Moore arrived she grabbed the mic and got out front and led the brigade towards somebody’s new potus. They all got pardons before using the F word – although the Babe seems to use it all the time and twice on Sundays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU8jAlWECFk
As almost a homage to Brandon Belt’s grip. swing problems, what Jason Heyward is trying to do to fix the hole in his swing.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jason-heyward-hard-at-work/
Brandon’s issues are that even his hands are 6’5″ long
But Heyward thinks he knows how to fix it, and unlike Belt is educable, and not as hardheaded as a walnut.
Very true on the walnut reference
The OTHER name in this article aka Hightower – reminded me of the first Warrior I ever met. My dad took me to the Cow Palace. My dad knew some usher that put us in court seating. Wayne Hightower wasn’t even close to the then tallest Warrior as Wilt was there in ’64 and gone in ’65 (as was Wayne) – but needless to say – during intermission I turned around and was eye ball level with Hightowers knee cap.
http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Report-Hightower-expected-to-reunite-with-10897534.php
Donald Trump speaking extemporaneously this morning to honor Black History Month: “Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is getting recognized more and more, I notice.”
Nothing about Darwin? SMH.
lmaorotf
That’s awesome. He should’ve also said, “Jackie Robinson did a fantastic job, as well. MLB should start honoring him in some way.”
I think that he may of thought that Freddie was a basketball player.
Sean Spicer explaining what Trump meant: “Well, I think there’s contribution, I think he [Trump] wants to highlight the contributions that he has made, and I think through a lot of the actions and statements that he’s gonna make, I think the contributions of Frederick Douglass will become more and more.”
Obama’s words on Douglass:
“Yes, African Americans have felt the cold weight of shackles and the stinging lash of the field whip. But we’ve also dared to run north and sing songs from Harriet Tubman’s hymnal. We’ve buttoned up our Union Blues to join the fight for our freedom. We’ve railed against injustice for decade upon decade, a lifetime of struggle and progress and enlightenment that we see etched in Frederick Douglass’s mighty, leonine gaze.”
Frederick Douglass: “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”
LOL. He thinks the Mason-Dixon line comes from a Vegas sports book.
March 1 is ” OK, those people had their month now it’s let’s move on month”
Both Trump and Spicer spoke with vagueness today about Frederick Douglass in the present tense. Do they even know who he was? Do they know he died in 1895? Have either of them ever read any of Douglass’ great speeches? You first learn about Frederick Douglass in elementary school.
If you believe in ‘tense’ in a grammatical sense, they don’t know he’s dead.
I’d like to send both of them a copy of Douglass’ autobiography: “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.”
I’ve been enjoying the sparring between LeFlop and Chuckles. I think Barkley’s winning so far.
I’m surprised the Giants haven’t released their list of non-roster invites yet. Camp opens in 12 days. Tick tock.
…as measured in Joe Panik days!
Maybe they uninvited them.
Scrolling down and can’t help thinking Scout’s departure was perfect timing. Or as GG stated, you know the off season is too long when…
Do you really think pitchers and catchers reporting is a seminal event in peoples perspectives? Maybe you’re right.
I hope not, but still…
In the end, we’ll get what we deserve.
This land is becoming run by the flyovers at the expense of the coasties. We’ve become outliers. Given that, do we as Californians, deserve what they bestow upon us? Or can we just live in our own world and let them be who they (apparently) are? Calexit?
I believe in the UNION period, Calexit, IMO, is an act of cowardice.
Virtual Calexit? Just let us be who we are. Don’t impose on us.
Economics can be a weapon of war. it took Trump/Bannon to make me conceptualize the politics we live with that way. My 90 year old mother who voted Repubican her entire life can’t believe what has happened to her party. It shames her.
Thank you. We need CA, and TX, and NY, and even IA (my state). “together we are giant”
Sure about Texas, though?
In many ways, the world you see around you in California began in rural Texas. Many of those in rural Texas didn’t have electricity until the REA brought it to them. Johnson was a Texas school teacher and Chicano activist when no one knew what that was.
Now THAT is great LBJ knowledge
We’re all connected:
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.
Seems kind of quaint now.
The songs and lyrics and history of Woody Guthrie remain relevant, especially in this moment.
Well we sure are connected within one large land mass, aren’t we? But in so many ways very divided.
Woody Guthrie composed some of the most powerful protest songs ever written.
Many people don’t realize that “This Land is your Land” was written as a protest song. I suppose that’s because people are only familiar with the first verse. Woody’s original song contained this verse:
There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me.
The sign was painted, said ‘Private Property.’
But on the backside, it didn’t say nothing.
This land was made for you and me.
I love Woody Guthrie’s songs. I’ve been playing them a lot lately on the piano. The first songbook I got for my daughter when she was little was “Woody’s 20 Grow Big Songs.”
dgg, you’ll be happy to know that sometime last semester, my 16 year old son’s history teacher played a song in class one day and my son asked, “Is that Woody Guthrie?” The teacher was stunned that he would know. The funny thing is – I wasn’t familiar with the particular song and I don’t have any Woody Guthrie recordings! I know I’ve pointed out when one of his songs has played that it’s a Woody Guthrie song, but as far as I know, he never heard Woody sing, yet he recognized that a song might be his. He’s really good at recognizing stuff like that, though.
Off the top of my head, I’ve got Nanci Griffith, John McCutcheon, Dave Alvin, and Ry Cooder covering his songs, and I know there are others.
Your son might like the Woody Guthrie website: http://www.woodyguthrie.org
January 30, 2017 Woody Guthrie Facebook post:
Heard at airport rallies around the country…”THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME”
Tomorrow Spicer will moonwalk into the press room and perform a Rap song that he wrote himself
” Not hatin’ on dem icons
Dem’s got big booties
I be lovin’ dem all
But CNN you all git out of my show
Bitch.”
I told you that he was BAD..
…all they will call you is de-por-tee
Plane Wreck at Los Gatos
Joe Ely does a great version of that!
Wish we could have a SKYPE group HUG
Oh man…these last 2 week have taken its toll
Here’s hoping the Giants get out of ST all in one piece by the end of March.
A respite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=likxz1y_35E
I’m tired…too
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiWvN62s_DRAhVByVQKHSegCeUQ3ywIHDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DUai7M4RpoLU&usg=AFQjCNF1A0ZO3uDnHL58NB_q2cxOwsbcmw&sig2=JkdUV12lBMv_HBWrz11DcA&bvm=bv.146073913,d.cGc
An appropriate song for the times we live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9o78-f2mIM
For those who participate – Baseball Chapel Prayer Request
Just a quick update for your prayer support:
* Mark and Sheryl Brown (former KC Royals Chapel Leader):
Please continue to pray for Mark and Sheryl Brown regarding the loss of their daughter Victoria (28). The police have leads they are pursuing. Please pray a solid lead with develop so those involved may be brought to justice. Pray for follow up from Victoria’s funeral. The gospel was shared and around 100 indicated a desire for more information regarding how to know Christ personally.
* Melany Robles – Melany has cancer. She is the sister of J.J. Robles, Hitting Coach for the Hermosillo Naranjeros in the professional Mexico Winter League.
* Guillermo Herrera – He has cancer and is the brother-in-law of our Chapel Leader Luis Olivieri Who serves the Durham Bulls.
* Bob Baily (Louisville Bats Chapel Leader) – Our chapel leader to the Louisville Bats had triple bypass surgery a while back. Bob is recovering nicely.
Spring Training Outreach – Pitchers and catchers begin to report to Spring Training in less than two weeks. Chapel Leaders will be making visits and touching base with personnel. Chapel services are delivered on Sundays at all camps. Please pray those ministering at Spring Training in Arizona and Florida.
From Rob Crose – Baseball Chaplin
Good Night Allen (sans photo)
Superbowl might be more interesting than originally thought.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/super-bowl/super-bowl-security-heightened-amidst-ongoing-trump-protests-n715446
good article on the giants in the USA today news media conglomerate
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/02/01/team-report-questions-surround-giants-pitching-staff/97357618/
Good except that (a) he didn’t appear to know about Nick Hundley being signed as Buster’s backup (b) no mention of Hwang, either and (c) he had Adrianza on the Giants’ depth chart at several positions even though he was DFA’d last week and claimed off waivers by Milwaukee yesterday.
You would hope a USA Today reporter would at least be as up-to-date as blog commenters, but hey, the Giants are west of the Mississippi, so who cares?
Tillerson, with his wife at his side, has been sworn in as Secretary of State. Trump just whispered to him ” Quite a porker you got there, Rex”..
Did you see him last night at the press conference to introduce Gorsuch for the Supreme Court? Gave Gorsuch’s wife a kiss even though he’d probably known her for 1 day. Ewwwwww.
Story on Matt Ryan’s high school, how it informs his character, and where apparently ‘shrines to athletes’ is an absent thought even. We could all learn from that, IMO. Penn Charter.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/01/sports/football/2017-super-bowl-matt-ryan-william-penn-school.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fsports&action=click&contentCollection=sports®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront
The Rays are playing against the A’s on June 10th and it’s….. Matt Duffy bobblehead day! Good for him. I already have 2 of him (the second one arrived the day he got traded), but maybe I could get that one on eBay and color the uniform orange and black…..
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/rays-promo-schedule-includes-kiermaier-bobblehead-archer-figurine/2311669
SJ Giants announcer Joe Ritzo reporting five of their guys going invited to ST: Coonrod, Duggar, Garcia, Andrew Suarez, and FoothillsGuy™ … CJ Hinojosa. Great to think of these real prospects facing MLB talent.
All of those guys except for Garcia finished the year in AA. Looking forward to seeing them in AZ. I remember seeing Coonrod for an inning last year.
Yeah… Ritzo was claiming them since they had spent time in San Jose.
I guess the lower level guys are gone by the last week when I will be there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj0Rih7QliQ
Milo went over real big in Berkeley. What the hell were they thinking?
This site is eerily similar to one I used to read all the time, except for that one banned all political discussion and/or comments.
What ban? Where?
I just saw that the UC Berkeley police told everyone to “shelter in place” and “all campus buildings on lockdown.” My daughter’s a grad student at Berkeley. How freaked out should I be, do you think?
Not very. It’s interesting that the “violent protest”at the campus was sparked by those who agree with pretty much everyone here. While I doubt (I think) that anyone here is in favor of violence, maybe a calmer reaction would be a better idea.
OK, I was asking as a concerned parent talking to a professional about a situation where you’d have expertise, but thanks for taking a cheap shot on the way to (barely) answering my question.
The police err on the side of caution, particularly when it comes to schools and universities. A “shelter in place” order is often issued when any police action of even marginal significance is going on nearby. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your daughter was ever in any real danger.
OK, thanks. I figured you would know how to interpret that terminology.
It’s very common.
And I don’t think it was a cheap shot. I truly believe that the absolute hysteria surrounding all of this is going to bring about more violence. People need to calm down.
We don’t know that students incited the violence. Perhaps the masked intruders were actors who were paid to discredit non-violent protesters . Sound familiar ?
Right…..
Matthew and I have been meeting in one of the last remaining phone booths to have our political discussions.
So, they organized on Facebook to create Censorship through Violence….my, how the sides have changed.
Milo spoke at Cal Poly Saturday with no issue.
Is Yiannopoulos a heroic figure or a conservative icon. NO. For my part, let him talk with the caveat he answers questions, honest questions from those he’s talking to.
Why does speech have to come with your caveats? Does that mean everyone has to answer questions?
Don’t ask inane Socratic questions. You’re no good at it. Yiannopoulos is a political provocateur. Well let him talk, but not perform. It’s not free speech unless it goes both ways. It’s a University not his personal Hyde park. It seems he does all he can to avoid an honest exchange about his positions and ideas. You know…IDEAS.
Are you the arbiter of who should have to submit themselves to questioning?
Where I’m an interlocutor, yes. Yiannopoulos is asking to give a speech, with expectation he will incite for a political purpose. I’m of the opinion you’re not a fan of shouting fire in a crowded theater. I wouldn’t have extended him the invitation without the caveat. What I voice is my opinion. That’s my right, and if Yiannopoulos intellectually honest, he would invite it.
The Constitution disagrees with you. Unpopular political opinions are exactly what it was designed to protect, and have nothing to do with yelling fire in a crowded theater.
Oh bullshit. This isn’t a Constitution enterprise, or he would be in Hyde Park. He’s on a College campus to make a point, a very unpopular point to a group of people he could care less about, beyond the political expediency of it. IMO, he should be required to afford them the rebuttal that same Constitution also affords. Your entire MO is based on questions that are nonresponsive. Gimme a break.
The Constitution doesn’t place the qualifier of “agreeing to take questions” on speech. You still haven’t said whether you think anyone making a speech on a college campus should have to take questions, or does your rule only apply to those with whom you disagree?
It doesn’t place an admonition on their being allowed to ask either. These anarchist follow him around like cockroaches. He damn well knows that. Then he has the audacity to say liberals won’t let him speak. This might as well been a staged PR event.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Protesters-storm-Milo-Yiannopoulos-event-at-UC-10901829.php
He never gave a speech. It was suppressed, which is the whole problem.
You know, there’s a theory going around that the rioters that showed up to cause damage were paid to do just that, so they could discredit the peaceful protesters that had been there for hours with no issues.
I’m sure there are. How much do you think it costs to get someone to risk jail time to make peaceful protestors look bad?
Lol, lots of punks will do it for free.
All part of the conspiracy, right?
If I went into Bob Jones University, and said god is dead, and mary is a myth, I’d damn well expect to take questions.
TO, why is it you never take an honest, declarative position on anything? Are questions the extent of your commentary? Even in baseball you seem afraid to voice a substantive opinion. Don’t you have any?
My opinion is very clear. I think people should be allowed to speak their minds, regardless of how unpopular their message might be. It’s called the Freedom of Speech, and it’s a primary cornerstone of what the USA should be about.
agreed 10000%
Really touched by the concern and support from you and TO. Thanks!
Of course I’m concerned for your daughter…TO clarified the fact that she is 99% fine, I’m watching it now, and I certainly don’t mean to diminish what you must be going through. So, I apologize if I didn’t make that perfectly clear, Dr. I was talking to Skyfall Scott in any of the pushback
I absolutely hope your daughter steers clear of the violent nuts. From what you said, I’m assuming she wasn’t hurt or directly affected by what was going on.
I haven’t heard from her yet, so I don’t know. My other daughter has a friend there who says things are under control now.
But it’s not like students aren’t sometimes injured or killed in campus protests, and this one sounded pretty intense.
Is that honesty or snark? It’s hard to tell.
More likely part of the anarchist crowd. But all that effort to shut down the expression of thoughts and ideas? Are they really that dangerous, particularly in a place like Berkeley?
At least they don’t shoot in family restaurants or Muslim mosques or..
I’m not a fan of Milo, but I’m a proponent of free speech. We can’t choose and dictate who has the right to free speech and who doesn’t just because we disagree with their politics. Hear his side, then debate his arguments in a civil manner. Shouting louder than everyone else doesn’t help diddly -squat.
Sometimes I wish George Carlin was still alive…
Exactly right.
They are the cockroaches that feed on disagreement.
You know that is a simple lie. No one here has ever said to do violence against anyone, ever that I can recall.
Do you agree with Milo’s take on events.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Yiannopoulos-The-Left-is-absolutely-terrified-10901916.php
Yes.
Did they arrest the person who did the violence? I do not know which side created the violence. After the past 16 years since Bush was elected and protesters were bussed in to protest the recount, political protests have changed. Many are no longer organic and I am now of the impression that many are setups to create controversy so the side that was protested can claim the victim.
again, reading the paper, it sounds as if outside instigators came in and attacked police as well as the peacefull protestors according to this article
http://news.berkeley.edu/2017/02/01/yiannopoulos-event-canceled/
The violence was instigated by a group of about 150 masked agitators who came onto campus and interrupted an otherwise non-violent protest.
The masked agitators came to campus eastbound on Bancroft Way, and fire damage and other destruction to the Stiles Hall construction site, where a new residence hall is planned, was reported. The group entered campus and immediately began throwing rocks at officers. In an effort to avoid injuries to innocent members of the surrounding crowd who might have been caught in the middle, police officers exercised restraint and did not respond with force.
Agitators also attacked some members of the crowd who were rescued by police.
Hope your daughter is alright, Doc.
Thanks, me too.
Any news doc?
The campus is no longer on lockdown, so it sounds like things are cooling off. I haven’t heard directly from my daughter–I don’t know if she was there or not, actually. Thanks for asking.
Most parents can connect with your concerns. Hopefully all is well.
I need a mailing address to send you your prize for winning the 2016 MyGuy™ Contest.
Write me at: My SF Giant Guy at Gee Mel dOtt com
You have sparked discussion about the very kind that you have objected to. But carry on, no one is censoring you, and no one ever has. While I doubt ( I think) that you would shoot an unarmed protester….Well, gee, I hope not.
I don’t object to it all. I’m very much in favor of all discussion. But Greek Giant, who created this site, said he was banning it. I’ve respected his request, at least up until now.
I believe GG titled his post which emphasized the supposed rule “Baseball Unites, Politics Divides.” Everyone here is united by their interest in the Giants. Why isn’t that enough? Is being part of a group where everyone agrees with everyone else really that interesting? I find it boring. But I guess it’s a sign of the times.
I don’t recall a “ban” but if there was one, I kinda guess that he lifted it.
Then contribute instead of pissin and moaning about the inequity of it.
I don’t like censorship, which I thought was what was going to happen.
TO, all any honest person can ever ask for is a fair exchange of ideas. I know what I believe, and I suspect you do as well. I’m not going to call someone by some ad hominem for having an opinion that differs from mine, but by the same token don’t expect me to reward simple truculence with patience. These are serious times, and asking people to calm down when we have a human being of the description we do in charge is, perhaps, a bridge too far.
An out-take from the days when out-takes were not staged.
https://tcmedianow.com/hamms-beer-commercial-with-halsey-hall-and-ray-scott/
The non-roster invite list, in case you haven’t seen it:
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/morse-rollins-among-giants-28-non-roster-invitees
I’m surprised that there are 3-4 pitchers I’ve never heard of!
Wow. I’ve been really bad at not keeping up with baseball these days because I’ve been following hockey more often. I don’t know maybe 60% of these players.
Hoping you can help a girl out. As a lurker here I recall you reside in Davis, so I’m wondering how you watch the Warriors games? We’re in the Kings area, so the Dubs are blacked out on csnba, but until tonight I was able to stream them from csnba dotcom for free as an xfinity subscriber. Tonight that privilege was removed. So again, how do you watch the Dubs in your area? Many, many thanks for considering my plea!
I subscribed to NBA League Pass, which does let me watch Warriors games. It was $120 for a full season (for the Team Pass, where you pick just one team’s games), and I bet it would be less now. I stream it through my Roku box.
Ouch, but thank you. Very much appreciated. Also go Giants.
I know–ouch! Especially when you already pay to receive the cable channel that shows their games! But the way I look at it is that $120 is less than ONE ticket for ONE game would cost me in person, and I get a whole season of enjoyment out of it. And they do tend to prorate as the season goes on, so it’s probably cheaper now that they’re more than halfway through.
Lefty, I’m hoping you don’t mind if I copy the entire list and post it up at the top.
What’s going on in Berkeley? A new Free Speech Movement 50 + years after? I’m with them anyway. It makes me feel young again.
Not until the next Mario Savio emerges
Put your body upon the gears
From ABC:
“Hundreds of peaceful demonstrators carrying signs that read “Hate Speech Is Not Free Speech” had been protesting for hours before the event. A smaller group of protesters dressed in black and in hooded sweatshirts showed up as night fell and used metal barricades to break windows, threw smoke bombs and flares and set a large bonfire
outside the building.”
Presuming that the violence was incited by the people who had protested peacefully for hours can not be supported.
Thank you Chef
https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/01/23/alt-right-event-seattle-devolves-chaos-and-violence-outside-truth-twisting-inside
https://mediamatters.org/blog/2017/02/01/canada-s-alt-right-mosque-shooter-and-what-he-means-right-wing-media/215207
I can cite many more, we can all cherry pick as TO did.
An interesting piece from Breitbart that clearly enunciates “milos” rational for going to Berkley.
http://www.breitbart.com/milo/2017/01/31/milo-horowitz-start-campaign-sanctuary-campuses/
This is more insidious than most recognize.
Especially Trump’s tweet threatening to withhold funds from UC because Bannon’s baby had a problem.
Just heard that my daughter is safe at her Berkeley home. Thanks to those of you who asked.
I’m awake and happy to hear that.
I’m sorry that I didn’t ask, but I’m glad to hear that she is safe.
I just now logged back on to ask about your daughter, Lefty. I’m glad to hear she’s safe and sound.
We all know about The Ban, but in a draft executive order titled “Executive Order on Protecting American Jobs and Workers by Strengthening the Integrity of Foreign Worker Visa Programs” calls for “eliminating” the “jobs magnet” that is driving illegal immigration to the United States, according to a copy obtained by The Post. The order would rescind any work visa provisions for foreign nationals found not to be in “the national interest” or in violation of U.S. immigration laws. ” Further:
“The order would subject visa holders who are already in the U.S. to deportation, if they use public benefits above a certain threshold. And — just in case that isn’t enough to keep non-wealthy foreigners away from our shores — the order would require the friend or family member who sponsored the deported immigrant to reimburse the federal government for the cost of the benefits he or she used.”
This is from:
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/01/trump-considers-deporting-legal-immigrants-for-being-poor.html
So if you are yearning to be free- bring cash.
So much for honoring GG’s request to keep politics of TWG. No exceptions should be the rule.
There have been about 100 exceptions. Including GG. But nice to see you. Have a waffle.
But not a blue waffle.
Once again I’ve pounded my fingers into submission. I can’t even flip the finger to those finicky cats. GNight folks.
Lefty posted a link to the non-roster invite list down below. Here’s the list:
(I hope this helps out with the 25-25 My Guy February 25 deadline.)
Pitchers (11)
RHP Carlos Alvarado
RHP Tyler Beede
RHP Samuel Coonrod
RHP Jose Dominguez
RHP Roberto Gomez
RHP Bryan Morris
RHP Neil Ramirez
LHP Matt Reynolds
LHP Michael Roth
LHP Kraig Sitton
LHP Andrew Suarez
Catchers (4)
Tim Federowicz
Aramis Garcia
Josmil Pinto
Matt Winn
Infielders (8)
Christian Arroyo
Kyle Blanks
CJ Hinojosa
Jae-Gyun Hwang
Ryder Jones
Chris Marrero
Juniel Querecuto
Jimmy Rollins
Outfielders (5)
Wynton Bernard
Steven Duggar
Michael Morse
Justin Ruggiano
Austin Slater
Darn, there goes my all Tyler approach.
That worked very well last year … no such pattern this year on this list but you can dig deeper for the full MiLB MyGuy. More “Tylers” are out there!
Could inspire a new MyGuy™ … okay, enough is enough already, huh?
BUT … which one on this list will make the 25-Man?
In My25ManGuy™ Ruggiano and Rollins have some votes already so I guess we have covered this. No need for MyNon-RosterGuy™ … Carry On.
Wow, 28 plus I assume everyone on the 40, that’s 68. That’s a lot of ballplayers, good thing they have so many fields down in AZ. For the record, I’ve heard of 15 of the 28 so I’m batting a bit over .500.
I guess that is why some uniform gets the number 83 on it?
Have you been to ST lately? If so, any recommendations?
Haak I’ve never been to ST so I can’t help you with any experience. If I were to go I’d just ask Lefty for guidance, obviously she knows the ropes quite well. I probably will never go, it’s not an experience my wife would be interested in and we don’t really do separate trips. She gets enough of my own baseball and even that is too much.
Yes, DrLefty has already been a good help and will give us a report in some of the early games. I am “covering” the final week with JustPeachy taking the final three games. TWG is a full-service blog you see.
On your wife… mine is the close to the same but is a sucker for sunshine and warmth. You might try that angle some time. My wife also loves the Grand Canyon so I can use that as a bargaining chip too. Kind of like having Bickford in your farm system when you want Will Smith.
Rob Deer said yesterday that he’ll be there even earlier than we will–Mar. 5-6. We’ll be there for the Mar. 10-12 games. Mar. 11 is a split-squad, so we’ll see the home game but not the road game.
The warmth and sunshine angle IS good (except the one year we got hailed on and they called the game in the second inning!). That’s a nice time of year to go to Arizona. One can always read a book by the pool while hubby goes to the game, or get a massage, or…
There are some really good restaurants in the Scottsdale area, too. You couldn’t pay me to go there in the summer, but in March, it’s pretty nice.
There are four pitchers on that list I’ve never heard of: Dominguez, Gomez, Roth, and Sitton. I’m vaguely aware of Alvarado’s name and not much else about him, and I vaguely remember that Neil Ramirez had a great rookie year for the Cubs (he’s a reliever) and then fell on hard times and the Giants fished him out of the dumpster.
I’m not sure who Chris Marrero on the infielders is, either. I recognize all the catchers’ and outfielders’ names.
So four catchers plus the three who are already on the 40-man roster. Seven will barely be enough for all those bullpens–the Giants have 25 pitchers on the 40-man roster and 11 more on the NRI list here. Ian Gardeck (on the 40) is still recovering from TJ surgery, so that makes 35 pitchers, 5 per catcher. Hope those catchers got good rest over the offseason! Oh, and Buster will gone at the WBC part of the time, too.
“Footy Bait” … so much to say; so little blog spaces.
I find this list dizzying. Before I even looked at it, I read Lunch Box’s and Lefty’s comments about how many guys they hadn’t heard of. Then I saw the list. This is going to take a lot of work, looking up all these players I don’t know. I’m going to start with Lefty’s comment just below Haak’s and go from there. Perhaps GG could help out with his research team? Where’s Ryan when we need him?
I saw another team’s head count would be in the 60’s. This is probably pretty typical. We can safely ignore about 20 of these guys, perhaps, who are in camp only so Bochy and Evans and Sabes get a chance to eyeball the players who will be in the low minors. And I think the teams like to inspire their younger players by having them in camp, so they learn what they are going for.
The really interesting ones are the players from outside the org, such as Hwang-ssi and Ruggiano, who have a shot at being the next Blanco.
From the depth chart link I posted above (originally from Ryan), I see that the four relief pitchers whose names I didn’t recognize were all picked up as free agents in Nov. 2016. That’s when teams drop players to make room on the 40-man roster to protect their top prospects from the Rule 5 Draft.
http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-san-francisco-giants/
Thanks Lefty. It’s a good thing you saved and bookmarked these resources from Ryan.
Hunter Pence #5 out of 15 in quality of contact among NL right fielders. And what isn’t included is the fact that he gets are lot of hits on the huge numbers of grounders he hits (#2 among active players in infield hits).
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2016-hitter-contact-quality-report-nl-right-fielders/
Apropo Osich (didn’t have time to post this before), he’s difficult to evaluate. On the one hand, his fastball is 95.5 mph (# on the team behind Strickland) but on the other hand he strikes out very few batters (15.7%, 2nd lowest behind Lopez). On the one hand, it looks like his pitches have good movement, but on the other hand his O-swing % (batters swings at pitches out of the strike zone) is the lowest on the team (24.5%). On the one hand, he gives up incredibly few line drives (11.8%, way ahead of anyone else), incredibly many grounders (64.5%, that’s even more than Melancon), and few hard-hit balls (26.6%, 4th on the team behind Lopez, Kontos, and Gearrin), but on the other hand he gives up the most homers on the team (1.61/9 innings). How can such a groundball pitcher give up so many homers? And his control is a disaster (12% walks).
You do realize that 95.5 is not a big deal right? On the Giants perhaps but say a team like the Royals and he’d be average. Plus not great movement and you get a very hittable pitchers in MLB.
It’s a two-finger fastball. You know anyone else with a two-finger fastball which is that fast?
Did you mean Two-seam and not “two finger”? Hardly anyone throws a 3-finger fastball anymore.
Oops. I knew that. This is what happens after no baseball for 3 months.
Actually Law does have a 3-finger something-or-other. But it isn’t a fastball.
Who makes the 25Man: Osich or Okert?
Will it all be about ST performance? Options may play into it; those would need to be researched … FootHills where are you?
I believe that Osich and his wife have a beautiful golden retriever. In a close battle for a bullpen spot that fact would be enough for me to give the edge to Osich.
I bookmarked the depth chart Footy shared with us last week, which includes a player options column: http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-san-francisco-giants/
This says that Okert has two options and Osich has three, but that seems like it can’t be right, since Osich came up to the majors in 2015. I’m going to say that Okert has two and Osich has 1-2, but bottom line–they both still have options.
Both guys were well regarded prospects. Osich was drafted in 2011 in the sixth round out of Oregon State (teammates with Andrew Susac), and was best known for pitching a no-hitter against UCLA and Trevor Bauer in his final college season. He was considered to be a nice get for the Giants because his stock had dropped due to injuries; a year or two earlier, he would have gone several rounds higher. However, he continued to have injury issues that slowed his progress. He finally had his breakthrough season in 2015.
Okert was drafted in 2012 in the fourth round. He made good progress and, unlike Osich, has stayed healthy. By 2015, he was in AAA, while Osich, drafted a year earlier, had fallen behind him. But then Okert struggled in AAA and Osich dominated in AA, serving as the Richmond closer. Osich was promoted to AAA by June and very quickly up to the majors that summer. Okert bounced back and made his major league debut in 2016.
So…both around the same level draftwise, similar trajectory with some setbacks. At this point I’m more optimistic about Okert, mainly because he seems healthier. And there’s an emotional fragility about Osich that troubles me a bit in a reliever.
And his control is a disaster (12% walks)
This has to be the problem right? Can’t pitch the edges and when the ball is in the strike zone he gets hit hard.
But his hard hit % is quite low. And only 3 of the 7 homers he gave up last year were with 3 balls
By WAR he was the worst reliever on the team last year. But he showed some real promise in 2015, so it will be interesting see which guy shows up in 2017.
The problem with war is it doesn’t value quality of contact and osich is outstanding in that respect. He’s a ground ball machine and has an incredibly low line drive %. In those respects he’s a typical giants reliever.
Jayson Stark of ESPN has an interesting piece about why sluggers haven”t been able to get jobs this winter. Chris Carter led the NL with 41 HRs, and he might play in Japan!
Stark concludes the “GMs don’t dig the longball,” and yes, he acknowledges that “chicks” (and fans) DO.
Good read, but poor PJ will hate the message.
http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18592522/does-baseball-dig-long-ball
A solo HR is canceled out if the same player allows a run on his own error. The article seems to confirm this blog’s movement in the past few years towards valuing defense too. The article doesn’t seem to discuss salary too much – the going rate for a slugger might be too high for the GMs.
Furthermore, I will always be “anti” any player who strikes out more than 175 times. A lot of these guys are over 200. Put the ball in play–good things happen.
Very interesting article with discussion about the value and importance of “a complete player.”
AL executive: “Then you look at somebody like Chris Carter, who hits 40 home runs. Now there will always be a value to hitting 40 home runs. But when you look at everything around those 40 home runs, what do you have? He’s not going to hit for average. He’s going to strike out a ton. He can’t run. He’s a bad fielder. So 40 home runs, minus all the subtractions, is maybe not as valuable as you’d think.”
I just read the Fangraphs article that went into the metrics used in making a decision of which player is best/better. They’re conclusion is the more metrics used, the better is the rating.
Hence, the metrics
Batting runs* —
Baserunning runs* —
Fielding runs* —
(* — runs above average)
“… you look at somebody like Chris Carter, who hits 40 home runs,” the same AL exec said. “Now there will always be a value to hitting 40 home runs. But when you look at everything around those 40 home runs, what do you have? He’s not going to hit for average. He’s going to strike out a ton. He can’t run. He’s a bad fielder. So 40 home runs, minus all the subtractions, is maybe not as valuable as you’d think.” Carter using these metrics,
Batting runs* — 9.2
Baserunning runs* — minus-4.1
Fielding runs* — minus-5.2
For Carter
vs.
Kris Bryant
Batting runs* — 41.8
Baserunning runs* — 7.3
Fielding runs* — 12.4
It’s easier to see now how Carter is still sitting on the sidelines.
For Fangraphs’ Dashboard metrics, http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/dashboard-section/
Hey Bapah, you stole my quote! Just kidding.
I spent too much time reading all the Fangraph’s links and then my computer updated my OS because I wasn’t paying attention and re-booted. I had 8 Fangraphs’ articles open at once, then a number of cut and paste pieces that were lost during re-boot.
I’m not very good at this. See? I even closed this before i was finished.
Sorry, I still can’t get it right. closed my reply before I finished it.
I was only kidding. We both found the most illustrative quotation in the article and you backed it up with Fangraphs’ metrics.
I’ve contended for a long, long time (since high school) that just because a guy can hit the ball really well doesn’t make him a good baseball player, or for that matter, a baseball player, at all.
Makes him a good hitter.
Did you call PJ a chick?
Are you trying to get me in (more) trouble? Sheeeeeeesh
I don’t have a high opinion of Barkley, but I’m #TeamChuck here. His criticism of LBJ WAS fair. And we all know what a whiner LeBron is.
http://thecomeback.com/nba/charles-barkley-felt-lebron-criticism-was-fair-and-was-tellin-the-truth.html
Just don’t criticize Chuck’s dogs like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog did.
Well, no one should criticize someone’s dog. That’s one thing we should all be able to come together about!
Pitchers and catchers report in 11 days. “The Meal Ticket” is today’s #TBT. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/26a14aaeba306ecbbf02003f12c1dc82f59cecaff5b1cb4e9a7fae4bd4080e83.jpg
King Carl Hubbell
Hi. Who here makes their own waffles? Not frozen,not from a mix. Fried Chicken and Waffles is quite the rage now. But it’s hardly new, the great Escoffier had a recipe for it- a bad one. A French chef has no clue about Fried Chicken.You’d get better from a line cook at Denny’s.
Anyway- Fried Chicken and Waffles is mighty fine eating. Try it with a honey-chipotle sauce just drizzled over the whole thing. But make your own waffles or leave it to someone who does.
Neither of us is a big breakfast eater, so I almost never make things like pancakes or waffles, although I own a griddle and a waffle iron. (I do eat breakfast, but I’m an oatmeal or Cheerios kind of girl.)
But I sure do enjoy waffles and fried chicken on occasions we’ve gone out to brunch. Honey-chipotle sauce sounds incredible, too.
I rarely make breakfast in the morning, but about twice a week for dinner. Over easy is not in my repertoire anymore, more like flip and splat. So scrambled it is.
“flip and splat” That’s really funny, Chef!
I boiled 6 eggs yesterday for salads and quick pepper-covered snacks.
Thanks to a tip from CC (my personal concierge), I bought a Krups electric egg cooker for about $22 on Amazon. Does 7 hard-boiled eggs in about 10 minutes, and they’re perfect.
For Christmas, though, I got an Instant Pot, which I have yet to unbox (the flu set me back). It supposedly is amazing at making perfect hardboiled eggs. I love them for snacks and/or lunch (or breakfast), too.
What’s a waffle?
A whiffle’s brother.
Good one.😁
https://goo.gl/images/4J8SlR
Thank you.
A better question is, Can fried chicken (meaning Fried Chicken) ever be deep-fried?
No. makes it a different meal.
Dunno. What I know is that I just can’t stand fried chicken (we call it pollo impanato=with breadcrumbs). Speaking of chicken I’m not nationalist and I prefer the French Way, aka cocq au vin.
Film trivia question: What does Ordell entice his “employee” Beaumont Livingston with in exchange for him helping out by taking a short ride in the trunk of an Oldsmobile in Compton?
More on my Osich vs. Okert research:
Okert has been consistently durable, putting up 61-68 innings in every full year (four so far) as a pro. That’s a very solid innings count for a reliever, especially in the minors.
Osich has played five full seasons as a pro and has gone over 60 innings twice–in 2013 and 2015. Other years appear to have been cut short by injuries.
Also, Osich (28) is almost three full years older than Okert (25) is. I believe Osich had to sit out a full year of college baseball due to TJ surgery.
Thank you. Now I can support my argument of Okert over Osich with research (none of which I did) to fortify my eyeball judgement.
In honor of Groundhog Day 2017 (today):
“The Montana Groundhog is the marmot. In fact, all groundhogs are marmots but not all marmots are groundhogs. The Montana marmots are not woodchucks, but rock chucks. That means the sport of digging them up with the assistance of terriers is not really possible. What one needs is the assistance of grizzly bears capable of rolling away boulders at high altitudes where marmots hang out.”
Hey, in honor of Groundhog Day, let’s do yesterday again!
Not?
Not. You do know you were called “Skyfall” yesterday, right? The next time you get called that disparaging name, I’m going to get out my cast iron skillet.
Oh, Matthew is just cranky after being in a phone booth with the Oracle all winter.
LMAO. Thanks.
Easy, Chef. They’ll accuse you of something.
This makes me sick. I have a dear friend who’s brother is in this mess now. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/02/u-s-military-sources-criticize-trump-approved-yemen-strike.html
Sad (and stupid) indeed.
“U.S. military officials told Reuters that Trump approved his first covert counterterrorism operation without sufficient intelligence, ground support, or adequate backup preparations.”
Not very Bright, Bart.
Well, the Warriors won and Steph was en fuego, so I’m up for doing that part of yesterday again. The rest of it, not so much.
Fond memories of marmots and Montana (or close, British Columbia).
I was working with a youth club and one young man let me help him skin a marmot. Nice pelt.
Pic taken on Austrian Alps, last summer. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/70c29a6249b0273b154d37970e4a8605f63fce4c2965ab13b91d7f4777af500d.jpg
Middle-European Marmot?
Maybe, I’ve no expertise in zoology. Anyway the area is that of mount Großglockner, 3,798 m high.
Let’s hope he doesn’t get run over on der Hochalpenstraße.
I do really like to drive on that road. It’s very demanding, but also very gratifying. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c0ec35270a096c5bb310ba363e294073bae0e90a8ab8d019049958553f4ddac2.jpg
That would have been fun in my old Beemer. A modified 71 2002, and I mean modified. What a kick to drive on roads like that.
Great car, but a little too light on the rear axle. Understeering too much for my taste, expecially if modified with some power added (illegal in Italy).
By modified, I mean extremely modified suspension and running gear as well as weight distribution. Power plant too, of course
BTW, I prefer a little over-steer.
Way much easy to drive, of course.
Suspension lowered and made rigid, uh?
The nice thing about 2002’s was that they were raced quite a bit and the mods available are/were extensive.
Yes, lowered and rigid, plus there were a number of steering options. Almost all suspension components (sway bars, springs, etc.) are modifiable.
Uh, that carrot looks photoshopped.
I swear not. Bought by me at Rialto market the day before, 3 lbs. I knew they love that vegetable.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c6071bc4e8c6cc0b96aaa17baa87de9a446c7a143bd4eca67cdc09ed6b91f97a.jpg
That’s a great photo.
Those marmots are so used with humans. Everybody knows and brings carrots. The fattest marmots all over planet Earth.
Who’s the non-marmot?
I have three sons, two older males and this younger daughter.
I have three sons as well. Alas, no daughter.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c611c40d7f73e5273ff8501b01cabed2f21e0746d5fc8b5cb303541516df0471.jpg
The top three trending words on Merriam-Webster:
1. calamity
2. betray
3. Svengali
Merriam-Webster is a revelation during these times. I subscribe to the Word of the Day daily e-mail which has fun vocabulary quizzes.
How can a writer have any integrity if he leaves Bumgarner’s game 7 off the list of all time best game 7’s.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/winner-takes-all-which-was-the-best-world-series-game-seven/
I scrolled down in the replies to see if someone addressed this glaring omission. I found this reply:
“Just out of curiosity, how did the game 7, 2014 WS between the Royals and Giants miss the cut? You know a one run game, Bumgarner 5 innings in relief, and man on third 2 outs in the 9th inning.”
Well done, cc.
Well, I been accused of having an opinion or two that I’m likely to share.
Also the great plays by panik and perez.
Also, 2001 Game 7 in Arizona coming back to beat Rivera was epic. That should also be on the list.
Because of the interesting discussion below regarding Osich versus Okert, or the other way around–a discussion which includes mention of Osich’s Golden Retriever–I went back and read GG’s blog on Josh Osich.
GG: “Is it possible the team knows something about Osich’s health they are not admitting? Last year the big lefty experienced an up and down season, at times looking dominant, think closer stuff and starter command, while at other times looking like he was picking up a baseball for the first time in his life. The season did not end well for Osich as he was first put on the DL then banished to Sacramento.”
My conclusion: Lefty’s likely right about Okert over Osich.
Time will tell. Although Osich didn’t do well last season, it’ll take some time to get the “oh crap” feelings out of my system whenever Okert was brought in. I know he improved late in the season, but those feelings are still there. Perhaps I still have the lingering affects of Casilla-itas?
I know…a contest. Whoever does best in in 2017, the other has to change their last name. This Osich/Okert stuff gets confusing 🙂
The name stuff does get confusing. I had to double check the Osich’s and Okert’s in my comment before hitting send. For this reason alone, it’s got to be one or the other next season.
“banished to Sacramento?” Banished? Is that the new “optioned”?
Anyway- if they are both healthy and throwing well, I would keep both if Bochy goes with 13 pitchers.
I almost didn’t include that sentence because of “banished.”
He kind of was “banished.” He was pitching poorly, so they declared him “injured” (which he basically denied to reporters) so that he could go to Sacramento and work on his command.
We’ll have to add “kinda banished” to “optioned”, “designated for assignment “..
Or maybe “sent kicking and screaming”,
GG didn’t mention in that post that Osich had knee surgery right after the season ended–apparently he had hurt the knee back in April and pitched through it the whole year.
Watching and listening to the Warriors last night…I kept hearing about how “ready” the Clippers will be for the Warriors tonight…after getting crushed (again) in their last meeting.
Yep…they’ll play tough…but at the end of the game, the Warriors will be holding the Clippers “still beating” hearts in their hands and showing it to Doc. Draymond will repeat Doc’s “All I know is we beat them in the only playoffs series we ever had against each other” rhetoric (early this season) and say, “Cool story, Glenn”.
Good grief. A seven-game series back in 2014, without Bogut or Ezeli and with only 73-year-old Jermaine O’Neal to play center–and HE got injured (on a dirty play by that Big Baby guy) during that series. Even then, the Clippers barely won it.
Yeah, cool story, Glenn.
It’s a defect in the way Disqus fashioned their posts and replies that newest first should only apply to the primary comment. The replies should appear (in my opinion) newest last.
Ok, back to your regular programming.
Yeah, catching up on a long thread from the night before can be confusing sometimes…
Not sure this helps but the “sort by” can be flipped to Oldest or do you mean seeing the replies in order versus the posts?
yes
The Giants team report. BP, imagine that, is the big question mark.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/02/01/team-report-questions-surround-giants-pitching-staff/97357618/
Since it was first printed Jan. 25, I guess I’ll give the reporter a pass on not knowing about Hwang or Hundley or that Adrianza was DFA’d and picked up on waivers. (Weird that they didn’t update before reprinting this yesterday, though.)
But characterizing the pitching as the biggest question mark suggests some lazy thinking. We all know the bullpen was a weak link last year, but we also know the Giants went out and got one of the best free-agent closers on the market and that several of the weaker links from last year are now off the team. And though he mentions that the Giants had the fourth-best rotation ERA in the majors, he assumes that Cain will be the fifth starter (far from a done deal) and overlooks that they’ll have Moore for the whole year.
The Giants have question marks, to be sure, but at this point the pitching staff is the strength of the team.
Virtually every hitter on the team took long naps last season. Even Span;-)
Really though, the hitters can’t take 3 month breaks from their jobs. They didn’t get Casilla enough leads to blow. Double wink.
This is funny…
https://twitter.com/JaValeMcGee34/status/827208212126461953
A new phone scam. Beware TWG’ers. http://www.dailydot.com/debug/robocall-can-you-hear-me-scam/
A great idea from Arnold Schwarzenegger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqU_JB3eezs
JaVale McGee is rapidly becoming my favorite Warrior.
https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/827235940045164544
He had to work hard to get into your good graces…. :o)
Nope, I’ve always been #TeamJaVale. It took me longer to get on #TeamZaza.
Funny thing is about 90% of the media had portrayed JaVale as being “air-cadet” but like Kerr has found out, JaVale’s just an ultra free spirit.
Zaza on the other hand reminds me of those stoic Vatican Cardinals.
He’s like Speights. Not the game, of course, but the personality and the energy off the bench.
i see what you mean. i liked him before seeing that, now i like him even more. he should start over zaza. i saw a nice piece on mcadoo, who is another guy that should be getting more minutes. this team is loaded for bear this year. now they just need to stay healthy.
Good point about Mac. He’s been playing great when he gets opportunities. Seems like a tremendous young man, too.
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