by
Greek Giant
Mr. Nice Guy:
Dear Gang, let’s keep the talk on this blog solely about baseball (and whatever sports topics, music, and other fun subjects you find interesting) and NOT about politics. Please, please, please, please, respect the wishes of your loyal blog emperor. I have already asked politely and my patience is reaching my limit. I am getting many complaints from various parties who feel they are being bullied or who feel out of place because of political posturing, grandstanding and other forms of commentary in reference to recent political events in the grand old USA.
In case you did not know it, Greek Giant’s first degree is in Political Theory. I have studied and learned many fascinating things over the years and there is one truism I abide by: Baseball Unites, Politics Divides. I did not start this blog as a political platform. I do not spend my company’s resources and my money so people who feel wronged, slighted, angry, or generally angsty about an election or political topic can vent. It is absolutely crucial, you, my fellow Togethers, that you exercise restraint and avoid any jibes, remarks and comments or screeds related to politics, partisan or otherwise in these comments. You may feel the urge to let loose but I guarantee you that your comments and rants are not welcome by all and they do not contribute to our mutual Giants love affair.
If this blog is to succeed you will have to honor these rules and police yourselves. If not…
Mr. Bad Guy:
That’s it! I am fed up! I politely asked everyone who comments to refrain from discussing politics or topics of any sort that can be construed political. Since many of you have brazenly disregarded my humble wishes and request you leave with no choice but to either take this site down completely (shut down your playground) or start banning you individually.
This is a serious matter for me. When I get emails from beloved and devoted fellow readers and contributors complaining about the political messages on Together We’re Giants it takes precious time away from my business, my art career, and my motorcycle riding with my girl. Guess who comes first in this equation?
Repeat after me:
Baseball Unites, Politics Divides
Exercise some restraint. If you need to vent, spew, pontificate do it somewhere else, via email or on one of the thousands of partisan news sites available on this thing they call the Internet. The viability of this site depends on it. Since this site is a gift, all those who ignore my wishes and my rules dishonor and disrespect this gift. I cannot live with that.
If you see someone getting political flag the comment or reply politely that political discussions are not welcome here and are against the rules.
Don’t make me have to add advertisements and turn this into another tainted and boring marketplace, or, take the whole damn thing offline!
Don’t make me have to open up a can of Whooptogetherweregiantsass on you!
Breckeroni Concurs with GG’s Subject Matter
https://www.facebook.com/Giants/posts/10154157229466828
Breckeroni didn’t even vote, haha.
Pericles and Socrates could have scolded Brekeroni for that.
Rightfully so.
Breckeroni thinks baseball is a metaphor for life.
Playing it Forward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9z87viDmOo
Paul in PV/Seattle,
Your GM up in that neck of the woods is something else!
11th trade of offseason consummated:
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/819287341076533249
And Rosenthal forgot My Man Presto!
My apologies for any role I may have played in discussing topic-that-shall-not-be-named. 🙂
What??? The Raiders? 🙂
Mark Davis’ haircut
LOL
There are rumors that somebody saw an “O” ring on the side of Mark’s hair line – where one normally attaches to ones pet’s leash.
Hank Stram walked by us once at the Stick and he also had a “pet-on-his head”.
Check out Zaza Pachulia @ 20 sec left on this mini video
https://www.facebook.com/warriors/videos/10155038314677526/
love zaza
The NFL begins the process of stepping out of the College model of talent development into what might be called the MMA model.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/new-summer-pro-football-league-aims-to-offer-paid-alternative-to-college-football/2017/01/10/6b7d33a8-d753-11e6-9a36-1d296534b31e_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories_newleague-340pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory
This is pretty doggone good, best bookmark it. Brisbee’s bench prediction below – I infer Parker is the LF starter from this.
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2017/1/11/14226862/sf-giants-bench-roster
Ehire Adrianza – SS
Mac Williamson – OF (platoon)
Gorkys Hernandez – OF
Conor Gillaspie – PH
Tim Federowicz – C
Give it a try until June, and then re-calibrate if necessary. Injuries not withstanding.
options come in handy, to the detriment of player with options
Isn’t Fedex an ex-doyer?
Yes!
Thanks for this, Greek.
Whoa Nellie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNeOEHGpYyc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EoL_Rktg10
Good for you GG. No mo’.
The A’s ? (Just Going Round and Round)
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7c3baa27855e36ff38df05aa758b88d75d4f63f23e180d428df6d90b78652ede.jpg
I will try to abide. I believe it’s often a blurry line when discussing baseball. Sometimes real life, and baseball is real – intrudes into issues that are controversial. Most everyone here is grateful and hopefully respectful to you, Greek. You’ve stated your rules simply.
Perhaps when we get up against the subjects that overlap sports/societal issues (politics), we can all remind ourselves that respect is the adhesive that unites us all. We may not agree with one another, but we all live here. On this site, this country, this planet.
Greek Giant= GG. Go Giants!=GG. So we’re united already.
And, one other thing..
https://youtu.be/VMcdYvaZ-4U
I agree, JStreet. It’s often a blurry line when discussing baseball. The death of José Fernández is a case in point. The discussion was about baseball and real life and real sudden death and piloting a boat under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. The discussion became quite heated, judgmental, and political.
It will be a tough road to hoe. I think, at first my reaction was – argh, censorship. But after I thought about it for ten seconds, I realized GG is just enforcing his commitment to make this site enjoyable.
It’s not so much to silence political content, it’s being mindful as regards the way we treat one another. If the solution is to take away the subject matter, so be it. Greek holds the Gold, he makes the Rule.
I think he’s saying not here to referee staunch positions that have no bearing on the game. Game of baseball, or game of life.
and that some members were feeling called out, hurt, bullied etc. It was not the “safe place” that it once seemed. Something like that.
It’s not difficult to read the tea leaves. Speaking of leaves..
Especially during a National Election year ……….
and the day the music died.
That lasted.
That’s not very Canadian of you. Eh?
Well if Baseball “Mrrors Life” more than any other sport, how do we then try to differentiate?
http://www.baseball-excellence.com/index.cfm?Method=Instructions_Instructionsdetail&id=17
I once heard the very best description of a Canadian. I can’t remember if I was living in Canada at the time, or not.
” You can’t tell a Canadian from any other normal white person until they dress to go outdoors.”
This would be true and thanks for the reminder. In early 2004 I flew to St Johns Newfoundland to attend my sister in laws funeral. Brought one suitcase.
Two coats from California/Nordstroms. My brother looks over at me at the out door service and says what’s wrong?
Me: “Jesus and Mary, I’m cold”.
He looks at my coat and says “You can’t bring a coat from Calif to Canada and expect to be warm”.
Me: “Gee thanks”
My brothers FORMER town. St Johns Newfoundland
https://ssl.panoramio.com/photo/42817768
Does he talk like a Newfie?
Maybe one of my favorite accents.
I’m not sure this group of bloggers has ever limited its discussions to baseball and the Giants only. Obviously football, basketball and other topics not related to baseball have crept into discussions here for years. It is (and has been) nearly impossible to limit discussions here to even sports. Things happen that affect nearly all of us. I don’t care for political diatribes myself, but I haven’t seen anything that makes me uncomfortable and I don’t see people being totally apolitical when we talk to one another nearly every day. I’m also not a fan of autocracies in any form.
Maybe it’s just a lack of anything else to discuss OR it’s something that’s on nearly everyone’s mind at the moment. Some rules are always needed, but I’m not sure it’s time to stifle discussion. Unless, of course, it’s obviously distasteful folks (Dodger fans) that need to be booted off the island.
One other thing.
“Baseball Unites, Politics Divides” is untrue. Sometimes it’s just the opposite. And other times it isn’t.
My point exactly. Uniting and dividing are largely personal proclivities, regardless of one’s political (or hardball) persuasions.
Hey GG, you should know the etymology of the word Politics.
from Greek: πολιτικός politikos, definition “of, for, or relating to citizens”
All that happens in a city (polis) is political by definition, even baseball.
αντίο και ευχαριστώ
Great. Now we can’t talk about baseball. Way to go, Alvise.
My favourite paradox: It’s forbidden to forbid.
Let’s talk about golf. How’s your back and backswing doing?
What’s your guy, Sincere, up to these days?
See, we can get around baseball.
Golf is so boring.
Not true. Looking for your ball is the height of excitement.
You made me laugh out loud, Rob!
For a moment I considered a literal translation. Better not…
Golf in the South must suck. Copperhead!!
It’s a waste of water as well. But people do enjoy a casual stroll in manicured park settings while swinging sticks at balls and partaking of frothy canned beverages.
British snobism.
Our golf courses become cross-country skiing courses in winter. That’s when we “go golfing.”
Criminal waste of water. Ever been to Palm Springs?
Not if you bet enough to “make it interesting”.
Or drink enough. that’s even more interesting.
Have you ever caddied? NOW that is a riot.
In the words of Samuel Clemens, “A good walk, spoiled.”
Gonna play Friday for the first time in a couple months. Sincere is probably in his garage listening to Sister Sledge.
He’s got all his family. In Pittsburgh, no less.
Good on you, and him.
or The Pointers Sisters or Led Zeppelin…
I’m well aware of the etymology of the word. In the post above I employed the Together We’re Giants usage of the term “politics”: “of or relating to Giants fans angry about the results of the 2016 election”. I thought that was clear in my post. It is explicit here in writing now.
What happens if he who’s name must be avoided decides he’s a baseball expert. The GM of the Yankees is one his favorite guys.
ooops, I mistakenly used etiology instead of etymology earlier today. I hope you’ll forgive me.
This makes me think that you should have something to do with biology or medicine or organic chemistry.
Si, signore. Etiology of fungal pathogens on California’s nut crops. I am nursing along a 30 year old Hewlett Packard HPLC at the moment. Pistachio extracts are running through the column and florescence detector behind me while organize spreadsheet…
What, pray tell, is wrong with those three topics?
Just nothing. I have always loved science and admired scientists. M only regret in my life is that I haven’t been a scientist.
just nothing. My only regret of my life is that I didn’t become a scientist.
It would be criminal to stifle the eager minds on this brilliant blog.
https://www.jambase.com/article/boston-red-sox-san-francisco-giants-announce-grateful-dead-tribute-nights
The cute kid in the photo, GG, would that be you?
It was me the day after Game 4 of last year’s NLDS!
Evidently you were able to reverse the time arrow. Living from the future to the past.
You mean you don’t know I am 2 years old?
And going to 1 yo and then to 6 months and then…
You’re very mature for a two year old.
Pretty sure Romo sported the same expression, lol
In my world that cutie pie baby is “hapa haole”
A shout out to 2008
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/author/wwong/page/2/
LOL at all the gushing over Fred Lewis and his “breakout year.” Yeeesh, those were some dark times.
I went back to the previous post (written by Baggarly), advising Giants fans to calm down about the fact that the Giants’ top four draft picks hadn’t signed yet. They were Buster Posey, Conor Gillaspie, Roger Kieschnick, and Brandon Crawford. Who’da thunk nearly nine years later that three of those four would be on the 25-man roster?
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/giants/2008/07/24/all-you-draftniks-calm-down/
Fred OurGuy Lewis
3 out of 4 Aint’ bad. Almost a Meatloaf song!
Hey! A Baggarly piece about the Giants! Guess the rumors of his disappearance were premature.
I hope the Giants do, when the time comes, sign Vogey to a one-day contract so he can retire as a Giant.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/11/dont-call-it-a-comeback-former-giants-hero-ryan-vogelsong-to-get-another-big-league-shot/
Nice to see him back. He can sure write like the wind, and write up a storm when so inclined 🙂
It was a nice piece. I have an enormous soft spot for Ryan Vogelsong.
New York Giants catcher “Gus” Mancuso wearing his ALL wool uniform https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8a467833f818f21c0d4ed5c4b6722dc5691b34b4935274e6b40634d3acdbcb47.jpg
Imagine 90 degrees ++ wearing these for Uni’s https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2b68357d30315f194b5c87ec82f2f43fa378511d8b4e169841ffea329a61ca06.jpg
Nice glove https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0346edd73aaed8ecd253efd9c2c6db820ab4a3d903ee044fd3c18d5764d8e4c4.jpg
I wore wool unis in my youth.
Robert Murray @RobertMurrayFRS 6m6 minutes ago
Sources: #Athletics close to two-year deal with RHP Santiago Casilla.
Wow, back where it all started.
Now we have to see what happens with Sergio.
Call him “Jairo Garcia” again?
They’re gonna have a pretty good pen. “Casilla” may have to fight for a spot in the 6th-7th innings.
33 days until pitchers and catchers report. I saw this guy pitch back in the day. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5e574aac56a35a5970e18fc53b8a257803990f53f484e143dae594a8c16ff27a.jpg
OK, I feel a bit sorry for these players, but this is kind of funny.
https://twitter.com/b1ackschefter/status/819249850088882184
“Black Adam Schefter” is funny too.
Jake Peavy Holds Contest To Watch Giants Game With Mickey Hart & Bill Walton
OK, I’ll bite.
San Francisco Giants pitcher and musician Jake Peavy has announced the launch of his “Grateful For San Francisco” campaign in support of the Rex Foundation and the Jake Peavy Foundation. Part of the campaign includes a contest to watch the Giants final home game of the season on October 2 with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Deadhead NBA legend Bill Walton.
Peavy teamed with Omaze to offer the VIP experience that also includes a post-game jam session with Hart, Peavy and others. A donation of $10 or more earns an entry in the contest. Proceeds will benefit the Larkin Street Youth Services efforts to build recording studio that will provide music facilities for local homeless children.
Sorry, I thought it included watching with Jake too. I’m glad he hasn’t given up on pitching for someone this year.
I entered that for my musician hubby. Didn’t win, but they sent me a cool “too grateful to be hateful” shirt in Giants colors!
Racism, sexism, and bigotry are divisive forces perpetually tearing at the hearts of mankind. We will not abide the promulgation of such in baseball or governance at large.
Nope. Can’t.
Cassilla to the A’s .
Looks like there is another ‘big bat’ available, Tim Tebow wasn’t invited to the Mets MLB camp.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/01/11/tim-tebow-mets-spring-training-invitees/96459348/
I guess the marketing opportunity is not big enough.
Zack Wheeler got a contract, and a new shot at the Mets ($800,000).
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/01/11/wheeler-gets-800-000-deal-with-mets-after-missing-2-years/96465370/
CRIME of the Big Leagues https://vimeo.com/180677088
Voices are Vida and Marty Lurie
Elway got his guy (would have been a great Niner hire)
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18452615/denver-broncos-hiring-vance-joseph-head-coach?ex_cid=espnfb&sf50472888=1
Why ? His defense he coached at Miami was below average , I know why you like him , and that is not a good reason to hire anybody for anything .
Why do I like him?
You use stats that don’t prove that he cannot do a great job with the Broncos. (A) Bronco’s are not Miami (B) no two years are a like.
He is a leader of Men. He knows how to delegate. Players work hard for him.
Enough said.
I wish the scouts would put DOWN the radar guns on occasion and look for late movement and command AND a pitchers ability to shut DOWN the opposing teams running game. SMH
https://d1baseball.com/draft/mlb-draft-study-1996-2011/
Ty Blach approves this message.
Hey, scouts like the uptick in his radar readings. Makes his sneaky fastball even sneakier 🙂
Heat isn’t the only thing, sometimes warm is better. Sneaky is good too.
Good Night Allen. Here is your favorite NBA Dance team.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1bc0a37a852cf7c6f097b1bff7d36ff2b2033b24b3035431a6872f695fa6f102.jpg
I’m not sure how many years I’ve participated in this community, but GG’s new, or forcefully restated rule leaves me inclined to feel like retiring this discussion. Is that applause I hear?
To me, this blog (meaning GE and its new location here) has always been about much more than just baseball, or even sports. It’s been about life which, as the man from Italy pointed out below, is intertwined with politics. It’s been about whatever someone wants to discuss, with no guarantee about the tone of response.
How someone can feel bullied be anonymous strangers over the internet, I have no idea. As someone who gets disagreed with as much as anyone, and often not in the most polite terms, I can say that I’ve never been emotionally hurt by anything anyone has ever said. Annoyed and eager to fire back? Definitely. To me, that’s fun.
I’m just not a big fan of censorship, but I respect ownership. In my opinion, the world needs fewer “safe spaces,” not more. But this is GG’s place. He gets to make the rules. That’s his right, but I think he just made this ongoing discussion much less interesting.
The only thing I like that’s homogenized is milk. I’m with ya.
ever had cow’s milk straight from the teat? Good schtuff. And I’m still alive.
It’s good, but I prefer ice-cold milk to the warm tepid type.
Fresh is good.
Grampa had a small dairy.
Not sure if you’ll be awarded ‘The Featured Comment’, but strong, honest stuff. You’ve definitely got some candor and not everyone has your thick skin. You might say it’s fitting that a toddler is the lead graphic for this thread.
We don’t always agree, but when we do – it’s with respect, and definitely not forced. And I do agree with you on this. Have a good night, Officer.
I tend to agree with you here on your comment. And I”m pretty sure I disagree with you politically, at least on some matters. I made my own case in a separate comment upstream a bit.
For once (or twice) I agree with you . 100%.
TO I noticed that you’ve been missing from recent posts and thought I’d look up your last post and sure enough here it is on the blog censor thread. Sorry to see you are retiring from this forum, won’t be the same without you. In this thread I also stated that I felt the censoring was unnecessary but as you say, more or less, it’s the owner’s call. We didn’t talk a lot but I always enjoyed your contribution and I agree it’s odd that folks can be so worked up personally over commentary by anonymous posters on the web.
Hope you get this note, stay safe out there.
Good thing you left too, I was really going to take you to the back shed over police pensions, lol. PS35.
Ha…thanks. I just don’t want to actively participate in something where everyone has to watch what they say. I’m still reading, and I’ve seen a few times where someone will say something, and then they and others will start worrying about whether it should have been said. Like I wrote, to me that’s nearly as interesting or fun. So I’m keeping it to just reading. Maybe things will go back to where they were, but I doubt it. And yes, police pensions are a great deal. I’ve personally contributed a few hundred thousand $$ to mine, but I’m hoping to end up collecting for long enough that it turns out to be a bad deal for the city. Once again, thanks for the nice words. You’re one of the good guys.
My childhood buddy joined the force (Peninsula town) at 22, worked for 28 years and retired at 50 (actually retired, not double dipping by working elsewhere). We are catching up with a round of golf when it dries out and I’ll be talking him in to giving me a better return on my tax dollars, he’ll have to go back to work as a detective or a trainer or whatever. I’ll let you know how that goes.
This is worthy of a Featured Post ! Bravo!
Relievers gettin’ paid!
Santiago Casilla is guaranteed 11 mil and up to 14 mil over 2 years with incentives.
I suppose Romo signs for similar and Lopez has second thoughts about retirement.
I sure hope so!
Something is amiss. I’ve been on two different computers and replies are not posting on either (one Mac, one PC) unless I reload the page. Now THIS is what annoys me.
It’s not just you this time. Something is amiss alright.
Anybody been to The Slanted Door?
I can’t eat Asian food because of my sesame allergy, but I have family in the Bay Area, and they’ve been and said it’s great.
That’s is one bummer of an allergy.
Yes. Very good but you can get just as good Vietnamese food at a lot of other places in SF for much less.
If you are in the Sunset or Richmond district give La Vie a try on Geary St.
This is some good Pho weather.
Try Sandy’s Pho on 9th Ave. I recommend a #10. Works every time.
One bad thing about living in the Monterey Bay Area — no good Vietnamese Restaurants that I know of.
The Iron Door, Coulterville. Historical. Still a dump.
sounds like a stripper club.
Yes, couldnt give a higher rec. Classy Viet, none better…Or Tamarine in Palo Alto.
Yes. We love it
Giants avoid arbitration with Conor Gillaspie–$1.4 mil.
He has proven he can get hot but I still prefer Kelby for all around Bench help; speed and fielding make him so much more productive and flexible. He has to be on the Bench this year. [Early My25ManGuy™ prediction]
You would, you prefer Duffy over Bryant, extra base power is not important to you, and Tomlinson’s fielding and arm not that great either .
CG did have better Def than I thought: 5 DRS
KT and CG had identical 98 wRC+ last year.
KT had 120 PA and a 0.8 WAR
CG had 205 PA and a 1.1 WAR
Depends on what you want on the Bench … KT had 5 SB and can play 2B/SS
CG had a .440 SLG and can paly 3B/1B
Different skill sets–KT has speed, defensive versatility, and so far is a good major league hitter. CG has power. I could see value in keeping both. What I don’t get is why Adrianza seems to be here forever, meaning poor Kelby will probably get bumped AGAIN.
According to Scout at the start of this thread, Brisbee has EA on the team again, but I am with you Kelby surely has more upside. Does KT still have Options to stay in AAA while CG and EA do not?
Yep. Kelby should have one more option year. CG and EA are locked into guaranteed money and don’t have options.
KT
What’re you a mind reader? Carnac the Magnificent”s got nothin’ on Peej!
Good for Conor. He earned that and more just with his post season.
My favorite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ-8jYpa1-o
Schulman tweeted that Bochy felt so bad about how things ended with Casilla–they didn’t get a chance to talk after the season ended so badly–that he wrote him a “long, heartfelt letter” saying how much he appreciated all he’d done over the years. Apparently Casilla really wanted to return, but the team had decided it was time to move on.
Schulman also tweeted that the #5 starter job is “Cain’s to lose.” That’s the opposite of what Alex said a couple months ago.
Ugh…. same old stuff..spending half the year “getting Cain going.”
How about this —–give the job to the guy that pitches the best and gives the Giants the best chance to win…
Regardless of contract status.. jeez…
Not much hope for any of the young guys with that kind of mentality.
Yep. And now that Gillaspie and Adrianza have locked-in money, there’s probably no room for Kelby, either. Even though he’s done nothing but contribute every time he’s had an opportunity.
Trying to think of an analogy. Can’t. Just pig-headed.
The ending with Casilla was unfortunate. Of course Bochy brought some of that one by sticking with him too long, in my humble opinion. But I think the world of Bochy for writing that long heartfelt letter. I hope Casilla catches on somewhere and I think he’s well-suited for a 6, 7, or 8th inning role.
EDIT: Reading some comments below I see Casilla caught on with A’s
I agree that it was classy of Bochy to reach out to Casilla that way.
I had a feeling that Bruce would begin pining for Matt to fill out the starting staff. Cain obviously did so much for this team, and they simply will wring that arm dry. I know…it looks wrung. But, I’m not surprised. I’m not feeling remotely positive about it. But, I’m not surprised.
I’m not surprised, either. I would like to be surprised. You know when I was surprised? When Bochy tapped Blach, not Cain, in a must-win game against Kershaw and the Dodgers. And yes, I know part of that was throwing all the lefties at the Dodgers, but…still. And it was Blach, not Cain, who was on the postseason roster against the Cubs. I was pleasantly surprised by those decisions.
I think I’m feeling nauseous.
I’ll have to go back and see what I’ve missed the past few days, sounds as though it must have been volitile. I don’t really understand the need to censor the forum, it’s just far flung people chatting on the web. Seems so easy to self censor (by blocking) or just ignore posts based on content or source. “Runnit” was vulgar so I banned him, I don’t care about music videos so I scroll past them, easy peasy, right?
On a baseball related note, just rode past Coors Field, so dark and cold and lonely, a bit of snow lying around, made even me long for spring training and I don’t really pay attention till April 1.
Here’s a Denver Pale Ale to all of TWG.
Yes, blocking individual users is another option. I”ve done that and it works great.
The Block User feature is much improved. It used to be that all the replies to that user’s comment also got blocked, but now you can read the responses and the turns in the conversation.
I’ve notice that!
It has saved my sanity and kept me reading this blog. And if anything I post offends anyone, I heartily recommend using it!
Cheers!
Comparing Runnit to free speech is like comparing porn to Orwell.
I’m still very thankful to Alex Pavlovic for putting in the effort to oust RI from the SJMN blog site – that subhuman nearly killed the blog.
Greek I don’t have any aim to make trouble here and I haven’t been around this blog lately so I’ve not seen what kind of political comments have been made. But that’s probably good for the purpose of this comment, which is: It’s almost impossible to ask people to restrain themselves from saying something political. In my humble opinion, I think you are taking too extreme a tack in banning political commentary and threatening to ban users.
I found parts of your story on Black people in baseball, for example, to be offensive. I spoke out to you about it on the blog. You answered me on the blog. And I learned something about where you were coming from and reformed my opinion of the piece some. Perhaps you took something from the exchange too. Or maybe you didn’t. But we both went on with our lives, none the worse for an honest exchange.
There’s also for example, the very political issue of police conduct that comes up all the time on this blog. And though I strongly disagree with him, I’ve never asked for the self-identified police officer on this blog who is usually the one that brings up such conversations to be banned. Who is going to decide what political speech is?
Also there’s even politics in baseball. The Championship Chicago Cubs are breaking precedent and visiting the White House in the middle of winter. Are we supposed to pretend that’s not happening? And that there are not possible political ramifications? Some of the Cubs ownership were for Hillary Clinton. Another owner was for Trump and is going to part of is administration.
How about if visas for baseball players get delayed because of a political standoff or because a state department appointee is not confirmed? Are we just supposed to pretend it’s not happening? I just don’t see it as being realistic.
I’m on another sports blog and politics comes up from time to time. We all know there are differing viewpoints and most take care not to make it personal. We find out that the person we may disagree with politically we can also share sports viewpoints with at the same time. And that’s a good thing. If things get too heavy, that blog seems to naturally police itself and we move on.
My advice is to rethink your position on this. Again, while I’ve been reading your articles, I’ve not been caught up on the comments so I don’t know what’s been said.
I guess we’ll see if even this comment will get me banned. I would doubt it, of course. Thanks for your time in reading this.
I commented, gave my best attempt at a high road. However – this comment from Surf says exactly what I would have, had I felt more comfortable not to tip over the card table. Well stated and very relevant Mr Surf, you brought up real life samples of why it’s not practical to “ban” certain things that are part of life and discussed in general conversation. I too have not noticed any bullying, other than the usual bickering that happens just arguing about lineups, power vs brains, and the like. The best thing you can ask for is respect, and provide it up front.
Thanks JStreet. I really love the place that Greek has established here and hope we can work something out. Maybe we should focus on behavior. As in commenters should not act like a-holes. And I say that of course as someone who has acted like an a-hole here before.
SurfCity,
Thx for expressing what I felt but couldn’t articulate. What’s happening outside this blog is not normal, and to pretend that it is is self-censorship. I think Orwell said something like, the first thing that happens is, peeps start censoring themselves, out of fear. I worry I will soon be banned from TWG for not being totally vanilla on some issue.
I’ve been quilting tonight and thinking about this. I made a comment earlier this afternoon about my concerns. I started thinking that I didn’t really say what I wanted to say, and I didn’t have the courage to push back. I came on here this evening to try to figure out how to thread the needle without getting kicked off the blog. I was going to talk about how the Chicago Cubs are going to the White House while Obama is still our country’s President and that’s baseball and politics and I sure wish I could have heard the Cubs internal discussion/debate about this. But I didn’t have to say much at all, because you said what I wanted to say, Surf City. And far more eloquently.
Don’t do that again. Say what you need to say about things. Nobody’s going to be kicked off the island by saying something reasonable.
I am quite sure that no one has an issue with what you say and how you say it. I also think you’re observant, and if you step back and analyze what GG is trying to say is that some posters, and I’m likely one of them, can go on rants that upset others. I’ve been upset more than once trying to come here for baseball and conversation only to be trolled by a usual suspect. A lot of people are making very good points. This IS an open forum. As with almost anything in life, sometimes some of us ruin a good thing with a lack of decorum or understanding. Some of us are blatantly selfish. Some of us start fires on purpose for sport. Some of us don’t like that aspect in us.
Your example is not what he is talking about.
In the end, we will do what we do. But, as we do it, look around and see who amongst us doesn’t frequent that sports bar anymore because the gang taking over isn’t who they want to hang with. That’s life, but we ought to be inclusive, civil, respectful. You always are. He’s talking to those that aren’t
“and if you step back and analyze what GG is trying to say is that some posters, and I’m likely one of them, can go on rants that upset others.”
“But, as we do it, look around and see who amongst us doesn’t frequent that sports bar anymore because the gang taking over isn’t who they want to hang with.”
What “gang” are you talking about?
And “sports bar?” This place is a lot more interesting than that. (At least it has been.)
I like you Mateo – but stop being such a hootie-baby. We all get our toes stepped on sooner or later around here.
If the toughen-up meter is truly measured…. Oh, never mind. We are all blind to our sensitivities, me included. If you prefer I stand ground each and every time, or I post each time my heart desires with trolling inflammatory links, and if you prefer I ….never mind. Another brick in the wall
I like you too.
It’s actually hard for me to know what he’s talking about because the blog post is not very specific. Maybe if I had been around and saw some of the individual comments that he called out it would be clearer.
I’ll take the risk with you, Surf. I support your position 100 percent. The landscape has changed, and people change with it.
It’s interesting to see who upvoted your post, Surf City, and who did not.
George, Could you look into the issue of posts not appearing unless the site is reloaded?
I’m not the only one with the issue. If we have something set wrong, I think we’d like to correct it.
I haven’t had a blue dot since this morning.
That seems to be happening to me too. THought it was just because I use an older browser. Never seen it happen before this though
It’s happening to others and it’s happening to me on both my Mac and my PC.
Update: It also seems to be happening on the Warriors blog that I frequent. That blog also uses Disqus commenting. So might be something that the disqus people need to fix. If so then all that we and the Greek can do is simply wait for them.
Since GG set this thing up with Disqus, he’s the one to query them on technical issues.
Slightly off topic. Looks like the San Diego Chargers are moving to LA for next season. Making the Padres the only pro team left in SD. Unless I missed soccer or hockey or something
Schulman, as only he can say:
Henry Schulman ✔ @hankschulman
#athletics fans should also know Casilla will not face #diamondbacks’ Jake Lamb this year. That alone is good for a .50 drop in ERA.
2h
https://twitter.com/hankschulman/status/819377946896932864
Hmm, seems to me that if you look at baseball’s history, baseball, maybe more than any other professional sport, has always been right in at the forefront of this country’s political and social debate. Pick an issue and baseball has been right there- Race relations, labor’s relationship with capital, stadiums and taxes, foreign policy, steroids (i don’t remember a lot of NFL/NBA players testifying before Congress). Or how about our own Giants, from bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS at a time when no one wanted to talk about it to ‘It Gets Better’. That’s a lot of politics to ignore. Finally, when you think about professional athletes getting political today (like it or not) it was baseball players that paved that path- Aaron, Clemente, Robinson, etc. were all very outspoken figures in their day.
But, since this is GG’s space, moving forward i’ll respect his wishes around politics and no longer bring it up. But from a ‘how will I waste my time on the internets today’ perspective i do fear the blog just got a whole lot less interesting. Its been a super slow offseason, and there’s not a ton of baseball news to cover in January but I come here regardless throughout the day to see what conversations are cooking. Not sure i’ll be doing that as much. We live in interesting times to say the least and I’ve enjoyed reading all of the opinions and debates here. But, if people are feeling excluded or even bullied, I certainly don’t want to contribute to that, and so i’ll respect the rules.
Back to baseball!
I think his concern/objection is more specifically with as he says “forms of commentary in reference to recent political events in the grand old USA.” and less with the politics of baseball or other sports.
Let’s all get real here. This isn’t about politics in the usual sense of R vs D, conservative vs. liberal, Roe vs. Wade. This is about people expressing disgust with Donald Trump and the reaction to manifestations of that disgust which appears to be censorship.
I can’t wait for this thread to move on from the pouting baby to something baseball related.
There is no crying in baseball!
Oh yes there is crying in baseball: when that danged Bobby Richardson caught McCovey’s line drive, I was one tearful puppy.
There is crying in baseball and gnashing of teeth.
I was all alone in CT in 1962, and I cried for sure.
And 2014 made it all ok.
Yes. It is very clear. I think some folks feel a little chagrined that we are calling them out on their gullible, wishful thinking as they hired this deranged, distrustful person to be a leader of the country. As noted in the movie Airplane, “they bought their ticket, they knew what they were getting.”
Now they defend their conclusions with deflection, while denying obvious truths with all sorts of not-credible reasons. And react with righteous indignation when they’re are not agreed with. It boggles my mind they could feel “bullied”. Anyone who supported the president-elect and feels victimized or bullied, well they clearly don’t see the irony in that. It’s laughable. If that makes me a troll, I’m “outta here”.
No, “I’m fired.”
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Airplane_screenshot_Haggerty_Nielsen.jpg
Hi, Otto.
I really don’t know what this is all about. I just know that most of the time, I like talking with this group about anything that comes to mind. Many topics divide us. Some of our fiercest disagreements have been about the Giants. I think it’s our understanding of each other as persons in the real world, which has developed over the years through many conversations, that unites us. I’m not particularly angry about the election. What I am is really worried.
Did you happen to watch that new elbow procedure (that I posted yesterday) that will replace TJ for many pitchers?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dffd5c50361d2e56e1c1dbd07d834fa91ddcd61ec4c375ba82bc5b4247d2b906.jpg
Here’s something we can probably all agree on. I miss watching this guy when he was young.
We can also agree that your artwork is awesome. Love the negative scratch work. I did a leopard in an art class when I was about 11, but nothing like this. Very cool. Keep em coming, Doobie.
Word, doobieibood. Beautiful.
Timmy: we were so fortunate. For four years (2008-2011) he was one of the ten best starting pitchers in MLB. That 2011 season…if we could have hit a little.
Thanks, glad you enjoy them.
You did this?!? Hawesome!!!
Understanding “Extended”
KIR picked Gillaspie when asked the question of “Who gets extended first?”
I admit I have no knowldege of contract finesse. It seems he had a one-year contract [$ 0.6 mil] for last year but was eligible for arbitration (avoided by the Giants by signing him).
So was he “under contract” in some fashion and therefore “extended” or just re-signed?
It seems like a hybrid because didn’t players already become FA when teams did not make QO?
Opinions?
KIR priced him at 2/$3 btw … that is darn close!
Either way the MyGuy™ Committee rules on this, that was a nice evaluation.
This is a tricky business. We discussed this about me choosing Nunez for “first extended” a while back. IMO, a contract deal with anyone who is under team control is just setting the figure, whether a deal is struck or it goes to the arbitration hearing. A genuine extension probably should involve a time period where the player would not have automatically been a Giant anyway. So if Nunez comes back on a one year deal, that’s just his final year of arbitration eligibility, but if he’s extended into 2018, that’s an extension. Well, so I think.
That does help.
So Conor getting a one-year deal is just taking up an option, not really offering an Extension?
IMO, but at the end of the day, it is your and SS22’s game.
It is clear that the SFG’s taking up Gillaspie’s arbitration year is different than when they did so for Crawford or Belt – those were no brainers, whereas bringing Gillaspie back was an actual decision. The lines are blurry.
I wouldn’t equate an 1-yr. arb-avoidance signing with an extension. Extensions are usually multiple years.
That is a good definition… multi-year may be the simpliest way to say it.
Paul, did you ever get to watch Command and Control? The last link I posted worked for the entire film for me.
http://www.pbs.org/video/2365927736/
Oh gracias for reminding me – I linked to it but forgot to watch it. Will get back to you Bap! :o)
I’m going to pull a Melky and withdraw my name from MyGuy™ leader status 🙂
To be honest, Gillaspie has been around so long (or so it seems), I honestly had no idea he was still arbitration eligible! I figured after his post-season efforts (and being a 3B), the Giants needed to keep him; requiring a new contract.
I’ll take the “nice evaluation” MyGuy™ participation ribbon.
Casilla signs with Oakland. 2 years for 11mm. Could make 14mm.
Good ClubHouseFactor™ points for going back to the team that brought him up. Small move, if any, for his family is a nice result for a nice guy who served the Giants well unitl last year.
He’s a guy with incredible stuff, and a fresh start may turn out very well.
It will be interesting. The A’s also have experienced closers Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle, and John Axford, so Casilla should be able to slide right in there and contribute without too much pressure.
On the other hand–it’s not entirely a fresh start. It was while he was on the A’s that he had to come clean about lying about his birth date and his name. And they tossed him in the dumpster after the 2009 season. As we saw last year, Casilla’s a proud, emotional guy; the combination of going back to some bad memories and leaving the Giants on sad terms could unsettle him. I wish him well, though.
and the A’s have Ryan Dull and a potential breakout for hard throwing Frankie Montas. Casilla may not rise to high on their totem pole. 7th inning may be right for him.
Remember when it was Wilson in the ninth, Romo and Lopez for the 8th, and Affeldt/Casilla for the 6th-7th? I thought Casilla was never better than in that role. All the filthy stuff and a lot less pressure.
I wish Casilla well too. He seemed to over-pitch when he faced the A’s during interleague; perhaps to prove a point that Oakland let him go too early. Well, 3 World Series rings later, I guess Casilla proved his point. Having said that, it’ll be interesting to see if he faces the Giants this year. Will he have a meltdown? Will he walk off the mound before Melvin comes out to pull him?
The Cove’s tribute to Jairo:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2017/1/12/14251610/mlb-santiago-casilla-good-giant
Thanks, Paul. I just gave you a virtual hug.
You da best, Mateo. besos, paulito
Buster Olney has his top 10 rotations list today. The Giants are sixth, after the Cubs, Red Sox, Mets, Indians and Blue Jays. The Dodgers are eighth. The other teams on the list are the Tigers, Nats, and Mariners(!), with honorable mention to the Cardinals and Rays.
I think sixth is too low for the Giants. Last year their rotation ERA was fifth in the majors, and that’s with Cain/Peavy/Suarez making 50 starts between them. Toronto was fourth, but I think a rotation headed by Bumgarner and Cueto is better than one led by J.A. Happ and Francisco Liriano. As for Cleveland, they were seventh in the majors in rotation ERA, so I don’t understand why they’d jump up.
I’m also not sure I believe in the Mets at #3, given their injury problems, and they won’t even have Bartolo Colon to fall back on this time.
I would not put the Mets above the Giants. They’d have to all be healthy to have a chance of actual performing up to expectations and I don’t see that happening either.
In Toronto, don’t forget about Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman – but I do like the G’s rotation better than the J’s (who do happen to have a surprisingly good rotation).
If Salazar and Carrasco are healthy, then CLE has a stout and deep rotation. Same with Mets given their rotation, which seems like a big bugaboo.
6th is laughable, but..under the radar is exactly where we like to be…..g’mornin doc
Top 5 teams all east of the Mississippi. Hmmm. I guess ESPN has to cater to the east coast. Again. I would tend to think the Giants should be ahead of the Mets, if anything.
I don’t know much about the american league but as far the nl is concerned i would take the giants rotation over either the mets or the cubs. The mets are too unsure healthwise. The cubs ditched hammel and it isn’t clear who’ll replace him. They were either incredibly lucky with babip last year or much of their success was due to their defense, not the pitchers, or most like both.
Lackey is going to be 38. There’s no way hendricks and his 87 mph fastball is going to be anywhere close to #2 in era again. Arrieta’s stats were radically improved by the first few months before batters figured out that his curves and sliders weren’t going to be strikes, after that he was basically an average starter. And lester’s stats were inflated by an unrealistic lob%.
IF healthy, there may be no better rotation than Syndergaard, deGrom, Harvey, Matz, and Wheeler. But considering their histories, that’s a huge IF.
The Red Sox are looking pretty formidable with Sale, Price and Porcello at the front end and other very good options for the back end. I don’t really think Porcello deserved the Cy Young last year (I agreed with Kate Upton that her guy Verlander should have won it), but he’s certainly an excellent #3.
The Cubs…yeah, with the exception of Kyle Hendricks, they’re pretty long in the tooth. Lester’s not a spring chicken, either. I guess they like that lefty Montgomery, whom they picked up last year and pitched out of the bullpen in the postseason.
Look at Lester’s LOB% last year, 84.9%, vs. career 75.3%. It was completely off the charts, led all of baseball by 1.8%. He was just plain superlucky with regards to spacing hits. And Hendricks was #4 at 81.5%. And this doesn’t even get into their BABIP luck, which was also completely off the charts. Then consider Arrieta’s ERA by month: 1.00, 2.08, 3.54, 4.88, 3.21, 4.60. And it wasn’t a matter of just mysteriously going cold, batters just figured out he wasn’t throwing the slider or curve for strikes and they stopped swinging at them. Their rotation just isn’t that good.
What stats place has a good Ranking on SP staffs for 2016?
Fangraphs … by WAR the Giants Pitching was #11; by most other stats #3 or 4.
Full Disclosure: I saw my note that Efrain said the Giants would be 7th at best for 2016 and I want to prove him wrong. And if he was right I will move on ASAP … “These are not the Droids you are looking for…”
Fangraphs is a great place to sort and rank.
Giants starters by park-adjusted ERA- were 5th in MLB behind Cubs, Jays, Nats, & Mets. Red Sox and Indians were 6th and 7th and they would deserve some kind of bump for playing in the AL and facing an additional, usually potent, hitter. Efrain’s 7th seems pretty kosher in this view.
By WHIP, Giants starters were 3rd behind the Cubs and Nats with Dodgers, Jays, and Indians right behind.
Okay … Let’s hope E doesn’t see this then.
Break in the rain this AM; colder storm yesterday so you must be seeing snow pack in King’s Canyon (?) to your east. We got some local snow up at my neighbors in the Loma Fire burn area at 3,000 feet.
For low-tech stats, you can also go to sfgiants.com and click on Stats. You can then go to sortable team stats for pitching, and then check different splits, like starter, reliever, etc.
For 2016, the Giants had the fourth best team ERA in the majors at 3.65, behind the Cubs, Nats, and Mets. That’s the whole staff, both starters and relievers. They were fifth in starter ERA (behind the same three teams and Toronto) and 15th(!) in reliever ERA, though ERA is not the best stat for relief pitchers. Toronto had an even worse bullpen (22nd), which is why the Giants are ahead of them in overall staff ERA.
Again, though, the Giants’ pitching should be better in 2017 with a full year of Moore and hopefully Blach in the fifth spot, and the bullpen should be better, too.
Given that the Giants have a stout rotation of their own, with a solid bullpen, and they are a National League team with a pitching friendly home yard, would it be a surprise if they lead MLB in ERA in 2017?
Nope. They sure could do it, and that will go a long way towards keeping them within striking distance or ahead of the Dodgers.
I think they could do it, too. I’ll add to what you said that they have the consensus best catcher in baseball and an outstanding defensive infield with a Gold Glove double-play combo to support that pitching staff.
I think the bullpen will be good, too, not only by adding Melancon but also subtracting Casilla’s stress level, Romo’s attitude, and Lopez’s alarming tendency to come in and walk the lefty he was brought in to face. I think we’ll get to see what Will Smith can bring to the table, and the added experience that Law, Strickland, and the “O” twins have can only help.
I’ll post full article soon
If healthy, Mets rotation:
Syndergaard, DeGrom, Harvey, Matz, Gsellman/Wheeler
Last few years that has proven to be a huge IF.
I agree it’s too low. Toronto being fourth absolutely blew my mind, their rotation is mediocre IMO. Happ, Liriano and Stroman pose as many questions as answers. Happ and Liriano are older rehabilitated LHs (had major career dips are now experiencing resurrections at older ages) and Stroman was wildly inconsistent last year.
The Giants could have the 2nd or 3rd best rotation if Moore picks up where he left off at the end of the year and Blach is in the rotation. If the Giants give Cain the 5th spot then I’m more inclined to agree with this ranking. Cain is so bad that his presence in the rotation alone should drop the Giants in the ranking.
Thanks for doing this. When I saw the story, “Lefty!” was the first thing that pooped in my mind.
I agree…6th is low.
“The Bowtie” did his Top 5 teams…based upon the off-season so far…and he has it Indians (#1), Cubs (#2), Dodgers (#3), Red Sox (#4), and Astros (#5). Dodgers #3…really??
Hello KIR,
Maybe you say the discussion below on your Conor Gillaspie “extension” pick. You nailed it on the value the Giants placed on him but since it was a one-year arbitration signing I am leaving it open for a better fit. I see now how to better phrase that question.
That said, feel free to take another crack at it since it is still not settled. I don’t think there have been any changes to guide you in this hot stove time.
I did reply to your comment below 🙂
Ummmm, you might want want to proofread that comment…”Lefty was the first thing that…” !!!!!!
Looks OK from heeeeeere.
My edit above is what I meant. My apologies if you took offense.
It still says “pooped” on my screen, even after refreshing and then closing the window and re-opening it. But no, I wasn’t offended at all. I thought it was hilarious.
Fixed…finally.
One of the best typos I ever saw was Schulman on Twitter a few years ago. Lincecum scratched from a start due to food poisoning, and Schulman tweeted: “Zito starting tonight. Timmy very dick.”
Late to this thread, but must post a hearty “hear, hear!” for Greek Giant’s post.
32 days to spring training!!
Although that kid picture looks like Baby Trump … hair ,lips and all. But maybe I am suffering from Election Overexposure.
Has everyone seen the Chargers new logo? The Dodgers can’t be happy with it.
If the Chargers are forced to change it, just another example of bad management.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7605262020777294cbf2afa795a392a7e7b80a5ad05868d137bb9a49aee4da3a.jpg
The Dodgers logo with the L through the A and the white lettering on blue background is so distinctive and well known to be a the Dodgers, I cant imagine the Dodger will let this slide unless the sought out the Dodgers approval.
Even then, that brand is so valuable I doubt the Dodgers would approve.
I still don’t understand the economics of this one. Maybe I’m just being obtuse, but I don’t get it. The Chargers will have to pay a $600M+ relocation fee to be TENANTS in a new stadium. The city of San Diego (like a second home to me in that I lived there nearly 8 years) offered in the neighborhood of $375M towards a new stadium and the NFL was going to kick in another $300M+. The location was going to be in Mission Valley and not downtown like Chargers ownership wanted, but Mission Valley has more room and I don’t think the East Village had the space for a football stadium. Downtown SD is not big enough for a football stadium and baseball stadium.
NOBODY in LA cares about the Chargers, whereas the people in SD love them (albeit grew disenfranchised as ownership essentially spit in their face the last few years). So, the Chargers could have built a brand new stadium in SD, which they would own, but instead opted to move to LA to become tenants and pay a relocation fee very similar to what their costs would be towards building a new stadium in SD that they WOULD OWN. Markets in the NFL don’t matter the way they do in baseball and basketball. A team in GB or Pitt in the NFL can be worth as much as one in NY, SF or LA. This move just doesn’t make sense on any level.
I think it all revolves around a future sale and the LA market.
But I don’t see how being a tenant substantially increases the value. The NFL, unlike MLB, shares all TV revenue because it’s all national. So, the Chargers will not get extra money (like the Dodgers would as opposed to the Padres) for a local TV deal. And, they don’t own the stadium. And, they will likely have to share at least some portion of game day revenue with Kroenke. If this were MLB or NBA I get it. But for the NFL it just doesn’t make sense. I’m not seeing how the value of the franchise increases when you share a market as a tenant as opposed to owning the stadium as the sole franchise in town (even though SD is substantially smaller than LA).
They also forego potential other revenue sources, such as future Super Bowls, concerts, etc. by not building a new stadium in SD. The relocation fee is going to be ~$650M and the county of SD was potentially willing to fork over some money for a new stadium in Mission Valley (as opposed to the failed downtown referendum) in addition to the $300M the NFL was willing to give. To me, it was a lazy, cheap, shortsighted move by Spanos. In the short-term it will be more lucrative in LA, but I don’t necessarily agree for the long-term health of the franchise it makes it more viable.
They may have to modify it a bit.
Being an AFL fan since my childhood, any rebranding of this team saddens me. There’s talk that Spanos might pull a Ravens (Cleveland -> Baltimore) and completely rebrand the team (doubt it), but even making it more Dodgers-like (similar to the NHL’s Kings, when the Raiders were in LA) seems puky.
Spanos is the worst thing to happen to the Chargers franchise. Mrs. Crawnik grew up in the San Diego area and vowed to do away with the Bolts should they move. Privately financing a new stadium is the right thing to do in my opinion and Spanos is worth $2.1 billion. He can build one. He’s just too idiotic not to do it. Sell the team then.
Tampa Bay Lightning just tweeted this with “The Dodgers and the Lightning are just friends” :-))
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/83b13f77567abb6cdb2910bd0b97ff675b004952c88cba389679b0a7d2cb6fc6.jpg
Charger fans are dumping old memorabilia in front of the stadium entrance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzQAhC3ra4w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPOAhBp2Ag
In honor of cartoonist Garry Trudeau ( who is no relationship to Canada’s Justin Trudeau)
From my brothers childhood – he use to rub in my face his kid-crush on bombshell Connie Francis. She sang “Who’s Sorry Now” and Brenda Lee sang “I’m Sorry”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9QEAtcz3o8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGLR25EJtfE
Of course 1958 was also the year that Bill Haley & His Comets brought his Birth Of The Boogie to Hamburg Germany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtG7qjZ-XQ4
Clutch, or anyone else that might know; where can I find a list of Giants’ scouts?
Anyone looking for a new watch? Steampunk version
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f1b0b5515220fdddf30c4abb68192147551b6b779213ff015090667d7c006003.jpg
Ha! Have you seen the brand Shinola? Cool story, and really cool watches…
What’s the story on its origin? Isn’t/Wasn’t that the company that made the shoe polish some people couldn’t tell from something else?
It is out of Detroit, and it’s ex-auto industry manufacturing workers repurposing “waste” products and facilities into really cool “retro” products.
I know the name was a play on that old joke, too. They really made cool s**t from Shinola
I found something on the backstory. It’s not all hearts and flowers and without criticism. Interesting, nonetheless.
Are you interested in time travel?
Ale, sax, is 12 yo, Gaetano trumpet is 10. I’m astonished.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTiv4201MUU
Bill James has reworked Tom Tango’s metric, Game Score (2.0) that analyzes the quality of a game pitched. In 2016 two games topped the charts, Vince Velasquez against the Padres (April 14) and Madison Bumgarner (July 10). Both achieved a score of 103. So, arguably by that measure, Bumgarner pitched the best game in baseball last year.
GS 2.0, http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/game-score-v2-0/
Right on.
“…a kind of garbage stat that I present not because it helps us
understand anything in particular but because it is fun to play around
with”
Baseball is about fun. Why do you talk about all those prospect rankings, anyway?
For fun!
a looksee at the Mets system. Appears they have an elite SS prospect on their hands in addition to worthwhile rotation help and a future 1B right behind him…
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/1/12/14229332/new-york-mets-top-20-prospects-for-2017
That WAS a helluva game. I pretty much remember it as the last happy moment until Conor Gillaspie hit that HR (and Bum pitched a shutout) in New York.
Bo Jackson says if he’d known what he knows now, he would never picked up a football. His kids will never be allowed to play it, sounds like.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2017/01/12/bo-jackson-football-cte-mlb/96492338/
I know the feeling.
No politics now mate.
What politics?
I’m still having problems with comments not loading automatically on my PC. Having to reload to see new posts means I’m missing comments occurring lower in the page.
Anybody else have these issues?
You butter believe it. If you’ve refreshed you can read this message. If you haven’t, then I might as well be talking to a wall.
Before and After http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/before-after-storm-California-flood-ca-drought-10851105.php#photo-9205460
still raining, off and on showers down here…
we rec’d at least 8 inches in 8 days at home.
Warriors’ Steve Kerr ‘won’t hesitate’ to rest more players
http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Steve-Kerr-won-t-hesitate-to-10849124.php
Newly rereleased, I think. The whole thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8sbDxB9UI
This excerpt of a baseball chat goes out to Keepin’ it Real. Whoever “Stenzy” is, I think he/she is darn good fan 🙂
Stenzy 2:19
Are
you buying that the Giants are laying in the weeds waiting for prices
to drop or are they really gonna go with the kids and just deal at the
trade deadline?
Jeffrey Todd 2:20
I think they are lying in the weeds, but could just slink off and wait if a good oppo doesn’t arise.
Stenzy 2:31
Why is Todd Frazier not a Giant yet? Makes too much sense with Arroyo a year away and Nunez better as a bench bat.
Jeffrey Todd 2:32
It does seem like a good fit. Plus, he just seems destined to play for that team.
What do you think it would take to get Frazier? He’s a FA after this year, right? So the CWS should be motivated to trade him. They’re not going anywhere this year.
Take their pick other than Beede Arroyo could somehow get it done. Reynolds and Suarez?
Sox can then sign Luis Valbuena for cheap to replace Frazier.
Back to NL too; which gives him an opportunity to leverage his NL experience.
You forgot this priceless nugget…
Stenzy 2:21
Why would a Matt Cain plus prospects for Ryan Braun be so far fetched?
Jeffrey Todd 2:21
Because Matt Cain hasn’t been useful in years and Braun is still a very good hitter?
If he’s just offsetting salary, then okay, but he’s otherwise essentially inconsequential to such a trade.
Panda is working out with The Oracle and has produced Reform_3.0
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/12/another-dramatic-body-transformation-for-former-giant-pablo-sandoval/
Is this working? Looks like everything has gone dead. Okay here’s something. The best birthday present I ever got. I was working as a courier after “retirement”. It was important to avoid moving violations because you get a few and you’re through. I mistimed a yellow light after work. A cop pulled me over.
“That light was red,” he said.
“Yeah, you caught me cold,” I confessed. I never argued with the police, especially when I’m wrong. He took my license and registration. He came back in a moment.
“You’re going to be 69 tomorrow?” he asked. He could see it on my license.
“Yeah” I said.
“Get out of here,” he said. “I’m not going to give you a ticket the day before your birthday.”
And that was the best birthday present I ever got.
Bravo Walt!
it’s all about…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmRG0Y5N8lg
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/sport-cartoon-cartoonist-baseball-baseball_players-crowds-smb080404_low.jpg
The Third Base Battle http://www.scout.com/mlb/giants/story/1745164-sf-giants-a-battle-for-third-base
Frazier v. Ali, Thrilla in Manila?
I don’t really believe there’s a “battle.” The Giants traded a top-100 pitching prospect for Nunez, who was an All-Star last year. Unless they trade for, say, Todd Frazier, Nunez is the 3B and Gillaspie’s a pinch-hitter and backup 3B/1B.
Cannot disagree. Conor playing third regularly would
(a) weaken our bench
(b) displace Nunez’s tremendous athleticism
(3) etc
Plus CG doesn’t hit lefties. Like Not. At. All. Well, except for that one time off Chapman. That was nice!
Nunez also doesn’t hit lefties. Gillaspie had a higher line drive %, a higher hard hit %, fewer ks, and much better fielding stats. Nunez got a huge amount of babip luck in the first half of the season and they had to gave someone on the twins on the allstar team. It shouldn’t folliw that because the giants gave up more to get nunez, therefore it’s better for the team if they start him.
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/2017-giants-offseason-news/giants-agree-to-terms-with-conor-gillaspie-for-one-year-contract-at-1-44m-as-sign-santiago-casilla/