by
Dr Lefty
Yesterday’s game seemed an awful lot like Friday night’s game: The starter gave a lackluster performance (Hall of Shame: Samardzija giving up another home run to Hector “Babe” Sanchez; Moore giving up a two-run, two-out triple to the pitcher to put the Giants in a 4-1 hole). The offense rallied enough to take the starter off the hook but repeatedly wasted late-inning opportunities to win the game in regulation and early in extras. But this time the Giants won. Why was that? One word: The bullpen. Oops, that was two. But you get the drift.
After a rough night by Strickland and Kontos on Friday ultimately doomed the Giants (though I’m still pointing the finger mainly at Samardzija for not holding two four-run leads), the bullpen yesterday was stellar, throwing six shutout one-hit innings. The return of Albert Suarez (two perfect innings) gets the featured image this time, but an equal case could be made for Josh Osich (well, except for that guy he hit; what is it about Osich and hitting people–didn’t he make the Snakes mad last year by hitting Peralta two nights in a row or something?). Anyway, Osich gave them 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and no hits–really important as the game kept going, they’d already used the new long man (Suarez), and I assume both Kontos and Crick were off limits after heavy usage in previous days. Osich earned a much-deserved win when Nick Hundley (more about him in a minute) finally came through with the big hit the Giants had been seeking for hours. Strickland, after a shaky start, pulled it together, and Dyson, who seems to be regularly channeling his inner Brian Wilson (at least as to the torture, not the big black Beard), got through his inning.
Last year the rotation was overall pretty good (fourth in the NL in ERA), and we thought it could only get better with a full year of MyGuy™ Matt Moore. (Yeah, about that: Did I mention the two-run triple given up to the Padres pitcher? I did? Well, did I mention the two-out RBI hit given up to the #8 hitter?) The 2016 bullpen, with its 32(!!!) blown saves, took most of the heat for the Giants’ second-half and playoff collapse. So Bobby Evans went out and spent All The Money on Mark Melancon (who’s having fun giving stuff away on Twitter to Giants fans but not doing much else), and we still don’t have a left fielder and Sam Dyson’s now the closer, like we all predicted back in March. But this year, the script has at least somewhat flipped. The rotation is wretched (13th in the NL), and the bullpen is, believe it or not, kind of OK (7th in the NL). They have a lot fewer blown saves (but of course, there are a lot fewer save opportunities with a bad rotation and a bad offense).
In my opinion, Osich and Hundley are two of the precious few bright spots for the Giants this season. Osich is extremely talented. He may have the nastiest stuff on the entire pitching staff. He had an eye-opening 2015, followed by a cover-your-eyes 2016, but 2017 is going much better. His ERA+ is a respectable 112, up from last year’s 86. His strikeouts are up and his home runs are down. The main blemish on his stat line (other than a 3.77 ERA, which is OK, but I don’t pay much attention to reliever ERAs, anyway) is that his walk rate is sharply up. But even that’s improved dramatically over the last month if you look at his splits for the year. Osich is still just 28 years old, not even arbitration-eligible until after 2018, and under team control through the 2021 season. Health permitting, I see him as a mainstay in this bullpen for a long time, and he may be finally fulfilling the “next Jeremy Affeldt” label he got slapped with when he first arrived. 1.2 hitless innings in crunch time is not the line of a LOOGY. His splits vs righties and lefties are pretty similar, too–ironically, his two home runs allowed have both been to lefty batters.
I was happy when I heard the Giants had signed Nick Hundley–was it Crawfish Joe that scooped that for us? (Who is Crawfish Joe, anyway? He talks all folksy, but he knows stuff. I think he works in the front office and he’s a leaker. Keep up the good work, Joe!) Anyway, Hundley’s been exactly the veteran presence the Giants needed as a backup for Posey after years of youngsters filling that role (Hector, Susac, Brown, with a few weeks of Guillermo Quiroz in 2013–remember him? Well, one time he did this. Walk off the Dodgers and we’ll never forget you. That was back when the Dodgers’ front office was making Don Mattingly use overpaid Brandon League as the closer instead of homegrown stud Kenley Jansen and almost got Mattingly fired. Good times.). I think Hundley’s done a fine job this year, and he’s helped with the bat several times, too. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him be trade bait, and that would be a shame, but Tim Federowicz continues to have a very nice year in Sacramento and has assumed the primary everyday catcher duties from Trevor Brown. He could finish out the year just fine as Posey’s backup, and Hundley might not mind being shipped to a contender.
Speaking of guys I’ll miss after the trade deadline: Eduardo Nunez. That guy can hit, and he brings good energy and hustle. He seems to have a knack for the big moment, as with this two-out two-run single that tied the game after Matt Moore…well, I think I mentioned what Matt Moore did already.
The Prodigal Panda
OK, I know this isn’t a popular topic, but the return of Pablo Sandoval is news, and this is a Giants blog, so…Pablo made his appearance at AT & T, passed his physical, met with reporters, hung out with Bruce Bochy and Marty Lurie, and then toddled down to San Jose, where he had a hit and an RBI while wearing Christmas jammies. That is quite a lot to pack into one day! It must be a weird feeling for him being back in San Jose after nearly 10 years–remember how he had a host family there that housed him, fed(!) him, taught him English, and he called them “Mom” and “Dad”? I also was wondering if someone in his circumstances buys the clubhouse spread like rehabbing players (e.g., Zito, Sandoval himself, Crawford) traditionally do. He’s not exactly a “rehabbing player.” Since today’s Sunday, he rather evokes the Prodigal Son parable, so I wonder if they broke out some fatted calf? Or at least some In-N-Out? (Seriously, were they trolling him with this?)
The Movie Review
We saw “Dunkirk” yesterday, and I thought it was amazing. Not your typical WWII movie. Tightly scripted, spare on dialogue, very intense. It let the story tell the story. I’m always happy to see MyGuy™ Mark Rylance in a movie (he was great, as usual), and it was nice to see Kenneth Branagh again–I’ve been a fan for a long time, both of him as a director and as an actor. Well done. I expect some love for this movie come Oscar time. Here’s a fantastic article about the historical context of the movie, shared by Paul in P.V. Thanks, Paul!
At least Get a Split, Please!
Tyson (don’t call me Tyler–lookin’ at YOU, Amy G!) Blach on the bump today trying to make the home crowd happy. Let’s beat the &^%@# Padres again. Lefty out.
No thanks Lefty, I’ll be watching Kershaw today.
Do as you like. This is a Giants blog, and as a regular writer on the blog, I’m talking about the Giants here. I’m sure there are Dodger blogs where you could read about Kershaw.
Kershaw is so great I get plenty written about him in National press.
Good for you. But you’re turning into a troll like 2holehitting, and it’s a shame because it can be fun to talk Giants baseball with you. If all you’re going to do is be a Dodgers troll, though, what’s the point?
‘This Breckeroni is blocked.’
Oooops, new post, gotta re-post my post with posthaste…
What are these Giants going to look like next year? Ain’t no trades adding talent this month. Cueto probably opts-in at this point. Could the front office be so compelled to “fix the outfield” that they add a to be 32 year old in free agency to cover center field?
Span LF
Panik 2B
Cain CF
Posey C
Belt 1B
Slater RF
Arroyo 3B
Crawford SS
Bench: Pence, Gorkys, Tomlinson, Eric Sogard?!, Hundley
Bumgarner- Cueto-Shark-Moore-Blach
Melancon, Dyson, Smith, Osich/Okert?, Strickland, Law, Gearrin? Beede?,
early repliies:
DrLefty Foothills Rye • 6 minutes ago
I hope not. No disrespect to Lorenzo Cain, who’s a terrific player, but this is exactly the kind of move the Giants need to stop making. The contracts to Span and Pence–who also used to both be really good players–are already a big drag on the 2018 season five months before the ball even drops at Times Square. We don’t need another one of those. They either need to pull off a trade for a young CF or hope like heck that someone like Duggar or Slater can step up. 2018 is likely too soon for Reynolds.
610nm Foothills Rye • 17 minutes ago
Trading Hundley before the end of July, as someone suggested yesterday, is a real possibility, so backup C might be Federowicz.
Could Hwang beat out Tomlinson for bench player?
I hope Strickland is traded away, so that Crick is still in the ‘pen.
Think we’re going to need another starter, maybe two, if Samardzija and Moore can’t pull it together somewhat.
I suspect either Belt or Panik is being offered for trades. Alas. We’ll give you a redo on the fake roster when August 1 rolls around!
So your solution is the same team that is about to lose 100 games and adding Cain and Soogard (both who I happen think are good players).
In your mind that’s all that needed to compete?
Footy is more of a Director of Roster Diversity than GM. He looks for guys like Cain for non baseball reasons
Thank you for your input, Matthew Huckabee Sanders.
Am I wrong? I’m open to feedback.
Matthew Scaramucci
Dance like nobody’s watching!
Footy’s always watching with Left colored glasses!
http://68.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1b91sAQn61qa2j2c.jpg
You’ve hacked apart less people
Compete? Maybe get to .500.
I hope you save all of your “Projected Lineup” iterations, Cuz. I think you have ….(baseball analogy) all the bases covered
Too many players on the field (another baseball analogy).
NO to Lorenzo Cain! I echo Lefty’s sentiment: please do not bring in ANOTHER 30+ year OF! I think his market will be 3-4 years at $15-18MM per year. We should focus on our own prospects and/or search other teams for players who have the skills but have not yet had a legit chance to earn a spot on a 25-man roster.
I wonder what the Cardinals would want for Tommy Phan?
Tyler Beede?
Never forget The Q!
p.s. Just re-watched the Dunkirk episode of Foyle’s War (season 1) – great. This new flick is getting fab reviews – here’s some fascinating background history on how the Brits pulled it off:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-mystery-left-out-of-christopher-nolans-dunkirk-why-didnt-hitler-go-in-for-the-kill
pps. One thing gone unnoticed – Sandoval appears to be in good shape (for him):
http://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/article/Pablo-Sandoval-goes-1-for-4-with-S-J-Giants-11308159.php&cmpid=twitter-premium#photo-13289475
Yes, that was also in Marty’s tweet that I linked in the post. I will report back after the River Cats game on Wednesday, as our seats are quite close to 3B!
As a longtime viewer of Pablo and his greatly fluctuating weight, I’m guessing he’s at that same 240 lbs. that he showed us in spring training 2011 (The Franchise, on Showtime). If he’s serious about playing into his mid-30s he should consider shedding another 10-15 lbs. and get (stay) down to 225 lbs.
My husband LOVED Foyle’s War!
me too.
Oh, what a great read. Thanks, Paul! I’m going to edit the post to add the link to this–hope it’s OK. Fascinating story. The movie, concise as it is, conveys the uneasy relationship between the English and the French at the time and also how conflicted the British soldiers felt after being evacuated.
I’d be honored. :o)
ps. I’m not big on jerseys – but I LUV that SJ shirt. (Nice touch, calling they peejays.) :o)
Nice write up Lefty.
Quiroz walk off…
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hsimp=yhs-att_001&hspart=att&p=quiroz+walk+off+homer+sf+giants#id=1&vid=ecb0602c38c84df48266d683425c09e6&action=click
Just to entertain ourselves, we could have a MyTradeBaitGuy™ competition between now and July 31. Ryan’s rosterbating for next year is premature when we don’t even know who will be on the team in two weeks. So who do you think is getting traded? Here’s my list:
Nunez
Strickland
Hundley
Samardzija
Panik
…and possibly Kontos and/or Gearrin
A trade of Panik would cause me pain. But I can’t rule it out. The Giants have some infield depth, when you consider Miguel Gomez, Arroyo, the re-appearance of Sandoval, Hwang, Hinojosa, and Jones. Even further down in the minors are Ryan Howard (a SS who’s raking in San Jose) and Jacob Gonzalez (a 3B just drafted in the second round). But he might actually be worth something on the trade market–a centerfielder? A starting pitcher? A lefty reliever?–and, dare I say it, they could be selling high on Panik while he’s still young and cheap.
I know Ryan and Efrain are going to insist on Belt going, but I’m focusing here on what I think WILL happen as opposed to what I would WANT to happen (I certainly don’t want Panik traded any more than I wanted Duffy traded). And I think it’s more likely that the Giants can/will trade Panik than that they’ll trade Belt.
I hate the idea of losing Joey Ballgame – but if it has to happen, make the other team take Span off our hands. Quid pro quo trade.
I forgot Span. He could get traded. But that’s wishful thinking, along the lines of Ryan and Efrain wanting Belt traded.
I’m going:
Nunez
Strickland
Hundley
Span
I think the Giants are intent on offseason assessment of the marketplace to determine best options for moving Belt or Panik. I don’t think it will be both–it’s either/or in the short term. I think management is more likely to trade Belt vs. Panik.
I’ll trade for him so I can go all Boxing Helena on him to keep him off the field.
Joey ball game lolol lmao
Why would you give up Panik just to get rid of Span, who will be gone after next season anyway?
You’re right. Just because they made a huge mistake on Span doesn’t mean they should dump Joey P. just to make it go away. Sunk (really sunk) cost.
I don’t want to lose Panik but I keep coming back to him as well as the likely one. But it won’t happen until the off season, imo. Could be why they are giving Gomez a long look, although Arroyo moving to 2nd is an option.
Of course it makes sense to keep a GG making the minimum, but, it’s also why he would be attractive. Everyone else is either making too much money or lacks the value. But it will have to be a package deal as Panik alone won’t fetch the impact bat they need.
doesn’t take much effort and forward thinking to propose the Giants the are most likely to be traded are guys lik Nunez, Strickland, Hundley, etc.
Now Panik is at least going out on a limb, a good guy to have but also one that still in under a good contract, plays great D and a guy other teams have and will want.
You can keep thinking Belt won’t be moved, but there are multiple reasons why he should (even if you may be right the Giants won’t move him):
1) the team payroll needs to go down before the team is built back up. That will have to happen.
2) Easier for the Giants to man 1B for the time being then 2B, we now Craw/Panik make one of the top double play combos in baseball, why mess that up. We’ve already been through bad Giants seasons where they have tried a million guys at 2B. No sense in toying with that right now, one of the sole positives on the team.
3) This team should be rebuilt to compete in 2019, by then it’s possible Buster will need to play 1B more. Many here keep pointing to Buster saying in the press he wants to continue catching, and while he is still great at it, not even Buster knows what his boddy will be like in 2 years. For what he is being paid, the team may want to recoup more offense from him and may extend his career.
Well, the other thing is it takes two to tango–and Belt starts making a LOT more money next year. Panik is cheap, so that’s an easier sell.
I agree about payroll, and that’s one of the reasons I think they might trade Samardzija–especially if they can’t trade Cueto and he might opt in after this year. Cueto leaving would have been an easy way to lower payroll. That’s also a reason why they might trade Strickland, Gearrin, or Kontos–they’re all into their arbitration years, and can be replaced in house for cheaper. Having (foolishly) devoted so much of the bullpen money to Melancon for the next few years, they can’t spread around $4 million here, $5 million there like they did with the Core Four bullpen guys.
The only thing I would add to the list of probables is Belt…and the reason I do is because that’s who WOULD bring back the most AND us the one that rival GM’s are probably asking for the most.
I don’t want him traded. I think he might.
See my comment to Efrain below–I think Panik is more likely because of the contract. But as I’ve been saying for awhile, I can’t rule out that Belt might get traded.
It would be an odd choice, though. Everyone both inside and outside the Giants organization says their biggest problem is their lack of power. Belt, love him or hate him, is currently the best power hitter on the team–leading the team in HRs by a good margin this year and led the team last year. Now, I know that says as much about the rest of the team as it does about Belt, but that doesn’t change the reality that he IS the best power hitter–and it’s weird for a team desperately lacking in it to respond by dumping what little they have.
Also: If Efrain is right that the great middle infield DP combo is one of the (few) strengths of the team, I’d add that Belt’s excellent glove at 1B makes all of those infielders better. Trade Belt, and we may find that Crawford and Panik aren’t quite as excellent as they used to be.
Only makes sense if he went for another power hitter. Perhaps one who can replace Pence. But it’s easier for teams to find a 1b than a 25hr OF, so that seems unlikely.
I agree with all of that.
But, think of Evans…he’s itching to save his job. He needs value back. He may worry about tomorrow tomorrow. The gap left by Belt would be huge, no doubt.
So, my ONLY reason for thinking they may trade him now is the bounty he would bring…no other reason.
Remember, we’re predicting what Evans will do, NOT what the smart thing is to do.
Ouch. 🙂
You always leave Sabean out. I didn’t realize you held such a deep affection for him as well.
It equals your deep conviction that Evans has no job
They’re all involved in the decisions, which is reality. Your view of things is your fan’s fantasy that another hero can’t be involved in anything negative.
Precisely, Dr. Watson. Belt was the eternal scoop machine over @ 1B all day yesterday.
Leading the team in HR’s on a team that is worst in the league at home runs is nothing to brag about especially in a HR mania season.
Brandon Belt is 29th in the NL and 58th in Majors for HR’s. He has as many at PA or more than most of the top 28 in the NL
You mean Bobby Evans is going to consummate a trade or two? I’ll be darned.
And, no, I already told you, Belt is staying put until at least the 2019 trade deadline. It is what it is.
Great post, Professor. And what a great article on Dunkirk. Thank you, paul in p.v.! You always bring the goods!
Lefty is the only professor around these parts. Dunno how Crawford got that label unless he has numerous doctorates that I’m unaware of.
Saw that they ran for Pablo after he walked in the 9th. Interesting.
Pablo Sandoval, turning triples into doubles since 2010.
Did Flannery say he hasn’t gone from 1st to 3rd on a hit all year?
But Pablo averaged 3 triples per year as a Giant. That is 3x as many as Buster has averaged per year as a Giant.
I sometimes wonder where your head is given some of your comments. It must be really dark in there.
1 less triple a year as a Giant than BB9 🙂
turning RBI singles into 1st and third?
No that is Busters job.
Jordan Speith is incredibly entertaining in his gambler method of golf. Last 4 holes of the Open tied with Kuchar.
My fav of the 4 majors. Kind of pulling for Kuchar who has never won a major.
Was a helluva recovery on 13.
That was a crazy half hour….then his tee shot on 14??? This will be a fun finish
I have a friend that is a trauma surgeon and he always had trouble getting enough sleep because of frequent late night call-ins. He said finding the Golf Channel has been a life-saver for him getting enough sleep, day or night.
He won’t sleep thru this finish.
15 minutes until the sprint in Paris.
Wow!
I know many people who say the same about mlb. I rarely watch golf except for the final round of the majors.
“Andrew Priestley: The mental strength required for Jordan Spieth to play the 14th-17th in -5 after just losing his lead should not be underestimated.” (BBC)
Jordan goes BOOM
I’m not a big fan of Home Despot, but I do dig their tool rental department. I just returned an Echo pole saw – extends to 12 feet, saws through some pretty sizable tree limbs and earlier this year rented a killer brush hog. That department of theirs is doing good things, top of the line equipment, good schtuff. Also got a bag of Kellog’s organic soil amendment, OMRI certfied, but I digress…
Thank you for some of the thoughtful and considerate replies to the big 2018 rosterbation question below: How will the Giants address this mess?!?
It doesn’t make much sense to add payroll in order to put a team on the field that might win 75-80 games instead of 70-75 games. Without drastic changes, it’s a potential million dollar rotation and infield, but a 10 cent lineup that the Giants will put on the field. They can run out some of the B to C+ prospects and fill some holes and save some money, but they should be ticketed for a Top 10 pick in ’19 also.
You guys are astute in recognizing that one free agent is not the answer. But it’s going to be a slow rebuild, one that doesn’t get much help from trades, but almost exclusively built on Rule IV draft. So Top 3 pick in 18, 8th or 9th in ’19, 7th in ’20, 5th in ’21 and then maybe things are turning around with Heliot and the gang!
Organic soil amendment sounds like you just bought a bag of cow poop.
Moving on to other topics, I absolutely don’t want the Giants getting such high draft picks 3 or 4 years from now. I am certainly worried about Span and Pence for the ’18 season, and the starting pitching, but surely the organization can set its sights on the 75+ win mark next year. Bullpen ought to be good, and I hope we have the Belt/Panik/Crawford/Arroyo infield hoovering up all the ground balls.
Parker needs to be in the bigs again, soon, to find out what he brings.
Parker and Mac, who knows what the future holds? 75-80 wins would certainly give the fans a lot more to cheer about so they can enjoy the diversion from the rest of world.
What diversion?
Ha! The Cipher!
So then why aren’t you a fan?
I’m not a fan boy or a homer. Good enough?
I’m talking about Home Depot.
So am I. But yeah, tool rental dept gets an A. I give the Garden/Nursery a B today, nice gal at register. But usually the employees in the aisle play hide and seek. I don’t know, I don’t usually shop there. You a fan?
Thanks Ryan. I’m going to search for “organic soil amendment.” Sound like just what I need for my garden.
Hats off to the Pirates for keeping Cutch and gang together. At .500, Marte is back, and they are in the hunt in that division. Cutch got off to a slow start, but has a .295/.387/.512 line with 17 HRs. Thanks goodness he is not wearing Dodger blue.
Concussion suffered during Harper brawl could force Morse to retire
http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/concussion-suffered-during-harper-brawl-could-force-morse-to-retire/ar-AAoBleH?li=BBnba9I&ocid=spartanntp
That is a shame. One wonders who might be found liable? Certainly there is some sort of insurance by the team and player.
If nothing else, Strickland’s paycheck should be docked the ML min for a couple years, and sent to MM.
Again, I must intone: then you also think Johnny Cueto should forever pay Jason LaRue after he kicked him in the head?
Absofkglutely.
Good. Because I see all of this Accesory To Concussion, and no one is saying every guy ever should do the same. Maybe Harper should have his paycheck docked.
Strickland stupidly hit a guy in the hip.
Brawls have happened forever, yet only this year and only now are Giants fans dissecting to this level. MyGuy Juan hammered Roseboro in the head with a bat….he inadvertently beaned Johnnie Callison at a game I attended. This is a slippery slope.
I don’t get why Harper is usually given a pass on that whole deal.
Because he was responding to a big dummy who threw a high 90s fastball at him for having had the nerve to be happy about hitting a post season home run three years earlier. Anything else you’d like me to explain?
I love how you modify truth for your own agenda. He hit him in the ass. But, your “truth” is hardly ever true.
Would you enjoy being hit in the ass with a high 90s fastball, three years later, for having done nothing other than being better than the guy who hit you?
Once again, you deflect.
I’m not deflecting. I’m explaining the exact answer to your original question.
I think the ass involved was actually Hunter Strickland.
I think, both. Plus maybe one here.
Because certain opinionated posters on here have always hated Strickland, and they found something to pounce on. I think it’s that simple
Doesn’t make sense. Hating one does not exclude the other for the same treatment.
It does here….apparently
can’t argue with imbeciles.
“liable”? Who the hell thinks like that, Geesh.
How about you list the last time someone was found liable in any of the major sports (NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL) someone was found liable for their actions leading to an injury to another player.
But then again some idiots on this blog though Utley should have been arrested for sliding into second.
Morse should have been retired well before this year. His only opportunity other than the Giants wasting a roster spot on him was most likely Asia. The fact he was even around shows what an awful 40 man roster the Giants went into the season with. 100 losses should be no surprise.
brother E, you’re in top form today, i see. anyway, i just wanted to say, wasn’t someone in the NHL arrested, or sued for a stick to the head, or a beating? i don’t remember the details, but something happened.
it’s sunday pal. maybe back off the insults a tad? what fun would it be if everyone was as smart as us?
maybe, but hey I hardly consider Hockey a sport (you know, the cultural thing lol).
The NHL condones fighting to draw fans, not surprised if someone took it too far.
i’m not a fan either. it’s way down my list of favorite sports. that being said, the playoffs, and especially a game 7 can be extremely intense, and well worth watching.
steve K…there was, but it was one out of about 1,00 incidents per year, and was MUCH different than a second hand injury based on a series of events. It was a guy suing another for whacking him over the head with a hockey stick.
It’s patently absurd that this thread has continued here that Strickland is the one guy responsible for Morse getting his head T-Boned by Samardzija in a scrum after a mound charging….
I was thinking of how or who might lessen the financial and medical impacts to Morse, such as by insurance.
You are reading something that I did not type nor imply to suggest any other sort of liability attached to another player. You realize that you often make replies to other posters based upon a straw man you have set up by your own extension or lack of comprehension of a post followed by an eagerness to criticize.
I don’t think Morse belonged on the team in the first place either.
Morse made the decision to run to the mound. I’m not sure his injury was a reasonably foreseeable result of Strickland hitting Harper.
Sure, but it Strickland doesn’t act like an idiot, Morse and Samardzija are not colliding violently. Morse was trying to be a good teammate, and sadly, that may be his last act as a Giant and major league baseball player. (One can’t criticize Posey for staying out of it AND criticize Morse for being IN it, I wouldn’t think.)
The Giants are frankly very lucky that Samardzija wasn’t also injured–those are two really big guys in a high-speed collision. Not to mention Pence and Kontos when they were trying to restrain Strickland a few minutes later.
But he was talking about legal liability, I thought. Making a dumb move doesn’t automatically make you liable for everything that happens afterward.
Morse doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would sue, anyway. And he’s probably made at least 10x as much money as Strickland has. Damages would be another question–Morse’s career was on fumes–but I suppose if he had long-term effects from the concussion…nah, can’t see it.
I don’t think he’d have much of a chance of holding Strickland liable. Maybe Surf Maui will weigh in.
Your two idiot friends are out joyriding in their respective hot cars and crash into each other. They call you to come get them, and as you rush to help them, you drive too fast and collide with another car, sustaining a serious injury. Can you sue your friends for putting you in the situation with their recklessness where your injury occurred?
Pretty much the same idea, right?
I think you have it.
The more nuanced question is sadly, not a hypothetical. Your talented, rich friend is having problems with his girlfriend, feels depressed, and wants to go out on his boat in the middle of the night. He calls you and another friend up, and being his good buddies, you join him for the joyride. Several hours, bottles of tequila, and ounces of cocaine later, all three of you are dead. Can your estate sue your friend’s estate? No one put a gun to your head and kidnapped you to go on that boat, and you probably joined him in the carousing that put him under the influence and led to the fatal accident.
Just want to highlight this statement: “Sure, but it Strickland doesn’t act like an idiot, Morse and Samardzija are not colliding violently.” –Lefty
As Lefty noted – imagine if it was Smarge and not MM who was lost…
It looked in the moment as if it could have been both. What Strickland did was selfish and narcissistic and mean. Harper was right when he said, “What’s with him? They won the World Series!” I want Strickland gone.
Then you’re in favor of about 100 other players to be similarly punished?
People don’t like Strickland…this incident is just being overused to fit fans dislike of Strickland.
I said this earlier, but Johnny Cueto kicked Jason Larue in the head in a brawl when he pitched for Cincinnati, and Larue was forced to retire. What do you think should have happened to Cueto? Sued? Lifetime ban?
Throwing at hitters and brawls are dumb. But singling one out because of collective blog fan opinions isn’t a fair remedy
I can assure you that if you asked that question on Together We’re Cardinals, you’d get a bunch of strong negative opinions about Johnny Cueto. But Cueto didn’t instigate that fight. It was started by Yadier Molina with an assist from Brandon Phillips. Cueto was wrong, but he didn’t create the situation.
Come on, Lefty…he kicked a guy in the head. You’ve claimed it was Molina’s fault before… Cueto KICKED Larue IN THE HEAD.
End of story.
Also, the correct blog to mention is Together We’re Reds…because you folks are hammering on your own. Not the opponent. ( By the way…Harper chose to charge the mound…right?)
No, not Molina’s “fault,” but he did start the fight. Something about Brandon Phillips tapping Yadi’s shinguards with his bat when he came to the plate and Yadi taking umbrage. And it’s not a “claim”; it’s a fact. Google it if you don’t believe me.
I remember it well. I know what started it…my point is this: Strickland plunks Harper in the hip, charges the mound, Samardzija wants to kill Harper and inadvertently smashed Morse in the head, and this series of events means Strickland should be sued/traded/imprisoned/ Eric.
The blog in general doesn’t like Strickland…I honestly believe this threading is silly. This stuff has happened in this sport forever, and my Cueto point is to show the selective insanity of what Giants fans on here are saying in this situation
Speaking of Dunkirk, here’s My Guy, Jeff Beck’s take…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoHztn5J-4M
Beautiful. Gracias!
Wait, there’s more! this is real nice too, from same album:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkl2zGkYPPc
Great recap doc. We also enjoyed dunkirk. It’s just amazing that the germans could basically have ended, or at the very least have taken a stranglehold on the allied troops, but for some reason, let them off the hook.
Hey doc, I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to tell your loyal readers about my most prized possession. Yep, 2 flaps down.
A while back, I was watching the giant’s telecast, and amy g came on with a guest. It was old penitentiary face himself, jeffery leonard. They were plugging an upcoming give away. It was one of those elmer fudd 2 flaps down hunting caps. This one was even cooler than the one they had given away previously. I posted on TWG that I’d kill to have that, but I knew that wasn’t going to happen.
The next day I got an e-mail from lefty, requesting my address. I sent it to her, but didn’t have a clue why, so I asked her. She told me that she had a friend, whose family had season tickets. They all had a hat from the last give away, and didn’t mind sending a fellow fan one of their hats. Sure enough, in a couple of days, the hat arrived! Lefty’s friend also included one of those hunter pence cupie dolls with the suction cups on it. What a nice person she is! Not really a big surprise since she’s a friend of lefty’s.
Now, I want you to keep in mind, that other than from this blog, I have met left, and mr. lefty, one time. We met at yankee stadium last year when the giants were in, for a total of maybe ten minutes. This random act of kindness by the left hander was just that. Not solicited in any way. Thank you, doc….
That is so nice! What a Lefty!!
(Now Dr., you DO NOT have to send me one of those Panda peejay jerseys. You really don’t.) ;o)
Yeah, those are pretty awful, aren’t they? Can’t unsee them once you’ve looked at them.
I LIKED them – but then, I live in Mexico, where it’s always Christmas.
I was glad to do it, Steve. I figured if a great Giants fan like you really wanted that hat, then have it you should. And yes, props to my friend (college roommate) who obtained it at the game, didn’t mind sharing it, and did the mailing. The extra Hunter Pence doll was all her idea.
Steve sent me a picture of him wearing it after it arrived, and it was made for him. 🙂
if i ever run for office, that picture would be my equivalent of gov dukakis sticking his head out of the tank!
Gotta see that penitentiary face, stevie!
be careful what you ask for, amigo!
Nice story. Steve K.
Jeff Leonard was one of my favorite Giants.
Lefty and TF62 stated they wouldn’t like to see the Giants sign Lorenzo Cain, because another 32 year-old free agent is exactly what they don’t need. I agree. At the same time, almost everyone here is extremely bothered by this possible 100 loss season and would apparently much prefer an 85 loss season…which is exactly the mentality that would motivate the Giants to sign someone like Cain: the desire to be not so awful to appease the fans and shore up the bottom line. A signing like that would be inconsistent with trying to return to the top. No matter what free agent they sign, they’re not heading to the post season in 2018.
Maybe not. Most teams inhabit ‘the top’ for a short period of time. If Cain keeps or creates a 3 year window open, it’s worth it. The issue is pitching, and finding it.
The window is closed.
Windows open and close, and reopen. It’s easier to extract ones self from a shallow pit, as opposed to the Grand Canyon. If a useful plan is developed, and 3 years of Cain is a sensible part of it, then go for it. The issue isn’t really Cain, it’s the architects of the plan he might be part of. That plan, IMO, has to be made using 21st century tools.
100 losses is a shallow pit?
It depends entirely on how they play the second half. And yes, number of losses isn’t the thing that determines the depth of the pit. IMO, in the first half it wasn’t so much losing that was the big issue, it was the manner in which they did it.
That’s what I think the bulk of people are missing. It is absolutely true that each loss counts…but it is impossible to predict future performances of many core players. TO is convinced that they are all over the hill and toast. I don’t agree
TO is lost in his own narrative, and, IMO, trying to protect it, even though it is only one of many possible scenarios that could unfold. Baseball is a game played in tomorrow, and yesterday is only as useful in as it predicts tomorrow. IMO, that’s why the Giants need to change to a 21st century paradigm, yesterday is gone for baseball and it really makes no difference in many areas how it used to be done.
You practically never venture an actual opinion. The one time you did, about Duvall, you were way wrong. Maybe you’re better off with simplistic generalities and linking articles about the slider.
OLO.
I know I’ve debated with you often cc about your opinions!
Can you remember any?
Sure.
Sure, that’s a quizzical chuckle as a person who’s self delusion seems all consuming. I remember getting banned at NRO for arguing with Goldberg, so my ego is intact, LMAO.
I don’t think they’ll be this bad next season, but the days of this group contending are over.
It won’t be the same players, and with the right moves and luck, I think they can contend. Since I don’t know what Evans (me) or Sabean (you) will do, but we’ll see and then have a better idea.
I sure hope they aren’t thinking the way are.
8th or 9th pick in ’19.
Yes but at least Cain does have another good 3-4 years left which would buy us time to develop an OF’er somewhere in our farms. 2017 proves that we’ve got little going in OF in the MiLB system.
amen, brother Oracle. You have seen the light of my post.
Just watching TBS’ Game of the Week between the Orioles and the Astros. Remember Nori Aoki? He’s 2-for-2 today and his career BA is .285. His DRS isn’t great at about neutral. However, compared to what we’ve got in the OF this year, Aoki looks positively delicious.
Boy, Operation Trumbo Drop is working out well
Clue me in Matthew … what’s the correlation between Mark Trumbo and Aoki?
None..Trumbo butchered a fly ball that Altuve hit.
Just as you bring up the name of Trumbo he get’s a double. It’s like Beetlejuice … say his name and he appears.
Nori Aoki is one of the many reasons I like watching the Astros.
You got the Astros channel or something?
No, I subscribe to mlb dot com. I lived in Houston for 3 years back in the 70s and went to many Astros games in the old concrete floor, leaky dome Astrodome. cc remembers those times.
So do I, lived and died with the Astros from 1972-1988! Now it’s a team I don’t recognize anymore, in a new park that’s a bandbox, in the AL which I’ve never liked. The Giants winning 3 in 5 reminded me so much of the way they used to play, with great pitching, sound defense, and doing the little things necessary to win close games. It’s becoming more and more apparent we can’t win that way anymore! 🙁
Slappy Nori just hits a 3-run HR.
Yeah, I’m listening to the game. His second homer of the season and ties the game! Remind me why the Giants let him go?
or Blanco for that matter!
I have no clue. Seems like after he got beaned with us he wasn’t the same. Maybe that was the reason. In any case he’s still his old self.
Carlos Correa gone? No problem. Keep bludgeoning the opposition.
Indeed, they’re not skipping a beat with Correa hurt.
top rookie Bregman to SS, M. Gonzalez to 3B, no problem, Houston. Maybe they could still use Nunez, I don’t know.
The line-ups from Baggs’ Twitter account. What’s wrong with this line-up?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0192cf5233f95dc5dbfe86010f08871ca9538ff2af0a6832de143ac70a9b62af.jpg
How much time do you have? ;o)
Ok – the Pads are starting a RHer correct? And Joe P. is sitting? (I know Gomez is a SW.)
We have two SS listed in the lineup. I’m sure it’s been fixed by now. But Joe P not starting is not right. He’s the last person on the team that needs a day off.
Correct. Yes, Lamet is a RHP. Baggs called this “the A lineup, with Panik getting a day.” I agree, he should be in there today even though Gomez is a switch.
This is the second time in 3 days? that the Giants lineup has featured two players for one position and not all the positions. The other day it was two Right Fielders and no Left Fielder. Today it’s two Shortstops and who’s on Third Base?
The Giants seem to have some overall cognitive and memory problems.
Who’s on third? In the words of Abbott and Costello, I Don’t Know.
More like, “Who’s on first.”
The A’s pitcher Gossett just snagged a line drive right at his head…it was a “whoa”
Trade market sure quieted to a murmur. Is Sonny Gray really going to make another start for the Athletics?
Are scouts scribbling copious notes on Eduardo Nunez ability to swing a playoff series?
Enquiring minds want to know!
Trade market sure quieted to a murmur = the calm before the storm.
You crack me up, Cuz…what do you like better: games or trades?
He likes Fake Trades best!
Me too: Denard Span and Hunter Strickland for Giancarlo Stanton. Who says no?
Time to bust out the chainsaw and clean up some of my pole saw mess. It’s toasty and the air Q kind of sucks.
Score some runs for me while I’m sweatin like a hog (hogs don’t sweat?)! I’ll be back, hopefully by inning #4.
Big League Gomez
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New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/2017-season/game-100-preview-greek-giant-does-barbecue-for-a-giants-game/
Why isn’t Efrain voicing concern over his China doll Kershaw?