The Epic Battle
This winter California is currently in the middle of the second quarter of an epic battle ragging between El Nino and High Pressure. High Pressure, which has had a home over California for the last few years isn't budging and some of the "experts" are beginning to feel uneasy about their predictions of torrential rain. Their faces haven't turned red with embarrassment yet but real redskins are a possibility. The power and force of El Nino badly needed in draught ridden California has been well chronicled with people and government sources spending millions to protect property. It has been reported that El Nino will most likely make its move during the "rainy" months of January, February and March. That was not the case in 1997 when El Nino made its big push in early December. We had only been living in Irvine for a few months when the deluge came. We were shocked that night. Over four inches of rain fell. It never stopped! I know for Houston, TX that's normal but not for southern California. Water was rushing down over the sidewalks, the nearby lake flooded along with the lake restaurant and the San Diego flood control channel had all it could handle as water rushed under the bridges. Those who remember have their sand bags ready. Will they need them?
Like Curry?
The GS Warriors just keep winning. What else can one say and Curry seems to be from another planet. It may come as a surprise to some of you but I see many similarities between my basketball development and Curry's. Curry learned how to shoot and play the game from his father an all star NBA player. Hank Luisetti the great Stanford star of the late 1930s was my mentor. He changed basketball by inventing the one handed jump shot. He like Curry's father starred in the NBA in 1946 for the Knicks but a heart disease prevented him from continuing his career. Who knows without Hank's success Curry might be shooting two handed set shots from 40 feet today.
Curry and I had very similar skills. Curry is so quick nobody seems to be able to stay with him as he drives for an easy lay up. Since I did not have Curry's quickness I used a different approach. At the top of the key I showed like Curry that I could also dribble with my left hand. But instead of driving for the basket I dribbled very slowly down the lane and the opponents paid little attention and I was able to bank in a five foot hook shot with my left hand a shot I mastered and like Curry very seldom missed.
We were both honored for our basketball accomplishments. Curry was an All American at Davidson and All Pro in the NBA. I was chosen second string All Intramural playing for the Vets Club at University of San Francisco during a year the school was crowned NCAA Champions. I had returned to USF after fighting the Korean War on the European battle front for nearly two years. While serving our country I was able like Curry to play competitive basketball in Europe.
Like Curry I could always shoot. When I played however I was unable to show my skills because the three point play had not been invented. So in a game if you took a shot from 25 - 30 feet you be right back on the bench. So I worked on my game and was pretty consistent from 18 - 20 feet using the backboard liked the great John Wooden of UCLA taught all of his players. Curry doesn't always need the backboard but when he does he reminds me of myself banking in a shot.
The NFL
You might have forgotten but months ago I wrote that New England's quarterback Brady would never serve his four game suspension. It's who you know in this world in case you haven't discovered that fact yet although in this situation the NFL did not seem to have a very good case. I also mentioned that the media always had Kraft the owner on television. I watched very little NFL football this year but I did turn into the Broncos - Patriots game from Denver a couple of weeks ago. The snow was falling and within a few minutes I could not believe it but on the screen they showed the owner of the biggest cheats in the NFL on camera in his cozy little box. Then last Sunday on Fox following the afternoon game the program was summarizing the games and showing highlight. One highlight of the New England game was Kraft on the field before the game talking to some players. .
The 49ers
Congratulations to the SC 49ers for their overtime win over the Chicago Bears last Sunday and also for their outstanding effort the week before against Arizona. The 49ers could have just gone through the motions and lost 28-3 but instead they gave the division leading Cardinals quite a scare. It could be argued that the officials lost the game for the prune pickers with all of their 3rd down defensive holding calls which helped the Cardinals control the ball. The NFL must have agreed in part because they changed the next assignment of this crew from a national televised game to a regional game. I have noticed both in college and the NFL this year the third down defensive holding call is quite common. Instant replay will show a defensive player barely touching a receiver and getting called and other occasions you see the receiver get knocked to the ground and no penalty is called.
The Winter Meetings
The Giant brass completed their major goal before going to Nashville, TN by signing Smardjain. I have always like this pitcher and I believe he will be a big addition to the staff not only with double digit wins but 200+ innings of work that will help the always over worked bull pin. Instead of 5 or 6 innings like most Giant starters he should get into the 8th inning rather regularly.
If you believe the reports out of the meetings the Giants were talking to everyone. They need another starter and there is a rumor that they are in search of a left fielder. This led to lots of elbow bending and bull sessions but the executives head home there is still work to be done. I believe the Giants have a list of six or seven players anyone of which could help the team and if they can grab one at a reasonable price they will lock up a deal.
Are the Diamondbacks setting themselves up as the Padres of 2016?
The Rose Bowl
Two unfortunate losses cost Stanford a spot in the college football final four. Looking back it is hard to fathom a loss to Northwestern and they were very unfortunate to meet Oregon when they were hot. Shows a team need a little luck to make the playoffs.
Iowa hasn't been to Pasadena for a while. Years ago back in the1980s they were frequent visitors to the game. I happen to see the Hawkeyes crush the University of California on January 1, 1959 the last time the Golden Bears played for the Roses. Oh where are you Pappy Waldorf!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Thursday, December 10, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving hoping you will have an enjoyable feast with your friends and relatives. Enjoy!
A few comments regarding sports so that I may forget for a few minutes what is happening in the world today. I shake when I see so many prophecies being fulfilled right in front of my eyes.
NFL
I am sure very few of you watched the Jacksonville - Tennessee NFL game Thursday which was in direct competition with the Warriors. I did not recognize the Jaguars with their gold uninforms with a kind of brown trim that covered the stomach of the players. It was almost the color of the football which would make it easier to run the pistol offense because the ball could be hidden much easier. I can't believe the NFL allows a team to have such an advantage. Oh yes, I can the NFL continually proves a person doesn't have to be smart to make it in this world. Just look at their commissioner.
Don't know why but I caught part of the Bills Jets game last week. The Bill were dressed in all red and the Jets in all green. Game should have been played on Christmas Day.
The Warriors
Down by 23 to the Clippers considered by some one of the better teams in the NBA the boys from Oakland rallied to win. They might give people a heart attack if this continues. The Warriors play exciting and entertaing basketball but it's too bad these games don't count and are just a preparation for the season that really beings in late March.
The Giants
Some comments and thoughts on what I have read.
The Giants signed Kyle Banks who had impressed me when he played for the Padres a few years ago. I am told he is a poor outfielder but can hit for power which Bochy loves. He can also play first base and with Belt's continual bad luck he could be a very valuable addition.
I wasn't surprised when the Giants let Aoki become a free agent. He doesn't fit in the
Giants lineup. They need a hitter that drives the ball like Byrd rather then a hitter that beats out ground balls to shortstop. Immediately the media had the Giants looking for a left fielder. If this is true will they make the same mistake they have made in the past two years? Remember eight second basemen before they called up Panic from their farm system and he was the answer. Then last year they suffered with McGehee at third until they realized they had the answer in Duffy. Will they sign an left fielder and then later discover that Parker is their answer in left field. Parker showed he has power but also hit .347 in his short time with the team,.
Cepedes is also mentioned as being a Giant. When he was with Detroit last year before being traded to the Mets I thought that the Orange and Black might has a chance to sign him. Then he hit a stride and was a leader in the Mets drive to the National League pennant. I believe he priced himself out of the Giants range.
Everybody knows the Giants need pitching. Signing Leake would be a great start. Samardzija could be a real help but they might have to give up a first round draft choice and that might be too steep a price to pay.
The 49ers
No comment is necessary. I wish their new quarterback luck. Just tell me where to send flowers.
Christmas Party
If you happen to be making your annual visit to Disneyland around December 13 stop in and join the party. This may be our last because of my wife's severe COPD. I am not sure why we are hosting one this year except that our friends kept saying, "You're going to have your party aren't you? How could we resist.
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving hoping you will have an enjoyable feast with your friends and relatives. Enjoy!
A few comments regarding sports so that I may forget for a few minutes what is happening in the world today. I shake when I see so many prophecies being fulfilled right in front of my eyes.
NFL
I am sure very few of you watched the Jacksonville - Tennessee NFL game Thursday which was in direct competition with the Warriors. I did not recognize the Jaguars with their gold uninforms with a kind of brown trim that covered the stomach of the players. It was almost the color of the football which would make it easier to run the pistol offense because the ball could be hidden much easier. I can't believe the NFL allows a team to have such an advantage. Oh yes, I can the NFL continually proves a person doesn't have to be smart to make it in this world. Just look at their commissioner.
Don't know why but I caught part of the Bills Jets game last week. The Bill were dressed in all red and the Jets in all green. Game should have been played on Christmas Day.
The Warriors
Down by 23 to the Clippers considered by some one of the better teams in the NBA the boys from Oakland rallied to win. They might give people a heart attack if this continues. The Warriors play exciting and entertaing basketball but it's too bad these games don't count and are just a preparation for the season that really beings in late March.
The Giants
Some comments and thoughts on what I have read.
The Giants signed Kyle Banks who had impressed me when he played for the Padres a few years ago. I am told he is a poor outfielder but can hit for power which Bochy loves. He can also play first base and with Belt's continual bad luck he could be a very valuable addition.
I wasn't surprised when the Giants let Aoki become a free agent. He doesn't fit in the
Giants lineup. They need a hitter that drives the ball like Byrd rather then a hitter that beats out ground balls to shortstop. Immediately the media had the Giants looking for a left fielder. If this is true will they make the same mistake they have made in the past two years? Remember eight second basemen before they called up Panic from their farm system and he was the answer. Then last year they suffered with McGehee at third until they realized they had the answer in Duffy. Will they sign an left fielder and then later discover that Parker is their answer in left field. Parker showed he has power but also hit .347 in his short time with the team,.
Cepedes is also mentioned as being a Giant. When he was with Detroit last year before being traded to the Mets I thought that the Orange and Black might has a chance to sign him. Then he hit a stride and was a leader in the Mets drive to the National League pennant. I believe he priced himself out of the Giants range.
Everybody knows the Giants need pitching. Signing Leake would be a great start. Samardzija could be a real help but they might have to give up a first round draft choice and that might be too steep a price to pay.
The 49ers
No comment is necessary. I wish their new quarterback luck. Just tell me where to send flowers.
Christmas Party
If you happen to be making your annual visit to Disneyland around December 13 stop in and join the party. This may be our last because of my wife's severe COPD. I am not sure why we are hosting one this year except that our friends kept saying, "You're going to have your party aren't you? How could we resist.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Winter Plans
Giants
If the Giants do not sign two starting pitchers that can give them seven innings most games they will not be a contender next year. This will be very competitive and not easy to do since it seems about 80% of major league teams have the same need. It would be nice to start with signing of Mike Leake. If they don't look for them to get beat out in trying to sign other pitchers just like last year. However I don't blame the Giants for having a lid on how much they can pay a pitcher. They are already paying Cain $20 million (that's $10 million a win over the last two seasons) and they just dumped Lincecum $17 million so hopefully they have learned their lesson the hard way
The Giants own evaluation program ranks Pagan last in fielding in the major leagues. That is enough reason to dump him but you know what? No what! There are 10 million reasons to keep him. I have heard they might try and trade him. Good luck! I did hear one rumor that a American League team would take Pagan if the Giants threw in Bumgarner to complete the deal.
I believe Bruce Bochy played close to an outfield he would love in the last week of the season when he started Bryd in left, Parker in center and Williamson in right with the idea that Pence would be in right next year. Too expensive for a team now worth billions. So look for Aoki, Pagan and Pence health permitting to be starting next April for the Giants. It really doesn't matter who plays the outfield if the Giants don't pick up at least two starters.
The big 2015 story was that injuries killed any chance the Giants catching the Dodgers. The truth is that the Giants were never considered a real threat. Thanks to a great season by Crawford the surprise development of Duffy and Panic proving he wasn't a one year fluke the Giants managed to make a race out of it until September.
It will be an interesting fall and winter season.
The 49ers
I think most of us knew down deep that the 49ers were going to have a tough season. But little did we realize that how awful they would be. The great #7 has been benched and his replacement will be running for his life next week because of the well known fact the OL is the worst in the NFL. Re-building starts at the top but I am afraid York will not sell his prize toy. Even his uncle Eddie went through growing pains when he hired Joe Thomas to run the team in the late 1970's before he wised up and gave the field operations over to Bill Walsh. It would be miracle if we could give Bill an encore. Maybe York should look to Stanford like his uncle did.
I remember making the comment in this blog that Kaepernick was wasting his time in Arizona this last spring trying to learn to be a drop back passer. I also mentioned that I didn't understand why the 49ers even brought TE Vernon Davis back. He wanted more money last year, did not get it and played like it. Davis is now with Denver.
I have now lost complete interest in the NFL. The TV was very quiet last Sunday.
The Warriors
I thought the Warriors would have to struggle little in the beginning of the season. But with all the talk in the communications media that Warriors didn't deserve to win last year etc that seems to have given them plenty of motivation. Actually they have been too hot. It's a long season take it easy.
College Football
Many wonder why the Athletic Director at USC Pat Hayden has not been fired. His record of selecting football and basketball coaches certainly warrants it. Pat is too respected in the community however look for him to resign in the near future because of health issues. My contact at Oxford has informed me because Hayden was a Rhodes Scholar the school has added a new course on how to hire coaches.
Stanford is certainly the surprise team with a exciting running back #5 leading the way. He certainly knows how to follow his blockers. I remember his father being a great receiver for the Denver Broncos.
If the Giants do not sign two starting pitchers that can give them seven innings most games they will not be a contender next year. This will be very competitive and not easy to do since it seems about 80% of major league teams have the same need. It would be nice to start with signing of Mike Leake. If they don't look for them to get beat out in trying to sign other pitchers just like last year. However I don't blame the Giants for having a lid on how much they can pay a pitcher. They are already paying Cain $20 million (that's $10 million a win over the last two seasons) and they just dumped Lincecum $17 million so hopefully they have learned their lesson the hard way
The Giants own evaluation program ranks Pagan last in fielding in the major leagues. That is enough reason to dump him but you know what? No what! There are 10 million reasons to keep him. I have heard they might try and trade him. Good luck! I did hear one rumor that a American League team would take Pagan if the Giants threw in Bumgarner to complete the deal.
I believe Bruce Bochy played close to an outfield he would love in the last week of the season when he started Bryd in left, Parker in center and Williamson in right with the idea that Pence would be in right next year. Too expensive for a team now worth billions. So look for Aoki, Pagan and Pence health permitting to be starting next April for the Giants. It really doesn't matter who plays the outfield if the Giants don't pick up at least two starters.
The big 2015 story was that injuries killed any chance the Giants catching the Dodgers. The truth is that the Giants were never considered a real threat. Thanks to a great season by Crawford the surprise development of Duffy and Panic proving he wasn't a one year fluke the Giants managed to make a race out of it until September.
It will be an interesting fall and winter season.
The 49ers
I think most of us knew down deep that the 49ers were going to have a tough season. But little did we realize that how awful they would be. The great #7 has been benched and his replacement will be running for his life next week because of the well known fact the OL is the worst in the NFL. Re-building starts at the top but I am afraid York will not sell his prize toy. Even his uncle Eddie went through growing pains when he hired Joe Thomas to run the team in the late 1970's before he wised up and gave the field operations over to Bill Walsh. It would be miracle if we could give Bill an encore. Maybe York should look to Stanford like his uncle did.
I remember making the comment in this blog that Kaepernick was wasting his time in Arizona this last spring trying to learn to be a drop back passer. I also mentioned that I didn't understand why the 49ers even brought TE Vernon Davis back. He wanted more money last year, did not get it and played like it. Davis is now with Denver.
I have now lost complete interest in the NFL. The TV was very quiet last Sunday.
The Warriors
I thought the Warriors would have to struggle little in the beginning of the season. But with all the talk in the communications media that Warriors didn't deserve to win last year etc that seems to have given them plenty of motivation. Actually they have been too hot. It's a long season take it easy.
College Football
Many wonder why the Athletic Director at USC Pat Hayden has not been fired. His record of selecting football and basketball coaches certainly warrants it. Pat is too respected in the community however look for him to resign in the near future because of health issues. My contact at Oxford has informed me because Hayden was a Rhodes Scholar the school has added a new course on how to hire coaches.
Stanford is certainly the surprise team with a exciting running back #5 leading the way. He certainly knows how to follow his blockers. I remember his father being a great receiver for the Denver Broncos.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The Odd Year
Giants Review
K & K on television remarked Sunday that Bruce Bochy might have done his best managing job this year. That could be very true. Many point to all the injuries but the Giants were not a true contender from the start. They had lost Pablo and Morse then Pence gets his arm broken by a pitch in the second spring training game and they had only one or two reliable starting pitchers for the majority of the season.
Once Pence returned after missing about six weeks of the season the difference in the team was very evident. They seem to sparkle and they played great baseball. Even the days Pence went hitless his presence was felt as they won 16 more games then they lost when he played. Then an oblique muscle pull and he is finished for the season and many other Giant injuries continue to pile up which realistically made it almost impossible to catch the Dodgers. Its hard to believe that Pence only played about 30% of the games after rarely missing a game since he joined the Giants in 2012.
The Giants strength is their infield of Belt, Panic, Crawford and the development of Duffy as an outstanding third baseman. The relief staff was solid but was over worked because of the lack of starters who could go seven innings and the managers philosophy of always changing pitchers. Other young players such as Tomlinson, Parker and the catcher Brown stood out once they were called up.
It was a very odd year with winning and losing streaks from 5 to 8 games constant. The Giants had one too many losing steak.
Giants Prediction
The Giants end of the season press conference told us nothing because it was said that they haven't made any decisions. Larry Baer did not say that he told Evans and Bochy if they don't make the playoffs next year start looking for a job. So read below to find out what will happen :
Three specific moves the Giants need to make this winter.
1. Sign the pitcher Leach
2. Either sign or trade for a second reliable starter
3. Sign Bryd who was a run producer once he joined the team in August.
In my opinion here is the way the Giants will line up at the start of the 2016 season assuming they make the three moves indicated and all of their injured players will be able to return.
Catcher:
According to Bochy, Posey will continue in the same role next year catching most of the time and filling in at first base. Susac, Sanchez and Brown will battle for the back up catcher spot.
Infield:
This is the strength of the team as mentioned above. If Belt is traded Posey will be able to handle first without a problem. Adrianza and Tomilinson will be the reserves.
Outfield:
There will be a number of changes with Parker, Byrd, Blanco, Pence and Tomilinson making up the five outfielders. Tomilison will be a reserve in both the outfield and infield. Gone will be Aoki and Pagan. Do the Giants have the guts to send Pagan who has played about 60% of the games over the last three years? On Saturday Pagan failed again to cover a ball hit off a right field archway and bounced towards right center field where he should have been. He was not in sight and in fact Tomilinson the second basemen retrieved the ball. The big question is who will lead off? Can not having a reliable lead off man save either Pagan or Aoki? Or perhaps their contracts will save them. Will the Giants lose Bryd because they did not give him the opportunity to get a total at bats to gain a $8 million bonus?
Relief Pitchers:
The current relievers on the squad (Gearrin, Romo, Osich, Lopez, Konkos, Petit, Strickland and Casilla) are very adequate to make up a solid staff. Evans will be looking for other pitchers who can start the season at Sacramento and be available if needed.
Starters:
Bumgarner, Peavy, Leach, a new pitcher and Cain would make up the starters. Cain looked very good in his last game and we're all hoping along with the Giants who have 20 millions reasons to hope he has found himself again. The Giants really wanted Cain to get his third win so it would only cost the team $6,666,666.67 per win instead of $10 million. Chris Heston will have to pitch extremely well to make the staff next spring. Vogelsong said good-bye to the crowd Sunday but he could return again if they don 't sign Leach or an additional starter. That's what happened in the past two years.
The Playoffs
A couple of months ago I mentioned that I expected some surprises in the major league races. The Astros, Blue Jays and Mets fulfilled that prophecy but the Rangers were a complete shock. The AL West champions were picked by most 'experts' end up close to the bottom. It wasn't easy especially when they blew a four run lead in the ninth inning Saturday to lose to the Angels and prolong the agony another day. It had to bring back memories. In 2011 World Series the Rangers were twice within one strike of becoming world champions only to have the Cardinals pull it out. I believe it was the great late Yogi Berra who said, "It's not over until its over!" I haven't got a clue who will be the champions come November. All I know for sure is that the Giants will not repeat.
The Warriors
Last year the Warriors were relatively injury free so many thought that the odds might catch up with them this year. No one ever dreamed it would be the coach Steve Kerr. This is a serious injury and I am not sure the Warriors will see their coach all season. He had one back surgery that failed then he had to have a second and that seems to have made things worse. I think he was sold a bill of goods by the medical profession. Don't look for the Warriors to repeat without their coach.
The NFL
I was enjoying a manhattan wasting my time watching NFL Sunday Night Football. During the game Randall the Cowboys back jumped over the line at the one with ball hanging lose and of course fumbled. The replay shows that he actually got the ball to break the plain of the goal line meaning it was a TD. That's the correct all. I don't understand when a player has control of the ball in the end zone after catching a pass and then is hit and hits the ground and loses the ball it is incomplete. There is also the rule that says the ground cannot cause a fumble. People that run the NFL must be a lot smarter then me that's why they have their job. I personally think when you need to have instant replay to determine if a pass is complete or not your screwing up the game.
The 49ers
Recently I finished reading Dave Newhouse's book Founding 49ers because it covered the early days of the 49ers up to the time Bill Walsh took over the team. Here are a few personal comments that brought back some memories.
My father had taken me to a Stanford football game in either 1941 or 42 when Frankie Albert was the Indians qb and the 't' formation was introduced to college football by their coach Clark Shaughessy. That's all I remember and Albert became my favorite player. According to all the sources I was not surprised to read that it was Frankie that saved the 49ers in their early years and with his popularity that enabled the team to make it financially which eventually led them to the NFL in 1950.
In 1957 R.C. Owens made the 'Alley OOp' pass famous in the NFL.
In 1960 the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFL title with the original 49er coach Buck Shaw (fired in 1954) "who couldn't coach anymore" at the helm.
Although we were reading about memories perhaps we wanted to forget the 60's. In 1961 Red Hickey, hated by almost everyone, sent Joe Perry to Baltimore, Y.A. Tittle to the Giants and exposed McElhenny to the expansion draft and he ended up with the Vikings. Tittle led the Giants to three Divisional titles in the early 60's and Hugh ran for a touchdown against the 49ers.
Hickey did invent the shot gun which thrilled 49er fans for three weeks with 49-0 win over the Lions a 35-0 shutout over the Rams and 38-24 victory over the Vikings. The Bears with a defensive coordinator named Clark Shaughnessy shifted his defensive lineman and the days of the shot gun were virtually over. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Yes, that the same coach that brought the 't' formation to college football and Stanford in 1941.
At the beginning of the 70's under coach Dick Nolan the 49ers lost three NFL Championship games in a row to the Dallas Cowboys. The 1972 game was the Preston Reilly game which has been discussed in a pervious blog. The 1970 game was the last 49er game at Kezar Stadium. Lon Simmons reports in the book that Brodie tried to throw the ball away and Dallas made a spectacular interception. I have seen thousand football plays in my life and forgotten almost all of them but I remember this play because it changed the game. Brodie threw the ball low over center and the Cowboys linebacker reached to his ankles and made a one handed interception.
In 1973 Bruce Gossett saved the day in Denver with five field goals for a 36 - 34 victory. The only reason I bring this up is that Barbara and I flew to Denver for the weekend to visit many old friends and see the game thanks to my wonderful mother who kept our two young ones under control. I could not believe the 49ers almost lost to Denver.
John Brodie was the 49er qb for 17 years and almost every year there was competition. I was really shocked when I read that. There are many stories about Brodie in the book. But I love this one. Remember last year the 49ers were criticized for taking so long to get the play called from the coordinator in the booth to the coach on the field to qb. It was different in John's day. The 49ers were playing a playoff game at Candlestick and a play was sent in from the bench. John calls a timeout and walks to the bench. "Who in the f--k asked you all to send me a play?" Everyone turned their backs and Brodie went back into the huddle.
The Blog
I was planning on cancelling the blog but instead I will review my predictions and express my thoughts on the Giants winter activities around the time of the baseball meetings in early December.
I want to thank everyone for their support and comments. We wrote 64 posts since January 27, 2015 and averaged between 75 and 80% readership for each post.
Family Note
I mentioned that my granddaughter had accepted a full ride scholarship to University of Arizona in the last blog. Google 'Emily Knous soccer' to read an newspaper article regarding this decision.
K & K on television remarked Sunday that Bruce Bochy might have done his best managing job this year. That could be very true. Many point to all the injuries but the Giants were not a true contender from the start. They had lost Pablo and Morse then Pence gets his arm broken by a pitch in the second spring training game and they had only one or two reliable starting pitchers for the majority of the season.
Once Pence returned after missing about six weeks of the season the difference in the team was very evident. They seem to sparkle and they played great baseball. Even the days Pence went hitless his presence was felt as they won 16 more games then they lost when he played. Then an oblique muscle pull and he is finished for the season and many other Giant injuries continue to pile up which realistically made it almost impossible to catch the Dodgers. Its hard to believe that Pence only played about 30% of the games after rarely missing a game since he joined the Giants in 2012.
The Giants strength is their infield of Belt, Panic, Crawford and the development of Duffy as an outstanding third baseman. The relief staff was solid but was over worked because of the lack of starters who could go seven innings and the managers philosophy of always changing pitchers. Other young players such as Tomlinson, Parker and the catcher Brown stood out once they were called up.
It was a very odd year with winning and losing streaks from 5 to 8 games constant. The Giants had one too many losing steak.
Giants Prediction
The Giants end of the season press conference told us nothing because it was said that they haven't made any decisions. Larry Baer did not say that he told Evans and Bochy if they don't make the playoffs next year start looking for a job. So read below to find out what will happen :
Three specific moves the Giants need to make this winter.
1. Sign the pitcher Leach
2. Either sign or trade for a second reliable starter
3. Sign Bryd who was a run producer once he joined the team in August.
In my opinion here is the way the Giants will line up at the start of the 2016 season assuming they make the three moves indicated and all of their injured players will be able to return.
Catcher:
According to Bochy, Posey will continue in the same role next year catching most of the time and filling in at first base. Susac, Sanchez and Brown will battle for the back up catcher spot.
Infield:
This is the strength of the team as mentioned above. If Belt is traded Posey will be able to handle first without a problem. Adrianza and Tomilinson will be the reserves.
Outfield:
There will be a number of changes with Parker, Byrd, Blanco, Pence and Tomilinson making up the five outfielders. Tomilison will be a reserve in both the outfield and infield. Gone will be Aoki and Pagan. Do the Giants have the guts to send Pagan who has played about 60% of the games over the last three years? On Saturday Pagan failed again to cover a ball hit off a right field archway and bounced towards right center field where he should have been. He was not in sight and in fact Tomilinson the second basemen retrieved the ball. The big question is who will lead off? Can not having a reliable lead off man save either Pagan or Aoki? Or perhaps their contracts will save them. Will the Giants lose Bryd because they did not give him the opportunity to get a total at bats to gain a $8 million bonus?
Relief Pitchers:
The current relievers on the squad (Gearrin, Romo, Osich, Lopez, Konkos, Petit, Strickland and Casilla) are very adequate to make up a solid staff. Evans will be looking for other pitchers who can start the season at Sacramento and be available if needed.
Starters:
Bumgarner, Peavy, Leach, a new pitcher and Cain would make up the starters. Cain looked very good in his last game and we're all hoping along with the Giants who have 20 millions reasons to hope he has found himself again. The Giants really wanted Cain to get his third win so it would only cost the team $6,666,666.67 per win instead of $10 million. Chris Heston will have to pitch extremely well to make the staff next spring. Vogelsong said good-bye to the crowd Sunday but he could return again if they don 't sign Leach or an additional starter. That's what happened in the past two years.
The Playoffs
A couple of months ago I mentioned that I expected some surprises in the major league races. The Astros, Blue Jays and Mets fulfilled that prophecy but the Rangers were a complete shock. The AL West champions were picked by most 'experts' end up close to the bottom. It wasn't easy especially when they blew a four run lead in the ninth inning Saturday to lose to the Angels and prolong the agony another day. It had to bring back memories. In 2011 World Series the Rangers were twice within one strike of becoming world champions only to have the Cardinals pull it out. I believe it was the great late Yogi Berra who said, "It's not over until its over!" I haven't got a clue who will be the champions come November. All I know for sure is that the Giants will not repeat.
The Warriors
Last year the Warriors were relatively injury free so many thought that the odds might catch up with them this year. No one ever dreamed it would be the coach Steve Kerr. This is a serious injury and I am not sure the Warriors will see their coach all season. He had one back surgery that failed then he had to have a second and that seems to have made things worse. I think he was sold a bill of goods by the medical profession. Don't look for the Warriors to repeat without their coach.
The NFL
I was enjoying a manhattan wasting my time watching NFL Sunday Night Football. During the game Randall the Cowboys back jumped over the line at the one with ball hanging lose and of course fumbled. The replay shows that he actually got the ball to break the plain of the goal line meaning it was a TD. That's the correct all. I don't understand when a player has control of the ball in the end zone after catching a pass and then is hit and hits the ground and loses the ball it is incomplete. There is also the rule that says the ground cannot cause a fumble. People that run the NFL must be a lot smarter then me that's why they have their job. I personally think when you need to have instant replay to determine if a pass is complete or not your screwing up the game.
The 49ers
Recently I finished reading Dave Newhouse's book Founding 49ers because it covered the early days of the 49ers up to the time Bill Walsh took over the team. Here are a few personal comments that brought back some memories.
My father had taken me to a Stanford football game in either 1941 or 42 when Frankie Albert was the Indians qb and the 't' formation was introduced to college football by their coach Clark Shaughessy. That's all I remember and Albert became my favorite player. According to all the sources I was not surprised to read that it was Frankie that saved the 49ers in their early years and with his popularity that enabled the team to make it financially which eventually led them to the NFL in 1950.
In 1957 R.C. Owens made the 'Alley OOp' pass famous in the NFL.
In 1960 the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFL title with the original 49er coach Buck Shaw (fired in 1954) "who couldn't coach anymore" at the helm.
Although we were reading about memories perhaps we wanted to forget the 60's. In 1961 Red Hickey, hated by almost everyone, sent Joe Perry to Baltimore, Y.A. Tittle to the Giants and exposed McElhenny to the expansion draft and he ended up with the Vikings. Tittle led the Giants to three Divisional titles in the early 60's and Hugh ran for a touchdown against the 49ers.
Hickey did invent the shot gun which thrilled 49er fans for three weeks with 49-0 win over the Lions a 35-0 shutout over the Rams and 38-24 victory over the Vikings. The Bears with a defensive coordinator named Clark Shaughnessy shifted his defensive lineman and the days of the shot gun were virtually over. Well, it was fun while it lasted. Yes, that the same coach that brought the 't' formation to college football and Stanford in 1941.
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| Final 49er Kezar program |
In 1973 Bruce Gossett saved the day in Denver with five field goals for a 36 - 34 victory. The only reason I bring this up is that Barbara and I flew to Denver for the weekend to visit many old friends and see the game thanks to my wonderful mother who kept our two young ones under control. I could not believe the 49ers almost lost to Denver.
John Brodie was the 49er qb for 17 years and almost every year there was competition. I was really shocked when I read that. There are many stories about Brodie in the book. But I love this one. Remember last year the 49ers were criticized for taking so long to get the play called from the coordinator in the booth to the coach on the field to qb. It was different in John's day. The 49ers were playing a playoff game at Candlestick and a play was sent in from the bench. John calls a timeout and walks to the bench. "Who in the f--k asked you all to send me a play?" Everyone turned their backs and Brodie went back into the huddle.
The Blog
I was planning on cancelling the blog but instead I will review my predictions and express my thoughts on the Giants winter activities around the time of the baseball meetings in early December.
I want to thank everyone for their support and comments. We wrote 64 posts since January 27, 2015 and averaged between 75 and 80% readership for each post.
Family Note
I mentioned that my granddaughter had accepted a full ride scholarship to University of Arizona in the last blog. Google 'Emily Knous soccer' to read an newspaper article regarding this decision.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Desperation!
The Giants
Remember the 2014 World Champion Giants had tried 7 or 8 players at second base and then out of desperation called up Panic. The former #1 draft choice of the team was still a year away or so the talent scouts thoughts. Panic proved them wrong and was the key addition to the team that led them to the world's title.
At the same time another rookie Duffy was brought up as a reserve infielder and to the surprise of many delivered a number of key pinch hits for the Giants in their drive to the playoffs. The Giants lost Sandoval after the 2014 season and they were looking for a third baseman. Duffy played mostly the middle infield positions and was not in their vision as Sandoval's replacement and in fact the question was after they signed McGehee should they send Duffy back to the minors so he could play everyday instead of sitting of the bench in the majors. The Giants got lucky. McGehee was so bad from the start and again out of desperation they started Duffy at third on occasion. He delivered and finally about six weeks into the season had won the job at third and did a fantastic job all season both at the bat and in the field. In Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers, Jansen the Dodger closer shaved him pretty good putting Duffy on his back. What did Matt do? He smashed a single on the next pitch then immediately stole second and in a few minutes scored on Parker's single. That's how to answer a knockdown pitch. That's Duffy!
Bruce Bochy loves to play September baseball but he couldn't do it this year. Gone for the season because of variety of injuries were three infielders Belt, Panic and Adrianza, four outfielders Pence, Blanco, Aoki and Perez., the two reserve catchers Sanchez and Sucac and also Lincecum who had been removed from the rotation before discovering he needed hip surgery.
Three rookie call ups outfielders Parker, Williamson and the catcher Brown have impressed the Giants brass. They had to be surprised because none of these players were called up on September 1st but later in the month because the Giants were desperate and had no other choice with injuries mounting daily. Parker has entertained the Giant fans with booming home runs and Mac Willamson seems to have all the tools and looks liked he could be the real thing with a little more experience and Brown has been raved about for his handling of pitchers and getting a few key hits.
We wrote early in the spring that Parker was one of two rookies that could impress the Giants. He had a poor spring and when called up in June for a couple of weeks looked lost at the plate. Obviously he learned his lesson and was ready when called up a few weeks ago. We were also first one to write in early August that both Pence and Panic were most likely lost for the season. Panic did come back for three games getting a few hits including a homerun before aggravating his back and the team decided the risk wasn't worth it.
Pagan still doesn't impress me. I know he makes a lot of great catches but also does not know how to cut off a ball and has played many singles into triples. In a game in Oakland last week Pagan stopped and watched Crawford drop a ball he tried to catch Willie Mays style over his head. It was Pagan's ball and he should had called for it according to Bill Lasky and Vida Blue. The botched play costs the Giants two runs. Then a ball was hit over Parker head in left against the fence and bounced back towards the infield. Parker had crashed into the wall and was laying on the ground. Then we see Pagan in the picture chasing down the ball. I guess he finally woke up. He should have been over there since he had nothing else to do according to Lasky and Blue. It reminded me of a play I saw at Wrigley Field. Dusty Baker was playing left for the Giants and the ball was hit against the left field ivy and bounce back toward the infield. Where was Dan Gladden the Giants centerfielder? I think he was sleeping in center. People always raved about Gladden defense and I thought at the time it was all bull. He later became a fixture in Minnesota. In fact when you see a center fielder come over to get a ball off the field after hitting the fence the announcers of the game are surprised and amazed because the player was hustling which is what he should be doing.
I will have one last article on the Giants outlining my thoughts on plans for the winter and spring and what I think the Giants will do.
In case you missed the news, the Dodgers won the NL West for the third straight year. Veteran Kevin Frandsen a very recent call up saved further embarrassment by getting the only Giant hit in the game clinching win for the Dodgers.
As I mentioned earlier in the year we have been blacked out of Giant Dodger telecast just like 66% of the Dodger fans. Time Warner could not sell the Dodger package at the price they wanted but the Dodgers got their money and that is one reason they have close to a $300 million payroll including $90 million to players that are not on the team which is more then eight major league teams full salary base. Who will be the new Dodger centerfielder next year? Cepedes!
"Money Ball Fired"
Billy Bean was fired! This might have also been out of desperation. You didn't read this in the media because he got a promotion. Sure he did. Now he is charge of some type of operations at the ball park. The raves were all over the television. Then I look and noticed that NY Mets had won the NL East. The Mets made their big move once they got Cepedes from the Tigers via the Red Sox via the A's. Then it was the Cubs who caught on fire in the National League once the former #1 A's draftee Russell started playing shortstop and hitting homeruns at Wrigley. Then there is the third basemen for the AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays MVP candidate Donaldson who leads the league in runs scored and has 41 homeruns. The last I looked the A's were in the cellar of the AL West.
The NBA
They heard the critics and so out of desperation the NBA changed their playoff format setting up a system that is unfair because teams do not play each other an equal number of times and a few teams will have a much easier schedule that will provide for an more favorable playoff matchup that might not be deserved the problem they were trying to solve.
The Forty Niners
I have completed reading Dave Newhouse's book "'Founding 49ers" I will soon complete my comments and memories on a very interesting book.
I have one word for the 2015 Forty Niners --- Desperation!
Remember the 2014 World Champion Giants had tried 7 or 8 players at second base and then out of desperation called up Panic. The former #1 draft choice of the team was still a year away or so the talent scouts thoughts. Panic proved them wrong and was the key addition to the team that led them to the world's title.
At the same time another rookie Duffy was brought up as a reserve infielder and to the surprise of many delivered a number of key pinch hits for the Giants in their drive to the playoffs. The Giants lost Sandoval after the 2014 season and they were looking for a third baseman. Duffy played mostly the middle infield positions and was not in their vision as Sandoval's replacement and in fact the question was after they signed McGehee should they send Duffy back to the minors so he could play everyday instead of sitting of the bench in the majors. The Giants got lucky. McGehee was so bad from the start and again out of desperation they started Duffy at third on occasion. He delivered and finally about six weeks into the season had won the job at third and did a fantastic job all season both at the bat and in the field. In Wednesday night's game against the Dodgers, Jansen the Dodger closer shaved him pretty good putting Duffy on his back. What did Matt do? He smashed a single on the next pitch then immediately stole second and in a few minutes scored on Parker's single. That's how to answer a knockdown pitch. That's Duffy!
Bruce Bochy loves to play September baseball but he couldn't do it this year. Gone for the season because of variety of injuries were three infielders Belt, Panic and Adrianza, four outfielders Pence, Blanco, Aoki and Perez., the two reserve catchers Sanchez and Sucac and also Lincecum who had been removed from the rotation before discovering he needed hip surgery.
Three rookie call ups outfielders Parker, Williamson and the catcher Brown have impressed the Giants brass. They had to be surprised because none of these players were called up on September 1st but later in the month because the Giants were desperate and had no other choice with injuries mounting daily. Parker has entertained the Giant fans with booming home runs and Mac Willamson seems to have all the tools and looks liked he could be the real thing with a little more experience and Brown has been raved about for his handling of pitchers and getting a few key hits.
We wrote early in the spring that Parker was one of two rookies that could impress the Giants. He had a poor spring and when called up in June for a couple of weeks looked lost at the plate. Obviously he learned his lesson and was ready when called up a few weeks ago. We were also first one to write in early August that both Pence and Panic were most likely lost for the season. Panic did come back for three games getting a few hits including a homerun before aggravating his back and the team decided the risk wasn't worth it.
Pagan still doesn't impress me. I know he makes a lot of great catches but also does not know how to cut off a ball and has played many singles into triples. In a game in Oakland last week Pagan stopped and watched Crawford drop a ball he tried to catch Willie Mays style over his head. It was Pagan's ball and he should had called for it according to Bill Lasky and Vida Blue. The botched play costs the Giants two runs. Then a ball was hit over Parker head in left against the fence and bounced back towards the infield. Parker had crashed into the wall and was laying on the ground. Then we see Pagan in the picture chasing down the ball. I guess he finally woke up. He should have been over there since he had nothing else to do according to Lasky and Blue. It reminded me of a play I saw at Wrigley Field. Dusty Baker was playing left for the Giants and the ball was hit against the left field ivy and bounce back toward the infield. Where was Dan Gladden the Giants centerfielder? I think he was sleeping in center. People always raved about Gladden defense and I thought at the time it was all bull. He later became a fixture in Minnesota. In fact when you see a center fielder come over to get a ball off the field after hitting the fence the announcers of the game are surprised and amazed because the player was hustling which is what he should be doing.
I will have one last article on the Giants outlining my thoughts on plans for the winter and spring and what I think the Giants will do.
In case you missed the news, the Dodgers won the NL West for the third straight year. Veteran Kevin Frandsen a very recent call up saved further embarrassment by getting the only Giant hit in the game clinching win for the Dodgers.
As I mentioned earlier in the year we have been blacked out of Giant Dodger telecast just like 66% of the Dodger fans. Time Warner could not sell the Dodger package at the price they wanted but the Dodgers got their money and that is one reason they have close to a $300 million payroll including $90 million to players that are not on the team which is more then eight major league teams full salary base. Who will be the new Dodger centerfielder next year? Cepedes!
"Money Ball Fired"
Billy Bean was fired! This might have also been out of desperation. You didn't read this in the media because he got a promotion. Sure he did. Now he is charge of some type of operations at the ball park. The raves were all over the television. Then I look and noticed that NY Mets had won the NL East. The Mets made their big move once they got Cepedes from the Tigers via the Red Sox via the A's. Then it was the Cubs who caught on fire in the National League once the former #1 A's draftee Russell started playing shortstop and hitting homeruns at Wrigley. Then there is the third basemen for the AL East champion Toronto Blue Jays MVP candidate Donaldson who leads the league in runs scored and has 41 homeruns. The last I looked the A's were in the cellar of the AL West.
The NBA
They heard the critics and so out of desperation the NBA changed their playoff format setting up a system that is unfair because teams do not play each other an equal number of times and a few teams will have a much easier schedule that will provide for an more favorable playoff matchup that might not be deserved the problem they were trying to solve.
The Forty Niners
I have completed reading Dave Newhouse's book "'Founding 49ers" I will soon complete my comments and memories on a very interesting book.
I have one word for the 2015 Forty Niners --- Desperation!
Monday, September 7, 2015
It's Arizona!
It's Arizona! The University of Arizona that is. My granddaughter Emily just committed to a full ride scholarship to the University of Arizona to play soccer in the year 2018. Congratulations Emi.
I know many of our members will recognize that U of A is called the Wildcats and their school colors are red and blue. Remind you of another school?
Giants
The Giants are also off to Arizona to play the DBacks. They lost seven games in a row to the Cardinals, Dodgers and Rockies last week before winning the last two in Colorado over the weekend.
How do you recover from a seven game losing streak? You win ten in a row. The Giants have been doing this all year. They have been very streaky. So its not out of possibility for them to have a good winning streak. If they can win their next eight this week and the Dodgers split eight games then the Orange and Black will be within 3 1/2 games of the Dodgers with about 15 to go.
During the past week I wrote he following but did not publish until today.
The Dodgers swept the Giants right out of Los Angeles to take a commanding lead in the NL West. Is it over? Look at the math. The Dodgers are on a path to win 92 games this season. The Giants would need to win 23 of their final 29 games to tie them. Give up? Look at it this way if the Giants could sweep the Rockies four games this weekend while the Dodgers lose two then all of sudden we're only 4 1/2 out. Didn't the Phillies lose a 6 game lead with a week to go in the last century.
As I mentioned before the Dodgers are blacked out to most of the fans in Los Angeles area including all road games including those from San Francisco. So I did my penance and listen to most of the three games on the radio. The announcers Snyder and Rick Monday have their own agenda and seem to forget details of the game. Tuesday night they reported that Adrianza got a single in the 8th inning. When I watched the highlights on CSBA following the game I discovered it was Blanco who got the hit. Then last night the same thing happened. I could not understand why they sent in a runner for Adrianza after he singled. Went to the computer and discovered it was Sanchez who got the hit then I understood the need for a runner. They did say the Dodgers won which was one thing they got right.
Belt hit into a double play late in the second game when he broke his bat and ball went to the second basemen who flipped the ball from his glove to the shortstop. Snyder and Monday never stopped raving as the play of the year. When I saw the play on CSBA after the game it was a good play but looked like a routing double play that Panic and Crawford make regularly.
The Umpires and Replays
I have said over and over again during the season that I do not agree with instant replay because in my opinion a lot more games are decided with ball an strike calls which are not reviewable. The third strike call on the new Giant outfielder Alejandro De Aza in a crucial point of the game was at least a foot and a half outside that got Bochy thrown out the game and the next night also when a check swing by Belt was a strike. These calls unfortunately of missed ball and strikes occur a number of times and usually go unnoticed but certainly in many occasions have an effect on the outcome of the game.
It was ironic that in the last Dodger game, Posey was called safe on a pick off move to first and the replay showed he was out and then later Tomlison was called out only to have the call reversed.
In the Colorado Series the first batter for the Rockies rips a ball over first base for a double. The replay showing the ball hooking down the line and looked as if it possibly missed the base and could have been a foul ball. The umpire Joyce noted for the worst call in baseball history ruining a perfect game a few years ago in Detroit was not in position to make the call. When the ball came at him along the first base line he moved quickly toward second base to get out of the way so he was calling the ball fair or foul from an angle. He had to guess. The play was not reviewable.
In the 9th inning of the second game Byrd beat out an infield hit that wasn't even that close after watching the replay. The Rockies asked for a review. Never can tell when the umpire in New York by this time of night might have had a few brandies and could have easily missed the call on television. As K & K commented what did they have to lose. This makes a mockery of the game. Krukow happened to make the comment during the game that as the replay system gets more sophisticated we can have more replays. You got to be kidding! Wake up, can't you see what's happening. Baseball players make errors, umpires make errors and as Bochy would say 'that's baseball.' Leave the game alone.
Other comments
I see that the 49ers are Over or Under scoring 3 1/2 points for the Vikings game.
I know I promised not to bring religion into this blog but I can't resist that BYU beat Nebraska with a 'Hail Mary'.
Saturday afternoon college football is a thing of the past. Looking at the USC schedule the game times known are at 8pm, 5pm, 5pm, TBA, 6pm and 4:30pm. Stanford played Saturday starting at 11am Central Time. A few of our blog readers attended the game after I hope enjoying a good Cardinal Party in Chicago Friday night.
Tom O a new blog member mentioned to me that my cousin Tom Sweeney is featured with his beef eaters outfit on in the latest Giants promotion.
I am planning on at least two more posts before wrapping it up. One will be reviewing my thoughts in spring training about the team and what really happened. The other post will list in priority order what I think the Giants should do during the winter.
Happy Labor Day!
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Ugly!
The Glasses
It was so ugly, no not the horn rim glasses flashed by Tomlinson after his walk-off single enabled the Giants to beat the Cardinals 5-4 Friday night. The game was ugly and one that the Giants did not deserved to win but neither did the Cards. So I guess the Orange and Black will take it.
Myron Bryd hit a grand slam after two Cardinal errors allowed the Giants to load the bases. Then in the next inning the Giants botched two double plays enabling the Cardinals to close the gap to 4-3. In the Cardinals 6th inning after a single the runner advanced to second on a fly to right. Bryd instead of going back then moving forward to catch the ball so he could throw just back peddled so when he caught the ball he was in position to make a good throw to second. The next batter also few out and the runner moved to third and then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.
In the Giants 8th Blanco laid down a bunt that the Cards pitcher Broxton rushed over and pick it up just before it went foul only to flip the ball down the right field line. With Blanco on second the Cardinal television announcers could not understand why Tomlinson was not bunting. As we mention recently in this blog its the job of hitter to get that runner home from second. Tomlinson walked and then Adrianza bunted the runners along. Baseball is a game of 27 outs the Giants just gave the Cards one. Now the Giants have runners on second and third and only one out. The pitcher is due up so who is going to bat. Bochy had a pretty good idea that Maxwell would strike out and he obviously still does not have any confidence in Perez so Susac was called upon. We mentioned recently that we thought that the Giants had overrated Susac and he proved us correct at least at this at bat by striking out. Aoki walked and Duffy struck out. It was not a good game for the rookie of the year candidate. So the game is tied going into the ninth.
In the Giants ninth the Cards brought in a left handed pitcher that could not get the ball over the plate which set up Tomlinson bases loaded walk-off hit. Last weekend you could get horn rim glasses at Walgreens 2 for $5. This weekend there is a special $10.
Pro Football
The SC Prune Pickers will be playing the Denver Broncos tonight at Mile Hi Stadium without Ahmad Brooks. He was indicted this week by SCGJ on one count of rape of a drunk person which I assume was female but who knows these days. The courts are full of these cases usually involving athletes who have money. Some are guilty and others have been set up. We don 't know the story with Brooks but we do know that he is guilty of being 'stupid'.
It was so ugly, no not the horn rim glasses flashed by Tomlinson after his walk-off single enabled the Giants to beat the Cardinals 5-4 Friday night. The game was ugly and one that the Giants did not deserved to win but neither did the Cards. So I guess the Orange and Black will take it.
Myron Bryd hit a grand slam after two Cardinal errors allowed the Giants to load the bases. Then in the next inning the Giants botched two double plays enabling the Cardinals to close the gap to 4-3. In the Cardinals 6th inning after a single the runner advanced to second on a fly to right. Bryd instead of going back then moving forward to catch the ball so he could throw just back peddled so when he caught the ball he was in position to make a good throw to second. The next batter also few out and the runner moved to third and then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.
In the Giants 8th Blanco laid down a bunt that the Cards pitcher Broxton rushed over and pick it up just before it went foul only to flip the ball down the right field line. With Blanco on second the Cardinal television announcers could not understand why Tomlinson was not bunting. As we mention recently in this blog its the job of hitter to get that runner home from second. Tomlinson walked and then Adrianza bunted the runners along. Baseball is a game of 27 outs the Giants just gave the Cards one. Now the Giants have runners on second and third and only one out. The pitcher is due up so who is going to bat. Bochy had a pretty good idea that Maxwell would strike out and he obviously still does not have any confidence in Perez so Susac was called upon. We mentioned recently that we thought that the Giants had overrated Susac and he proved us correct at least at this at bat by striking out. Aoki walked and Duffy struck out. It was not a good game for the rookie of the year candidate. So the game is tied going into the ninth.
In the Giants ninth the Cards brought in a left handed pitcher that could not get the ball over the plate which set up Tomlinson bases loaded walk-off hit. Last weekend you could get horn rim glasses at Walgreens 2 for $5. This weekend there is a special $10.
Pro Football
The SC Prune Pickers will be playing the Denver Broncos tonight at Mile Hi Stadium without Ahmad Brooks. He was indicted this week by SCGJ on one count of rape of a drunk person which I assume was female but who knows these days. The courts are full of these cases usually involving athletes who have money. Some are guilty and others have been set up. We don 't know the story with Brooks but we do know that he is guilty of being 'stupid'.
Friday, August 28, 2015
The Cubs Are Human!
Giants - Cubs Series
The Chicago Cubs had taken five in a row from the Giants and finally the Orange and Black responded by winning the final two games of the year series thanks to a gutty performance by Peavy in the second game and another outstanding effort by Bumgarner on Thursday.
By the end of the final game of the series good news on the injury list was coming in when it was felt that Crawford would be back soon along with Blanco and it is even questionable if Duffy was even injured at all since he was back at full strength Thursday. Then we hear that Pagan is due back soon and we have to wonder what's to get excited about. All these players were playing for the Giants when the Cubs swept them. It wasn't until Perez, Adrianza and Tomlinson all River Cats a month ago led the Giants with their steller play to win the two final games of the series. The word is out to those injured, 'Take your Time'!
Perez played second base in the first game of the Cubs series because Crawford was injured. Perez had played the infield for Fresno when he first became a Giant farmhand. The team was hoping that he could play both the outfield and infield and be a super utility player. Unfortunately he made too many errors playing shortstop so he became an outfielder full time.
This is only a rumor. Bumgarner had made it known that he wants to participate in the 2016 All Star Game Home Run Derby but only if Mike Cain agrees to be his pitcher.
I mentioned in my last post that I thought Arizona could sneak in and take the NL West title. I had said this a couple of months ago and then the DBacks started on a long losing streak. Since I made the comment last Sunday the Diamondbacks lost four in a row to St. Louis. I guess I jinxed them.
Red Sox Blame
Pablo is having a horrible season for the Red Sox who were hoping that the ex-Giant would lead the Boston team back into the playoffs. The last we looked he is batting a little over .250 and has been terrible in the field. He hasn't been traded yet. The Boston manager would have been fired by now but he ended up with a heart problem so he is out for the season. Don't expect him back next year. The General Manger has been fired and his job taken by the Detroit GM whose team has won two more games then the Sox this year. We read now that the television voice of the team has also been fired and will not be back next year. Don Orsillo has been the TV voice of the team since 2001.
In another media note Kate Longworth worked for CSBA for a few years mainly covering the Oakland A's and Raiders. She now does pre and post game interviews for the Arizona Diamondbacks. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona
The 2024 Olympics
The Los Angeles bid for 2024 Olympics is based primarily on the fact that they have all the venues within their county. In 1984 Orange County was included but not this time. The Opening ceremonies and track and field events are planned for the Coliseum which does not even have a track. $300,000 of the proposed $4.66 billion will be spent upgrading the Coliseum What a joke! It would be cheaper to tear down and start over. At least a billion in today's money is needed to bring the current almost one hundred year old structure up to date.
Money will be spent to upgrade the transit system. In other words they want people attending the Olympics to pay for a new subway line. There are thousand of yellow school district buses already bought by tax payers that can be used during the summer weeks to transport people around during the games from July 19 -August 4, 2024. The school districts could use the money. Money is also going to be used to upgrade hotels of which there are 50,000 rooms in quality hotels with a 13 mile radius of the Coliseum. Isn't that the job of Hilton and Marriot etc to upgrade their own hotels since they will be profiting plenty for charging up to $5,000. a night for a room. The cronies are already lined up at city hall waiting for their payoffs. I don't think the USA has a chance to host these games which I doubt very much will ever be played.
The Chicago Cubs had taken five in a row from the Giants and finally the Orange and Black responded by winning the final two games of the year series thanks to a gutty performance by Peavy in the second game and another outstanding effort by Bumgarner on Thursday.
By the end of the final game of the series good news on the injury list was coming in when it was felt that Crawford would be back soon along with Blanco and it is even questionable if Duffy was even injured at all since he was back at full strength Thursday. Then we hear that Pagan is due back soon and we have to wonder what's to get excited about. All these players were playing for the Giants when the Cubs swept them. It wasn't until Perez, Adrianza and Tomlinson all River Cats a month ago led the Giants with their steller play to win the two final games of the series. The word is out to those injured, 'Take your Time'!
Perez played second base in the first game of the Cubs series because Crawford was injured. Perez had played the infield for Fresno when he first became a Giant farmhand. The team was hoping that he could play both the outfield and infield and be a super utility player. Unfortunately he made too many errors playing shortstop so he became an outfielder full time.
This is only a rumor. Bumgarner had made it known that he wants to participate in the 2016 All Star Game Home Run Derby but only if Mike Cain agrees to be his pitcher.
I mentioned in my last post that I thought Arizona could sneak in and take the NL West title. I had said this a couple of months ago and then the DBacks started on a long losing streak. Since I made the comment last Sunday the Diamondbacks lost four in a row to St. Louis. I guess I jinxed them.
Red Sox Blame
Pablo is having a horrible season for the Red Sox who were hoping that the ex-Giant would lead the Boston team back into the playoffs. The last we looked he is batting a little over .250 and has been terrible in the field. He hasn't been traded yet. The Boston manager would have been fired by now but he ended up with a heart problem so he is out for the season. Don't expect him back next year. The General Manger has been fired and his job taken by the Detroit GM whose team has won two more games then the Sox this year. We read now that the television voice of the team has also been fired and will not be back next year. Don Orsillo has been the TV voice of the team since 2001.
In another media note Kate Longworth worked for CSBA for a few years mainly covering the Oakland A's and Raiders. She now does pre and post game interviews for the Arizona Diamondbacks. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona
The 2024 Olympics
The Los Angeles bid for 2024 Olympics is based primarily on the fact that they have all the venues within their county. In 1984 Orange County was included but not this time. The Opening ceremonies and track and field events are planned for the Coliseum which does not even have a track. $300,000 of the proposed $4.66 billion will be spent upgrading the Coliseum What a joke! It would be cheaper to tear down and start over. At least a billion in today's money is needed to bring the current almost one hundred year old structure up to date.
Money will be spent to upgrade the transit system. In other words they want people attending the Olympics to pay for a new subway line. There are thousand of yellow school district buses already bought by tax payers that can be used during the summer weeks to transport people around during the games from July 19 -August 4, 2024. The school districts could use the money. Money is also going to be used to upgrade hotels of which there are 50,000 rooms in quality hotels with a 13 mile radius of the Coliseum. Isn't that the job of Hilton and Marriot etc to upgrade their own hotels since they will be profiting plenty for charging up to $5,000. a night for a room. The cronies are already lined up at city hall waiting for their payoffs. I don't think the USA has a chance to host these games which I doubt very much will ever be played.
Monday, August 24, 2015
Prune Pickers Love Milk!
Giants Still Trail by 1 1/2 Games.
The Dodgers continue to lose and so do the Giants so I am wondering again like I did two months ago if Arizona might sneak in and win the West. The last time I said this the DBacks lost about five games in row. Will they do it again?
The Pirate Series
Aoki one of the best leadoff man in the majors was back for the Pirates opener but they batted him low in the batting order because Blanco had done so well leading off recently. Blanco went 0-5 failing to drive in runners in three different occasion with two out. I do not judge a lead off hitter by the number of times he gets on to start an game or inning. I look for one that get that two out hit to dive in a run. Blanco failed miserable in the Giants lack luster 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh. Harvey Kuenn was not particularly fast but the could put the bat on the ball and that is the reason he was the lead off hitter for the 1962 NL Champion Giants who lost a heart breaking game 7 to the Yankees in the World Series at Candlestick
Blanco was not benched but he batted 8th in the second game of the series and got two hits. Home runs by newly acquired Myron Byrd and Bumgarner featured the Giants 6-4 win over the Pirates. Bryd will at least give the Giants a threat in the lineup that sorely misses Panic and Pence.
The Pirates hit three home runs Saturday and the Giants none. Guess who won 3-2. What makes baseball a great game for the fans is the discussion about strategy. I never like a batter bunting with none out and a man on second to get him to third. That's what Adrianza did Saturday with none out. The Giants failed to score. When there is a man on second the hitters job is drive him in regardless if there is none out, one out, or two outs.
I mentioned recently I did not like the way the Giants were handling their bullpen. I wrote that they were using Konkos who is great in getting through one inning but putting him for the second inning could be disastrous. He was pitching in his second inning Saturday when the Pirates won with a two out walk off home run.
I didn't understand why they removed a good hitting pitcher Mike Leake after only 77 pitchers for a pinch hitter. Even Hall of Fame managers over manage.
We wrote when Susac injured his finger sliding head first into third that it was stupid. Boy was it. Bochy only called on his replacement Sanchez to catch two games and Posey started the rest. Could that be the reason that Posey has been a disaster at the plate on this trip?
It was just a few weeks ago when discussing Duffy as a rookie of the year candidate that Chris Heston's name was brought into the conversation. He had pitched a no hitter and won 11 games for the Giants. Oh how things changed! Now he is with Sacramento hopefully resting his tired arm so he can return and help the Giants in September.
The last game of the series played Sunday night was over in the first inning when the Pirates scored three runs off of Vogelsong. Pittsburgh tried to make a game of it for the national television audience by making all kinds of errors but the Giants said, No Thanks! Bochy benched Belt because of a left handed pitcher but perhaps he should have had Posey sit who went hitless again. When Posey doesn't hit and team doesn't have Panic and Pence there is really no chance. I am starting to believe that the Giants overrated Susac.
Giants Lose in St. Louis
It was pointed out that neither the Giants or Cardinals had any of their starting outfielders available for the series that was won by the Cards 2 games to 1. Vogelsong was the Giant hero with a very well pitched six innings Tuesday and Pérez made an absolutely fantastic catch over the right center field wall in Wednesday's game that saved Cain from a very early exist. Cain then settled down a pitched a solid three innings and the Giants are hoping it carries over to his next start. Bumgarner is now the team # 1 pinch hitter. Tomlinson has shown his inexperience at second base and Posey hit a couple of long drives to the wall in St. Louis that were caught and managed only one hit in the series.
It is really hard to imagine the Giants staying in this race without Panic or Pence the heart and soul of the team and both of whom could remain on the DL for weeks and possibly the season. But give the Giants credit regardless of the handicaps they never give up. Somehow thanks to Dodgers losses to the A's the Giants remain within striking distance.
The Media
CSBA has hired Ricky Waters 'the traitor' to work it's pre and post game shows of the 49ers. Remember the 49ers had just won the 1994 Super Bowl against the Chargers and he decided that the team did not run enough so he fled to 'greener' pastures. If he had stayed the Niners' would not have waited until 2012 to return to the Super Bowl. Now he gets to cover the team. Surprised they allowed it! I am losing my short term memory but long term I am still pretty accurate and I would not have hired him.
Will the Giants big four of Miller, Fleming, Kuiper and Krukow soon be three? It is seldom that one of the team is not on " assignment". Miller contract must be limited to the number of games and Fleming works for ESPN. Why do they need four when they get along just fine with three. Or will they go the other way and hire Flannery to the team. Tim has been the star of the pre and post games shows this year and he has worked for the Padres in a similar capacity in the past. Not sure he wants to commit the time. It will interesting to see what develops.
Pro Football
Don't mention his name. That's the message I am receiving from listening to the SC 49ers review their performance last Saturday in Houston. I am talking about the greatest rugby player in the world Jarryd Hayne first game as a 'Niner. He surprised everybody including the coaches who continue to downplay his unexpected performance. I guess they are afraid he might upset their personnel plans for the team. This is a real opportunity to excite the fans many of whom expect them to draft #1 next year. This should not surprise us since we understand that the 49ers organization leaves a lot to be desired. In other words they are 'stupid'. I don't think one would ever hear a baseball manager in spring training saying after a rookie had hit three home runs in his first two exhibition games is that he really can't hit and we won't be playing him anymore.
I understand fans will receive a packet of different supplies to help keep 'cool' at Levi Stadium this year. Not mentioned in the press release is the fact that fans will also receive a large packet of Kleenex to wipe away the tears.
I noticed that CSBA will not use the nickname of the NFL team in Washington DC. Figures since it is owned by NBC. In my book they are hypocrites. They call the Dallas team the Cowboys. Isn't that sexist today? They should really be called the Cow Persons or better still the Milk Persons so that animal lovers will not be upset. Then they call the SC Prune Pickers the 49ers. In reading their history the team was named after a bunch of alcoholic drunkards. Don't want to upset those people who don't drink. Those who love to eat prunes will know what this is all about.
Jerry Jones owner of the Milk Persons of Dallas hurt the feelings of the Prune Pickers management by commenting that he doesn't believe Levi Stadium turf is safe enough for his starters to play. Where they going to play anyway, Jerry? Tickets were going for under $1,000 so maybe it isn't worth playing regulars. The Prune Pickers head coach Tomsula defended the grounds crew saying that the field is in perfect condition which doesn't answer the question why they laid new turf. They had rolled up the turf from Candlestick when it was being torn down and brought to Levi to be used. Guess it didn't take. In fact no grass is going to take because the dirt grew prune trees for decades and is refusing to cooperate with the 49ers who again look 'stupid'. Don't believe the rumors that the NFL is thinking of moving Super Bowl 'L' game to Oakland which is actually more convenient for those who will be staying in San Francisco. It is however an alternative.
Sports Flash! The Prune Pickers beat the Milk Persons of Dallas 23-6 in what one might call a 'smoothie'. The Prune Pickers have advertised that they will be a running team and if tonight was any indication it is true since they threw only 17 times. Kaepernick played very little and what I saw looked the same---same plays same results. Perhaps he wasted his time this summer in Arizona. The Aussie continues to impress running the ball that helps give the faithful hope that this season may not be so bad after all. It look to me being about 400 miles from the stadium that the turf brought in special from Arizona held up for the game.
Win Over $1,000!
I will be emailing everyone information regarding a Monday Night Football Pool. I have been playing it for about ten years now and can honestly say I haven't won a penny. If your not interested just trash it. Look for it perhaps today but very soon.
College Football
The big news down in the southland is the fact that USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian made a fool of himself at a Saturday night 'Salute to Troy' gathering. He was inebriated or as we use to say 'drunk'. He not only embarrassed himself but also the University as well and had to be pulled from the microphone by Athletic Director Pat Hayden. I am surprised he wasn't fired last night. He still may be if the President of the University gets involved. I predicted the Trojans would be 9-3 this season and with their pre season hype would be a disappointment but maybe not bad enough to fire the coach. With this incident last Saturday night 9-3 will get him fired.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Now Whose Hot!
Giants
I wrote in the last post that the Giants were not ready to face the Washington Nationals. They had just gotten swept by the red hot Cubs and then were only able to score three runs in splitting two games with the Astros.
They made me look stupid as they swept four games from the Nationals knocking out some the best starting pitchers in baseball. Hasn't that been the Giants all year? Streaky! There were many stars for the Giants led by Bumgarner great game Sunday, the relief staff, and the continual steady hitting of Blanco, Duffy, Posey, Belt and Pence.
Bochy has played musical chairs at second starring Tomlinson on Thursday. He blew a double play so Adrianza started Friday. He also blew a play in the filed so Tomlinson was back at second and used the opportunity to get a couple of important extra base hits. As K & K said on television he needs to work on his pivot at second base. Then I ask what do they teach them in the minors? Adrianza and Perez continue to disappoint me at the plate.
The Giants have made an offer for Utley of the Phillies. Forget it. Tear it up. All he wants is playing time to showcase himself for a team next year. He has no intention of really helping a team like the Giants win. The Giants don't need him.
The new Giants starter Mike Leake is scheduled to pitch Tuesday in St. Louis. They need to drop a player and the most obvious choice would be Osich whose has options left. He has pitched well for the Giants so it is not an easy decision. Cain should be the pitcher dropped but I don't think there is any real way can do it without putting him on the DL. Or they could possibly say good-bye to Lincecum and put him on the 60 day DL.
What Giant team will show up this week in St. Louis and Pittsburgh?
49ers
Some of you might read Bleacher Report on the web. A few days ago they had the projected records of all the NFL teams for the coming season and the 49ers are expected to be 3-13. They are right about 20% of the time. So if you can still get over or under six wins for the season at Vegas for the 49er it looks like a good bet to pick under. Don't tell me its not worth reading this blog.
The Niners Saturday night 23-10 loss was not on television or radio in the Los Angeles market. However the 6 o'clock news on ABC7 Saturday had highlights of the game in progress so I did see Houston's big touchdown and a few other plays. The talk of the game has to be former rugby star from Australia Jarryd Hayne who impressed with a long run. Will talk about this sensation make the faithful forget the many other 49er problems? The weekend was topped off with the very popular Aussie Jason Day wining the PGA tournament. It wasn't too many decades ago that Australians only won tennis matches.
Incidentally Houston is also expected to be 3-13 this season so the pre season game was an even match up .
I wrote in the last post that the Giants were not ready to face the Washington Nationals. They had just gotten swept by the red hot Cubs and then were only able to score three runs in splitting two games with the Astros.
They made me look stupid as they swept four games from the Nationals knocking out some the best starting pitchers in baseball. Hasn't that been the Giants all year? Streaky! There were many stars for the Giants led by Bumgarner great game Sunday, the relief staff, and the continual steady hitting of Blanco, Duffy, Posey, Belt and Pence.
Bochy has played musical chairs at second starring Tomlinson on Thursday. He blew a double play so Adrianza started Friday. He also blew a play in the filed so Tomlinson was back at second and used the opportunity to get a couple of important extra base hits. As K & K said on television he needs to work on his pivot at second base. Then I ask what do they teach them in the minors? Adrianza and Perez continue to disappoint me at the plate.
The Giants have made an offer for Utley of the Phillies. Forget it. Tear it up. All he wants is playing time to showcase himself for a team next year. He has no intention of really helping a team like the Giants win. The Giants don't need him.
The new Giants starter Mike Leake is scheduled to pitch Tuesday in St. Louis. They need to drop a player and the most obvious choice would be Osich whose has options left. He has pitched well for the Giants so it is not an easy decision. Cain should be the pitcher dropped but I don't think there is any real way can do it without putting him on the DL. Or they could possibly say good-bye to Lincecum and put him on the 60 day DL.
What Giant team will show up this week in St. Louis and Pittsburgh?
49ers
Some of you might read Bleacher Report on the web. A few days ago they had the projected records of all the NFL teams for the coming season and the 49ers are expected to be 3-13. They are right about 20% of the time. So if you can still get over or under six wins for the season at Vegas for the 49er it looks like a good bet to pick under. Don't tell me its not worth reading this blog.
The Niners Saturday night 23-10 loss was not on television or radio in the Los Angeles market. However the 6 o'clock news on ABC7 Saturday had highlights of the game in progress so I did see Houston's big touchdown and a few other plays. The talk of the game has to be former rugby star from Australia Jarryd Hayne who impressed with a long run. Will talk about this sensation make the faithful forget the many other 49er problems? The weekend was topped off with the very popular Aussie Jason Day wining the PGA tournament. It wasn't too many decades ago that Australians only won tennis matches.
Incidentally Houston is also expected to be 3-13 this season so the pre season game was an even match up .
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Whose Kidding Who?
Giants Split with Astros
Bumgarner was great Heston lost but pitched very well and Belt hit two homeruns Tuesday night which was just enough to give the Giants a two game split with the Astros. Most of Giant bats were silent. Pence is in one of his slumps going hitless against Houston and Posey starting to show the fatigue of catching everyday.
I don't like the way they are handling their relief staff. Konkos has been great as the middle inning closer coming in the 6th or 7th inning and shutting down a team. In addition now he is pitching the next inning. Big mistake!
Both lefthanders Osich and Lopez had 0-2 on batters today and ended up walking them.
Pagan went on the DL. This blog has not been kind to Pagan this year although we knew he was playing hurt. He has missed major portions of the last two seasons so this year he wanted to show the Giants he could play nearly everyday. I can understand his motives because he thought he could help the team and save his job for next year. The facts speak for themselves he can't last a season but it wasn't for the lack of effort.
I could not believe Aoki was back in the lineup today. Lasted about five innings. DL?
Although the Giants probably don't know for sure but its beginning to look like Panic could possibly be through for the season. Tremendous loss!
It looks now as if the Giants will take a flyer with Utley who is on the last days of his career. Its probably out of desperation more then anything else. Can he be the 2015 Cody Ross or Marco Scutaro with still a few homeruns left in his old bat that could help spark the team?
Whose kidding who? The Giants are not ready to play Washington. A split in the four game series should thrill Giant fans.
2024 Olympics
Los Angeles believes they are a perfect selection for the United States proposed Olympics site for 2024 because they have all the facilities. Baloney! Where is track to hold around 80,000 people? Not at the LA Coliseum who eliminated the track over 15 years ago in order to have seats closer to the field for football. Of course the Olympics could use the new USC Track which holds 5,000 and have a lottery for tickets starting at about $25,000. The Coliseum would have to be torn apart again to make room to put the track back and with USC slowly remodeling the historic landmark it doesn't seem very feasible. Don't look for the proposed new NFL stadiums to include room for a track unless they are paid off big time.
I use to love the Olympics when it was for amateurs. Now it is a show case for millionaires in most sports. Let the college kids play!
San Francisco Bay Area has the same problem. Stanford tore down their stadium that had a track and held around 90,000 and UC Berkeley never had a track in Memorial Stadium. Leaders must be asking themselves why did we ever rebuild Kezar that now hold about 5,000 when it use to sit 60,000. Come to think of it, I guess it was falling apart. They don't build stadiums today like they did the days of the Romans.
It is my opinion bringing the Olympics to a city only means payoff big time that will cost taxpayers plenty in the long run. The Olympics put the soccer scandal to shame.
49er History
I'm in the process of reading Dave Newhouse's new book on the 49ers and thought I would pass on a few little tid bits.
One of the original part owners of the 49ers was Allen Sorrell who was in the lumber yard business. He was the one who picked "49ers" as the nickname because San Francisco was born out of the gold rush. Later he saw a cartoon of a 'drunken' 49er shooting off guns. This became the opening day program cover, the teams nickname and logo until the early 1960s. The current 'SF' logo was then adopted and the question is when will it be changed to 'SC' or possibly a prune picker. Perhaps never, if you consider that the Giants have NY on their helmets and they play in New Jersey, the Los Angeles Angeles play in Anaheim and when the Raiders move to Carson I understand they will keep the name Oakland at the wishes of Los Angeles. They will more then likely just be known as 'the Raiders'
The 49ers lost their first AAFC game 21-7 to the New York Yankees in 1946 before a crowd of 35,698 disappointed fans. There were 2,000 tickets sold before the game meaning that over 33,000 were walkups. There weren't enough ticket sellers at Kezar so 49er personnel like the Assistant General Manager became ticket sellers for the game.
The 49er Million Dollar backfield consisted of Y.A. Tittle, Hugh McElhenny, John Henry Johnson and Joe Perry all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Today their value would probably exceed $10,000,000. The real cost in 1955 was $70,000.
New Stadiums
The NFL owners met this week and still no decision on Los Angeles. They are trying to get as much welfare money out of the cities as possible. They hate the Ram owner because he would build his stadium without public assistance and that would not go well for financing future new stadiums.
Loyal blog reader JL from the state Capital area sent me an article reporting "At a sun-drenched conference overlooking aging Qualcomm Stadium, Mayor Kevin Faulconer unveiled a financial plan, architectural renderings for a new stadium and a 6,000 page draft of an environmental report." An I understand through contacts in San Francisco that even with 6,000 pages the report will not pass the mustard. All I can do is recommend that the person or persons reading the report have plenty of toilet paper available.
Bumgarner was great Heston lost but pitched very well and Belt hit two homeruns Tuesday night which was just enough to give the Giants a two game split with the Astros. Most of Giant bats were silent. Pence is in one of his slumps going hitless against Houston and Posey starting to show the fatigue of catching everyday.
I don't like the way they are handling their relief staff. Konkos has been great as the middle inning closer coming in the 6th or 7th inning and shutting down a team. In addition now he is pitching the next inning. Big mistake!
Both lefthanders Osich and Lopez had 0-2 on batters today and ended up walking them.
Pagan went on the DL. This blog has not been kind to Pagan this year although we knew he was playing hurt. He has missed major portions of the last two seasons so this year he wanted to show the Giants he could play nearly everyday. I can understand his motives because he thought he could help the team and save his job for next year. The facts speak for themselves he can't last a season but it wasn't for the lack of effort.
I could not believe Aoki was back in the lineup today. Lasted about five innings. DL?
Although the Giants probably don't know for sure but its beginning to look like Panic could possibly be through for the season. Tremendous loss!
It looks now as if the Giants will take a flyer with Utley who is on the last days of his career. Its probably out of desperation more then anything else. Can he be the 2015 Cody Ross or Marco Scutaro with still a few homeruns left in his old bat that could help spark the team?
Whose kidding who? The Giants are not ready to play Washington. A split in the four game series should thrill Giant fans.
2024 Olympics
Los Angeles believes they are a perfect selection for the United States proposed Olympics site for 2024 because they have all the facilities. Baloney! Where is track to hold around 80,000 people? Not at the LA Coliseum who eliminated the track over 15 years ago in order to have seats closer to the field for football. Of course the Olympics could use the new USC Track which holds 5,000 and have a lottery for tickets starting at about $25,000. The Coliseum would have to be torn apart again to make room to put the track back and with USC slowly remodeling the historic landmark it doesn't seem very feasible. Don't look for the proposed new NFL stadiums to include room for a track unless they are paid off big time.
I use to love the Olympics when it was for amateurs. Now it is a show case for millionaires in most sports. Let the college kids play!
San Francisco Bay Area has the same problem. Stanford tore down their stadium that had a track and held around 90,000 and UC Berkeley never had a track in Memorial Stadium. Leaders must be asking themselves why did we ever rebuild Kezar that now hold about 5,000 when it use to sit 60,000. Come to think of it, I guess it was falling apart. They don't build stadiums today like they did the days of the Romans.
It is my opinion bringing the Olympics to a city only means payoff big time that will cost taxpayers plenty in the long run. The Olympics put the soccer scandal to shame.
49er History
I'm in the process of reading Dave Newhouse's new book on the 49ers and thought I would pass on a few little tid bits.
 |
| 49ers original logo |
The 49ers lost their first AAFC game 21-7 to the New York Yankees in 1946 before a crowd of 35,698 disappointed fans. There were 2,000 tickets sold before the game meaning that over 33,000 were walkups. There weren't enough ticket sellers at Kezar so 49er personnel like the Assistant General Manager became ticket sellers for the game.
The 49er Million Dollar backfield consisted of Y.A. Tittle, Hugh McElhenny, John Henry Johnson and Joe Perry all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Today their value would probably exceed $10,000,000. The real cost in 1955 was $70,000.
New Stadiums
The NFL owners met this week and still no decision on Los Angeles. They are trying to get as much welfare money out of the cities as possible. They hate the Ram owner because he would build his stadium without public assistance and that would not go well for financing future new stadiums.
Loyal blog reader JL from the state Capital area sent me an article reporting "At a sun-drenched conference overlooking aging Qualcomm Stadium, Mayor Kevin Faulconer unveiled a financial plan, architectural renderings for a new stadium and a 6,000 page draft of an environmental report." An I understand through contacts in San Francisco that even with 6,000 pages the report will not pass the mustard. All I can do is recommend that the person or persons reading the report have plenty of toilet paper available.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Only 3 Games Out
Giants
Only in the NL West can a team lose 6 out of 9 on a road trip and still only be 3 games out of first place. The Giants can't thank the Dodgers enough! A hard schedule, a collapsed and over worked pitching staff coupled with some tough breaks will make it very hard if not impossible to go on another six game winning streak which they need desperately. The loss of Panic hurts because I feel that he is the glue of the team. They never seem to play as well when he is not in the lineup. The very hot Cubs just took the Giants to the cleaners but thanks to the Dodgers losing they did got get hung out to dry.
I believe a key turning point of the season will be the next two games against the Astros. Bumgarner has got to win and if Heston can get back on track, pitches well and wins his next start the Cub nightmare will be forgotten especially if the Dodgers keep losing. If they don't win and the Astros sweep them even though its only August it will be a tough road with their current pitching.
What are the Giants going to do for pitching? I am sure Bochy had an extra drink on the flight back to SF trying to figure it out. Vogelsong will be back starting, Peavy can give you five innings and I guess they will have to continue to go with Cain and hope Leach comes off the DL as soon as possible. Do they have anyone in Sacramento or Richmond that could possibly start?
The rookie infielder Tomlinson off to great start but looked over matched at the plate in Chicago.
The loss of Aoki will hurt and keep Pagan in the lineup.
I guess Bochy complained about a strike called on Blanco to end the game that looked like it was the fourth ball. No replays on those but how many did have during the game about some stupid plays at first base. That's why I am not a fan of instant replay. I just love it when they show the replay on the big screen and everybody in the stadium knows the outcome and then you see the umpires still waiting for word from New York.
Football
The loss of Alton Smith is just another blow to an unbelievable off season for the 49ers.
The 49ers are also worried about rain that could make the field muddy. They believe the El Nino stories that could present a problem. Today teams put on a new field after a weed is found on the turf. They should have played at Kezar back in 40s, 50s and 60s with high school football four days a week, college football and the Niners' on the weekend. There was no grass left by the start of October. Todays players don't how good they have it. I am sure the 49er fans will enjoy the rain to cool them off from the tremendous heat that normally penetrates Levi Stadium.
It would take a football fanatic to watch the Hall of Fame game Sunday night. I turned in for a few minutes and discovered that the Steelers quarterback was going to be the water boy from last year and the Vikings were not going to play their star Peterson who has not played in a year. Reminds me of 49ers when they held Frank Gore out of pre season games and then the announcer would say when the season started that he is rusty. How much do they charge for those games?
College Football
My Stanford alumni fiends are wonder how USC is going to be this year. I think they are ranked 8th or so in the country. This can only lead to disappointment because expectation are so high since they will have close to a full compliment of scholarship players available. It is easy to forget that the Trojans loss their stars on offense and defense who will be playing on Sunday and they are hard to replace. Prediction 9 wins 3 losses. As a USC alumnus who reads the blog told me next year is really the return of Trojan football when they play Alabama at Jerry Jones' AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Blogsite
I was requested to provide additional information about Fatima. After eight weeks of work the Fatima update is available for those that might be interested. It takes Fatima from 1917 to 2017. www.fatimainquiry.blogspot.com
Only in the NL West can a team lose 6 out of 9 on a road trip and still only be 3 games out of first place. The Giants can't thank the Dodgers enough! A hard schedule, a collapsed and over worked pitching staff coupled with some tough breaks will make it very hard if not impossible to go on another six game winning streak which they need desperately. The loss of Panic hurts because I feel that he is the glue of the team. They never seem to play as well when he is not in the lineup. The very hot Cubs just took the Giants to the cleaners but thanks to the Dodgers losing they did got get hung out to dry.
I believe a key turning point of the season will be the next two games against the Astros. Bumgarner has got to win and if Heston can get back on track, pitches well and wins his next start the Cub nightmare will be forgotten especially if the Dodgers keep losing. If they don't win and the Astros sweep them even though its only August it will be a tough road with their current pitching.
What are the Giants going to do for pitching? I am sure Bochy had an extra drink on the flight back to SF trying to figure it out. Vogelsong will be back starting, Peavy can give you five innings and I guess they will have to continue to go with Cain and hope Leach comes off the DL as soon as possible. Do they have anyone in Sacramento or Richmond that could possibly start?
The rookie infielder Tomlinson off to great start but looked over matched at the plate in Chicago.
The loss of Aoki will hurt and keep Pagan in the lineup.
I guess Bochy complained about a strike called on Blanco to end the game that looked like it was the fourth ball. No replays on those but how many did have during the game about some stupid plays at first base. That's why I am not a fan of instant replay. I just love it when they show the replay on the big screen and everybody in the stadium knows the outcome and then you see the umpires still waiting for word from New York.
Football
The loss of Alton Smith is just another blow to an unbelievable off season for the 49ers.
The 49ers are also worried about rain that could make the field muddy. They believe the El Nino stories that could present a problem. Today teams put on a new field after a weed is found on the turf. They should have played at Kezar back in 40s, 50s and 60s with high school football four days a week, college football and the Niners' on the weekend. There was no grass left by the start of October. Todays players don't how good they have it. I am sure the 49er fans will enjoy the rain to cool them off from the tremendous heat that normally penetrates Levi Stadium.
It would take a football fanatic to watch the Hall of Fame game Sunday night. I turned in for a few minutes and discovered that the Steelers quarterback was going to be the water boy from last year and the Vikings were not going to play their star Peterson who has not played in a year. Reminds me of 49ers when they held Frank Gore out of pre season games and then the announcer would say when the season started that he is rusty. How much do they charge for those games?
College Football
My Stanford alumni fiends are wonder how USC is going to be this year. I think they are ranked 8th or so in the country. This can only lead to disappointment because expectation are so high since they will have close to a full compliment of scholarship players available. It is easy to forget that the Trojans loss their stars on offense and defense who will be playing on Sunday and they are hard to replace. Prediction 9 wins 3 losses. As a USC alumnus who reads the blog told me next year is really the return of Trojan football when they play Alabama at Jerry Jones' AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
Blogsite
I was requested to provide additional information about Fatima. After eight weeks of work the Fatima update is available for those that might be interested. It takes Fatima from 1917 to 2017. www.fatimainquiry.blogspot.com
Thursday, August 6, 2015
The Braves and Reaction
The Giants blew the first game of the Braves series but kept their composure to take the series 2 games to 1.
The First Game - When the Giants hits four home runs and blow a six run lead much was said after the game. I would like to highlight two things that weren't said. The failure of Cain has to worry the Giants. He looks smooth and easy when he pitches but the Braves knocked the ball all over the lot and its pretty sad when you can't protect a six run lead.
I am starting to lose patience with Adrianza. He came up in the fourth inning with the Giants leading 6-0 with runners on first and third and one out. He takes a half swing at the first pitch and hit an easy double play ball to end the inning. Getting a seventh run could have made all the difference in that game. To me it didn't look like he was consecrating at the plate.
Congratulations to the newest Giant Kelby Tomlinson for getting his first major league hit in his first at bat. He wears glasses which use to mean that he is very intelligent and today means 'I can't see'!
2nd Game - The Giants bounced back to win the second game of the series. Duffy, a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, had four more hits and Peavy the surprise of the pitching staff went another solid six innings. However it was again Pence who stole the headlines with his three run homer in the top of the eighth to give the Giants the lead and victory. He also had an rbi earlier in the game when the Braves first baseman thought there were two out instead of one and when he fielded a grounder ran to first instead of throwing home to get a force. Don't pay those guys millions for nothing. Or do they?
Glad to see Arias cleared waivers is back in organization playing at Sacramento. I am sure we will see him as a Giant in September if not before depending on Panic's recovery.
3rd Game - Bumgarner pitched well and Duffy got a big hit late in the game but the real hero in the Giants victory was the new rookie infielder Tomlinson. In his first at bat he got a two out single to dive in two runs and then in his next at bat drove in a third run with a single.
There is a report the tests have discovered the problem with Panic's back. That's the first step back.
Reaction
The last post brought a number of responses covering the Warriors, Giants, First Names and Religion
My old friend Leo O of Moraga let me know that I called the Warriors Green Dallas in my article. As I have mentioned preciously I have trouble with first names and that is the reason I have left them out in the past. Green had a Dodger baseball cap on and I guess I just thought of an old baseball manager Dallas Green. Being my age allows me to make stupid mistakes. That's called 'playing the age card.'
Active blog reader Pat O agreed with me regarding the Warriors future and Russ J from Texas the Giants - Rangers ninth inning. As I mentioned K & K my favorites were touting the arms of the Ranger outfielders. I asked on the last post how many games Hamilton has played in left field. Sunday was the Rangers 104th game of the season of which Hamilton has played 30 mostly in left field. He has one assist. The Giants were afraid to run on one assist. Looking at the record then it should have been no surprise that he over threw the catcher by 20 feet. As Bochy would say, 'we're are not doing the little things'. I would say the Giants aren't doing the big things either!
It was suggested to me to keep religion off the sport pages. Not a bad idea but the temptations are great. I have battled them all season and finally Satan got his wish so I asked everyone's forgiveness and will do everything in my power to avoid these temptations getting the best of me in the future. I have reactivated an old blog of mine to handle my religious comments. I thought it would be ready today but we still have a few glitches that need to be ironed out. About six weeks ago a blog member VR asked me to provide some information about Fatima. It is very difficult to limit 13 years of study into a few pages. I am not sure I have done it justice but for those interested the report will be found on my religious site in a couple of days. I apologize for the delay.
Pictures
Those blog members that get the Saint Ignatius magazine the Genesis will note that my picture with classmate and blog reader George L can be found on page 71 under Births. Blog member Dennis R is found on page 66 with class mate Skip MacDonald.
Family
Barbara and I will be celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary usually referred to as the Rusty Pic on August 6th by attending " The Phantom of the Opera" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. We have seen Phantom four times in past Los Angeles in 1992, San Francisco, Orange County and Las Vegas.
Treat
For my anniversary I fixed myself one of my old favorites I remember from my youth a toasted donut. When I was young we usually had the choice of plain or raised sugar donuts. Let the plain donut get stale for a few days then cut it in half like two tires. Put it in the toaster and make sure it starts to burn a little. Let the butter melt and enjoy.
The First Game - When the Giants hits four home runs and blow a six run lead much was said after the game. I would like to highlight two things that weren't said. The failure of Cain has to worry the Giants. He looks smooth and easy when he pitches but the Braves knocked the ball all over the lot and its pretty sad when you can't protect a six run lead.
I am starting to lose patience with Adrianza. He came up in the fourth inning with the Giants leading 6-0 with runners on first and third and one out. He takes a half swing at the first pitch and hit an easy double play ball to end the inning. Getting a seventh run could have made all the difference in that game. To me it didn't look like he was consecrating at the plate.
Congratulations to the newest Giant Kelby Tomlinson for getting his first major league hit in his first at bat. He wears glasses which use to mean that he is very intelligent and today means 'I can't see'!
2nd Game - The Giants bounced back to win the second game of the series. Duffy, a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate, had four more hits and Peavy the surprise of the pitching staff went another solid six innings. However it was again Pence who stole the headlines with his three run homer in the top of the eighth to give the Giants the lead and victory. He also had an rbi earlier in the game when the Braves first baseman thought there were two out instead of one and when he fielded a grounder ran to first instead of throwing home to get a force. Don't pay those guys millions for nothing. Or do they?
Glad to see Arias cleared waivers is back in organization playing at Sacramento. I am sure we will see him as a Giant in September if not before depending on Panic's recovery.
3rd Game - Bumgarner pitched well and Duffy got a big hit late in the game but the real hero in the Giants victory was the new rookie infielder Tomlinson. In his first at bat he got a two out single to dive in two runs and then in his next at bat drove in a third run with a single.
There is a report the tests have discovered the problem with Panic's back. That's the first step back.
Reaction
The last post brought a number of responses covering the Warriors, Giants, First Names and Religion
My old friend Leo O of Moraga let me know that I called the Warriors Green Dallas in my article. As I have mentioned preciously I have trouble with first names and that is the reason I have left them out in the past. Green had a Dodger baseball cap on and I guess I just thought of an old baseball manager Dallas Green. Being my age allows me to make stupid mistakes. That's called 'playing the age card.'
Active blog reader Pat O agreed with me regarding the Warriors future and Russ J from Texas the Giants - Rangers ninth inning. As I mentioned K & K my favorites were touting the arms of the Ranger outfielders. I asked on the last post how many games Hamilton has played in left field. Sunday was the Rangers 104th game of the season of which Hamilton has played 30 mostly in left field. He has one assist. The Giants were afraid to run on one assist. Looking at the record then it should have been no surprise that he over threw the catcher by 20 feet. As Bochy would say, 'we're are not doing the little things'. I would say the Giants aren't doing the big things either!
It was suggested to me to keep religion off the sport pages. Not a bad idea but the temptations are great. I have battled them all season and finally Satan got his wish so I asked everyone's forgiveness and will do everything in my power to avoid these temptations getting the best of me in the future. I have reactivated an old blog of mine to handle my religious comments. I thought it would be ready today but we still have a few glitches that need to be ironed out. About six weeks ago a blog member VR asked me to provide some information about Fatima. It is very difficult to limit 13 years of study into a few pages. I am not sure I have done it justice but for those interested the report will be found on my religious site in a couple of days. I apologize for the delay.
Pictures
Those blog members that get the Saint Ignatius magazine the Genesis will note that my picture with classmate and blog reader George L can be found on page 71 under Births. Blog member Dennis R is found on page 66 with class mate Skip MacDonald.
Family
Barbara and I will be celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary usually referred to as the Rusty Pic on August 6th by attending " The Phantom of the Opera" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. We have seen Phantom four times in past Los Angeles in 1992, San Francisco, Orange County and Las Vegas.
Treat
For my anniversary I fixed myself one of my old favorites I remember from my youth a toasted donut. When I was young we usually had the choice of plain or raised sugar donuts. Let the plain donut get stale for a few days then cut it in half like two tires. Put it in the toaster and make sure it starts to burn a little. Let the butter melt and enjoy.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Fire The Third Base Coach
The Giants
I could not believe the top of the 9th inning of Sunday's game won by the Rangers 2-1. Pagan is on second and Duffy hits a ground ball up the middle and it rolls to the centerfielder and Pagan can't make it home. That's disgusting. Why would the Rangers even try to throw him out since at the time they were two runs in the lead. The Rangers job was to keep other runners from advancing. In fact it was Pagan job to try to score so that if they would throw to try and get him the other runners could possibly move up a base. Then Posey singles to left and we hold Aoki at third and the left fielder throws the ball twenty feet over the catchers head. If you watched the game on television you know K & K were praising the arms of the Ranger outfielders as an excuse for not running. Just how many games has Hamilton played in left field this year for the Rangers? When you have a chance to score take it otherwise the double play will kill you. It's too bad Tim Flannery wasn't the guest today on the Giants post game show. The Giants will never make the playoffs with this type of base running.
Bumgarner started the first game of the series and got belted adding evidence to the fact he isn't the same pitcher he was last year. I give Madison credit for sticking in there and going seven innings to keep the bullpen from being overworked in the first game of a long tough road trip.
Pence was the goat Sunday when he hit in double play to end the Giants threat after being the hero Saturday night. In that game he got the hit to tie the score late and then hit a home run to put the Giants ahead in the 11th inning. It was the second time in 39 games that the Giants rallied in the late innings to win a game.
Our Texas blog expert Russ J should be very happy about the future potential of the Rangers. They could even be a factor in the AL West this year but they need a couple of reliable relief pitchers. If everyone is healthy, which is always a big if with the Rangers, next year they could have one of best starting staffs in the AL.
Even though he was the losing pitcher today Mike Leake looks like a winner. I can't understand why the Reds let him go. A complete mystery. It will be a great pick up if the Giants sign him for next season.
I have written in last couple of months about long games. There is a solution. Play games in the afternoon in 95 degree temperature and the game will end like Sunday's in a little over two hours.
The Dodgers swept the Angels to move 2 1/2 games in front of the Giants who just a few days ago were within a couple of pitches of taking over first.
Panic back is not any better. The Giants are not the same team without Panic. It would be disastrous to lose him for any length of time.
49ers
One of our very reliable readers from Marin County RS inform me that on my last post I had used 'Ned' York instead of 'Jed' York in writing about the 49er owner. I could say it was a typo but that would not be true. I just made a mistake in his name and with my hearing Jed and Ned sound the same. Readers might have noticed that I do not use first names too often mainly because I don't remember the name or can't spell it without taking the time to look it up. . . Dave Newhouse who wrote for the Oakland Tribune for years is out with a new book on the 49ers "Founding 49ers Dark Days Before the Dynasty" which I am told by Dave himself covers the team from the beginning in 1946 through the days of John Brodie. . . This book will be of real interest to me since I am close to an 'expert' on those first 49er teams. . . I read where a group of civic leaders in San Francisco are trying get a drive going to get Brodie into the Hall of Fame. John was a very good quarterback and in my opinion if he played for Bill Walsh in the West Coast offense he would be in the Hall today.
'Until Hell Freezes Over'
The Warriors are in a fight to save their plans for a new arena in San Francisco with a group of ambulance chasers in the Mission Bay area. As the chasers spokesman said we will fight the Warriors "until hell freezes over." Where has he been? Hasn't he heard of the "New Theology". The fires of hell have been put out thanks in part to the thinking of some very smart and brilliant 20th century Catholic Theologians such as Rahner, Congar, de Lubac, de Chardin, Chenu, Hans Kung and Hans Urs von Balthasar (sometime pronounced von Bahsterd in English) and others. Many of these revolutionaries have died and now know if they were right or wrong. If they were wrong do you think if they had the opportunity they could come back and tell us?
Warrior fans know a fight over property in San Francisco is usually decided by money and political graft. So the outcome for building a new arena is in doubt. The Warriors have other choices as we have mentioned before including Kezar, Civic Auditorium and the Cow Palace where the team played in the 1960s. The World Champions best choice is Oracle Arena in Oakland where the mayor and their loyal fans are waiting with open arms to greet them back.
Dallas Green Warrior star was pictured with a Dodger cap on with Magic Johnson attending a game at Chaves Ravine. If Green had not signed a enormous contract with the Warriors then it would be news. Dallas is probably a Detroit Tiger fan coming from Michigan. My wife a Michigan State grad reminded me that both Green and Johnson are also MSU grads which was most likely one of the reasons for getting together.
I could not believe the top of the 9th inning of Sunday's game won by the Rangers 2-1. Pagan is on second and Duffy hits a ground ball up the middle and it rolls to the centerfielder and Pagan can't make it home. That's disgusting. Why would the Rangers even try to throw him out since at the time they were two runs in the lead. The Rangers job was to keep other runners from advancing. In fact it was Pagan job to try to score so that if they would throw to try and get him the other runners could possibly move up a base. Then Posey singles to left and we hold Aoki at third and the left fielder throws the ball twenty feet over the catchers head. If you watched the game on television you know K & K were praising the arms of the Ranger outfielders as an excuse for not running. Just how many games has Hamilton played in left field this year for the Rangers? When you have a chance to score take it otherwise the double play will kill you. It's too bad Tim Flannery wasn't the guest today on the Giants post game show. The Giants will never make the playoffs with this type of base running.
Bumgarner started the first game of the series and got belted adding evidence to the fact he isn't the same pitcher he was last year. I give Madison credit for sticking in there and going seven innings to keep the bullpen from being overworked in the first game of a long tough road trip.
Pence was the goat Sunday when he hit in double play to end the Giants threat after being the hero Saturday night. In that game he got the hit to tie the score late and then hit a home run to put the Giants ahead in the 11th inning. It was the second time in 39 games that the Giants rallied in the late innings to win a game.
Our Texas blog expert Russ J should be very happy about the future potential of the Rangers. They could even be a factor in the AL West this year but they need a couple of reliable relief pitchers. If everyone is healthy, which is always a big if with the Rangers, next year they could have one of best starting staffs in the AL.
Even though he was the losing pitcher today Mike Leake looks like a winner. I can't understand why the Reds let him go. A complete mystery. It will be a great pick up if the Giants sign him for next season.
I have written in last couple of months about long games. There is a solution. Play games in the afternoon in 95 degree temperature and the game will end like Sunday's in a little over two hours.
The Dodgers swept the Angels to move 2 1/2 games in front of the Giants who just a few days ago were within a couple of pitches of taking over first.
Panic back is not any better. The Giants are not the same team without Panic. It would be disastrous to lose him for any length of time.
49ers
One of our very reliable readers from Marin County RS inform me that on my last post I had used 'Ned' York instead of 'Jed' York in writing about the 49er owner. I could say it was a typo but that would not be true. I just made a mistake in his name and with my hearing Jed and Ned sound the same. Readers might have noticed that I do not use first names too often mainly because I don't remember the name or can't spell it without taking the time to look it up. . . Dave Newhouse who wrote for the Oakland Tribune for years is out with a new book on the 49ers "Founding 49ers Dark Days Before the Dynasty" which I am told by Dave himself covers the team from the beginning in 1946 through the days of John Brodie. . . This book will be of real interest to me since I am close to an 'expert' on those first 49er teams. . . I read where a group of civic leaders in San Francisco are trying get a drive going to get Brodie into the Hall of Fame. John was a very good quarterback and in my opinion if he played for Bill Walsh in the West Coast offense he would be in the Hall today.
'Until Hell Freezes Over'
The Warriors are in a fight to save their plans for a new arena in San Francisco with a group of ambulance chasers in the Mission Bay area. As the chasers spokesman said we will fight the Warriors "until hell freezes over." Where has he been? Hasn't he heard of the "New Theology". The fires of hell have been put out thanks in part to the thinking of some very smart and brilliant 20th century Catholic Theologians such as Rahner, Congar, de Lubac, de Chardin, Chenu, Hans Kung and Hans Urs von Balthasar (sometime pronounced von Bahsterd in English) and others. Many of these revolutionaries have died and now know if they were right or wrong. If they were wrong do you think if they had the opportunity they could come back and tell us?
Warrior fans know a fight over property in San Francisco is usually decided by money and political graft. So the outcome for building a new arena is in doubt. The Warriors have other choices as we have mentioned before including Kezar, Civic Auditorium and the Cow Palace where the team played in the 1960s. The World Champions best choice is Oracle Arena in Oakland where the mayor and their loyal fans are waiting with open arms to greet them back.
Dallas Green Warrior star was pictured with a Dodger cap on with Magic Johnson attending a game at Chaves Ravine. If Green had not signed a enormous contract with the Warriors then it would be news. Dallas is probably a Detroit Tiger fan coming from Michigan. My wife a Michigan State grad reminded me that both Green and Johnson are also MSU grads which was most likely one of the reasons for getting together.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Giants Continue To Roll
Giants
It took the Giants until the seventh inning today but the bats finally came alive in a 5-0 win over the Brewers. What else can one say about Hunter Pence. Today he made a great catch to save a run early, threw out a runner at third to complete a double play with the game still tied and then got the big hit to give the Giants the lead. I was very happy to see Adrianza get a hit to drive in two key runs for the Giants. He hasn't shown much at the plate since being called up but I think he can be a pretty good player. According to Bochy he will get plenty of opportunity during the upcoming five tough weeks.
The Giants swept the A's last week and then took 2 of 3 from the Brewers to complete a very successful home stand. In the last two against the A's and the first game against the Brewers they held on in the ninth thanks to the oppositions very questionable base running to seal the victories.
After mentioning last week that I thought Pagan should be the odd man out in the outfield when Aoki returns I was reminded by one my blog readers that he got three hits in the first game against the A's. All I can say is that he must have read the blog and felt the pressure and knew he had to deliver. I watched the Monday game against the Brewers and he looked like the same Pagan to me going hitless then failing to get Blanco home from third with one out. He hit the ball to first and for some reason Blanco did not run emphasizing the point I made last week that he is lousy base runner.
The Giants always are listed in trade possibilities. Don't look for a big one. If they make one it is usually not a big name but just a player who delivers. Remember Cody Ross in 2010, Scurado in '12 and Peavy in '14.
Ranking prospects is so phony. Look at the Giants today with Panic, Duffy and Susac who were seldom listen in the top 100 prospects lists. When the A's say they got a top Class A prospect from a trade to me is complete B.S! They really don't know what they got.
Family
Congratulations to my granddaughter Emily whose team the Legends from southern California won the Girls U 15 Youth Soccer National Championship in Tulsa, OK last week with a
2-1 victory over a very good team from Utah. Emily had the only goal in the Legends 1-0 semi-final victory.
Water
I was shocked to visit a few friends in Alamo to see their front lawns almost destroyed because of their restrictions on watering. All I could hear when I was outside was something similar to those weird noises that are being heard around the world. It was a low humm that seem to be echoing Dam Dam Dam Dam Dams! In Irvine everything is perfectly green. No, we didn't tell Jerry Brown to shove his Water Restriction plan. Irvine has recycled water from it's beginning in the 1970s knowing draught or no, water was a precious commodity in California. Too bad our state elected leaders of that time didn't have a similar outlook. They got paid off plenty but now look who is paying! Even in rain drenched Seattle they save their water. When Safeco Field was built they put a roof on the stadium so that games could be played when it rained because fans came from Canada, Idaho, Oregon and other distant locations. They also included a storage facility for water. Rain in the winter is collected and is used to keep the field green during the summer.
Just hang in there! El Nino is coming or is it? Dallas Raines local ABC LA 7 weather man has predicted El Nino for past few years which ended up being about 4" of rain. He commented on this yesterday in his report and he is now smart enough to hedge his bet with many if's. But the Pacific waters are getting hot which is a strong indication of El Nino and in fact in some locations it has been reported that steam is coming up from the ocean. Be careful however what you wish for because this rain may be 'greater then the deluge' and could it be the year California is washed into the sea?
Word from Texas
Our blog member from Texas Russ J is still very active. From the Dallas Sunday paper: "San Francisco has, a least temporarily, replaced the Yankees as the top road draw in the majors. The Giants have had an average attendance of 34,674 per game on the road. In some spots, most notable Arizona, Colorado and San Diego, the crowd response makes it seem like a home game for the Giants." This weekend the Texas Rangers will host the San Francisco Giants during what may be the hottest week in Texas this summer. Game time temperature in the evening will be 100 degrees, or hotter if the heat index indicates it. The Sunday game will be a day game under the league rules because of the Giants and Rangers travel plans.
York and the Pope
I read while I was away that Ned York owner of the 49ers opened his mouth again comparing the 49ers choice of coaches to that of the Warriors. I am sorry to say, "but is he really that dumb?" Maiocco the 49ers Insider on CSBA spent a good portion of his television time the other day trying to explain what York really meant to say. He reminds me a lot of Vatican Insider Fr. Lombardi S.J. trying to explains what the pope really meant to say and that he really didn't change the dogma.
The Excitement is Growing
I was shocked to read that the 49ers will open camp in a few days. Wait a minute! What have they been doing all this year but practicing. Actually I am tired of them already. One of my blog participants Leo O told me that Las Vegas is quoting 6 1/2 over or under for number of wins for the local Santa Clara team. Richard W another blog regular sent me a note saying that the Niners' would be 4 -12 this year. To be fair, this was done before they acquired Reggie Bush. Perhaps he would like to rethink his prediction before he heads off to Vegas.
49ers success will depend on how Kaepernick does in the pocket. Baloney! They never should have sent him to Arizona this spring only to confuse him more. The 49er success will depend on how well nobody even the 49ers know what the most heralded Nevada Reno star will do next. If the Prune Pickers don't know then maybe the Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals won't either.
We commented months ago on the 49er alternate black jerseys which are out of style. Why they didn't they have them prune color again shows the lack of imagination in the 49er front office.
The Olympics
Boston finally wised up and dropped out of a propoosal to host the 2024 games. Now LA is thinking they are in the running. Will San Francisco join with Los Angeles and Fresno to make a combined California bid? It would help the hotels in San Francisco like the Sir Francis Drake that are currently getting $700. a night. For the Olympics would $5,000 a night be to high? It would also help the Motel Fresno who rates could rise from $65. a night to $98.
It took the Giants until the seventh inning today but the bats finally came alive in a 5-0 win over the Brewers. What else can one say about Hunter Pence. Today he made a great catch to save a run early, threw out a runner at third to complete a double play with the game still tied and then got the big hit to give the Giants the lead. I was very happy to see Adrianza get a hit to drive in two key runs for the Giants. He hasn't shown much at the plate since being called up but I think he can be a pretty good player. According to Bochy he will get plenty of opportunity during the upcoming five tough weeks.
The Giants swept the A's last week and then took 2 of 3 from the Brewers to complete a very successful home stand. In the last two against the A's and the first game against the Brewers they held on in the ninth thanks to the oppositions very questionable base running to seal the victories.
After mentioning last week that I thought Pagan should be the odd man out in the outfield when Aoki returns I was reminded by one my blog readers that he got three hits in the first game against the A's. All I can say is that he must have read the blog and felt the pressure and knew he had to deliver. I watched the Monday game against the Brewers and he looked like the same Pagan to me going hitless then failing to get Blanco home from third with one out. He hit the ball to first and for some reason Blanco did not run emphasizing the point I made last week that he is lousy base runner.
The Giants always are listed in trade possibilities. Don't look for a big one. If they make one it is usually not a big name but just a player who delivers. Remember Cody Ross in 2010, Scurado in '12 and Peavy in '14.
Ranking prospects is so phony. Look at the Giants today with Panic, Duffy and Susac who were seldom listen in the top 100 prospects lists. When the A's say they got a top Class A prospect from a trade to me is complete B.S! They really don't know what they got.
Family
Congratulations to my granddaughter Emily whose team the Legends from southern California won the Girls U 15 Youth Soccer National Championship in Tulsa, OK last week with a
2-1 victory over a very good team from Utah. Emily had the only goal in the Legends 1-0 semi-final victory.
Water
I was shocked to visit a few friends in Alamo to see their front lawns almost destroyed because of their restrictions on watering. All I could hear when I was outside was something similar to those weird noises that are being heard around the world. It was a low humm that seem to be echoing Dam Dam Dam Dam Dams! In Irvine everything is perfectly green. No, we didn't tell Jerry Brown to shove his Water Restriction plan. Irvine has recycled water from it's beginning in the 1970s knowing draught or no, water was a precious commodity in California. Too bad our state elected leaders of that time didn't have a similar outlook. They got paid off plenty but now look who is paying! Even in rain drenched Seattle they save their water. When Safeco Field was built they put a roof on the stadium so that games could be played when it rained because fans came from Canada, Idaho, Oregon and other distant locations. They also included a storage facility for water. Rain in the winter is collected and is used to keep the field green during the summer.
Just hang in there! El Nino is coming or is it? Dallas Raines local ABC LA 7 weather man has predicted El Nino for past few years which ended up being about 4" of rain. He commented on this yesterday in his report and he is now smart enough to hedge his bet with many if's. But the Pacific waters are getting hot which is a strong indication of El Nino and in fact in some locations it has been reported that steam is coming up from the ocean. Be careful however what you wish for because this rain may be 'greater then the deluge' and could it be the year California is washed into the sea?
Word from Texas
Our blog member from Texas Russ J is still very active. From the Dallas Sunday paper: "San Francisco has, a least temporarily, replaced the Yankees as the top road draw in the majors. The Giants have had an average attendance of 34,674 per game on the road. In some spots, most notable Arizona, Colorado and San Diego, the crowd response makes it seem like a home game for the Giants." This weekend the Texas Rangers will host the San Francisco Giants during what may be the hottest week in Texas this summer. Game time temperature in the evening will be 100 degrees, or hotter if the heat index indicates it. The Sunday game will be a day game under the league rules because of the Giants and Rangers travel plans.
York and the Pope
I read while I was away that Ned York owner of the 49ers opened his mouth again comparing the 49ers choice of coaches to that of the Warriors. I am sorry to say, "but is he really that dumb?" Maiocco the 49ers Insider on CSBA spent a good portion of his television time the other day trying to explain what York really meant to say. He reminds me a lot of Vatican Insider Fr. Lombardi S.J. trying to explains what the pope really meant to say and that he really didn't change the dogma.
The Excitement is Growing
I was shocked to read that the 49ers will open camp in a few days. Wait a minute! What have they been doing all this year but practicing. Actually I am tired of them already. One of my blog participants Leo O told me that Las Vegas is quoting 6 1/2 over or under for number of wins for the local Santa Clara team. Richard W another blog regular sent me a note saying that the Niners' would be 4 -12 this year. To be fair, this was done before they acquired Reggie Bush. Perhaps he would like to rethink his prediction before he heads off to Vegas.
49ers success will depend on how Kaepernick does in the pocket. Baloney! They never should have sent him to Arizona this spring only to confuse him more. The 49er success will depend on how well nobody even the 49ers know what the most heralded Nevada Reno star will do next. If the Prune Pickers don't know then maybe the Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals won't either.
We commented months ago on the 49er alternate black jerseys which are out of style. Why they didn't they have them prune color again shows the lack of imagination in the 49er front office.
The Olympics
Boston finally wised up and dropped out of a propoosal to host the 2024 games. Now LA is thinking they are in the running. Will San Francisco join with Los Angeles and Fresno to make a combined California bid? It would help the hotels in San Francisco like the Sir Francis Drake that are currently getting $700. a night. For the Olympics would $5,000 a night be to high? It would also help the Motel Fresno who rates could rise from $65. a night to $98.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Homers
Giants
Why didn't we think of this before? Just hit home runs and it is easier to win. The Giants hit six home runs beating the Padres rather easily in two of their three game series.
Cain was real encouraging today as if he could be a reliable starter. Heston on Tuesday night put on another brilliant performance. The question is Hudson with a forty year old arm who did not look good in his loss on Monday night. Will they give him two more starts to prove his worth?
The Giants sent down the very impressive left handed reliever Osich in order to activate Affeldt who couldn't get a man out today. Aoki is now due to come off the DL. Who will be sent down? I have heard the name of infielder Adrianza because he has options left. Bochy likes Mansfield because he has homerun potential which is rarely shown. In my opinion it should be Pagan. Put him on the DL. He can't hit a ball hard. Then I hear he might hit third when Aoki leads off. If that happens I can only ask are the Giants really serious about winning.
I am amazed on how well this Giant team has performed. Since I follow the team closely I know their weaknesses not realizing sometimes that other team have even worse problems.
The game Tuesday against the Padres was played in 2 hours 50 minutes the only game on the 6 game road trip that was played in under 3 hours.
Internet
I am on yahoo who directs me to the Giants, sports and the Pope in between their comments on what woman didn't wear anything the night before to a party. They did mention many state houses were flying the American flag at half mast for those marines killed and the White House was not. Then I am in my car two hours later and I hear that the White House has ordered all government buildings to fly the flag at half mast in honor of those marines assinated. Who are they kidding? The power of the internet!
I was asked if I shared by two ounce steak with my wife. Of course I did. What's the problem? Doesn't everybody do it with the current price of meat?
I will be on the road for a few days so the next post may be later next week.
Why didn't we think of this before? Just hit home runs and it is easier to win. The Giants hit six home runs beating the Padres rather easily in two of their three game series.
Cain was real encouraging today as if he could be a reliable starter. Heston on Tuesday night put on another brilliant performance. The question is Hudson with a forty year old arm who did not look good in his loss on Monday night. Will they give him two more starts to prove his worth?
The Giants sent down the very impressive left handed reliever Osich in order to activate Affeldt who couldn't get a man out today. Aoki is now due to come off the DL. Who will be sent down? I have heard the name of infielder Adrianza because he has options left. Bochy likes Mansfield because he has homerun potential which is rarely shown. In my opinion it should be Pagan. Put him on the DL. He can't hit a ball hard. Then I hear he might hit third when Aoki leads off. If that happens I can only ask are the Giants really serious about winning.
I am amazed on how well this Giant team has performed. Since I follow the team closely I know their weaknesses not realizing sometimes that other team have even worse problems.
The game Tuesday against the Padres was played in 2 hours 50 minutes the only game on the 6 game road trip that was played in under 3 hours.
Internet
I am on yahoo who directs me to the Giants, sports and the Pope in between their comments on what woman didn't wear anything the night before to a party. They did mention many state houses were flying the American flag at half mast for those marines killed and the White House was not. Then I am in my car two hours later and I hear that the White House has ordered all government buildings to fly the flag at half mast in honor of those marines assinated. Who are they kidding? The power of the internet!
I was asked if I shared by two ounce steak with my wife. Of course I did. What's the problem? Doesn't everybody do it with the current price of meat?
I will be on the road for a few days so the next post may be later next week.
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