Ryan Ludwick --- The Pat Burrell of 2015

It was just announced by the Texas Rangers that Ryan Ludwick would not be part of the their team this year.  Can he be the Pat Burroughs of 2015?   Stay tuned!

A Rundown on the Giants with 10 days to go

The infield -
Belt at 1b is set to go
Panik play at 2b is opening up the job for Duffy
McGehee started fast and has cooled off but there is no other choice for 3b.
Crawford will be the same as he was last year.
Adrianza has flopped again
Arias will be reliable fill in.

Catcher
Hopefully Posey is saving his hits for  the season because he hasn't look good this spring
Sanchez will be the backup at the start  then Susac will be brought up

Outfield
Aoki will leadoff and play left.  He is not much better then Morse in left field
What will happen to Pagan when the shots he got wear off?
Blanco looks the same
Perez flopped again
Maxwell will make the team unless they sign Ludwick
I don't know if there is room for Ishikawa
Pence should be  playing by mid May

Starters
Bumgarner is ready 
Cain is fine except he has a sore elbow and doesn't pitch against the majors
Hudson ankle looks good now we are worried about his arm.  Does he still have it? I don't know
Peavy looks good for a couple innings. Still has time to prove himself this spring
Lincecum is so up and down he is hard to predict but so far he can handle #4 starter
Vogelsong will most likely get one or two starts in the early season then it will depend on the results.
Petit -  When everything else fails.

Relief Pitchers
Those that do not have options left will make the team but others that have pitch pretty well this spring will be brought up later when needed.

Plan -  Keep close in the race for about seven weeks then  make the necessary changes.

Hate!

Bush 2003 Trojan

Little did we realize that when Reggie Bush signed with the 49ers last week that his name would again make the news the following week.  Some 500 pages of documents and communications have been released in the case that centered around Reggie when he was at USC.  It has become very obvious that the NCAA committee hated USC and used the same type of zeal as used in 'Operation Choke Point' by the Department of Justice and FDIC to eliminate 'targeted' industries.  The NCAA withheld 200 pages of information which are yet to be released but it is known that a Superior Court Judge said they contained communications that illustrated real hate.  I give no credit to USC because they were reluctant to file suit against the NCAA even though the sanctions cost the school millions.

Fortunately there are still a few brave men in the world.  One is Todd McNair, USC assistant coach at the time whose name was pulled through the mud and his reputation and career ruined, did file suit. The NCAA committee agreed that  "We need not say why we disbelieve him (McNair), we only need to let the public, or whomever, know we disbelieve him."  It has taken years but his lawsuit  has brought all of these facts to light. 

Trojan supporters were irritated by the fact that other universities such as Penn State got their penalties either reduced or forgiven but all of USC efforts went for naught.  What happen?  Well the first thing Penn State did was hire the Athletic Director who almost put the Cal Bears out of the sports business.  She certainly wasn't hired because of her job performance at Cal but most likely because of her political affiliations, being female or whatever criteria universities use to  hire incompetence.  Then a couple months later Penn State sanctions were lifted.  Does somebody smell a rat?  No its most likely politics as usual full of  threats, slut, lies and payoffs.  As far as I know not one columnist or sports writer in the Bay Area even questioned the situation.  It was either against their political leanings or they were chicken or maybe they were too stupid to recognize a story.  Take your pick.

It's common knowledge that the NCAA days are limited since many large school want to see the association either changed dramatically or disbanded and this lawsuit when all the information is available to the public may finally be the straw that broke the camels back.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that the talk of eliminating the federal government harassment of its citizens and the IRS is only a pipe dream.  The desire to destroy citizens livelihoods and the hate for these people is just too great!  Chance are very good that by the end 2017 it won't matter anyway. 

Giants Opening Day Lineup

I know some of you have been waiting for the Giants opening day lineup and since Sabean said the Giants are not in the market for an outfielder we will go with the following:

1.  Aoki - lf
2.  Panik - 2b
3.  Posey - c
4.  Bumgarner  - p
5.  Belt - 1b
6.  McGehee - 3b
7.  Blanco - cf
8.  Maxwell - rf
9.  Crawford ss

NFL News

The NFL refused to consider my suggested rule change that I have mentioned before which would limit teams to one field goal attempt per half.

In a previous issue I wrote that the 49er games might be blacked out in the Bay Area this year, then after decades and just by chance the NFL dropped the old blackout rule saving the locals another embarrassment.

You have probably read that there is a race in the greater southern California area to build $1.5 billion football stadium to house possibly one, two or perhaps even three NFL teams. Billion dollar stadiums are now the norm in the very rich NFL.  How much will they be able to get for a seat license?

The 49er proved that a billion dollar stadium can be very mediocre.  The Prune Pickers management  announced that cool seating benches will be installed in the concourse of the east side so you can watch the game on television just like you were at home.  Misters are also being considered for the plaza area but that's before Jerry Brown reminded the 49ers that the state is in a draught and water will be restricted to toilets only.  Hey York, "how about a roof"!

Congratulations!  It is hard to believe that the 49ers were still playing at Kezar Stadium in 1976 when the GS Warriors won their last Division title.  This year's Pacific Division Champions continue to amaze me with all of their wins and I do believe they will roll through the playoffs.







 

Four More Losses

Giants:
Spring Training games don't count.  Thank goodness!  The Giants looked so bad losing four more over the weekend (I saw three of them on television) that I am not even going to comment.  Perez really turned me off when he bunted in the ninth inning Sunday with the tying run on 2nd and none out with a minor league player coming up next.  It was his job to get an rbi hit.  Don 't they teach these guys about the game when they are in the minors.

Bracket Update:
After the second round of 32 games I had 28 wins.  I picked 8 teams that will be in the mediocre 16.  All of my final four predictions are still alive --- Kentucky, Michigan State, Duke and Wisconsin.

A Busy Leprechaun

The first day of March Madness lived up to all of its billing with one point games, overtimes, a questionable call that produced upsets and many exciting contests when I finally caught the Cincinnati - Purdue overtime period on television.  Although they did not look like leprechauns they played like them with both teams running up and down the court missing three point shots, jump shots and dunks  that kept the game very close.  Finally Cincinnati made a lay in with about 40 seconds to go to take a 3 point lead.  The Purdue coach calls time out to set up three point shots to try and tie the game.  They miss a couple of shots then finally settle for 2 points with 6 seconds remaining. Purdue then fouls Cincinnati that penalizes not Purdue but the Bearcats because it stops the clock and limits them to making only two points while then giving the ball back to Purdue with an opportunity to tie the game. Following the script of the overtime, Cincinnati missed the first free throw and Purdue comes down court and misses a 3 pointer to end the game.  I know the 2 for 3 rule makes the game exciting at the end but it isn't 'my cup of  tea' or should I say 'my Irish coffee'.

OC Register 3/20/15

More Headlines for the 49ers - Chris Borland a very promising rookie linebacker for the 49ers announced his retirement after only one year in the NFL because of concussion concerns.   The announcement  has made national headlines and all the sports talk shows.  He has had only two concussion one in the 8th grade and the other in high school and did not have any with the 49ers last year. It is reported that he read and studied about effects concussions can have on a persons life and decided to retire. This being the week of St. Patrick's Day, I was informed by a little leprechaun that he was really on the fence about retiring until he received a copy of his completed tax returns for 2014 and couldn't believe the taxes he had to pay.  Is that when he said, 'It ain't worth it"?



Newest Giant?

This story however is really just developing.  It is reported that Chris' father said that he only really plan to play for one year.  If that is true then does he owe the 49ers money since I believe he received a bonus for four years?  Can the 49er sue him? Sure they can but with all the negative press this year do they dare risk doing it?

Giants Notes  -  The Giants broke their slump Thursday by beating the Brewers 3 -2 before another Arizona packed house. Panik hit a home run giving him more home runs then singles for the spring.  Belt also delivered a homer which turn out to be the winning run.  Vogelsong pitched very well today and Bochy almost had another heart problem when that busy little leprechaun told him that Vogelsong looks like your #2 starter.  Cain pitched at the minor league camp because I assume that the Giants aren't sure that he is ready to pitch against major league hitters.  Romo looked good getting out of a ninth inning jam.  Aoki continues his horrible spring at the plate by hitting into a double play with the bases loaded when the Giants had an early opportunity to put the game away.

Everybody Gets A Ribbon

As I mentioned before I have not seen a college basketball game this year either in person or on television.  I have received an enormous amount of pressure from my neighbor to join in with the fun.  So here is what I selected in a tournament that rewards mediocrity but makes a hell of a lot of money.      

I concluded that Kentucky would beat Michigan State in the finals after MSU beat Duke and Wisconsin loses to Kentucky in the semi finals. 

The Bath Water Is Running

The Giants announced the other day that all season tickets for 2015 have been sold.  Translated this means that Stub Hub will be very busy again this year.  Two years ago I bought game tickets through Stub Hub only to discover a ticket agency in Boulder, CO handled my purchase.  Hundreds of agencies and individuals buy tickets in advance to sell through Stub Hub which has been very profitable.  Many wonder how the Giants can continually announce consecutive  sell outs when there have been occasional games that there are sections of empty seats.    The Giants sold the tickets for those games but it was the secondary market that failed.

What will happen in 2015?  The Giants spring training has been a disaster so far this year but there is still a few weeks to get things turned around.  It is not the same as getting off to a slow start since  this is the type of team some had predicted for 2015.  Will those holding tickets to sell through Stub Hub take a bath this year?

St Patrick's Day News - Arizona 10 Giants 0.  Somebody forgot to turn off the water. Giants record for the spring is now 4-12-1. One reason is the top three in the batting order - Aoki .148 - Panik .103 - Posey .176.  Day off tomorrow.

Remembering Wrigley

Chicago Cub fans have flocked to spring training in Arizona for decades.  Last year to handle the growing demand the Cubs opened a new stadium in Mesa called Sloan Park with an average attendance of 14,200 in a stadium with a capacity of 15,000 which includes three different party areas ---  my type of ball park.  If I ever have the chance to return to spring training I would want to put Sloan Park on my list.



1954 - Wrigley Field

The Cubs are also making news on the stadium front in Chicago.  Over the next four fall and winter years they will be rebuilding Wrigley Field.  Wrigley Field was the first major league baseball park that I got to see a game and years later was the site of one of the most exciting baseball games I ever witnessed.

In 1954 I was on a troop train from Fort Bliss, TX to Camp Kilmer, NJ on my way to Europe to do my part to prevent the Communists from taking over Western Europe.  It was the last Sunday of spring training and the Cubs always played the White Sox on that day so I had a wonderful opportunity to see my first major league park when we had a six hour lay over in Chicago which allowed me time to catch an 'El' to Wrigley.



The above 1954 picture shows Wrigley field looking from left field to  center field.  Since there were only 16 major league teams at that time the scored board is much smaller.  Notice that the buildings across from the park do not have stands on top of the roofs which didn't become popular until the 1980s.  This picture was taken in April and the football field home of the Chicago Bears is still very visible which is not like  today when new turf is added when they spot a weed.

At the right is a brief part of an article about the 1952 game one of a number of great battles the 49ers and Bears played during that decade at Wrigley.

It was 1978 and the Giants and Cubs played the most exciting baseball game I can remember because we  never knew when the game would end.  It started very sunny but then dark black clouds came right over home plate headed to center field and it poured.  I thought at the time there was no way they would continue this game.  We waited under the grandstand and the Giant players were on a walk way over looking the crowd and Vida Blue spotted my daughter Jane's Giants hat and tossed her a baseball.  Thank you, Vida!

Wrigley Field 1978 rain

The game eventually continued and the Cubs had the lead and then those same black clouds as if saying 'you didn't get enough take this' came back over center field towards home plate and dumped another ton of rain on us  .  The game was again delayed and I thought the Cubs had won and then to my complete surprise it continued.  In the top of the 8th inning Jack Clark of the Giants got a single off  Hall of Fame pitcher Bruce Sutter to tie the game at 7. Then in the bottom of the eighth it started to rain again and the umpires said, "that's enough". If that's the case then the top of the 8th inning would not count and Clark's tying hit would go for nothing.  Then came the big surprise.  They called the game because of darkness not rain.  In those days Wrigley did not have lights.  Under rules for darkness the game is finished the next time the teams meet.  Since this was the last day for the Giants in Wrigley for the year the game was completed with the Giants winning ten days later at Candlestick.

Wrigley Field 2015

After the game we drove back to Grand Rapids where we were visiting my wife's family.  The drive usually takes under 3 hours but all we did was follow trucks in pouring rain and lightening bolts the entire way.  There was not one motel room available.  We finally arrived back at 1:30 am. What a great day!

The first phase of the destruction of Wrigley is behind schedule because it snowed in Chicago this past winter.  That surprised everyone.  You can see in the picture at the right the bleachers in right and left field  have been demolished. 

I have read that it is very doubtful that the Cubs can open the season at Wrigley. There has been discussions that the Cubs opening the season at Miller Park in Milwaukee.  I would suggest they open at Sloan Field in Mesa.  Why not?  They would have a sell out!

Mid Term Exam

The Giants - Fortunately the final exam counts 90% because up to the mid term exams very few Giants have played well enough to make the team.

Last Sunday the DBacks and the Giants played two games against each other one at each team's park and drew over 25,000 fans.  High ticket prices are not keeping the fans away.

Questions I Have Been Asked

Since you live in Irvine the current American flag flap at UCI has gained national exposure.  Have you changed your opinion about the school?  No.  Do you think it will hurt their baseball recruiting?  No.  I think in fact that it will help if they follow my idea to move the entire university to Juarez which would open up all kinds of recruiting possibilities.  UCJ doesn't sound bad and it would solve the American flag issue.

Basketball Bracket.  I am not the person to ask about the brackets.  I did not see one college basketball game on tv or in person this year.  I have seen about 10,000 games in my life and I finally felt that I have had enough. I thought USC who won three conference games would roll through the Pac 12 tourney but I didn't think they would get to the sweet 16. I was wrong as they were eliminated from the Pac 12 tourney Thursday.  On Sunday night I will listen to the experts to get tips on how to complete my bracket like I have before and then after a few days I will discover that they know less then I do.

2012 - granddaughter Emi with Barkley

Will the USC football team end up in the top four?  No.  Three outstanding players left after their junior year to enter the NFL draft. If  these players had returned then I would have said USC had a very good chance of making the final four.  Cody Kessler their very good qb who most likely would have been drafted by the fourth round is coming back as a fifth year senior.  The Trojan family is hoping that it will not be a repeat of  Matt Barkley who came back for his senior year even though he was expected to be #1 player in the NFL draft.  The extra year was a disaster for the Trojans and Barkley who lost millions of dollars.  He normally has been the qb not activated by the Eagles each Sunday.        

Report from Texas 

No!  I heard the same rumor.  Will Ferrell will not sign with the Giants.  Looks more like the Rangers.  Actor Will Ferrell played for 10 teams in a whirlwind tour of the Cactus League on Thursday as part of an HBO event benefiting cancer charities.

Report from our Texas correspondent Russ J -  OK. That's a corny way of starting this discourse on the fate and fortune of this year's Texas Rangers.  Had I written last Wednesday (as I almost did) all of you would have seen was a worry about Yu's arm soreness but there was a good possibility of decent season.  Now the whole sports world knows that the Rangers pitching staff is in the same condition the Giants outfield is without Pence.

The Rangers starting pitches were set in concrete back then (last week before the games started), with Darvish, Holland, Gallardo, Lewis and Detwiler.  The bullpen was not totally set but the 7th, 8th and closer slots were.  Now they no longer have the "ace," and Holland is hurting.  The Dallas paper today is clamoring for the Ranges to get Cliff Lee or Hamels from Philadelphia.  I say Hamels yes (he could be here 4 years) but not Lee (one year only and his wife hated it here).  However from experience I say neither will throw a pitch in hotter then he-- Rangers ballpark this summer except for the opposition team.

I Thought It Was Spring Training!

The San Francisco 49ers continue to make news even with the Warriors great run in the NBA and the Giants in the heart of spring training.  Here is my take on the 49ers.

I have repeatedly said for years,  "Do not  lose the Super Bowl game." The  49ers lost Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on February 3, 2013 and my worst fears have come true.  They couldn't get back for another crack at the title and now the window of opportunity for those players has closed.  There are new coaches, new players on offense and defense that have little resemblance to the team that lost to Baltimore.

This is not unique because it happens in all sports.  The withdrawal is tough on everyone management, coaches, players and fans.  It's now time to open a new window and get some fresh air and start building for another run to the Super Bowl.  Jed York, who has made many stupid statements, says the Super Bowl is the team's objective every year.  That's nice words but in the cap world of the NFL it is unrealistic.  I hope fans do not expect instant miracles this year and give the new coaches already heavily criticized an opportunity to be successful and develop a solid contender.

I have been a Forty Niner fan since there first season of 1946 and being at Kezar to see their first exhibition game at home against Crazy Legs Hirsch and the Chicago Rockets.  They along with the Cleveland Browns played good exciting football with crowds starting at 30,000 that grew over a few short years to 60,000 at Kezar.  When the three teams from the All America Football League which also included the Baltimore Colts joined the NFL the Cleveland Browns won the NFL title their first year. Like many normal Forty Niner fans I have gotten upset at decisions that have been made in the past.  Last year, however was hard to stomach. The stories, rumors and gossip about the team and their coach  were planted with over zealous media representatives  like Deion Sanders who could hardly wait to get it on NFL TV.   The actions were childish, immature and destructive that ruined any chance the Forty Niners had to get to Glendale, Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX.  The fans, supporters and especially the season ticket holders deserve more then an apology from the Notre Dame grad who is the man in charge but a 20% credit towards the price of tickets for this coming year.   Now that would be a class act.      I will remain a 49er fan for life. Who could change after 69 years!

Jed York mentioned that the 49ers are a class organization.  I am sorry to say nothing could be further from the truth.  I am not talking about the fact they had to bail out players on Saturday night so they could play on Sunday.  A friend of mine Irwin H who I believe from about 1951 has seen close to 700 straight home games and had purchased a couple of  those expensive seat licenses for the new stadium.  He has been  written up and interviewed on local TV.  When the 49ers got into the Super Bowl he wasn't even offered a chance to buy tickets for the game.  That was unbelievable.  He did get to the game by telling the organizer of the new museum that if he didn't get tickets he wasn't going to donate  hundreds of his game programs.  If I was the owner of the 49ers I would have invited the top 100 or so long time season ticket holders to a lavish 49er party in New Orleans.  Now that would be a class act.  Unfortunately the 49ers think corporations and their big bucks and the hell with the individual season ticket holders who have supported them for years. The team has lost many of their faithful supporters some of whom read this blog with their move to the prune orchards  A large new group of season ticket holders took over last year.  Will they be back this year  to sit in the sweltering sun of those early fall games, with the Forty Niners not being promoted as Super Bowl contenders and with the newness of the stadium having worn off?  I don't know.  But it is hard to imagine 49er home games being blacked out on television. If they are you're always invited to Irvine to view the game.

Will the same thing happen to the Warriors and their move to San Francisco leaving fans that have supported the team through thick and thin for decades?  Lets face it it's all about corporate money. Remember San Francisco could not support the NBA in the past and that is the reason they migrated to the East Bay.

  

Breaking News

There is no other way to say it.    It was a bad break not only for Pence but the Giants and their chances to get off to a quick start like they did last year which led them to the National League playoffs. It has been reported that Pence will be out only 4 -6 weeks.  That estimate is to make everyone "feel good".  If the Giants are realistic they should plan on the star outfielder being out until at least the middle of May.   In 2013 Vida Blue remarked during a pre game show that the Giants lineup did not scare him and I am sure he will have similar remarks this year about the outfield of  Aoki, Pagan and Blanco.  Neither does this trio scare other pitchers and that means both Belt and Posey will see fewer good pitches to hit. 

Bruce Bochy who understands the situation is desperate and for that reason the right field job is open to anyone who can claim it this spring.

The loss of Pence could save Travis Ishikawa a roster spot on the team.  Travis a first baseman by trade but last year during the post season playoffs did more then an adequate job playing left field.  But the hero of the National League Championship game can not play right field at AT&T.  If his hitting this spring earns him a starting job it would have to be in left field meaning that Aoki would move to center field and Pagan if he is healthy or Blanco will play right.  Aoki proved last year in the World Series that he has great difficulty playing right field at AT&T.

If Perez finally fulfills his potential and hits this spring he may win the job because we know he can run, field and throw with the best.  Bochy has always platooned Juan but he proved in the post season that he can also hit right handers.

We know from past years that Bochy loves to have a power hitting left fielder.  This year Justin Maxwell is a major league veteran with 34 home runs and a career batting average of less then .250.  His past record was good enough for Bochy to practically tell him that the fifth outfield spot was his to lose.  In other words just show me something this spring and the job is yours. He played Thursday in right field and made a diving catch but the boss is still waiting to see him hit. If he does, the right field job could be his for about six weeks.

Jarrett Parker has hit the ball on the nose in the first few cactus league games and proved to Kuiper that he could also run.  Normally a strong showing this spring could possibly get Jarrett a call up during the season. But the door is now open and he has a great opportunity to make a real statement and be the starting right fielder on opening day.  Parker's real test will come later in the spring when the pitchers have better command.  After seeing Parker hitting the ball this spring the beat writers for the Giants are starting to consider him as a possibility.  Remember he was mentioned on this blog weeks ago.

Another long shot is Cuban rookie wearing #84 Daniel Carbonell.  He has only played 31 games in the minors but is already on the 40 man roster.  The only question is when will he be ready.  I don't think the Giants were thinking this year but he did hit a home run Thursday that will probably give him a few more bats this spring to prove his worth.

Some Thoughts -

Happen to catch a few minutes of a Red Sox game on MLB and observed that Pablo looks trim and is certainly closer to 240 then 260.

There is already a disagreement about the home run hitting contest to be held at the All Star game this July.  Seems that the potential American League hitters feel it is unfair that Hunter Strickland get to pitch only to National League hitters.

I just don't understand why teams like the Angels and the Oakland Athletes do not put names on the back of their spring uniforms.  It would help fans, writers and broadcasters. Thank you Giants for having outstanding spring jerseys.

I just read that Bruce Bochy has settled on Aoki to play right field  He played right for the Royals all last year.  It's AT&T Park where he has big problems in right field.  Age catching up to your memory, Bruce?

I know that many of you are not NBA fans but the Warriors as part of the Chinese New Years celebration have been wearing uniforms with Chinese characters on the jersey I am told says Warriors.  Great idea but having the game programs printed in Chinese is a little too much.

Just read were Pagan will bat 3rd Saturday in order to stretch the line up. My opinion it is stupid because it will increase the chances of having one of your best hitters Belt bat fifth and lose the protection of Posey in addition to possibly losing one turn at bat.

Granddaughter Emily Knous

In Case You Missed It  ---  In the Girls born in '99 soccer the team from southern California defeated all star teams from Florida and Illinois last weekend in Phoenix to win the Olympic Development National title.  Congratulations to my granddaughter Emily.

 The big news out of Santa Clara was the fact that the 49ers wanted to sign an All Pro lineman. They succeeded when they signed Darnell Dockett  a 34 year defensive lineman who hasn't played for a year or two.  I am not a fan of signing older injured players who are long past their prime.  I would expect he will last about six games before getting injured. I am sure if they really wanted an All Pro Leo Nominelli if he was still alive, would have gladly come out of retirement to help his old team when they are in need.   He was the first 49er player drafted when they joined the NFL in 1950 played fourteen years for the team was all pro tackle both on offense and defense and is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was chosen All Time team NFL defensive tackle. In those days players had to work in the off season to make ends meet and Nominelli was also a pro wrestler that went by the name 'Leo The Lion.'

The Warriors are celebrating the year of the Goat 4715 while the Giants embrace 1789.