This past week proved to be a week of surprises from the Giants, Warriors, 49ers and the CA Income Tax
First the 49ers - The NFL Schedule was announced and to the surprise of many the 49ers are playing their first Monday Night game at Levi Stadium. It was reported last year that because of traffic problems the 49er would not play a Monday Night game at home. The kickoff time for the September 14 opening game against the Vikings will be at 7:20 pm or 9:20 (Central) that I am sure thrill the fans in Minnesota. The kickoff is later because it is the second game of a double header on ESPN. A check of the 49er schedule and to the surprise of no one there are tickets available. This Monday Night game is history making and you can still be apart of it. Tickets for example are available in the lower end zone close to the field starting at $500.+ Hurry, they won't last long!
I remember seeing the first Monday Night football game at Candlestick on a cold December 1st in the early 1970s. The 49ers were playing the Kansas City Chiefs and the place was electric and you could see the booth with Howard, Dandy Don and Frank Gifford shinning brightly.
The game between the 49ers and the Vikings has lost some of its luster from the past since they use to play each other every year. We always remember the late Lon Simmons call of Marshall when he picked up a fumble for the Vikings and Lon screamed "he's running the wrong way, he's running the wrong way!"
The 49ers don't play their first home afternoon game until October 4 against the Packers. The afternoon sun at Levi Stadium is a real problem. I guess the NFL didn't get the message that October can even be hotter then September in the prune valley area.
A word of caution. If you're planning to attend the upcoming 49er Draft Party remember that everyone including the team leadership got diarrhea following the 2012 draft that is still lingering.
Warriors - The big surprise came in game 3 of their 1st round playoff with the Pelicans. Trailing by 17 points with a little over 6 minutes to go the Oakland based team rallied and forced the game into overtime thanks to the great 3 point shot by Curry. Even a bigger surprise is the fact that the Pelicans did not foul Curry before he could shoot so he could have only scored 2 points. We were not surprised that the Warriors swept New Orleans as predicted a couple of weeks ago on this blog.
Giants - The Giants sweeping the Dodgers early in the week surprised both Giants and Dodgers fans. Many were shocked because the Dodgers had a seven game winning streak while the Giants had lost 9 out of 10 going into the series. The games were blacked out in the greater southern California area.
Maxwell has been the big surprise for Giants fans. His performance at the bat makes it a complete new lineup. He hits with authority and has power and can play the field. We mentioned in a very early blog in spring training that the fifth outfield spot was his to lose because Bochy loves to have a power hitting outfielder like Burrell in 2010 and Morse last year. Maxwell had just an average spring and one has to wonder if he would have made the team if Pence had not gotten hurt. As Shawn Estes mentioned on the post game show there might have been a silver lining in Pence's injury.
Pagan raised his average to .355 that even surprised himself with 4 hits Saturday night including one key hit in the 11th inning to set up the winning run. However early in the game he was up with two on and two outs and failed to produce. This has been a big problem for many of the Giants.
I was surprised to see McGehee get two hits to bring his average to .188. However late in the game I wasn't surprised when he was up with none out and two on and swung at the first pitch hitting into a double play killing the rally. The Giants then took him out in a double switch to start in the 10th inning which allowed Panik to bat in the 11th inning and bunt in the winning run. Great planning by Bochy and his staff.
Third base still is a problem for the Giants. We have not been impressed with McGehee from the beginning but maybe he is playing hurt and in a slump. I believe playing for the World Champions has over whelmed him. Its a lot easier to play for the Marlins who expect to lose over 80 games. Every time a ball is hit to third I hold my breathe because he has botched so many plays this year. Almost reminds me of Orlando Cepeda who I saw play third base when the Giants of the late1950s tried to get the Baby Bull and McCovey in the lineup at the same time.
The Sunday game against the Rockies was rained out so Lincecum will start against the Dodgers Monday night moving Bumgarner back to Tuesday to face Kershaw. One of our loyal blog readers George L will be at that game.
It was sure a big surprise when we learned that the California Income Tax law allowed Hamilton to be sent to Texas from the Angels. It seems that Hamilton gave up $6 million to allow the deal to go through. It was the $6 million he would have paid in CA Income tax that he doesn't have to pay in Texas because they have no state income tax. Our Texas blog provider Russ J is filling me in with this information. He wonders if the Texas fans will boo or cheer the return of their former hero. My reply is if he hits they will cheer if he strikes out they will boo!
It wasn't surprising to hear that Barry Bonds obstruction of justice conviction was over turned. Listening to many attorneys who said that rambling and not giving the answer the prosecution wants is not lying.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Saturday, April 18, 2015
No Wins No Trophy No Award and No Money
Warriors
I read where Coach Kerr of the Warriors was quoted as saying there is no trophy for the regular season. Of course not the Giants never got a trophy for winning the Cactus League season. Granted the NBA pre season is longer but it is still just preparation for 'the season'.
Question from a blog member Dr. John W
With many universities making tons of million on football and their coaches only making millions should college athletes be paid?
This is school.
To answer this question we are dividing students into three classifications:
1) Those who may or may not attend football games while at the school
2) Those who minor in football and
3) Those who major in football
1) Students and their families pay millions into the higher education system in order that they may develop their aptitudes and end up with a career opportunity that pays more then if they didn't go to college. Granted their professors make much less then the football coach but many only work a few hours a week and may actually make more money per hour then the coach. Their salaries are paid by students and success is hard to measure. Students drop out without getting a degree might be consider a failure and the family has wasted their money. This is true for many but perhaps some drop out because they got a job and an opportunity they enjoy and can lead to a productive career without obtaining a degree.
There is the classic example of students obtaining a degree in reasonable time and getting a job and opportunity in their field of interest and aptitude.
Many career opportunities required additional degrees so students need further schooling. Others discover their degree did not lead to job and continue their education by attending a Community College in order to obtain a saleable skill.
2) The second group of students most likely played high school football successfully but know that they do not have the size, speed or ability to be a professional football player. However they love the prestige of being on the college football team. They do not actually minor in football but they will more then likely spend more time with their football assignments then in their major field of study. Many made the decision to play college football hoping to earn a scholarship but not expecting any money to play. Their success is measured on career opportunities presented them like the first group.
3) The final group of students major is football although their university record might say something like Women Studies. They have one goal in mind which is to play professional football hopefully in the NFL. These are highly recruited high school football players which enable universities to have winning football teams that draw capacity crowds at ridiculous high prices and high TV ratings in order to pay for other school sports and coaches salaries. Students get graded for their work in the classroom while these football players get graded twelve times a year by their potential future employer when they step on the football field. Should they be paid for their on the job training while students in the classroom do not get paid for their training? No. But should they get paid because they help bring the university large sums of money. That's really the question. If all of these players were successful in the NFL then it could be said that they got their reward. Unfortunately there are successes but also failures just like there are successes and failures in the academics.
This topic has already begun to bring changes. For example USC and I think a number of other schools now guarantee four years of colleges for their athletes. Sometimes a player will get injured in the freshman year and lose his scholarship. Now the movement is pay for the students academic career as long as he keeps up his grades and does not get into trouble. The NCAA has a long lists of rules that are really outdated and should be revised like allowing the student athlete to earn money in summer or at a part time job.
Best Baseball Stadiums
Giants fans are already in shock this year with the performance of their favorites on the field but also from the current edition of Better Homes and Garden. AT&T Park is not even listed in an article "The 10 Best Ballparks" which lists Riverwalk Stadium Montgomery, Miller Park Milwaukee and Smith's Ballpark Salt Lake City among others. Wrigley Field Chicago is listed as number one. The question can be asked if Wrigley is number one why are they tearing the old park apart to make it modern?
Giants Lose Again
Friday's 9-0 loss to Arizona is not even worth a comment. We wrote earlier about our concerns for the Giants this year and it looks as if are fears are coming true. This is more then a slump and as Bill Laskey said after the game unless there is a sudden dramatic turnaround, changes will be coming.
I read where Coach Kerr of the Warriors was quoted as saying there is no trophy for the regular season. Of course not the Giants never got a trophy for winning the Cactus League season. Granted the NBA pre season is longer but it is still just preparation for 'the season'.
Question from a blog member Dr. John W
With many universities making tons of million on football and their coaches only making millions should college athletes be paid?
This is school.
To answer this question we are dividing students into three classifications:
1) Those who may or may not attend football games while at the school
2) Those who minor in football and
3) Those who major in football
1) Students and their families pay millions into the higher education system in order that they may develop their aptitudes and end up with a career opportunity that pays more then if they didn't go to college. Granted their professors make much less then the football coach but many only work a few hours a week and may actually make more money per hour then the coach. Their salaries are paid by students and success is hard to measure. Students drop out without getting a degree might be consider a failure and the family has wasted their money. This is true for many but perhaps some drop out because they got a job and an opportunity they enjoy and can lead to a productive career without obtaining a degree.
There is the classic example of students obtaining a degree in reasonable time and getting a job and opportunity in their field of interest and aptitude.
Many career opportunities required additional degrees so students need further schooling. Others discover their degree did not lead to job and continue their education by attending a Community College in order to obtain a saleable skill.
2) The second group of students most likely played high school football successfully but know that they do not have the size, speed or ability to be a professional football player. However they love the prestige of being on the college football team. They do not actually minor in football but they will more then likely spend more time with their football assignments then in their major field of study. Many made the decision to play college football hoping to earn a scholarship but not expecting any money to play. Their success is measured on career opportunities presented them like the first group.
3) The final group of students major is football although their university record might say something like Women Studies. They have one goal in mind which is to play professional football hopefully in the NFL. These are highly recruited high school football players which enable universities to have winning football teams that draw capacity crowds at ridiculous high prices and high TV ratings in order to pay for other school sports and coaches salaries. Students get graded for their work in the classroom while these football players get graded twelve times a year by their potential future employer when they step on the football field. Should they be paid for their on the job training while students in the classroom do not get paid for their training? No. But should they get paid because they help bring the university large sums of money. That's really the question. If all of these players were successful in the NFL then it could be said that they got their reward. Unfortunately there are successes but also failures just like there are successes and failures in the academics.
This topic has already begun to bring changes. For example USC and I think a number of other schools now guarantee four years of colleges for their athletes. Sometimes a player will get injured in the freshman year and lose his scholarship. Now the movement is pay for the students academic career as long as he keeps up his grades and does not get into trouble. The NCAA has a long lists of rules that are really outdated and should be revised like allowing the student athlete to earn money in summer or at a part time job.
Best Baseball Stadiums
Giants fans are already in shock this year with the performance of their favorites on the field but also from the current edition of Better Homes and Garden. AT&T Park is not even listed in an article "The 10 Best Ballparks" which lists Riverwalk Stadium Montgomery, Miller Park Milwaukee and Smith's Ballpark Salt Lake City among others. Wrigley Field Chicago is listed as number one. The question can be asked if Wrigley is number one why are they tearing the old park apart to make it modern?
Giants Lose Again
Friday's 9-0 loss to Arizona is not even worth a comment. We wrote earlier about our concerns for the Giants this year and it looks as if are fears are coming true. This is more then a slump and as Bill Laskey said after the game unless there is a sudden dramatic turnaround, changes will be coming.
Friday, April 17, 2015
More B.S.
I was born ahead of my time and took Calculus as a third grader like the kids do today that made me really stand out. The problem is I never learned to count so I have no idea how many games the Giants have lost in a row.
I can't believe people were encouraged by the Giants loss Thursday night against Colorado. That's a lot more B.S.! They were worse then ever. How about Bumgarner being macho and challenging Goldschmidt who hits a three run homer. In the 9th inning with the game tied two outs and the bases loaded Aoki at the plate. The Rockies left hander had no idea where the strike zone was and Aoki gets the same pitch low and way outside five times and swing and misses three times to strike out. Then in the 10th inning if Crawford kept the bat on his shoulder he would have walked on a 3-2 pitch and the winning run would have scored. Instead he swung at a pitch low and outside to strike out!
Russ J my main Texas contact reminded me of a story about Ray Kroc. After the first game as owner of the San Diego Padres he got on the PA and announced that "he had never seen such stupid ball playing." Can't do that in SF because you might hurt their feelings. One might say Kroc didn't take any B.S.
I can't believe people were encouraged by the Giants loss Thursday night against Colorado. That's a lot more B.S.! They were worse then ever. How about Bumgarner being macho and challenging Goldschmidt who hits a three run homer. In the 9th inning with the game tied two outs and the bases loaded Aoki at the plate. The Rockies left hander had no idea where the strike zone was and Aoki gets the same pitch low and way outside five times and swing and misses three times to strike out. Then in the 10th inning if Crawford kept the bat on his shoulder he would have walked on a 3-2 pitch and the winning run would have scored. Instead he swung at a pitch low and outside to strike out!
Russ J my main Texas contact reminded me of a story about Ray Kroc. After the first game as owner of the San Diego Padres he got on the PA and announced that "he had never seen such stupid ball playing." Can't do that in SF because you might hurt their feelings. One might say Kroc didn't take any B.S.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
What B.S!
Comments on opening day at AT&T
Bumgarner couldn't ride the horse in the parade last year but leave it to the marketing department to get him on a horse for the World Series flag raising. A flag was also raised in Irvine.
The Giants introduced just about everybody before the game except the two hair stylists who will traveling with the team this year. No barbers will be needed.
B.S.1 - Don't worry the Giants have been off to slow starts before. Yea don't worry! Don't forget the only reason they got into the playoffs last year was their great start of winning 42 of their first 63 games.
B.S. 2- $100. for parking near AT&T Park. That's worst then parking at AT&T Stadium in Arlington which use to only be $70 for the Cowboy games. Well it was opening day was the excuse given for the high price. Excuse me the Giants sellout every game so the demand should be same for parking every game.
More B.S. - The Giants with their secondary ticket marketing are beginning to price some people out of coming to the games. You know when welfare recipients complain there is a problem. It was only a few years ago that the Phillies sold out every game for years now they can't give their tickets away for $8.50. There is a difference. Philly fans come to boo. Giants fans seem to have a good time win or lose.
B.S 3 - 'Well of course we're missing McGehee.' McGehee is part of the problem not the solution.
B.S. 4 - What are they going to do with Heston when Cain returns? I can't believe that question was even asked. Somebody is dreaming thinking Cain is coming back. Bochy won't even allow him to pick up a ball. Even if Cain does make it back the there will plenty of room for Heston in the starting rotation.
B.S. 5 - When Pence comes back will they still bat Pagan third? Yes because he is a good hitter. If that is true then Belt will be batting 6th in a lineup that can't score any runs.
Will Duffy take over at 2nd base when McGehee returns? Panik has about two days to snap out of his slump. Duffy's home run Wednesday helped his cause.
The Giants must overrate their players since Advianza was a cinch to be picked up by another major league team but instead cleared waivers. He still could be a Giant of the future and will be the shortstop for Sacramento.
B.S. 6 - Remember during the season last year Sandoval only hit 16 homeruns and batted around .270 so he won't be missed that much. The fact is opposing pitchers looked at Sandoval as a 30 home run .300 average guy they didn't want to pitch to with men on base so other hitters instead of being walked got better pitches to hit.
Tuesday evening Colorado celebrated their second victory in a row over the Giants that included a sensational catch by their third baseman Arenado. His hustle and determination illustrates why he will most likely be on the DL again this year. The Giants big play was the Ball Dude in right field making an impressive catch. Pagan got three hits Tuesday night to raise his batting average to .333 but he failed to produce with a runner in scoring position. Wednesday he got an rbi and raised his average to .378. Problem with Pagan hitting #3 is that he doesn't scare pitchers.
April 15, 2015.
I was reminded that 57 years ago I attended the first major league game played in San Francisco at Seals Stadium on April 15, 1958. A very good friend Gerry DeRyan an SH grad waited in line and got $.90 tickets for us in the right field bleachers.
April 15th is also Jackie Robinson Day. All the players wear #42 on their jerseys and I thought the number was banned from baseball. Baseball certainly goes all out to remember the occasion of the first black player playing in the majors like segregation in this country was all baseball's fault. Prince Fielder of the Rangers is pictured at the right.
April 15 was also $1.00 hot dog day at Arlington, TX. As our blog contributor Russ J remarks they aren't the same anymore since Nolan Ryan's Beef company use to supply the dogs. Nolan is missed by Ranger fans in many ways. Under his leadership the Rangers missed the World Series title in 2011 by one strike twice
More B.S. - April 15 is also Income Tax Day. We can't let the day pass without remembering Woodrow Wilson ranked by some history books as the 10th best President in our history. He gave us the Income Tax, the Federal Reserve, segregated government offices and signed a law making inter-racial marriage a felony. He also received the Nobel Prize for Peace I assume for lying to the American people in order to get re-elected in 1916 so the U.S. could enter World War I and his plan for world peace help lay the foundation for World War II.
The Rockies swept the Giants and if this keeps up its going to be harder and harder to write this blog.
Like most 81 year olds I am having trouble trying to find time to write my book.
Can you believe it. After only six months or so the NBA pre season is over. Now according the 'experts' the season begins with the playoffs. I think they are saying that fans that paid close to a $100. for tickets during the pre season were taken for a ride. As I mentioned before I believe the Warriors will roll through the playoffs. I don't write much on the Warriors because I know many of you can't stand the NBA.
SI Alumni - Giants Dodgers game. If you receive this blog you are either a SI alumnus or Friend of SI so you are eligible to join us for the Dodgers Giants game on Friday June 19, 2015 at Dodger Stadium. Tickets will be available on the SI Alumni website starting April 24th with a deadline of May 25th. For additional information you can email Tony Totah SI '83 at astotah@hotmail.com Fans from Northern California are most welcome to join us.
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| Giants flag flies in Irvine |
The Giants introduced just about everybody before the game except the two hair stylists who will traveling with the team this year. No barbers will be needed.
B.S.1 - Don't worry the Giants have been off to slow starts before. Yea don't worry! Don't forget the only reason they got into the playoffs last year was their great start of winning 42 of their first 63 games.
B.S. 2- $100. for parking near AT&T Park. That's worst then parking at AT&T Stadium in Arlington which use to only be $70 for the Cowboy games. Well it was opening day was the excuse given for the high price. Excuse me the Giants sellout every game so the demand should be same for parking every game.
More B.S. - The Giants with their secondary ticket marketing are beginning to price some people out of coming to the games. You know when welfare recipients complain there is a problem. It was only a few years ago that the Phillies sold out every game for years now they can't give their tickets away for $8.50. There is a difference. Philly fans come to boo. Giants fans seem to have a good time win or lose.
B.S 3 - 'Well of course we're missing McGehee.' McGehee is part of the problem not the solution.
B.S. 4 - What are they going to do with Heston when Cain returns? I can't believe that question was even asked. Somebody is dreaming thinking Cain is coming back. Bochy won't even allow him to pick up a ball. Even if Cain does make it back the there will plenty of room for Heston in the starting rotation.
B.S. 5 - When Pence comes back will they still bat Pagan third? Yes because he is a good hitter. If that is true then Belt will be batting 6th in a lineup that can't score any runs.
Will Duffy take over at 2nd base when McGehee returns? Panik has about two days to snap out of his slump. Duffy's home run Wednesday helped his cause.
The Giants must overrate their players since Advianza was a cinch to be picked up by another major league team but instead cleared waivers. He still could be a Giant of the future and will be the shortstop for Sacramento.
B.S. 6 - Remember during the season last year Sandoval only hit 16 homeruns and batted around .270 so he won't be missed that much. The fact is opposing pitchers looked at Sandoval as a 30 home run .300 average guy they didn't want to pitch to with men on base so other hitters instead of being walked got better pitches to hit.
Tuesday evening Colorado celebrated their second victory in a row over the Giants that included a sensational catch by their third baseman Arenado. His hustle and determination illustrates why he will most likely be on the DL again this year. The Giants big play was the Ball Dude in right field making an impressive catch. Pagan got three hits Tuesday night to raise his batting average to .333 but he failed to produce with a runner in scoring position. Wednesday he got an rbi and raised his average to .378. Problem with Pagan hitting #3 is that he doesn't scare pitchers.
April 15, 2015.
I was reminded that 57 years ago I attended the first major league game played in San Francisco at Seals Stadium on April 15, 1958. A very good friend Gerry DeRyan an SH grad waited in line and got $.90 tickets for us in the right field bleachers.
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| All the batters look he same |
April 15 was also $1.00 hot dog day at Arlington, TX. As our blog contributor Russ J remarks they aren't the same anymore since Nolan Ryan's Beef company use to supply the dogs. Nolan is missed by Ranger fans in many ways. Under his leadership the Rangers missed the World Series title in 2011 by one strike twice
More B.S. - April 15 is also Income Tax Day. We can't let the day pass without remembering Woodrow Wilson ranked by some history books as the 10th best President in our history. He gave us the Income Tax, the Federal Reserve, segregated government offices and signed a law making inter-racial marriage a felony. He also received the Nobel Prize for Peace I assume for lying to the American people in order to get re-elected in 1916 so the U.S. could enter World War I and his plan for world peace help lay the foundation for World War II.
The Rockies swept the Giants and if this keeps up its going to be harder and harder to write this blog.
Like most 81 year olds I am having trouble trying to find time to write my book.
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| Texas has water and full employment |
SI Alumni - Giants Dodgers game. If you receive this blog you are either a SI alumnus or Friend of SI so you are eligible to join us for the Dodgers Giants game on Friday June 19, 2015 at Dodger Stadium. Tickets will be available on the SI Alumni website starting April 24th with a deadline of May 25th. For additional information you can email Tony Totah SI '83 at astotah@hotmail.com Fans from Northern California are most welcome to join us.
Monday, April 13, 2015
There's Only One Way To Go --- Up
Tim Flannery said it on the post game show. Baseball is a game of ups and downs. It was not a great week for the Giants since it exposed many of the weaknesses the team has in scoring runs and pitching.
We know hitting is going to be a problem and that was proven this week. The return of Pence should help. . . McGehee got hurt but hasn't shown me anything. . . We not only miss Pablo's bat and threat but also his fielding at third. . . Every time Bochy gives Crawford a chance to move up in the lineup he flops big time . . . Keep him hitting eighth but he is great in the field . . .I was just about to say bench Blanco and he hits a triple but his outfield play has left something to be desired starting in the last inning of the 7th game of the 2014 World Series. . . Give Maxwell an opportunity to start three games in a row and see what develops.
Review of the pitching staff.
Bumgarner got belted Saturday. Even Kershaw has gotten hit so far this season. Nobody is perfect in this game but the thought of pitching over 270 innings last year keeps lingering in the back of the mind.
Peavy looked great the first inning then he started to nibble and as Krukow said that means he hasn't got confidence in his pitches. Will he start again?
Lincecum looked very good and under control.
Hudson also looked very good like he did last year. Should be a good starter until the All Star break. . .then will he tire like last year?
Heston the rookie off to great start that has to thrill Bochy and the staff
Cain not surprising he is on the DL. Its really a long shot if he will produce anything for the Giants this year. A real lesson on why you don't give pitchers long term rich contracts. But I am told they can afford it since according to Forbes the value of team increased from $1 billion to $2 billion in one year.
Vogelsong. Could be released by the end of May.
Petit has given up a couple of runs in his outings. Remember I said he is not as sharp in April as he is later in the season.
Kontos and Machi are just good enough to stay around. . . Casilla and Romo have looked sharp .. Affeldt lost a game but is still very reliable and Lopez is over rated.
Other Sports
I am getting sick and tired of hearing about Curry and NBA's Most Valuable Player Award. The real season is about to begin and that's were the focus should be.
Vernon Davis commented on how great Kapernick look. Doing what? And what's Davis doing on the team? He didn't get a raise like he wanted last year then he played like it. . . I think they have ruined Kapernick. My opinion is to let him play his wild style and if he gets hurt that's part of the game.
The Masters - from Tony G
A man had two of the best tickets for The Masters.
As he sits down, another man comes along and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.
"No", he says, "the seat is empty."
"This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this, the biggest golfing even of the whole world and not use it?"
He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife always would come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Masters we haven't been to together since we got married."
"Oh . . . I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. I guess you couldn't find some one else? A friend or relative or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shakes his head. . .
"No. They're all at the funeral."
We know hitting is going to be a problem and that was proven this week. The return of Pence should help. . . McGehee got hurt but hasn't shown me anything. . . We not only miss Pablo's bat and threat but also his fielding at third. . . Every time Bochy gives Crawford a chance to move up in the lineup he flops big time . . . Keep him hitting eighth but he is great in the field . . .I was just about to say bench Blanco and he hits a triple but his outfield play has left something to be desired starting in the last inning of the 7th game of the 2014 World Series. . . Give Maxwell an opportunity to start three games in a row and see what develops.
Review of the pitching staff.
Bumgarner got belted Saturday. Even Kershaw has gotten hit so far this season. Nobody is perfect in this game but the thought of pitching over 270 innings last year keeps lingering in the back of the mind.
Peavy looked great the first inning then he started to nibble and as Krukow said that means he hasn't got confidence in his pitches. Will he start again?
Lincecum looked very good and under control.
Hudson also looked very good like he did last year. Should be a good starter until the All Star break. . .then will he tire like last year?
Heston the rookie off to great start that has to thrill Bochy and the staff
Cain not surprising he is on the DL. Its really a long shot if he will produce anything for the Giants this year. A real lesson on why you don't give pitchers long term rich contracts. But I am told they can afford it since according to Forbes the value of team increased from $1 billion to $2 billion in one year.
Vogelsong. Could be released by the end of May.
Petit has given up a couple of runs in his outings. Remember I said he is not as sharp in April as he is later in the season.
Kontos and Machi are just good enough to stay around. . . Casilla and Romo have looked sharp .. Affeldt lost a game but is still very reliable and Lopez is over rated.
Other Sports
I am getting sick and tired of hearing about Curry and NBA's Most Valuable Player Award. The real season is about to begin and that's were the focus should be.
Vernon Davis commented on how great Kapernick look. Doing what? And what's Davis doing on the team? He didn't get a raise like he wanted last year then he played like it. . . I think they have ruined Kapernick. My opinion is to let him play his wild style and if he gets hurt that's part of the game.
The Masters - from Tony G
A man had two of the best tickets for The Masters.
As he sits down, another man comes along and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.
"No", he says, "the seat is empty."
"This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this, the biggest golfing even of the whole world and not use it?"
He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife always would come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Masters we haven't been to together since we got married."
"Oh . . . I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. I guess you couldn't find some one else? A friend or relative or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shakes his head. . .
"No. They're all at the funeral."
Thursday, April 9, 2015
The Giants --- Off and Running?
Giants --- Some observations from the first few games
Aoki --- Off to a very hot start. Loves to swing the bat won't get many walks.
Bochy is a players manager --- This was proven again on Tuesday when Vogelsong had thrown nearly 100 pitches by the fifth inning of a tie game. K & K commented on television that he had hardly anything left. There were two runners on base with two out. Bochy decided to leave him in so if the Giants happen to score in the top of the 6th inning and keep the lead Vogelsong would be the winning pitcher. Unfortunately Vogy gave up a three run homer that costs the Giants the game. Bochy loves to give his players the opportunity to succeed which makes him very popular with them even if it sometimes costs a game.
It's no surprise to me that Cain is on the DL because there were many warning signs during the spring. It only can be a shock to the Giants if they really believed all those positive reports about his progress. Do they really believe he will back in three weeks?
I am very surprised however that Belt is now injured after only one complete game because last year he had such hard luck while missing over half the season. I just wonder if his "no Bull" diet we wrote about previously had anything to do with him straining his groin. Those 'healthy' diets can be 'full of bull'.
Peavy is most likely next for the DL. He has a dead arm and now he has a bad back that perhaps could be career ending. He is scheduled for Sunday. Did he get a shot? Could be a long day for the Giants.
Are the Giants sure they can't use Zito?
Don't worry! They just brought back Kevin Correia
Pagan has impressed me along with others with his play in the first three games. He seems very loose and relaxed and his back doesn't seem to be a problem. I am concerned that is might be the results of a shot he got recently that is allowing him to play so well. What happens when the shot wears off? I assume get another but there is a limit.
Crawford is looking good at the plate.
Remember at the start of spring training the Giants were boasting that they had seven starting pitchers. That one was hard to figure since they ended last season with only one. By the third game they already have had to call up a starter Heston from Sacramento. Congratulations on a great performance.
Giant fans were happy with the win Wednesday but there has to be some concerns. Twice they could not get a runner in from third with one out. Pagan made an out with the bases loaded and McGehee struck out with two on. They got 14 hits which helps the batting average but only 3 runs until a home run by McGehee in the 9th inning put the game away.
Glad to see the Giants give Duffy a chance. Don't understand why he bunted in the first inning. In fact I don't understand why Hale the DBacks manager bunted with his team trailing by a run late in the game. Chase Field is a hitters dream. Playing for one run doesn't do it.
The pre and post game shows has been featuring the Giants very popular and retired third base coach Flannery. What a encyclopedia of information he has on the Giant players. Very interesting and he adds a lot to the show. The show rotates former players during the year so I am not sure how many times he will be on during the season. For example on Crawford he said, he is the teams best base runner but they need to rest him during the season. When he gets tired he doesn't hold his hands correctly at the plate which in turn has been the cause of his slumps in the past.
On to San Diego!
Aoki --- Off to a very hot start. Loves to swing the bat won't get many walks.
Bochy is a players manager --- This was proven again on Tuesday when Vogelsong had thrown nearly 100 pitches by the fifth inning of a tie game. K & K commented on television that he had hardly anything left. There were two runners on base with two out. Bochy decided to leave him in so if the Giants happen to score in the top of the 6th inning and keep the lead Vogelsong would be the winning pitcher. Unfortunately Vogy gave up a three run homer that costs the Giants the game. Bochy loves to give his players the opportunity to succeed which makes him very popular with them even if it sometimes costs a game.
It's no surprise to me that Cain is on the DL because there were many warning signs during the spring. It only can be a shock to the Giants if they really believed all those positive reports about his progress. Do they really believe he will back in three weeks?
I am very surprised however that Belt is now injured after only one complete game because last year he had such hard luck while missing over half the season. I just wonder if his "no Bull" diet we wrote about previously had anything to do with him straining his groin. Those 'healthy' diets can be 'full of bull'.
Peavy is most likely next for the DL. He has a dead arm and now he has a bad back that perhaps could be career ending. He is scheduled for Sunday. Did he get a shot? Could be a long day for the Giants.
Are the Giants sure they can't use Zito?
Don't worry! They just brought back Kevin Correia
Pagan has impressed me along with others with his play in the first three games. He seems very loose and relaxed and his back doesn't seem to be a problem. I am concerned that is might be the results of a shot he got recently that is allowing him to play so well. What happens when the shot wears off? I assume get another but there is a limit.
Crawford is looking good at the plate.
Remember at the start of spring training the Giants were boasting that they had seven starting pitchers. That one was hard to figure since they ended last season with only one. By the third game they already have had to call up a starter Heston from Sacramento. Congratulations on a great performance.
Giant fans were happy with the win Wednesday but there has to be some concerns. Twice they could not get a runner in from third with one out. Pagan made an out with the bases loaded and McGehee struck out with two on. They got 14 hits which helps the batting average but only 3 runs until a home run by McGehee in the 9th inning put the game away.
Glad to see the Giants give Duffy a chance. Don't understand why he bunted in the first inning. In fact I don't understand why Hale the DBacks manager bunted with his team trailing by a run late in the game. Chase Field is a hitters dream. Playing for one run doesn't do it.
The pre and post game shows has been featuring the Giants very popular and retired third base coach Flannery. What a encyclopedia of information he has on the Giant players. Very interesting and he adds a lot to the show. The show rotates former players during the year so I am not sure how many times he will be on during the season. For example on Crawford he said, he is the teams best base runner but they need to rest him during the season. When he gets tired he doesn't hold his hands correctly at the plate which in turn has been the cause of his slumps in the past.
On to San Diego!
Monday, April 6, 2015
You Have to Be Thrilled!
The Giants starting lineup for the 2015 season is really exciting. You can bet with your friends almost every night if they will be up or down 2.5 runs. The Giants aren't the only team with run scoring problems. Last year there were less runs scored in major baseball then in the past 33 years. There is no doubt that small ball is back and the baseball drug prevention program is really working.
The first three Giant games against Arizona will be an early season test. Chase Field is a hitters paradise especially in the early months of the season. If the Giants are going to get any big hits this would be the time. If they average only 2 or 3 runs in this series the Giants have BIG problems.
I see that Sabean got kicked upstairs and Bobby Evans is the new General Manager. I am just wondering who had the final say to keep Duffy on the 25 man team. Since he is on the team --- play him! Don't let him sit and pick up blisters on the bench. In the past the Giants have a horrible habit of calling up a hot hitter from the minors and then let him cool in the dugout.
Remember the busy Leprechaun we featured in the March 20th edition of this blog. He told Bochy that he found his #2 starter in Vogelsong. As of this writing it looks as if Bochy will fulfill the prophecy and start Vogelsong in the second game.
Report from Texas - The Rangers were 9-19 beating out the Giants for the worst spring training record. All will be forgiven if Texas sweeps the A's this week in Oakland. If you're planning to visit Arlington to see the Rangers play April 15th is the perfect day. Its early in the season beating the heat and all hot dogs are $1.00. What else do you want?
Wrigley Field opened the season on national television. It turned out to be a night to forget. The Cubs found out that spending $155 million for a pitcher might not be worth it. The fans found out not to drink a pitcher of beer since hardly any bathrooms were working and people waited four or five innings in line. With construction going on its hard to think of everything.
Richard W a real supporter of the blog reminded me that Stanford won the NIT this past week. If I was a coach especially with a young developing team I would rather play in the NIT then be a bubble team in the NCAA. Its a real challenge and congratulations to The Cardinal for their big victory.
I remember how exciting it was for USF to win the NIT in 1949. It was a lot different in those days because the NCAA tournament teams also played in the NIT. In 1994 I visited the NCAA Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA driving across the state in pouring rain. I enjoyed the exhibit on the NCAA champions USF Dons of the 1955-57 era and the University of California of 1959 but I could not find a word about the 1949 NIT champions. Other teams that won the NIT were displayed but not the Dons. The reason being I am sure that this was the year of the point shaving scandal and the 'know it all's' who run the NCAA assumed that USF would have never made it that far except for the scandal. I am sure it didn't have anything to do with the fact that USF was a Catholic University in those days. They punished USF for the sins of some college basketball players from other schools for taking bribes. There was a display about Pete Newell the great coach at Michigan State, USF and Cal that listed his accomplishments that did include the 1949 USF NIT team. That was it! I did write to USF years ago and told Rene Herrerias a star guard on the team at a social event years later about the team being blackballed but I don't think anything was ever done about it.
That's was the year of our New England trip which we chose Fenway Park over the fall color season.
A very good friend of ours had been begging us for years to come to Boston. George was an attorney for the IRS who handled tax situations of major league baseball teams. So he knew a lot of the baseball owners. We had Kennedy box tickets for the game. Only one problem --- Strike. I had to argue with the guard at Fenway since I came all the way from California to at least let me in for a minute so I could get a picture of an empty Fenway.
Soccer News - Congratulations to my cousin John Sweeney who was one of eight to be inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame on March 14, 2015 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI. I believe John is currently in charged of the intramural program at Marquette University. One of his sons Thomas was recently hired by the Golden State Warriors and his long time girl friend Beth Alexander is currently teaching math at Saint Ignatius College Prep and loving it. John is the older brother of Tom Sweeney the well known door man of the Sir Francis Drake and Jim Sweeney who runs the souvenir stand in front of MoMo's restaurant across from AT&T. When you attend a Giant game this year stop in and introduce yourself.
My granddaughter Emi had to reschedule her visit to Notre Dame which was scheduled this week. She will be spending her spring break week in Chula Vista playing with and against 24 of the best players of her age in the country. It is from this group that 18 girls will be chosen to represent the United States in the Under 17 World Cup Soccer tournament in Jordan in the summer of 2016.
Congratulations are also in order for Russ J our Texas correspondent whose granddaughter Mattie is tearing up her soccer league in the Dallas area with goal after goal.
The Juggling Violin Player - Emi performs a special treat for those that made it this far on the blog.
http://youtu.be/tMmlt-ctHZk
'Tell Him Good-bye' - Lon Simmons - May God have mercy on his soul!
The first three Giant games against Arizona will be an early season test. Chase Field is a hitters paradise especially in the early months of the season. If the Giants are going to get any big hits this would be the time. If they average only 2 or 3 runs in this series the Giants have BIG problems.
I see that Sabean got kicked upstairs and Bobby Evans is the new General Manager. I am just wondering who had the final say to keep Duffy on the 25 man team. Since he is on the team --- play him! Don't let him sit and pick up blisters on the bench. In the past the Giants have a horrible habit of calling up a hot hitter from the minors and then let him cool in the dugout.
Remember the busy Leprechaun we featured in the March 20th edition of this blog. He told Bochy that he found his #2 starter in Vogelsong. As of this writing it looks as if Bochy will fulfill the prophecy and start Vogelsong in the second game.
Report from Texas - The Rangers were 9-19 beating out the Giants for the worst spring training record. All will be forgiven if Texas sweeps the A's this week in Oakland. If you're planning to visit Arlington to see the Rangers play April 15th is the perfect day. Its early in the season beating the heat and all hot dogs are $1.00. What else do you want?
Wrigley Field opened the season on national television. It turned out to be a night to forget. The Cubs found out that spending $155 million for a pitcher might not be worth it. The fans found out not to drink a pitcher of beer since hardly any bathrooms were working and people waited four or five innings in line. With construction going on its hard to think of everything.
 |
| Stanford's 2015 NIT Champions |
I remember how exciting it was for USF to win the NIT in 1949. It was a lot different in those days because the NCAA tournament teams also played in the NIT. In 1994 I visited the NCAA Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA driving across the state in pouring rain. I enjoyed the exhibit on the NCAA champions USF Dons of the 1955-57 era and the University of California of 1959 but I could not find a word about the 1949 NIT champions. Other teams that won the NIT were displayed but not the Dons. The reason being I am sure that this was the year of the point shaving scandal and the 'know it all's' who run the NCAA assumed that USF would have never made it that far except for the scandal. I am sure it didn't have anything to do with the fact that USF was a Catholic University in those days. They punished USF for the sins of some college basketball players from other schools for taking bribes. There was a display about Pete Newell the great coach at Michigan State, USF and Cal that listed his accomplishments that did include the 1949 USF NIT team. That was it! I did write to USF years ago and told Rene Herrerias a star guard on the team at a social event years later about the team being blackballed but I don't think anything was ever done about it.That's was the year of our New England trip which we chose Fenway Park over the fall color season.
 |
| Fenway Park during 1994 strike |
Soccer News - Congratulations to my cousin John Sweeney who was one of eight to be inducted into the Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame on March 14, 2015 at the Monona Terrace in Madison, WI. I believe John is currently in charged of the intramural program at Marquette University. One of his sons Thomas was recently hired by the Golden State Warriors and his long time girl friend Beth Alexander is currently teaching math at Saint Ignatius College Prep and loving it. John is the older brother of Tom Sweeney the well known door man of the Sir Francis Drake and Jim Sweeney who runs the souvenir stand in front of MoMo's restaurant across from AT&T. When you attend a Giant game this year stop in and introduce yourself.
My granddaughter Emi had to reschedule her visit to Notre Dame which was scheduled this week. She will be spending her spring break week in Chula Vista playing with and against 24 of the best players of her age in the country. It is from this group that 18 girls will be chosen to represent the United States in the Under 17 World Cup Soccer tournament in Jordan in the summer of 2016.
Congratulations are also in order for Russ J our Texas correspondent whose granddaughter Mattie is tearing up her soccer league in the Dallas area with goal after goal.
The Juggling Violin Player - Emi performs a special treat for those that made it this far on the blog.
http://youtu.be/tMmlt-ctHZk
'Tell Him Good-bye' - Lon Simmons - May God have mercy on his soul!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
It's Almost Over
Spring training enters into its final week as well as the NCAA basketball championships.
The Giants are looking much better now that both Aoki and Panik are putting the bat on the ball. Duffy is the real question. Bochy says he is currently the best hitter in camp. How can they send him down? They don't have a position for him to play. Sunday he played the entire game at third base but really didn't get much action. The worst option is to have him make the team then sit on the bench and only get a few at bats each week. It's better to let him play for Sacramento and be ready when he gets called up. As soon as I wrote that the Giants could pick up Ludwick, Maxwell's bat caught fire and he signed with the Giants before the fire department arrived. John Bowker a name from the past got a rbi double for the Giants in their last Cactus League game this spring. Remember about seven years ago as an outfielder he played first base for the desperate Giants a good portion of the season hitting about 10 home runs. But he never could lay off that pitch in the dirt.
Starting pitching is impossible to figure. Cain looks great when giving up hit after hit. Then on Monday Hudson gets hit around. It was also announced that Peavy has a dead arm. What's going on? It will be trial and error the first few weeks and hopefully five reliable starters will eventually emerge.
The question is being asked why the Giants are coming home this weekend to play the A's when they could have stayed in Arizona site of the opening game Monday. It's called money! Looks like the final roster decisions will be helped by using the DL.
The Dodger owner was quoted in the local paper saying he is not too upset that only 22% of their fans have Time Warner and can see the Dodgers on television. Why should he be upset when the Dodgers got all the money to pay those ridiculous salaries like over 30 million to one pitcher while Time Warner is taking a $1 billion bath. Only Giant - Dodgers national televised games are available to us.
At Sloan Field in Mesa the Chicago Cubs have drawn at capacity of least 15,000 this spring for every game but two. I noticed from the internet that Wrigley Field will be ready for opening day. New outfield stands will be built during the first couple months of the season as the games are being played. The owners of the apartments behind left field are very upset at the Cubs for building a very large Jumbotron because it blocks the view of some of their roof seats. The solution was actually very easy --- just raise the apartment buildings about 100 feet and put in new foundation with a bar on the ground floor.
Late Trade News - Pagan, Cain and a PTBNL to the Yankees for Alex Rodriguez. April Fools
NCAA I predicted on this blog that the final four at the start of the tournament would be Kentucky, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Duke. Actually I would have rather seen Arizona, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Gonzaga. Arizona because Russ J a big supporter of this blog is U of A grad and I want him to be happy. Notre Dame who gave Kentucky all they could handle is recruiting my granddaughter to play soccer. Michigan State is my wife's Alma Mater and of course Gonzaga is the home of Bing Crosby.
I just happen to see that the NY Times reported recently that this is the second lowest scoring college basketball season since 1952. That's hard to believe since there were low scores in the 40s and 50s. The Cow Palace use to have a very exclusive '21 Club' for those few players who got 21 points in a game played at the pride of Daly City. I do remember in the middle 1940s seeing Lowell High beat Washington 11-10 in a heart stopper at Kezar Pavilion. Believe me every point was a thrill! Maybe Washington won don't remember that detail and I couldn't find it on Google.
The Giants are looking much better now that both Aoki and Panik are putting the bat on the ball. Duffy is the real question. Bochy says he is currently the best hitter in camp. How can they send him down? They don't have a position for him to play. Sunday he played the entire game at third base but really didn't get much action. The worst option is to have him make the team then sit on the bench and only get a few at bats each week. It's better to let him play for Sacramento and be ready when he gets called up. As soon as I wrote that the Giants could pick up Ludwick, Maxwell's bat caught fire and he signed with the Giants before the fire department arrived. John Bowker a name from the past got a rbi double for the Giants in their last Cactus League game this spring. Remember about seven years ago as an outfielder he played first base for the desperate Giants a good portion of the season hitting about 10 home runs. But he never could lay off that pitch in the dirt.
Starting pitching is impossible to figure. Cain looks great when giving up hit after hit. Then on Monday Hudson gets hit around. It was also announced that Peavy has a dead arm. What's going on? It will be trial and error the first few weeks and hopefully five reliable starters will eventually emerge.
The question is being asked why the Giants are coming home this weekend to play the A's when they could have stayed in Arizona site of the opening game Monday. It's called money! Looks like the final roster decisions will be helped by using the DL.
The Dodger owner was quoted in the local paper saying he is not too upset that only 22% of their fans have Time Warner and can see the Dodgers on television. Why should he be upset when the Dodgers got all the money to pay those ridiculous salaries like over 30 million to one pitcher while Time Warner is taking a $1 billion bath. Only Giant - Dodgers national televised games are available to us.
 |
| Wrigley Field's new Jumbotron |
Late Trade News - Pagan, Cain and a PTBNL to the Yankees for Alex Rodriguez. April Fools
NCAA I predicted on this blog that the final four at the start of the tournament would be Kentucky, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Duke. Actually I would have rather seen Arizona, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Gonzaga. Arizona because Russ J a big supporter of this blog is U of A grad and I want him to be happy. Notre Dame who gave Kentucky all they could handle is recruiting my granddaughter to play soccer. Michigan State is my wife's Alma Mater and of course Gonzaga is the home of Bing Crosby.
I just happen to see that the NY Times reported recently that this is the second lowest scoring college basketball season since 1952. That's hard to believe since there were low scores in the 40s and 50s. The Cow Palace use to have a very exclusive '21 Club' for those few players who got 21 points in a game played at the pride of Daly City. I do remember in the middle 1940s seeing Lowell High beat Washington 11-10 in a heart stopper at Kezar Pavilion. Believe me every point was a thrill! Maybe Washington won don't remember that detail and I couldn't find it on Google.
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