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.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
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.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Another Streak!
Giants
Giants have now won six straight games three from the Phillies before the All Star break and three from the D'Backs. It was just a couple weeks ago that I thought Arizona could win the West and our Texas blog expert mentioned that they looked like world champions in beating Texas.
The time of todays game was only 3 hours and 5 minutes compared to 3:35 on Saturday and of course that horrible Friday game that took 4 hours to play nine and over 5 hours to complete the game. It wasn't too long ago that I mentioned how fast the games have been so far this year. Probably spoke too soon if this series was any indication. Should have taken Flannery advise not to evaluate to the end of the season.
The Giant media team told us not to worry about Bumgarner. Baloney! He's not the same. He still pitches okay but nothing like the dominating left hander we are use to seeing. Today he only went 5 innings and it took him 93 pitches to get that done. If this was the only time I would not have given it a thought but it has been a pattern in his last few starts.
What's with Bochy? He is taking this lefty righty strategy too far. Saturday Strickland had just struck out Goldschmidt one of the best hitter in the league. A left handed batter was coming up so Bruce went to bull pen with a four run lead and the bases empty. The Giants finally got the side out but had to use two more pitchers. Keep Strickland in who had retired three in a row and it would have been much easier.
I assume most of you were shocked Sunday to see Belt batting 8th in the lineup. I think it is Bochy way of saying wake up. He did get a double his first time up when the left fielder missed a long fly that should have been caught. The only thing that surprised me was that Belt didn't bat 9th with Bumgarner batting 8th.
Susac like almost every young player slides head first into a bag and he jams his thumb. How many hundreds of players have done the same thing? Slide feet first you idiot!. . Crawford slid head first into second during the series and as I watched the slide he slowed down and almost stopped before he got to the base. Same advise as above. We've have seen Pagan make some wonderful catches in the outfield but also misplace many of them especially trying to cut off a ball that turns a double into a triple. He will not change positions so the Giants will continue to suffer.
Both Cain and Peavy survived and the Giants got wins. What else can you ask for? Tonight it is Hudson's turn to see if he has anything left in his 40 years old arm.
You most likely heard or read that the Dodgers Washington game in our Nations capital was suspended Friday night because a bank of lights did not work. The blame was on a concert that was held at the stadium and they screwed up the lighting system. That's what papers like the Washington Post would like you to believe. The Nationals have had trouble in the past with those lighting poles because the windmill that supplies the power has failed. It has puzzled the experts in Washington because there is so much hot air through that area.
Other Comments
I missed the EPSY Awards. Hope you did too!. . . I barbequed a two ounce steak last night to celebrate the Giants sweep between rain drops. . . . The Angels were rained out at home for the first time in 20 years. The Sunday Night game is almost always in danger of being rained out since they play all over the country. I am sure they can't believe they were rained out in Anaheim. . . Baseball is thinking of shortening their schedule. Don't hold your breath. . . The NBA will beat them to it since a new contract is due in 2017. How about another lock out cutting about 50 games from the schedule which would make the season perfect. . . Career Opportunities - Air Conditioner Sales in Scotland. Not recommended. Printing press Salesman in Greece. Highly recommended.
Giants have now won six straight games three from the Phillies before the All Star break and three from the D'Backs. It was just a couple weeks ago that I thought Arizona could win the West and our Texas blog expert mentioned that they looked like world champions in beating Texas.
The time of todays game was only 3 hours and 5 minutes compared to 3:35 on Saturday and of course that horrible Friday game that took 4 hours to play nine and over 5 hours to complete the game. It wasn't too long ago that I mentioned how fast the games have been so far this year. Probably spoke too soon if this series was any indication. Should have taken Flannery advise not to evaluate to the end of the season.
The Giant media team told us not to worry about Bumgarner. Baloney! He's not the same. He still pitches okay but nothing like the dominating left hander we are use to seeing. Today he only went 5 innings and it took him 93 pitches to get that done. If this was the only time I would not have given it a thought but it has been a pattern in his last few starts.
What's with Bochy? He is taking this lefty righty strategy too far. Saturday Strickland had just struck out Goldschmidt one of the best hitter in the league. A left handed batter was coming up so Bruce went to bull pen with a four run lead and the bases empty. The Giants finally got the side out but had to use two more pitchers. Keep Strickland in who had retired three in a row and it would have been much easier.
I assume most of you were shocked Sunday to see Belt batting 8th in the lineup. I think it is Bochy way of saying wake up. He did get a double his first time up when the left fielder missed a long fly that should have been caught. The only thing that surprised me was that Belt didn't bat 9th with Bumgarner batting 8th.
Susac like almost every young player slides head first into a bag and he jams his thumb. How many hundreds of players have done the same thing? Slide feet first you idiot!. . Crawford slid head first into second during the series and as I watched the slide he slowed down and almost stopped before he got to the base. Same advise as above. We've have seen Pagan make some wonderful catches in the outfield but also misplace many of them especially trying to cut off a ball that turns a double into a triple. He will not change positions so the Giants will continue to suffer.
Both Cain and Peavy survived and the Giants got wins. What else can you ask for? Tonight it is Hudson's turn to see if he has anything left in his 40 years old arm.
You most likely heard or read that the Dodgers Washington game in our Nations capital was suspended Friday night because a bank of lights did not work. The blame was on a concert that was held at the stadium and they screwed up the lighting system. That's what papers like the Washington Post would like you to believe. The Nationals have had trouble in the past with those lighting poles because the windmill that supplies the power has failed. It has puzzled the experts in Washington because there is so much hot air through that area.
Other Comments
I missed the EPSY Awards. Hope you did too!. . . I barbequed a two ounce steak last night to celebrate the Giants sweep between rain drops. . . . The Angels were rained out at home for the first time in 20 years. The Sunday Night game is almost always in danger of being rained out since they play all over the country. I am sure they can't believe they were rained out in Anaheim. . . Baseball is thinking of shortening their schedule. Don't hold your breath. . . The NBA will beat them to it since a new contract is due in 2017. How about another lock out cutting about 50 games from the schedule which would make the season perfect. . . Career Opportunities - Air Conditioner Sales in Scotland. Not recommended. Printing press Salesman in Greece. Highly recommended.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
It Was So Bad!
This is major league baseball? The Arizona D'Backs lost to the Giants in 12 innings 6-5 in a game that was so bad it is almost impossible to describe. First of all it took over 4 hours to play the first nine innings and over five hours to finish the game. It even rained indoors at Chase Field when Giant reliever Osich was shocked with rain hitting his uniform. The rubber got full of mud but the umpires didn't call out the grounds crew until Arizona was pitching.
The Giants used 8 pitchers in the first nine innings some only pitching to one batter because a left hander can't face a right hand batter then they used 2 more pitchers in the extra innings. You wonder why Bochy ran out of pitchers and why the Giants may have nothing left come September. The Giants might be saved however since between the DL and express Greyhound bus service between SF and Sacramento they are currently carrying 19 pitchers at last count.
The Giants scored in the 12th inning to win! Crawford led off with a single and got to 2nd on a pass ball. Then with men on 1st and 2nd with one out the pitcher Vogelsong had to bat because there is nobody left. He lays down a bunt and the third basemen instead of picking the ball up and throwing to first to get the second out retreats third hoping somebody would pick the ball up and throw it to him. The game is about getting outs and don't worry about having a runner on third with two outs. The Giants have tough time scoring with a runner on third and none out. Then Pagan with the bases loaded and one out hits a weak ball to short and the fielder throws low to home and ball goes to the back stop. The runner scores and where is next Giant runner Blanco. It looked like he and third base coach Kelly were talking about their All Star break. They certainly weren't paying attention to the game. I like Blanco but he is a terrible base runner. If that was Duffy running the Giants would have had an insurance run. Then even reliable Panic fails by striking out but he did start a double play by tagging Goldschmidt in the base path in the last 12th that probably saved the game.
The Giants used 8 pitchers in the first nine innings some only pitching to one batter because a left hander can't face a right hand batter then they used 2 more pitchers in the extra innings. You wonder why Bochy ran out of pitchers and why the Giants may have nothing left come September. The Giants might be saved however since between the DL and express Greyhound bus service between SF and Sacramento they are currently carrying 19 pitchers at last count.
The Giants scored in the 12th inning to win! Crawford led off with a single and got to 2nd on a pass ball. Then with men on 1st and 2nd with one out the pitcher Vogelsong had to bat because there is nobody left. He lays down a bunt and the third basemen instead of picking the ball up and throwing to first to get the second out retreats third hoping somebody would pick the ball up and throw it to him. The game is about getting outs and don't worry about having a runner on third with two outs. The Giants have tough time scoring with a runner on third and none out. Then Pagan with the bases loaded and one out hits a weak ball to short and the fielder throws low to home and ball goes to the back stop. The runner scores and where is next Giant runner Blanco. It looked like he and third base coach Kelly were talking about their All Star break. They certainly weren't paying attention to the game. I like Blanco but he is a terrible base runner. If that was Duffy running the Giants would have had an insurance run. Then even reliable Panic fails by striking out but he did start a double play by tagging Goldschmidt in the base path in the last 12th that probably saved the game.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
American League Wins Again!
All Start Game Comments:
The Home Run Derby new format was a big success. Great improvement! . . .Did you noticed that the two finalist could not get the ball out of the infield in the game. . . I apologize for having the wrong information about the NL being the visiting team and wearing grey. Hope that did not confuse you. . . The weather report I got for the Weather Channel Monday morning was also erroneous. Should have guessed. . . I would have chosen Prince Fielder who is having a great season for the Rangers, as the MVP. His hit put the AL ahead for good and later his line drive sacrifice fly scored another run. Was he snubbed because he was the DL? . . . A strike out of World Series Hero Perez on a wild pitch made Bumgarner's inning a little stressful. . . Did you notice during the introduction of the NL stars that players stretched from near home plate all the way to the right field fence. Well not quite but far enough. . . Where the Giant coaches introduced or did I miss something? . . .The Giants trio of Posey, Crawford and Panic went 0 for 5. . . Is the purpose of the All Star game to win or let all the players play?
The Home Run Derby new format was a big success. Great improvement! . . .Did you noticed that the two finalist could not get the ball out of the infield in the game. . . I apologize for having the wrong information about the NL being the visiting team and wearing grey. Hope that did not confuse you. . . The weather report I got for the Weather Channel Monday morning was also erroneous. Should have guessed. . . I would have chosen Prince Fielder who is having a great season for the Rangers, as the MVP. His hit put the AL ahead for good and later his line drive sacrifice fly scored another run. Was he snubbed because he was the DL? . . . A strike out of World Series Hero Perez on a wild pitch made Bumgarner's inning a little stressful. . . Did you notice during the introduction of the NL stars that players stretched from near home plate all the way to the right field fence. Well not quite but far enough. . . Where the Giant coaches introduced or did I miss something? . . .The Giants trio of Posey, Crawford and Panic went 0 for 5. . . Is the purpose of the All Star game to win or let all the players play?
Monday, July 13, 2015
The All Star Break
The Giants
The Giants are currently 4 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. If they continue playing as they did in the first half of the season they will never make the playoffs. But the Giants are optimistic with the return of Pence full time and the strong possibility that Peavy and Cain will be reliable starters. When Pence plays everyday like he has for the past two years he is taken for granted. When he returned recently to the lineup after being on the DL for weeks, it was very evident that he is really a very special player.
Tim Flannery commented the other day that he learned from a veteran baseball writer never to evaluate a player until the season is over. Comments on some players to date:
Belt - A big disappointment. So streaky!
Panic - So consistent and an All Star
Duffy - We knew he would be a good player but he has surprised all of us.
Crawford - Batting average has dropped but still getting important rbi's. Deserves to be All Star
Blanco - Quietly having a very good year
Pagan - Must be playing hurt
Posey - Better then ever and a deserving All Star
Susac - Wasn't hitting much until he hit the big home run yesterday
Bumgarner - Can't go more then 6 innings. Is last year's innings pitched catching up with him?
Heston - Getting better as the season progresses
Hudson - Will giving his arm a few weeks off help? We will soon know.
Romo - Have the batters caught up with him?
Vogelsong - Always gives his best but doesn't always have it.
Casilla - Will the Giants wear him out?
Lopez - Doing his job well in the absence of Affeldt
Affeldt - When he returns, will he have anything left?
Machi - Gone?
Lincecum - Finished?
Strickland - Lacks confidence because he still has bad dreams about last years playoffs.
Petit - What has happened? Usually much better in the last half of the season.
Osich - Did the Giants find another diamond in the rough?
Kelly - Horrible third base coach showing some improvement
Wotus - Bench coach is a defensive genius.
Bochy - Has kept calm through all those losing streaks which has helped the team rebound
Hayes - First base coach needs to lose 15 lbs.
All Star Game
Major League Baseball chose a National League city Cincinnati to host this years All Star game when it was suppose to be an American League city. So the NL will wear grey and the AL white. Is this the reason that the latest weather report indicates rain, wind, thunder and lightening for both tonight's Home Run Derby and tomorrow's game. They will find a way to play. They always do.
There were 39 American League players and 36 National League players chosen to be All Stars this year.
Report from Texas
Russ J our loyal Texas blog reader writes that the Diamondbacks came to Texas and looked like World Series champions. Even though they collapsed in New York this weekend, I was very impressed with what I saw as the supporting cast for Goldschmidt. The Giants must be licking their chops at the prospect of coming to Arlington the end of the month. All, they, or any other team for that matter, have to do is have a lefty do the pitching to the Rangers all lefty lineup. Bring up an AA lefty to give the right handers a break. The Giants may not be happy playing here the end of July if the 100 degree temps at game time are in full swing, and there is a good likelihood of that.
The Redskins
The Redskins are fighting for their life. The ruthless federal government officially objects to the name of the Washington Redskins. That is the same godless government which has "Tomahawk" cruise missiles and "Apache", "Blackhawk", "Kiowa" and "Lakota" helicopters -- and used the code name "Geronimo" in the attack that was supposed to have killed bin Laden. Those politically paid judges even refuse to have pictures of the dead 'bin Laden' shown. What's the big deal? ISIS is our enemy now. Do you think the government lied again? Do they ever tell the truth?
High School Mentality
DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers reneged on a gentlemen's agreement with Maverick owner and TV star Mark Cuban to play for Dallas next season. All of us know if we took Business Law 101 that a contract to be valid needs to be in writing so the Mavericks had no comeback legally. He resigned with Clippers. It reminds me of high school kids dealing with those money hungry ruthless college coaches. These high school athletes renege all the time after telling a college they would attend only to change their mind. The Jordan episode illustrates that much of the NBA has a high school mentality. But what is strange is that today even written word means nothing. Lets say that Cuban got a signed contract with Jordan. Is that legal? According to the Supreme Court they can determine what it really means. Jordan could say, 'Oh, I wanted to sign with the Clippers.' Take to the Supreme Court and Jordan will be a Clipper. Sounds like the Supreme Court has a high school mentality. How could that be they all went to best universities in America. Oh! Maybe that explains it. And who can argue with the Supreme Court? They have the last word and in fact told God to go shove it recently. Judge Scalia's dissent used the word "putsch' to infer an attempt to overthrow our sysstem of government.
History and Follow-up
I wrote recently about the Gothman Bar that is behind the scoreboard in right filed at AT&T. One of our loyal blog readers Pat O wrote, I was thinking of an article, perhaps in the Chron, on the old score boards. As a kid bat boy for the visiting clubs, I was ordered by some exec to take care of Seals Stadium score board. Did it for a couple of days. As you entered the gate, you encountered lumber 2 x 6's to climb up to the elevated area where scores could be shown. Here a sort of walk-way to get back and forth was supported but still kind of creaky. A phone was there was that someone from somewhere could tell what had to be done. I could look through the open area to see what was happening. It was so boring with always the fear that I'd miss the official ruling of the scoring. I think I got about two or five dollars per game. But being a hermit did not suit me and so I told Mr Miller, the vp, that I didn't want to do it anymore. He was not pleased. But either was I so I went back to batboy for the visiting clubs. That was 1944 when I was a in junior high at Denman.
We just did a piece on sports broadcasters and another loyal blog reader Clem G from Alamo wrote. The Bay Area has been blessed with awesome broadcasters for decades. Lon and Russ for the Giants. Bill King for the Raiders and later the A's, but most especially the Warriors with Hank Greenwald. King was erudite with the broad array of interests ranging from opera to sports. Today, Jim Barnett (against whom I used to play years ago) is perhaps the best basketball color guy I have heard. I'll be watching a game and I'll make a comment and five seconds later he would make the same observation. It drives my wife Nancy nuts. Then Lon as 49er announcer and A's announcer. I just heard he died in April. I was out of state in trial, so I missed that said news. Age 92. Kruke and Kuipe are absolutely the most entertaining baseball announcer I've heard, and Krukow does indeed have the book on every ump and every player. I've been amazed at how much he knows about hitting. Greg Papa does a lot of studio stuff and used to do games, and he's terrific. Even the former Warriors PA guy, my buddy Dick Callahan ("Shooting two") was great. He does the A's PA now.
The Giants are currently 4 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. If they continue playing as they did in the first half of the season they will never make the playoffs. But the Giants are optimistic with the return of Pence full time and the strong possibility that Peavy and Cain will be reliable starters. When Pence plays everyday like he has for the past two years he is taken for granted. When he returned recently to the lineup after being on the DL for weeks, it was very evident that he is really a very special player.
Tim Flannery commented the other day that he learned from a veteran baseball writer never to evaluate a player until the season is over. Comments on some players to date:
Belt - A big disappointment. So streaky!
Panic - So consistent and an All Star
Duffy - We knew he would be a good player but he has surprised all of us.
Crawford - Batting average has dropped but still getting important rbi's. Deserves to be All Star
Blanco - Quietly having a very good year
Pagan - Must be playing hurt
Posey - Better then ever and a deserving All Star
Susac - Wasn't hitting much until he hit the big home run yesterday
Bumgarner - Can't go more then 6 innings. Is last year's innings pitched catching up with him?
Heston - Getting better as the season progresses
Hudson - Will giving his arm a few weeks off help? We will soon know.
Romo - Have the batters caught up with him?
Vogelsong - Always gives his best but doesn't always have it.
Casilla - Will the Giants wear him out?
Lopez - Doing his job well in the absence of Affeldt
Affeldt - When he returns, will he have anything left?
Machi - Gone?
Lincecum - Finished?
Strickland - Lacks confidence because he still has bad dreams about last years playoffs.
Petit - What has happened? Usually much better in the last half of the season.
Osich - Did the Giants find another diamond in the rough?
Kelly - Horrible third base coach showing some improvement
Wotus - Bench coach is a defensive genius.
Bochy - Has kept calm through all those losing streaks which has helped the team rebound
Hayes - First base coach needs to lose 15 lbs.
All Star Game
Major League Baseball chose a National League city Cincinnati to host this years All Star game when it was suppose to be an American League city. So the NL will wear grey and the AL white. Is this the reason that the latest weather report indicates rain, wind, thunder and lightening for both tonight's Home Run Derby and tomorrow's game. They will find a way to play. They always do.
There were 39 American League players and 36 National League players chosen to be All Stars this year.
Report from Texas
Russ J our loyal Texas blog reader writes that the Diamondbacks came to Texas and looked like World Series champions. Even though they collapsed in New York this weekend, I was very impressed with what I saw as the supporting cast for Goldschmidt. The Giants must be licking their chops at the prospect of coming to Arlington the end of the month. All, they, or any other team for that matter, have to do is have a lefty do the pitching to the Rangers all lefty lineup. Bring up an AA lefty to give the right handers a break. The Giants may not be happy playing here the end of July if the 100 degree temps at game time are in full swing, and there is a good likelihood of that.
The Redskins
The Redskins are fighting for their life. The ruthless federal government officially objects to the name of the Washington Redskins. That is the same godless government which has "Tomahawk" cruise missiles and "Apache", "Blackhawk", "Kiowa" and "Lakota" helicopters -- and used the code name "Geronimo" in the attack that was supposed to have killed bin Laden. Those politically paid judges even refuse to have pictures of the dead 'bin Laden' shown. What's the big deal? ISIS is our enemy now. Do you think the government lied again? Do they ever tell the truth?
High School Mentality
DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers reneged on a gentlemen's agreement with Maverick owner and TV star Mark Cuban to play for Dallas next season. All of us know if we took Business Law 101 that a contract to be valid needs to be in writing so the Mavericks had no comeback legally. He resigned with Clippers. It reminds me of high school kids dealing with those money hungry ruthless college coaches. These high school athletes renege all the time after telling a college they would attend only to change their mind. The Jordan episode illustrates that much of the NBA has a high school mentality. But what is strange is that today even written word means nothing. Lets say that Cuban got a signed contract with Jordan. Is that legal? According to the Supreme Court they can determine what it really means. Jordan could say, 'Oh, I wanted to sign with the Clippers.' Take to the Supreme Court and Jordan will be a Clipper. Sounds like the Supreme Court has a high school mentality. How could that be they all went to best universities in America. Oh! Maybe that explains it. And who can argue with the Supreme Court? They have the last word and in fact told God to go shove it recently. Judge Scalia's dissent used the word "putsch' to infer an attempt to overthrow our sysstem of government.
History and Follow-up
I wrote recently about the Gothman Bar that is behind the scoreboard in right filed at AT&T. One of our loyal blog readers Pat O wrote, I was thinking of an article, perhaps in the Chron, on the old score boards. As a kid bat boy for the visiting clubs, I was ordered by some exec to take care of Seals Stadium score board. Did it for a couple of days. As you entered the gate, you encountered lumber 2 x 6's to climb up to the elevated area where scores could be shown. Here a sort of walk-way to get back and forth was supported but still kind of creaky. A phone was there was that someone from somewhere could tell what had to be done. I could look through the open area to see what was happening. It was so boring with always the fear that I'd miss the official ruling of the scoring. I think I got about two or five dollars per game. But being a hermit did not suit me and so I told Mr Miller, the vp, that I didn't want to do it anymore. He was not pleased. But either was I so I went back to batboy for the visiting clubs. That was 1944 when I was a in junior high at Denman.
We just did a piece on sports broadcasters and another loyal blog reader Clem G from Alamo wrote. The Bay Area has been blessed with awesome broadcasters for decades. Lon and Russ for the Giants. Bill King for the Raiders and later the A's, but most especially the Warriors with Hank Greenwald. King was erudite with the broad array of interests ranging from opera to sports. Today, Jim Barnett (against whom I used to play years ago) is perhaps the best basketball color guy I have heard. I'll be watching a game and I'll make a comment and five seconds later he would make the same observation. It drives my wife Nancy nuts. Then Lon as 49er announcer and A's announcer. I just heard he died in April. I was out of state in trial, so I missed that said news. Age 92. Kruke and Kuipe are absolutely the most entertaining baseball announcer I've heard, and Krukow does indeed have the book on every ump and every player. I've been amazed at how much he knows about hitting. Greg Papa does a lot of studio stuff and used to do games, and he's terrific. Even the former Warriors PA guy, my buddy Dick Callahan ("Shooting two") was great. He does the A's PA now.
Monday, July 6, 2015
USA Wins --- Giants Lose
Soccer WinCongratulations to the USA women's soccer team team for winning the Women's World Cup by beating Japan 5-2. I was in my office and started into the living room to watch the start of the game when my wife told me it was already 2-0 USA. I could not believe it. What amazed me was that they were still playing. I thought when a team scored a goal the game was over. That's how much I know about soccer. My daughter Jane and granddaughter Emi were at the game. Emi is pictured at right all dressed up to support the Red White and Blue. The strategy of giving every little girl a soccer ball at the age of 2 has worked.
Baseball Loss
The Giants are sure a team of streaks losing six in a row this last week in Miami and Washington, DC. Sometimes I wonder if they will ever win another game the way they have been playing. Amazingly they are only 4 games behind the Dodgers who keep losing enough games to keep it interesting. Looks to me as if Arizona could win the West with both the Giants and Dodgers staying home this October.
Those who watched the Giants on ESPN Sunday night got an earful about lousy umpiring. It wasn't only Sunday's game but the entire series. Even though the Giants were behind by six runs on Saturday I was hoping the new 28 year old rookie Lollis would get his first major league hit. He had hit the ball hard his last time at the plate but the centerfielder caught it. It was 3 - 2 and the pitch was ankle high outside and called strike three. I really felt for the rookie. If that was Harper at the plate it would not have been called a strike. How do I know? I watched a good portion of the series. There were at least two times that third strikes were not called on Bryce Harper. They were very close pitches too close for a batter to take. The umpires didn't have the guts to call out the home town star before a packed house. Friday night it most likely cost Peavy who pitched really well the game. If they gave Posey four strikes once or twice a game he would hitting .350 also. The irony is that umpires Little, Cuzzi, Davis and Hirschbeck will most likely be chosen to work the World Series which is not based on competency. I have said many time on this blog that more games are decided on ball and strikes calls then on replays at first base.
All Star Game
Congratulations to Buster Posey for winning the fans vote to start the All Star game. The honor is richly deserved. I hope Bochy doesn't take too many Giants to be reserves because they need the rest. Panic is so tired he even made an error Sunday. I see the St Louis shortstop Peralta was voted in. He is the same player that was so bad at short a few years ago that the Detroit Tigers played him left field. I read that only four Kansas City Royals were voted in by the fans. As I mentioned weeks ago I said that baseball would fix the voting so eight Royals who were leading early in the vote would not start. We know that at least 600,000 votes were eliminated. The KC catcher Perez was a chinch to be chosen. All the Giants fans wanted to honor him for popping up to Sandoval to end the 2014 World Series.
Broadcasters
Russ J our Texas blog reader reports that in last Saturday's Dallas paper sports section there was an interview with the three top broadcasters here who do the Cowboys, Mavericks and Rangers. The Rangers voice, Eric Nadel, has been with the team for 37 years and was introduced into the Hall of Fame last year. The reporter asked them, "A network calls asking you to call the ultimate game in your sport, whom are you hoping it asks to analyze alongside you?" Nadel answered, "Mike Krokow of the Giants. I think he is the best kept secret in baseball broadcasting. He is an outstanding analyst, extremely witty, and an inspiration to all of us as the works despite extreme physical hardships. (muscle disease)." Giant fans know that they are very fortunate to have a great set of announcers.
On the Sunday ESPN telecast as we mentioned above the broadcasters were talking about the umpires saying a player has to know the umpires. We know that all Giant players have to do is ask Krukow for his has run down of every umpire in the major leagues. The Giant television broadcasts showing fans having fun in the stands and the comments from K & K are priceless and a major reason that fans come to AT&T many with their baseball glove. They will have their day in Hall of Fame sometime in the future.
The Mavericks broadcaster, when asked which is his favorite city to visit on the job and why said,
"New York because I have childhood friends there, but otherwise it is San Francisco. "I just love that town." Nothing specific, just pretty much everything about it. And then the atmosphere at Oracle Arena is the best in the NBA and has been ever since I started doing Mavericks games eleven years ago." Are the Warriors making a big mistake moving to the 'The City' that has never proven it would support NBA basketball?
I read that the California budget includes an exemption for the Warriors new proposed San Francisco arena from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). I wonder who the Warriors paid off in Sacramento to get that benefit. The CEQA is well known to be very crooked by applying the law to some and not others. Sounds very similar to the soccer scandal doesn't it?
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Cain Not Abel
The long awaited comeback of Mike Cain was a disappointment. It look like the same Cain that had chips in his arm and gave up all those home runs. Today the Marlins teed off on him just as if he didn't have the chips removed. Lets hope his arm is not sore tomorrow and he gets another opportunity next Tuesday. This is a prime of example of the risks teams take signing pitchers to long expensive contracts. Looks like blog reader Richard W was right about Cain.
Rich Aurila said before the three games with Miami started that the Giants should roll over the Marlins who had lost 9 of 11. Wrong it was Giants that got steam rolled losing all three games to the Marlins. The Marlins won the season series 5 - 2. The Giants continued to be a team of mystery.
When I do watch basketball I know they must have changed the rules some place along the line because players travel (walking in my day before busses), double dribble and palm the ball all the time and it is not called. In baseball I discovered that the pitcher does not have his foot on the pitching rubber anymore when he throws. Capps of the Marlins cheats dragging his foot three feet closer to the batter before he pitches. Major League baseball has ruled it legal. I wonder who Capps knows to get that approved. Sounds like a decision the Supreme Court of the United States would make. They are all products of our University systems. In Thursday's OC Register Dean Erwin Chemerinsky of the atheistic socialist leaning UC Irvine Law School said, "I constantly tell my students that they should think of court decisions not just of the legal rules but in terms of the impact on peoples lives." I assume in the case of Capps he would say not to rule against the player because he might not be able to pitch and would lose his job.
Forgot to mention the other day how well Blanco is hitting although some of his play in the outfield can be questioned as being a little too casual. . . Looks more and more like Posey will spend more time at first. . . He hits and runs much better when he is not catching. . . The defense set up by Ron Wotus this year has been fantastic. Deserves more credit then he is getting. . . I would put Santiago Casilla on the DL for about 25 days. He was out about that time last year and then came back and was unhittable. He has been over worked and used in games that they really didn't need him but only to improve his stats.
Good News for the Padres. The US Army is redesigning their camouflage uniforms for the first time in a few years. That means the Padres will have new Sunday home uniforms and the sale of these new jerseys should be brisk. No, don't worry they are not the colors of the rainbow. I personally think the current jerseys are horrible so anything would be an improvement.
I was asked if I thought the Warriors would win the NBA title again next year. It's such a looong drawn out season I don't know if they can keep it up I do believe if they have the opportunity during the next three years they will be champions again. . . It is obvious that UC Hospital does not want the famous Warriors to build a new arena near their facility. But don't worry Kezar Pavilion is always available if they want to move to San Francisco. Remember The City was never been able to support an NBA team. Playing at the 5,000+ Kezar will almost assure them of a sell out every night.
Candlestick is almost completely demolished. I could care less. Kezar and Seals Stadium are the stadiums I will always remember. Candlestick was a political payoff to Charles Harney and we all suffered for fifty years.
I was advised to keep my political and religious opinions off a sport page. I will gladly comply if the Giants would do the same at their games.
Happy Fourth!
Rich Aurila said before the three games with Miami started that the Giants should roll over the Marlins who had lost 9 of 11. Wrong it was Giants that got steam rolled losing all three games to the Marlins. The Marlins won the season series 5 - 2. The Giants continued to be a team of mystery.
When I do watch basketball I know they must have changed the rules some place along the line because players travel (walking in my day before busses), double dribble and palm the ball all the time and it is not called. In baseball I discovered that the pitcher does not have his foot on the pitching rubber anymore when he throws. Capps of the Marlins cheats dragging his foot three feet closer to the batter before he pitches. Major League baseball has ruled it legal. I wonder who Capps knows to get that approved. Sounds like a decision the Supreme Court of the United States would make. They are all products of our University systems. In Thursday's OC Register Dean Erwin Chemerinsky of the atheistic socialist leaning UC Irvine Law School said, "I constantly tell my students that they should think of court decisions not just of the legal rules but in terms of the impact on peoples lives." I assume in the case of Capps he would say not to rule against the player because he might not be able to pitch and would lose his job.
Forgot to mention the other day how well Blanco is hitting although some of his play in the outfield can be questioned as being a little too casual. . . Looks more and more like Posey will spend more time at first. . . He hits and runs much better when he is not catching. . . The defense set up by Ron Wotus this year has been fantastic. Deserves more credit then he is getting. . . I would put Santiago Casilla on the DL for about 25 days. He was out about that time last year and then came back and was unhittable. He has been over worked and used in games that they really didn't need him but only to improve his stats.
Good News for the Padres. The US Army is redesigning their camouflage uniforms for the first time in a few years. That means the Padres will have new Sunday home uniforms and the sale of these new jerseys should be brisk. No, don't worry they are not the colors of the rainbow. I personally think the current jerseys are horrible so anything would be an improvement.
I was asked if I thought the Warriors would win the NBA title again next year. It's such a looong drawn out season I don't know if they can keep it up I do believe if they have the opportunity during the next three years they will be champions again. . . It is obvious that UC Hospital does not want the famous Warriors to build a new arena near their facility. But don't worry Kezar Pavilion is always available if they want to move to San Francisco. Remember The City was never been able to support an NBA team. Playing at the 5,000+ Kezar will almost assure them of a sell out every night.
Candlestick is almost completely demolished. I could care less. Kezar and Seals Stadium are the stadiums I will always remember. Candlestick was a political payoff to Charles Harney and we all suffered for fifty years.
I was advised to keep my political and religious opinions off a sport page. I will gladly comply if the Giants would do the same at their games.
Happy Fourth!
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