Those who read this blog regularly know that I am not a great supporter of law makers whose priority is paying off their cronies. Did you know in California that you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Rationale at the end of the post. (Thanks to Tony G for the info.)
Everyone is in the news --- the 49ers, the Sharks, the Warriors and the Giants
The 49ers
What usually turns out to be the most exciting weekend of the NFL season -- the annual draft --- was held last weekend in Chicago to the disappointment of the SF Giants who were in the drafts usual location New York hoping to take in this historic event.
As one draftee said it just like school.-- every move and team is graded by 'experts' just like school with a letter grade from A-F. I always wondered why these professors of the draft don't work for an NFL team since they know so much. Its not like school since the grades are given before the final exam, which is actually contributing on the field. But most of the draftees are use to this for many of them received A's in their courses before opening a classroom door if they even got that far.
Those of us who follow the 49ers know they need players in just about every position. The team has been depleted in the last couple years by lack of leadership, retirements, free agency, injuries, and drafting that deserved a gift letter grade of 'D'. We have been a big 49er fan for 70 years and even though we have been disgusted with the team since they blew the Super Bowl a few years ago we're hoping the draft turns out to be a solid 'A'. I just wish that the lineman they drafted from Oregon this year is better then the one last year who was a complete bust. And I have confidence that the offensive guard from Stanford has talent and was not made to look good because they had a #5 running behind him.
Television
News from the television side of the NFL. . . I was surprised to see that Mike Tirico is leaving ESPN and ABC to work for NBC. Oh well, one atheist company to another. . . Even bigger news was the fact that Michael Strahan who is on the Sunday Fox NFL Show is leaving his part time job with Kelly Ripa. The move got plenty of publicity especially when Kelly said she was blind sided. But she knew that Michael who had already left two wives, could not be counted upon to stay for a long period to time. Its his MO! It must be said however that he did get 'Father of the Year' award from Parade magazine for treating his kids real well when he sees them once or twice a year. Isn't this a great world? I think some would call it 'enlightenment'. Do whatever you want. The hell with responsibility. . . Ex- 49er Dana Stubblefield denies raping a disabled women if what could possibly be a set up. Dana did the pre and post 49er show on CSBA until the station hired ex Notre Dame running back Ricky Waters last year to team with Denis Brown.. . On the lighter side of television, my daughter and blog member Katie S will be interviewed on the food channel on May 6th and repeated on May 11. The show is called Diner, Drive Ins and Dives and her segment is 'From the Heart' from Carlsbad, CA. On the 6th the show is scheduled for 6:30 pm and on the 11th 4 pm in the afternoon. Times could vary in other parts of the county.
Ice Hockey
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| A Seal with a hockey stick not a bat |
I have not followed the Sharks too closely in recent years. Like the Warriors they have great fan base in San Jose. They have had many playoff teams but seem to peak too early and are worn out by playoff time. This year the team seems to be peaking at the right time. Lets hope the San Jose Sharks join the other two California NHL hockey teams the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings and gain their first Stanley Cup.
The Warriors
What's left to be said? Thousands of words have been written about the amazing NBA team based out of Oakland. I guess the only real question is can the Warriors win the title without Curry. It would be hard to say they can't based on their playoff record to date. The feeling is now that Curry will play Game 3 in Portland so we can only speculate on the answer. Before the injuries to Curry and the Clipper stars, I thought the LA team was the only team that would have a chance ever so slight of upsetting the basketball wonders.
The Giants
The Giants just finished losing the final game of their series with Cincinnati. They are one game over .500 team in a division that one win over .500 or 82 wins could put that team in the playoffs.
The Giants were one of only three teams that did not start the season with a player on the DL. That didn't last long and the loss of Romo and Kontos were devastating. The relief staff is filled with many unfamiliar faces and resembles a staff you would expect to see in August which brings up the question who will they have left in August.
The big three of the starting staff looks like they will do everything expected of them. Its the fourth and fifth starters Peavy and Cain that remain the big questions. Peavy got belted again today. I don't know if its age that has finally caught up with him or he is pitching hurt. I am sure he will be on the DL very soon with Blackburn who doesn't impress me, being called up from the River Cats. I keep hearing how well Cain is pitching. Every time I look he is getting belted.
The loss of Adrianza was another real blow to the team. He finally was playing well enough that the team felt confident he could spell Crawford regularly. It was Flannery on the post game Giants show who has said on a number of occasions that Crawford is a much better player when he periodically gets a few games off
The Giants need one more player with some pop in his bat. Neither Pagan or Sans have any pop at all like last years late season addition Myrun Bird. Pagan has given it his all this year but now is out with a level 1 hamstring pull. Pagan has been troubled the last few years with leg injuries so this has to be considered serious. I had mentioned before that I was not impressed with Sans at the plate and now in the field. He is a horrible centerfielder. He cannot go back on ball without getting all turned around. Mac Williamson got two hits today that prevented him from catching a Greyhound to Sacramento when the Giants plane landed at SFO.
Greg Papa on the pre game show the other day mentioned that he could not wait for the matchup between Cueto and the speedy Reds centerfielder Hamilton. Well it wasn't even close. Hamilton got on second with one out and kept bluffing about going to third. Cueto threw back to second a few times besides bluffing throws. The end result was a walk to the batter that led to a home run and a 6 run inning. Hamilton cleaned Cueto's clock.
Kruk and Kuip on the Giants broadcast will always say when a batter grounds out and moves a runner to third with one that he did his job. Baloney! The batter was suppose to get a hit not make an out. All he does is put the pressure on the next hitter. Remember a few weeks ago the Giants won one game in Los Angeles. The Dodgers were trailing 2-1 in the 9th inning and their first batter led off with a double. Hernandez was the next Dodger batter. He had been killing the Giants at the plate. He attempts to bunt on the first pitch. I could not believe it. He took the bat right out of the hands of his hottest hitter. Then on the next pitch he grounds to third getting the runner to third just like a bunt. So now a runner on third with one out. The next batter pops out and final batter flies to left and the Giants win. That's why I am so happy the Dodgers hired Roberts as their manager and it is the reason they are not currently leading the NL West. How many times has a Giant led off an inning at AT&T with a triple and died on third. So many in fact that the cemetery is sold out. What was Cueto so worried about. Having Hamilton on third with one out is not disastrous. Just consecrate on striking out the next batter.
I am sick and tired of instant replay. How many did we see on the just concluded Giants trip. I lost count and as K & K said they didn't get it right half the time after looking at the replay. Its becoming a joke because who knows how many brandy's those umpires in New York have had and what is there to lose. I know the Giants wonder.
Rationale
You can't take a picture with a wooden leg. You will need a camera!
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