Incompetence

Replay

Major League Baseball apologized for the mistake of not allowing Brandon Crawford drive over the right field wall to be a home run.  That's nice of them.  They should apologize for incompetence.

In right field at AT&T there is green tin roof between the wall and where the fans sit.  Any ball hitting the roof in fair ground is a homerun.  Automatic! But the know-it-alls in New York didn't know that and ruled the drive a double with fan interference.  It was 1 a.m. in New York at the time and after 6 brandies perhaps they could not read the rules. Perhaps we're giving them too much credit.  Maybe they can't read period!  The call could only be fair or foul because it was over the fence. It shows that the umpires at the game have no say.  They had ruled it a homerun  and I believe they knew the rules that it should have ruled either fair or foul.  I guess they can't say  anything.  You think they could have some input.  But no!  New York knows it all..

The Cardinal announcers could not believe there was even a replay.  A waste of time.  At the time they thought it was being ruled fair or foul. They said what difference does it make.  Its the last of 9th inning and the Giants need 4 runs to tie.  It doesn't make any difference if the score is 5-2 or 5-3. Was the manager incompetent  or just stupid to call for the replay? Another example of abusing the replay rule.

The fans were thrown out of AT&T for interfering with play even though they are some 40 feet from the play. The ball was on the tin therefore out of the park.  Sure enough you see Giant security guards escorting the couple out of the stadium on television and later on the news.    They even took the ball they were entitled to.  Brian Crawford autographed a ball for them later.  For their show of incompetence and their mistake of embarrassing these fans on TV the Giants should have offered them a drink in  the right field bar, dinner at MoMos and about 10 tickets for next year. 

At the Sunday night game between Boston and the Yankees there was a replay.  The fans saw it on the screen and knew the results while you see the umpires still waiting  for their earphones  to  talk to  New York. The entire concept needs to be thought over using some commons sense.

To repeat our solution that appeared last year.

First admit that baseball can't get every play perfect.  Ball and strikes calls by the umpires prove that point..  Although except for Fernandez and West and maybe a couple others, I believe they do a great job.  But they all are going to miss a few.

The purpose of replay is  to correct the obvious missed calls.
Replay will be reviewed in the press box at the stadium,. 
If a decision cannot be reached within 30 seconds go with the call of the umpire on the field.
Plays at home plate will be allowed a minute review.

The Giants

Its time to give my thoughts for next years team.  Impossible.  The Giants are going to make at least one big trade if not two and you never know who goes in a trade.  Have to give up something to get something back.

The Giants front office must be in complete shock watching their team continue to  lose game after game with no real production from their stars of the future.  Its even more embarrassing when you hear Krukow and Kuiper raving about the Dodgers, Cardinal, Rockies, DBack hitters.

As a start here would my goals for the winter:
Sign Nunez to play third base who they lent to the Red Sox for the pennant drive.
Have a goal to obtain four new outfielders.
Have a  goal to sign three new relief pitcher, two at least that are left handers.

I know the list could go on and on and on.

The AL West

The Rangers and the Angels are still in the  race for the Bud Selig annual trophy awarded to the wild card team that makes the playoffs.  Angel games have been averaging over four hours lately so they must be getting serious. In 2014 the Giants won the first Selig trophy and then went on to win it all.  The story is just get into the playoffs then anything can happen.

The 49ers

The big question in Nevada is how many games will the 49ers win?  Four or five is debated.  I think they might beat that this year because there are a lot of lousy teams in the NFL

Happy Hour.

The Happy Hour show which I promoted has shown that it is made up of know it all  with a lot of hate in their hearts.  They rave about the NBA but never mention most of the games are just an exhibition . Greg Papa never seems to be around anymore.  I know he was disgusted at the direction of the show.

Monday Night Football Pool

Some of you told me that you participate in the pool.  If you do then you got the info for this year.

You pick every Monday game before 4 pm Sept. 11, 2017.  Award each game between 17 for team most likely to win and 1 point for your toughest pick.

Entry fee is $20.00

Chart at right or you can make your own

Winner won $1300.last year with over $2,000 distributed.

Question can be directed to Mike Willis at
uscsucs@sbcglobal.net or phoine .
(714) 262-8770

Mail entries to Mike Willis
9351 Via Vista Dr
Buena Park, CA  90620

Time Has Run Out

This will be the last blog for awhile.  They have been fewer and fewer because of my time restrictions.

In case I don't have a chance
Happy Thanksgiving
Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year!

What A Month

Baseball All Star Hangover

I was the lone no vote for Nelson Cruz to win the MVP of the recent major league All Star baseball game.  Yes, he hit the winning homerun in the 10th inning that deserves a lot of credit.  But my vote went to Mariners Nelson Cruz.  He brought a camera  to home plate and had National League catcher and Cardinal star Yadiar Molina take a picture of him with Joe West one the the "most liked" umpires in the game.  The play of the  game!

Picture at right shows San Francisco Seals manager Lefty  O'Doul talking with long time Seals catcher and  coach Joe Sprinz. They are wearing the 1948 Seals caps that major league baseball after a long search,  patterned for the 2017 All Star game caps..

San Francisco General

It was mentioned in the last post that we saw Korean baseball star Huang hit his first homerun for the  Giants.  I was about to report that it might be his only one but I see with the trade of Nuenez he will be brought up again this weekend.   The Giants had a 2 run lead in that game in the top of the 9th.  But where is the $61 million closer Melancon?  Sure he pitched an inning the night before so even all those gigantic scoreboards can't inform the fans that he is back on the DL.  Guess they were too embarrassed.

The story does not end at that point.  We were entering a Sport Bar for dinner and the Red Sox game hit you  in the face.  But across the bottom was information at Melancon.  I wanted to read it but I kept walking and tripped over a step and spent the next 8 hours at SF General. Now if I was 10 a couple of bandages would have done the job.  But  being 83 it takes over $12,000. I got my first ambulance ride (no siren) and about 10 different tests at he hospital that took about 4 hours. Then they informed me it was  policy to keep the patient under  observation for another four hours. I didn't complain because I was waiting for the headaches that fortunately never came.  One of the fireman asked me if I was a  related  to Tom Sweeney the famous doorman at the Sir Francis Drake.  I said  yes.  The fireman said he went to school with Tom  and I replied then you went to Riordan.  I don't  think they were too worried about me after that conversation. My cousin and blog member JL of San Francisco and her husband picked me up outside SF General at 3:30 am.  You know SF is pretty quiet at that hour..

My Right Ear

Months ago a growth started behind my right ear.  At  first I thought I could handle it. but it got worse and finally went to my primary physician.  He referred me to my dermatologist, then on to my plastic surgeon and then on to a date for the surgery. Over four months in total.and as time passed and I noticed more people were avoiding me.  It took that length of time to finally have the plastic surgery scheduled.  The wait was worth it.  The surgery was remarkably successful.

49ers

I spent about five days up at Lake Tahoe recently with a couple blog members and their wives.  Talk about experts on the 49ers.  They never quit anayizing them. I think they know more then the coaches as they prepared for fantasy football.  However LOB of Moraga  thinks the Niners will win four and JD of Lafayette says five.  The odds in Nevada currently are 4.5 over or under. Tough decision!  I said they would win 6 games but then woke up from my dream and  realized that Tittle and R.C. Owens didn't play for them anymore.

The 49er faithful are hoping the team will be in a  position to draft USC's star quarterback Sam Donald when he becomes eligible in the next NFL draft.  In recent years, highly rated USC teams have flopped and their QB's status has dropped dramatically.  Only time will  tell.

The NBA

If you listen to The Happy Hour you know they think there is nothing second to the NBA.  Well maybe the  Warriors.  But other teams that  try to copy the Blue and Gold miss their 3 pointers and the balls keep clunking off the back  rim.  Not very exciting.  The biggest NBA problem is that most of their games don 't count.   You only need 40 wins our of 82 to make it to the games that count.   Remember last year at the start there was a great build up for the opener between the Spurs and the Warriors.  Oh how important.  The Spurs won by over 29 and the game didn't mean a thing.   But people pay enormous  prices to see the  entertainment.

The Giants

Wonder what happened to the Giants?  Panic, Crawford, Belt, Pence, Baumgartner are all hitting 30 to 50 points below their normal average.  Oh that shift!  Plus they hit very few homeruns in a league that teams win with homers.

The big news is Sandoval.  NBC Sports Bay Area is covering the Panda in San Jose and Sacramento.  I never have seen the Panda look so thin.  But the report is that he can't drive the ball.  The Red Sox had the same problem and that is the reason they released him.  We might have been wrong about Sandoval.  Maybe he has to weigh around 265 to hit.  I am rooting for the Panda but I don't think he  will have a contract with the Giants next year

Span in centerfield has had a better season.  But I am still not impressed.  I read that the Cubs are interested.  Send him on. He will get 4 hits one night then go hitless the next two.

Bumgarner shows he can still pitch.which is most important.  But he is not great.  Maybe its time to send him on?  

The Giants have many promising hitters at Sacramento or on the DL..We know that it is very difficult to make that big jump to the majors.  Hopefully the Giants will find a couple of gems. I really liked Slater the rookie from Stanford.  Then he got hurt.  Would like to see him play center.  Not sure he has enough power for the corners.

The AL West

There is a lot of finger pointing going on as teams in the AL West are all wondering who approved the Houston Astros move from the National League to the American.  The AL West would be a great race if it wasn't for the Astros.

The All Star Break

The Giants

It is almost unbelievable how the Giants went from the best record in the major league baseball one year ago to the worst record in Giants history.  What Happened?

We know one thing for certain.  They did not receive the memo from MLB at the beginning of the season that told teams that this was gong to be the year of the home run.  So be prepared.  The Giants were not as we have chronicled on this site even when they were winning that the lack of hitters that could drive the ball was very apparent.

Even the veteran Giant Rich Aurila who supported the management for a long time finally said that playing station to station baseball will not win you the NL West with teams loaded with power hitters.  Just look at the Dodgers.  They are miles ahead of he Giants.  They bring up a rookie and he hits 25  home runs in the first half of the season.  The Giants bring up some promising rookies and they all go on the DL within a few weeks.

We attended the game that Huang the newest third baseman for the Giants from Korea got his first major league hit a home run to win the  game for the Giants.  In spring training he looked horrible at every position he played.  But since being brought up he has played outstanding third base which is a surprise to many.  What is also is  a surprise is his .125 batting average.  I am pictured at the  right with two of his female admirers from Korea. I am in the middle.

What Do the Giants Do?

Most Giants fans I am sure have an opinion.  That's what makes baseball fun!  I believe the Giants will  listen to offers about any player on the team except perhaps Posey and maybe Bumgarner.  Lets hope when they make a deal they don't do it for the sake of making a trade but are getting a player or players in return that they believe can help the team in the future.

The rest of the season will be fun evaluating the newest Giants and following their trades.

The All Star Game

Those who have read this site for a few years know that I have been very critical of the game.  During the off season major league baseball finally came to its senses and drop the provision that the winning league would get home team advantage in the World Series.  Or was it last year?  We discovered that it was Fox that pressured Bud Selig to make the game more attractive.  Bud because it meant more dollars for MLB went along with it.

I did not have a chance to pick the All Star team this year.  Good thing I never heard of half the players. Its an young mans game.  Hint to the Giants!

The Warriors

To listen to the reports the Warriors have already won the 2017-18 NBA title.  They signed everybody that could shoot and then some.  The criticism  will be furious when  they are highlighted  as the team that bought their championship.  As Monte Pool the Warriors Insiders on NBC Sport Bay Area said it will hurt the fans and businesses in Oakland.  Meaning they are going to pay their share of the freight.  We roughly figure a $25. price increase in each ticket the Warriors should raise about 20 million to help  pay off the NBA fine for exceeding the cap.  Some might sarcastically say what cap!

If you don't think Clevedland is upset about losing the title to Golden State look at what happen in the Summer League game between the two teams.  To get revenge the Cavs snuck in as ringer name Jim Lamar who scored something like 38 points during the two periods he played.

The good news is that there are many Warrior Summer League tickets available for under $500.

Don't worry fans, the 49ers are only a few weeks away.

Giants Need a Jerry West!

It was quite a week in the Bay Area with the Golden State Warriors winning the NBA crown for the second time in three years and the San Francisco Giants finally passing those stubborn San Diego Padres to lead the pace for #1 draft choice next year.

The Warriors

In my opinion Game 3 was the key to the Warriors winning the series.  Cleveland led  almost to the last minute when Durant  hit a 3 pointer, one of the most important baskets in Warrior history,  to give the Warriors the lead.  Those who follow the NBA know that this is not unusual that leads can change hands two or three times during the final minute.  But for some unknown reason the Cavs were not ready.  They seemed flustered, threw the ball around kicked it and soon the Warriors had control of the game.  If the Cavs won this game we would be in a 7 game series.

Cleveland won big in game 4  but the Warriors rallied behind the home crowd to win game 5 and the series.  A great accomplishment. Getting all those big egos to work together was an amazing feat. As Curry says "its not easy to win an NBA championship!"  This year they were ready for the playoffs being rested and healthy which made a big difference.  Durant lost about 5 weeks leading up the  playoffs but this probably a blessing in disguise making him well rested for the final push.

The fans  in the East Bay came to celebrate.  I could not bear to  listen to all of the speeches, but I am sure "greatest fans in the world" was said many times just like the fans in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Boston  heard at their parades, but in the case of the Warriors it is really true. They supported their heroes win or lose for decades and the team responded playing exciting basketball thanks in part to coach Don Nelson's style of basketball.

How many players really told the truth?  We apologize for stabbing you in the  back and leaving for San Francisco.  But lets face it, that's were the money is even thought San  Francisco has never proven it could support a NBA team with prices as low as $3.00 for reserve seats. Corporations can afford the $50,000 for a seat license and we want to appease all of our Marxists friends from China.  I know you can take BART across the Bay but its going to cost you plenty to attend our games.  Hopefully you don't have to mortgage your home to come see us play.  We will welcome you with open arms.  If it wasn't for all of you I wouldn't be making $10 million next year.  How I can thank  you?

Changes can already be felt and seen at Oracle.  Greg Papa observed that during the regular season the fans were not as noisy in fact rather quiet.  Did they get tired of Curry making 45 foot shots to end a quarter? It was expected and became old hat.  At least they didn't boo him if he missed.  Or perhaps it was a different audience that is starting to invade the Warriors.  Tickets given away by corporations to their clients who know nothing about basketball might also be playing a role.

Gone is Jerry West.  Is this the start of the demise of the  team which they are trying to hold together with creative financing?  Does it mean they think 'they know it all?'  They will have many questions to answer such as it is worth signing 33 year old to an expensive three year contract when more then likely like most old players, he would spend more than half the time on the DL?

Most of the 'know it all's' think the Warriors will repeat for the next couple of years.  The incentive will be missing and the luck of having only a few injuries like this year would be surprising. It's tough to stay on top in any sport and pro basketball is no exception.  The Warriors have big challenges facing them. 

The Giants

First question is do you dismantle the entire team or just selected positions?  If you could go to a super market and pick up a new team the former would be the correct answer.  But that's not the way  it works so the Giants will have to study their roster very carefully and think through who they keep or trade. 

Its too bad they don't have a Jerry West like the Warriors had that could give opinions without any prejudices.  I believe too many recent player decisions have been influenced by friendship or loyalty.
They believed the press and blamed everything on Casilla even though fans were screaming for a left fielder.  They were the worst team in the major after the All Star break last year and continued it this year.  They completely misread the team even with plenty of warning.  Should Evans be fired?  Yes.  He won't be because the Giants don't have a Jerry West.

My thoughts on various players will follow later when I have more time.

This will be Bruce Bochy's last year.  He will 'retire' because health reasons.  Who can blame him.  Another year like this one would give anyone a heart attack. 

I would recommend making AT&T Park more hitter friendly.  Its tough enough to hit in the heavy air of San Francisco especially with the addition  of marijuana smoke hovering over the stadium.  Close out triples valley and move the bull pins to the outfield.  They won't do it because of the reputation of the park and the fact they don't have a Jerry West to give them unbiased opinions.

Attendance

I watched the Giants play in Philadelphia before thousands of empty seats.  It wasn't too many years ago that the Phillies had something like 400 or more straight sell outs.  Players got old and the team sunk and stunk.

Will San Francisco follow Philadelphia?  I believe Giant fans come to AT&T to have good time.  They would like to see the Giants win but its not the end of the world if they don't which was the not the attitude in Philadelphia.  The Giants sell many of their tickets to ticket agency which sell them on Stub Hub and over a season have made a nice little profit because of the demand for tickets.  If the demand drops then ticket agencies will back off and attendance will be noticeably smaller.

Baseball Draft

I was asked to comment on recent draft.   I don't start following young players until they start playing for the Giants farm teams.  I did check the national media about the draft and discovered that the Giants picks were severely criticized.  They have a 17 years old outfielder as their first choice and a son of ex major leaguer that could have easily gone in the fourth round in the second.  I did not see any comment on the 12 year 5th grader chosen in the 15th round.

I always wonder if these guys are such experts about these player why don't they work for the teams.  In most situations, I really don't think they know what they are talking about which is common for the entire communications industry.

Giants Game

I will be having lunch on June 28th on the patio of MoMos across from AT&T starting about 11 am before attending the Rockies game that afternoon.  If your in the area stop and say hello

It's About Time

I know it has been a while since my last blog.  I want thank all of you for letting me know how you miss my comments.  There haven't been any emails but I know in your heart your thinking of me.  I have just been very busy with three other very important projects and at my age I don't get as much done during the day as I used to.

Will Stanford Save Us Again?

It was in the late 1970s when a genius named Bill Walsh came out of Stanford and within a couple of years took a 2-12 49er football team to the Super Bowl Championship.  The Niners now have John Lynch another Stanford product trying to bring the Santa Clara based team back to respectability which I think he will do within a couple of years.  The Giants are looking at  a Stanford product bringing up Austin Slater from Sacramento to finally solve the left field problem.  An injured hand from winter ball has slowed his process but now he is back to full health and his record shows he might be the real thing. Lets hope that Stanford can save the Giants like they have the 49ers.

The Giants --- My Thoughts

I guess with age I don't take baseball as serious as I used to.  I remember when I was very young I would cry myself to sleep after listening to the 'old walnut farmer' Jack MacDonald describe another Seals loss.  I have learned that it is tough to stay in contention every year.  The Giants management has done a marvelous job  with the help of commissioner Bud Selig to win three World Series titles plus usually being in the race to the final week.

The management blew it this year and so did I.  The collapse should not have been a surprise.  The Mission Bay team had the worst record in baseball last year from the All Star game on.  But who did management blame? Who else but Santiago Casillla for having the worst closing record in the game. To solve the problem they signed a closer Mark Melancon for something in the range of 1/4 billion to solve the problem.  They didn't realize the Giants had to score a few runs in order for him to save a game a little detail they forgot. He participated in the World Baseball Fiasco and of course came up with an arm problem that put him on the DL.  Those who read my comments know that I am not a fan of the world championships so every time a player goes on the DL who played in the series I am going to blame those games.  Prove me wrong.  You also noticed after those games that Giants shortstop Crawford could not run the bases without pulling a muscle and going on the DL.

Perhaps the Giants finally realize they need batters who can hit.  This blog has pointed it out for a couple of years.  The Giants use the defensive shift against teams very successfully. Now it is being used against them and ruining a few players careers.

The team has very little chance of reaching .500 for the year.  They will battle San Diego for last place.  Will the Black and Orange use the NBA strategy of tanking some game so they can get a higher draft choice?  Not a bad idea!

The Giants called up a slugging first baseman Shaw from AA to Sacramento.  If he can produce will he be taking over for Belt before the 49er first regular season game under the new regime?  It was believed that by this time in his career Belt would be a solid .280 hitter to go with his  20+ homeruns.  He is currently hitting around.240 and always walking to dugout after striking out.

The one big joy about the Giants is seeing Crawford and Panik field their positions.  It is really appreciated when I see other teams play.  Panik has been a victim of the shift and his batting average has tumbled from .300 for a couple years to around .240.  Bochy has benched him a few game to look at other second baseman.  Arroyo was very impressive at second.  I think the Giants are a better team when  Panik plays but he being a New Yorker, would fit right in at second based for the Yankees with their short right field fence.  However the Giants would like to have from the Yankees is a player like Mickey Mantle who is not available.   I am not sure the pin strippers have anyone else the Giants could use.

It is sad to see an all star year by Buster Posey go to waste.  Perhaps you saw a couple of weeks ago he get a single to center field only have Neven the third base coach hold the runner from second at third.  As TV showed Posey was livid!  It was right after that that Posey started hitting homeruns.  Where do the Giants train their third base coaches?  One excuse for Nevin is the fact he getting very little experience at third this year.

Matt Cain has done a nice job.  He has surprised me but at his age look for the DL a little after the All Star game.  Ty Blach looks like a winner.  Moore is good some days and bad others which is no surprise.  Cueto still having fun win or lose and Bumgarner threw for the first time the other day and looked bad.  I was asked why I didn't use his injury as an excuse for the Giants.  The reason being he started four games and they lost all four.  No big loss!

Slater, Orlando Caliyte and Arroyo are prospects that might make the second half of the season more interesting.

Thank Goodness for the Warriors

The Warriors are three games away from winning another NBA title with a 16-0 playoff record.  Can they do it?  I think they will be disappointed if they don't.  If they do lose a game then win the title they will be the first  championship  team to celebrate by throwing Champaign bottles against the wall in disgust.

A couple of our readers from the south will be flying to Oakland Sunday to take in the game. I hope they see a blow out like the second game last year which the Warriors won by 33 points.

This week brings backs  memories attending the 5th game of the NBA 1967 World  Championship Playoffs at the Cow Palace.  The Warriors lost to the Wilt Chamberlin 76ers that evening and eventually the series 4-2

Oh how I loved this team pictured at the right that included Rick Berry, Nate Thurman, Jeff Mullins, Joe Ellis  Al Attles and Bill Sharman a great coach.

They were young and had the makings of a great future.  Then tragedy hit.  Franklin Mieuli the team owner was in his bath tub in the middle of some ocean and at the same time Pat Boone sold a few extra records.  Result Boone offered Berry $75,000 to play for the Oakland Oaks of the ABL.  Rick took the money and chances of an NBA title went down the drain.  Finally after years, Rick retuned to the Warriors to lead them to the 1975 title.  If Rick had stayed there would be a lot more championship flags decorating Oracle Arena.

Berry would have even been a greater player in the 3 point era along with Joe Ellis the ex USF star.

The teams in this era did not have the big television money.  The 76ers carried only eight players on their roster to afford Wilt.  Oh how the world of basketball has changed.

Join Us

I will be having an early 11 am lunch with my cousin Joan Leehane on the patio of MoMos before the Giants gamed on Wednesday June 28.  If your walking along the Bay or are planning on attending the game stop and say hello.

Where To Start?

It has been a very active two weeks for Bay Area sports.  Lots happened.  I wish I could have commented earlier but my schedule plus my age restricts me to how much I can do.

The Sharks

We mentioned last year when they lost in the finals of the Stanley Cup that they would not return.  It wasn't  a difficult  prediction and unfortunately it came true.  I understand the team is getting old and being beaten by younger faster teams.  So is it time for some big changes?

The Warriors

They wanted that top spot in the bracket, they got it, and it paid off big time.  Their opposition the Trailblazers used my strategy of resting during the season then winning just enough games 41 to make it to the playoffs.  They made one mistake.  They should have gotten their 41 wins earlier.  They had to win something like 14 of the last 20 to make it in.  They had exhausted themselves just making it to the playoffs.

The Warriors have looked  good enough in the first round to go 16-0 to the championship. 
That's a little much to ask when the competition is good.  They should barring any serious injuries roll through to the championship of  the NBA.

The 49ers and the Draft

The internet is full of grades for  each team's draft choices.  The  grades which are the ones that  count won't be available until the  choices take their finals which in some cases takes two years.

I thought GM Lynch and the 49ers group stole the show the first day getting an additional first round pick and in the process picking up an additional pick.  For the first time in a few years I am excited about the team.  I have confidence in this new leadership because I think they have a plan and know how to achieve it. They will need some luck like finding a qb.  I don't expect big wins in the coming season but they already have 10 draft  picks for next year.  Give them time and it will pay dividends..  

Perhaps you watched ESPN show on the I believe it was the 1983 draft and what happen to the players chosen. .  It reminded me of the 1981 draft.  No 49er fan should ever forget it because without it the team would not have won their first Super Bowl. The 49ers were drafting 8th.  According to all the experts there were seven can't miss college players in the draft.   Every thing was going to plan until Green Bay picked Campbell the Cal QB (not on the can't miss list) as their 7th pick that opened up #8 for the Niners who chose  Ronnie Lott.  Those seven can't miss players?  Three are in the Hall of Fame and the other four were All Pro.

The Giants

Its beginning to look a lot like a cellar suite for the Giants this year.  We have been spoiled for years and eventfully its going to have to end. The game is changing and the Giants have been left behind.  Tim Flannery all week on the pre and post game shows was explaining how the Giants score by moving runner up a base etc.  I hate to tell him but that's almost impossible today because of the shift.  We've all  seen it on television.   A ball pass the pitcher headed toward centerfield for hit and their is the shortstop just waiting for it.  A second basemen throwing out a runner from right field.  The bunt doen't seem to break the shift because the players can't bunt were it is needed for a hit.

The Giants don't seem to have much pop in their bats.  We've been saying for years and now even Flannery on Sunday said we need somebody that can hit a homerun.  They certainly need that but also players that drive the ball  between the outfielders. The shift can't stop that.

The Giants spent millions on a new closer Mark Melancon.  He blew two saves in April but the good news is he is still behind the pace set last year.  He really hasn't pitched much because the Giants can't score any runs so their are no leads to protect.
 
Notes . . . The Giants have had their share of injuries but they were losing before these players got hurt. . .   Hats off to Cain for pitching very well.  I didn 't think he had anything left.  Problem is six innings seems to be his limit an with no relief corps its another loss. . .  Can you believe Morse?  The Giants new cleanup hitter. . .  Christian Arroyo is a winner.  He seems to hit the ball hard almost every time at the plate. . . Can you name a team that has a weaker hitting outfield then the Giants?

I have mentioned the new show Happy Hour in recent posts wondering if they are really going to have a drink during the show.  The latest is that they are having a glass of wine.  Before that they had red paper cups which was classless.  The week they didn't have any hint of a  drink but they had a segment promoting pot smoking.

One segment featured our old friend Jim Harbaugh giving a Michigan helmet to the pope.  The Wolverines I understand are going to have 10 practices on the lawn behind the Sistine chapel.  They hope to recruit some Muslim kids.  Oh yes, I would advise the pope to have the helmet removed from the stand.   It may come in handy.

I'm 83

Last Week

The two doctors that I  saw last week both said that I was in very good health based upon a number of blood results and could continue writing my sports blog.  They both agreed that because I am able to socializes on occasion with a beautiful girl 57 years younger then myself might be a contributing factor. (See photo February 23, 2017 issue).  I have a growth on my right ear and saw one doctor hoping to get a referral to a plastic surgeon.  Instead I need to see my dermatologist which won't be until the end of May.  My doctor doesn't seem worried so I have not going either.  Only one problem three people have already called me Dumbo.

Being able to date a young girl 57 years younger seems almost impossible.  But it isn't when you look at the facts.  When I go to buy a bottle of liquor I am asked for my id.  That means the clerk is not sure that I am even 21 years of age most likely because I am clean shaven. Many young males grow beards today so they can look 80 years of age.  Its called the Copy Cat generation. Yes, I am aware that it is a state law to check everybody's id who  purchase a bottle of liquor.  In other words someone in power in  Sacramento who hates drinkers decided to use his or her  power to harass those who drink.  Remember the legislators in California are liars.  The latest example is the new Transportation Act that will increase the cost of gasoline about 10 cents a gallon plus raising vehicle fees. This is done under the pretense to fix our roads. For 67 years I have been paying a tax at the pump to keep up the roads.  It is now admitted that much of that money has been used to pay off cronies by the fact that they say this time 'we mean it'.  With money they plan to collect the cost per pot hole is about $100,000.  If you believe these liars then you deserved to be Dumbo.

New Name

Comcast Sports is now called NBC Sports Bay Area.  Even at 83 I earn something new almost every day.  The other day I learned that NBC stood for National Broadcasting Corporation.  I always though the B stood for Baloney because they were always so full of it. They have added one new show The Happy Hour which stars Johnson, Papa and Ratto a very good trio who know and discuss sports.  They spit in the face of Jesus Christ a couple of  times.  That's to be expected on NBC. During the  first week they learned that they could drink legally on the air.  Their  first show this week didn't even mention drinking.  In other  words someone  who hates drinkers got to them so the show isn't as much fun.  It takes place during cocktail hour so it was fun to have a drink with them as they discussed sports.

Greg Papa brought up the fact that the crowds at Oracle Arena this year to see the Warriors play have been much quieter.  They are no longer the loudest in the NBA.  The trio discuss some possible reasons one being that they use to tear down the rafters when Curry made a 40 footer to close out a quarter.  Now they expect him to make it.  At least they are not booing him if he misses.

Another factor might be that corporations have many of the  tickets and they give  them to their clients.  Its possible that some of the clients do not know a tennis racket from a basketball.  Or maybe they don't recognize the Warriors when they are not wearing their Chinese Communist uniforms.

Ratto pointed out what we have been saying for years.  The fans are starting to  figure out that most of these games mean nothing.  They are paying hundreds of dollars to see a warm up game.  It has to be said that in almost all occasions the Warriors play an very entertaining game.

The Season Begins

After 82 warm up games and about 10 pre warm up games, the NBA season finally tipped off over the Easter weekend.  I was attending a very nice Easter dinner thrown by a very good friend in my area so I missed the Warriors first game victory.  From what I have heard it seems that the Warriors are out to revenge last years collapse.  If they keep up that attitude and stay reactively healthy they should win the 16 games necessary for the NBA title.  Preventing a second game let down is crucial for this series.

The AL West

We mentioned that we would comment on the AL West race this year because some of our blog members follow the A's, Angels or Rangers.  At  this point of the season they are all under .500 with the Astros taking an early  commanding lead.  I noticed in the past that the Western Division race can change dramatically.  The teams seem to have long winning and long losing streaks which in most years makes the race dramatic.  Its way too  early to see what will happen this year.

Winter Workshop

Every January many of the major league  managers attend a few days workshop in Florida to learn the latest trends in the game.  This year it focused on the number 2 batter in the lineup being one of if not the best hitter.  Obviously Bochy attended and so did Madden of World Champion Cubs.  It was conducted by a professor of statistics from Princeton who also has degrees from Yale and Harvard.  The strategy should be evaluated at the end of the season but so far the trend has been very negative.  Belt is bating second for the Giants and every time I look at the Giants game I see him walking back to the dug out after striking out.  I hate to say this but he seems to get worse every year.  Then if you remember the star third baseman of Cubs Bryant who led the Cubs last year is now batting second.  So far he is hitting.212 and the World Champions are playing sub .500 baseball.

Length of Games

After  the first couple of weeks of the season baseball games are averaging 3 hours and 5 minutes.  Many of the commissioners ideas to speed up the game were rejected by the players union as if the players are paid by the hour not by salary. Concession stands are booming. 

Baseball has to get real.  The biggest delay in the games comes from relief pitchers.   They are all taught to delay, throw to first, call out the catcher to discuss dinner, all to  make the batter anxious.
There were 98 relief pitchers used last Sunday in the majors.  No wonder the games are so long.

Baseball instant replay looks so stupid.  Baseball needs to clarify the purpose so as not to ruin the game with people in New York after five or six brandies trying to call a play.  The purpose should be to correct the obvious errors not try to get every play right by looking at six different angles for five minutes.  This can be done by someone like the official scorer watching a replay in the press box for 30 seconds.  If he can't decide then the play stands as called.  No challenges by the managers.  If the official see a possible error on a call a red light flashes on the scoreboard and the result  is rendered in 30 seconds.

The Giants

Its hard to get excited about this team.  Something is missing.  I know they have numerous problems but it is hard to pick the major one.  Super Z one my blog members from Pleasanton told me last  winter that Giants pitching was weak.  I had the opinion that it wasn't bad.  Its bad! Hitting is horrible.  Again this year they lack power and need  more batters that drive the ball between the outfielders with authority.  Its lacking.  Losing Posey for a week has hurt.  He got beaned by a fast ball thrown right at his head.  Now he is a foul  tip away from possibly ending a career.

I am not a fan of Bochy's lineup..  Span leads off and they have no other choice.  Panik is a natural #2 hitter and if he stays healthy will lead the team in batting.  Why he is batting # 8 is a complete mystery to me.  They have Belt batting second I suppose so he might get more fast ball and he keeps striking out.  Pence is no #3 hitter.  Strikes out too much.   Needs to  bat #6.  Posey best bet is #3.  If the Giants had a choice they would leave #4 spot vacant.  Crawford probably the best answer.  Fifteen homers from your clean up man is not going to do it.    As mentioned before Nunez has the potential to be a very good hitter but he thinks of himself before the team.  Parker almost killed himself Saturday crashing into the left field wall making a great catch.  He is out 8 -12 weeks.  He wasn't hitting anyway. His play reminded me Pete Reiser a Brooklyn Dodger center fielder who was noted for crashing into the wall at Ebbets Field.

49ers and the UofA

I read not too long ago that former USC quarterback Matt Barkley had signed with the 49ers.  He will be one of about four qbs trying to make the team.  The 2013 photo at the right shows Matt with my granddaughter Emi Knous.  When this photo was taken Matt had just decided to stay his senior year at USC a decision as history has proven that cost him  millions of dollars.

Emily in the meantime will enter the University of Arizona next January on a soccer scholarship.  She has already broken one record at the UofA.  Her athletic scholarship award has more academic money included then any other athlete in the history of the school.  That makes the soccer coach very happy since she now has more money to recruit additional players.

The World Baseball Championships

The World

I was informed a few days ago by a friend  that the United States won the World Baseball Championship.  I guess I missed that great news.  I asked where the parade was held; Broadway in New York, Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC, Figueroa Los Angeles or Market Street San Francisco.  He told me that there was no parade because it would not be politically correct. In other words after the US won everyone said,  So what! 

The Giants

Obviously I have a bias against  the WBC.  That being said I can blame the Giants first loss on the WBC.  The three Giants that were on the US team, using a different training schedule, were goats in the first Giant loss. The Giants had taken a one run lead in the top of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out.  Posey could not get a run in as he popped up to short right and Crawford grounded to the catcher which believes me is tough to do. Then there new closer Melancon with dollar bills flowing out of his uniform got belted all over the lot in the bottom of ninth sending the DBack fans home happy.

Notes. . . The relief staff is already in shambles.  Only one left hander reliever made the squad Ty Blach and he should be their fifth starter. . . I can't believe Gorkys Hernandez batted for Parker in the sixth inning.  Jarrett should be embarrassed. . . Hernandez even making the team and Cain being the fifth starter makes be believe the Giants do not want to win the pennant this year. . .A printer I know in SF told me that he got an order for 1000 16x20 cards saying 'Bring Back Casilla'. . . Bumgarner two home runs probably cinch his job as #1 pinch hitter. . . The big star of the spring Chris Marrero of course did not play. . . The Giants need a couple of wins

The AL West  

I was able to watch portions of the Rangers game and the A's Angel game and here are my observations after the first game of the season.

The Rangers were leading and lost the lead which was not a surprise.  Their infield is made up of 50 or 60 year looking old men with beards so it is not surprising they tired at the end.  It is easy to see why Gillette  is not one of their sponsors.

The Angels have Mike Trout.  The Angels have Mike Trout.  The Angels have Mike Trout.

Oakland has Khris Davis two home runs and Santiago Casilla who got the save.

The Warriors

There is no question the Warriors are on a roll because their opponents are tired and worn out and saving themselves for the playoffs.  They swept through Texas which was highlighted as the two most important games of the year.  B.S.  It meant as much as the Giants winning their last two spring training games in Arizona..  Have to have that first seed.  Really?  The second seed will play Memphis who just lost to the Lakers.  I just hope they don 't run out of gas in June like last year.  I  kept reading about cutting the playing  time of the stars.  That's more B.S.

The NCAA tournament

The NCAA Basketball tourney mercifully finally came to an end with North Carolina beating the Zags   I didn't know they played an AAU team with Zags across the uniform fronts, for the title.  Oh1 It was Gonzaga University.  Could have fooled me.  It probably fooled thousand across the land.  A great opportunity to get your school name in front of millions and they have Zags.  They blew it!   I had my old Bing Crosby records out to  play after the game if the Bulldogs had won.  For those a little younger,  Bing was an Gonzaga graduate and without his $ contributions the school probably would not even exist today.  Basketball recruiting for teams in the league with Gonzaga like USF, Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount and U of San Diego should pick up.  No excuses now!

The LPGA

Sunday was a black day for golf. Lexi Thompson a brilliant young women's golfer was penalized 4 strokes on Sunday afternoon for not replacing a ball properly on Saturday.  The infraction was emailed in by a viewer on Sunday.  The officials checked the video and access the penalty.  Why a 20 hour delay?  Then looking at the replay they had one camera from an angle to determine if the ball was misplaced.  Watching baseball replays you know that some plays are very close and one angle the runner looks safe and another angel he looks out.  The same could have easily been true for this situation. Granted Lexi was very careless replacing the ball which was just a foot from cup and she paid the price.  I just believe there needs to be statue of limitations on replays.  Without the penalty Lexi would have won easily but if the infraction was reported Monday would they have taken the title away from her? If there is to be penalty it should be accessed before the player starts the next round.  Thompson lost in playoff to So Yeon Ryu.

Oakland Stadium

This is our last article on stadium issues in the AL West.  In previous posts we have chronicled how both Texas and the Los Angeles Angels have solved their problems.  Oakland seemed like an impossible situation but with the Raiders moved to Lax Vegas approved the A's now will soon have a baseball only facility which they requested.

The A's did have a potential list of four locations to consider.  They went through this exercise when Jerry Brown was mayor and he basically told them to 'go shove it'.  This current list did not include 40th and San Pablo in Emeryville. That was the home of the Oakland Acorns of the Pacific Coast League for years when Oakland was a real baseball town  In fact at the end of  World War II they built bleachers in right and center field to handle the crowds  The right field line said 300 feet so there many home runs to right field.   A few of our readers might remember Roy Nicely a great defensive shortstop for the Seals but he was lucky to hit .200.  One Sunday afternoon he even hit a home run to right center field.

Emeryville Ball Park

As a kid it was always a treat to go to a game in Oakland getting off the Key System train at San Pablo Avenue and walking over a few blocks. In those days the lower deck of the Bay Bridge was reserved for trucks, busses and the trains  There were no stations like Bart.  You just got off in the middle the street and hoped for the best. 

Will the A's be satisfied with the Coliseum site without football?
I am sure they will want a new stadium like most sport teams.  Will the Coliseum site be satisfactory?   Or will they also move like the Raiders and the Warriors?
I can visualize in about ten years 10,000 apartments on this site.

Problems in Vegas

In the past decade or so Indian Casinos have grown up all over the United States making it very easy for people to enjoy gambling.  I have been amazed how Vegas has meant the challenge and continue to grow.  I am little surprised that Vegas took on a declining industry like the NFL. Vegas makes their money at the table.  You might notice that shows on the strip are limited to 1 hour 40 minutes.  That brings up one problem that Raiders and the NFL have not addressed.  It was reported that Vegas was willing to change the time rule and allow 2 hours and 40 minutes for the game which sometimes takes four hours.  The city does not want people sitting in a stadium when they should be at the tables.  One possible solution that was suggested was to put a slot machine at every seat.  Might work!

Game at AT&T

I will be attending the Giants game against the Rockies on Wednesday afternoon June 28th with my cousin Joan a rabbit Giants fan.  We plan to have lunch on the patio of MoMos stating about 11 a.m.  If you are in the area or planning to attend the game stop in and say hello.  Would love to see you. 

Winter Is Over

The Giants

Spring has officially arrived and now it is time to get serious about baseball and professional basketball --- the Giants and the Warriiors

I have not followed the Orange and Black that closely this spring but have had a chance to catch parts of a few games on television viewing the Angels, the Mariners, the Rangers, the White Sox, the Giants stations and MLB.

These comments are only spring training reflections and as we know can really mean nothing.  Anyway here are my thoughts about some of the players.

Span --I keep hearing he will better this year.  I am still waiting.
Panik --Started the spring like the player we know and love and now can't buy a hit.
Pence.-- He shaved and look like an 18 year old kid at the plate.  Problem is he has played like one.
Parker -- Winning the job in left and hitting well then he strikes out three times in a game.  That's Parker.  Hopefully there is more good than bad.
Williamson --  Hear he is hurt again.  Is he injury prone?
Belt -- Hasn't changed and the umps don't give him a break even in the spring
Hernandez --Has played his way off the team.
Crawford -- Playing for the USA in those horrible Arizona grey colored uniforms.
Gillaspie --Looks solid dependable
Nunez -- Shows real potential
Blach --  Looks like a winner
Bumgardner -- He is ready for the World Series
Cain -- Read an article that he may not be the same pitcher that he was in past.  What gave the writer the clue?
Law -- Showing a lot more confidence
Samardzija -- Lets hope he is experimenting with his pitches.
Hill -- Trying him in the outfield now,.  Versatility, power and experience may win him a job.
Marrero --Bochy loves guys on the bench that hit the long ball.

The NCAA

Yes, I filled out my bracket.  I lose interest after my first game loss because I am striving for perfection.  One of the first results in was that Notre Dame had edged Princeton.  I had picked the Ivy League team. I discovered the secret in completing a bracket is timing.  Its better to wait until the game is over before you make your selections.   I had Duke winning even though  I didn't think they would but I played the brackets game and they came out on top.  Thought of changing to Villanova but that was just as bad.

This has been a great tournament.  I can't remember so many games with just one minute left that either team could win.  Television ratings are way up. I really enjoyed the Red and Blue game because they are the colors of both St. Mary's and Arizona as well as St. Ignatius College Prep.  The red and blue Gaels showed a lot of white in their game. You had to see it to believe it.  Thought they were a team from the 1940s.

The Warriors

The official NBA season starts in a few weeks.  Will the Warriors be ready?  Did they practice too long and too hard ?  Is it possible they could be eliminated after the second round?  Can Kerr rest Thompson and Curry enough during these final warm up games or will the pressure to be the #1 seed be too great?

The Angels Stadium of Anaheim

Arte Moreno owner of the Angels ended any speculation that the Angels would be moving any time soon having solved their lease problem until 2029.  The stadium is the fourth oldest in the majors behind Fenway, Wrigley of Chicago and Dodger Stadium.  Development in the area is starting to surround the stadium making it worth plenty and the city fathers would like Arte to pay his fair share.  It was estimated that it would be a lot cheaper for Moreno to build a new stadium on the site rather then remodle the current one because he would not have to purchase the land.

Angel Stadium of Anaheim is located in a prime location right off the 5 freeway with direct access to the stadium from the Mexican and Canadian borders.  The 22 freeway can get many Long Beach residences to Anaheim a lot quicker then to Dodger Stadium and the 57 brings thousands from the Inland Empire.  It is easy to understand why not many people really believed the Angels were looking seriously for a new location.

The stadium use to be known as the "Big A" and still is to many.  That's when the Angels were the California Angels and the scoreboard in left field stood out with a gigantic A.  Then the Rams moved to Anaheim and the stadium was enlarged to include football much like Candlestick Park and the big A was moved to be viewed along the 57 freeway.  After the Rams left, the stadium became a baseball only facility hosting the Anaheim Angels and then the new named Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

To a San Fraciscan like myself the Angels are part of unique history showing how things have changed over the decades.  In 1943 I kept of baseball scrapbook so it is easy to remember that year.  The Pacific Coast League Angels won the title by some 22 games. The San Francisco Seals won the playoffs.   They were known as the Shaughnessy Playoff and dating back to 1937 decided the winner of the Pacific Coast League. However by 1943 the rules had changed and the winning team  got a trophy and the Angels were the Pacific Coast League champions.  Today we know that it has changed drastically with all sports and the playoff winners bring home the bacon.

Wrigley Field Los Angels

On a family trip to the southland around 1950 I talked my parents in to allowing me to walk over to Wrigley Field Los Angeles to see the Angels play. Little did I know that about ten years later it would become a stadium watched my millions for the next sixty years.  We are referring to Home Run Derby a show which featured sluggers like Willis Mays, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron and ran from 1959-61  It was filmed in an empty Wrigley Field Los Angeles where you could hear the echo of bat hitting the ball.  Today tickets for the Home Run hitting contest during the All Star weekend  are in as great demand as the game itself.  If the producers of Home Run Derby were still alive today I wonder what they would think.  Oh, how things have changed.  If you missed one of the thousand  reruns just google in Home Run Derby and you can watch the show.

Bll Rigney Oakland 1942 photo 

In 1963 I was in Los Angles and wanted to see the new Dodger Stadium which had opened in 1962.   The Los Angles Angels were playing that night.  It was their second year having played their initial year as a major league team at Wrigley Field.  It was like old home week.  Bill Rigney was the Angels skipper having played for the Oakland Acorns in 1942 and was the first manger of the San Francisco Giants.  Playing in centerfield for the Angels was 5'6" Albie Pearson who was a spark plug for the last San Francisco Seals team in 1957.


We will review the Oakland Stadium situation in the next post. 

Streaks

Winning and Losing Streaks

In my last post I mentioned that I thought the Giants would have an excellent spring  training record because they have so many free agents trying to make an impression.  The Giants then go on to lose 8 straight games.  So much for that theory.  During the same time the Angeles 18 game Arizona winning streak was finally stopped.  The halos had won their first seven game this spring and that coupled with winning their final 11 games in Arizona last spring which eventually propelled them into a last place finish in the AL West.

Turn Off  Sports

The NFL lost 1 out of 10 fans last year and the layoffs at ESPN are every extensive. If you watch CSN Bay Area you have noticed the cut in programing that has reduced my ability to comment on the current Giants.  What's the reason?.  Its politics.  These networks and others have taken very strong positions on very controversial  problems facing this country.  When they take a strong stand they're turning off 50% of their audience.  Its being proven that many are finally saying that's enough!  People watch sporting events to relax and get away from their every day problems at least for awhile. These networks know it all's  live in their own atheistic glass bubbles that doesn't necessarily reflect the feelings of many.  Even Steve Kerr coach of  the Warriors got into the act by showing his disrespect  for  people who might disagree with him and have you noticed the Warriors have not been the same since he made those comments.  The hatred in this country is unbelievable.

NCAA Basketball

Have you filled out your bracket yet?  Always take 1 over 16 is my advise.  Its is amazing how this has become a national pastime.  Is it good or bad for college basketball?  It certainly is an exciting time that makes a lot of money for someone during March.  It almost seems to me that it is more important to get a good seed in the tournament then to win your own conference championship which is not good for college basketball.  I cannot get the Pac 12 network so I miss some games  that I would normally have watched this year which means I saw exactly 0 college games.  During my life I have watched literally thousands of basketball games.  Perhaps I just reached my limit.

The Warriors

 I was just wondering if the Giants Brain Sabean was watching the Warriors game when Kevin Durant got hurt.  He might have had a flash back of Posey getting run over  at home plate by the Marlins rookie trying to make a name for himself.  If you might remember Sabean the General Manager was furious and he let it be known publically because he knew at that moment the Giants had been eliminated from the pennant  race.

They are speculating that Durant will be back in time for the playoffs.  At a recent press conference they didn't seem too confidence that this would occur.  But does it mater?  The Warriors are already tired because they play fast and very exciting basketball.  The problem is the NBA season is too long to keep up that pace.  When you start seeing Curry and Thompson missing their three point shots you know that their legs are tired.  Can they be rested enough during the last few weeks to recover?  Its the Warriors only chance.

The 49ers

The new GM Lynch of the 49er is off the a good start. He stated that the philosophy of the team is to draft the best player available and fill in the needs with free agency.  I could not agree more.  The 49er I believe signed six free agents on the first day.  They still need to sign 30 more.

The Giants

I noticed on Sunday that Kyle Banks had three hits including a home run for the Giants.  He is one of a number of intriguing players trying to make the squad.  I remember him well at San Diego.  In fact he hit a homer or two against the Giants.  I really thought the Padres had caught themselves a very good player.  Injuries have virtually ruined his career.  If he can stay healthy he may be that diamond in the rough the Giants are looking for. I just read that they reassigned Banks to the minor leagues.  The Giants have a history of playing favorites.

Report on the Angles Stadium will be part of the next post.

You're Fired!

'You're Fired"

'You're fired'  words made famous on television by the world's most powerful man.  I should have experienced those words for good reason.  I goofed big time!  In the February 11, 2017 edition I used the name Johnny Cueto when I was really talking about Eduardo Nunez.  I heard feed back that sounded like I knew nothing about the Giants.  Hard to argue.

In  an attempt to send out the edition about the Giants and the Lakers I sent the  I'M Back issue.  I use to know that you need to publish a new post before sending it out.  The boss said that's it!  Then on second thought baseball is a game of three's.  Three strikes and your out and their are three outs in an inning.  I only have two strikes.  But the pressure is on to try and keep my job.

The Giants

Talk about pressure.  How about those kids trying to impress the Giants brass.  Chris Marrero  with a .232 major league average with 0 home runs caught the eye of many with his three run walk off home run to win last Fridays opening game.  He just earned himself additional bats and more opportunities to show what he can do.

The Giants current record is 3-1 having lost to the Oakland A's on Monday afternoon relieving the pressure of going undefeated.  I always thought having a spring record of three or four more wins then losses was a good foundation to enter the season.  This year I expect the Giants to have a very good  record.  Many spring games are won by non roster players in the late innings usually against rookie pitchers and the Giants are very strong in these areas with fierce competition for those final openings on the team. 

To listen to the Giants broadcast Sunday from Goodyear you would think the stadium was just this side of Los Angeles.  Its really only about 1/2 hour drive from Scottsdale just off the 10 freeway.  These guys are just spoiled having almost every game within 15 minutes of their home stadium.

Other Comments

The MLB network has spring baseball almost all day with one game following another.  I tuned in for just a moment on Sunday and I saw ex- Giant Ryan Vogelsong pitching this year for the Twins strike out "the thinner" Pablo Sandoval.

The Angels and A's were on television Sunday and both teams had their spring jerseys on with big white numbers but no names on the back.  So #72 just made a great  catch. Who is it?  The announcers won't tell you because they either don't know themselves or their talking about going to Don and Charlie's tonight for a great prime rib dinner. 

A few years ago the Dodgers honored Vince Scully.  In his remarks Vince said I have one request, 'put the names of the players on their jerseys.'  Even a great broadcaster who knows every baseball player for the last seventy years and where they were born and theirs mother' maiden name makes that request.  Come on A's  and Angels wakeup.  Think of the fans for once instead of saving $1. for not adding the name on the back.

The Stadiums

One conversational question asked by many baseball fans of each other is, 'how many major league ball parks have you been to'?

If you haven't been to Globe Life  Park in Arlington, TX home of the Rangers time is  running out.  The citizens of Arlington voted to spend 1/2 billion dollars to assist in building a new retractable roof stadium that could open in 2020. This was on the same night last fall that the citizens of San Diego failed to pass a bond sending the NFL Chargers to play on a soccer field and  be known as the Los Angeles Chargers of Carson.

When the Giants played the Rangers in 2010 World Series the stadium which opened in 1994 was known as Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  The stadium lasted 26 years.  The Braves moved into the Olympic Games stadium in 1996 and it was obsolete in only 20 years.  With Wrigley Field Chicago and Fenway Park Boston over 100 years of age one can conclude 'that they don't build ballparks like they use to'.

Next issue we will address the stadium issues of the Angels.

The Giants and the Lakers

The Giants

It is obvious the Giants are looking for a diamond in the rough this spring having invited many ex-major leaguers and other players with various backgrounds to spring training. I do not pretend to know them all but the Giants would like to see one or maybe two of these players make the opening day team.  This would allow them to option young players to Sacramento to play every day rather then sitting on the major league bench. The Giants signed veteran catcher Nick Hundley so that Trevor Brown could play regularly for Sacramento.  They are not going to keep Brown
as a reserve infielder as suggested in the papers.

I read that Pence is hurting already but still taking batting practice --- typical Pence.  The Giants need him because he is mister intangible. We all have seen him strike out and wonder how he ever gets a hit. Then the next time up hit the ball 400 feet.  His real value comes in a situation like the following.  A runner on scond and two outs.  Pence at the plate and instead of striking out dribbles the ball down the third base line.  Pence always hustles to first so the third baseman has to hurry and ends up throwing the ball into rightfied and a run scores.

I was shocked to see that Matt Cain was penciled in as the fifth starter.  If it wasn't for his $20 million  contract he would not in Scottsdale this spring.  It's not that he isn't trying but he hasn't had it for years.   He did save the Giants some money last year.  In 2014 and 2015 he won 2 games each year costing the Giants $10 million a win.  Last year he won 4 cutting their costs to $5 million a win.  I wish him luck and hope he can still make a comeback.  It will be tough because the Giants have plenty of young arms just waiting to take his spot.

The Giants wear their black jerseys about 7 or 8 times a year at home. The numbers and names are outlined in a thin orange stripe that can barely be read.  I guess they got the message.  This year the spring training jerseys are black except they have bright white names and numbers on the back . Being able to read the names especially during spring training games is a big help.

The American League West

NB of Irvine and Homer

Our newest blog member NB of Irvine pictured at the right is showing me her appreciation for expanding my coverage of the American League West.  Born in Irvine she is naturally an Angels supporter. We have other followers of the Angels as well as the Oakland A's and the Texas Rangers that read this blog so expanding our thoughts on the division race seems only natural.

NB told me that when her father introduced her to baseball she was bored then he taught her how to keep score and then every pitch meant something.

The next issue will cover the stadium issues and history with some AL West teams.

The NBA

Blog member JK with Magic

Blog member JK of  Long Beach in a recent photo with "Magic" Johnson. The blog member being a strong Warrior fan has been concerned with the purge of the Lakers front office on the status of ex-Warrior coach Luke Walton.  It has been reported that Johnson only comment  about the situation is , 'if he plays me he stays'.   

The NBA All Star game was played last weekend and the only thing that surprised me was that the winning team didn't score 200 points.  Hours and hours of television time is wasted each year discussing who is going to start the bovine game.

I turned in just in time to see the slam dunk winner miss a dunk.  I thought the purpose of the game was put the ball in the basket. All the build up of Thompson to win the 3 point competition was strictly hot air.

Baseball All Star Game

Speaking of All Star games, I read that the winner of the Major League Baseball All Star will not automatically get home team advantage for the World Series.  It was discovered that it was Fox that wanted it added to make the game more interesting.   Bub Selig went for because it brought in more dollars for baseball.  Every decision that guy made as commissioner was  based on money to the determent of the integrity of game and the owners loved  him.

We're Back

As some of you know my wife passed away last October from a severe case of COPD which curtailed my interest in the blog.  Recently some of my friends have encouraged me to continue although I have many additional obligations that keep me busy almost everyday. I have found commenting on the Giants especially and other sports has been good therapy and an convenient way to keep in touch with many friends.

The Sharks -

The San Jose team made the Stanley Cup Finals last year.  This year they have been a solid hockey team and the last time I looked they were leading the Pacific Division by a couple of points.  They will make the Stanley Cup playoffs again this year but it will be very difficult for them to make it to the finials two years in row.  The Sharks remain the only California NHL team without the big cup.

The Warriors -

Golden State now has 44 wins which is more then enough to qualify for the playoffs.
The starters should be cut back to between 25-28 minutes a game to keep sharp then increase their minutes back up to 35 or so during the last couple weeks of the season      Many of the teams in the NBA are lousy so that the blue, gold, black. white and even red glad Warriors will still win most of their games and end up either the first or second best record in the league. It is most important that they are fresh and healthy for the 8 week playoff grind.  Last year the team was injured and very tired at the end losing their final three games and the championship which was the consequences for working so hard to break all kinds of NBA records that in the end meant nothing.  Hopefully they have learned their lesson and follow the good advise given on this blog.

This year's team although extremely talented and very exciting at times, can also be very boring since they seem to lack the personality of the last two teams.  The NBA Championship should return to Oakland.

The 49ers and the NFL -

It's hard to believe but someone could make the strong case that the 49ers are part of Sacred Scripture. Matthew 15:14 'the blind leading the blind' reminded me so much of York and the 49er search for a coach and general manager. However, somebody must have spit in Jed's eyes one night as illustrated in Matthew 8: 22-25 which cured a blind man's sight because the 49ers made some excellent choices to run the team.  Now if only York would pack up and live in Ohio.

I have always been of fan of the new GM John Lynch and I remember that I was extremely upset when the 49ers fail to draft him out of Stanford.  He is smart and knows the NFL and I look for Kyle Shanahan to eventually bring the 49ers back to respectability.  The 49ers will not look like Atlanta next year because they do not have nearly the talent of the Falcons because of some very poor drafts exercised by people with experience.  Kyle's big help in the draft will be in the later  rounds when he will know the type of talent the 49ers need to make them winners again.

Back a few years ago when the 49ers lost the New Orleans Super Bowl I wrote that they would not recover.  They didn't and either will the Falcons after blowing the Super Bowl.  I felt like a genius for three quarters because I predicted that Atlanta would win the Super Bowl by 3 or 4 touchdowns.  Oh well!  Can't be right all the time.  I am looking for Atlanta to go 6-10 next year then they hired Steve Sarkisian and I changed my mind and believe they will be 5-11.

The Giants and Spring Training

The Giants will play their first exhibition game on February 24th which is ridiculously early because of the World Baseball Congress which will feature three Giants, Posey, Crawford and Cueto.  Cueto came from the Twins last year and I lost count of how many times he was on the DL.  He has lots of talent and potential but doesn't always use his head.  Chances are he will start the season on the DL.  Giant fans know that both Posey and Crawford perform at their best with some day offs but it would be a PR nightmare if they had to miss opening day.

During the winter the Giants signed Marc Melancon the pitcher they wanted  to be their closer and strengthen their catching by signing Nick Hudley who I like.  We will review the Giants in detail and comment on their chances for the coming season a littler later in the spring.

The Giants also signed 88 year old Jimmy Rollins to be their backup shortstop and the tragic part was he was put on the 40 man roster.  This meant the loss of Adrianza who was picked up by the Twins. Rollins who is really only 78 years of age will be on the DL by May 15 and Adrianza will be having an all star season for the Twins and Giants will be searching for a back up shortstop.   There is only one way to describe this move...STUPID! 

Who was the big surprise for the Giants during the playoffs last year?  Connor Gillaspie for his big triple off of Chambers the great left hander of the Reds, Yankess and finally Cubs.  Connnor is a left handed batter and did not face a left hander until September when he got a single against Atlanta. If he would start they would pinch hit for him as early as the 5th inning if he had to face a lefty.  Now the Giants are touting their new hero.  They blew it with Connor and kept a very good talent on the bench most of the season.  As I  wrote last year the lousy job Bochy did with his relievers you can ad the decision to keep Connor on the bench  to a year that the future Hall of Fame manager will want to forget.  I thought he did a horrible job and so did Romo who paid the price and became a Dodger.

Stale Plain Donuts

What better Valentine's gift then stale plain donut? They are the rage of the North Lake in Irvine. To take full advantage of this delicacy cut the donut to look like two small tires. Toast well then cover with butter.  They are best when at least three or four days stale.  Now what to do with all those chocolate covered strawberries.