A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball

One of the Best Stretches of the Year is Approaching

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on June 22, 2010

The only thing that keeps us from winning at least 2 of 3 from Houston will be if the team looks ahead to the next home stand. Boston for three, then the Dodgers for three. The AssFroes should be a good tune up for those electric home series. I’m going to the Sat Boston game and might hit the Wed Dodger game….
The end of the last thread was a turn for the blog this year, at least for me. I was really blown away when I looked at what Torres, Franchez, Uribe and Huff have done this year. I’d throw The Bat in there too he just hasn’t brought it all year like the other guys (I know, it’s a stretch to say “all year” with Franchez but he’s hit .333 over 111 at bats, that’s enough for me to put him him in that group of 4).
The fact is, NO GM anywhere in baseball found 5 bargain basement guys last Winter who are putting up this kind of production. It’s funny, guys like Renteria/Rowand/Molina/DeRosa contribute very, very little at a healthy clip of 31.5 million this year. You look at them and go “Classic Sabean”. But then you look at those other 5 guys and go “Wow, I DID NOT see that coming”. I don’t think it’s a stretch at all to throw Sabean in “Exec of the Year” discussion though it’s obviously pre-mature to have that talk now. But if they keep winning, if they win the division, it’s totally possible. I want to see that happen just to watch the bloggers detonate themselves simultaneously on threads throughout the internet world…..

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  1. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 6:50 am

    Yes…pretty amazing stuff, but I don’t think it fair to lump Renteria in with Rowand, Molina, etc. If you are going to include Sanchez in the “group of 4,” then Rent belongs, too:

    Franchez: .333, .394, .423, .817 – 1 HR, 11 RBI (107 PA)
    Rent: .337, .392, .424, .816 – 1 HR, 17 RBI (104 PA)

    Both were hurt, and hence, the low number of PAs. The one area in which Franchez has better numbers is 2 outs, RISP.

    But still, to exclude Renteria is wrong. If you give Franchez the kudos, Rent deserves them, too (and it is not his fault that he is making more coin than Franchez…you have to hang that one on Sabes).

  2. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 6:52 am

    And yes, too early to talk Exec of the Year…but if you were looking at a snap-shot of things as they exist today, then yes, he would have to be in serious consideration.

  3. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 7:36 am

    Nice piece from today’s “Merc” on Monte Irvin:

    http://tinyurl.com/29du84z

  4. Giant Head's avatar Giant Head said, on June 22, 2010 at 8:20 am

    I just started reading the MMays biography and there is a Durocher quote after he was asked about being steamed about Jackie Robinson putting down a squeeze after the Dodgers were up 7-0.

    Durocher’s response was along the lines was, “Now I go their motherfucking bunt sign.”

    Classic…

  5. Giant Head's avatar Giant Head said, on June 22, 2010 at 8:22 am

    make that “got their motherfucking bunt sign.”

  6. willied's avatar willied said, on June 22, 2010 at 8:23 am

    I sure didn’t think Sabes did enough off season to make the team more youthful and athletic and have enough pop to score more runs. I wasn’t enthused about Huff or MDR at all, or keeping Molina around and sending down Posey, or the fact that he couldn’t unload Rowand, or the endless wait for FS to actually play baseball for SF.

    But it’s pretty hard to argue with the results, or the way Bochy has handled the OF rotation, and the IF for that matter, around all the injuries. Speaking of which, how many guys on the DL right now?….If Giants get to post season and beyond, Bochy and Sabean are definitely going to be in thick of award votes, and that will definitely “light up the tote board” on local blogs. Maybe it will get that FSN guy the padded room he so richly deserves.

  7. pickledgringo's avatar pickledgringo said, on June 22, 2010 at 8:32 am

    I’ve always been a Sabean believer and thinks his body of work is much more positive than negative. However, the fallacy in your argument is that by rewarding him by going after ‘bargain basement guys’ justifies the intent. Don’t get me wrong, all great signings, but you can’t build a consistent winner chasing ‘cheap over the hill vets’ every year unless you have a Bonds type presence in the lineup.

    So what I’m trying to say is a blind pig finds a truffel every now and then, and we’ve seen the downside to this strategy as well, which is 6 years without a playoff appearance.

    We need an impact bat, all good teams have at least a couple, and though we have great complimentary and all around production, it’s probably not consistent enough to win a WS title.

    I’m not advocating a trade RIGHT NOW, as a few of you jumped on me about yesterday, I’m saying for this team to make a real run at this thing, to go deep in the playoffs (assuming Pads fade and they can outrun the Bums and Rox), they will need to find a more menacing presence in the middle of the lineup.

    Top of the order is great, Huff and Burrell offer some pop, Uribe will drive in runs, and Posey and Panda will probably continue to have their ups and downs. One big proven bat makes these guys are a legit WS contender.

  8. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 8:32 am

    GH – there were so many passages/quotes from Durocher in that book that just had me LMAO. I would be in bed reading, would just begin to howl over a quote or passage, and my girlfriend would ask “what?” After reading the passage to her (and she is not a real sports/Giants lunatic like me), she too would get a good laugh almost every time. Great book.

  9. pickledgringo's avatar pickledgringo said, on June 22, 2010 at 8:56 am

    And if the rumor is true that Sabes is interested in DeJesus (which is an underrated player), I hope they can find a way to grab Gordon in a deal as well.

  10. willied's avatar willied said, on June 22, 2010 at 9:11 am

    Gringo, lot of people off season got burned into signing FAs to big contracts. I thought that it was a good thing Sabes didn’t get any of those, and with the way the offense has responded lately I’d shut that idea off all together. SF can win without Jason Bay, or Granderson, or Holliday, or AGon, or Fielder, or Figgins, or LaRoche. If you have enough guys that hit well enough to score runs, the pitching holds the other team off, Sf can go far. And Burrell is off to great start as “big bat”.

    Seattle guy was given the GM award hands down in off season…how has that worked out? He’ll dump Lee off soon, and they will have to scramble to finish above the A’s. Btw, Rosenthat on MLBTV said last night LA doesn’t have a mlb ready hitter to give Seattle, so they are probably not going to be able to get him. I guess signing Kotchman and Byrnes didn’t exactly help the offense much.

  11. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 9:11 am

    I don’t know…I am still not convinced that the team needs a big bat in the middle of the order. Right now the team is 10th (ML numbers…not NL) in BA, 13th in OBP and SLG.

    Couple this with the pitching: WHIP/ERA – 3rd, OBA – 7th, Saves – 1st.

    Fielding %: 2nd.

    And 4.3 RPG (and as Twin mentioned recently, the latest clip is about 4.6 RPG).

    You roll all that up, and I think this team can compete with anyone.

    Would a big bat look good in the middle of the LU? Hell yes. But when you consider the cost of such bat, is it worth it?

    Again, I say stay the course and see if there are any deals to be had right before the non-waiver trade deadline.

  12. Kevin's avatar Kevin said, on June 22, 2010 at 9:27 am

    Gringo, this topic of a big bat has been talked about for a long time, most of us here have come to the conclusion that a big bat would cost the Giants too much due to the fact that not many big bats want to hitt at AT&T. Also what would the Giants have to give up to get a big bat?? Too much. IMO. Most teams are going to have to get their own big bat in their farm systems with the Steroid era over.

  13. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 9:42 am

    So, as we approach the mid-point, and Flav has mentioned that Sabean could potentially be considered for Exec of the Year, what kind of grade do you give Sabean for the year-to-date?

  14. delmardennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 9:56 am

    Sabean is definitely passing the grade thus far. If he wants to pass with flying colors and move to the head of the class, he needs to call up Bumgarner NOW and deal for a bullpen arm soon, IMHO.

  15. delmardennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:01 am

    I was going to knock him down another peg for keeping Buster down so long, but I’m feeling a little generous this morning. 😉

  16. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:03 am

    The problem with trying to find a bullpen arm now is that there are many teams out there with the same need (similar circumstances as the Giants). It is certainly not a buyer’s market. I think what they would have to give up to get a solid/reliable 7th/8th inning guy would be cost prohibitive at this time. I would love to see one more quality arm, and that bat on the 25, but don’t feel that either warrant movement now (maybe as we get closer to the non-waver trade deadline).

    And I want to see Bum up, too, but I don’t think that is a huge deal for the team at this point.

  17. Giant Head's avatar Giant Head said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:15 am

    There is not going to be a deal for a significant bat this year. I think they are going to play the season out with what we have. The Panda will be back over .300 soon enough and I still think Renteria may be the guy that will carry us in the second half.

    I think if a deal is to be made for a significant hitter, it will happen after the season ends. If we make the playoffs and come up short in winning a pennant, then go after the one big bat we need via trade since free agent hitters will be limited. Carlos Quentin is a better fit for us than DeJesus. Fielder is the other possibility, but that is going to take a big arm to get him.

  18. stixwiz's avatar stixwiz said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:22 am

    Its almost starting to look like the shy, demure, virginal young bride complex with Bumgarner. Anyone recall the ongoing troubles the Giants have had this season with young pitchers like Latos and Richard of the Pads and the most recent, in Toronto, where Litsch made the Giants their bitch? Oh yeah, we all remember those and other painful memories of young callups stifling and stymieing the SF lineup.

    So why not give MadBum the call for that second Boston game? If he does not have the makeup and composure to face the Beantown Blasters, then he’s probably not ready for The Show. Sure, he’s just a young kid from Carolina, but he has been rated as one of the best young arms in the Minors and he has demonstrated his talent in the PCL, not one of the kindest venues for starting pitchers.

    Packed house guaranteed. Fans excited and wildly supportive of the team’s latest SP phenom. Granted, Madison did have a cup of coffee at the terminus of ’09, but what better time for the primary debut ~ at home in front of a multitude of fans ready to give instant adoration, while facing one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball. It’s like diving from the high board into the deep end of the pool. Even a ‘quality’ performance of no more than 3 runs in 6 IP against that array of hitters by Bumgarner and this team is locked, loaded and ready to fire on all cylinders.

    It’s a gamble i’m ready to take. Will the Giants Brass be feeling the same way? Needless to say their in-house scouting reports are a tad better than mine.

  19. delmardennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:46 am

    Timmy’s numbers vs the ‘Stros are eye-popping even by his lofty standards:
    Lincecum is 4-0 when starting against Houston with an ERA of 1.33 and a WHIP of 0.803.

    Heard on KNBR that as of now, Tim is slated to pitch the Sunday prior to the All-Star Game, thus making him ineligible. Is that the new rule?

  20. Giant Head's avatar Giant Head said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Dennis, if he pitches the Sunday before the All-Star game, you dont want him pitching at all in the All-Star game to risk any type of arm injury…they could name Tim and then replace him with Zito if Baryr can get to 10 wins…

  21. Unca Chuck's avatar Unca Chuck said, on June 22, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Yes, Dennis. I’m glad. Fuck the All star game.

  22. delmardennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:03 am

    Yeah, I wouldn’t want Tim to pitch if he just went on Sunday. They made it sound like he wouldn’t even be named because he’d just be taking up a roster spot knowing he won’t pitch.

    Hell, you could have all the top guys (Jimenez, Carpenter, Halladay, etc) throw Sunday and then not go. It allows for less deserving players to be call an “All-Star.” Look what has happened to the NFL and the Pro Bowl. With the SB the following week, defections and so-called injuries, the 6th best QB represents his league. A few more breaks this year, and Alex Smith might make it. 🙂

  23. stixwiz's avatar stixwiz said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:05 am

    Oswalt’s numbers are very close to Timmy’s right now. Though he has had no success vs the Giants since Timmy’s rise and Lincecum has done very well vs Houston; we should not forget that pitchers of a considerably lower caliber than Oswalt have had good success against Giants hitters this season. That said, i think we have a decent chance to win tonight, but that by no means should we start counting chickens.

    Should SF manage to squeeze past Oswalt, there is then a decent chance of yet another sweep in Houston’s own playpen. If Giants hitters can come through like against Toronto on Sunday, rather than their tired performances in the first two games of that series; then our chances in Houston are excellent and would serve as a very nice tuneup for Boston and the LaBumbos ~ thankfully at China Basin.

  24. Nipper's avatar Nipper said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:05 am

    Staying healthy, if only players could do that. And yet many times reality just interferes with the best laid plans. Blaming Sabean because he’s trying to win “this season” is wrong. IF he did nothing we would be howling about a “do nothing” GM. And the younger players if they would only hit at the MLB level would be godsend! So far the youngsters have had their problems. So here we all sit waiting for better things to come. Giants are not that bad but the question remains are they good enough. Stay tuned for the next series of games. The plot thickens.

  25. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:06 am

    Stix – I want to see MadBum as bad as anyone, and agree with your logic re: letting him face the Beantown 9. But, as you also said, the team’s in-house scouting report is probably a tad better than your’s, mine, or anyone elses on this blog. I just don’t see it as a priority right now…the team is doing fine as is. Do I want to see Madison up…you bet. Let’s hope that management fulfills our wishes.

    That’s strange re: the spot for Timmy before the All-Star break. Between now and the break there are no off-days. The way I see it (unless they skipped a start for someone), Tim would pitch today, Sunday – 6/27 against Boston
    Friday – 7/2 against the Rox
    Wednesday – 7/7 against the BrewCrew

    and then the five spot would end the first half on 7/11 against the Nats.

  26. pickledgringo's avatar pickledgringo said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:07 am

    If you read my post, I only said they needed to have a more menacing presence. If it can come from within, great, but I don’t think it will, and if they want to become a WS favorite and run deep into the playoffs, I believe they will need one, like every other playoff team has. Does anyone on the roster right now fit that bill? I’m not sure I’m willing to roll those dice so a trade is probably the most feasible option, and anyone not named Tim or Matt should have a price tag, as does everyone in the MLB. And if HanRam is actually available, then you pull out the stops to get him – all star, franchise players don’t fall from trees.

    If you aren’t willing to make a move for the betterment of the team, even if painful and costly (ala the Matt Williams trade) than you might as well fold it up. What’s the use of having top shelf pitching if you can’t capitalize on it.

    Just different philosophies I suppose…

  27. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:16 am

    PG – The difference between your philosopy and mine (and others on the blog) is that the Giants DO have the horses to “capitalize” on their top-shelf pitching. If the team continues to produce as it has of late (4.6 RPG). and the pitching staff continues to toe the line as it has…this team can go deep, and challenge for the WS. That’s my opinion, and obviously one not shared by you. So, we agree to disagree. Next topic.

  28. stixwiz's avatar stixwiz said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:19 am

    If the scheduling gods preempt Timmy from the AS game it may actually help the chances of Matt the Horse getting the nod. The best starting rotation in the game just about must be represented in the production. So even if it requires somewhat of a default position, Cain should appear in the All Star game this year.

  29. stixwiz's avatar stixwiz said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:24 am

    Giants hold somewhat of a bull-hand when it comes to trades. Teams with soon to be free agents like Berkman of the Astros and Lee of the Cubs and quite a number of rejuvenation needs may come to the Giants with hats in hand. Sabean’s wisest stance as regards position player Big Bats is to dispose rather than propose. However, when it comes to a strong, steady setup man for the 7th and 8th inning quandry, then Sabean might need to be more proactive.

  30. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:30 am

    In April the team produced at about a 4.54 clip. May was roughly 3.89, and they are producing at 4.61 for June. Overall, they are producing at 4.3 RPG, to date. With the Giants pitching…if they continue to score at a 4.5 clip or so, I think it bodes well for winning the division.

  31. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:32 am

    I’m not totally convinced that they are in dire need of a set-up guy, either. As I posted earlier (and I believe Twin made the same point yesterday), there are many teams with the same needs. Finding the guy will be a challenge and the cost…well, again, I say steady as she goes.

  32. Flavor's avatar bigflavor said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:52 am

    As others have pointed out a million times, there’s no chance of him going after a big bat. He WILL NOT trade for a big bat. And how many of you are bummed he didn’t go balls out after Bay? ? that would be another classic Sabean over-pay for shit production. The big bats don’t want to come here anyway, stop fantasizing about it.
    And seriously, calling Dejesus underrated is a joke. He’s hitting .323 right now. If anything he will be OVERRATED in what someone pays for him. He’s got no power and he’s not a .323 hitter. Our outfield is fine, let Pat the Bat do his thing with Torres at the top and Huff banging out his .949(!) OPS–obviously I don’t expect Huff to keep up that pace but I’d rather have a guy we already have, who has more power, than give up prospects for Dejefuckingsus……

  33. delmardennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Yeah, one fucking Jesus per team is enough already.

  34. delmardennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:58 am

    Flav, my posts over on Room B aren’t getting through. Anyone else experiencing this?

  35. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 11:59 am

    Who knew a bad 3 Stooges joke would kill yesterday’s thread.
    Creepy, Chi, those numbers on your 11:30 post were predicted here before the season started by someone….
    No wait. It wasn’t me.
    Oh yeah. Fucking twin. U D Man

  36. Giant Head's avatar Giant Head said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Gringo, you made reference to the Matt Williams trade…that happened in the off-season, not in the middle of a winning season. I noted earlier I could see the Giants doing such a big trade, but it will be in the off-season.

    I just dont think that outside of Posey or Bumgarner, we have the minor league talent to land a major, major significant cleanup type of hitter. Other organizations have better prospects that can be used to land a Hanley Ramirez or Adrian Gonzalez. And I dont see us trading Timmy, Matt or JSanchez in the middle of winning year to land a bat. So the only type of bat that could be had for our middling prospects such as DeJuses or Jose Guillen, I dont see making a major differnece to what we already have in the field. DeJesus or Guillen for Schierholtz/Bowker and another lower prospect, I just dont see it happening.

  37. Flavor's avatar bigflavor said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    i don’t know anything about room B that’s all twinner…He might have hit a button or something……

  38. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    I was able to just post in Room B so I don’t know

  39. Flavor's avatar bigflavor said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    Denny, maybe twin bounced you down to Room C, lol

  40. Giant Head's avatar Giant Head said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    Of course, I should be getting credit for the Pat Burrell production….in December, I had proposed the three way trade of Burrell to SF, Milton Bradley to Tampa and Rowand to Chicago deal…so where are my accolades???? 🙂 🙂 🙂

    That is three gay-ass smilely faces Dennis..

  41. twinfan's avatar twinfan said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    As to Bumgarner coming up , Sabean came about as close as he gets when he said last week they might need him to pitch “next week.” Sabean is usually far more circumspect than that…
    Blockbuster trade? Won’t happen. Listen up: there will not now or anytime be a major trade without at least one of Cain, Lincecum, Sanchez in it. And I’m loving how the doomfucks have changed their tune lately. It used to be they’ll lose 100 games with this shit, then it was 90, then it was “no playoffs for this group”.. now it’s “this is just NOT a strong World Series line up”…
    And let me help you out with something here: Burrell IS a “major bat”. What the DoomerWads are really saying is that he didn’t cost enough, we need an EXPENSIVE bat… funny shit…

  42. dirtnrocksnomo's avatar dirtnrocksnreno said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    The Giants don’t need another bat.

    What wins in the playoff? Power Pitching – Giants have that covered. Giving up any arms from the MLB staff to the promising arms on the farm would be a foolish move.

    I’ve criticized Sabean but have been consistent in my take that the dude does a good job. Every move is calculated and given considerable consideration before the purse strings are pulled. The GM needs a little luck. Sure Sabean has laid some real turds and had some gems fall in his lap. That’s just how it goes down with most things. Look at anyone’s record over 14 years and there are some serious peaks and valleys. That said, look at the current roster.

    Zito – Previously considered a shit signing but he’s fought his way back. He’s giving the club solid starts and eating innings.

    Rowand – Not a good move.

    DeRosa – We all know that story.

    Other than those three I would say the rest of the main contributors (Uribe, Huff, Sanchez, Torres, Renteria, Burrell) are filling out the club quite nicely. The only thing I wasn’t down with during the OS was the Affeldt extension but I’m not going to sit here and gloat over my incredible foresight.

    By this clubs standard, the BP is obviously a weakness but they’re still middle of the pack. After last years’ dominance any backslide was bound to be magnified. A hole in this club is exposed and it is up to Sabean to patch that shit up.

  43. twinfan's avatar twinfan said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    GHead, you don’t get credit for proposing a trade that didn’t go through, pal.

  44. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    I posted earlier in Room B with no probs.

    Twin – love your 12:24 post. How fucking true, and yes…funny as hell.

    DeJesus – .289 .361 .429 .790 lifetime. Give me a fucking break…if Sabean traded anything remotely worthy in the way of prospects for that…he’d need to have his ass handed to him.

    Ah…WTF Reno…gloat away, brother! I remember you and I having different takes on the Affeldt deal…you won that one fair and square.

  45. alleykat's avatar alleykat said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    According to Fangraph,the Giants bats and gloves combine for the third highest WAR in the NL at 11.3 trailing only the Reds and Cards at 12.2 and 11.6 respectively.The position players are not who we need to upgrade the most.

    It’s that 5 th spot in the rotation and bridging the gap between the starting pitchers and Brian Wilson is what they should focus on.And even that gap could be closed if they brought up Bum and made Martinez the long relief man,And DUMP WELLEMEYER!!

  46. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    Comment for Room B went through fine via Chrome. Not so for IE.

  47. twinfan's avatar twinfan said, on June 22, 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Sabean actyually did say a bit more than usual, he indicated that they’ve worked up a list of which minor leaguers are available and which are not ( and for what). Note on the minors: this first baseman Brandon Belt we’ve mentioned before is DESTROYING High-A. Not even Panda came close. .392 BA .503 OBP 1.145 OPS 9 HR 26 2B 58 RBI 237 AB, AND 15 stolen bases. He’s not said to be a huge POWER prospect but those numbers are sick. ( second in all of ML baseball in BA). Manager Brian Harper says he’s good defensively, as well.. he’s 22, a college kid, looks like a fast track prospect, might see at Fresno before the year is out, maybe even a September call-up possibility…
    A high draft pick who had struggled for a couple years is now looking like he’s “getting it”, infielder Charlie Culberson . He was a sandwich pick 3 years ago as an 18 YO out of HS. He’s at .300+ with power (9 HR, .533 slugging pct.) at San Jose. Fairly is still showing nothing in “A” ball, BTW. Chris Dominguez has 10 HR in 288 AB at Low-A Augusta. .260ish BA, ton of Ks. The AA kids ( Neal, Kieschnick, Crawford, Ford, Gillaspie) all still struggling, Neal is up to .279 but little pop. Ford is .240s, 23 for 33 SB…

  48. Unca Chuck's avatar Unca Chuck said, on June 22, 2010 at 1:07 pm

    Craig, took a little blog-break for a bit, but I just saw the Manute Bol thing. Very cool.

    Saw a bunch of games when he was on the Dubs, and when he came to town on different teams. He was a truly great man who did all he could, and a hell of a lot more, for his native country, and for the world in general. It was a shame he had to go thruogh all the trials after his basketball career (Mainly the terrible car accident), but he always gave of himself until the end.

    R.I.P Manute.

    PS> Shook hands with him after a game, and the thing that was just crazy about him was his torso was normal-sized. He just had the most insanely long legs and arms. He looked like a spider.

  49. ChiPower's avatar ChiPower said, on June 22, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Nice minor update, Twin. Yeah, I read the piece where Sabean said they were working on a couple of lists (targets) and who would be available as trade chips.

    Sad news on Bol. He was a great humanitarian who worked tirelessly for his home country Sudan, and also for the cities in which he played. RIP, big fella. Wishing peace to his family and friends during their time of loss.

  50. JBat's avatar JBat said, on June 22, 2010 at 1:48 pm

    That’s exciting news about Belt, twin, and a slugging first baseman cannot have a better name than that. I hope he tracks exactly like you described.

  51. alleykat's avatar alleykat said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    Yeah i really loved watching Manute Bol play.They use to call him “the 3 legged man from Sudan” or the “human tripod”.But like Chi said,A great humanitarian who’s generosity and tireless work ethic for his home country of Sudan will be his legacy/ achievements forever! He saw the NBA as a great opportunity to help his country. To bad most NBA players don’t have his mindset.RIP,Manute a true HERO!!

  52. pickledgringo's avatar pickledgringo said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    I get a big bat won’t be traded for, but that’s truly what they need.

    And again for the record, I have NEVER changed my tune about my prediction of the Giants outcome. I said 88 wins and stick to it. And just ‘winning the division’ is like getting to second base on prom night when you’ve got a wallet full of rubbers. Go look how many teams have made it there on their pitching alone and how many actually went past the first round.

    Power pitching will win the WS? Last I looked almost every team in the WS has had a strong MOTO presence + strong pitching. We have nice steady productive players, but no one who is the ‘impact bat’ you have to game plan around. And our pitchers have never pitched in the post season (less Zito) so that is unproven.

    I guess the debate is whether or not you are satisfied with just winning the division. Frankly, I’d like to see a title and we have the setup to do it this year.

    For us to have this lineup intact come Oct will require a bunch of luck (from injuries) and continued over-achievement, not exactly easy things to do.

  53. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    CF Torres
    2B Sanchez
    RF Huff
    3B Uribe
    LF Burrell
    1B Sandoval
    SS Renteria
    C Molina
    P Lincecum

  54. twinfan's avatar twinfan said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Eat it, Gringo. After not being in the post season since 2003, you’re professing to be worried about how they might do if they get there? Total bullshit as always.Leave the analyzing to the men in the parlor, you go help the girls with the dishes. Fetch me a cigar first…

  55. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Hey, where’s Jesus? Goddamn Bengie is blocking Buster. This has to stop. He can’t block balls any more. 16 wild pitches in the month of June, second only to the Snakes 17. I know Tim and the others like to throw to him, but we have to wean them off the tit (pun intended) sometime soon.

  56. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    Wean them off the tit. Funny. But I’m cool with Molina starting

  57. twinfan's avatar twinfan said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Buster be blocking his own ass right now.

  58. stixwiz's avatar stixwiz said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    Posey hasn’t been lighting it up much lately. Bengie hasn’t done significantly better, but he is the vet and Buster needs to sit for a game or so. This could be one of Bengie’s last hurrahs as the starting catcher. Depends on Buster getting back on the stick and personally i hope it happens soonest ~ like maybe tonight in a PH appearance.

  59. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    Buster be blocking. Just imagine Bing Crosby saying that.
    Buster woulda been better off being brought up the begining of Bochy baseball’s banner year. Bummer, my brothers. Bummer.

  60. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    Yeah, well, even w/ his horrific past 25 ABs or so he’s still at .303/.769 OPS Bengie? Not so much.

    O/U on PBs tonight is 1 1/2. I’ll take the OVER.

  61. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    Sorry, that should read wild pitches (WP) He better not have any PBs tonight or the shit is really gonna hit the fan.

  62. twinfan's avatar twinfan said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Dennis, my wonderful wacko, it’s the past 25 AB that have him sitting. What he is “still at” is hardly fucking relevant. He’ll be back tomorrow, settle down .

  63. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Just looked it up. You’ve got to consider Molina’s got pretty good numbers vs Oswalt as well. Only one RBI but .333 BA, 697 OPS

  64. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    I really think Bengie could be 0 fer Oswalt and still starting tonight. His simpatico relationship with the pitchers still remains the overriding factor for him starting. Buster’s slump notwithstanding.

  65. Kevin's avatar Kevin said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    Gringo, you talk a good game but you still haven’t given a Name for your big bat. Read Twin’s 12:24 post, it says it all. The big bat will come from the farm system or FA. The Giants are never going to do a Barry Bonds thing again!!

  66. Kevin's avatar Kevin said, on June 22, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Manute RIP brother

  67. dirtnrocksnomo's avatar dirtnrocksnreno said, on June 22, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    Sandoval upticks, Posey gets it together, displlaces and outpaces Molina and this club has a balance, potent line-up.

    Funny thing thing about the WS. You need power pitching and a balanced lline-up to get there. Its those pesky fuckers like Eckstein, Kennedy, Counsel, Brosius that power the victories.

  68. Craig's avatar Craig said, on June 22, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    Maggette traded? Thoughts?

  69. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    What’s four rungs down the ladder of “I could give a flying fuck?” I’m two below that.

  70. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 5:02 pm

    Until that no good SOB sells that damn team, they’re dead to me.

  71. Del Mar Dennis's avatar delmardennis said, on June 22, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    Wait, I forgot we just swapped 2nd-round picks with Blazers for some extra cash.
    That should fix’em right up.

  72. Craig's avatar Craig said, on June 22, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    Yeah that was a cool million or whatever that went right into that shitbag’s pocket. Cohan is a fucking parasite…

  73. Max808's avatar Max808 said, on June 22, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    Cohan gave Robert Rowell control of the W’s years ago and I would think he and Larry Riley are the ones making the call, with some input from Nelson

  74. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    Uhm…oops

  75. TedSpe's avatar TedSpe said, on June 22, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    Not good


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