29 Miserable Days to Go

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on January 16, 2011

Well, at least we are inside a month……

I was thinking about the A’s yesterday. I know, I know, who DOES that? But the A’s have really had a good off season. Matsui didn’t impress me but DeJesus was a decent enough pick up (though I think they gave up too much for him) and Willingham is going to hit 25 bombs for them. The Balfour pick up was outstanding (I love that guy’s name. He’s a pitcher who’s named “Ball four”, that’s classic) and word is they might land Fuentes, too. That would be probably the best pitching staff in either league from top to bottom……

So I checked on them to win the AL Pennant and they are 20-1. They’re freaking 50-1 to win the World Series (we are 18-1). I can’t believe I’m saying this but I am taking some action on the A’s winning the WS at that price. They will likely win their division and once you do that, well, we saw what can happen……..

50-1? Jeez, Baltimore is 60-1. You gotta like the A’s at those odds to win the World Series……….

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dirtnrocksnreno said, on January 16, 2011 at 10:08 am

The A’s? It has come to this? Really?
Flavor said, on January 16, 2011 at 10:10 am

seriously. Well, it’s been a long Winter of, hmmmm, basking I guess. I am ready for some baseball, my man. Hey Dirt, gonna be in your hood Feb 3rd thru 5th. Beers?
Flavor said, on January 16, 2011 at 11:52 am

most of you have probably seen that twitter pic of Pablo. The thing that stands out to me is how defined his traps and shoulders are. Very nice. He’s clearly not just dropping weight but hitting the weights hard…….
Unca Chuck said, on January 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Hey, I’m following Pandoval . . .

pocas cantidades de comida pero 5 veces al día, lo demás es full entrenamiento, 6 dias a la semana

Excellent
- delmardennis said, on January 16, 2011 at 1:08 pm
  
  I’m following the fat little fucker myself. But I didn’t take Spanish in school. It’d be easier to follow along if Pablo used those big cue cards like the Ducks do to send in their plays. He could just show the four food groups he’ll be partaking in.
- Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 7:38 am
  
  BLEEP!
- Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 10:16 am
  
  El BLEEP to that!
Unca Chuck said, on January 16, 2011 at 4:30 pm

You watching the playoffs? It opens with a banner that says BIG FLAVOR

Too funny. . .
Unca Chuck said, on January 16, 2011 at 4:31 pm

The Subway ad that is . . .
- Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 10:18 am
  
  I bet Chuck can chow down two large subways without much effort. Burp!
zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 4:57 pm

The Patriots were better on paper, but you know the rest of the cliche….
zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Looks like Panda’s serious about winning his thirdbase job back. That would give the Giants their complete lineup. Burrell and DeRosa can battle for playing time in left; or on some days put Huff in left, Panda at first, DeRosa or Fontenot at third, and so forth, and maybe Belt makes the squad, and whatever. Bochy can mix and match with the squad’s versatility. That’s something the pundits across the nation never really picked up on. How much versatility there was with this squad last year, with all the different positions the guys played. They can keep the essence of that going again in ’11.
Flavor said, on January 16, 2011 at 5:12 pm

great point, Zumie. The flexibility that Bochy had last year never really got recognized and 2011 is shaping up to almost be BETTER than 2010 in terms of flexibility…..
- zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 6:23 pm
  
  I loved Huff’s attitude about it throughout the season. “Boch, you need me in the outfield? You got it!” The attitude permeated the team. And I give Sandoval some credit in that regard too. He was willing to start playing thirdbase a couple of years ago in order to help the team out. His defense tapered off last season, but with losing some weight, that should help him on defense. How well he’ll hit is a big question, but if he can hit 15-20 homers, the Giants can put up with a lower batting average. It would be awesome if he can get back to being a .300 hitter, but it can’t be counted on. As frustrated as the Giants got with his hitting into doubleplays and a lower batting average, I think it was the eroding defense that really alarmed them. But it would be interesting if one of the reporters, or KNBR guys, would ask Sabean why Pablo can’t be the back-up catcher, in addition to playing thirdbase. It would give the Giants even more flexibility.
  - Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 10:20 am
    
    Pablo is not a backup.
Flavor said, on January 16, 2011 at 5:54 pm

the Splash idiots are questioning the validity of the Panda photo– I suppose he could photo shop those rock hard traps in there but I highly doubt it. That is a photo of a man getting serious about his life. Now, whether he can lay off sliders in the dirt or fastballs over his head remains to be seen…….
- zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 6:32 pm
  
  It’s exciting to see Sandoval really wanting to win his job back. He comes across as such a carefree kid, but some of that attitude has to change. Pro sports have a dog-eat-dog aspect. Like, how people will call the NFL, the Not For Long league. Sandoval’s at THE pivotal moment in his career. If he can make a decent comeback, what a boost for the Giants.
snarkk said, on January 16, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Saw the photo of slimmer Panda. He looks better. Whether its 17 or 22, I dunno, looks more than either, if you ask me. But, front on shots can be deceiving. Whatever. I don’t want him to just be doing weights, and turn into a muscle bound dude, either. Hopefully, he’s on a cross training regimen to get rid of weight, and strengthen his core. Now, if he can reduce the strike zone to only one, not two area codes, we’ve got something….
zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 6:37 pm

Another All-Star game homerun derby on the MLB network tonight. What a waste. Is there any winter ball they could be showing from Latin America?
Kevin said, on January 16, 2011 at 6:52 pm

The picture of Pablo does look more than 22 lbs lost, but the definition does look good
zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 6:55 pm

It’s hard not to get excited reading this article from Chris Haft:

Giants giving top talent Belt shot at starting role
First, left winnable positions in open competition in Scottsdale

SAN FRANCISCO — Seeing Brandon Belt take his cuts last year prompted San Jose Giants hitting coach Gary Davenport to recall another graceful and gifted left-handed batter: Will Clark.

Davenport mentioned this to Clark one day when the six-time All-Star, now a special assistant for the big league Giants, visited the organization’s high Class A affiliate.

Clark quickly disagreed.
“He has a better swing than I did,” Clark said.

That might sound preposterous to legions of fans who cherish the memory of Clark’s syrupy, yet savage, stroke. But it reinforces the notion that Belt’s an uncommonly talented performer who might become yet another first-year offensive dynamo for the Giants, following Pablo Sandoval (2009) and Buster Posey (’10).

Belt will be under considerable scrutiny as he enters his first Major League Spring Training next month. The reigning World Series champions believe that he has a legitimate chance to earn a spot in the lineup at either first base or left field (Aubrey Huff almost surely will occupy the spot Belt doesn’t). General manager Brian Sabean has emphasized that Belt will begin the season in the Minors to continue his development if he doesn’t win a starting job with San Francisco.

Davenport and managers Andy Skeels and Steve Decker, who watched Belt develop at each of his three Minor League stops last year, discussed what observers can expect from the Giants’ newest top prospect once he arrives in Scottsdale, Ariz.

At 22, Belt already seems to possess admirable restraint as a hitter. Among his impressive statistics during his first professional season — featuring a .352 batting average, a .455 on-base percentage and a .620 slugging percentage, to go with 23 home runs and 112 RBIs in 136 games — was the sizable total of 93 walks.

“I’m just amazed how he lays off pitches at such a young age,” Davenport said, adding that Belt’s refusal to chase pitches forces opponents to throw him hittable strikes. “Like Barry Bonds, when the ball is two inches off the plate, he’s not going to swing at it.”

Part of Davenport’s job description is fixing a hitter’s flaws before they become habits. He didn’t have to work much with Belt, a fifth-round selection out of the University of Texas in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

“I saw him for half a year and I kept looking for weaknesses,” Davenport said.

Belt struggled somewhat at Triple-A Fresno, batting .229 in 13 games after hitting .383 in 77 games with San Jose and .337 in 46 games for Double-A Richmond. But he still posted a .956 OPS with Fresno and demonstrated sufficient aptitude to Decker, the Grizzlies’ manager, who noted that Fresno faced most of the Pacific Coast League’s top teams after Belt joined the club toward the end of the season.

“If you get Brandon out a certain way, he has the ability to make adjustments,” Decker said. “A lot of times, it takes 1,500 at-bats in the Minor Leagues for guys to be able to do that.”

Defensively, Belt seems prepared to give the Giants the flexibility manager Bruce Bochy cherishes.

Davenport praised Belt’s skills at first base: “He’s very close to J.T. Snow, [Travis] Ishikawa, that caliber.”

Skeels, who has rejoined San Jose’s staff after managing Richmond last season, seconded that opinion.

“He can flat-out pick it at first base,” Skeels said. “He has a strong, accurate arm.”

Skeels added that Belt’s almost as capable in left field, noting: “He has great instincts. He gets great jumps and reads and he goes to the line well.”

It was generally agreed that Belt’s mental and emotional approach should help him thrive professionally.

“He’s very self-effacing and ultra-competitive once the game starts,” Skeels said.

Ideally, this outlook also will enable Belt to cope with the expectations and the evaluative pairs of eyes that are bound to follow him everywhere this spring.

“I don’t think Major League camp will bother him,” Decker said.
- Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 7:51 am
  
  Nice posting.
- stixwiz said, on January 17, 2011 at 9:46 am
  
  Zoom: Thanx for the info. Been pretty excited about Belt since he started dominating at SJ earlier last season. We all know that the Giants luck took a quantum turn with that Championship team. From ’58 to ’09 the luck seemed mostly to go the other way. Will the goddess Fortuna continue to smile during the ’11 season and grant the team a third impact rookie in a four year span?
  
  Three ifs: If the pitching is as advertised: If Pablo reverts to Panda: If Belt shows he’s ML ready from the get-go and starts performing on all 5-tool cylinders; the Giants could make my 100 win prediction look, maybe not particularly conservative, but close to middle of the road anyway. I’m not expecting a big fall-off from Posey, ala Pablo last season. Buster is simply too fundamentally solid. He lacks holes. He appears to be immune to long slumps. So we are looking at the possibility of three impact hitters cluttering up the middle of the lineup, with some not so shabby teammates filling out the card.
  
  My prediction: The three Ifs pan out and the Giants will dominate.
ewisco said, on January 16, 2011 at 10:00 pm

oh please, oh please, oh please!
- zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 10:07 pm
  
  Definitely! The dream of dreams would be to have another Rookie of the Year contender.
zumarust said, on January 16, 2011 at 10:16 pm

The Giants have listed their give-away promotions. Lots of stuff has “World Series” or “World Champs” as part of it. The Buster Posey bobblehead and Timmy bobblehead will be particulary insane days.
This won’t post exactly right, but you can tell what’s being given away.

Promotion Schedule: APRIL – MAY – JUNE – JULY – AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
April
Date Opponent Promotion / Event Presented by For
Fri, Apr 8 Cardinals Opening Day Calendars AT&T First 40,000 fans
Sat, Apr 9 Cardinals World Series Ring Keychain AT&T First 20,000 fans
Sun, Apr 10 Cardinals Buster Posey Pin First 20,000 fans
Mon, Apr 11 Dodgers Magnet Schedule AT&T First 20,000 fans
Fri, Apr 22 Braves Orange Friday Rally Rags First 20,000 fans
Sat, Apr 23 Braves World Champions Banner Coca-Cola First 20,000 fans
Sun, Apr 24 Braves World Series Replica Trophy Toyota First 20,000 fans
[ Back to top ]
All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
May
Date Opponent Promotion / Event Presented by For
Fri, May 6 Rockies Willie Mays Statue Replica First 20,000 fans
Sat, May 7 Rockies World Champions Canvas Print First 20,000 fans
Sun, May 8 Rockies World Champions Tote Bag First 20,000 fans
Fri, May 20 Athletics Orange Wearable Blanket Coca-Cola First 20,000 fans
Sat, May 21 Athletics World Champions Cap CHW First 20,000 fans
Sun, May 22 Athletics World Champions Pennant First 20,000 fans
[ Back to top ]
All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
June
Date Opponent Promotion / Event Presented by For
Sat, Jun 4 Rockies Cody Ross Bobblehead First 25,000 fans
Sun, Jun 5 Rockies Silly Bandz First 10,000 fans
Fri, Jun 10 Reds Fireworks Night
Sat, Jun 11 Reds Legends Game with Giants Alumni
Sun, Jun 12 Reds Skateboard Deck First 7,500 fans ages 12 and under
Sat, Jun 25 Indians Aubrey Huff Bobblehead First 25,000 fans
Sun, Jun 26 Indians Madison Bumgarner T-Shirt First 20,000 fans
[ Back to top ]
All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
July
Date Opponent Promotion / Event Presented by For
Sat, Jul 9 Mets Striped Socks First 20,000 fans
Sun, Jul 10 Mets Buster Posey Bobblehead First 20,000 fans
Sat, Jul 23 Brewers Belt Buckle First 20,000 fans
Sun, Jul 24 Brewers Fedora Hat First 20,000 fans
[ Back to top ]
All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
August
Date Opponent Promotion / Event Presented by For
Sat, Aug 6 Phillies Virgin America Day All Fans
Sun, Aug 7 Phillies Brian Wilson Road Jersey Coca-Cola / Ronald McDonald House First 7,500 kids ages 12 and under
Wed, Aug 10 Pirates AT&T / Giants Slumber Party
Sat, Aug 27 Astros Tim Lincecum Bobblehead First 25,000 fans
Sun, Aug 28 Astros Dog Days of Summer
[ Back to top ]
All giveaways and event dates are subject to change.
September
Date Opponent Promotion / Event Presented by For
Sun, Sep 4 D-backs Back to School Lunch Bag – Matt Cain First 7,500 fans ages 12 and under
Sat, Sep 10 Dodgers Giants Trading Cards Emerald Nuts First 20,000 fans
Wed, Sep 28 Rockies Fan Appreciation Day
xootsuit said, on January 17, 2011 at 7:42 am

Hey, Zoom, you were there last year to get one of those Lincecum CY posters during the first homestand, as I recall. I like that poster.

I was doing some resesarch to respond to a delightful philly fan over on the splash and came across this odd little web page. Back in time for a moment?

http://lensexotic.siam.im/?p=ryan-howard-called-strike-three
Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 7:42 am

I gained twenty pounds over the holidays. My doctor didn’t like it. Lossing weight is happening but I have to cut out stuff. If Pablo likes to eat it will be a constant challenge to keep it off. Good luck Pablo!
twinfan said, on January 17, 2011 at 8:34 am

I’m up to 200 with the decadron. My normal adult weight had been 160.
- Nipper said, on January 17, 2011 at 10:24 am
  
  I’m trying to get back down to 200. Right now 217. Last year I got as low as 185. I have to walk more and eat less.
twinfan said, on January 17, 2011 at 8:51 am

Lots of FAs stll homeless:
http://tinyurl.com/ye43krd
stixwiz said, on January 17, 2011 at 9:48 am

Twin: What do you think of Lastings Milledge on a Minor League contract? Kid does have some speed. Would he get in the way of Peguero and Neal or would he add to the Fresno frolics?
Kevin said, on January 17, 2011 at 10:03 am

all of those on that list Twin are 30 or older. Hope they are ready to take a reduction in pay!!