Just How Out of Shape Was The Panda?

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on February 20, 2011

We could see he had gained a lot of weight as last season rolled on but I was shocked to read just how out of shape Sandoval actually was. According to the Mercury story, he couldn’t take a half dozen ground balls without panting, hands on knees. What were the coaches saying to him after this type of sad display? He could only squat 135 lbs. I know 125 lb women who can squat that 10 times. And this one blew me away: He could only do 2 inverted row reps. I don’t understand how someone could be that out of shape and still be a professional athlete. You would think that he would at least be getting at least SOME benefits from running out a double or even just from the stretching and light running that all the ballplayers do before each game. Apparently not.

While it was good to see Sabean “scare him straight” at the end of the season I don’t understand how Sandoval was allowed to take 6 ground balls in practice, during the season, and fall apart into the panting-hands-on-knees position. What did the infield coach say to him? Sorry, but that’s just poor, shoddy coaching. My LITTLE LEAGUE coach would have been up my ass if I lagged that hard in a drill…….

Obviously, we are all happy to see him accomplish what he accomplished this Winter. I just have trouble comprehending how a professional baseball player could be THAT out of shape at any point in his career…….

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billy said, on February 20, 2011 at 9:31 am

Just read that mercy story. Definitely have to wonder how management let it go that far but there is only so much they can do when you’ve got a game every damned day. In hindsight it was probably best to let him baloon up, flounder, and get benched to provide a reality check and a little motivation. It’s hard to believe he was able to hit over .250 in that sorry shape. With what he’s done in the off-season I don’t see how he can’t return to ’09 form or better, especially if he’ gotten any more patient at the plate.
delmardennis said, on February 20, 2011 at 10:24 am

#22 Jack Clark
#22 Will Clark
#22 Kurt Busch. Book it! for the 500.
delmardennis said, on February 20, 2011 at 10:27 am

Hey, why are the comments closed for Room B? I had a humdinger if I do say so myself.
Macdog said, on February 20, 2011 at 10:33 am

It is hard to imagine how Pablo was allowed to even take the field in such horrific shape, but with Renteria having so many stints on the DL, the coaching staff had little choice but to bite the bullet and play Sandoval. And when Renteria was finally able to play in the postseason, Pablo barely got off the bench. Perhaps, too, the Giants gave him a pass for the divorce and the San Bruno explosion. Now that Pablo’s in good playing shape, I would hope the training staff will stay on top of the situation and closely monitor his weight throughout the season.
James said, on February 20, 2011 at 10:44 am

“It’s hard to believe he was able to hit over .250 in that sorry shape.” What’s interesting about Pablo’s case is that pretty much every bit of speculation I’ve heard about why his performance fell off seems like it actually is part of the picture. A mix of private adversity, immaturity, too much of the wrong advice, too little direction from club leadership, excessive weight gain, and a resulting lack of confidence all mutually reinforcing each other. Yet, if you take something like the fangraphs plate discipline numbers, you see that we are talking about some pretty small corrections to what he does and doesn’t hack at. And he was not exactly a terrible hitter last year.
Rough Trade said, on February 20, 2011 at 11:33 am

Sounds prime for a big comeback yr. I’m excited to see what he can do. He’s a joy to watch when he’s raking. But the conditioning is half the battle.

He started last yr in a little better shape and had a terrific April. Then things went south. Until August.

Then he puts up Pablo like numbers, going .312/.348/.907 6hrs. He was clearly out of shape then. So, we’ll see.
zumarust said, on February 20, 2011 at 1:08 pm

The Baggarly article also mentioned something that I hadn’t seen mentioned before….Pablo was having hip trouble last season. He had some chiropractic stuff during the off-season to help with that, and obviously losing weight will help with that. The dude was just messed up in a lot of ways last season.
The Giants’ World Series championship is a marvel in so many ways, and one of the ways is how they did it with such a limited contribution from Pablo.
Billy mays said, on February 20, 2011 at 1:17 pm

I can see a rebound with the bat but I really hope his glove gets back on track as well . seemed like he was in a double slump last year ( hitting and fielding ) so get back to the 09 Pablo.
eddacker415 said, on February 20, 2011 at 2:29 pm

Well, no one (on this page) has mentioned it so I will ask: what about the vision problems i heard rumored (or otherwise)?
Which leads back to the Giants (medical/conditioning) staff. How can an organisation that is paying one on-field employee $11M/yr have anything but top rated support for the whole product?
Eyes have to be one of the top considerations for a bb player, along with conditioning, joints, pre- and post- game care . . .
colour me confused
Pablo was a cornucopia of negatives that the team still won with. Amazing.
Go “your 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants”
eddacker415 said, on February 20, 2011 at 3:42 pm

Damn you, DelMar(one off, again)

#21 Dwight Hicks
#21 Jeff Kent
#21 Trevor Bayne

but don’t try to buy him a beer
twinfan said, on February 20, 2011 at 3:58 pm

Lots of posts disappeared…
Mega Flavor said, on February 20, 2011 at 4:33 pm

No, u posted on the old thread. That’s why I made u potd, so those guys would see it
- twinfan said, on February 20, 2011 at 6:01 pm
  
  Gee, I’ve been on a previous tread my whole life…
  sorry, I ‘ll try to pay attenton…
DJLoo said, on February 20, 2011 at 4:44 pm

#22 Eli Whiteside
#22 Keichi Yabu
#22 Matt Morris
Mega Flavor said, on February 20, 2011 at 4:46 pm

Potd when I get home, loo
Mega Flavor said, on February 20, 2011 at 4:49 pm

I think it’s more than a little fucked up that thrill’s # hasn’t been retired AND fucking el presidente is wearing it
dirtnrocksnrneno said, on February 20, 2011 at 4:54 pm

If Sandoval hits 250 with better defense and The Giants win another “ship” than I am down with that but I think he’ll rebound nicely this year.

What’s up with the BB? First Tila and now this homely looking chick. Needs some quality control.
Mega Flavor said, on February 20, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Dirt: I’m trying to meet the tastes of all the flappers. Nipper beat off to this one. I’ll make it back around to the tanned, fake titted chicks, don’t you worry…
dirtnrocksnrneno said, on February 20, 2011 at 5:18 pm

Actually I like Tila. She’s my kind of trashy.
Flavor said, on February 20, 2011 at 8:16 pm

I just gave the BB another once over— I see what you mean, Dirt. That was a little sloppy on my part……
Flavor said, on February 20, 2011 at 8:35 pm

Here’s a post from Baggs Blog. Is Loo posting under another name? Seriously, people this stupid should just be put down…..
al oha says:
February 20th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Rowand, Tejada, and Huff (sorry, Belt makes him expendable) for ………

Michael Young and Nelson Cruz
ewisco said, on February 20, 2011 at 9:00 pm

following on with bagg’s blog, what’s up with rowand not playing any position but cf? is that really him saying that? he seems more of the “put me in coach” kind of guy. As for the new stance, same as the old stance. he’ll ultimately squat like he’s taking a dump while trying to figure out how to hit. of course, some of my best thinking was in that position. I just wasn’t trying to adjust to a 95 mph slider. though my wife’s frying pan comes in looking like a fastball until the late break . . .
sj_news_reader said, on February 20, 2011 at 10:13 pm

whoa, that bikini girl is freaking HOT.
bball and waves said, on February 21, 2011 at 1:00 am

Loved the video you presented with the unbelievable offseason we had and it had all the good stuff. Right on.. Love the site.
bigSarge said, on February 21, 2011 at 1:50 am

If Pablo was able to focus on losing weight and getting into playing shape during the offseason, that focus should carry over into the season. I predict that focus gets him better numbers than 2009.
twinfan said, on February 21, 2011 at 7:26 am

Is this the Ortmeier thread? OK, as I was saying, liook for 20-80…
I really think they must be close to just eating Rowand’s contract. Yes, I know it would be unprecedented for them, but what’s the diff, really, between paying him to sit and releasing him? I’m sure they are trying for a bad contract swap but if that fails, I don’t rule out a release, if DeRosa shows he’s healthy. Ross can play center if Torres is hurt…Torres, Burrell, Ross, Nate, DeRosa is a good 5…no reason, just gut says Nate has a good year at the plate…
Flavor said, on February 21, 2011 at 7:51 am

twin, are you posting on this thread intentionally? The only reason I ask, is because you did this yesterday too even though there was a new thread up. Maybe something is screwy with the blog.
twinfan said, on February 21, 2011 at 8:09 am

When I started it, the new thread wasn’t up. It takes me a long time to post a comment in my loogy days… The OC will be working on getting my right hand back…