What are the Giants Doing with Dan Runzler?

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on March 13, 2011

I get that they are “stretching him out”, seeing if he can be a starter. But yesterday unfolded strangely with Runzler finding out he was the starting pitcher when he found a baseball and a copy of the Dodgers roster in his locker. Then, according to the Chronicle, Runzler “unaccustomed to the role, asked starting pitchers what their normal pre-game routine is”. Huh? If we have been reading about the possibility of converting Runzler to a starter since last December, why would Runzler be wandering around the clubhouse on March 12th seeking out this information? Shouldn’t Raggs/Gardner have been at least TALKING to him about this, if not actually having him practice it?

Weird.

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TedSpe said, on March 13, 2011 at 8:50 am

best…pierced…bb…ever
Kevin said, on March 13, 2011 at 8:58 am

In the immortal words of Cool Hand Luke, “What we have here is a failure to communicate”
- blade3colorado said, on March 13, 2011 at 1:29 pm
  
  Very, very close Kevin . . . Not too many people know there are actually two close variants of the line that are spoken at different points in the film. Nuances of accent, delivery, and intonation aside, they are as follows:
  
  1.”What we’ve got here is…failure to communicate.” — spoken by The Captain, the imperious prison warden played by Strother Martin
  2.”What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.” — spoken by Luke, the reprobate inmate played by Paul Newman near the film’s climax.
  
  Take heart in that your quotation is grammatically correct (unless Pawlie tells me different. Ha.) from the 2 quotes in the film. Grin.
  - Kevin said, on March 13, 2011 at 3:53 pm
    
    Thaks blade, yeah, I was going to put Martin/Luke but I got lazy!! And yes your version is correct. but my English teacher would love me!! LOL
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:20 pm
    
    Interesting. Ralph Keyes in The Quote Verifier leaves off the “a,” saying we supply it for Martin’s pause. But he only mentions the one Strother Martin line. When did Luke say it? Now I’m intrigued. We need our movie maven TedSpe to weigh in.
Nipper said, on March 13, 2011 at 9:07 am

ST…….this too shall pass.
Rough Trade said, on March 13, 2011 at 9:30 am

I guess they are going to go with 12 and 3 LH in the pen?

The S 5 ..
BP Runzler, Ramirez, Casilla, Romo, Lopez, Affeldt, Wilson

Doesn’t look good for Suppan and Vogelsang. Does Voge have to clear waivers?
twinfan said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:08 am

You are a chronic worrier.
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:12 am

Right now, my greatest worry has to do with the resolution of the BB widget. It looks awful to me. How about you guys? WordPress sent me an email saying they were having technical problems this week during their upgrade (shocker, that NEVER happens!) and i’m wondering if it’s effecting the picture uploads….
Kevin said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:14 am

It is just blurry. You can still tell what her finer features are
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:17 am

I will not stand for *blurry*. If I stood for blurry I’d stand for nothing. The emails are flying back and forth between me and tech support to get this *resolved* as quickly as possible…….
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:27 am

“If I stood for blurry I’d stand for nothing.”

I think that’s what Patrick Henry said during the American Revolution. His other famous quote was to his plantation foreman. He said “Bring me slave woman #28 tonight.”
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:34 am

ah, there we go. All is right in the universe again…….
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:47 am

The thing I found odd about Runzler yesterday was that they said he was given a choice of whether to hit or take the DH, and he was all “Give me the DH!”
I know he got hurt swinging the bat last year, but if he’s at all interested in being a starting pitcher, he needs to learn to be functional with the bat.
Sometimes stuff happens that leaves us perplexed. Like, how they’re not making Rowand play the corner outfield spots.
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:49 am

Rowand at “CF or bust” is one of the things, I bet, that would hold up a trade to Philly. Philly is desperate for OF’s right now but Victorino has CF pretty much locked up. It makes no sense, as Rowand gets older and can cover less ground he should be moving to a corner OF spot just as a natural progression in his career…….
- PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:06 am
  
  Rowand is a very decent fielder. Gamer! Without his throw, and Posey’s play at the plate, against the Phrills, we might not be there. Yeah, Phils might bite. Their boy Dominic Brown is down, and was not hitting before he broke his hand or wrist or whatever (on a swing).
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:55 am

Giants on TV tonight- MLB network, at 6 PM I think.
They’re on Wednesday, also, I think. Against the White Sox, if I remember correctly.
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:04 am

Ha! Speak of the devil. John Shea at the Splash is saying Rowand will start in leftfield today. The game’s actually at 1:00, but being shown on TV by the MLB network tonight. I’m assuming KNBR has the game on radio today.
PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:07 am

Interesting thing about Runzler’s prep as a SP: that NYT article on Timmeh says Lincecum is not all taboo pregame like most SPs; no big routine, no drama; he’s loose.
- eddacker415 said, on March 13, 2011 at 3:00 pm
  
  Nice link to a nice article on T. Lincecum P SF @ home in the new Seattle Apartment. Thanks for that, I am real surprised you read the NY Times . . .not!
  I knew I had heard the nickname SEABISCUIT before so I looked it up:
  
  from baggs 2009 asked of Timmeh!:
  As a fan who goes to the ballpark a lot, I never know what to call you guys when I’m trying to get your attention. Do you have a preference for what fans call you? (Tim, Timmy, Mr. Lincecum?)
  -Lauren, San Francisco
  
  I don’t know. I don’t have a preference for what any fan calls me. Fans, and un-fans I guess you could call them, come up with some pretty funny names. There’s nothing I prefer over another name. I’m used to going by a bunch of different names. Randy Messenger used to call be ‘Scum, short for Lincecum. Some guys on the team still call me that. I’ve had Timmeh! from “South Park.” Then there’s the Franchise and Freak and all those.
  Seabiscuit was the one I liked but nobody really calls me that.
  
  “An unassuming champion, Seabiscuit raised the hopes and spirits of a beleaguered nation during the Great Depression with a series of unlikely victories.”
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on March 13, 2011 at 4:06 pm
    
    Thanks for that, Ed. I’d never heard Timmy called that before. But that’s all gonna change now.
    From now on I’m calling him Seabiscuit and nothing but Seabiscuit. I might even cut ’em some slack about his shaggy mane.
Rough Trade said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:36 am

Everything about the guy seemingly defies the norm.
- zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:21 pm
  
  That’s a good article. Interesting to read an article about an athlete that’s not written by a sportswriter.
  - zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:22 pm
    
    Actually, maybe it WAS written by a sportswriter. I don’t really know.
- eddacker415 said, on March 13, 2011 at 3:09 pm
  
  I finally figured Tim out: he plays baseball or he is a baseball player; your choice. It is as simple as that to him.
  This part of his personality is the cherry on top of his talent and the reason he handles himself so well as a major star. He is not just laid back or whatever, he is very comfortable with who he is and what he does. His dad, his agent, his friends have been there all along so being a baseball “star” is no big deal.
PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 1:16 pm

You have to wonder if Tejada even stays with the team very long; not getting much playing time. Is he hurt?
- zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:18 pm
  
  At $6.5 million? He’s ON the team for the whole season. I don’t think he’s hurt. The longtime vets are going to get their share of days off in ST. And it gives DeRosa another chance to play some shortstop. The Giants are suddenly feeling very good about back-up shortstop with Font and DeRosa both hitting well, and playing adequate defense at short.
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:16 pm

The A’s are playing the Rockies on Comcast Nor. Cal., if you can stand Ray Fosse.
Rough Trade said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:33 pm

Mute it!!
- zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:42 pm
  
  I know, but I like all the ambient sounds of the game…bat hitting ball, cheer of the crowd, etc. It’s a real dilemma, because Fosse is….awful. Really. You’d think A’s management would make a change at some point. But I guess everything is going so well for that organization that they just don’t want to tamper with such a stellar broadcast crew.
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Pablo stole another base today! Very cool.
Rough Trade said, on March 13, 2011 at 2:52 pm

Some concern about Tejada’s not hitting much, but agree, he’s not going anywhere. He’s had 28ab’s (4th highest) and appeared in 10 games, same as vets Burrell Ross and Huff.
snarkk said, on March 13, 2011 at 4:34 pm

Nate showed today why he should get consideration to stay, given he’s out of options, and Rohand is doing the usual, other than starting in LF today. You’d think that was a huge deal to start in LF, this guy hasn’t earned respect to stay in CF, plus it helps his decreasing range. Anyway, Sholz beat out a grounder for a single (speed), gunned a guy down trying to go first to third (cannon arm and D), and smoked an HR. Two of the three, Rohand does not supply, and his HRs are going to down anyway…
- Del Mar Dennis said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:44 pm
  
  Marty Lurie echoing your exact sentiments on the postgame show. I think all Flappers are in agreement with what should happen. But will it is a horse of a different color.
  
  I guess the prevailing wisdom is that Rowand, Nate and Ishi are battling for the last two spots. Unless one is moved (which I don’t foresee happening) I think Shitholtz is the one getting the shaft. If it were up to me and I was compelled to keep Rowand, I’d shave off another P from the staff and go with 11. But I know that’s not gonna happen so I won’t even bother.
- snarkk said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:55 pm
  
  Maybe Marty is reading the Flap. Anyway, Ishi I think is in danger of being left out. There are tons of first base alternatives to give Huff a blow, even Posey in a pinch. Plus, Belt is waiting in the wings, probably will be ready after a coupla months down in Fresno after 150-200 ABs. His glove is very good, and could eventually be as good as Ishi. Huff has proven he is no slouch with the glove at 1B. So, how important is a defensive 1Bmen in the top of the 9th, or a lefty PH every third game, vs. Sholz who can play virtually any OF position if one of those OFers goes down? If it’s one that has to go between Rohand, Nate and Ishi, I’d jettison Rohand…
- xootsuit said, on March 13, 2011 at 6:08 pm
  
  Marty Lurie’s an idiot. I predicted last year that Ishi would not play a single regular season inning in LF, and was right. (That’ll change this year, if he’s on the roster.) And this year, Buster will not play more than 9 innings total at 1B.
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 13, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Jesus H. Christ. We won again today. What’s that now make us, 14-4. Am I the only one who thinks we’re winning too many games? Probably. I just think things tend to even out over the long haul. I’d just wish they’d even out in March rather than in April and May. So do me a favor; start losing some goddamn games.

Re today’s BB: Impeccable skin and exquisite fingernails. Two of my favorite qualities.
She thinks we’re winning too many ST games as well. Seriously, tank a few if need be.
stixwiz said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Snarkkster: Yep, it would be a shame to dump Nate. He’s never likely to hit very many of those dingers, but the other two elements you pointed out, his speed and his D. are valuable commodities with Water Buffalos running around. I do like the fact that the power displays have come from all across the L.U. and bodes for a well-balanced offense ~ opposite from the years when all depended on #25.

So Rowand is at what, $24M, for salary over the next couple. Were the Giants willing to cover from $15-$18 of that total, some team looking at an outlay of no more than 3-4.5M over each of the next two could be decently tempted by a guy who still has good D. and does represent somewhat of a threat off the bench. My suspicion is that his true temptation value is somewhere in that range. Moving him out would not only preserve Nate for the team but would also ease the fan pressure on the Z contract. Maybe the LF cameo will perk up the ears and eyes of some other outfit. That could be the intent.

Dennis: Yes, 14-4 is pretty ridiculous. It’s reached the point where they simply seem to expect to win. So do we. With something like 17 games left in ST they would be hard put to even out their spring record. But i do not and cannot wish loses on them during the warmup season. Shit does happen, though. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come by way of injuries. And as you point out, it would really be a bummer if it happens in April. Don’t expect that, though. Many of their games in April will be within the Division. And in the West a certain fear factor has been developing. And it ain’t just the Beard.
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:04 pm

I check whether they won the game AFTER I check the box score. It means less than nothing. I am interested in what the individual position players are doing with their at bats, how the pitchers are doing, stuff like that. But winning or losing right now? They shouldn’t even keep score, it means that little. Just play for 2 hours, then call the game…..
Kevin said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:07 pm

Dennis, I have seen this before, then when the season begins the pitchers get it together and the Giants are back to scoring 2-3 runs. I hope this season is different but…we will see when the season begins. But I did love the come back against the Dodgers yesterday!!
twinfan said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:09 pm

Since winning or losing is not important, they might as well win…
xootsuit said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:55 pm

Keep Ford on the roster, trade Nate. Somehow, some way. Speed and late innings D. And more speed. Nate’s problem, as Jon Miller so euphemistically explained during today’s game, is between his ears. Irreparable.

DeRosa’s looking fine, Pablo’s appears to be back, Tejada and Franchez and Huff and Ross and Torres are locks. No Whitey Newman (tepid hand lukes, both) is inevitable. Add Posey, you’re at 9. Burrell — probably. Ford — I hope so. That leaves 2 or 3 non-pitcher slots, right? Font & Ishi? Belt? Who? With DeRosa’s ability to play IF & OF — Rowand’s looking pretty expendable.
blade3colorado said, on March 13, 2011 at 5:57 pm

Pawlie, in regard to your 5:20pm post . . . He said it right before he got shot in neck inside the church by the “Sunglasses” guard.
- PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:14 pm
  
  ah so! thanks
snarkk said, on March 13, 2011 at 6:12 pm

They had a helluva BB candidate in Cool Hand Luke. Remember the car wash scene? On some showings of the movie on TV, that scene unfortunately is cut out… http://tinyurl.com/6kaqz5n
- blade3colorado said, on March 13, 2011 at 6:37 pm
  
  Yep Snarkk . . . She would have aced the BB qualifications interview.*
  
  *Unknown whether this interview uses the Hollywood casting couch model. Flav?
- PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:13 pm
  
  yeah, for my money, the car wash scene is one of the hottest [who the heck was SHE?!] and George Kennedy is priceless. I always thought George Kennedy would’ve been better than Nicholson in Cuckoo’s Next, except he was too old at that point
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:20 pm
    
    Just watched it, first time in years. Just plain filthy! Cartoonishly so. And I never realized it was so funny. Talk about TORTURE. About as nasty as they could get away with when the movie was made, I imagine. TORTURE.
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 13, 2011 at 6:32 pm

Watching our replay from earlier today on the MLB Network. Pablo certainly does look good. Very nice AB in the first. Sweet and easy swing for that triple to right-center.

And I can’t help but marvel at how well he’s moving around the base paths. He’s a whole different guy out there. And I also can’t help but marvel at the way that grass is cut. That’s one fancy schmancy job. How the hell they do that? It must be the same aliens who make those crop circles. Little buggers. Bless their bulbous gray heads.
DJLoo said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:29 pm

What ever became of Noah Lowry?
willied said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Does anyone seriously think you are going to get anything out of Nate except what you have seen for last two years? which is, very little offense except for when he is spraying singles around the OF, even less pop, low OBP, and occasional lapses of judgement that mitigate the arm strength.
He is a .260 hitter that can be easily replaced by tons of guys sitting around on mlb rosters. Ford, however, could be a starter( and add real SB/ score from anywhere speed). Nate is not a starting OF for anyone, ever.
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:41 pm

WillieD– nice to see you back. Nate isn’t a starting OF on our team or probably anyone’s, but he fills a nice role for our team. He’s perfect to take over for the Bat in the late innings and he’s fine as a PH, too….
Lowry’s command rate, toiling around 1 last time I checked, is probably unchanged today. That is, if he ever made it back to the mound. His arm was pretty fucked up and he probably has a case against the Giants trainers that I hope he gets paid on…….
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:42 pm

http://thebaseballcube.com/profile.asp?P=Noah-Lowry
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:45 pm

Lowry was pitcher of the month in August, 2005.
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:48 pm

I would disagree that Ford is a starter for sure, at any point in his career. He’s fast, that’s true. Lots of guys are. Once those guys get on first base they’re all star’s. It’s the “getting on first base” task that’s the problem……
twinfan said, on March 13, 2011 at 7:49 pm

I’d love to see Nate and Travis both stay- I doubt anyone would do better or even equal their contributions as role players. If they must go, send them where they’ll start. They deserve it and there ARE teams where they can…
TedSpe said, on March 13, 2011 at 8:04 pm

I’ve been out all day, just got back and…
HEY!! You changed the bb!!! Nice move because…
best…bb…ever
Flavor said, on March 13, 2011 at 8:27 pm

well, Lewis left and started most of last year. Franny fiddled around as a utility guy. Bowker never got going. I put both Nate and Travis a level about the usual “Bowker Gang” guys. Not much above but definitely *above*. I think they could get a chance at starting if things broke their way and they seized the moment. But it’s not going to ever happen in SF. Ishi is still suffering the Garko Sabean rammed into him a couple of years ago…….
- TedSpe said, on March 13, 2011 at 8:31 pm
  
  All true but my thanks again for the reversion to…best…bb…ever
  - Rough Trade said, on March 13, 2011 at 9:59 pm
    
    Who would have thought Rajai Davis would become a starter anywhere?
  - TedSpe said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:08 pm
    
    Indeed
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 13, 2011 at 9:07 pm

Who’s this Sanchez kid now in at catcher. He any good? First time I’ve seen him. Immediately thought of another Pablo. Nothing wrong with that.

Listening to these Ranger broadcasters rally makes me appreciate Kruk and Kuip. I know we give ’em some flak from time to time. But they’re head and shoulders better than this pair. Hell, they’re better than most pairs. We’re lucky to have those guys.
- zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 9:55 pm
  
  They made some laughable gaffes. They referred to the Brooklyn Giants. They said the Giants increased their payroll $25 miilion this year so they could pay Lincecum and Cain more money. They had no clue about the Giants, a team they just played in the World Series!
  - zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 10:04 pm
    
    Actually, that’s pretty unforgivable for a MLB broadcaster to say 2010 was the first time the Giants won the World Series since they did it when they were still in Brooklyn in the late ’50s. And since when is 1954 the LATE ’50s?
snarkk said, on March 13, 2011 at 9:36 pm

Ford a starter someday? I put that at unlikely, unless he somehow discovers how to use his speed to get on consistently. In the Giants organization that apparently doesn’t teach the bunt and/or chop very well, good luck. No pop, good D, top speed. There’s a lot of that out in MLB, but looks good with the Giants because they have no speed at all on the big club except Torres. If Ford somehow went north, he’d be limited to rare spot starts, and pinch running, that’s not much. Nate easily provides better D and arm in right…
zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:50 pm

Steward’s postgame blog over at ExtraBaggs doesn’t paint Rowand in a very good light. The gist of Steward’s take is that Rowand basically copped an attitude today about playing leftfield. Wow- if that’s true, how clueless is Rowand?
And I didn’t think Rowand’s batting stance could get any more weirder and obscene, but it has. He now holds the bat straight out from his crotch before the pitcher winds up. Rowand looks like he’s pretending the bat is a giant wang, and he’s the most endowed male in the history of the human species. And that’s in addition to all his usual squats and pelvic gyrations in his stance. It really is unwatchable.
- zumarust said, on March 13, 2011 at 11:53 pm
  
  And he hits .230 with that stance, anyway, so what’s the point.
  By all accounts, Belt radically altered his stance when he got to the Giants, and is hitting well.
  But Rowand is stubbornly sticking with his unorthodox stance.
eddacker415 said, on March 14, 2011 at 4:17 am

that photo has the resolution for me to make it big.
she is lovely
more hi res BBs … ever