Dead Men Walking To New York
It doesn’t get much bleaker than this. My days of basking have been replaced with game long cursing. It’s tough to wrap your brain around this type of offensive failure. I agree with many, when Torres returns Rowand has to stay in the line up. I doubt he’ll hit for much longer but if we could squeeze a few more weeks out of him before his slide back to mediocrity that would give Belt a little more time to keep crushing the ball down in Fresno. It would also give The Bat some time to clear his head on the bench. Once Rowand starts rolling balls to the shortstop again Bochy can either bring Belt up to play LF or give The Bat one more go at it.
When I look at Burrell and Tejada I see two guys slumping but I view them differently. Tejada’s slide could be seen in many different underlying saber numbers that I highlighted last Winter so this isn’t really a surprise to me. Burrell’s numbers, excluding one month last year, were still strong and not indicative of a guy who was washed up. Therefore I see this more as one of his normal career slumps. But, it’s also quite possible that Burrell is done, too.
Unfortunately we can’t ditch Tejada as easily as we could let go of The Bat right now. We simply don’t have anyone else who can play third base every day. And I hope Baggs was kidding about the Giants acquiring Jack Wilson from the Mariners. I’ve never understood why anyone likes him. He can’t hit. At all. And he’s on the downside of a very pedestrian career as it is. What would be the point of bringing Tejada 2.0 with even less power into the mix??????
The Flap Fantasy Baseball Standings
(kinda a slow day with an incomplete schedule playing. DIRT and DENNIS were the big movers while Pawlie dipped below the hundo mark for the first time. We’ll see if that psychological blow affects him at all)
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
The Bombers………yeah! Keeps Ferretball out of the cellar.
Been enjoying the Ken Burn’s “Baseball” 9 innings series (and the later 10th/11th innings supplemental installments) lately. Despite its age, I had not yet seen this. It’s a pretty good watch, especially these days, waiting for the G’s to regain some … enthusiasm. My only knock is that the 60’s baseball coverage is skimpy — apparently the ’60 Pirates and the ’69 Mets were the only things that happened in that decade, but overall the series is a worthwhile time investment.
Facing knuckleballer R.A. Dickey tonight. He’s had a bad stretch lately. Will it be a case of Giants bats flailing at the flutter?
I did not get back here over the weekend to review other comments while I suffered through all three weekend games here in DC. Thankfully I did not bother going to last night’s snoozer so I could celebrate further the death of that evil a-hole…
But what I managed to see out of this team all weekend and watching on tv is a team without any fight in them. Seems like the Panda injury just deflated this team. I figured coming off those two emotional wins in Colorado, this team was ready to start thumping people, but it is as they did not give a damn in these games here in DC and were just going through with the motions.
There were so many awful swings and at-bats this whole weekend…now who would have guessed the Nats would play the defense they did, especially last night. I said at the start of the season, I think this is going to be a grinding season. And even though we played well last year, it is only becaus ethey played extraordinarily well in September that we won the division, which was still doen on the last day of the season. And all of our journeymen players miraculously came through in the crunch and at key times during the playoffs.
This team just has the look of a team that has seen its better days.
At least we are World Champions and that cocksucker got a bullett in the head!!! Good times indeed…
Belt should come up when Torres is activated. And I expect a sweep of the Mets. They hit the ball much harder than the Nats yesterday, they WILL hit. Again, you people are repeating the same idiocy from everytime they slumped last year.
And sorry, the least valuable OFer right now is Burrell. He’s struck out 50 of his last 126 ABs, 6 HR 12 RBI .198 BA ( that’s this year and 2010 post season). I’d love to see him make a quick about face- this series might be his last chance.
Shit, I guess it’s a lose/win (or win/lose) for me.
I have Radickey on my FB team.
I’ll take a Giant win, say 1-0, while Radickey k’s 12 . . .
As far as the hitting goes, well, after a hot start, they have collectively cooled off to Ray Ray proportions . . .
Still and all, take 2 of 3 and a .500 roadie isn’t the end of the world.
Makes perfect sense for R.A. Dickey to be on the fantasy team managed by I.M.A. Dickey.
Guess who’s leading the ML in HRs? That’s right, A. Soriano. Give me a heads up before you release the strikeout leader next.
It was a mistake on my part. I moved on. Why don’t you, skippy?
I seriously doubt they bring Belt back when they bring Torres back. It’s overkill. Torres could be the spark the offense needs, the brass isn’t going to bring two sparks in at once if they only end up needing one.
I think it would have more to do with deRosa. Besides Posey (which leaves you with whitey behind the plate and batting 3-4 times) Huff is the only other 1B. If deRosa is really done and Pat ain’t cutting it, belt allows Bochy the flex to play the kid anywhere, and give Huff/Torres/Ross/Rowand a breather.
Plus you have to believe bochy wouldn’t expect a drop off. Baggs or Henry mention that rowand could still play some CF with Torres in the LU. Rowand and ross can play all three OF spots, and Belt could play either corner or 1B.
One last thought on Tejada and bum. T is the easy scapegoat and target of derision for his misplay and his comment yesterday, but Bum is the one with the ball in his hands. He needed one more out, and couldn’t get it without allowing 3 hits and 2 runs. This is hardly the first time he has come unglued in the face of difficulty, and Baggs and others seem to give him a free pass. Maybe he had it too easy last year, but that’s over.
Mistakes are going to happen behind you; it’s up to the guy on the mound to pick his d up and make sure it doesn’t mean anything, and the kid couldn’t do it. That, and the fact that no one else in the LU besides rowand did anything at the plate cost them the game.
“the brass isn’t going to bring two sparks in at once if they only end up needing one.”
They may not bring him up yet, but that is a ridiculous statement. Yeah, hate to improve the team TOO much.
I hope you’re right Twin, but in their current state it’s doubtful the Giants could sweep the ’62 Mets. Besides — and Loo can probably back me on this — NY is always a tough visit for the Giants. Without looking it up, the Giants have taken maybe two series at Shea/CitiField over the last decade-plus. A few of those were against some dreadful Mets teams, like in ’09 when the best the Giants could do was split four games from a Mets team that was about as down and out as it gets. Like their trips to Colorado, I’m usually content when the Giants can get out of Queens with a W.
twin, I am just telling you how they think and you know I’m right. They are conservative as long as they can tolerate it. You think they are going to bring Belt up at the same time they activate Torres. Fine. I am saying they won’t. Let’s see what happens……
Can you fucking read? You worry me. I said they SHOULD bring him up. You do that all the time. Stop misrepresenting my posts.
In that vein, you’re saying they will keep Ford, not that you think they should. Right?
gawd … bleacherreport is Room Z, skipping B and C altogether. Today’s feature suggests that we trade Lincecum because his next contract will be too large and … “he’s is not built for the long hall”. Still fuzzy on what corridors and passageways have to do with this.
That is complete idiocy on their part.
He’s only gotta throw 60ft … he’s built fine for long halls. Ingresses, foyers, and lobbies, too.
Yeah, trade Timmy and keep Zito. Sounds like a great plan…
I’ll say it clearly. They won’t keep Ford up.
Also, the brain trust should be slapped awake if they are thinking of Jack Wilson. BF is spot on. The guy can’t hit. If Tejada lucks into one, he might hit one out of the park. Wilson might get a double. Might as well just keep playing Font at SS, I’ll take him over Wilson…
My view, which I know Twin always appreciates, is based on my previous comment of how they looked like they were just going through the motions for the 3 games I was there for this weekend, I would then definitely bring up Belt regardless of that move being tied to Torres. Torres’ presence will not be enough of a spark to a lineup without Panda and with Tejada being the likely starter at third (Tejada was so awful this weekend, reminded me of Durham’s last year with us when they played at RFK)
I would play Belt at first because he is a plus defender there. Huff played well enough last year in left when he had to play left. I dont think his ealrier misplays in right are indicative of his ability to play competently in left.
Belt looked phenomenal at first earlier. Nate goes first when Torres comes up and I would assume Belt coming back up would result in Burriss going back down. Rohlinger is a more reliable 3B, but I guess Fontenot could also play third if Rohlinger is the one to go back down….Ford stays!
The only that was smacking the crap out of the ball this weekend consistently was Fontenot!
Hey who saw the replays of the two Ford steals this weekend? I was at each game and could not see a decent replay on either. Looked like both throws beat him to second but the tag never got down in time. Looked like the shortstop caught both throws on the center of the bag and Ford slid in safely each time. Was I wrong on either or both????
On the radio Flemming said he looked safe on the second one after checking the replay. I don’t know about the first.
Say, I just noticed. The same POTG two days in a row!!
How proud he must be.
Looking at today’s lineup I’d say he’s got a great shot to make it three in a row.
Rowand CF, Tejada 3B, Fontenot SS, Posey C, Huff 1B, Schierholtz RF, Ross LF, Burriss 2B, Vogelsong P
Hey, we get to see some Burriss action. 🙂
Pat the Bat has 42 career dingers vs. the Mets. His second-most is 26 vs. Marlins. Just sayin’ . . .
To quote Bochy “This is one of those lineups you could draw from a hat”
He wasn’t kidding
I know we’ve discussed the schedule already, but Giants will have played 22 of their first 31 on the road. As of today, they’ve played 19 on the road, while Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Minnesota are next with 17. Atlanta is the only team not below .500 at 15-15. Anyone know if this is normal for a World Champ to essentially ‘tour’ for the 1st 6 weeks? Taking the broader view, if we get back to SF at .500, we’ll have accomplished something especially with the anemic hitting. I’m sure there’s still some Champions ‘drag’ involved as well, what with the SF ceremonies, them carting the trophy around, stories of players not sure whether to wear their rings, etc. Anyway, we’ll find a groove–as others have pointed out, we were .500 for most of last season.
A writer on the bleacher report has these on who to watch:
Charlie Culberson
Ryan Verdugo
Brett Pill
Steve Edlefsen
Gary Brown
Zach Wheeler
Excuse me if I missed this conversation already, but does anybody think it’ll be worthwhile to make a run at Jose Reyes? And if so, what would we realistically have to give up to get him?
It would be a lot, UTBS, and we’d only have him this season. The mets would likely take prospects and cash as they don’t want to take on contracts, a la Rowand. His contract is up after this year, and he’s going to command Jayson Werth money, and the Giants aren’t that rich.
So, short-term it would cost a lot of prospects, and a bunch of money. It could send them to the top of the division and into the playoffs-WS with a bullet. But after that, he’d leave, you lose all those prospects, and they’d be back to looking for a SS.
This isn’t the type of move the Giants are known for, so I’d doubt it, but then again, they ARE the champs, so maybe they want to do what they can to stay on top.
Worry about next year next year.
Gotcha, what the hell, let’s do it!
Choo with the DUI. Pro athletes are sharp aren’t they? Even just making the league min the first I do for nights out is get a driver.
Or just call a frikkin’ cab.
And Schulman stole my hat joke
Choo who?
Choo’s on both of my FL teams . . . I would have thought he would be the last one to get popped for DUI. That’s what I get for thinking . . .
Yeah, lets get Reyes . . .
Nah, we don’t need a guy like Reyes. We got guys who are good at the things that count — like complaining the ball hit your foot.
Ohhhhhhhhhh boy. . .
Glad he didn’t tag. . . .
Birdtune needs to tighten up . . .
Thanks for coming and drive home safely.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand here we go.
Beltran might be trying to impress the Jints…
Works for me . . .
BP out there. . .
well … don’t need to worry about those pesky base-runners being a distraction now.
What did I miss in teh top of the 1st?
Lucas Duda? Dis his great-great-great grand pappy write the chorus for the “Camptown Races?”
Camptown’ racetrack’s five miles long…Duda, Duda.
Ahhh, Shin Soo Choo. . . . i thought it was someone’s nickname . . .
Criminy, blowing a .201 is pretty wasted . . .
Someone stayed a little TOO thirsty . . .
Christ. Did someone shoot the Flap with a tranquilizer gun?
It’s a reflection of the team, Ted.
This teams sucks so hard, it doesn’t reflect . . .
9 Pa Kettle’s on a few dozen tabs of Valium.
Huh. A blog with physical empathy to its team. Very cosmic
toadie, pridie and dickey?
Vogey’s throwing BP. This is gonna get ugly fast . . .
Dickey’s kb pitch was shoulder high for a strike. Vogey’s belt high curve was high . . .
So here we go again. My memory glands are sagging a bit. Can anyone tell me the last time a member of the Jints clocked a three-run tater?
November 1st?
Wow. Vogey with the big hit . . .
And Rowand !
It’s a veritable plethora of runs . . .
For those who have forgotten, this is called a “rally.” Enjoy it while it lasts.
Whooooooooooooooooie!
A bona fide rally . . .
Fonte-Yesssssss.
Heh heh. Posey takes a floater . . .
Gotta say, with the bottom of the order coming up, I did NOT see this inning coming
Way to settle down, Vogey.
Dickey just suffered the death of a thousand cuts from the Lilliputians. Evidently his knuckler only works against the heart of the lineup. Good thing is this is the same number of runs the team scored in the four-gamer in Washington.
And so much for the lead…
Fuck. Way to put up a shut down inning . . .
They all are looking to go yard.
Come on Ross . . .
Maybe what this bunch needed is what seems to be happening tonight: Comic Relief. And the bullpens haven’t even been involved. Yet.
I see the headline on this blog entry automatically linked up to a site devoted to Susan Sarandon. Odd site it is, too. But she’ll wake a dead man.
Liking the fight in voggy. He’s clearly not sharp but he’s fighting his ass off. Woulda liked to have seen that from madbum yesterday
Heads up by Nate there . . .
Wow, that took a while to post . . .
He does hit loud home runs, don’t he?
Nate! Does that mean he wants to play in NY?
I swear that bald-headed chicken-fucker in Row 1 behind the plate has not put down his cellphone since the game began.
Why the man’s an insult to bald-headed chicken-fuckers everywhere
I wish Clemenza was sitting behind him.
I don’t dig Tejada’s hot dog act, when he’s batting .204.
Gotta pull this one out. I feel like it’s suddenly an important game.
The Huff scuff. Christ.
Ross gets his shot at redemption.
Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd he fails . . .
We can’t get Torres back fast enough . . .
Feeling strangely calm in the bot-8th tie with Bochy’s double switch. Maybe it’s the valium and vodka kicking in?
… and we will go to the 9th!
forget the valium, that was some speed to get the corner bases!
and yet another “fuck me” Tenada.
Speed kills!
Jesus H. . . . Can’t Rowand take at least one pitch and get settled in?
Tejada sucks.
Huh?
thx posey. and polish girl left me, too. nice week.
Wow.
Pathetic. Simply pathetic. And embarrassing. Didn’t want to forget embarrassing as well.
Nice work by Burriss and Ford, though.
They had Rodriguez on the ropes and blew it.
The Mets tried to give it away by bringing in their closer in a non-save situation.
Only our immense futility kept that stat from holding up once again.
That was an epic fail
Well burris and ford hit the ball about 20 feet, collectively. But they did what they do. There’s a place for that on our team. Apparently there’s also a place for shitty hitters who are also stupid who can’t hit or take pitches.
It would have been so difficult to just “take” that pitch, Buster.