Nate Saves the Day
I don’t know how they calculate a *WAR* number but Nate’s should go up a tick or two after that performance. I don’t know many other players in the league who make that catch and NO ONE makes it without the shallow OF positioning. I’m certain that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a Giants game end like that. And I’m surprised no one has mentioned it, but he didn’t just dive for the ball, he had to move his arm out well to the left—I don’t think there was too much more *left* he could have gone to haul that bad boy in…….
Everything Wilson missed was up. That tells me that his ankle WAS bothering him since he was having trouble planting and finishing off his pitches. But in the end, who cares? Despite the unusual ending, it was a typical save for Bee-Wheezy….
Baggs noted another bomb by Belt for Fresno and wondered again if a call up was imminent. Listening to Sabean on KNBR, he didn’t sound too keen on bringing him up right now but he could have just been trying to diffuse the questions about it. Sabes also made it clear that Zito was several weeks away from returning. Really? From a sprained ankle? He’s obviously throwing because Raggs has him working on his delivery to re-capture the velocity that he’s lost. It’s actually the perfect scenario. They can warehouse him without any of the drama. Something tells me Zito is fine with it. He pitches scared and fearful of contact. Voggy pitches with focused determination. He’s been an unbelievable story this year and has developed into “This Year’s Torres”. In many ways he’s a savior of sorts. With all the fretting we’ve done about what to do with Zito, Voggy just comes in and poof Zito is gone and practice a new grip on the ball far away from a real-life game situation that he would normally be screwing up. Gotta love it………
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
LOVE THE NATE!!!!
Vogie still has plenty of opps to “Wellemeyer” himself … but yeah, I’m on board with it.
As I rode out one mornin’ for pleasure,
I spied a young Nate a-riden’ along.
His head was throwed back and his spurs was a-jinglin’.
As he rode on he was singing this song:
Whoopee ti yi yo, get along little Dodgers.
It’s your misfortune and none of my own.
Whoopee ti yi yo, get along little Dodgers.
You know that Wyoming will be your new home.
Not only that Flav, but anyone who has played baseball (especially right field) knows that those types of “flare” hits have a lot of spin on them (thus your point about the added difficulty of snatching the ball to his left) . . . Yeah, that was some clutch fielding, more so because of the degree of difficulty. Has anyone heard a quote from Nate on this catch? I would love to hear his take on this catch.
It;s on the Gate . . .
Schierholtz said he cannot remember playing any shallower with a position player at the plate and even took another step or two in after Wilson got to two strikes. Letting Carroll’s ball drop and taking a shot at Schierholtz using his strong arm to nail the trail runner at the plate crossed nobody’s mind. It was all or nothing.
“That’s the way we play,” Schierholtz said. “That’s the way I play in the ninth inning. It was risky, but I was confident I was going to make the play.”
wilson also left up the pitch uribe cracked off him the night before.
For future IF insurance,
might want to file away what jamey carroll has done to SF this year so far. Like Krukow said, he will make contact.
Please pound the A’s and send them back home to the mausoleum with ray fosse and both their fans.
Wait! There are 2 fans besides Fosse willied? I thought there were at least 6.
I think I counted the vendors.
As usuall Bochy is working his magic in using the players he has. I get so tired of the doomers and trolls claiming the Giants need a bat or a player. Maybe they do, but with Bochy he seems to know who to use and when. and it works.
Avoiding the two boneheaded plays by Lincecum and JSanchez could have made this one hell of a road trip….
Has Bochy addressed Nate’s gamble? It’s not usually a play you want your guy to try. He missed a similar one the night before and gave them a run, what could have been a crucial run if not for Ross. Don’t misunderstand, it was a fantastic, exciting play…but probably fantasatic, exciting, and..stupid…
Great when it works!
It’s on the Gate . . .
Bochy had no reservations about where he wanted Schierholtz to play – as shallow as possible. If Carroll hit one over his head, and the Dodgers scored three runs to win, so be it.
“I told (coach Roberto Kelly), ‘We’re going to win it here,’ ” Bochy said. “We’re gambling a little bit there.”
That doesn’t answer the question, Chucklet- it wasn’t hit over his head, it was hit in front of him.
In one of the recaps, Bochy confided that Nate took more of a risk than Bochy had intended, but given the outcome he wasn’t going to complain.
I think he said something like Nate played the right depth that Bochy wanted, but normally Bochy would rather see him take it on a bounce … or something like that. I can’t find the recap that had the quote.
i’d say in front of you is easier, and less time to think. You decide right away I can get this and come in hard, glove extended, and slide to minimize ground contact that might jar the ball loose while keeping your head up and judge when to slide (diving is a lot harder to control). Nate thought he could get it..a gamble, big time. I didn’t care for how he played the one night before; made a better move on this one.
Can’t remember who it was (Jenkins maybe) but one of the local writers pointed out how completely opposite the vibe is for the two local teams. A’s are basically faceless except for Braden (who is hurt and maybe done for the year), while SF is ABOM, with multiple engaging personalities. Does Bob Geren really exist?
The yards, of course, are light years apart in every way imaginable.
As for the teams…Beane has been trying for years to bring in offense, and has had the likes of Matt Holliday, the return of Giambi, and a host of mostly underwhelming low priced vets….with little to show for it, as they still suck at the plate. Of course he did have a couple guys named andre ethier and carlos gonzalez (both traded to the NL west…hmmmn) who could start for anyone.
speaking of starting, hideki matsui has not played the OF this year in 44 games (WTF kind of ball is that?), and started 18 games for the angels last season. Please, dump the DH and play real baseball just like when you were a kid, with hitters in the field, pitchers up at bat (so they can’t just bean someone without consequence) and some strategy involved.
I know this has been re-hashed a thousand times, but I agree with you willied that the DH was the worst single decision that baseball has made. I know a lot of people like it, but here are three quotes (and people who don’t):
“I screwed up the game of baseball. Baseball needed a jolt of offense for attendance, so they decided on the DH. I never thought it would last this long.” – Ron Blomberg [the first DH ever] in The Journal News (April 5, 2003)
“It’s 30 years down the DH highway, and this rule makes even less sense now than it did in 1973 — if that’s possible. Here are five reasons baseball should abolish this abomination now (by Jayson Stark in ESPN.com on April 4, 2003):
1. Once, it was at least slightly intriguing to have two leagues playing the same sport using different rules. Now, with interleague play, it’s not intriguing anymore. It’s absurd.
2. Let’s take that one step further. The DH rule may have cost the Giants the World Series. This was a team constructed around its bullpen, not its spare bench parts. So Dusty Baker essentially had no DH. In fact, his Game 7 DH — Pedro Feliz — was a guy who had made it through the first six games without an at-bat. No other sport would tolerate a situation this farcical.
3. The idea 30 years ago was that the DH would allow some beloved older hitters to extend their careers once they could no longer play the field. Whatever happened to that brainstorm? All these beloved older hitters DH’d Opening Day: Ken Harvey, Al Martin, Jeremy Giambi, Matt LeCroy and Josh Phelps. Face it: The DH is now just an excuse to be one-dimensional.
4. The only reason to have a DH rule is that fans allegedly like more offense. Obviously, DHs are better hitters than pitchers. But how much more offense does this rule really generate? The average AL team scored one more run every three games than the average NL team last year — and got one more hit every four games. So we’re talking about two extra runs a week. That’ll pack ’em in, all right.
5. Finally, the game is simply way more interesting without the DH than with it. Period. Ask any manager which is more strategically challenging — managing a game under NL rules or AL rules. It’s no contest. It’s baseball’s cerebral side that separates it from all the other games ever invented. And the game is way more cerebral with no DH than with it. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed in 30 years — and never will.
“Primarily, every rule change over the past ten years has been against the pitchers – lowering the mound and the designated hitter.” – Gaylord Perry
BLEEP strategy. Get the DH for the NL.
“Baggs noted another bomb by Belt for Fresno “… well, he reiterated my note about it 😉
If you guys would bookmark the affiliate sites you could keep track of this shit yourselves…did he note Gary Brown? .378 25 steals.. I’d think he’ll be in Richmond soon. And after that white hot start, Tommy Joseph fell off the end of the Earth- now .218 4 HR .610 OPS
The Little Birdie that Could will have his work cut out for him facing A’s ace Trevor Cahill, who sports a 1.82 ERA and has a 6-1 record. I would think the Vegas odds are through the roof on this one. One positive of note is that Cahill’s single loss was in his most recent start, so at least he’s not currently on the upswing.
Other side of the coin is that there are two currently powderpuff offenses going at it. So the affair could be low-scoring, probably putting more pressure on our .38 Special Drama Queen’s ankle. Primary positive is that this one is being played at McCovey Cove as the Giants return home triumphant with a sweep of the LaBumbos at the Latrine. Objective odds probably do favor the cross-bay rivals, though a win for SF could set up a home sweep.
Blade, interesting stuff. I would say though that Stark could add that even though the DH hurt the Giants in the ’02 Series, you could make a case it worked against Texas in the ’10 Series, because of the Giants’ homefield advantage. Vlad played a horrible rightfield in Game 1, and then had to sit out Game 2, which were helpful for the Giants to get off to a nice 2-0 game lead.
But Stark’s points are all well-taken. The DH needs to be removed. It won’t be removed, though. The players’ union likes a spot for old hitters that can’t play defense anymore.
Zum, your last sentence is specifically the reason that it wont be removed.
“The rule allows crusty veterans, such as Chili Davis and Cecil Fielder, to earn between $3 million and $7 million a season when they otherwise would be worthless. Artifacts of the mid-1980s such as Harold Baines and Eddie Murray, who are more suited for the AARP than the major leagues, play well past their primes thanks to the DH. Worst of all, the DH singlehandedly creates Hall of Famers. Of the players who have reached 3,000 career hits during this decade, only Robin Yount did so minus the aid of the DH rule. Neither Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor nor George Brett would have achieved that milestone were their careers dependent upon their ability to play defense. Spectacular careers notwithstanding, these players’ lifetime stats should be accompanied by asterisks the size of baseballs when compared with those of their Cooperstown contemporaries.” – Journalist Byron Vogel in KSU Publications (April 8, 1998)
Pitchers should not bat. It’s cruel and unusual punishment at the MLB level! That’s unconstitutional!
I’ve always been a Nate supporter.
And no, that’s not an obscure brand of athletic wear…
I think over the course of a full season, we’d get pretty underwhelming numbers from nate. He appears to thrive in a part time/spot role. If that’s what he’s best at why fight it? He brings value to the team this way, I don’t think he’s an everyday guy though……
Role players are important on a club. Giants have proven that.
I agree he doesn’t need to play every day. But, they’ve figured out that he needs to play more often than he used to, and if he does, something good can happen that day at the plate, baserunning, or with his glove. His defensive skills are needed on a team that is scoring challenged, to put it mildly. I give credit to the coaches, too, for the positioning on that catch. Nate said he even cheated in two more steps after the second strike. That’s what some experience will do for you…
Randy “Macho Man” Savage died in a car accident this morning in Tampa, Florida. I always dug his shtick. RIP.
Mucho Macho Man runs tomorrow in the Preakness. Hmmm?
That is sad news. I always liked that guy.
Giants have an interesting behemoth in Fresno-Brad Eldred . 6-6 270. Had a couple cups of coffee up here-15 HR in 260 AB- and a .204 BA. He’s 30, has hit over 200 dingers in the minors.I know he’s just a roster filler, but these guys fascinate me- like surviving dinosaurs from the Steve Bilko Era…could see him in September,when a HR or 2 can be huge..
I have never put much stock in the whole AL is better because of the DH. They’re playing a different game with that additional hitter so the head to head match ups in the All-Star games are total BS (unless its in an NL city). Just another reason that game shouldn’t determine home field in the WS.
I’ve never like the DH and that is probably why I’ve never followed the AL very closely. Every position player should hit. That’s the way the game is played. Besides if it was legit wouldn’t the BWAA have voted a pure DH into the HOF by now?
Has there ever been a pure DH?
Dave Kingman? LOL . . . Actually, he should have been a DH. He could sure butcher a ground ball or popup.
Edgar Martinez comes to mind. Not sure how long he’s been retired and his HOF eligibility though.
Not certain that this was mentioned here . . . The Rockies traded Franklin Morales to the Red Sox for a player to be named later/cash. Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Matt Daley would be recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to take Morales’ spot on the 25-man roster. He also said other changes would be coming soon. Daley aint the answer . . . his ERA is 6.28 in 14 1/3 innings while in Triple-A.
Dealing Morales leaves the Rockies with only one left- hander, Matt Reynolds, in their bullpen. The only other candidate they have is in Triple-A, some dude named Rex Brothers.
Rex Brothers? Sounds like a C-&-W band
Oakland is throwing a couple pretty good pitchers at us this weekend in Cahill and Gio. Brett Anderson is no slouch either. Intrigued about Bochy going all-out with the speed card in either game one or game three, with Torres, Ford and Burress all starting. It would make a lot more sense, of course, if SF had developed a bunting school, specifically aimed at its burners, but open to all players in the system. Andres laid down a good one last night. If Ford and Burress were highly skilled at the art, Giants offense could be hell on wheels.
It’s still not too late for such a policy to be implemented, though it might not be of much use for Manny and probably not for Darren. However, for that Brown kid who is currently burning em up in the Cal League with 25 SB’s in just over a quarter of a season, the hiring of a top-notch bunting coach at, say, $200K per, could result in near-instant dividends at many times the money.
Giants play in a venue which is highly suited for great pitching, quality defense and blazing speed. With Gary Brown right on the cusp of moving from San Jose to Richmond; it would be a perfect time for the organization to focus on this all too neglected art. When the Dogs were winning and the Giants were constantly bridesmaids through most of the 60’s, the primary differential between the teams was that SF had the power while LA had the speed. Time to capitalize on the talent.
I beg to differ. The 60s LA squad had superior speed, yes. Can’t argue with Wiilie Davis and Wills. But, the main difference was pitching and defense. Case in point. 1965 Dodger WS champs: #2 in NL fielding %; season ERA 2.81, #1 in the NL, 521 runs allowed. Koufax, Drysadale, Osteen, Podres. That was a daunting starting staff, with Perranoski and others in the Pen.
1965 Giants: #6 in fielding %; season ERA 3.20, #3 in NL, 593 runs allowed. Marichal, Perry, Sanford, Shaw, Spahn (1/2 season). You can see the Giants had a very solid staff, yet had nearly one half run per game higher ERA than LA — that is huge…
Or a psychologist or film reviewer.
Son of Reed and Joyce
Exactly . . . Mr. Trivia :-)*
* Some day we will have to play that game online Ted.
Definately
It’s great that we now have a ring and these 2002 references don’t eat away at my gut the way they used to. BR (Before Ring) that Pete Happy DH tidbit would have thrown me into a funk for days…
unfortunately, since the DH has been around for 30 years, MLB will never get rid of it. I just thank God that the NL did not adopt it.
Closer to 40. Maybe the NBA will adopt a designated freethrow shooter
Ironically Ted, Rick Wise said, “The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain’s free throws.”
Funny. I guess I must have heard that before. I was thinking of Biedrens, though
I’ve seen some YouTube on Gary Brown. The kid has a quick first step off first, can really motor, and is a real aggressive player. I like his stance in the box. It’s early, but if he makes it, he would definitely inflate the team speed quotient with the big club…
This is in regard to Snarkk’s post on the manager’s outfield positioning . . . I was watching the A’s and Angels game the other night and the A’s rewarded the hearty souls who stuck around for the finish with a 5-4 victory on Mark Ellis’ RBI grounder to second base in the 10th inning after staging a last-gasp, ninth-inning comeback to draw even.
However, what was interesting was the positioning of the infielders . . .
Moving from left field to his natural second-base position in a five-man infield with runners at second and third and one out, Howard Kendrick reached Ellis’ ground ball off Fernando Rodney but was unable to cut down Kurt Suzuki at the plate. Rodney had walked Suzuki and Conor Jackson with one out, and his wild pitch with Ellis checking his swing had moved them up.
I’ve seem the “shift” for players like Bonds, but have never seen a 5 man infield with all players on the edge of the grass. Suzuki would have been nailed at home, except the throw was high and Suzuki had a good jump off of third.
I mentioned this as a likelihood a few days ago, albeit, I said that it would probably occur after the All Star break:
“Todd Helton was scratched from Thursday’s lineup with back stiffness. His condition isn’t considered serious, but Rockies manager Jim Tracy wasn’t taking any chances. Helton could be back in the lineup tonight at Milwaukee. At least Tracy hopes so, what with Helton being the most consistent hitter.”
Someone (AZ?) used that against the Giants this season.
Huh?
Sorry if reading up 2 posts is too taxing . . .
Oh. I thought you were saying someone (AZ?) scratched their 1st baseman against the Giants this season
Larussa did it in the first series this year at ATT. It worked…
5 IFers . . .
It makes sense if you are facing a guy like Ellis (or other guy who doesn’t hit it out of the infield much); bases loaded; coupled with someone who can motor a bit (Suzuki); and, I would imagine the pitcher’s tendency to induce ground balls would all come into the manager’s equation of using this defense.
From what Bill reported and I suspected, Bochy wasn’t thrilled with Nate’s decision…but it’s tough to bitch after a spectacular catch like that. I can live with last night’s OF against RHers, at least until Belt comes up, then Nate goes back to his usual role….
It’s baseball’s equivalent of basketball’s: “No! No! No!….Good shot!”
I just read Schulman’s recap of last night. He wrote “Had the ball gotten past Schierholtz, the Giants would have lost”
Well…could be
Wel, it is high risk and the guy gets zero kudos if it gets past him. I seem to recall Tori Hunter making that gamble in the 2006 Playoffs against the A’s- it cost the Twins the game. The only moral is: catch the motherfucker or live in infamy.
I am having visions of Bill Buckner.
Does anyone know what time the Giants play tomorrow?
I’m just wondering because May 21, 2011, at 6:00pm, according to loyal listeners of Family Radio, a Christian broadcasting network based in Oakland, California, will mark the Day of Rapture and the start of Judgment Day (which, they say, will last five months). Those who are saved will be taken up to heaven, and those who aren’t will endure unspeakable suffering. Dead bodies will be strewn about as earthquakes ravage the Earth, they say. And come October 21, they’ll tell you, the entire world will be kaput.
Hopefully, we will get the Giants game in before then . . .
4:10pm so they can get a few innings in. To bad Ishikawa isn’t on the roster. We’d get to see him float up to the heavens
4:00 FOX Game of the Week.
4:10pm … world ends at the 7th inning stretch
That’s funny Bill.
Where is POTG today? …. a joint award for Bum/Nate?
“these guys fascinate me- like surviving dinosaurs from the Steve Bilko Era”
Good line.
It has always interested me as well. What makes some of these hang around…I guess they dealt with that in the movie with Costner. Is it worth it for one more taste of the show?
You nuts forgot, the rapture happens on East Coast Time…so the world will end with the Fucking Giants as the Reigning World Series Champions!!!! Whooooo-Hoooo!!!!
Apparently, technically, it starts in New Zealand so we can catch it around 11pm tonight
OK, I was not up on my on the technical detasils of the Rapture. The way I look at it, I have enough of this world anyway, bring it on God!!! Sharks will never make it to the Stanley Cup anyway….that is two posts of the year Flav!!!
Fuck the Rapture, I’m not done basking.
And, since the Cubs didn’t win the Series, the rapture ain’t gonna happen anyway.
I had no idea about this. R.I.P. Randy Savage
http://deadspin.com/5804086/a-statistical-analysis-of-macho-man-randy-savages-halfway-decent-professional-baseball-career
He was, as they say, a “five-tool” player. Piledriver, Wheelbarrow, Pumphandle, Headscissors, and … I think … the Elevated Double Chickenwing.
Yawn . . . Slow news day. This just in:
U.S. FORCES TAKE CONTROL OF OSAMA BIN LADEN’S FANTASY BASEBALL TEAM
More porn?
Baseball can be hard to figure. The Braves lost two against Arizona.
Harold Reynold does a good on MLB network, IMO, but that was a huge gaffe last Fall when, before the World Series, he said that Vlad would be OK in rightfield at AT&T Park because “it’s a small rightfield.” Man, Reynolds had no idea about rightfield at AT&T.
WE Giant fans knew Vlad was going to be in trouble.
Zum, I think I remember that – didn’t he walk around the outfield wall – from left to right – indicating trouble spots, as well as the comment you cited about Vlad?
It was actually a very good piece, but like you said, he was absolutely wrong about Vlad and right field.
I didn’t see the one where he walked around the outfield. He wasn’t realizing you have to use your rightfielder to help cover some of the big rightcenter. And that doesn’t even count in the problems of playing balls off that crazy rightfield wall, and the wind, and the wall close to the foul-line, and the bullpen mound in foul territory.
Schulman on DeRosa, just in: “DeRosa has a partially torn ECU tendon on his left wrist. This is not the same injury repaired twice by surgery. DeRo will see surgeon in Cleveland. No prognosis yet…”
Is that good or bad news — the old injury is OK, but a new one is torn.
The distinction isn’t meaningful in a baseball sense, DeRosa is done with the Giants.
Luke Donald tore his ECU and had surgery in 2009, hasn’t been the same on Tour until just recently when he took 4th in the Masters, and he’s a coupla years younger than DeRosa…
It was 2008, the surgery. Golfers tend to have lotsa wrist issues because of the loading, then snapping in the downswing, not unlike the baseball swing…
“DeRo” should only be used for the late Al DeRogatis…
I was just a kid, but I remember DeRogatis and Curt Gowdy doing the NLF games and a couple of Super Bowls. I think he was a pretty good analyst/commentator, low key, as I remember. But, I always thought Gowdy was pretty average at all sports that he did as the play by play guy. I thought he was best in that old “American Sportsman” show on ABC, where they’d have celebrities going fishing with Gowdy (maybe a little hunting) in fantastic, beautiful places, where they always caught the lunkers, then had cigars and drinks in the evening. Looked pretty good to me…
SanDawg: So true what you wrote at 10:15 AM. Nothing in Giant history bothers me anymore. As Sabean said, “we buried all the bones”. And great line the other night about my friends being jerkoffs.
——
Zum: Completely agree about the DH screwing Texas in the WS with Vlad in RF at ATT.
——-
DMD: I bet MMM in the KYD, and bet him heavier today. Didn’t here about Savage till I got home from Belmont. As a horseplayer, what is your interpretation?
——
My favorite washed up vet DH was Jim Ray Hart who had a little hot streak with the Yanks.
It’s definitely a sign. What kind of sign, I have no idea. Mucho Macho Man might win by 5 or drop dead at the 1/8 pole. Your guess is good as mine. I wasn’t on MMM before Savage died today, so that won’t SWAY my vote any.
Glad you appreciated those. I wasn’t sure if anyone would know what the hell I was talking about, but it kind of fit the DeRosa conversation going down.
My older brother never liked Jim Ray Hart because he was a huge Jim Davenport guy and felt like Jim Ray kinda forced the Giants to push JD out the door—then didn’t fulfill his early promise. He was a bad ass looking guy with a bat in his hands though—the original Kevin Mitchell.
The Splash is complete weirdo-land again. There’s one guy that has about 5-10 different identities, I think. There’s all these posts where someone is leaving double-spaces in the middle of their posts, and having weird imaginary conversations with themselves.
It’s a blog for weirdos. Don’t get contaminated.
Snarkk: Late gettin back atcha, but i got a life off the board, dontcha know. You cited 1965 as the comparison year between SF and LA. I wouldn’t be surprised if that wasn’t somewhat of an outrider, particularly as regards the starting pitching and their ERA. For several years in the 60’s the pitching itself was fairly close, with the Bums having the edge on defense and speed. Damn Dogs beat the twins that year in the WS on Koufax winning, what was it, three of the games and Bum Gilliam providing some heroics to boot. Ultimately Koufax paid the price by blowing out his arm and having to retire early. Of course he did have one helluva ride.
“For several years in the 60′s the pitching itself was fairly close, with the Bums having the edge on defense and speed.”
Yes, I agree that it was close, but the REAL edge was “setting the table.” SF big boppers didn’t have a Maury Wills to drive home. The lack of a leadoff hitter really hurt the Giants during that time period.
Absolutely, Blade. I noted last week how Mays might’ve had a couple of hundred more career RBI’s with something in front of him. Without looking, I think he only had 112 RBI’s in ’65 wih 52 HRS…
20 min to game time and no lineups yet? Somebody@MLB.com is slackin’!
Crisp didn’t even attempt a throw to 3rd. It woulda been close. Coco’s a pussy.
So is Fruckie but he just got an RBI, so I’ll shaddup!
I’d call that a scratch n’ sniff run. Wasn’t even properly stolen. We’ll take it.
I honest to goodness loathe and despise the fucking Athletics. I’d make a pilgrimage to spit on each and every one of their graves. Provided they were all in a one block radius of walking distance. I hate ’em, but I ain’t going outta my way to hate ’em.
Put those sentiments on the BEAT. I dare you. Grab a bottle and then gulp it down. Stay away from white wine.
Seems like we’re scoring first a lot lately…
When will they learn that you never ever run on NATE!
Loo, I saw your Mays example – yes, I agree 100%. In my mind, the biggest mistake the Giants made was trading Felipe Alou, an excellent leadoff hitter. He could have been the difference in all those ’60s 2nd place finishes.
VK invited the Splashers over for a little trash talk. Turns out to be the usual: baseball fan’s version of penis envy.
1-0 would be sweet.
It is so much more enjoyable to watch Vogelsong pitch than Zito. Words cannot describe.
Nate’s taking his great D to the plate.
Unfortunately, Nate has repeated the same pattern each time he gets regular starts- diminishing production. Like to see him turn that around.
Yes, even average production would make him a real asset.
Fleming on radio second guesses Huff – thinks he should’ve taken the sure out at 1st with the pitcher on deck.
Huff needs to take the fer sure out w/ the P on deck. Dumbfuck. This shit could get ugly.
And it doesn’t help that we have Napoleon playing shortstop.
Since when is a damn belt high fastball right over the plate a ball?…
DMD – I hear you on the A’s. I remember going down to Anaheim to see the 49rs and Rams, I’m pretty sure it was the game where Roger Craig bounced off 5 or so Rams on the way to the end zone. Got back to the hotel and saw the end of the WS game (A’s and Dodgers) and couldn’t care less who won (the Dodgers). Weird flight back from Burbank, no booze cart and bummed A’s fans, happy Niner fans = weird flight.
Nipper- Not sure what the fuck the BEAT is, and coming from an old drummer, that was hard to admit (although there are probably a few guitar and bass players that would agree that I don’t know the beat).
Drumbeat, the A’s blog. Follow the scent of dirty bowling shirts..
Thanks Twin. I think I’ll pass. I have been to the bowling hall of fame in StL. though, so I have seen quite the selection of old bowling shirts.
Six innings of very good effort by Vogelbird. This guy looks like he’s getting used to this role. And, Zito’s foot just had another 2 week setback…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqB8LN-0B-0
Talking about the Giants in the ’60s….it’s disappointing to read in the Mays biography and the Marichal/Spahn book that the Giants had lousy clubhouse chemistry in the ’60s. Part of that blame goes to manager Alvin Dark, whose racist behavior really divided the club into three cliques- whites, African-Americans, and Latinos. Dark was eventually fired, but the bad vibes remained.
It has to be said, there was racial tension on a lot of teams. Just because baseball was integrated didn’t mean that ballclubs were ahead of the curve of the rest of society at that time.
Mentioned this morning that i thought it would be a low-scoring game, what with these challenged offensive teams and all. Pitching-wise it is a pretty interesting case with our #5 toe to toe with their Ace. The little Birdie that Could is putting up a helluva fight, even though his pitch-count is about an inning higher than Cahill’s. Those Doomer types who expected another Wellemeyer or whatever will need to rethink their perspective. With a team scoring some runs, Vogelsong would already have had this one pretty much in the bag, whatever the eventual outcome tonight.
As a recovering journalist i see one honey of a human interest story here. If Ryan keeps it up through the season he will win comeback player of the year hands down. The fact that his career began as a Giant simply adds icing to the cake. I like this guy’s fortitude. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if, barring injuries and such, he stuck around for longer than a single season.
Stix, I don’t think he can win comeback of the year award, because he never had a good year to rebound to. He’s not coming BACK to any previous accomplishment.
Replay is so needed in baseball. How can an ump or an ump crew miss a foul tip like that?…
The problem is- they’re blowing so many calls, it’s hard to know where to start.
Good point Zum.
So how is that scored?
Ellis takes 3rd on a blown foul tip call. Do you give Posey a phantom passed ball?…
Yes.
aff…eldt
uhm
SANCHEZ
Fred-Deeeeeeee!
FREDDY.
Huge play!
Unbelievable defense by the giants tonight. And Geren is an idiot…
That’s a little rough, zum.
Cretin?
Hey, that wasn’t me.