Taking a Break From the Blog……
It’s 4am and I woke up wanting to bash Scott Cousins head in with a 2 X 4. I’ve watched that replay like 40 times. I’m sickened by it. There’s something about the immediate finality of his season ending that bothers me. Makes me not want to watch the game. No idea why. It’s like a death or a divorce…..
Anyway, I’m taking a break from the blog for a while. Maybe I need to go out to a game or something. I’ll try to monitor it but I’m not interested in managing it or updating it. Peace out……
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Broadcasters need a new metaphor, referring to someone’s great arm as a “cannon.”
Then Krukow called it a “lethal wing.” That was pretty good.
Timmy’s been our only base runner thru four. What, me worry?
Hopefully? I’m still stuck on “for free,” long after it became acceptable in the New Yorker.
At least the New Yorker and Chicago Manual of Style still use the serial comma. But sometimes the NYer is quirky: metre, focussed, high-school (adj). (Is the game streaming? I seem to be avoiding it on purpose.) THAT is Twin’s LONGEST post.
Giants need to go yard once or twice tonite to win this thing…
Bob Prince (The Gunner) is said to have coibed some of the best stuff:
“AN ALABASTER BLAST”
A Baltimore chop base hit that would go higher than normal due to the extraordinarily hard infield at Forbes Field
“ARRIBA”
Prince’s cry to Roberto Clemente to hit one up and over the wall.
“ASPIRIN TABLETS”
A pitcher would be throwing a ball so hard it looked as tiny and as hard to hit as an aspirin tablet. As in, “Veale’s firin’ aspirin tablets out there tonight.”
“ATEM BALLS”
Hard line drives right to an infielder – it was at ’em. “Law has his At’em ball workin’ tonight.”
“BABUSHKA POWER”
Prince developed babushkas that the women in the stands could wear to bring the Pirates luck. It was, in a sense, a later version of the Green Weenie.
“THE BASES ARE F.O.B.” (full of Bucs)
What was needed now, was a bingle, a dying quail, perhaps a bug on the rug…
“A LITTLE BINGLE”
A little hit; a small single; perhaps a bunt single. Just something that would get a Bucco on base.
“THE BLACK MAX”
“A BLOOP AND A BLAST”
A quick way to get two runs through a single (the bloop) and a home run (the blast), as in, “The Buccos are down by one run going to the bottom of the ninth. What we need here is a bloop and a blast.”
“A BUG ON THE RUG”
A basehit that skittered through the gap, particularly on artificial turf.
“BY A GNAT’S EYELASH”
A very small margin indeed, as in, “That ball just missed. It was foul by a gnat’s eyelash.”
“CHICKEN ON THE HILL”
A home run for Willie Stargell, begun by the fact that Stargell owned a chicken restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and that whenever he homered, the person at the counter would get free chicken. Thus, Prince would say, “We need a homer here. Come on, Willie, spread some Chicken on the Hill.” In one particular game, Prince said that if Stargell hit a home run, everybody in the restaurant would get free chicken. Stargell did hit the home run, everyone got free chicken, and Stargell sent the bill to Prince.
“CLOSE AS FUZZ ON A TICK’S EAR”
a little closer than a gnat’s eyelash.
“DON’T BOO STU, HE’S OVER-DUE”
A cheer to get firstbaseman Dick Stuart out of a slump.
“DON’T KNOCK THE ROCK”
Rocky Nelson, 1b-man alternating with Stuart.
“A DYING QUAIL”
A little bloop, a tweener, or a bingle; a hit that falls in like a shot quail would.
“THE GREEN WEENIE”
A device invented by the Gunner to jinx and perhaps spook opposing players, the green weenie was the size and shape of a hot dog. When pointed at the opponents and shaken, it rattled and supposedly put a jinx on them.
“HE COULDN’T HIT THAT WITH A BED SLAT”
This is what the Gunner would say when a batter chased a pitch way outside. Take one of the slats out from under a full sized bed and notice how much longer it is than a bat, and you get an idea that the batter was definitely chasing.
HE LIT UP THE LIGHTS ON BROADWAY”
in response to a called 3rd strike.
“HIDDEN VIGORISH”
Similar to the law of averages, it was the force which dictated that a player who was in a slump was due for a big hit, as in, “Stargell is Oh for his last eight, so with hidden vigorish he should get a big hit here.”
“HOOVER”
A double play by which the Bucs would clean up the basepaths. When someone complained that Prince was giving free advertising to a particular brand of vacuum cleaner, he tried to invent a story about President Herbert Hoover’s cleaning up corruption in Washington.
“HOW SWEET IT IS”
After suffering through some terrible Bucco teams in the early- 1950’s, Prince got to enjoy the taste of victory in 1960 and throughout the early-1970’s with the Battlin’ Bucs. The taste of a championship, a mid-season victory, or a home run that would put the Bucs ahead would draw out “How sweet it is”.
“KISS IT GOOD-BYE”
The most famous of Prince’s sayings; this was his well-known home run call.
“MARY EDGERLEY”
No one knew exactly who she was (or whether she was related to Jimmy Durante’s Mrs. Calabash), but Prince would end each broadcast by saying, “Good night, Mary Edgerley, wherever you are.”
“A #8 CAN OF GOLDEN BANTAM”
A can of corn; refers to an easy fly ball. Immortalized in 1970 when Matty Alou dropped a “can of corn” against the Cubs, and the Bucs had to wait another day to clinch their first pennent in 10 years.
“RADIO BALL”
“Koufax just threw Stuart his radio ball. He could hear it, but he couldn’t see it.” “Low hummin’ riser.” (Similar to a radio ball)
“RUG CUTTIN’ TIME”
“It’s rug cuttin’ time.” More commonly known as “crunch time.” “For all the money, marbles, and chalk.” Deciding moment. Crunch time.
“RUNNIN’ THROUGH THE RAIN DROPS”
When a pitcher gives up a lot of hits but doesn’t give up serious runs. Escapes without serious damage being done.
“SNAKE BIT”
Can’t get a break. The Bucs are snake bit tonight.
“SOUP COOLERS”
a high pitch was up around a sluggers mouth, or lips, or “soup coolers”. Prince often said Stargell was looking for a pitch up around his “soup coolers”.
“TWEENER”
A ball that got “between” the outfielders; similar to a “bug on a rug”, but it could occur on grass or as a “bloop” hit that fell in between fielders; hopefully, followed by a Bucco “blast”.
“WE HAD ‘EM ALL THE WAY”
Spoken after a close win by the Pirates, it indicated that we should have known all along that the Pirates would win. It was perhaps the father of Lanny Frattare’s “No doubt about it.”
Soup coolers — nice!
Good stuff. Thanks.
This would have been a sight to see:
“A device invented by the Gunner to jinx and perhaps spook opposing players, the green weenie was the size and shape of a hot dog. When pointed at the opponents and shaken, it rattled and supposedly put a jinx on them.”
For some reason, I love the “bed slat” one.
Those are good. I’ve heard some of them before so it must have become part of our vernacular
I’d like to see Sholtz (RF), Burriss (LF), Crawford (SS), and Belt (1B) in a lineup altogether. Why the hell not?…
Burrell got a perfect bounce on that hit. If he fields that cleanly, he has a chance to get Morgan at second. But….
That was some decent barking by Bonehead.
Alright- Giants get one of those things called a “run.”
D-Backs losing; Rockies tied so far.
If the #3 and four hitters go oh for the evening, do you spose Capacious Cranium will take note and try another tack tomorrow?
Tejada should go yard here….
If Tejada doesn’t do something here…
I’ll take the rare Tejada base on balls…
OH MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CrawDad
Like I said, WTF not?
Start Crawford the next two weeks…
I doubt they had plans for anything else. He hits at all , the future SS is now- ansd Miggy comes off the bench.
Holy fuckin’ shit!!!!!
Shades of Brian Dallimore!!
Now all we need is Panda back at third
So in his first ducks on the pond opportunity in The Show, the Rook serves up Salami on wry. One way to get noticed quick. Thought we were bringing him up for his glove and was hoping he’d draw a walk or maybe squeeze out a single.
Yowza!
Those sayings by Bob Prince? Add another one: “He Crawforded that ball back to the Bay!!!!!”
Crawford might get another start or two…
Brandon Redux on the Pond to the max!
Not sure if the pitching staff knows what to do.
A two run lead in the latter innings? Shocking….
Well,they hold on, they cover Dennis’ 1-6…
If Crawford wants to hit another Grand Salami tomorrow night, I’m perfectly cool with him personally covering my 2-5…. 🙂
I told my son, if ever there’s a time to swing 1st pitch, it’s when the bases are loaded . . .
And yeah, that was the most pissed I’ve seen Boch the coach get out there.
Too cool for Crawford. Way to pick up the team, rook . . .
You’re Brandon Crawford’s dad?
Didn’t you see him on his cell in the on-deck circle?
I imagine him in his cell, with you there during visiting hours.
Dateline Colorado . . . Stop . . . Ubaldo Jimenez is being “lit up” by the Cards . . . Stop.
Don’t stop . . .
Wild pitch by their “Ace” . . . Cha Ching – Cards lead 6-3.
Shit! Counsell still plays?? Talk about whack-ass stances . . .\\\
Although he toned it down a bit.
Dbax pulled ahead against HOU.
Timmy threw that 7th like he enjoys having a two-run lead. Whodda thunk it?
Brandon Crawford, trending worldwide.
Yes, whoever bought Brandon Crawford stock this morning is now in the black.
Belt replaces Burrell in the lineup tomorrow or my name’s Wavy Gravy.
I like Wavy Gravy, as a concept. Don’t know him, personally.
Everyone is checking, but it seems as if CrawDad’s GS in his first game is first for a Giant since Bobby Bonds’s GS, in 1968.
Mike Ivie?
Nate continues to confound. Two good ABs early, then now with 2 on base and one out, he swings at offspeed crap way off the plate outside into a DP. That is the stuff he has to stop to become a real player….
MIRANDA WARNING. Who’s this Miranda w/ 2 jacks for Arizona?
Fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Walks suck . . .
Wotus (#23) channeling Felipe Alou…
Sin there was walking Braun- 2 run lead, you throw the 3-2 down the middle
Didn’t Ramirez have a big 12-6 curve last year, or am I thinking of somebody else?…
Casillas.
Thanks, maybe that’s why he’s had elbow issues…
Tejada must make that play. Hard hit, but he had to barely move to glove it on a decent bounce. Terrible play…
REVENGE!!!!!!
That is an illegal hit under the”MCCarver Rule”. 5 games without pay plus $50,000..
A player shouldn’t be allowed to lead with an extended arm-bar, thrusting out
like he did
If nothing else, maybe SF will lead the league in O.F. assists this season.
I’ve seen harder hits at the plate the last two games than in half a season from the Niner secondary…
Just started watching.
Whiteside Vetoes the Fielder Act.
Yessssss!!
Tale of two Brandons [small sample]: Crawford loose, confident; Belt tight, earnest.
Great win–just saw the highlights.
Fuck I hate Prince Fielder.
Is it me, or does Crawford kind of look like Andre Ethier?
Huge, huge win. Had a feeling Timmy was gonna do it. Got a bit chancy there in the bottom of the 8th, with all the walks and hits adding to exactly one run as Ross/Whiteside depose the Prince. Add not overmuch drama with our .38 Special in the bottom on the 9th and Ballgame!
Can you imagine the special kinda hazing Crawford will get in the clubhouse tonight? Can you dig the high-fives, the vibe? The Florida series by the Bay was an unmitigated disaster, but one way and another the team led by another gutsy performance by Tim Terrific and the sudden Salami by our new SS, pulled those chestnuts outta the fire.
Calling a kid SS up from A-Ball could be called an act of desperation. His coming through the way he did tonight will go down in Giants lore along with the Little Miracle of Coogan’s Bluff. Even if the kid only hits in the .220 to .240 range, tonight’s heroics, plus his plus defense have bought him a stretch of time in The Show. Welcome Brandon!
Rockies are getting spanked 10-3 . . . Rockies relief corps is almost comical trying to just end the game.
In the famous words of Dennis Green, “They are who we thought they were.”
This BrewCrew lineup is loaded for bear. Other than the pitcher, there’s not an EZ out in it. If they get any pitching the rest of the way and stay healthy, they should be in the Central race to the end…
Belt looked pretty good for a couple days- I’m hoping as much as as anyone but Crawford hit .250 in two AA seasons.If he can hit that here, he’s the SS. He’s got a couple weeks to make his case or he’s going down. Remember: never too up or down…
He’s already tied Tejada in HRs. (grin)
If he can hit .250 here with a solid SS glove, hell, he can stay here the next half decade….
I know this is wrong, but if I’m a Giants pitcher Fielder gets the Jose Mesa one pitch intentional walk every time I see him. The punk should be plunked when he’s in the on deck circle.
WTG Craw and way to hang tough NO WHITEY.
Broderick looked pretty good today
Ya know- the Dodgers are leading Florida 2-1, and I say good. Can’t believe I’m saying that.
Tejada is better at third than SS, but not by a helluva lot. If the ball is to his left or right, he goes into this slide thing, even when he does not seem to have to do that, then he has to get up to set and make the throw. He hit one ball hard to center. Since they’ve been giving Burriss some reps at third, I’d start him in a game, with Crawford at SS…
Tejada drew a big walk too, in the grandslam inning. He’ll be out there a lot until Sandoval gets back.
Tejada will be the third baseman until Panda gets back. Then they’ll look at it..
Cousins just hit a PH single. Rats.
Rats?? Rats?? What are you, fucking WILLARD?
(insert gay-ass smiley face)
Actually, that’s a PEANUTS reference..isn’t it
I miss Peanuts.
Shulz was, like his alter ego Charlie Brown, somewhat of a tortured soul.
And a genius….
As for me I think Jerry Lewis said it best when he said:
Farflavin
Is Fielder a jerk just when he plays the Giants, or all the time?…
The latter
Thought so.
I remember now the stoopid incident in LA vs. the Dodgers’ clubhouse door….
Yeah. He’s like an athletically talented Cartman from SOUTH PARK.
Fat, stupid and wants to fuck his mother
ewwwhhhh.
That was a fun game to watch….I need more shit like that in my life right now. Fielder can’t create enough momentum to do what Cousin’s did. Whitey is no pussy, he might not be wide but he’s strong and tall. Fielder actually looked like he was easing up a bit (at least in terms of the speed he approached him with). Who knows, maybe he was slowing down to hit up a vegetarian hot dog stand.
I am as committed to this as you can be. There has to be a rule change. Turning yourself into a human missile should not be allowed. And if football has made these changes to protect QB’s from injury then baseball has to do it as well. Saying, “that’s the way the game has always been” is bullshit. I’d like to see how many guys in 1920 ran as fast as Cousins who’s 6’2, 200 lbs. No fucking way.
He turned himself into a human missile. Buster can’t defend himself in that moment. The NFL changed many rules for QB’s for the same reason…..
OK, that’s my P(for)TD. I love this game, I love chatting it up with all you guys, but I’m still on the DL for a while……..
Appreciate the cameo, Flav. Give the lamas my props whilst you’re in the temple
Umm . . . I think you meant Yaks, but who knows – you might have meant a temple in Peru vs. one in the Himalayas.
BF, hopefully only the 15 day DL, not the 60.
The Gyros won.
Plus, I think we all behaved pretty well today in here (so far).
A rare two for two… 🙂
LQTM . . . Still the 27th.
FUCK YOU SNARKK!!!!!!!!
I mean…well put
Who’s minding the spam filter?
Itz on auto pilot…
“Raging Fred” coming soon to theaters:
Tooooooooo fucking funny, zum. Fucking hilarious
It IS hilarious. After I saw it, I immediately thought they should do one for Scarface — and then I look and see they already HAVE.
This youtube stuff is toooo much…
Byrnes on KNBR post-game is approaching FP’s numnutz event horizon.
He mixed up Velez with Burriss, and doesn’t know what WAR means.
And this guy is an ex major leaguer, self-described baseball “expert” on a 50K watt station?…
He could not be worse than Estes. Could he
I swear, if we could get a panel of Flappers on radio (censored), people would learn a ton about baseball and the Giants and just have a bunch of laughs way more than from the turds they put on the Bay Area radio. It would be a hoot just to hear us shoot down the stoooopid calls that people make. BF could produce a twice a month Flap radio show for podcasting, a different Flap “panel” each session…
Yeah, I thought of something like that few years ago, Snarkk. . Kind of a Vin Scully meets Howard Stern kind of thing. . . .
I’ve been meaning to pitch the idea to Siruis Radio . . .
You listen to the people that call in??
I went to a goddamn birthday party and missed everything. The chocolate M&M cake was delicious.
Took two slices home with me. Think I’ll give one to Crawford. Not too shabby, kid.
Not too shabby at all…
And what’s all this shit about NO Whitey sticking it to that fat fuck Fielder. I missed that, too.
I guess I have to give him my other slice of chocolate cake.
Dodgers load bases in the bottom of the ninth.
Dodgers beat the Marlins. The Marlins go with the 5 infielder “clever” move but didn’t even put one of them up the middle.
TedSpe said, on May 27, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Those are good. I’ve heard some of them before so it must have become part of our vernacular.
From the Stooges’ “Disorder in the Court”:
DA questions Curly on the stand: Kindly speak English and drop the vernacular.
Curly (referring to the hat in his lap): Vernacular? That’s a doiby!”…
Raise your right hand. Take off your hat. RAISE your right hand. Take off your hat!
good night gentlemen (?)