Predicting How the Panda Will Do…..

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on June 14, 2011

I’d like to believe that he’s going to storm the batters box like a Dragon Warrior and abuse the baseballs thrown his way. I’m hoping so, anyway. I also believe that he’s feeling a mountain of pressure to perform. For a guy who normally is bursting out of his cleats to swing at pitches, I’m not sure that’s the right kind of pressure for him but it’s unavoidable. It’s not like he can just slide through the back door of this line up and quietly resume his season. ALL EYES are on him and the fact is, this offense needs him desperately. One good thing about his return is that it will likely give the team a huge emotional boost and maybe Huff, Ross, everyone else will use it to kick start their own game……..

The idea of Pablo catching is really more talk show fodder than a reality. Catching requires a different type of conditioning as well as a much broader focus on the game and again, he doesn’t really need something else to focus on right now. If it meant we were going to be able to utilize another stud 3rd baseman then it might be something to consider, but Pablo’s replacement (if he went to catcher) would be Miggy and that’s an underwhelming option at best…….

Prediction: The Return of The Panda will have a positive impact on the LU but I don’t think he’s going to start off hot. Even so, lighting a match to this offense with his return will be just what we need and Pablo will get straight soon enough even if it takes him a week to 10 days to do so……….

The Flap Fantasy Baseball League Standings

(Unca-Chuck continues his slide into the abyss of mediocrity, BB finally takes a day off from a green number and Pawlie takes another run at No Talent)

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willieD said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:58 am

should be interesting and contrasting week….dbax have to be fired up, while Giants get to hit in a hitters yard again. Last time in STL they sent balls flying everywhere and scored a lot of runs in last two games. guys like Nate who don’t hit near as well at home as one the road (Huff too) might do some damage. And of course, LU roulette.
Next stop is the Mausoleum, where again A’s will feel better under a real mgr., and figure they owe SF big time. And it’s back to pitcher’s park with cool air and the big foul territory, where SF dominates. Should be cool to see how many giants fans hit Oaktown and whoop it up, since not many A’s fans show up anyway.
I also dig watching the battle for last in the division: Pads whip the rox in smile high 3-1 with a AA call up starter, LA pen chokes one vs. the reds and they lose 6-4. which is exactly the kind of shit the reds couldn’t do here, where SF pen out dueled theirs and won the late game heroics battles. Pads have one less win than either of the other two. I’d love to see LA/COLO in last.
Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:05 am

Yeah, I think just having Panda back will provide a little psychic lift to the team. After a month of watching guys hit the DL, it’s a nice change to see someone come off the list.

That’s my theory anyway . . .
- Rough Trade said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:10 am
  
  Your theory now? You’re a funny guy, Chuck.
- Nipper said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:36 am
  
  What a thinker! The man can ponder!
DJLoo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:13 am

I love the World Series ring, but sometimes I think it should’ve had a little black & orange in it somewhere…
- xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:17 am
  
  It does. There’s an orange gem and the bearers name is in black
- xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:45 am
  
  Here’s what I’m talking about. Not easy to find a photo of the name-side of the ring.
  
  http://tinyurl.com/443hcpt
Kevin said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:16 am

Berra and I will just flip flop between 12 and 13.
- eddacker said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:37 am
  
  I look at my chances and I see a maximum of 75 pts or so, but a wealth of learning already this season.
  If the glass is half full I will be right back at 14 or 12 points in no time.
Giant Head said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:18 am

The Gigantes always hit well in Arizona…we are taking this series.

I have been under the radar for the last week, is there any talk anywhere of trying to move Zito to the Yanks? With Colon going down, the Yanks may just be desperate enough to do a deal…given the Giants are going to have to pickup half his salary…that alone would save us nearly $30 mill over the next 3 and half years.

Plus, would push our payroll down next year to the $64 million range, leaving plenty of dough on the table for Lincecum and Sanchez’ 3rd arbitration years and maybe enough for a speedy shortstop whom plays in New York…
- dirtnrocksnreno said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:32 am
  
  Why would NY want Zito when they could get the same production from a AA or AAA pitcher?
  - Giant Head said, on June 14, 2011 at 11:52 am
    
    Experience…maybe Zito is just more comfortable in the AL. Maybe they buy into this storyline that Zito has found better command and velocity in his rehab….I dont care what they buy into, as long they are suckers…
dirtnrocksnreno said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:19 am

If feel soooo…..mediocre.
Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:27 am

Hey, I only had like 3 players go yesterday. I’ll be right back up to mediocre plus tomorrow . . .
Rough Trade said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:40 am

A weekly update of the fantasy league standings seems plenty. Why agonize over the daily changes?

Fair assessment of Pablo. A big question is how much pain he’ll feel hitting left handed.
Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:46 am

He won’t . . . for a few games anyway.
Rough Trade said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:57 am

Funny, I thought Collmenter was a RHP?
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:58 am

I was going to ask about that RT. Did Pablo swing from the left side at all in Fresno? If not, is it because of the injury or just who he faced? I think the team will spark up just seeing the Panda’s big grin, the bat and glove will be a bonus.
Rough Trade said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:11 am

I assume he’s swinging from the left side. Think we would have heard something. He did face a RHP the other night and went 0-4.
TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:36 am

News from L.A. McCourt can juuuuust make payroll this week but get this…He can’t afford to pay Manny Ramirez at the end of the month
- Nipper said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:37 am
  
  Give him a loan Ted. Should come out of petty cash.
- xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 11:14 am
  
  Hey, snarkk. Manny needs a lawyer!
stixwiz said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:38 am

Yes, initially anyway the psychological factor with Panda presence will be primary. The bouncy, bubbly bear with the big grin will have a positive effect on everyone else in the clubhouse. Team leadership, largely stalled because of the absence of Posey and the struggles of Huff and Burrell, will get a nice boost. The mood will lighten considerably, with guys going up to the plate without the tension and stress levels going through the roof. The panic to perform should ease up. Should Pablo revert to Panda form fairly rapidly and start pounding the horsehide again, i would consider that a very nice bonus.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:44 am

The Pablo catching talk was instigated by the team, not talk shows…
How many of you guys are E-Mailing this talk show guy? One’s enough…
Why the continuing talk about Ross as if he’s doing nothing? He leads the team in OPS (.768) and is second in OBP (.343). These aren’t great numbers but they’re in line with his career numbers- he is not a fucking problem….
No better spot to break Pablo in than AZ, great numbers there…
Don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of Tejada still. With Sandoval back, I know a lot of you were concerned that Miggy would lose too much time.;
I’ll do another Room B later. Since vlle digusting photos and content were nixed, there hasn’t been much interest. What about Tail-Pipe G**ez eviscerating a goat? No?
My move to Philio is not a popular one with my doctors, so we’ll see. Where I stay is not very accessible.
- TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:01 am
  
  Don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of Tejada still. With Sandoval back, I know a lot of you were concerned that Miggy would lose too much time.
  ————————————————————————————–
  Phew. That’s a relief. Thanks for clearing that up. (insert gay ass winking smiley face)
- TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:10 am
  
  All joking aside, Miggy’s been on a pretty good run lately
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:52 am

Word is that Hall gets buzzed in batting practice tonight..
- TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:02 am
  
  Because of the bowling pin prank?
- Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:31 am
  
  Is he hanging with Timmy?
  - TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:32 am
    
    hahaha
Dusty said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:14 am

big divisional game for the giants tonight… LETS GET IT!! i’m picking them on fanmeter: http://bit.ly/jod3Jbso. they better win! im trying to get a nike gift card!
Dusty said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:17 am

big divisional game for the giants tonight… LETS GET IT!! i’m picking them on fanmeter: http://bit.ly/kKr6n7. they better win! im trying to get a nike gift card

Ignore my post at 10:14am.. link didn’t work
TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:24 am

Not to be insulting, but I never click on a link provided by someone I don’t know
- Nipper said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:39 am
  
  Such high standards!
Sierra Nevada said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:25 am

I seem to remember that Bochy said the other day that Pablo would start at first today to give Huff an extra day off, since Huff started all 20 or so games that the Giants played without a rest.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:38 am

“Dusty” posted the same thing on the Splash as “Cstrain”. I wouldn’t get close to his link.
- twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:46 am
  
  He’s never posted here or there before. At best it’s spam, at worst malware or virus.
DJLoo said, on June 14, 2011 at 10:54 am

Thanks, Xoot.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 11:42 am

I didn’t follow all of MurphGate but just what was it that was done to prompt Xoot to post about the game? Is there some history there?
- xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:04 pm
  
  The game was a blast. Both teams played their hearts out, but my kid’s team just came through in the clutch with great hitting and D. I don’t recall how many extra innings they went, but it was tense. Afterward, parents on our side laid out a feast for everyone, and we had a party at the ballpark. When I got back home that evening, I hopped on this blog and started getting into some sniping back and forth that just didn’t feel right. So I decided to tell the story of the game. Obviously, my recollection wasn’t perfect, but there ain’t no dispute about the play I focused on.
  
  I offered the story partly because so many posters here like to complain about murphnmack, but mainly because of the baseball. The guy I thought was mack who turns out to be murph actually seemed like a pretty decent guy. His colleague, the head coach of the Mets, is another story. He wore a huge orange foam cowboy hat during the championship game — when he changed pitchers, he walked out to the mound with the thing on. He’s the one who really deserves some criticism. But based on what I saw throughout the season, I’m pretty confident that the parents of the Mets players will let the league know how they feel when they post their coaching reviews. I don’t need to get involved in that.
Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 11:58 am

TF, this was posted on the POTD voting page . . .

xootsuit said, on June 11, 2011 at 8:15 pm (Edit)

Ok. I hope this will amuse some of you a bit, especially those of you who get annoyed by murph/mack in the morning on KNBR. Mack was coaching the opposing team today in the 13-14 year old championship game against my kid’s team. At this age they play on a big field, take leads, etc., and generally follow big league rules. Here’s the deal:

Mack’s team was up one run in the top of the 7th (they play 7), bases loaded, one out. If they shut us down, game over. Good hitter strikes out, but the catcher drops the ball, and the batter instinctively runs toward 1B. Mack and his co-coaches all yell at their catcher — “Touch the plate, throw to first, touch the plate . . . ” Etc. The catcher complies with both orders. Meanwhile, our 3B coach calmly tells our runner on 3B to sprint home and be sure to touch the plate. Because the ball was at 1B there was no chance for a tag play. The umps had to spend 5 minutes explaining to Mack and his co-coaches why the steal of home was ok, and the run counted. Tie game. My kid’s team won in extra innings. Particles, baby.
Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 12:08 pm

Prompt? You have to ask Xoot.
- twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 12:45 pm
  
  I guess that’s what I’m doing.
  - xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:09 pm
    
    See above.
  - Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:25 pm
    
    Now you have to ask Flav why he forwarded that to Mac ‘n’ Cheese . . .
Craig Vaughan said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:27 pm

I don’t like Murph and Idiot and I used it as vehicle to expose him as an idiot. Which he is…..
- Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:39 pm
  
  Ahhhh. The crux of the biscuit . . .
xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:35 pm

And I’m fine with the way things developed. Let it fly. (Can you imagine someone posting on a blog — “Please don’t tell anyone, but . . . .”)
- Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:42 pm
  
  Or tweeting pics of various bady parts?
  - xootsuit said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm
    
    There you go. Exactly.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Thanks. I thought Xoot’s story and the reply were both great.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 1:48 pm

Look, when you goad a media guy into calling you a flaming asshole , or whatever it was-gold.
That's *mr* mrbill to you! said, on June 14, 2011 at 2:05 pm

I haven’t seen a loss of composure like that since Bill O’Reilly got “rickrolled”. 😀
That's *mr* mrbill to you! said, on June 14, 2011 at 2:11 pm

With bated breath, we eagerly look forward to Barry Zito’s next rehab start — this Thur. with Fresno, a move up from the previous San Jose starts.
- Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 2:53 pm
  
  That makes one of you.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 3:06 pm

They’re only drawing this out waiting for either Vogelsong to return to Earh orZits to get bombed. Next step might be to stretch him out to 350 pitches..
- Unca Chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 3:19 pm
  
  6 innings, inother words . . .
  - Kevin said, on June 14, 2011 at 3:37 pm
    
    LMAO
  - TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 3:57 pm
    
    Funny
Del Mar Dennis said, on June 14, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Torres CF, Burriss 2B, Sandoval 3B, Huff 1B, Schierholtz RF, Ross LF, Crawford SS, Whiteside C, Cain P

What Kev just said.
twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 4:04 pm

What’s your problem, DD? Whitey? It doesn’t get much better than this for you.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on June 14, 2011 at 4:27 pm
  
  I’ll tell ya what’s my problem. My newspaper has either been not delivered and/or stolen for the past three days.
  I better get a damn credit. As for our lineup? Not much I can do for that. That’s birdcage newspaper right there.
  - twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 4:41 pm
    
    Maybe my kid has been reassigned- my paper has been promptly and properly delivered for three days now.
  - Kevin said, on June 14, 2011 at 4:48 pm
    
    Uh, I have to agree, the giants know what they have in Whiteside, play Stewart.
  - twinfan1 said, on June 14, 2011 at 5:26 pm
    
    They know what they have with both. Stewart, as I said in ST, has been marginally better offensively in the minors. Marginally. They’re basically splitting the time, and that’s what to expect until they get someone else. We could see one released soon and the other beginning to split time with Hector, if he does well over the next couple weeks.
That's *mr* mrbill to you! said, on June 14, 2011 at 4:17 pm

Will be good to see Panda back tonight. Give Crawford a day off tomorrow? Tejada’s numbers against Joe Saunders: .500, 12AB, 2HR, 4RBI.
Del Mar Dennis said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:32 pm

Scott Cousins went on the 15-day DL today with a lower back strain.
Did any of you remember to send flowers?
- zumarust said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:46 pm
  
  He’ll have more time to reflect on what a doofus he is.
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:45 pm

Everybody must be sitting upstairs tonight. Might as well throw a tarp on the field level.
macdog said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Welcome back Pablo!
Del Mar Dennis said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:47 pm

Welcome back Pablo!
zumarust said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:48 pm

What’s all this “newspaper kid” stuff? I live out in the country and my newspaper is thrown from a car going 55 MPH.
zumarust said, on June 14, 2011 at 6:52 pm

There are reasons why the Cult of Nate remains just a cult.
- unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:36 pm
  
  It’s not a cult, it”s more of a gathering.
DJLoo said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:19 pm

Burriss is listed at 6’0/205. Does he have to approach every at bat like he’s Junior Gilliam?
stixwiz said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Huff’s contribution? Drawing that walk in the third. Nate couldn’t do it, but the pitch count on Collmenter is 51 over three innings. They are working this boy. Panda brings it to this team with that RBI in his very first AB on his return. Lining out in his second time around means that his timing must be pretty good already.
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:32 pm

Way to start us off Rodeo Clown.
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:34 pm

Nate giveth, Nate taketh away ., , ,

Come one Whitehead. Make Vern and Vera proud.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:38 pm
  
  Last time that happened he was in the 3rd Grade. 4-H Club, milking contest.
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Where’s Stewart???
DJLoo said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:36 pm

Kooky!
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:37 pm

Way to go Matty . . !
Big flavor said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:37 pm

Whiteside sucks balls. Cain comes through. I liked whitey when he was sitting on the bench as an amusing, Loo classic (“he looks like a president from the 1800’s”)…
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Yeah, now the whitehead is only a city councilman.
stixwiz said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:46 pm

In four innings vs Collmenter the Giants have done as well in terms of hits and runs as any team has this season in 6 or 7 innings. He got by on only 11 pitches in the 4th, but Cainer nicked in that second run. Keep chipping away and the Giants win this one.
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 7:59 pm

Great at bat by Panda
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:02 pm

He’s wearing gloves . . .
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:02 pm

Nate that is . . .
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:03 pm

Nate has 6 LOB?
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Gotta love a rodeo CLOWN.
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Co-DEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:06 pm

Excuse me base hit
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:07 pm

Here we go with El Presidente . . .
stixwiz said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:08 pm

COMMANDER Cody must love hitting in the snakepit. Cain could be tough with a four run lead. This is the most runs Collmenter has given up to any team all season. Giants are bursting his bubble, chipping away and then collecting their dividends. I think Panda’s presence has energized Huff and men on base seems to ignite something in Ross.
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:10 pm

That works.
DJLoo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:11 pm

Cody rarely misses his pitch………….some of you owe him an apology from the other day.
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:12 pm

Kuip missed that completely. But so did the cameraman
- Del Mar Dennis said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:14 pm
  
  That’s why Kuip missed it in the both. He was watching their monitor and not the field of play.
- unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:15 pm
  
  And the 2nd baseman . . .
That's *mr* mrbill to you! said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:14 pm

Streamers — Kostaz has set up a permanent, private channel at usual domain, different address. Email me for info (meaning, I’ll show you how to get in touch w/ him on Facebook if you don’t know how already. He’ll send you access from there). The new stream is GORGEOUS … better than my TV!
- snarkk said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:51 pm
  
  What’s your e-mail, or do I have to go through BF? I’m going to be back east for about 3 weeks soon, and a streaming Giants address would be great….
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:18 pm

Whtehead loses more balls than any 5 catchers.
- DJLoo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:19 pm
  
  Ask not what your catcher can do for you……
  - Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:22 pm
    
    That’s good Loo.
  - unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:22 pm
    
    Ask him to block a fricking ball . . .
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:19 pm

He’s got the eyes of a a dead , uh president.
stixwiz said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:27 pm

Don’t look now, but NoWhitey just crossed the Mendoza line. Will customs and immigration be on his case?
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:42 pm

Fuck.
snarkk said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:52 pm

Nate the great, at it again in the latter innings….
TedSpe said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:52 pm

revret
snarkk said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:56 pm

Fukin’ A. How many times this season have the Gyros left a runner at third after being there with less than two outs? Frustrating as hell…
- Nipper said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:12 pm
  
  So snarky!
unca chuck said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Well, that was a revoltin’ development
snarkk said, on June 14, 2011 at 8:58 pm

Take him out, now……
snarkk said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:00 pm

WTF is Bochy waiting for, they’re hitting shots off Cain….
Bozo said, on June 14, 2011 at 9:02 pm

They are tagging Matt here.