Zito

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on July 17, 2011

If you think about it, Zito’s Law unfolded perfectly last night. After 3 promising starts off the DL he must have made believers out of at least some fans. In one of my fantasy leagues, where he has languished on the waiver wire for the better part of the last 3 years, he was one of the most picked up players last week from the waiver wire. So he tricked a few lost souls into believing in him and he broke their hearts last night. It happens…….

We can’t do anything about Zito except take our medicine. Dirrrrrty will be out at least 10 more days–wow, can you imagine the chaos Zito could inflict on those 2 box scores?

Here’s the thing I really want to know about Zito: Did last night’s implosion cause him to lose all of or part of the faux-confidence he took from those first 3 starts off the DL? It’s a tough thing to gauge since no one has the faintest clue of what baseline is for Zito’s psyche…….

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gianthead said, on July 17, 2011 at 8:59 am

Count me as one of thosae idiots who picked up Zito in my money league….frickin dumb shit move!

But can you all feel the heat of the Giant Head coming in the flap????? I am almost at 90 points, 6 weeks ahead of schedule! Feel the Head! Fear the Head!
blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 9:08 am

Give me head.
willieD said, on July 17, 2011 at 9:19 am

Couple guys on baggs blog are calling for the giants to go all in with the kids (belt, pill), dfa rowand, tejada, etc.
Kids had a rough night last night…crawford another error, with sacks loaded that let in that run and couple after it off ramirez. Also struck out in only AB, down to .194. burriss 0-3, hitting .210, low OB zero slugging. Poor H sanchez, struck out then had a GIDP, then the passed ball (trying to catch Casilla, which might be harder than trying to hit off the guy).
Meanwhile tejada homers, torres doubles from the right side, and font cracked a long double. Bochy says they aren’t bringing belt back to platoon. He’s not taking huff’s roster spot, so that means the OF, which is already pretty crowded. Sounds to me more like he’s a sept. 1 call up as opposed to july road trip to philly/cincy. This isn’t the Royals; bochy is trying to win a pennant.
And I’m guessing zito’s foot acts up in about 10 days or so. could be ebola, tho.
- blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 9:37 am
  
  AS you alluded to willieD, those “guys” are nuts. The Giants brain trust would have to be nuts as well to do what these bozos (no offense to our own bozo) are suggesting. Good analysis regarding Belt too . . . As you pointed out – unless desperation and/or adverse circumstances becomes their mantra – Belt will not be called up until September (if at all).
Macdog said, on July 17, 2011 at 9:45 am

Watching Mickelson, who I root for more than any other golfer, is sorta like watching Zito, and not just because both are lefties. No matter how well Phil’s going — and he tore up the front 9 today to get into a first-place tie at one point — you’re just waiting for a major brian fart. And sure enough, on the 11th Mickelson missed what would’ve been a gimme putt in match play and it’s been all downhill since. It wasn’t as spectacularly disastrous as some of his past meltdowns, but it was enough. Looks like Clarke’s gonna take the Claret Jug.

Same with Zito. He could have a month worth of solid starts, but sooner or later we’ll get a truly abominable outing like last night’s devastation at PetCo. At least 10 days ’til Dirrrrrrrty’s return? He can’t get back soon enough.
- eddacker said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:39 am
  
  Mickelson is a great golfer and, I imagine, a great guy. He just has that one problem with his swing – from the neck up.
  - Nipper said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:54 am
    
    Mickelson is a dud if you expect a winner.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 9:47 am

The Rockies may or may not be shopping Ubaldo. I say why the hell not. Add him into the mix when Dirrrty comes back and go to a 7-man rotation. Ridiculous you say? We’re already carrying three catchers…
- blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:02 am
  
  This got some ink earlier in the week Dennis, but this article “fleshes” out what was earlier reported. Apparently, the price would be exorbitant, e.g., “One team executive said today it would have to be a “Herschel Walker-type deal” — meaning at least three valauble pieces in return, if not more.”
  
  Troy Renck, Denver Post Rockies beat writer, is usually accurate on his stories and doesn’t tend to lean toward hyperbole . . . The article link is:
  
  http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2011/07/15/rockies-cargo-expects-to-play-saturday-ubaldo-roundup/8826/
  - Nipper said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:47 am
    
    What else is new? Of course the Mets will bargain hard if they want to move Beltran. Who would not?
Rough Trade said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:20 am

Sounds like the Beltran deal won’t happen. Mets are now reportedly more interested in a top prospect than saving a five million. Makes sense really. Getting a Wheeler could save them a lot more in a few yr’s.
- blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:23 am
  
  RT, especially since the Mets just saved a ton of scratch getting rid of K-Rod. Anyone who “bellies” up to the bar with the Mets, will have to not only back up the brinks truck, but also bring prospects . . . To me, the Beltran deal never made sense. This guy is one hangnail from the end of his career. Next.
  - blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:38 am
    
    More on Beltran . . . This is an interesting take from the Denver Media (again Troy Renck) regarding Beltran:
    
    “Background: He wasn’t a player. He was a human video game. The bat became his joystick. In the 2004 playoffs, Carlos Beltran went Nintendo. He finished 20-for-46 with eight home runs and 14 RBIs. Those three weeks of havoc turned him from an interesting free-agent prospect to a man commanding keys to the Brinks truck. Beltran, who had played well in the relative obscurity of Kansas City and Houston, chose the highest bidder. He has largely been a disappointment with the Mets after signing a seven-year, $119 million deal. The Mets have been to the playoffs just once during his tenure, which has been stained by numerous leg injuries.
    
    What’s up: Beltran is back. He’s not a superstar because he no longer plays Gold Glove defense, but he is an available bat who would fit in any number of lineups. The Mets began shedding money with the Francisco Rodriguez trade to Milwaukee. Reluctant to move Jose Reyes at this time, New York is looking to add a single top prospect for the slugging outfielder.
    
    Renck’s take: Beltran is hitting .287 with 14 home runs, 28 doubles and 59 RBIs. That’s the type of presence that could translate to two more wins for a contender — which just might be the difference in the race. The Giants make a lot of sense. They are desperate for more offense with Buster Posey out for the year and Freddy Sanchez ‘s return questionable. Boston, Philadelphia — he would help protect Ryan Howard — Detroit and Atlanta all would be fits as well. The Rockies would love to get involved, but aren’t going to spend the money. The Mets will be a little more patient with this move. Rodriguez was a salary dump. The Mets want one solid piece in return for this highly coveted veteran.”
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:38 am

well, it was disappointing to see that the Mets are interested in prospects and not saving the dough. Couple that with other teams interested and Sabean’s inability to pull off a trade in a competitive market and I think it’s unlikely that we see Beltran become a Giant. The one thing we have going for us: Beltran doesn’t get you 2 first rounders if he bails–that’s huge in today’s baseball world and it might make teams leery of the deal……
- Nipper said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:49 am
  
  No kidding!
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:42 am

And in an unrelated Beltran story, my mind was blown to read that Pudge Rodriguez has 2,842 career hits. As a catcher, that’s amazing. think about that, only one Yankee has 3000 hits (Jeter). Pudge would be right up there with all the Yankee greats in terms of total hits………
- snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:15 am
  
  That’s why Pudge doesn’t have many hits left in his bat…
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:47 am

I’m sure glad we called up Hector to sit on the bench. Those benches in the minors can give ya splinters. Not up here in the Big Leagues, they’re smooth as silk. That’s as good a reason as any to call up a THIRD catcher.

Torres CF, Fontenot 2B, Sandoval 3B, Schierholtz RF, Huff 1B, Ross LF, Tejada SS, Whiteside C, Cain P
- Nipper said, on July 17, 2011 at 10:51 am
  
  He will not play much. The manager at least publicly stated that. Anyway this kid surely can not hit MLB pitching. If he could he would be in there.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:07 am
    
    So I’ll ask again, why did we call him up? I hope Hector at least hits the SD Zoo. Do something worthwhile.
stixwiz said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:05 am

With two weeks to the deadline, rumors are flaying and flying. ESPN’s Buster Olney thinks BJ Upton would make a good fit for the Giants. And Gary Brown is how far away? How bout Francisco Pequero? Yes, Upton steals a lot of bases and has some pop, but his swings like a barn door and thus has a relatively low OBP for a leadoff man. Another rumor monger had Melky Cabrera headed from KC to SF. Modest offensive upgrade over current OFers. Joe Strauss at the St. Louis Post Dispatch is wringing his hands about Colby Rasmus, the Cardinals former #1 draft pick who is currently hitting something like .188 and is poised disjointedly among Cards hitting instructors Mark McGwire and Mike Aldrete and his dad, Tony R. Clubhouse cancer in St. L, evidently. Could he be a Bam-Bam project? Might be costly.

As for Beltran: Seems like the Tribal judge working the Wilpon/Madoff with the money from fellow Tribals case must be hinting he won’t come down too hard on the Mets ownership. That’s the only thing which makes sense to me as to why the $6M and moderate prospects from the Giants no longer seem to tempt them. Zito’s meltdown last night just made both Surkamp and Wheeler a touch more valuable to SF, while those boys seem to be the direction the Mutts wanna take. I’d be leery of either of them going for a two-month rental.

So the trade front looks pretty convoluted right now. Sweatbox up here in the Northwoods right now with temp in upper 80’s with humiliated relatives through the roof making for a “feels like” temp of 101. Reminds me of St. Louis in the Summer of ’64 lodging at #3 Fraternity Row. Appears these next two weeks will be a sweatbox all along the tradewinds circuit. If it were Zito this afternoon instead of Cain i’d take a little drive and go jump in Deep Lake.
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:19 am
  
  If you haven’t noticed ( and most of you don’t), Brown has not hit well for at least a month now…Peguero is the better prospect anyway, just as Adrianza is better than Crawford.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:11 am

Hector hit a laser for the DP and K’ed on a brutal pitched that has struck out all of our guys over the last couple years. This is not Buster Posey, he’ll get his chances in spots..Take a break… “Sabean’s inability blah blah bullshit:”… pulling off trades involves giving up players, not just acquiring them. If, as appears, the Mets want a blue chip prospect for two months of Beltran- let some other GM be the fucking idiot.. Some here still haven’t figgered this out- Beltran is a luxury,the Giants are in the catbird’s seat and will go to the postseason without him…
And do just fine as long as Zits is off the roster again…
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:25 am
  
  No, what you haven’t figured out, or more likely are just not willing to admit. This team will not do just fine in the postseason if there are no additions to the offense. A Game 1 NLDS starting lineup consisting of Rowand, Tejada, Shitholtz, Huff, Font and NO Whitey is laughable. Timmy could throw a no-hitter and still lose.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:32 am
    
    Brilliant observation, as always
snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:18 am

Per Lurie, the Giants lead MLB in passed balls with 21, something like 10 more than the next worst…
- snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:31 am
  
  I just checked MLB.com stats, and they don’t come close to what Lurie said. They say the Mets lead in PBs, SF is in the middle of the pack. You’re on your own on this one…
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:35 am
    
    Obviously, Marty had an off morning. He’s an incisive commentator.
  - snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:51 am
    
    I checked it and hit my second post before even seeing yours, so shut your yap. Lure is generally reliable. I don’t fact check every damn thing I hear on sports radio, I generally assume these guys giving stats out on 50K watts know what they’re talking about. As for Urban, some dude just called him and asked him about Keppinger, and Urban doesn’t even know who that is, yet he’s been talked about constantly as a trade prospect the last few days. I DON’t trust much I hear from him…
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:56 am
    
    Lurie is a wonderful chap.
- snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:00 pm
  
  Lurie is a good dude. I’ll stick with him. Anybody that calls him a moron needs to look in the mirror to find the real one…
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:34 pm
    
    I couldn’t agree more. Let me at ’em.
Rough Trade said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:23 am

Yeah, I don’t understand the consternation over Hector. I’m all for giving these kids a look and see if they can help down the road. Burrell was basically just a ph anyway.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:32 am
  
  They have three, count them one, two, THREE catchers on the roster. That is a major faux pas of biblical proportions. Nothing against Hector, this is all on the FO.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:43 am
    
    No one is more on the money than Dennis.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:46 am
    
    You just can’t stand it when Doomin’ Denny harps on a point that is 100% correct. I have to do the bitching for ya because you’re too much of a Giants toady.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:53 am
    
    And I appreciate your efforts, sir.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:59 am
    
    WTF are you talking about? I’ve had them in Game 1 of the NLDS from Spring Training. In fact, I could do w/o the rest of the rest of the regular season, it’s just filler. But I will stand by the “one and done” should there be no upgrades. That’s the fact, Jack!
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:08 pm
    
    Of course you did, my good man.
  - Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:12 pm
    
    Twin, all this “sissy” and “girly” shit, along with several other demeaning names you’ve tossed out there today needs to stop, ok?
  - twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:31 pm
    
    Huh?
  - Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:40 pm
    
    good one. Try to avoid deleting posts, it can sometimes mess up the thread.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 11:30 am

I beg to differ, Esquire.Hector has 1, Stewart 2, Eli 4, Posey 3.. That’s 10.
This is as per Baseball Reference.
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:01 pm

Keppinger isn’t coming here. He’s one of the few, cheap Astros who doesn’t suck. They waived Bill Hall like 3 weeks into the season so they could give Kepp the job. Just because the Astros are awful doesn’t mean they are going to give away all their good young talent. You build around young talent, you don’t trade it away……
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:40 pm
  
  He’s 31 but terriffic point, anyway.
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:04 pm

and by the way, while Keppinger qualifies as good, young talent on a team as bad as the Astros, the dude is hardly someone you target in a trade. He’s got no power and no speed. He’s a 2-tool player……
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:13 pm

Bochy and Rags already discussing skipping Zito’s next start on Friday. Just step on the fucker’s foot and be done with it.
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:16 pm

well if that’s the case then whatever confidence he retained after yesterday’s debacle is gone-zo…..
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:21 pm

This USA/Japan match is torture. We should be up 4-0 right now……
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:48 pm

I’m sure that it wasn’t the always astute Smilin’ Denny who posted that the Dbacks would be in first on July 4, All-Star break,, Labor Day… couldn’t have been him. No way.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:52 pm
  
  I coulda posted the Giants to be in first on those dates, but that wouldn’t have ruffled yours or anyone else’s feathers. Why bother?
snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:49 pm

If someone is going to childishly delete and replace all their drive-by posts that leave later viewers scratching their heads, just don’t make them in the first place…
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:54 pm
  
  Pardon me, sir?
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Now don’t think you can rile me, Mr. Snarkk.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 12:59 pm

Goddammit! These USA girls better score. The longer it goes scoreless the more I think JPN will win on an own goal or something stoopid like that.
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:00 pm

with a swarm of fucking bees threatening to delay the start of this game, maybe one of you amateur bee keepers can explain this: Every year in the Spring time I get a huge swarm of bees that show up in our backyard for about an hour and then bail. They must be migrating somewhere or something but why the hell do they show up in my back yard for an hour each year?
- xootsuit said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:35 pm
  
  I don’t know about bees, but I’ll bet they share somthing with wasps. A specific nest of wasps calls an outdoor lighting fixture at my place their ancestral home. I first drove them out with a fire-hose like innundation of poison soon after I moved in, in 1995. The last wasp to bail was about the size of a grackle — must’ve been the queen. She followed the horde over the garage next door, into the sunset, and I figured that was that.
  
  Later that summer, on a hot day, a couple of wasps returned and started to rebuild. I switched the light on. They went away. No big deal. But from that moment forward, every time we have had a heat wave in the Bay Area — and I do mean every time, every year, since 1995 — wasps have shown up and compulsively attempted to rebuild a nest inside that light fixture. When we’ve been out of town during those return invasions, the wasps very quickly re-established themselves and required further pesticide assaults. How does something like that get passed down through generations? Some wasps live only a few weeks. Some more important guys in the hierarchy live a bit longer. Queens, I think, last a year. For 16 fucking years this has gone on.
  - Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:46 pm
    
    thanks. How do you know wasps only live for a few weeks? Research on the light fixture problem or are you just that good?
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:02 pm

Perhaps what Mr. Snarkk is referring to were some accurate but perhaps harsh characterizations of some of our fine commenters. I deeply regret any offense taken and have taken measures to remove the offending references.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:09 pm

GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:18 pm

fabulous play by Miggy there….
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:18 pm

How is that NOT an E on Font? The official score keeping this year has been atrocious.
Yeah, Miggy/Font up the middle. That’ll work.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:36 pm

It was changed to an error. You know, like the ones Crawpappy keep makin’…
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:48 pm

Wow, Pinero is having a *Bumgarner* game over in Oakland. I will take that, I have Gio Gonzalez on all 4 of my teams………
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:48 pm

With all due reespect to Mr. Crawford, when you’re hitting .190, defense must be impeccable. With his .333 BA and .900+ OPS over the last 4 weeks, Tejada has to be in the LU…
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:52 pm

If Beltran’s price becomes too exorbitant, would Jeff Francoeur be a name any of you would be interested in?
He hit his 13th and drove in RBI numbers 57 and 58 today. His OPS (.748 coming into today) isn’t that great thanks to the low OBP, but his SLG ain’t too shabby.

Screw Francoeur, GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!
- Macdog said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:55 pm
  
  15 minutes + fake injury time to go.
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:14 pm
  
  So you’ve given up on Craig’s first half MVP already?
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:55 pm

Jon Miller is giving congrats to team USA for winning thinking it is sudden death and not knowing there’s 15 more mins to play. He better not have jinxed these poor girls.
Big flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 1:59 pm

Man, Gio G just finished the 2nd– he’s got 6ks
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:07 pm

Jon Miller is a fucking jinx! JPN just tied it up. As a broadcaster he should know better before saying something like that.
Fucking unprofessional. Motherfucker, Jon. Motherfucker.
- Big flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:18 pm
  
  Yeah, Japan scoring was directly related to miller’s completely understandable announcement. I’m not sure if you are trying to be funny there but it would idiotic to blame the Japan goal on miller
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm
    
    I wonder how Jon Miller enjoyed Dewey’s Presidency? Fuck him for being unprofessional and a goddamn jinx.
  - Big flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:30 pm
    
    Dennis don’t be an idiot. Jinx? Come on.
- Big flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm
  
  Newsflash: miller doesn’t announce soccer games. Your venom was misplaced.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:24 pm
    
    Then he shouldn’t comment on something he doesn’t know. Fucking unprofessional.
Big flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:19 pm

Latos might have the worst placed arm tattoos I’ve ever seen
- blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm
  
  I think I had the same thought upon seeing Mike Tyson’s face tattoo for the first time.
snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:23 pm

Perfect example of why I never liked soccer. US dominated the entire game, clearly the better squad. A couple of screw ups, then its decided on penalty kick bullshit. Its like being tied at the end of nine innings in the 7th game of the WS, then deciding it on a home run contest…
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:37 pm
  
  Or NFL football…
blade3colorado said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:25 pm

Giambi just did a moon shot at Coors Field that was estimated to have gone 455 feet. Steroid residue or thin air? You be the judge.
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:28 pm

Now I know how it must have felt like on December 7, 1941 when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:34 pm

Dennis earlier said that he intentionally said dumb things just to rile folks up..
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm
  
  I have to think up a reason to say dumb things, what’s your excuse?
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:37 pm

I don’t know WTF I’m getting worked up over soccer. I’m not. I’m get worked up over my country losing. Sue me for for being patriotic. Hey, Shitholtz gives us the lead. At least Jon Miller didn’t jinx him. 😛
ewisco said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:39 pm

Nate comes through. nice approach, going up the middle.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:39 pm

The American girls are too full of themselves, anyway.
ewisco said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:40 pm

mrs. wisco and i bummed about the world cup. was listening to the radio broadcast of the g’s while watching the cup with the sound off. foudy and dark were making us crazy. could be time to strike up the adult bevvies.
snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Nice AB by Nate. Huff with his usual grounder to the R side. He’s turning into a left handed Gamer.
You got your 2 runs, Matt, up to you to hold ’em…
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:45 pm
  
  Against this team, damn straight.
ewisco said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Nooooooooo whitey!! dumb ass.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:50 pm
  
  I’m speechless. I have no speech.
willieD said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Kuiper or Kruk, remember in the inning when font made the error, made a comment about, “If matt cain throws a no-hitter”…man he really has had no hit stuff today.
wtf was whitey thinking there? better throw, not into the dirt or the runner, gets him.
stixwiz said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:44 pm

Heat and humiliated relatives ala St. Louis, brought on a thunderstorm up here on the fringe of the Great Northwest. Got logged on in right at the end of the 5th ~ in time to see Nate have a great AB, bringing in Curly Joe right after he advanced on a productive out by Pablo. Tells ya something about Sandoval too. These days even some of his outs are not purely negative. Fontenot is a nice smallball option. Right now Bochy has slotted him well in the 2-hole. When Nate thinks, he can be a weapon.
Rough Trade said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:45 pm

Nate showed why he’s a different hitter now, laying off a couple of pitches down and in. Another positive sign is the consistency. He’s now hit in 16 of the last 20 games. I know he still has a lot of detractors out there, but he’s had a lot of big hits this yr and the G’s will certainly need more. Best hope he has in fact turned the corner.
- ewisco said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:47 pm
  
  good point trade. last year he swings at those back foot sliders. him and the gamer COULD NOT lay off them.
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:46 pm

Serious props for Nate, serious brainlock.for Whitehead.
zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:46 pm

McClelland, the ump that missed the call at first, is the same ump who called Holliday safe at the plate against the Padres, putting the Rockies into the playoffs, whatever year that was- ’07?
Holliday never touched the plate. Holliday decided to bluff and act like he had touched the plate, and McClelland bought into the bluff.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:53 pm
  
  We deserved that wrong call at first for Whitey’s dumb play. I woulda called him safe myself just for general principles.
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:47 pm

Wow. This inning is getting stupid.
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Whitehead, grab some pine.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:54 pm
  
  We have THREE catchers, can they all do that?
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:54 pm

It never ceases to amaze me how an ump can miss that shit. Ball hits mitt, foot hits bag.

Seeing as the mitt was on the bag, even more stupid.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:56 pm
  
  Stop bitching at the ump for the blown call. That play never should have happened. Not the ump’s fault.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:55 pm

The pitcher doesn’t get a free pass for everything after the fuck up by Whiteside.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:57 pm
  
  That’s our starting catcher for Game 1 of the NLDS. I gonna have a fucking field day with you guys…
  - zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm
    
    That’s OK. I scroll past most of your posts anyway.
  - zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:01 pm
    
    That was meant for Dennis.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm
    
    Most? All or nothing, baby. Like Frank used to sing, “All or nothing at all.”
zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 2:58 pm

It does raise an interesting rule. If the ball bounces, and the catcher still catches it cleanly, the catcher must still throw to first, even though it wasn’t a dropped ball. SURELY, Whiteside, a career catcher, would know that rule? Whitey didn’t miss the fact that it bounced…or did he. How would he have missed that?
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm

Are we sure this kid’s name is Hector Sanchez and not Pedro Cerrano? “Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats. I offer him cigar, rum. He will come. “
Macdog said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:02 pm

NO WHITEY stolen base helps get it back.
zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:04 pm

When it comes to firstbase umps, the sad thing is, the person in the stadium with the WORST view of plays at first, the firstbase ump, is the one who gets to make the call.
- unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:10 pm
  
  Well, he’s got a clear view of the bag and the ball and the mitt. And he’s 5′ away.
  
  Ole!!!
  - zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:15 pm
    
    Except they can’t see the glove and the bag at the same time. They’re too close. So they usually look at the bag and listen for the ball to hit the glove. But if the crowd is making a lot of noise, that doesn’t work. They have to look at the glove, then the bag. That’s how Denkinger blew the call in that St. Louis/Royals World Series Game 6, and that’s how that other dude blew the perfect game for Gallaragha. Both umps have admitted they looked at the glove and then down at the base. Of course, the runner will look safe by then.
  - zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:18 pm
    
    I’m going to guess that on today’s call, Huff’s body was blocking the ump’s view of the glove, because the throw was coming from the catcher. McClelland was just guessing out there, and guessed wrong.
    A lot of close calls are just guesses by the umps.
stixwiz said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:07 pm

Yes! Andres! First three shots at Latos he couldn’t do it. But with the totally shocking SB by Eli, maybe Latos got a bit off his game working Torres. Takes Cain off the hook. His luck sure has turned when compared to the last several when it comes to not much longer tending to lose those close ones. Dude has paid his dues. Today but for the throw ~ for which Whitey just atoned by that steal and the tying run~ Matt the Horse had basically outpitched Latos…albeit by a fairly close margin.
zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:08 pm

The other night, at the single-A game I was at, I got to see the humorous spectacle of a homeplate ump checking with a firstbase ump to see if a lefthander had grown through with his swing. As a lot of you know, there are only two umps that work single-A games, and if nobody is on base, the other ump stands near firstbase.
- unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:22 pm
  
  What did he call?
  - zumie said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:28 pm
    
    He said “No swing.” And some people in my section actually laughed outloud at the concept of the firstbase ump making that call on a lefthanded hitter. And some of the spectators were realizing for the first time that there were only two umps on the field. That’s one of the things different about single-A baseball.
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:12 pm

Whitey not having a day here.
wilcojoe said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:21 pm

Flav, gotta correct you on Keppinger…Keppinger isn’t a “young talent”…The Astros current pecking order of trade candidates; Pence, Bourn, Wandy Rodriguez, and Keppinger…He’s arb elgible this year…Astros are going thru an ownership change as we speak…Keppinger would cost about as much as Fontenot did last year…He wouldnt be a difference maker but would fill a hole.
- snarkk said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:33 pm
  
  I want Bourn. With its big gaps, he’d go nuts at ATT…
- Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:41 pm
  
  I didn’t check his age, just that he was still under team control this year and I think they avoided arbitration with a 1 year deal. . Granted I don’t follow him, he’s got zero fantasy value, But at least I knew who he was. Pretty surprised that Urban didn’t know who he was…….
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:23 pm

Uncle Jesse at least backhands that ball and gets off a throw. Maybe 50/50, but at least there’s a chance.
I know the sumbitch can’t hit for shit, but his recent foibles aside, we need his defense at SS. Anyone who suggests that Tejada starts at SS is just making themselves look foolish. 3B? OK. 2B? Hell, I’ll even give ya that considering our other options, but not SS. Stop the insanity, Susan Powter.
wilcojoe said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:39 pm

Regarding the Mets possibly requring a blue chip prospect for Beltran…The Giants gave one up a couple years ago for Freddie Sanchez; Tim Alderson…If the Giants deal Wheeler, maybe he’s not as hot as we thought…For Christ sakes, these moves are for repeating post-season success…I will take the chance for back to back titles at the sake of losing the next Joe Nathan…The problem is if the team depletes the farm and can’t continue to rebuild on a consistent basis…I think the Giants have done the best job of evaulting talent then they ever have over the last five to six years….The Giants goal should be to model the Phillies…A club that took advantage of post season success at the gates, to consistently draft, sign, trade, repeat…A perfect engine if you will.
Flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:44 pm

Wilco– there are some differences. Franchez was never as highly valued as Beltran (and he did shit for us in his first half year with the team) and while I know Alderson was highly regarded at the time I don’t think he ever had a BP ranking as high as Wheeler. So it would actually make sense, a better prospect traded for a better player…….
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:45 pm

Don’t go to the well too often, Sergio. Too many sliders.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:46 pm

The goal of any team is to consistently contend. They aren’t going to do that by trading blue chip prospects for two month rentals..
- Nipper said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:56 pm
  
  True
- wilcojoe said, on July 17, 2011 at 4:27 pm
  
  Hopefully a three month rental!
Macdog said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Here comes Bell! By Dennis’ logic, this one should be in the bag.
twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Oh-Oh, Bell in that NON-SAVE situation,,
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:57 pm

He walked the leadoff man in NO Whitey. Good start. You guys secretly love my call and it pisses you off to no end. Stolen base! Looking better. Bunt to third. Looking even better! Here comes out situational hitting. I have no control over this…
Rough Trade said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:58 pm

Damn!
unca chuck said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:59 pm

Up to little lord Fontelroy . . . .
Del Mar Dennis said, on July 17, 2011 at 3:59 pm

Like I fucking said, I have NO Whitey control over our shitty situational hitting. Torres Sucks! C’mon, Font. Make this NON-save move pay off…
Big flavor said, on July 17, 2011 at 4:00 pm

Kruk calling torres “hot” before each of his last 2 at bats made him look bad. That is, unless the term “hot” follows you after any single game success that a player might have.
- twinfan1 said, on July 17, 2011 at 4:04 pm
  
  He did drive in the tying run.