Left for Dead, Now Seizing Their Moment

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on May 15, 2012

Yesterday, I was all about the fringe guys who just get a taste of the big leagues and then disappear into the obscurity of an assignment designation. And then last night we see the flip side of that—Check out 4 players who are seizing their opportunity and not letting go….

1) Santiago Casilla. I know, I know, this is his 9th major league season so he’s not really an unknown guy *seizing* his one shot at the big leagues. But Casilla is a guy who was basically left for dead by the A’s. After he got released he had exactly one team call: the Giants. With the A’s, he was maddening to watch, his ERA with them was 5.11 and he seemed to walk most of the batters he faced. His bb/9 rate hasn’t gone down a lot with the Giants (it was 4.5 per 9 with the A’s, 4.2 with us) but he has harnessed his *stuff* and he is making the most of this opportunity as a closer. As I said last night, to ME it looks like he’s balking every single pitch but as Michael pointed out, he’s never been called for a balk. He seemed more wound up than normal last night. It’s something that bears watching as the pressure of closing can get to a pitcher, you have to have the right personality to succeed at that job. But success reinforces success, and from last Summer till now Casilla has come through almost every single time. He just needs to slow the game down—and shaking the ball (and his mit) before he pitches is something he might want to stop doing. I don’t know why that’s not a balk, he’s not coming to a complete stop, ever………

2) Brett Pill. Facing the right hander Belisle, Pill found a way to muscle a ball through a hole in the infield. This guy has hit timely bombs and now he’s coming through at the most important times. He can hit, and we need guys who can hit. Pill was another *left for dead* guy. Drafted in ’06, he toiled in the minors for nearly 6 years, going from prospect to suspect to AAA roster filler. He turned some heads last September, did what the team told him to do (learn new positions) and he’s another young guy who is seizing this moment. I still hold my breath when a ball is hit to left field but not when he’s hitting. That dude can flat out hit…….

3) Gregor Blanco— There is one fan in the world, outside of Blanco’s family and friends, who has been in Blanco’s corner from Day 1: The Flap’s own “Bozo”. That fucking Clown knew what he was talking about, didn’t he? He was touting him and predicting grand things (I’ll look it up later if you like) from the first day it was disclosed that the Giants had signed him. After a brilliant spring, Blanco made the team. And then he sat on the bench while we went through the 36th Chapter of Nate starting in right field. Blanco seemed pretty glued to the bench and it was fair to wonder if winning the Venezuelan Winter League MVP is actually not all it’s cracked up to be. He got a couple of starts in early May but it wasn’t till May 12th, with the Giants desperate for offense, that Blanco took off. He’s had 3 fabulous games in a row and he’s our starting right fielder at the top of the line up from here on out. I can’t believe that there’s a 37th chapter in Nate’s underwhelming novel, but we’ll see. Blanco might turn out to be the reincarnation of *Torres 2010* and if that happens it will be so huge for this team that is choking on it’s own offense this year………

4) Joaquin Arias. The PTBNL in the A-ROD/Soriano deal, Arias found himself unemployed this Winter. The Giants took a flier on him and he nearly made the club coming out of spring training. What this guy has done has been just a huge as what Blanco’s has done. He hasn’t done the same thing offensively that The White Shark has done recently, but he’s brought at least SOME offense to spots in the LU where his predecessors were bringing no offense. And he’s won 2 games with his glove at third base. We found out what kind of a player Arias is last night after he bungled that simple ground ball that would have ended the game. He didn’t dwell on it or check out mentally, he stayed focused and when that slow roller got hit to him he made the play that he simply had to make in that situation. That play won the game.

And that’s what all 4 of these guys have in common right now. They are making plays st the most critical times that are contributing to us winning games. No one expects them to succeed in every opportunity. To me, it’s more important to watch how they respond after they fail. All four have been casting aside failure and succeeding at the times we need them the most and as a fan of this team that’s all you can expect from 4 guys who were left for dead at different points in their career……..

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manny said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:22 pm

WTF, Burris was that shit.
Macdog said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:22 pm

And now Burriss pulls a Crawford.
snarkk said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:22 pm

What the FUCK was that by Burriss — a pop bunt? He’s fucking Bunting with two down?
I’m out on the goddam Burriss ledge now….
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:23 pm

Unfuckingbelievable that we didn’t score a run. Wait! I forgot I am watching the Giants at bat. I’ll be alright.
unca_chuck said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:23 pm

Yikes. Seriously Burriss? Fuck. That’s pathetic. He and Crawford should be jettisoned. Too bad there’s nothing to replace them with.
zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:23 pm

That achieved ‘pathetic.’
- snarkk said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:25 pm
  
  Perfectly pathetic. The quintessence of “soon to be released” or traded for a PTBNL…
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:23 pm

To explain again to our non-reading group, I said that giving up 2 runs after that was a good outcome. “2 runs. A victory” Understand?
- zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:25 pm
  
  You might understand that it could have been read as sarcasm.
  - twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:29 pm
    
    No, you just have an incorrect notion that I have something against Timmy.
  - zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:32 pm
    
    Sorry I read it as sarcasm. Sarcasm or non-sarcasm can be hard to tell on these posts sometimes.
mrmrbill said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:24 pm

Burris should just flap his arms wildly. That wooden stick in his hands is an impediment to moving the ball.
paulinasia said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:25 pm

They’re getting their chances…. two innings tonight started with runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs. Then they turn into statues….
willieD said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:26 pm

Kind of odd for Tracy to replace the SP and not double switch there. Did he really think bottom of the order was that dangerous?
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:27 pm

And when a guy bunts for a HIT, with a runner on third, he’s trying to drive the runner in. Not sacrifice. It’s not a bad try for a fucking guy who just struck out in similar situation.
- zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:30 pm
  
  I thought it was first and second.
  - twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:38 pm
    
    On that one you are correct, I was still thinking of when he struck out with the runner at third. But I’d still submit that Burriss was better off bunting than hitting away. At least it would then be left to a pinch hitter.He has zero extra base hits and Posey would be unlikely to score on one of his mini-drives..
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:28 pm

Good word on Arias…contusion…no break. First break the Giants have gotten (injury-wise) in a long time…
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:30 pm
  
  No break. First break. MAKE UP YOUR FUCKING MIND!! SERIOUSLY I…I…
  Sorry chi. I got a little—never mind.
  Sorry
  - Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:43 pm
    
    Jesus Ted,Gimme a break!! (Grin)
- Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:33 pm
  
  Scooped me Jimmy (Chi) Olsen…Nicely done.
Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:29 pm

GOOD NEWS…..ARIAS just a forearm contusion,X-Rays negative.
snarkk said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:30 pm

Seriously, everybody with at least one eye can see Pagan is black comedy in CF. Move him to LF. The only reason I can assume Bochy does not do this is Oracle’s alleged funk factor, i.e., Pagan will head into a funk in the clubhouse if that happens. I have no idea if that is the issue, but if I’m the manager, I don’t give a fuck. You have to get somebody in CF who isn’t playing matador D out there on a team where giving away bases absolutely cannot be tolerated….
- zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:34 pm
  
  And the dude forgot the number of outs for a moment in last night’s game.
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:32 pm

Will we EVER see Big Time Timmy Jim, again? I am starting to seriously wonder…
- Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:39 pm
  
  Maybe Timmy ‘s dad is saying your on your own son.Need advice try Zito’s new Zen master. grasshopper Tom House.
mrmrbill said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:33 pm

Well, at least our garlic fries are always a good play.
- snarkk said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:38 pm
  
  This squad would drop them on the concourse…
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:34 pm

If you were an alien and arrived on the planet 3 innings ago, you would deduce that the Giants make one error per inning (3 in the last 3 thus far).
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:35 pm

Crawfish making it interesting on that throw . . . sheesh.
paulinasia said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:37 pm

Two runs down in the 6th didn’t seem too bad; 3 runs down in the 7th a little worse. Mojo/step-up time. I think they can do it.
snarkk said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:38 pm

Another freakin error. How many clean games defensively have the Gyros had this season? Can’t be more than a handful. Night gents…
TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:39 pm

Walked off in a Huff
- blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:41 pm
  
  Clever 🙂
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:42 pm

Hmm . . . Giants shouldn’t swing. Let this guy walk everyone.
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:42 pm

Come on Shark…straighten that shit out…
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:43 pm

So it’s OK that I don’t cotton to PaGONE? Anyway, I never said he’d pout if moved to LF, only if he was benched. But the way he’s played the OF, moving to LF just means he’s turning singles into doubles instead of triples..
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:43 pm

Tying run to the plate…time for that key knock…
paulinasia said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:44 pm

Make that 3 innings with runners on 1st and 2nd and no one out. 3rd time’s the charm?
- chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:48 pm
  
  Good call, Paul…as timely as Melk’s double…
  - paulinasia said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:49 pm
    
    I’m feelin’ it, Chi……
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:46 pm

Fuck Yeah!!!
zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:46 pm

That’s the Melky we know!
- twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:48 pm
  
  He’d had some rare poor ABs the last couple games, that was a beaut.
Macdog said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:46 pm

The Melkman cometh through!
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:48 pm
  
  O’Neill? Oh you Mac
Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:48 pm

Milking another rally with the Melky Man!!!
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:49 pm

Come on Buster…WTF was that!
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:50 pm

PaGONE time…maybe he can atone for his earlier shenanigans…
TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:52 pm

In Pagan I trust
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:52 pm

Oh Hell Yes!
Macdog said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:52 pm

Angel yeah!
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:53 pm

That’s a good make up.
manny said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:53 pm

Fucking AAAAA, comeback!!!
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:53 pm

Come on Charlie…
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:54 pm

Let’s finish this. Like now.
TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:54 pm

She ain’t all that
- chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm
  
  Agree…
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm

Thank you! May I have another, please?
Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:55 pm

Pagan allitle redemption!!! YOU still suck in the field though.
willieD said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:56 pm

wow, my new fav stat the blown save comes into effect. cubs game had one by each team (kerry wood is still in position to do this?) tonight before the vulture win.
paulinasia said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:56 pm

At 9:37, I said ‘Two runs down in the 6th didn’t seem too bad; 3 runs down in the 7th a little worse. Mojo/step-up time. I think they can do it.’ I’m so happy.
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:57 pm

At least the kid made it a battle and showed some passion.,.
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 9:59 pm
  
  A perfume bottle?
Brian said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:00 pm

Better ab than Belt’s feeble effort.
- twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:04 pm
  
  Two walks, a sac fly, and saving Crawford’s ass? Priceless..
- James said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:05 pm
  
  You mean the one where the pitcher who had been all over the place the previous 2 batters threw 3 nasty sliders in a row, dumb ass?
zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:00 pm

That’s kind of amazing that Hensley could be 1-3, but with a 2.77 ERA, until you think about the defense, and possible unearned runs.
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:01 pm
  
  That’s why, finally, Cys are going to 13 game winners
James said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:02 pm

Somehow, Crazy Horse is almost as amusing as he is aggravating. He’s upped the goofy Franchez intensity a few notches.
TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:02 pm

Belt looked a little pissed there hahaha
willieD said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:03 pm

that shit has got to stop, those are gb outs hit right to an IF, not deep with plenty of time. Belt stays, pls.
Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:05 pm

Fucking Crawfaggy
..rag arming Every throw tonight.BELT HAS SAVED YOUR SORRY ASS ALL NIGHT!!!!!!!!
- chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:08 pm
  
  Agree…MudBug has gotta pull his head out of his ass. On that last one it looked like Belt gave him the StankEye…
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:07 pm

Wow…what a fucking catch!

Last night G-men pushed across the winning runs in the 8th…WTF…let’s do it again!
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:07 pm

Thatt’s the lead run if the throw gets past Belt. They should give RBIs for that. He and Blanco each get one that inning..
Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:08 pm

BINGO BLANCO GREAT PLAY….No way Angel in the Outfield makes that ketch
mrmrbill said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Blanco’s headed for ROY. srs!
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:09 pm
  
  Why just seniors?
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:10 pm
  
  And who’s Roy?
  - blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:13 pm
    
    Ted, you’re in danger of losing your baseball certification card. 😉
- twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:13 pm
  
  He’s not a rookie.
  - TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:20 pm
    
    Hahahahaha
zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:11 pm

OK, if you laughed at the ump getting hit by the pitch, that’s just wrong!
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:12 pm

Arizona just beat the Bums.
- chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:13 pm
  
  Saw that…hell yeah!
  - blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:14 pm
    
    So, let’s make up some fucking ground here.
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:12 pm

White Shark time!
Macdog said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Oh Brothers for the Rox!
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Come on Brandon…chance to make up for that last AB…
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:16 pm

I told ya these fuckers would walk in the winning run. LMAO.
Alleykat said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Geez….Brothers is the Rockies version of are old pal Jonathan Sanchez.
- blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:17 pm
  
  Yeah Kat, except they have an ENTIRE pitching staff that does that.
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Hell…let ’em uncork another wild pitch…
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:16 pm

Tracy looks like he is going into cardiac arrest.
willieD said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:17 pm

Tracy’s LHPs are backfiring on him.
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:17 pm

Well, that was not good.
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:18 pm

Or that.
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:18 pm

97 MPH heater.
- zumie said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:19 pm
  
  That guy was wild but he has good stuff.
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:19 pm

Weak assed shit with the bases juiced…one damned out…WTF…
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:19 pm

I wont criticize Melky, but I wish he would take a pitch once in awhile.
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:21 pm

Brothers is nasty. Uh-Oh.. Casilla. You know what this is..
- blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:22 pm
  
  Please Mike don’t say it . . . You know who will come out of the woodwork.
  - twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:27 pm
    
    He’d rise from his grave for that. The only explanation is the refridgerator fell on him.
  - blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:30 pm
    
    Or, he put too much Xanax in his bourbon.
- paulinasia said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:23 pm
  
  Shh, don’t wake up Dennis….
manny said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:23 pm

That pesky little fucker, of all times for him to hit one out.
twinfan1 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:23 pm

Nirvana for Denny, that’s what. Fuck.
- TedSpe said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:25 pm
  
  Yes. the word FUCK comes to mind
blade3colorado said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:23 pm

Frickin’ Scutaro.
chipower9 said, on May 15, 2012 at 10:24 pm

Scuta-HO…REALLY?