Awesome Day At The Ballpark!!
By the end of the game, the “Beat L.A.” chants had morphed into “Sweep L.A.” chants. The few Dodger fans there had quietly dried up and blown away in the breeze. Romo struck out Abreu and that was it! The epic and historic three-game shutout sweep was complete! This was the most pleasing and joyful baseball game I’ve ever attended. I’m still buzzing from having been there. I’ve never been to a playoff game, but this game had playoff atmosphere, in my opinion.
Section 315 is in the upperdeck, straight back from homeplate. It’s a majestic view of the Bay and the stadium. A view unmatched in the baseball world. Yeah, I wasn’t sitting close to the field, but I felt very close to the action anyway. The fans in my section were hanging on every pitch. It was thrilling.
Timmy looked like ol’ Timmy again. The defense continues to be solid and dependable, much improved from earlier in the season. The offense continues to find a way to get it done; different heroes every game. The team, day by day, continues to forge its identity. And its identity is a winner.
And now, today….a new day, a new ballgame, a new challenge! Baseball’s everyday-ness! Bask in the Dodger series today, and then….the Giants start a four-game series against a very good Reds team. Can’t wait for tonight! I’ll enjoy watching the DVR recording of yesterday’s broadcast, and compare it to my experience at the ballpark yesterday. Always a fun thing to do.
Giants baseball is gnarly old-school hardball, NL-style. It’s winning baseball, and it’s fun to be doing a lot of winning again! Go Giants! Beat the Reds!
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
I meant to mention- the weather was PERFECT. I was in a t-shirt all day- my Giants 2010 championship t-shirt! Never had to put on the Giants sweatshirt in my bag.
For those of you who like Numbers
The year was 1890, the teams that became the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers played their first game.
They have met 2,361 times over 123 seasons. Through all the generations, the Giants had not shut out their ancient rivals in three consecutive games.
A concern I have is how Blanco is going to adjust to the way teams are pounding him inside with fastballs. From my view in 315, some of those pitches weren’t even strikes, but he was swinging at them anyway. Baseball is a game of making adjustments, and he’s going to have to handle inside stuff better, and lay off the ones that aren’t strikes, or his batting average will continue to slip downard, which will mean more Nate starts, which ain’t necessarily a good thing, IMO.
Hmmm…your right not good. at age 28 he needs to be able to make that adjustment, I was going to compare him to Belt and Sandoval, both had trouble with the down and in pitch, but they are younger and had not been up in the Bigs for very long. Gregor needs to figure it out and soon
Nice Zumie! What a great day that must have been to be at the ballpark. I like sitting in that same section as well and taking it all in. Sometimes I’ll bring a radio and listen to the game and its cool when Miller describes scenes on the bay or in the “Hayward Hills” and you feel like you’re sitting right next to him in the booth. I’ll be close to that section on Sunday—310/311 something like that.
Yeah, Dawg, it’s such an incredible view, and especially on days like yesterday. You do feel like you can see forever to infinity. It’s interesting how the upperdeck has that advantage over the lowerdeck. The lowerdeck has its advantages, but it doesn’t have the incredible view of The Big Picture that the upperdeck has.
that is the way I felt about Cain’s perfect game.
Yes, I was in my front room watching on tellly, but I posted here after the first out that cain’s pitches were electrifying. and I watched the rest of that game with rapt attention to everything. When it was over I was buzzed.
I thought I would never have to watch another game again.
but the next day where was I? What was I doing except getting ready for the next game and lovin it.
Last night’s game was exceptional and muy gracias for sharing.
Yeah, Ed, and it’s remarkable that it was only a few days ago that the Giants lost that heartbreaker to the A’s in the ninth inning, and it was such a bummer. And now the heights of joy again! People that are not baseball fans, just DO NOT GET IT. They are missing out on the daily incredible journey that a baseball season can be. (grin)
That was a believable grin…
Panda’s oh-fer in the boxscore from the game yesterday is very deceptive. He did strike out twice, but he also crushed a ball that would have been a homer in just about every other ballpark, and he scorched a linedrive to the firstbaseman. Tough breaks for the Panda yesterday.
From the last hread- on Crawford’s improving offense, and this year’s Cody Ross:Crawford hit .203 in April, 231 May , 269 this month…he’s definitely improved.
“This year’s Cody Ross? Do you mean a guy we pick, don’t play in favor Jose Guillen, then finally give some time when Guillen “craters”. “The Accidental Playoff Hero”. They had no intention of doing squat with Cody, they just wanted to block the Pads. If Guillen doesn’t screw up, Cody never fets on the postseason roster.. of such things are champions made..
But to the question: as it looks now, they have no needs at the deadline. If they’re really serious that Huff is coming back, that about has to spell the end for Burris, so a middle infielder with pop would be about it, IMO..
Kelly Johnson could be available, Jays will be out of it. And he might be resignable at a reasonable number( he’ll be a FA)
Lowrie keeps coming up- fine, IF the Astro’s don’t consider him part of the future. His injury history means he won’t get what his value is, so he’s more valuable to them that what they’d get for him.
Placido Polanco- 37 YO and a rental but he wouldn’t cost a lot. Not a ‘pop” guy but a good player’
My response to a 37 year old is the same I told my kids about drugs, “JUST SAY NO”
Fine, but I look beyond their age. For two months, as he’s producing, Polanco would be a good pick up even at 47.
I just think back to Tejada and Cabrera from last year and cringe!! call me cautiously Optimistic
Zumie, I was there too and agree. From the weather to the win it was a great day all around.
Best line I heard was from a dodger fan behind me as the crowd was chanting BEAT L.A.; “You never hear beat SF at dodger stadium”. At least 3 people in my row turned around and just laughed at him.
Dirt, it was hilarious how, at the end of the game, as Giants fans were walking out, I saw Giants fans having a kind of “avert-your-eyes” pity for the few Dodger fans that had stuck around to the end of the game. The Dodger fans were having to take THE WALK OF SHAME, and the Giants fans just looked away like….”Poor sods….” Ha ha!!
It’s also time to stop replacing Panda for defense. Coming off the DL he was having some trouble but he’s a better defender than Arias when he’s fully healthy. I notice they didn’t replace him last night, hope that means it’s over.
Maybe he’s under 250 now. He had a weight limit.
It backfires occasionally, but he is an absolutely fearless defender.
Well, that’s because the chant down there is “Giants suck.”
“Beat SF” just doesn’t roll off the tougue like “Beat LA” does . . .
That was supposed to go under DNR’s
Nice job, Zumie! Thanks for sharing. I was wondering why you were not on yesterday’s thread, and thought you were probably at the game. I have sat upper deck once (down the 3B line). Was not crazy about it.
I had season tickets in 138 (LF Bleachers) the first three years of the new park. My favorite place to sit now is 126-128 (closer to the field, the better). This is right in front of the Giant bullpen. Would love to sit behind the dugout, but those seats are usually out of my price range.
I was listening on radio yesterday, and heard that long out by Panda. Initially via Miller’s call, I thought it was a HR (and he did mention that in almost any other yard, it would have been).
Regarding Blanco making adjustments…I agree…it is something all ML players must do. While he may be a few years older (28) than Belt (24) or Pablo (25), you have to remember he has only half the plate appearances (about 1,000 over 5 years) as Pablo. But regardless…yes, he will have to make the adjustments. I still like what I am seeing from him, and hell yes…want him out there much more than Nate.
Brown has come on of late. Even if he’s not *completely* ready, I expect he’ll be the CFer next year. No disrespect intended towards Pagan (really) but I don’t see them paying what he’ll be looking for. And Melky will get something around 4 years 60 mill- or more-from someone. So our OFers going into 2013 could be Nate, Blanco, Brown, Kieschnick, Christian. Ack..
Zumie, your seats reminded me of the seats San (diggity) dawg and I had for the game we went to–Buster’s first at bat of the year (2010). That’s the highest up I’ve ever been for a game. ‘Diggity claims those are his favorite seats and he’s not joking. Here was the video I took of it:
twin, I could see us picking up Johnson or Polanco and I think either would be some nice bench depth, as you said.
Great report, Z. Love the line about the Dodgers fans. Just think, all those L.A. fans who showed up for the three games had absolutely nothing to cheer for, except maybe the Giants hitting into a double play. Otherwise, they were pretty quiet these last three days.
This also was the best possible start to what’s going to be a tough stretch heading into the ASG break: Playing the first-place Reds and Nats and the third-place Pirates, who have stumbled of late but are always a pain in the ass vs. the Giants. Reds nearly swept the G’s back in April, and are one of only five NL teams with a winning road record (surprised to see Philly among that group), so it should be a fun 4-game set.
Tonight is Trevor Bauer’s debut for the Snakes. As per Flav’s raves, I’ve picked him up for one of my FL teams, so he better be the real deal! I’ve already got Blade to thank for touting Trout.
Flav, I used to go to the old blog just to see that . . .
I like that “gnarly old-school hardball” line. Good stuff, Zum. And, I agree. I hated the AL brand of ball when SF played in the AL parks. I don’t care how badly the Dodgers are hurting, to toss three shutouts in a row against any MLB squad is flat amazing. Timmeh’s performance generates some hope. He’s definitely still got some squirrelly stuff going on in that pitching motion, with all the throws in the dirt, etc., but it looks like his old form is coming back slowly — to what extent we’ll just have to see develop. The next game against the Nats in the DC heat will be a test of that, for sure. They can hit…
. . . and this is right after your vid . . .
http://tinyurl.com/7fzq9f4
The Hack Man “It means that pitch was nuthin’.” Love it.
that’s awesome. And oh, I forgot that my last thread at the old blog was the Posey video so most of you have probably all seen it many times.
Nice line by Timmy yesterday: 7 IP, 115 pitches (70 for strikes). 8 Ks, 2 BB, NO ERs, and lowers his ERA to 5.60. Only one start, but a damn fine one. Agree the heat in DC and the Nat’s line-up will be tough, but I truly think he is on his way back.
Romo – 11 pitches to record the final 4 outs. Yowza!
Casilla has had many “no torture” saves. I’ve heard nothing about him not being the closer. Strangely, no one even asked about it in the postgame press conference. Unless there was something wrong with him, I strongly disagree that Romo should have pitched the 9th instead of Casilla- unless Romo *is* the new closer. Bochy is adding fuel to the closer controversy fire, IMO.
from what I heard or read he had worked often lately and was gassed. disagree completely romo should not have been in there–imo the “gotta use the closer only” in that situation is a mistake–i don’t see any reason to have taken romo out. Casilla is definitely still the closer and there isn’t any controversy I’m aware of and I’m not trying to start one. But there are going to be games where he is unavailable due to workload, right? So romo has to be best option.
I don’t mind seats in the upper deck at all, particularly in the middle sections. It’s really cool to see the outfielder’s routes from up there, which you can’t see as well from down below. Seats in the lower bowl in the outfield down the lines are OK, but the extreme angles to see plays on the other side of the field make it tough, so I’d rather be up above compared to those seats…
I have friends who have seats in 223 – club level. We’ve sat there a couple of times. Very nice seats…high enough to see the action (as you mention, snarkk), but still fairly close to the action. And easy access to good eats, beers, and a full bar.
I can dig that. Club level is very comfortable viewing. Giants need to put their hitting shoes on for the Reds. I don’t think we can count on winning the series if we score just 2 or 3 per game…
You know you’re getting old when proximity to a bathroom is a factor…
Or you bring your own..
Bathrooms? My reference was to good eats and booze. But, there is a small restroom (fairly new) on the club level that seems to be under the radar. Beer stand right outside of it has Lagunitas IPA. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
At basically $10 a beer now, I’ll have one at the game, so bathroom proximity isn’t a big deal. Sorta is a bigger deal if I take the Snarkettes, because I accompany them and watch them go in and come out of the ladies room entrance/exit. At their ages, I don’t trust them going alone in that mass of humanity, the world is just too crazy these days. I’ll usually try to go earlier if a night game and have some eats outside the park with a cheaper beer or two there like I did with Blade, so I’m sufficiently fed and beered before entering the Yard. You can easily have two pints of Sierra or a craft brew in a local establishment for $12 or so. Day games, at the Yard it’s a beer and a sausage or some such, and I’m good…
Yeah, they are averaging about 4.4 runs a game. Starting pitching is pedestrian, but they have a tough bullpen. And we all know their line-up has a number of guys who can mash.
Pitching match-ups for the Red series:
Thursday: Giants’ Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 3.10) vs. Johnny Cueto (9-3, 2.21) – should be a good one!
Friday: Giants’ Matt Cain (9-2, 2.27) vs. Mike Leake (2-5, 4.46)
Saturday: Giants’ Barry Zito (6-5, 4.00) vs. Mat Latos (6-2, 4.77) – FUCK Mat Latos!
Sunday: Giants’ Ryan Vogelsong (7-3, 2.23) vs. Bronson Arroyo (3-5, 4.13) – Arroyo has always been tough on the Gigantes, but we have VogelSTRONG going.
We have two clear match up edges with Cain and Vogelsong. Cueto is great on the road, but MadBum’s home record makes this a push. As is Zito/Latos.
I’ve been informed that despite my evaluations, they still intend to play the games.
Club Level is the way to go. I too, had season tickets with Chi in 138, but after I got married, the Mrs. wanted to check out the Club Level. It is true; good food, great brews, and best of all met David B. Flemming, Jim Davenport, Renel, and got autographs from Dravecky and my idol, The Thrill.
Twin, I agree that Casilla has been mostly *non-torturous* with his saves. But I don’t think there’s anything going on, I believe the team is squarely behind him as their closer. I think the Romo thing was nothing more than he had only pitched like 1 day in the last week, he got his only batter in the 8th out on 1 pitch and they just decided to give him the 9th to get a little more work. I haven’t heard a single thing about that being a controversy on any of the KNBR shows and I listen to most of them a lot.
There’s a little smoke but no fire, in my opinion……
Well, anyone reading the blogs- not just this one- knows there *is* a closer controversy. And Bochy has said he’s going to pull Casilla where hadn’t done so with Wilson- that is not being squarely behind Casilla, IMO. He strongly inferred that Casilla hadn’t earned the right to be the true closer- the last line of defense, so to speak.
From Henry’s talk with him:
” Incidentally, Bochy acknowledged that he will pull Casilla from some of the same situations in which he would have stuck with Brian Wilson.
‘A lot of things are earned in this game,’ Bochy said.’Wilson — sure, he kept you on the edge or your seat, but he found a way to get things done.'”
I don’t think was a called for statement. Casilla has clearly earned the right to be considered the man. He should not be having to see who’s warming up “just in case”. Obviously, this is all my opinion, but Bochy’s own words do not convey that he’s squarely behind Casilla..
I agree with you. I think Bochy is out of line here. If that’s what he’s thinking, he doesn’t have to say that in public. From my POV, Casilla has certainly done no worse than Wilson would have done. He’s given up a coupla dingers, but has saved what, 20 of 22? Wilson would have also given up an HR or three along the line so far. IMO, were he closing to this date, Wilson would have done no better, and with more drama, longer ABs and more walks. To me, the question remaining is whether Casilla has the arm to do this successfully the whole season to save 45 of 50 or similar. But, so far, he’s done more than fine…
Nice on, zumiee. You got me feeling all Charlie Sheenlike
WINNING
LMAO…
Mac’s 10am post . . . De nada Mac . . . I tried to get Bauer in the Flap (no way Jose . . . Flav had that thought weeks ago) and another league, where I got beat to the punch. I think Bauer is the real deal, especially since he was lights out in a hitters league (PCL). Compares well to Lincecum’s six starts in the PCL.
Nice post, Zumie. i saw a game for the first time up there earlier this year. Sec 311 I think. With the place packed, you do feel close to the action even if you are kinda far away. The sight lines are spectacular.
As far as Romo/Casilla goes, Romo has barely pitched lately. I thnk it was just a case of him getting some work.
Agree Zumie – very good post. By the by, I am fairly certain that snarkk and I were sitting in the exact same spot (correct me if I am wrong snarkk) when we attended the game a couple of months ago.
In fact, we had two sets of tickets. one set being a Christmas present and another set won by my cousin via KNBR. One set was located in Section 311, which was unbelievably windy, and the other set was Section 315, which had no wind and where we ended up sitting. Really weird because you can see the flags lining the top of the stadium seats being whipped by the wind, but we were totally unaffected by this “maelstrom” due to the stadium lip wind block in back of us.
Blade, yes I think it was 315, but I’ll defer to you. It was pretty much in the middle, and yes, way less windy than the other seats down along the left field line. It was a pretty damn windy night…
checking backwards, casilla worked all 3 games over the weekend vs. Oakland and gave up a run each outing (charged with 5 runs, 3 of which came on the bomb from the kid sunday) along with tuesday, so that’s 4 days out of 5. I think it’s less the runs allowed than the workload that matters. 4 game series coming up, getaway day monday then 6 in a row till AS break, all 10 games vs. pretty good teams.
Something else that might be in the back of bochy and rags mind is that casilla has already pitched 30 innings this year, while each of last two he only logged 55 and 51 despite the steady work closing end of 2011.
See my 12:25- Bochy’s statements indicate that Casilla won’t be considered the “true” closer- if true- get one who is.
Some great photos here from yesterdays game for those who have not seen them yet. I particularly like the one with Timmy in his delivery (the 55 on his back is right there), and also the one where he is blocking Barbara B. at the plate.
http://www.mercurynews.com/giants/ci_20954236/tim-lincecums-stellar-effort-gives-giants-third-straight
Sorry, I forgot to compliment Zumie on his great post- his unforced enthusiasm for the game is so evident- good job,Z..
If you watch the replay video of that play at the plate yesterday, Timmeh’s right ankle blocks Billingsley’s foot from the plate for a bit, and that $20million ankle gets rolled a little before it gives way and releases. That would not have been cool for a Buster ankle redux. Any Giants’ plays at the plate now, offense or defense, just give me the creeps a little right before they happen…
Yeah…I know. Bochy said that is NOT the way they teach their pitchers to handle that play. But got the right result, and thank goodness, no injury. I love the way the mitt got knocked off Timmy’s hand, and he holds it up with two hands to show the ump he had the ball. That one deserved a couple of “Fuck Yeahs!”
I don’t know exactly why, but SF pitchers do not, in general. seem IMO to be good at fundamental on-field play over the recent past. Meaning good fielding habits, paying attention to and keeping runners close, good pickoff moves, bunt coverage, and even the play at the plate per yesterday. Timmeh has been consistently poor at paying attention to runners; there is no excuse for it. Vogelsong seems to be the best of the lot from what I’ve seen; he’s also a decent hitter…
Maybe all that shit (sound fundamentals) went out the window when they canned Billy Bow Tie (because you know, he was the one who instituted “The Giant Way”). 😉
But seriously, I agree that on a lot of fundamental stuff, they are pretty sloppy at times.
Is the term “fundamentally retarded” un-pc?
And you care (about being PC, or not)???
Vogy spent time in Japan. They stress fundamentals big time; that may be a reason he’s good in that department…
I like what Tim said after being told Bruce said blocking was not the way to do it.
“I didn’t want him to score”
It was mentioned last night during the game that Casilla had pitched 3 or 4 times and Romo hadn’t.
Well. in Timmy’s case, he was so dominant, he didn’t give a shit about holding guys on. Now that he’s coming back to Earth some, he should start getting with the program. Cain is fine at holding guys, and is defensively sound. As are Bummie and Vogie for the most part. The squirreliest fielder was Drrrrrrty Sanchez. The relievers could use some help on their defense, but that’s true of 80% of them.
And speaking of un-pc, let us take a moment to wish Mel Brooks a happy 86th birthday!!! One of the funniest people ever? You bet your tush!
Happy Birthday, Mel!
May the Schwartz be with You!
Happy Birthday Chi . . . I hope you have something fun planned on your special day.
Whoops . . . You did say “Mel” and not “Me.” I guess I should start wearing those glasses, huh?
Yep…HBD to Mr. Brooks. Love his movies!
There’s a link to the right for anyone interested in my medical update. Maybe you can comment there, if you choose to. I don’t want to muck up Page A with my health stuff anymore. Thanks.
Nice to have the Reds in town. As I’ve said before, I’m up for fewer division games in a season. There’s no need IMO to see the dang Rockies, Pads and Ariz for so many games. For example, when they go to the 15 team leagues, that means the Giants will play 14 other teams. Play 8 of the 10 non-division teams like the Reds a total of 10X a season (that’s two sets of 3 and 2 game series home and away), and 16 division games for each of the other 4 teams in your division. 16 is plenty. There would need to be a rotation every year of 2 non-division teams playing just 9 games total, not 10 (say this year the Giants would play the Reds and Mets only 9 times), to make the 162 pencil out. Whatever the scenario, I just like to see the non-division teams more than one series a season at ATT. That way, you’ll likely see all the starters and various players instead of likely missing one of the good starters or some good to great position player that happens to be out with injury during that one visit, etc…
Agree snarkk. However, what even irks me more is the “unbalanced” schedule. My schedule would be very clean and very simple. Each team plays the others in its league 12 times (two three-game series at home and two three-game series on the road), which totals 156 games. Then, you just would add six interleague games to the schedule to reach the 162-game schedule established in 1961-62.
In this scenario, divisions are eliminated. Postseason would be expanded to include five or six teams in each league with top one or two receiving first-round byes. The first round would be best-of-3, second round best-of-5 and the League Championship Series a best-of-7.
There are some strong arguments for two 14 team leagues. Most important, (as I said earlier) balance is restored to the schedule. The race for postseason berths becomes a more even-handed competition. The obvious inequities of the four-, five- and six-team divisions are eliminated. Interleague play is reduced to a total of 84 games, making it more of an event. The integrity of the regular season is maintained by the seeding structure, which gives scheduling and home field advantages to the best teams.
Now for the flip side…the negatives of the 14 team leagues. Intra-league rivalries like Yankees-Red Sox, Dodgers-Giants and Cardinals-Cubs would be reduced from 18 to 12 games. Interleague rivalries like Yankees-Mets may have to be limited to one series per season. The reduction of interleague play could negatively affect attendance for some franchises.
Will it happen? Of course not . . . The frickin’ car salesman is in charge. Ha.
. . . and yes, I am for contraction, i.e., my comment for ONLY two 14 team leagues. Bye bye to the Snakes and Tampa Bay Rays. You could also move the A’s to Arizona’s facility, resolving their territory fight with the GMen. To equal out the leagues, go ahead with moving Houston to the American League and say adios to the Nationals too in the NL and Hola to their new spot in the American league.
Blade, I like some of your scenarios. However, I think the elimination of divisions won’t fly. I’m for a reduced premium of division games over non-division, but not blowing up divisions altogether. Because of distance, I think total balance would put west teams at somewhat of a travel disadvantage if division play were eliminated…
Yeah, it wouldn’t work – not because it doesn’t make sense, but mostly because there would be a loss of revenue streams – for both MLB and the players Union (which would lose roster spots, albeit their concern could be addressed via an increase in all rosters to 27 or 28 spots per team. This would have the added benefit of allowing them more rest during the 162 game schedule.).
Great. 6 man rotations. . . 14 pitchers, 14 position guys. DH’s, DR’s, DB’s.
TEST: Did any of you catch this little blurb from Schulman in today’s paper?
If being blanked for an entire three game series were not enough, the Dodgers equipment truck broke down on the way to SFO according to an Associated Press reporter who saw it stuck on the freeway
Hahaha. Talk about adding bitch slap to injury
Better yet would be their getting stuck on the tarmac for 3 hours . . .
Blade, the league floated that idea to the owners last year. Something along the lines of how it was in the old days.
2 leagues, no divisions, top 4 get in, 2 WC teams play each other.
Chuck, any reason besides greed that they “flushed” it?
Also, when you say “league,” which league do you mean (American or National)?
Imagine no divisions,
It’s easy if you try…
I didn’t see it posted, if so, I missed it.
Blanco RF, Theriot 2B, Cabrera LF, Posey C, Pagan CF, Sandoval 3B, Belt 1B, Crawford SS, (Bumgarner P)
when Posey plays (which is most of the time) this seems to be the LU that has shaken out and is now pretty stable. It’s funny, when I look up and down it, there isn’t a spot where I say, “ok, that’s an automatic out.”
And I do think that Cawford in the .230’s is something the team can tolerate. They probably had hoped for .240’s and great defense. I don’t know where he ranks in WAR or UZR, 2 stats that I have questions about, but he’s probably in the ballpark at this point in the season of what they had hoped he would give them.
Thanks for the game recap, Z. I always enjoy hearing the retelling from a first-hand source. Your descriptive narrative and depiction of the fervent crowd made me feel like I was sitting in Section 315 myself.
I always appreciate a good fan recount of the game. When I started the blog I think I did a “Flapper of the Day Report” (or something like that) if they had gone to the game. It was great when a pic came along, too.
I hope I wasn’t too *elitist* earlier today when i posted that video. It’s not that I don’t appreciate watching a game from up high, it’s just not for me. I like to be as close as possible to hear them running, talking shit, the ump’s voice, all that jazz. And that’s expensive. These days, if I hit a game, it’s because a buddy scored his work-tickets or we end up in the LF bleachers, a place I will always prefer; at least until I *outgrow* it. The bleachers at ATT are nothing like the ones at Candlestick but it’s still *that crowd*, at least in relative terms to the new stadium vs the old one………
Thanks for the kind words about the post, folks. It’s very encouraging. That blank text-box was a little scarier than I thought it was going to be. (grin) You all took away the fear.
Prelim report on the MRI on B. It’s good.
Great news!
Good news, Mike…so glad to hear it!
Some more about DiMaggio, while the book is still fresh in my mind….
Where were you all during the ’89 Earthquake? I was in an upstairs apartment trying to get DOWNSTAIRS as quickly as I could.
DiMaggio was sitting in a VIP section that had been carved into the huge foul territory at Candlestick. He was ushered out to his limo, and when he heard that some of the houses in the Marina district were on fire, he told the limo driver to get their FAST. Was Joe worried about his older sister who lived there with him? Not really. She was a DIMAGGIO after all. Joe would expect her to be a tough survivor.
No, when Joe got to his house, and was allowed by the authorities to go into his house for a few minutes, he got the paper bundles hidden on the third floor, and put the bundles in a big dark plastic garbage bag. He went outside and stood with the crowd. Someone offered to hold his bag. Joe said, nah, I’m fine. What was in the garbage bag? Family photo albums or important legal papers? No, the bundles in the bag were $600,000 in cash.
And yet….his older sister mowed the backyard with a non-motorized lawn mower, because Joe considered a powered lawnmower an unnecessary extravagance. And Joe would gripe if the phonebill was a few dollars over the usual.
Joe could play some baseball in his day, though. An amazing career, and in the later years of it, playing most of the time in pain from various foot and leg injuries. He had a 13 year career. 10 AL Pennants. And 9 World Series championships, including 4 in a row from 1936-39. He missed 3 years serving in the military during WWII.
Anyone got Ryan Howard? He began a rehab stint in Lakewood (NJ), went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI on two singles (one an infield hit) and a sac fly.
Mac, in the Flap League, Yash (No Talent) has held onto Howard since draft day.
He’d be better off with Moe Howard…
What position does he play?
Almost all of this shit comes out after he’s dead, when he either can’t refute it or the writer wouldn’t have the nerve to write it. I’m sure someone out there is waiting for Mays to croak so they can do a hatchet job on him, too. If you think it’s well known now that Mays is a prick, stick around till after he’s gone…
So if Bonds is already a known prick and he dies, what’s THAT book gonna be about?
More detailed “prick” stories – probably exaggerated or even made up just to sell books.
I see your point, Loo. But at some point, it is simply history, though. And historians and biographers should seek the truth.
A lot of times the person’s family, friends, colleagues, etc. are more willing to tell the whole story after the person is dead, so that their relationship with the person can’t be harmed by the telling.
In other words, so they don’t get disinherited…
I knew the guy said to be Joe’s best friend in SF- restaurant owner Reno Barsocchini. In the Cramer book, Cramer claims Joe didn’t attend the funeral when his best pal died. According to another friend, a fellow restaurant owner , Joe wasn’t just there, he was a pall bearer. I think I’ve read that others have disputed that claim also.
No biggie, just an observation.
When Barsocchini died, Joe was a 72 year old, with a bad back and bad knees. Seems highly doubtful he could be a pallbearer. But as for being at the funeral in general, Cramer could be wrong about that, I guess.
I heard he used a designated pallbearer…
I just looked and Ron Fimrite, the SI writer, says he was at the funeral, and DiMaggio was a pall bearer. It’s in an Amazon review of the book. In Fimrite’s Sports Illustrated review he says: “I can personally testify that Cramer is wrong. Reno was a friend of mine, and he was one of the constants in DiMaggio’s life. Far from eschewing Reno’s funeral, Joe was, with his brother Dom, a weeping pallbearer. I know because I was there.”
Buster’s hitting reminds me of Thurman Munson in his prime…
oh my!
Wow – now that was a productive out.
Talk about action on one play that one had it,
Nice play by Crawford.
Big 2 out hit by Pagan! Cueto talking smack to Melky, usual BS latin macho shit.Don’t Fuck with the Melkman and his stable of Melkmaids ,Cueto!!
Can’t believe Speier’s 62. Rode the 7 train with him up to Shea when he was 20…
I have never had much love for Dusty. Kinda creepy seeing him staring out from the Cincy dugout.
Good memories of Speier, though.
You’ll be seeing it again in October…
Good call Loo.
It won’t be because of Dusty’s superb managing
I always liked Dusty when he was here. Always very cool. Like having a Jazz musician at the helm.
Melky well on his way to 200 hits.
Dusty Gillespie?
G’night after 12+ hours on the road today (muthafeckin Capital Feckin Belt-feckin-way comprising 2 of those hours) and 500+ miles. A brief chronicle of Turner Field visit: http://thelaughorist.blogspot.com/2012/06/bravo-braves-beneficence.html
Thanks K-nut; remember to vote before going to bed. 😀
Bumgarner hasn’t been too shabby thru the first 5. Just 4 more to go…
what is wrong with mad bum? 2 walks and he hasn’t had a dinger yet tonight
I remember Tippy Martinez picking off 3 guys in one inning…
I remember Tippi Hedren picking off 3 birds in Bodega Bay
Yeah, me too. Well, I remember Loo remembering it… Night all.
well that confirms my suspicion – Cueto has a good move. All one motion.
Plus Melky was on a hit-run
a hit here could hurt
I’m at home doing something and not watching this except an occasional Yahoo check of the scores, but has K/K mentioned what the scoreless streak is now at and what the team record is?
Miller would. Not K&K. They are ex-ballplayer superstitious.
yes, tied at 34 innings record is 36 for the 1960 giants??
Panda’s due for a long ball…
That’s what got him arrested.
Panda!!
Hell of an at bat by Panda
Too burnt out to give a goodnight gentleman (hell, that’s Teds job), so a fuck you, Bozo. I’m out of here..
‘night clown.
Fuck you,Bozo. Good night…
by the way, what IS up with bum and the nose? very first inning, he runs, well jogs, out to the mound and the first thing he starts doing is hawking up something. is he allergic to grass? does he just not ever blow his nose in the dugout? some sort of lucky charm? I can understand that there will be times when your nose starts to run or whatever and you can’t just call timeout. but 30 seconds after running out of the dugout?
Bumgarner’s only competion in “Snot Shots” is Uncle Eddie’s dog in National Lampoon.Who also happens to be named Snots.
As far as mgrs. go, wash’s team has been to last two Series, and LaRussa the genius survived a pretty big f/u with his own bullpen to win last year. Charlie Manuel doesn’t impress me much either, nor Girardi. But their teams win.
Sometimes the guy doing the best job finishes in the middle of the pack with a last place team.
hark to the shark!
El Blanco Tiburon!
I love this fucking pitcher but I am *so* tired of watching him empty his nose
Bumbooger
Splatterphlegm Bumbooger?
Yavoul, but call me Splat!!!
Utserdorn, da booger vi dos flemming unt spltzem dos hitlerish crin evinshem
(in honor of Mel Brooks. Happy Birthday)