The Second Choice

Posted in Uncategorized by Del Mar Dennis on July 25, 2012

No. I’m not referring to the Bob Baffert 3yo filly that’s sitting on the tote board at 5/2 at Del Mar. If I were, only Flav and Loo would continue to read on. No. I’m talking about your second choice in favorite teams behind our beloved Giants. Do you even have a second favorite? Maybe there’s one you still follow that you rooted for from your childhood before you were transplanted to the Bay Area. Maybe you enjoy following the new team in your current area after being transplanted away. Maybe you have a relative that plays minor league ball for a certain organization that you like to keep tabs on.

I’ve always had a second favorite team. And although I know it won’t be a popular choice, my second favorite club has always been the New York Yankees. Yes, the dreaded “Evil Empire” themselves. I can hear the booing now. How did the Yanks become my second choice? Allow me to tell you…

When I was about ten or eleven-years-old, Moms and I sat down one afternoon and watched “The Pride of the Yankees.” You know the movie. It starred Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and the great Walter Brennan. And who could forget The Babe playing himself. Lou Gehrig? Who the heck was Lou Gehrig? In the next two hours, I would learn his story. I was fascinated by his life as a baseball player, but I was even more deeply moved by his life as a man.

And so I started doing book reports on Lou Gehrig. I wanted to find out more about his baseball career and the disease that took his life at such a young age. That film had a profound effect on me. Funny how some pictures do that. So I wanted to know more. His story has been well documented, and this is not another Lou Gehrig book report, but I wanted to pass along one stat that still boggles the mind. In a three year stretch from 1930-32 Gehrig averaged 170 RBI a season. That’s unbelievable.

And so it began. At a point in life when each time I opened a Topps baseball card pack in hopes of finding a Darrell Evans, Jack Clark or a “Count” Montefusco, with Gehrig and the Yankees fresh in mind, I also started looking for a Graig Nettles, Roy White or if lucky, a Reggie. And they’ve been my second choice ever since.

So you guys know my dream scenario for the World Series. I know some of you are still waiting and wanting, perhaps even needing to avenge that loss back in ’62. Maybe this time our first baseman hits a liner in the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 that just goes over Cano’s head for the clincher. Who will be our first baseman in October? Your guess is as good as mine.

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unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 3:45 pm

Didn’t see Timmy’s reaction after the flare dropped. I saw the screaming into the mitt, but not the bat-smashing tantrum in the dugout.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 3:48 pm

Robbie, Bochy usually rests Buster on a day game after a night game. Because of his horrific injury last year. What usually happens is Hector catches and Buster goes to 1st. With Hector hurt, and now Panda, Bochy had very few options.

Frankly, I’d rather see Bochy resting him now rather than overworking him for the stretch drive. No matter how good Buster looks, he needs time off.
- twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 3:56 pm
  
  “Bochy usually rests Buster on a day game after a night game. Because of his horrific injury last year.”
  Actually, that was pretty much SOP always, before the injury as well.
- Robbie Lou said, on July 25, 2012 at 3:57 pm
  
  It’s hard to conceive of sitting Buster with Panda out but why sit Nate when he’s been hitting? Besides, Buster’s walking around the dugout with a bat, which says, put me in coach, no? I mean why not give him the shot to tie it up, I doubt that takes anything out of him. It’s not just this game it’s Bochy’s lack of a real competitive thought. I’ve never been his fan and never will be. Just don’t see why he is here and wish he weren’t. I do think the Giants can win with him, but I don’t see him competing for any manager award unless it’s for the dullest human being alive. Just venting.
  - blade3colorado said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:10 pm
    
    All catchers get at least a day off every week (usually on Sunday or the day before a travel day . . . check out the MLB rosters for this Sunday and you will see how many of the regulars are out). Very few go 7 days straight, much less 6 days straight. I don’t want to pile on Robbie, but I agree with Twin and Chuck with regard to Bochy too, i.e., he is an outstanding manager and does a great job with strategy, bullpen, reserves, etc. Yes, he is not book smart, but neither was Sparky Anderson. In fact, most managers are not college grads. In any event, we can agree to disagree. 🙂
  - zumie said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:11 pm
    
    Robbie, you’ve made your point about how you feel about Bochy. We have a rule in the blog about being excessively repetitive, and it’s a good rule.
  - blade3colorado said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:14 pm
    
    Whoops – I meant “Very few go 6 days straight, much less 7 days straight.”
  - Robbie Lou said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:20 pm
    
    You may want to consider your own rule then. I don’t see any rules nor do I feel I’ve done anything but respond to my differing opinion. I don’t like Bochy, never have, never will, don’t consider him championship material. Good luck.
  - DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:22 pm
    
    What were you doing in 2010? Exploring Pluto?
  - zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:26 pm
    
    Robbie, there’s a link called the Flapper Code of Conduct on the right side of the page. One of the rules says: “Your post is AT RISK of being deleted if you post something that is over-the-top or abusive or if it crosses a line in frequency (ie, if you go on and on and refuse to stop).”
twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:17 pm

Moving on- Marquis was sharp, the game was lost because Tim gave up 5 runs. As always, there were positives, however: Belt’s late hit, Kontos continuing to impress, a full day off for Buster, and we’re in first place last I checked.
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:18 pm

Some of you mentioned a restaurant called “Antlers,” and I just wondered what the heck a restaurant called “Antlers” would be like. Is it this place? This place looks pretty cool:
http://www.thegrillatantlersinn.com/
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:21 pm
  
  The cuisine was more interesting than I was expecting. From the menu:
  Cajun Style Crab Cakes
  Tempura Avocado.
  Cajun Seared Ahi Sashimi
  Calamari & with a sweet chili sauce Pepperoncini Aioli
  Bruschetta (No first dates)
  Half Pound Chuck Burger served with seasoned fries and fresh fruit
  proscutto & artchoke pizza
  BBQ Chicken Pizza
  Pear & Gorgonzola Pizza
  House Sushi Roll Market Price served Wednesday – Saturday
  - twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:35 pm
    
    Biggest thing to watch out for when eating on the road ( besides avoiding “Mom’s”) is suspiciously low prices. Trust me: you really don’t want $3.95 Prime Rib..
    Truckers do NOT know the best places to eat, BTW
  - zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:39 pm
    
    I feel sorry for truckers in that regard. Truck-stop food is all overloaded with grease.
  - twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:41 pm
    
    They know where the $3.95 Prime Rib is, though.
DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:30 pm

What’s the deal with “extras” on TV shows? They just sit in the background and pretend to talk to each other. Like it’s gonna advance their shitty careers or something. What a bunch of losers…
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:35 pm
  
  Ha! I was an extra in a few plays in college. If we couldn’t think of what to pretend to talk about, the director told us to softly say to each other: “Peas and carrots, peas and carrots, peas and carrots….”
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:43 pm

A great Bruce Bochy photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8037601@N02/5165394007/
Alleykat said, on July 25, 2012 at 4:54 pm

Dont think that’s the same Antlers that Dennis goes too Z.His is called Antlers Tavern located in Pinole CA.Have the King Cut Prime Ribs on Sat night
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:10 pm
  
  Ah- I see that the place I posted about is in So. Cal.
Nipper said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:15 pm

Two out of three…….what the heck ….not so bad.
demp28demp28 said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:17 pm

Gentlemen, will someone please tell me again why the Giants cut Jesus Guzman? This kid kills the Giants in some fashion or another when he plays against them. Also, how many series this year have the Giants won the first two games of a three gamer, only to pack it in on the final game? I can think of five: Oakland (twice), Atlanta, Philadelphia, and now the Friars; and I think that is the second time. I know it’s hard to sweep a series, but good teams find ways to do it. Hell, the G-men could and should be up by 5 or 6 games at this point.
Rest up boys, the big series starts Friday. Find your happy place, F*** L.A., and let’s get it done!
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:18 pm
  
  He played horrible defense for the Giants. It was awful.
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:27 pm
  
  You can say fuck here, Demp.
  
  This public ervice announcement brought to you by Mike Scott’s patented tuna squeezer. $39.99. But wait!
  - blade3colorado said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:57 pm
    
    lqtm
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:17 pm

Here’s my dinner tonight, btw. Pasta, tomato sauce, and meatballs made from ground turkey meat. Green salad with some sliced tomatoes. Pretzel roll from Costco. Razzleberry-flavored Peace Tea. Sliced seedless watermelon. And a frozen fudge-sickle for dessert.
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:26 pm
  
  Hey, I had my world famous creamed tuna last night. With a nice Widmer Bros. wheat beer, and an ice-cream sandwich to top it off.
  
  Ciurse, I had to light about 20 candles to gt rid of the smell last night . . .
  
  Haven’t figured out what tonight brings.
- twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:48 pm
  
  Seems like the truckers don’t eat at your place, Z..
  I tried to get a thread going in B about what we eat for dinner, it never took off..
  I’m having a couple of grilled lamb chops, a green salad, and a twice baked potato from the store deli…
DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:26 pm

Which 3-4-5 is better?

Kemp-Ethier-Hanley or Melky-Posey-Panda?
- demp28 said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:44 pm
  
  Clark, Mitchell, Williams
- blade3colorado said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:20 pm
  
  The latter Loo . . . I would give them a slight edge in fielding too.
- willedav said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:21 pm
  
  williams santo banks ….actually I vote SF, hanley hits like abreu these days…good article on him at fangraphs from yesterday before he got traded. Big salary for not much production and no more SBs either.
Bozo said, on July 25, 2012 at 5:38 pm

Gee Zum, and here I went with all the major grease groups in one sandwich. A bacon,avocado cheeseburger with Maui potato chips on the side. Cazadores tequila and grapefruit juice for my drink of choice (I missed national tequila day yesterday so I’m catching up).
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:55 pm

The Final Jeopardy question coming up for Baggs! Category- new Olympic sports!
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:57 pm
  
  (face-palm)
  Baggs went with the answer “sumo wrestling.”
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:57 pm

Down goes bBaggs!!! On a sports question no less
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:59 pm
  
  I didn;t get it either.
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:58 pm

Trampolining is an Olympic sport…..who knew?
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:04 pm
  
  I mean, who knew, other than Baggs’ opponent. (grin)
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:24 pm
    
    I thought it was new only in the sense that it has been reintroduced.
Alleykat said, on July 25, 2012 at 6:58 pm

Well im going Chinese take-out tonight. Sesame Beef,deep fried in a house sesame sauce,Szechuan Chicken,Chicken breast stir-fried w/waterchestnuts,zucchini in garlic sauce, Chicken Fried Rice,And some Special on a board called Braise Shrimp ,I asked about and the gal of course spoke very little english as I pointed to the Special and she said very good,very good you like you like.So I said I like,and it was actually pretty good kinda like a soup but both spicy and sweet at the same time.
Had to Stay all Chinese tonight,So Had them throw in some Ting So? Beer as well.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:03 pm

Went with bar-b-qued chicken, salad, and beer. Tsing Tao, AK.

Pronounced ching dao.

This public service message brought to you by . . .
Salty said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:05 pm

Jeopardy just starting here, where are you Zumie?
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:09 pm
  
  Calif. Central Valley. Sorry I didn’t give a spoiler alert. (grin) Still well worth watching. All 3 contestants did well. It was very close until the Final Question.
twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:08 pm

Yeah, Jeopardy is not on at the same time everywhere, it’s been spoiled for many of us.
- twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:10 pm
  
  It’s not a prime time network show, local stations don’t have a required time slot.
  - zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:13 pm
    
    Sorry about that. For some reason I was thinking the West would all be the same.
  - DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:19 pm
    
    How did Zumie respond to accusations that he spoiled Jeopardy for several Flappers?
  - twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:29 pm
    
    He was very gracious, didn’t say “tough shit”
Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:16 pm

My 2nd favorite team was, is and will always be anybody playing the Dodgers.
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:19 pm

The A’s are on a roll; putting an epic whooping on Toronto tonight.
Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:19 pm

I worked all day, I heard the Giants lost. Bochy should have started Nate.
Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:21 pm

BTW, no Posey either? Sonds like a good game to miss if I had to miss one.
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:24 pm
  
  I came very close to going to the game today. I had tickets to the game at one time, but traded them to someone for a different game.
  - Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:29 pm
    
    I’m going to a Reno Aces game tomorrow. I’ll be able to see the famous(LOL) Wells St. Bridge from my seat.
- twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:25 pm
  
  If they woulda had Nate and Pill, I’m sure that they would have prevailed.
  - Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:27 pm
    
    Cool!
TedSpe said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:40 pm

What’s the deal with “extras” on TV shows? They just sit in the background and pretend to talk to each other. Like it’s gonna advance their shitty careers or something. What a bunch of losers…
————————————————————————————————————————–
A little harsh Loo but there’s some truth in it. My Chinese sister was an aspiring actress in the early ’80’s. She got an audition for some network’s show called TALES OF THE GOLDEN MONKEY. Even though it was just an audition, she still had to sign a contract with the network. She didn’t get the part but the contract said one, she can’t work for any other network for three years or something and two, if she’s in the Los Angeles area and they need someone to sit around at the Regal Beagle on THREE’S COMPANY or something, she has to be one of those people. Needless to say, she hightailed it back to San Francisco.

And zumiee, they told *these* extras to murmur “rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubard, umbrella, umbrella, umbrella”
- blade3colorado said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:56 pm
  
  Actually, it was Tales Of The Gold Monkey, but who cares, huh?
  
  “Set in the South Pacific in 1938, the series is about an ex-Flying Tigers pilot named Jake Cutter (Stephen Collins). Now the operator of an air cargo delivery service based on the fictional South Seas island Bora Gora, he flies a red and white Grumman Goose called Cutter’s Goose. Jake’s best friend is his mechanic Corky (Jeff MacKay), a good-hearted alcoholic whose memory is hazy as a result of the quantity of booze he consumes. However, a one-eyed Jack Russell terrier named Jack, who barks once for “no” and twice for “yes” (or the opposite if it suits him) would dispute just who Jake’s best friend really is. Jack wears an eye patch, but used to have a false eye made of opal with a star sapphire center that Jake lost in a poker game—and refuses to let Jake forget it.
  
  Jake’s love interest/U.S. Government spy contact is Sarah Stickney White (Caitlin O’Heaney). She sings in the Monkey Bar as a cover for her espionage activities. The Reverend Willie Tenboom (John Calvin), a phony man of the cloth who likes to “bless” the female natives in private “prayer”, is in actuality a Nazi spy named Willy, with interests in both sides.”
  
  It lasted one season. Pfffffffffffft!
  
  🙂
Flavor said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:43 pm

Berger– the Reno Aces stadium is lights out. Do you live in Reno? I’m gonna be there Sat and Sun. If you’re out looking for something to do and want to get a beer, hit my email. 4% only, I’m playing poker at the ElDo all weekend…….
zumiee said, on July 25, 2012 at 7:55 pm

Somehow the St. Louis closer survived that non-closer situation.
Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:00 pm

Yeah, I do live in Reno. I like meeting people I blog with. I really like the El Dorado, except I’m not much of a gambler. All signs point to meeting up. I might have to work Saturday. My email is fortyninerberger@yahoo.com. It shows an “Na” just before my email address when I post. I don’t know how that got on there and I haven’t figured out how to get rid of it. This means you have an incorrect address showing for me. I’ll fix it when I figure out how.
- DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:04 pm
  
  Well don’t bother getting a new one…
snarkk said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm

I was at the game today with the Snarkkettes.
We enjoyed nice weather…
twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:15 pm

As to the extras on TV shows- I knew a guy who did so well as the third patron at the counter that he got to be the second drunk at the bar in the next episode…
Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:15 pm

This is a test to see if I fixed the email snafu!
- Berger said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:17 pm
  
  No luck.
dirtnrocksnomo said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:28 pm

Potatoes and brats with sauerkraut and onions for me tonight. Chased with New Belgiums Somersault. That’s a tasty summer brew.
- snarkk said, on July 25, 2012 at 9:59 pm
  
  Alka Seltzer chaser?…
twinfan1 said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Goodnight, all.
snarkk said, on July 25, 2012 at 8:57 pm

I don’t know how it looked on TV, but from my view in the Park today, I thought Pagan was going to get that fly to left center in the 4th. He got a slow jump, and for my money, that ball could have been caught. “Should” is a bit strong, but so is “a hit all the way”. Timmeh was a conundrum again. Strikeouts, then multiple full counts and the dingers. Seems to me he’s falling away to the left on the follow through a lot more than he used to. I’ll call Rags to let him know. BTW, that was one crappy lineup out there today. Marquis was throwing hairballs up there, and phttttt from the Giants. Gawd, do they need a RH bat and bench help. El Presidente’s swings look even worse in person — like he’s swinging with the donut still on the bat…
DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 9:13 pm

Bums lose…
- tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 9:46 pm
  
  Excellent
tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 9:50 pm

And blade, TALES OF THE GOLDEN MONKEY or whatever the fuck it was..you’re right. Pffft. Lasted nothing. But my Chinese sister didn’t get the part and it called for a Pacific Islander ( and my sister is half Chinese/Half Portugese) and they gave the part to an Hispanic??!!
But she was so screwed by that contract that she never persued professional acting again.
She, pissed off as she were, came back to San Francisco; got a teaching degree and tells all her “ethnic” students…
Ya’ll gotta *huge* barrier to jump over
tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:01 pm

Well, gotta call it a night. So I’ll leave you with these wise/weird words from a movie:

“Ray, people will come Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won’t mind if you look around, you’ll say. It’s only $20 per person. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they’ll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”

Goodnight, my pirates
tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:14 pm

And by the way (fuck the internet/text/bullshit BTW)…
Great topic tonight, dennis.
You caught me where I live.
Yup. I’m a Yankee fan due to the Lou Gehrig film as well. As much as I talked shit towards Gary Cooper’s lack of…ANYTHING to do with baseball. He’s still a great actor and the film moved me and made me start looking up stats.
Goodnight, Gentlemen (?)
DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Twelve hours of baseball and I still can’t sleep. Damn.
Days go on and on.
They don’t end.
- tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:20 pm
  
  Cm’on Loo. Look at it this way. A man takes a job, you know? And that job – I mean, like that – That becomes what he is. You know, like – You do a thing and that’s what you are. Like I’ve been a cabbie for thirteen years. Ten years at night. I still don’t own my own cab. You know why? Because I don’t want to. That must be what I want. To be on the night shift drivin’ somebody else’s cab. You understand? I mean, you become – You get a job, you become the job. One guy lives in Brooklyn. One guy lives in Sutton Place. You got a lawyer. Another guy’s a doctor. Another guy dies. Another guy gets well. People are born, y’know? I envy you, your youth. Go on, get laid, get drunk. Do anything. You got no choice, anyway. I mean, we’re all fucked. More or less, ya know.
  - DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:32 pm
    
    I don’t know. That’s about the dumbest thing I ever heard.
  - TedSpe said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:33 pm
    
    It’s not Bertrand Russell. But what do you want? I’m a cabbie. What do I know? I don’t even know what the fuck you’re talking about.
  - DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:34 pm
    
    Maybe I don’t know either.
tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:35 pm

*
- tedspe said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:38 pm
  
  I originally cut and pasted the .44 magnum line about a woman’s personal parts but I realized…well–there may be children reading.
  But, this was fun, Loo. Thanks.
  Goodnight, lads
  - DJLoo said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:41 pm
    
    Goodnight, Wizard.
snarkk said, on July 25, 2012 at 10:54 pm

Schulman reports Surkamp had TJ surgery yesterday.
Typical out of nowhere Giants medical update. For a long time somebody’s “rehabbing” followed by, “uh, Giants report player X had surgery two days ago to correct (insert hidden injury here) …”
- eddacker said, on July 26, 2012 at 1:16 am
  
  I have no idea why that should upset any normal, intelligent baseball fan.
  - snarkk said, on July 26, 2012 at 9:46 am
    
    I guess I’m abnormal and dumb. And, loving it…
2427Jamm! said, on July 26, 2012 at 7:51 am

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