When We HAD A First Baseman…
Yesterday’s loss was a mess, no desire on my part to beat that to death. Still, after a loss it’s comforting to remember a bit of glory. The other day when I went to ATT with the Snarkkettes, after the lousy loss to the Pads, we made the pilgrimage to the McCovey statue out on the point beyond McCovey Cove. I’d actually never gone out there before. And, for my favorite Giant, it was worth it.
The larger-than-life artwork well captures McCovey’s might, his gravitas, his presence. We could use him now, for sure, with first base such a wasteland at the moment. I’ve always wondered if to properly honor this gentleman, this great player, was that really the best place for Stretch’s statue, far away from the stadium? It is windswept, barren, out of the way. Quiet. But, I now conclude, somehow fitting. The uncrowded, unharried, focused look at his follow through reminds you, if you were a fan then, of how when Barry Bonds was in diapers, every single Stretch AB was always an event inside every game. If you are young enough to only know him from old, grainy film, the statue does provoke a raw sense of the murderous majesty of his stroke. The sweeping loneliness of the place where it stands gives you a shiver – likely how any opposing pitcher of his time felt peering in at that 6’ 4” of pure terror.
I harken back to 1969, his MVP year, records of which are set in a metal plaque on the way out to the statue among plaques for the other SF years. Get a load of this 1969 line:
- PAs 623
- ABs 491
- BA .320
- OBP .453
- SLG .656
- OPS 1.109
- HR 45
- RBI 126
- BB 121
- IBB 45
- Runs 101
- Doubles 26
In the days of no ‘roids and playing at the Stick, this record of the man’s highest accomplishment seen in 1969, culminating the golden era of NL ball that was the ‘60s, is nothing short of amazing, beyond mind-boggling. The 121 walks in those pre-Bonds days was astronomical, a testament to the fear Stretch put into pitchers and managers. Here’s just a few of the arms he went yard against in ‘69: Tom Seaver, Phil Niekro, Dick Selma (3), Rick Wise (3), Jack Billingham, Claude Osteen, Fergie Jenkins, Gary Gentry, Jim Bunning, Nelson Briles, Bill Stoneman, Ron Reed, Clay Kirby, Don Sutton. Not a bad staff. In his career, McCovey hit the most dingers (12) off Drysdale. So, not only did Stretch mash, he mashed best against a Dodger HOFer– a praiseworthy Giant trait.
1969. 43 years ago. What a year. Nixon takes office. Vietnam in full roar. But, the first US troop withdrawals occur, and Nixon asks the “silent majority” to support his policies. Spiro Agnew denounces Nixon’s critics as “an effete corps of impudent snobs” and “nattering nabobs of negativism”. Earl Warren resigns from the Supreme Court. Armstrong and Aldrin walk on the moon. Sirhan Sirhan admits in court he killed RFK. The Cuyahoga River catches fire in Cleveland. Stonewall riots in NYC. Judy Garland ODs and dies in London. Teddy Kennedy and Chappaquiddick. The Jets beat the Colts in Super Bowl III, the greatest upset in pro football history. Monty Python debuts on the BBC. Gaddafi orchestrates a coup and takes over Libya. The My Lai massacre. The first GAP store opens in SF. The Manson family murders Sharon Tate. The Boeing 747 makes its maiden flight. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid opens. The “Miracle Mets” win the World Series over the Orioles – 4 games to 1. Whew! The Santa Barbara oil spill. The Beatles play their last public concert on the roof of Abbey Road studios in London. Led Zeppelin releases Zeppelin I. Altamont. Jim Morrison arrested in Miami for allegedly exposing himself on stage. Starting on August 15, one million people gather on Max Yasgur’s farm in upstate New York for a rock concert — Woodstock. Janis, Jimi, CCR, Joan Baez, Canned Heat, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Joe Cocker, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and many more play in a mind-blowing, 3-day climax to the priapismic decade that was the ‘60s. The Who play at dawn on Day 2, and steal the show with a set of raw Rock for the Ages. http://tinyurl.com/c87qop. http://tinyurl.com/d76v2vn. And, in the inaugural year of the Division system that accommodated expansion to Kansas City, Seattle, Montreal, and San Diego, the Giants finish 90-72, second to the Braves in the NL West.
Here’s to Stretch, a first baseman for the Ages, and remembering when we had him in that tumultuous 1969…
Stretch — A great player, a great gentleman, a giant Giant…
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Stretch!! One of my all time favourites and probably the reason I think the only good first baseman has to be a left-handed first baseman. With the luxury of hind-site McCovey was as great a man as he was a ballplayer.
1969 was a busy year, but I still had time for the Giants. We loved Jim Ray Hart, Juan Marichal, and my favourite as I was a third baseman, Davenport.
ed-I was in a hotel close to Disneyland and apparently there was an Old Timers get together at the time. Anyway I walked into the hotel bar and sitting at a table playing cards was Davenport. So I walked over to him and thanked him for his time playing for the Giants. I guess the Giants just severed ties with him because Mark Fidrych quipped “Too bad the Giants didn’t think so”, it was kind of awkward but Jimmy D shook my hand and changed the subject to the Old Timer games. He was cool but I didn’t stay in the bar long.
I was on a professional training course and staying at a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale in the early 90s. I was coaching my oldest son’s LL team at the time back in Sacramento. That Marriott was the same one the the Orioles would stay at a few days later for spring training. Cal Ripken Sr. sat down next to me. We pretended to be two blokes and drank and chatted for almost 2 hours. He had his WS ring on and was a great guy. I even sneaked in a question about motivating young men in LL.
great memories, met several players and their families around the pool as I was there for 2 weeks.
Hey 🙂 someone fixed the photo.
I am watching the USA badminton mens team from SF!! playing the team that has the fastest smash @ 265mph.
How can you get a shuttlecock to go that fast?
McCovey’s career was winding down just as I was becoming a fan. I remember my dad taking me to a game in ’79 or ’80 and McCovey came up (I think as a pinch hitter) and he hit a laser to RF for a hit. I recall everyone going banana’s over the hit and I couldn’t understand why, There was no one on base and it was only a single. He was removed for a PR and he tipped his hat to the crowd. My dad said to me something like “that might be the last hit he ever gets” or something like that. I don’t remember who they were playing or anything other than that…….
Nice one Snarkk. Think about the coin someone with those kind of numbers as you posted could demand today. Mac was always the slow talking respectful stay out of the limelight and trouble even keel kind of guy everyone could look up to and emulate for his professionalism. And for all the intimidation drysdale brought to the mound, mac hammered the guy and took his revenge at the plate.
’69 I graduated from HS, lot going on around bay area. I wanted to go to SF state but was strongly encouraged by parents to pick another college (SI Hayakawa days). Couple years earlier Rick Barry got the Warriors into the finals vs. Wilt and his great ’76ers. MLK and Otis Redding were dead, and his beautiful “Dock of the Bay” dominated airwaves..
A fine tribute. A pleasure to meet him in 1978, in Pittsburgh.
1969. We heard of some of what Snarkk remembers. Communication wasn’t great on the Bassac River, we’d catch up on leave or news from newbies. There was radio, of course, which had to be silent as often as not.We got baseball news , but I was a Twins fan back then. But even from afar, maybe especially from afar, 1969 was a crazy year- and news had a way of getting distorted on it’s journey to SE Asia- often we’d hear that the US was under attack, or that rioting had become a constant, cities under siege. The rumors died as quickly as they started, only to be replaced with new ones…
I never got to see Willie play during his prime years but I did see him in his last good season, when he returned to SF in 1977. So I got a taste of watching the greatest first baseman we ever had. That was the year Randy Elliott had the spring of his life and became the poster boy for “spring phenom” …
McCovey meant excitement! Those Stick days are memorable. Fans would really make some noise with McCovey at the plate.
There’s just something about first base being played by a maestro. The great ones are fun to watch. I believe I’ve mentioned here McCovey being one of the very first things about baseball that I can consciously remember, on the grainy b/w tv with the alum foil antenna watching WPIX 11 out of NY, the ’62 series, growing up with Mantle and Maris as my early childhood baseball heroes but just being in awe (if I was able to recognize “awe” at that early age) of that …. giant… leaning in at the plate, waiting for the pitch…
McCovey is/was the most well-liked player among Giants fans. At least that’s how the votes always go. Feared, respected, loved. You can’t say enough about him. One amazing thing about Willie Mac was the bat he used. A friend of mine was a batboy for a while, and he got to bring home one of his cracked bats. It resembled a tree trunk. The handle was not much smaller than the bell, and it must have been 44 oz. I had the pleasure of seeing him in his prime, and I saw a few of those games in 1969. I never could figure out how a swing that looked like it took 5 seconds to make, and he routinely hit 98 MPH fastballs from Bob Gibson. Guys talk of balls jumping off the bat. His line drives looked like they were shot from a cannon.
And there was nothing more exciting than a Willie mac pop up. I must have seen at least 6 doubles that he hit about 2 miles into the air, but barely past 2nd base.
And, I’m sure I’ve told this story, but it still makes me a little sad. Willie Mac played in an Old timers game in around 1983, and we were sitting in our usual spot down the RF line. Not too many people around us. McCovey comes up to bat, and hits a mammoth popup that drifts over to where we are sitting. The ball is heading right for me, and my mitt. I’m camped under it, but the ball grazes the upper deck railing and shoots down toward the field. Didn’t get the ball. I would have LOVED to catch that . . .
Don’t kid yourself. That ball grazing the upper deck railing saved you a bump on the old noggin.
He’s been BLEEPING ever since!
There used to be a tiny hole in the wall bar on Kearny. around Calif. The owners name was Red and I keep thinking it was called Red’s Kearny Pub (twin, do you remember the joint?). Red was also the bartender and he’d only stay open until he’d get to drunk to work and his wife would have to come and pick him (you didn’t tip Red, you just bought him a drink). I was in one night in the early 80s and it was just Red and I. We were chatting away and we started talking about the Giants. He told me one night Mays’ wife came in crying and needed to use the phone, she apparently called Willie Mac’s wife and they came to pick her up. I don’t know how much of the story is true and I didn’t want to believe him but he also told me that Mays would meet people in there from time to time as well as Willie Mac. He told me Mays could be a bit of an ass but McCovey was the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet.
Fantastic Post Snarrk!
Yeah I had the pleasure of growing up with All the Giant greats of that era.From Mays,Davenport,Cepeda,Hart,Fuentes,Dandy Juan Marichal,Perry the list goes on and on.But Willie”Stretch” McCovey was tops in my book as a kid.He was larger then life,that you just knew put the living fear in any pitcher.He had the “”Wow” factor in the on deck circle,so intimatidating swinging 2 bats that were probably 38 oz or more but were just like toothpicks to him.
Then he would dig in at the plate with his long windmill pratice swings on that 6’4 frame,as the pitcher was shittin in his jock,knowing all “Hell” is about to unleash.He was just a Pleasure to watch,destroying every pitcher in his path.
McCovey was also entertaining between innings,he had a cool way of sidearming lasers to all the infielders,and they weren’t always 3-4 hoppers,some were 1-2 bullits keeping his own guys alert at all times.Willie McCovey the pride of Mobile Alabama!!! #1 in my book!
I’m seeing more and more that Ichiro wanted to come here- any thoughts on that?
Probably wanted to stay on the west coast. Isn’t he FA after the season? I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sign in SF.
I’m glad he didn’t come here. He offers nothing now in the OF we don’t already have, at a large expense. Different story if he were 5 years younger…
Blanco RF, Theriot 2B, Cabrera LF, Posey C, Pagan CF, Scutaro 3B, Belt 1B, Crawford SS, (Vogelsong P)
I share all those awesome childhood memories of Stretch that you guys have the ability to lay out so eloquently. So as always you can count on me for a less cheerful one.
Mays & McCovey came to a card show/autograph signing thing in 1985. I was stunned to hear about it – the memorabilia craze hadn’t really taken off yet. It was held in the gymnasium of a Catholic School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Another hero of mine, Joe Pepitone was also there. Autographs were cheap – maybe $20 for Mays, less for McCovey, and way less for Pepi. Laughed it up and took a great picture with Joe. Got to the M & M table where they were sitting side by side. Mays was somber and wouldn’t even look at me. McCovey was pleasant and shook my hand. I asked if they would allow my friend to snap a picture of me standing behind them. McCovey said sure and Mays grunted something. In the picture Stretch has a big smile. Mays looks like he’s getting a colonoscopy. Later on I was just hanging around outside across the street. McCovey came out (all alone!) limping visibly. I was struck by his outfit. Looked like he picked it up from the Salvation Army. An ill-fitting red checkered sport jacket and bright red pants that were at least 3 inches too short. I yelled out, “need a ride, Willie?”. He waved and said, “I’m alright, man!”. I stayed where I was and watched him slowly hobble down 65th Street. To me, it was the picture of a man down on his luck. He turned left at the corner and disappeared from my view. I have no idea how he could’ve had any idea where he was going around there.
I remember hoping that the neighborhood Guinz-aloons wouldn’t give him a hard time…
Jackie Robinson once accused Mays, McCovey, and Jim Ray Hart of being “do-nothing” negroes as to civil rights. In one of Mays’ finer moments, he called a press conference to defend his teammates as much as himself. it’s cool to see the “Willies” together so often these days and neat that the Giants make both such a visible part of the “family”. It’s time they tell MLB to be damned and bring Barry Bonds back to the family as well.
They should work with the Giants about that. Bonds has to come back. Spring training probably will be the first move.
Yeah. that is very cool. It sounds like, from DJ’s story, that they (or at least Willie Mac) was left out in the cold for a while. Wasn’t it around that time the Willie Mays was shilling for a casino in Vegas?
The 49ers could do more bringing in of vets as well . . . Al Davis, for all his douchebaggery unfailingly took care of his pllayers. Well, players not named Marcus Allen.
Nice time capsule, Snarkk. Crazy days, indeed.
Like many of you, McCovey was my favorite as well growing up. It made no difference to me he was nearing the end of his career and in decline. He was still larger than life to me. I remember in sixth grade (’78) a teammate and friend of mine’s dad was in charge of ordering our CYO uniforms. I asked for #44 and remembering running with him over to his house the day the uni’s arrived. And even though our school colors were green and white, I felt like I was donning McCovey’s jersey itself. And being the only lefty on our team they stuck me at first base. At the tender age of twelve-years-old, I *was* Willie McCovey.
game time, and we have it on ESPN.
go voggy
go giants
Now for a Bonds statue, I’m thinking two. One of him swinging at the front gate (just don’t move my brick) and another in McCovey Cove of a ball splashing into it.
Dave Cameron of Fangraphs.com reports that the Mariners are “trying hard” to trade for Brandon Belt.
Brandon League is the obvious name, but I would hope to hell Sabean could get more than that for Belt.
League and Smoak have been mentioned.
And Justin Vargas.
and minutes before that rumour was the Broxton one, again.
Snarkk, as Bob Hope was wont to say, “Thanks for the memories.” I thoroughly enjoyed reading your Willie Mac’s this morning.
Good, I liked writing it. I knew, but was still amazed at refreshing my memory about what a crazy year ’69 was. I was up in the middle of Oregon fishing with my father in July of that year during the Moon landing. I remember looking up at the Moon through that crystal clear night sky and thinking — that would be so cool to be there right now with those guys. Unless they were on a sound stage somewhere in Area 51…. 😉
Wasn’t OJ in that movie about faking the moon landing?
Good luck. And thanks for all the fish . . .
yeah, snarkkk, what DMD said.
From what I heard, Ichiro wanted to play every day, which imo is why he wanted out of Seattle which is going to rebuild and play the kids. SF might also have balked at giving up pitching prospects to the M’s for someone who might only be a rental. I’m sure he could have helped us, a smart hitter who can make use of all the room on right side of the OF, and defend that position as well. My concern would have been about the shelf life of his bat speed.
Strike him out throw him out DP. Love it.
And that’s why I cannot like Pagan. He’s does shit on a consistent basis that royally pisses me off.
Well, you are Royalty.
King of the curmudgeons
😛
Well, another wasted 3 hit no run inning punctuated by Pagan fucking up.
does Pagan have neck tattoos?
Dirrty’s ERA currently sits at 8.32 That’s the price of a 6-Pack of Bud with tax.
those had better be talls
He’s quit even missing bats. Not a good sign. He may be available again soon.
maybe an old familiar ball park will bring out his best.
Scutaro’s showed in less than a game and a half of hitting and smart defense why he’s a pro and an upgrade over Burriss and Arias. I wish we had gotten him three years ago…
agree, he looks fine for a guy who as was lamented here earlier, hasn’t played 3b since 1908 or something. Pro hitter too–hanley will get the headlines, but scutaro might be steadier player and should certainly help.
You guys gave him “blog jinx.” (grin)
Here we go. A big moment in this one.
Nice job on the post, Snarkk. I agree it’s nice that the McCovey statue is there in its own area, as a meditative place where fans can go before or after the game, to be away from the big crowd for a while, and have some thoughts about that remarkable Giant, and all the Giants history that is on those plaques on the walkway. Every SF Giants team is nicely represented by a historical plaque.
That wasn’t a good stretch by Belt. Think about Panda’s effort on his injury.
On a day that we’re talking about Stretch.
On a scale of 1-10 defensively at first, Panda is about a 4 to Belt’s 8. Belt gets his advantage by cheating on the throw- not injuring himself on a foolish split.
Doesn’t matter, Hanjob beats that out every time
Haven’t had a lead all series, have we?
Oh fuck me scooter.
Did I mention he hasn’t played 3B since 2008? And the Dodgers make Scutaro and the Giants pay.
We’re in trouble. The Dodgers are feeling it right now.
Losing a ball in the sun is not a position oriented mistake. Did I mention that Arias had 2 games at third before this year?
Ballgame.
I have a few friends who are Dodger fans, and they are FIRED up this weekend. Really feeling their oats.
The usual base hit by the pitcher should follow
I told you guys Scutaro sucked and we should never have gotten him… 😉
yay
Well, he’s got a shot here not to hit into a double play.
Was that the sundressed goddess??
I’m out. I’d rather break rocks in the 99º heat . . .
Chuck breaking every mirror in his house…..what’s next, the flatscreen?
I don’t want to hear any more excuses about the Giants not opening up their purse strings. Horseshit!
I just read today that Charles Johnson, the biggest shareholder is worth $4.4B. The Dodgers are, and have already started to throw around money like a sailor on shore leave. And will continue to do so before the deadline. James Shields? Josh Johnson? Hunter Pence? They ain’t coming here.
If they aren’t opening their purse strings, it’s not an excuse, it’s a fact. I think everyone knows they can afford players…
Well then, as I am wont say, “We DESERVE to lose.”
I sure hope Sabean isn’t taking offers on Belt from Seattle…There is not one offensive player on that club, we would want.
The offensive player I’ve seen mentioned is Smoak, a huge failure there and in Texas.
Yep, and unfortunatley I could see them making that move…Keep fingers crossed it doesn’t happen.
Hopefully Sabean will not put the Chub Feeney deal out there.
This team is fucking asleep this weekend.
zzzzzzzzzz
And Blanco goes in the WRONG direction when a line drive is hit in front of him. We DESERVED getting doubled up on that play. Fuck us.
BLEEP!
Two base running mistakes from the guys who are supposed to be our best baserunners. Pagan’s probably cost at least one run, who knows with Blanco’s. But they’re not beating Kershaw that way.
Kemp….what a guy! He produces! Giants suck in this series.
Not getting any breaks either. Had a bad feeling about this series after losing Friday to that chump Fife, then seeing zito up Sat and Kershaw going Sun.
Well if we can lose to Barney Fife,Goober is a shoo-in to beat us.
This just in: Bob Baffert continues to be the best trainer on the planet. Paynter = “Easy Money” (Dangerfield)
I wonder if Bob has any power from the right side of the plate?
I can’t emphasize this fact enough: horses are bred to run fast and often.
Bob works and runs them as fast and often as humanely possible. Do the math.
Belt for Brandon League? League came in today for a third of an inning and gave up three hits and a run.
I think it’s about time I conceded the NL West to “My” Dodgers again. Don’t you?
Excuse me, League’s line wasn’t finished when I looked. The two runners he left on base came in to score after he departed. Makes that 3H and 3ER in 1/3IP. Gotta give him credit though, he struck out the lone guy he retired. 😛
It was never thought that Seattle could get Belt for just League..
I understand that. But for the love of Christ, if it’s League + Smaok.
All we’re getting is smoke blown up our ass.
Jesus,we suck donkey dick in this series.Come on Sabean get off your ass and burn that speed dial! Willigham,Pence,Zobrist,Hellickson,Gaby Sanchez.
But know you will go after another rotting old vet like Thome,Figgins,Pena,Hafner etc and try to sell us on their gamer past experiences.Right.
The guys he picked up in 2010 worked out pretty well. Then he got Beltran last year. I’m sure he didn’t know Carlos had his vacation scheduled for August.
we seem to forget the injury played a part. what surprises me is management didn’t even ~try~ to resign him.
For more excitement, Giants fans have flipped the channel to see the Hutterite reality show on the National Geographic channel. In today’s episode, Wesley learns how to fix a plow….
Well, one of my top Flap Fantasy pitchers, Zack Greinke, pitched well again today (7IP 7H 2ER 1W 8K), but got zero run support for his efforts from his new Halo’s. I still think that was a great p/u by LAA. They’ve gonna give Texas a run for their money for the AL West from here on out. The A’s are a bigger mirage than the palm trees and pond you see in the Sahara.
Yeah Zach pitched alright but my boy Jeremy Hellickson shut them down cold.Guess the Giants don’t need him though..
Nope. don’t need a 4th or 5th starter for what the Rays would want.
Sorry, I never answered Chuck’s question directly yesterday about the Olympics. BTW, very well done, Skip Vanderbundt. Not much. I’ve found myself gravitating towards the Winter Olympics the past few go a-rounds. I especially have become a HUGE curling fan. No, not Curlin (by Smart Strike out of Sherriffs Deputy), but the sport where they roll those stones across the ice and start sweeping their brooms. I love that shit.
Summer Olympics? Meh. I’ll watch a little of this and that, but nothing where I’m gonna set the clock.
And I know a lot of people like to hear and learn the stories of all the American athletes, but that’s all fluff to me. I’m a meat and potatoes guy. Unless there’s a post parade involved. Show me the damn race and be done with it.
What kind of meat and what kind of potatoes?
That’s a tough one, Nipper. I love them all. New York, filet mignon, ribs, any piece of pig. Fog Horn Leghorn. I say, I say, pay attention to me son. I love me some chicken. Don’t even tell me you have lamb chops, ’cause I’ll come beat down your van’s door. Since I mentioned Fog Horn, I best not forget Bugs and Daffy. I love me some rabbit and duck. Whether it’s Peking at me through the window or not.
Don’t even get me started on potatoes. Let’s just say if I ever had a daughter, I’d seriously consider naming her Julienne.
NBC has really cut way down on the background stories. They should get some credit for making that change.
Good!
The 2010 Giants got to where they got by being able to hit some homeruns. The 2012 team doesn’t hit many homeruns, and there’s no immediate fix in sight.
Dauber is definitely down at the moment. The struggling Mets are coming in for a big 4-game series, though. That could be very helpful.
And after this painful sweeping by the Dodgers in our home park, I’m sure some of you are interested in joining me on my ledge. No problem. Plenty of room up here and all of you are welcomed. For directions, just go to your nearest watering hole and ask how to get to Del Mar. Tell ’em not the Del Mar where the surf meets the turf, but the Del Mar where your lament meets the cement.
Denny goes colourful. LMAO
Wouldn’t shock me if the Mets left Hairston & Ramon Ramirez behind when they leave SF…
Broxton and League are the hot names right now.
Better off going with me, Twin. I brought up Ichiro here before days before anybody on Earth even thought he’d be dealt…
Well, I can see Hairston but Ramirez doesn’t help us now. We have a couple of him already.
I mentioned Baby Huey’s (Seattle Slew for Loo) name weeks ago and it was met with disdain.
Not that I was condoning it, I was Just Saying (AUS) [by Commands (AUS) out of Winning Table] is was a distinct possibility.
Denny, I’m the messenger. I didn’t endorse or condemn a Broxton deal, and I don’t think I did then either. But it’s possible I didn’t like it. My rule of thumb with Broxton is I want him if his fastball velocity is 1/3 of his weight…
“My” Dodgers are going to get Victorino or Pence AND Josh Johnson or James Shields.
What are we gonna get? As the TVG commentators at LOS AL like to say, “Souvenirs here!”
If true, you’ll be very happy, Denny.
What I said a few weeks ago is coming to fruition. The Dodgers are going to spend money like it’s going out of style. Will it help their club? I’d say Hanley already has done so. What about us? I think Sonny’s worst nightmare is going to come true…We’re gonna walk out of the bathroom in Louis’ Restaurant just holding our dick in our hands…
Seriously, since we all agree that this organization does indeed have the money. Shouldn’t they re-invest it in their company and buy new material? Fuck this “Rainy Day” fund you hear about. Spend Spend Spend (By Exemplary Leader out of Snow Lady) likes there’s no tomorrow. We only have to 12/21 as it is anyway. I’d start pissing it all away now. As a matter of fact, my bladder’s empty.
You had to be impressed by Tessio’s knowledge of toilets in NYC restaurants…
So Twin,would you give up Gary Brown for Hunter Pence?Then the Giants sign Michael Bourn in the offseason and sign Melky back of course.OF of Melky,Bourn,and Pence looks real solid.
Love it on paper…
That would be a 35 million dollar OF. But straight up, sure I’d trade Brown for Pence.
Yankees-Red Sox on ESPN or underage girls bending every which way on NBC?
Poll?
Bend it like Brooklyn Loo.
I was thinking about something like a catch and release program with the Hairstons. Get them to sign an agreement not to procreate and send them to the AL..
I will be curious to see what the Phillies do in the coming days…Like the Giants, they have sold out every game since their World Champsionship, and have been competetive for quite some time…However, like the Giants they have a farm system ranked near the bottom, and a very steep payroll….If they go into fire sale mode, how will the fans react? What exactly is their blueprint to keep that sellout streak intact? The Giants could find themselves in the same boat in 2013, and I think some of the decisions the Phillies make in the next couple of days, could be worth watcing.
Marty Lurie is saying at least another 2-3 weeks until Pablo returns. I dunno. I think that split of his did more damage that they’re letting on…Remember the Banana Splits? I used to watch those guys every morning before I went to school…
Live and Let Die just took on a whole knew meaning for me…
Costa’s one layer of make-up short of a mime…
Missed another stinker today, and most grateful for that. If only the Giants had delivered the way Chuck and Snarkk did this weekend, they might still have first place all to themselves.
Willie Mac is one of the biggest reasons why I became a Giants fan, even though I missed his truly fearsome 60s days. It helped that I was a lefty and always tried to emulate that intimidating stance. Maybe it was hearing the stories of his hitting prowess, how pitchers trembled at the sight of him in the batter’s box, and, as Kat pointed out, even the way he threw the ball around the infield. Simply put, the man was a legend, a still-active one at that, and as far as the Mets and Yanks were concerned in the early 70s, there wasn’t a hitter around like that.
And despite seeing Willie play in person only a few times, I was lucky enough to see him hit one out. In 1977, on the eve of going to a Dave Bing basketball camp in the Poconos, Willie went deep at the Vet in a 7-0 win over the Phillies. What a great thrill.
There was also the number — 44 is just a cool number. I don’t know how this has happened, but my daughter picks 44 every chance she gets. She wore it today under her goalie shirt for two games, the second of which was a 2-0 shutout. So there ya go, Snarkk, you sent good vibes our way with your superb post.
I’m not getting the Brandon League talk at all. His peripherals are great- if he’s the the #7 reliever.
Sounds like it’s Broxton more than League.
We don’t need another Hensley, really. This is before today:
League 45 G 44.1 IP 45 H 19 BB 26 K 3.05 ERA 1.444 WHIP
Hensley 42 G 36.1 IP 29 H 20 BB 31 K 3.22 ERA 1.349 WHIP
While I don’t trust Sabean in getting the right bat at the deadline, I do when it comes to pitching…Ramirez and Lopez weren’t exactly burning up the pages of MLBTR when they were had…Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Giants get a reliever or two under the radar.
Mota’s end of August, riight?
Yeah, I believe he is elgible to come off the day before rosters expand…Last day a player is elgible for post season play.
Agree that Sabean has a better track record getting pitchers, but I don’t see any of our pitchers preventing back to back shutouts by the Dodgers… they need a bat or two. Ok, “need” is too strong for some of you…. but Pablo’s absence is going to hurt without getting new lumber in the lineup.
Paul, Maybe it was just me saying they didn’t “need” as much as generally thought. It’s not like I’m against a “big bat”, I just might be more concerened with what it might cost- if we give up one of our two best chips- Belt or Brown- they need to get more than a rental, IMO. The major trade I would go for would be a RH 1st Baseman/OFer
Penny’s BP notwithstanding, I’m not nearly concerned about the relief corps as I am the hitting corpse . . .
I’m never one to panic, always figure management will do the right thing. Funnily enough, last year at this time, with the team having just made a run to the top of the division and seemingly hitting on all cylinders, it didn’t distress me much to see the hitting slump in early August.. figured they’d turn it around. But they didn’t… the slump became a black hole they never pulled out of. Perhaps it’s just that somewhat recent display of no bats that concerns me now heading into August. Of course, Sabean did pick up a bat last year…. so, it’s a crap shoot, that’s what Craig has been saying, lots of luck has to come into play. To avoid being at the mercy of Lady Luck, it would be so much better if the current bats would just start doing their f-ing job.
That’s sort of what K & K were saying – that the Giants were able to withstand Panda’s first DL stint thanks to the contributions of Pagan, Blanco, etc that they haven’t been getting…
They did pull out of the hitting slump last year- after losing 10 games in the standings.
REVRETT!!!!