Baseball and books, two of the great things in life!
I’m going to the Giants game today, and I’m very excited about it! Well, I’m ALWAYS excited about going to a Giants game, but today even more so. Last night’s win was especially sweet. The Panda is back, the lineup looks the best it’s looked all season, and MadBum pitched the way we expect our main pitchers to pitch: lights-out domination. The Giants are in what may be shaping up to be an epic division battle with the Dodgers, and face it- this is awesome. Sure I’d like the Giants to have a 10-game lead in the division right now; but since that hasn’t happened by this time, they are now in a classic division title fight, and we as their fans are right there with them. We get to go on the ride with them; that’s one of the great thrills of baseball.
And it’s nice relief and distraction from some of the other things going on, like the grim state of politics. Super-PACs pouring millions and millions of dollars into attack ads to win over “undecided” voters….those people who don’t pay attention. In a CBS poll from last week, 38% of those polled said they had NEVER HEARD OF Paul Ryan before. What a joke. It would be hard to call that “healthy democracy.” However someone feels about Ryan (and let’s just say I’m not a fan), people should have at least HEARD of him before. Maybe that’s part of the reason for the baseball book kick that I’m on; books combining history and baseball give that extra dose of comfort and relaxation. (I’m often on a baseball book kick, but sometimes more often than other times.) I just finished the Lefty Gomez biography and found it very engaging and compelling. I’ve started reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s baseball-oriented memoir of her youth in the 1950s, and then the book waiting for me after that is about Connie Mack. There’s just a lot of really terrific baseball books out there, as demonstrated by our own Pawlie K., and new ones coming along at a steady rate it seems. Baseball is no longer the #1 most popular sport in the nation, and hasn’t been for several decades; but the game is as great as ever, and books about it are as great as ever. I’m sure at some point I’ll be onto a different reading kick, and certainly I have many unread books on my shelves I want to get to; but for now, the baseball books are hitting the spot nicely. And also hitting the spot nicely will be time at the ballpark today. Lincecum vs. Strasburg. Two firstplace teams battling it out. An opportunity for a playoff-type atmosphere to the event. Every game is huge the rest of the way, and every game is an chance for something memorable to happen. Every season itself is like a book, and this season has exciting and unpredictable chapters to go.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
In my book, nothing beats a day game in the middle of the week. Retirees keeping score, folks taking their kids out to the yard and even though schools out, it feels like playing hooky.
Have a great day Z, hopefully the Giants write a winning chapter for us today.
Have a great time Zum–always nice to know a Flapper is in the house during a game!
“I’m going to the Giants game today, and I’m very excited about it!”– Zumie
What a perfect way to start a thread.
I’m envious, I will have to catch snippets of the game off the internet while at work.
Last night’s game was a good confidence boost for the crew. Getting their ass handed to them 4 straight by the Nats might have been getting into their dome a bit…..
Bozo—I agree with you regarding 1993 being about more than one or 2 guys going off. The line-up was crazy that year–Robby Thompson had a great year and even Manwaring hit .275. I could look it up to be sure, but I think Barry actually hit 5th much of the time—which still blows my mind.
enjoy, zum. and thanks for that link to the gomez site with the cool video. since that was final post from late last night, might want to re-post that one. Most enjoyable, and I look forward to checking out the bio.
I think thelonious monk said something like, “without music the world wouldn’t be a very nice place.” I’d throw books and baseball in there to describe my life.
Day game!
Awesome, Zumie! Have a great time, and like John said, hopefully the Giants write another great chapter for us today. I was at Sunday’s game and it was so sweet. The Giants have sucked this year at coming back (especially in late innings), and to see them put a 5-spot up in the 8th was unbelievable.
You mentioned baseball is no longer the number one sport, and also how 38% of polled Americans said they have never heard of Paul Ryan (I too am NOT a fan). These two facts show what a large portion of the American public is disillusioned.
I too love books, and am always looking for more to read. Send me a list of your top 10 baseball books.
Speaking of books…I have a stack about 6 ot 7 high on the nightstand waiting for me. If I add to it, my girlfriend will not believe it (we both are avid readers, but I know she will jokingly give me shit about ordering more books). 🙂
One of the many reasons why I have loved baseball for as long as I can remember (my folks tell me that before I could even walk, while sitting on the floor as a toddler I was throwing a pair of rolled-up socks like a baseball into a big pillow held by my Dad, for strikes) is that there are so many aspects of the game — numerological, spiritual, symbolism and nuance, and outright physical and mental skill — that can and often do serve as a metaphor for many of life’s moments and stages. Baseball as metaphor of life. Books as both mirror of life and creation of parallel universes to life. Books about baseball… very true, Z, nice thread.
Well put Zumie.
Should be a great match up today. And a huge game for TImmy’s confidence as they head into the stretch. Wish I could see this one a few rows behind home plate.
I agree with everyone, great topic my headed-to-the-yard friend. So I will focus on the politics part. Ryan has done one thing: brought dems and repubs together. BOTH parties are happy he is running for VP.
and a quote from the late Gore Vidal: “I have heard that 50% of the American public do not read newspapers and that 50% of voters do not vote. One would hope it is the same 50%.”
What the hell does a hairdresser know?
Only his hairdresser knows for sure . . .
LMAO…wrong Vidal. But as Chuck sez…his hairdresser may know some interesting shit. Hairdressers and bartenders generally do…
Politics is pretty much a joke these days. Ryan voted for the war, the Wall St. bailouts, drugs for seniors, and any number of programs that escalated the deficit to astronomical proportions. Now it’s Obama’s fault? Right. It’s true because he sez so.
These guys prey on the fact that the average American believes whatever bullshit they spit out. Socialist! Woman-hater! Tax cheat! Well, that one’s true,
It’s a rigged game. Either side, no matter who’s in, plays this shit the same way. Get in to Congress. Do all you can to stay there. Congress’ approval rating is what, 8%? As long as corporations can walk the halls of Congress with suitcases full of money and dictate policy, nothing changes. I’m no bleeding heart, and there are issues on both sides of the aisle I can get behind, but the political process is a media game now. Issues aren’t discussed. It’s all about sound bites and the latest gaffe. Since the media is really run by 3-4 companies, where’s the impetus to report real news? Or engage in honest debate? Nowhere. Instead we get Fox and MSNBC waging a war on intelligence. 75% of the people seem to take the bait hook, line, and sinker. Fuck it.
So, yeah, baseball is a nice diversion.
Good take Chuck . . . This is my take:
This little boy goes to his dad and asks, “What is politics?
“Dad says, “Well son, let me try to explain it this way:
I’m the breadwinner of the family, so let’s call me Capitalism.
Your Mom, she’s the administrator of the money, so we’ll call her the Government. We’re here to take care of your needs, so we’ll call you the People. The nanny [babysitter], we’ll consider her the Working Class. And your baby brother, we’ll call him the Future.
Now, think about that and see if that makes sense.” So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said.
Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper. So the little boy goes to his parents’ room and finds his mother sound asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny’s room.
Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed.
The next morning, the little boy says to his father, “Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now.” The father says, “Good son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about.”
The little boy replies, “Well, while Capitalism is screwing the Working Class, the Government is sound asleep, the People are being ignored and the future is in deep shit.”
That’s excellent, Steve…LMAO. I think I have seen this before in some iteration…but still priceless.
Baseball a diversion?
Baseball is Life. The Rest is Just Details…
Too funny. I hate to be cynical, but the endless news cycle of absolute bullshit is just too hard to drown out. I swear, the only politician that I really ever got behind was John Anderson. Maybe since it was the first presidential election I was able to vote on, but he made way too much sense. He routinely killed Reagan and Carter in the early debates, and had some truly innovative ideas. He was barely a blip on the radar by election time. Outspent by both sides, he faded away the closer the election got.
I just read about Chad Johnson “head-butting” his wife, Evelyn Lozada. Why? According to Davie, Fla., police, Lozada found a receipt for a purchase of condoms and confronted Johnson about it at dinner. The argument continued during their drive home, and when they arrived at their driveway, he allegedly head-butted her. I guess this is a case of where the “Government” wasn’t sleeping while the “Capitalism” was fucking the “Working Class.” Ha. 🙂
Yeah, I liked John Anderson too Chuck. I still ended up voting for Carter – whom I still admire for all the humanitarian and charitable work he has accomplished since leaving the Presidency. In fact, I maintain he was a very good president with very, very bad luck. Worst economy besides the one Obama inherited and the failed rescue of the hostages sunk his chances. In my mind, the only president we have had with a conscious and awareness of right and wrong.
That was some funny shit Blade,….Nice job Zumie,enjoy what will be a like an old band I once saw at Winterland “Beautiful Day”
I think the most amazing part about Brandon Belt’s August is that he’s had 2 strkeouts.Granted there’s still 1/2 the month left,but after the depressing July (30 K’s) it’s pretty dang hard to fanthom how hot he’s become.
The LU that started last night is the one Bochy needs to stick with the rest of the way IMO.Scutaro is the 2B period! Better hitter and way better fielder then Theriot.Scoots will need a blow now and then but he should be in there 6 out 7 games a week.
Good tunes – It’s a Beautiful Day…one of the iconic 60s bands out of SF.
Agree on the LU, Kat. Crawford will get his off days when they face a lefty, and Pablo and Scoot will need a break…will provide playing time for Theriot and Arias. I really do like the way the LU is shaping up.
And not to beat yesterday’s thread to death again…but I do think the bullpen needs some work. Penny on the DL…I think he’s done. (I thought he was suspect before his last outing.) And I have mentioned that I don’t have all the confidence in the world with Hensley. I still think bringing Mota back would be a good idea. Baggs said last night on the pre-game that he is working out in Zona. At a minimum I think he would be a good addition when rosters expand.
Anyway…what a great match-up today. Would be HUGE to take the series from the Nats and have Tim top Strasburg.
Pagan – CF
Theriot – 2B
Cabrera – LF
Posey – C
Sandoval – 3B
Pence – RF
Belt – 1B
Crawford – SS
Lincecum – P
Buster Ballgame catches Tim again…
Thank God for that. I woulda been a little pissed if Hectare was catching.
Melky might not be playing today . . .
What’s up with Melky?
I’m all for giving Posey some rest, but he’s hotter than the sun right now. Got to keep him in there.
It’s all over Twitter: BREAKING: Giants OF Melky Cabrera suspended 50 games without pay after testing positive for Testosterone
Unfrickingbelievable. The only good news here is that we didn’t sign his stupid fucking ass for 5 years at $75 million. Dumb fuck.
Pffffft! This just made making the playoffs exponentially more difficult, if not impossible.
Oh shit!!
life sucks
50 games? I’m not certain, but I think that means he DOES NOT PLAY THE REST OF THE YEAR.
God damn it. Melkman is on the juice.
See ya in 2013, guys…..maybe.
45 games left, and it’s effective immediately, so he’s probably played his last game as a Giant. Good riddance.
does Hector Sanchez play the OF? or did Blanco just get 50 days of playing time?
does this affect the MVP 😈
Wonderful. Can Melky pull the pizza delivery defense?
So he knew the tests were coming and he stopped and that is why we have seen a bit of a slump lately?
what a boob
So the Giants get ONE FUCKING DAY with their preferred lineup.
Might as well start delving into politics.
Think they’ll bring up Gary Brown?
Yeah, same thought Chuck (see below).
Is Brown still raking in the minors? I wonder if he gets called up? I’m thinking that we could have used Nate right now. LOL. So, Blanco starts for the time being, until reinforcements (HAHAHAHAHA) arrive, right?
Might as well call Brown up. The rest of the stiffs won’t do anything.
Here is Melky’s statement,
“My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used. I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization, Melk Maids, Flapper Nation, and to the fans for letting them down.”
Idiot.
Fuck him and those faggot fuckin’ Melkmen, too…
He forgot to mention Dirt.
the slacker
Fortunately Ed, Loo has him covered for the “Melkmen.”
🙂
Nate’s got a broken toe. No chance there 🙂
I just hope they don’t call up Christian. Been there, done that.
I say we all go to Melky’s house and get drunk, on him!
He’s probably at Mota’s house.
Gary Brown is hitting .280 at Richmond (AA), with 7 HR, 38 RBI, 31 SB, and 74 SOs in 118 games. Of course I am guessing here, but based on his Double AA stats, he would probably sink here (i.e., strikeout a lot).
FUCK! I go to work out and come back to Melky’s 50 game suspension. What a fucking idiot.
So, seriously. Mota has been popped twice, yet he was working out for the Giant in Scottsdale yesterday.
Melky made a mistake a lot of ballplayers make. Do you think the Giants still go after him for next year (multi-year deal)?
No way Chi . . . The Giants statement (see below) on this matter was very curt, but it revealed exactly how pissed off they are about this matter. I don’t see how they bridge that gap, where Melky is here next year.
“We were extremely disappointed to learn of the suspension of Melky Cabrera for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program. We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing drugs from our game. Per the protocol outline by Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, the Giants will not comment further on this matter.”
Cabrera with the big bummer. What a let down.
tough luck, mate 😦
The Melkman Dopeth.
the Melkman IS a dopeth. This years Tour de France had all the top riders shouting from the rooftops that this was a great year, everyone was clean. I was starting to feel that way about BB.
I would not bring Brown up. Maybe when rosters expand…but not on the fly right after Melky’s suspension.
I’m ready to just not give a fuck.
Motherfrickin Melky!!!! What a major disappointment..I don’t want him on the team ever again…
Blanco in LF and Ryan in with Scooter on the bench
God fucking dammit!
I’ve had problems with too much testosterone for years now. It’s a real bitch.
😆
from today’s topic:
Every game is huge the rest of the way, and every game is an chance for something memorable to happen. Every season itself is like a book, and this season has exciting and unpredictable chapters to go.
Zumie, you nailed that one. This is one unpredictable memory of a chapter, **shakes head in disappointment** damn
Per ESPN video I just viewed, Melky would technically be allowed to play in the playoffs, after five play off games have been played. So, there’s a chance . . .
they don’t show the pre-game et al here, was much said by Bruce or the giants announcers?
And the Maids wept.
Fuck Fuck Fuck!!! Find out from whom Melky was getting his juice and get Blanco hooked-up!
WTF…how goddamned depressing…
Did Melky just turn a 5yr/$75m payday into a 1yr/$10m maybe
huff plays left, what is the worry?
got the pitcher leading off next inning – exactly what we want
Well, only 38 pitches and 2 runs. We’re good.
If you’re heading for the bottom of the 4th.
Go out and sign Manny Ramirez and piss everyone off.
I’m very much leaning toward Loo’s position. I just don’t know how I can rationalize getting excited over the rest of the season after something like this. It’s one thing when a marginal-at-best player like Mota gets suspended, but it’s quite another when it’s someone who’s had the huge impact that Melky has had on the Giants. Maybe I’m overreacting, and maybe this will pass, but right now I feel like this is the day the season died.
With you Mac (and Loo). Usually, when I am pissed off, I disguise it with humor . . . Very difficult to see how the Giants succeed going forward without Melky.
It’s disappointing but it’s just one position player. They cam move on from this. Sabean knew he was getting investigated, it’s probably why he HAD to go out and get Pence. Pablo’s back. Belt is hitting. It’s hardly the end of the world.
Hey, git out of your mourning clothes and root. the team needs you.
Gawwwd. 38 pitches in the 1st. Fuck, Timmy. Way to fight through your own headfuckedness.
I’m with DJ. Fuck this. The real pisser? Melky serves his suspension and signs a big fucking deal somehwere else. 50 games? Barely a blip on his fucking radar.
Good riddance motherfucker.
I just don’t see that happening. He may go somewhere else, but
He was having a career year. Everyone was amazed. asking wuestions like, “is he maturing into this great player?” Nope. Now he is an unknown again. a risky bet. If this was football, I’d say he needn’t worry the Raiders would sign him. But this is baseball and there are lots of outfielders.
Oh, yeah, the poor guy will get a one year 8 million deal.
Poor bastard.
well, that’s about a $67m off what he was looking at about 10 cents on the dollar or a 90% loss.
OK, Timmy. Get the 3rd fucking out.
I’d love to see the team make a stand and just fucking release him, playoffs or not.
Timmy can’t hit a target to save his life , . . .
Per Yahoo, Giants wont make a roster move until tomorrow.
Strasburg forget how to throw strikes?
I *believe* the saying is Steve can’t hit a target to save his life
I wonder if the Giants tell Mota to leave Scottsdale ASAP…No way he’s in the cards now.
Blanco is a fucking waste of time. Craword better do something.
I’m too pissed about all this. What a feel-good story gone straight to the shitter.
On a day like today I really miss Dennis.
Hey! Crawfish! Nice time for a hit.
That woke up the crowd, will we regret not hitting for TL?
oh, wait . . .
Oh joy. Timmy’s going to give it right back.
These guys need to communcate better. Every play in a gap Pagan needs to make a fucking call. He never does.
The nats are doing something that is difficult to do: hit ’em where they ain’t.
Well, Pence said yesterday that he was leery of Pagan closing in on the ball in the gap that Pence ended up dropping.
Same shit here. Pagan didn’t call off Pence and stops short of catching the ball because Pence is closing in.
Fucking Timmy’s wildness forces him to come in. Boom.
I’m starting to think it is no coincidence that Giants keep getting popped for PEDs. We’ll now be known for this even more, and I won’t blame others for thinking that. What’s in this organization that this keeps happening?…
Conspiracy theory
I had no clue about any rumors and never heard about this until today. Don’t know if it was mentioned here or not.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/baseball-san-francisco-giants/giants-talk/A-public-apology-to-Melky-Cabrera?blockID=747609&feedID=2539
eerie, we all saw that rumor and we all dismissed it knowing how tough baseball has become trying to prove it is a clean sport. We all saw the apology and believed what we wanted to believe and we moved on. Happy that our Melk Man was clear of the rumour.
Hindsight they say
Yeah, I never did hear about it. . Oh well, time to move on..
I’m not going to throw in the towel on the playoffs due to stoooopid Melky. But, I’ve got the towel off the ropes. As far as him being a Giant again, who knows? But, wherever he goes, he won’t be as rich a Melky had he not been popped….
Well, I can’t get on board of all the doomsayer rabble. Fuck, you guys make it sound like he (Melky) was the first guy to ever get popped for PEDs. Sure, he was one of our top guys, but I am with Flavor on this one…he is ONE position player. The team is bigger than one player. Giddy up and move on.
And I would not close the door or potentially signing Melky for next year. I know that is not how many of you feel, but that’s my spin.
Far from it Chi . . . We are experiencing:
7 Stages of Grief…
1. SHOCK & DENIAL-
You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. You may deny the reality of the loss at some level, in order to avoid the pain. Shock provides emotional protection from being overwhelmed all at once. This may last for weeks.
2. PAIN & GUILT-
As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain. Although excruciating and almost unbearable, it is important that you experience the pain fully, and not hide it, avoid it or escape from it with alcohol or drugs.
You may have guilty feelings or remorse over things you did or didn’t do with your loved one. Life feels chaotic and scary during this phase.
3. ANGER & BARGAINING-
Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the death on someone else. Please try to control this, as permanent damage to your relationships may result. This is a time for the release of bottled up emotion.
You may rail against fate, questioning “Why me?” You may also try to bargain in vain with the powers that be for a way out of your despair (“I will never drink again if you just bring him back”)
4. “DEPRESSION”, REFLECTION, LONELINESS-
Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you. This is a normal stage of grief, so do not be “talked out of it” by well-meaning outsiders. Encouragement from others is not helpful to you during this stage of grieving.
During this time, you finally realize the true magnitude of your loss, and it depresses you. You may isolate yourself on purpose, reflect on things you did with your lost one, and focus on memories of the past. You may sense feelings of emptiness or despair.
5. THE UPWARD TURN-
As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized. Your physical symptoms lessen, and your “depression” begins to lift slightly.
6. RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH-
As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one. You will start to work on practical and financial problems and reconstructing yourself and your life without him or her.
7. ACCEPTANCE & HOPE-
During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation. Acceptance does not necessarily mean instant happiness. Given the pain and turmoil you have experienced, you can never return to the carefree, untroubled YOU that existed before this tragedy. But you will find a way forward.
🙂
Go for it…I am not knocking anyone else for their take/spin on the situation. My take – players do this shit regularly, and some (like Mota and Melky) get caught. Oh fucking well. Sure, I am bummed, as he brought so much to the table for our team, but on the flip-side, there is absolutely nothing I can do about the situation (and pissing and moaning and tossing in the towel solves nothing). Time to find out what the options are for moving on, what the other players on the team can bring to shore up the situation, and get about the business of winning the Fucking National League West. There’s No Crying in Baseball…
Or, football season starts in 3 weeks!