The Importance of Being Earnest (As in ‘Earning’ Wins)
Despite the overarching attempt at cleverness in the title, this is really about comebacks.
The Rays just overcame an 8-0 deficit to beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or Some Other Pedestrian SoCal Locale), 10-8.
I assert every pennant winner, or at least postseason team, must have a big-comeback win in that season.
I can’t prove it or back it up. It’s just my assertion, my contention, my 2:25 a.m. proposition.
Remember that game in 2010 when Juan Uribe hit a HR en route to a comeback victory against the Dodgers on a Saturday night? That sort of thing. If memory serves (and it often serves like a temptress), Flavor (typically called “Magnus” by me) was at that game.
On the flip side of this, I have an unprovable theory that last night’s (Saturday night’s) (it’s Saturday night for me mentally but not technically, know what I mean?) win over the Padres was crucial. By that I mean it would have been I’ll-take-the-gas-pipe AWFUL if we had blown that game in the ninth inning.
Alas, we won.
Maybe it turns out big.
But all wins are big, no matter where on the calendar.
What do you think of The Importance of Earnestly Achieved Comeback Wins?
(Good night.)
(Good morning.)
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Yeah, the big comeback wins are important because every team wants to deeply believe that they are a “team of destiny,” that the baseball gods are taking special notice of them, that the team is going to catch the big breaks that season. The Giants battled through a really bad break in Saturday night’s game. The ump blowing the call on strike 3 from Affeldt, opened up Pandora’s box, and the Giants were able to valiantly get the lid closed barely in the nick of time. That would have been a crusher of a loss. But instead, the Giants stay in first place, and the Dodgers are shown that the Giants aren’t going away.
Hmmm. Since I only “watched” the game with online symbols upon my gradual reentry into Baseball World from the Adirondacks, I didn’t know all that back story. (Back story? Front story, as in REALITY.)
And thanks for the book comments the other day, Zumieeeee. Just did some catching up.
I did not know of any final scores of Giants (or any other) games since last Saturday night. Mostly by choice. Cleanses the soul. Or something like that. Baseball Deprivation Binge-Purge Syndrome (BDBPS).
Oh shit! Pawklie, you posting means I’m on deck!
I got nuthin’
re-post something from ninersforever.com. No one will notice. 🙂
BLEEP!
And I think Snarkk said he needed someone to pinch hit for him on his next one.
He’s going to be in the mountains or somewhere else out of internet range.
One of the big comeback wins in 2010 was, of course, the Donny Two-trips game. The Giants were losing by 5 or 6 runs, just dead in the water, Timmy not pitching well, and then…..Timmy drilled Matt Kemp with a pitch. That set off a chain of events that caused Joe Torre to get tossed and his second-in-command to get tossed, leaving Donny in charge. And, later, even with all that happened in the famous Two-trips inning to get Broxton out of there, Torres still had to hit the bases-clearing double off the not-fully-warmed-up lefty to make the comeback complete. The game also marked a turning point in how Giants fans perceived Bochy, that he was sharper than previously given credit for.
At least that’s how I remember it, anyway. (grin)
great way to ‘member, cause that was one for the ages
I think Zumie has it right, teams feel that *destiny* thing when they have big, comeback wins. When you’re 15 games under .500 and you get a game like that no one’s thinking *destiny* they’re just happy to get a break from the negative questions from the press for a night.
Pawlie, I was NOT at that 4-bomb game, Uribe 9th inning game winner. It was in LA. But I remember it like it was yesterday and it was one of many epic games in that beyond-epic September run. Here’s a dude’s video of that blast:
The feeling of destiny, confidence built, has great value in our game. Zumie got it right. Do not know if ya’ll are Angels fans, but they should be in the WCv2 hunt. Or were, cause this comeback win mojo can work both ways.
I had thought after 2002 that I would always forever detest the Angels, but….the passage of time, plus the Giants winning it all in 2010….and now I find that I don’t detest them anymore. They’ve achieved neutral status to me. And in certain situations, I could pull for them in a World Series in the future, say, if the Angels were playing the Dodgers or Cardinals, or D-Backs.
I checked the *search engine terms* today (ie, the way some people find The Flap). They’re usually pretty normal: sf giants flap, sf giants blog, stuff like that. Here’s one that stood out this morning: “pics of Carlos Pena’s penis” I wonder how much time they spent here before they discovered those pics just might not be at this site….
didn’t Berger have some in the cave?
Actually, I heard he had pics of Nate taking pics of a naked Carlos Pena. But right now, those are still just unconfirmed rumors.
Believe it or not, just tying that in on this page, in quotes like that, will increase folks searching on that particular item.
Also, great topic PK. I would like to point out to the other members of the posting squad, that this was posted @ 2:30am local time. The early posting gauntlet has been dropped after being started by Flavor a couple of days ago.
But back to the greatness of PKs current:
title – cleverness
alliteration – twice not once
and in my best butthead voice – hehe you said pedestrian hehe
welcome back oh ye of cleared psyche
Thank you, expat fan across the pond, Britannia rules the rules the waves, never ever will be slaves, you’re a bit of all right, mate. BTW, my son introduced us to some funny Brit. TV last night. Mitchell and Dobbs?? Two guys doing funny sketches, often nonsensical.
During the pre-torture days it always seemed like if SF got down a few the game was over. So every one of these you get does provide impetus, imo, even to the vet laden teams. Nice thing about the offense lately is that it’s coming from all of them–arias last night pagan with 3 hits and a hustle triple day before, bomb from scutaro, sac flies with runners on 3b… Posey is taking command but he’s got plenty of help.
As to comebacks, when I was helping coach an 11th grade asian traveling team there was a team from Sac we had not beaten for years. Playing first game against them in SouthSF we got down 15 by second quarter. Called a t/0 and switched up the defense, and eventually came back and beat them and then won two more and captured the tournament championship. And after that we beat them 4 times in a year with the same D and the same players, often by double digits. It was definitely a springboard for the guys confidence in themselves and our system, and we had our best season (they had been together since 7th grade) the following year when they were seniors.
Flav..I WAS at the Uribe game in 2010. It was epic (at the time) for the win, but because two drunkin Dodger fans were giving my friend and I shit the whole game. Standing up blocking our view “Giants suck” etc the whole game. Priceless win!
Zumie i go to Angel games with my family a lot…Bizzare no mention of the WS victory anywhere on the field. They list division titles on the outfield walls, but nothing of 2002. They are neutral for me too, except i still hate that fucking Monkey!
I respect the Angels, especially Mike Scioscia, but am not fond of them, especially their stupid official name. In 2002, they were hungrier, played harder, were managed better. They proved you gotta get 27 outs. It hurt, but it was on us for not winning, not going the distance. I am happy the Rays beat them last night.
PS Don’t hold your breath for a win today. I can hope but…
Just checked Giants are 4-10 this year in games where they can get a sweep! Awful.
Padres have to win sometimes.
Funny, Zume,I still can’t stand the Angels, an nothing would make me happier than seeing the A’s make the playoffs while trading alll their guys, and the Angels miss the playoffs by blowing gazillions on Pujols, CJ, Weaver, Haren and Grienke.
The fuck-monkeys also just had their anti-destiny moment. They blew an 8 run lead last night in their loss to the Rays, Fuck ’em. Maybe it’s being raised in Nor Cal, but any LA team (even Anaheim) deserves scorn ad ridicule. If it came down to the Dogs and the Monkeys, I’d pass.
BLEEPs from Chuck! He hates angels! Fairy’s too?
I’m less concerned abut this one than usual ‘Dude. Vogey’s coming off his worst performance since 2003, and I think he goes lights-out today.6-2 . . .
“The Importance of Being Earnest”
At first glance, I thought this was going to be a thread on Ernest Riles being impotent, oh well. Back to searching for Carlos Pena’s nasty bits.
yeah, I thought there was going to be an ernest riles story in there somewhere.
Watching pence get a big knock last night to drive in the 8th run we wound up needing and of course the 3-run bomb to complete the comeback vs. rox, it’s been at least a year since Nate did anything like that (and he rarely homered at ATT). And now it’s august and he’s hurt again. Must be lonely at the top, or wherever.
I was a big Travolta fan from the 70’s until they showed him several times cheering wildly for the Angels during the 2002 WS. Despised him ever since…
Is that when you stopped giving him massages?
Ouch!
Zito gets his next start because we pulled this out- otherwise Hacker would get it it. Tim is in a similar situation. Like it or not, that’s why Hacker is here…
Who is “Fat Bastardo?”..is he the slob who hasn’t given up a run in 6 games here?
Good thing Bochy had a buddy in the pen to save it last night…
Can’t prove this, either, Paul, but I’d guess nearly all champs also had a potentially devastating loss that they rebounded from…
SDude-so we only have 4 sweeps? Real question- anyone know what other teams have? Just a guess, but I doubt that the “failed sweep” number is all that unusual.
Didn’t Arizona have 2 of ’em in the 2001 WS?
Why yes he is Mike.
It’s just a nickname
Well, let’s see if Sabes can get a couple more pigs for our bullsty.
He can keep throwing down donuts if he keeps throwing up donuts. . .
“It’s just a nickname”
No, it’s not.
It isn’t? Then what is it, Mike? An indictment of his existence?
If it’s a “nickname” that that we wouldn’t mind being directed at friend or family, it’s just fine, Chuck.
What I call my mother in law is none of your business, mike.
Now that’s funny. Good one, Chuck.
OK, Mike, it’s an amalgamation of Phillie pitcher Antonio Bastardo, and Fat Bastard of Austin Powers fame.
Plus, Mijares is a little chunky. Get it? Let’s play dial-a-clue.
If you don’t like the stupid joke, shut up about it. Don’t pretend to be the arbiter of decorum around here.
Fuck off, Mike.
Gee, I seriously thought you were acknowledging the demeaning nature of it with your Mother-in-Law comment. Chuckles, I know what the “nickname” derives from. And as long as you limit it’s use to your fat friends and relatives it’s funny…
re-reading “band of misfits” I found the passage about the july 20 game zum mentioned, when tim was down 5-1 early and eventually donnie two trips f-ed up, and torres doubled off george sherrill and SF won 7-5, broxton getting the loss. Baggs writes following:
“On sept. 18, 2006 in bochy’s last year in SD, the Padres lost one of the most stunning games in regular season history. They gave up 4 consecutive HRs in the bottom of the 9th at dodger stadium and then lost 11-10 on nomar garciaparra’s 2 run shot in the 10th.
Bochy simply came to the ballpark the next day like nothing had happened. He told stories in the dugout and kept everyone loose. The padres beat the arizona diamondbacks that night, and won 10 of 13 down the stretch to win the NL West.”
Nice job, Willie…
What did you think of Afeldt’s antics when he didn’t get that strikeout? We’ve had our share of pitchers who went to pieces over a ‘bad call’ haven’t we?
How weird is this? Melky’s ‘camp’ tried to create a false trail to lay the groundwork for saying he accidentally took something to cause the positive testosterone test. Curiouser and curiouser
http://tinyurl.com/8nvvxue
Now he has the Fed’s looking to talk to him as it starts to smell like ‘organized’ drug peddling. Any time you demonstrate prior acts to hide the crime, the Feds can rip you a new one. Many is going to be sorry he took a chance. if the jerks who represented him got him into this, this is not going to be a good thing for baseball. it means there are others, but how many?
Last night was a great example of why Wilson’s loss hasn’t been the catastrophe some thought it would be- our pen is too deep and Bochy pulls the strings too well for late inning relief to become a liabilty. Down to Hensley- probably the the 4th or 5th in line to close, Bochy still had a guy who had only allowed 5 of 28 inherited runners to score ( that’s good)…
It will be interesting to see if Mota comes back or some trade is struck for him. I think it brings back memories of recent despair by the fandom. He may have to be sacrificed but will he be effective is the big question? He is old, probably out of shape, for the big tent, and will be under a microscope if he stays. Thoughts?
Twin I didn’t think the sweep stat meant much either. Still don’t. Total wins all that matter, But….
hated Dodgers are 9-3 in games to complete a sweep. 2 of those 3 losses are when they were going for a 4 game sweep. 9-1 going for 3 gamer is impressive.
Considering the records, one has to guess we’re pretty impressive in winning series where we lost game one, that almost has to be the case. We’re making up that sweep stat somwhere. But I don’t look as hard for negatives as some do.
Again, Mike, Dude commented on the Giants 4-10 record when they can sweep a given team. Then he pointed out the Dodgers 9-3 record in the same situation. People have said all year that these guys have trouble completing sweeps. It’s an observation, Mike. Dude’s not saying the Giants are doomed to failure because they can’t close out sweeps, just that their record in that situation isn’t good.
Of course your observation is to ignore what he’s saying as positing your own smarmy shit.
You must be feeling better because you are getting back to your old condesending arrogant self.
Good for you.
No, pal. I pointed out, politely, that we’re obviously making up that sweep stat somewhere- since we’re ahead of them.Let Dude get insulted on his own, I don’t think he needs your help.
Yes. Wins – losses. How or when rarely matters. A stat for everything. We will win today I believe, because we just will.
Tennessee v California is on LLWS elimination game. Winner continues on, loser hits the consolation bracket for one more game. Should be over by game time. 🙂
LA up 1-0 mid 5th. Game is on TBS..
Oakland has 12 walk off wins this season, first in the majors.
We were incredible at that early last year- it’s a luck stat more than anything- it caught up with us.
Yeah, but when ever I see Oakland leading at anything I am surprised.
One of the LL players said, during the video profiles they do on all players, his favorite ML player is Melky. Guess they made these videos before the tourney started, about a week ago.
5 – 4 Tennessee end of fourth. This kid pitching for them has 17 innings pitched in the tourney so far and 27 Ks.
In any sport, seemingly negative stats can be misleading. Alex Smith and the Niners were among the worst in red zone effeiciency last year- and Smith was the best in football the previous year. Denny’s boy Manning said it well about football- the most important offensive goal is still having possession of the ball when the play is over. The wealth of stats certainly makes it easy to find something that’s troublesome no matter well your team is doing. Look, we all know that Joe’s numbers in the “Catch” game basically sucked- but was that real important at game’s
end? It’s “interesting” about our sweep record, but not important- as Dude acknowledges…
Why do you have to argue about jokes, Mike?
You’ve been demoted from Major Buzzkill to Cap’t.Buzzkill.
It’s over for me- but I don’t argue about jokes- and calling our new relief pitcher “Fat Bastardo” is not a joke. Caling your dear mother in law Fat Bastardo *is* funny.
Please explain Mike. Oh aribter of humor. You are insufferable, skippy.
I’m sorry, I won’t be discussing the fat people in your family anymore, Chuck. Or any other fat people.
OK, he’s calorically challenged Bastardo.
13 pitches and only 3 maybe 4 were balls
Fuck, Vogie. What the hell?
Well, there’s a gift run.
Shit, the supposedly tough roadie for the Dogs, they went 7-3. Let’s hope the G’s can take these guys down in their house.
Macdog and Pawlie just spent a very fine two hours together at so-called DesTINY USA, talking baseball and other matters.
were you getting the free haircuts at Penneys or practising your golf swings?
If I were to declare what the most captivating allurements were, I’d Melkify myself.
so your corralled a flapper to go with you to cover your play?
just too obvious when you are doing it by yourself?
hahahahahaha
Yikes, 61 pitches in 2 innings so far …better throw Hacker out there and save the pen for LA
Isn’t a guy supposed to at least try and get out of the way from being hit by a pitch?
Actually, they don’t have to try to get out of the way, they can’t try to get “in the way”.
called LBW and you are out in cricket
Just read about the effort by Melky and his *handlers* to create a ruse via a website, to use the “I didn’t know what I was ingesting” defense. Tawdry. Amateurish. Desperate. A gloomy commentary on modern sport. And do you believe only the website creator was the only culpable one? Just a fall guy. (Hey, why didn’t they approach me for some wordsmithing? I could’ve made boatloads of money and burnished [i.e., tarnished] my reputation with all the *right* connections.)
fascinating story unca linked to. And they thought they would get away with it???
straight out of “the gang that couldn’t shoot straight” — Loo, isn’t that a Jimmy Breslin book?
It’s certainly an early Robert DeNiro movie
If we were going to retaliate, now is perfect. Vogie has has thrown a lot of pitches, he’s mean, and he’s due up first in the next inning.
Chuck, your pal Barbara was lights out yet again today–only 3 hits allowed through seven shut out innings to beat the Braves 6-0. I don’t fucking have a clue where that damned team got their mojo from but for whatever reason they are outrageously on fire right now.
Pawlie, watch the Wilde references. People will start thinking we got too much class
or that I’m Irish with a gay smiley face
Don’t get crisp, Quentin
They’ll think you’re a bunch of classy fat fucks if you don’t watch it.
No way thats a double. Single and an error.
DesTINY USA? Isn;t that where DJ shops?
Calorically challenged fuck is gettng lit up…
pffft
Mother-in- Law is drinking again?
chuck, your edit on yourself screwed up my joke. Now *I* have to edit *myself*
Hah hah! Sorry, Ted.
You teetering on your high horse, Mike?
Ted, you’re a smart guy. I’m sure you can find many really classy ways to call Jose a fat fuck…
This just got real ugly. On the other hand, it’s still just the 5th
Mijares had a bad outing. Well, two good things:
1.Denny isn’t posting
2. Jose isn’t Jewish.
Jose isn’t Jewish? Are you sure?
One more. You ain’t funny.
Caliing Mijares “fat fuck” is bullshit and pretending you didn’t say it is chicken shit.
boo hoo!
Funny was when I said Buster had a “pear butt” and holy hell broke loose. FYI: it’s actually a classsy way to say “fat ass”…
Pawlie set this one up. ‘Cause there is now importance to being earning some runs for a comeback
BTW, how long have the Padres been wearing those Desert Storm camouflage uniforms? I never noticed before
Sunday home games . . .
Huh. Kind of odd. Thanks. Just never noticed
It’s kind of a hokey thing, in a way. There’s a lousy TV show called “Stars Earn Stripes” where actors pretend to be soldiers in a “reality show.” It’s about as awful an idea for a TV show that ever existed.
There is a big military presence down in SD with the Navy and Marine bases down there.
5-6 years now?
Well hell, that’s just me. I never realized what a great career Chipper Jones had until he announced this being his last year. I only noticed him from the post-season before. Shows how much I pay attention to anything not Giants
Shit! 96 pitches in 3 innings? Every time I think we are on a roll something new comes up. Vogelsong a rock. Now 2 horrid starts in a row. Used to be bullpen Torture. Now it’s the starters!
LA 10-1 going for 3 game sweep vs 4-11 if we hold on..Stupid stat. Sorry I brought it up..
No one had a problem with it being brought up. I only remarked, correctly, that we obviously had made up that “sweep deficit” in some other way. At least you’re not one of the dunderheads who puts it on the manager…
BTW, LA lost Friday, they were not going for a sweep today.
No one said they were . . .
Sportdude just did.
Well, I guess I’ll listen to the rest of this on the car radio. Gonna go visit my brother. Keep the faith, lads, it’s only the bottom of the…oh…nevermind…well, keep the faith, lads
This would definitely qualify as an epic comeback.
Gee, Blanco didn’t look too overmatched there.
Well that sucked.
BLEEP IT….
Voggy threw 30 pitches to Cabrera in 3 at bats? That’s a lot of contact. But he did have 7 K’s in 3 innings so his stuff was good. I only saw him pitch the 2nd inning. Though it looks like he’s had 2 bad starts in a row, I’m not classifying this one the same as the previous one. For those who saw all 3 innings, how’d he look?
He looked like Drrrty. Lots of fastballs fouled off, lots of 3-2 counts, and he couldn’t get the last out.
We’ve heard it with others- good stuff, poor location.
It was like Dirty in that he threw a lot of pitches- but Krukow always remarks about how Vogelsong has fastball command on both sides of the plate- he didn’t today.
Direrrrty also would miss bats. He led the league in swing throughs at least once. Once the hitters decided the plan would be better to not swing at his pitches, they started beating him. He still hasn’t adjusted to that and it’s one reason why he’s fallen so hard off the map.
This wasn’t about Dirty, and Kruk was stupid to reference it. AS I SAID, the only similiarity was the number of pitches.
Also his velocity was down to 86-89 often, according to KC media. You don’t miss many bats at that rate…
I’d check Fangraphs before I listened to the KC media. I have no idea what his velocity’s been this year, mostly due to disinterest. And I’m at the pool now so I’m not going to be looking it up but if I were home, that’s the site I’d check
I gave one reliable source,Royal’s Authortiy. Fangraphs, which I use religiously, says it’s 89.1 average.
I didnt hear Kruk say that. I merely pointed to the similarities to a bad Drrrty start. High pitch counts to every batter. Lots of fouls, and a not-very-good result. 96 pitches in 3 innings. Actually worse than the usual drrrty start.
You going to dog everything I post, Skippy?
But again, Vogie’s outing had nothing to do with Sanchez.
I didn’t “dog”your post Chuckie, just pointed out that the high pitch count was the only similarity- that’s a good thing for Vogie, “Skippy”..
9 X 2 = 18. The number of innings that the Pirate/Cardinal game is now going. That’s a long game!
A huge amount of those awesome Cardinal fans have flown the coop.
Well, I don’t really blame them. I mean, most people who carve out 3 hours to go to the game have plans 3 or 4 hours after the time the allotted to go to the game.
That’s actually sort of my point, I guess, in a roundabout way. The Cardinal fans are just like any other fans; there’s nothing special about them, regardless of what the national media thinks. And it’s no big deal, except it gets repeated a lot.
I see. I’ve never considered them any different than any other fans so I didn’t get the reference
Damn, Yankees Red Sox on ESPN. What are the odds?
That first AB vogs didn’t get a couple calls on pitches inner half and low, and it turned into a long AB and a long inning. Vogs imo is your classic nibbler, and he was just off with location/not getting the nod from the ump. His K’s came mostly on high fastballs, not his normal forte, but he wasn’t getting the low strike call so he had to adjust. Pads just wore him down, it was only 3-1 when he left I think. Mijares didn’t have it, but it was good to get him some extended work. Hacker does not look ready for prime time; I’d be surprised if he got a start, ever.
I thought the real issue was SF suddenly thinking long ball–lot of balls hit into the air today at Petco, some in tough luck. Pence just missed one, couple others struck well that held up long enough for Pads to snag them. Vogs almost drove in a run himself. Less patience than normal too.
Hacker is certainly on the way to pitching himself out of it- but his start here earlier this year and his rebound lately in Fresno- kinda not a pitcher’s league- is why they brought him up. But if they can rescue Timmy as they did Zits, they won’t have to worry about it. As to Mijares,they’re hardly working to stretch him out, he’s still basically a situational guy.
I just thought Mijares needed to throw some pitches in case he is asked to do a full inning. The LH was the one that burned him today, so if he wants to stick he’s gonna have to get those guys out.
I just can’t see bochy ditching zito or lincecum for Hacker during the stretch drive, unless there is an extended meltdown and they develop a sudden *injury*. I’m not saying one of them wouldn’t deserve it, I just doubt bochy goes that route even if they continue to pitch badly as often as they do well.
well, Hacker didn’t get too far last night before giving up a monster blast. He’s a peripheral answer, at best, for how to address the Zito/Timmy problem. Since the break, Timmy has been better than ZIto but hardly reliable. Both are still cranking out the decent start every now and again. Over their last 7 starts each, Timmy’s had 4 good ones, Zits has had 3. I don’t think either one of them are close to losing their rotation spot, even getting skipped once, to Hacker.
I’m not talking about “ditching” either one for the drive, but one or both getting a start skipped for Hacker or Petit is hardly out of the question. Zito is very close to that, at 7.50+ ERA this month. I doubt he would get his next start if he hadn’t been bailed out…as to Mijares, he’s not in danger of not sticking- he’s does get lefties out- using one hit by a lefty is a little harsh. They were 1 for 8 before today, .207 for the season- he’s not going anywhere.
I just think that Hacker is up here for the long relief job, probably till Mota gets back. You could be right but I think either Timmy or Zito would have to go “face down ass up” before Hacker gets a start. Winning or losing the Zito gm had no bearing on whether he makes his next start (IMO). He’s had 3 good ones out of the last 7, I don’t see Bochy bailing on him (or Timmy) for a Hacker spot start till there are 5 or 6 bad ones in a row
They’ve about exhausted their bad start allotment- that’s why they have a starter at the ready. There ain’t nobody getting 5 or 6 in a row…as I said the other day and I still believe it despite his rough relief outings- Hacker is less likely to give them 7 ionnings and 1 or 2 runs, but also less likely to give up the farm. Hacker, Zits, Timmeister- anyone would take 5 innings and 3 runs and hand it to the pen from anyone of them. Good night, Craig. Nice stories about raising a teen girl, BTW… I think I mentioned this before, after my daughter’s debacles with boys and then men- try women, Lisa…please.
“5 or 6 in a row” of implosions might have been a stretch, especially at this point in the year. But both of them have had decent/very good starts over the last 7 starts. Bochy doesn’t bail on guys who are pitching like that and you know that.
I suppose if Zito imploded next week there is a tiny chance he’d get skipped but I think he’s have to go bad the following start too, bringing the total to 4 straight bad starts (if you assume the next two suck) and then maybe Hacker gets a spot start if and they fake-injury ZIto….
But again, I don’t see that happening and the game they pulled out when he pitched last time out had NOTHING to do with threatening his rotation spot. Again…..IMO.
If Hacker starts for either ZIto or Timmy this month, I will eat my hat. Or at least someone’s hat, I ate mine a long time ago….
Twin, that whole *try-women* half-joke. I’ll tell ya, I can’t imagine going to prison for ever executing some chick who did my daughter wrong but some stinky, bro-high-fiving fraternity-fuck who gets her drunk in a bar and does….*whatever*…..now THAT guy is not as home-free–and neither would I be in the eyes of the law. I recognize that I need to get over all of this and she’s going to get older and become an adult at some point but that’s just what my brain tells me. There are too many things that I know about being a dude that makes me fear greatly for her future with one of those dumb asses…..
First- I no longer have any interest whatsoever whether Zito or Tim do better than the other. But I’m realistic about their history- and Zito has had 4 of his last starts 5 suck and has given exactly zero reason over not just one month or one year but EVER that he’ll do anything but hurt them in a stretch run. And Tim has shown this year that he can pitch them out of a game before a reliever can get his jacket off. I agree that one bad/one good would be good enough- but I think each has to have the next one be a “good”. Bochy has pretty much proven that he has run out of patience- pulling Zito after four, down 3 was significant, IMO. But I’ve said I hope both chowderheads make the issue academic..
unca_chuck said, on August 19, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Damn, Yankees
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Gettin’ all Broadway and shit? Saw Jerry Lewis in that when it came to SF. And my Goddaughter was in the chorus when her High School (Lowell. That’s right, Lowell motherfuckers) did it 3 years ago. Funny fucking show
Believe Giants fans, believe
Well, as I said when Loo declared I was baccck- not reallly. I felt better the last couple days because the hyrdocortisone and testesterone were easing the adrenal issues- but my hernia repair wound has become infected and antibiotics aren’t working, so it’s probably to the hospital tomorrow. And it’s obvious that most really think that calling a player a “fat fuck” is high humor and lacking that appreciation for sophisticated comedy has always been a failing for me. BTW, here’s an excelent article with numbers and common sense regarding Dirty. Night all, and fuck you, Chuck.
http://tinyurl.com/78jj9le
Either way and for however long, it’s good to have ya back, Twin
GO TWIN! You’re never boring!
Well put. But if you *ever* “sniff” again, I’m using my veto power.
What are you talking about, Ted?
Ted is on a roll, don’t try to understand it, just don’t get swept up in the oncoming tsunami
🙂 🙂 🙂
Just to be clear…
Just don’t like the nipper fucking soph shit
The SNIFF,,,haz to go
interesting article. I definitely could see his dip in velocity attributed to both or either his bicep tendinitis or his age (he’s only 30 but we’ve seen it with Timmy who’s much younger. Innings add up over the course of a *lifetime*).
But hia FB velocity really hasn’t dropped much to indicate a major red flag as the cause of his drop off the map. He’s dropped 1.4mph since 2010 but he was pretty bad last year and only dropped 0.8 mph off 2010 and only 0.6mph this year (off 2011).
I don’t usually consider velocity drop as a reason for decline in performance unless it’s at least 2-3mph. But hey, that’s just me….
His *first pitch strike rate* is the big indicator to me. He was at 57.4mph in 2010 and dropped all the way down to 50.7mph this year. That’s a big drop. And it supports my theory that the hitters, tired of swinging and missing at his sick stuff, combined with Dirrrrty’s public comments about *never giving into the hitter*, just decided to stop swinging at it and letting it pass harmlessly by. That beats swinging violently and missing. Pretty soon, the hitters started getting ahead in the count consistently with this approach and it’s a hell of a lot easier to hit a guy when it’s 2-0/3-1 then when it’s 0-1/1-2…..
Dirrrrrrty’s arm troubles combined with his stubborness over his *never give in* approach to pitching have been the 2 biggest reasons to explain his ineffectiveness (of course, IMO)….
Well, the fastball/change velocity difference is significant, as the author says. And for some reason, no one acknowledges the radical change in his effectiveness after the first two months of last year. IMO, the fact that he’s been shelved by same injury both years is good evidence that the injury caused the ineffectiveness before it was detected. The other most logical reason, IMO, would be that a mecahanics issue caused the injury. But whatever- you’ve said many times that you don’t care much how ex-Giant’s fare- and that’s you and that’s fine. But I do care about how they do- and feel badly for those who don’t do well- especially a guy who helped save 2010 and gave us that memorable 2009 game. I know he’s said some unfortunate things- but I’m totally sure it’s the reult of hearing the same shit over and over and just not wanting to explain himself over and over. Anyone who has seen him interviewed can see he’s painfully shy- and young people often over compensate for that. I don’t buy that he doesn’t care. But that’s just my opinion.
I’ll try to sleep again. Night.
I don’t care how most of them fare but I’ll jump into the fray if I have an opinion on the reasons of their success or failure. I don’t think you’re gonna like tomorrow’s thread too much. I haven’t written it yet, just kicking it around in my brain, but if you don’t want to talk Melky/Dirrrrty tomorrow, at least in am, then steer clear……
Of course I could still get an email from Snarkk saying he’s on tomorrow, but I’m going with *off* since that’s what he said……..
He would likely pen something better than I will tomorrow, lol……..
I’ll probably be in St. Helena all day anyway but no player in my memory fucked his team and fans more than Melky did this year. At least KC and Colorado got the better *man*…
And my favorite actor….
I *believe* I saw something from Snarkk this weekend that said he’s out this coming week and won’t make his post so I will take it tomorrow (unless I hear from him)…..
Cool. Thanks
WORK With the stablbe boysz
Got anything more recent? Cary Grant was a kid in this.
It’s a distasteful thing to have to swallow, but Melky did help the Giants this year. He helped make them a division-title contender.
Yes, he did. I have no problem dealing with reality. I’m also on record as saying they’ll do as well without him now. But if they don’t- the failure would be as much on him as much any success they had…
You’re right. So the Melky/Dirrrrrty thread will have to live to see another day. Thanks for that Zumie, I misread a list of names. That’s DMV failure shit that just busted my IQ at least 10 points….
Yeah, I think they can get it done. And if they make the playoffs, Cain, MadBum, and Vogie are a nice trio of starting pitchers to have, with Cain and MadBum having to maybe pitch on short rest in a series. #4 and #5 can’t be trusted at this point in a playoff series. And though the Wild Card is not the goal, if they ended up making it as a Wild Card, I like their chances with Cainer pitching that game.
zumiee, my man, it was Bruce Jenkins who said whoever ends up being the National League team in this year’s World Series ..someone will say under his breath…”Thanks, Melky…”
BF, it’s supposed to be Chuck’s thread tomorrow. Snarkk’s spot is Tuesday.
And talking about comebacks…..I’ve been reading Doris Kearns Goodwin’s baseball book, and I was reminded that the 1951 Giants were 13 1/2 games behind the Dodgers in the middle of August. And yet, the Giants won the Pennant, the Giants won the Pennant, well y’all know that story.
The Giants this season were 7 or 8 games behind the Dodgers at one point, and now just 1/2 game back (none back in the loss column), and a huge series starting tomorrow, of course. Hopefully a series that we’ll be wanting to remember.
Doris was a big Brooklyn Dodger fan. After they moved to L.A., she eventually became a Red Sox fan. She made an appearance in Ken Burns’ baseball documentary mini-series, and her appearance was so well-received, she decided to write a baseball memoir of growing up in Brooklyn in the 1950s. The book is called “Wail Till Next Year,” because, obviously, the Dodgers kept falling short, sometimes just barely, except for 1955.
Wellls, I love youse guys but tonight let’s end this with the story of my life:
Did you ever see the film “The Tall Guy,” with Jeff Goldblum. It’s a little-known film, but a very funny, warm-hearted, and original romantic comedy. It co-stars a wonderful British actress whose name escapes me at the moment. In the film, Goldblum plays a struggling actor who takes a role in a musical version of the Elephant Man, called “Elephant!” The musical is terrible, but the Goldblum character does the best he can with it. I like romantic comedies that kind of fly under the radar, with nice quirkiness to them. David Bowie was in a real cool one called “The Linguini Incident,” with one of the Arquette sisters. Both of these films are far superior to what passes for romantic comedy from Hollywood.
To answer your original question as eloquntly and as simple as possible…yeah I saw THE TALL GUY.
Really, really good. But David Lynch’s THE ELEPHANT MAN to this day makes me cry just thinking about it. Brilliant film.
And, yeah, I saw THE LINGUINI INCIDENT. Very nice. Not my type of film but I admire your taste, zumiee. You’re, to put it frankly…not an idiot.
But I’ve always known that…and respected you.
‘night lads. Time for a nasty, violent Christopher Lee movie
HA HA
One of the first movies I ever saw in a theater as a kid was a Christopher Lee/Peter Cushing film- “Dracula Has Risen From The Grave.” I still remember the opening scene very well. It scared me a lot. I jumped about a foot out of my seat. A monk is ringing a church bell, and blood trickles down the rope onto his hands, and when he goes up to investigate, a body falls out of the bell, hanging upside down, with the tell-tale vampire marks on her neck.
I don’t know how well the film would hold up now, but it was very scary at the time.
The very first movie I ever saw in a theater was a Dick Van Dyke film, a Disney comedy. Can’t remember the title.