Celebrating an Improbable Pennant and Dancing in the Rain

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on October 23, 2012

In 1978, California was nearing the end of a terrible 2+ year drought. I was very young at the time and don’t remember much about it. I do remember my dad having us flush the toilet with water from our pond in the backyard. Yes, this happened. We would go get a bucket of water from the pond, take it in to the bathroom, *go* and then pour the bucket into the toilet and away that weird potpourri would go. To me and my sister, it was like magic. And I guess it was us doing *our part* in conserving water.

I don’t remember anything else about the drought that year except for the way that it ended. My sister and I had come home from school and we were having a snack in the kitchen. All of a sudden it started pouring. I mean, POURING. It hadn’t rained like this in….I had no idea how long. We didn’t really know what to do so we just spontaneously decided to celebrate. Maff and I ran out into the street and started dancing in the rain. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. We were so happy, so free, just dancing in the rain as it thundered down upon us…..

And when I saw this image last night, it instantly took me back to dancing with my sister in the rain back in ’78:

Then I thought about the last time we, as Giants fans, got to feel this way. It was October 24th, 2010 and here is the thread that I wrote that day:

https://oneflapdown77.com/2010/10/24/glory-today-but-destiny-awaits/

Sure enough, just like last night, it was raining in the Bay Area on the night the Giants clinched the pennant vs the Phillies. And as I said in that post, as I ran down the street through the rainy night in my bare feet…. “I’ll never forget that moment, it was a release I’ve never felt before. I can’t even describe what it felt like. It was like I was experiencing every moment of the 2010 season with each stride I took. I was re-living every hit, ever win, every loss, just….everything.”

So when the deluge in the 9th inning hit and I watched more rain than I’ve ever seen fall on a baseball field without the game being called, I couldn’t help but appreciate the moment we were watching unfold. It was the perfect way to celebrate this improbable season of hard work, will, relentlessness and an outright rejection of any ultimate outcome that involved losing. It was like the baseball gods were honoring what the 2012 Giants had accomplished by providing 800 million gallons of water to dance under, on and in….. It was one of the most dramatic sports scenes I can ever remember watching unfold live. The image of a soaked, stone-faced and motionless Mike Matheny on the dugout steps was the antithesis of everything our team was celebrating in the rain…….

And when the final out was secured I didn’t *tear ass down the street in my bare feet* like I did in 2010 when the same thing happened. It was far less dramatic. I gave myself one of ewisco’s quiet “yes” fist clenches, I tossed my index finger in the air and gave the tv and the men celebrating on it a few of the most genuine and emotional *knowing dude head nods* that I had in me.

I still can’t believe they pulled this off……..

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Bozo said, on October 23, 2012 at 5:52 am

Great story Flav. What an awesome moment when MARCO got to soak it all in while catching rain drops and knowing he was finally going to the World Series, to play another day. Will the Giants overpay and give him a blank check next year? I for one, hope so. He is now part of Giants lore and I hope he stays, no matter the price.

Good call by Gary Darling to not halt the game in the ninth.the fans didn’t want to take cover and I’m pretty sure both teams wanted to play it out right there.

So far this has been an unfuckingbelievable post season.

I’ve got that old “Hold That Tiger (Tiger Rag)” song in my head.
(Oooh where’s that tiger now)
Where’s that tiger where’s that tiger, where’s that tiger, where’s that tiger.
Hold that tiger, hold that tiger, hold that tiger, hold that tiger. Hold him, choke him, kick him pokin’
paulinasia said, on October 23, 2012 at 6:09 am

That shot of Marco smiling in the rain is classic. I’m guessing that most of us, at some point or another in our lives, have had some kind of similar feeling, when we open our arms and raise our faces to the sky and just soak it all in, for whatever glorious event that life occasionally bestows upon us. Pure joy that nothing will ever diminish. Who knows how the Series will go, but I read or heard someone talk about the 2010 Giants as a team of characters…. and this 2012 team is a team of character. Very true.

And I apologize for this… Flappers occasionally will re-post their previous postings to show how smart they are, and I’ve never done that… probably because I’m never that smart about this game I love so much. But I did say this before game 7: “Keys to the game? Fucking anything could happen, with anybody leading the way. That’s what I love about this team. Off-hand, though, I’d say keys would be Cain not giving up the home-run ball… Scutaro continuing his stellar play and Pablo also staying hot… and either Posey or Pence actually doing something at the plate. And, of course, the Flap mantra via Pawlie and Craig, “We score, we win”… especially if we score early and often. Would love to see them charge out of the gate and not look back (also eloquently stated already here today)… Enjoy it all, gentlemen and gentlewoman…” Check, check, and .. check. Maybe the “fucking anything could happen” part was Pence actually “doing something at the plate” that would be as fucking weird as his broken bat hitting the fucking ball 3 fucking times and pretty much delivering the Series to China Basin. Unbelievable. Hope ya’ll ain’t too hung over!
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:12 am
  
  So happy for you Paul. I remember when I was in the Air Force, stationed overseas and only had the Stars and Stripes newspaper for information. You never got more than a box score for Giants info/news. Consequently, even though you are a gazillion miles away, you have the Flap, Satellite TV, and the Internet to bring you a bit closer to home. It’s fantastic that you can share your perspective and experience with us. 🙂
  - paulinasia said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:35 am
    
    Honestly, coming home this evening from school, I knew that the second thing I was going to do (after grabbing a beer from the fridge) was get onto the Flap and read all of your thoughts here as the game unfolded and then after as well. You’re right, Steve; the Flap is my baseball lifeline…..
  - blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:42 am
    
    Me too Paul, even more than TV and papers.
  - Sarge said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:25 am
    
    Stars and Stripes and on an especially lucky day, you could see the game on AFN. Yeah, I don’t miss those days at all.
  - blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:28 am
    
    Ditto Sarge. Good to see you here . . . been awhile. 🙂
paulinasia said, on October 23, 2012 at 6:22 am

One other thing: I don’t know if anyone else noticed this, but they showed the Cardinals dugout before the start of game 5 in St. Louis, and a few of the players seemed to be mocking the Giants’ pre-game dugout rah-rah ritual… I remember thinking, you fuckers are going DOWN….. fuck yeah, shut up…
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:04 am
  
  I missed that, but that is awesome! Karmic justice has been served in so many ways!
paulinasia said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:05 am

And one other other thing before sleepy time falls on Saigon: Craig, when I wrote the above about soaking it all in.. in the rain… I hadn’t clicked on the link to your post two years ago (almost to the day), though I do remember reading that at the time. Great story. And loved the pic of Coit Tower.. 2 years ago right about now, I just happened to be back visiting the US through the NLCS and into the Series. Loved the buzz, and wish I could be there now… ya’ll are very lucky. Soak it in. I’m not really basking this time… but definitely soakin’ it up.
blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:07 am

I hope no one caught a cold.
paulinasia said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:10 am

Ferrett was there, yes? Waiting for an amazing account…..
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:22 am
  
  Yep…cannot wait to hear about it. I cannot believe she is not on, yet. Maybe hung-over? 😉 Oh hell, I would be!
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:19 am

Great story, Craig (from 2010)…thanks for sharing again. It is awesome you got to experience it with you daughter. I remember the 2010 clinch vividly. Gail and I were competing with the dogs in Pleasanton. After the day’s trial, I hit the net and found a sports bar that wasn’t far away. We headed there to watch the game. This place had to have 50+ TVs…and one was a huge projector model that damn near covered one wall. I remember the 7th inning stretch when they shut down EVERY TV and played Ashkon’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” The fucking place went nuts. Then we all settled in for the final couple of innings of torture, and then…yes, the K on Howard. Eruption, ecstacy, I was hugging and high-fiving people I had never seen or met, but we were all bonded by the sharing of that magical moment. Then the phone rang and it was my daughter…we just both were basically incoherent babbling and crying fools. IT had FINALLY happended. Our Giants were going to the World Series!

Last night I hunkered down at home and was on the Flap for the entire game. Gail and the dogs had fallen asleep on the sofa, and when Scutaro cradled that final pop-up, I did an almost silent fist-pump and exalted YES! And then the tears flowed. I have only met Blade and Kevin in person, but for those who know me, they know I wear it on my sleeve, emotionally. And how damned poetic for the last out to be taken in by Scoots on a pop-up by, you got it, Matt Holliday. Karmic justice was served yet again.

What a wonderful run it has been. And I reflect on the entire year…sharing it with all of you Ya-Hoos…it has been a wonderful ride. But, it’s not over. Miss Destiny calls…our boys in the Orange and Black have one more series to play. A historical series…the first between the Tigers and Giants.

One Day, One Game, To Play Another Day!

GO GIANTS!
blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:21 am

I love this opening in Jason Stark’s column:

“Fifty years ago, the last time a Game 7 arrived on the foggy side of San Francisco Bay, the story was a line drive that found the wrong glove at the wrong time. The great Willie McCovey could tell you all about it.

But not this time. Not on this night. Not with this edition of the San Francisco Giants.

On this night, the story was a line drive that basically refused to be caught.

This time, the story was a line drive that faked left, went right and made you think some things and some teams were meant to be.

Like this team.”
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:28 am
  
  That is great, Steve…thanks for sharing. What a beautiful way to encapsulate the night that our boys punched their ticket to the World Series!
paulinasia said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:33 am

Yeah, Blade, agree with Stark on that as well. I’m still shaking my head at that Pence triple-hit. Never seen it before, will likely never see it again, especially on such a huge stage. Unbelievable. Indeed, the line drive that refused to be caught, spinning like you spin a cue ball trying to curve it around the 8 ball and sink the 7……
ewisco said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:33 am

I’m a little muddled, where are we in the writing rotation? I had it in my head that today was Ted but maybe Flavor pre-empted.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:42 am
  
  Craig and Ted swapped spots…rotation remains the same. Flavor sent an email to that effect…
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:44 am
  
  Actually, they did not swap spots. Ted gave his spot today to Flavor, but wanted to go Wednesday. So, Flavor today, Ted tomorrow, and then you…and the schedule resumes as normal from that point.
  - ewisco said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:46 am
    
    gracias
gianthead said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:37 am

Well written Flav…glad you also did not jump out any windows..

Turns out our neighbor acorss the street Bob, wonderful retired man, is a die-hard Cardinal fan and he was very enthused when I saw him last Friday afternoon begfore Game 5…I have not seen him since, hope is heart did not give out!!!

I spent the last 3 games in my man-cave with my son and for every strikeout every and for every great play and every ruun scored, I would yell at the top of my lung, “Take that Bob!” Yes indeed, take that Bob!!
Alleykat it's said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:44 am

Fox i will give them credit for catching Marco Scutaro’s ” Shawshank Redemption” moment!
Quite fitting,then to ketch the last out against Holliday,Priceless!!!
Orange&Black And Don’t Look Back!!!
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:47 am

I had a bet with an old high school girl friend. Most of you know that I grew up in Oklahoma and was a Cards fan until coming West to California in 1977. Anyway, we are friends on FB and she has been talking some shit during the series. I never got chirpy, enen when it appeared the series had turned our way. Satisfying as HELL to win that bet! She owes me a Leon Russell t-shirt (he is from Tulsa, OK and I saw him many times in my younger days…not to mention a few while here in California). Can’t wait to get the shirt and rock that bad boy…it will always have a great story associated with it!
- Alleykat it's said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:01 am
  
  Nice to collect anything from an ex-Gf CHI,…Much harder from an ex-wife however.
  Wear that Leon Russell T Shirt with pride!!!
  Cause it was all about the Orange&Black!!!
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:32 am
  
  You got that right Kat (it IS about the Orange and Black). Actually, my ex and I have a good relationship. Hell, I have gone on a number of rides with her (she rides a 1200 Sportster) and her husband. Whenever they have a gig for one of the kids (B-day, etc.), I am invited. It’s a lot better that way.
  
  Anyway…yes! Great to win a bet with an old GF!
gianthead said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:55 am

And I would just like to remind everyone, every day since Game 3 in Cincy that I had a Blanco Russkie (I have renamed the drink to honor the great White Shark named Gregor) starting in the 9th inning of that dramatic win against the Reds when I yelled to the barkeep, “I am drinking White Russians till the Giants win (I had not yet renamed the drinkl)!” with Rolen bobbling the grounder and before the first pitch of any of the subsequent games and every day I bloggged on the Flap (did not blog the first two games of the Reds series nor the two days in St. Louis), the Gigantes have yet to lose…true facts!!!
- eddacker said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:04 am
  
  will the sacrifices never end?
Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:57 am

Loved this line from Bruce Jenkins on Pence’s hit. “And finally, Hunter Pence. He hails from a specific planet, yet to be identified, and he apparently arrived alone.”
- ewisco said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:34 am
  
  all the writers in the Chron were on their game this morning. Ann Killion nailed it on the front page.
Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:00 am

Oops. someone edit above please. [done]

Great stuff guys.

For all the criticism Fox gets, some deservedly so, they had some incredible camera work after the final out. Scutaro’s was amazing, but also loved seeing Romo celebrating.
- Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:14 am
  
  {thanks]
eddacker said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:01 am

I am just totally stunned still. I have no words. I do remember when Flav told the story of running outside barefoot. There is no one here to share these moments with, the flap is my connection point, too. Every time I mention that my team is at the top of the tables or playing for the championship my friends will seem happy, but as soon as I mention SF or baseball I lose their attention completely. They have no frame of reference.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:18 am
  
  Gotta be tough, Edd. But, you have all of us crazy motherfuckers with whom to share the experiences!
Flavor said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:08 am

Got up at 2:30 to write this. Couldnt sleep. So happy.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:34 am
  
  🙂
Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:13 am

“It was like the baseball gods were honoring what the 2012 Giants had accomplished by providing 800 million gallons of water to dance under, on and in…..”

Well said.
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:20 am

14 hits 5 walks yesterday, at home, every starter at least one hit, including Cain. Glad SF finished this off with no doubt zero controversy Ws, 20-1 differential in last 3 games. Cards just folded up, poor pitching and defense, very little hitting and none with RISP when it mattered. As they say at the track, giants won driving. Now on to the big stakes race.
So what is the pitching rotation for SF, anyway? Bochy announcing anything for games 1 and 2?
denniszu said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:23 am

Really??

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/20647042/tigers-vs-giants-world-series-whos-got-the-edge

Once again the sports media doesn’t get it. They watched this team over the last 6 games, shred 2 teams that on paper was offensively better. They saw a 21 run support vs 1 for the Cards in the last 3 games. But yet they
insist on going to stats for the WS expected winner.

I’d like the media to ask themselves how they think the Tigers will fare if they are at elimination; what camaraderie and total team unity will prevail to get them through an impending disaster.
I guarantee you Jim Leyland and his coaches are trying to understand how in gods name the Giants did what they did…. They can look at all the video they want and they won’t find an answer….
You won’t find a video on the hearts and souls of this Giants team that has elevated them above all the adversity they have experienced and prevailed.

Bring it On!…………… GO GIANTS!
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:38 am
  
  That’s fucking ludicrous. That fuckwad has his head up his ass!
  - denniszu said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:52 am
    
    I can’t add anything to the summary.
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:18 am
  
  The dude writing that article has Huff as DH. That’s crazy.
  Panda will DH and Arias will take 3rd. No way Bochy is giving away 12+ ABs to Huff.
  Given that lack of knowledge about the Giants, you can throw away the article…
Alleykat it's said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:26 am

Gotta be Zito gm1 followed by either Bum if they feel is arm will hold up or Timmy my guess.
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:31 am

Baseball gods sure do act in funny ways, but look at what’s happened so far:
Texas–heimlichs end of reg season, quick exit.
Balt–knocking on the door, served notice, team to be reckoned with.
NY–inglorious exit. Good thing sons and not King George around but heads will roll.
Atl–not how chipper wanted to go out…reminds me of same fate of bobby cox.
Was–not ready for prime time and big spotlight…yet. maybe never.
Cin–same as STL, had SF down but couldn’t deliver the KO. More blues for Christmas for Dusty.
STL–so which is the real team, the one that dispatched braves and nats and was up 3-1 on giants or the one that got hammered after that? Got all winter to think about it. enjoy.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:40 am
  
  Excellent points.
  
  And then you have the San Francisco Giants who came back and won SIX elimination games. Four of them on the road….just saying.
ewisco said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:39 am

You have to go vogey on three days rest thursday or either he or cain only get one start in a seven game series or they both pitch on three days rest. we have timmy and bum in the bullpen if zito goes bad and you can use the other if vogey tires early. after that it should shake out ok though sunday and monday with some combo of zito/timmy/bum depending on how things go this week.
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 8:55 am

So it’s down to two teams-throw out all the stats, homefield advantage- which team does God favor? That one wins every year 😉
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:19 am
  
  Well, the baseball Gods have been smiling quite a lot on that little team who most wrote off…that team from the City by the Bay…
  
  YOUR National League Champion San Francisco Giants!
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:04 am

Good point Eric; go with your best on short rest or not? with enough assistance from mrs vogs, I think he can be ready. Games 3-5 are Sat Sun Mon right?
Lincecum getting a start just doesn’t make me feel too good, but I guess it has to happen. So the ? would be when/where. Boch rags brain trust has tough decisions again.
Alleykat it's said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:18 am

I remember.Krukow interviewing Buster after the Giants.won the W/S in 2010,he said: Enjoy this this moment it doesnt happen very often.Buster alittle devious look said “Why Not”!! Classic!!!!!
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:20 am
  
  I remember that, Kat! Was money then…and it’s money now!
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:23 am

If it goes as Kat suggests and Tim starts Thursday, then you could go Vogs Cain Z on normal rest in D-town. If games 6 and 7 were necessary Vogs and Cain would be on shorter 3 days rest.
If Vogs went Thursday here on short rest as Wisc suggests, Lincecum might have to start a game in detroit. Hope one of those games doesn’t get snowed out, but extra day of rest would be a big help to SPs.
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:35 am

Bochy does not seem the kind of manager who would ever plan on a guy going on short rest.Doubt he’d do so now.
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:46 am

At the end of the story in the Chron on Scutaro: “He could have still been a Rocky. On July 27, while the Dodgers were in the process of buying players for tens of millions of dollars, Giants GM Brian Sabean sent prospect (!, mine) Charlie Culberson to Colorado for Scutaro, who went on to hit .362 with 44 rbis in 61 games. The Giants only had to pay him $2 million.”
I still can’t get over this every time I hear it—Scutaro for freaking Charlie Culberson, Sf picks up the pro-rated $2 mill in salary. un f-ing believable deal. This poor guy will go down in history like Frank Duffy and Charlie Williams. Good luck to Rox GM in splainin that one.
- unca_chuck said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:53 am
  
  Colo traded a journeyman infielder for a prospect. Nothing really wrong there.
  
  I mean, it’s not like any one on Earth could have foretold what Scoots would do going forward.
  
  .500 in the NLCS is just otherworldly.
  - Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:10 am
    
    Good piece after Sundays game.
    
    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121021&content_id=39969890&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
    
    “I wish I could see Dan O’Dowd right now,” Scutaro said Sunday evening. “I’d kiss him on the lips. He made this happen for me. He told me he was going to send me to the team that was the best place for me to have a chance to win. He was right.”
  - willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:43 am
    
    chuck he was signed for like $10 mil and has always been a cut above “journeyman” like theriot, so they knew what he was worth (tracy sure did). He was a bargaining chip, and all they got out of it was culbs.
  - unca_chuck said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm
    
    Yeah, not quite journeyman, but really, no one expected this much. from a 36 year old guy who was playing out the string in Colo. Looks like O’Dowd wanted to do right by Scoots.
    
    Hats off to O’Dowd. A very class move.
unca_chuck said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:50 am

Funny things i noticed near the end of the game. Tim McCarver was silent (absent?) the last 15 minutes of the broadcast. Scutaro’s ole (or flapping bird) pickup of the grounder in th 8th was awesome, the rain was just nuts. I was waiting for the ump to call a delay when Romo was about to come in. Kudos for them to let it ride, and karma (and mother nature) got their due when Holliday popped out to Scutaro to cloes it out.

Even funnier was someone on the Cards (didn’t catch the name) saying Pence’s hit was illegal since he hit the ball 3 times. Tough shit, motherfucker! Cry in your been on your flight home.
- zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:24 am
  
  Berkman was saying that. And I was like: “Berkman? Is he still on that team?”
unca_chuck said, on October 23, 2012 at 9:54 am

20-1 in the last 3 games is flat nuts.
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:11 am

I am sure some of you have checked-out the following story from the Chron. But if you have not, go through the 76 pictures/video attached. You WILL enjoy it…captures yesterday’s game wonderfully.

http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-Game-7-romp-led-by-Cain-Scutaro-3972641.php
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:13 am

Scooter was one of the great deadline acquistions of all time, I think almost everyone can agree on that. But backing the buck’s truck up for a 36 YO making 6 million already and hitting about 90 points above his career average doen’t seem wise. The positive is that no other team is likely to throw a huge bundle at him either,
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:24 am

More great photos of the post-game celebration…Damn! I LOVE THIS TEAM!

http://sfgiantsphotos.mlblogs.com/
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:25 am

Scoots has said he wants to come back. I think the teams will work towards a reasonable and fair contract. Not sure he takes one year? One with an option? Two. But I will be surprised if he is not back.
blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:27 am

Dollars to donuts, Barry Zito is tabbed to start game one. Anyone know when Bochy is going to make the announcement?
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:29 am
  
  I’ve been trying to get through to him, but his line has been continually busy. Same with Sabes…
  - chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:29 am
    
    And I agree…I think Zito gets game 1. Michael made a good point…Bochy is not the type to have his starters go on short rest…so why would he do that now.
  - blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:32 am
    
    Flappers on call waiting? The horror.
zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:28 am

The media will call the Tigers a big favorite to win it, but that’s nothing different than how they called the Rangers the big favorite in ’10.
—-
I’m guessing the pitching rotation is: Zito, Lincecum, Vogey, Cainer, and then play it by ear from there.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:35 am
  
  That could work.
blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:30 am

I think Vogey goes 2nd Zumiee, but who really knows????? By the by, Bochy is vindicated in my mind regarding the pitching rotation he had going against the Cards. Just my take . . .
Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:33 am

Don’t count out Bumgarner Reportedly they have found the problem with his delivery and he’s been working on that in bullpen.
zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:34 am

I was moved by the military guys from the Flap, Blade and others, writing about how they eagerly read boxscores in the Stars and Stripes. It reminded me of how baseball kept going during WWII because FDR realized how important it was to the troops, and important for morale. It’s such a great awesome sport, unlike any other. Last night was just so amazing. And gotta give Fox credit for some inspiring camera work, as other Flappers have noted.
- zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:37 am
  
  Some moments were so cinematic, several movies jumped to mind for all of us.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:38 am
  
  Yeah, I was on Guam for 92 days in 1979. The Stars and Stripes was my only outlet to keep up with what was going on with my sports teams.
  
  Of course, neither the Niners or Giants were exactly setting the world on fire back then, but I still followed and loved my teams.
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:50 am
  
  Yeah, I was a voracious reader of papers back then and the Stars and Stripes, despite being a truncated newspaper, was a valuable lifeline to what all of us in the military, called the “World.”
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:40 am

Same was true in 90/91 when I spent 4+ months in lovely Saudi Arabia. Loved the Stars and Stripes…
Macdog said, on October 23, 2012 at 10:55 am

Great story, Flav. What a wild, memorable and joyful scene at the end. And how fitting that this time, it was the Giants’ second baseman who caught the final out to end a Game 7 in S.F.
Flavor said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:06 am

BOZO– you’re gonna have to walk me through what you want me to do with my beer on a brick somewhere at ATT. I don’t dump beer out easily so I’m gonna need to hear a little more about what this plan entails 🙂
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:18 am
  
  Just a suggestion – Is it possible to pour it on the “end run” after drinking a few brews? In effect, take a leak on the brick, whereby no beer is technically wasted. 🙂
- Bozo said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:33 am
  
  I’m sending an Email with the brick location. I was originally going to suggest pissing on the brick but with all the cops around that might not be the wisest move. Come to think of it, an open container might not go over big with SFPD. Hmmm
  - Flavor said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:34 am
    
    I got an open container ticket in SF about 10 years ago standing outside a strip joint on Broadway around 1am. Fuck them
  - blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:47 am
    
    I see fans rocking open beers all the time at the Phone Park – before and after the game. Shouldn’t be a problem IMO.
  - chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:36 pm
    
    You? Ticket for open container if front of a strip joint? Who woulda thunk it??? 😉
zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:06 am

And Belt with that exclamation-point homerun….how cool was that? Fox made good use of the Giants “splash-cam” spot on that.
zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:14 am

Btw- was anybody impressed with that footage of Detroit playing a grab-a## simulation game? I wasn’t. While the Tigers have been half-a##ing for a week, the Giants have played intense hardball, in legendary games for the ages.
IF the Giants get strong starting pitching, which they are capable of, they can do this thing, and basically re-create what the Cards did to the Tigers in ’06..
- zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:15 am
  
  Not necessarily sweeping, though. (grin)
Flavor said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:19 am

Josh Hamilton: 65 swings and misses in his last 15 games (63 PA). Marco Scutaro: 62 swings and misses in all of 2012 (736 PA).
zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:19 am

But whatever happens, it’s been a glorious season, and the city should give this team a big rally at City Hall no matter what.
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:39 am
  
  Absolutely! Not to – regardless of what happens – would be embarrassing and shameful.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:46 pm
  
  Well, I agree…but the Giants ARE going to win this thing!
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:22 am

Side note completely irrelevant to baseball:
Death of russell means (whom I admired) brings back a painful memory from college days as Hist major at Jose State mid/late 70s. I took an upper division seminar on Native Am studies, with great reading list, but boring and very conservative prof who was more into Alaskan tribes. This was 2 and a half hour night class that met once a week; I occasionally bailed at halftime break/skipped class altogether. (btw highly recommend novels of louise erditch on contemp life of native am set in stix country).
So when final came, I saw some shit I was unfamiliar with. As I hand in the test, prof said some nice things to me (he had looked up my records in dept) and said, “I hope you did well.” Which I knew meant i was f-ed. Sure enough grades come out and I get a C+, only one I ever got there.
So much of life as I have since learned is all about showing up. I didn’t, got what I deserved and paid the price.
And yeah it still bugs me 40 yrs later for screwing up.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:48 pm
  
  Lessons such as these are painful, but when they stick with you like that, it usually means you grew/learned from the situation.
  
  You said this was not relevant to baseball, but could it relate to the DeadBirds not showing up for games 5-7? Just wondering.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:27 am

Zito will probably go game #1, and Bochy will likely hold his powder dry on the game #2 starter. If Zito is rocked early, Bochy could turn things around by bringing in Tim in relief. If Zito has a quality start, I’d say Tim in #2. I’m hearing the Tigers aren’t so good against lefties, so maybe Bum is an option in game #2, especially if Zito does well in #1, and Tim wasn’t used, so he’d be available in Game #2 if Bum still is having dead arm issues. Whatever. I’m not that concerned with the rotation. They know what they need to do. Detroit is similar to the Cards in that you need to get to the starters early. Their starters are very very good. But, their Pen is NOT as good as the Cards’ Pen. If you get up early on the Tigers, or at least hold your own, you can do some damage to their Pen. SF just needs to play the good D, put some pressure on their defense with some running or hit/run, and get some timely hits. Oh, and if Posey (who seems tired) comes around to get his bat going, that’s gravy. It’s worked so far…
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:49 pm
  
  Our pen is better and I also think our D is better.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:31 am

Did anybody see that brief shot during the on-field celebration last night of Tim semi-intertwined with some smokin’ blond? The guy I was watching the game with at the brew pub — both he and I as soon as we saw that we BOTH immediately said almost the same thing aloud — Who the F is THAT?!! Maybe the reason for the season’s decline? If so, whataway to go…
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:41 am
  
  Yes, I saw it and I was thinking the exact same thing snarkk.
- Bozo said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:17 pm
  
  I saw just a quick glimpse of that. At the time I thought she might have been another players wife but I don’t know.
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:21 pm
    
    If she was another player’s wife, then somebody needs to write a new “Ball Four”…
  - Bozo said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:03 pm
    
    Here you go Snarkk you can see her at 2:14
    http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=8879100&c_id=sf
    
    I guess you’re right, at the time I just thought people were just walking around hugging each other.
  - ewisco said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:26 pm
    
    knbr this morning was saying it’s his squeeze, in public for the first time. and as everyone knows: women weaken legs.
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:34 am

“I’m guessing the pitching rotation is: Zito, Lincecum, Vogey, Cainer, and then play it by ear from there” I think that’s a pretty likely four but it would hardly surprise me if Bochy played it by ear from Game 2 on. Cain could take on Tim’s dual role in Z’s configuration, being available for a couple innings a couple times in addition to his start.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:41 am

BTW, as I mused last night, Kuiper this morning on his radio show said Metheny should not have brought in Joe Kelly in the third, but one of the Pen flamethrowers (he preferred Rosenthal) to get strikeouts and stop the bleeding right there. He didn’t, and the Giants took advantage of the mistake…
- twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:56 am
  
  I’ve seen others suggest the same thing. Without that weird hop hit from Pence, we would probably wouldn’t hear about it. But I do wonder about the significance of referring to the Card’s manager as “Metheny”.
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:14 pm
    
    I just checked Google.
    I misspelled his name.
    That’s the significance…
unca_chuck said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:53 am

Yeah, that was curious both these last 2 games. The Giants barely touched those middle-back-end guys, and Pat Matheny never thought to push them up earlier in the games. Like Twin (I think) said, some of these managers go into robotic mode and don’t think outside the box. Bochy, in his infinite wisdom, now has any number of guys that, if the situation calls for it, can close a game or shut down a 6th inning rally.

Underdogs? Wouldn’t have it any other way. BRing it on!

The only depressing news is that Joe Bck and Tim McCarver will be back annoying the fuck out of my earholes once again.
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm
  
  Buck says he’s not biased.
  http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Fox-announcer-Buck-says-he-isn-t-biased-3972581.php
  He didn’t say he didn’t suck.
  BTW, if you replay the vid of Belt’s HR last night on MLB.com, during the second replay of it on Fox, McCarver gets done with his spiel, which wasn’t too bad actually, and as the ball settles down into the arcade, Buck says out of the blue: “Did not make the water…”. Why the hell do you say THAT? Do you get an extra run for a Splash hit? That’s just bogus, really. A weird take on a long homer to right center, you take the negative approach that it did not make the water. If that’s not bias, it’s just friggin weird…
  - James said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:21 pm
    
    Actually, I was annoyed by McCarver’s downplaying of the HR because of the “mistake” location of a 98 mph pitch. The most ignorant, patently false of all baseball cliches, stupidly timed.
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm
    
    I guess I missed that, James. I thought the pitch was a pretty good one from a pitcher’s POV, it seemed on the inside corner and about knee high, it wasn’t a “hit me” ball crotch-high over the middle. Belt dropped that compact swing on it and boom, gone. Verlander’s not throwing any faster than that. He’s tough, but he can be had…
  - chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:31 pm
    
    I was anoyed as hell with both of them. Each had too many instances to remember or recount, and it just is not worth the brain cycles to try and do so. They both suck DeadBird dick. Fuck ‘Em!
- twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:02 pm
  
  Well, I’ve referred to managers holding back relievers in case they’re needed in a game that may never occur. I think Z was was the one with with the “robotic mode” comment.
unca_chuck said, on October 23, 2012 at 11:56 am

Salty, that article is very cool about Scutaro and Dan O’Dowd, GM of the Rockies.

Class move by O’Dowd.
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm
  
  Per Rockies fans, It would be his first Chuck.
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:06 pm

Now I’m totally totally confused, I’ve always thought the Card’s manager was Mike Matheny. Metheny? Now Pat Matheny?
- willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm
  
  wouldn’t make anything of it, man. Pat M is a jazz guitarist in real life, Mike M is not.
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:20 pm
  
  Pat spells his name Metheny. Unique jazz guitar “stylings”. I’d call it lyrical, flowing…
  - James said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:22 pm
    
    not when he plays with Ornette . . . .
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:29 pm
    
    Haven’t had the pleasure…
  - twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:38 pm
    
    I know how Pat spells it. That’s just not how Chuck does.
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:24 pm

I know who both of them are. Thought there might be some significance to the mix and match. Of course, if Metheny really is the manager it would explain his alleged tactical errors..Few jazz guitarists are expert pen managers.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:28 pm

Joe Kelly and Joe Martinez (former Giant).
Separated at birth?…
wswin said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:29 pm

Three previous times one LCS ended in a sweep while the other went seven games, and each time the team
that played Game 7 easily won the World Series.

Tigers -180

Giants+150
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm
  
  Nice stat…
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:35 pm
  
  good info wswin
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:33 pm
  
  Good knowledge…
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Like all of us, I’ll be looking forward to the Bochy/Dave Leland match up.
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:34 pm
  
  lqtm…
zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:41 pm

One of the odd things about the Buck interview is that basically he admits that a LOT of viewers don’t like him. Why does Fox stick with a play-by-play guy that so many people don’t like? It’s like one of those Emperor’s clothes things, where nobody at a high level at Fox wants to be the first to say Buck’s nothing special as a baseball broadcaster. I think he’s a little better at football.
- blade3colorado said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:57 pm
  
  Easy explanation Zumiee. Fox could give a rat’s ass. Same reason they keep Sean Hannity, Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, Bill O’Reilly, and other idiots.
  
  They have done the math and there are sufficient imbeciles in the United States, where they can draw a profitable viewing audience . . . Ideally, they would prefer someone other than San Francisco in the playoffs, so they can efficiently push their idiotic shows and politics during the commercials. They will take a hit with San Francisco and Detroit – two liberal cities in the World Series. Fuck them though.
- twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:01 pm
  
  IMO, Buck is a totally competent play-by-play announcer. But in recent years the line between that job and that of the analyst has blurred. If he stuck his job as it’s description suggests, I think he’d be OK.
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:25 pm
    
    I agree, he’s competent. But, for the ultimate in baseball contests, we need better than that. There are plenty of play by play people out there that would do a much better job than competent. Kevin Harlan is a great announcer in just about anything he does, I’m sure he could be very good at baseball. Vasgergian is good. Hell, put Costas in there like the old NBC days, assuming there were not contract/network issues. He’s a twit, but he would work these games rings around Buck, whose style seems bored or just not interested most of the time. Costas would have great anecdotes about Giants and Cardinals, and though he’s a KMOX ex, I’m sure he would range far more towards balanced than Buck…
  - twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:55 pm
    
    I think competent is the best you can hope for, knowing that these matters are settled at cocktail parties more than in the booth.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Apparently the Beard predicted some time ago that the Gyros would win the WS on Halloween, next Wednesday. He supposedly also predicted they’d win the division by 10 games, which they did by 8. So, pretty close. I’ll go with Wilson and predict Giants in 6. We needn’t be afraid of these Tiger starters. They put their underwear on one leg at a time. Hell, Bob Gibson got beat in the WSeries, so these Tiger pitchers certainly can be beaten. Anyway, for three games, we get an extra bat, probably Arias. And, Detroit’s been inactive for a week. All the eastern and national media are predicting a Tiger landslide. That makes me even more confident…
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:38 pm
  
  I like the way ya think, snarkk…
willedav said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:51 pm

I always liked Leyland. Hope the cigs don’t get him, and his nervous system etc. holds up.
Went back and looked at the deal involving Yanks-det-AZ involving Austin Jackson who put up following numbers in break out year 2012: .856 OPS, with .377 OB/.479 slugging, 130 OPS+ and 5 WAR as per B/R.
Yanks sent Jax and Phil Coke to D for Granderson. They also shipped Ian Kennedy to AZ.
AZ sent Scherzer and Schlereth to D for Edwin Jackson. I recall a lot of skepticism here on the blog and elsewhere about why AZ would give up couple young guys for E Jax. Granderson coming under a lot of heat in NY, with the big contract, rather untimely slump in playoffs and bad splits reminiscent of last years in Detroit. As with a lot of deals, I guess it takes a while to really see how they ultimately work out. Tigers GM sure looks good in this one tho.
- twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:18 pm
  
  For a guy who isn’t even 30 yet, Edwin has compiled quite the resume, having toiled for 7 MLB teams already.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Ozzie Guillen.
OUT in Miami. Now, he’s free to have lunch with Fidel…
chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 12:56 pm

Here is a picture of Tim and his hottie GF….

http://larrybrownsports.com/wag/tim-lincecum-blond-girlfriend/159445
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:08 pm
  
  CHi, you’re a photo sleuth. Good work, dude.
  Since he doesn’t have one, I don’t think that’s his sister.
  Amazing that with Timmeh so prominent in the local athletic scene, we don’t know jack about him, really. Other than he may have trashed his rental house, and supposedly he had a steady GF for a while, but they broke up. And, he likes weed, and his Dad is a bit of a control freak. Timmeh could have hot and cold running babes toodling in/out of his life, and at his age and income level, WTF not?…
  - chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:40 pm
    
    You know you would (hot and cold babes)…you know I would…all these mother Flappers would…
    
    You go, Big Time Timmy Jim!
  - ewisco said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:32 pm
    
    wtf was the photographer thinking? it’s raining!!! back up a bit and lets get the wet tee effect!
Alleykat it's said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:27 pm

As they use to say.on KNBR when you called in: “It doesnt matter what your name is!!!!!
And with Metheny.or Mathany who gives a Rat’s Ass.When you dont advance everybody forgets your name.
- twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:41 pm
  
  Snarkk is a smart guy who would be the last person one would think to not know how to spell the name of a manager who we just faced and whose name he has seen correctly spelled dozens of times. I am and was giving him credit for having a sly reason for the misspelling, rather the alternate explanation…
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:46 pm
    
    I misspelled his name. That’s it. No ulterior motive. I like him, he was a good Giant. He just got out-managed this series, regardless of how his name is spelled. Up to you if you want to give me credit for more than that. If I wanted to skewer him, I’d do better than a Rohand redux…
  - twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:01 pm
    
    Nah, a straight forward, honest explanation is always good enough for me. Thanks.As to being out managed by Bochy, Bruce has schooled some veteran managers as well.Michael Scott Matheny has nothing to be ashamed about. Maybe if his two star players grew a pair each or even one between them they wouldn’t have been dispatched so easily
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:47 pm
  
  Time will tell how he develops (or not) as a manager. But I like the guy from the days he was catching for us. Sad that the concussion ended his playing days prematurely. Bochy totally undressed both him and Dusty in the playoffs.
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 1:30 pm

If you follow Chi’s link by clicking on another one or two we find how empathetic Tim is to the plight of young women.
James said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:01 pm

Schadenfreude reaches an exquisite new peak:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxsdPUHbU1I
- chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:15 pm
  
  That’s fucking hilarious…
- zumiee said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:17 pm
  
  Ha, pretty funny. The kid gets frustrated because dad just-doesn’t-get-it; the kid doesn’t want to miss the end of the game. I’ll say this about the kid, he’s quite a trooper if he wanted to see that game to the very end. How many of us would have stuck to the end if the score was reversed?
  And I like the kid’s response when dad says “There’s always next year.” The kid says: “But next year is a LONG time from now!” You’re right, kid. It’s going to be a long off-season for the Cardinals and their fans, contemplating their 3-1 game lead that got away.
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:20 pm
  
  Compared to me after that game 6 in Anaheim, this kid is extremely composed…
  - ferrethead said, on October 23, 2012 at 7:29 pm
    
    I hear that – it wasn’t until after 2010 that I could think about without feeling sick. No lie!
Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:02 pm

Well, like Cincy and Stl, Detroit without a LH starter. That could play into who the G’s use as a DH. They do have 2 lefties in the pen, so they might keep Arias/Nady on the bench for PH duty.
snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:18 pm

Can they change the roster for the WS? I think they can. I really do NOT get keeping Huff on it. We saw the DP roller to second yet again yesterday. He can still be the clubhouse cheering on the troops without actually being eligible to play…
- Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:25 pm
  
  Who else is an option?
  - chipower9 said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:29 pm
    
    I would take Burriss, Christian, etc. over Huff ANY FUCKING DAY!
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:30 pm
    
    The usual suspects on the 40 man that are breathing, can run, and actually can field. Peguero, Burriss, hell, even Pill. There is no baseball reason, IMO, that Huff stay eligible. If the reason is that he’s LH, that’s weak…
  - snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:38 pm
    
    Christian’s not on the 40 man. He got axed for Melky…
twinfan1 said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:30 pm

Yes, they can change it. I’d replace Huff with Burriss, who based n Aubrey’s swings, could be an equal HR threat, now.
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:40 pm
  
  At least Burriss has a good shot at beating out a DP grounder. Huff can barely run…
Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:51 pm

It’s pretty bad. Burriss has had just 6 ab’s since July 24th.
- Salty said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:52 pm
  
  check. that’s ML ab’s. I guess he was in Fresno before that.
eddacker said, on October 23, 2012 at 2:51 pm

huff is like the third/fourth highest paid Giant. 8% of total player salary I think.
eddacker said, on October 23, 2012 at 3:01 pm

I heard Scooter had a $75,000 bonus written into his contract for the MVP.
- snarkk said, on October 23, 2012 at 4:03 pm
  
  That’ll buy a nice little Mercedes/BMW SUV or some such trinket for the Mrs. to drive the girls to Girl Scout meetings…
eddacker said, on October 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm

thanks, chi for the celebration pictures, gotta love ‘dem Giants.
Fear the Beard, we score we win