Dan Runzler’s Long, Winding Road
While no longer considered a top prospect, you all know who Dan Runzler is. Over the last 4 years, he’s pitched in 89 games at the big league level. Injuries have derailed his ascent to being a fixture in our bullpen. A 9th round section in 2007, he blew through the system, dominating at every stop. He throws a mid 90’s heater and a sick curve ball. I once got so excited about him that I touted him as the a future replacement for Bee Wheezy. That was probably a wee bit optimistic on my part.
Listed (see: lying) at 6’3 233 pounds, he’s always been one of the larger humans to roam the earth and while he’s a K-machine he’s also been quite the walk distributor, too. But word is, he’s gotten himself in shape and he’s finally healthy. He might actually now be able to fit into that listed weight on the back of his baseball card.
With Mirajes down with an ominous spring elbow injury this opens the door wide open for Runzler to lock down one of the coveted lefty spots in the bullpen. If he can cut down on his walks, he could be a dominant force coming out of the pen. He also might want to change his name, too. Having the sound *runs* in your last name can’t be a good thing for a reliever unless his middle name happens to be “No”.
He’s pitched 3.1 innings so far this spring, allowed 1 hit, walked 3 and struck out 5. Send all the knowing dude head nod karma his way and he should be good to go…….
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I, too, have watched Dan, and his injuries, with bated breath thinking: “this next start is the one.”
I still think he has the goods; could 2013 be the year my waiting turns to watching?
Speaking of long winding roads. This one’s for Nipper or anyone else interested in what Noah Lowry is up to.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/giants/effectively-retired-lowry-investing-community
And for twin. His guy Brock Bond.
http://www.csnbayarea.com/blog/andrew-baggarly/unmistakably-incredible-tale-brock-bond
And I agree Flav, with Mijares having an elbow injury, Runzler has a real shot at making the team. Although, if the injury to Mijares isn’t that severe, I suspect Runzler’s winding road will be on Highway 99 into Fresno.
Sad to hear the story about Lowry. At least he’s set up for life with the money he earned, unless he’s unwise with it…
Loo yesterday brought up huff burrell torres….what about Freddy Sanchez? Isn’t it different to be in ST and not worry about him? What an interesting history he had for SF…reports about injuries and health right from the initial signing. I’ll have to look up B/R stats to see how many games he actually played here. And of course it was Theriot who eventually took his place and wound up with a ring.
from 2009-11, total of 196 games played for SF not counting playoffs. Even 2010 he was only in 111, about 20 less than any season during his 4 main years for Pirates 2005-08. Born in ’77, so he’s only 35 or 36.
that’s a great point about being free of wondering about Glass Sanchez. Last February I said he’d never play another game again and it looks like I’m going to be right about that. But who knows, as the spring nears an ending and teams have to plug holes, he might get a shot as a bench guy.
Ditto Flav . . . I thought he was done too. Too many cumulative injuries.
I wish Freddy had stayed healthy, I really loved the guy. I mean, how could you not root for a guy who overcame club feet to become, not only a major league player, but an All Star and a Batting Champ?
He did get a ring for 2010 and probably will get one for last year, something that never would of happened if he had stayed in Pittsburgh.
If Bond is my guy because he’s he’s slow, has no power, and is a lousy defender-like I was- he’s my man, alright. But I think it’s been Kat or Ghead who have touted him..I think of him as a short, living doppelganger of Brett Pill- hope he makes it somewhere.
Oops, my bad. Sorry for that.
Well i would have some concerns of Panda being the next Mr.Glass.Anyway you slice it,he’s only played 215 games himself the last 2 years 108-107 games.
And yes Twin,before you rip me i know he was MVP of the W/S,so that’s enough.I just want a full season out of him this year if possible.
Almost all the time he’s missed has not been weight related- it’s been the two hamate bones… and not being a Klingon, he had only two of them..but you’re obviously missing what I’ve said about him since 2008- that keeping him him on the field would be the biggest problem. Not because of weight- but because his all out style.
I wouldn’t rip you for the Panda being the WS MVP, I would rip you for having no idea what I’ve posted about Panda IN TOTAL ( I *have* criticized his conditioning, Mr. Z) – and the FACT that I voiced concern years ago about his staying on the field enough.
The plus is that he has no more hamate bones to break. And I don’t care what anyone says…Pablo he keeps the weight on…it will catch up with him. Studies show that for each pound of weight loss, there is a subsequent loss of four pounds of pressure on the knees. That is significant, and again, if Panda keeps toting around an extra 20 or 30 pounds, it has to catch up to him.
Well, you’re consistent, Chi. Even in the middle of the NLCS, you wanted Arias.
As far as the topic de jour, even if Mijares is out to start the season, I don’t see it as an automatic in for Dan Runzler. Like others- Kieschnick, Hembree, probably Brown–he needs to show something in AAA first, IMO. I think it would open the door for a long reliever/spot starter..
Runzler has done both, in the past. He was a spot starter in Fresno in 2011 (think he started around 10 games). But he was mixed between a starter and out of the pen.
They bailed on that.The point is that the Mijares injury might open a spot for someone, not neccessarily Dan. But he’d have a decent shot at it.
The locks and what I think of them:
Pagan- hated the trade initially, admitted I was wrong 2,476 times,skeptical about 4 years
Scooter- loved the trade, OK with keeping him
Buster- have always loved his production, called him a pear-butt, think he needs to take throws from the OF closer to plate, and have said I think he will
Panda- 100% behind him, think he’s a major risk injury
Belt- my lastest 20-80 1st baseman
Pence- better than Shitholtz
Torres- if his legs are good, he’s good. 2010 team MVP.
Blanco- .340 OBP from the 1 spot, great defender
Crawdad-still have questions whether he’ll hit enough
HSanchez- bottom line- he needs major improvement behind the plate- whoever is responsible for him catching Timmy needs to get over it.
Arias- 2012’s major surprise
Cain- solid
Bum- time to be the ace- throws *too* many strikes
Timmy- eat right, train right, he be all right.
Zits- a fine dancer, give him runs and a solid pen…do not DREAM of keeping him next year
Vogey- tough is enough
Affeldt- clutch
Mijares- girlfriend has best rack in the bigs
Lopez- still an effective loogy- NO NO NO against RHers
Casilla- what happened to 97/98 MPH?
Kontos- needs another pitch, could be in line for tougher spots
Romo- what’s not to love, but real concerns about holding up
I’m off to therapy. Scream nice…
Pence should be better than “Nate”, since his check is about $11.5 million bigger…
Actually, if you understand contracts- that’s not true at all.
Actually, your FOS…
really only up to my knees..
Good luck with the therapy, Michael, and I was LMAO on the Mijares comment (girlfriend has the biggest rack in the bigs). Yep…I saw her at the parade…..you could chrome those bad boys, and they could double as bumper bullets on a ’57 Caddie!
on the topic at hand, for those who have bothered to read my posts?? 1 or 2 of you? You know how I feel about the age of a player. So Mr Runzler turnes 27 at the end of March, if he is not ready this year, then when will he be ready. I know, I know all of you who believe in late bloomers will shoot me down. But a pitchers arm only has so much life in it. Granted he is a big boy as BF pointed out. but still, he looks like a proffessional Fresno guy to me.
Relax, Kevin. You’re a bit defensive there. (grin)
I am relaxed!! ha ha its Friday, almost beer o’clock!!
Go take a powder and relax, Kev. If Runzler proves he has the stuff and can get guys out..I don’t care if he is 27 or 37.
ha ha I am relaxed, what the hell happened to my sarcasm font. I use to have three of those, soft, medium, and full blown Sarcasm.
He’s a lefty reliever, Kevin. If he’s breathing, he’s got a job somwhere.
Kat, responding to your post yesterday, I like Paul Giamatti a lot. Very good actor, not a pretty face which means you have to really be able to act, not to mention the connection to baseball with his dad.
Sideways is one of my all time fav movies — for the wine aspect, and the buddy buddy thing going on, plus the man vs. woman relationship thing. Also, the golf course scene reminds me of one I had myself playing golf years ago in LA with a buddy and a bunch of assclowns in back of us…
So you’re not a fan of Merlot?
Not particularly….but I did like the movie. I am more a fan of a big Zin (spicy or jammy), or a really good Syrah, maybe a Tempranillo or Barbera…but yeah…not so much a Merlot (even though it is supposedly making a comeback).
I haven’t seen sideways (I’ll put it on the list), but I really liked him in HBO’s ‘John Adams’ and ‘Too big to fail’ when he played Bernanke.. He was funnier than shit in Howard Stern’s ‘Private Parts’ playing the role of the stations GM, aka pig vomit. He does a great pissed guy in that movie.
Excellent actor..
You should see Sideways. It is good. I tried to like John Adams. Watched the whole seried but just couldn’t get into it. Too Big to Fail was good. I’ve been watching Enlightened and found it to be pretty good. It gets low viewer numbers though and probably won’t last.
I just looked it up. 1994? Don’t know how I missed that movie.. The only other thing I can think of is that I was in high school at the time, so other things were going through my mind at the time 😉
Yeah, I like Sideways…good flick. Also like Giamatti in HBOs mini series on John Adams (as mentioned by Chico).
I’ve always like NoRunzler. Maybe he’s the real slim shady and steps into this opportunity and seizes the moment. Bochy has had good things to say about him in camp so far.
Schulman just wrote a blog post where he says that Mijares injured the elbow in a car accident ‘in the past’ MRI shows inflammation but no structural damage.. Still, he’s had problems with that elbow before so it’s definitely a concern.
I have heard it is an elbow impingement, and that he has difficulty straightening the arm out. I do agree that if he is going to be shelved for a while, then it certainly provides an “opportunity” for Runzler. I, like Flavor, have always liked Runzler and am pulling for him (along with Kieschnick).
Regarding Giamatti films, don’t miss the one about the graphic novel author. I can’t think of the title at the moment. Excellent film.
Pekar? He was terrific in real life. don’t know the movie.
American Splendor
Flavor – thanks for posting the photo of the trophy tour yesterday (and absolutely had no problem with you posting it from Facebook). It was a long day (tour was in Lakeport yesterday)…about a 3 hour drive, but it was the only day my daughter could get off work, so we did it. The other two are long-time friends. Mike (on the far right) has posted infrequently here as Demp28, and the other is Mike’s wife Celeste. The four of us will be together on Opening Day, too (Section 146 in the Arcade). We’ll have a prime view of the World Series Championship banner being run up the flag pole. Will definitely be sharing pictures.
The location yesterday was in an auditorium for the middle school in Lakeport. The slant on the trophy tour this year is the Giants are taking it to communities that support the “Junior Giants.” I think it cool as hell that they (the Giants) are rewarding communities that support their Junior Giants program for kids. There were a lot of Junior Giants volunteers there yesterday…was very cool to see that.
Anyway, long day or not, we had a blast and it was great to get the picture with both of the Holy Grails. 13 days and my daughter and I jet off to Scottdale. Cannot wait! Listening to the Giants/A’s game now…I am pumped the hell up for some baseball!
Yeah sideways is one of my all-time favorites .When Paul Giamatti was at the winery and instead of just getting a glass of wine and grabs the whole vat and slams it down that was classic,something I always wanted to do at a winery.
Well, the spitbucket contents could be called a “Meritage” wine, I suppose… 😉
I’ve had some really kick-ass blends, but none that came from the spitbucket. 😉
Scutaro stared at 2nd today and was replaced by Bond, Pagan in CF replaced by Perez. Other than those two changes, here is the Giant’s line-up today:
Pagan/Perez – CF
Scoots/Bond – 2B
Gillespie – LF
Belt – DH
Pill – 1B
Arias – 3B
Peguero – RF
Tanaka – SS
Williams – C
I am sure hoping to see Villalona and Kieschnick while down there.
A’s leading the Giants 4-3…yeah yeah…it’s only ST. (grin)
Francisco Peguero with a two run triple.. Juan Perez drives in 2 on a double.. 8-4 Giants.
Chi, Do you know if if Chris Dominguez is in camp?
I just checked the “Non Roster Invitees” list on the Giant’s site…doesn’t look like he is in camp this year.
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/team/roster_nri.jsp?c_id=sf
He’s not a prospect.
Brock Bond just hit a HR…part of an 8 run inning for the Giants…
Gotta love that name.. Brock Bond.
i wanna meet me some bond girls!
The name is Bond…Brock Bond. HA.
Yeah…Peguero continues to tear it up. He is 2-3 today, 2 runs, 2 RBIs. Hitting .600 for the spring. He is definitely making some noise in regards to that last OF spot.
Brock Bond seems kinda like an Uggla type at second. All I know is what I read about him, supposedly his glove is suspect like Uggla’s, but he can friggin’ hit. Unlikely the Giants will keep a player like that for the infield utility role…
Don’t let the 2 ST homers fool ya-he’s hit FOUR in 1800 ABs in the minors.
Maybe confused with former G Matt Downs .
Well that’s one every 450 AB..Still way ahead of Duane Kuiper.
Not really. Duane hit 7 in 1665 minor league at bats..
I finally got around to looking up that Giamatti film. As Xoot mentioned, it’s about Harvey Pekar. It’s called “American Splendor.” Great film. An enthusiastic thumbs up.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0305206/
Thanks Zumie.. I’ll check the movie out this weekend..
Gary Brown with a 2 run Triple.. 12 – 9 Giants.
Angel V goes deep.
He Killed that ball!
I gotta catch up. I just posted the name of the movie above before I got down to here.
Who the heck is pitching? Bob Melvin?
Sorry about calling “Nate” by that other name. He actually has a shot at doing something in Chicago, and I hope he does..
Someone else coined “Shitholtz”, I preferred “Grok” for his uncanny resemblance to the men who time forgot…but you’re right, I’m really not sorry..
Without going into how contracts work, suffice to say that Hunter has been a great deal more successful than “Nate”. But I do wish Grok well, so far his most noteworthy accomplishment has been leading the league in retroactive injuries..
Snarkk deleted a comment, BTW.
I deleted it before your comment, BTW…
It was still there or I wouldn’t have posted mine. But you’re awfully sensiitve for a guy whose raison d’etre is trashing players.
I deleted it BEFORE yours was there, ya twit. Maybe you were responding during the time I deleted it, because your response was not there when I axed it. Anyway, if anyone gives a crap, it was short and sweet about how you weren’t really sorry about using insulting names for Nate. So, you went and admitted it. And, I deleted it so I wouldn’t seem brash in ripping YOU for your bullshit names for Nate, who was a good dude and player for the squad, but not one of your favs, the guys you protect at all costs even if they don’t produce. So go fuck your passive aggressive self…
Saw this over on MLBTR and thought it was pretty awesome.
On this date in 1987, Charlie Kerfeld agreed to one of the more ludicrous deals in the history of baseball. The right-hander inked a one-year deal with the Astros worth $110,037.37 and 37 boxes of orange Jello. Kerfeld, who wore No. 37, insisted he earn more than fellow right-hander Jim DeShaies’ $110K salary and wanted the gelatin for future pranks.
Hey Zum, thanks again for the Bill Murray article on the last thread. I loved it.
Cheers!
Cool! Murray would be a great Flapper if he was a Giants fan, but his destiny was to be a Cubs fan.
I have some friends who are Cub fans. They love baseball, they love the Cubs, and they keep the faith. (grin)
You’re right, most Cub fans that I’ve met know the game. My one time at Wrigley was a game with the Cubs and Dodgers. Although I was wearing a Giants hat, I figured I was in because I was ready to root for the Cubs and rip the Dodgers. I hadn’t read the sports section that morning, so I asked my buddy who was pitching today? The whole row in front of me, men, women and children, turn around and give me the stank eye. Tough crowd, but a fun day.
In the way way way early going. guys with a shot who are not hurting themselves:
Peguero, Gillespie, Brown,Pill, Bond (Brock is helped because no other utility infielder is doing anything) , Proctor, Hembree, Gaudin, Runzler, Otero…