What the Hell Was That?
I had the game on with no sound last night, getting stuff done, and all of a sudden I looked up and saw the tarp on the field. It was like it just came out of nowhere. I was shocked as I didn’t see any of that coming on the radar leading up to the game. And because I play daily fantasy now, as opposed to the season long fantasy, I have become somewhat of an expert at reading radar at weather.com. But clearly, I missed something last night.
After the tarp went on the story of the bumbling grounds crew came out and I sat there watching in disbelief as they tried in vain to rake up the lake that had formed at shortstop.
I live in California, I don’t understand weather like that….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Salivating about today’s matchup against Edwin Jackson. Dude sucks massive pole and the Giants lefty bats will rake against him. He’s allowed a .332/.406/.504 slash line to left-handed bats this year. The Giants duo of 3B Pablo Sandoval (.321/.364/.477 slash line versus RHPs) and OF Angel Pagan (.319/.353/.394 slash line versus RHPs) will both be licking their chops in the on-deck circle. Sandoval is 8-for-15 with two doubles, a homer, 5 RBIs and a 1.396 OPS lifetime versus Jackson, while Pagan is 6-for-9 with a double in his career against this POS pitcher.
If we don’t win this game, something’s wrong.
agreed. And take out some of last night’s frustration on him. Having said that, I’m not playing any Giants today. I almost never do.
LOL. Me either. Love them to death . . . but they are “death” in fantasy league. 🙂
last night I thought Pence, Posey and Morse were all in a great position v the lefty and even though they only got 5 innings of hitting in they produced 0 runs. Squat.
There are always better hitting options out there, on any given day, than Giants hitters.
We were driving back from the Adirondacks hoping to listen to the game and was really pissed with what became a called game. So had not seen how hard it was raining, but earlier this Summer, I dont think I have ever seen it rain harder in my 20 years in DC and we can get some big storms.
But nothing compares to the thunderstorms in Kentucky….
Nothing compares to the thunderstoms in Kentucky…except the thunderstorms in Oklahoma.
And nothing compares to the thunderstorms in Texas. I couldn’t resist.
Blade, this development will be huge for the daily fantasy game. It is about to explode.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcedelman/2014/08/20/major-league-baseball-lifts-its-signage-restrictions-on-daily-fantasy-sports/
Agree. That also means more prize money for participants, along with competition from these entities, which equals (possibly) better odds to win the increased pool of money.
Kruk had hella rant, basically accusing Cubs crew of intentionally sabotaging things to get a W. Little hard to believe tho; they’re in play the kids mode, so the more PT the better.
Tho I am diametric opposite of his politics, I’d highly recommend George Will’s book “A Nice Little Place on North Side” about Wrigley etc. Anecdotal, lot of funny stories, including one on Kruk.
Seems his first day up he’s jogging in OF pregame with a vet, and a guy in bleachers yells out to him “Hey #40, who are you?”
Kruk ignores him on advice of vet, they pass by again and get same question from same guy. Vet tells Kruk, “Tell him to buy a f-ing program.” Which Kruk does.
Guy’s response is, “I already did and you ain’t in it.”
At which point Kruk storms back into clubhouse and demands new uni #, “Any one except 40”, which he got and kept entire Cubs years.
In the news yesterday was Bud Selig visiting Oakland and looking around. Admits he has no clue on what to do about the A’s stadium issue. “It’s complicated” he admits with a shrug. His blue ribbon committee wasn’t much help. That about sums up the Selig years as Commish.
The Cub grounds crew had a bad hair day yesterday. Man did they stink it up big time.
I though the Crew Chief of the umpires was a little slow to react as well. Apparently he had no previous notice that it was going to rain so maybe he had difficulty believing the torrential downpour was really happening.
Hey, they’ve tied the 1985 team!
I was up till 2 AM staring at a screen that said RAIN DELAY.
Like a real mamaluke.
Like the mamaluke of the year….
All I can say is that rule 4.21a or whatever the fuck it is, is one fucked-up rule. The Giants got screwed yesterday. The Cubs, umps, Giants…EVERYONE wanted to pick-up the game today and play nine, but the commissioner’s office was hard and fast on the rule. Fuck them. Giants are going to protest, but we all know how that will turn out…pffffttt…
There needs to be an addition to the rule to account for a grounds crew not doing the tarp properly. There’s no way a hometeam should ever benefit from that. Sure, it makes it a judgment call, but still, it was a clear case last night.
I agree, Zumiee. You are preaching to the choir. And the real pisser is that EVERYONE (outside of the fucking commisioner’s office…because they HAD TO FOLLOW THE RULES) wanted to restart the game today. God I would love to wring Selig’s neck right now.
The Giants got ripped off last night, but then again, being down 2-0 they put themselves in a position to be ripped off.
I’ve never seen Krukow so angry. And it’s understandible. BUT, even though I’m a big fan of Krukow’s broadcasting, my least favorite thing about him is when he goes into Conspiracy Theory Mode. It’s just not a good look.
But having said that it, it’s a galling way to lose a game.
—-
Blade, I totally agree about free classic books for e-readers. It’s an awesome thing. The technology is just so cool, too. I downloaded the complete works of Mark Twain, dozens of books, in a TOTAL of about 15 seconds. We live in amazing times.
I’m a HUGE Jack London fan. I’ve read “Sea Wolf” twice. It’s a gripping story, but also has a lot of deep thoughts going on in it. That’s one of the cool things about London: there’s always those different levels to his work. There’s the surface adventure story, and then there’s thought-provoking things going on under the surface.
I’ve been to Jack London State Park in Glen Ellen, CA, a few times, and always find it a worthwhile experience. His ranch is there, but also a great museum, and his gravesite. He died at age 40 from kidney failure in 1915, something he wouldn’t have to die from nowadays.
Thanks for the London background (I wasn’t aware he died relatively young). Zumiee, I am reading another book concurrent with The Sea Wolf, called The Martian by Andy Weir (first novel). You would enjoy it Per Good Reads, it’s “Apollo 13 meets Cast Away in this grippingly detailed, brilliantly ingenious man-vs-nature survival thriller, set on the surface of Mars.” Great story thus far.
Usually, I bring my library books to the gym and read during my cardio session (Elliptical machine). The tablet “free” books – which I recently discovered as I said previously – I read in bed.
It’s hard to imagine a more sustained, cathartic drama than we saw last night at Wrigley.
Given your moniker, I hope you’ve got plenty of newspaper on the bottom of your cage…
Agree . . . Question – are all these assholes the same troll, ODB or whatever the fuck he calls himself?
It’s the infamous barry4ever from the Splash…
It’s been years (4 at least) since I have posted on the Splash. Mostly due to that imbecile troll barry4ever.
I am still livid about that fiasco last night. We were at an agility trial with the dogs, and I kept checking my phone. Initial word was a quick burst passing through that would last about 15 minutes. Then on my drive home around 10 I get the skinning on the tarp fiasco. What bullshit.
So, to cool my jets, I bought tickets to this “Experience Hendrix” event at the Mondavi in Davis. Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Doyle Bramall II on guitars, Billy Cox on bass (he was the bassist in all of Hendrix’s bands, except the Jimi Hendrix Experience). This is going to be one kick-ass concert! Now we return you to your regularly scheduled broadcast “The Tarp that Ate Chicago.”
Caught Guitar Shorty at the Fargo Bluuz Festival last weekend. He married Hendrix’ sister and also was a major influence on Jimi’s guitar fireworx extravaganzas. AND he’s still rocking it. Great to dance to with my Dragon-head dancing stick. Chix kept joining me. Oh well, go with the flow Wild Goose on the Loose.
They did that at the Santa Cruz Blues festival (in Aptos) a couple years ago. Excellent stuff. Don’t know if Trombone Shorty (he was in Aptos) will be there, but he was outstanding. As was Los Lobos. They tore it up.
Yeah, what a clusterfuck last night. They fucked it up horribly, and then went through the motions of trying to repair the damage. It was a swamp on the infield. Hard to imagine the grounds crew being that inept when they have rain delays all the time. Conspiracy or not, this directly affects the pennant race, and should have been dealt with differently.
Chuck, a good friend of mine is friends with the entire Los Lobos band. I’m always invited when they play locally in the bay area (which is frequently), but I’m never around. I got invited to the show this coming New Year’s Eve Day at Napa City Winery, but I will be in SE Asia. My friend is always back stage with them and has met all sorts of interesting people through the band (lqtm).
That’s cool. I hadn’t ever seen them until the SC Blues Show, and they were outstanding.
Unless it’s the last game of a series, I’ve never understood why games that get interrupted by rain after 4.5 or 5 innings and can’t be finished that day/night are deemed complete. Is this some archaic rule that was implemented when games were played only during the day and before night games were possible, thus limiting the time to make up a rain-shortened game? If it is, then the rule needs to be revisited. How hard would it be for the Giants and Cubs to get to Wrigley a couple hours earlier today and finish last night’s game? From what I’ve read, even the Cubs are willing to play a full 9.
The Cubs will do anything for us. I think it dates back to that 1965 trade when we gave them Bill Hands and Randy Hundley for Don Landrum and Lindy McDaniel. No one ever mentions the wretchedness of that deal which I believe cost us a pennant or two…
*The protest has been filed: http://tinyurl.com/oqbej48
*Nicole Vogelsong is flying to NYC in her bikini to present the team’s case to the commissioner
*BP: “The Indians used eight pitchers last night. Trevor Bauer threw 4.1 innings and the other seven threw an inning or less. Every pitcher got a win, a hold, or a save. Except Bauer.”
*More BP, ouch: “The Giants have 76 errors, 77 if you count the Tim Lincecum extension.”
* Using a little known rule from the Dead Ball era, the umpires have declared tonight’s game a Giants’ loss because they’re unlikely to score anyway
*J.C. Gutierrez is seriously pissed that Petit was chosen to go in before him
* Inside sources report that Wendelstedt was not consulting anyone, he was drinking the banquet beer and eating chicken wings with the Cub’s front office people
*Yet more BP: “Joe Mauer has 90 hits this season and 112 of them are singles.”
*Peavy would never allowed last night to happen -he would have rolled the damn tarp out himself
* There’s a sliver lining in every angry cloud: Arias is above the Mendoza Line so no one will want him DFAed until 2:00 P.M. Central time.
The Herb Caen of the Flap . . . !
All we need is Strange de Jim…
Awesome. I’m not a local, but it really is Herb Caen-esque . . . a bit like the one-liners that Larry King would toss out for USA “McPaper” Today, only WAY more thoughtful, clever, and funny.
Last night’s debacle reps perfectly what I hate about MLB. The constant ability to blithely declare nonsense normal. It was nonsense for the Cubs grounds crew to be able to steal that game from the Giants when the Giants had 4 more frames to win the game. No home team should be allowed to engineer a win in those circumstances, whether by intent or accident. Yet, because the situation is not exactly covered by rule (the rule covers malfunction of mechanical tarp devices, of which there are no longer any in MLB — great rule, guys), well, logic and common sense must lose and everybody must just accept that. It is the perfect situation where league office leadership is called for to keep the “integrity” of the game afloat. Wrigley is perhaps the best place to have a day game continuance of a previous night posptponement. But no. As typical, the Budster and his league office leadership is MIA…
Nearing endgame on Rusney Castillo. As you probably know, the Giants are considered one of the 3 front runners.
http://tinyurl.com/k4k9xrq
I don’t even know who this guy is, but based on his name alone and Cuban pedigree I want the Giants to get him…
http://tinyurl.com/qj6br89
The Giants want him NOW, for the pennant chase
http://tinyurl.com/ltyzbj7
I understand he is very confident . . . http://www.pagecovers.com/user-covers/01-2-2013/tony_montana__scarface_.jpg
Thanks Oracle. From the article, this kind of bothers me:
“All of this led Badler to use a younger Rajai Davis as a starting comparison.”
If the Giants could backload a LT deal, which seems how most of these Cuban deals are structured, I say go for it. Why not? I still don’t understand Beane dumping Cespedes for Lester. A’s have been far less a scoring threat since that deal, and IMO the Lester rental was pitching overkill. If the A’s fail to win the division and get booted from a one game WC playoff, the trade will then be even more severely criticized. If the Giants had Cespedes, they’d probably be leading the division…
So, blade, when this guy walks up to the plate, he waives his bat to the pitcher and says: “Say hello to my lil’ frien ?…”
Thanks for the book recommendation, Blade. I like mixing some science fiction into my reading list.
My favorite sci/fi author is Kim Stanley Robinson; I think I’ve read everything by him. I’ve chatted with him at a few of his book signings over the years. He’s a super nice dude. One of the signings was at Cody’s in Berkeley, which closed down a few years ago, which was a big loss to Telegraph Ave., IMO.
Zooms: Maybe read five or six dozen Sci/fi novels over the past couple years. Latest was Starbridge by Ann Crispin. She takes off from Andre Norton. Feminine interpersonal psychologically astute perspective connected with what would be the first contact off-planet interface with a very different breed of cat from ourselves. Highly recommended.
I got “banned” from the Cubbies SBNation site by saying the Cubs stole that game from the Giants. One tool told me the situation was covered by the rulebook. I told him he didn’t know what he was talking about, since the situation was ruled as not covered by the suspension rules, that’s why it was not suspended, but called an official game. Sheezus, the Cubs fans have got to be self important tools and idiots. Plus, the primary tool that must have pulled the plug on me called me a “Cub hater”, which got my response that “you can’t hate what doesn’t matter”. I think that one got me banned, or maybe it was when I said the Cubs had loser fans, and a loser organization. Or, maybe when I said good luck with the Wrigley rehab, and the 2050 World Series…
Similar to the Sherpa fans, I would find another team to root for West of the Mississippi.
Snarkk doing his own rehab!
I’ll agree with anyone who says Los Lobos puts on a rockin’ great show. One of the great bands of the last 30-something years.
Hoping last night’s crazy “loss” propels the Giants to the big one-two. One: With much preaching from the Very Most Reverend Popeye Underpants, the team gets all hungry for the servings of the Cubbies “star” pitching ace tonight and practically brings down the walls of Wrigley in a blowout. Second, the tightfisted ownership circle comes to understand the wisdom of cutting into their current returns just a tad and tells Sabean its ballz to the walls time on Castillo. With a fired-up Giants team after last night’s tarping and the proverbial shot in the arm from the newbie with his speed and power, they go on to their third parade in five years.
I dunno, stick. The Giants may be PO’d about last night, but I’m not convinced being PO’d ever translates into better performance in baseball. Football, maybe, as that’s a far more emotional game where emotion can translate into high performance, particularly on Defense. I’d rather have the squad calm and collected and taking good ABs tonight, and punish the Cubbies crappy starter accordingly…
I’ll check out Kim Stanley Robinson, zoom. I’ve been off of reading sci fi for a while now. Although I did re-read Dune last year.
Tom, I though the same thing re: Cespedes. He’s a bona-fide power guy who’s a fan fave. They just got Samarasdlfkjsahlkjfha and they could have simply brought back Milone if any of the rest faltered (and they didn’t trade Milone of course).
Glad everything went well and you are feeling better.
Thanks Chuck.
Definitely feeling better so far. I’m posting through a minor Vicodin haze right now… 😉
Plus, he got lit up today by the Mets for 7 runs. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. In fact, I am not certain, but I think this is the 2nd game he’s been less then an Ace since being with the A’s.
Peavy better aim to throw a shutout. I don’t understand why Posey is out. He only played 4 innings last night – right?
Today’s lineup:
Pagan
Pence
Sandoval
Morse
Panik
Ishikawa
Susac
Crawford
Peavy
Susac starting, so Posey will available to come off the bench and hit a single.
Mac, were you being sarcastic? If so, I like it. 🙂
The killer Ps? The weak P’s?
Pagan
Pence
Panda
Morse
Panik
Ishi (!)
Susac
Crawfish
Peavy
Panik is back, and in honor of Sanchez hitting the DL, Posey sits.
All this time with no news on Belt. Nothing. Nada. I’m thinking he’s finished for the season at least.
If he’s really in bad shape, it’s just as well they shut him down. The irony of Scutaro (likely never to return) causing this is epic. Belt seems to have a star crossed career so far, for whatever reasons. Maybe they should put him in LF next year, let Posey go to 1b, and get a 3rd baseman somehow, because they sure look like they’re not going to sign Panda…
The last I read was that Belt is going to see a concussion specialist in Pittsburgh this week while the Giants are in Chicago.
Why would we want another Rajai Davis? He’s a right handed Gregor Blanco.
That’s a Rajai Davis with power. 😉
So, after the Giants acquire him, he does nothing for two years, they trade him for scraps, then he develops his power stroke with another team. Anyway, it’s not my money. The Giants have gobs of it, so I say join the Cuban sweepstakes, maybe they’ll hit a winner. The other Cuban guy Carbonnel — he’s tearing it up at San Jose with OPS at .960 overall, and 1.062 in his last 10. Would Carbonnel play worse than Blanco if they skipped him up to SF right now? I’d like to find out — maybe we will at Sept callups. Long shot, but why not call him up at Sept and see what he adds to the mix?…
I like french toast.
Hopefully mlb comes to their senses and let’s them resume the game tomorrow, but it may be raining hard here Friday night.
I will be at the Saturday game behind and to the left of home plate….
Thanks for the book recommendation, Stick. I have fond memories of the Andre Norton books I have read.
What a muthafeckin waste of time THAT was last night. I see the Giants are protesting it. Good. Has there ever been a greater collective clusterfeck waste of four hours than that in the history of Western civilization?
A Mitt Romney fundraiser?…
My marriage?
I just finished reading the first book in a series by Jeffrey Archer, called “Only Time Will Tell,” set in England right after WWI. The book was entertaining and ends on a terrific cliff-hanger, so I guess I’ll be trying book #2 at some point.
I’ve heard that Archer is quite the right-winger politically, but the book didn’t push a political agenda as far as I could tell. It’s the first of his books that I’ve read, so I went into the book wondering about that, but it wasn’t an issue.
Kelsey Grammar is a right-winger, but I still enjoy “Frasier.” It can happen occasionally. 🙂
Yeah, I’ve been waiting word on Belt as well. That it was Scoots that clocked him is all the more fucked up. Jesus no rest for the wicked, or no breaks for the hale and hearty?
Huh. Just got word . . .
Belt to miss 2-3 more weeks, according to Bochy.
Sad to say but I think he’s done. At least for the season.
He’s by far my favorite player on the team. At least the let’s shit all over Morse festival was useful in distracting me a bit from this true downer.
“let’s shit all over Morse festival”
Well, I’m going to assume that was at least one festival where the restroom lines weren’t very long.
I think the lines were pretty long, but some decided to . . . never mind.
Agree James.
Loo, I was once roped into organizing a speaking series at the Uni, which included editing duties for the papers the faculty were presenting. One of the talks was on the depiction of the mamelukes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamluk) in paintings during the Napoleonic empire. Now, there are a few ways to spell mameluke . . . .
All of which is to say I was going to call bullshit on your recently self proclaimed lack of erudition. I then looked up mamaluke again because I didn’t really get your post, saw the urban dictionary entry, and realized I had been missing one of the definitions all these years 🙂
I really enjoyed the Mamaluke comic all those years, what a funny dog…
James, the line I used was a direct quote from Robert Deniro as Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
Where’s Ted when I need him?
It’s funny, I probably watch almost as much old Hollywood stuff as Ted, but the big name classics I just don’t have a handle on. I’ve seen Fingers twice in the last couple of years, yet haven’t seen Raging Bull again since it came out in the theaters. Those references are always lost on me.
Doctor Fry: [putting on a long rubber glove] Relax. All I’m gonna do is slip a finger in.
Jimmy Fingers: Why d’ya need a glove on up to your elbow?
Doctor Fry: My arm’s cold. Turn around and bend over.
I think we should trade our medical staff for the Cubs ground crew.
Hah!
finally, common sense wins out–Giants won their protest, game to resume tomorrow at 4:15
Awesome . . . .
I think I am getting on the Sportdude band wagon about Posey. Seriously, have you ever seen such an “empty suit” as this former MVP? According to the Mercury, Posey is out of the lineup with left hip tightness. Bochy revealed that the hip tightness has been an ongoing problem for Posey as well. What to do with him???? I think by next season, he has to go to 1st base. No way, no how, can he be counted on to catch, except the occasional emergency situation. His splits when he catches and plays 1st base are like 180 degree opposites (Shit vs. Good). Tired of coddling him. I use to defend him taking a break every 4-5 games, saying that all catchers do that on Sundays or Thursdays (breakaway day usually). No more . . . Dude is glass.
I’ve been heading in that direction, blade. The guy is 27. WTF? I think part of this situation is due to him not being a catcher since early on in his baseball life. He became a catcher in college, maybe his body is just not meant for it. He’s making a king’s ransom, and since 2012 finished with a ring, has been pretty pedestrian for an ex MVP. I seriously think his ankle bothers him a lot, they just don’t let on about it. I’ve got no other explanation why they treat him like glass…
I still remember seeing him at a San Jose game during his minor league career and saying to myself, “This guy is small.” Seriously, he looked like he was 175-180lbs max. In any event, they need to move him to 1st or try to trade him. That contract is an anchor around our neck and more important, he certainly isn’t worth it hitting .273 with 13 HRs. Ridiculous.
Ray Ratto is such an idiot. He’s been on KNBR for the last hour being `100% convinced that the Cubs grounds crew did that on purpose. No fucking way in hell that was on purpose
There’s some big logic gaps in Ray’s “thinking.” For one, the mess-up made a bunch of guys vulnerable to possibly getting fired. Why would they chance that? What’s a grounds crew person make for a salary? The Cubs aren’t a playoff contender; why would the ownership take a chance on the info leaking to the press? And then all that hitting the fan? Etc. Etc.
Ray’s a total boob, and he ruins Tolbert’s time-slot on the radio.
It would be reasonable to fire some groundscrew people for the mess-up, but it’s difficult to make a case for why they would have done it on purpose.
totally, 100% agree.
I doubt seriously that was intentional. I see no upside for doing it. The Cubs get a win? Who cares, and who profits? Unless somebody had a big bet down for the Cubs to win, but the odds against coordinating that with weather cooperating are pretty high. Ratto’s schtick is tired…
Exactly. They risked their jobs to sit around for another 5 hours in the hopes that the Cubs get a win? What do the grounds keepers get out of it? And how do they even know it would have worked? Ratto is just a doddering old fool at this point. Can’t believe KNBR keeps him on
Ratto’s an intolerable douchebag. Tolbert is nice to him because he seems to genuinely be a good guy which really comes across on his show.
you can hear the frustration in Tolbert’s voice with him (sometimes). I can’t believe he made it through today’s debate with Ratto without calling him a fucking moron
The Coliseum / San Jose stadium shenanigans with the A’s and the Budster always seem to bring out the people bashing Lew Wolff, but the real owner Fisher, of Gap money, gets a pass. This guy is filthy rich. Which brings me to Giants ownership. Primary owner Charles Johnson, worth something like $5 billion, may be able to buy Fisher a coupla times over. What do we know about Johnson? Mostly nada. All we ever see/hear is Sabes and Baer, not Johnson, nor any of the other major partners. Obviously, on purpose. Baer is as much a figurehead for ownership as Lew Wolff when it comes to who actually holds the votes to make the big decisions. As the Dodgers sail into spendy waters for the foreseeable future, I find it curious we have no clue, as Giants fans, what the real deal is when it comes to what direction Giants ownership sees this organization going in the next half decade. Is spending $200 million on payroll really that big of a deal to Johnson? I mean, really, is it? We all want the Giants to spend wisely and not go apeshit on stupid moves, but does this guy really care whether this team gets to the playoffs or not? Is spending $50 million on a Cuban shot in the dark something that Johnson frets over — is he clueless, could care less, or intimately involved in moves like that? I think with BowTie in charge, we had a pretty good idea that he did care, and was very involved. Now, after Bow Tie’s booting a few years back, I really don’t have a clue since we never see / hear from Johnson, nor any of the “ownership committee” of top billionaires that own most of the Giants partnership. Does Johnson have a right to lay low? Sure, I guess. But, as a fan I’d like to know more about who this guy is and what his view is of the “Giants way”…
Well said, Snarkk. The downside of “ownership by committee” is that it can create a corporate blandness, with no discernable direction. I like to hear from owners of sports teams once in a while. They don’t have to be doofusses like Daniel Snyder or Mark Cuban. Just show that they really care once in a while.
I’ve never heard of a protest actually working. I’m sure it’s happened before. Still, this is fantastic.
The Royals won a protest in the Brett Pine-Tar game, but yeah, it’s very rare. That was like 30 years ago or something.
I’m shocked at this, actually. Common sense, not nonsense, has prevailed. Maybe the public outcry and media focus was too much to ignore. Even if the Giants go on to lose the resumed game, MLB baseball as a sport is the winner here. Bud wants to improve his legacy?…
If anything, to lessen the idea he’s an idiot who can’t see the forest for the trees.
It worked?!? Fuckin’ a . . . I wouldn’t call it directly on purpose, but really, they’ve done that, what, 25 times this year? And they fuck it up RIGHT after the game goes in the books as what would be a Cubs win? They aure dogged it once the situation was fucked. THEN they all jumped around like their hair was on fire and their asses were catching after the umps got on them to fix the shit.
They’d better win the beeyatch now.
Just because Charlie is rich doesn’t mean he has to spend wildly. For all the shit they got this offseason for not doing shit, the shit they did do worked out pretty well. Frankly, I’m glad he runs it like he does, and not like say a guy like Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder does.
Even Panik at 2nd has panned out. Would I have loved Byrd (or someone else) roaming around out the OF? Sure, but it doesn’t guarantee anything. All the Dodger spending hasn’t resulted in anything yet. The wonks declared the Giants the winner in 2011 when they got Beltran.
And these Cuban guys? VERY hit-or-miss. You make a lot of bad decisions and you’ve fucked your bottom line. No matter how rich these guys are, they aren’t dipping from a bottomless well. Even they have to toe the line at some point.
True enough. I’m a big Panik fanatik. Wish we had more guys who take ABs like that. I just wonder as we head towards 2020, with the Giants near the top of the MLB revenue chain, what’s ownership’s overall strategy? Why are we keeping guys like Blanco for 3 seasons? Running through guys like Francouer and Uggla that are obviously done and are basically an embarassment as a short term hire? Is that what we’re about for the foreseeable future?…
Good post Chuck. I think the Giants brass does a good job . . . or, did I just imagine those 2 World Series titles? Every day I get to see the emaciated Sherpa fans who are rooting for a team that has tight-fisted imbecilic owners (one of whom gets popped for DUI regularly). Prior to this year, they spent under $72 million dollars for the roster (much of it going to Cargo and Tulo). I think they are up to $90 million – again, most of it going to those two guys (due to escalators in their contracts). Last I checked, they were manning their familiar positions . . . the DL.
I may be in the minority here, but I think it’s a myth that Posey is coddled, or is glass.
His numbers may or may not approach the ’12 numbers in the future, but his plate appearances for a player whose primary position is catcher is solid:
’12- 610
’13- 595
’14- 464 so far.
’11 was shortened by injury, and he was called up in the middle of the ’10 season.
He’s still a .300 hitter for his career so far, and over .800 OPS for his career so far.
But who knows what’s going to happen with Belt, so the future is an uncertain thing. Susac seems pretty good. If they change Posey’s position to third or first, I think he would be a team player about it, and not grumble about it. The downside for him personally on it, is that he has a chance to be a Hall Of Famer if he stays a catcher. I don’t think he would put up the numbers to make that at another position.
Again, emphasis on career numbers. Zumiee, check out his splits this year for catcher and 1st base. The numbers are stark. My point above is that he needs to be moved fast to another position . . . or, the numbers will be worse going forward – should he remain at catcher.
zum, I think Posey’s in love with the idea of being a catcher, but his body or makeup won’t allow it over a long season, and season after season. I posted stats before that he catches about 70% of Giants games, where Molina catches about 85% of Cards games, in a much more hostile climate. If catching more towards the Molina level degrades Posey’s offensive contributions, I don’t see the point in catching him much longer. He’s good defensively, but not great behind the plate. He’s a good enough athlete to perform defensively well at first or third. For a guy getting paid as much as he is, he needs to consistently be at his 2012 level offensively, and I think he’s proving that he can’t do that as catcher. As for the HOF, to me that’s irrelevant…
I dare you Snarkk you tell him that….in person….. eye to eye. I bet Bochy isn’t ready for that.
Your points and Blade’s points are well-taken, but I think the salary aspect gets over-rated, though. Posey’s making $10.5 million this season. His contract is more back-loaded. There’s a good chance they’ll move him, position-wise, more-so when the contract has spiked up.
Tell him what? I’d tell Posey anything, including that he’s a very good player, and to stay that way, he should move to a new position. Hell, right before my surgery, I asked the anesthesiologist to confirm what she was taking out of my body. Seriously, she couldn’t answer, because she asked me back. I had to tell her “gall bladder”. It was too late to write it with an arrow on my belly…
I don’t think Buster’s on any fast track to the HOF. Will he have a better career than 9 time all-star Elston Howard, who didn’t come up till he was 26, won 4WS, an MVP, and 2 GG? He didn’t sniff the HOF. Neither did Manny Sanguillen for that matter…
Could be, zum. I don’t think there would be a huge outcry if Posey gets moved later. Unless he stars in another WS winning run. I think fans will miss Panda more, and certainly Lincecum. Posey is popular, but he’s basic pasta compared to fluffy gnocchi like the other two…
David Schuster @Schumouse 4m
Only the Cubs can lose a game they’ve already won
Let’s thank the Cubs for also wanting the game to be resumed by beating their ass all over the field tonight and tomorrow…
Thank you Cubbies!
Just watched a kid in the little league world series make an amazing catch in right field. Mo’Ne Davis now heads back to the mound and I’ll catch you guys at the Giants game after this one is over…..
Where were all the cameras when an umpire was molesting half my LL team in 1964?
If the Cubs had a sense of humor they would have Steve Bartman throw out the first ball when the game is resumed on Thursday…
Also, have Moises Alou do the “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” song during the 7th inning stretch.
Just for S’s and grins. Wrigley Field is aligned generally northward (google maps it). A shot to CF is heading in a NE direction, a line shot to LF basically heads Northbound. So, wind from the south and southwest will generally be blowing balls out. Wind from the east and north (from the lake), will be holding balls into the park. Beginning tonight’s game, there was a 4 mph wind from the SW, so that favors the hitters…
Panik! I’m likin’ this kid. By next Spring, maybe it’s Marco who?…
Kinda hard for me to say it, but: Ishi!
Come on, let’s bury this Cub’s chump!…
Looked like a K all the way, didn’t it? Even shocked me when he drove it the other way.
Did they announce a “starting pitcher” for the resumed game?
I haven’t heard, but I would think Petit? I would guess they’d want to try to save their 7th-9th inning guys for the 2nd game tomorrow if needed to protect a lead…
What if they resume the game and then it gets rained out?
Not certain this was mentioned . . . The Giants are the first to prevail in an MLB game protest in 28 years. On June 16, 1986, the the Pirates won a protest that a game in Pittsburgh against St. Louis ended prematurely with the Cardinals leading, 4-1. The game was resumed two days later. (The Cardinals held on to win, 4-2.)
Before that, it was the Cubs protesting God’s decision in 1908, where God vowed never to let the Cubs win a World Series again.
I thought it was a billy goat…
When I see #22 pitching in a Giant uniform, it’s hard not to think of Keiichi Yabu…
Peavy is amusing to watch when he gets pissed.
He’s gotta be fuming now.
I bet he’s a nasty drunk…
With wind blowing out, we’re gonna need more runs…
Like that.
Ishi again!
With a Panik assist…
And, like that.
Susac with the 2-run oppo dinger!
His first MLB HR…
Long two innings, I’m about ready for the seventh inning stretch.
When Morse runs he looks like he’s going up a down escalator…
lol, come on, tell me you made that one up. Or at least BuzzSaw?
Yes, I made it up. I always admit when I steal stuff.
well, that was goddamn motherfreaking gold.
former catcher Bruce Bochy had a huge smile on his face in the dugout after he hit that, did you guys catch that?
Buster being Wally Pipped? 🙂
Beats getting Wally Mooned.
Buster getting ready to move to 1b or 3b next year, more like it. Posey to 3rd, Belt gets his health back and is at 1b, and some Cuban to be named later takes LF…
Ahh, come on Rick! We were just beginning to have fun. Leave him in . . .
This thing is looking like a Wrigley slugfest…
Ishi is killing it tonight. Awesome play.
The kids are all right. Dat true. Panik and Susac have driven in three and scored a pair so far tonight. Do you suppose SF would sign Ed Jackson in the off-season as their batting practice pitcher? Second base looks set and it now looks like our injured 2nd string catcher may be the one getting Wally Pipped. If he pulls out of his situation, though, several teams may be interested in a Hectorquisition.
Can’t see Hector as anything more than a throw-in at this point, stick…
Loo, you are on fire tonight. Every single one of your posts should get fast tracked to the POTD-best of
Hey, Loo-in-Flames: your mamaluke quote from ‘Raging Bull,’ a movie I didn’t understand because Scorcese claimed he wanted to give us insight into someone who made a living through violence and I never got that insight, maybe I should see it again, was foreshadowed in a movie I like much more, ‘Mean Streets,’ when the word mook [sp] started a brawl in a pool hall. Tedspe can chime in if desired.
I always though Raging Bull was one of the greatest movies ever made. Easily one of the top sports movies, in my book anyway.
Me too Clown. Plus, I had never heard of LaMotta before this film. Introduced me to a very interesting character.
Blade has this one pegged right from the thread’s get-go:
“Salivating about today’s matchup against Edwin Jackson. Dude sucks massive pole and the Giants lefty bats will rake against him.”
Haha, righties, too.
Belt update: MLB.com posted a brief story at 9:51 EDT. Belt must rest more, not push it, says the Pittsburgh specialist. Have at it, girls.
I mean, this isn’t a surprise. I thought he was at risk for being done this season since the day it happened. How about Susac continues to rake and Posey goes to first base? Sound good? Am I even making sense anymore?
No, you’re not making sense. Just kidding . . . I would be down with that actually. Posey is going to be needed down the stretch and his numbers suck when he is catching. We need him at optimum physical/intellectual (lol) capacity. Our catchers tend to get bonzoed playing catcher (see Matheny, Hector, etc.).
Peavy always looks way too pissed off for a guy who’s banked 100+ million in his career…..
Richie Allen became Dick Allen at a time when Lew became Kareem and Keith, Jamaal.
Warren Jabali (formerly Armstrong) might’ve been the first, James…
Oh man, I remember him. He played on the ABA team that was out here, maybe only a year or two. Barry jumped to them first: might have been his father in law that owned part of it. Pat Boone was in on it somehow?
Armstrong was really physical guy but he could play. Later on he stomped some guy’s head who was laying on the floor and got big suspension. Nice ‘fro, too.
He could do it all, Willie…
So I think Vogs is scheduled for his tosses tomorrow, Do the Giants put him out there for an inning to see if he can get the win?
Different pitchers, of course, but Lincecum hasn’t been the same since that 1-inning stint in Philly, so I’d say no.
111 pitches(?), thanks Jake.
Yup a strong seven for Peavy. We’ll take that anytime. He must be pretty happy to be back with Bochy and delighted he was facing Edwin Wilson tonight with Giants bats waking up.
Yeah you right, stick.
Ishi in left? The man played GG worthy 1B tonight but gets to trot out to LF?
Is Pagan okay? I see he is out of the game.