Winning Ugly

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on October 15, 2014

Yesterday, Daniel and I had this exchange:

And while the end of the game certainly had a fortuitous feel to it, it wasn’t entirely “luck”. As I said after the game, when you drop down and rush a throw to first base like that the chances of it tailing on you is high. You might be able to pitch that way off the mound in your usual wind up, but jumping on a perfect bunt and rushing a sidearmed throw to first base? Advantage: us.

Krukow said something interesting this morning on the radio: “Two World Championships has bought them ‘calm’.” And that’s a perfect comment. If you have good pitching and can maintain a sense of calm in a high pressure situation, more often than not good things will happen. You can call that luck if you want but I think there’s way more to it than that. The minidset of the team is, “keep it close, stay focused and calm and more often than not, it will work out in the end.”

And it works both ways. As the game creeps along you know it gets in the collective mind of the Cardinals a little bit. Like, “what new thing is going to go against us now?” And I think the Cards are about as professional as they come. But this has become a way of life for the Giants this year. We score runs in the stupidest of ways.

It’s gotta have the opposition doing a slow burn. Again, advantage: us.

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snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:03 am

I continue to believe now that these East Coast scribes and pundits think the Giants win by luck and are a lackluster team because they rarely see them play. I’m talking see an entire game. Do Harold Reynolds or these other MLB talking heads frequently watch entire Giants games? Course not. It’s all Yankees and Red Sox and Mets and Phillies all the time. In his typical dismissal of yesterday’s Giants win, this Dave Schoenfield dufus writing on ESPN called Romo and Casilla “lefties”. Seriously, nobody makes that mistake or gets by editors if they follow the team even a little bit. Giants MO during the champ years lately is to play these close games with pitching and defense, and win late on scratch out runs, the odd walkoff HR, or oppo misplays and miscues, or a combo of those. There has been some weirdness in these playoff games so far, but not so far from the usual Giants methodology of winning as to be otherworldly. The import of these games just brightlights it. If these games happened in mid-July, we’d just be saying hey, that’s Giants baseball, a little more torture, and pretty much move onto the next game. And, BTW, how lucky was clubbing the Pirates 8-0? I fail to see why a scratch out tense 10 inning win by forcing the oppo to field a well executed bunt under playoff pressure and they screw it up — is any less worthy a win than the Yankees beating the Indians in some 9-7 marathon 4 1/2 hour 9 inning POS game with endless walks, 12 pitchers, and a couple of 3 run bombs. That would be like just any other POS American league game of the regular season. I heard this morning a post season game hasn’t been won on a pitcher’s throwing error since the ’69 Mets won a playoff game (or maybe was a WS game). At least the Giants and Cards played something memorable…
- stickman said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:24 am
  
  Good post.
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:07 am

With Twin’s previous POTD speaking to pitching being the core of the game in mind it is interesting to me that in the last two games it has been Stl pitchers that opened the door for the Giants. First the wild pitch allowing Duffy to score and then the botched throw yesterday.

If this club could string together some hits we would all breath a little easier but hey, that’s Giants baseball baby.
paulinasia said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:08 am

Great posts up and down the thread yesterday. Good call on the fluke factor, it’s been right on, but I think you’re also right that it’s not sustainable. Therefore, it’s time for the bats to come out more en force, like that 1st inning, like the Pittsburgh game. Some observations here yesterday that some players appear poised to break out a bit with the bats would be most welcome and would really propel them forward, without needing the fluke factor anymore. It’s quaint, and it’s been fun, but damn, it’s time to break out the f-ing bats already……
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:09 am

DJ, Regarding Sandoval from the last thread. I think it’ll take 5/$100M. At least.
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:28 am
  
  If the Gmen make it into the WS, and Panda does well again on the biggest stage, I’d say that’s a lock. Even now, it could be. That play on Holliday’s shot down the line that saved the game yesterday shows Panda’s got the glove even at crunch time…
DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:17 am

New Motto:

SCORE STUPID – WIN UGLY
- zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:40 am
  
  Think of the t-shirt sales!!
- Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:46 am
  
  Print ‘Em! I’m in line!
Sarge said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:29 am

So, if they don’t sign Pablo who else is there? Move Buster to third? I’m not sure about that, but with Susac looking like a real player a move seems likely to keep Buster’s brain intact. Has anyone heard anything else about Hector? I think this could work well if Buster is decent at third.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:37 am
  
  We hashed this one out a bit over the summer. Consensus seems to be Buster to 1b, Belt to LF. You heard it here first 🙂
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:49 am
    
    Yes, I remember that thread/discussion, and I am down with that, but do not believe next year is the year to make that move. I like Buster behind the dish next year, and then start thinking about that transition in 2016. But, that does not solve the 3rd base issue if Panda walks.
    
    There are not a ton of great 3rd basemen who will be FAs. Here is the list:
    Wilson Betemit
    Alberto Callaspo
    Eric Chavez
    Jack Hannahan *
    Chase Headley
    Casey McGehee
    Donnie Murphy
    Nick Punto *
    Aramis Ramirez *
    Pablo Sandoval
    Ty Wigginton
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:50 am
    
    * = there is an option.
  - Sarge said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:00 am
    
    OK, I do remember that now. If Pablo walks it wouldn’t be awful. He’s a good team guy and all, but at 18-20MM/per….?
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:02 am
    
    I thought Eric Chavez has had a bad back for about a decade.
    Headley is serviceable, decent. .262 BA this season. .768 OPS. He made $10.5M.
    Panda’s clearly the best on that list…
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:15 am
    
    Agree with you, Chi. Give Susac a year in the back up role and then make the move in 2016. I think Sandoval returns.
  - salty said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:19 am
    
    Hashed, sliced, diced, pureed and put through a cheese cloth.
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:41 am
    
    Micah – I think he (Pablo) returns, too. I know I was in the camp that said “Do NOT overpay him.” I still do not want to see the Brinks truck back up to Pablo and dump a 5 year deal, but if it happens, fuck it. It isn’t my money, and he is the BEST FA 3rd baseman out there for next year. I will be very surprised if he is wearing anything other than a Giant uni next year.
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:10 am
    
    You guys call me dirt on FB and Micah here. Just an observation. It makes me laugh.
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:58 pm
    
    I think I call you both, both here and on FB. At least we don’t call you late for lunch, or any of the other choices monikers that are typically reserved for the trolls. 😉
paulinasia said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:31 am

Oh, and, actually, the game 3 win was not fluky at all. Walk, single, perfect bunt, and bam!, there you have it, a 1-2-3 no-out knockout punch about as efficient as they come. Execution. Mistakes lose games at this point in the season. Other than MadBum’s throw in the NLDS, taking advantage of the other teams’ mistakes and making fewer of ’em than the opposition is why the Giants are rolling as they are. Add a bit more offense, they’ll keep ramblin’ on…
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:36 am

Posey needs to step it up at the plate, but I don’t know if he can. His hitting looks tired to me. He hit a good blast to RF in St. Looey that didn’t go out, but he hasn’t been hitting many hard gappers. Rollers to short and such, and singles. Normally, he’d get a day off with Susac subbed in there, but that’s not happening in these critical games. I really wish they could find a way to get Susac some ABs…
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:48 am

I’ve been impressed with Susac. He hasn’t gotten a lot of plate appearances but still seems to be able to come through. I feel bad for Sanchez because I think Susac is pretty much slotted for the back up roll next year now and it sucks to lose a spot like that.
paulinasia said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:52 am

2 other things before sleep: We just witnessed most likely the biggest hits in both Ishi’s and Perez’s careers. That’s pretty much how the Giants won game 3: by two career-best hits. Ok, that’s a little fluky, but it’s a good fluky….. And… don’t have the link, but loved Miller’s call of Ishi’s big hit, just pure joy: “And it’s off the wall! One run scores. Pence scores! And they ALL….. SCORE!!!!” Tremendous. See ya gametime…
Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:52 am

We all would love to see the bats wake-up, but I am not going to trip and get wound around the axle on this one. I love the way this team is playing right now, and I have confidence that they will do whatever it takes to grind out a win. Just keep pitching, playing clean D, and no meltdowns when on O, and good things will continue to happen for our boys.
Macdog said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:55 am

I just read this quote in Pav’s story about Perez’s single after the two failed bunts: “Now you’re playing with house money,” Bochy said. Hey, where have I seen that before?
Flavor said, on October 15, 2014 at 9:58 am

“Rocks and slingshots, man,” third base coach Tim Flannery said, smiling and shaking his head. “We can score runs without hits. We’ve proven that.”
I mean, if that’s the mindset then how do you beat that?
- Sarge said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:05 am
  
  You can’t as long as Strickland isn’t trying to blow away power lefties
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:08 am
  
  Yeah, it’s a cool vibe. But, at some point, you have to put together some hits, like the first inning yesterday.
  I’m a believer that the season is too long. The baseball at this stage is exciting, but I don’t know if it’s the best baseball. After 170+ games plus Spring Training, these teams, the pitchers arms, they’re getting pretty tired. Mentally burnt, too. Staying strong mentally at this point is probably more important than a sore knee or ankle. I think if you do anything pretty much every day with no letup for 9 months you are going to get burnt out on it, and need a break. Especially if at the end of that stretch the highest stress is applied to your performance…
  - DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:17 am
    
    Good thing you’re not pregnant.
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:33 am
    
    I was only “present” for the duration of two pregnancies, and was pretty burnt out by the delivery dates. Not sure I’m totally down with Spring Training and the WS being analogous to the beginning and end of the pregnancy process; though it is key to get plenty of reps in Spring Training…
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:45 am
    
    Another fucking Loo classic…
  - unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:07 am
    
    Shit. Really? I’ve been working for about 35 years every day with no let up. These guys are playing a game.
    
    Sure, it’s at a high level, but if they can’t grind out a few more games, well, fuck ’em!
    
    Do I get millions? Accolades raining down from above? Nope.
    
    Sure, I get grudging admiration once in a while from my wife and kids . . .
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:18 am

Anyone else see the video on Lincecum’s FB page of “take me out to the ballgame’? Sandoval pipes in with some harmonica. Pretty awesome.
- Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:47 am
  
  Nope…will have to check that one out. Thanks, Dirt…
- Bozo said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:51 am
  
  I saw it on Flan’s FB page yesterday. Loved it, I watched it about 5 times in a row.
stickman said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:35 am

Look back over the years and two teams have dominated the NL in games won and in Championships: Cardinals and Giants. Redturds have been better in the Post-season over the past 114 years while the Giants lead all baseball in total games won. So we are not looking at a freak series by any means but merely another face-off between the two best teams in the Senior Circuit.

To my way of looking at these things the Cardinals are a bit too far ahead in both NL and World Championships and even in post-season championships over the past five years. Time for the Giants to step up, get a few of those hits with RISP and stroll through these next two contests. You know that our man on the mound will be ballz to the walls. So let’s bitch-slap those Cardinals hurlers in front of an appreciative home crowd.
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:47 am

Stat from Baggs for rest of the post season, and next season. “But it’s worth noting that opponents slugged .495 off Hudson in their third trip through the lineup during the regular season.” Huddy’s not getting any younger. He’s basically about a 75-80 pitch guy now…
- Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:49 am
  
  Yeah, but unless he just physically cannot pitch next year, he will be a serviceable 4/5.
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:03 am
    
    Agreed. He’ll probably be like this year — strong the first half, then gradually degrade over the second half as the innings pile up…
  - Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:16 am
    
    Extra rest going into the playoffs help the Giant older pitchers as much as any other team.
    Vogs came out hitting 95 in the first after 10 days off, which was amazing.Nothing like playoff adrenaline to add a few extra MPH on his normal 92 heater.
Bozo said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:50 am

So, before the game yesterday, Lackey said. “They have got a really good lineup. It’s a deep lineup, and especially when you’ve got (Travis) Ishikawa hitting eighth. … It’s more of an American League-style lineup, which I’m pretty well accustomed to. So I’m going to have to make pitches all the way throughout the lineup. They are good.”

Ishi was already in his head before the game, ha. Travis hit the shit out of that ball, most days that ball lands at SFO with a flight crew. I know Ishi can be a streaky hitter, I seem to recall one year he could hit on the road but not at home and the next year it was the opposite. If he gets on one of those home streaks, watch out.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 10:55 am
  
  If/when the club advances, add Morse at DH and it looks even better.
  - unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:04 am
    
    Have you SEEN his last couple ABs?
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:08 am
    
    Yeah, that hasn’t been good but he hasn’t seen much pitching in a while and breaking up the L, L, L at the bottom of the LU would help. Who has a better chance to run into one Morse or Perez?
  - unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:17 am
    
    Hey, Perez at least kept the line moving . . .
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:27 am
    
    Perez kept the line moving, once. That was the blind squirrel finding a nut. Great clutch hit, but I won’t expect another one for the duration of this series. He’s done nothing in his short MLB career to indicate he can hit MLB pitching, or is figuring anything out to get where he might…
- Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:54 pm
  
  One the topic of streaky hitters, name me a Giant hitter who is NOT streaky. Fuck…they all are. Pence is probably the most consistent, but does anyone remember the first month of the season when he was hitting a buck-something???
Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:01 am

Here is a podcast from yesterday. At about the six minute mark, Miller starts setting up the bases loaded situation for Ishi. His call of Ishii’s hit is at about the 7:15 mark. Love it!

http://www.stationcaster.com/player_skinned.php?s=851&c=11571&f=3478073
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:04 am
  
  Yeah, that was a classic call. Good stuff…
unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:03 am

I think Chavez retired.

Point being we ain’t getting shit from the FA list unless you want to overpay Headley rather than Pablo.
- unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:19 am
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:57 am
    
    I can’t imagine how long it took to film that movie. It must have been hard for cast and crew not to burst out laughing about every 10 seconds. Korman was fantastic…
    http://tinyurl.com/kyelwhn
  - DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:07 pm
    
    I feel like the only person on Earth who did not even crack a smile during this movie. Saw it in the theatre when it came out. My best friend was in stitches. I was miserable start to finish. Tried again a few years ago as a “grown-up”. Gave up after a half hour. Same is true for “The Hangover” that everybody seems to love.
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:10 am

Cards don’t win tonight this series is over.
No way in hell “The Undertaker” the most dominate pitcher in the postseason, let’s it go back to Cowtown.
unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:18 am

Bongi. Yeah, VERY big game for the Cards. Vogie needs an extra enchilada (and a wifely special) this morning . . .
unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:18 am

Bongi, bingo, whatever.
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:36 am

Yeah, tonight is the big one for the Cards. Metheny will put all the chips in, whatever that means. All hands on deck, they don’t want to go down 3-1 with Bum going tomorrow. I say it’s almost the same for Bochy. If Voggy gets shaky early, get Petit in there. Petit is plenty rested, he needs to pitch or he might get stale. Win tonight and you can even blow the Bum game Thursday, and still just need to win one outta two in St. Looey. Don’t want to go back there, though. Hudson pitching a 7th game isn’t appetizing…
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 11:37 am

Yeah, tonight is the big one for the Cards. Metheny will put all the chips in, whatever that means. All hands on deck, they don’t want to go down 3-1 with Bum going tomorrow. I say it’s almost the same for Bochy. If Voggy gets shaky early, get Petit in there. Petit is plenty rested, he needs to pitch or he might get stale. Win tonight and you can even blow the Bum game Thursday, and still just need to win one outta two in St. Looey. Don’t want to go back there, though. Huddy starting a 7th game at Busch isn’t the most appetizing thing…
unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:05 pm

I’m wondering why Petit’s had such a long break. Maybe it’s specifically for tonight. Otherwise, it’s Timmy. Or maybe it’s Petit in game 7?
- DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:08 pm
  
  Maybe he got lost between his wife’s tits…
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:45 pm
    
    After a shower, a wife was standing naked in front of the bedroom mirror one morning. She lamented the small size of her chest as her husband dressed for work.
    She: Honey, does it matter to you that my breasts are small?
    He: No, dear, never has, they’re perfect the way they are.
    She: Well, I wonder anyway. Maybe there’s something I could do?
    He: Well you could rub tissue paper between them every day – that should make them get bigger.
    Wife: I’ve never heard of such a thing! Why on earth would that do any good?
    He: I don’t know, but it’s sure worked for your ass….
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:56 pm
    
    BAHAHA…
    
    …cymbal crash sound…
  - unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:23 pm
San Dawg said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:36 pm

Loo-I’m with you on Blazing Saddles and The Hangover. I could add others to the list I find unfunny including Big Lebowski and Anchorman.
Do you have any idea how hard it is to live in San Diego and detest Anchorman?

Salty—love the cheese cloth line!
- DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:59 pm
  
  Bless you. You might be the first…
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:15 pm
  
  Not an Anchorman fan. In fact, not a fan of Will Ferrell.
  Rather watch a few old episodes of Get Smart than Old School…
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:56 pm

CF Gregor Blanco (L)
2B Joe Panik (L)
C Buster Posey (R)
3B Pablo Sandoval (S)
RF Hunter Pence (R)
1B Brandon Belt (L)
LF Travis Ishikawa (L)
SS B. Crawford (L)
P Ryan Vogelsong (R)

Bochy keeping a steady hand on the rudder.
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:59 pm
  
  Or the copy machine…
  - pawliekokonuts said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:04 pm
    
    snarkk on a roll today
  - dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:04 pm
    
    Bochy strikes me as more of a mimeograph machine type. Or just dictation. Job security for Wotus.
pawliekokonuts said, on October 15, 2014 at 12:56 pm

Great kickoff comment by Snarkk. Really agree with it. Very astute. Have to catch up on the rest of these comments. As for collective calm, I for one did NOT possess it during yesterday’s game. But, hey, Black and Orange Nation pretty much invented hashtag torture.
pawliekokonuts said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:03 pm

I’ve never seen “Blazing Saddles” or even one episode of “Happy Days” or “Dallas” or a gazillion other pop-culture standards. Like Loo, most of these hits have left me in the role of “make the king laugh.” And I don’t. Or didn’t. “Something About Mary”? Utterly lame and stooopid. I thought “Analyze This” was good and some of the Focker movies were okay. That’s just me.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:06 pm
  
  Mrs dirt is a big fan of terrible comedy so I’ve been subjected to all of these titles mentioned. Multiple times. I usually just fall asleep. Talladega Nights had me laughing though.
- Nipper said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:08 pm
  
  Don’t worry…..I still don’t have a cell-phone and still use a dumb phone at home.
  - pawliekokonuts said, on October 15, 2014 at 7:57 pm
    
    I salute that.
Nipper said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:11 pm

Just grind out one game at a time. Still the Giants don’t hit enough but what the heck if the pitching holds up……and defense. Keep Morris nailed to the bench!
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:17 pm
  
  Wait a minute.
  I thought we got rid of Matt Morris…
  - unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:28 pm
    
    Would you believe . . . Morris the Cat?
    
    (ok, arcane Get Smart reference . . .)
    
    Still one of my all-time favorites.
ODBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:14 pm

dumb
- unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:27 pm
  
  and dumber . . .
  
  Now there was a stupid movie that was fingernails on the chalkboard to me.
  
  Young Frankenstein on the other hand? Utter genius. Like the old Woody Allen flicks (Love and Death, Bananas, Sleeper) either you are all-in or it falls flat.
  - snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:07 pm
    
    Yeah, you either like the Woodman or you don’t. I thought his Midnight in Paris, a more recent one, was very good. Of course, being filmed all in Paris didn’t hurt. Woody got the Oscar for best original screenplay in this one. If they had baseball there, Paris might be perfect. Spoiler alert. I like this scene, it’s a little contrived, but – the girl is scrumptious. http://tinyurl.com/p6fuyxd When they walk in the rain, it’s like a Caillebotte painting…
  - Chipower9 said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:35 pm
    
    Agree on Young Frankenstein. One of the all time best. From Brooks, I also loved SpaceBalls. John Candy in the opening piece “I’m a Mog. Half man, half dog…I’m my own best friend.”
  - DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:40 pm
    
    Caille-what???
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:32 pm

2-0 Royals…Start setting your tee- times O’s
- snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 1:56 pm
  
  Hope the Royals win. They need time to cool off. Notice how none of the teams that won their divisions early are still in it (assuming O’s lose today)..
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:23 pm

Bumgarner over at the merc:

“You know, that’s a heck of a way to win a ballgame on our side. It’s a heck of a way to lose a game on their side,” he said. “I’m not here to feel sorry for the other team. We’re here to win games however we can get it done. It’s no fun being in his shoes, but everyone knows how good he is and I don’t think anyone is going to question that.”

Dude is awesome.
unca_chuck said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:41 pm

That’s pretty great, Micah. Bummie’s an impressive guy. Behind the ‘golly gee’ façade he’s a bad ass who isn’t taking any prisoners.
- dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:59 pm
  
  I see what you did there, chuck. ;).
  
  Bumgarner is a bad ass mofo.
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 2:57 pm

They should make a “Next of Kin” sequel starring Madison Bumgarner as Briar Gates” he would kick ass as a hillbilly gone wrong in the big city!
zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:19 pm

I like a lot of the comedies mentioned today, but Anchorman isn’t one of them. I don’t get that film at all.
- Macdog said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:28 pm
  
  It had some pretty good moments,and then others that lost me. Having Christina Applegate certainly upped the watchability factor, but I’m with whoever mentioned it earlier, Will Ferrell just isn’t that funny.
  - zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:38 pm
    
    I think Ferrell had his perfect showcase at Saturday Night Live. He did odd characters that could be funny for the length of a sketch, but his characters tend to wear thin over a whole movie.
DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:23 pm

For me, nothing comes close to the original In-Laws, with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin…
- zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:28 pm
  
  That is one of the funniest films of all time.
- zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:32 pm
  
  Ah, who can forget this scene?
LINK: Winning Ugly | San Francisco Giants Dugout Online | San Francisco Giants Blog said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:41 pm

[…] The rest of the article can be found here: THE San Francisco Giants Blog […]
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 3:45 pm

Is this ^^spam?

Orioles almost done for.
- Flavor said, on October 15, 2014 at 4:54 pm
  
  I’m not sure why that shows up every now and again.
WilcoJoe said, on October 15, 2014 at 4:16 pm

Congrats to the Royals! No fan base deserves that more, well maybe the Cubs.

I am on business in Austin and so fucking pissed this game is on Fox 1. Of course my hotel room doesn’t carry it, so I will be forced to sit in a sports bar in Austin, drink all night and be hungover as all get out in the morning. First world problems, I guess.
WilcoJoe said, on October 15, 2014 at 4:18 pm

By the way Dirt, I got a kick out of seeing you post the cover of “The One Minute Manager.” My boss at my old firm gave me that book to read the day before I gave my two weeks notice. Thus I never had a chance to read it.
- dirtnrocksnreno said, on October 15, 2014 at 4:38 pm
  
  Haha. Nice. It was given to me at an old job too.
Macdog said, on October 15, 2014 at 4:28 pm

Those lucky Royals scored their 2 runs today on a fielder’s choice/error on a throw home after a single, HBP and a sac bunt.
- Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 4:54 pm
  
  Yeah kinda like our win yesterday Macdog.
  A walk, a bunt that couldn’t do(Perez) but got a base hit anyway& and a bunt they did get down,only to watch the pitcher Choate his chicken and throw it away for a game winner.
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:06 pm

If the Giants play the Royals, every game will go 14 innings, end 3-2, and decided on a walk off passed ball…
ODDBBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Get Petit up right now
- zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:24 pm
  
  Coulda been worse.
zumiee said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:19 pm

Quasi-interesting sidenote on Andrew Friedman, former Rays GM, who the Dodgers have hired to run their baseball operations, regarding the 2008 draft: Tampa Bay had the first pick that year. I guess Friedman’s pick was a bust. I’ve never heard of Timothy Beckham. I’ve heard of some of the other top 5 picks:

1 Timothy Beckham Tampa Bay Devil Rays Shortstop Griffin High School (GA)
2 Pedro Álvarez Pittsburgh Pirates Third baseman Vanderbilt
3 Eric Hosmer Kansas City Royals First Baseman American Heritage School (FL)
4 Brian Matusz Baltimore Orioles Left-handed pitcher San Diego
5 Buster Posey San Francisco Giants Catcher Florida State
- WilcoJoe said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:26 pm
  
  Friedman has long been considered one of the best young evaluators of talent in the game. The Dodgers got a great hire, I am afraid to say. Colletti will be gone by the time the post season ends.
- Macdog said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:32 pm
  
  Just saw this tweet: “Andrew Friedman, the guy the Dodgers hired as their GM yesterday, traded James Shields and Wade Davis to KC for Wil Myers.”
  - SanDawg said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:41 pm
    
    To be fair, Wil Myers can rake. The early returns on that deal looked like a steal by the Rays. Kind of evened out this past year.
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:25 pm

Could have been worse without that DP.
Vog not long for this game at this pace.
ODDBBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:27 pm

Petit should be warm right now.
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:28 pm

Could have been worse without that DP.
Vog not long for this game at this pace.
Way to fuck up that catch Jay, can’t believe they gave Blanco a double.
Macdog said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:28 pm

Cards now have an AJ and an E Jay.
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:30 pm

So much for Shelby Miller’s shutdown inning!
Hittin him hard, keep it up boys!!
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:33 pm

Pull that anchor out of your waist Pablo.
WilcoJoe said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:33 pm

Lot of Giants fans in this bar. Must be the many California transplants that are driving up the real estate prices in Austin.
ODDBBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:35 pm

Bochy’s fucking up here. They’re crushing Vogeldong, he licks it tonight. Get him out of there!
salty said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:46 pm

Unfortunately Giants don’t have a LH long guy
blade3colorado said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:47 pm

Vogy got lucky on that SO pitch.
salty said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:48 pm

Finally Pitching Jay inside now.
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 5:53 pm

This game has 8-7 final written on it.
As long as the Giants have the 8, all is good😄
- ODDBBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm
  
  This game has Vogeldong fucking up royally. With out shit offense, a one run lead is like 10
dirtnrocksnomo said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm

Wait…Jeter’s retiring?
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:01 pm

AJ Jerkoff has always been a douchebag!
” The Academy Award Flop Act” even if it was the right call,he ticks off more players and umps then anyone except Puig!
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:03 pm

Vogelsong has nothing. Get him out…
ODDBBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:04 pm

!
- salty said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:07 pm
  
  Go p!ay with the other rabble at the Merc. You seem to quote them a lot.
  - ODDBBB said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:09 pm
    
    (
DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:07 pm

ODB was right all along…
Alleykat said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:09 pm

Note to Nicole..It Was ok for you to feed him enchiladas,but the BJ obviously wore him out!!’
Now the Wong Bomb!!!
Fuck get him out now!!!!
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:09 pm

Voggy is throwing straight fballs over the plate, hittable as hell…
snarkk said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:12 pm

Petit has to come in the next inning. Can’t risk any more dingers. We’re in deep S already. Plenty of time to come back, but can’t afford Voggy’s hot mess any more. He’s got nothin’, had nothin’ from the get go…
DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:15 pm

Fuckin’ Wong looks like Beltran in his prime…
WilcoJoe said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:18 pm

Nice play by Fatt Adams.
blade3colorado said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Getting Arias home is big here.
salty said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:24 pm

Yep. answer back!
blade3colorado said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:24 pm

Very, very big hit by Buster.
DJLoo said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:25 pm

Time for a splasher for Pablo…
salty said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:25 pm

We are so due for a 4 bagger
Flavor said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:28 pm

very nice.
blade3colorado said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:29 pm

. . . or, a base hit. lqtm.
gianthead said, on October 15, 2014 at 6:29 pm

Take that f’n Troll