Don’t Stop Believing in…..Ugly
I continue to force myself to not have any expectations about this post season. Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying the ride. I just don’t understand the ride. But I absolutely BELIEVE in the ride. And when it comes to *magic* that’s about all you really need, right?
What do the Giants do best? Before this series started, I said “they compete.” And while I still believe that, what they really do best is “whatever it takes.” That’s not a very sexy quality to have until you realize that you can make up for a lot of shortcomings when you do “whatever it takes.” In some ways, it’s all you need.
So I accept, without reservation, the imperfections of the 2014 San Francisco Giants. I celebrate their heart and soul. And I honor their innate will to do….”whatever it takes.”
And whether they lose 3 straight or win 5 more games this year, or do something in between, this is one of my favorite teams of all time. Make no mistake, it’s certainly one of the ugliest. But it’s the easiest one in the world to believe in…..
#heartofaGiant
#whateverittakes
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
It’s surely one of the most surprising teams. Surprising? Aw, heck. We’ve used THAT adjective, or participle, before. #heartofaGiant #whateverittakes #letsgo
From this side, it’s quite frustrating since it seems no matter what, the Cards will goof and the Giants will take advantage. I can only hope that they can flip the 2012 script but I’m not very optimistic.
well, no one plays a perfect game. And that’s part of the “compete” comment I made to you. Compete until the other team makes a mistake then take advantage. And because our pitching usually keeps us close, that’s what we’ve been able to do this post season.
There’s no doubt that the Giants deserve a lot of credit for being in the position to take advantage of mistakes. Even up 4-1 last night I was nervous because I knew they were coming back.
Hi there. The “2012 script” would have to mean: the one from our screenplay, not yours. As a matter of fact, that’s the one thing that scares me. It ain’t over, as we ably demonstrated in 2012. But I do like playing with HOUSE MONEY.
I’d like it more if the Cards hadn’t blown more 3-1 leads (3, at least) than they’ve come back from (0) and you didn’t have that Bum(garner) going today!
We need someone to come up with a HOUSE MONEY shirt.
“Whatever it takes” part of famous line from Bill Russell…”Everyone wants to win, but not everyone is willing to do whatever it takes to win.” Russell wasn’t even a varsity player in HS until senior year and didn’t blossom into stardom until he got to college at USF.
At that point he worked his ass off to improve quick jumping/shot blocking technique, shooting hook shots with either hand from 15 feet, conditioning, etc.
Last W in any series always seems like the toughest one to get; wouldn’t expect this one to be anything other than very close hard fought.
Any thoughts from card70 on Cards pen and how Matheny uses it? Don’t think it’s any surprise Bochy used everyone except Strickland last night. Btw, really appreciate your posts here.
Or Timmy. The forgotten 25th guy.
It’s a bit frustrating to see Matheny not being as aggressive as he could be. This series hasn’t shown it as much, but this is a pretty solid bullpen. Most of us would have used it in a lot of different ways than Matheny did last night.
Of course, if Matt Adams makes some proper decisions, the bullpen management is just annoying, not devastating. Plus, with as many arms being used the last couple of days, it means that they need Wainwright to step up even more today.
Daniel, is your blog a running commentary like this one is? I click on your link, and the newest info there is from 2008.
yeah, his blog name here seems to link to a dead blog from ’08. I’m going to put his current blog link into our blogroll.
Sorry, this is an old wordpress account. I’ve swapped places a couple of times since then. You’ll find me directiy at cardsconclave/c70, though cardsconclave.com will take you to the front page with any posts by our bloggers.
Can we please cut the “HOUSE MONEY” crap? As I have stated previously, there is no such thing.
Once you win it, it’s yours. If you’re up $ 50,000 after a few days in Las Vegas, then blow it all on the
day before you go home, you’re fine with it? No fuckin’ way!
http://blog.nj.com/devils/2012/04/no_one_is_playing_with_house_m.html
Thanks, Mac!
I’m with you, Loo. Having been up big at the blackjack tables, giving it back isn’t a very good strategy nor does it make me feel good it I do give a lot back.
It’s hard to replace the 2010 club in my heart. First time and all that jazz(hands). That club was something special but the 2014 team,having fought through so many injuries, is pretty amazing in their own right so I hear what you’re saying. I had no expectations going into the post season but I fully expected to beat the Nationals. 5 more wins baby.
#i’mtotallysickofhashtags #isitplayedoutyet?
Ok, if you want a quick link to Daniel’s blog it’s now in the blogroll to the right near the bottom titled “The Cardinal Blog
Thanks, Craig!
Daniel your a class guy,and I have really enjoyed your input& perspective in this series.And as frustrating as it might be for you and all Cardinal fans you show your support till the final end.Classy Organization, unlike the Dodgers,,
Appreciate that. And while it’s been a frustrating series, it’s been a lot of fun interacting over here as well. I hope we can do this for a few more games! 🙂
For sure, Daniel. Regardless of outcome it has been great to interact with you on THE San Francisco Giants blog.
Thanks, guys. Always nice to walk into enemy territory and not fear for your life!
This club is so surprising that even Kawakami has become a certifiable polly.
#kawakamilikessaltynutz
Wait a minute? Kawakami knows Salty?
Excellent hashtags, Dirt… 🙂
Appreciate the insights from Daniel as well.
Reading Bernie Micklaz from the StL dispatch, learned St lou fans disparagingly call it “methenaging”. Now he’s being second guessed on leaving Miller in too long. I was surprised to see him in the 4th.
Someone made a point about Metheny pitching to Posey instead of walking him and having the lefty stay in and face Pablo hitting RH. That’s what most mgr’s have done. Wonder what his thinking was there. Lefty wasn’t effective anyway?
Thoughts Daniel?
Yeah, #Mathenaging and #Mathenius are pretty popular hashtags around the Cardinal twitterverse. You won’t find too many folks during games commending him on his moves, but I guess that’s the way it is with a lot of managers. Problem is he doesn’t have the depth of experience to argue against some of them.
For some reason, and other people have noted this during the series, Matheny doesn’t seem to want to force Sandoval to hit right-handed. I don’t know if he’s misreading splits or remembers some time that Sandoval burned the team that way, but like you say, getting Sandoval to turn around would seem to make all the sense in the world.
I don’t know why Matheny didn’t go that route, but I will say that it seems sometimes he is much more reactive than proactive, taking the situation that’s in front of him rather than think batters or innings ahead. That’s the way it comes across a lot of times, at least.
I guess you’re not old enough to remember this guy or the little stunt he was involved in 50 years ago…
http://tinyurl.com/qjjeoaa
The ’64 squad is a decade-plus before me, it’s true. And if Matheny can do what Keane did–win the World Series–we’ll be fine with sending him to the Yankees afterwards. 😉
Methenaging sounds like something from Breaking Bad.
Thanks Craig. And yeah, it’s cool to see this from the Cards fan side of things. Not having seen much of Metheny as a manager, the Pablo deal was interesting to say the least. Historically Pablo has been a decent enough RH hitter, but this year he fell off the table. Even when he IS hitting from the right side, his power numbers are way worse than LH. Everyone this year has been turning him right.
Supposedly Pablo got RH hitting advice from Detroit’s Cabrera in the offseason. Unless Panda’s got an injury in his shoulder or something that hurts the RH swing, I’d stay away from any more Cabrera advice…
Pretty good read from SB Nation (and Viva los birdos). Apparently these folks are into haikus as well . . . travesty of justice notwithstanding.
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2014/10/16/6986767/2014-nlcs-game-4-recap-cardinals-fall-to-giants-in-a-travesty-of
Got to say, the Cards fans are a ton more reasonable than most other fans.
One game at a time, baby.
Bum. Giants. WTF NOT?…
I think Kruk explained the Giants best, they make the other team play error free ball. If the Cards had played error free ball there is no telling how these games would have ended. Kuip this morning someone in the Nats front office(?) said the Giants have just been lucky. Kuip said taking advantage of another teams errors is not being lucky!! It is called playing good baseball. This is a great question Kuip put forth, if at the beginning of the season someone said the Giants starting lineup would be Blanco in CF, Panik 2B, ishikawa LF in the playoffs and winning would you have believed them? Most definitely not.
One more thing this post season has shown, for the next several years you will NOT see a permanent switch of Posey to 1st base. There is no better catcher in the post season than Posey in the squat!!
I tend to think the opposite. Posey is getting hits now, but no power. He’s had no breaks from catching duty in the playoffs. If the Giants win tonight, he’ll really benefit from the idiotic 5 day layoff until next Tuesday. His experience behind the plate and with the pitchers in these clutch situations is invaluable, so he’s catching all the games. IMO they’ll bring Susac in next season slowly and then eventually more and more games, and somehow get Posey to 1B or 3B or just rest him. Then, 2016 Posey will slide more into a non-catching role as Susac is seasoned, and can handle the staff. Posey will be pushing late 20s by then, and his hitting will be in it’s prime if he’s rested. He won’t be catching into his 30s, he making too much money, the splits favoring his hitting while not catching cannot be ignored, and the toll on his legs plus the concussion risk will be too much — he’ll eventually stop wearing the mask…
Good analysis. Yes, the sensible transition will be gradual.
Posey certainly is resisting the move to 1st. 3rd will never happen and neither will LF. If Susac plays lights-out, then we’ll have e dilemma. I don’t want to lose Belt at the cost of moving Posey to 1st.
The possibility exists that Belt moves to LF. That would seem the best answer to me. I mean, it don’t take much to win the GG out there. Barry Bonds did it from his Barcalounger. Just catch the shit you should.
Giants are not paying Panda $100M, so I think he’s gone. If Panda leaves, tell Posey to move to 3B and like it. He can spend 2015 shuttling between C and then 3B on his off days. His hitting splits will like it, that’s for sure. Rest of the time, have somebody like Duvall play 3rd, or even Duffy. Instead of screwing up the defense even more, keep Belt’s gold glove at 1B, and get a damn real outfielder(s) in case/when Pagan goes down…
I agree snarkk, re: your 9:51. Since the last month of the regular season when the team was just trying to get into the post season, the mantra was one day/one game at a time. Same still applies. Let’s get ’em today!
Excellent thread, Flav, and I am right there with ya, brother.
Wow. I was thinking about you guys during the game, and wanted to jump into the fray, but I was delayed (had to pause the game for a bit), and wanted to stay with the game, and not jump ahead. By the time it was over, I had a few things to take care of before falling into bed.
What a great win last night! It appears that Nicole perhaps tweaked the enchilada recipe. I doubt that happens again (if our boys get to the point where Vogey gets the ball, again). But even with Vogey’s struggles, he still kept it reasonably close. There were some gritty, gutty ABs where the Cards could have blown that sucker wide open, but Vogey grinded through those key situations and made the pitches, and got the outs.
And how about Petit? Seriously one of the most important pieces in this team. Going back to his 6 innings in the 18 inning marathon through last night, the guy just keeps putting up zeros. What a great weapon to have. Long relief? No problem. Need a spot start? Gotcha covered. Dude is MONEY.
Seriously a team win last night in the truest sense. Contributions up and down the line-up and bullpen. Casilla is just unreal when he has his stuff going. Affeldt had some tough outs to record. Again…just contributions up and down the line. It all spells TEAM in the truest sense.
Looking forward to tonight’s game. With Big Country on the bump, you have to like our chances. Let’s close this mother out! Speaking of Bum, if not already, how many of you believe this team is slowly becoming his team?
I like Bum as a fiery type young leader, takes no S off anyone. Wants the ball. Gets a little too excited still, and that can hurt him when he loses some concentration, but he’ll figure out how to direct that better.
Posey is the cool leader, by example, and clutch, like last night. Two leaders, fire and ice, different styles. I like it…
“Dude is money”. Here’s to the front office recognizing that fact during the off-season and giving Petit one helluva pay jump whether he asks for it or not.
He’s arb eligible again in the offseason, he should get a nice bump from the $850K or so that he’s making. Kershaw gets that for 6 innings in a July game against the Pads…
I heard Buster Olney say on the FM sports station this morning that in the offseason, the RSox are likely going to make a big run at Panda to play third for a while, then eventually DH = LT deal and stacks of cash…
Yep…I have heard that they are clearing space for him…
They’re widening the clubhouse doors as we speak…
Seems more likely than not that we lose Panda to a team willing to give him an insane, LT contract. Team should offer him close to $60M on a three year deal, though. If Pablo departs it might be a good idea to hang onto Romo, if possible. Strickland still needs to develop an out pitch for LH power-hitters. A long winter and spring training course of development might get him up to speed by April. More likely he will hit his stride later into the season. So a lucrative one-year offer to Romo might be a good approach.
Recognition and respect. Kevin Kernan has a nice piece in today’s New York Post on the “Giants conjure up October Magic”. His focus is on how Sabean and his brain trust have made a habit of pulling players off the scrap heap and recharging their batteries to become the faces of October, all turned out in the colors of the season. Nice Read. Good to see this coming from Eastern media and not just rehashing “luck” and whatever the fuck.
WTF, maybe I’ll buy the Murdoch rag just for that. Fave Post headline: HEADLESS BODY IN TOPLESS BAR.
Mine was: Doorbell rings, she’s slain
don’t know why I loved it but I would look at the Post just to see the headline.
Pawlie: A rag, i agree. Could be their sports columnists are okay, though. Kernan’s piece was insightful. Caught a link through Yahoo Sports so you don’t hafta support Rupert the Ruthless.
OK. Loo. Got you. It explains why I am a DREADFUL gambler.
I didn’t mean to yell, Pawlie.
All the best to your mom…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOSEPHINE KOCAK, 98 TODAY. AND LIVES INDEPENDENTLY!
That’s a lot of candles and great genetics, pawlie!…
no kidding, Tom
That is awesome, Pawlie. Give Mom a huge Happy Birthday from Flap Universe!
Good for her, Pawlie! Good shit when you can hang out with someone who has seen so much life.
Buddy of mine’s grandma lived to 102, and she lived on her own in a little house on Cowper St in Mt, View. Before senior year of high school he and I stayed at her place fore a couple months as we both had summer jobs down there.
She was 100 at the time and had just quit driving so we took her to the store, helped her around the place, and and stuff like that. She was born in 1879 in Virginia City NV. She had the craziest stories about growing up out there. All of 5’4″ she was still sharp and funny and told of her carryings on with the guys in town. The wild child.
I don’t remember who said it, but the line about the Giants getting it done with just rocks and slingshots has been one of my favorites.
That was the Flan-Man, John. I love that quote, too.
Aha! Thanks Chuck.
Go Ugly!
The thing is about Panda, I don’t know if he’d be very happy in Boston. Lots of cash, but when he goes into a slump, those fans and media will be brutal. Panda’s not used to anything, but supportive fans and Panda hats and pretty much lapdog media…
“…supportive fans..,” um yeah if he doesn’t read this blog. Don’t think many fans would miss him, really.
I like the guy, though his power numbers are down he handles clean up well and hits .300 from left side. Brings good D to the IF and energy everywhere. And got himself in baseball shape in off season, whatever that is. Also handles post season pretty well too.
so, offer him $50 for 3 if he doesn’t like then $15 qual offer. He walks SF gets a pick at least.
STL pretty good example of losing a big gun (Pujols) and surviving just fine. Plenty of others.
Funny thing is, in short term, freaking Ishi and Perez just fine in LF.
Sandoval will have the choice of staying with the club that he came up with, potentially being part of a team that is really something special and making good money (using MLB salary structure as the measurement). Or he can go for all the money he can get. I can’t really blame him either way.
One thing I was thinking about last night with Sarge rehashing the Posey LF question. What about Pagan moving to LF and hitting lead off next year with Blanco moving to the bottom of the order and holding down the CF spot? I don’t know that Pagan could swallow it but Blanco is clearly the better CF and you can probably live with his light hitting lower in the order.
They have to, IMO, go out and get an upgraded OFer. Morse shouldn’t be back, injury prone, and subpar D. Get a real OFer, an all around OFer that plays the position, a bit of pop, some speed, and doesn’t go south for 6 weeks at a time at the plate like Blanco. The list of available FA outfielders isn’t great, but I can’t see giving Morse a multi-year deal…
Most i can see in going for an outfielder is an older but still capable placeholder. Reason was tearing up the pitching rich Eastern League a ways out into May when he ended up needing some serious arm surgery. Tommy John type. Mac Williamson hits for average, has excellent slash power and for a big guy even has a decent turn of speed. A good Spring in Richmond or Sac-town and he could be the regular LFer even before the Break.
I think moving Pagan out of CF has been kicked-around (by the coaches, etc.), but I don’t see that happening. Pagan wants to play CF, so he will probably be back there next year.
I agree with snarkk. No Morse next year, but they have to go get someone who can handle LF reasonably well. Or, WTF, why cannot that guy by Ishi? Seriously, the guy has made some good plays and hasn’t embarrased himself.
As of now, bite my tongue, I wouldn’t have a problem with Ishi as a 5th OFer. Cheap, good dude, he’ll get better out there, and he can play as an occasional 1B sub, for whatever reason. But, he’d have to earn it in Spring Training, because they need to find two OFers, IMO. They must upgrade for starting LF and the backup OFers– they don’t need a Barry Bonds. Just get a serviceable, all around everyday MLB quality LFer with at least a bit of a stick, and get compeitiion in for the 4th and 5th OFer spots vs. Blanco and Ishi. Can’t go into 2015 AGAIN just hoping that Pagan doesn’t get hurt…
Pagan provides some cost certainty and Blanco is cheap with better D in CF. When he gets injured I guess they turn to Williams on the farm. I’d like to see Ishikawa come back but as a bench guy. I’d rather see money go towards another SP and Sandoval.
You mean Mac Williamson?
He’s a total uncertainty. Supposedly a good stick, but he hasn’t even seen AA pitching yet, and only 840 career PAs…
Yes, that is who I meant. My mistake but just taking a stab in the dark there. Regardless, I would rather see money toward SP and Sandoval.
I agree with Dirt…spend the money (to a certain extent) on Pablo and a starter. Ideally, they can bring Peavy back for a decent 2 year deal. A ML OFer is a lower priority IMO than these two items.
If it’s KC vs. SF in the WS, the Fox sports execs are going to contemplate suicide, with the MLB office right behind. The ratings will be in the toilet. Not that we would care. Not only would that be the two year thing for the Giants, 2010-12-14, but it would be the third midwest/middle of the country team in a row to face them…
Are you looking forward to the endless loop of Royals by Lorde? I know I am.
Regarding Posey switching position eventually; I really like Belt at firstbase, as we all pretty much do. It’s such a calming thing having him receive those infield throws, which can be errant sometimes. And he makes nice throws to secondbase the vast majority of the time, with that nice lefthander’s angle. I would hate to see a change in that. Posey to third has started to slowly intrigue me. I used to be against it, but I’m starting to weaken on that. I think the hard selling point to Posey about 3b or even LF is that he will be nervous, I’d imagine, about embarrassing himself. I think he could be sold on it eventually, because I think he would do it for Bochy if asked, but it will take some serious work on the change in one of the upcoming Spring Trainings.
With you on both Belt and Posey. Posey’s move should be stage by stage so as to get Susac up to some reasonable facsimile of Buster’s game-calling excellence. Could be a bit strange to see a set of signs develop from 3B to C. to P. Belt is your archetypical slickster at 1B.
Yeah, I really think Belt could settle in for the next 10 years at first base. Great glove, good instincts with throws, etc. If he ever gets a full regular season without injury, I think he could get to offensive stats somewhere between JT Snow in his prime and Helton. If he played in a place like Texas or Boston or Camden Yards, he’d probably hit 30+ dingers if healthy all season…
I am with you, too. I don’t think Posey to 3rd is that much a stretch, as before staring to catch late in his college career, he played SS and pitched. I do agree with all the points on Belt at 1B. Posey would be “serviceable” there. Belt has the potential to be one of the best in MLB for years to come, IMO.
Pagan will be in contract year 2015, no? Maybe prods a good solid healthy year out of him.
I’d bring Morse back in a heartbeat–guy can hit, best stats of anyone not named Posey in entire LU. But if you’d rather watch the Ishi/Perez/Blanco show I can understand. Getting a starting level LF for less than what you’d pay Morse is highly unlikely these days. I do not see Belt in LF Susac at C happening.
What seems to be available is pitching, esp SPs that would slide right into rotation. Quality is there tho certainly not cheap. With better pitching, SF should be OK without Sandoval. But looking for 2 front line middle order position players (like tons of other teams), I don’t see how Sabes finds them.
In 2015 Pagan will be on his 3rd contract year out of 4 at $10M per. I don’t dislike Morse if you can’t get something better, his hitting is good when on, but it’s off a lot. He’s a good clubhouse guy, but I’d rather have an all around better skilled and faster OFer. IMO Voggy has to be gone, too old. Huddy will be on fumes in the second half of 2015. So, you need at least one other serviceable SP. Bum, Cain, Petit, Huddy and ? Peavy?, plus?…
He’s been nails in the postseason but I just don’t think Petit is a SP the club will get 30 starts out of. Bum, Cain, Hudson, ? and Lincecum gets another go at the 5 spot.
I agree about Petit as a starter next year. I like him in his long-relief/spot starter role, and think he is best suited there. Peavy is not signed outside of this year, so even if they bring him back on like a two year deal, you probably need another starter if Vogey is not back, and Timmy is not a part of the roation (I expect Timmmy to get every chance next year to earn a rotation spot).
One of the interesting things about Sandoval’s time in SF is that you don’t really see a lot of fans wearing Sandoval jerseys. Sure, there are panda hats out there, but not many jerseys. I don’t really know what that means, other than maybe people feel that the panda hats got it covered, and the jerseys would be overkill.
Maybe Cards70 can answer this one: how did they smoke LA? And thx for that, btw.
So far, Giants have mostly out pitched and out defended STL. They have also knocked out couple SPs and scored off pen guys. Tho Cards won their only game so far in comeback fashion vs. Giants pen with HRs.
So what did Cards do so well vs. LA that they aren’t doing vs. Giants?
The thing that stands out to me is the Dodgers didn’t have an answer for Carpenter. In the 4 game Division series he had 3 doubles, 3 HRs, 7RBIs with a BA of .375 and a OPS of 1.537. For the League Championship series those numbers are 1 double, 1 HR, 1 RBI, .235 BA and OPS at .748
I think your fellow Giants fans have nailed it. They didn’t make too many mistakes and they hit the ball hard. Plus Don Mattingly wasn’t all that quick with his bullpen a couple of times either.
Carpenter and Adams pretty much HRed their way past the Dogs.
Thing is, ALL of the Cards’ HRs vs us have been solo shots. They had ducks on the pond when they were jacking the Dogs.
How’s about a couple dingers from our dugout? We have 2 HRs? Crawfish’s grannie, and Belt’s solo?
If we get 2 HRs, the game is over, solo shots or otherwise.
I truly hope the Giants score early, because if so, I think it could develop into a blowout win…
For tonight, just released. If it ain’t broke…
1. Gregor Blanco (L) CF
2. Joe Panik (L) 2B
3. Buster Posey (R) C
4. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
5. Hunter Pence (R) RF
6. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
7. Travis Ishikawa (L) LF
8. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
9. LHP — Madison Bumgarner
I find it incredible and outrageous that the NCAA is going to suspend a college player, Jameis Winston of Florida State, from eligibility because he’s (gasp) making money from selling his autograph. They’ve already done it for the same thing to the kid from Georgia. After all, these players risk only life, limb and concussions in exchange for not going to classes while the university and coaches and Nike and TV networks and everybody else make millions and billions off of the kids’ exploits on the field…
I loved the one where three college athletes faced suspension for taking too much pasta at a buffet.
Oklahoma athletics apparently doesn’t believe in all-you-can-eat banquets.
The Sooners elected to self-report three players for getting more food at a graduation banquet than they should have, according to The Oklahoman.
The violations occurred on May 10, 2013, according to the newspaper, with pasta being the specific item in question.
To have their eligibility reinstated, the three had to donate $3.83 each (the cost of the pasta servings) to charities of their choice.
While the Sooners elected to self-report, the NCAA released a statement saying that what the three players did was not a violation of any NCAA rules.
“While we appreciate Oklahoma’s commitment, there are no NCAA rules regarding portion sizes, and any penalties were determined by the university,” NCAA spokeswoman Meghan Durham said in a statement.
Although the players were not identified, offensive linemen Gabe Ikard and Austin Woods took to Twitter to fess up for piling on the pasta and claim they paid $5 for the food.
Good thing they didn’t get caught with the cannolis.
Dang, if they eat an extra cheeseburger, they could be up on felony charges…
Re: the discussion above about next year’s starting pitching, I agree with Dirt that Lincecum will be given the opportunity again. The $17 million dollars is the big issue, plus I think they don’t want to believe he’s finished and washed up at 30. It’s up to Timmy to figure something out. How to square the circle. He’s got an elaborate wind-up that allowed his small frame to be a Cy Young-winning MLB power-pitcher, but as age has crept up on him, he doesn’t have the power anymore, but still has the elaborate wind-up that doesn’t do well for trying to be a control-pitcher. I don’t know what he’s going to do. It may be impossible to square the circle. He can still have moments of greatness, like the no-hitter, but on a start-by-start basis, he struggles to be a #5 guy now. This issue with his control isn’t walks so much, but pitches that miss their location, and end up in the hitter’s wheelhouse. But could he totally re-do his wind-up, and still be a major league pitcher? Maybe he tries during his off-time, when he’s alone, and he’s had disastrous results.
Having said all that, I would figure they would only give him 2 or 3 starts next season, if he’s doing badly at it.
Things should smooth out for Timmy in the post-season as he will be back on his organic meds. If he acquires green with the right combination of qualities things should slide into place and he will reinvent himself without having to think too much. He dad may help as well.
Well fellas, enjoy the game tonight. I bought tickets a couple of months ago to what is going to be one kick-ass concert tonight. Certainly looking forward to the show, but wish I was going to be watching the game tonight. Will have to chase dots around the screen on my phone.
This show should be mind-blowing, though. The line-up is spectacular:
http://www.mondaviarts.org/events/event.cfm?event_id=1514&season=2014
I can’t support that choice, Chi, You gotta dump that ticket…
Looks great. Would love to see Buddy Guy again live…
One of the scenes I don’t get is the CSNBA and network talking heads sitting at that stage in Willie Mays plaza pre and post game basically yelling at and trying to hear each other over the din of fans yelling and waving flags and Panda hats behind a police fence line in the background. It’s comical and stooopid at the same time, IMO. The networks do it to some extent in all the major sports, so some consultant a while back must have figured that it is a good TV “live, you’re at the game” vibe for some reason, and now everybody has to do it. Similar to that “game day” nonsense for NCAA football on Saturdays that travels to the various college venues. It’s just so educational to hear Laskey and Vida yell at each other about the pitching matchups. Yeah, I’ve got my complaining shoes on… 😉
Fans with those ring hats…look really intelligent.
I’m not gonna give them a ringing endorsement Salty…
Tim Kawakami is looking at eggs cracking and already counting chickies. I’m holding off till the chubby chick hits high C.
His article made me very nervous. Isn’t he the Larry Stumes of baseball predictions?
“Stomp the piss out of ‘em. Stomp ‘em when they’re down. Kick ‘em and stomp ‘em.”
-Joe Schultz
My answer for left field next season:
Someone named Angel Pagan. Blanco is good enough to start CF for most of the time and then hopefully he hits 8th for most games. Will take a lot of the physical abuse on Pagan to play left versus CF. Get another backup vet who can play LF and spell Pagan and be a bat off the bench.
Giants are not and however much I love Panda should not spend more than $80 mill for Panda. If the Red Sox go over $100 mill, he is gone. And will be interesting to see if the Yanks would counter and try and to raise the asking price.
The reality is they don’t have the dough to splurge on a huge Panda contract with the need of signing Peavy and likely Voggy as well for a lot less.
I think Posey should spend some time in spring playing third and would not be surprised to see Hector Sanchez this winter playing third in Venezuela. Posey could start half the time at catcher and see half the other time when not resting at first and third if the third base thing works. It will also keep Posey more fresh and he can play catcher throughout future playoffs for the next few years.
FUCK YEAH!!!
Listening on radio but it sounded like those were some hard hits, yes? Fortuitous DP
Nice jhob MadBum!
Blanco! Nice DP there! Allison is there in SRO . . .
Belt’s developed quite a nasty glare at pitchers…
.
.
Inexplicable why Bum not as dominant at home.
Ishi morsed it…
Fuck. It was bound to happen
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Everything feels flat. The ballpark, the team, the Flap.
WAKE THE FUCK UP!!!
It does seem a little flat, Loo. As soon as the G’s tie it (or better), I think the energy will rise. This post-season, more than others I remember, games are hinging on mistakes. Ishi made one, but hopefully that’s it.
PANIK ATTACK!
LIKE THAT!!!!
And, just as I typed that…. there you go…
Ya Joe
What, no curtain call?
Hundreds of thousands of Giants fans just enjoyed that Panik Attack.
This absolutely just happened:
Giant Head to Son #1:
“Cmon Panik time to go deep!”
3/4 of a second later…splash down. ..
Now madbum needs to find a rhythm.
At long last the long blast. Has this kid got it, or what?
Ah f….
The word has always been that HRs by lefties at China Basin (unless your name was Bonds) were hard to come by. NLDS (Harper) and now the Cards are maddeningly proving that wrong……WTF…
I don’t get that 1-2 pitch. That exact curveball is what he hit off of Kershaw.
How about a 1-2 nasty slider?
Fuckin’ backup catcher.
Wow. I had great news til this shit, but Sandawg’s son got Panik’s ball.
Wow! That’s pretty dang amazing!
Are you kidding me? What is Bumgarmers problem at home?
Bum’s hittable tonight.
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Is Timmy up in the pen?