All sorts of stuff online including MLB.com about Big Papi’s 500th HR, and his good chances of going HOF. He’s a media whore in the NEeast media market, and clearly was a big part of that first RSox WS winner in 2004, and the next two, as well. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be a strong candidate for the HOF. But, if this dude who hasn’t played in the field for years, makes it to the HOF essentially as a 90% of the time DHer over his career, with a failed PEDs test back in 2003 or whenever it was per the Mitchell Report, and Bonds is still out of the HOF at that point, then the HOF officially, not just IMO that it already is, will become a joke…
Idea for the off-season: Perhaps a Giants fan with a background in law could play a role in setting up a crowd-sourced lawsuit vs the HOF if they do not admit Bonds next year. With the Federal case off the books, this whole thing has become a majorleague farce.
That would get laughed out of court Stix, for various reasons.
First, what’s the injury to Giants fans — getting pissed off? 😉
If that were a tenable injury on which to base a suit, we should have sued Stoneham after every season in the old days…
What we need is a plaintiff–some former player who’s in the HOF who can sue for an injunction, to get out, and for damages inflicted by association during the past 5 years or so. Joe Morgan?
Did we not say that for Tulo it was only a matter of time before he got hurt with the Jays? If you look at the video of the collision yesterday, hard to say whose fault it was. But, the CFer didn’t appear to really crush Tulo, the hit didn’t knock him over. It was more a fender bender than a head on. Maybe it was the hit while he had his arms up to catch the ball, and the angle of the hit caused the shoulder blade crack. But, man. The dude, for a big guy, just seems destined to get hurt whenever there is an opportunity for it. Thing is, he’s only hitting .232 with a .314 OBP since going over to the Jays — maybe they don’t need him that much. Can we send 000 over for some prospects?…
This thing with the innings limit and Harvey of the Mets just ticks me off as a baseball fan. How is this even an issue? What do you guys think? There is nothing in the player contract limiting his innings. The Mets are going to win that division, and have a shot at a deep playoff run for the first time in a decade. Can you imagine if in 2010 the Giants were heading into the last two weeks of the season, and Timmy’s agent said he had potential hip issues and had to shut it down at 190 innings or something? There would have been a SF fan revolt. It’s ludicrous, it’s blackmail by player/agent. Look only as far as Strasburg and what the Nats did — they blew their chance shutting him down a few years ago…
I’d like to see the Giants v. league stats on giving up first-inning runs. Two hitters in and the Giants are down by 1 run already. Seems like since the AS break this happens a ton…
I agree. I haven’t been impressed, the old Bill Walsh saying about DeBerg comes to mind “just good enough to get you beat.” Plus, I’m not sure if he even wants to be in SF.
I haven’t been impressed either. Now, he gives up a dinger. Maybe the guy is better pitching in hot weather environments. Looks to me like he’s not close to being a #2 — more like a #3.5…
Giants have allowed 69 1st-inning runs, tied for 20th with Tigers and Rays. Giants have scored 57 1st-inning runs, tied for 27th with Indians and Phillies. That last one doesn’t surprise me, it seems like they rarely score in the 1st.
I think one thing we all agree on here, however they do it, is that SF needs to upgrade the outfield next season. Pagan playing on one leg for 6 weeks was ridiculous…
Snark … for what it’s worth … I’m working on a loose analysis of this season somewhat like you were asking for … I’m only through April so far but what I can tell you is that the Giants lost 5 games in April in games in which they surrendered early inning runs (inning one through three). Maybe not quite the info you were seeking but interesting nonetheless.
I also discovered they lost 4 April games in which they began with the lead. As well, six loses that month can directly be attributed directly to SP (Vog 2; Pvy2; Hud; Lin), two attributable BP loses (Afl; Rom).
Yep, I’ll definitely putting my findings on the Flap for interested parties to peruse at their leisure. I will probably post a month at time, so next up will be May.
I’m probably in the minority here, but I like Byrd. Normally, I don’t want old dudes. But, he looks like he can go another year, and he doesn’t have a history of lots of injury. I don’t mind a #5 OF guy that hits around .250 but has a high SLG with about 15-18 HRs. He’s slugging at .466 this season overall. His bat seems quick, still. And, he’s OK in the OF. PH duty, too, and he’s RHd, which is good for power at ATT. Overall, for a season, he looks better to me than Morse. And, I want to see this Mac Williamson guy next ST. Why isn’t he up now for a couple of swings? Is the moderate hype on this kid even close to reality?…
A healthy Pagan really helps this team. He got the steal of 2nd, now scores on the infield miscue. Really good catch the other night. He’s a bit wayward in the OF, but if he stays healthy, he gives the team energy and a good vibe (at risk of a James’ attack on the energy thing)…
I concur … basically, I believe that a healthy Pagan playing his style of ball is about as good as it gets – hits for decent average, and damn fine athleticism in the OF.
I’m still having issues fathoming how the hell they let him play so many games in the shape he was in. I really think he cost us some crucial games during that period.
I’m not down on Pagan like some of the Flappers. The guy was hurt. You can criticize him for being hurt a lot, like Tulo, but IMO you can’t criticize him for playing poorly when he IS hurt, and should be re-habbing, not playing. Aoki was hurt with the leg fracture, the only options were Perez (who had wrist issues of his own in Sac), and they brought up Parker for a bit when Blanco was out for the concussion in June — he fizzled, wasn’t ready. Hard to believe that’s all they had in the OF minors that they felt could take over for a Pagan DL stint — and it was too early to make a trade, which they did post-deadline to get Byrd. Pagan was playing for well over a month on TWO bad knees. They probably figured they could ride out things until mid-August, the Doghairs weren’t going to run away with it. But, they ended up playing Pagan for weeks on end when clearly he should have been on the DL. That’s on Sabes management for having no backup plan with multi injuries in the OF — and we’ve seen him caught with his OF pants down like that before…
I always liked Pagan. Wasn’t there some Pagan stat similar to the Pence stat showing considerably more wins with him than without him? I realize that was from a couple of years ago but I still think he is decent OF. Many thought he was on the verge of collapse because he hasn’t aged well.
As for Parker, I watched him last year here in Fresno and he seemed like a capable defender but even though he had a bit of pop, his bat was streaky. Yet, could he have been that much worse offensively than 000 has been? Yes, management’s decision to keep on playing Pagan through his injuried phase is quite bizarre.
Seriously, despite his good plays once in a while as SS, I don’t really need to see 000 next season. He just dropped a ball on the force at second, should have been routine, he was looking ahead for possible DP. He’s just not a major leaguer, in aggregate. Kruk was right…
Listened to a KNBR replay of a Marty Lurie interview of Evans last night. Lurie asked him what the Giants SP rotation was going to look like next year and what steps management was going to take to bolster it. Evans totally side stepped the question with some bunk about focusing on this season’s issues. There were a couple of other questions that Evans responded with similar vagaries. At the end of the session during the sign off Lurie spouted off about how much he enjoyed interviewing Evans because “… you always get straight forward, direct, and candid answers.” Damn, I wish I could of heard THAT interview instead of the one they broadcast!
Giants need to play Pads for the next dozen games or so. Pads are awful. Friggin’ Dbacks couldn’t solve Greinke today. Baggs reports Susac may have surgery, assume it’s for the wrist…
Belt’s just kind of missing a concept. The bases loaded, no one out, and he gets called out on a close pitch. The bases loaded, none out, he has to be a little more greedy there. I’m not saying go all-hacker, but guys that are expected to be RBI-guys, need to be more aggressive than what Belt showed there. It’s a chance to rack up RBIs. Compare him to say, Duffy, and we know Duffy’s not getting called out on a third strike there. Duffy’s taking a rip at the pitch on the paint in that situation.
You know Zum, it is frustrating, Bonds wouldn’t change his zone either but Belt isn’t Bonds and the Umps realize that. Thankfully he isn’t Duffy either. You do know that the Duffster took up where McGehee left off and leads the team in GDPs, right? Duffy GDPs 21, Belt 3.
Yes Belt has struck out way more than Duffy 143 to 83. Belt does get more walks than Duffy (56 – 25), Belt also leads Duffy in 2Bs (31 -24), HRs (18-10), Extra base hits (53-40).
Sorry, as inconsistent as Belt can be, IMO he makes Duffy (who I like a lot), look like, the rookie that he is. And, if stating these stats makes me a Belt apologist, oh well.
Xoot, yes, Posey’s full count stats are better, It does seem Belt got to a full count more often than Posey but the bottom line to me is, Posey made $17.3 million this year and Belt $3.6. Buster’s stats should kick Belt’s ass, don’t ya think? On their total stats, were Buster’s stats worth $13.7 million more than Brandon’s?
Look, I’m sorry I got into this discussion, I wasn’t a big Belt fan when he came up, but I have gotten to like him and I don’t think he deserves the shit he gets (while some other player’s faults get overlooked). I do understand he hasn’t produced like the team (and fans) hoped for, but really his stats, overall, are not that bad. Again, just my opinion.
Made the point, what was it? last night? Belt should be given serious consideration for batting lead-off ~ in many ways the least clutchicated of the 8 batting positions. He draws walks, he hits plenty of doubles and the occasional jack. Without even doing the research i’ll betcha he draws more pitches total than anybody else on the squad including Buster.
Belt is a cogitator. He may have the standard fast-twitch muscles but his mind sometimes works overtime and costs him that intuitive spark. Much of that may be due to his mishandling by likely the entire hierarchy in trying to coach, goad and persuade him to be your typical clouter at first sack. Hoping Bochy and Meulens conclude that they need to work with Belt’s natural bent and in atonement in one sense, anoint him the leadoff man.
Betcha also Belt has sparked more rallies than anybody else with the possible exceptions of Buster and Panik. Picture Belt, Panik, Duffy and Posey as first inning openers. You’re looking at a succession of sparkplugs and .300 hitters. Nice ignition system.
pawliekokonuts said, on September 13, 2015 at 4:35 pm
I checked on our boys off and on today. I like Leake’s homer and how it turned it all around. I was similarly following the Dodgers. Lazily. amid other stuff. It was 4-0 in the 9th. I ate supper. Then I see LA won by 4-3. Dang! An LA loss would’ve fed my hope-y monster!
Watching this Dallas v Giants football in the brewpub as a I wait an hour to pick up Snarkette # 2 from a dance team practice. The NFL has turned into nothing but penalty calls interrupted by the occasional play. I’m loving baseball eve more these days…
Now watching Federer v Djikovic in the us open final. These guys are super athletes, and artists on the court. Speed , coordination, smarts– top level tennis is damn impressive, although the crowd seems to more than a few poseurs…
not sure what the details of the challenge rules are, in baseball or football, I don’t keep track of all that. My feeling has always been you get one, if you win you keep it and and keep using it—if I was the Challenge Czar that’s how it would be.
I just saw the Cowboys win a challenge in the first half but it was the second one they had used so that’s it, they’re done for the game. They win the challenge and then lose the right to challenge. That needs to get fixed.
blade3colorado said, on September 13, 2015 at 9:34 pm
What a treat Loo . . . Thank you very much. Still watching this, but wanted to give you props before you hit the sack. Again, thanks for providing this. OK, back to the show . . . 🙂
pawliekokonuts said, on September 14, 2015 at 7:25 am
I have it bookmarked, and watch it in doses. Very cool.
Mays v. Koufax.
I cant think of any better baseball matchup.
Awesome archival stuff, Loo.
See how Mays slides into 2nd straight on, but with his leg hiked up to disrupt the double play?
That is textbook base running technique. And, his follow through on the assist throw to home is classic outfielder throwing technique. I wish we could see that these days.
Not sure, but looked like Willie was driving a T-bird…
Marichal with a walk off dinger against the Bucs.
And, none of this jumping on him, just a great welcoming at home. The way it should be…
blade3colorado said, on September 13, 2015 at 10:31 pm
Marichal pitched 9 innings, with 13 hits and still won the game 5-4. Ironman. Same with Koufax against the Phillies. Loved the commercials too. A Bulova watch for $125 in 1966? I was surprised by that. Hart’s play at home with Haller also stood out. What else? Willie’s house with the “W” on his shower glass door. Home decorated in Gold and White. Great era . . .
Yeah, good memories blade.
Look at Koufax’ leg drive and how he almost does the splits bringing it towards home. Sheezus, he looks like Timmy from the left side. And Drysdale knocking down Willie, and Mays getting right back up and scurrying right back into the box to show Drysdale that there’s no intimidation. If a pitcher does that today, it’s warning time. Bob friggin Bolin pitching a one hitter late season against the Bucs? That was the era where I was just starting as a Giants fan. Stretch cranking the dinger in the 9th to win it against Pittsburgh after Franks told him to crank one out. Clemente cranking one out to RF. Perry throwing the spitter, getting Harry the Hat Walker tossed when he protested. The ’60s was the hippie era, Vietnam, social upheaval, and also the Golden Age of baseball. Mays, Stretch, Cepeda, Koufax, Drysdale, Willie Davis, Maury Wills, Wes Parker, Clemente, Aaron, Gibson, Mantle, Marichal, Seaver, Frank Robinson (.962 OPS for the decade), Brooks Robinson, Killebrew, Ernie Banks, Lolich, Kaline, Palmer, Ford, the list goes on…
mrsprtdude said, on September 13, 2015 at 10:13 pm
Snarrk…love the Belt posts. Re Harvey..It was his MD (the legend James Andrews) who said he should cap at 180 innings. He is the sports worlds leading expert on Tommy John, so a voice worth listening to.
msdude, I get that.
But, that’s like my lady doctor telling me to stop at 3 Makers a week instead of 4, and my risk of apoplexy or cancer is reduced. Well, what about 3 1/2?…
Lowrie’s game winner was strikingly similar to the Scott Spiezo home run that was just out of Reggie Sander’s reach in game 6 of the 2002 World Series.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball
All sorts of stuff online including MLB.com about Big Papi’s 500th HR, and his good chances of going HOF. He’s a media whore in the NEeast media market, and clearly was a big part of that first RSox WS winner in 2004, and the next two, as well. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be a strong candidate for the HOF. But, if this dude who hasn’t played in the field for years, makes it to the HOF essentially as a 90% of the time DHer over his career, with a failed PEDs test back in 2003 or whenever it was per the Mitchell Report, and Bonds is still out of the HOF at that point, then the HOF officially, not just IMO that it already is, will become a joke…
Idea for the off-season: Perhaps a Giants fan with a background in law could play a role in setting up a crowd-sourced lawsuit vs the HOF if they do not admit Bonds next year. With the Federal case off the books, this whole thing has become a majorleague farce.
That would get laughed out of court Stix, for various reasons.
First, what’s the injury to Giants fans — getting pissed off? 😉
If that were a tenable injury on which to base a suit, we should have sued Stoneham after every season in the old days…
What we need is a plaintiff–some former player who’s in the HOF who can sue for an injunction, to get out, and for damages inflicted by association during the past 5 years or so. Joe Morgan?
Did we not say that for Tulo it was only a matter of time before he got hurt with the Jays? If you look at the video of the collision yesterday, hard to say whose fault it was. But, the CFer didn’t appear to really crush Tulo, the hit didn’t knock him over. It was more a fender bender than a head on. Maybe it was the hit while he had his arms up to catch the ball, and the angle of the hit caused the shoulder blade crack. But, man. The dude, for a big guy, just seems destined to get hurt whenever there is an opportunity for it. Thing is, he’s only hitting .232 with a .314 OBP since going over to the Jays — maybe they don’t need him that much. Can we send 000 over for some prospects?…
i remember watching him dive to his left for a ground ball a few years ago. No unusual impact with ground, didn’t twist awkwardly—-gone for 6 weeks.
Never mind, Doghairs beat me to it. Just saw they traded Darwin Barney this morning to the Jays for a PTBNL…
The guy has the durability of a Pringle. I’ve been hit harder crowding into a subway train…
This thing with the innings limit and Harvey of the Mets just ticks me off as a baseball fan. How is this even an issue? What do you guys think? There is nothing in the player contract limiting his innings. The Mets are going to win that division, and have a shot at a deep playoff run for the first time in a decade. Can you imagine if in 2010 the Giants were heading into the last two weeks of the season, and Timmy’s agent said he had potential hip issues and had to shut it down at 190 innings or something? There would have been a SF fan revolt. It’s ludicrous, it’s blackmail by player/agent. Look only as far as Strasburg and what the Nats did — they blew their chance shutting him down a few years ago…
I’d like to see the Giants v. league stats on giving up first-inning runs. Two hitters in and the Giants are down by 1 run already. Seems like since the AS break this happens a ton…
Uh, check that, 2 runs down already. How much are they going to pay Leake to sign?…
I agree. I haven’t been impressed, the old Bill Walsh saying about DeBerg comes to mind “just good enough to get you beat.” Plus, I’m not sure if he even wants to be in SF.
I haven’t been impressed either. Now, he gives up a dinger. Maybe the guy is better pitching in hot weather environments. Looks to me like he’s not close to being a #2 — more like a #3.5…
But damn, the man can hit.
Giants have allowed 69 1st-inning runs, tied for 20th with Tigers and Rays. Giants have scored 57 1st-inning runs, tied for 27th with Indians and Phillies. That last one doesn’t surprise me, it seems like they rarely score in the 1st.
That’s cool, but how many games have they given up at least one in the first frame? That’s more of what I’m looking for…
Not sure how handy that info is. And I can’t bear to check out the 6th-inning runs.
Yeah, 6th inning not good with Voggy and Peavy working magic there…
Crap, maybe they sign Leake to play outfield on his off days and hit 3 run home runs…
Ha, you beat me to that one.
Next season:
Pence in RF, Leake in CF, and MadBum in LF. All power bat outfield…
Leake with a 3 rum bomberooski?
Can Leake play outfield?
I don’t think Aoki will be back.
De Aza might be – Byrd more likely bound for the land of the DH…
My one knock is having a player whose name rhymes with Piazza.
I think one thing we all agree on here, however they do it, is that SF needs to upgrade the outfield next season. Pagan playing on one leg for 6 weeks was ridiculous…
Has the news leaked out yet that SF has some pretty dangerous sluggers batting 9th?
Snark … for what it’s worth … I’m working on a loose analysis of this season somewhat like you were asking for … I’m only through April so far but what I can tell you is that the Giants lost 5 games in April in games in which they surrendered early inning runs (inning one through three). Maybe not quite the info you were seeking but interesting nonetheless.
I also discovered they lost 4 April games in which they began with the lead. As well, six loses that month can directly be attributed directly to SP (Vog 2; Pvy2; Hud; Lin), two attributable BP loses (Afl; Rom).
Sheez, Lisle. Good info. Love to hear your whole season analysis when done…
Yep, I’ll definitely putting my findings on the Flap for interested parties to peruse at their leisure. I will probably post a month at time, so next up will be May.
I’m probably in the minority here, but I like Byrd. Normally, I don’t want old dudes. But, he looks like he can go another year, and he doesn’t have a history of lots of injury. I don’t mind a #5 OF guy that hits around .250 but has a high SLG with about 15-18 HRs. He’s slugging at .466 this season overall. His bat seems quick, still. And, he’s OK in the OF. PH duty, too, and he’s RHd, which is good for power at ATT. Overall, for a season, he looks better to me than Morse. And, I want to see this Mac Williamson guy next ST. Why isn’t he up now for a couple of swings? Is the moderate hype on this kid even close to reality?…
A healthy Pagan really helps this team. He got the steal of 2nd, now scores on the infield miscue. Really good catch the other night. He’s a bit wayward in the OF, but if he stays healthy, he gives the team energy and a good vibe (at risk of a James’ attack on the energy thing)…
I concur … basically, I believe that a healthy Pagan playing his style of ball is about as good as it gets – hits for decent average, and damn fine athleticism in the OF.
I’m still having issues fathoming how the hell they let him play so many games in the shape he was in. I really think he cost us some crucial games during that period.
I’m not down on Pagan like some of the Flappers. The guy was hurt. You can criticize him for being hurt a lot, like Tulo, but IMO you can’t criticize him for playing poorly when he IS hurt, and should be re-habbing, not playing. Aoki was hurt with the leg fracture, the only options were Perez (who had wrist issues of his own in Sac), and they brought up Parker for a bit when Blanco was out for the concussion in June — he fizzled, wasn’t ready. Hard to believe that’s all they had in the OF minors that they felt could take over for a Pagan DL stint — and it was too early to make a trade, which they did post-deadline to get Byrd. Pagan was playing for well over a month on TWO bad knees. They probably figured they could ride out things until mid-August, the Doghairs weren’t going to run away with it. But, they ended up playing Pagan for weeks on end when clearly he should have been on the DL. That’s on Sabes management for having no backup plan with multi injuries in the OF — and we’ve seen him caught with his OF pants down like that before…
I always liked Pagan. Wasn’t there some Pagan stat similar to the Pence stat showing considerably more wins with him than without him? I realize that was from a couple of years ago but I still think he is decent OF. Many thought he was on the verge of collapse because he hasn’t aged well.
As for Parker, I watched him last year here in Fresno and he seemed like a capable defender but even though he had a bit of pop, his bat was streaky. Yet, could he have been that much worse offensively than 000 has been? Yes, management’s decision to keep on playing Pagan through his injuried phase is quite bizarre.
And, Pagan with another steal…
And, now steals third…
Belt has to swing there, don’t know why he hasn’t figured that out in a two strike count, and he’s got a stick that can do damage…
Seriously, despite his good plays once in a while as SS, I don’t really need to see 000 next season. He just dropped a ball on the force at second, should have been routine, he was looking ahead for possible DP. He’s just not a major leaguer, in aggregate. Kruk was right…
Listened to a KNBR replay of a Marty Lurie interview of Evans last night. Lurie asked him what the Giants SP rotation was going to look like next year and what steps management was going to take to bolster it. Evans totally side stepped the question with some bunk about focusing on this season’s issues. There were a couple of other questions that Evans responded with similar vagaries. At the end of the session during the sign off Lurie spouted off about how much he enjoyed interviewing Evans because “… you always get straight forward, direct, and candid answers.” Damn, I wish I could of heard THAT interview instead of the one they broadcast!
Giants need to play Pads for the next dozen games or so. Pads are awful. Friggin’ Dbacks couldn’t solve Greinke today. Baggs reports Susac may have surgery, assume it’s for the wrist…
Heads up play by Belt. Heads down play by Ehire.
Belt needs a day off…
Belt’s just kind of missing a concept. The bases loaded, no one out, and he gets called out on a close pitch. The bases loaded, none out, he has to be a little more greedy there. I’m not saying go all-hacker, but guys that are expected to be RBI-guys, need to be more aggressive than what Belt showed there. It’s a chance to rack up RBIs. Compare him to say, Duffy, and we know Duffy’s not getting called out on a third strike there. Duffy’s taking a rip at the pitch on the paint in that situation.
You know Zum, it is frustrating, Bonds wouldn’t change his zone either but Belt isn’t Bonds and the Umps realize that. Thankfully he isn’t Duffy either. You do know that the Duffster took up where McGehee left off and leads the team in GDPs, right? Duffy GDPs 21, Belt 3.
Yes Belt has struck out way more than Duffy 143 to 83. Belt does get more walks than Duffy (56 – 25), Belt also leads Duffy in 2Bs (31 -24), HRs (18-10), Extra base hits (53-40).
Sorry, as inconsistent as Belt can be, IMO he makes Duffy (who I like a lot), look like, the rookie that he is. And, if stating these stats makes me a Belt apologist, oh well.
look at the splits for Belt and Posey, respectively, when they have full counts. My gawd.
I see your point, Bozo, but I think Duffy is more “clutch” than Belt. I know that SABR balks at that, but I think “clutch” is a real thing. 🙂
Xoot, yes, Posey’s full count stats are better, It does seem Belt got to a full count more often than Posey but the bottom line to me is, Posey made $17.3 million this year and Belt $3.6. Buster’s stats should kick Belt’s ass, don’t ya think? On their total stats, were Buster’s stats worth $13.7 million more than Brandon’s?
Look, I’m sorry I got into this discussion, I wasn’t a big Belt fan when he came up, but I have gotten to like him and I don’t think he deserves the shit he gets (while some other player’s faults get overlooked). I do understand he hasn’t produced like the team (and fans) hoped for, but really his stats, overall, are not that bad. Again, just my opinion.
Made the point, what was it? last night? Belt should be given serious consideration for batting lead-off ~ in many ways the least clutchicated of the 8 batting positions. He draws walks, he hits plenty of doubles and the occasional jack. Without even doing the research i’ll betcha he draws more pitches total than anybody else on the squad including Buster.
Belt is a cogitator. He may have the standard fast-twitch muscles but his mind sometimes works overtime and costs him that intuitive spark. Much of that may be due to his mishandling by likely the entire hierarchy in trying to coach, goad and persuade him to be your typical clouter at first sack. Hoping Bochy and Meulens conclude that they need to work with Belt’s natural bent and in atonement in one sense, anoint him the leadoff man.
Betcha also Belt has sparked more rallies than anybody else with the possible exceptions of Buster and Panik. Picture Belt, Panik, Duffy and Posey as first inning openers. You’re looking at a succession of sparkplugs and .300 hitters. Nice ignition system.
I checked on our boys off and on today. I like Leake’s homer and how it turned it all around. I was similarly following the Dodgers. Lazily. amid other stuff. It was 4-0 in the 9th. I ate supper. Then I see LA won by 4-3. Dang! An LA loss would’ve fed my hope-y monster!
Yeah, big-time tease in AZ. “Salty” with a 3-run bomb, and then the final batter goes out like a . . . oh, never mind.
Watching this Dallas v Giants football in the brewpub as a I wait an hour to pick up Snarkette # 2 from a dance team practice. The NFL has turned into nothing but penalty calls interrupted by the occasional play. I’m loving baseball eve more these days…
It’s amazing how much of the NFL game is on-field litigation.
Now watching Federer v Djikovic in the us open final. These guys are super athletes, and artists on the court. Speed , coordination, smarts– top level tennis is damn impressive, although the crowd seems to more than a few poseurs…
not sure what the details of the challenge rules are, in baseball or football, I don’t keep track of all that. My feeling has always been you get one, if you win you keep it and and keep using it—if I was the Challenge Czar that’s how it would be.
I just saw the Cowboys win a challenge in the first half but it was the second one they had used so that’s it, they’re done for the game. They win the challenge and then lose the right to challenge. That needs to get fixed.
For you old Mays fans this is a must. I remember when it originally aired.
Awesome footage and detail of the 1966 pennant race.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CTt98ocE24
What a treat Loo . . . Thank you very much. Still watching this, but wanted to give you props before you hit the sack. Again, thanks for providing this. OK, back to the show . . . 🙂
I have it bookmarked, and watch it in doses. Very cool.
Giants are now the same behind the Cubs as they the Dodgers.
*they are from*
Mays v. Koufax.
I cant think of any better baseball matchup.
Awesome archival stuff, Loo.
See how Mays slides into 2nd straight on, but with his leg hiked up to disrupt the double play?
That is textbook base running technique. And, his follow through on the assist throw to home is classic outfielder throwing technique. I wish we could see that these days.
Not sure, but looked like Willie was driving a T-bird…
Marichal with a walk off dinger against the Bucs.
And, none of this jumping on him, just a great welcoming at home. The way it should be…
Marichal pitched 9 innings, with 13 hits and still won the game 5-4. Ironman. Same with Koufax against the Phillies. Loved the commercials too. A Bulova watch for $125 in 1966? I was surprised by that. Hart’s play at home with Haller also stood out. What else? Willie’s house with the “W” on his shower glass door. Home decorated in Gold and White. Great era . . .
Yeah, good memories blade.
Look at Koufax’ leg drive and how he almost does the splits bringing it towards home. Sheezus, he looks like Timmy from the left side. And Drysdale knocking down Willie, and Mays getting right back up and scurrying right back into the box to show Drysdale that there’s no intimidation. If a pitcher does that today, it’s warning time. Bob friggin Bolin pitching a one hitter late season against the Bucs? That was the era where I was just starting as a Giants fan. Stretch cranking the dinger in the 9th to win it against Pittsburgh after Franks told him to crank one out. Clemente cranking one out to RF. Perry throwing the spitter, getting Harry the Hat Walker tossed when he protested. The ’60s was the hippie era, Vietnam, social upheaval, and also the Golden Age of baseball. Mays, Stretch, Cepeda, Koufax, Drysdale, Willie Davis, Maury Wills, Wes Parker, Clemente, Aaron, Gibson, Mantle, Marichal, Seaver, Frank Robinson (.962 OPS for the decade), Brooks Robinson, Killebrew, Ernie Banks, Lolich, Kaline, Palmer, Ford, the list goes on…
Snarrk…love the Belt posts. Re Harvey..It was his MD (the legend James Andrews) who said he should cap at 180 innings. He is the sports worlds leading expert on Tommy John, so a voice worth listening to.
msdude, I get that.
But, that’s like my lady doctor telling me to stop at 3 Makers a week instead of 4, and my risk of apoplexy or cancer is reduced. Well, what about 3 1/2?…
Check this out.
Astros may win a division because of a ball stuck in webbing of a glove…
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/149180686/astros-rally-for-big-win-against-angels
Lowrie’s game winner was strikingly similar to the Scott Spiezo home run that was just out of Reggie Sander’s reach in game 6 of the 2002 World Series.