The Bay Bridge Series Sucks
They start playing that tonight, I think. Three games? Or four? I haven’t checked. I don’t like baseball that is THIS CLOSE TO ME that still doesn’t count.
So I won’t be watching it.
But updates are always appreciated from those who do.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
This Bay Bridge thing has become overkill. I don’t remember such a production in the 80s. Didn’t they back then break camp and then head home and then he t ready for Opening Day???
Doesn’t seem like our boys really ever care about this series but far more important to the A’s and their hundreds of fans. Why three games as well? There is no financial need for the Giants…
I remember the Giants playing other teams for the final two or three pre-season games, at home, but I didn’t pay much attention. I know that in 2000, when PacBell opened, it was the AL Brewers. Big crowds to see if Bonds could reach the water in the brand new ballpark, etc. No such interest in watching them fine tune against the a’s. But the series gives a’s fans a chance to see a couple of games in a nice place at an a’s-like price.
Yep. They opened with the Brewers, and the next day played the YankMees (also a pre-season game). I was at the YankMee game, and also opening day that year.
A’s gotta have their World Series too.
lol
I say it every year, I can’t stand exhibition baseball played in a big league park prior to Opening Day. It takes away from the “specialness” of the Home Opener. Why not allow the Giants to play Cal or Stanford in their yards? How cool would that be for the students of each university to get to see Posey and Bum up close and personal on their schools yard? The league wants to appeal to the younger generation, will there you go.
Now, that’s a great idea.
brilliant.
I second the motion – great idea! Now, who has Baer’s number?!
That ’82 video in yesterday’s thread was cool. There were some good players on that squad, I had forgotten Reggie Smith was on that one. That was an island of a good year in a string of bad ones before and after. Thing is, in those days the ruining of the Dodgers playoff hopes was a celebration. Now, we’ve got three WS wins in 6 years under us. This is the Golden Age…
Now this is a helluva piece, about the Dubs, about pro sports (owners, management, players, fans), about capitalism and, at the end, about blackjack. I even found myself contrasting Lacob et al with Donald Trump while I read it. Damn. Check it out.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/03/magazine/what-happened-when-venture-capitalists-took-over-the-golden-state-warriors.html?em_pos=large&emc=edit_nn_20160331&nl=morning-briefing&nlid=72371902
After seeing you guys comment on local sports radio a few threads back, I caught some sports talk on 95.7 The Lame this morning. Man, that is some terrible radio. I swear that people calling in are either friends of the hosts or they’re getting payed.
I couldn’t take more than a couple of minutes and switched back to the AM dial just in time to catch the Kuiper segment at the flagship. Did anyone else hear it this morning? He had a great story about an exhibition game against the AAA affiliate to close out spring training back when he played for Cleveland. Frank Robinson was a player/manager at the time and the AAA pitcher wasn’t happy with him for some reason or another. Probably because he didn’t make the big club but anyways, he decided to sail one over Robinson’s head. As you might imagine Frank didn’t take too kindly to such disrespect so after flying out he crossed paths with the pitcher on the mound and laid him out “smoked him” was the term Kuip used. lulz.
Cool story, and I can absolutely see Robinson doing that!
Yeah, Kuip has some really great stories.
So Pablo has lost his starting gig in Boston. THAT is a freefall from grace, is it not? The good news is, he’s been here before, albeit much poorer. I hope he gets traded so he can re-start his career…….
No worries. He’s got 4 years until he needs to get back in shape.
lulz…
Mr. Kokonuts – congrats to you, the proud papa, and your daughter Evelyn. Very cool!
WillieD – Loved the Zappa/Flo and Eddie reference yesterday. Great stuff back in the day.
I watched about six or seven of the Giants-River Kitty game last night. Enough of this nonsense, let’s start playing for real. I have never been a big Bay Bridge series fan. I know my daughter digs it and tries to get down for a game every year. Pfffttt…
I did not get the Warriors game last night (it sucks living is the “Sacramento region-feed”) and by the time I thought to check on the score via my phone, they were in the 4th Q. So, I “watched” the finish via ESPN’s version of LameDay. Boy, does that ever suck in a close game such as last nights. I heard this morning that Draymond is the first player in NBA history to log 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocks in a single season. Man I love watching that dude play! I have dug watching this guy since day 1 and was so happy when the Warriors drafted him out of Michigan State.
Yeah, I feel your pain, Chuck. Lived out that way for 12 years. Fortunately I didn’t miss much Warriors-wise. Moving back to the Bay Area in 2013 proved to be good timing.
Congradulations, Pawlie. That’s awesome. An incredible accomplishment.
Yeah Charlie, it has only become an issue in the last few years (since the Warriors have become watchable, again). I called my provider (previously Dish, and Comcast now) and my only option to get all the Warrior games is with the NBA league pass. I have found a liking to basketball again with the brand of ball the Warriors are playing, but not enough to fork-out for the league pass.
Frank was wound pretty tight as a manager, and I think it led to both his success and his downfall.
Much like how I always thought Ronnie Lott could never be a coach as he gave everything (including his little finger) to the game on every play. Very very few have that drive to excel like he did.
I think Mike Singletary fell prey to this as well. He has said that he thought just by the force of his will and presence he could get guys to win for him. Unfortunately you need some X’s and O’s to go along with the drive.
Pablo is his own worst enemy. He’s positioning himself to be a DH for the rest of his days.
DH for Pablo, Is that more like “Dish Hopping” in the clubhouse??
I’ll never go to this Bay Bridge Series. I’d rather put that money toward a regular season game.
I have no ill-will for Pablo, and will pull for him (except when playing the Giants), but the dude has reaped what he sowed, and I have absolutely no pity for him in losing his starting job. I wonder if he will ever get completely serious about the game (staying in shape)….
Only possible benefit would be if A’s fans, as mentioned above, get to see what a real ml yard can look like and bring some heat on ownership to either fork down or fork off.
Bochy and players talked about how nice Raley is and big improvement over where they’ve been playing recently in ST. Shea writes, “It’s the latest example of the division btw the teams (SF/Oak) the Giants taking over the affiliate and suddenly the park is upgraded and expanded and warrants higher ticket prices.”
Raley Field is an awesome place to watch some baseball. Great site-lines with the Tower Bridge and downtown Sac in the background. Warm summer evening, cold beer, and baseball…it does not get much better than that.
Last night sounds like fun Giants game to have watched; this weekend idk.
One thing I noticed in boxscore was Olivo did all C for Sac, no Susac.
Wonder what SF will do with him? Brown apparently will be Peavy’s regular C giving Posey a full day off.
Generally back up C is less about offense than being good behind the plate.
Susac has some pop and might help the bench, esp vs. LHP. Maybe he rakes down there and forces Giants hand.
I think it is all about him getting the wrist healthy and proving that it will not be a detriment to catching and swinging the stick.
I realize offensive numbers don’t tell whole story, esp for C, but take a look at Brown’s from minor career:
2014 in San Jose (high A) he hit .215 in 200 ABs.
2015 in Sac he hit .261 with 2 HRs in 300 ABs.
Career minor league totals .244 with .616 OPS.
40 ABs with SF last year, lit up ST this year. Thoughts?
It’s an injury-recovery issue with Susac. When (and if) his wrist gets fully well again, he’ll be a strong candidate to replace Brown. Although, Brown has gotten kudos from the Giants for his defensive work.
Ill will to Pablito? No, but I think the guy is foolish to clown his way out of the game. Which is what it appears he is doing.
A Dodger fan gets wistful, and it is not well-received by another Dodger fan:
I read this yesterday: Rays first baseman James Loney has been informed that he won’t make the team’s Opening Day roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He has been informed he’ll either be traded or released.
My how in eight years or so how things have changed. Remember when the future of the Dodgers was Russel Martin, Matt Kemp and James Loney? The Giants back then still had not won a World Series in SF and then proceeded to win 3 in 5 years with the likes of a Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford and Gregor Blanco? Tough to predict this game of ours.
by JustGreg on Mar 31, 2016 | 8:34 AM
Fuck the Giants.
by Steve SD on Mar 31, 2016 | 9:09 AM
I think this benching might be a good thing for Pablo. Its pretty much rock bottom and now the pressure is off of him. It won’t surprise me at all if he eventually bounces back and puts together a decent season. I still think the guy can hit and the pressure of Boston has crushed him. I’ve always felt people make too much of an issue about his weight. He was overweight when he blasted 3 homers in the WS. You don’t have to be in great shape to be a good baseball player. ….and if the price on the open market for Pablo drops big time and Boston is willing to pay some of his salary to get rid of him, I’d be fine with us bringing him back to SF. I actually think that is not a real far-fetched possibility either. SF is the right town for him, and I bet Pablo realizes that now.
Last time Sando was in Giants uni, he hit .366 in 2014 playoffs, 26-71. 12 for 28 vs. Royals pitching staff, one of best in all of baseball. How big was he then?
Career playoffs .344 in 150 ABs, 13 doubles 6 HRs, 3 of them pretty memorable.
Career OPS for Giants .811
His numbers had been in steady decline from 2011 to 2014 as a Giant, OPS going from .909 to .739, but it’s kind of hard to imagine he couldn’t hit in Fenway or any of other band box yards in that division. With Giants he seemed to follow bad year with a good one so I wouldn’t write him off entirely.
I don’t like Red Sox much but Pablo doesn’t fall into Hanley Ramirez territory with me.
I agree to a point on the weight comment, you CAN be a productive baseball hitter if you’re fat. But everyone’s body is different and there’s no telling when that fat will some day ultimately ruin your talent. I’m not saying that’s happened with Pablo, it’s probably a lot of things, but he is a year older and none of us know when too fat and too old come together to take you down. It’s different for everyone.
These conversations always remind me of a comment John Kruk made to a female commentator once. She was commenting on his pre- and post-game eating habits, which I guess, were legendary. She asked him something like “how can you eat like that and remain a top athlete.” He looked at her deadpan and said “lady, I ain’t no athlete, I’m a ballplayer!” I remember LMAO…
Xoot – great read on the Warriors, Lacob and team, and building a winner. Thanks for the share…I really enjoyed that piece. Go Warriors!
This might be one of the worst weeks in sports. The start of baseball is tantalizingly close, but it isn’t here just yet. The NCAA tourney is off ’til Saturday. The NBA and NHL are crawling along in the final weeks of their long slog of a regular season, although at least you have the Warriors’ record chase to provide some interest. Damn, Monday can’t get here soon enough.
couldn’t agree more
I am passing this along…shared with me by my brother from another mother, Mike. I have been a Craw fan since the Giants drafted him. Those of you who have been here a long time (or even recall days on The Splash) know I was fired-up about this kid before he even got his cup of coffee.
Anyway, thought it was a damned good read and wanted to share with all you knuckleheads…
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/brandon-crawford-giants-fan-kid/
Giants LU tonight:
Span
Panik
Posey
Pence
Belt
Duffy
Craw
Smarge
Pagan
R-L-R…plus the LaRussa move with the P in the 8 hole.
Boch taking a long hard look at the pitcher eighth. A ego sop to pagan? I doubt that’s the full reason but it has to have crossed bb’s mind. It’s actually a great way to appease crazy horse without really altering anything. I guess that’s why he’s paid the big sugar.
I don’t think it is as much about appeasing Pagan as it is of having 2 lead-off hitters to turn over the bottom/top of the LU….
it’s not a half bad looking line up
I like this LU a lot. Best I have seen out of ST in a long time. If they stay healthy, they should score some runs. Question is will the staff hold up their end of the bargain?
Vida Blue thinks the NL West is the weakest division in baseball.
Weaker than the AL West and NL East? Vida’s quite wrong.
I haven’t followed what other teams have done in the off-season so I don’t have a clue whether or not he has a clue…
Vida’s an idiot. 5 min listening to him and Laskey can tell you that.
Of course, the endless parade of in-game interviews.
Smarge looks good in the Bay Area climate. His stuff has more drop to it.
Finally watched the 1982 highlights. Great stuff. Clark did have a cool looking compact swing—Snarrk nailed it when he called it a “slashing” swing. Loved the shot of The Escalator and a couple of shots of scrums in that dead area beyond the left field fence where fans would battle for home run balls. What a different era that was when you compare it to the ATT experience. I totally forgot Champ Summers was even on that team. I was in the dorms in San Luis Obispo just getting into partying for the first time when all that was going down, so I wasn’t following that team that closely. I do remember clearly watching that game where they got eliminated though. Seeing Al Holland and Fred Breining reminded me of the Bill Madlock trade and how pissed I was when they dealt him. I remember my dad telling me about that trade. It was very rare for him to break any sports news, but somehow he got word of that before I did.
Spring training games in general just don’t do it for me. I’ll tune in when the real season starts. I get enough of a feel for what is happening by reading the posts here.
Anyone know how much it would cost me to add a package to my Direct TV account that would allow me to watch every Giants game?
http://tinyurl.com/puxzfvz
Loo’s in the house!
Raymond’s actually not too far off. Looks like it would be $174, but I may be blacked out from watching the 37 games they play against the Padres. And that might not be a bad thing.
Is that for the whole MLB package? It’s cool getting all those games.
I think you can get the online version for about $100 (as Loo mentioned) which allows you to watch all the games from any of your devices (PC, Smart phone, tablet). That gives you access to every game for every team, with the exception of games in your market (for Dawg, that would be the Padres). I do think that if you pay the full $174 for the TV version, it now includes access to the devices as well.
Also, they do a free preview the first week of the season and then again the first week after the all star break.
I used to buy the package every year and it was worth every penny. The last couple of years I didn’t as I was traveling so much for work, that I actually preferred listening to the audio version from my hotel room as I feel asleep. The audio deal is the best of all, $20 for the whole year.
Dzija hung a breaking ball to Burns in the first for a triple but he’s been sharp since. No runs through 4
Bunch of high FBs to Crawford and he finally turned on one for a rbi. Of course that was just a’s scouting he burned. But still
Smarge can’t hit. Don’t bat him 8th.
Span’s a grinder; I like it.
Pagan’s looking comfortable in LF.
MLB Network just put the Giants game on, only it’s not “joined in progress,” it’s on tape delay. Kinda weird to do that with a game still going on. Anyway, Samar….er, Jeff S. just gave up a leadoff triple to Burns. I guess it gets better from here on.
Pagan makes a nice play on a bloop
Just saw it!
OOO with an RBI single. The universe no longer makes any sense to me.
Billy Butler scores the a’s first run and collapses in the dugout, exhausted by running the bases. The trainers rush to help dragging oxygen tanks bearing Butler’s name on them.
Victory!
First ST I watched–yard looked great tho much emptier than usual, S+ dominated, LU looked solid, K/K with Affledt in house, yada yada.
Both teams played regs for a long time, not sure how next 2 will go. How many bench guys will SF actually have anyway?
Noticed Mets decided Cespedes will mostly play LF with Lagares in CF alongside Granderson and the Conforto kid.
Lagares hasn’t hit much tho he is supposed to be excellent OF. See how this plays out.
fwiw, cbs site writers 4 of 5 picked Giants to win division, Cubs/Mets to battle it out for NL title.