Slow Grind to the End

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on March 18, 2017

Here’s the headline at mlb.com: “Saturday Night Survive: US-DR Win or Else!” I’ll take the *else* please. And hope that means an end to this meaningless nonsense. I love how I’m hearing about how much these games mean to countries other than the US. Like that’s supposed to make me feel bad that I don’t care about the WBC.

Let’s play real baseball already.

Or else!

By the way, here’s how The Donger dressed up for St. Patty’s Day:

Screenshot 2017-03-18 at 8.56.19 AM

120 comments

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willedav said, on March 18, 2017 at 9:16 am

Evans continues to lay some groundwork for Cain not making it; wonder how much of this is ultimately his decision. fwiw Blach didn’t do so well last time out either, giving up a couple runs and bunch of hits. I just don’t think there’s enough left in Cain to be successful. Samrdz spring ERA I think is actually higher than Cain’s.

You know, Win One for the Groper was one of funniest things I ever read here. Think that was Alley’s, whether done with skink on or not.
Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 9:47 am

I don’t mind spring ERA’s from guys who are still young (Blach) or productive (Smarge). Cain’s got literally zero going for him coming into camp. So I’m not judging him on his spring numbers. I’m judging him on his last 3 years. Yes I know a major surgery was thrown in there but here are his inning totals the last THREE years: 90, 60, 89.
This guy is completely done. Maybe he needs to go play for the Salt Lake Bees to figure that out (Timmy’s ultimate slap in face)
sfsarge said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:03 am

Donger is my new hero after seeing that pic.

I got all excited for the game last night, as I got home from work just in time to watch the beginning as Kruk went through the lineups. Then my excitement quickly faded as I looked at the yard and it was Scottsdale and not San Francisco. Let’s get on with the season already. Still think spring training is 2-3 weeks too long. And having this WBC doesn’t help at all. But it appears that it’s not going anywhere.
- Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:12 am
  
  Agreed. Not going anywhere. NBA has had some decent match ups lately. Kinda bummed milw played last night, kidd is notorious for fucking with his rotations on back2back. Draymond v Greek alphabet could be very interesting tonight
  - sfsarge said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:24 am
    
    Yes that should be interesting. I haven’t watched much basketball in the last week and a half or so. Outside of the Greek, I no nothing about Milwaukee
  - Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:39 am
    
    Kidd has like 4 centers on the team and seems to play or DNP all of them at random. Brogdon can run an offense certainly better than Delly who keeps getting minutes for some reason. Middletown, who might not play tonight because he sits on most back2backs, is also a very underrated player. If MIddy plays and Alphabet does his thing, Warriors could be in trouble tonight.
Bozo said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:34 am

What a great photo. I’m with Sarge and Flav, ya gotta love this guy.
- Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:37 am
  
  our team needs someone like this to, you know, *like*. I get so tired of boring ass professional mlb attitudes.
  - Bozo said, on March 18, 2017 at 11:59 am
    
    Barney Nugent Award winner right there.
    
    Hwang even played a little LF yesterday.
Macdog said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:40 am

I have not watched one out of WBC, and want Posey & Craw back in Scottsdale where they balong. Only problem with DR win tonight means Cueto likely pitches for them in final 4 next week, per Baggs tweet.
- Macdog said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:41 am
  
  Balong? Where’s auto-correct when I need it?
Macdog said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:49 am

I think TFL made his spring debut yesterday vs. Rox, threw a scoreless inning with two hits.
snarkk said, on March 18, 2017 at 12:25 pm

Marty Lurie interviewed some Minn scout this morning, older dude. Really good insights. These aren’t novel, but I thought really good, succinct takes. On Cain, whom he saw last night, he said a 5th starter is a guy who has to be able to get through the LU twice with minimal damage. He doubted Cain fits that bill. And, pitching boils down to pre-release deception and post-release movement. He said Cain’s lack of command and fastball movement is a real problem; he’s inconsistent at hitting the corners with the fastball, and when it’s over the plate, the batters are just smoking it on the screws, which is not a good sign…
Macdog said, on March 18, 2017 at 1:54 pm

Parker bomb!
- Bozo said, on March 18, 2017 at 2:29 pm
  
  And Moore has a good game going.
  - Macdog said, on March 18, 2017 at 2:54 pm
    
    4 HRs now for Parker, hitting over .300, making it hard to keep him off roster.
Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 3:03 pm

I’m down with Parker in LF. Or Willy, either way. Or platoon. What I don’t want to see is Morse on the roster. I just don’t believe he has anything left to contribute at the mlb level for a full season.
Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 3:27 pm

Another Marrero bomb.
wilcojoe said, on March 18, 2017 at 4:53 pm

Gonzaga’s head coach looks like the love child of Steve Kerr and Skip Bayless…that’s all I got.
- willedav said, on March 18, 2017 at 6:26 pm
  
  Hard to tell how good a coach he is because he always starts with best team in the league. I’d say same thing for S Miller out of U of A, whose team has its hands full with St. Mary’s right now at halftime.
djloo27 said, on March 18, 2017 at 6:04 pm

Chuck Berry gone at 90…
- xoot said, on March 18, 2017 at 7:56 pm
  
  Damn. Maybelline!
willedav said, on March 18, 2017 at 6:22 pm

buddy of mine told me legendary blues harp guy James Cotton died Thursday, great bandleader and sideman for Muddy Waters.
- Macdog said, on March 18, 2017 at 6:39 pm
  
  I was gonna ask what you thought of flagrant late in Seton Hall game yesterday, but that atrocious goaltending noncall against Northwestern today kinda tops that.
- xoot said, on March 18, 2017 at 8:05 pm
  
  The Stanford FM blues guy and kpfas Tom mazzolini both devoted their shows to James Cotton today. I spent a lot of time on the road, radio loud. One story I hadn’t heard before:. When young James started touring with muddy W they always had one song with muddy on Cotton’s shoulders, playing slide while the big kid played harp as he strolled through the crowd.
  
  Cotton’s version of rocket 88 is a masterpiece
willedav said, on March 18, 2017 at 7:16 pm

Flagrant in that situation is wrong everyone knows what’s coming and prepared for it.
NW got robbed there too at critical point. Don’t blame Collins for blowing up.
Pretty good post battle btw St. Mary’s big Landale and U of A Markkanen, lot of body contact at both ends. don’t know how you officiate that, someone is always going to be pissed. I think Walton’s right, let em play.
Joke used to be no blood no foul.
willedav said, on March 18, 2017 at 7:24 pm

AZ made 15 straight FTs before Trier missed there, critical skill to be able knock those down at crunch time.
zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 7:52 pm

U.S. is down 2-0 in an elimination game. The U.S. may never succeed in this thing until it has its best starting pitchers playing….Bumgarner, Kershaw, etc.
Flavor said, on March 18, 2017 at 7:53 pm

in that pic, the Donger looks like a young MIggy Cabrera to me.
- zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 7:57 pm
  
  Miggy got slightly injured in the WBC. Slightly strained lower back
- djloo27 said, on March 18, 2017 at 8:06 pm
  
  Reminds me more of him:
xoot said, on March 18, 2017 at 8:28 pm

Brandon Crawford just made an inning ending play that deserved a bit more replay respect from the WBC producers. He looks very healthy. Great range, great throw.
- xoot said, on March 18, 2017 at 8:37 pm
  
  Craw came up with two outs next inning and lined a clean hard single to LCF. Stanton then drove him in with a HR to LF that nearly made it over the old factory building in the corner of SD’s park. Now that was a bomb. I’ve watched a total of 10 minutes of the WBC and it’s all been great. Fine with me if DR loses and Cueto gets to prepare for 2017 in AZ.
zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 8:40 pm

Wow! Stanton hit one of the fastest HRs I’ve ever seen.
zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 8:45 pm

Fun fact:
“We’ve spent nearly one-third the amount of taxpayer money for Trump’s “extracurricular activities” during his first 57 days in office as we did for Obama’s 2,920 days as president.”
- unca_chuck said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:06 pm
  
  Making America great ain’t cheap. For the taxpayers anyway.
willedav said, on March 18, 2017 at 9:05 pm

playing some chump teams at home might be just what Warriors need, tho I guess bucks aren’t that bad.
But dang, 65% from the floor tonite and up 25 midway through 3rd. Curry hit one from near the logo before half.
zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 9:19 pm

Spurs and Cavs both lost.
zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 9:33 pm

Neshek survived some tough hitters that inning.
unca_chuck said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:08 pm

Trump has golfed more in 6 weeks than Obama did in 4 years.

I’d start plotting things if my microwave wasn’t watching me.
- djloo27 said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:30 pm
  
  I’m sure Obama spent the first 6 weeks of his presidency going over the federal budget “line by line” as he said he would…
  - unca_chuck said, on March 19, 2017 at 7:53 am
    
    Oh DJ. How cute.
- gianthead said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:25 am
  
  Chuck, that is completely ridiculous. Obama had the most golf outings as President since Eisenhower….those are the facts…
  - unca_chuck said, on March 20, 2017 at 8:03 am
    
    IT’s an alt fact, GH.
zumiee said, on March 18, 2017 at 10:25 pm

Big hit by McCutchen. 2-RBI double.
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:07 am

Catching the morning flight to Phoenix. Hope to give game report this afternoon from Scottsdale. Expecting sundress and tube top count to be high…
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:09 am
  
  Have a blast!
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:10 am
  
  I’m stuck in Salinas all day at a volleyball tourney so YOU WIN
zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:14 am

U.S. team is in the final four!
- zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:15 am
  
  🙂
gianthead said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:22 am

Got to love this guy…very interesting to see how he is vibing with his teammates and getting some left field reps…he may be the biggest diamond in the rough that this organization has come up with since the Panda…Posey was a rock star heading into the draft.

Add in Donger and Christian Arroyo as potential starters for 2018 with a rebounding Panic, the best SS in the NL and hopefully a Belt who can hot that high strike, will arguably be the best infield in the NL vs the Cubs.
gianthead said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:23 am

And as I have said all Spring, Cain is not starting the season as the #5 and not on the 25 man…
gianthead said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:29 am

For Chuck and his Obama golf reference…

https://www.google.com/amp/www.golfdigest.com/story/weve-crunched-the-numbers-and-its-official-president-obama-played-a-lot-of-golf-while-in-office/amp
Irish Kevin said, on March 19, 2017 at 11:11 am

Does not sound like anyone, except me, is doing a bracket for the NCAA. This is what keeps me going right before baseball, these kids give it everything they have for a game. When it is one and done the games are so exciting!! My final 4 are Duke, Kansas, Arizona, UCLA
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 11:47 am
  
  yup Kev, you are probably the only one. lqtm. I did 5 at espn, got one hanging in there ok at 96%
  - Irish Kevin said, on March 19, 2017 at 5:48 pm
    
    I had not seen anyone posting about it, good job with your bracket. Good luck!
- Bozo said, on March 19, 2017 at 12:12 pm
  
  Kev, that is my exact final 4. I have AZ over Kansas for the Championship.
Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 11:46 am

I’m all for Trump playing as much golf as possible. Every day, all day. Keeps him off twitter, away from nuke buttons, etc. Golf on old man, golf on.
- gianthead said, on March 19, 2017 at 12:23 pm
  
  Agreed
gianthead said, on March 19, 2017 at 12:40 pm

Best pool I have going and you get extra points based on seed for upsets. So Wisconsin yesterday gave me 7 extra points while a win in the first two rounds only gives you one pt per win.

I have all four final fours alive with AZ over KY to get a potential first place but I must have USC winning today and I have Wisconsin for another win over Florida on Thursday.
alleykat69 said, on March 19, 2017 at 1:04 pm

I’m playing with my local boys we do every year, and I’m hanging in there as I have West Virginia,Duke,Kansas,UCLA in the final 4!! Still alive with my diaper dandys carrying the rock baby!!Need a little Dicky V humor!!
zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 1:41 pm

GH, the point is how much conservatives BITCHED about Obama’s golf-playing, and now they are saying ZERO about Trump’s golf-playing in the resort in Florida. It’s the HYPOCRISY.
The HYPOCRISY.
- Macdog said, on March 19, 2017 at 1:57 pm
  
  All that golf and Obama still found the time to wiretapp Trump!
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 1:51 pm

snarkk reporting from sac 211 just inside third base at Scotsdale Atadium. As expected, lots and lots of eye candy sundresses and micro shorted young things with tight shirts and plunging cleavage. Oh, and Samardzxxx l looks like he is settling in this inning. It’s warm, I got a 20 oz Anchor IPA to get things going…
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:04 pm

20 something Asian Chick sitting in row below below rockin Doghairs cap, tight LA singlet and 34 Ds. Haaawwwt. Where’s Paul? Samardzxxx just gives up back to back solo line drive Hrs onto the LF berm. He’s been throwing way high in zone since I got here…
- zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:12 pm
  
  He’s had an awful Spring. Are we worried?
  - snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:17 pm
    
    Double just smoked off him to right center — he’s struggling..,
  - snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:22 pm
    
    Another topspin rope double. He’s wild all over, then has to take a little off to come in, and they are sitting on it…
  - snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:25 pm
    
    Mercifully Boch takes him out . That was brutal, but ” he got his work in”…
  - zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:34 pm
    
    Are you saying he’s feeling good and he’s close? 🙂
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:36 pm

Belt with the single!..
Macdog said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:38 pm

Great reports by snarkk, and on the ballgame too.
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:44 pm

This Davies kid for Brewcrew is impressive. Brewers fans in front me say he’s their number 2, and he’s 11 years old. Actually 24. Great command, good change up ..,
- snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:57 pm
  
  About as big as Timmy, not the big leg kick. Woman next to me says she and hubby got their tix from his mother– talked to her before game– they are brew fans..
djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:52 pm

Girl watching is overrated. Especially second hand…
willedav said, on March 19, 2017 at 2:54 pm

UK survives, great game with Wich St. Which conference so far with most out? I hoping for no ACC in finals.
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:02 pm

Jimmy Rollins , I had no idea. The guy looks 5 foot two. The other inning he fielded a grounder and throw was about 3 feet short- belt short hop pick up thing of beauty for the out saved Rollins ass. Belt doesn’t get enough credit for the leather…
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:03 pm
  
  i feel like he gets ample credit for the leather.
Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:02 pm

Snarkk your updates made my day. Finally felt like spring today.
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:12 pm

Darrel Evans, Gaylord, campy and Rollie were selling autographs in the breezeway. I shook with Evans and talked about 3 minutes. Told him I thought he was one of most under appreciated Giants in SF era of giants. He thanked me, said he appreciated that from fans my age who watched that era. Said the problem then was that LA was always so damn good, they could never get over the hump to get into playoffs, and that if they had a WC back then , it would have been great. Good dude…
- snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:15 pm
  
  I started saying to him you had over 400 dingers and he immediately said 414 before I could finish … 🙂
  - Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:20 pm
    
    how did he look? That dude looked 50 years old 40 years ago.
  - snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:26 pm
    
    BF should have a Saran Wrap moment. Hwang with a nice, pro AB with a solid hot shot single rolled to the left of second. Dude looks big, about 6 foot two? No idea he was that big. Looked solid at he plate…
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:20 pm

Morse took one AB and swung for the downs all 3 swings, phhhhtttt…
Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:22 pm
- snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:30 pm
  
  Doody looks about the same as he did in 1980. Same thick frame and pock marked face. You can tell right away he’s an ez going dude…
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:25 pm

BF should have a Saran Wrap moment. Hwang with a nice, pro AB with a solid hot shot single rolled to the left of second. Dude looks big, about 6 foot two? No idea he was that big. Looked solid at he plate…
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:36 pm
  
  Oh yeah baby! The Donger! Possibly he sticks?
  - Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:43 pm
    
    I’m stocking up on extra Saran wrap today just in case
Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 3:59 pm

Wow, Arroyo just went oppo and blasted one. Surprising power from him.
zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:00 pm

Arroyo oppo-field HR.
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:22 pm
  
  I only heard it on radio but Miller was impressed. Hope Snarkk had his eyes on that ball and not one of the scantily clad ladies
- snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:27 pm
  
  Wrist flick. I think the kid should get a shot right now, see what happens
  - Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:30 pm
    
    Really!??!! Wow, that’s awesome
  - Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:30 pm
    
    .
Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:26 pm

From where I stand, it looks like Pence is running the country anyway. I’m fine with Presidents who golf. Job seems pretty hard. I’d like my President to be as chill as he can be. Golf, hourly blow jobs, whatever it takes. In fact it seems like Pence could use a few more of those. Dude needs to lighten up
alleykat69 said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:37 pm

Nice going with the pitch by Arroyo,he uses the whole field, too bad it will be in Sac to start..
Dominanting Performance by Kansas just destroying MichiganSt 90-70..They have great guards( and in theNCAA tournament the guards are the key)especially the senior Mason and a quick front court, their my team to go all the way..
- Macdog said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:49 pm
  
  Game was a little more competitive than final score, Kansas ran away in final minutes, but that offense sure can fill it up.
Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 4:58 pm

After the Arroyo bomb, Miller was saying that Sabean met specifically with Arroyo this Spring (or maybe it was last year) to tell him not to worry about power, just focus on hitting the ball hard, power would come later. Obvious advice but nice to know the kid is getting good advice from the top.
snarkk said, on March 19, 2017 at 6:02 pm

Went up to booths after game, lots of folks getting autographs from Kuip, miller and Flemm. Miller starting to look a little long in the tooth, IMO. Kuip gettin’ there. Marty was in ither booth on live radio so nobody bothering him. All in all, a nice time at the park. A little hot at 93 degrees mid game. Samardzxxx needs to get mechanics right, everything was up. Arroyo is a stocky kid, built like a fire hydrant with compact swing. No way I keep him at AAA beyond all star break. Pence is running well. If Rollins makes it, it’s because Boch has real veteran love. The Donger impressed me at bat, but 3b is crowded…
- zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 6:59 pm
  
  Thanks for the game report! Very cool!
- Flavor said, on March 19, 2017 at 7:00 pm
  
  agreed, THANK YOU. For me, your report was 10 X better than the WBoringC or anything else that spring training has to offer.
- djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 7:56 pm
  
  Great job, Snarkk…
zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 7:01 pm

I was half asleep. I thought I heard a broadcaster say Dwight Clark has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Doesn’t seem possible.
willedav said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:14 pm

Alex English old team takes out Duke, awesome. Last time they won a game in tourney he was in it, ’73 and he was there tonite..
Cool player.
- djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:17 pm
  
  So much for Duke-Villanova at MSG. ..
- willedav said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:19 pm
  
  only 1 ACC team survives first week. love it.
willedav said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:15 pm

HIs dad is a loudmouth fool, but dang Lonzo Ball can play.
PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:16 pm

In making my own roster for this year’s team coming out of ST, I’ve been playing with carrying only 10 or 11 pitchers so we can add more of the somewhat crowded field of bats. But with #5 starter looking dim, and with #4 Large Smarge kind of getting hammered lately, might need those relievers afterall… bummer. I’d much rather have Hwang and Marrero on the team than .. who?, you name it: Osich, Guerrin, ugh…
- djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:25 pm
  
  Well, we know it’s 11 minimum. Gearrin had that one appearance late in the season where he struck out about 5 guys in a row. I was hoping he turned a corner but I don’t remember what happened to him after that…
Macdog said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:18 pm

At least one USC won tonight, yay ‘Cocks!
PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:23 pm

My Dad is smiling down from heaven, he hated Duke…. 🙂
djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:36 pm

It’s almost like when a team is stuck with a bad contract like Cain’s they have trouble accepting that the money is down the drain no matter what. The other side of the argument is what if they had cut Zito loose before 2012?
- zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:45 pm
  
  In hindsight, everything went just right for the Giants to win the 3-in-5. Nothing should be changed.
  Even the Uggla experiment. Nothing should be changed.
  - djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:49 pm
    
    I thought the magic was ending in the 9th inning in KC on the misplay in CF.
    What a miracle that was…
zumiee said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:41 pm

The mini-series on FX, “Feud,” about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the filming of “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?” is very well done. Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange in the lead roles are terrific. Great performances.
I’ve always been a fan of behind-the-scenes types of movies and shows.
- djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 8:46 pm
  
  It’s like you read my mind, Zum…
djloo27 said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:42 pm

“Increasing Concern” Over Denard Span’s Play In Giants Camp

By Connor Byrne | March 19, 2017 at 9:17am CDT

There’s concern in Giants camp regarding the play of center fielder Denard Span, who’s not hitting or, to some evaluators, moving well. The 33-year-old fared decently at the plate in 2016 (.266/.331/.381 in 637 trips); however, he’s coming off back-to-back subpar campaigns in the field, during which he combined for minus-17 Defensive Runs Saved and a minus-13 Ultimate Zone Rating. The Giants owe Span $22MM over the next three years, including a $4MM buyout for 2019.
- Flavor said, on March 20, 2017 at 6:00 am
  
  It would be more accurate to say they owe him 22 million over the next 2 years plus a $4m buyout in 2019
PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on March 19, 2017 at 9:50 pm

Yeah, Loo, I know there are some enthusiastic Span Men here on the Flap, but that’s looking like a worrisome contract. This is also a big year for Smarge; one good performance *now and then* will not cut it; really hoping he has a dyno-mite year, or else THAT contract is going to start looking near Cain territory.