Making Sense of Hunter Pence

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on July 25, 2018

After Pence crushed that hanging curve ball that ended up RIGHT in the center of the plate, I wondered what he would say about it after the game. He’s a humble, positive guy. So this wasn’t unexpected:

“It definitely felt good to get one because, you know, I’m feeling strong. I’m hitting a bunch of balls hard. It felt good to finally get one up in the air. I feel really good, I’m in a good spot now.”

Wow. One home run goes a long way to fueling his fire. But all pro athletes are like that. That’s why they all say “I just didn’t execute” when they lose. The belief they have in themselves has to be higher than the belief anyone else has in them.

How many HR’s does Pence have left in him? I’d say that’s the last one but who knows? Any major leaguer can hit a bomb if it’s placed on a tee. My gut says Buster will hit more than Pence the rest of the way just because he’ll have more chances. But would it blow your mind completely if Buster didn’t hit one the rest of the year?

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Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 6:35 am

it’s really incredible that Dave Roberts just gave up last night. He had options. Rich Hill was warming up, he had actual pitchers he could have brought in. If I’m a player I’m pissed off that he gives up by bringing in Kiki to pitch. Play nearly 6 hours and have your manager give up? Unforgivable.
Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 7:16 am

It was a sweet homer, but on a horrible pitch. He doesn’t seem to hit the high fastball hard the other way anymore, that was kind of his trademark. Reference that high heater he tomahawked for a homer against KC in game 1 of the 2014 WS. He used to drill those all the time. I’d like to see him show he can hit tougher pitches and not just hangers.

That said, not many balls are hit to that part of Safeco Field. That was a shot. 445 feet.
willedav said, on July 25, 2018 at 7:22 am

Starting to come around to idea SF has to give up someone of value to get younger more athletic prospect hitter with some pop, esp for OF. Duggar and Slater might be decent hitters but have little HR power. I’ve changed mind about trading pitching—Moronta black DRod Suarez plus Holland Strat and other pen guys provide enough depth.

Watson imo brings back most value and is under control at modest $$$. He only pitches an inning every other day or so and is not a closer. Trading him helps the team improve over all and has to be absorbed.

Bum or Cueto have to do little more to get value back but I’d still look into dealing one of them. smrdz is impossible to deal—he’d have to show he can pitch effectively for at least 5-6 and stay healthy which he hasn’t done in like a year. No one will take him now.

Roberts will never break curse of ’88. Lot of mgrs. out there given his team would have won last year. Fail.
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:51 am
Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 7:39 am

This answers my query from last night. Turns out I was way off. From Chris Haft:

“Sandoval “gets there” much more frequently than people realize. The thickly built third baseman recorded his 78th career infield hit, according to fangraphs.com.”
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:05 am
  
  He ain’t no Gary Sanchez
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:04 am
  
  The 2nd baseman was 20′ beyond the infield dirt when Panda hit that ball.
  - Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:09 am
    
    He was still wheelin’ up the line like nobody’s business.
willedav said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:11 am

Giants have still hit more bombs than they have given up, 96-90.
Last year totals were 128-182. If you aren’t going to hit them you have to give up fewer of them to survive.

Longo remains out…he had hit 10 bombs in 270 ABs, same number as Crawford and Cutch, both of whom have 100 more ABs. Sando and Hundley have 9 and 8 respectively Gorks 11 Hanson 6 Panik 4.
snarkk said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:30 am

A’s are among poster boys for the new MLB game.
The long ball, baby. 4 dongs in that comeback like they did last night.
Giants aren’t playing that game, and are getting left behind…
chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:42 am

Hell yes it would blow my mind if Posey didn’t hit another dinger. I still think that the power outage with Posey is probably related to that hip.

Will be interesting to see how they handle that issue. I wonder if a hip replacement is a part of the conversation. I have a few friends who have had hip replacements (one friend had both replaced), and they can run, jump, etc. Damn modern medicine has come a long way…
- Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:11 am
  
  If he needs hip replacement, his catching days are over, if not his career. They stop the pain of a blown or worn hip, the joint will never be as good again.
  - Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:41 am
    
    exactly. Ain’t no major leaguer playing ball with a replaced hip
PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:48 am

Recently once again saw video of Buster’s grand salami in Cincy off Latos, a truly beautiful moment in that season. Would be nice if that was still part of his game, but…. bad hips suck. But he’s not that old, my Mom had hip replacement at 80 (my Dad passed on it at 95, yeah, good idea), one would think he could recup and recover just fine.
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:40 am
  
  MIller’s call on the bomb is one of my favorite ever. He starts out kinda cautious “a long high fly ball to left field” and then he erupts. loved it
chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:53 am

To Willie’s 7:22:

Watson is only making 3 mil this year, and signed for 3.5 next, with a .5 buyout in ‘20. Not sure that will get you a “good” OF prospect. The cost/benefit just doesn’t play out here, IMO.

I still think they need to do everything possible to dump Smarge, even if they absorb some of the salary.

On a separate note, you have to take what you hear on the pre-games with a grain of salt. Pavlovic was saying last night that he believes Bum gets a big extension with SF. We’ve kicked that can down the road a bazillion times. I sure as fuck hope they don’t go that route. The smart bet is to pick-up the option at 12 mil, and THEN make a decision on Bum based on how he is performing then.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:03 am

I think Buster has 5 HRs in the past 4 seasons after the break, so no, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go dingerless the rest of the way
- Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:13 am
  
  The thing, he rarely even comes close. I’d like to see him break the drought today, if he even plays. It’s going to be hot in Seattle, around 90, so a well-struck ball will jump out of that park.
  - Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:39 am
    
    don’t you live up there? How far away are you from the park?
  - Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:48 am
    
    Yeah, about 30 minutes if traffic is good. Couldn’t make either game this time around, which sucks. Work stuff.
  - unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 10:59 am
    
    Exactly. He’s barely reaching the warning track these days.
Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:14 am

“Absorbing salary” is something the Giants rarely do, so I don’t expect it with Samardzija. The team will do a Pence on his ass and just ride it out.
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:35 am
  
  You’re probably right, LJ. That is the Giants typical MO, but they may stray from the norm here to rid themselves of the boat anchor that is Smardj’s contract. Problem is, with all the fucking injures the cat has had, his value has tanked. It will take a creative proposition to move him…
  - Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:52 am
    
    I would love to see him gone. With Suarez and Rodriguez developing, he’s just dead weight at this point, kind of like Pence.
zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 10:21 am

Dodgers/Phillies is on the MLB Network right now.
chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 10:55 am

Looks like Pence’s dinger got him a start today. Posey DHing. Duggar with another start.

1. Steven Duggar (L) CF
2. Alen Hanson (S) 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen (R) RF
4. Brandon Belt (L) 1B
5. Buster Posey (R) DH
6. Brandon Crawford (L) SS
7. Pablo Sandoval (S) 3B
8. Hunter Pence (R) LF
9. Nick Hundley (R) C
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 10:57 am

No Slater has me doing a slow burn. Puck Fence.
- alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 12:27 pm
  
  Chuck,
  Boch wanted Pence’s “TomCruise” arm today in LF. It’s not like Slater did anything other then “Gun a perfect bazooka throw to the plate to nail Seager to keep it tied..
  That HR keeps the Vet in over a Rook in Bochy World..
zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 11:21 am

Phillies rough up Beuhler.
zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 11:23 am

Machado may be wearing the baggiest-looking uni in MLB.
Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 11:40 am

I’m pretty sure that the only years Buster has hit more HRs in the second half than the first, were our Championship years. So I hope he turns on at least 6 more the rest of the way (calling Dr. Gorky).

Pence? Scientific proof that marriage and the kale diet do not produce the long ball.
gianthead said, on July 25, 2018 at 12:17 pm

SAN DOG fantasy…can go to every Giant game and then some…

https://sports.yahoo.com/padres-introduce-controversial-ticket-plan-encourages-fans-root-losses-184500254.html
Padres introduce controversial ticket plan that encourages fans to root for losses
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:10 pm
  
  Hey, when you are a regular cellar-dweller you have to get creative (gimmicks). SMH…
gianthead said, on July 25, 2018 at 12:18 pm

I’m saying Pence hits more than Busted Posey.
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pm
  
  Starting right now, with both at zero, I seriously don’t it, especially with Pence’s limited playing time.
gianthead said, on July 25, 2018 at 12:35 pm

We should go the opposite way of today’s ML and build a team like the 80s Cardinals built on speed and pitching. 2-3 more Hanson/Duggar/Slater types. Panic when healthy fits well enough but no hope with Longo and Posey. I would hope we could shop Crawford around but don’t see any takers and Posey’s hip has probably scared off any interest.

Bum is going to get a long-term deal from the Giants…mark my words.. they do owe him in my mind still making 50% of a lot of shit pitching in baseball today.
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 12:53 pm
  
  i disagree with 100% of this lol except the part about Posey being untradable
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:13 pm
  
  I agree on the part about Posey being untradeable, but also think there is a better than 50% chance Bum gets a new deal.
Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 12:48 pm

Manny hitting .259 with the Dodgers. No bombs. Ho hum.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pm

Posey still has $75 mill due him plus he has a full no-trade clause. A lot of coin to be the pitcher whisperer who may or may not hit very well going forward. Not saying it’s impossible but it is highly unlikely we get any takers for Posey.

As far as bucking the system goes, look what that did for the Warriors. The NBA is 90% iso-ball. They did it their way (passing, moving without the ball) and won. Run like the Go Go Sox? WTF? Why not? If they continue to shy away from power hitters, it may be their only option. And it means Bochy must go. He’s as fond of running as I am for the current administration.
- pawliekokonuts said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:31 pm
  
  Liked “pitcher whisperer”
sandog said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:11 pm

If they absolutely refuse to fix our ridiculous ballpark dimensions, then I think copying the old Cardinals blueprint is not a bad idea.
….and I may need to look into that Padre ticket package!
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:18 pm
  
  Cut the grass real short . . .
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:17 pm

damn.Belt missed a HR by 3′. Why isn’t Hanson running?
pawliekokonuts said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:23 pm

3 more homers for Pence this year, possibly this career; 4 more for Posey, this year
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:24 pm
  
  They wont get 3 between ’em.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:23 pm

Gee Gordon runs and it produces a run. Are you watching, Boch?
pawliekokonuts said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:24 pm

Romo played at 3B last night and then came back in for two more outs. Very LaRuss-ian.
- pawliekokonuts said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:24 pm
  
  LaRussa-ian
chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:24 pm

Not good. Odds are not great when the other team scores first…

I still cannot stand Gordon…he is like a pesky gnat…
pawliekokonuts said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:29 pm

correction: Romo did that today
sandog said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:31 pm

Over/Under for Posey/Pence homers rest of the year appears to be settling around 4.5
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:29 pm
  
  under. Like the Harvey bet. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE=Z money baby
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 1:38 pm

LaRussian. As in Trump is . . .
zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:04 pm

D-Backs reliever throws the ball away and that’s the ballgame. He looked like Affeldt throwing the ball to a base.
Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:06 pm

Not a fan of this facebook feed.
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:39 pm
  
  The announcers are fucking unbearable.
  - xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:58 pm
    
    the Australian guy convinced me to turn on KNBR instead
  - Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:00 pm
    
    I have the volume and captions off.
alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:15 pm

Who’s dumb idea in the orq was to bring in 2 hitting coaches who “SUCK” in Rick Schu&Alonzo Powell..Schu .246 career avg Powell even more of a joke .211 career avg in 2 spaced out seasons.. Talk about cutting back the fat to get these 2 rejects..
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:22 pm
  
  I think Powell was with the Astros, and the Giants want some Astros magic to rub off on the Giants hitters.
  - zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:23 pm
    
    Powell was the Astros assistant hitting coach last year or something like that.
Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:28 pm

stoney Timmy, boppin’ around Hawaii living the life. Good for him

I just met my fucking idol Tim Lincecum in Hawaii🔥🧡🖤 #SFGiants pic.twitter.com/b9QSWDB5jn

— ⚡️Storman Norman⚡️ (@ndleon1) July 25, 2018
- chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:40 pm
  
  Dude…
Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:37 pm

What a god-awful AB by Hanson.
- Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:44 pm
  
  Cutch, too. I don’t think Leake threw a strike to either one.
Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:55 pm

For those who can’t see the game, Belt just came out after trainer was looking at his right knee.
xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:56 pm

dammit. I think the new and improved Belt should’ve improved a bit more there by slamming Leake in the back of the neck with a forearm as Leake blocked his step to 1B. Instead Brandon tried to adjust his stride. imo.
- Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:02 pm
  
  I agree 100%.
chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:57 pm

Boom! Keep it going boys! Agree with the Clown…FB Feed sucks.
Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Span’s D finally helps the Giants.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Fuck. What happened to Belt?
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:01 pm

Who’s the Aussie doing the play-by-play?
Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:02 pm

Damn, I was hoping they would hang a loss on Leake, I can’t stand that tanking asshole.
- unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:08 pm
  
  ND is the next best thing!
  - Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:09 pm
    
    True that.
xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:04 pm

Pence himself penced a RBI!
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:04 pm

Well, blow me down. Pence with another clutch hit.
Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:05 pm

Hunter pences the game-tying RBI!
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:15 pm

Jeeebus. Come on Black.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:17 pm

I do like the different views you get from FB. and no commercials.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:25 pm

Would have been nice to see some action on the base paths.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:27 pm

As it is, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Station to station.
snarkk said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:29 pm

Timmy.
Rolling in Hawaii.
With $75 million in the bank.
And 3 rings – none of the marriage variety.
That’s pretty hard to beat…
Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:30 pm

d’Arn it.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:35 pm

Bochy being shown how to play National League baseball. By an American League team
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:38 pm

Didn’t need to make that throw.
Lurker John said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:39 pm

Why fucking Dyson, Bochy? Watson would’ve been better
xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:39 pm

yikes. Duggar just made one of the worst throws to home I’ve ever seen. wtf. He wasn’t very deep.
Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:39 pm

Tag-team suckage by Watson and Dyson.
xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:41 pm

I’m sorry. Maybe that walk off against the bums back in April distorted my critical thinking on this subject. But I really enjoy watching Cutch play baseball every day — for SF.
- Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:50 pm
  
  Me too.
snarkk said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:42 pm

In car, listened to Kruk smoking copious amounts of Dyson poke as he came in. I was thinking yeah, watch him give up a dong, Kruk. Nah, just an rbi single on first pitch. Probably the game winner…
- snarkk said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:43 pm
  
  pole…
Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:48 pm

Another 1-run loss as the SF .500 keeps spinning its wheels to nowhere.
alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 3:54 pm

Pole is very accurate for Kruk,he even had a special hard on for Dick Pole the pitching coach back in the day!
Is their any Giant Krukow hasn’t licked👅their balls over?
alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 4:12 pm

Mr. DL going back on for another 2 weeks..
Brandon “can never stay healthy Belt”
Hyperextended his knee, this Dude is cursed!!
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 4:21 pm

Somewhere, MINAJ plays on. . . unfuckingcanny . . .
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 4:26 pm

Cutch is fast Duggar is fast, Hanson is real fast. Yet no bunting to try to force the D into a bad play (like Sea did in the 8th inning), no stealing to put pressure on the D (like Sea did in the 1st inning, equals a one run loss.

Boch needs to understand at some point that he doesn’t have a team full of 30 homer guys. He doesn’t have a team full of 20 homer guys. He barely has a team of 10 homer guys.

PLAY ACCORDINGLY!!!!!!!

I’m getting fucking tired of watching this base hit force-out 1st to 2nd to 3rd to nowhere baseball.
alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 4:45 pm

He’s a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 4:49 pm

Making all his nowhere plans
For nobody
alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 4:59 pm

He’s as blind as he can be(Boch)
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all
Nowhere man don’t worry
Take your time don’t hurry
Leave it all till somebody
else lends you a hand
djloo27 said, on July 25, 2018 at 5:39 pm

I feel a favorite lyrics thread is coming…
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 5:45 pm
  
  i got some deeply buried Cinderella shit I wanna get off my chest…..
- Bozo said, on July 25, 2018 at 5:46 pm
  
  I know most of the words to the song Tequila.
- xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 6:17 pm
  
  a good double shot of Cazadores reposado on ice sounds good right now
  - chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:20 pm
    
    xoot – I was laughing so fucking hard I was crying. That’s some funny shit, brother. I needed s shot or two after today’s POS game.
  - xoot said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:37 pm
    
    Yeah these one run games are killers. Be sure to let us know when you’re coming down for another day at the park. I’ll buy you a shot of the Gardens best.
chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 5:53 pm

Caught the final inning or so on my drive up the hill. Pfffttt…

Another close game, sure, but another loss. They all look the same in the L column.

But, as many have said, I do enjoy this team so much more than last year’s squad. This team at least has some fight, and has shown they can battle back.

Still waiting for them to go on a tear. And still not holding my breath waiting for that shit to happen.

It doesn’t get any easier. Brew crew next…

Friars won. Rox just getting started, and everyone else in the West with a loss.
Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 6:03 pm

a *bevy* of prospects….

KNBR Tonight Poll Question:

If the #SFGiants are 5 games or more out of a playoff position on trade deadline day; would you entertain a trade for Bumgarner for a bevy of prospects? Defend your stance. We will discuss tonight 7-10 pm

— Ryan Covay (@RyanCovay) July 26, 2018
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 6:08 pm
  
  and by the way, this is getting voted down big time by SF Giants fans 3-1. Even if we got a *bevy* of prospects, something that will not get offered.
  - Macdog said, on July 25, 2018 at 6:19 pm
    
    “Bevy” — sounds like what Bochy would’ve called Kurt Bevacqua.
unca_chuck said, on July 25, 2018 at 7:33 pm

Right. Define bevy. The Bowker gang part deux?
Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:08 pm

KNBR hosts and people that call in are clueless. The hosts think Bum will bring a *bevy* of prospects, the callers say *no fucking way*. Too funny…..
Speaking of too funny, Cory Gearrin just gave up a monster blast to Kris Davis.
PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:28 pm

Your San Fivehundred Giants, WYSIWYG. MLB article says Giants will be “strategic buyers, not sellers” at the trade deadline. Really? That would be interesting, if not wholly believable….
- zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:40 pm
  
  According to Pavlovic the Giants are about $1 million under the luxury tax line. Not much space to work with. Too bad Smarj is too terrible to trade.
  - PaulinAsia Banh Bao said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:43 pm
    
    Yeah, the contracts of Smargerine, Longo, and Melancon are going to hurt for awhile down the road, no way I see those as able to be jettisoned….
zumiee said, on July 25, 2018 at 8:48 pm

The freakin’ A’s are doing it again.
alleykat69 said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:05 pm

Hottest team in baseball, the Oaland A’s pulled out another one.Kris Davis 2 bombs plus the game winner in the 9th. Davis has more HR’s then anyone in baseball since 2016 with 111..
- Flavor said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:18 pm
  
  What would it be like if we had a guy like Kris Davis? We never have a guy like Kris Davis
  - chipower9 said, on July 25, 2018 at 9:23 pm
    
    It would be bad ass!
- snarkk said, on July 25, 2018 at 11:35 pm
  
  Yeah, but the Giants have Pence !
  The Preacher, baby. Moral support to all the guys, and bromance with Boch.
  And one HR now for the whole season…