Playing Pepper is Back!
This is, I think, the 6th year we’ve done Playing Pepper with Daniel @c70 proving once again that as much as I hated the Cardinals in the 80’s it was possible to heal that hatred and turn it into positive thoughts about their fan base. Or, at least Daniel. I like Daniel.
Here’s the link to my answers and two other dudes who played along as well.
Playing Pepper 2021: San Francisco Giants
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
I thought you made some solid points. I’ve never been a fan of the DH, but you made a great point and reminded me that pitchers don’t bat as they make their way to the ML anymore. So ya neva know, I might be changing my mind on the universal DH.
I still hate it. I’d much rather them hit in the minors and get more used to it.
But there’s even more to it than just pitchers hitting. The bench got used a lot less last year. You also take away the “can he get one more out because he’s up third” sort of drama. Plus the inherent unfairness of someone sitting on the bench and doing just part of the game. (And, some would say, the more fun part!)
I’ve just accepted it. Nobody plays pepper anymore, hitters don’t work on bunting, pitchers don’t work on hitting, it’s just pointless IMO to keep running them up to the plate despite the points you are making.
Let no one say I can’t engage in a pointless fight!
I’ll admit, it’s not my best quality.
Is there any buzz about the Grave Duggar in St. Louis?
He’s a Cardinal type of player…
Not that I have heard of. My only exposure has been references around here. That may change when he wins at least two games against the Cardinals almost singlehandedly, as most annoying Giants players do.
“is there any buzz about the Grave Duggar in St
louis,” dude loo that gave me a hearty chuckle just now
I don’t like the DH at all, but I can live with it on the condition that all the other stupid rules changes from last season — runner on 2nd in extra innings, 7-inning doubleheaders, 3-batter minimum for relievers — go away for good.
Agreed.
Bumgarner just got walked, I don’t think Luzardo wanted any part of him.
Interesting comments. Thanks for coordinating this Daniel, and for sharing, Flav.
The rule changes still have a lot of my focus. I think the minimum three hitters for the pitchers is bullshit.
And the universal DH? Fuck NO! It isn’t so much about pitchers hitting or not, it is the strategy of the game with the pitchers hitting.
I know this is a losing proposition as I think it just a matter of time (next CBA) that the UDH is instituted. If I could choose one permanent block on rule changes going forward, it would be to permanently ban any talk of the DH in the NL.
Knew I liked you.
NL games have a rhythm AL games lack. Of course, two out , first base open and pitcher on deck can end a rally. But both teams get to try to use it. And I’ll dearly miss AL WS teams trying to mix their DHs into the NL games. NL rules assisted the Giants in 2010 and 2014. ( Guerrero, of course. And Who was fat fuck on the royals who finally got in only to have MadBum mow him down? Great Memories.)
Not quite sure any pitchers even want to hit except for maybe Bum and a couple others. Just thinking about the Cardinals I believe they win their division and who knows from there. I have been against the DH ever since the American league started using it. But, i could live with it now, the game has changed. I just hope we can start using robo umps behind the plate. I truly think it would make the game better.
I will forever be against the DH in the NL. Period.
I have been calling for robo umps for the past two years.The umpiring behind the plate is just too inconsistent (strike zone, etc.).
I wonder if arguing a roboump strike 3 call will get you an automatic ejection.
Lol. Maybe a lesson in futility.
“The bench got used a lot less last year.” The emphasis on platoons, defensive versatility, and the age of the players would have kept much of the roster in the action this year, even with the DH. I suspect we’ll often see the pitcher get two PAs at most, and in many home games, just 1. Pinch hitting for the starter in the bottom of the 5th after one early AB isn’t exactly the strategic maneuvering of old.
*I always thought of myself as a baseball “purist”, but I really enjoyed last season watching the Giants play with a DH. Against a tough righthander, I would rather have a player like Dickerson in the line-up. I would much rather watch him hit than a pitcher like Cueto and others just flailing away at the plate. I also like watching hitters like Flores (who is not the greatest defensively) in the line-up batting against tough lefthanders. Also the game has now evolved into a starting pitcher rarely going even 5 innings. So why waste your bench (which now has only 5 players on it) by having a bench player hit every time your pitcher comes up in the 5th, 7th, and 9th innings? A DH eliminates wasting your bench. There are now just a few good hitting pitchers. Everyone else is now just pathetic. Give me guys like Solano DH’ing everyday day of the week.
*As for the robo ump, not quite sure how this would yet work on balls and strikes. When watching games with the strike zone superimposed on the screen do pitches have to be entirely in the box to be a strike? What will be the diameter of the lines that constitutes the strike zone area? What happens when a pitch just grazes the inside or outside of that superimposed line?, Will this be a strike? Let’s say when a lefthanded batter is up and a righthander throws a sharp downward breaking pitch. I have seen countless pitches where the ball will just knick the lower left hand corner on the superimposed strike zone but the catcher will catch this ball in the dirt. Will this be a strike because it knicked the strike zone? The batter will go ballistic on this so called strike when the catcher is catching this ball in the dirt. Same goes for a righthanded batter against a lefty with a great curveball or sinker.
Can’t fight technology, but will be interesting to see how all this works out in the future.
I knew there would be a reason for Belt to disdain the roboump.
I think the zone is a 3D prism. Any pitch that pierces or nicks any part of it should be a strike.
Well a near prism
Great job playing pepper Craig!!
Scott Cousins’ claim to fame is that he kept Buster Posey from getting into the Hall of Fame.
“Posey was scratched from Tuesday night’s lineup with “some right hip tightness” Gabe Kapler announced before the Giants hosted the Rangers at Scottsdale Stadium.”
Longo got all of that one.
Yeah Longo is dialed in right now!
No doubt about that Bomb!🚀
Cueto isn’t reaching 94 mph when they’re hammering change ups like that.
Cueto calling the game for Bart. LOL.
Cueto can’t gut it out through 3. Can’t wait to see him try to pivot that load on his big toe.
Longo is hoping he can go another round with Hitman Hearn right now..
It still seems improbable that Yaz and Solano are not flukes.
How long can Longo keep that swing going?
DIALED IN!!!
LONGORIA!!
2 Well Stuck Bombs 💣
Bases juiced by Cueto again in his encore. Damn.
Jesus Kotter that was ridiculous managing of Cueto..
They wanted Cueto to reach a pitch count, but didn’t want him to throw too many consecutive pitches without a break.
ball’s carrying
And the oil continues to leak this inning..7 runs that was painful 😖 to watch..
do they have a five hour rule?
Joey Bart gets cut and then has to catch this game? Damn.
I’m starting to look forward to St. P day dinner. Bought the brisket today for
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012397-guinness-pie
Mrs. James wouldn’t let me consider the trotter gear. It feels like a loss, but I’ll survive.
Ireland’s locked down until June 21. The EU’s rationing vaccine by population. Happy St. Paddy’s Day.
my lard, Moronta is fat.
😂 He has always been a big boy.
Cueto was in mid-season form…high pitch count. Just stretching it out and building arm strength. 😉
And just to mix it up…
Love this cover of a Pink Floyd classic…
Yee ha!!!