Opening Day Bliss
Really got to hand it to Jordan Hicks. Making this transition to starting pitcher so seamlessly has been fun to watch. Of course there is the constant and looming concern about whether a guy who throws that hard can pile on this many innings so quickly and not eventually blow out his arm. But that hasn’t happened yet so I’ll stop worrying about it.
I really like Keaton Winn. If he can somehow turn the corner and be a reliable #4 we are really gonna be cooking with gasoline at that point…..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
How about that, we won a baseball game.
“Thairo Estrada is still swinging at too many bad pitches” was part of header in section of early things to be aware of column by Brisbee in TA April 3. What he noted was that last year Estrada had OPS over .900 in April but never had month over .700 rest of entire season. Made comp of Javier Baez when it came to out of zone swings.
Very cool for him to get walk off blast. Saw comment elsewhere that maybe Fitz (3 ABs total so far) could give him a rest playing 2b.
Yeah, dig Winn. Be great to see him and Webb set tone with good outings at home vs. Padres, before Snell start Monday vs. Nats. Also w news that Cobb isn’t likely to be back as soon as he originally thought either.
Could be long season of torture style close games.
didn’t Estrada also get hurt a couple months in last season that hampered him for the rest of the season??? I would like to see Luciano and Casey Schmitt both get some 2b playing time. I said before seeing Luciano at short in AA last year that I thought he would eventually be a 2b in the big leagues. But seeing him in person I thought SS was doable. Not sure though he does end up at second long term.
142 seasons. Mull that over for a while.
Cobb didn’t seem to think this would set him back too far. He’s so far ahead in his rehab anyway, I’m sure the Giants will be cautious. Winn does have some nasty stuff.
I caught snippets of the Padres broadcast yesterday. Does anyone know if that’s Tony Gwynn’s son doing color for them? If so, I cannot believe how much he sounds like his dad. It’s like Tony is in the booth.
it is John…
Sarge.
https://x.com/sfbayn8tive/status/1776622303557873820
wow, thanks, that’s awesome.
Geez, btw Xoot and son that’s 2 walk off Ws on opening day in row. Brisbee has cool column in TA detailing all of them for SF going back to 1968 vs. Seaver and Mets.
Padres involved in few of them, lol.
Yeah a walk off opening day is a great opening day.
yeah Sarge! Bringing us a walk-off opening day W! Hope you’re well, brother!
I’ve not been able to see Hicks throw yet. Winn doable as a starter maybe could draw some trade interest for maybe another bat this summer. I don’t see him top three rotation type. Chapman though seems to be turning into a true Giant.
I’m surprised the Cardinals didn’t know how to use Hicks mostly a reliever with 8 Career starts? His stuff is electric constantly at 98-99 and could go higher.But now he has added a nasty split finger this pitch will be a key element for him (Gausman like)he seems to be able to control along with a sinker are the stupid sweeper.So far his control has been spot on 12 innings 8 hits only 1 walk 11 K’s.Giants have ramped him up nicely to be a solid starter! Steal pickup so far that the Giants acquired as a F/A..
Hicks tends to kick it into 98+ closer mode to get out of jams. Works so far. Otherwise, he’s a pretty canny pitcher. His bad throw to 2B yesterday may reflect his relatively low number of innings fielding the position. I think he’s only going to get better in every way. If as noted his arm holds up.
FG shows his FB avg this year (so far) at 96. It was significantly higher in previous yrs. He’s using the two seamer a lot and uncorking the four seamer when he needs it, I think. Don’t know what that portends for the arm over time.
What’s up crackers? Down in enemy territory food a day (Sn Clemente). Nice opening day win. Bummed I wasn’t there, but grateful for the W.
Jordan Hicks looking good!
Go Giants!
What’s up crackers? Down in enemy territory food a day (Sn Clemente). Nice opening day win. Bummed I wasn’t there, but grateful for the W.
Jordan Hicks looking good!
Go Giants!
welcome back CHI!
SO happy to see this site up, Flav! Thank you! It’s like a family reunion.
Hope you’re well, my friend. How’s your daughter, and where is she these days?
katie is living between my house and her boyfriend’s house. Love the guy, he’s great.
https://x.com/StoolBaseball/status/1776712333043143126
ahh .. the predictability of unpredictability !
The return of one of The Flap’s top recording artists!
Hey Mr. Bass B.
I’m reading wonderful book that reminded me of you, by bassist Bill Harrison, “Making the Low Notes”. He’s a NYC/Jersey guy who began on upright in orchestras and through love of jazz in HS college 70s found his niche for long professional career, often “jobbing” as he puts it.
Hope you are well sir.
James, truth is I never left. I begin everyday by reading the Flap — unless, of course, Big Flavor as shelved it as he has in recent times. I’m a GIANT Lover of Baseball and passionate LOVER of the Giants! Sure, I’ve a subscription to The Athletic, and it’s good, but nothing like what I get from reading the 15-20 regular bloggers here. If you ask me why, I’ve no clear answer … hmmm, maybe it just feels like family (all the good stuff).
Willedav, thank you for your always invaluable info, I gotta check that Bill Harrison book out!! I’m looking forward to your April 22 post … Mingus, 102 years. Btw, another jazz milestone that I’m sure you are aware of: Marshall Belford Allen turns 100 on May 25 and is still kicking (alto saxophonist SunRa Arkestra). I’m thinking of going out east to celebrate the magnificence of that.
Joey Bart now 2 for 2 HR,Double 2RBI’s 1 run scored.BA 1.000 SLG 3.000 OPS 4.000
https://x.com/JonHeyman/status/1776656247103635636
Pablo news.
lisle. I am nothing if not a humble man. I was wrong about Adam duval. Please accept my apologies
oh brother, you’ve nothing to apologize to me about!! I’ve learned more about this sport I love so much from you and the other bloggers here I am the one that is humbled.
Bassy, You still living out in Bisbee Arizona?
Adam Duvall still proving people wrong as his career turned out pretty good! Nice call on your adamant support for him!
Bisbee. It seems like a great place to live/ visit,very laid back, historical,antiques, old school saloons, hotels. Reminds me of the gold country areas of Calif,Sutter Creek,Jackson,Murphys,are Virginia City in Nevada!
Yeah Baby!! Still in the high desert! Gotta say, I’m not missing the big cities. Among the attractions you mention, there is also the music scene which is kind of shockingly good. Since pandemic, a new crop of musicians descended and have taken over, kicking the level way up. Eg, Steve Vai’s bassist of 25 year; a young multi instrumentalist’s band did world tour last summer opening for the Black Keys; a veteran Nashville studio musician just arrived a month ago …to name a few, I’m like, WTF? Where am I? Heaven?
wow! Fried & the Braves getting thoroughly thumped early by the DirtBags in Atlanta.
And, I thought the Zito contract was a disaster.
This today from the Washington Post about the retirement today of Steven Strasburg…
“The retirement, long expected, also brings some clarity on his contract — a seven-year, $245 million deal inked in December 2019, after the team’s World Series triumph. Strasburg, who pitched just 4⅔ innings since undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021, is expected to be paid the entirety of his contract. He has agreed to defer some of his remaining salary, according to a person familiar with the matter. The extent of those deferrals is not known.”
Henry Hill only got $3,200 severance pay from Big Paulie and that was for a lifetime of work…
thus the mob rat book deal?
Not surprised Bart is ratcheting things up in Pittsburgh.
Watch the dude go nuclear at the bat now that he’s out from under the Giants. I’m all for the dude, I hope he shows the Giants massively mismanaged his development…
Oh fuck.
Just great…
Lisle, every time I hear Cecil Taylor now I think of you playing with him. Glad you’re good.
Braves have come all the way back from 6-0 deficit in first to take 9-8 lead bottom 8 at home vs. AZ. 15 hits 4 doubles triple and HR (M Ozuna) off DBax pitching.
I think McCovey’s statue, finally returned, is much farther from the water than it was. It used to loom out there like the fucking colossus of Rhodes.
Giants meekly going down vs. King.
Nick Ahmed has found his stroke.
This offense is anemic.
That grand slam pitch was a 0-0 count 96 mph hit-me fastball right down the middle, just above the knees. I don’t get that kind of a pitch in that situation. That’s on Bailey as much as Winn…
Murphy is C tonight.
Yep, my bad. Even worse. Murphy is more experienced.
it was a stupid pitch.
Almost as bad was walking Kim after getting ahead 1-2 before the slam..
Bart hits a bomb today while Murphy’s batting .111.
the Staten Island ferry hawks? They signed Pablo? wtf is Staten Island? Is that Pete Davidson’s hillbilly holler?
i took the Staten Island ferry into NYC last month, incredibly it’s free! (though there is parking to pay for).
only nyc ferry I know anything about is the one Walt Whitman described 160 years ago.
Soler needs a shipment of cohibas and some personal time to contemplate the fastball offspeed dialectic.
Hey now let’s not sell the Staten Island Ferry Hawks short.They play in the largest stadium in the Atlantic League with a crowd capacity of 7,200 that will easily beat an Oakland A’s crowd.
I can see a road trip game with Loo&Mac,Pawlie and other east coasters seeing Panda one last time!
Ha, I’d be up for that. I checked to see if SI plays the local Jersey minor league team, but they don’t.
Thankful for the pitch clock that this display of offensive futility lasted just over 2 hours.
Kapler is a better manager than Melvin:
He would have used an opener. The 1st inning is a save opportunity. You’re either tied or ahead.
He would have had Bailey pinch hit for Murphy in the 8th.
He would never have asked Farhan to bring up Jeffries.
Looks like it’s old home week here. Can’t wait for the next special guest!
Wonder what happened to Ferrett. And Ted. Too bad Mike’s daughter Lisa never got into it beyond posting for him one time when he was sick…
Gotta find out where Panda’s living and visit him…
take some tacos– I mean, pics
John, are the Somerset Patriots still playing there at their park near Somerville? Last I saw of that ballyard, it was under water from the floods a few years ago. Last attended a game there in 2019.
They’re still there right by 287, now a Yanks AA team.
Good to hear. It’s still the only park I’ve ever caught a foul ball — three times!
The Pirates, with a 7-2 record so far, had these three in their starting lineup tonight: Bryan Reynolds, Joey Bart, and Connor Joe. Ain’t that a kick in the pants.
So, Iowa’s Clark has one more game where she’s really famous before she goes into the obscurity of the WNBA. (Can anyone name five WNBA teams?)
I guess in theory she could help make the WNBA more visible, but I’m skeptical.