On To The Indians (No, I Do Not Call Them The Guardians)
Honestly, this just wasn’t too surprising. As I said at the start of the series, yes they have good hitters but they really aren’t scoring runs this year. And that played out again in those 3 games. But this was cool, keep winning series’ that’s about all you can reasonably hope for. Now to Cleveland. A decent team who is probably not as good as their record. Outside of their 2 best hitters Kwan and Ramirez they don’t have a line up that scares you. And their starting pitching is meh. Vogt seems to be having a big impact on their play.
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Playing Cleveland so soon after Mays’ passing has changed the over/under on what inning they show the Vic Wertz catch from the 4th to the 2nd. I’ll take the under.
How about getting really creative and showing a couple of Dusty Rhodes’ 270 foot homers from the ’54 series?
You would think going (44/122/.314) in 2000 would get you better than 20th in the MVP vote. Ask Richard Hidalgo…
https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2000.shtml#all_NL_MVP_voting
Before the opening pitch . . .
Ah good ones Loo. don’t think I’ve ever seen Rhodes highlights. Cleveland broke through the Yankees-Red Sox domination to win it all in 1948 then 1954 ended Stengel run of 5 consecutive WS wins. In long history only have 3 WS appearances since, 1995 1997 2016.
Giants outhomered Braves 5-2 in that series. dodgers lost series to DBax right after losing 2 of 3 to upstart Giants, as bottom of their order continues to struggle (2-18 last night) and starters getting whacked around.
“Strange Days” indeed.
Their relievers weren’t much better.
Braves are having a somewhat down season by their standards, but they’re still a good team and that’s a tough place to play, especially this time of year. Last time Giants won a series there was 2018, a 3-game sweep in early May, so this was a rare feat. It also brought the Braves back a little closer to the pack for top WC — surging Pads are only 2 games behind although they’ve played 6 more games than Atlanta.
What’s up with the Reds? who had them sweeping Yanks on road?
Hi Winder . . . beat from yesterday’s festivities (but particularly the drive – my new Honda’s AC barely kept up with the 110 degree weather on the way back). So, I hit the sack early and didn’t see your message ’til today. Anyway, Yeah . . . One of the dishes (with pork) was an adobo, but my friend’s wife kept it simple with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and black pepper. Love the various adobos from different ethnic groups, e.g., Spanish, Uruguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, etc.
Hi blade- That sounds like the Filipino style and what I am used to. They use the vinegar to stretch the life of the meat but it turns out it’s really good. I use a little vinegar to stretch out the pots of rice I make.
You just add it to the water your boiling about a half a shot.
I should have said they used to do it before everyone had refrigerators.
Pretty amazing how Elk Grove has exploded over years. I remember coaching tournament at Elk Grove HS (Bill Cartwright fame) in spring years ago…coming in off 5 it was all fields for long way…Now it’s built up from 5 all the way to 99.
You’re right Willie. My friend’s home was built in 2015 or 2016. I think he paid $350k for it. A year ago (before inflation shot up), it was worth a million. Now, it has settled down to about $700k. Along with this, all of the farmland within 4 miles of him, has all been developed, where everything is a sea of homes and condos.
However, the worst thing that has happened here and across the country, are HOAs, for both condos and single family homes. Worst scam in the world, particularly here in California. Just regarding condos, when I owned my luxury condo near Denver, I made sure of 3 things: 1. No swimming pools, saunas or exercise rooms; 2. Must have underground garage with secured key card access; and 3. Zero landscaping. Why? Security is the #1 priority in a downtown area, as thieves are rampant. Insofar as gyms, swimming pools, and particularly landscaping are concerned – they need to be maintained by “armies” of employees and their salaries keep going up annually . . . Ergo, your HOA keeps going up.
Baggs says Harrison starts tomorrow.
They’re the Guardians because lots of Native Americans don’t want to be sports team names and mascots. It’s not a hard thing to respect Native Americans’ wishes on that.
I can’t speak for Flavor or anyone else, but I think the issue many people have with “Guardians” is that it’s such a crappy name – not because they don’t get replacing Indians…
BF and others could just call them Cleveland then, in my opinion.
That’s why I still think of Stanford as the Indians and never say the Cardinals or the Trees but just use Stanford.
For the record: I always called the Giants’ ballpark Pac Bell when it was changed twice to initials. Rarely if ever call it Oracle.
The thing about naming a team the Indians, it’s not only degrading to Indigenous Peoples, it makes White people look really fucking STOOPID. Better than the Spiders I suppose.
Next to the Yankees, Guardians is arguably the greatest franchise name change ever. It references the figureheads on the bridge leading to the ballpark, has three syllables, the last two remaining the same. While the logo is pretty terrible, it’s better than the cartoon Indian, though not nearly as good as the Chicago Blackhawks exquisite logo.
FWI, Both the Stanford Cardinal and tree (El Palo Alto) are singular. Their logo is pitch perfect.
I didn’t pay much attention to the name change news when it happened. I thought there was just Jim Thorpe:
https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/the-cleveland-indians-louis-sockalexis-and-the-name
Whoa! Never heard/read about this story. Thanks for sharing James.
Ray threw 58 pitches in Sac last night. Gave up 2 hits 1 BB HR 3Ks and 3 runs in 3 innings. Faced 12 batters. 2 shutout innings after 3 run HR in first.
Loo, the illegal fireworks in my area last night sounded like World War going on. Huge explosions like artillery shells, rapid fire shot sounds, and some sounds that had to be actual guns being shot.
They use alcohol and cans to make those big booms.
Not sure how they do it since I wasn’t interested in knowing but I had a neighbor a few doors down that would blow them off for hours. They must be pretty cheap to make.
the native American “guardians” (lqtm) don’t seem to have a problem embracing the past when it comes to casinos. Whatever. And yes Loo is correct, it’s a stupid name. And yes I know why they chose it.
The once-loathed Spiders (read James’ link) would be a better name than Guardians.
Same goes for the Redskins. Yeah, it’s a bit on the racist side, bur Commanders?
Too close to the Harlem Globe Trotters nemeses the Generals.
I guess when Dan Snyder running the team, they should have gone with Crackers. More fitting.
This blew my mind they did this. Shocked the shit right out of me at the time.
Nowadays, the world would come to a crashing halt.
Here in NJ, the high school where Todd Frazier played still goes by Indians, and the football team calls itself the Hitting Indians.
Tom’s River lacks imagination in naming their schools and mascots.
My high school teams are called the Quakers. In the mid-60’s, they hired and later fired Sam Rutagliano, who went on to be an NFL head coach. For his one season there, he insisted on changing the name to the Falcons. The name was changed back, and from that point forward, the PA and local radio announcer, would affectionately call them the Friendly Quakers.
Rutigliano is still alive at 93. He was my uncle’s gym teacher at Lafayette High in Brooklyn…
He was the Browns coach, right? Brian Sipe and the Kardiac kids? Those were fun teams.
Interestingly enough, Guards are rare team doing better at plate than last year. 3rd AL for runs 5-6 in HRs and slash lines 4th SBs. they are still stealing about same number of bags but hitting more HRs (99 already vs. 124 all last year dead last AL) and have raised team OPS from .695 (12th AL) to .728.
Giants-Dodgers head to head matchup on West Coast went to SF right from start and Dodgers never took lead until 1979, 22 years later at 202-201. per Joe Konte in book “Giants vs. Dodgers The Coast to Coast History of the Rivalry Heard ‘Round the World.”
Oh shoot-looking at Guards pitchers on B/R, there’s our old buddy Tyler Beede. Got season off to decent start out of pen with 6 scoreless innings in 5 times out, then things went south. Last ML appearance May 2 in one third of inning gave up 3 hits 2 walks and 5 earned. Last 8 appearances total 13 runs allowed and was scored on in7 of them, bringing ERA to 8.36. Sent down to minors and ERA there around 9 again.
. . . and I recall Beede, #2 prospect in our pipeline – was ready for the “Big Show” in 2017 . . . and then 2018. Pfffttt . . .
https://www.mlb.com/giants/news/giants-tyler-beede-ready-for-jump-to-majors-c264603866
Known as “Black Shoes Beede” by San Dog, I think…
Yes. I think black shoes lot better look than white with everyday uni, but didn’t help Beede.
This is the way to start a pen game.
Conforto crushed that hanger, but what a lousy effort by the Cleveland RF in that ugly ass uniform top…
Speaking of lousy effort, did you see that play by Yanks CF Grisham last night?
I didn’t, Mac – but Yankee fans in general are freaking out…
Just saw it. Disgrace….
Talkin’ Yanks on X: “Inexcusable https://t.co/M4incOaj3P” / X
grisham sucks anyway. They should get rid of him for that alone
You hate to see it.
Nice start, but damn could’ve had more.
Another wow play from Chapman.
Swell catch by Chapman…
Who the hell has Day games on 4th? Only in Cleveland I guess? having a night game fireworks show tonight is stupid.All games yesterday should of been only night games getaway games are night!
Nice start getting 3 runs and 32 pitches out of Bibbe-Beede..
Former Dodgers Outfielder Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Prison: Report (msn.com)
Those patches for Mays and Cepeda are tough to look at…
Yeah it is Loo let’s hope they don’t add Marichal on there this year too, might have to relocate the Nike emblem..
Also watching Mets-Pirates, Reynolds just hit a grand slam, his 2nd HR tonight.
Nice leadoff double.
Couple great ABs for Yaz.
He did get hosed on the ridiculous strike 2 call in the first. That turned the inning around for Bibee, if you believe in such things.
Daulton Jefferies in the game for Pirates with 8-2 lead.
A scoreless inning!
Now 14-2, even he can’t blow this one.
Naylor kind of waddled around the bases. He looks very much the Friday night softball player.
Damm dumb as Ramos the cardinal rule going back to little league never break on a ball hit to the left of the SS!
Spot on AK
yet another base running fuckup.
come on guys.
Another great outing by Bivens! I love this guy. A great story and great pitching! Here in LA area local writers pissed at his reaction to the K on Ohtani with no clue about his background. Stupid!
Yeah, I saw that from one of their beat writers, meanwhile as a few pointed out Dodgers do all kinds of shimmying after hitting a single.
Those same writers probably have no problem with the exaggerated and lengthy dances the Dodger hitters do when they get on base.
Ha! Mac beat me to it!
Ha, it can’t be emphasized enough!
Yeah, back in the day, pitchers would’ve ear-holed batters for doing that.
Walker with help from Chapman picks up Rodriguez.
Walker cleans up the mess.
The guy in the cat-suit is a disturbing commercial.
The Spiders should consider making every game a bullpen game.
Yaz, yikes.
Great work by Walker, now it will Rogers&Doval to close it out hopefully 🙏
Goddamn, all these Ks.
Rogers doesn’t make good or bad pitches. Hitters either get lucky or wait on a pitch and put a good, disciplined swing on it.
Come on, man. You act like he’s fucking Houdini.
I like that bunt call.
Ahmed got better bunt down than last one.
Wisely yikes, again?
What a waste.
We are dancing with the devil tonight.
And there you go. Another fucking dead baserunner.
Un-Wisely on the bases
GEt that slider down
Fuck this. We are just gonna try and try to give this away
Come on Doval, quit fucking around.
Thats what I’m talkin about.
Yes!!
Wow. Cleve doing their LOB impersonation of us.
Wow, it’s hard to watch Doval sometimes. But a nice way to start the series.
Yaha way to work out of it!
Good to see the Waddler hit into a couple of DPs.
Tough win, just a huge whew.
This one felt like an impending disaster every inning.
First two batters reach in 9th and Doval gets strikeout and game-ending double play. I’m still trying to understand 2024 SF Giants team DNA but heckuva 8-3 record since Chicago/Birmingham/St Louis Midwest trip debacle 10 days ago.
I had this team mired in “Also Ran” category on June 24th. I said as much in last posting on SF Giants Flavor blog that day. Giants may still end up outside playoff picture but grit shown past 10 days plus anticipated return of Harrison and “healthy” Snell in next week plus Cobb or Ray by late July or early August provides hope.
8-3 since returning from STL. In 8 Ws they’ve given up total of 22 runs.
Nice start! Go Giants!
Higashioka just homered for Padres who lead DBax 7-2 in 6th. Phils beat ATL today 8-6 and Cards won in 11 over Nats. Padres if they hold on would only be game back of Braves, Cards 1.5.
Cards were game below .500 before Rickwood series and had dropped two walk off games to Marlins. Since then 10-4 to get them to 46-42 and 5 of Ws have been 1 run games like last night 7-6 win in 11 over Nats.