It was a balmy Tuesday evening as the intrepid band of Giants’ fans ventured into Enemy Territory to watch “The Freak” pitch against the Oakland A’s.  Figuring there would be decent seats available at game time, we left Visalia at 2:00 p.m. and motored to the Coliseum, encountering just enough Bay Area traffic to remind ourselves of one of the reasons we live in the Central Valley.  We were able to acquire decent seats for a reasonable price in section 131, Row 36, down the third base line behind the foul pole, just in foul territory.  As we settled in to our seats we saw enough folks wearing Giants colors to know that there were “friendlies” in McAfee Stadium.  Before Timmay threw his first pitch we were rocking and rolling as Pablito hit his shot down the line toward us that seemed to curl around the base and rattled around the corner to allow Andres to score.  We were doubly encouraged when Bengie brought him home with a sac fly – not always a given with the G men.  Tim was masterful his first four inning with the only blemish Giambi’s homerun, which was a no doubter. 

It is a different experience being in another team’s park; we were definitely the minority even though there were plenty of fellow Giants rooters.  At least in our section we managed to get plenty of “Let’s Go Giants” chants with the requisite clapping in between.  When the A’s fans tried to get their chant going we substituted “Last Place” for “Let’s Go,” which caused some irritation.  Ha, Ha.  It was payback for all the highlights of the 1989 World Series that were shown prior to the game and the recognition of the ‘89 A’s prior to the game - conspicuously absent were the bash brothers – Canseco and McGwire.  

Things got very interesting and tense during the fifth, sixth and seventh innings when Tim pitched out of some serious jams.  We had a feeling that the Giants’ offense had performed its duty in the first two innings by scoring four runs and it was up to Tim to hold the line.  As the A’s fans that surrounded us were cheering and yelling and encouraging their team with each rally we kept our cool and sent positive vibes to Tim.  In many similar situations I would be crouched in my seat muttering about the “Frickin’ Giants” and how they were about to blow it; however, with Timmay there was an unspoken confidence that he would get out of each jam and he did – he is maturing as a pitcher before our very eyes.  He did receive the benefit of a very favorable call on the ball that Edgar dropped in the seventh inning; from the replays on the screen at the stadium it appeared that he never had it in his glove – oh well, we deserve a few breaks. 

After each ground ball that triggered a double play the air was let out of the A’s fans and the Giants’ fans in our area were jumping up and high fiving and yelling for Timmay and the Giants.  What a glorious feeling – being on the edge and then being rescued time and again. 

As Timmay completed the eighth inning in efficient fashion and then approached the mound to begin the ninth the crowd roared, as the Giants’ fans found their collective voice.  With no one warming up we knew it was time for him to shut the door.  As he began his warm up tosses Brian Wilson began to warm up – just in case.  He again, efficiently dispatched the A’s in the bottom of the ninth, with Giants’ fans standing and clapping, for a very, very sweet victory and one of our top major league baseball experiences.

Four tickets on the field level - $104.00; parking - $15.00; a full tank of gas - $42.00 + 450 miles on the ‘97 Honda Accord; beer, soda, burritos and hot dogs - $72.00 – experiencing a Timmay masterpiece in Enemy Territory with my brother, nephew and brother-in-law – PRICELESS. 

I had the opportunity to watch the best woman’s softball team in the world play an exhibition game last night in Visalia.  Team USA improved its record to 32-1 on its “Bound 4 Bejing” tour with a 13-0 six inning win against a team of Central Valley ASA Allstars.  Team USA is impressive with its bevy of Amazon pitchers (each over 6’0” tall), lead by the gorgeous Jennie Finch.  I had the chance to ask Jennie about her bit on TWIB a few years back when she traveled to different major league parks and pitched against some major league players.  She said the highlight was probably when she struck out Albert Puljos.  I asked her about pitching to Barry and she said he was not willing to take any swings against her while the camera was on. (How are we not surprised). 

The game was played in Visalia due to Team USA starting catcher Stacey Nuveman, who is a Visalia resident.  The game was a fund raiser on behalf of the Miracle League, a baseball league for children and adults with disabilities.  Team USA will be playing  games on May 18th in Rohnert Park, May 19th in Sacramento and May 22nd in Stockton.  If you get a chance to see them play – don’t miss it.

The Little Giants took the Cal League Northern Division Championship by beating the Visalia Oaks 7-5 at Recreation Park tonight.  The long ball propelled the Giants to the win.  Fred Lewis hit two homeruns (driving in 3 runs) and Pablo Sandoval hit a monster two run shot to right field (it was easily 420+ feet).  Travis Denker drove in the first run of the game with a double off the left field wall.  Denker went 3 for 5 and hit .538 for the series.  As a fellow Giant fan commented during the game - "that guy knows how to hit."  The other run was driven in by Travis Ishikawa.  

The Giants took a 3 to nothing lead in the third following Ishikawa's RBI single.  The Oaks then scored single runs in the 3rd, 4th and 5th to tie the game.  The Giants broke the game open in the 6th with Sandoval's 2 run homerun followed shortly by Freddie's 2 run homerun to left center.

Darren Sack started for the Giants and only lasted two innings.  He did not look sharp and was lucky to escape without giving up any runs.  In the second inning the Oaks had runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs as the result of two walks.  A strike out to the next batter turned into a double play when the runner at 2nd was thrown out attempting to steal.  The next batter singled, but the runner at 2nd was thrown out at home. (A very good throw by A. Contreras was a bit up the line towards third, but beat the runner)  Ronnie Ray followed with 4 innings - giving up 3 runs (2 earned).  Waddell followed and gave up 2 unearned runs in 1 2/3 innings.  The unearned runs were the result of Waddell throwing a bunt attempt past first base, allowing a runner to score.  Sergio Romo came in and promptly gave up a single, scoring the bunter, who wound up on third following the overthrow.  Romo then struck out the next batter to end the inning and he struck out 2 of the 3 batters in the ninth to earn the save.

There was a small but vocal contingent from San Jose who enjoyed the game and were giving out San Jose Giants t-shirts and orange hand towels.  I snagged a couple of shirts by going by and cheering for the Giants.

Report from Fresno - Grizzlies' Opening Night

Grizzlies won 12-4, scoring 7 runs in the 7th inning against Aaron Looper, who last year pitched for Inland Empire (Seattle's team in the California League - high A).  Alfredo Simon pitched well for 5 innings, only allowing two runs. In the first inning there was a steal of second by the lead off hitter and Simon did a terrible job holding him on first, so bad the catcher didn't even try to throw to second.  Later in the game Simon did pick off a runner at first.  The second run that scored was the result of a wild pitch.  Simon's fastball was in the low 90's, hitting 93 on occasion.  He also threw what looked to my untrained eye to be a change in the mid 80's and an occasional curve in the high 70's.

The other impressive pitching performance was by Erick Threets, who closed out the game in impressive style - albeit with an 8 run lead.  He stuck out the first batter in the ninth with fastballs clocked at 88 & 89 and then a curve at 77.  The second batter flew-out following Erick throwing 90, 86, 85, 77 & 77.  The third batter of the inning struck out on pitches clocked at 92, 91 and 87.

Hitters:  

Kevin Frandsen led off the game hitting the first pitch (clocked at 92) up the middle for a single.  His other hits were all singles up the middle, very similar to his first hit.  He also walked in the fourth inning on 4 pitches!!!  He did ground out with the bases loaded in the seventh with a force at home.  However, Adam Shabala, Dan Ortmeier and Chad Santos each picked him up.  Shabala singled with the bases still loaded and two outs, driving in two (he took second on the play at the plate), Ortmeier followed with a  ground rule double, driving in two and then Santos doubled driving in Ortmeier.  Ortmeier had two doubles and a single, driving in 4 runs.  Shabala also had three hits and drove in 4 runs.  

On the down side it seemed like half the Grizzlies' team is hitting below the Mendoza line.
Ortmeier did have a mental lapse in the field, trying to throw a runner out at the plate after catching a ball in deep center, thereby allowing a runner on first to advance and that runner later scored.

Yamid Haad still can't hit his way out of a paper bag, but he did throw runners out at 2nd and 3rd attempting to steal.  Also, while in the on-deck circle twice he picked up foul balls and handed them to kids in the stands - a class act.

Local color:

The night was dark and rain threatened the entire game, although only a few sprinkles were felt.  The Grizzlies' mascot - Wild Thing is retiring after tomorrow's game (he is getting married) and Wild Thing is being replaced by "Parker" a mascot that appears to resemble an apricot colored polar bear.  The tennis ball throw at the end of the game resulted in someone landing a ball in a ring the size of a dinner plate and winning $500.00.  The fireworks after the game were entertaining.  

I now have two tickets for Saturday - available at less than face value to McCovey Chroniclers - Bleachers - section 137, row 18, seats 20-21.  $22.00 face value - $20.00 each OBO.  I can meet you at the park before the game.  Reason for reposting - my last post dropped off the top ten list.

I have four tickets for Saturday - available at less than face value to McCovey Chroniclers - Bleachers - section 137, row 18, seats 18-21.  $22.00 face value - $20.00 each OBO.  I can meet you at the park before the game.

With the discussion of the Hall of Fame it brought to mind something I have thought about from time to time.  Teams with multiple HOF players.  The Giants in the late 50's and early 60's had at least five - Mays, Marichal, McCovey, Cepeda and Perry.  Has there been any other team with that many HOF players together at the same time that did not win a championship?  Also, what team had the most HOF players together at the same time - probably some Yankees team.

I have had it with the pathetic play of the G Men.  I have four tickets for this Saturday - Sec. 302, row 6, seats 1-4 and Sunday - Sec. 141, row 25, seats 1-4.  For the price of a Fed. Exp. package they can be yours.  First one to respond gets the tickets.  Let me know at agaston@comcast.net.

It is not worth driving up from Visalia to watch these jerks.  I offer them to my fellow bloggers.

As we all know, the Giants have a history of using young pitchers as the cannon fodder for their trades to bring veterans to the big club.  A list of the young pitchers traded away in the past four plus years is revealing:

Jason Grilli
Nate Bump
Todd Ozias
Erasmo Ramirez
Ryan Vogelsong
Kevin Joseph
Felix Diaz
Ryan Meaux
Jeff Verplancke
Clay Hensley
Kurt Ainsworth
Damon Moss
Ryan Hannaman
Joe Nathan
Boff Bonser
Francisco Liriano
Greg Bruso
Carlos Villanueva
Glenn Woolard
Josh Habel
Jerome Williams
David Aardsma
Jesse Foppert

We all agree that we think the Nathan trade was a huge mistake and most think the Williams trade was just wrong and a lot of us think the Foppert trade was ill advised.   What do those three trades have in common as opposed to most of the other trades of our young pitchers?  Each of those trades involved pitchers that had at least some major league experience.  Most of the rest involved pitchers with only minor league experience.  So, why did we trade away pitchers with some major league experience - perhaps because the other big league teams have reviewed these same facts [that most of the minor league pitchers traded by the Giants don't reach the big leagues] and are less likely to take on strictly minor league talent from the Giants.

A review of some of the players the Giants received in the trades is also enlightening:

Rob Nenn
Livan Hernandez
Andres Galaraga
Jason Schmidt
Jason Christenson
Kenny Lofton
Bill Mueller
Merken Valdez
Matt Herges
Sidney Ponson
A.J.
Eric Young
Wayne Franklin
Dave Burba
LaTroy Hawkins
Randy Winn

I think you will agree that most (not all) of these players have assisted the Giants in compiling winning seasons for five of the past six years.

I'm just laying out some facts.  I am not in total agreement with the Giants trading away their young experienced pitchers and I certainly thought the Jerome Williams trade was a mistake the moment I heard about it.  I was not as upset about the Nathan, et. al. trade, but in retrospect - it was certainly a stinker.  I also am not sure how much more Randy Winn brings to the table over Tucker and Ellison and don't like to give up on Foppert.  Perhaps they think Hennessey, Correia and Cain are enough of a young future rotation.

The Giants probably can't get away with trading only prospects anymore, which requires the Giants to think longer and harder when considering trading away our young pitchers.  At least they didn't trade Matt Cain.

Just food for thought.