Nice article on Ryan Nece in this week's SI

Flapjacks McGurty — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:00:52 -0000

Nice article on Ryan Nece in this week's SI

This week's SI--with Tim Tebow on the cover--has a nice article on former Bruin Ryan Nece's new charity efforts. I like articles like this; they give me a warm and fuzzy about my school.

"The idea began in church for Ryan Nece, with a pastor's sermon about the Good Samaritan, but you do not have to be religious to understand what Nece is trying to share—the lightness of heart that comes with helping someone in some way, large or small. Nece, a linebacker who has played at UCLA and for the Buccaneers and the Lions, knows that anyone can get hooked on that feeling, that it is the best kind of addiction, and he just can't keep it to himself. Sometimes the greatest gift is reminding others how good it feels to give.

That is what led Nece to bring $4,000 in cash to a Tampa restaurant last month. When a pro athlete is carrying that kind of wad, there are a few obvious guesses as to where the evening will lead—to a Vegas blackjack table, perhaps, or a nightclub VIP room with bubbly and bimbos. But the 30-year-old Nece had other plans. He stuffed 70 envelopes with $55 each (55 was his jersey number with Detroit last season) and distributed them among the surprised friends and associates he had invited to the restaurant. The money wasn't the gift; the instructions that accompanied it were. Use this cash to help someone, he told them, and encourage those you help to do something kind in turn. Make the gifts multiply. Watch goodness grow."

Players I'm irritated that we're not in on

Flapjacks McGurty — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:46:19 -0000

I've discovered a hazard to my career. I waste, like, a lot of time reading websites that offer news, rumors, and speculation about all the maneuvering being done behind the scenes by all of the major league teams. Sites like mlbtraderumors.com, probably the biggest time suck on the intarnet.

I keep seeing names pop up there that the Giants could use, but we're not even talking to their teams. F'r instance, here's one from yesterday:

Haudricourt is "starting to get some vibes" that the Brewers have their eye on Hank Blalock. The 27 year-old third baseman hit .293/.358/.543 in limited duty this year. He's locked up affordably - $5.95MM in '08 and a $6.2MM club option for '09. Would Dave Bush and a decent pitching prospect cut it?

We could use a guy like Blalock. Now, I for one think that Noah Lowry compares favorably to Dave Bush, and lord knows we have plenty of decent pitching prospects. I'm not saying that the Rangers would want to make either deal, or even that they're shopping Blalock around. I'm fully aware that most trade rumors on the net are worth the electrons they're printed on.

But wouldn't it be nice to hear that Brian Sabean is actually interested in something other than trading our best young pitchers, or signing overpriced FA outfielders to desperately long contracts?

Here's another name, from another site (mlb-rumors.blogspot.com). Matt Murton. Outfielder for the Cubs, who didn't really have room for him after they signed Soriano last year. 3 years of service time, where his numbers are .296/.365/.455. The website says:

However, I am hearing that the Padres are interested in reopening talks with the Cubs about Mark Prior and Matt Murton. This would probably be only if the Cubs land Kosuke Fukudome, and if the Padres feel Murton can play everyday. Murton has great power and could probably handle an everyday job, but his numbers might not fair well at PETCO Park.

Sabes, this is why you're looking at two more years of last-place ball, followed by your ignominious termination. Your division competitors have a better handle on talent, theirs and others, than you do. Please remember that long after you're gone, we fans will still be here, wondering whether the Giants or Niners will be the next team to break .500.

(At this point I prepare to hit 'Submit' for my first McCovey Chron diary, silently mouthing the same prayer said by all first-timers: Christ, I hope I didn't fuck up the formatting . . . )

SB Nation User Blog: Flapjacks McGurty

Nice article on Ryan Nece in this week's SI

Nice article on Ryan Nece in this week's SI

Players I'm irritated that we're not in on