SB Nation User Blog: Grant

Open GameThread Too

Grant — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:26:26 -0000

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP

RUNS

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I figured that I'd stayed away long enough for 13 runs, so it was safe to show up.

Open GameThread, 7/3

Grant — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:12:06 -0000

GameThread Two

Current Series

3 game series vs Astros @ AT&T Park

Houston Astros The Crawfish Boxes @ San Francisco Giants McCovey Chronicles Friday, Jul 3, 2009, 7:15 PM PDT AT&T Park Felipe Paulino vs Ryan Sadowski Mostly clear. Game time temperature around 65. Complete Coverage >
Sat 07/04		1:05 PM PDT
Sun 07/05		1:05 PM PDT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Ryan Sadowski	1-0	1	1	0	0	0	0	6.0	4	0	0	0	3	2	0.00	1.17

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Felipe Paulino	2-4	12	9	0	0	0	1	50.2	61	34	31	8	17	46	5.51	1.54

Post-Game Recap: The Giants Narrowly Avoid the Series Win

Grant — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:35:41 -0000

You know what? I thought I was leaving for vacation tomorrow, but nuts to that. I'm leaving right now. Find another place to read about Barry Zito's foibles and mishaps -- I'm out of here.

Wait, don't go. I'm sorry. It's just that I...I...I've run out of things to say after bad Zito starts. it's been a couple of years, and I've had a good run, but the well is dry. I can't think of a single thing to write about Zito right now.

Unless....

Yes, of course! I have it! Read my thoughts on Barry Zito after the jump!

You know, I'm starting to wonder if the Barry Zito contract was a good idea.

Open GameThread, 7/2

Grant — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:29:17 -0000

Current Series

Giants lead the series 2-1

Mon 06/29		10 - 0 win
Tue 06/30	WP: Randy Johnson ( - ) SV: Brian Wilson LP: Chris Carpenter ( - )	6 - 3 win
Wed 07/01	WP: Ryan Franklin ( - ) LP: Bob Howry ( - )	1 - 2 loss
San Francisco Giants McCovey Chronicles @ St. Louis Cardinals Viva El Birdos Thursday, Jul 2, 2009, 4:15 PM PDT Busch Stadium Barry Zito vs Todd Wellemeyer Partly cloudy,rain, Zito. Game time temperature around 80. Complete Coverage >

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Barry Zito	4-7	15	15	1	0	0	0	89.0	86	45	45	11	40	66	4.55	1.42

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Todd Wellemeyer	6-7	18	16	0	0	0	0	88.2	111	58	56	11	40	55	5.68	1.70

Gamethread II

Picking an All-Star Team

Grant — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:59:57 -0000

Have you ever tried to fill out an All-Star roster? The way it’s supposed to be, with one All-Star from every team? This is my first try.

Good gravy. It sucks. You know what, A’s and Cubs? You screw everything up. Go away.

My feeble attempt, after spending more than an hour staring at stats and rosters:

NL

Brian McCann
Yadier Molina

Albert Pujols
Adrian Gonzalez
Joey Votto
Prince Fielder

Chase Utley
Freddy Sanchez
Orlando Hudson

Hanley Ramirez
Miguel Tejada

David Wright
Ryan Zimmerman
Pablo Sandoval

Raul Ibanez
Hunter Pence
Ryan Braun
Brad Hawpe
Justin Upton
Carlos Beltran

Tim Lincecum
Matt Cain
Dan Haren
Yovani Gallardo
Josh Johnson
Chad Billingsley
Javier Vazquez
Ted Lilly
Jonny Cueto
Joel Pineiro

Heath Bell
Jonathan Broxton
Francisco Rodriguez

AL:
Victor Martinez
Joe Mauer
Mike Napoli

Kevin Youkilis
Miguel Cabrera
Mark Teixeira
Russell Branyan

Ben Zobrist
Ian Kinsler

Derek Jeter
Jason Bartlett

Evan Longoria
Scott Rolen

Torii Hunter
Ichiro!
Nick Markakis
Carl Crawford
Jason Bay
Johnny Damon
Jermaine Dye

Zach Grienke
Roy Halladay
Justin Verlander
Felix Hernandez
Cliff Lee
Dallas Braden
Josh Beckett
Jered Weaver
Kevin Slowey

Bobby Jenks
Jonathan Papelbon
Joe Nathan
Mariano Rivera

Don’t like it? Your pet player didn’t make it? I missed someone so obvious it hurts? I don’t care. This was beyond a waste of my time. This player can’t make the team because that team needs a representative. This player has to make the team because he leads the league in home runs, but that would mean there are a zillion players at one position. This catcher needs to make it because you can’t have just one catcher.

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

I’m assuming the managers for each team will feel the same way. And they won’t care about the criticism either, as they’ll have spent seventeen hours doing the same damned thing I was just doing.

Ahem.

Your All-Star picks, if you would. Note that the rosters are up to 33 players now, which is 20 position players and 13 pitchers.

Post-Game Recap: Giants Drop One in Extra Innings

Grant — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:10:51 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

San Francisco Giants catcher Bengie Molina, left, calls for a walk of St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right. Not pictured: Nate Schierholtz in right field, swinging at an Adam Wainwright curve ball.

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Bobby gave up a homer to Colby. It's hard to get angry when you think of it like that. It sounds so adorable.

It's hard to be upset with Pablo Sandoval's dropped ball -- it was a tough play for a new infielder at a new (for him) park. Also, he didn't ask to be jinxed with a front-page love letter.

It's hard to be upset at Bobby Howry -- once the ump blew the previous call, Howry had to throw a fastball in a 3-2 count in front of Albert Pujols.

But I have to blame someone, right? Lessee...I...uh...blame....

Juan Uribe. Fie on you, backup infielder filling in admirably. Fie on you and your two strikeouts.

There. That feels better. I also left a little blame to smear over Bruce Bochy for taking out Jeremy Affeldt after 11 pitches. It's an extra-inning game, Boch. C'mon Stretch your relievers out a little.

Open GameThread, 7/1

Grant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:31:26 -0000

On national TV tonight. Don't embarrass us, fellas.

Gameday Thread One's Significant Other

GameThread One's Sultry Mistress (GameThread III)

Current Series

Giants lead the series 2-0

Mon 06/29		10 - 0 win
Tue 06/30	WP: Randy Johnson ( - ) SV: Brian Wilson LP: Chris Carpenter ( - )	6 - 3 win
San Francisco Giants McCovey Chronicles @ St. Louis Cardinals Viva El Birdos Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009, 5:15 PM PDT Busch Stadium Matt Cain vs Adam Wainwright Mostly clear. Game time temperature around 80. Gameday Thread Two! posted by Natto about 22 hours ago 1370 comments \| 0 recs Complete Coverage >
Thu 07/02		4:15 PM PDT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Matt Cain	9-2	15	15	3	0	0	0	101.2	84	30	29	11	41	85	2.57	1.23

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Adam Wainwright	8-5	20	16	0	0	0	0	105.0	101	46	41	12	40	89	3.51	1.34

Pablo Sandoval: The Chosen One

Grant — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:34:01 -0000

More photos » by Morry Gash - AP

He's like Tony Gwynn, but with the ability to hit for average.

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If some unknown ruffian were to suggest that our collective internet crush on Pablo Sandoval was an overreaction, I would kindly direct them to this post:

Let's revisit the list of Best Position Players Drafted or Developed since Matt Williams (1986 Draft):

C - Doug Mirabelli
1B - Damon Minor
2B - Deivi Cruz
SS - Royce Clayton
3B - Bill Mueller
LF - Marvin Benard
CF - Chris Singleton
RF - Armando Rios

Fred Lewis probably pushes Benard out of the lineup now. Even after his horrific second half last year and his defensive foibles, John Bowker probably pushes Minor out. Things are looking up! Team of the decade!

So when a rotund, fully developed hitting machine emerges from the River Styx to hit .340, we're going to notice. Here's a fun link: 22-year-olds (or younger) who put up an average over .300 in more than 200 plate appearances. It's premature to include Sandoval here right now, as he's still in the middle of his season. He could slump horribly. If Sandoval slumped his way down to a .300 average, he'd still join a list of pretty good players -- Dan Driessen, Kent Hrbek, and Gary Matthews. There are some non-stars, of course. Juan Uribe's there (Coors-aided) and the spectre of Jeff Francoeur always seems to follow our hero around.

If Sandoval were to keep his average as high as it is for a full season, he'd be in the company of guys like Jimmie Foxx, Al Kaline, and Hank Aaron. And, uh, Ron Fairly. But it's hard to hit even .320 as a 22-year-old without following it up with a sustained, high-level peak.

But average is kinda sorta useless on its own. Pablo Sandoval's OPS+ right now is at 149 -- if he were to sustain it, he'd join some ridiculous company. It's far, far more likely that Sandoval ends closer to the league average than at a historical level, which would still be impressive. If you're not a fanboy, it's more likely, that is. But I'm a fanboy. Sandoval's the same age as a lot of the college draftees from last year -- Buster Posey, Justin Smoak, and Gordon Beckham -- but he's tearing up the majors right now. If that doesn't mean he's the result of a laboratory experiment to splice the genes of Tony Gwynn and Mel Ott, then I'm not sure if I believe in anything anymore.

Here's what impresses me more than the bucket of historical stats, though: Sandoval already seems like he's adjusted his approach. The first couple of weeks, Sandoval was swinging at everything. Even when he slumped to start the season, he hacked his way out. Then someone said something like, "Have you ever tried not swinging at pitches above your head?", and Sandoval thought, hey, that's a good idea. Since then, he's actually taking an occasional walk. If he walks twice today, he'll lead the freaking team in walks. That kind of makes me want to punch something, but it also makes me feel like Pablo has already improved in-season. Sandoval doesn't need to walk to be a great player -- he just needs to walk enough to make the opposing pitcher know it's a reasonably possible outcome for any at-bat.

Pablo. Pablo. Pablo. Pablo. Pablo. We've waited a long time for a homegrown hitter to excite us like this. I'll set the over/under at 3,000 hits. Next year, he could have even more.

Open GameThread, 6/30

Grant — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:06:33 -0000

Gameday Thread Two

Current Series

Giants lead the series 1-0

Mon 06/29		10 - 0 win
San Francisco Giants McCovey Chronicles @ St. Louis Cardinals Viva El Birdos Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009, 5:15 PM PDT Busch Stadium Randy Johnson vs Chris Carpenter Partly cloudy. Game time temperature around 75. Gameday Thread 3 posted by Natto about 21 hours ago 784 comments \| 0 recs Gameday Thread 2 posted by Natto about 21 hours ago 562 comments \| 0 recs Complete Coverage >
Wed 07/01		5:15 PM PDT
Thu 07/02		4:15 PM PDT

Randy Johnson

#51 / Pitcher / San Francisco Giants

Height: 6-10

Weight: 225

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Sep 10, 1963

Chris Carpenter

#29 / Pitcher / St. Louis Cardinals

Height: 6-6

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Apr 27, 1975

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Randy Johnson	7-5	15	15	0	0	0	0	82.2	81	44	43	13	27	75	4.68	1.31

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Chris Carpenter	5-2	10	10	1	0	0	0	65.2	37	14	13	3	9	48	1.78	.70

A list of the best game scores in San Francisco history

Grant — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:25:03 -0000

A list of the best game scores in San Francisco history

If you don't know what a game score is, here's a primer. It's a fun tool. For some reason, I thought Lincecum's game last night would have been one of the top five since the Giants moved to San Francisco. Nope. There are some pretty sweet performances mixed in there.

Lincecum's game score of 91 ties the career high of Shawn Estes, who did it twice in 1997. I'll just ignore any implications there....

SB Nation User Blog: Grant

Open GameThread Too

Open GameThread, 7/3

Current Series

3 game series vs Astros @ AT&T Park

Post-Game Recap: The Giants Narrowly Avoid the Series Win

Open GameThread, 7/2

Current Series

Giants lead the series 2-1

Picking an All-Star Team

Post-Game Recap: Giants Drop One in Extra Innings

Open GameThread, 7/1

Current Series

Giants lead the series 2-0

Gameday Thread Two!

Pablo Sandoval: The Chosen One

Open GameThread, 6/30

Current Series

Giants lead the series 1-0

Gameday Thread 3

Gameday Thread 2

Randy Johnson

#51 / Pitcher / San Francisco Giants

Chris Carpenter

#29 / Pitcher / St. Louis Cardinals

A list of the best game scores in San Francisco history

A list of the best game scores in San Francisco history