Alright, I'll admit it...I'm hooked on Twitter! It's my crack pipe...where just a puff or two a day is never enough. The voyeur in me enjoys this new technology as it gives me a peek into the lives of friends/celebs/or anyone infinitely more interesting than yours truly. The thing is, is that I've quickly learned that there's many things I wish I didn't know about the above mentioned friends/celebs/etc. A bit of digging, and what's this...Our very own lefty albatross tweets for those that might be interested. His "Greatest Hits" to date: @BarryZito

"Every single person is incredible. Like an oasis. You can either irrigate the oasis, or get very bad water-yoko ono"

Uh, dude...you're quoting Yoko Ono.  WTF?

"I'm wondering always if microwaves are really that bad for us, the part of me that needs to spend 25 min not using the oven says no."

I've got this image in my head of Barry staring blankly into the microwave with a certain bit of wonder and intrigue.  Step back from the radiation bro, it'll fry your brain!

"Been into new and old Ne-Yo lately, and wearing short shorts to the pool"

I'll let him slide on the Ne-Yo, but short shorts?!?  Dude, the line between quirky and flat-out bat-shit crazy is a thin one.

"Got a pair of Heely's today(those wheel shoes thingies)...one step closer on the journey of being more childlike."

We're pretty much on the hook for the rest of his salary if he was to pull a Monta Ellis or Jeff Kent, right?  Would be a shame if something was to happen to him and we could void that mistake of a contract.  I'm just sayin.

So that being said, what are your thoughts on the above?  Do you tweet and if so, what's your "handle"?  Anyone know of any other players or staff in the orginization that are on Twitter too?

P.S. I've rarely got anything interesting to say, but look me up if you're so inclined @sac_magpie.

Greetings fellow fans. Here's the deal, I'm living up from Sacramento and am trying to arrange a mid-season trip to Eugene to catch a game with the parents who'll be driving over from Central Oregon. Does anyone have some suggestions for single game tickets? (Specifically for the Stanford or UCLA game) I'm willing to pay 2 or 3 times above face value, but don't want to go through craigslist or something like that. I want some legitimate tickets here, not some con-job or SRO kinda thing. Three tickets at somewhere around the 20 yd. line would do me fine!  Down here StubHub is fairly reliable but is there anything else out there that someone can suggest?

Also, the folks are thinking about driving the new giant-sized motorhome over for a little bit of tailgating. It's been a LONG time since I was last at Autzen, so does anyone know if there's some reasonable parking options for a single-game basis. I've looked at the school website and it looks like you need some sort of special reserved/donor pass for RV parking. Is that really the case?!?

If any of you would be willing to part with your tickets or know somebody that knows somebody, email me at SacTown.Magpie at gmail dot com and I'll get right back to you.

Gracias, and Go Ducks!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/notebook?page=bbtn/takemeout

Will someone please tell Peter Gammons to not give up his day job? (scroll down for his "entry")

So here's the deal...I'm a bit conflicted.  I love, love, loves me some Ozomatli, but I'm not a big fan of their rendition.  That's most definitely because they're pimping the whores in blue, but ya...I guess we can't all be perfect. 

I'm really liking the "ol' timer" rendition by the Punch Brothers.  That's the way the song is supposed to be played.  Also, has anyone ever heard of these guys before?  What's their claim to fame?

As for Gretchen Wilson...uh, ya...who knew she was transformed into a teenie-bopper ala Miley Cyrus, BLAH.....I've always kinda liked her because she wasn't that stereotypical female country artist...but ya...she murdered the song and if I could give her a -1,000,000 I would. 

To the REO Speedwagon dudes....uh, ya...just give up already.  Talk about being uninspired!

Candlebox - FAIL....a guitar solo?!?  Just what were you thinking?

It's really a shame that Branford Marsalis wasn't a finalist, because he'd surely be getting my vote.  The musicianship coming out of this guy is 2nd to none when compared to the rest of the dreck on that page.

Your thoughts?

Hey y'all! So the Grizzlies are finally coming to Sacramento for a series against the Rivercats. I'll be going to the game on Friday night.

Is anyone else planning on coming over to see just how our farm-club is shaping up?  If so, I'd be up for meeting up sometime during or after the game if you're feeling up for it. Oh, and if you're coming over from the bay area, avoid I-5 at all costs. There's some hefty construction going on and on Friday I believe that all of the southbound lanes will be shut down from Richards Boulevard to the Business 80 interchange. Your best bet is to probably cut through West Sacramento or take Business 80 to Northbound I-5.

So ya, lemme know if you are coming over to smell the all the bovine freshness this majestic place has to offer and you wanna meet up. Also, I'll probably try taking my digi-cam in with me, so if there's any pictures you'd like, lemme know.

Oh, and of course the first round of drinks are always on me!

So I was curious tonight...curious as to what happened to my most favorite bullpen arm of all time. You know the guy I'm talking about. Made famous by "doing his job". Eating every Bay-area Krispy Kreme out of business. Well by golly, take a look at this...our good friend is looking for his 1453rd chance in the majors.

 

Blue Jays Transactions

6/7/08

Reinstated CF Vernon Wells and INF John McDonald from the 15-day disabled list; recalled RHP Brian Wolfe from Triple-A Syracuse; placed 2B Aaron Hill on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 30, designated RHP Armando Benitez for assignment; optioned INF Joe Inglett to Syracuse.

Hola McCovenites -

Wanted to clue you all in to a little bit of radio I caught this AM. Here in Sacramento, the greatest lil' cow turd in the world, we have both the honor and privilege of hearing FP Santangelo host the morning sports talk show.

So today, he drops this priceless little gem. Supposedly, FP and the show producer have gotten ahold of the Giants PR people and then Zito for a call-in interview tomorrow morning. They were told that Barry would love to call in and talk with FP and the guys.......that is unless he has a rough night tonight and in that case we'll get to hear Aaron Rowand!

FP said he approached Barry in the locker room during the last homestand and stated that he'd just like to have him in a low-pressure environment...no callers, no hack media, just an honest sit-down discussion about the team's performance to date. FP doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to throw another dude under the bus, but he was about as agitated as I was when retelling this story.

Barry, dude, grow a pair already and face the music. We understand that your massively bloated contract is of no fault of your own, but by saying so explicitly that you'll only give an interview if you're not shelled the night prior?!? You're losing every last bit of compassion from those of us that are being fed this bullshit "GAMER" line.

Like it or not, being a professional athlete involves a little more than serving up an 82 mph fastball and skateboarding home to a lonely bottle of merlot. Feed us some BS about how you've found something with your delivery and are working day and night on fixing it....something....anything. Don't be a douche and set your own parameters for an interview! You're better than that! Or so I thought.

So ya...if you're interested tune into AM 1140.  Typically they have guests like this on around 8:00-9:00 or so.  I believe the radio station streams live across the net so check out the website for KHTK if you're out of the area and want to see if the $125 M man shows up tomorrow.

Peace out!

Let's see them folks...bring out all them naughty bits of goodness you've got collecting dust in those Photobucket accounts. I dunno bout all y'all, but I've got me 7 pages of stuff in my arsenal. Let's kick off with this gem. I think this one needs to stretch it's legs a bit... Remember this one? I wonder if she's going to grace us with her presence again this year. Remember how that A-Rod kid was going to save us all from the apocalypse? And you know I couldn't leave this one out for the stretch run...

So here's the deal lads and lasses...A new job has me spending less time in "The Cove" and it's not like there's a reason for me to be poke my head in here anyways.  (Imagine that...I land a dream job but have lost the desire to roam the site while on the clock.)  Eek!  What has come of me?!?

The intent of this diary isn't to talk poo poo about those posters out there attempting the impossible...to get inside the peanut sized brain of one Mr. Brian Sabean.  It's just that I'm fed up with all the rumors, speculation, innuendo...oh...and let's not forget the 15 million trillion, bajillion projected rosters.  To top things off, I'm not that much of a fan of prospects either (Sorry Barron, Dr., and Steve).  So you see, since our season has drawn to a close, I've spent fewer and fewer hours scouring the site or honing my mad ridiculous A-Rod Photoshop skills.

Keep up the good work you all.  It's noble work you're doing, but as I'm currently finding out, being a year-round Giants fan is tough!  That being said, I'll see you all on the other side...when Spring Training has opened and Sabes is paying each of us lip service for why our big off-season acquisition was Tyler Walker and why, when we're supposed to be behind the speed and defense thing, we've managed to get older in the off-season and have added Gonzo and god knows who else to our shitty team.  

Peace out homies!  

Oh, and is anyone going to the Emerald Bowl to be held in our beautiful lil' ballpark?  I'm thinking hard 'bout wranglin' me a Sac-Town bovine and heckling them pitiful Oregon State fans and might be looking for someone to help me should a tussle breakout!

P.S. In the time it took me to write this diary...two more have been created.  One is referring to hairy palms and the other is promising something about Sabes swindling a far more educated GM (which could mean anything really, as Ned is about the only one he wouldn't lose to in an ass-kicking contest)!

Hey Oklahoma...suck it!  We owe you one right?!?  Titles are won...they aren't awarded by default.  You had your chance, and blew it.  Way to go!

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/gamecenter/recap/NCAAF_20071117_OK@TXTECH

Yada yada yada...I'm giving my diary the requisite 300 characters.  

I lied to ___. I said that I would leave ____ alone but I will not. I will remain close by to provide unseen moral support. But I will never help ____. I will let harm befall ____. I will even, let ____ die. But I will never let ____ lose _____ dignity.

I lied to THE GIANTS. I said that I would leave THE GIANTS alone but I will not. I will remain close by to provide unseen moral support. But I will never help THE GIANTS. I will let harm befall THE GIANTS. I will even, let THE GIANTS die. But I will never let THE GIANTS lose THEIR dignity.

Some humor is needed round these parts.  Fill in this MadLib.  Entertain yourself and the rest of us while you're at it.  Fans of The Office know exactly where this cames from.  Feel free to pick your own from this page and change it as needed.  

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386676/quotes

P.S. Thanks AndYourBirdCanSing.

I caught a little snippet today on ESPN...something to the effect of, "The commish has asked that no teams <cough YANKEES cough> make any 'major statements' until the World Series has concluded."  

Well piss off Bud.  First you give us the whole, "THIS TIME IT COUNTS" bullshit...now you don't want any statements released during the series, as if we don't have big enough brains to follow both the anti-climatic games and little news snippets about who the Yanks are going to hire, or who the Yanks might hire, or who the Yanks are interviewing to hire...

We get it!  It's the WORLD SERIES!!! Dane Cook is opening his pie-hole every commercial break...telling us that we can WATCH HISTORY HAPPEN!  LEGENDS ARE MADE! THERE'S ONLY ONE WORLD SERIES!

Just a thought here Bud...you smelly old man...maybe if you didn't whore yourself out to the broadcasters and start east coast games at 8:00 Eastern and west coast games at 10:00 Eastern, you'd maybe have more people tuning in?!?  Is that even within the realm of possibility?!?

F'ing Douche.  I'm going on vacation, and you can sure as hell bet I'm not going to catch a single game while I'm gone.  Maybe when I'm back, I'll then be privileged enough to find out who the Yankees hired or what no-names are going to be outed in the upcoming steroid report.

You want to know what irks my tater?!?

I'm beyond fed up with those programs out there that are nothing but little attention whores.  Schools like Fresno State..."We'll play ANYONE, ANYWHERE!"  Sure you will...you'll play them, and after you get your butt handed to you, it's back to scheduling softies like Sacramento State, Toledo, etc.  You hear that sound Pat Hill?!?  That's your team taking yet another beating.  Just give it up already and slip into mediocrity in a conference with Nevada, Idaho, and Utah State why don't you.

As offensive as Fresno State can be...there's one other school out there that's pissing me off something fierce.  Step to the mic, Boise State.  Why can't you be like everyone else and play your games on a Saturday?  Why must you whore yourselves out for TV attention...so everyone can peep your intimidating SMURF TURF?  We get it...you're poor.  You've got no money in the coffers..but come on already.  This is the second week in a row that you've played in a game on Sunday.  I mean, are all your "fans" busy boinking sheep or picking spuds on a Saturday afternoon?

Look at this schedule breakdown for the current year:

Thursday games - 2
Friday games - 2
Saturday games - 6
Sunday games - 2

Give up the gimmicks Boise State.  Change that stupid turf, start up a Dateline NBC sheep sex-offender kinda program, and PLAY YOUR GAMES ON A SATURDAY!!!

So I'm shelled up in the apartment today, surfing between some NASCAR, baseball, soccer, and football and what do I stumble upon?  

A replay of the Oregon / Stanford game, no less!

Comcast Sportsnet is the channel.  And I'm living in Sacramento, so I'm unsure if this is for all local Comcast stations across the nation.  Anyways...if you're interested, here's a list of the remaining tape delayed schedule (no live games).

P.S.  It looks like this is only being broadcast to those in the greater Sacramento area, and not the Comcast Sportsnet stations in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, or New York.

I don't know if this has been brought up yet and I've missed it, or if I'm scoopin' y'all.  It sounds like we'll be sans "Duck" for the Fresno State game.  

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/asseenon5/14104040/detail.html

To that I say BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !

That Houston mascot got what he/she/it deserved.  

I'm sorry, but I just can't do this anymore.  I'm done watching this shit team.  

With several family members in and out of the hospital and the eventual passing of my closest relative, I'm finding it harder and harder to even care about Giants baseball.  I'm certainly not turning on the tele in hopes of some uplifting story about a bunch of bums who have put the season behind them and are giving it all they've got this final month.  I've been in need of a distraction, something to keep me from thinking about my loss and the Giants are grounding into an emotionally sapping 6-4-3 DP in that respect.

A month or so back, I had reverted to just watching "the kids" (Cain and Lincecum starts, with some sprinkles of Frandsen, Davis, Lewis, Ort, etc.)  As two trade deadlines passed us by like a run-away freight train, it's obvious that those running this organization could care less about the product on the field.  It seems to me that they would rather massage their own ego, rather than admitting to some of their past mistakes and moving on.  Being humble, and eating some crow from time to time is a very noble thing to do...stringing us along with a patchwork assembly of Roberts, Durham, Atchison, and Tyler Walker...well that's just inexcusable.  

I don't pretend to be a GM, but I would of expected a bit more of an honest effort from the top offices on down through the organization once things started to look a little bleak.  If it's time to rebuild...THEN DO IT...blow this whole god damn team if you must, because I'd much rather have a season or two of pain with some hint of a future than this methodical blood letting ...drip, drip, drip.

Does your typical weekend involve getting arse-over-tit while dropping some bangers and chips down your maw?

Or have you ever felt the need to throw a flaming Vespa off a seating terrace, aiming for the rival ultras?

If so, then this is the Diary for you.

The EPL and Bundesliga started up this weekend.  Rangers, Celtic, and many others have began down the UEFA Champions League qualification route.

Stand up!  Let yourself be heard!  Declare your allegiances and prepare to tell all other wankers and tosspots 'round here to piss off!

Poll

What's your favorite league?

0%

Portuguese Liga

0 votes

9%

La Liga

2 votes

9%

MLS (hahahaha...that's a laugher isn't it?)

2 votes

4%

other...

1 votes

61%

EPL

13 votes

0%

SPL

0 votes

9%

Bundesliga

2 votes

4%

Serie A

1 votes

0%

Premera Division de Mexico

0 votes

0%

Eredivisie

0 votes

21 votes | Poll has closed

Ok, let's get this straight...Sugarman is stinking up the joint and somehow manages to keep getting the start.  Not only that, but with BLB out of the lineup, Ray Ray is promoted to the cleanup spot!  

We've got an aging shithead of a centerfielder who, after attending the Ryan Klesko school of baserunning, manages to get thrown out on a double steal attempt while sliding sideways into a well blocked plate.  Not to mention that there's obviously something wrong with Roberts as we've had him pinch hit in each of the last two games, only to send in Lowry to PINCH RUN for the injured shitheaded centerfielder.  I mean really, who comes up with this stuff, because it's starting to look better than fiction.

Pedro looks like he'd rather be anywhere else in the world, as long as he doesn't have to hunt down a foul pop-up.  Yo Pedro...wake up buddy.  It's a full season and you can't take naps when you feel like it.  I know that's not what Senior Alou taught you, but enough with the brain farts already.

It seems as if there isn't a member of our bullpen that hasn't been lit up recently.  Correia and Chulk are leading the parade and nobody has even a hint of confidence when running in from the pen (Hennessey is the exception to the rule it seems).  They all look as if they're taking some cover in the nearest foxhole when they get on the mound, and who can blame them really.  Between that and the whiplash, they're all going to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder in the off-season.

Our GM, after getting his 2 year extension has decided to shift into vacation mode and hasn't done anything other than send Freddy Lewis, Pat Misch, and Sanchez down to the minors so he can bring up Brian Wilson and Atchison.  Oh, let's remember that he's orchestrated three of the most earth shattering trades in all of the majors this year.  A quick recap if I may:

1 - "THE MEDIA, OH THE MEDIA AND THE FANS forced me to trade Mando to Florida."  I'm not complaing that he's gone, but if ever there was a definition needed for the term knee-jerk...this is it.  You know what Florida, here's the deal, give us one of your relievers, we don't care who, and we'll give you Mando and pay something like 90% of his salary while we're at it.  Don't get me wrong, I like Messenger, but when the GM has to stand up and say that us fans and the evil media made him pull the strings...something just isn't right.

2 - Ring, ring..."Matt Morris, why we never thought you'd ask!"  This one has been well documented.  If the Pirates hadn't made that call, nothing would've happened.  It's not like Sabes was out there shopping the guy to each and every team in the majors.  Who can blame him though when Morris showed his true colors and turned into a whiny little bitch in the weeks leading up to the deadline?  Did Sabean have anything to do with this trade beyond picking up the phone?  Yes, he fleeced the Pittsburgh GM...but come on...that's like beating up a retard...not very nice!

3 - "So I called up Ned and said...hey buddy...let's cook up a blockbuster shall we?!?"  Ok..it's nice that Sweeney got sent somewhere, and we're getting a PTBNL in exchange, but both you and I know that this deal never would have happened if our faithful leader and Ned didn't share a few hot and sultry nights together on the banks of the cove.  If you listen closely, you can almost hear Tony Bennett serenading the two young lovers this very moment.  

In short, our GM is doing nothing but reshuffling the chairs on the the deck of a sinking ship...scratch that...the ship is already at the bottom of the North Atlantic and the only survivors look to be a few starting pitchers with filthy stuff, Lou Seal, Cammy and FP (it seems like those two bitches will never die!!).  Enough with the games Sabean...just give up already, wave that flag, let the Frenchman inside of you out...just give up...throw your hands in the air, and walk away slowly from this mess which you created.  

In closing, I found it very amusing that those in the Giants PR department would like us to know that the sun will still rise tomorrow!!  Piss off PR department, and piss off organization.  This isn't some Broadway musical, and little Annie isn't going to come out and hit some dingers while playing a bit of 1st.  The sun will come out tomorrow?  Uh huh...sure it will.  I'm forever a pessimist and the pathetic performances I've seen while Barry has done his thing is just disgusting.

It's late at night...I'm tired, but more than anything I'm sick of having some faith in this organization only to be left scratching my head almost daily.

An experienced player just became available...and get this, he can also play first.  

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123087&vkey=news_atl &fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

Jump on it Sabes...I want to be known as team Geritol!  This guy oozes veteran savvy.

Listen up folks...we're at T-minus 37 hours or so, and I have a horrible feeling that nobody is going anywhere and the crap we're trotting out on the field day in, day out will still be doing their thing on Wed. AM.  

This isn't a who would you trade diary, there's plenty of those out there.  This is a diary full of hate, disdain, and vulgarity....all aimed at our newly re-upped GM.  

What will the excuse be this year?

"We're not really sellers after this little streak we've been on."

"The Cards won't give us Pujols for Feliz straight up...so fuck em."

"Matt Mo doesn't want to leave, so we tried getting rid of Randy, but who'd of thought he'd use that no trade clause thingy."

"My hands are tied by the ownership.  They are at fault for all of our past and future struggles.  I'm the GM...but for christ-sakes...don't blame me when I bring in an asshole catcher from Minnesota for some very promising prospects.  Hey...is that a horse that's being beaten over there?"

"We're looking for a Sidney Ponson, Ricky Ledee, Alex Sanchez kind of talent out there, and nobody is willing to give them up."

Open preemptive bitching thread...

Attention all cooks / wanna be cooks...Using StumbleUpon (quite possibly one of the coolest plug-ins for Firefox) I came across this recipe.  All I can say is Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...this really caught my attention I need to whip me up a batch, STAT!

http://www.bigcitylittlekitchen.com/2007/07/06/beer-cupcakes/

Open wild and crazy recipe Diary.  I don't want the simple stuff.  I'm talking exotics here, so reach out there and gimme something new and different.

Fellow McCoven.  Our team sucks.  This we know is true.  Rather than looking into trade possibilities or evaluating the draft for next year, I'd like to start a fun little thread for everyone...A thread that will have all of us giggling like a bunch of schoolgirls...Something to get those spirits up and to serve as a distraction from our pitiful team and their quest for the worst record in all of the majors.  

Found this photo on a site that shall remain nameless.  Apparently the guest of honor at the AAA All-Star game was one Mr. Tommy "I'm beyond bloated" Lasorda.  Sure it's not a funny photo of him overloading a golf cart, or making a girl cry, but my challenge to you is to provide some wit...gimme some spice...let's mock this filthy idiot like only we can!

I was reminded today that two legendary teams, Chelsea FC and Club America are set to play a preseason tune-up at Stanford Stadium on July 14.  The G-men host the Evil Ones earlier in the day, and what better way to deal with your inevitable disappointment with another Giants loss, than to get all boozy and catch that crazy sport that everyone else in the world calls football?!?

Tickets are on sale through www.gostanford.com if you're interested.  If anyone is going, perhaps a McCoven meeting is in order.  

Lastly, I'd like to go on record and say that I support neither of these teams.  As some of you may know, I'm a Newcastle supporter, but in my book, some English football is better than no football at all.  I've never been to a professional game, but figure this would be a great way to get a feel for things.

I'm fed up with this shit...I'm sorry, but I really am.  Not just with respect to the losses, or the crap team we're trotting out there, or all the close calls that don't go our way, but with everything.  Allow me to paint you a picture with words...

Went to the game today with some close friends, the first time a pack of us have gone to a game together.  We waited until the last minute for tickets and could only get standing room.  Not bad really, I've never done it this way, but have always wanted to.  The circle is now complete as I've sat in nearly every type of section at the Big Phone Booth.  On the drive in from Sac, the weather looked beautiful...one of those days where you can see the Golden Gate when you pass by Berkley.  It was going to be a fabulous day, it just had to be...

Unfortunately, that view of the bay from inside a Kia was the last bit of goodness in my day.  What follows is a list of grievances:

1.  Is it so f'ing hard to provide a space inside the stadium for fans to eat before the game?  For some magic reason, we weren't allowed to use the tables out in deep center field, they were "reserved" for fans who undoubtedly had to pay for the right to sit at these magic tables.  Whatever...we just sat in the bleachers and did our thing, nobody bothered us, so all was well I suppose.  
2.  When operating a major league ballpark, I would assume that the concessions folks would have an abundant back-up of what it is they're serving.  If for instance, every last person in the park wanted garlic fries on this particular day, I would expect long lines, but that they wouldn't just run out.  After standing in line for more than 20 minutes, I bellied up to the bar (behind scoreboard) and ordered a margarita for someone in our group who wasn't of legal age.  No problem right, it's all good, the girl is nice and the least I can do is help her get her drink on.  Well the gods must of looked down on me and frowned, because that's the only way to explain what followed.  After taking more than 3 minutes to find a plastic shaker cup (you all know the type), the "bartender" starts on the drink.  From the other side of the beverage booth a customer yells to everyone in line..."You guys, they've ran out of margarita mix, so if you're standing in line, tough shit."  I look back at my "bartender" and she tries to wink, then smiles and says to me, "Don't worry, I'll just get creative for you."  She then pours sweet and sour, 7-Up, and grapefruit juice into the cup, tosses in less than a shot of Cuervo, and promptly asks for the $9.75.  I reluctantly pay, hoping that the girl I'm buying this for will be happy with it, and it won't be a problem.  WRONG...this concoction was utter shit and something that wasn't even drinkable, so now I'm feeling like shit for screwing up something for this girl, and decide that I got to try and make it up to her.
3.  After I've gotten the sense that the "margarita" wasn't going to cut it, I offer to buy the young'n a beer to try and win her back.  Now I'm standing in the "Doggie Diner" concession stand line for what seems like an eternity.  No problem, I'm a patient guy...but then I see a reason as to why things might not be moving.  The concession employees have decided that it's time to feed their own faces, rather than you know, help the people that have been patiently waiting in line.  Two people ahead of me, a little girl and her dad are ordering something, and the concessions person tells dad that it'll take 20 minutes or so to get whatever it is that this girl asked for.  I'm sorry, but NOTHING takes 20 minutes...NOTHING !!  You've ran out of hot-dogs, don't have any garlic fries, the beer just ran out....none of those things would constitute a wait like that.  Dad reverts to Plan B, and the little girl took it well, but the fact still remains.

Guy ahead of me steps up, and the server promptly walks away with a handful of cash, goes to the back counter and count it.  No explanation given, no prompt to move to another line, no nothing.  The guy is then served two beers, but the dipshit woman filled each cup to the brim, so this guy can't even grasp the cup without beer going all over the place.  He asks if she can pour out just a little bit, so he can walk with them, and all of a sudden, this server turns on her turbo-bitch switch and starts copping an attitude.  The gentleman again asks nicely if she could pour out just a little bit so he can hold the beers and walk without drenching himself.  He's never offered a cup carrier, she refuses to take a little off the top, so he reaches across the counter and pours a few ounces into her drain thingy.  As I step up, the woman goes, "Well I don't know what the fuck his problem was!  What do you want?"  I get my beers, but it takes her no less than 3 minutes to ring them up and swipe my chargecard.  While she's away, I pour a little from each of mine as well, because clearly she hasn't learned a thing from the guy before me.  

4)  We're all enjoying ourselves, and I've let everything to this point flow off my back.  We were lucky enough to find this bit of railing which we could lean on and get a good view from the centerfield Arcade seats.  I'm standing there, in-front of nobody, enjoying the game and conversing with my buddy, when a bitchy usher comes behind me and tells me to move because I'm on the wrong side of a yellow line.  No problem, I know the deal...I've had seats out in the Arcade before, and know how it works, but I'm standing at this railing, talking to my friends, nobody is behind me, and the line is MAYBE a foot and a half to my left.  Like I said, I don't have a problem being asked to relocate, I know how it works with the yellow line, but the way in which I was asked was just the way to cap a particularly shitty day at the park.

I don't think anyone other than the guy who scanned my ticket said "please" or "thank you" the entire day...Not the woman taking the cash for the radar gun pitching thing, not the "bartender" who got creative and fucked things up on a $9.75 drink, not the beer concession woman who wanted to feed her already pudgy cheeks and curse at me when referring to the previous guy in line, and not the usher who thought her job was so important, she had to swiftly remove me because (gasp) I'm 18 inches over an arbitrary fucking yellow line painted on concrete.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG story short...It's damn hard to feel good about an experience at the ballpark when you're treated like shit by everyone you come in contact with...when you've missed a good 3-4 full innings of the game because of the lines at various booths out in centerfield...oh, and let us not forget about the shit hitting team that's trotting out there assembled by a GM who should just resign from his post already!

I said it in the car on the way back, but I'm just fed up with this club and organization as a whole.  I've spent too much money on collectible magnets, jerseys, and other doo-dads, not to mention the countless hours and emotions wasted in trying to support this collection of "professionals".  I'm done with you, Giants...I can't stand you any more, and I want you to know that you've lost a supporter for a while.  I know I'll be back sometime (you're counting on that happening though aren't you?), but it won't be anytime soon.  I'm going to enjoy my Sunday afternoon tomorrow.  I'm not going to watch your games, or listen to the call on the radio or in the car.  I'm done buying merchandise for a bit.  I'm taking a break from you, and want you to think hard about how you've hurt me, and how you've managed to turn a great day with some friends into a fucking joke.  The $60 I spent on your organization today, I'll never get back...but I'm tired of giving and giving and giving, and getting no sense of return...or simple THANK YOU, even.

Sincerely,

Justin

Stumbled upon an old fried named Cody Ransom today.  He's playing 3rd for the AAA Round Rock Express (Astros).  They're in town playing the Rivercats and my boss decided to float us some tickets and give us part of the day off.  Needless to say, our seats were two rows from the 3rd base line, and right at the dugout, so plenty of heckling was to be had.  Fear not, it was all well deserved.  Mr. Ransom was 1-4 with one walk and three K's.

Keep on hacking kid!