SB Nation User Blog: Poe

Spring Training

Poe — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 23:19:02 -0000

I just returned from my first ever trip to Phoenix for spring training and wanted to share my thoughts on the experience.

Number one: It was AWESOME.

Ok, with that out of the way, here's some details: I stayed in a hotel about a 15 minute drive from the stadium. The stadium is quite nice. Pretty, well designed, easy to get around. Decent concessions although my dad complained over the lack of vegetarian options. Beer just as expensive as ever. For Saturday's game I was sitting on the grassy hill behind the left field fence. The atmosphere out there was very, very chill. The fans seemed to know the players pretty well based on what I overheard from people.

The quality of play on the field was ok. The intensity seemed a bit off, but that is to be expected. Zito started and was up in the zone pretty consistently, didn't seem to be getting a lot of break on his curveball. At the plate Linden looked great, I really hope we get that guy some ABs this year. I was watching through binoculars when Bonds hit his homerun. Man, that swing is pretty. I had no doubt it was gone just from watching the swing. By the time I took my eyes off the binocs to try to pick up the ball it was over the fence.

One amusing thing was when about 30 guys in full Dodger gear slowly walked all the way from one side of the stadium to the other along a walkway that splits the upper and lower parts of the stands. They got a lot of crap from fans and seemed to be loving the attention. Guy next to me said they do it practically every game. Those losers need to buy some tickets to Florida already.

Yesterday I went to see the split squad game at the A's stadium (sadly missing the Enchanter by doing so). Phoenix municipal isn't as nice as the scottsdale park, but is ok. It is actually interesting how the two parks mirror the ones out here. Scottsdale stadium is right next to downtown scottsdale, sorta integrated into the community like Mays field is. Phoenix municipal is more like the coliseum with a big parking lot next to it and no neighbourhood feel.

The Giants didn't send any of their starters down for that game except for Feliz (oh joy), but Linden played center and again looked impressive at the plate. Unlike the 13-9 contest I watched on Saturday this one felt like a real game with a 3-2 final score. Hennessy looked good starting, the guys that followed so-so.

Beyond the games I also had a fun time. Checked out some art in Scottsdale (reminded me a bit of Carmel... how the hell do all those galleries manage to stay open?), ate some good mexican, and drove over to Casino Arizona Sat night for some blackjack (only about 15 min from downtown scottsdale for those of u who gamble.)

So it was a fun trip and I highly reccomend that anyone who can figure out the means to get down there does so. I'm already planning for next year!

Fave Giant

Poe — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:10:56 -0000

Heading into spring training I'm curious as to people's current favorite players. There's limited spots for the poll, so I couldn't include everyone, but I think I have the guys who will get the most votes. If I left off your man, go with the last option.

Poll

Favorite Giant?

That other guy named Barry

3 votes

Lincecum

14 votes

Dreamy

15 votes

Durham

1 votes

Richie

4 votes

The guy who's locker held the speed Barry accidentally took

1 votes

Cain

22 votes

Someone Poe didn't think lots of people would vote for

5 votes

Barry Lamar Bonds

32 votes

Lowry

10 votes

107 votes | Poll has closed

Grant's Gift and Apology

Poe — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 02:52:12 -0000

Hi everyone,

At long last, Grant's holiday gift has been purchased. I apologize for the long delay and hope I didn't make anyone too worried.

Grant will receive:

$350 worth of Giant's gift cards good for merchandise and such fun things. (Grant, if you spend it on an Edgardo autographed ball, we will have words.)

A $340 donation is his name to the Giant's community fund, cause we're all do-gooders he at MCC.

Once again, I am sorry for the long delay and won't bother you with excuses about why. Thanks to everyone who gave money and participated, and of course:

Nice site Grant!

The Giants website is mean...

Poe — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:26:26 -0000

I go for some happy, uplifting news, and instead I get to see this horrible headline.

Do they really think anyone buys this crap, or cares about this guy? I have but one request of Giants position players: Do NOT accept any of this "help"!

Gifts, Grant, and gratuitous violence

Poe — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 11:04:15 -0000

Happy holidays everyone!

The McCoven have decided to ignore Grant's request and give him a gift this year. I am not yet prepared to annouce exact amounts (waiting for credit cards to clear, etc) but can say that we are pleased to give Grant a gift certificate to the Giant's Dugout Store for over $300, and a donation to the junior giants/giants community fund in Grant's name for an equal amount. Since the days of Waiting for Boof Grant has informed, amused, and occasionally offended us, and these gifts are our thanks.

And it also means that if this becomes a pay site we get to kick Grant's ass.

Also, I haven't read the last few threads, so I apologize if someone linked to this already.

The LAST thread Grant can't look at (for now).

Poe — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:03:36 -0000

If you haven't seen it yet, there is now a place to contribute towards the holiday gift that has been discussed on multiple pages.

Go here and give what you desire, if you desire.

Poll

Gift should be?

1/2 Junior Giants donation, 1/2 Giants Dugout certificate

28 votes

Other

16 votes

44 votes | Poll has closed

Don't peek at this one either Grant! Like, we're totally serious man.

Poe — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:17:52 -0000

Ok, Grant has said he ain't comfy with gift giving. Let's see what we think. Vote for what you think we should get, and a vote for #5 or #8 will be considered a vote against getting him something due to his uncomfortability.

Poll

Which is the best loot?

Giants Clothing of some sort (TBD in future poll)

1 votes

Something, but not any of the crap above

9 votes

Hookers and Blow

19 votes

OED - full set

4 votes

Giants Dugout gift certificate

12 votes

OED - condensed

3 votes

Other gift certificate

5 votes

OED - computerized version

0 votes

Coal, since he read the other diary, and probably this one too

9 votes

62 votes | Poll has closed

Mulder

Poe — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 19:32:36 -0000

I believe the idea of signing Mulder has been mentioned in comments by a few people, but I had not seen anything in print until today.

This article says that the Giants are considering signing him:

Agent Gregg Clifton told reporters last week that eight clubs have already expressed interest in signing Mulder as a free agent. The Mets, Orioles, Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks, Padres and Devil Rays are among the teams at the forefront of early speculation, and St. Louis would like to keep him around if the price is right.

Of course this is coming from his agent so should be taken with a grain of salt. I like the idea, but only if the deal is short and cheap, which isn't likely. Thoughts?

Ugh. Feliz. Ewwww Part Deux

Poe — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 15:01:54 -0000

Yes. I love the Chronicle. First they freak us out, then they print this:

The Giants have spent more time discussing a new contract for Pedro Feliz than any of their other potential free agents, but no deal is imminent and the club could explore other options at third base, team sources say.

Feliz poses an interesting dilemma for the Giants. On one hand, he led the team with 98 RBIs in 2006, played above-average defense for most of the year and was durable. He wants to return, and if the Giants sign him quickly, they will have one of many open positions filled.

On the other hand, some in the organization have grown weary of Feliz's lack of plate patience and dreadful situational hitting. There are alternatives on the free-agent market, including a potential star in Aramis Ramirez.

Uh. Ramirez please. Thank you.

Ugh. Feliz. Ewwww.

Poe — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 14:56:01 -0000

From today's Chronicle:

The Giants appear to be furthest along with third baseman Pedro Feliz, who has not filed for free agency.

Feliz's agent, Mike Arias, said Monday he and the Giants have discussed dollars and years and he hopes they can reach a deal during the 15-day window after the World Series in which the Giants hold exclusive negotiating rights.

"I'm working on it as we speak," Arias said. "My hope is we can close the gap in the next couple of weeks. I'm an eternal optimist, but this game is driven by economics and statistics, and it's not something one side controls."

An attractive but potentially expensive alternative became available Monday when Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez opted out of his contract and filed for free agency.

Figures that Feliz would be first on Sabe's list. Man I hope they're thinking of him in a super utility role, but I have a bad feeling that they aren't. If we sign him to start it better be at less than 4 million per year. Even at that price I would vomit a little bit. At least the article mentiones the Ramirez possibility. We'll see...