SB Nation User Blog: The Gene Hackman

RIP David Foster Wallace

The Gene Hackman — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:19:16 -0000

RIP David Foster Wallace

Dudes:

And but so, raise something to toast the all-too-short life of the most brilliant writer I ever had the pleasure to read, DFW.

The passages of this world will be a little harder to negotiate without him.

So very very sad.

2008 Rookies of the Year - PREDICTIONS

The Gene Hackman — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:57:33 -0000

Who are your young PICKS TO CLICK in 2008?

The Hackman says:

AL - Daric Barton

NL - Chase Headley (tho the pads have optioned him so, whatever)

A's trade Swisher to Wsox . More room for Bonds?

The Gene Hackman — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:40:35 -0000

Not sure i would have made this move, but whatever. Maybe they need BLB's bat more than ever now.

Bonds helps teammates. FACT.

The Gene Hackman — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:15:17 -0000

...of course you never hear this from the media.
Folks who enjoy hating Bonds love to point out how much his teammates hate him. Yet today in the comical, there's a nice little anecdote buried:

Frandsen, who had been struggling, homered after having a talk with Bonds between games of Monday's doubleheader in Pittsburgh.

Barry and I worked a little, stuff we needed to talk about, and got me locked in," Frandsen said. "Barry helped me out a lot, told me I could hit and helped me be in the position to do it. He cleared a lot in my mind."

Schulman, Ostler or any other hack could take this anecdote and turn it into a feel-good story about Bonds, but they choose not to. Why is that?

But there it is in plain black and white. Barry even helps the most midget-esque of Giants, Kevin Frandsen. Too bad Bonds doesn't have some good prospects to work with.

Possible comment starter. Would Bonds make a good hitting coach for the Giants in the future? Would he do it?

3-4-5 in 2008?

The Gene Hackman — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:39:38 -0000

We all know what a team without a legit #3 hitter looks like.

What will be the look and feel of the 3-4-5 spots in 2008? With most folks speculating that the greatest-offensive-player-ever won't be back with the Giants next season, we could be watching a team without legit #3 and #4 hitters.

Any ideas what the 'heart' of the order will look like (atherosclerosis humor welcomed)?

Bonds' HR Drought good for Giants?

The Gene Hackman — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 20:08:18 -0000

This might be stating the obvious, but:

The gravity of 755 and 756 seems to be messing with opposing pitchers and managers in a diabolical kind of way. Their unwillingness to give up these homers and pitch to a crusty Bonds is affording the Giants a Bonds-generated-advantage they haven't enjoyed since his record HR year.

Opposing pitchers are losing focus, facing Bonds. Opposing managers are over-managing Bonds ABs. Didn't the fish and evil-doers seem a little star-struck these last two series?

With Bonds stuck on 754, the Giants are set to win a bunch of games that, all things being equal, this team would probably not win.

So here's to staying on 754.

Kruk and Kuip interview Bonds

The Gene Hackman — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:43:22 -0000

[First Diary, so apologies to all for whatever I'm about to do wrong.]

I enjoyed hearing bonds discuss his plate approach, Gagne, what he's thinking at the plate, et c.

Still, I was a little taken back by Bonds showing up Kruk like that.

Do they get along well? Or do you think Krukow was put-off by Bonds telling him "you just suck, Mike"?