I'm going to be trying to find tickets for the opening home series this year, and I wanted to seek out the collective knowledge employed here. The goal: avoid the Zito start at all costs. My options are looking to be either the Saturday or Sunday game. I'd prefer the Sunday game because Stub Hub tickets right now are quite a bit cheaper for that game.

Here's my question: there's a weird mid-series break between games four and five of the year...do you guys think there's any chance they skip Zito's start in the rotation? Because if they do, that means he starts the Sunday game of the home series. I didn't know if there's much precedence in this happening or if you guys/gals would have any advice for this situation. Thanks.

2012 seems like it's going to be a fork-in-the-road season for Zito's future with this team.  After a somewhat encouraging 2009 season, he's had two sub-par seasons, even by his standards.  With 2 years and $39 million left on his contract, at what point should he get the Rowand treatment if his downward spiral continues?

There seems to be a few options.  My favorite would be making him sell peanuts, hoping his pride would make him retire early, but I'm going to take a guess that management won't go for that, so on to real options...

1)  Send him to the bullpen.  I believe it's pretty widely accepted that his warmup routine precludes him from being an effective reliever. 

2)  Trade him.  Probably not happening, unless there's another Alfonso-for-Finley, bad-contract swap with a team that needs pitching badly enough...Boston? (Crawford), Yankees? (A-Rod).  Not that I'd really be on board for that, since it would strap the team's payroll for a longer period of time, but it's an interesting thought to take a chance on hitters that used to be pretty good.

That leaves two realistic options, in my mind...

3)  Cut him.  If he continues to struggle, most of the fan base would probably be happy with this, whether it's the right decision or not.  We're all tired of seeing him nonchalantly struggle, and as with the other Barry, part of many people would just feel good about moving on from that era of the team.  The question is, can he contribute in any way to this team, or is it worth paying $39 million to clear up a roster spot?  It would be a hard thing to pay both Rowand and Zito to not play when we don't really know how much longer the young pitching core will stay in tact.

4)  Keep him in the rotation.  Lord Bork has told us this is what's happening, so we pretty much have to assume this is at least how the season will start.  Trading Sanchez compounded the likelihood that the team will feel like they can't cut ties with him.  Surkamp doesn't seem ready to take over in the majors yet, so there's really no alternative in-house.  It seems to me like this is the most likely scenario, and we'll just have to count on losing every 5th game or so.

What would you think the best move would be if, say, he starts 0-6 again, with ever decreasing velocity and K-rate and a ballooning BB-rate, showing no improvement and a lack of motivation?

I know it's been asked before, but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss it...have any decisions been made on the NN fantasy league? It's a few short weeks until the start of the season, and it's about time to get drafting, no?  Fooch, are we going to have to end up creating our own yahoo or espn league? Or has all this been decided already? I want to join a league where everyone actually participates!  My baseball league has been pretty lame this year.

Sigh.

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The baby Giants finally made it over to Visalia, so I was able to go to Tuesday and Thursday's games.  You all can look at the minor lines for stats/analysis/witty banter, so I won't bore you with that. Just some picture-capitioned goodness.

Here's some shots of the outside of the stadium (and Mrs. UTG).  All the brickwork you see is brand new, it just used to be bleachers along this right field line.

via i132.photobucket.com

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Here's a view of the field from the right field foul pole. You can get $5 seats to kick back on the grass on a blanket. Nice for the kiddies, I'm sure.

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And there's our fearless leader warming up in right.  Notice the barn, a nice shout out to the local agriculture.

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Notice the two dugouts on the 3B side. You may have read about this on ESPN before, but the extra dugout on the right can be reserved for parties and the like.

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I believe these are some of the relievers playing throw-the-ball-quickly-at-the-next-dude-to-make-him-look-stupid.

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Tanner tries to fly away from the pressure during warmups

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Tanner gets down to business

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Noonan prepares to go down quietly

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Gillespie: "What if you get called up and get to play behind Johnson? That would be epic!"

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When AnVil falls, everyone falls with him.

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Odle. What a strange name.

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The mascot, Tipper. Get it? Cow...Tipper? Clever, I know. Welcome to the Central Valley.

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We got to see a lot of this dude swinging and missing this week.  No, he isn't really making $6 million, why do you ask?

via i132.photobucket.com

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At one point, a player broke his bat and the fat end flew up and got caught in the netting. Funny stuff.

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Thought this one looked awesome in black and white...

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Matt Cain: Home-grown pitcher. Lover of the chick-flick. Favorite of the McCoven. Congratulations, you seem to be figuring it out, in this, your fourth full year in the big leagues.

The morning boys on KNBR today said it so eloquently...you're pitching like you're 34 instead of 24.  No longer are you succumbing to the grip of defeat in each game.  No longer do you infect your teammates with the low-run-scoring disease that becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy for each start.  You, sir, have elevated your game and have learned how to win!

I mean, look at your stats.  Not only are you dominating the most telling statistic of all--the winning percentage--but your ERA is over a run lower than the last two years!  It does not matter that most every other statistic thrown out there by the Saber-goobs shows you being about the same as the past couple years or a little worse.  You are figuring it out.  You have finally become a gamer.

So, to the McCoven, I ask you: how is it that Cain has reached new levels in his game and learned how to become a winner? Was it hanging out with the reigning Cy Young award winner, who showed him what it takes to win a game?  Or was it Zito, the obviously superior pitcher who found a way to win more games than him last year, that taught him the way out of being just a #3 starter? Please, share your insights.

(Or, just consider this a "praise be to Matt Cain for finally getting some wins behind this friggin offensive juggernaut of a team" thread)

Hey everyone -- I'm crossing over the bay from McCovey Chronicles...and I come in peace.

I was hoping for some advice.  I'm planning on taking the wife to see the Giants/A's game in Oakland on June 22.  It will be my first game at Oakland, and I was wondering if you have some general advice/recommendations/suggestions.  Where's the best bet to park? What food would you suggest for eating at the game? Also, what section of the stadium will get me the best view for my dollar? Any other things I should know in general?

Thanks in advance.  Oh, and if there's already been a post like this in the past, I apologize, just please direct me to that page.

Been slow around here lately, hasn't it? With the Manny rumors out the door, we're left to discuss such thrilling matters as: Will Bengie Molina hit 15 or 20 HRs this year? Will Fred Lewis become Randy Winn 2.0 (and is that a bad thing?)?  What will Barry Zito's fastball top out at this year?  And, of course, can Bochy's head actually get bigger as he ages?

So, with it being a Friday, I present this poll, that as far as I know, has not been made yet.  It is, of course, one of the "McCovey Insider ©" (only $5.99 a month) jokes, and I was curious what the overall opinion actually is here: Do you like Rush?

The new season is coming up just a few short months away, and I'm pretty excited for this year.  The wife and I have decided to make the trek from Visalia and visit this year's Fan Fest!

My question is, does anyone have any general suggestions/recommendations/advice for attending this event? I've never been to one before, and I don't really know what to expect.  I do know that I am thrilled to see (from among this group of people) RJ, Timmy, Cain, and Will the Thrill among others.  It should be a good time.

Anyone else planning on going as well?

Attention all video game players: your opinions are requested.

I've been informed by my wife that my birthday present will be either a 360 or a PS3, whichever I choose.  Yes, I am a lucky man.  And of course, I'm having trouble picking between the two.  That's where you come in.

I do know a little about them both, but I'd like any insights you might have about them.  As I understand it, the pros for PS3 include the Blu Ray capability, the potential power of the Cell processor, and free internet.  The pros of the 360 include lower price and the very slick Xbox live (although you have to pay for it). I'm also under the impression that most of you have 360's, and it would be awesome to be included in a McCoven MLB 2K9 league.

Is there one you'd suggest over the other? Is there something I've missed that I should know? Many thanks I give for any suggestions.

Warning: the following entry has absolutely nothing to do with baseball.

My brothers and I have an argument that somehow comes up about every time that we see each other.  It's one that I've found many people to be on both sides of.  The question: is Batman a superhero?

I know there's some comic and superhero lovers around these parts and I want to get your consensus.  Any comments and opinions related to the subject are welcome and suggested.

The all-knowing wikipedia describes a superhero as "a fictional character of unprecedented physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest".  The main argument that I've heard against Batman being a superhero has been that he has no super power, and thus, cannot be a SUPER hero.  I call BS on this argument...he's incredibly strong, has a mastery of martial arts, defeats villains for the betterment of society, and has Alfred---that argument alone should be enough.

FOOCH NOTE 2:00PM - I just received an email with a final statement from Mike Nolan.  I think this is a solid expression of how most of us feel about Mike Nolan.  I think we'll wrap up the day with the Coach Nolan appreciation thread.  The final statement from Nolan:

I want to thank the York Family for the opportunity to coach the San Francisco 49ers.

It is the responsibility of the Head Coach to build a foundation and an environment for success.  In many area’s we were, although it is winning that ultimately determines success.

I also want to thank our players for their dedication and willingness to work hard.  Even during the toughest of times they remained strong and fought through it.  It is difficult to put into words my respect for guys that played for the 49ers over the past 3 ½ seasons.  They have my complete respect and admiration.  I am forever indebted to them.

__________________________________________

Before everyone explodes in negativity, I wanted to have a place where people can openly state their appreciation for what Nolan has done for this team since he came on.  Yeah, record-wise this team is not where we had hoped it would be, but the organizational turn-around has been pretty amazing.  You're a fool if you think this team is less entertaining than when Nolan took over.

Under Nolan, the team brought in Gore, Davis, Willis, and Lawson.  Despite Alex Smith's demise, they have drafted some pretty solid players.  They've also managed to bring in some pretty good to excellent FA:  Bruce, Spikes, Clements, Allen (he was good for one year!).  While the team isn't playing well, they are no longer the AAAA team that Nolan took over.  And despite what you think about JT O'Sullivan, I think it's safe to say we'd all rather have him than Tim Rattay?

Nolan brought respectability within the organization.  I admire his hard-nosed type of attitude towards coaching, despite his in-game flaws.  He brought in good-character guys, which is an underrated thing to have, as we see TO, Ocho Cinco, etc. mouthing off every other day on Sportcenter.

I do think firing him was the right move, and I'm looking forward to the Mike Singletary era.  However, I think Nolan needs to be given credit for the massive organizational turnaround that has happend in the past few years.  Unfortunately, his time with the 49ers will forever be linked with the Alex Smith debacle.  For both player and coach, it was an unfortunate mix of the wrong situation with the wrong team at the wrong time.

Thanks, Mike Nolan.  I hope you get another chance somewhere, in a better situation.