SB Nation User Blog: UnleashTheGore

SJ at Visalia pictures

UnleashTheGore — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:54:06 -0000

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

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.

via i132.photobucket.com

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

via i132.photobucket.com

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.

via i132.photobucket.com

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

via i132.photobucket.com

Tanner tries to fly away from the pressure during warmups

via i132.photobucket.com

Tanner gets down to business

via i132.photobucket.com

Noonan prepares to go down quietly

via i132.photobucket.com

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

via i132.photobucket.com

When AnVil falls, everyone falls with him.

via i132.photobucket.com

Odle. What a strange name.

via i132.photobucket.com

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

via i132.photobucket.com

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

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

via i132.photobucket.com

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

via i132.photobucket.com

Matt Cain is finally figuring it out

UnleashTheGore — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:21:30 -0000

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)

Suggestions for a visitor?

UnleashTheGore — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:43:11 -0000

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.

I'm looking for potential fantasy owners. I'm hoping to draft this saturday sometime around noon,...

UnleashTheGore — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:04:10 -0000

I'm looking for potential fantasy owners. I'm hoping to draft this saturday sometime around noon, and it would be an auction draft with head-to-head scoring. If you are interested, please post. I have two other owners besides myself that want to try to fill up the league as much as possible, so please let me know ASAP if you'd be interested. Thanks.

OT: Rush...the best or the greatest?

UnleashTheGore — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:50:17 -0000

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?

Poll

Do you like Rush?

Yes

81 votes

No

96 votes

Meh (if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!)

20 votes

197 votes | Poll has closed

Fan Fest '09

UnleashTheGore — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:14:43 -0000

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?

OT: 360 or PS3?

UnleashTheGore — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 19:11:27 -0000

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.

Poll

360 or PS3?

360

87 votes

PS3

92 votes

179 votes | Poll has closed

Another classless Dodger fan.

UnleashTheGore — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:05:13 -0000

Another classless Dodger fan.

Sox get new...err...old unis

UnleashTheGore — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:49:44 -0000

Sox get new...err...old unis

Not a big fan of the hanging socks, but hey, it's not my team.

OT: Qualifications of a Superhero

UnleashTheGore — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:59:38 -0000

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.

Poll

Is Batman a superhero?

Yes

96 votes

No

33 votes

129 votes | Poll has closed