SB Nation User Blog: achiappanza

The Case Against the Case Against Barry Bonds

achiappanza — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:54:22 -0000

The Case Against the Case Against Barry Bonds

Dayn Perry talks about why he thinks the case against Bonds is dead in the water.

Plummeting free agent prices

achiappanza — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 05:02:34 -0000

It figures that *this* is the season that Sabean decides to run out ahead of 
the pack and sign free agents early.  This, the year of plummeting free agent prices.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3783423&name=olney_buster

Sabean's got to go.  He's had his chance to prove he had something going on without 
Barry Bonds, and he's proved that he doesn't.  I'm happy that he used to be
good.  But he's not any more.

Liriano sent down to AAA

achiappanza — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:48:09 -0000

Francisco Liriano was sent back down to the minors following both Tommy John surgery and an 11.32 ERA start. "He could be there for awhile."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/18220564.html

All of a sudden I'm feeling like the worst trade ever could turn out to be simply a normal just bad one. Nathan and Bonser for Pierzynski doesn't look that horrid given their performances since the trade.

The parts that make it bad are that AJP didn't play that way for *us* and that Nathan's success as a closer had a lot of uncertainty considering he wasn't even tried that way before.

The career HR record: A-Rod's chase

achiappanza — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:27:32 -0000

We've all read about how A-Rod's now the favorite to get Barry's career HR record. But in addition to the fact that he'll have to age as "well" as Barry did, I just looked up this interesting fact:

Over the last three seasons, A-Rod got 27 intentional walks. From 2002-2004 Barry got 249. I still think A-Rod can't get the career HR title without some serious longevity, durability, and more cooperation from the opposing pitchers than Barry got.

Barry Bonds appreciation day (8/24, Justin Herman Plaza)

achiappanza — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:06:09 -0000

I just got back from the celebration down at Justin Herman. Very nice day, and a good party.

First: Opening band - Whitebread 5 or something like that. Did decent cover tunes ("Don't Stop Believin', Disco Inferno") to get the crowd warmed up.

Second: Replay of all the video tributes from sports notables to Barry. Not sure if they all aired before... Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Lou Brock, Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, someone I didn't recognize, and Hank, of course.

Third: Introductions by hostess Renel... Kruk and Flem, Barbieri, Willie Brown, Gavin Newsom, Bochy, Magowan and Baer, Omar and Richie, a whole passel of other politicians, Mays and McCovey, Barry and his family including his mom.

Fourth: Speakers

Kruk - "I might be nervous because I played at Candlestick and we're not used to big crowds."

Ralph Barbieri - "Barry's good with kids. When he first met my boy, he grabbed him from my arms and said, 'Give him to me, I know how to handle kids.'"

Flem - Glad to witness all the history.

Magowan - Pander pander pander, pat self on back.
Baer/Bochy/Sabean - Present Barry with home plate from 8/7.

Omar - "He's fun to talk to in the dugout about cartoons and whatever. He's just a regular guy. How many guys can say he took a shower with Barry Bonds?"

Richie - Usual "great to be on the field for 73 and 756."

Gavin - As always, the best speaker of the lot. "I can't get that image of Omar and Barry in the shower out of my head. Omar, if you want to say anything, now's the time. Hey, it's San Francisco. It's all good." "Barry, here's the key to the city."

Barry - "All San Franciscans have always had the key." Thanked everybody in sight.

Yowza yowza yowza! Well it was fun to be rallied. I took some cell phone pictures but I can't get 'em off the phone.

How will Bonds be remembered?

achiappanza — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:33:47 -0000

I was asked this question on a Dodger forum, and wanted to share my answer here.

----
How do I think Bonds will be remembered? I think better than most people are saying now. It also depends on whether or not he gets passed by A-Rod or anyone else any time soon.

The main reason is that the big number (career homers) is the most memorable number in sports. It's a number so important, that it wrongly transcends time... everyone who's been in MLB gets measured against that number regardless of the homer-friendliness of the era. (I should admit that I have predicted before that fans will start to gravitate towards era-adjusted numbers, which is kind of an argument against what I'm saying here.) If Barry's still #1 in 20 years, I expect that the natural inclinations of fans will return, which is number first, circumstances second.

In the long run, I don't see any reason why the steroid era will be viewed any differently than the dead ball era, or a live ball era, or any other pocket. Barry will always be a part of that, maybe even the first example, but he'll be tied to the era, not set apart the way it's happening now. People forget to hate assholes... look at how Ted Williams is revered today. (Ty Cobb is an exception because racism was a big part of it, and that's still a sensitive issue for the world, unfortunately.)

In fact, if the steroid era is viewed differently, I predict it will be even less anomalous. That is, it's entirely possible that performance enhancers are here to stay... that technology will always be one step ahead of Johnny Law, and in fact Bonds' transgressions will stand out even less, being reduced to an early adopter of a permanent change, rather than the King of a limited aberration.

I don't think this is a Giants fan talking, I think this is rational. How does it sound to you guys?

Best hitter in baseball at the break

achiappanza — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:08:17 -0000

If you had to guess who had the best OPS in all of baseball at the All-Star break (i.e. right now), who would you guess?

Answer here.

All-Star Game Activities

achiappanza — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:42:38 -0000

Well I usually steer clear when major sporting events come to where I live, but this time I'm dipping my toes in. I just scored a $15 seat to the Futures game off CraigsList and will be sitting on top of the RF wall. The schedules were just released for FanFest, which looks only half-entertaining to me, but I am intrigued by the autograph opportunities:

Friday, July 6
Vida Blue, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Bill Laskey, Jeffery Leonard, and Gaylord Perry

Saturday, July 7
Will Clark, Darrell Evans, Rollie Fingers, Dave Kingman, Fred Lynn, Rob Nenn, and Earl Weaver.

Sunday, July 8
Luis Aparicio, Darrell Evans, Bob Feller, Fergie Jenkins, Harmon Killebrew, Dave Kingman, Jeffrey Leonard, Jack McDowell, John Montefusco, Robin Roberts, Earl Weaver

Monday, July 9
Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Tony Gwynn, Monte Irvin, Harmon Killebrew, Fred Lynn, Juan Marichal, Kevin Mitchell, Robby Thompson, Matt Williams

Tuesday, July 10
Luis Aparicio, Goose Gossage, Monte Irvin, Fergie Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Matt Williams

Monday looks great to me. Maybe worth taking the day off work.

Full schedule here:
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/fan_forum/asg/fanfest_schedule.jsp

I'm interested in knowing how the autograph scene works at this thing. I think it's free. I wonder if these guys come out on a schedule, randomly, or all at once. Also, I understand that FanFest tickets are for timed entry - do they kick you out at some point?

If anyone goes, please post about it here! Diary can also be used for any participant (OK, live spectator) reports from All-Star weekend.

Braves looking for a 5th starter

achiappanza — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:50:13 -0000

Looks like they gave up on Mark Redman and released him. Now the Braves are looking for a 5th starter, and you have to wonder if they'd trade for Russ Ortiz.

All the Braves young hitters I know about are not changing uni's for Russ Ortiz, so I don't know what's realistic. But maybe something is.

Photo of the Baron dunk

achiappanza — Sat, 19 May 2007 00:04:42 -0000

I have requested that the Chronicle make prints available of that fantastic Kat Wade full frame shot of the Baron Davis dunk. I could tell from the front page version that the sharpness is all there. I can tell from the full frame online that the whole image is there. They have complied!

If you want a true photo copy unblemished by the quality killers inherent in newsprint or the web, here's the link:
http://tinyurl.com/yulz5h

I'm curious who else will want one, so please post here if you order.