fabiani1233
Jun 04, 2010 Nov 13, 2010 48 352
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Texas Rangers' Bengie Molina, center, is greeted at the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning of Game 4 of baseball's American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, in New York.
The Bengie Chronicles continue. First it was Bengie stealing bases against the Rays and now it's Bengie the hitting machine. Molina is currently hitting .417 in the ALCS. This is quickly becoming some kind of fucking nightmare strait out of the Twighlight Zone from what was supposed to be a miracle season for the Giants. If you think a showdown against the Rangers in the series wont be made even more difficult by the fact that Bengie is on their team, think again.
Bengie Molina stole second base in the Rangers defeat over the Rays yesterday. David Price was on the mound for Rays and he pitched a 96 mph fastball for strike three when the base was stolen. Kelly Shoppach was behind the plate and the cameras caught what appeared to be a look of disbelief on his face. The announcer said that the shortstop wasn't in position to receive a throw because no one thought Bengie would attempt such a daring move. Even so, Shoppach still had time to throw Molina out but he hesitated.
All I know is that if the Giants and Rangers find themselves facing off in the World Series this fucker better not tell his new team all the personal secrets of his former teammates for strategic advantage.
Bart Simpson:
"This isn't the game I grew up with. The game played in the misty ball parks of Enron field, or Pac Bell, then SBC, now AT&T Park."
The episode is about Lisa Simpson becoming manager of Bart's baseball team and using SABERmetrics to help the team win. Also, Enron is the former name of the Houston Astros stadium before the collapse of the company. I doubt it's ever been misty at a game when the roof is actually open. AT&T, well, you know the deal.
It's at Hulu.com now if you want to watch.
Adrian Beltre for 2011?
by fabiani1233 on Oct 9, 2010 3:17 AM EDT
on McCovey Chronicles
What would be wrong with signing him for next season?
I mean aside from the fact that Boston will want to re-sign him and that he is a former Dodger. I remember watching that video of his agent Scott Boras talking to the press about how he would be a great fit for the Giants because he would help in the hitting department. Rumors say that he's looking for a four year 50/60 million contract. He's 31, very athletic, had a great year at the plate and on defense. I'm aware that he was a disapointment in Seattle but maybe the prospects for a ring would push him to perform at his best.
I'm not saying that Pablo will never recover but with his eating habits and inferior brain it doesn't look good. He's a total mess now and I hope like every other fan that he gains the strength to do it. If not, I don't want Bochy forced into the same sistuation he's in now with switching guys in and out and praying that Pablo doesn't screw up.
63 comments
The reason Barry Zito and Aaron Rowand were signed?
by fabiani1233 on Oct 7, 2010 1:49 AM EDT
on McCovey Chronicles
Back in 06 and 07 I wasn't following the Giants as much as I have been last couple of seasons. The reason of course being that the Giants were a losing team and that the steriod scandal really turned me off to baseball. I was reluctant to watch them last year but I gave it a shot and was pleasantly suprised to find real potential from the young players that were assembled. I had no illusions about what the team could accomplish offensively last season but I was still heartbroken in the end never the less. Anyways, in in 06 and 07 I did have a close friend who was a big fan and who was keeping up to date on current events. I remember him telling me in late 07 that the Giants were desperately looking to sign a big bat. read recently that Alfonso Soriano was at the top of the list. I knew who Rowand was at the time and when I first was told the Giants had signed him I thought that was okay until I found out at what cost. I knew that Zito was a bust and I thought Rowand, at any price, would not be a game changer. Thoughts started poping into my head that the Giants were doomed as an organization unless they could rebuild and clear payroll, including Barry Bonds. So why did they sign Rowand and Zito, I asked myself. I figured that it could only be for marketing reasons to insure fan interest and that the only continuity the team had was Bonds. I still very much think this way. Am I wrong?
AP: Giants must decide whether to keep Zito, Rowand
Very good article. Not what you usually expect from the AP. Contains statistics, dollar figures, quotes, and criticisms.
"Aaron Rowand and Barry Zito account for nearly a third of the San Francisco Giants' payroll this season, making $30.5 million between them...
It sure would be a lot of money on the sidelines if they are left off the roster." Ouch.
"Rowand also is batting .478 (11 for 23) against Game 1 Braves starter Derek Lowe, and .381 (8 for 21) versus Game 3 starter Tim Hudson." Very interesting.
Ken Burns' Baseball: Tenth Inning excerpt
Marcos Breton, Columnist, Sacramento Bee:
"It hasn't been easy being a Giants fan. I ask myself the question all the time, why do I care so much, honestly? It hast to be a character flaw on my part, a vice, or just a weakness. The Giants have been in San Francisco, my home region, for fifty years, and we don't have a single championship to show for it. They haven't won the World Series since 1954 when they were in New York, and I'm middle aged now, and I'm starting to wonder if it's going to happen in my lifetime."
I'm in the process of watching this movie and I came across this quote. I freaked out because what he said about asking himself why he cares is a question I've been asking myself a lot this season. It's good to know that I'm not the only one who does this because I thought there must be something wrong with me enduring all this torture. It's also a good thing that I'm half his age so maybe, just maybe, I won't die before these fuckers finally do win one.
Tim Brown YAHOO! Sports: Giants added all the right pieces
"In fact, as much as (Mat)Latos might disapprove, you’re unlikely to find a club that has been so radically and fundamentally altered, that has benched and otherwise discarded so many critical parts, that has feathered in risky alternatives, and that has won, too.
And right field, well, they’ve played everybody there but Lou Seal, who nevertheless is getting a long look as a late-inning defensive replacement for (Jose)Guillen."
Opening Day:
CF: Aaron Rowand
SS: Edgar Renteria
3B: Pablo Sandoval
1B: Aubrey Huff
LF: Mark DeRosa
C: Bengie Molina
RF: John Bowker
2B: Juan Uribe
Today:
CF: Andres Torres
2B: Freddie Sanchez
1B: Aubrey Huff
C: Buster Posey
LF: Pat Burrell
RF: Jose Guillen
SS: Juan Uribe
3B: Pablo Sandoval
Who the fuck are these people?
Mat Latos is a bitch. That is all.
Hitless Padres threatening to go out with whimper
"Baseball works in funny ways," said (Mat)Latos, now 0-4 with a 10.13 ERA over his past four starts. "The only way I could honestly put it is, we could be like the Giants and go and change our whole lineup, put guys with 'San Francisco Giants' across their jerseys. We didn't.
"We added two guys [Tejada and Ryan Ludwick, now hitting .221 with five homers in 54 games with the Padres]. We've been the same team all year. We haven't just gone and grabbed guys from other teams."
Mat Latos is trailer trash.
Has Dave Flemming been paid yet, bitch.
John Shea: MLB steps up monitoring of Rockies' humidor
MLB now will oversee use of humidor balls at Coors Field following conversation with Giants.
Starting tonight, umpires are to closely monitor process in which balls are humidified, transported to Rockies' dugout to pitcher's hand.
Joe Garagiola, VP of on-field operations, has ordered Rockies to let umjpires have more say in process. Ball bag to be eyed at all times.
Giants spoke with MLB BEFORE lincecum was caught on camera saying "juiced balls."
Dinger, I'm watching your ass!
Rockies' humidor system has a few skeptics
Lets start this up again.
Also, a follow up quote from our gracious Jon Miller.
John Bowker had his first hit as a Pirate in yesterdays game against the Reds going 1 for 2 with a RBI double.
Good luck to ya buddy.
It's a hostile takeover!
No, I don't mean Neukom and his corporate lawyer buddies.
I mean Giants fans taking over Petco Park.
Comparing the 2010 and 1997 Giants
by fabiani1233 on Sep 5, 2010 4:48 AM EDT
on McCovey Chronicles
I remember the September 18, 1997 Giants vs Dodgers game like it was yesterday. I was listening to the radio savouring the whirlwind game the Giants eventually came out on top in. The Giants had established a large early lead but the Dodgers gradually chipped away over the course of the game. The game was tied going into the bottom of the twelfth inning when former Giants catcher Brian Johnson hit the game winning home run. My friend, who had been listening with me, and I jumped for joy as we celebrated the victory of the most hated blue. The Giants were two games back going into the short two game series at Candlestick Park. The Giants win completed a sweep that would propel them into a share of the division lead and eventual win of the western division. The reason why I'm writing this is because I've noticed some striking similarities between the Giants of 1997 and the Giants of 2010.
For starters, at this time in '97 the Giants were thirteen games over .500 with a record of 77-64. The Giants of 2010 are also fourteen games over .500 with a record of 75-61. The Giants in '97 were trailing the first place Dodgers by two games for the division. The win tonight against the 2010 Dodgers have put the Giants two back of the Padres. The Padres loss today makes the length of their losing streak at nine games. The Padres haven't done that since 2003. From September 8th to September 21st of 1997, the Dodgers lost ten of thirteen games. The Giants capitalized by winning eight games during that stretch and taking sole possession of the division by two games. The Giants will probably need to do the same if they want to be on top in the end. Not only that, but also play better against the Padres who they have struggled against this season. The 1997 Giants had also struggled against the Dodgers going 4-6 against them before the final two game series. The 2010 Giants have gone a much worse 2-9 against the Padres. This needs to change, as the division may rest on how well the Giants play against the Padres in the final seven games they have left with them.
The differences between '97 and '10 Giants are numerous but the main message still stands. The Giants will need to play better against the Padres if they want a shot at the western division, as the race is too close not to. As I see it, the Giants should at least split the four games at Petco Park and take two of three in San Francisco in the final series of the season to be on the safe side.
Barry Zito is 0-6 since July 16 and has only one win in his last 15 outings since beating Oakland on June 12.
"I'm just not in a good rhythm. The pitches just aren't crisp right now," (Barry) Zito said. "It requires working hard between starts."
Opinion: Geesh, it seems like a lot of guys on this team have problems getting good work outs in.
Hey Zito, if you need a work out partner, I'm flexible.
"San Francisco Giants #SFGiants need to average 35,332 fans at AT&T Park over the final 15 home games to eclipse the 3 million mark for the 1st time since 2007!"
So get your tickets now folks and make this season a season to remember.
Matt Downs DFA'd
"INF Matt Downs (DFA'd to make room on Giants' 40-man for Cody Ross), was at .254-7-28 in 58 games for AAA Fresno"
Opinion: This guy seemed to have promise. He also helped the Giants win that one San Diego game.
FanShottotheTaters Bill Bradley: Could good workout improve Giants stars?
"They're both, basically, out of shape. Lincecum could improve his conditioning to get the stamina and velocity he needs. Sandoval (.266, nine home runs and 48 RBIs) could lose a few pounds to get to a few more ground balls.
The two would be great workout partners. Lincecum could gain some strikeouts and Sandoval some singles rather than groundouts. All if they work out.
That's the big hit they need. They must hit the gym."
Opinion: Man, I need to get back in the gym. Athletes on the other hand are suppose to get paid for that kind of stuff.
FanShottotheNuts Kawakami: Tim Lincecum paying a price for heavy workload
Some key quotes:
"Lincecum was pushed too hard the past two seasons, threw too many pitches at too young an age with too slight a frame, and the result is a decidedly less lively right arm in 2010."
"He might need a rest, but of course, the Giants are in a pennant race and cannot afford to give him one."
"From the start of the 2008 season through Friday, Lincecum has thrown 9,764 pitches, the fourth-highest total in baseball over that period."
"Lincecum's average fastball in 2008 was 94.1 mph...
This year, his average fastball is down to 91.3 mph. That's a loss of almost 3 mph in two years...
in 2008 Lincecum threw his fastball 66.1 percent of the time. This year, his fastball percentage is down to 55.5 percent."
"It's probably time for the Giants and Lincecum to acknowledge the simple truth of this and start considering the proper remedies."
Opinion:
Ted Lilly's looking pretty good right about now.
I'd like to taste some of that Carlos Zambrano.
If you believe in miracles, Dontrelle Willis is in AAA.
6 Things You Didn't Know About Bobby Thomson's Home Run & the 1951 Giants
1.Thomson's heroics may have depended on the absence of injured catcher Roy Campanella from the Dodger lineup. Branca's first pitch to Thomson was a batting practice fastball down the middle of the plate. Campanella would surely have gone to the mound, possibly with manager Charlie Dressen, to inquire about Branca's physical and mental readiness. Rube Walker, Campy's back-up, did not, leading to another subpar fastball which produced Thomson's home run.
2.Thomson's hit would probably not have been a home run in any other major league park. The bathtub-shaped Polo Grounds had ridiculously short fences--258 in right, where Mel Ott and later Dusty Rhodes learned to place short chip shots right down the line for homers, and 279 in left. Shortstops would occasionally drift back on in vain for pop-ups which caught the left-field upper-deck overhang for home runs. Thomson's homer was a strong line drive but well away from the foul line, where most cheap home runs land. It probably traveled only 320 feet or so.
3.The Giants did indeed cheat by stealing signs from visiting teams at the Polo Grounds. Signs for coming pitches were caught by binoculars in the centerfield clubhouse and relayed by wire to the Giants bullpen, then hand signaled to batters. Thomson denies getting a signal about the second (limp) Branca fastball. The theory that stolen signs won the pennant for the Giants, however, has a problem: during their incredible stretch run the Giants did just about as well on the road where they couldn't steal signs (17-4) as they did at home (20-3).
4.The Giants hit and pitched well, but they were a pretty terrible fielding team. The infield made well over a hundred errors. Alvin Dark, at shortstop, made 45 all by himself. How did a porous team like this win almost every day for the last seven weeks of the season?
5.The real batting hero of the 1951 Giants was neither Thomson nor the brilliant rookie Willie Mays, but the great Monte Irvin, consigned to the Negro Leagues for the best part of his career, but a .312 hitter in 1951 with league-leading 121 RBIs. He was the real muscle in the Giants' lineup. Oddly in that dramatic ninth inning, he was the only Giant to make an out.
6.The answer to the most common trivia question about the game is: Willie Mays. The question is, who was on deck when Thomson hit the home run?
Adam LaRoche Clears Waivers
"Adam LaRoche cleared waivers, so the D'Backs can now trade him to any team, according to John Gambadoro of KTAR.com (on Twitter). The 30-year-old, who was traded twice last year, has a .272/.339/.489 line with 20 homers this season. That line is virtually identical to LaRoche's career averages, so this level of production seems sustainable.
The D'Backs owe LaRoche $1.15MM between now and the end of the season, plus a $1.5MM buyout on a $7.5MM mutual option for 2011 (the option climbs in value to $9.5MM after a trade). LaRoche currently projects to be a Type B free agent after the season, though there's no guarantee that his team will offer arbitration."
Adam Laroche:
330 AVG, 8 HR and 22 RBI since All Star break (.253 before break)
June 15, 2010 ESPN:
"A well-known second-half performer, LaRoche has a lifetime OPS after the All-Star break 129 points higher than before it, not to mention .300/.363/.546 career second-half numbers, which look a heck of a lot like an All-Star's rates. He has batted .300 or greater after the break in five of his six big league years and has one more homer after the break than before it, despite playing in 149 fewer games after than before it. By the way, if LaRoche's .258 batting average to date is frustrating to you, one thing to be aware of is that on the morning of June 15 last year, he was a .256 hitter … and batted .291 the rest of the way. He's currently 23rd among first basemen on the Player Rater, and should be priced accordingly, but doesn't he sound like a top-10-capable second-half first baseman accounting for his track record?"
2006: .323 second half
2007: .328 second half
2008: .321 second half
2009: .291 second half (played for three different teams)
July 22, 2010 The Arizona Republic:
"His offensive numbers might not be overwhelming - a .251 batting average with 13 homers and 58 RBIs - but for the past seven years he has ranked among the top 10 first basemen in the majors in games played, hits, doubles and RBIs. And yes, of course, fielding percentage.
Last season - in which he played for the Pirates, Red Sox and Braves - LaRoche had baseball's best percentage (86.7) for scooping infield throws out of the dirt. Only Colorado's Todd Helton (88.4 percent) was more effective."
July 24, 2010 Andrew Baggarly SJMN:
"It would be pure speculation to say the Giants are looking at some of Arizona’s players, but we know that Sabean wants a left-handed hitter. We also know the Diamondbacks want to move Adam LaRoche. Anyway, just food for thought."
Opinion: You can be sure LaRoche will be serving up what he's got to the Giants in the nine games they have left to play each other.
Philly series preview:
Game 1: Zito (8-6) Oswalt (7-13)
Zito AT&T Park August 2, 2009 6 IP 6 H 2 ER W
Oswalt Minute Maid Park April 5, 2010 6 IP 7 H 3 ER L
Oswalt Minute Maid Park June 22, 2010 7 IP 6 H 2 ER L
Note: Oswalt vs Lincecum both times
Game 2: Cain (9-9) Blanton (4-6)
Cain Citizens Bank Park May 3, 2008 7 IP 3 H 2 ER W
Blanton AT&T Park August 1, 2009 7 IP 7 H 2 ER L
Note: Blanton 2010 ERA: 5.69
Game 3: Sanchez (8-8) Hamels (7-9)
Sanchez AT&T Park April 26, 2010 5 IP 3 H 1 ER W
Sanchez Citizens Bank Park September 1, 2009 6 IP 3 H 1 ER L
Hamels AT&T Park April 28, 2010 6 IP 9 H 4 ER W
Hamels Citizens Bank Park September 1, 2009 9 IP 2 H 0 ER W
Hamels AT&T Park August 2, 2009 6 IP 10 H 5 ER L
Series Notes:
Injured Ryan Howard and Chase Utley may return at some point in the series but their effectiveness is questionable.
Jimmy Rollins has been placed on the DL several times this season and is having a relative down year:
4 HR .242 AVG 12 SB 267 AB
Raul Ibanez is having a down year most likely as a result of the effects of aging. Though he just had a 18 game hitting streak snapped:
11 HR .264 AVG 58 RBI
The Phillies most recent starting lineup:
Jimmy Rollins SS Both
Shane Victorino CF Both
Placido Polanco 3B Right
Raul Ibanez LF Left
Jayson Werth RF Right
Mike Sweeney 1B Right
Carlos Ruiz C Right
Wilson Valdez 2B Right
In my opinion the Giants should take at least 2 of 3
Thank goodness for the Wild Card.
Or maybe the wild cards, if you will.
Problem is the 2010 Big Red Machine, St. Louis Cards, and Phillies may have something to say 'bout it.
Reds remaining schedule make up:
7 vs ARI (3 @ ARI)
3 @ LAD
3 @ SFG (Giants took two of four @ CIN but should have been 3 of four)
3 vs CHC
9 vs MIL (3 @ MIL) (final series of season)
3 @ STl (was swept @ STl this week!)
4 @ COL
3 vs PIT
6 vs HOU (3 @ HOU)
3 @ SDP
Cardinals remaining schedule make up:
5 vs MIL (3 @ MIL)
3 vs SFG (Giants took 2 of 3 at home)
9 vs PIT (6 @ PIT)
3 @ WSN
3 @ HOU
3 vs CIN (swept them at home this week!)
4 @ ATL
6 vs CHC (3 @ CHC)
4 vs SDP
4 vs COL (final series of season)
Phillies remaining schedule make up:
3 vs SFG (Giants took 2 of 3 @ SFG)
9 vs WSN (3 @ WSN)
4 vs HOU
3 @ SDP
3 @ LAD
1 @ COL (make up game)
7 vs FLA (3 @ FLA)
6 vs NYM (3 @ NYM)
6 vs ATL (3 @ ATL) (final series of season)
Giants remaining schedule make up:
3 @ PHI
3 @ STL
3 vs CIN
9 vs ARI (3 @ ARI)
6 vs COL (3 @ COL)
3 vs LAD (3 @ LAD)
7 vs SDP (4 @ SDP) (final series of season)
3 vs MIL
3 @ CHC
As I see it, if the Cards take the division and the Phillies keep lagging, the Giants could just barely take the wild card. The problem is that the Giants need to win some games against the Padres and it's hard to believe the Phillies wont improve when Ryan Howard and Chase Utley return to the lineup. If the phillies improve enough to over take the Braves for the divisional lead, that would not be good for the Giants as it would essentially raise the competitive bar. It would suprise me if the Reds win the division over the Cardinals as the Cardinals are better in a face to face matchup and they have a better pitching staff.
Even if the Giants win the wild card they'll probably be playing the Padres again and at this point that looks like a practice in futility.
6/30/10: Jose Guillen makes a huge catch in the top of the ninth, tracking down a ball and crashing into the wall for the out.
Let's hope he shows this kind of heart playing as a G-man.
Or we could just have some more Aaron Rowand theatrics.
The magical answer to beating the Padres is...
by fabiani1233 on Aug 14, 2010 2:12 PM EDT
on McCovey Chronicles
the long ball.
Florida Marlins at San Diego Padres 7/30-8/01
Game 1: Marlins 4 Padres 2
HR: Ross, C (10, 4th inning off LeBlanc, 0 on, 2 out), Sanchez, G (12, 6th inning off LeBlanc, 0 on, 1 out)
Game 2: Marlins 6 Padres 3
HR: Stanton (9, 2nd inning off Correia, 1 on, 1 out), Uggla (23, 6th inning off Correia, 0 on, 1 out)
Game 3:
Padres 5 Marlins 4
HR: Ramirez, H (14, 3rd inning off Garland, 0 on, 0 out)
Note: Marlins would have won if Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson had given up at least twice as many runs as his ERA would imply he should.
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego Padres 5/14-5/16
Game 1: Dodgers 4 Padres 3
HR: Kemp (8, 7th inning off Gregerson, 1 on, 1 out)
Note: Huff almost did the exact same thing in last nights game.
Game 2: Dodgers 4 Padres 1
HR: Loney (4, 2nd inning off Correia, 0 on, 0 out)
Game 3: Dodgers 1 Padres 0
Note: Billingsley out duels LeBlanc
Remember the one game the Giants won against the Padres was because of a two run blast from Torres. Also, don't forget about that solo shot by Uribe off Padres closer Heath Bell that tied the game in the ninth.
The 2000 San Francisco Giants hit a combined 226 HRs and 889 RBIs. The team went on to win 97 games. The problem of course was pitching. So far this season the Giants have 105 HRs and 484 RBIs with only 45 games left. Take a look at the four best teams of 2010:
Los Angeles Dodgers: 145 HRs and 739 RBIs
Philadelphia Phillies: 224 HRs and 788 RBIs
Los Angeles Angels: 173 HRs and 841 RBIs
New York Yankees: 244 HRs and 881 RBIs
Last season, HRs and RBIs decided how successfull your team was going to be. They are calling this season the season of pitching. The problem for the Giants is that their pitching isn't as good as it was last year at this time and they aren't as good at pitching as the Padres this season. They need to make up for it by having better hitting. Pablo hasn't come around and Posey isn't a good fourth place hitter as he lacks consistency and sufficient power. The Padres have really good pitching and defense. So opposing teams can't expect to drive in too many runs against them without the long ball. For example, Luke Gregerson is the Padres top set up man but he has given up five home runs.
I miss Barry Bonds.
OUCH!
It's not looking good for the Giants.
After an apparently tough Cubby series at home:
SD 13-15 (7 of 8 against Giants)
@ Phi 17-19 (36-20 at home)
@ StL 20-22 (38-18 at home)
Well look on the bright side, at least Primo isn't dead.
The Giants were not the team that was awarded the Adam Dunn waiver claim writes Henry Schulman.
The image above grabbed from yesterdays Dbacks vs Nats game, perfectly illustrates the difficulty in fielding lazy ground balls and how it can result in runs.
Giants discussing evil with Royals
Jon Heyman of SI tweets:
"according to 1 exec, "no contender'' should take jose guillen. personality/clubhouse rep may be 2nd worst to milton bradley"
Dodgers are crossing their fingers.
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