It's easy to look to the past for great moments in Giants history. One can look at, recent moments (Weezie with the final strike out of the 2010 season) as well as distant (Mays & the catch in the Polo Grounds), but it takes a truly special team to have moments in the future. I would like to submit for all McCoven's approval, one Captain Benjamin Sisko, who in the 24th century, still rocks his orange & black. It's important to note that no Dodger has ever appeared in Star Trek, and by the good grace of Tebow, never will.

It's a shorter list than I imagined, and maybe I've been huffing gas fumes, but I would like to see the Giants offer Hong-Chih Kuo & Jeremy Hermida spring training invitations. Neither of these two seem to have much other big league options, and Kuo seems to be badly in need of some Rags tutoring. As for Hermida, he is left handed so that's a strike against him, but at one point he was a considered a top prospect. So there you have two potential reclamation projects for Sabean to do some tire kicking, at the low low price of a southwest $29 ding fare. What say you McCoven?

I know that I'm not alone in this but for f**k sake, can a Giants player puhhhhhhlease figure out that you might just be a touch more successful if you take a pitch or 4?  I subscribe to Buster Olney's blog (subscription required, I know but my card expired long ago yet I still have access), and every day at the bottom he includes hitters who saw the most pitches that day.  So long as I have read that blog portion, I have yet to see a Giant on the list.  My dream is that one day I will scroll to the bottom and see some Giant on that list.  It's likely that this will be a player not on the roster (most likely not obtained by Sabean who will be the assistant to the Yankees traveling secretary) and it will be a glorious day!

I have to say that for the longest time I felt that having Andy Baggersly's email address was the big time.  I know it's on his blog, but try not to ruin the moment for me.  Then when I realized I could make funny icanhascheezburger-esque pictures of my dog to make him say disgusting anti-dodger propaganda, my horizons were blown.  Now all my preconceived notions have been asploded, as it turns out that chill dude in the inner Richmond who knows a bunch and likes me enough to use me somewhat regularly as a cab, turns out to be the Lefty Malo!  He even admits to it publicly (assuming a McCoven fanpost qualifies) so it's got to be genuine!  I don't know if I can take more revelations like this, but please may the next one be that my dog Indy poops diamonds and gold!

I've been having issues for he longest time trying to access baseballreference.com using safari on my iPhone (though no issues with safari).  Does anyone know if there's an app for baseball reference?  Am I the only one who is having these problems?  It's a pain becausebaseballtraderumors.com links all player stats to baseball reference, and I'd love any suggestions to fix this.  I'd love to have mobile baseballreference.com usage and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

posted using my CellularOne Motorola StarTAC

As Giants fans' it's our job to relish in the pain and suffering of the Dodgers and their fans, so I found it oddly appropriate that yet another trashy story comes out about the scum from down south.  It seems strange things are afoot at the Chavez Ravine, at least when it comes to finances and charity.  Not that anyone should be surprised about the Dodgers imploding in terms of legitimacy and integrity.  I bet Ned Colletti is polishing up his resume as we speak.  On a side note, it would be nice to see the Giants take the initiative and make sure everyone knows how they are on the up and up regarding the Gigantes charitable work. 

Lastly on a purely selfish and self serving note, I would like to take this opportunity to pimp myself as the #1 Taxi driver for Giants fans and dog lovers.  My dog Indy (a 20 lb puggle) and I roam the streets of San Francisco and are always interested in serving members of the McCoven in their taxi needs.  Remember that any scheduled trip to SFO are 10% off, so long as you mention that you're a member of the McCoven.  Trips can be booked via my email address on my profile or calling my Google Voice # 415-3000-USA.

Viva Los Gigantes!~

This past Channukah, my girlfriend bought tickets for the two of us to see the Red Sox play the Dodgers (she knows that the next best thing to rooting for the Giants, is booing the Dodgers), and as the game is tomorrow night I'm uber excited to go out and shout horrible things at the bums from LA.  All that being said, I'm a bit stumped trying to come up with things to scream at the Dodgers.  There is always the "What's the matter with _____?...He's a bum!" chant, but I'd like to think that the McC folks can help out with something better (or worse depending on your creativity).  So I implore you to put on your thinking caps and help me spread the hatred of the Dodgers to the Fenway.  On a side note, I'm seeing tons of Dodger blue here.  I swear they are like cockroaches.  Every one you step on, 2 more take their place.

Ahem...This is one of many things to look forward to in 2010.  Now proceed with the laughing...let me start. AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA.  That felt good.  Here's to 19 games against "Walk Off Bob".

BTW - if this would be better as a Fanshot, please point me to some guidelines as to how to decide from here on out.

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In the search for a catcher who can't remember disco and defensive flexibility, I came across this blog posting from Yahoo, which reminded me of Doumit's really good 2008 season and the Gigantes pre-existing relationship with Pittsburgh.  Now we all know that Dave Littlefield left Brian Sabean's # on the speed-dial (see Schmidt, Jason) so would something like this be an ok stopgap until Buster's ready in the eyes of the Sabean?  He's under contract for 2 more years (something Sabean said was the limit on a catcher),  on the right side of 30, and since he's coming off a "down year" (probably after realizing he was stuck playing for the pirates for the rest of the year) he could come at a decent price.  So what is that price and would we be willing pay it?

So I've been driving a cab for almost a year now and I've taken to mounting my flip ultraHD on the dashboard of my car, and I've taken a bunch of footage.  My problem is that I have almost no video editing skills to go with my filming ambition.  Is anyone interested in a new video project to waste some time on, or to teach me how to waste some time on a video project?  If anyone is a student & wants an internship, I'd be happy to fudge a few details for you.  Here's an example of the video, along with my youtube screen name so you can take a peak at the rest of the videos I've uploaded.

So this shouldn't be bugging me so much since we all know that Bud is part cybernetic organism, and will live until 2351 (long enough for the frozen head of Richard Nixon to resume the office of the presidency), but assuming a tragedy occurs or medical science has it in for former used car salesmen, who takes the reigns after Senor Selig?  I'd always hoped that Bob Costas or Peter Gammons would take the job, but as Bud gets older (he's 75 right now), I don't see either of them reaching for the job.  If Jorge Bush hadn't completed turked the country like a syphilitic bear he might have been an option, so after those 3, the choices aren't jumping off the page.  So who do you think?  Cal Ripken?  Would he want it?  Tony Gwynn's fat and not pasty white so he'd probably not be a top choice by the owners.  Nolan Ryan seems happy to run the Rangers.  I can't see an agent or a GM sliding into the spot, and what owner would want the job?

There's a 99% chance he's the guy who dictate the 2010 season for the San Francisco Giants.  As far as I can tall he's had the Giants' ear for a long time.  His bio doesn't blow me away.  Most recently as the man who conned Brian Sabean out of $86 million dollars in contracts to Aaron Rowand, Randy Winn, and Bobby Howry.

Continue reading this post »

Does anyone know of good SF Giants podcasts (fan created or otherwise) out there?  I download most everything that KNBR has to offer, but that's not never really enough.  I've been meaning to start podcasting again, but I'm working 50+ hours a week now and it's hard to motivate.  I was also wondering if there's been replacement for Audioblogger (basically a free service that you call and record a message and it's emailed to you in mp3 format), or something similar that emails you a transcription of what you record.  Please include links if you have any suggestions.

I like to think of myself as a reigning king (or some level of duke) of the OT posts.  I like them, I like knowing McC posters views on normalish stuff because they seem to be rationed and intelligent folks.  That being said, please put the simple OT in the beginning of your fanpost (retroactively if needed).  This is meant for not just Noobs but established lurkers as well. 

On an unrelated note, how about Matt Cain for Prince Fielder and JJ Hardy?  I heard that the brewers are worried about them hitting arbitration.

There's no way I'm going to get cerebral or mathematical for this post, so with that being said, what's your predictions for the 2009 Gigantes?  For this post, let's assume the roster isn't going to change.  Put a gun to my head and I'd probably say a record of 80-82.  For what it's worth, 80-82 would probably be good enough for 2nd place.  So amaze me people.

Just wanted to pass along details on my first week of driving a cab in SF.  First I haven't been murdered, robbed, or arrested.  Second, I drove my first HIV Positive meth-addict to the Tenderloin and back so he could score tweak from the El Salvadorean dealers and didn't get stiffed on the bill.  I decided that I need to print up business cards and I'm going to do that this weekend.  I notice people have really low expectations of cabbies and apparently opening the door for them, loading/unloading groceries, asking them what route they want me to take, or checking for left behind belongings are all things they are not prepared to see.  I gave the Big O a ride to SFO Tuesday morning (bright and early), and met him, his wife, and daughter and they seem like nice normal and bright people.  Anyone with any questions should feel free to ask or check out my ghetto website.  BTW if anyone wants to help me do something nicer/newer/more user friendly, I'm open to help and I might even be able to find some money or something else for that help.

So Hanukkah is upon us and Christmas is rearing it's ugly head, and I'm wondering what the rest of my chosen peoples do when their family are away.  I'll be going to my gf's house for the 3rd year now and still don't really get this whole Christmas thing.  Over the past three years  I've felt like a stranger in a strange land an ambassador or a foreign diplomat, who is only there on observer status.  Anywho enough about me, what about the rest of the flock?  Chinese and a movie?  Indian food and comic books?  Middle Eastern food and a marathon session of Counterstrike?

So it's official, I'm a taxi cab driver...A cabbie, a taxi man, or a hack.  You can call me whatever you want, just call me.  Let me say that this is officially a shameless play on your sense of loyalty and comradery, so don't flip out and call for bannination for me ok?  If for whatever reason, you or anyone you know is in need of a cab this weekend (roughly 8am - 5pm), or anytime else, check out my website for scheduling info.  We can talk about the glories of Lil Money, the AnVil or Timmy and you can ridicule me in person about my horrible postings and trade proposals (not to mention moving in the fences for more DINGERS!), or even just relax listening to your favorite Melissa Ethridge track on your Ipod nanotouchphone.  So come one, come all and ride the friendly streets!

If/when the Giants have finished their off season moves, do you think it will include a trade of Big Money?  I'd think that if B-Mo is traded, it's most likely to the Red Sox or Yankees (assuming both teams move on from Varitek & Posada). Remember this isn't a "should we trade Benji?" thread, it's "will they trade Benji?".  If they are to move him, what would you want in return from either of those teams?  What's realistic?

I'd like ot think I'm being witty and maybe even original in using this film title as a pun, but if not oh freaking well..

So I hate this current job market.  I really really really wish that I had another/better option on the table but outside of prostitution (which never was an option since women folk don't seem to pay for that, and while flattering I'm not into the dudes) there doesn't seem to be one.  I don't want to make bathtub meth or sell crack in the tenderloin, so I figured the next best thing would be to get my Cab license and start driving ASAP so I can have some dinero to pay my rent and other bills. 

I'm asking you lurkers and posters, what kind of suggestions you might have for pick up spots that would be under the radar.  Outside of the typical commuter spots, conventions, baseball season beginning in April, etc. the only thing that is striking me as new and untested is the Chron listings of freighters that dock at the port of SF, and perhaps there's a way to contact the ship in advance to arrange for a pick up upon arrival. 

Do you, the McC braintrust have any thoughts/ideas/suggestions for me?

Not really since it seems that the Giants were never that big of a dog in the hunt for Sabathia.  I want to think that were the Giants to up their offer to 4 years at $25 million per (lots of backloading til after 2017), that they could have landed him, but alas twas not to be.  That being said, I'd assume we're going to sign the big unit, and that will probably mean an end to F/A spending.  I'm thinking that as per Sabean's M.O. we're going to see how the club does until all-star breakish time, and then Sabean will try to sucker a team into treating Jessie English like he's the next Lincecum and give us that bat we've been pining for.  It's a bit of a dissapointment, since I was hoping to have the best rotation since Maddux signed with the Braves and 2nd best in the past 40 years (better than the Dodgers of the early 60's and better than Orioles team with all those 20 game winners), but I suppose settling for one of the better rotations in the majors will have to do for now.  And now, your thoughts on the matter....

So I like TV dramas/comedies/animation/etc and for whatever reasons the TV gods seem intent on killing off/canceling my favorites.   I’m looking for something new and exciting that I’ve yet to try out, and who knows maybe one of you smart McC posters has something I should try out.  I’m listing my favorites (in no particular order) below, so feel free to try any of them out.

• The Wire
• The Sopranos
• Deadwood (though if I ever meet David Milch, I’m kicking him in the nuts repeatedly for not finishing the show)
• Rome
• Rescue Me (1st two seasons are excellent, then they realized they could pull in female viewers by getting rid of the alcoholism, violence, and hallucinations).
• Battlestar Galactica (new series)
• Dexter
• The Shield
• Brotherhood
• Entourage (I guess…though a show called Arie Gold might have me more enthusiastic)
• Six Feet Under
• Top Gear
• Oz
• Simpsons (first 10 years), South Park, The Boondocks
• True Blood
• Scrubs
• Star Trek TNG/DS9
• Firefly
• Lost
• HBO’s Miniseries (John Adams, Band of Brothers, and the upcoming Saddam Hussein miniseries)

So I suppose this is a Uggla/Cantu centric post, but I'm interested to know what players McC posters and lurkers are eyeballing as options para los Gigantes.  In my eyes (warped by years in teh "Lunatic Fringe" realm), there's no way that the fish are agreeing to arbitration on more than 1 of their arbitration eligible players.  If the G's could trade for any of the following and not have to give up any of the top 4 prospects (from the McC list) or lil money, Lincecum, and Cain, I'd think they would be putting themselves in a great position to put FA dollars towards best available vs. filling a need.

My targeted arbitration eligible players (in no particular order)

• Jeff Francoeur
• Edwin Encarnacion
• Jorge Cantu
• Jeremy Hermida
• Dallas McPherson
• Cody Ross
• Dan Uggla

Who’s on your list?

The goal of drafting Buster Posey, was that he would become part of the Gigantes future as a star hitter who oozed talent and would mean a #3 hitter that could be written into their line up ever day for the next decade.

While we all hope for the best, smart people also prepare for the worst.  I'm not that intelligent, so I say we project something in between. 

I'm envisioning The Notorious GBP (you like that don't you..) being a very good hitter.  To use the catcher analogy, we could say a Russel Martin with more speed, less pop, and greater positional flexibility.  If his catching issues (passed balls, calling games, etc.) become duanting, I'd think a position change (2B?  I also heard he plays CF) would probably be in order and he would remain a back up catcher.  The silver lining to this cloud might be that any team that has the Notorious GBP on it, probably could go another bench player deep on the roster as B-Pizzle (not sure if that works the same way) could be the end of your bull pen.  A team that could carry 14 hitters (yes even Giant hitters) would probably do better in close games, especially the later innings.

So those are my thoughts.  On a more personal note, I've yet to meet anyone more useless than HR people or career counselers.  How in the name of Bill Switft's 1993 season, does one become one of these useless sacks of mung?  Better yet, how can you do this in a city/county government job?

via enstxzrnsprxt.6hops.net

Baronvoncurrentevents should really check out Woot.com today (right now actually) as Acer's super tiny portable and very awesome computer is selling for $289.  Now that's a steal!

So yeah, instead of typing 75 words I'll just repeat what I always thought.....Monster Squad kicks Ass!

"Kick 'em in the nards!"

"wolf man don't got any nards!"

"kick 'em anyways!"

*kick*

"wolfman's got nards...."

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via image.automobilemag.com

So through the month of October, I've been bombarded by ads when I forget to use the DVR, and I've been mesmorized by Jeff Bridge's voice as he tells me about the Hyundai Genesis, and how it will smoke a porsche boxter in a 0-60, and how it's on par with a 5 series BMW, 4.6 Liter V-8, 375HP, etc.  and all for under thirty grand.  Needless to say that I'm interested in finding out more, but have yet to take a test drive.  I'm not really in the market for a car, but like the Nissan GT-R, and other cars before it (I.E. my 3.2L Type S Acura CL), I want to know more.  Does anyone own this and if so what's your opinion?  If nobody owns one, has anyone given it a test drive?  Am I strange for being excited by a Korean car?

So I've just had to replace my computer and I'm trying to think what if any software I've missed in my quest to restore my computering to it's former glory.  Here's what I've obtained so far.

MS Office 2007 Enterprise

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Audition

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Premiere

Alcohol 120%

KM Player

Firefox

CDisplay

Goldwave

Nero

WinRar

AVG

Skype

Reget Deluxe

WinAmp

I'm sure I've forgotten a bunch of programs so why don't you remind me (and the rest of the quasi-computer skilled McC Readers and Readerettes)!

A decade ago I would have said it would probably be George W, but clearly that's not going to happen.  That being said, Bud is 74 years old, and probably doesn't have much time left on the clock.  So who's going to take the reins from him?  Whoever it is, it's going to be someone who's a stooge for the owners or if not a stooge, something resembling a company man.  This means no Bob Costas, no Peter Gammons, no Peter Magawon, no Bill James, etc.

So Who then fellow McC peeps?

via photos-915.ll.facebook.com

I just received this and assuming the linking from her facebook page works, I'm pretty freaking pissed.  I always had a low opinion of the French but if they have embraced the Dodgers, we've got something really troublesome to worry about now.  As we all know San Francisco has shunned nuclear weapons, and the French love their nuclear deterrent.  This means that the belief that we had in Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) is no longer valid.  I call in bonds to hit some nuclear tipped HR balls into the Arch de Triumph...nock that sucker down before the Germans get a chance to...

Outside of Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent, the Giants have had a serious power shortage ever since they moved out of Candlestick.  Now the Giants probably won't change the park's layout but almost anything would improve the HR total. 

I have my thoughts on this but I'm more interested in yours, so as a starter question, do you like the current layout of the 3rd Street Yard?  I like the layout, but worry that long term the FA hitters aren't going to want come here unless we over pay for them. 

Pitchers seem to like it but will a pitching dominant team mean a world series?  Would slight park adjustments make it closer to what seems to dominate the ball parks of the rest of the country (outside the NL West)?