SB Nation User Blog: jnormous

OT:Thank You McCovey Chronicle

jnormous — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:03:24 -0000

I just wanted to share my thanks to the people of this site. I grew up loving baseball. My admiration of the game stems from birth when my parents feverishly watched everything baseball. They are both two of the biggest baseball fans I've ever known. As a child I watched the A's because my parents were huge fans of Ricky Henderson, Carney Lansford, Rick Honeycutt and all the other Oakland greats of the '80's. But me, I never had the same affection for those teams as my folks did. Much to the chagrin of Mom and Dad, I was a Giants fan. Then in 1993, when I was 10 years old, I was officially hooked. Barry Lamar Bonds came home and I was a young boy in awe of his greatness. I idolized the same things we all did. No reason to list them all. We were all witnesses to his excellence. Baseball was what I cared about most. Football, basketball, and wrestling were cool, but I wanted to be a baseball player first and foremost. But, as I got older baseball became less and less important.

I grew bigger (along with BLB) and baseball faded into the background by the time I was 16. Wresting was my top priority when it came to sports. Girls, my drivers license, high school social status and everything that seemed soooo important as a 16 year old kid now trumped my once obsession with the Giants and baseball in general. Though I always followed and rooted for my home team, I could rarely be bothered to spend three hours to watch the game I once couldn't bare to miss. Then came college, work, and general life stuff we all do. Baseball kept being driven further and deeper into my sub-consciousness.

So, where does McCovey Chronicles and all ya'll fit onto my story? Well, a bit over a year ago on Mother's Day I got sick. I couldn't eat brunch with my family or go to work the following day. "Ok, so I have the flu," I thought. But I got progressively more ill and in more pain. Finally I went to the doctor after a few stubborn weeks. No luck with a diagnosis. My legs and arms had started becoming so painful I could barely walk or grip anything. Maybe I had a pinched nerve in my back. Docs ran some test and again nothing. I was rapidly losing weight. Before I got sick I was 185 lbs at 6'1". A month in and I was now 170 lbs. My doctors started getting worried and so was I. Two and a half months in and I could no longer walk and was pretty much stuck in bed 24/7. My doctors were perplexed and I was sent to Stanford Neurology. There I was given every test known to man, more than once.

At this point summer was in full swing and baseball was cruising along. I had all the time in the world to watch games again because I couldn't leave the house without serious help. The Giants were there everyday and again became a part of my life. I started to become interested in all things baseball and one day I was searching around the internet. That's when I found McCovey Chronicles. I started reading some things here and there, but quickly I became a avid reader. I started learning about Fangraphs, ERA+, VORP (which I still don't understand), Gints Brazz, Bowkermania and just about everything else that is awesome. In the simplest of terms, baseball and McCovey Chonicles were a way to keep my sanity.

August came around and I was down to 148 lbs and still no diagnosis. I was definitely terrified now, but was able I had an outlet I loved now. I was enjoying watching Lincecum dominate, The Kids coming to The Show and laughing at the randomness that is McCovey Chronicles (there really is some funny stuff on this site). Finally, when things were at there worst and I had reached my bottom point, I was diagnosed. The good news was that my doctors found a rare auto-immune disorder that was curable with time and meds. September rolled around and I was quickly on my way to recovery. The Giants were out of it, but that wasn't the important part to me. What was important was that the Giants and McCovey Chronicles were there along the way to keep me from losing my mind. When I was pissed, tired, sad, scared or any combination of emotions, I would always look forward to a game. Off-days for the Giants were a big bummer, but those were days I just spent more time reading The Chronicles.

I bring this up now because it was just about a year ago when things weren't looking too great and I was ALWAYS roaming around these parts. I was just thinking about how important baseball has been to me and even though there was a gap in my life where baseball was forgotten, I believe it is now here to stay. And I thank all the good people of McCovey Chronicles for not only reminding me that my childhood love has not been forgotten and for teaching me things about the game I never would have known otherwise, but for also being there for me when you didn't even know it. That's what is great about life sometimes; you can mean something to someone without even knowing it. Baseball was that something. McCovey Chronicles was that something. Today I'm just about fully recovered and watching baseball now feels even better now. I'll forever remember that. Thank you baseball and thank you McCovians.

If you were Sabes and Bochy how would fill out the line-up card?

jnormous — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:38:20 -0000

Personally, I don't want to make a major trade this season because we would have to give up too much. I would much rather keep our top-level minor talent and continue building for the future. Instead, I'm a fan of using our AAAA prospects and add them to our current roster. So, I was thinking, what I would do if I was the Giants Brass? This would be my line-up card:

1. Rowand CF

2. Franny SS

3. Schierholtz RF

4. Panda 3B

5. Bowker LF

6. Molina C

7. Ishikawa 1B

8. Renteria 2B

9. Starting pitcher

I think this line-up is the best we can do within the organization. I've completely given up on Burriss for this year and wouldn't mind seeing Winn as a utility outfielder. Also, I want to keep Lewis on the bench. I'm not impressed with his defense and his bat is seriously hurting. I would keep the starting rotation and bullpen the same as they seem to be doing very well lately. The only possible exception would be Sanchez. He has been struggling this year and might need to be moved to the "pen". I would give him some more time though because he obviously is very talented. If Sanchez is moved then I would give Pucetas a chance or Martinez once he's ready.

How would you guys and girls fill out your line-up card if you were the DecisionMaker for the Giants? And, what do you think of my line-up?

Joe Martinez heading to extended Spring Training

jnormous — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:01:23 -0000

Joe Martinez heading to extended Spring Training

Good news on the Joey Martinez come back.

Broshuis returns to San Jose four years later

jnormous — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:25:07 -0000

Broshuis returns to San Jose four years later

This article from BaseballAmerica is from last month, but I thought I was a good read. I never saw it on McC so I thought I'd share it.

Hawpe might be available?

jnormous — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:45:28 -0000

PER BUSTER OLNEY of ESPN:

Brad Hawpe is hurting with a groin issue. Rival teams say you might be able to pry him away from the Rockies in a deal, but the same issue that hung over Matt Holliday will have some bearing on Hawpe's value (or any Colorado hitter's value): his home/road splits. This season, for instance, Hawpe is hitting a stunning .431 in Coors Field, with an OPS of 1.217, and when he plays outside of Coors, his OPS is .884. If you look at Hawpe's history of home/road splits, however, his numbers are not nearly so extreme. In the three-year period of 2006 through 2008, Hawpe's home/road numbers are close to even.

I really like Brad Hawpe and obviously trading within the NL West is difficult, but everyone has a price. Sure, this is a pipe dream and I don't think a trade for Hawpe will happen, but what the hell, it's always fun to throw out some trade thoughts. Could, sould or what would it take for this to happen?

Mock Drafts Picks 1-7 on Minor League Ball

jnormous — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:30:23 -0000

Mock Drafts Picks 1-7 on Minor League Ball

As discribed in the post, 34% of the people voting believe that the Giants shoul/will pick Tate with the 6th pick in the draft. Personally, I have my issues with Tate, but I wouldn't be completely upset if S.F. picks him. I would be suprised though.

I love me some Jesus

jnormous — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:26:02 -0000

Yes I am a believer. Jesus is my homeboy. WWJD? Just his .300, smack double-digit home runs, hit countless singles, doubles and triples...and play lack-luster defense at 2nd bass. According to sources, Guzman's "best" defensive possition is 2nd base. It's been stated on McC before that he would be an awful 2nd basemen and i tend to agree, but i'm in an good mood today and feeling generous with my believes that Jesus is our savior...at 2nd base this year. In no means do I believe he will be stellar on defense, but he will be acceptable. The kid obviously has great hand-eye corrdination. His ST number are ridiculous. He is hitting everything and has been for awhile now. I think he just needs to work on his foot work in the field. Obviously that is easier said than done, but I think he can become servicable at 2nd as long as he keeps hitting the sh!t out of the ball. I think the offense he will provide for our punchless team will outweight his defensive lapses. I'm thinking he is sorta like Jorge Cantu, good offensivly, but might lose one or two games with his D. What do you guys think? Is Jesus a viable option at 2nd base this year to start the season? Do you think his crappy defense far outweights is stellar offense? Or am I too aww-struck by ST numbers? I don't know, but I would sure love to see his bat in our line up everyday.

Sexie on First

jnormous — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:32:50 -0000

Yeah I know it was a silly title for this FanPost, but oh well. I'm still very new to McCovey Chronicles and this is my first post so I hope this hasn't been discussed. I found this article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/118924-giants-should-sign-richie-sexson-not-aurilia. It brings up something I've yet to hear this offseason; Richie Sexson to the Giants. Is there a chance he could rebound his career in the NL and be a surprise story for '09 or is he completely washed up? I consider myself an optimistic person and even I don't think he can bring much to the Giants, but I'd be a little intrigued. First, It would cost the Giants very little money and is a non-risk. Second, as pointed out in the article, Travis Ishikawa can't hit lefties and Richie can. I wouldn't complain if we brought him into Spring Training just to kick the tires. If we don't get Manny then this, if nothing else, is the Giants being a little creative. Obviously he's a totally different player and different position, but it's something. What are your thoughts?

Just a few thoughts on the current state of our team and where we might be heading soon...

jnormous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:36:20 -0000

-I've been complaining about Jackson all season and every time I do I always get a hundred comments back saying how good Jackson is and he is the heart of our team. Well, if he is our "heart" then our team must have none. Why on earth is Jackson Nellie's "guy"? He simply isn't good enough to be the "guy". It's like he forgot how to shoot, rotate on offense and defense or play fundemental basketball now that the true heart of our team is gone (that's BD if you didn't already know. lol). As much as people bitch about Corey I would personally get ride of Jackson before him. I think Jackson is a cancer and with all this loosing he will snap soon. This is going to be interesting.

-I'm curious why Crawford isn't fitting into our system better? With Monta out he definitely has the most pure talent on our team. And I'll argue that point to anyone that can argue otherwise, but for now I'll just leave it as my opinion. I think with Jackson handling the ball so often, Jamal is kinda left in purgatory. He's having trouble meshing well with the over-dominance of Jackson. I think he is talented enough to figure it out and once Monta comes back they will truley be able to run. I think they will have good chemistry eventually because Crawford is without a doubt the best passer on our team. I think he'll surprise us as soon as Jackson stops being the "guy". And that lead me to my next point/arguemant.

-WTF Nellie? That's what I would love to scream at the guy. I think he is the BIGGEST problem with the Warriors right now. I know his past so please don't bring up what he did before because with life, and in sports especially, it's a "what have you done for me lately world" and Nellie hasn't done s*!t for the Warriors lately. Maybe he's too confident because of his new contract and he's lost the love of the game. I think he would much rather be on a beach in Hawaii (wouldn't we all). All he wants is the money now and he's waiting to get fired so he still collects his cash. I know it's a conspiracy theory, but why the hell else would he be doing some of ridiculous things he is? He allows the team to do whatever they please without any discipline. Seems like the only two people he does discipline are Wright and Randolph. And that's only because they are the youngest players. The team doesn't rebound, box, rotate or quite simpily play with any desire or fundamentals. There are so many problem with the Warriors and none of them have been corrected through out the first 25 games. They shouldn't be making the same mistakes as they did in game one of the season. And that my friends falls strikly on the shoulders of our past-his-prime coach. He had one last gusto in 2007, but the man is done.

-Hey I'm just hoping we get Blake Griffin in the next draft. Just another lost year in Warriors world. Too bad, but it was fun while it lasted.

Can we really make the Playoffs this year?

jnormous — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:00:12 -0000

I've been thinking about this for awhile now: Can the Warriors, realisticly, make the Playoffs this year? I love the Warriors and I would be stoked if they made the Playoffs this year, but I've been sceptic all year. I thought, "We are too young, too inexperienced, not enough defense, lack of chemisty, ect, ect." Yeah maybe I'm jaded after all that has happened since the "We Believe" season, but I also believe I was being realistic. But now, I think we can do it! We got rid of some major baggage (ei. Harrington) and added a stellar player in Jamal Crawford. No he is not our fanchise savior, but he's damn good. Pair him along side our other awesome guards (Monta, Buike, Morrow, Jackson, and maybe Maggette) and I think this group can bring us at least the 8th seed. Add in the fact the Andris is one of the top centers in the West now, and some quality youth, and I think we have something in Oakland now. In your hearts-of-hearts, what do you think the chances are of the Dubs making it to the Playoffs this year?Truely.