As the Giants begin this game in their quest for a sweep of the Rockies, I thought I would share mrs. nvsfg's Mothers Day present with you all. As many of you of know, mrs. nvsfg was born in Albany, CA and is a lifelong Giants fan. The vehicle pictured below is a 2005 Volvo S40 and has always had Giants logos, license plate frames and other assorted Giants insignia. The car is white w/ orange pin stripes. For Mothers Day this year, I thought I would stop playing around.

Usually when you see this logo it is on a cap.

This one is on the front end of a vehicle.

The seat covers are ballistic nylon racing seat covers that I had emroidered by a friend that does graphics for Uniforms, etc.

Seat covers wide shot.

This last one is an SF logo over the rear window brake light. You guessed it, when you hit the brakes, it turns orange.

So on this Mothers Day call your Mom, Kiss your significant other, and Go Giants !!

On Aug 23, 2010 the Giants designated Matt Downs for assignment in order to move him off the 40 man roster..

I am sure on that day Matt had many things going through his mind. He was close to September 1 and hoping for a call up. Another chance to prove that he could have value to the big league team. Instead he was moved off the 40 man to make room for Cody Ross. There was a chance he would be claimed, but many thought the chance was almost non-existent. A 26-year-old utility infielder? Who would risk a spot on the roster for a guy like that in September? As we all know, my son was claimed by the Houston Astros.

I am sure on that day Matt had a lot on his mind. Was he destined to stay in 3A forever? Did he have a career in MLB? What was his future going to be? Instead of contemplating his future, he was following through on a promise made to a fan.

During the last series between the Reno Aces and Fresno Grizzlies, Mrs. nvsfg and I were chatting with Matt prior to game time. She mentioned that she treasured the signed bat from last year. Matt said he wished the bat "was worth more" and she said, "it’s the only signed bat I have, so it couldn't be worth more". Now, Mrs. nvsfg is no shrinking violet, and she casually mentioned to our son that she needed a set of signed batting gloves to go with her signed bat from last year. Matt said he only had one pair with him on this trip but he would "figure something out". Mrs. nvsfg offhandedly mentioned that he could just send them in mail. He thought for a moment and said "OK, write your address down for me."

As Bill Cosby once said, "I told you that story, to tell you this one." Yesterday afternoon I was on a conference call and Mrs. nvsfg called my cell three times within a period of five minutes. I was worried something had happened to her or one of the nvsfg jrs. After I got off the call, I called her back as quickly as I could. She picks up the phone and says to me "Guess what came in the mail?" The pictures below show that Matt Downs keeps his word.

Actual name and address redacted. you guys know enough about me.

For real ?

Note postage date..and the amount due on delivery LOL

Side 1 signature

Side two signature..There actually was magic inside !

I'll miss you my son. A fine man who kept his word.

On Friday July 23, the Fresno Grizzlies began a four game series in Reno, NV against the Aces. The prior night in Fresno, the Grizzlies were beaten soundly by the Salt Lake Bee's 11-3, with the Grizzlies only runs coming off of the Bee's late relievers. That loss put the Grizzlies into a tie for the Division lead with the Sacramento Rivercats.

The Aces, who are playing about as well as their parent club should have been a pushover right ? It did not turn out quite that way, with the Aces taking three of the four games played.

Friday nights game started out with a bang as each team scored three runs in the first inning. Both pitchers settled down, and the game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Matt Yourkin gave up a single run. The Grizzlies would not answer back until the sixth inning. In the fifth inning, Yourkin had a throwing error on a bunt that allowed leadoff hitter Pedro Ciriaco to reach first. He then gave up the double that ended his night. Henry Sosa came in and immediatley burst into flames. The night did not end well.

With the exception of the win on Saturday in which my son went 2/4 with a double, the Grizzlies looked tired. Most of the bullpen was awful, but Pena and Hinshaw at least looked like professional relievers. Sosa as previously mentioned, spontaneously burst into flame as did Medders yesterday. Medders came in with the game still within reach and proceeded to give up a three run homer to Aces 1B Brandon Allen. This guy can hit, but like many young power hitters, struggles with off speed pitches. Mrs. nvsfg is sitting next me yelling "throw him a change up, throw him a curve, but for gods sake don't throw him a fastball". So naturally, Medders pipes a fastball down the middle which proceeds to leave the park like a Bugatti Veyron. The starters with the exception of Wellemeyer did not look good. Pucetas gave up eight ER in his start on Sunday. Hacker started out fine but fell apart in the fourth and the bullpen finished the job of imploding for him.

All in all, even with the Grizzlies losses, it was a good weekend. Our season tickets are right against the wall on the 1B side which allows us to chat with all of the visiting teams. We picked those seats so that we could see as many of the prospects as possible, but the Giants prospects and DL players in particular. I got to see young and slowly coming Giants youngsters that should see the MLB roster at some point. My son of course, was cool as ever. He came over each game, checked in talked about the prior nights game, and baseball in general. On to the Pics :

Continue reading this post »

On Friday night September 4, the Fresno Grizzlies began their final series of 2009. The four game series in Reno would put an end to their twenty five game stretch without a day off. It would also wrap up a three and a half week set of games that included twenty one road games.

As a lifetime Giants fan, it has been great for me to watch 3A games this year as a season ticket holder for the Reno Aces. I had forgotten how much fun minor league ball can be. The atmosphere is much more intimate, and the level of communication with the players and Coaches reminds me why I love baseball. We selected our seats in the first row of the first base side so that we could visit with the opposing players and coaches. We have spoken with Coaches and players including Rene Latchman, Eric Young Jr., Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood, Sal Fasano, Dan Ortmeier, Randy Messenger,Scott Munter, and others from the visiting 3A teams.

During the last home stand with the Grizzlies in Reno, Mrs. NVSFG and I were able to talk baseball with First Base Coach and Former Player Hensley (Bam Bam) Meulens during the games. Each game we talked with him about his career, the Grizzlies, and the Giants in general. My younger daughter was pregnant at the time and he gave us a signed ball for our yet to be born grandson.

At the start of series on Friday evening, Bam Bam walked over to our seats, said hello, asked how we were doing, how was our grandson, and basically wanted to catch up on what had happened since he had last seen us. It kind of blew me away that he would remember us, and that he would go out of his way to see how we were doing.

Enough chatter, back to the games this weekend. As most of you have know by now it was a terrible series for the Grizzlies. The looked and acted tired, and honestly looked like they were ready to go home. As tired as they were, most of the players were very loose, laughed, joked and talked with the fans in our area during warm ups each day. On Friday night Freddy Sanchez was working his rehab stint. He took time to talk and sign autographs for a large number of fans.

During this homestand, Bam Bam walked over spoke with us each inning. Mrs. NVSFG told him that for all of the games she had attended during her life, she had never gotten a bat. After Matt Downs broke his bat in the next inning, he taped it up and hand carried it over to her seat. Because she had told him that I was his adopted Dad on McC, Downs signed it after the game. As he was leaving the field he turned around after a loss, and walked back to sign the bat. As much as I love the Giants and would rather see the "Big Club" play, this weekend was the most fun I have had at a baseball park in a long time. So much for all of the chatting. On to the pictures from today's game and the weekend.

Brett Butler signed this 1990 Giants card before today's game.

Bam Bam signed this Rookie card on Friday night

A signed bat from my son. Mrs. NVSFG says I can have it if she dies.

Kevin Frandsen trying to decide if baseball is the right career choice for him. I asked him if he ran over Sabeans dog or spit in Bochy's cap.

Matt Downs and Kevin Frandsen looking for a way out of Fresno

Three guys who are tired of being on the road.

Your friend and mine Joe Martinez.

Jake Wald trying to figure out how to get a hit in Reno.

Bam Bam and my son listening to their last national anthem for a while.

Our seatmates actual son Luke, throwing out the first pitch for today's game.

Adam Witter, Pat Rice, and Steve Hammond. Let's get this show on the road.

Kevin Frandsen base hit.

Matt Downs fights off an inside pitch for a base hit. Two on , one out !

Adam Witter strikes out to end the inning, leaving two runners stranded. Just like the big club !!

New Guys Below

David Maroul 3B . This dude looks like a ball player.

Jesse Shriner C

Skyler Strosmoe RF. Had to check that spelling.

Steve Palazzolo Sighting ! Dude is a freaking giant, and that fastball sinks like a mafia guy with cement shoes on.

David Maroul fields the ball to throw out Cole Gillespie>

Newly acquired D'Backs prospect Cole Gillespie grounds out off of Palazzolo

Clay Timpner Base Hit !

Clay Timpner catches a fly ball in the 8th

Final Inning and Jake Wald is ready to go home.

The Grizzlies/Aces series began Friday night. I support my local guys (and professional sports in Reno)but with the Grizzlies in town, all bets were off. I put on my Grizzlies fitted home cap, Mrs. nvsfg put on her Grizzlies visor and her "I see Orange People" Giants sweatshirt and we were offf to the game.

As we arrived at the game I ran into a City Councilman that I have worked with over the years on youth Sports programs. He took one look at our gear, smiled, shook his head, and walked over to greet us. He points to my hat with a quizzical look and I said " You have known me for ten years, you know I'm a Giants fan, you can't be surprised ?."

Seeing the youngsters (semi-youngsters ?) up close was pretty cool. Living here in Reno I haven't seen a Grizzlies game since I moved from the Central Valley fifteen years ago. Our seats are close and it was nice to talk with a few as they warmed up. Grizz ended up with the win 9-5, won Saturday, Sunday and are going for the sweep on Monday. On to the pics:

Recognize This Guy ? He had a nice laugh when I asked him how Velez could be on the MLB roster. Did he have pictures of Sabean in a compromising position ?

Bowker stretching out.

My adopted son. Came over and said "Hi Dad " LOL.

My son's autograph.

Jesus Sighting.

Rohlinger and Timpner.

My Son at the plate.

Sadler talking with Bam-Bam after ripping a nice single down the RF line.

Whiteside's HR swing.

Downs with the double, yes !!

The sun sets on the Aces chances for a win.

Big Inning for the Grizz.

Who's that skinny man with the flat brim hat.

The first Jeepney in Reno

Update: We were at the game on Mothers Day with my younger daughter and her husband. One of our seatmates made two of his four seats available so we could bring them. A very nice gesture on his part.

After Friday night's game I did a little research on Grizzly 1B Coach Hensley Muelens. Found out his nickname was "Bam-Bam". Mrs. nvsfg and her friend got his attention by sayin "Hey, Bam-Bam how you doing today ?" That got a huge smile and they talked with him throughout the Saturday game that I was unable to attend. On Sunday, he brings an autographed game ball, walks over gives it to my daughter (who is pregnant), because Mrs. nvsfg told him that she had already purchased Giants gear for the baby. "Bring him up right" he said. New Pics Below:

Jesus flirting with Mrs. nvsfg. One of the few autographs he gave. She called out to him and said "Hey Guzman, your Mom said you have to sign my hat today for Mothers Day" LOL. It worked.

Nestor Rojas. Where do the Giants find these "square" Catchers ? Didn't get to see him hit, but a pretty nice guy.

This is a pretty happy group of guys. In a four game series the Grizz scored 43 runs. Pretty sure they are looking forward to coming back to Reno in September. I know I am.

Last night the Reno Aces ( Diamondbacks AAA) played the first home game in the long awaited return of professional baseball in Reno, NV. The starting pitcher was none other than former short term Giant Travis Blackley.

Season Tickets cost me about the same as my three annual pilgrimages to the mother ship, and I figured what the hell, it's professional baseball, sort of. As a Giant fan, I could not sit on the home side, so I selected the best seats I could find, first base side, first row, and the other season ticket holders are great. All Giants fans, and one A's fan next to us. About halfway through the game, Mrs. nvsfg said "Hey these guys are pretty good. Too bad I can't cheer for them". Myself and our seat mates agreed that we would cheer for and support the local boy's except when they were playing "Our Guy's"

The park dimensions are huge, Left-field line, 339 ft., left-field alley, 370; center field, 410; right-center field, 423 right-field alley, 386; right-field line, 340, and contain elements of many major league parks Left Field and Left Center is about a 75 ft green monster type High Wall Edit: The "Wall" seems to be closer to 45 or 50 ft , and Right Center is deeper than AT&T. The dimensions and wall scared the hell out me until I thought about the 5000 foot altitude.

All in all a good night. Blackley went five and The Aces won 11-1, with no HR's hit in the new park. I have three favorites already of the local guys. Josh Whitsell (1B), Josh Wilson (SS), and Trent Oltjen (RF).

The Grizzlies are in town from May 8-11, and I will post pics of the bastard sons of the San Francisco Giants when they hit town. Below are few select pictures from "Opening Day".

About 45 minutes prior to game time.

View From My Seats. Can talk to the players during warm ups. The Bee's guys were pretty cool, but still a little subdued about Adenhart. Most of these guys knew him pretty well.

Let's get this thing rolling. First Game ever, Home Opener and of course the Mayor(s), City Council, Owners, and MLB had things to say. Mostly Thank You, Thank You, please come and spend money.

First Pitch !! Strike One.

First Base Coach would not stay in the box. Kept moving around and blocking people’s views. Everyone in our section endlessly heckled him.

With a number of MiLB affiliation changes at the end of 2008, the Aces will play in Reno with the season home opener on April 17. Despite their lame team name and affiliation with the D-Backs, it is professional baseball, as opposed to the guys who were managed by Hackman . I have purchased a season ticket package (two seats, front row, 1B Dugout) that cost me less than my annual pilgrimage down to the 'Bay for three to four games each season. Their schedule includes eight home games against the Griz, as well as the rest of the fifteen PCL teams

Today, the Aces named Brett "Bugsy" Butler the new Manager, and Joel Youngblood the hitting instructor.

One of the most interesting things about the former Tucson Sidewinders is the longtime connection with the Giants. Former Giants Players seem to have found a home with this organization.

From Wikipedia" After the MLB expansion that added the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Toros moved to Fresno, California as the Fresno Grizzlies. The Phoenix Firebirds relocated to Tucson, briefly became the Tucson Toros (1997), and then became the Sidewinders (1998), the Triple-A affiliate of the new Diamondbacks. This was accomplished by what amounted to a "swap" in ownership in 1997, with Firebirds owner Martin Stone purchasing the Toros and Toros owner Rick Holtzman receiving interest in the Firebirds. The Tucson team retained management and staff primarily from the Toros, and traces its history from the Toros rather than the Firebirds. The Phoenix Firebirds had played from 1958 through 1997 as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The franchise joined the Pacific Coast League as a charter member in 1903 as the San Francisco Seals, relocating to Phoenix when the major league New York Giants moved to San Francisco. Seals alumni include Joe DiMaggio"

2008 Aces Roster (YTD) Comment Starters: Can these guys win with this roster ? I am excited about 3A Baseball in Reno. Are you ? What is the otherworldly connection between this team and the Giants ? Does it signal the End Times ? Should this have been a FanShot ?

How about a little "off day" distraction ? On Bugs and Cranks yesterday one of the contributers posted the All Time Worst Contract Team. I'm sure you can imagine the current Giant listed on that team.

Comment starter: Do you agree with the writers list ? Can you create an All San Francisco Giants Worst Contract Team ? The team need not be based on dollar value. Player performance does factor. Trades may be included. Difficulty: You may not include Barry Zito.

I came across this heading, picture, and comment on an antique photography web site.

Field of Nightmares: 1910

August 1, 1910. New York Giants centerfielder Fred Snodgrass, whose 10th-inning error in the 1912 World Series shadowed him for the rest of his life, and beyond.

Headline of his obituary in the New York Times: "Fred Snodgrass, 86, Is Dead; Ball Player Muffed 1912 Fly."Photo Property of George Grantham Bain Collection

This is one of the reasons I love baseball. This poor bastard dropped a fly ball in an important baseball game. It followed him for the rest of his life. In fact, it followed him even into death.

 

Having been a Giants fan since the seventies, I have seen my share of bad baseball. The years 2000 through 2004 were pretty sweet however. As was 1997, and who could forget the heartbreak that was 1993 ?

Comment Starter: Who will be the Fred Snodgrass of 2008 ? Who will be the guy you are p*ssed off at for the next ten years ?

 

 

 

I love my Giants as much as anyone, but it has been a particularly bad week as far as optimism goes. It is only Spring Training, and as of yet it does not really mean anything,but still, "The Force of Optimism" is weakening.

Here is a sample of the battle going on in my head:
Optimist: Merkin Valdez finally looks like he could be the force on the mound most of hoped he could be.
Pessimist: Dude, It's Merkin Valdez.
Optimist:Franny gets moved back to 2B where he  showed potential at the end of last year.
Pessimist: Dude, Did you forget Durham's still on the roster, and Bochy is the Manager ? You know Bochy, the guy who started Castilla every day, even though he stunk up the joint, until the GM DFA'ed him.
Optimist: Fred Lewis is looking pretty good with the bat. He and Rajai would make a pretty good tandem wouldn't they !Speed and Defense ! Even if it takes two guys!
Pessimist: Dude, see Bochy Comment above !
Optimist: Threets looks pretty good. He could be valuable in the pen or as a trade piece.
Pessimist: Dude, He's out of options, Sabes is probably going to forget about it, keep Kline, and lose him on waivers !

Anyway, you get the point. McCoven, Help me see the light at the end of the cellar.....um,er tunnel.

What do "The Office" (US Version) and Fire Joe Morgan have in common you say? As it turns out, quite a bit.

Michael Schur , producer, writer, and actor (Mose) from The Office is the man behind the pseudonym "Ken Tremendous" at FJM.

Surprised? Angry? Befuddled?

Comment Starters:

1. Will you read more of FJM now that the secret has been revealed?
   
2. Are you hoping for some "The Office" type wit from FJM?
   
3. McCovey Chronicles is much wittier and funnier than FJM. Why isn't Grant writing for TV?
   

In the "other than discussions about Joe Crede" category comes this item today. Casey joins Red Sox by signing one-year contract .

Sean Casey is a career .301/.366/.450 OPS+ 110 hitter. $700K seems like a reasonable risk and  amount to pay for a 33 yo one year LH 1B.

Comment Starter. Should the Giants have taken this risk ?