SB Nation User Blog: nvsfg

OT: What Would You Change About Baseball If You Were the Commisioner

nvsfg — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:12:54 -0000

OT: What Would You Change About Baseball If You Were the Commisioner

Over on THT, Craig Calcaterra takes issue with Rick Reilly for a number of reason's but focuses on his statements regarding what he would do if he were MLB Commisioner. Most of Reilly's ideas are ridiculous and Calcaterra correctly rips him up. It did however bring up an interesting topic for a post: What would you change about baseball if you were the commisioner ?

Semi OT: Grizzlies vs Aces Pics, 3 New Pics Added

nvsfg — Sun, 10 May 2009 16:47:15 -0000

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.

OT: Dan Ortmier Sighting !

nvsfg — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:25:46 -0000

OT: Dan Ortmier Sighting !

I attended the Reno Aces/Colorado Sky Sox game in Reno, NV last night. Box score in the link.

The game started out rocky with two errors committed by the Aces that allowed a four run top of the first for the Sky Sox. The one flaw I have noticed in the ballpark so far is that the 6:05 starts begin as the sun is setting in the west. Home plate is located in the southwest corner of the park causing the setting sun to hit all of the infielders and outfielders to look into the sun for about the first two innings. After the first inning disaster, the Aces settled down to play a decent game eventually coming back to win in the bottom of the eighth.

Among the Sky Sox are former Giants Dan Ortmier, Scott Munter, and Damien Moss. Also on the Sky Sox and Rockies "40 Man" is Eric Young Jr. He looks just like his dad, although a smaller and younger version. He did not play last night, but looked very good in warm ups. Good bat and good wheels. Maybe the Rocks' want to trade for a fast, iron gloved utility guy ?

Ort came in as a pinch hitter and grounded out to 1B. Munter came in for the eighth inning when the Sky Sox were up by one with runners on first and second. Munter pitched well. Got two outs, but did give up a run on a fielder’s choice. Six of the Aces runs came with two outs in the third and the eighth.

OT: Reno Aces Play First Ever Home Game in New Stadium

nvsfg — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:32:45 -0000

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.

OT: Season Ticket Plans Cheaper Than Two Yankee Box Seats

nvsfg — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:24:13 -0000

OT: Season Ticket Plans Cheaper Than Two Yankee Box Seats

Eleven MLB teams have a season ticket plan cheaper than two box seats for "New" Yankee Stadium, and the Giants "Gamer" plan is only twenty two dollars more. The season ticket package for one field level box seat is $26, 325

My favorite quote from the article:

Full Season Package Price: $26,325.00, per seat
Additional Shipping and Packaging and online fees will apply.

These guys need a stimulus package for their brain. Guess you have to pay for Tex and CC somehow.

Baseball Has A Stimulus Package ?

nvsfg — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:21:40 -0000

Baseball Has A Stimulus Package ?

Reading through the assorted text that passes as baseball information on the web, I came across these two gems in the article linked above:

"Manfred also pointed to the action of the commissioner’s office when baseball’s credit line was not renewed. It negotiated a new line of credit for $125 million, from which clubs can borrow."

"Boras would like the Giants to step up if for no other reason than to worry the Dodgers, who need Ramirez’s run production in their lineup but haven’t demonstrated a willingness to offer Ramirez anywhere near the contract Boras wants. Four or five years for $25 million a year would do nicely, thank you."

In an article about collusion, I found these comments entertaining. Your thoughts ?

OT: Phillies Lose Utley and Feliz For Spring 2009

nvsfg — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:49:44 -0000

OT: Phillies Lose Utley and Feliz For Spring 2009

The World Champion Phillies got some bad news for the holidays. Both Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz will miss time for the first part of Spring 2009.

This is second time this year that Feliz has taken time off with this injury. Without knowing exactly what the injury is, the description of the surgery/procedure sounds like the same one I had three years ago. Microdiscectomy or Discectomy is a "minor" surgery compared to disc replacement or fusion, but still is spinal surgery.

What does this mean for the rest of his career ? I am happy that Feliz got the chance to get a ring, but as an all glove/weak bat 3B, could it mean he's done ?

Semi-OT: MiLB Reno Aces and Giants History

nvsfg — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:15:41 -0000

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 ?

This Year In Baseball Awards (Fan Voting)

nvsfg — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 20:07:59 -0000

This Year In Baseball Awards (Fan Voting)

The MLB and MiLB Year in Baseball Awards is online and available for voting. Please make sure to vote for Timmy, MadBum, TimA, and Kyle Nicholson. They do require an e-mail address and birthday. Bonus: You can vote as many times as you want ! Minor League Voting is a small link under the MLB candidates.

OT: All Time Worst Contract Team

nvsfg — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:01:01 -0000

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.