MLB Managers and Coaches once again fell prey to the siren song of DINGERZZ and RIBBIEZZ. Proof, once again, that chicks dig the long ball.

Continue reading this post »

Along with the article on Lincecum and Cain, the latest SI also has a piece in "The Vault", recounting the incident involving Juan Marichal and John Roseboro. As has frequently been the case where this story is concerned, the article (reprinted from 1965) is a ridiculously slanted account of what actually took place.

Continue reading this post »

I know this sounds extreme. But when I look at the Giants' problems and deficiencies--and they are legion--I keep seeing Brian Sabean as the one who ultimately is responsible for the things that are wrong with the Giants, and the one who is keeping them from getting where we all want them to be. Today's game simply provided several more examples.

Continue reading this post »

For the second straight year, the Giants offense is completely toothless. They've spent the past season and a half at or near the bottom of the league in runs scored, home runs, pitches/at bat, BB, OBP, SLG, OPS, OMG, WTF, and BBQ. They have nothing even remotely similar to a genuine, consistent power hitter. Brian Sabean has brought in a new emphasis on speed and moving up runners, but the roster he has assembled continually fails in this aspect of the game.

Now, talk has begun that Sabean is in the market for a bona fide hitter. Matt Cain is being mentioned as someone Sabean might consider trading to bring in a real offensive threat. Clearly the Giants have to look outside their organization if they want to beef up their offense.

The question is, do we want to see Matt Cain traded in order to do that? And do we trust Brian Sabean to make a trade that will help the Giants?

"Juan Uribe receives word that he'll be getting a lot more playing time as a result of the injury to Edgar Renteria. And someone shoves a trumpet in his face."

If Edgar Renteria goes to the DL with his hamstring injury, who picks up the slack? Last night we talked about the idea of Emmanuel Burriss moving over to short and Kevin Frandsen being called up. I'd be happy if this happened, but I don't think it will. Burriss has worked hard to get comfortable at second base. I don't think the Giants will want to mess with that.

I almost sort of picture Bruce Bochy thinking long and hard about giving Rich Aurilia a week of starts at short, just to "get Richie going". This would be unfortunate, since the only use of the phrase "get Richie going" should be in relation to helping him clear out his locker, or giving him a ride to the airport.

I think Juan Uribe gets slotted in at shortstop until Renteria comes back. Burriss stays at second base and Eugenio Velez maybe gets a turn or two as Burriss' backup.The result: there's really no need to call up another middle infielder to replace Renteria.

OK, so who replaces Renteria, then? If it was up to me, I'd bring up what the Giants need most--more than another middle infielder, more than another relief pitcher...a hitter. Why not use this as an opportunity to call up Jesus Guzman?  Give him a few starts at first base, particularly against LH pitching, see how he is progressing defensively, give him a few pinch hit opportunities. The Giants get to add a badly needed bat, (taking away a lot of AB's from Aurilia in the process), and they still have Ishi for late-inning defense. It's low-risk, potentially high reward.

That's what I'd like to see them do.

I got an email from my friend Gar, who has gained a little bit of notoriety this past year as "Batting Stance Guy". He's been on MLB Network a bit lately.

Anyway, the Giants are going to have a "Guess the Stance" feature between innings on JumboTron this season, and Gar asked if I could help him get the McCoven's esteemed input on the following two questions:

1) Who are your favorite current Giants' hitters? (Top two or three)

Mine = Bengie, KF Panda and FLew

2) Which current Giants have the most weirdest, most memorable, most unique stances and swings?  Here I'd go with Richie (with fake bunt), Winn and Bengie.

Please help out and post your answers to these two questions. Thanks...

My friend Gar sent me a link for a piece he did on MLB Network recently. It's fun to see these stances shot in a studio with clear picture and different camera angles, instead of just the usual fuzzy youtube video shot in the backyard from a single camera. I also enjoy the way he interacts with Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams. Dude seems really at ease. 

Look for three ex-Giants: Jack Clark, Ryan Klesko and Joe Carter. He does both a "Braves Klesko" and a "West Coast Klesko", and the "West Coast Klesko" pretty much captures the famous "Klesko pose" shot that used to grace MCC when Klesko was a Giant in '07.  Watching him do Carter's HR in <em>front of Mitch Williams</em> is pretty surreal. Then he turns around and does a creditable Mitch Williams. Pitching Stance Guy. Williams seems like a good sport and looked like he really enjoyed it.

Not sure what's up with the MLB Net guys and their matching sweat suits. Looks like they're in some weird cult or something.