I know, I know this topic has been talked to death, and if you feel the need to scream at me, I understand. I realize that every way it can be measured, clutch hitting doesn't exist. However, anyone who has played baseball at a semi-serious level (including Little League when you were twelve) just knows that when you're in the batter's box with the winning run on second and two out, the bat gets gripped a little harder. Legs get a little stiffer, and the pitcher seems a little closer. How do we then reconcile the human element with the proof in the numbers? Is the pitcher feeling the same stress, thereby nullifying the hitters feelings? Are MLB-er's somehow immune to this feeling? Is clutch hitting somehow not defined properly, therefore not measured properly? I'm very curious to know what ya'll think.

I, like many others 'round these parts, believe that the Giants are set up for an extended run of excellence. The farm system seems loaded, most of the youngins' getting a long look this season are meet and/or exceeding expectations, and there is a lot of payroll that's going to be freed up this coming offseason. Hey, the Giants' are even ahead of schedule, win wise. All this aruges against trading for Doc Halladay, a go for it move if there every was one. However, there is the Curious Case of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Loaded with prospects, a little ahead of schedule in 2007, good times are here to stay!! Or not. Nearly all of their young players have failed to develop the way nearly every expert expected (and a lot of us amatures as well).

I guess the real question here, and one that I'm not smart enough to decide for myself, is do the Giants' try for the blockbuster Halladay/Rios trade and go for it now, when they clearly have a chance, or keep the prospect core intact moving forward?

It's been awhile since I've really had a Dodger that I want to sink my teeth into and watch him struggle like that wildebeast that the croc nailed in "Planet Earth". However, Matt Kemp is stepping up admirably to fill that void. He's so damn good, more than a bit arrogent, and just seems like the kind of guy who you would invite over, have a nice dinner, then notice that all your good booze was gone.

Who is the Dodger you want to throw into the Cove most now?

Well, as we are about to enter the long, dark winter of the baseball soul, we must turn to fine drink and meals to sustain us through the cold, baseball-less winter.

I thought I would throw this one out before it turns into a hijack. What is your favorite resturant and why? My two favorites are:

1) Folie Deuce - Arcata, CA - Highlights include and incredible salami, brie, and apracot jam pizza, and a roqfort steak (filet with a roqfort and cream sauce). Laid back atmosphere, great food, and good people. Good wine list as well.

2) Farallon - San Francisco, CA - Great wine menu, fantastic service, and a bold pairing menu. Loved the crab gumbo with Chimay ale, and my wife still raves about the blood orange martini she had there.

Adam J. Morris (Houston, Texas): Smoak, Chris Davis, or Max Ramirez? And does any other team have three pure hitting prospects as good as those three?

 Keith Law: Smoak, Davis, Ramirez. The Rangers' system is stacked. Other orgs ... no, you may be right on that one. Giants could make a case if you want to project on Villalona and give them Posey and Gillaspie

From Keith Law's chat today on espn.com. Looks like our buds in orange and black are treding in the right direction on the farm. Law also reiterates in the chat that he ranks the Giants' farm system in the top 5 in the game. Nice little change, eh?

Well, it's time to make my pilgrimage to Yankee Stadium. My wife, daughter, and I will fly out Friday morning from Oakland to JFK, and catch a Yankee game Sunday and a Mets game on Tuesday. Are advise for visiting the Stadium for the first time? Any can't miss ideas for Shea (I'm sure that list will be long).

Any help from the fine assembilage...umm...assembled here will be...helpful. Thanks in advance.

As I read a little more hype about Joba Chamberlin, and his much anticipated first start, I wonder how were loyal readers here at McCovey Chronicles would react if the Giants' treated Tim Lincecum in such a manner. Set up work, ship to rotation with a hard limit of 65 pitches per game. I understand that Joba is a special talent, and the Yankees are much smarter than I am, but this seems boarderline crazy to me. If you want the kid to start, let him build up innings in the minors and have him start. If you want him setting up, have him set up this year and play winter ball to ready him for starting duty next year. Now, the Yankees have created a situation where they've created a huge hole at the end of thier bullpen, while severley  taxing the front end. Any thoughts?