August 13th, 2009
Whether it’s been Ryan Sadowski or Joe Martinez, the Giants are 1-5 in the last six games started by their fifth starter. Considering the Giants have four off-days left, counting today, shouldn’t Bruce Bochy make sure that Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain pitch as much as possible and also limit the number of starts made by whoever is in the fifth spot? If he does take advantage of these remaining off days, Cain will make 11 starts, Lincecum and Barry Zito will pitch in 10 games each, while Jonathan Sanchez will make 9 starts, and the fifth starter spot will come up in 8 games.
What is concerning me, however, is that Bochy doesn’t plan on pitching Lincecum in New York when Lincecum should pitch Monday if he receives his normal four days rest. Even worse, by pitching Cain Saturday instead of tomorrow, Cain will miss the four games in Coors Field against the Giants greatest wild-card competitor. The Giants are 2-3 in the Rockies home park this year, and both wins were games started by Cain. He is 2-0 in Colorado and has allowed just one run in 13 innings. Bochy should make sure that Cain pitches in that series, and all he would have to do is push Zito back a day.
Zito has been pitching very well, but if Bochy is worried about hurting Zito’s feelings, then he’s missing the boat. He’s also missing the boat if he is worried about Lincecum or Cain’s right arms. There is no harm to Cain and Lincecum because they would be pitching on their normal four days rest. Bochy needs to give his team the best possible opportunity to reach the postseason.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Barry Zito, Brian Wilson, Cal, Giants, Guillermo Mota, Joe Martinez, Jonathan Sanchez, Juan Uribe, Kerri Walsh, Matt Cain, Michael Crabtree, Nate Davis, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Rich Aurilia, Ryan Sadowski, Stanford, Tim Lincecum, Vin Scully | No Comments
August 12th, 2009
As much as I am annoyed by overly pessimistic fans, I must say that was a swift punch to the gut last night, and places a ton of pressure on Tim Lincecum today to shut down L.A. As bad as this homestand has been, every Giants fan has to be a little bit nervous, even with the ace on the hill. A loss, and many will be panicking before the longest road trip of the year.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still optimistic. I was just pumped up for this series, thinking the Giants were ready to beat L.A. on our home turf. Losing the first two is so deflating, I didn’t even want to wake up this morning. I can’t even look my dog in the eye anymore. Gawd, I hate the Dodgers… and although, I’m not giving up on catching them, I’m disgusted because we were holding that card, the “6 of the 9 head-to-head games left at AT&T”, in our back pocket. Well, now it’s 4 of 7, and the Giants HAVE to win today to have any long-shot at the division
And… Then… There’s the wild card. “Wild Card” is a couple of dirty words that are tough to acknowledge for any die-hard baseball fan (McCovey Chronicles notes as much), but we do pay attention to it. The Wild Card is like a drunk relative that no one wants to talk about or confront, but we know of their presence, and we know in the end, that drunk relative is capable of some very solid entertainment (or in the wild card’s case, a postseason).
Okay, maybe I’m reaching… but I’m still optimistic.
On to last night’s notes: (more…)
Categories: San Francisco Giants, Uncategorized |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Aaron Maybin, Alex Smith, Anton Peterlin, Barry Zito, Bill Hahn, Cal, Dallas Braden, Dodgers, Eugenio Velez, Giants, Hiroki Kuroda, JaMarcus Russell, Joe Torre, John Marshall, Justin Duchscherer, Kory Sheets, Matt Kemp, Michael Crabtree, Nonito Donaire, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Randy Wolf, Rich Aurilia, San Jose State, Stanford, Thomas Clayton, Thomas Howard, Tiger Woods, Tim Lincecum, Trevor Cahill, Willie Mays | 1 Comment
August 11th, 2009
Maybe it’s because they haven’t won a championship in San Francisco. Maybe it’s because of all the heartbreaking conclusions to seasons past. Maybe it bugs me more, because I’m too optimistic. (I even joked about the negativity just a few weeks ago.) Whatever it is, Giants fans are, by and large, pessimistic, and the 2009 Giants deserve better. The Giants play the game the right way, and has positioned itself for a pennant chase, despite mostly low expectations.
Sure, I’m as disgusted with Edgar Renteria’s at bats as anybody else. Bengie Molina’s inability to take a pitch drives me nuts. Randy Winn’s plate appearances can take away the optimism from even some of the most ardent fans. Jonathan Sanchez’s inability to get out of fourth and fifth inning jams, despite great stuff, is maddening. The Giants aren’t the only team with problems, however. The Dodger bullpen and rotation depth has been frustrating for their fans. Rockies fans have just about had it with Chris Iannetta, and Jason Hammel certainly doesn’t make them feel any better. You think Cardinals fans enjoy Rick Ankiel, Todd Wellemeyer, and Kyle Lohse?
As said before, every contender in the National League is flawed. There is no reason for Giants fans to feel worse about our problems than anybody else. It’s okay to point out the various inabilities of the team when at the office or the bar, but I have a problem when a packed house, in what is the biggest game of the year to that point, seems to lose all optimism because of one swing of the bat… in the fourth inning! Understandably, this team hasn’t mounted many comebacks this year, but they did come back from two runs down eight days earlier, and from three runs down just five days earlier.
While perusing the McCovey Chronicles Game Thread last night, you’d think the game was over after the Matt Kemp double (which, some would say, it was). There was even an “Open Depression Thread” started in the later innings with the team only down three runs. While I don’t care as much about what is said by those who aren’t at the game, it does give you an idea of the pessimistic nature many, and maybe most, Giants fans have about this franchise.
The Giants are probably the underdog in this 2009 playoff chase. However, that’s a major reason why they the fans to give them that extra adrenaline. Think of the 2007 Warriors upset of Dallas. The Warriors were the underdog, and it might have been a little hyperbole, but the players did say they couldn’t have done it without the fans. For that series, the Dubs had the greatest home-court advantage the NBA had seen in the last ten years. The Giants have a lot of these same types of fans, who try to get the crowd riled up. The problem is for every 7,000 loud die-hards, there are about 20,000 fans who are waiting to jump at the first sign of trouble.
All I ask, as a die-hard Giants fan, is for all of you who go to every game, or just go once in a while, to throw total support this team’s way for these final 21 home games. As an underdog, this team needs it more than others. Sure, the offense will be frustrating, but when we groan about it, we’re not filling in the Giants players on anything they don’t know. In a baseball world that has been obsessed with home runs, this team is still refreshing because they play solid defense and thrive on good pitching. Not to mention, this is still a mostly young team, that is going to need our full support for the next several seasons, when they are consistently in pennant races. So why not cheer as if we’re starting our rebuilding success a year early? After all, whether your optimistic or pessimistic, as die-hard fans, we’re going to be equally disappointed if this team misses the playoffs, right? (more…)
Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Alex Smith, Bengie Molina, Bill Hahn, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, C.J. Watson, Cal, Cardinals, Casey Blake, Dave Dravecky, David Forst, Dodgers, Edgar Renteria, Eugenio Velez, Giants, Gio Gonzalez, Jahvid Best, Jonathan Sanchez, Kirk Morrison, Kory Sheets, Mark Ellis, Matt Kemp, Mike Johnson, Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary, Nate Schierholtz, Orlando Hudson, Raiders, Randy Winn, Rich Aurilia, Robert Gallery, Rockies, Shaun Hill, Stanford, Stephen Jackson, Terry Donahue, Travis Ishikawa, Trevor Scott, Warriors, Will Clark, Zach Miller | No Comments
August 7th, 2009
As I watched Livan Hernandez get lit up in San Diego by the worst offense in the league last night, I couldn’t help but think about Omar Minaya and his incompetence as Mets general manager. No matter what your feelings are toward Billy Beane and Brian Sabean, I think it’s safe to say they certainly aren’t among the worst ten general managers in the game (I think they are, at least, in the top fifteen). The thing I can respect about Beane and Sabean is that they have stayed away from old, veteran has-been’s holding down starting rotation spots these last couple of seasons.
There may have been a time when Beane and Sabean turned to retreads, but not anymore (no, Randy Johnson doesn’t qualify considering his sub-4 ERA last season). In today’s game, general managers need to be smart with their payroll and it makes no sense to pay a veteran like Hernandez $2 million (with incentives) or Tim Redding ($2.25 million!!! Is Minaya in bed with Redding’s agent?), when you can easily find a minor leaguer who can do a better job at the minimum salary.
That’s why it’s always better to turn to the Vin Mazzaro’s of the world, or even lesser prospects such as Joe Martinez and Ryan Sadowski. It’s better than the 5.08 and 6.61 ERA’s that the Mets have received from Hernandez and Redding this season. If the Giants and A’s were throwing out these types this season, we’d all have pitchforks.
Omar Minaya sucks, and we didn’t even have to bring up the awful Oliver Perez contract.
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Categories: Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Snyder, Alex Smith, Barry Zito, Billy Beane, Bobby Convey, Brandon Jones, Brian Sabean, Cal, Derrick Burgess, Donte Stallworth, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Jay Richardson, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Martinez, Jonathan Sanchez, Kenny Stabler, Kevin Riley, Kyle McLaren, Livan Hernandez, Madison Bumgarner, Michael Crabtree, Omar Minaya, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Ray Guy, Ryan Sadowski, Sharks, Shaun Hill, Stanford, Tim Redding, Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro, Warriors | 1 Comment
August 5th, 2009
Greg Papa does a great job on Chronicle Live and on Giants Pregame shows, but this never-ending Barry Bonds discussion needs to cease… NOW. Some New York writer does a piece on the loose Giants clubhouse minus Bonds, and Comcast needs to interview the writer on the Pregame Show and discuss it on Chronicle Live? Seriously, is this really news? I’m pretty sure Bonds hasn’t played a game in a Giants uniform in almost two years.
Of course, it doesn’t get any better when idiots call Chronicle Live suggesting the Giants need to sign Bonds. Why is it the people with no clue, are always the ones who have the guts to call and give their uninformed, misguided opinion?
Anyone that thinks Bonds would give the Giants a huge upgrade is out of their minds. (I can’t believe I’m actually going to break this down.) Clubhouse chemistry talk aside, there is little chance he could be the same hitter when he left. A great deal of Bonds’ success in his last couple of seasons was the walks (132 in 2007). Pitchers wouldn’t be dancing around Bonds as they did then. Why would you pitch around a hitter who hasn’t played in two years, is 45, and is smaller than he was two years ago?
Of course, there is also the defense, where Bonds was one of the worst defensive leftfielders in the game (which is saying something because there are a lot of bad ones). I don’t think his range has improved since he left the game and moved into his mid 40’s.
The real reason Bonds’ name gets brought up on Comcast is because TV heads are mostly void of original thought. They love discussing the same subject over and over again. It’s why we can’t get away from Brett Favre, Michael Vick, and Jon and Kate. I’m sure it won’t be the last time we see Bonds discussed on Comcast. Personally, I’d like to hear more about players that are actually on this 2009 Giants team.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, Barry Bonds, Bear Pascoe, Bengie Molina, Bip Roberts, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, Cal, Dany Heatley, Darrius Heyward-Bey, David Baas, Desean Jackson, Don Nelson, Dre Bly, Eugenio Velez, Jahvid Best, Jeremy Roenick, Joe Martinez, Jonathan Sanchez, Kentwan Balmer, Khalif Barnes, Manny Lawson, Marshawn Lynch, Michael Crabtree, Mike LaCoss, Mike Mitchell, Mike Singletary, Pablo Sandoval, Plaxico Burress, Raiders, Sharks, Stanford | No Comments
July 31st, 2009
I’m as excited as anyone else when it comes to Michael Crabtree’s potential, and the chance that he becomes an elite NFL receiver. However, when you consider his agent, Eugene Parker, and his ridiculous demands that Crabtree should be paid like a top three pick, the Niners should wait this out.
There shouldn’t be much of a sense of urgency on the team’s part because this is the deepest receiving corps the 49ers have had in several years. With Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan expected to be the starters, plus capable starters such as Brandon Jones, Arnaz Battle, and Jason Hill all waiting in the wings, Crabtree is more of a luxury than a need in 2009. Sure, Crabtree has the highest upside of any 49er receiver and still has potential for a big-time rookie season (such as the player he’s been most often compared to, Anquan Boldin), but it’s very unlikely for a receiver to blow anyone’s socks off in their initial season. (Did I just use the phrase, “blow anyone’s socks off”? I think I’m the first person under the age of 70 to use that phrase.) It’s even more unlikely since he has such a long ways to go on the depth chart.
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Categories: San Francisco 49ers |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Brad Penny, Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Cal, Charlie Manuel, Darrius Heyward-Bey, David Ortiz, Devean George, Eugene Parker, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Jeff Tedford, Jonathan Sanchez, Kevin Frandsen, Marco Belinelli, Michael Crabtree, Mike Nolan, Mike Singletary, Nnamdi Asomugha, Orlando Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Stanford, Tim Alderson, Vernon Davis, Warriors, Willie McCovey | No Comments
July 24th, 2009
My disdain for Lew Wolff, because of his desire to get out of Oakland, has been well-documented on this site. Many probably wonder why I’m making such a big deal out of something considering the A’s, if they go to San Jose, won’t be moving very far away. My issue is that the A’s have historically been a huge part of Oakland’s community. As Rickey Henderson is enshrined in the Hall, I think of the great impact he had on that community, particularly African-Americans. You almost never see a community produce the local team’s greatest player, but that’s the case in Oakland. The greatest Athletic is clearly Rickey Henderson. If you don’t think that made a big deal to fans going to games in the 80’s and early 90’s, then you weren’t paying attention. Sadly, there haven’t been many good African-American players playing for this team in the past decade plus. That, along with Lew Wolff’s greed and the team playing in the worst stadium in the league, explains the dwindling A’s attendance numbers.
Much has been made about the lack of African-Americans in baseball, but the East Bay has been an exception to the rule in this country. Some of the biggest African-American names in baseball are the East Bay’s own Jimmy Rollins, C.C. Sabathia, and, despite his struggles, Dontrelle Willis. These players, and other local products, undoubtedly were impacted by Henderson and other outstanding black A’s players from the 80’s and early 90’s. In fact, in an article by ESPN’s Tim Keown a couple of years ago, Sabathia spoke of this very impact:
The reason I wanted to play baseball was the A’s. They had Dave Parker, Rickey Henderson, Dave Henderson, Dave Stewart—guys I could look up to. Right now, the A’s have Milton Bradley, and that’s about it. I don’t think I’d be playing baseball. I think it would probably be football, because that’s what I see.
I’m sure Rickey Henderson, while at Oakland Tech, was just as impacted by the championship teams of the early 70’s, and African-Americans such as Vida Blue, Reggie Jackson, and Billy North. Maybe Sabathia and Henderson would have liked those same great A’s teams the same if they played in San Jose, but I doubt it. Part of the appeal for many East Bay African-Americans to go to A’s games in the past, outside of the cultural familiarity, was the team being in their backyard, BART made the games even more accessible, and the games are very affordable.
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Categories: Oakland A's |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Dunn, Adam Kennedy, Alan Johnson, Alex Smith, Barry Zito, Billy North, Brett Anderson, C.C. Sabathia, C.J. Watson, Conor Gillaspie, Dave Henderson, Dave Stewart, Don Nelson, Dontrelle Willis, Giants, Jimmy Rollins, Jonathan Sanchez, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Pucetas, Lew Wolff, Madison Bumgarner, Mark Cuban, Raiders, Rajai Davis, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson, San Jose State, Sharks, Stanford, Thomas Neal, Tim Alderson, Vida Blue, Vin Mazzaro, Warriors | 1 Comment
July 22nd, 2009
Okay, maybe not, but you have to think the A’s would be reluctant to make any deal that helps the Giants considering the teams’ fight over the San Jose territory. I mention it because the A’s do have some players the Giants should be interested in, even outside of Matt Holliday.
Holliday, of course, would be a major help as a big bat, and as someone who is much more comfortable with major league pitching, but Orlando Cabrera, Adam Kennedy, Mark Ellis, and Justin Duchscherer would also help the Giants. While Cabrera is a shortstop, you’d think that he could do just fine at a lesser position, such as second base, and is someone with world championship experience. Plus, he’s grossly underachieved and could be had for cheap. Of course, Ellis and Kennedy are the “true” second basemen, but Ellis has the bigger deal and a no-trade clause (huh?.. why?). As for Duchscherer, Buster Olney mentioned him yesterday as a cheap Roy Halladay-alternative. Even though he hasn’t pitched a game this year, he could be a worthwhile gamble. This is a guy who led the league in ERA for the first half of last season. Considering Sadowski’s struggles, the Giants may be in the market for a starting pitcher by next week. (more…)
Categories: Oakland A's, San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Adam Kennedy, Andrew Bailey, Angel Villalona, Anthony Randolph, Billy Beane, C.J. Watson, Cal, Dennis Green, Giants, Gio Gonzalez, Jeremy Newberry, Justin Duchscherer, Kevin Frandsen, Lew Wolff, Mark Ellis, Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera, Raiders, Rich Aurilia, Rickey Henderson, Ryan Sadowski, Santa Clara, Stanford, Warriors, Zach Follett | No Comments
July 16th, 2009
Back before spring training even began, I put together lists of the five most important A’s and Giants for the 2009 season. I described these players as unknowns. They were unknowns because the front offices couldn’t even predict what type of seasons they were going to get from these particular guys. So, since we’re coming off of the All-Star break, let’s review these lists that I put together almost five months ago.
1. Justin Duchscherer – I worried about Duchscherer’s health and endurance because he hadn’t put together many full, healthy seasons in his minor and major league career. Last year’s 141.2 innings was the most innings he threw since 2003. I never thought that the Duke would undergo elbow surgery and have zero innings pitched at the All-Star break. It’s also very possible he won’t pitch at all this season if he suffers another setback next month. I do think that he could be a free-agent bargain for somebody this offseason.
2. Travis Buck – I think we’re starting to see why the A’s season has been so awful. I had a beef early in the year because Bob Geren was barely playing Buck. He is only 25 and has some of the most potential to hit in an organization that is extremely thin in position players. Most importantly, he could be a really solid on-base guy at the top of the order. On the other hand, Buck had only a .287 OBP in only 101 plate appearances this season. He wasn’t exactly making Geren’s decision any more difficult. Buck should get called up (maybe when there’s a Holliday trade) and play a lot over the final couple months just to get him some more experience. This team needs to know which players can be counted on in 2010.
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Categories: Oakland A's |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Anthony Randolph, Barry Zito, Billy Beane, Brett Anderson, Cal, Curtis Taylor, Doug Wilson, Eric Chavez, Giants, Justin Duchscherer, LeBron James, Louis Murphy, Mark Ellis, Mark Roman, Matt Cain, Matt Holliday, Max Zhang, Orlando Cabrera, Raiders, Randy Johnson, Reggie Smith, Scott Nichol, Sean Gallagher, Sharks, Stanford, Stephen Curry, Sue Burns, Tim Lincecum, Travis Buck, Warriors | No Comments
July 8th, 2009
Maybe I’m not your typical spectator. When I go to games, I want to do everything I can, short of running on the field and stabbing Matt Kemp, to help my team win the game. I like starting or getting involved in the “Let’s Go Giants!” chants, and heckling opposing players… and playfully giving opposing fans a hard time as well. (It’s all fair game as long as your not using foul language.) Anyway, true fans like myself can’t fathom these other “fans” (there’s a reason I use the quotations) who go to games and think it’s a good idea to interfere with Randy Winn or balls in play that may cost the Giants run(s).\
In each of the last two Giants games, a stupid fan has interfered with a ball in play. Fortunately, for the Giants, the umpires intervened and made the right call in each instance, in the Giants favor. Still, what’s to stop these idiots, or idiots like them, to interfere with a ball in play that may cost the Giants in a future game this season. The umpires aren’t always going to make the right judgment call, as they have the last two nights.
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Categories: San Francisco Giants |
Tags: 49ers, A's, Amare Stoudemire, Barry Zito, Bengie Molina, Brian Wilson, Buster Posey, Cal, Chris Cohan, Dana Eveland, Fred Biletnikoff, Giants, JaMarcus Russell, Jeremy Affeldt, Matt Holliday, Nate Schierholtz, Pablo Sandoval, Raiders, Randy Johnson, Randy Winn, Ryan Sadowski, Scott Hairston, Sharks, Stanford, Steve McNair, Tom Cable, Venus Williams, Warriors, Willie McCovey | No Comments
