Many people probably don't realize that today is a special day in San Francisco Giants history. On May 28, 2010 Giants management decided to call up Gerald Demp Posey from the minor league system. At that point the Giants were 25-22 and trying to keep their heads above water. Coaches/owners knew that they needed an offensive jolt and so they brought up Posey who would eventually force out veteran Bengie Molina.
The Giants finished their 2010 championship season with 92 wins and 70 losses. If you do the math, after Posey came up the Giants were 67-48. Were there many other key components to their post-Posey record? Of course. Would they have made the playoffs and won the World Series without him? No chance. Here is his stat line: .305 BA 18 HR 67RBI 124 Hits 23 2B's. How do the Giants replaces 124 hits? One weird stat is that he averaged one RBI per win.
Buster Posey has yet to play a full season worth of games. Posey has appeared in a total of 160 games and that will remain until he recovers from his injuries. All of a sudden 2011 feels like 2010 all over again. Baseball deja vu.
On May 25, 2011 Posey was tackled by Scott Cousins in the bottom of the 12th at AT&T. He severely strained the ligaments in his left ankle and fractured his fibula. Almost exactly on the anniversary of his 2010 arrival. How do you Fill in for a Buster? The Giants are currently 28-23 and find themselves hanging on to first place in a weak NL West division.
Crawford, Belt, and Stewart are now up from the minors. Crawford hit a grand slam in his first major league at bat - not done by a Giant since a one Bobby Bonds did it in 1968. Who was on base? McCovey, Mays, and Hart. Giants will look for some new life from Crawford and Belt amidst the tired looking group of vets. Belt's prodigal son moment should interesting as I believe he will be starting tomorrow - his first game of his second coming.
The same way that Posey injected life into the Giants in 2010, Belt/Crawford will need to do the same. It's a tall order but this Giants team will live or die by it. The Giants are currently 1-2 since Posey went down and everyone will be paying attention to those post-Posey stats. Can the Giants recover from losing their best position player or will they have postposey depression? That remains to be seen but this team is not known to give up. If 2011 turns out to be 2010 we have a lot more great baseball to come.
Here's a retro Buster Posey FSU video. Check out his stats at the beginning of the video - unreal. Also listen to the announcer saying "Are you watching Major League Baseball?". Oh and the Buster chant is great, surprised it hasn't been picked up in SF.
5.28.2011
5.26.2011
Nightmare on King Street
So anyone have a Plan B? It was a normal San Francisco Giants game with the game tied at zero in the twelfth inning. A sacrifice fly was hit to short center field and Florida Marlins' Scott Cousins came at Buster Posey as if a mad dog was biting his butt. Somewhere between third base and home plate Cousins forgot that he was playing baseball and morphed into a linebacker. Cousins tackled Posey at home plate as he was catching the throw from the outfield. Posey never got a chance to face Cousins and was slammed as he was turning. Posey twisted and crashed to the ground in excruciating pain. A fractured fibula and severely sprained ligaments later, the Giants have a giant problem.
The initial estimate is that Posey will be out 6-8 weeks and may be able to return before the end of the 2011 season. What do the Giants do til then? The Giants have called up Stewart from the minors to back up Whiteside and there are already rumors flying around the blogosphere that Sabean is looking to pick up Pudge. To add insult to injury, Fontenot also injured his groin during the game so the Giants have also called up Brandon Crawford. Bochy also called up Brandon Belt to provide some offense for this offensively challenged team.
The Giants will be looking forward to see Pablo Sandoval returning. The past month has been full of injuries for the reigning World Series champions. Before the season started the talk around town was that the Giants pitchers are going to get hurt after pitching so many innings last year. It's May 26 and and it's the position players that can't stay healthy. With the exception of Zito who hurt himself on a pop bunt (lame), the pitching staff has remained healthy and pitching well.
Posey's injury is not only a huge setback for the team and Giants fans, it's also a bad thing for baseball in general. One of baseball's rising stars is out for most of the rest of the season. Injuries like Posey's hurts ratings especially for the World Series champs. What will come of all this? I'm sure there will be a review by the commissioner's office to see if the rules need to be adjusted to protect the catchers. One thing is for sure, Posey's transition to the infield just went from long term to short term. The ligament sprains can't be good for the catcher's daily squat.
Everyone in the sports world will be making comparisons to Pete Rose's famous or infamous catcher steamroll. The only difference is that Rose is the enemy and Posey is the hero of China Basin. Giants will have to do without their sophomore hero for some time but until he returns the fans will look for leadership on and off the field. My heart goes out to Buster. Please come back soon, we need to repeat.
The initial estimate is that Posey will be out 6-8 weeks and may be able to return before the end of the 2011 season. What do the Giants do til then? The Giants have called up Stewart from the minors to back up Whiteside and there are already rumors flying around the blogosphere that Sabean is looking to pick up Pudge. To add insult to injury, Fontenot also injured his groin during the game so the Giants have also called up Brandon Crawford. Bochy also called up Brandon Belt to provide some offense for this offensively challenged team.
The Giants will be looking forward to see Pablo Sandoval returning. The past month has been full of injuries for the reigning World Series champions. Before the season started the talk around town was that the Giants pitchers are going to get hurt after pitching so many innings last year. It's May 26 and and it's the position players that can't stay healthy. With the exception of Zito who hurt himself on a pop bunt (lame), the pitching staff has remained healthy and pitching well.
Posey's injury is not only a huge setback for the team and Giants fans, it's also a bad thing for baseball in general. One of baseball's rising stars is out for most of the rest of the season. Injuries like Posey's hurts ratings especially for the World Series champs. What will come of all this? I'm sure there will be a review by the commissioner's office to see if the rules need to be adjusted to protect the catchers. One thing is for sure, Posey's transition to the infield just went from long term to short term. The ligament sprains can't be good for the catcher's daily squat.
Everyone in the sports world will be making comparisons to Pete Rose's famous or infamous catcher steamroll. The only difference is that Rose is the enemy and Posey is the hero of China Basin. Giants will have to do without their sophomore hero for some time but until he returns the fans will look for leadership on and off the field. My heart goes out to Buster. Please come back soon, we need to repeat.
5.24.2011
Part II: All the Commissioner's Men
This blog post is the second of a series of posts on the ongoing dispute between the Dodgers and Major League Baseball. Even though this is a San Francisco Giants blog, it's just as fun enjoying the soap opera in SoCal. See May 9th post for Part I.
The drama in Los Angeles continues. Bud Selig has brought in Tom Schieffer, former Rangers president, to go through the Dodgers' finances and operations. Now that Selig's steward is in place there are rumors flying around that McCourt will file for bankruptcy to avoid MLB intervention. In the meantime, Mrs. McCourt is trying to force her husband to sell the team. It just gets uglier everyday.
I also did a little research about MLB teams filing for bankruptcy. It seems that there wouldn't be any issues with a team continuing to play and operating as normal. If the team defaults on it's payroll the players can automatically become free agents after a certain period of time. Then there would be a run on the team and I'm not sure if MLB would allow that. Chapter 11 is certainly an option for the Dodgers and it has happened more than you think.
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Stow family is now suing the Dodgers for criminal negligence and that they provided the perfect opportunity for a criminal act to occur. Dodgers have already contributed $125K for the reward for tips on the Stow beating. The Los Angeles police have arrested the primary suspect in the case. Dodger killer, Barry Bonds, has now agreed to pay for the college educations of each of Bryan Stow's kids.
I'm not sure who is worse off the Dodgers or the Mets. The Dodgers are getting hammered from every direction and it's difficult to tell if the team is being affected by the off the field antics. They started off alright but have fallen fast in the past couple of weeks, they are now seven games below .500. I don't think that this is the team that Don Mattingly was hoping to manage.
I leave you with a nursery rhyme that reminds me of the Dodgers situation right now:
Frank McCourt spent all the team's cash
Jamie McCourt wants half her hubby's stash
All the Commissioners stewards
And all the Commissioners men
Won't put the Dodgers on top again.
The drama in Los Angeles continues. Bud Selig has brought in Tom Schieffer, former Rangers president, to go through the Dodgers' finances and operations. Now that Selig's steward is in place there are rumors flying around that McCourt will file for bankruptcy to avoid MLB intervention. In the meantime, Mrs. McCourt is trying to force her husband to sell the team. It just gets uglier everyday.
I also did a little research about MLB teams filing for bankruptcy. It seems that there wouldn't be any issues with a team continuing to play and operating as normal. If the team defaults on it's payroll the players can automatically become free agents after a certain period of time. Then there would be a run on the team and I'm not sure if MLB would allow that. Chapter 11 is certainly an option for the Dodgers and it has happened more than you think.
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Stow family is now suing the Dodgers for criminal negligence and that they provided the perfect opportunity for a criminal act to occur. Dodgers have already contributed $125K for the reward for tips on the Stow beating. The Los Angeles police have arrested the primary suspect in the case. Dodger killer, Barry Bonds, has now agreed to pay for the college educations of each of Bryan Stow's kids.
I'm not sure who is worse off the Dodgers or the Mets. The Dodgers are getting hammered from every direction and it's difficult to tell if the team is being affected by the off the field antics. They started off alright but have fallen fast in the past couple of weeks, they are now seven games below .500. I don't think that this is the team that Don Mattingly was hoping to manage.
I leave you with a nursery rhyme that reminds me of the Dodgers situation right now:
Frank McCourt spent all the team's cash
Jamie McCourt wants half her hubby's stash
All the Commissioners stewards
And all the Commissioners men
Won't put the Dodgers on top again.
5.21.2011
Dominican Dandy
On July 2, 1963 the San Francisco Giants took the field in the top of the first inning at Candlestick Park and the Dominican Dandy, Juan Marichal, took the mound. Little did they know that this game would not end until July 3rd and not a single relief pitcher would step on the mound.
On Thursday, the KNBR radio station in San Fran interview Juan Marichal for his upcoming book about the greatest baseball game ever played. Before the interview Fitz and Brooks were pitching the upcoming segment and one statement seemed to resonate - Giants fans are lucky to have living history. Many of the Giant hall of famers are still around and are retelling their great baseball stories - Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal, Alou etc. A lot of other teams don't have this "living history" so it is important for baseball scholars to extract as much knowledge from these living legends.
Marichal spoke about that day as if he pitched the game yesterday. He was facing the great Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves that day. There may never be a pitching performance as great as there was that day for an individual or for both teams. Both starting pitchers stayed in the entire game and refused to allow relievers to relieve. Marichal said that in the ninth inning Alvin Dark came out to the mound to take him out and he said no way he's leaving now. Marichal said that in those days you never spoke back to the manager in the way that he did so he knew he was in trouble. Dark kept him in.
The logic that went through the Giants' pitcher's head was that he was a young 25 year old pitcher and there was now way that was going to let this old guy beat him - Spahn was 42 years old at the time. How many 42 year old pitchers can throw 16 innings of shutout ball? Almost 16 innings.
After the ninth inning Dark didn't approach him again until the 14th where Marichal agreed to come out. The thirteenth inning finished and Marichal could see the reliever coming in from the bullpen and he changed his mind. Marichal ran out to the mound before the reliever could even get there. He wasn't about to hand over the game to someone else, this was his game to win.
In the bottom of the 16th inning, Willie Mays walked over to Marichal in the dugout and told him that he was going to win the game for him. He did just that. Walk off solo home run off of Warren Spahn in the bottom of the 16th. In the interview Marichal said that he wandered why Mays didn't just say it in the 9th inning and save him a couple of innings but then again it would never be considered one of the greatest games ever played.
One of the greatest anecdotes about that day was that McCovey crushed a ball so hard that it landed in the parking lot at Candlestick and the hit was called foul. The ball actually was fair inside of the stadium but landed foul in the parking lot so the umpires incorrectly called it a foul ball. The game would have be a normal nine inning game but the baseball deities were scheming that day.
The conversation continued with the difference in the pitching styles between now and Marichal's era. He used to "brush" up the players with inside pitches to back them off the plate all the time. It was a different baseball era where that was a regular occurrence unlike now where the batters take it personally. Contemporary players are concerned about getting injured and hurting that multimillion dollar contracts. Marichal didn't care, he had to protect his own teammates.
My favorite line of the entire interview was when he was discussing why we was able to throw inside all the time. It was because he had Orlando Cepeda in the infield and he knew that he would be there right next to him if the opposing batter charged the mound. And no one would want mess with the Baby Bull. You mess with the Baby Bull, you get the horns.
Imagine a game played today that went to 16 innings and both starting pitchers never came out. You can't. One of the most unbelievable stats of that game was that home run king Hank Aaron went 0-6 with two strikeouts that game. Marichal said, "I was lucky that night."
Whether it was pure luck or talent, Marichal threw one of the greatest games in the history of baseball.
Don't mess with Marichal, he'll smash your head in with a baseball bat. Ask Johnnie Roseboro . . .
On Thursday, the KNBR radio station in San Fran interview Juan Marichal for his upcoming book about the greatest baseball game ever played. Before the interview Fitz and Brooks were pitching the upcoming segment and one statement seemed to resonate - Giants fans are lucky to have living history. Many of the Giant hall of famers are still around and are retelling their great baseball stories - Mays, McCovey, Cepeda, Marichal, Alou etc. A lot of other teams don't have this "living history" so it is important for baseball scholars to extract as much knowledge from these living legends.
Marichal spoke about that day as if he pitched the game yesterday. He was facing the great Warren Spahn of the Milwaukee Braves that day. There may never be a pitching performance as great as there was that day for an individual or for both teams. Both starting pitchers stayed in the entire game and refused to allow relievers to relieve. Marichal said that in the ninth inning Alvin Dark came out to the mound to take him out and he said no way he's leaving now. Marichal said that in those days you never spoke back to the manager in the way that he did so he knew he was in trouble. Dark kept him in.
The logic that went through the Giants' pitcher's head was that he was a young 25 year old pitcher and there was now way that was going to let this old guy beat him - Spahn was 42 years old at the time. How many 42 year old pitchers can throw 16 innings of shutout ball? Almost 16 innings.
After the ninth inning Dark didn't approach him again until the 14th where Marichal agreed to come out. The thirteenth inning finished and Marichal could see the reliever coming in from the bullpen and he changed his mind. Marichal ran out to the mound before the reliever could even get there. He wasn't about to hand over the game to someone else, this was his game to win.
In the bottom of the 16th inning, Willie Mays walked over to Marichal in the dugout and told him that he was going to win the game for him. He did just that. Walk off solo home run off of Warren Spahn in the bottom of the 16th. In the interview Marichal said that he wandered why Mays didn't just say it in the 9th inning and save him a couple of innings but then again it would never be considered one of the greatest games ever played.
One of the greatest anecdotes about that day was that McCovey crushed a ball so hard that it landed in the parking lot at Candlestick and the hit was called foul. The ball actually was fair inside of the stadium but landed foul in the parking lot so the umpires incorrectly called it a foul ball. The game would have be a normal nine inning game but the baseball deities were scheming that day.
The conversation continued with the difference in the pitching styles between now and Marichal's era. He used to "brush" up the players with inside pitches to back them off the plate all the time. It was a different baseball era where that was a regular occurrence unlike now where the batters take it personally. Contemporary players are concerned about getting injured and hurting that multimillion dollar contracts. Marichal didn't care, he had to protect his own teammates.
My favorite line of the entire interview was when he was discussing why we was able to throw inside all the time. It was because he had Orlando Cepeda in the infield and he knew that he would be there right next to him if the opposing batter charged the mound. And no one would want mess with the Baby Bull. You mess with the Baby Bull, you get the horns.
Imagine a game played today that went to 16 innings and both starting pitchers never came out. You can't. One of the most unbelievable stats of that game was that home run king Hank Aaron went 0-6 with two strikeouts that game. Marichal said, "I was lucky that night."
Whether it was pure luck or talent, Marichal threw one of the greatest games in the history of baseball.
Don't mess with Marichal, he'll smash your head in with a baseball bat. Ask Johnnie Roseboro . . .
5.18.2011
From Denver with Baseball
This will be my last blog from Denver as I am at the gate of my flight back to NY. In the past two weeks I have been to four Giants games in two different cities. I did something similar last year when I travelled to San Diego and San Francisco. I chose to come to Denver because of the timing, frequent flier miles, and to see a unfamiliar city and ballpark. And of course the Giants.
This is my review of Coors Field. Good food, the Rockies dog was above average for a foot long processed meat product. First time seeing Coors Original at a ballpark and of course I had to have it at all places Coors Field. I like the setup of the park and location is great with a lot of bars/breweries for pre/post game mayhem. Not many negatives besides an excessive number of grown men wearing the color purple. Oh and the purple dinosaur mascot. Can't they get the Old Prospector or a Rocky Mountain man? I don't understand the mascot. We have a similar situation where there is no Giant but LouSeal makes sense. The Rockies fans also had a below average knowledge of baseball. I wanted to intervene many times but I held back and let them remain in their original state of baseball ignorance.
This is my review of Denver. Clean city, population is very active and athletic. It's hard not to be out here. Probably not my favorite city I've been to, I think I like Boulder more. (I hope no one is looking over my shoulder at the airport right now as I write nasty things about them) Similar to SanFran, large number of bums and hippies. Note to self: Go to Denver after Memorial Day. Cold winds from the mountains made for some chilly mornings/nights.
At the end of every trip there is that sad feeling that the journey is about to end and you have to return to reality. The Giants performance in the series didn't help much either. The mini-sweep by the Rockies did not go over well with the coaches/management. The team will look different in the not so distant future as the lackluster offensive performance is taking its toll on all. Fans always have the least amount of patience when it comes to poor performance on the field but when the coaches are fed up you know changes are on the horizon.
This post is going to have to come to an end as my eyelids are slowly lowering over my eyes. If anything doesn't make sense it's because I'm half awake. This entire trip I had no idea what time it was. My watch, Blackberry, iPhone, laptop, and hotel clock all had different times. The hotel clock was set fours ahead of time when I first got in. That was the last thing I needed when I first arrived with the time change and everything.
Trying . . . . to . . . . stay . . . a . . w . . a . . k . . . . . . . .
-Blogging from Denver International Airport
This is my review of Coors Field. Good food, the Rockies dog was above average for a foot long processed meat product. First time seeing Coors Original at a ballpark and of course I had to have it at all places Coors Field. I like the setup of the park and location is great with a lot of bars/breweries for pre/post game mayhem. Not many negatives besides an excessive number of grown men wearing the color purple. Oh and the purple dinosaur mascot. Can't they get the Old Prospector or a Rocky Mountain man? I don't understand the mascot. We have a similar situation where there is no Giant but LouSeal makes sense. The Rockies fans also had a below average knowledge of baseball. I wanted to intervene many times but I held back and let them remain in their original state of baseball ignorance.
This is my review of Denver. Clean city, population is very active and athletic. It's hard not to be out here. Probably not my favorite city I've been to, I think I like Boulder more. (I hope no one is looking over my shoulder at the airport right now as I write nasty things about them) Similar to SanFran, large number of bums and hippies. Note to self: Go to Denver after Memorial Day. Cold winds from the mountains made for some chilly mornings/nights.
At the end of every trip there is that sad feeling that the journey is about to end and you have to return to reality. The Giants performance in the series didn't help much either. The mini-sweep by the Rockies did not go over well with the coaches/management. The team will look different in the not so distant future as the lackluster offensive performance is taking its toll on all. Fans always have the least amount of patience when it comes to poor performance on the field but when the coaches are fed up you know changes are on the horizon.
This post is going to have to come to an end as my eyelids are slowly lowering over my eyes. If anything doesn't make sense it's because I'm half awake. This entire trip I had no idea what time it was. My watch, Blackberry, iPhone, laptop, and hotel clock all had different times. The hotel clock was set fours ahead of time when I first got in. That was the last thing I needed when I first arrived with the time change and everything.
Trying . . . . to . . . . stay . . . a . . w . . a . . k . . . . . . . .
-Blogging from Denver International Airport
5.17.2011
Cy or Relief?
This two game series against the Colorado Rockies proved to be a real test of coaching and how the lack of run production is taking it's toll on the win column. In both games Giants pitchers pitched well and kept the team in the game until they got into trouble. Bochy kept Lincecum in the game and the Rockies exploded with a five run inning. Bochy kept Sanchez in initially and then brought lefty expert Javier Lopez to extinguish the flames.
Ex post facto it's easy to say Lincecum faced one or two batters too many and Bochy made the executive decision to trust his number one pitcher. Logically it all makes sense, from the stands is another story. The Giants fans at Coors Field could see the game unravelling quickly and it did with a three run blast into the life size Rocky Mountain diorama in center field. The coach can't win in this situation. They get flack for keeping the guy in when he gives up runs and yelled at for not keeping them in. Baseball analysts constantly talk about how different pitching is now and of the 100 pitch count parameter. It's true the old pitching records will never be broken again. Pitchers just don't get enough starts or innings in to even get to that level.
Just like every other sport, baseball is constantly evolving. There is an enormous emphasis on a pitcher's health and durability over the life of his baseball career or contract. This trend shifts the importance from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Of course you want to have the best starting rotation as possible but if he is never pitching bast the 6th inning then you better have a good bullpen. The fewer pitches thrown by a starter, the more important the bullpen becomes. This is one of the Giants greatest weapons - just when you think you got rid of the starter then you have to face the Giants bullpen. Relentless.
So backseat drivers think twice before you blast the coaches for not managing the game correctly. Still have one of the best pitching staffs in the league. They do make mistakes sometimes and they can't always offset this sub-par offense.
-Blogging from the Mile High City
Ex post facto it's easy to say Lincecum faced one or two batters too many and Bochy made the executive decision to trust his number one pitcher. Logically it all makes sense, from the stands is another story. The Giants fans at Coors Field could see the game unravelling quickly and it did with a three run blast into the life size Rocky Mountain diorama in center field. The coach can't win in this situation. They get flack for keeping the guy in when he gives up runs and yelled at for not keeping them in. Baseball analysts constantly talk about how different pitching is now and of the 100 pitch count parameter. It's true the old pitching records will never be broken again. Pitchers just don't get enough starts or innings in to even get to that level.
Just like every other sport, baseball is constantly evolving. There is an enormous emphasis on a pitcher's health and durability over the life of his baseball career or contract. This trend shifts the importance from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Of course you want to have the best starting rotation as possible but if he is never pitching bast the 6th inning then you better have a good bullpen. The fewer pitches thrown by a starter, the more important the bullpen becomes. This is one of the Giants greatest weapons - just when you think you got rid of the starter then you have to face the Giants bullpen. Relentless.
So backseat drivers think twice before you blast the coaches for not managing the game correctly. Still have one of the best pitching staffs in the league. They do make mistakes sometimes and they can't always offset this sub-par offense.
-Blogging from the Mile High City
5.16.2011
2002 Giants vs. 2010 Giants
A week or two ago I caught myself thinking about the 2002 Giants team that went to the World Series, seems like a lifetime ago. They are now an afterthought, being overshadowed by the recent champions. The 2002 team was very close to winning the series and if they had, who would have been the better World Series champion? This led me to the following concept what if we were to freeze both teams in time with a little Field of Dreams magic. We are in a field in the middle of Iowa and the 2002 Giants walk out of the cornfields and then the 2010 Giants walk out as well. (Please no hot dogs allowed in the bleachers) They play a best of seven series, who wins?
To make this a little less time intensive let's take the exact lineups and rotations based on each series. Hopefuly this won't go to seven games because I'm going to have to improvise on the 2010 team for the last two games. The following assumptions also apply: 1) Umpires are impartial and always make the correct call 2) There are no fans watching except me sitting in the bleachers creating the fantasy (Inception). 3) There is no home field advantage 4) Players' regular and postseason histories are taken into consideration 5) Of course these are important factors but let's keep this reasonable
Jason Schmidt vs. Tim Lincecum
This is an interesting match up. This really is a tale of two teams with the '02 Giants being the more offensive team while the '10 Giants being the pitching team. The key to beating the 2002 Giants was really to survive the Kent-Bonds duo in the middle of the lineup. The pitching was great but not 2010 great and would be expected to give up a couple of runs per game. I believe that a Lincecum on his A-game can out pitch any player/team. He has the greatest change-up in baseball, if not in baseball history. Schmidt pitched very well that year and alright in the postseason, his best years coming the two years after where he put up Cy Young numbers. I would give the pitching advantage to Lincecum, although if the '10 Giants offense doesn't show up to play then the story changes.
Advantage: Lincecum
Russ Ortiz vs. Matt Cain
Two workhorses. Very similar stats, almost identical during their World Series years. Cain may be more clutch. Tough call.
Advantage: Tie
Livan Hernandez vs. Jonathan Sanchez
Workhorse vs. Wild Card. Livan historically always gave up a lot of runs but could throw 120 pitches without breaking a sweat. He always had a high ERA and usually had more losses than wins but he ate up a ton of innings. Sanchez may be a good matchup for Bonds and Snow if he has good stuff that day. If he walks people, it's game over. Honestly, I would still choose Sanchez over Livan even though he is the torture ringleader.
Advantage: Sanchez
Reuter vs. Bumgarner
The Vet vs the Rookie. '02 was probably Reuter's best year and Bumgarner wasn't even in high school yet. Bumgarner was lights out in the playoffs last year (probably more excited for him than any other pitcher on the team). I want to say MadBum but a coach would have to pitch Reuter if he had to choose between the two. Not sure if MadBum would navigate well against Bonds-Kent-Snow-Sanders-Bell-Aurilia-etc
Advantage: Reuter
Bullpens
The '02 Giants had one of my favorite setup man-closer combos. Hard throwing Felix Rodriguez and Robb Nen. Nen HoF material? Not sure, his career was pretty short and still recorded over 300 saves. The '02 pretty much stops there though, I liked Worrell but most of the rest were expendable. '10 Giants bullpen was stellar. Any one of them could be closers or setup men. Very versatile. Priceless during the year and postseason.
Advantage: 2010 team (not even close)
Offense
Just going by the regular season performance you have to pick the 2002 Giants. This was the year after the 73 HR season for Bonds where he batted a mere .370 with 46 HRs. Kent batted .313 with 37 HRs. Those offensive numbers are completely foreign to the 2010 team. You have to add multiple players together to get close to them. It is also hard to ignore the clutch performance of the 2010 Giants in the postseason who conquered Cy Young pitchers and aces from every team. Looking back it's unbelievable the pitchers that they beat on their way to the World Series. Here's my player-player match up:
LF: Bonds vs Burrell
Advantage: Bonds
CF: Lofton vs. Torres
Advantage: Torres. Lofton past his prime at this point.
RF: Sanders vs. Ross
Advantage: This is a tough one, I was never a huge Sanders fan. Power hitter, lots of strikeouts and didn't hit for average. Can't ignore his HRs and RBIs. Ross hasn't played a full season but was extraordinary in the postseason. This is a tie until we see how Ross does for a full year in orange and black.
3B: Bell vs. Uribe
Advantage: This one is weird beacuse Sandoval was benched so Uribe isn't the true third baseman. Based on the playoff matchup I would give the advantage to Uribe but it is close. Both are good hitting third baseman. I would take the .330 hitting Kung Fu Panda over both of them.
SS: Aurilia vs. Renteria
Advantage: Again this seems wrong because Sandoval was benched. I would probably take Aurilia even though his career peaked the previous year. Renteria was clutch in the playoffs and was one of the keys to that World Series run. I know he was MVP but he is damaged goods and at the end of his career. If you throw Uribe in the mix, I have to pick him. Hurt me saying this now because he's wearing Dodger blue.
2B: Kent vs Sanchez
Advantage: Kent
1B: Snow vs. Huff
Advantage: This one is tough also. Snow was at the tail end of his career at this point and struggled offensively. One of the best Giants first baseman and a fan favorite. Had a great World Series, even better than Huff. If you were to base it strictly on the World Series performance you have to go with Snow on both offensive and defensive fronts. Huff was far better during the year. I'm conflicted.
C: Santiago vs. Posey
Advantage: Posey. Santiago is the veteran but Posey plays like a veteran so that neutralizes that argument. Both solid defensive catchers. Posey a smarter hitter and more clutch.
So who wins? The question can also be worded can the 2002 Giants offense offset the 2010 Giants pitching? Or can the '02 offense offset its own pitching? Or can the '10 pitching offset its own offense? Which offense shows up to play that day? In the end pitching and defense wins.
-Blogging from the Mile High City
To make this a little less time intensive let's take the exact lineups and rotations based on each series. Hopefuly this won't go to seven games because I'm going to have to improvise on the 2010 team for the last two games. The following assumptions also apply: 1) Umpires are impartial and always make the correct call 2) There are no fans watching except me sitting in the bleachers creating the fantasy (Inception). 3) There is no home field advantage 4) Players' regular and postseason histories are taken into consideration 5) Of course these are important factors but let's keep this reasonable
Jason Schmidt vs. Tim Lincecum
This is an interesting match up. This really is a tale of two teams with the '02 Giants being the more offensive team while the '10 Giants being the pitching team. The key to beating the 2002 Giants was really to survive the Kent-Bonds duo in the middle of the lineup. The pitching was great but not 2010 great and would be expected to give up a couple of runs per game. I believe that a Lincecum on his A-game can out pitch any player/team. He has the greatest change-up in baseball, if not in baseball history. Schmidt pitched very well that year and alright in the postseason, his best years coming the two years after where he put up Cy Young numbers. I would give the pitching advantage to Lincecum, although if the '10 Giants offense doesn't show up to play then the story changes.
Advantage: Lincecum
Russ Ortiz vs. Matt Cain
Two workhorses. Very similar stats, almost identical during their World Series years. Cain may be more clutch. Tough call.
Advantage: Tie
Livan Hernandez vs. Jonathan Sanchez
Workhorse vs. Wild Card. Livan historically always gave up a lot of runs but could throw 120 pitches without breaking a sweat. He always had a high ERA and usually had more losses than wins but he ate up a ton of innings. Sanchez may be a good matchup for Bonds and Snow if he has good stuff that day. If he walks people, it's game over. Honestly, I would still choose Sanchez over Livan even though he is the torture ringleader.
Advantage: Sanchez
Reuter vs. Bumgarner
The Vet vs the Rookie. '02 was probably Reuter's best year and Bumgarner wasn't even in high school yet. Bumgarner was lights out in the playoffs last year (probably more excited for him than any other pitcher on the team). I want to say MadBum but a coach would have to pitch Reuter if he had to choose between the two. Not sure if MadBum would navigate well against Bonds-Kent-Snow-Sanders-Bell-Aurilia-etc
Advantage: Reuter
Bullpens
The '02 Giants had one of my favorite setup man-closer combos. Hard throwing Felix Rodriguez and Robb Nen. Nen HoF material? Not sure, his career was pretty short and still recorded over 300 saves. The '02 pretty much stops there though, I liked Worrell but most of the rest were expendable. '10 Giants bullpen was stellar. Any one of them could be closers or setup men. Very versatile. Priceless during the year and postseason.
Advantage: 2010 team (not even close)
Offense
Just going by the regular season performance you have to pick the 2002 Giants. This was the year after the 73 HR season for Bonds where he batted a mere .370 with 46 HRs. Kent batted .313 with 37 HRs. Those offensive numbers are completely foreign to the 2010 team. You have to add multiple players together to get close to them. It is also hard to ignore the clutch performance of the 2010 Giants in the postseason who conquered Cy Young pitchers and aces from every team. Looking back it's unbelievable the pitchers that they beat on their way to the World Series. Here's my player-player match up:
LF: Bonds vs Burrell
Advantage: Bonds
CF: Lofton vs. Torres
Advantage: Torres. Lofton past his prime at this point.
RF: Sanders vs. Ross
Advantage: This is a tough one, I was never a huge Sanders fan. Power hitter, lots of strikeouts and didn't hit for average. Can't ignore his HRs and RBIs. Ross hasn't played a full season but was extraordinary in the postseason. This is a tie until we see how Ross does for a full year in orange and black.
3B: Bell vs. Uribe
Advantage: This one is weird beacuse Sandoval was benched so Uribe isn't the true third baseman. Based on the playoff matchup I would give the advantage to Uribe but it is close. Both are good hitting third baseman. I would take the .330 hitting Kung Fu Panda over both of them.
SS: Aurilia vs. Renteria
Advantage: Again this seems wrong because Sandoval was benched. I would probably take Aurilia even though his career peaked the previous year. Renteria was clutch in the playoffs and was one of the keys to that World Series run. I know he was MVP but he is damaged goods and at the end of his career. If you throw Uribe in the mix, I have to pick him. Hurt me saying this now because he's wearing Dodger blue.
2B: Kent vs Sanchez
Advantage: Kent
1B: Snow vs. Huff
Advantage: This one is tough also. Snow was at the tail end of his career at this point and struggled offensively. One of the best Giants first baseman and a fan favorite. Had a great World Series, even better than Huff. If you were to base it strictly on the World Series performance you have to go with Snow on both offensive and defensive fronts. Huff was far better during the year. I'm conflicted.
C: Santiago vs. Posey
Advantage: Posey. Santiago is the veteran but Posey plays like a veteran so that neutralizes that argument. Both solid defensive catchers. Posey a smarter hitter and more clutch.
So who wins? The question can also be worded can the 2002 Giants offense offset the 2010 Giants pitching? Or can the '02 offense offset its own pitching? Or can the '10 pitching offset its own offense? Which offense shows up to play that day? In the end pitching and defense wins.
-Blogging from the Mile High City
5.15.2011
Field Trip
I just arrived last night in Denver, Colorado home of the Colorado Rockies. My first welcome to the great state of Colorado was by a heavy set man wearing a bright yellow t-shirt that read I Beat Anorexia. This was the first of many paradoxes to come in my first hours in the Mile High City. I arrive at the hotel where the 20 year old behind the desk tells me that they hired chefs to prepare the free breakfast every morning. Paradox #2 Prestigious chefs for a free breakfast. Paradox #3 It's May 15th and it's 35 degrees. Paradox #4 I read that Denver has more sunny days than San Diego, it's foggy.
Breakfast was a buffet with Styrofoam plates and plastics utensils. First time seeing biscuits and gravy at breakfast, my arteries clogged looking at it. The hoard of conference goers and visiting college athletes stormed the buffet line and stuffed their faces with the free breakfast prepared by hired chefs. The word free seems to bring out the worst in people, it's like a mandate to indulge and acquire as much of the free good/service as possible.
As the temperatures hit a Rocky Mountain low, I wandered what was the coldest game played in the history of recorded baseball. In October 2009, the NLDS was played at Coors Field. The Rockies were playing the Phillies and the game time temperature was . . . . 35 degrees. This tied the post season record set back in 1997 in Cleveland.
I'm attending the 2 game Rockies-Giants series at Coors Field starting tomorrow. Yesterday the Giants only needed to play 7 innings to win and in very similar weather. The Giants went up 3-0 on throwing errors and the game was called in the 7th due to rain. The Giants ace in the hole, Ryan Vogelsong, was credited with a complete game. Drafted in 1998 by the Giants, Vogelsong has pretty much been a career minor leaguer jumping from team to team and playing in Japan. Thirteen years later the Giants offered him a minor league contract and with Zito's pop bunt foot injury he is now a starter. Vogelsong is 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA.
Questions are now swirling in the Giants blogger universe about Zito's return. Upon return should Zito be automatically granted his spot in the starting rotation? Giant fans and bloggers are loving the emergence of Vogelsong, if anything to spite the $126m elephant in the rotation. He is the Rudy of the Giants staff. (it's on TV right now, this entire blog has been written to the soundtrack of the movie) Vogelsong fits in with this team that is mixed and matched with veterans, rookies, has beens, over the hills, and what have you. Giants have shown over the past couple years that camaraderie takes a team far and that statistics only tell part of the story. Vogelsong's future in the rotation is uncertain but Giants fans would certainly like Sabean and Bochy to give him a chance. The argument among the beat reporters has been that Zito can't be in the bullpen so he has to come back to the rotation thus sending Vogelsong to the bullpen or back to the minors.
Giants ownership and management have certainly taken substantial risks over the past two years. Bringing up Posey and Bumgarner. Getting rid of Molina. Signing Burrell, Huff, Ross, etc. These risks paid off. I know the fans would like one more. Will the veteran be replaced by the career minor leaguer? This Vogelsong has yet to be sung.
Breakfast was a buffet with Styrofoam plates and plastics utensils. First time seeing biscuits and gravy at breakfast, my arteries clogged looking at it. The hoard of conference goers and visiting college athletes stormed the buffet line and stuffed their faces with the free breakfast prepared by hired chefs. The word free seems to bring out the worst in people, it's like a mandate to indulge and acquire as much of the free good/service as possible.
As the temperatures hit a Rocky Mountain low, I wandered what was the coldest game played in the history of recorded baseball. In October 2009, the NLDS was played at Coors Field. The Rockies were playing the Phillies and the game time temperature was . . . . 35 degrees. This tied the post season record set back in 1997 in Cleveland.
I'm attending the 2 game Rockies-Giants series at Coors Field starting tomorrow. Yesterday the Giants only needed to play 7 innings to win and in very similar weather. The Giants went up 3-0 on throwing errors and the game was called in the 7th due to rain. The Giants ace in the hole, Ryan Vogelsong, was credited with a complete game. Drafted in 1998 by the Giants, Vogelsong has pretty much been a career minor leaguer jumping from team to team and playing in Japan. Thirteen years later the Giants offered him a minor league contract and with Zito's pop bunt foot injury he is now a starter. Vogelsong is 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA.
Questions are now swirling in the Giants blogger universe about Zito's return. Upon return should Zito be automatically granted his spot in the starting rotation? Giant fans and bloggers are loving the emergence of Vogelsong, if anything to spite the $126m elephant in the rotation. He is the Rudy of the Giants staff. (it's on TV right now, this entire blog has been written to the soundtrack of the movie) Vogelsong fits in with this team that is mixed and matched with veterans, rookies, has beens, over the hills, and what have you. Giants have shown over the past couple years that camaraderie takes a team far and that statistics only tell part of the story. Vogelsong's future in the rotation is uncertain but Giants fans would certainly like Sabean and Bochy to give him a chance. The argument among the beat reporters has been that Zito can't be in the bullpen so he has to come back to the rotation thus sending Vogelsong to the bullpen or back to the minors.
Giants ownership and management have certainly taken substantial risks over the past two years. Bringing up Posey and Bumgarner. Getting rid of Molina. Signing Burrell, Huff, Ross, etc. These risks paid off. I know the fans would like one more. Will the veteran be replaced by the career minor leaguer? This Vogelsong has yet to be sung.
5.11.2011
L-L-L-Lenny and the Feds
Routine is defined as a course of action to be followed regularly. One example of a routine is to read the newspaper every morning and if you are a New York resident the NY Post is a beautiful way to start your day. Endless entertainment and required reading here in NYC. Today there was a special gift on page 15, especially for content hungry sports bloggers who yearn for their next feeding. (picture True Blood's Bill unconsciously sucking on Sooki to survive)
Lenny Dysktra decided to "address the people of the great City of New York." Right away you know that you are about to read something Amazin'. "I was wrong when I thought God put me on this earth to entertain people at Shea Stadium." Why does God always have to come into play? Leave Him alone. So Dykstra does even self-identify as a baseball player but rather an entertainer? On second thought, after reading this article I agree. And it only gets better. "I have come to realize that God put me on this earth to help people, to be a factor." Come again? A factor?
"Talk is cheap; I am about walking the talk." Did he pay for this shameless self-promotion on page 15 or did the Post publish it pro-bono for the entertainment value? "Bottom line: When all of the evidence is brought forward, the jury will be told by the judge to make an example out of these corrupt people so this does not continue to happen to other Americans." So now judges instruct juries on their decision. I'm no legal expert but I've watched enough episodes of Judge Judy and Law & Order to know that the judge doesn't tell the members of the jury how to vote. (And yes I can perform open heart surgeries after years of watching ER) Plus isn't Dykstra on trial? Not the Feds.
"It is also important for you to know that I did not get stupid overnight." Wow. "To begin with, I had $100 million in assets when I filed my Chapter 11." Re-read the first quote of this paragraph and then the second one again. Smart people file Chap 11 with $100mm of assets? I'm starting to see a pattern here.
And now drum roll please [cue drum roll . . . . . .] "I didn't make bad investments; every company that I have ever created or owned was and still is a winning company." WINNING!?!?!?! Did Dykstra just make a a Charlie Sheen reference? If winning is going bankrupt and facing 20 years in jail, then what is losing? Or maybe we are just jaded by the incessant media coverage of Charlie Sheenisms. "The corrupt world of bankruptcy is best described as 'the death chamber'." In that case, Lenny Dykstra welcome to the death chamber.
"The theft was committed by them, as they stole a car I was leasing from Ford. Heck, it was only a Ford Flex." The use of the word "only" is important here, I guess the Flex is below him. The Flex SE costs $29,995 and the Platinum starts around $41K. Mr. Dykstra could lease the Flex for $369/mo with $4249 due at signing (Ford.com). Side note: Claiming objectivity here. Do not own one and not promoting them either, just stating facts. I don't want to get sued and sent to the death chamber with Lenny.
He goes on to complain about not being able to shower for seven days. Also claims that they tortured him and that he told them to shoot him in the head because he's not going to back down. I didn't realize bankruptcy and obstruction could lead to mental and physical torture.
That's enough from me. I'll leave you with Nails . . . .
Lenny Dysktra decided to "address the people of the great City of New York." Right away you know that you are about to read something Amazin'. "I was wrong when I thought God put me on this earth to entertain people at Shea Stadium." Why does God always have to come into play? Leave Him alone. So Dykstra does even self-identify as a baseball player but rather an entertainer? On second thought, after reading this article I agree. And it only gets better. "I have come to realize that God put me on this earth to help people, to be a factor." Come again? A factor?
"Talk is cheap; I am about walking the talk." Did he pay for this shameless self-promotion on page 15 or did the Post publish it pro-bono for the entertainment value? "Bottom line: When all of the evidence is brought forward, the jury will be told by the judge to make an example out of these corrupt people so this does not continue to happen to other Americans." So now judges instruct juries on their decision. I'm no legal expert but I've watched enough episodes of Judge Judy and Law & Order to know that the judge doesn't tell the members of the jury how to vote. (And yes I can perform open heart surgeries after years of watching ER) Plus isn't Dykstra on trial? Not the Feds.
"It is also important for you to know that I did not get stupid overnight." Wow. "To begin with, I had $100 million in assets when I filed my Chapter 11." Re-read the first quote of this paragraph and then the second one again. Smart people file Chap 11 with $100mm of assets? I'm starting to see a pattern here.
And now drum roll please [cue drum roll . . . . . .] "I didn't make bad investments; every company that I have ever created or owned was and still is a winning company." WINNING!?!?!?! Did Dykstra just make a a Charlie Sheen reference? If winning is going bankrupt and facing 20 years in jail, then what is losing? Or maybe we are just jaded by the incessant media coverage of Charlie Sheenisms. "The corrupt world of bankruptcy is best described as 'the death chamber'." In that case, Lenny Dykstra welcome to the death chamber.
"The theft was committed by them, as they stole a car I was leasing from Ford. Heck, it was only a Ford Flex." The use of the word "only" is important here, I guess the Flex is below him. The Flex SE costs $29,995 and the Platinum starts around $41K. Mr. Dykstra could lease the Flex for $369/mo with $4249 due at signing (Ford.com). Side note: Claiming objectivity here. Do not own one and not promoting them either, just stating facts. I don't want to get sued and sent to the death chamber with Lenny.
He goes on to complain about not being able to shower for seven days. Also claims that they tortured him and that he told them to shoot him in the head because he's not going to back down. I didn't realize bankruptcy and obstruction could lead to mental and physical torture.
That's enough from me. I'll leave you with Nails . . . .
5.09.2011
Part I: McCourt Ain't McFly
This blog post is the first of a series of posts on the ongoing dispute between the Dodgers and Major League Baseball. Even though this is a San Francisco Giants blog, it's just as fun enjoying the soap opera in SoCal. What's to come in this blog series (in no order): Analysis of the McCourt divorce, Conspiracy Theory on Selig's takeover, Hypothetical Bankruptcy Scenario, and I'm sure more as the story unfolds. Enjoy.
In about 1971, two bright eyed freshmen caught each other's attention and it was love at first sight. Eight years later they were standing at the altar:
Mr. McCourt accused Mrs. McCourt in divorce court of courting one of the bodyguards. Kevin Costner strikes again. This is one affair that actually makes logical sense, wouldn't you want to be as close as possible to your bodyguard? Whitney Houston doppelganger? He also said she was fired because she went with her lover (Looked up the word for a male mistress and it doesn't exist. Didn't realize how sexist the English language is.) to France and charged the team for it. Completely reasonable. He claimed to be poor and couldn't afford the divorce settlement. It's amazing how multimillionaires are always cash poor.
She said that she was fired so that her hubby could steal the second half of the Dodgers franchise. Smart move. She also claimed he was vastly understating his net worth to avoid paying her. Smart move with a caveat - don't get too aggressive or you could be facing 20 years in jail. e.g. Leonard Kyle Dykstra. Mrs. McCourt needs $1mm a month to survive. That's a lot of SpaghettiO's, she must have an incredible metabolism. Oh she has a staff of eight, now it makes sense.
I still don't know what the problem is, if I were the judge I wouldn't accept the divorce and tell them go back to the modus operandi. They are both behaving as they should. It's a dog eat dog world and you can't let your spouse get in your way.
Fact or Fiction: McCourt's removed $108.9mm in in profits from the Dodgers organization.
In about 1971, two bright eyed freshmen caught each other's attention and it was love at first sight. Eight years later they were standing at the altar:
I, Frank, take you Jamie, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.For richer? I guess a couple hundred million dollars isn't enough. Little did those college freshmen know that 40 years later that would be at the helm of a professional baseball team on the verge of bankruptcy and in the middle of a nasty divorce. The McCourt family owned a real estate firm in Boston and took a particular interest in parking lots. Oh sorry, pahking lots. And yes the bums own the pahking lot where Bryan Stow was attacked. Wikipedia even lists the latitude and longitude of their Boston property - 42°21′7.81″N 71°2′42.74W Looks like a great lottery number to play. (if you do play these numbers and win let's do a McCourt and split the winnings)
Mr. McCourt accused Mrs. McCourt in divorce court of courting one of the bodyguards. Kevin Costner strikes again. This is one affair that actually makes logical sense, wouldn't you want to be as close as possible to your bodyguard? Whitney Houston doppelganger? He also said she was fired because she went with her lover (Looked up the word for a male mistress and it doesn't exist. Didn't realize how sexist the English language is.) to France and charged the team for it. Completely reasonable. He claimed to be poor and couldn't afford the divorce settlement. It's amazing how multimillionaires are always cash poor.
She said that she was fired so that her hubby could steal the second half of the Dodgers franchise. Smart move. She also claimed he was vastly understating his net worth to avoid paying her. Smart move with a caveat - don't get too aggressive or you could be facing 20 years in jail. e.g. Leonard Kyle Dykstra. Mrs. McCourt needs $1mm a month to survive. That's a lot of SpaghettiO's, she must have an incredible metabolism. Oh she has a staff of eight, now it makes sense.
I still don't know what the problem is, if I were the judge I wouldn't accept the divorce and tell them go back to the modus operandi. They are both behaving as they should. It's a dog eat dog world and you can't let your spouse get in your way.
Fact or Fiction: McCourt's removed $108.9mm in in profits from the Dodgers organization.
5.06.2011
Bam Bam the Flying Dutchman
Other than the head coach, the other coaches on the baseball team tend to be overlooked and fall under the radar. This is especially the case for coaches who don't even leave the dugout during the game. Flannery and Kelly are out on the corners everyday but you don't see Bam Bam's face too much besides dugout shots from the cameras. Recently, a MLB.com columnist interviewed the Giants hitting coach and it turned out to be one of the more interesting interviews that I've read about a member of the Giants staff.
Hensley Meulens acquired the Bam Bam nickname growing up, where his friends thought he had the power of the Flintstones character. Side thought: I don't think I've ever had Fruity Pebbles. The guy speaks 5 languages and comes from the tiny country of Curacao. And that's the boring stuff - he's going to outer space. (no not the Astros) Literally, he's leaving the Earth's atmosphere.
The program is called SXC, check out the website - Space Expedition Curacao.
If you are interested and filthy loaded here is the link - Space Expedition Curacao
Bam Bam will be joined by Armin van Buuren who apparently was voted the Best DJ in the world for the fourth time. Never heard of him. I went to his website and he will actually be in SF in 10 days if you are interested in tearing it up on the dance floor. Martin Schroder is another member of the astronaut team and he was the founder of Martinair. He doesn't believe in shameless self-promotion. And of course the team is rounded out with a Dutch supermodel, Doutzen Kroes. Understated and very professional, she is the expedition's secret weapon. (as you can see below)
In case you were curious what kind of spacecraft will take our favorite hitting coach to outer space, look no further. (or scroll back up if you are too distracted) I did a little research after reading the article and went to the website where they have a flight simulation video. They also plan on building a spaceport in Curacao, yes an airport for space flights only. Congrats Bam Bam, when you go in 2014 please come back we have some earthlings who need help with their hitting.
Hensley Meulens acquired the Bam Bam nickname growing up, where his friends thought he had the power of the Flintstones character. Side thought: I don't think I've ever had Fruity Pebbles. The guy speaks 5 languages and comes from the tiny country of Curacao. And that's the boring stuff - he's going to outer space. (no not the Astros) Literally, he's leaving the Earth's atmosphere.
The program is called SXC, check out the website - Space Expedition Curacao.
As of January 1, 2014 the long held dream of mankind to enter space and thereby observe our beautiful earth from high above will become reality for the larger public at the beautiful Caribbean Island of Curacao. The Dutch people have always been bold entrepreneurs. They were among the first to conquer the world seas in the 16th and 17th Century in search for trade. Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) was one of the first commercial airlines founded in 1919, and the one of the very few that still exists. Space Expedition Curacao (SXC) will add a historic dimension to the legacy of the Flying Dutchman by facilitating galactic travel and transport and thereby helping to open space for new benefits for mankind. - SXC websiteThese trips to space will not be fully subsidized by the government of Curacao and by the price of tickets it doesn't seem like they are paying for much. Maybe some free astronaut ice cream. I guess we know where Bam Bam's World Series bonus is going. Tickets are $95,000 per person with a $50,000 deposit. The program will not begin until 2014 so you have time now to get an extra job or to work overtime so you can be an extraterrestrial.
If you are interested and filthy loaded here is the link - Space Expedition Curacao
Bam Bam will be joined by Armin van Buuren who apparently was voted the Best DJ in the world for the fourth time. Never heard of him. I went to his website and he will actually be in SF in 10 days if you are interested in tearing it up on the dance floor. Martin Schroder is another member of the astronaut team and he was the founder of Martinair. He doesn't believe in shameless self-promotion. And of course the team is rounded out with a Dutch supermodel, Doutzen Kroes. Understated and very professional, she is the expedition's secret weapon. (as you can see below)
In case you were curious what kind of spacecraft will take our favorite hitting coach to outer space, look no further. (or scroll back up if you are too distracted) I did a little research after reading the article and went to the website where they have a flight simulation video. They also plan on building a spaceport in Curacao, yes an airport for space flights only. Congrats Bam Bam, when you go in 2014 please come back we have some earthlings who need help with their hitting.
Willie Howard Mays, Jr.
Today is Willie Mays 80th birthday. I don't need to write a long winded post about how great a baseball player he was. I'll just give you the stats and you decide for yourself:
Games: 2,992
AB: 10,881
Runs: 2,062
Hits: 3,283
RBI: 1,903
Avg: .302
HR: 660
OBP: .384
24 straight All-Star Games
Rookie of the Year
2-time MVP
12 Gold Gloves
Hall of Fame
2-time All-Star MVP
Best. Giants. Player. Ever.
Games: 2,992
AB: 10,881
Runs: 2,062
Hits: 3,283
RBI: 1,903
Avg: .302
HR: 660
OBP: .384
24 straight All-Star Games
Rookie of the Year
2-time MVP
12 Gold Gloves
Hall of Fame
2-time All-Star MVP
Best. Giants. Player. Ever.
5.04.2011
Paint it Black
In October 1989, the Rolling Stones crossed the pond and landed in the colonies. The Stones performed at Shea Stadium, home of the NY Mets. A baseball team. I'm curious to know what the Brits' baseball knowledge was at the time. Anyway it doesn't matter because they came with microphones and not baseball gloves. The eighteenth song on the set list was Paint it, Black.
The 2010 World Series champions made there first post World Series visit to Citi Field. Watching the Giants travel on the road has been surreal. Giants fans have come out of the wood works and are no longer afraid to don the orange and black at away stadiums. Or are they fair weather friends/front runners/band wagoners/new fans/beard fans? Was there a diaspora of Giant fans so much so that there are thousands in every baseball city?
The 2010 World Series champions made there first post World Series visit to Citi Field. Watching the Giants travel on the road has been surreal. Giants fans have come out of the wood works and are no longer afraid to don the orange and black at away stadiums. Or are they fair weather friends/front runners/band wagoners/new fans/beard fans? Was there a diaspora of Giant fans so much so that there are thousands in every baseball city?
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