89 replies to this topic

[Al Zarilla]

Does this mean that the Giants will now be featuring Miguel Tejada and Bill Hall as a part of their regular IF defense?

Doesn't seem to matter who they throw out there, they keep winning. I haven't seen Hall play, but he has some. Manny Burriss looks to be the more or less regular 2Bman since Freddy Sanchez went down. Decent fielder with no power displayed yet. The Panda came back last night and didn't seem to have any lingering effects from the hammate bone removal end April. I remember that wasn't the case with Wily Mo Pena.

If the Giants go far this year, they'll probably be the worst hitting big winner since the 1965 Dodgers.

[Al Zarilla]

Giants broke their 5 game losing streak last night by sending out their best pitcher this year against the Twins. Lincecum? nope. Cain? nope. Ryan Vogelsong. Reclamation project guy has been sensational. Tim tries to get out of his funk today at 12:45 vs. Twins Brian Duensing.

[Al Zarilla]

Tim says 'not so fast' about that best pitcher on the Giants thing by throwing a 7 inning, 0 run, 3 hit, 12 strikeout game. Brian Wilson tried his best to blow it with a walk and a run scoring double to Michael Cuddyer starting the ninth, but he allowed nothing else for the 2 - 1 win.

[Al Zarilla]

The Giants brought the bats to Wrigley yesterday and came away with a DH sweep, with 13 - 7 and 6 - 3 wins. Barry Zito pitched very well in the second game: 2R, 4 H in 7 IP. That's 7 straight and Lincecum goes tonight. Zeets is replacing Jonathan Sanchez, who's on the 15 day DL, even though he said he's perfectly fine.

[Lars The Wanderer]

The Giants brought the bats to Wrigley yesterday and came away with a DH sweep, with 13 - 7 and 6 - 3 wins. Barry Zito pitched very well in the second game: 2R, 4 H in 7 IP. That's 7 straight and Lincecum goes tonight. Zeets is replacing Jonathan Sanchez, who's on the 15 day DL, even though he said he's perfectly fine.

After all the close games they have been playing lately, those two seemed like a bit of a letdown. I'm sure things will be back to normal this evening.

[Lars The Wanderer]

The Giants finished up interleague with a 10-5 record against the AL.

[Al Zarilla]

Nice batflip on a home run into McCovey's Cove by the Panda. Brings Giants to within a run of the Padres, 3 - 2. Lincecum was a bit off today. This Panda's a keeper (less weight, hamate bone replacement apparently behind him).

[bostonbruen]

Nice batflip on a home run into McCovey's Cove by the Panda. Brings Giants to within a run of the Padres, 3 - 2. Lincecum was a bit off today. This Panda's a keeper (less weight, hamate bone replacement apparently behind him).

I was the guy on the Stand Up Paddleboard who dove in and got the ball while being run over by the kayak.

[bostonbruen]

I was the guy on the Stand Up Paddleboard who dove in and got the ball while being run over by the kayak.

link to photo below:


http://imageshack.us...0190300042.jpg/

Edited by bostonbruen, 05 July 2011 - 11:32 PM.

[Al Zarilla]

I was the guy on the Stand Up Paddleboard who dove in and got the ball while being run over by the kayak.

Nice, then I saw you during the Giants - Padres game (still going) when they showed that clip tonight. Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow are the voices on it. Did you get the license of that kayak?

[kanga12]

I was the guy on the Stand Up Paddleboard who dove in and got the ball while being run over by the kayak.

That's awesome -- that was the subject of some watercooler conversation today at work. I'm surprised you didn't try to flip his kayak!

[Al Zarilla]

The Giants split their four game series with San Diego, concluding last night. Probably the highlight of the series was Barry Zito's continued excellent pitching. Last night : one run on four hits in eight innings with 0 BB and 7 Ks. Pablo Sandoval has his power back from the hamate bone removal operation. Nate Schierholtz had two homers in the Wednesday night game including the walkoff in the 14th inning. Those two are kind of carrying the team offensively, although Miguel Tejada and Brandon Crawford have started to hit some. Crawford is also one slick mofo of a fielder, and he has a nice swing. He's probably way ahead of what the expectations were for him. The Giants bullpen had 8 shutout innings in that 14 inning game, and there were 36 strikeouts between the two teams.

[Gdiguy]

Brian Wilson at the ESPY's:

http://www.sportress...s-espys-outfit/

Edited by Gdiguy, 13 July 2011 - 07:44 PM.

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Dear sweet baby Jesus, the Giants need to do something (anything) before the break to upgrade over Miguel Tejada. He is cooked all the way around.

Edited by DeJesus Built My Hotrod, 17 July 2011 - 05:21 PM.

[E5 Yaz]

Dear sweet baby Jesus, the Giants need to do something (anything) before the break to upgrade over Miguel Tejada. He is cooked all the way around.

They can have Scutaro

[Al Zarilla]

Dear sweet baby Jesus, the Giants need to do something (anything) before the break to upgrade over Miguel Tejada. He is cooked all the way around.

Is Freddy Sanchez getting back this year? If so, Sandoval at third, rookie Brandon Crawford at short, Freddy at second, with Fontenot as utility, and yes, Tejada filling in as well, is a pretty good IF. If Freddy doesn't get back by the playoffs, which are looking pretty good with the pitching, yes, there would be too much Tejada. He still has the cannon arm, but his range is requisite with his age.

[Lars The Wanderer]

Joe Montana heckling Matt Kemp during last night's game.

[Al Zarilla]

Joe Montana heckling Matt Kemp during last night's game.

Were you at the game? One of Murph/Mac (can't tell the difference on the radio) was at the game and said Montana and Kemp had a nice interchange, or something like that. Or maybe Joe was asking him what happened with Rihanna?

[Al Zarilla]

Giants pitching is looking downright scary, or scarier. They just shut down a good hitting team, the Brewers, for the second game in a row. Hebrew Hammer hit a homer (nice alliteration, huh?) in the first and then the Brewers went down like a bottom hitting team the rest of the way. Weird thing is the Giants bullpen may be as good as or better as a group than the starters. Never thought that would be a sober thing to say. Just start the ALCS now, Phils - Giants. Well, Braves are pretty good too.

[derekson]

Giants pitching is looking downright scary, or scarier. They just shut down a good hitting team, the Brewers, for the second game in a row. Hebrew Hammer hit a homer (nice alliteration, huh?) in the first and then the Brewers went down like a bottom hitting team the rest of the way. Weird thing is the Giants bullpen may be as good as or better as a group than the starters. Never thought that would be a sober thing to say. Just start the ALCS now, Phils - Giants. Well, Braves are pretty good too.

I'd take the Braves over the Giants. While they have a bad offense, it's not utterly putrid like the Giant offenses, and their bullpen is even better. Plus the Braves offense has some upside going forward if Uggla and Heyward can remember how to hit, and both seem to be coming around. Chipper is coming back from surgery to repair a meniscus tear. Prado recently came back from the DL and seems to be hitting better. If the Braves traded for a real CF (maybe BJ Upton) they could be a force to be reckoned with.

Edited by derekson, 25 July 2011 - 09:18 AM.

[InsideTheParker]

There's a nice story (nyt) about clever seagulls causing big problems at Giants home games. Guess all I've heard about the yummy food there is true; the birds really appreciate the leavings.

[Al Zarilla]

There's a nice story (nyt) about clever seagulls causing big problems at Giants home games. Guess all I've heard about the yummy food there is true; the birds really appreciate the leavings.

If they bring in falcons or hawks to scare away the seagulls, will the Giants also see if they can hit a baseball?

[BucketOBalls]

If they bring in falcons or hawks to scare away the seagulls, will the Giants also see if they can hit a baseball?

You would think the Giants rotation would be up to the task of getting rid of the birds

[Al Zarilla]

Giants took two out of three from the Phils, in Philly (Lincecum and Cain with Ws, Zito an L, surprise). Last night they lost an extra inning game to the Reds when Brian Wilson gave up a run in the 13th. Carlos Beltran has settled into RF and batting third. Bruce Bochy gave Carlos his #15 and didn't want a watch in return. He'd rather Carlos help his team return to the Series.

[Mattrl42]

Giants took two out of three from the Phils, in Philly (Lincecum and Cain with Ws, Zito an L, surprise). Last night they lost an extra inning game to the Reds when Brian Wilson gave up a run in the 13th. Carlos Beltran has settled into RF and batting third. Bruce Bochy gave Carlos his #15 and didn't want a watch in return. He'd rather Carlos help his team return to the Series.

Ahh Brian never gives up runs

[Al Zarilla]

Giants were swept by the Reds in Cincy over the weekend and have lost 6 of 10. Meanwhile, the D-Backs won 7 of 10 to get within 2 games of the Giants for first place in the West. So, they meet next in SF starting tonight. Cain, Lincecum and Vogelsong vs. Kennedy, Daniel Hudson and Marquis. The Giants picked up Orlando Cabrera to play SS, which PO'd Miguel Tejada. Carlos Beltran hasn't done much yet for the Giants, going 2 for 17 with 0 HR and 1 RBI. Pressing or slump? Whichever, he looks fine at the plate. He'll come around.

[Al Zarilla]

Five straight losses now for the Giants, the last two with aces Cain and Lincecum on the mound. Arizona took the first two of a three game series in SF. Giants have fallen into a first place tie and the winner of this afternoon's game will therefore have first place to themselves. The D-Backs picked up a Giants nemesis Jason Marquis from the Nats just in time for this one. Vogelsong pitches for SF.

[Spacemans Bong]

It'd be really fucking nice if Sabean called Bochy and told him to sit Aubrey Huff's corpse and play Brandon Belt. It's not like Belt is already better than Huff despite being jerked around like crazy.

But that's not going to happen, is it?

[gaelgirl]

Fucking miserable team to watch the last two weeks. They have been as bad over that span than at any time in the last five years. This is horrible. They just aren't getting it done, Beltran's been a total bust (and is now injured), Schierholtz was showing some life back in RF and got hurt, Huff and Ross and Rowand are all sacks of useless shit, the SS spot is a black hole and other teams have their way with the running game because our pitching staff doesn't do a good enough job of holding runners on and our main catcher is absolutely, completely and totally abhorrent at throwing them out once they take off. The Giants are so bad, they've compelled me to write run-on sentences in total disgust.

Fortunately, the Diamondbacks have barely been better and the Giants still control their own fate. For fuck's sake, though. Horrible.

[LogansDad]

Not doing a very good job of getting people on base before hitting home runs.

20 straight solo homers, a Major League record that had stood since 1914.

[Al Zarilla]

Not doing a very good job of getting people on base before hitting home runs.

20 straight solo homers, a Major League record that had stood since 1914.

Could even put it in the Things I Learned Recently thread, but the Red Sox and O's share the AL record for this at 17, both doing it in 1995.

[Al Zarilla]

It'd be really fucking nice if Sabean called Bochy and told him to sit Aubrey Huff's corpse and play Brandon Belt. It's not like Belt is already better than Huff despite being jerked around like crazy.

But that's not going to happen, is it?

Two homers for Belt today, one a tape measure shot to left center ~450 feet? Giants broke the solo HR streak today, Ross hitting one with a man on in the third. Rest of the game? Three more solo HRs. 5 - 2 final, Giants.

[Spacemans Bong]

The 2011 Seattle Mariners, who are on virtually everybody's lips as an all-time bad offense, have scored 414 runs.

The 2011 San Francisco Giants, still serious playoff contenders, have scored 428. Just 14 runs more.

What a shambles. Obviously some of it has been bad luck, but the team really should have been more ruthless in trying to acquire good offensive talent. For all the bad luck, if Pablo hadn't done Camp Panda we'd be seriously fucked.

[Al Zarilla]

The Giants are looking pretty much dead. Their offense has gone from bad to worse and maybe even the pitchers are crumbling a bit, i.e., fearing if they give up a run or two, the game is over. Lost 21 of 31 and now 6 games back of the Diamondbacks, who come in to SF this weekend.

Breaking news: Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada have been DFA. Brett Pill and Pat Burrell coming up, not sure if today or when rosters expand.

Edited by Al Zarilla, 31 August 2011 - 12:53 PM.

[gaelgirl]

I've been avoiding this thread, mostly because... what is there to say, really? The offense is historically bad and the pitching is generally superb. The highlight of the season is the fantastic story of Willie Mac Award winner Ryan Vogelsong. I think Mark DeRosa's comeback is pretty compelling, too. If only he could have done for the last two years what he's doing now. But just that he's playing is a minor miracle -- I don't think anyone believed he'd ever play again. It's good to see guys like that working hard to succeed, never giving up. Pat Burrell is doing the same. It may not be extremely effective, but I'd guess it's inspiring for some guys in the clubhouse. Pablo Sandoval has emerged as a leader and his work ethic and desire to be out there is awesome. Nate Schierholtz emerging as a reliable bat was nice.

The lowlights, though... there are so, so many lowlights. Losing Buster Posey, losing Freddie Sanchez, losing Brian Wilson, losing Sandoval, Romo, Schierholtz, Fontenot, Affeldt, Jonathan Sanchez and more to injuries. Watching the useless malcontents (and sadly mostly healthy) Tejada and Rowand most of the season. Huff and Ross having horrible seasons. Zito. Now Neukom is being forced out. All in all, a very disappointing 2011 season.

Edited by gaelgirl, 14 September 2011 - 11:55 PM.

[Al Zarilla]

I've been avoiding this thread, mostly because... what is there to say, really? The offense is historically bad and the pitching is generally superb. The highlight of the season is the fantastic story of Willie Mac Award winner Ryan Vogelsong. I think Mark DeRosa's comeback is pretty compelling, too. If only he could have done for the last two years what he's doing now. But just that he's playing is a minor miracle -- I don't think anyone believed he'd ever play again. It's good to see guys like that working hard to succeed, never giving up. Pat Burrell is doing the same. It may not be extremely effective, but I'd guess it's inspiring for some guys in the clubhouse. Pablo Sandoval has emerged as a leader and his work ethic and desire to be out there is awesome. Nate Schierholtz emerging as a reliable bat was nice.

The lowlights, though... there are so, so many lowlights. Losing Buster Posey, losing Freddie Sanchez, losing Brian Wilson, losing Sandoval, Romo, Schierholtz, Fontenot, Affeldt, Jonathan Sanchez and more to injuries. Watching the useless malcontents (and sadly mostly healthy) Tejada and Rowand most of the season. Huff and Ross having horrible seasons. Zito. Now Neukom is being forced out. All in all, a very disappointing 2011 season.

Good summary GG. One thing I'd add is that Pablo Sandoval has been a ton of fun (no pun intended) to watch field his position this year. Early in the year, with the 38 pound weight loss, you could see he was definitely quicker getting to balls at the hot corner. I still wondered because he never was known as a defensive wizard. But, he's played great at third all year and even his defensive stats bear it out. He has a gun for an arm too. Along with his hitting, Pablo may be two bright spots the way it's gone this year.

[Spacemans Bong]

This Neukom thing is going to run and run.

There's really a million different ways it could go. Neukom spent too much and we want to count profits (that won't be there if the Giants get the reputation locally that they've cheaped out), Neukom didn't consult us, Neukom wanted to fire Sabean and Bochy, Neukom loves Sabean and Bochy and we don't, etc.

The palace of Versailles had less court intrigue than 24 Willie Mays Plaza right now.

[gaelgirl]

From the last I read, I am not sure it is all that complicated. It isn't how much he or others spent (though it's probably a part of it), it's how much he was demanding in compensation for his work. On the one hand, you think he deserves every penny because of what he's done for the organization. On the other, if his salary makes the team less sustainable, then he's hurting more than he's helping. It'll take a few years to sort out exactly what happened with this.

The team, however, is responding quite nicely despite the turmoil. The odds are nearly-impossibly long that they make the postseason, but there's still a tiny chance. Who knows... maybe, improbably, Arizona will fold suddenly and completely. The wildcard is closer, but there are two teams. All in all, it's probably too little, too late. Still, it's nice to end a season on a high note. Go Giants!!

[Spacemans Bong]

I've now googled the Matier and Ross article you've clearly read.

One thing I didn't know was that Neukom's net worth was close to a billion. Maybe that's just a source being full of it, but I didn't know he was that rich.

The Giants ownership structure and who has X amount of money and power is so, so, weird. They're more like the Packers than anything else.

[gaelgirl]

Yeah, I read that several days ago. While I remembered the content, I wasn't sure of the source. Regardless, it was quite a bit of ridiculous financial wrangling. It's hard to tell at this point which owners have the best interests of the Giants organization at heart and which are now dazzled by dollar signs. That last article (the M&R one, apparently) didn't really try to address Neukom's perspective. He's obviously pissed off enough that he's divesting himself from the team, but he's been genial and relaxed in public. The whole thing is weird.

The Burns sisters have control of the team. They are almost certainly as devoted to the team as their parents were, but that doesn't mean they know anything about how to run a successful franchise. What's interesting now is that each sister might favor different members of the ownership group and executive committee. So, basically, like you said: it's really weird.

A sad, pathetic end to the Giants-Dodgers series this season, at least on the field. I can't believe Opening Day was that long ago. I'm not ready for the Giants season to end.