Wednesday, August 26, 2009

It's an old story

I haven't posted in a long time, waiting to see what the heck would happen this season.

A run at greatness was been entertaining, but was never realistic. I hope the experience will prove valuable next year.

There is much to say and mull over, but I was moved to post this story, from Deadspin:

It's Not Officially A No-Hitter Until You Drink With A Panda

By Barry Petchesky, 2:00 AM on Thu Jul 16 2009, 10,688 views

Some might tell you that Jonathan Sanchez's good luck charm was his father watching him pitch for the first time as a pro. Those people are about to learn of the Power of the Panda.

Reader Ryan shares a tale of four friends and one panda suit who decided to take in a game at AT&T Park. Did we mention a struggling young lefty was making a spot start that night?

Ryan, take it away:

My friend Scott had the clever idea of renting a Panda costume to bring to the game in support of Pablo getting the shaft for the All Star Game. We cabbed down to the park, Scott in full Panda mode, scalped 4 tickets in the bleachers and never saw the seats. We were bombarded by people from the get go, taking pictures, shaking hands, kissing babies, the panda costume was a hit in the rightfield arcade, even Krukow on air called it "genius". Together we must have received hundreds of calls and texts saying we were on TV, it was hilarious. We were holding signs up that read "Pablo is My Homie", "Panda Loves Kruk and Kuip", and "LA SUCKS" in right center when Pablo crushed the first pitch he saw into the arcade. It flew over Scott the Panda, ricocheted off our friend Amy, bounced off my leg, and into the hand of our friend Matt! We caught the Pablo home run ball!!!

We were so thrilled after that and being preoccupied with the Panda being so popular, it took a text from my brother reading "Sanchez is Dealing, Check the Scoreboard" in the 7th for me to realize the moment. I immediately huddled the group and explained that the "Panda-monium" must take a back seat to possible Giants History, so from the 7th on we soaked in every pitch. After the called 3rd strike, we realized that we've all just experienced our greatest sporting event moment, ever.

But the icing on this cake was complete when we ventured post game to Momo's. Scott the Panda was getting free drinks, all night, even tending bar, when who of all people appear, but Jonathon Sanchez himself! He was there maybe ten minutes, but still enough time for us to congratulate and personally thank him for the incredible night he helped give to my friends and I. He was humble and happy to let us snap off what could be my all time favorite photo....The Panda, Amy, Sanchez, and myself. So Scott the Panda was famous, Matt caught the Sandoval ball, Amy got her picture with her Giants crush, Sanchez,
and we all got to see a piece of San Francisco Giants History!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Batting Stance Guy

Batting Stance Guy does SF. I love this.

This ESPN piece is brilliant and features Will the Thrill

Monday, April 6, 2009

First Pitch

It's first pitch day. I hear Obama's in the US, but that he won't be at the park today.

BALTIMORE (AP)—The Orioles say Vice President Joe Biden will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Baltimore’s season opening day game against the New York Yankees. The team says Biden will be the first sitting vice president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at the stadium.

What about Washington's home opener. Monday 4/13? The plan is for him to be there.

More about the First fan. He declined the invite from the Chi-sox, but now that it's posponed until Tuesday you never know ... Billy Pierce will pinch toss.

Equal time? W will do the honors at the Metroplex.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Opening Day is coming

Link list for Friday: file under "we're # 1"

and a prayer from me that Zito rediscovers himself this year ...

Friday, March 27, 2009

SF Giants Fantasy Draft

Few Giants will be included in fantasy baseball drafts this spring. Who cares? I do. More time and energy goes into analyzing the coming season for roto ball than real ball.

So what do we learn? Everyone loves Timmy, of course, and big money guys Zito and Rowand are not even being drafted :shake head:

Lots of people love Sandoval, but draft him as a catcher. If he plays 3B and if he bats fifth, rather than third, he's not looking quite as good as some hope. I expect he'll hit for average but he and Lewis could both be excellent both #2 in-the-order guys. Wynn is a good #2 guy, too. He gets a little attention for his outstanding '08 season. Cain will strike people out. A few people think Renteria and Johnson are worth a chance.

Nobody likes Lewis, Wilson, or any one else on the squad. I drafted Fast Freddie and Sanchez and believe they'll have good years, better than last year. We'll see.

I'll probably pick up Guzman, too, if he starts at 1B, which I hope, no matter how bad his D.

Overall? Sad. It isn't much of a plan for '09.

But there's always the IF Game ... there may be some surprises this year. They may get their nose above .500 IF Renteria turns out to be 27 rather than 47, or IF they just move him out of the top half of the order. IF the West takes a dive like last year, anyone could win with one good month. 84 wins took the flag last year. I don't see a western team getting out of the first round of the playoffs, but IF it's los Gigantes, three good starters could make us impossible to beat in the post season. I can't believe I wrote that. It's March. I can dream.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Friday Extra

Guzman continues to slug. He could make the squad. We need his bat, but I hear his glove's not ready. Me? I don't think this is the time to be timid or safe.

Reading Extra Baggs a blog by the Merc's Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly.

He says the Giants are looking to upgrade at backup catcher and long relief for Taschner, Rule 5 draftee Luis Perdomo, Merkin Valdez, or Eugenio Velez. Also, he adds, Andres Torres might make the squad. I think they really like Perdomo.

But, here's the guy they just got: Sergio Santos? Nope, I don't get it either. Here's a nice story, though. Back to the Merc for Baggs take.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Gotta love those kids

Time for the first Spring Training report card:

Good:
- Sandoval. He can mash.
- Will Clark. Nice to know the Nusch is back in the Orange and Black.
- Doug Greenwald on MLB radio. Miller's great, but the Greenwalds are Giants.
- Randy the Giant. It's strange to see, but I think he'll be OK. Much better than when we had Hershiser.
- Guzman. We know he can hit. He must be the worst fielder ever since he's not even being considered for the squad.

Bad:
- Schierholtz. Biggest camp of his life -- he's in the trainer's room.
- Some seriously bad penmanship from Misch, Affeldt, et al. This is the improved pen?
- Renteria. I hope he turns it up a notch. I hope there's still a notch there to turn it up to.
- I loved watching the Netherlands emotional upset of the Dominican WBC squad, but what about their SJG rep swinging like me for the 2nd out in the 11th? Weeeak.

Shockers:
- Leading the majors in spring home runs. Tell me you saw that coming.
- They ate Roberts' contract. Good move, but way out of character.
- Zito may not completely suck.
- Lewis in the three hole? Really?

There's more, but I have to get to work ...

Thursday, February 12, 2009

How are things in Venezuela?

A couple of winterball reports from baseballamerica:

Jesus Guzman, 3b/2b, Giants: Maybe it seems a little bit unusual to lead off a prospect discussion by bringing up a player signed this offseason as a minor league free agent, but Guzman is a legitimate prospect who has pulverized pitchers in Venezuela...

Pablo Sandoval, c/1b/3b, Giants: The only player with a higher OPS than Guzman among qualified players in Venezuela? That would be Guzman’s new teammate, Pablo Sandoval... Sandoval batted .396/.449/.677 in 214 games this winter and played mostly first base, aside from a few games at third. Sandoval led the league in batting average and slugging, ranked fourth and OBP and tied for fourth with 12 home runs...

I like Crede, and Pablo is a lock somewhere, but I want to see Guzman get a shot.

As for their latest signing, Ramon Ortiz, he went 4-7 with a 5.82 ERA in Japan last season.

(scratching head)

(sighing)