an odd week

The biggest news is the record setting career of Omar Vizquel. What an honor it's been to have him on our club.

But there's lot's to talk about in addition:
- Velez demoted. I hope he makes it back -- in a couple of years.
- Bowker has not been the answer.
- Ort on the DL, who knew he was still on the team?
- Bengie and Wynn are having fine seasons. I wish they were tradebait.
- are any of these position players coming back next year? What's the plan besides Lewis and Rowand?
- Triple play!

More later on the pitchers

boo!

How many times in years past have you said "oh sure, they fire the manager, but who's going to fire the owner?"

They did it, they fired the owner. And Sabean is next.

As we stick the knife in, we say "this one is for AJ." And again, "this one for Zito." Over and over. One for each transgression. How cathartic.

Rebuilding in the most complete way is going to be this season's show. Who knew? A long frustrating summer on the field is going to be entertaining in the team suite. Kind of like our own reality show.

Better than the courtroom.

the contenders

I don't know how Sabean can say that the Giants can be contenders this year. I know you have to spin a bit to sell tickets, but I think it would be more believable if he talked about all of the great trades he was working on, rather than how this crew is going to challenge for the pennant. What a bunch of hooey.

Nice to see Vizquel come back and play well. Class guy. Good for the kids to emulate. But this club is not going to do anything besides lose 95 games and finish dead last unless they get a few hitters. You don't have to be a baseball genius to see that. And if you don't see it, you've lost touch.

Commentary - Why aren't they trading?

Another perspective - AJ never liked them.

Who?

Another loss, so it goes.

The question of the day -- who is John Bowker? Is he the first baseman of the future? Or is he another in a long line of almost-good-enough prospects that the Giants have a well-earned reputation for producing? Another Damon Minor?

We hear the rumors about Magowan's reign about to end. Is it also the end of the Sabean Era? Could it be that my chance to run the club is nigh?

Holm Sweet Holm

How unlikely was that? Late-inning heroics from your back-up catcher. That's not the way you draw it up, but it's fun once in a while. The Phils, meanwhile, shouldn't be losing two of three to this club. They are not going to win the East like that.

OK, fun time is over. Reality is that the team sucks and there's nobody in the minors or on the DL who's going to make it better. You can get better at almost every position, at least have a youngster in place for your aging starters. What are you doing about it? ... Hello?

Misch-tery

Another loss, the bullpen blew it. But Mr. Misch pitched well and gets to stay in the rotation. How does he do it? Is he good enough to think more about trading one of the top three starters ... ?

The last lefty opponent starter in the string of seven today. And probably without Ol' Man Molina and his achy-breaky knees. But Lewis has survived, picked up an RBI hit yesterday. He's an every day guy now. Bowker didn't get a real shot at them. Maybe it's better for a young guy feeling his way, but I'm looking forward to seeing him back in the lineup.

I'm not so sure that Vizquel's return is going to make any difference unless it means Burris plays third and Velez second every day.

It sounds like the Phils had a number of HRs taken away by the Gints home grounds. What about Feliz going the other way last night? Where did that come from? I think he could have a big year in little Citizens Bank Park.

Slap-and-run, that's the ticket.

bad

Remember what I told you kids, this is a bad club. 12-6 bad. Aurilia-and-Castillo-are-your-best-hitters bad.

So bad, in fact, that they're letting the biggest loser start tonight's game.

Jeesh.

lost weekend

Three great ballgames, not fun to lose two, but the kids played alright against a much more talented club, even without Rollins.

We're a month into the season and I hear no trade winds blow. Seems to me there should be something happening here, besides bringing up Bowker.

mulligan?

I'll take the Five runs and 16 hits. Too bad it wasn't a win, but that's OK. I think the roster is getting there. Hoping for trade talks.

Looking for more fireworks today.

day off

If I was running the club -- usherettes! Here are the Soxettes from old Comiskey Park.

got it

OK, calm down. The club is not even sniffing .500 ball. But I have to admit, I like Fast Freddie.

And here's a tip of the capt to the bullpen. The losses are usually due to a really bad start and offensive troubles. Only two losses so far. I don't know if they'll continue to do the job, but can't take their success so far away from them.

Much sadder news: PEDs suspension for last year's catcher.

Coming up: they're better than the Rocks and the Pads, let's see if they enjoy hitting in Philly and Pittsburgh. I think so.