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Around SBN: Terry Collins, David Wright, And The Mets/Brewers Kerfuffle

Day Two

by Grant Brisbee on Feb 26, 2008 7:36 AM PST in News

Optimism Week: It's like Shark Week for Giants fans. Right, chum?

Reasons to be excited about Eugenio Velez:

Eugenio, of course, is Spanish for "eugenics", and it's a nickname that alludes to the fact the Giants are actively trying to create a Master Team of pure speedy and bunty-types who play the game the right way. His given name is "Paul."
You're worried that his minor league performances aren't that great for a 26-year-old prospect? That it would take a massive and unexpected jump in performance for him to be a good player? Pshaw. The only reason we're even discussing him right now is because he has experience with massive and unexpected jumps in performance. He's already been to that well once; why not again? When the Giants took Velez in the minor league Rule 5 draft, he was a stone-handed shortstop with a lifetime on-base percentage of .002 or so.
Seriously, look at his stats from the Toronto organization. Is there any reason to have thought Velez would still even be in organized baseball in 2008? I believe it was Sartre who said, "A man who surprises you with a wet willie once is probably the kind of jackass who will keep doing it." Velez has already stuck a moist finger into the ear of our collective consciousness before by exceeding expectations. Why wouldn't he do it again? Other than physical limitations, that is.
Stolen bases are pretty cool. There, I wrote it. If Rajai Davis and Velez could each maintain on-base percentages of .350 or higher, the Giants would be pretty fun to watch for an inning or so. If they could consistently maintain on-base percentages of .350 or higher, they would have a chance to scamper around for the next good Giants team. A Giants team with real hitters behind a productive Velez would be ridiculously exciting.
Velez's career will probably be limited to that of a utilityman, but obligatory Chone Figgins reference.

It isn't necessarily logical to think of Velez as a top prospect bound for something more than a couple cups of coffee. But every now and then, logic needs to sit in the Arizona sun and get drunk before noon. Spring training isn't for sandwich board-wearing doomsayers. At least, not all the time. Ray Durham will tweak something, Kevin Frandsen will have to cover third for the season, and Velez will put up a .290/.340/.390 line with 50 steals in 450 at-bats.

Velez '08: Why not?

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Comments

Re: Day Two

Fast players can be fun! If you've ever watched Monta Ellis dominate a 1-on-2 fast break, you know how fun it can be. Velez isn't just fast--he can fly! He'll provide moments of fun and a few ooh-aah things, and this year we'll need all of those we can get.

I got one word for you: "youneverknow"

by senorvegas on Feb 26, 2008 7:41 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

I want to see the Giants develop some players who play the game the wrong way. Like run from home to second, or stand directly behind the batter doing the "I'm not touching you," thing.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Feb 26, 2008 7:50 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

Been there, done that.

2008: The year the Giants begin to stop sucking.

by EliminateMe on Feb 26, 2008 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Looking at his stats for the year he was with the Giants the only thought that occurs to me is "how in the world did he get on base to get thrown out at home?"

by paboperfecto on Feb 26, 2008 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Maybe it's cause I teach the literatures for a living, but I moused over the url and thought it was a link to Finnegans Wake.

/two of you will get this.

I still have soft-focus, string-soundtracked dreams of a Lowry for Encarnacion swap.

by juanboy on Feb 26, 2008 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

OMG I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT I READ THAT PAGE!!!

That makes me kind of happy.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 4:36 PM PST up reply actions

url

And I thought it was a Carly Simon song.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 27, 2008 9:28 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

How did he bat .195 with 23 homers in '99? That just seems impossible.

"Just another ahahahaha... laugher."

by capnk on Feb 26, 2008 11:06 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Wow, it does seem rather improbably. I made the flimsy point in another thread that Barry Bonds over his career hit 1 homerun for every 3.9 hits. Which, I mean, means if you only ever watched Barry Bonds get five hits, chances are decent that one of them was a homerun.

That year Rivera had 1 homerun for every 3.5 hits. The sample size is ridiculous, and the stat is flawed to begin with, but hot damn. There was one year where he was actually better than Barry at something.

Then again, in 2001 alone, Barry had one homerun for every 2.1 hits. Which is absolutely mind-boggling.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 11:39 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

He'll have to have a hell of a spring to get a long look at a bench spot, but his speed make folks drool and after seeing him briefly at Petco Park last season, I would like to see him tererorize the basepaths if that's what he offers.

Velez > 2008 Aurilia

Derin McMains had five fingers, but he only used three.

by oooreebay on Feb 26, 2008 8:01 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

EhoooO0OO0Oooonio!!!!

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Feb 26, 2008 8:18 AM PST reply actions

Fail

ay-yoo-HEN-ee-oh

***

Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy

by hairball on Feb 26, 2008 10:39 AM PST up reply actions

Eh0o0o0o0o0o0o0nio!!!

Better?

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Feb 26, 2008 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Eh0o0o0o0o0o0o0nio!!!

***

Succumb to the Enchanted t-shirt! Adopted dad of Minor Izzy

by hairball on Feb 27, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I like triples.

While thinking of Velez and his speedy triple that he hit in Petco last year, I wondered who holds the all-time record for triples in a season?

Turns out it's Chief Wilson (awesome name) who hit 36 triples in 1912.

If I search the modern era, 1950-2007, Curtis Granderson has the most triples of any player in a full season over that period of time. He set the record in '07 with 23 triples.

Thats a pretty amazing statistic. I've always really liked Granderson as a player, and now I like him even more.

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 8:27 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

I like triples too, but when I think triple I don't think Velez - I think Klesko. That triple he hit against the Cardinals (I think) was one of the funniest things I ever saw.

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Feb 26, 2008 8:38 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Are you talking about the belly-fop 3B slide? One of my favorite Klesko memories!

The best part was that Klesko clearly thought he knocked it out of the park, until it shot off the brick well in right-center.

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 8:40 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

That's the one. I mean, the man almost caused an earthquake.

He definitely thought it's a homer, Being new to Mays field. I remember Barry (the good one) laughing at him from the the dugout.

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Feb 26, 2008 8:54 AM PST up reply actions

Pop Quiz

Two parter.

Who holds the record for the most triples in a season for the Giants franchise? (Includes NY and SF).
Who holds the record for most career career triples in a Giants uniform? (Once again, both NY and SF)

No cheating!

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 8:29 AM PST reply actions

Re: Pop Quiz

Steve Finley
Willie Mays

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 8:41 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Pop Quiz

I'm just guessing for the second answer, but I'm pretty kinda sure about the first because I remember that they made a big deal about it.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 8:43 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Pop Quiz

Billy North
Mel Ott

Just wild guesses.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 26, 2008 9:09 AM PST up reply actions

It's Finley for both 1 and 2.

Seriously, Mays? How many did he hit - 100, 150? No way that's more then what Finley hit in 06'.

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Feb 26, 2008 9:16 AM PST up reply actions

Re: It's Finley for both 1 and 2.

I'm pretty sure Mays' number of career triples is greater than the total amount of triples Finley hit in '06.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 10:46 AM PST up reply actions

Re: It's Finley for both 1 and 2.

Umm... I'm pretty sure Finley didn't even lead the league in triples in 2006. I assumed you were joking by mentioning him, because of all the fuss Kruk and Kuip made about his speed (I believe they even started calling Triples Alley "Finley's Alley"), so I tried to play along.

Unless you're still joking and I'm just not getting it.

I am one confused Coocky.

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Feb 26, 2008 11:57 AM PST up reply actions

Re: It's Finley for both 1 and 2.

In '06, Finley tied Mays' record of 12 triples in one season, although this is the San Francisco record. The franchise record is in xanthan's comment below.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 3:44 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Pop Quiz

anytime you guess "Willie Mays" as an answer to an all-time Giants question, you're probably gonna be right a great deal of the time.

At least it's baseball season.

by nostocksjustbonds on Feb 26, 2008 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

CSS Question

Does anyone know how to do CSS text effects that work on McC? I wanted to change the background color for my font, so people could highlight the text to see the Pop Quiz answers. So the answers would be black text on a black background.

I found some CSS code for this but I couldn't get it to work. Anyone know anything? It would be great for "spoiler" stuff on the site, eg: discussing movie endings, trivia answers, video games, etc.

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

Spoiler:<div style="color:white">1+1=2!!</div>

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

Spoiler:

1+1=2!!

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 11:02 AM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

You da man, thanks! I'll add my answers above.

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

I haven't figured out how to restrict it to one line. I've been too lazy to figure it out, anyway.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 11:06 AM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

With this: [div style="display: inline;"]

As in:

[div style="display: inline;"]Spoiler: [div style="color:white;display: inline"]1+1=2!![/div]

As in:

Spoiler:

1+1=2!!

It's important to use the inline code in EVERY div style bracket you throw up. Otherwise it won't do a lot of good.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 11:16 AM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

Whoops, forgot to fake display a closing tag.

[div style="display: inline;"]Spoiler: [/div][div style="color:white;display: inline"]1+1=2!![/div]

There, that's the ticket.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 11:18 AM PST up reply actions

Cool

That works a lot better than my method of sacrificing a live pig to the volcano gods.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 11:35 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Cool

Yeah, the volcano gods only make good on, like, half of my sacrifices tops. Seriously, when you have to use twice as many pigs to get the same production as the other gods, well that's just a lot of pigs blood to deal with.

On the other hand, I got really good at making Dinuguan for a while. My Dinuguan making skills have gone way downhill since I started using html.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Cool

Black pudding for all!

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 26, 2008 11:24 PM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

<DIV> is a block element by default, you probably have to set it's display: property to inline.

by zenbitz on Feb 26, 2008 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

Re: CSS Question

OMG WHY DID I HIGHLIGHT THAT!? IT RUINED EVERYTHING!!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

Answers

Highlight below to see.

1. "Laughing Larry" Doyle - He hit 25 triples in 1911.

2. Willie Mays - 139 career triples.

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 11:07 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

threadjack

WTF? This is either some Expert Level 10 Photoshopping, or Barry actually tried on the old "Devil rays" uni at some point?

/threadjack

Derin McMains had five fingers, but he only used three.

by oooreebay on Feb 26, 2008 8:41 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

Photoshop'd.

You can see the clone stamp effects around the TB logo on the front jersey.

by xanthan on Feb 26, 2008 8:48 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Aha, now I see. You've got a keen eye, my brother.

Derin McMains had five fingers, but he only used three.

by oooreebay on Feb 26, 2008 9:41 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Since I'm going to Tampa at the end of August and the Rays are at home, I'd love this.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 9:11 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I think someone did this for some article about how the Giants almost moved to Tampa back in the day.

The 2008 San Francisco Giants: Years of neglected rebuilding, continued.

by jasomack on Feb 26, 2008 9:18 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Expert Level 2.

Whoever did this just pasted a DRays logos over the Giants logos and changed the color in the text.

20 bucks says he goes to the Indians.

Idolizing the Nuschler Face since April 8, 1986 / GIANTSPACE returns!

by SoFa King Mike on Feb 26, 2008 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I will take that twenty.

where would they put him?

IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL!!!

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Feb 26, 2008 10:15 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

The 25 man roster!!!

Do I win?

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Velez '08: YES WE CAN

Seriously, though. I love him because I'm weird and I like to bandwagon random guys. However seeing the praise heaped on him from our trusted minor league outposts, plus Lisa Winston's glowing endorsement, makes me believe this guy is worth something.

So now I love him even more.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 9:13 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

"I like to bandwagon random guys"

BVCE = kinky devil

you know someone had to call you out on this.

Dodgers fans eat their young.

by redhornet78 on Feb 26, 2008 9:54 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

While I was expected to get my share of crap for my kooky ways here, I don't follow this joke. And I thought I knew and had told all the sex jokes there are to know and tell.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I think it's a joke that plays mostly just on the sound of the tamplate "I like to (blank) random guys." It doesn't really matter what fills the blank (so to speak), as long as it sounds like itc could be a verb. I would think that "random guys" also enhances the punch of "kinky devil."

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 11:05 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Here I was wondering if there was some new device in the BDSM world actually called a bandwagon. For use during said acts.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 11:09 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

wait, you guys don't know how to 'bandwagon' someone? bunch of puritans, i tell ya.

Dodgers fans eat their young.

by redhornet78 on Feb 26, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I didn't say I didn't know how to. I just didn't want to admit it. Thanks a lot!

Man, it's disgustingly sexy.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Paul Velez would be exciting in a 2008 Giants uniform. If indeed the year is a bad one, at least we can appreciate individual accomplishments on the ML level, and exciting progress in the minors. If either Omar or RayRay go down with injuries, I fully expect to see Velez stealing bases in SF this summer.

This is exactly the sort of irrational exuberence that we pay you for, Grant. Thank you! And if you can work Andy D'Alessio into one of the next three days, I may double my subscription. Triple bonus points for Matt Downs or Garret Baker.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 26, 2008 9:15 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

So it's your fault!

by paboperfecto on Feb 26, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions

Sorry, guys

Pabo, I was merely speaking hypothetically. Or perhaps hypodermically. Either way, I certainly expected RayRay's hammy to go bad before anything on Dreamy's body. Go figure.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 27, 2008 9:32 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Thank you Lyle ! If it is an optimism thread, Matt Downs must find his way somewhere into the thread.

Seriously, as bad as this year is likely to be, my optimism is purely focused on young guys/prospects getting as much exposure as possible at all levels. The Giants high-level minors do not offer much promise with the exception of pitching. The mid and low-level minors look to contain some players that could make an impact in 2009 and 2010 with the bat.

Burris, Denker, Sandoval, Copeland, D'Alessio, Bond, Downs, Baker, Noonan, and of course AV offer such promise, that I am anxious to find out if they really have talent to push all the way through.

My adopted son Matt Downs. He's sort of like Bill Mueller without the "two flap" helmet.

by nvsfg on Feb 27, 2008 9:02 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Velez is to Durham as Davis is to Roberts

by Scottsdale on Feb 26, 2008 9:16 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

See, now why couldn't analogies like THIS have showed up on my SATs?

Giant Expectations

by UnleashTheGore on Feb 26, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I don't think analogies were on the SATs anymore when I took it. They were still on the study tests, though, so score one for the SAT prep system!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Strong possibility I'll need to take the SATs before October. Not looking forward to this.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I recommend giving yourself enough time to take it at least one more time if you want to improve on your score. It just makes it easier when you do take it because you don't have to worry as much because you know you've got a second chance in hand.

And the less worried you are the better you'll probably do the first time so it's all gravy.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

The College Board removed the analogies portion of the SAT test awhile ago, just FYI. Too bad, to, because it was the most fun in my opinion --- this is like that as that is to this... I think they removed it because it was claimed that it wasn't fair across all socio and economic backgrounds of test takers, but I'm not 100% sure about that...

Anyway, good luck!

"I wear U.S.A. on my chest,... I'm an easy person to find" - R. Clemens

by Whipping Boy on Feb 26, 2008 9:39 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Barry Zito is to the Giants, as Alex Smith is to the 49ers.

"I wear U.S.A. on my chest,... I'm an easy person to find" - R. Clemens

by Whipping Boy on Feb 26, 2008 9:49 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

The difference being that Alex might have a future.

by sharksrog on Feb 27, 2008 12:30 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Nice to see some vague Alex Smith support out here. Usually, it's just Grant coming to our young QB's defense. And responses containing clever "defense" puns will not be tolerated!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 27, 2008 1:00 AM PST up reply actions

Alex Smith for Postmaster!

Outright support for Alex Smith can damage your reputation, and might get you injured.

That's why it tends to veer toward the vague.

by Moggeee on Feb 27, 2008 11:38 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

My problem with the analogies is they would occasionally give you crap like this:

bread:butter::

a) verisimillitude:obfuscation
b) conflagration:prurience
c) musculature:epidermus
d) bloviator:locquacious

What am I supposed to do with that?

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 10:22 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Take yourself out to a nice restaurant and ponder it. Just don't fill up on bloviator.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Feb 27, 2008 7:18 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I would guess C because butter goes on top of bread in a thin layer, as does epidermis does on musculature. But what do I know?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 27, 2008 9:06 AM PST up reply actions

Good call, Baron

I agree, gottta be C.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 27, 2008 9:35 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

That's exactly what I was going for (plus, it has to be C!). I was also having a really hard time trying to think of stupid words that would fit the analogy, which is how we go from actual hard words like "obfuscation" to words that are simple long, like "musculature."

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 27, 2008 9:47 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

You're right, a lot of it is stupid stuff. But if you're paying attention and you have brain one in your head, you can single out the stupid stuff and find the right answer. By you I mean the general public, of course. Not you, Howie.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 27, 2008 10:14 AM PST up reply actions

they ruin all my fun

I'm a poor Latina kid from a crappy public California high school. I know words. Read a damn book once in a while, people.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 27, 2008 9:08 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Oh man. SAT's = not that bad. Just give yourself enough time on the essay section. It's only 25 or 30 minutes which really isn't all that much. The prompts are easy but yeah, bit of a time crunch.

They have removed the analogies but have added more overall questions. It hasn't gotten a lot harder but be sure to go back and study some elementary math. I forgot how to do fractions momentarily.

IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL!!!

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Feb 26, 2008 10:19 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I plan on taking it sometime in August or September, right after I finish up my statistics class. So math will be fresh in my mind. The math part is the only thing that would ruin me.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 27, 2008 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I need to take the reasoning test and a subject test. The subject test is of my choosing. I really want to take the French language test, because I know I'd ace the thing and make up for my inevitable failure on the math portion. But they only offer it in November. So looks like it's dumb old English lit or US History for me.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 27, 2008 9:25 AM PST up reply actions

Pour mademoiselle

Bonne chance avec l'essai français.

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 27, 2008 9:37 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Pour mademoiselle

Merci mec.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 27, 2008 12:40 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

You mean they're not offering the baseball test any more? Bummer.

2008: The year the Giants begin to stop sucking.

by EliminateMe on Feb 27, 2008 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

But it's more relevant than ever!

The last question I ever saw was:

The Giants have the bases loaded, with no outs. Cleanup hitter Bengie Molina is at the plate.

/How many outs can occur with one grounder to the shortstop?

a) Three
b) Four, and one counts toward the next inning
c) More than the total number of Splash Hits
d) While you were pondering, Bengie was still running toward first.

by Moggeee on Feb 27, 2008 11:46 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

They stopped offering the AP Baseball test the year before I was going to take it, too. It sucked. All those years of Honors Baseball and AP Baseball for nothing...

So instead I just failed the AP US History test.

BS aside, if I had taken the AP Chinese test (or something else I would be completely lost with), I would have had AP scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 with no repeats. I think that would have been awesome. But not $80 worth of awesome, so I didn't do it.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 28, 2008 12:30 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Je ne sais pas combien la statistique vous aidera. Etre sûr d'examiner l'algèbre la plus fondamentale encore. Aussi, j'ai entendu la langue tests sujets sont tout à fait difficiles. Le français serait un défi. L'anglais est très facile bien.

But yeah History/English is cake.

Don't worry too much about it. The subject tests require some studying, especially history. For the reasoning though, I got a 2150 without studying the first time I took it. You'll be fine.

IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL IT'S BASEBALL!!!

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Feb 27, 2008 4:42 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I'm just happy they gave me 200 points for writing my name.

Lon Simmons' adopted dad.

by Kitspool on Feb 26, 2008 1:04 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Velez's minor league numbers don't look nearly as bad as I remember (minus 2005). Is his infield defense as bad as rumored? If any of our youngsters could use some time at AAA, though, it's him. But there's definitely value in a league-minimum guy who can play SS/2B/OF and steal a crapload of bases. What I'm really hoping to get out of Velez is enough games at SS to keep Vizquel's option from vesting.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/V/eugenio-velez.shtml

The 2008 San Francisco Giants: Years of neglected rebuilding, continued.

by jasomack on Feb 26, 2008 9:28 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

The word in the AFL was that he really improved on defense.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 10:56 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

If we keep saying Frandsen is going to be our 2b of the future, don't we kinda need to find another position for Velez?

Not saying I wouldn't like to see Frandsen at 3b and Velez at 2b this year, but down the road? Dunno.

And Boom Goes the Dynamite

by Andy from DC on Feb 26, 2008 9:33 AM PST reply actions

Grinch Strikes!

Call be the Grinch but the most I am willing to call Frandsen is in front of Durham. The future will speak for its self when its darn good and ready.

by daveinexile on Feb 26, 2008 10:38 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I'd think his bat is better suited for SS, for sure. I don't know much about what the org thinks of his defense, but I know he at least has minor league experience at the position.

Which is another thing that makes the Vizquel signing possibly maddening....

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 10:53 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Why haven't we been living every week like it's Shark Week?

vote Dan Ortmeier for Will Clark, apr. 4th at your local polling place

by nick @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 26, 2008 9:37 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

I've been out to spring training practices only twice so far, and Velez looks just as terrible fielding as the rumors portray him to be. I was hoping they were exaggerated, but not so.

Can we request that he play gloveless for the mere entertainment value? Hey...it worked for Kevin Mitchell...

BTW Omar went yard off of Messenger yesterday.

by Fresburg on Feb 26, 2008 9:45 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

In the world of light-hitting shortstops, this means that, after evening cocktails, Omar relieved himself off Messenger's back porch.

by Moggeee on Feb 26, 2008 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I say we put him on the team and with our other two catchers on the roster, we have Benji Molina's late inning pinch runner. did I mention he can play center field? (isn't this joke getting a little old)

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 26, 2008 9:45 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

I'm going to be using this week's posts as a way to construct my baseball mogul 09 roster when that comes in. So far I have Jose Cappelan for closer, and Eugenio Velez for everyday secondbaseman.

Can't wait to see who plays catcher!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 26, 2008 10:09 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

One of my cats is good at catching things.

Plus: she comes with the entertaining bonus of random acts of freakishly effective clawing.

by wcw on Feb 26, 2008 11:23 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Third baseman of the future: Scott Michael McClain

Who--if I was not horribly mistaken--was actually playing 3rd today in the simulation and did a decent job...

by Fresburg on Feb 26, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions

AAA UUUU HAAAY

let's get all those sylabbles:
ayooo Haaay Nio

As for defense--he can switch between second and third base depending on who's batting and pitching.

adopter/sponsor of "Go, Antoan" Richardson

by foothillsfan on Feb 26, 2008 11:26 AM PST reply actions

Re: AAA UUUU HAAAY

Is this truly the correct pronunciation? Is there an accent mark over the E in his name?

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 27, 2008 9:39 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

1. Denial: "Omar is NOT hurt."

2. Anger: "Why us? This sucks!"

3. Bargaining: "Just get him ready for the first Dodger game, and I'll work more, and read Grant less."

4. Depression: "I'm a sad panda. Pass the tequila."

5. Acceptance: "On the bright side, I found my swagger. It was in my other pants."

Pedro Feliz - the amphibious tarantula making a nest in the toilet bowl of the offseason.

by HughG16 on Feb 26, 2008 1:56 PM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

"Why Not"

-Best Attitude possible for this upcoming season. I love it. I'm going to try it as much as possible.

An infield of all CF's? Why Not?

Frandsen Batting Cleanup? Why Not?

Ort as the 2008 NL Batting Champ? Why Not?-Throw in a gold glove too, for good measure.

Damn its hard to type with a broken thumb.

Angel Villalona: A younger, better hitting Pedro Feliz. Rajai Davis: A younger, better everything Dave Roberts.

by AngelintheInfield on Feb 26, 2008 2:00 PM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2008/news/story?id=3265873

Okay, so Vizquel is out 5 weeks or so. Given his age, I'd think he'll take longer than usual to be game-ready.

This just happened today, I guess? So, does this mean there's a possibility for Velez to take over SS, at least in the interim?

by lrs77 on Feb 26, 2008 2:03 PM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

Oops. Didn't read the whole article first. Guess Boch plans to use Frandsen at SS. Which, really, is better than using him at 3B, which is a power-hitters position.

But I guess this also cements whatever terrible deal the Giants make with the Chi-Sox for Crede.

by lrs77 on Feb 26, 2008 2:06 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I have a feeling this is going to be a recurring theme this year. ____ will miss 2-3 weeks with sore knees/bad back/arthritis.

On the one hand I'm glad Frandsen has a job but I'd much rather this happen to Durham or Roberts. While Frandsen will certainly provide a boost on offense over Vizquel, the hit will take defensively will probably make it a wash. I was hoping that Frandsen would handily win the 2B competition this spring. Now Durham has the job outright. Ugh.

by saveuszito on Feb 26, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Right. This means the season starts off with Durham at 2B for sure. Now upper management can sigh their sigh of relief, so glad not to have to tell their cagey vet he doesn't have a job at 2B. I can hear the "Phewwwww" all the way from here.

And yr right about the theme. Molina already has sore legs or something. He's not participating in full practices with the squad.

Surely something similar will happen with the rest of our "youth movement" in Aurrelia, Roberts, Durham, etc.

by lrs77 on Feb 26, 2008 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Omar's knee: might be a blessing in disguise? God bless Omar, the guy rocks, but this also makes it unlikely that Vizquel will qualify for the necessary AB's for his 2009 vesting option. So, as long as Vizquel is not seriously hurt and can make a full recovery, and is out the whole 5 weeks... kinda net positive.

Get to see Frandsen at short stop. Cool. In a Twilight Zone way.
Opens up a roster spot for Velez: back-up infielder /pinch runner. Faster. Younger.
Who is going to play third base?

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Feb 26, 2008 3:11 PM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

Giants Third baseman of the future: Scott Michael McClain

by Fresburg on Feb 26, 2008 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I'm a little foggy on the 5 weeks, though. Do they mean 5 weeks from TODAY, or the first five weeks of the season?

I agree, it's a sad thing. Omar has been my favorite Giant to watch these last few seasons, but it's good to have a friggin' roster spot open so we can take a chance on one of these "kids"-- I put that in quotes, because some of those kids are 26, which is stretching the term.

But the question remains: Why couldn't this have happened to Durham????

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

by lrs77 on Feb 26, 2008 3:49 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

26 is still pretty young. That is, if the player has already proved he belongs in the bigs and he's ready for a full-time job. So I guess Velez, 29 at-bats between AAA and the majors, doesn't qualify. I'm willing to call anyone under 32 a "young, exciting prospect" at this point.

The 2008 San Francisco Giants: Years of neglected rebuilding, continued.

by jasomack on Feb 26, 2008 6:02 PM PST up reply actions

That last line is sad but true.

... and by the way Dodgers should always suffer like they are back in Brooklyn before World War II.

by daveinexile on Feb 29, 2008 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

Omar will miss..

4-5 weeks from now. That only means about the first week of the season. It'll make it harder to get to his 150 games (I think that was it) vesting option but Bochy will do his best.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 26, 2008 3:54 PM PST up reply actions

Art imitiates life

I don't know is literally on third.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 26, 2008 6:51 PM PST up reply actions

140 games.

Defender of Noah Lowry.

by Kid Fresh on Feb 26, 2008 4:18 PM PST reply actions

Re: 140 games.

I second the defense of Lowry

I'm voting for Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend's wife for president

by milesntrane on Feb 27, 2008 11:45 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Durham at 2nd, Frandsen at SS, Ortmeier at 1st, Aurilia at 3rd. Worst infield range in the history of recorded time. OK, say said infielders come up with routine groundball, not an arm among them. The pitching staff revolts and starts throwing more belt-high fastballs and hanging breaking balls to promote flyballs. Not only will we be outscored by 200 runs, we now will see our heroes out-homered 2 to 1.....Velez just may make this team by default.

by drysdalecousin on Feb 26, 2008 5:06 PM PST reply actions

INF defense

This is how Brian's plan of a team of all CF's makes sense - pitchers refuse to throw low strikes with that infield!

"I think I'd trust Amy Winehouse to guard my bag of coke before I'd trust Sabes to build my offense." -Dan Szymborski, Baseball Think Factory

by Lyle @ McCovey Chronicles on Feb 27, 2008 9:42 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Eugenio Velez may be the most overrated of Giants' prospects. Not sure if Dan Ortmeier still qualifies as a prospect, but he would be the closest competiton for Eugenio if he were.

by sharksrog on Feb 26, 2008 8:02 PM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

'Tis better to have overrated prospects, then not to have prospects at all.

(That's a direct quote from "The Collected Sonnets of Damon Minor", by the way.)

2008: The year the Giants begin to stop sucking.

by EliminateMe on Feb 27, 2008 10:04 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

I didn't realize he was a poet! You learn something new....

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 27, 2008 10:17 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

He's nearly as good a poet as he was a first baseman!

2008: The year the Giants begin to stop sucking.

by EliminateMe on Feb 27, 2008 12:17 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Ah, vanity publisher. Got it.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 27, 2008 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

from the Giants MLB.com page:

"Vizquel's injury could increase Eugenio Velez's chances to secure a utility role on the season-opening roster. Already, Velez has been practicing at every position except first base, pitcher and catcher. "He'll keep doing what he's been doing," Bochy said."

by lrs77 on Feb 27, 2008 9:43 AM PST reply actions

Re: Day Two

Bochy continued: "I mean, he'll keep trying new things. Thursday he'll set out clean uniforms before the game, serve tacos in the stands, and take pictures for the Chron. Friday he'll wash my truck (while wearing safety equipment) and play 18 holes of golf with Sabean, while downloading scouting reports and making trades. I tell ya, the sky's the limit for Eugenio. Did I mention paragliding on Saturday?"

adopter/sponsor of "Go, Antoan" Richardson

by foothillsfan on Feb 27, 2008 4:17 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Day Two

Grant,

This is one of the best things I have ever seen written about baseball. When do you get an HOF vote. I hope it's be 2112

I'm voting for Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend's wife for president

by milesntrane on Feb 27, 2008 11:43 PM PST reply actions

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