Open Letter

Dear Matt Cain,

You are awesome.

Love,

jponry

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 1, 2008 10:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Undersigned,
howtheyscored.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 1, 2008 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

PS: Thanks For The Great Game Matt,

Sincerely,

NVSFG

My adopted son Matt Downs. Bill Mueller without the two-flap helmet .

by nvsfg on Jul 2, 2008 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

PPS: I should go to more games that you are pitching more Matthew. Thanks for the show. I didn’t have to punch the loud Da Cubs fan next to me because you literally punched out and mowed down his beloved Cubbies. Thanks again.

Your #3 fan behind Natto & jponry,

Mike

Adopted brother of the AnVil / GIANTSPACE™ returns!

by SoFa King Mike on Jul 2, 2008 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In retrospect, perhaps one of the more unfortunately ambiguous stabs at comedy this site has ever seen….

by Grant on Jul 1, 2008 10:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

by ExcuseMeSwing on Jul 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i loled

of course, that may say more about me than the quality of the joke

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2008 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

woo-hoo!

Annoying MLB.tv blackout rules + me however on the road in Seattle = I got to tune in live just in time for Brian Wilson to give me a heart attack! Huzzah!

by non sequitur on Jul 1, 2008 10:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

better than 2007..

Sorry.. for you Bond-adicts.. this team is way better to watch than last years lame production !!

by daniel9 on Jul 1, 2008 10:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed it is

by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2008 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Semi-Fail!

(it’s like a semi-colon)

Then again, I might be one of the few who still enjoyed last year for what it was. An inevitable failure. Kind of how I feel about this year.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 1, 2008 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have enjoyed it a lot more

if Dave Roberts wasn’t here and Ray Durham was batting like he is this season.

by Viliphied on Jul 1, 2008 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brock Bond is exceeding my expectations, yes.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brock Bond is the new Kevin Frandsen.

by mxmob33 on Jul 2, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A disclaimer needed

I think last year itself was more exciting because of the HR chase. That being said, this team is more enjoyable to watch than last year’s.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 2, 2008 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the HR chase was exciting at about 753 on. Otherwise, it was just a big distraction.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

considering the way the team was playing

it was a pretty darn good distraction, IMHO

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 2, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eh..

Live and Let Die, I say

yeah, well, the whole world stinks, francine -- so get used to it!

by satyricrash on Jul 2, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but it wasn’t Bonds fault that last year was terrible to watch. Bonds was one of the few good things about last year and if he was here this year he’d just be one more good thing.

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Jul 2, 2008 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can afford underpants?

Lucky.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 1, 2008 10:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, my mom bought 'em

by Grant on Jul 1, 2008 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

First, collect underpants

Apparently, the second phase is “Fill them”

by Johnny Disaster on Jul 2, 2008 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I always keep a spare pair, handy. Ok that’s probably TMI. :)

by timmeh on Jul 2, 2008 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Signed,

Gob

by withclubsauce on Jul 1, 2008 10:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

However, my seventh place fantasy team thanks you.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 1, 2008 10:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i had Armando Benitez flashbacks… if he blew Cain’s game i woulda done something drastic. P.S. did anyone agree with Bochy’s decision to pull Cain after a quick 8th inning and after he struck out 3 or 4 if his last 6 batters????? i personally thought it was a dumb move. and then once Wilson gave up that double i thought i was going to explode…

by TheUnsean86 on Jul 1, 2008 10:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I agreed. Matt was great but there was absolutely no need for him to go over 120 pitches, which is what would have happened.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 1, 2008 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

me too. Wilson’s been getting the job done, so I thought it was the way to go.

by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2008 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

me three

cain did his job. if you’re not going to have confidence to throw your closer into the ninth inning of a 2-0 game, when are you? Wilson needs to be thrown into situations like that because (obviously from this game) he’s learning too.

Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...

by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2008 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was the right move.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 1, 2008 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I have to say is

SUCK IT, CAIN DOUBTERS!

Respect the feathered mullet.

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on Jul 1, 2008 11:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think he does better when its short. IMHO

by timmeh on Jul 2, 2008 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cain you dig it?!?!

And that concludes our horrible pun of the day.

P.S. I know this thread has something to do with Brian Wilson and is not explicitly about Matt Cain but I just thought that up myself and I had to share it.

Only 890 games until the end of Zito's contract

by thehavenot on Jul 2, 2008 1:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

not horrible

i’ve been rocking that since aught 5! CAAINNN YOU DIG IT. Extra points if you can do the Shaq semi-lazy eye while yelling it.

"They can trade me," Bonds said. "I don't think they will, though. It's not like I want to be traded, man. I'm a Giant. I'm stuck here till the end."

by GameSix on Jul 2, 2008 6:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

er

more of a cross-eyed thing

"They can trade me," Bonds said. "I don't think they will, though. It's not like I want to be traded, man. I'm a Giant. I'm stuck here till the end."

by GameSix on Jul 2, 2008 6:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cain was absolutely spectacular…there was one at-bat that I saw where he was dominating and that was the walk to Fontenot in the 7th when he fell behind and ended up giving up a walk. Other than that he was lights out – 93-95 on the fastball with great control (I think there were like two balls where he missed his target with it) and pretty good control with the change and curve. Like Jon Miller said – he’s reminescent of Jason Schmidt with the fastball-change combo.

Of course it was a treat to see my favorite Giant Freddy Lewis Win it offensively for us. As for Brian Wilson – say what you want but seeing him pump 4 100 mph fastballs out was awesome. And say what you want to say, but Brian gets the job done – I was confident he would save it after he let the first run score.

Fred Lewis - soon to be the all time Grand Slam leader

by Kestrel on Jul 2, 2008 2:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Where he wasn’t* dominating is what I meant to say in the first sentence – my bad. 5 AM + caffine overdose = Not always coherent

Fred Lewis - soon to be the all time Grand Slam leader

by Kestrel on Jul 2, 2008 2:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

5 a.m.? It’s only 3:30 a.m. where I’m sitting!

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 2, 2008 3:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cain's best pitch

I loved that slider just off the plate that Fukudome couldn’t quite reach for strike three. That was a pinpoint teaser.

I am annoyed by the “3 guys with 100K before the All-Star Break” stat, since the All-Star Break essentially moved its spot in the season when they installed the Wild Card. Last night was the third game after the halfway point.

"[Greg] Vaughn is in a funk so deep, George Clinton wearing a miner's helmet couldn't find him."
- Jim Baker, ESPN.com, May 2002

by achiappanza on Jul 2, 2008 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does Wilson always do the crossed hands point thing?

I seriously don’t remember that.

and what the hell does it mean?

by kingofthacove on Jul 2, 2008 3:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Baggarley was working that one out.

I don’t know if he ever succeeded.

Gary Thomasson's only true fan.

by Idaho Nick on Jul 2, 2008 6:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it’s some Jeebus thing?

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 7:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really think

It’s straitedge. Wilson totally looks like a straitedger and it makes perfect sense in retrospect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight_edge

He’s got the look -

BTW, I think Wilson pitched a great 9th. He gave up the leadoff 3b because he was pounding the zone. That runner was completely inconsequential once he got on base, and Wilson pitched as such – keeping guys in the yard.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nah

a straight edge kid would never rock a soul patch

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Jul 2, 2008 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His intro music is still that Christian Rock song, right?

Don't think, it could only hurt the ballclub.

by ResDog on Jul 2, 2008 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

undertaker

lol it reminded me of the Undertaker… or some kind of weird WWE sign lol, (even though undertaker probably has never done anything like that). either that or gang signs :D

by GiNgiNxbOi on Jul 2, 2008 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So he was telling the opposing batters to “REST… IN…. PEACE.”

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 2, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's an MMA thing

It’s related to some Ultimate Fighting Championship team/clothing line “One More Round”.

by Johnny Disaster on Jul 2, 2008 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Frandsen said it meant he’s always ready for the next challenge.

by timmeh on Jul 2, 2008 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is correct

In an interview with ESPN, Brian was wearing a shirt with the crossed arms and 1 finger. He said in the interview that is his favorite shirt and that he wants to get it tatooed on his back or chest.

by Giant Voodoo on Jul 2, 2008 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The baseball tonight guys were amused by it and ended the show doing it.

by G-Rob on Jul 2, 2008 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You kids make me laugh

When the “Cain doubters” start questioning his deity, you say, “HEY! IT’S ONLY HALF A YEAR HE’S BEEN STRUGGLING!! YOU CAN’T JUDGE HIM ON 1/2 A SEASON!!” Then, after one dominant start, you act like he’s the greatest to ever step on the mound. Take it easy, let’s see what happens the rest of the season.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 2, 2008 8:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As a P.S.

I would like to say I was very happy to see him dominate last night, but it’s only one start. Remember, we’re only a week or so removed from Zito having a dominant start against Cleveland. That’s right, I just compared him to Zito. I’ll give you all a few seconds to pick up your best throwing stone.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 2, 2008 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cain has a 2.88 ERA in his last 5 starts with 39 Ks and 8 BB in 34.1 IP. The Cleveland game was a blip on the radar, he’s been pitching well for awhile.

I’m sorry you weren’t paying attention :(

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 2, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK I concede he's been pitching well over the past 5 games or so

I am curious to see how he fares the rest of the season, though.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 2, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s improved as the year’s gone on, his K/G is the best of his career and his BB/G is pretty much the same as last year. He’ll be fine.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 2, 2008 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

to be fair, the K% bump is very recent

Viz http://firstinning.com/i/chart/430912_so_pa.gif

His BB%, on the other hand, started scary and has been improving steadily: http://firstinning.com/i/chart/430912_bb_pa.gif

by wcw on Jul 2, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right, that’s where the “He’s improved as the year’s gone on” comes from! \o/

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 2, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where’s my brick?

(Kidding…sort of)

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cainwagon

I’ve been on the bandwagon from Day 1 and never lost faith so I think I can cordially invite the haters to suck it.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

are there really "haters"?

I would probably be considered a detractor of him lately, and all I’ve been saying is that we should consider the possibility that he may not be the the future multiple Cy Young winner we thought he would be.

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 2, 2008 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well of course there’s the possibility that he might not be the second coming. I’m not asking that of him. I ask of him to be awesome and he does that on a fairly (Fairley?) regular basis.

Despite my violent threats and angry rantings, I am easy to please.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

alright

he’s young, like our other awesome members of the trio. Give him time.

And please, let’s stop comparing them to each other and start comparing them to the rest of the league’s pitchers. Cain might not be having as good of a year as Lincecum or Sanchez, but he’s still amazing and incredibly dominant.

I look forward to an insanely dominant pitcher. The awards will follow.

by Giant Voodoo on Jul 2, 2008 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

If you look at his stats beyond ERA you’ll see that he’s had a good first half, not just one dominant outing.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Jul 2, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should probably post the stats, not just mention them:

K/9 – 8.50 (career best), BB/9 – 3.73, K/BB – 2.28 (career best), FIP – 3.77 (career best), WHIP – 1.31, DERA – 4.16 (4.50 = average).

HE HASN’T BEEN STRUGGLING GODDAMMIT!!!.

..so allow me to present Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain as two sweet, sweet bottles of warming hooch.

by Cookyman on Jul 2, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

lulz.

“I’m getting sick and tired of two-run leads,” Wilson said. “I don’t care how many runs I give up as long as we win.”

by GiNgiNxbOi on Jul 2, 2008 8:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I must be in a particularly violent mood, because this comment makes me want to throw a brick at his head.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just can’t work myself up to care so much although I would mend his statement and say ”...as long as I don’t give up the lead.” It’s a closers job to finish the game, and while I would appreciate him doing it with less runners on base, he is saving games and is on pace to approach 50 saves….not too shabby.

by paboperfecto on Jul 2, 2008 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly.

With a two run lead as closer, you should hammer the zone until the tying run is at the plate.

That is exactly what Wilson does. Sometimes he gets hit (like last night) and gives up a run or two.

But he seems to never give up the lead.

Coincidence? Or just understanding the unique role of the closer and pitching into it very well.

YES, there is such a thing as a closer and the role is different than that of a relief pitcher.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And fuck, the guy hit 100 MPH on at least 4 pitches last night.

SNAP!

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t give a flying frig if the guy throws 100. He’s a heart attack and I don’t have the confidence in him that I had in past closers who specialized in the heart attack.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

we call him the Kardiac Kid

by Merope on Jul 2, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dudes dig the 3-digit fastball

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Jul 2, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That gun must still be juiced from the Zito start

Don't think, it could only hurt the ballclub.

by ResDog on Jul 2, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem

With a two run lead as closer, you should hammer the zone until the tying run is at the plate.

Which is exactly what he did not do the other night when he walked Rajai Davis on four pitches.

"[Greg] Vaughn is in a funk so deep, George Clinton wearing a miner's helmet couldn't find him."
- Jim Baker, ESPN.com, May 2002

by achiappanza on Jul 2, 2008 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait

I guess that was a one-run lead, but still… it was pointless to put the A’s only base-stealing threat on base for free. He didn’t even have to work it.

"[Greg] Vaughn is in a funk so deep, George Clinton wearing a miner's helmet couldn't find him."
- Jim Baker, ESPN.com, May 2002

by achiappanza on Jul 2, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, obviously that was not a great plan

I said he’s good – not perfect.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure that would do much damage…

by Johnny Disaster on Jul 2, 2008 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He’s not a benitez that’s for sure.. Wilson still stays/looks calm when he’s facing a hitter with one out, and runners on first & third in a 1 run ball game =D

I remember watching benitez.. he’d have sweat glazing all over his face and forehead.. (yuck.).. I’d be like oh man.. he doesn’t look very scary to me :P
lol and if/when he ever got out of the jam and closed out the game, he’d look so happy and relieved.. as if it were just luck or something =)

ah well, don’t mind me.. i just didn’t like the guy :P

by GiNgiNxbOi on Jul 2, 2008 9:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wilson's fine

Not great, but fine. He has a 3.1 FIP this year after a 3.2 last year. That’s not top-five performance for a closer, but it is reasonably good, and certainly above-average. His K rate is up to 26% this year, which isn’t top-5 either, but is closing in on top-10 performance for a reliever. He’s walking a few too many, but on balance he is doing a decent job.

But last night was way, way too exciting for my taste.

by wcw on Jul 2, 2008 9:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Brian Wilson

I just wish he had another pitch. Throwing the fastball over and over again reminds me of Felix Rodriguez and we all know how that turned out (I hate you Scott Spezio, you red soul patch wearing, should stayed on the A’s, wannabe musician!). That being said, I did like the how Molina and Wilson pitched the last hitter last night. After pumping 100 mph fastball (which were being fouled off), he threw a hanging slider that Theriot got completely crossed up and barely fouled. After that pitch, I knew that there was going to be no way that Theriot was going to be able to catch up to a 100mph pitch again.

Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Jul 2, 2008 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

brian wilson has two pitches

A 97-mph FB and an 89-mph slider should be plenty for a closer.

What’s weird is that last year he also had two pitches, but one of them was different: he threw the same hard FB, but also threw a cutter, maybe 91 mph, a poor man’s Mariano Rivera (who throws his at 93 and gets nearly an inch more movement in on lefties). His peripherals this year bear out the pitchfx data: K% up from 19% to 26%, but GB% down from 59% to 45%.

I’ve read that it’s hard to throw both a cutter and a slider, since muscle memory tends to confuse one for the other. Still, if Wilson could, he’d have three pitches, all pretty solid.

by wcw on Jul 2, 2008 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

eh

a cutter grip is alot like a FB but you drop a finger own the side and tighten grip differently. a slider, although multiple holdings exist, usually is thrown with both fingers and thumbs on basically 1/2 of the ball, causing it to spin when thrown.

Both are the fastball release though.

I think he can still throw a cutter but gets FB crazy. Also, i think he may like his cutter moreso than his slider. I’ll bet his bullpens decide which breaking pitch he brings.

by Giant Voodoo on Jul 2, 2008 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree completely. Kruk said Molina was calling for the FB again and again because he knew it was popping, but I’d like to see an occasional slider early in the count more often. It seemed every Cub knew they were going to see FBs and were geared up for it. That ball Edmonds hit would have been out of a lot of parks.

I was alos thinking that if Wilson could through even a mediocre change-up, it would be devistating to hitters after seeing 100 mph.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he should learn the eephus

by Viliphied on Jul 2, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wilson is no Rob Nen but for this team he will do.

Cain was awesome last night and had a almost perfect night to prop up a struggling offense. Go Giants….

Sometimes you just have to take a dump.

by Ortman on Jul 2, 2008 9:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's "Robb"

I made this point a few weeks back. Wilson, at this stage in his career, is every bit the pitcher Nen was.

Comparing him to the Giants’ Nen is not fair.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grant, my underpants said to say “hi” to your underpants.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That suggests all sorts of interesting situations

That frankly, should be kept private :)

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Underwear

“Keeper of the privates”

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dear Barry Zito,

OK, I’m going to overlook the things you say to the media about how you feel your game is improving and you’re just not seeing the results yet. That works because you’re enough of a savvy veteran to know that saying things like that is part of your job. You do that part very well.

The other part, the part where you get gazzillions of dollars to get guys out and win games, that part… Well, you suck. And I think deep down you know you suck, too. In fact, I’m counting on it. Because here’s the deal… if you keep going as you’re going now, you’ll continue to suck. Hard.

So you’ve got a few choices. If you’re hiding an injury, it’s time to fess up and get the treatment and do the rehab. Afraid of doctors or surgery or something like that? Uh, $120-umpty extra large says you don’t have that option. I’d rip out one of my kidneys with a melon baller for that kind of bread. Suck it up and get it done.

If you’re not hurt and you’re still that bad, the choices are even simpler. One option is to accept the fact that you need to radically change your game not just make adjustments. Go somewhere, find somebody, learn anything… Knuckleball, submarine, spitter… Anything.

The other option is to just accept the fact you’re a thief. Yep. A thief. You signed the biggest contract in history for a pitcher, and took a lot of green and pretty much all you’ve given us, well, to continue the naturalistic theme, has been brown. A little Kevin Brown and a lot of Charlie Brown. Yeah, I know, when I wrote brown you were thinking shit as in “I’ve pitched like shit ever since I joined the Giants.”

You signed for ace money and since then have come nowhere close to giving value for that money… Frankly in most any other sphere of endeavor that’s called fraud. So if no other appeal gets through to you, just reflect on how you feel as a person taking money for something you can’t provide. Probably doesn’t feel too good huh? The only way to fix that and feel good about yourself again is to stop. Quit. Retire. Soon. Now.

People boo you and I know you hear them. It’s not insincere either. You are genuinely disliked because of your lack of performance. Can you really stand years more of that? Eventually people will stop booing and just laugh at you. That work for you? Want to look into the little face of some crying kid when he shrieks, “Daddy I don’t want him! I want two corner infielders with pop for less total payroll and shorter contracts!” Ain’t pretty is it? You’re blocking Pat Misch! How can you live with yourself!

Barry, we loved the Giants before you got here and we’ll love them when you’re not around. Maybe even more… So get cut, get a new game or get lost. I hope you take this letter in the spirit in which it was intended. Namely, to remind you how much you suck.

Sincerely,

The People Who Hate You

Fred Lewis can stand under my umbrella.

by S.F. Giangst on Jul 2, 2008 10:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hahha… seems like more of an end-of-the-season letter to me ;) I’d atleast let him have the rest of the season to see if he can find his fix =X

by GiNgiNxbOi on Jul 2, 2008 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And this has what to do with Brian Wilson or Matt Cain or the Game last night at all?

And sorry, but its not fraud. He was offered the money to do the best job he could do. He is doing that. It’s not his fault he was grossly overpaid.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed.

I’m pretty sure he feels horrible about not being able to do the task he was asked to perform. He’s probably working real hard to fix it, but with poor results. I personally do think that he will hit double digit wins this season ;)

by GiNgiNxbOi on Jul 2, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

This post fails on a number of different levels.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

O(n) Topic

Over at Bleed Cubbie Blue they are showing some respect for Cain.

The way some people find Spirituality in mid-life, I found Baseball.

by igotnothing on Jul 2, 2008 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

do they

want to trade offenses? ours obviously has more pizzazz.

by Giant Voodoo on Jul 2, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s a refreshing development after the recent brushes with idiocy we’ve had with other blogs, starting with that Mets clod and the previous A’s dude who had his panties in a twist for sure. But then again Cubs fans are pretty mellow anyway. I’ve never met one who wasn’t cool.

"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 2, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never met one who wasn't cool?

You don’t get out much, eh? :)

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it were Gaslamp Ball, they would be saying how Cain was such a jerkface for striking out 10 batters.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 2, 2008 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

fwiw

As long as Wilson does not blow a save, I’m all good with however he does it.

Another quote:
One of his pitches to Theriot hit 100 mph on the stadium radar gun.

“When he throws 100, you look for a heater,” Theriot said. “He threw me a ton of them, but I just couldn’t catch up.”

Said Wilson: “I like hearing that.”

by SFGAmsterdam on Jul 2, 2008 12:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Said Wilson: "I like hearing that."

Fucking awesome.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It says a lot about a guy's stuff

When everyone in the park, including the batter, knows he is going to throw a fastball.

And the batter still can’t square up on it.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He just took some pitching advice from Dave Roberts.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 2, 2008 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but Edmonds didn’t seem to be fooled by the 100 mph gas.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 2, 2008 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is true

And Edmonds is/was one of the better hitters of his generation.

I’m not saying Wilson doesn’t need to develop his secondary pitches, I’m just saying there aren’t to many guys who have that kinda fastball in the ML.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 2, 2008 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs