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Rock the Vote?

Thumb_tiny by Grant on

I want to promote Aaron Rowand for the final All-Star spot. I really do. A centerfielder who hits .299/.364/.460 while playing good defense is a valuable player. An All-Star, even. MLB.com even provides little widgets for sites like this to promote Rowand. Lookie here:

 

 

Fancy. Except Rowand just had a terrible June (.225/.275/.343). And his defense doesn’t bring me lemonade on a hot day. It’s fine defense, don’t get me wrong. The in-season numbers have him as the finest in the land. So it’s possible that the balls dropping just in front of Rowand would have dropped well in front of other players. Maybe I’m relying on my eyes too much. But it ain’t enough to swing my vote just yet.

He’s hitting better in July, and he’s still a Giant. And he will be for a long, long time. So it’d be nice to see a third Giant at the All-Star Game. So, the more the merrier. Even if Rowand weren’t having a good year, sometimes you just have to vote for the laundry.

But Pat Burrell and Carlos Lee are having monster years. Man, what I wouldn't give to have an actual cleanup hitter....

But they’re doing it in hitter’s parks, and their supplementing the offense with poor defense. Corey Hart hasn’t been doing much better than Rowand, especially when defense and position are part of the equation. David Wright isn’t…

You see, the thing about David Wright is…

Uh huh. Apparently, David Wright is a much better choice for the final spot. He has a .383 on-base percentage, 17 homers, and he plays good defense at a key position. Which leads us to the…

Comment starter: Do you vote for Rowand anyway? Loyalty over logic? I could see either way, to be honest….

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I voted twice for Rowand and Longoria. Rowand’s been pretty good, maybe not the best player for the options available, but I guess I gotta support the Giants on this one.

The Varitek selection is still retarded.

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Jul 9, 2008 12:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Screw that

Rowand needs to just rest for those days

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Jul 9, 2008 12:38 PM PDT   0 recs

re: his fielding

John Dewan’s Plus/Minus system has Rowand at 0, which I think is dead average

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Jul 9, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

He played in the all-star game last year. Let him rest. Go David Wright!!

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 9, 2008 12:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good point. He’s probably either run into a wall or take a shit in the ribs.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 12:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A nasty shit in the ribs.

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.

by groug on Jul 9, 2008 12:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Which celebrity would host the telethon for that, uh, ailment?

I'm adopting a true Giant and an awe-inspring gamer: tk. "Atta babe."

by Mayor of 311 on Jul 9, 2008 2:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

GG Allin

God rest his soul

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Jul 9, 2008 2:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Corey Hart kinda looks like one of those Geico Cavemen.

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Jul 9, 2008 12:39 PM PDT   0 recs

I voted 25x for Rowand and Longoria

Cuz that is how I roll.

Billy Hayes: His job is better than yours.

by delorean on Jul 9, 2008 12:42 PM PDT   0 recs

“Even if Rowand weren’t having a good year, sometimes you just have to vote for the laundry.”

Sometimes you do have to vote for the laundry, particularly in the case of the Giants. Rowand is having a good year. Certainly much better than I expected him to have. The outfield of the Giants is having a pretty decent year as a matter of fact. I have a friend (who is a Dodger Fan BTW) comment on Randy Winn the other day. He was extremely p*ssed of at how well Winn plays the wall at AT&T. His team wins two out of three in my house and he’s still cranky. pfftttt…Dodger Fans.

So..my vote goes for the laundry and the gamer-ness of Rowand.

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

by nvsfg on Jul 9, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

Speaking of Dodgers fans

My lifelong LA Dodgers fan went to his first game of the season last night and sent me this report on Andruw Jones aka But For The Grace of Ned Colletti Go Us:

It’s just shocking what a hollow shell he is of the beautiful, amazing player he used to be. He’s literally lost all five tools that he used to have. His body language is terrible-he walks more slowly to his position than a 45-year-old starting pitcher. Physically he looks just awful. At the plate he seems to be entirely guessing. I have no idea why he’s starting-even with his contract, I’d think Torre would have the cajones to sit him down and let Juan Pierre, or anyone else, play.

Needless to say, my friends glum email filled me with glee. That’s Schadenfreude for ya.

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on Jul 9, 2008 12:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

errr

lifelong LA Dodgers fan friend, that is.

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on Jul 9, 2008 12:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Was about to say

I didn’t know you could legally own a Dodger fan.

Anagram of "Giants pitcher Matt Cain" = TRAGIC MAN, ISN'T PATHETIC

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Jul 9, 2008 12:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol

and even if you could, why would you want to?

Eagerly awaiting Crazy Crab Bobblehead Night on 7/18.

by Kitspool on Jul 9, 2008 12:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

City Of San Francisco Resolution 48-2008

make “owning” a Dodger Fan illegal at All Times, except during a winning series by the Giants at At&T Park :-)

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

by nvsfg on Jul 9, 2008 1:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Man when you’re being benched for Juan Pierre that’s a sad state of affairs.

Where the relative merits of Joe Paterson and Daniel Otero are hashed out over knife fights and tea.

by RougeGorrila on Jul 9, 2008 1:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

wow

how wrong I was to support the Giants signing him to a 2 year $10-15 million per year contract. This makes me ecstatic

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 9, 2008 1:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How wrong? REALLY wrong! Unbelievably wrong! BANNED wrong!

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 1:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

one of the fun things about disagreeing with Front Office moves

is how good it feels to be wrong.

you can't block the Bocock

by oldjacket on Jul 9, 2008 1:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I keep wondering whether Jones was juicing. I’ve never seen suspician mentioned, but his HR spiked awfully quickly and dropped just as quickly at an age when that shouldn’t have been expected.

Again, I never hear him mentioned like so many other guys, but it makes me wonder. Thoughts?

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 1:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

“I keep wondering whether Jones was juicing. “

I don’t think we have to wonder anymore. Thought it last year, and this year just reinforces the opinion. The Bonds “witch hunt” still goes on, but of course he was the only guy using :-(

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

by nvsfg on Jul 9, 2008 1:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, him and Notgardo.

by paboperfecto on Jul 9, 2008 1:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There are quiet a few players

Who had a “sudden” drop in performance, especially power, after approximately the 2006 season.

Brian Giles, Bill Hall, Ray Durham, etc

Coincidence?

Gee Coach, I dunno – I just can’t seem to hit the ball as far as last year…

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 9, 2008 1:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m not saying that there isn’t any credence to all this, as I wouldn’t feign to pretend that there isn’t, but I’m also sure there are plenty of players who experience sudden declines in power (in performance) every season. Wild speculation is fun, and most of these players probably did have PED related career shifts… but without something less circumstantial, I’m more inclined to cast a wide net than point specific fingers.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 9, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hi, My name is Brian Giles

and in 2002 I hit 38 home runs.

The next year I hit 20, and then 23, 15, 14, 13 after that. Oops, what happened?

Also, in 1998 I hit 16 home runs, the following year I hit 39. Awesome!

Yes, there are potential other factors/explanations – but I am highly suspect of any player who experienced a step function up or down (and especially both!) in power in the last 10 years.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 9, 2008 2:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Being suspect is fine by me, but I get a little iffy when things get this close to being accusations. I imagine I’m probably just reading your suspicions more strongly than you’re stating them, though.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 9, 2008 3:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

To be honest

I think that basically every player in the ML between 1995 and 2006 probably utilized PED to some extent, so I don’t feel too bad about throwing around accusations on the internet to that effect.

Certainly not singling anyone out.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 9, 2008 3:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That is a spectacularly normal rise and fall, particularly when you take into account playing time and Petco.

I mean, look at the home run numbers for this guy and this guy and this guy and this guy, chosen more or less at random. Juicers all?

by Evan on Jul 9, 2008 3:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't say normal..

Sure, you can find other players who experiences similar situations.

However, on average it is much less of a step function.

Like I said, there are plenty of other credible explanations – I just think in light of everything else it is not rediculous to be suspicious.

I mean, cmon – Aurilia hi 37 HR in 2001 and 15 in 2002.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 10, 2008 8:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wait, let's run through that again...

...your friend has no idea why Torre isn’t starting Juan Pierre?

Well duh…he’s Juan Pierre.

Andruw Jones at least has a history of non-suckitude to offer the remote promise of returning to.

The All-Father is now a Giant!

by EliminateMe on Jul 9, 2008 2:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also Juan Pierre is injured.

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.

by groug on Jul 9, 2008 2:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

By this logic

We should certainly try to acquire Bill Hall.

Just think, if he could return to form!

Buy Low!

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 9, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fifth!

Rowand’s throws past the cut-off man annoy me, but I like him. I’m too lazy too vote.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

iawtc

It's my blarg! Quick Pitch

by can of corn on Jul 9, 2008 12:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Anagram of "Should I vote for Aaron Rowand?"

NO! AWFUL HORRORS, OVATION DEAD

David Wright it is.

Anagram of "Giants pitcher Matt Cain" = TRAGIC MAN, ISN'T PATHETIC

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Jul 9, 2008 12:45 PM PDT   0 recs

But wait – what’s the anagram for “Should I vote for David Wright?”

It's my blarg! Quick Pitch

by can of corn on Jul 9, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Anagram of "Should I vote for David Wright?"

GOOD! IS VIVID, WRATHFUL, RED-HOT

Anagram of "Giants pitcher Matt Cain" = TRAGIC MAN, ISN'T PATHETIC

by Stuttering John Tamargo on Jul 9, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That seals it, then – David Wright ftw!

It's my blarg! Quick Pitch

by can of corn on Jul 9, 2008 12:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude

You need a hobby.

other than Anagrams, I mean.

Eugeniooooooo!!!!

by FairweatherFan on Jul 9, 2008 1:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Anagram of "Tamargo needs a hobby"

HE OBEY BASTARD MANGO

Uh…I think maybe I did it wrong.

The All-Father is now a Giant!

by EliminateMe on Jul 9, 2008 3:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who holds the record for "most times hit by a baseball in a season"?

Not just HBP’s, but fouling the ball off of yourself. Rowand seems to do that more often than most

Adopted Giant: Aaron King

Wearing the crown by 2011. Or at least the LOOGY hat

by baetown415 on Jul 9, 2008 12:52 PM PDT   0 recs

I believe that Biggio holds the record for HBP. Who’s tracking the ” total times hit by a baseball during a season” stat. This is baseball after all. There is a stat for everything :-)

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

by nvsfg on Jul 9, 2008 12:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Rowand's defense is overrated

just because he crashes into walls doesn’t make him a great defender. He is a good defender, but based on my personal observation this year, he’s never heard of a “cut-off man” and his arm isn’t that good. Wright is a total stud. Lee is a total stud. Burrell is having a monster season. Hart wears sunglasses at night. Rowand is a gamer.

Lee .294/.341/.551/OPS+ 133, 4 SBs
Wright .288/.383/.510/OPS+137, 9 SBs
Hart 296/.336/.510/OPS+ 120, 13 SBs
Burrell .281/.413/.590/OPS+ 157, 0 SBs
Rowand 299/.364/.460/OPS+ 117, 1 SB

Rowand is having a decent season, and his numbers are comparable to Hart, but Lee, Wright and Burrell are having significantly better seasons offensively. I don’t watch the All-Star game for defense, so frankly, Rowand’s defense doesn’t factor in. I want to see homers in the All-Star game, which is played in an AL park this year and will feature the DH. Lee, Burrell and Wright should get the votes.

Personally, I’d vote for Burrell because I have Lee and Wright on my fantasy teams and I DON’T want them anywhere near the home run derby and I want them to have the time off, cuz that’ll jack up their swings for the 2nd half.

Bonds stands alone.

Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal

by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 9, 2008 12:54 PM PDT   0 recs

You might want to include me on that list of total studs.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 1:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, because nobody would think to say it.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 9, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If by “nobody” you mean “everybody”, then I agree.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 2:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well everybody would think to say “it” but not “Goofus is a stud” or any permutation of that phrase.

I mean, that’s just plain silly.

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.

by groug on Jul 9, 2008 3:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh shoot, you’re right. I keep making that mistake.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 9, 2008 3:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not sure if it stopped counting them at 25

but I voted Rowand + Longoria well over 100 times the other day while I was watching a game

Definitely loyalty over logic for the all star game. Gotta pick up our boy.

by fwoty oz on Jul 9, 2008 12:55 PM PDT   0 recs

I don't think it does,

because we have only 3-4 days to vote.

Anyway I voted for Rowand a ridiculous amount of times just because woo Rowand WOOOOOO!

Don't you it's gonna be all right. But not right now.

by Revolution1 on Jul 9, 2008 12:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm a Gamer-voting homer

Just to piss off those people that hate the fact that the Giants have two All-Stars already.

by rightcenterfielder on Jul 9, 2008 12:57 PM PDT   0 recs

doesnt matter, i cant really see wright losing, he does play in new york after all. have you guys checked out the AL line up? 6 starters from Boston and NY and only like 2 deserve it

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Jul 9, 2008 12:58 PM PDT   0 recs

with that said

im voting for rowand just in case

proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..

by Azmanz on Jul 9, 2008 12:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Corey Hart was actually leading the last time I checked.

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 9, 2008 1:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The AL lineup every year:

Red Sox, Yankees, Ichiro, and maybe 1 or 2 other guys tearing it up in April/May

by rightcenterfielder on Jul 9, 2008 1:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I voted for Rowand and Longoria 3 times.

That was the extent of my Giants loyalty.

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com and on it I make jokes about things.

by groug on Jul 9, 2008 12:59 PM PDT   0 recs

I just want Longoria to win for the AL because I haven’t had the chance to see him play yet. And he’s arguably been the best player in the AL so far this year.

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

by jponry on Jul 9, 2008 1:00 PM PDT   0 recs

Here's the thing

The AS game is now just a popularity contest. If they were smart, you’d only get to vote once, and that would make things a bit more logical. Even then, all the stupid BoSox fans would keep voting Varitek in there. And you know, when in Rome…

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 9, 2008 1:03 PM PDT   0 recs

if you didn't catch it

that post means you should vote for Rowand

Proud pappa of....STEVE HOLM!!

by UnleashTheGore on Jul 9, 2008 1:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I tried to catch it...

BUT I ran into the outfield wall!

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN

by zenbitz on Jul 9, 2008 1:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Also keep in mind...

that someone has to replace Soriano, so its likely that the NL OF who is second in voting after this will take that spot.

Don't you it's gonna be all right. But not right now.

by Revolution1 on Jul 9, 2008 1:03 PM PDT   0 recs

If I cared enough to vote, I’d vote for Dye. Local guy, cool dude. I always wished the Giants had made Dye an offer he couldn’t refuse. I’d love to have him in RF, Winn in CF and Rowand’s money spent elsewhere.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 1:07 PM PDT   0 recs

I like how SF Giants urges us to vote for Rowand and Jermaine Dye because Dye is a Bay Area native. I can totally get behind that though

Everybody Loves Durham
comics | cartoons | Nattowear

by Natto on Jul 9, 2008 1:07 PM PDT   0 recs

I read that the Giants and White Sox agreed to plug each others’ guys since Rowand was a Chisox and Dye was a Bay Area guy. That’s actually some sound marketing strategy going on there.

2008 Giants: Scrappy! Scrappy! Joy! Joy!

by Goofus on Jul 9, 2008 1:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

cuz Pat Burrell doesn't have local ties?

He went to San Lorenzo HS before transferring to Bellarmine in San Jose.