Notes Regarding the Giants' Hot Start
by Grant on Apr 15, 2009 12:20 PM PDT
87 comments
This season was supposed to be miserable. It still might be. But, hot dang, if this isn’t a fantastic start, I don’t know what is.
Everything is clicking. It’s only been ten games, sure, but you can’t argue with the results. Matt Cain has had the run support he was lacking last year – 11 runs over two games isn’t a whole bunch, but it’s a definite improvement.
Obviously, we can’t expect Bengie Molina to hit .423/.429/.654 for the entire season. But he’s driving in runs right now, and he looks like a middle-of-the-order hitter. Pablo Sandoval – who shouldn’t even be on the team – looks like a mini-Vlad with his .483/.500/.586 line. He’s been a huge part of the fantastic offense so far. Aaron Rowand looks like he’s worth the money in the short-term, at least; more than half of his hits have gone for extra bases. And Randy Winn’s .432 average isn’t the biggest surprise – the biggest surprise is his resurgent power. Two home runs, two doubles, and a triple in 37 at-bats? Awesome. Let's hope it holds up so we can shut up all of the "Giants have no power!!1"-weenies.
The bullpen? Spectacular. Tyler Walker hasn’t allowed a run in his first four appearances. Brian Wilson did blow a save, but the Giants came back to win that game, and he hasn’t allowed a hit in his other five appearances. Jack Taschner hasn’t allowed an earned run yet. The returns are early, but the three should combine to form a pretty intimidating three-headed monster in the late innings.
The biggest ray of hope, though – the one thing that makes us think we contend – is Barry Zito’s early success. He went seven innings in the first game, and eight in the second game. He’s missing bats, and 60% of his pitches have gone for strikes.
What if this is the real Barry Zito now? What if he actually gives us value this season? Would he be tradable over the offseason? I don’t see why he wouldn’t be.
Great start, Giants. Now give us more.
You have just read a selection from the upcoming book What if the 2008 Season Started on August 15th, 2008, which will be published by Random House in 2015. The book is a harrowing science fiction novel, a thriller, a romance, and a cautionary tale for people who read too much into a week’s worth of games or so.
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Nice caption.
Still in despair.
BRING BACK MARMOL!
konakona:「つかさに教われと...なんか非常に負けたような気がする。」
Shun Kakazu: MOAR JAPANESE PROSPECTS PLZ
by Zetsuboushita on Apr 15, 2009 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
the good news is....
i just downloaded john miller’s call of Barry’s 71st homer in 2001 as a Ringtone. So I have that going for me.
Which is nice.
Someone get Damon Minor's agent on the phone stat!
by fanofvanlandingham on Apr 15, 2009 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just recorded it on my comp and uploaded it to my work phone.
Best female annoyance tool in the office. The phone, not me.
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 15, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best female annoyance tool in the office. The phone, not me.
I need some proof. Please have co-workers submit comments :-)
"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Apr 15, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would you like pictures and measurements qualifications?
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 15, 2009 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That quickly went to place I don’t want to go.
"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Apr 15, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well that’s too bad, because it’s being sent to your desk now.
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 15, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am assuming NSFW and probably won’t make it through the filter……
"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Apr 15, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
umm...
where would one find this? that sounds awesome.
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on Apr 15, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://mshop.mlb.com/mlb/?oid=36025&c_id=SF
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 15, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Spoiler
Barry Zito is a Cylon.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 15, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Original series or reimagined scifi channel cylon?
by scout6 on Apr 15, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol caption
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Apr 15, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 15, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Apr 15, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know, these should uplift my spirits, knowing there was a time when the Giants were playing well. But it only makes me feel worse about the crappy start they have had. They SHOULD be playing better then they have been.
I has a :(
by scout6 on Apr 15, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m chill now but I observe the right to panic after tonight’s game.
We're all basically Pedro Feliz.
by SF Pete on Apr 15, 2009 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
reserve?
Sharlon Schoop - de favoriete Nederlandse honkbalspeler van McCovey Chronicles.
You always have to be one step ahead of your drunk friends
--Daisy Owl
by Viliphied on Apr 15, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I observe your right as well.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Apr 15, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I notice it and have noted it
Also known to haunt as theghostoftravisdenker and theaccidentalghostofsergioromo.
by theghostofjasonellison on Apr 15, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My grandma used to make the best strawberry observes…
Hi, I am Johnny Disaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Apr 15, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And thank the gods they dumped Jose Castillo before the season started. Can you imagine what an embarrassment it would’ve been to see him starting at third base?
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Apr 15, 2009 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You think he would have beaten out Pablo for the job?
by scout6 on Apr 15, 2009 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to say “Shouldn’t you teaching youngsters right now ?” , but then I remembered that it is Easter Break.
"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Apr 15, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually we’re back in session, our break was last week. the kids leave at 1130 though – we start at 8am – I came home to do prep stuff, but with the wind I’m just sneezing and depleting box after box of “Kirkland Signature facial tissues.”
by Merope on Apr 15, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ahhh..
Prep Period. I have a friend that is a High School teacher up here. Without fail, he calls every day at about 10:30 AM, during his “prep” period.
For your allergies :-(
"One percent of ballplayers are leaders of men. The other ninety-nine percent are followers of women."-John McGraw, NY Giants Baseball Club
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Apr 15, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got back from Costco: bought a case for me and one for the classroom.
by Merope on Apr 15, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nevar
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
by bondslegend on Apr 15, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the caption. Factual, if not actual.
Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Apr 15, 2009 12:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Eugenio Velez is not why the Giants suck.
I’m obliged to write that, by the way.
It also happens to be true, which is nice.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No...
…but Eugenio Velez is why Eugenio Velez sucks.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Apr 15, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll need about 3 reams of legal sized paper to show my work, but really i can prove that Brian Sabean is why Eugenio Velez sucks.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know you're bluffing...
…and if I had three reams of legal sized paper, I’d call you on it.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Apr 15, 2009 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have them
But you stole Sundrendy from my draft board, so I won’t give them to you!
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
by hairball on Apr 15, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can have the Windster...
…when you pry him from my cold, dead fingers.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Apr 15, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I respect that you are obligated to defend Ay-yoo-hay-nee-oh, but...
You are correct that he is not THE sole reason the Giants suck, but he does contribute suction when he has the opportunity.
Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Apr 15, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
don’t we all?
/raises eyebrows at every starter except Cain, Lewis and Winn.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aaron Rowand says “You take that back!!!!”
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Apr 15, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
/breaks something
Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all
If Dustin Pedroia played in Seattle, not many people would be talking about him.
by baetown415 on Apr 15, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
it did start kinda good with the first game, but it has been slightly disappointing thus far. That said, the effing Padres are 6-2, so this week of baseball is obviously meaningless.
Excellent caption, too.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
by bondslegend on Apr 15, 2009 12:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Whenever I get too depressed about the Giants, I remember it could be worse – we could be Washington Nationals fans.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis
by jcb9 on Apr 15, 2009 12:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
John Lannan isn't happy about being the "ace"
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 15, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW
I would rather have Lannan starting opening day then Zito
Proud adoptive parent of the set-up man.
This is Howry do it!
by CB30 on Apr 15, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good thing we had Lincecum.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 15, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He looks like Nicolas Cage
Adopted groomer for Mark Gardner's Mullet / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Apr 15, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
After using “free transform” to squish a bit vertically.
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
by hairball on Apr 15, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The caption is so awesome
Giant Dirtbags: Brian Anderson, Todd Jennings, Steve Hammond, John Bowker
Wronghanded Affeldt doing it right
by Giant among Angels on Apr 15, 2009 12:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m amazed Velez hasn’t killed himself in the field yet. He almost landed on his head on that triple the other day.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis
by jcb9 on Apr 15, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Almost.
but did he actually land on his head? NO, he didn’t.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Grant Never Fails to Impress
The caption is just… so good.
by MonkeyChow on Apr 15, 2009 1:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s been so awesome seeing Bengie and Pablo show such greatly improved plate discipline. I thought they’d be hacking at slop and killing rallys left and right, but it’s been totally the opposite.
by WTF on Apr 15, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Grant
Caption making machine
Proud adoptive parent of the set-up man.
This is Howry do it!
by CB30 on Apr 15, 2009 1:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Indeed!
a writer with those kinds of qualifications will have no trouble at all finding a top flight job in the Bulk-Messaging or Food Service industries.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It occurs to me that the bit about the bullpen could’ve been written last April for the most part. The bullpen looked really good early – even Tyler Walker was pretty lights out. Things started to fall apart, as I recall, when Valdez went on the DL.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis
by jcb9 on Apr 15, 2009 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Or when Matt Cain pitched
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
by hairball on Apr 15, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, one of the games I went to early last year, Cain took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Cardinals – and the Giants ended up giving up like 7 runs and losing.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis
by jcb9 on Apr 15, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Walker’s monthly splits last year are pretty crazy, actually.
April: 2.25, 11 K, 2 BB, .163 BAA in 12 innings
May: 9.82, 11 K, 3 BB, .340 BAA in 11 innings
June: 0.87, 6 K, 5 BB, .182 BAA in 10 1/3 innings
July: 6.43, 6 K, 4 BB, .269 BAA in 7 innings
…and so on.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Adopted Giant: Fred "Ruthless Aggression" Lewis
by jcb9 on Apr 15, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
[…] The book is a harrowing science fiction novel
Did someone say science fiction?
They say some players get out of bed hitting; Pablo Sandoval doesn't wait that long
by bgunn on Apr 15, 2009 1:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Star Trek PR department is really working over time.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Apr 15, 2009 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that shit better be good.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was really excited for it when I saw the first trailer. Every trailer I’ve seen since has taken a bit of that excitement away. I’m not even sure I want to see it now.
by chilibean_3 on Apr 15, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I crossed my eyes , squinted...
…and read …final jogging on the field before the game."
NL West TempestTeapot
Nothing matters , and what if it did?
by victor frankenstein on Apr 15, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Star Trek PR department is really working over time
I think I know what you mean by working overtime.
They say some players get out of bed hitting; Pablo Sandoval doesn't wait that long
by bgunn on Apr 15, 2009 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
FORBIDDEN!
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s the 2nd server-side blockquote fail in 2 posts (even though they previewed fine).
SB Nation = Server Bug Nation?
They say some players get out of bed hitting; Pablo Sandoval doesn't wait that long
by bgunn on Apr 15, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if this has been mentioned, but that caption is awesome.
Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Apr 15, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I came in here to say that this was the best caption yet, but everybody’s already said it. Damn groupthink.
by Evan on Apr 15, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyone is thinking inside the box
Proud adoptive parent of the set-up man.
This is Howry do it!
by CB30 on Apr 15, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
almost everyone.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
glutton for punishment
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
by hairball on Apr 15, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If by “punishment” you mean “GAME WINNING HITZ” then I suppose you’re right again, hairball.
"You ask for game winning hits, I give you Eugenio Velez"
by The Gene Hackman on Apr 15, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
eh
I could care less about the first ~ 15 games. If Randy Johnson is still giving up 27 runs in 3.2 innings then, I’ll be worried.
Maybe we just aren’t going to win another game until Martinez comes back.
by FairweatherFan on Apr 15, 2009 2:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate myself.
from the book, “Why I root for the SF Giants”
Sir Alex Omar Hinshaw: It's not right if it's not left.
by The Enchanter on Apr 15, 2009 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Orlando Hudson takes Bat Shaped Spear to Gut
Tommy Lasorda HATES GIANTSBOARD.COM
Say Hey! Say Who? Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Apr 15, 2009 3:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
inseam length fail
NL West TempestTeapot
Nothing matters , and what if it did?
by victor frankenstein on Apr 15, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
UGH!!!!
If I’m around, I’ll repost (unless someone else does) in the game day thread. From Baggs, the Giants “lineup” tonight:
RF Winn
SS Renteria
LF Lewis
C Molina
3B Sandoval
1B Aurilia
CF Rowand
2B Uribe
P Cain
Aurilia AND Uribe?? WTF?!?!
by SFGuy on Apr 15, 2009 5:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This “the first week isn’t necessarily indicative of the rest of the season” stuff is just wishful thinking. Sure a few of the kids might start hitting, and the starting pitching pretty much has to improve, but this early stretch has told us a lot about this team right away: they are capable of being this bad. They won’t be this bad ALL season, but for some good stretches they probably will be. Come to terms.
by thethrillisgone on Apr 15, 2009 5:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
To be fair
Just about every team is capable of being this bad for a week.
Hi, I am Johnny Disaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Apr 15, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just about every team is capable of losing 4 straight, but few can look so hopeless doing it.
by thethrillisgone on Apr 15, 2009 8:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s impossible to lose 4 and not look bad.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry. Because he was awesome once, and, goddammit, he shall be awesome once again!
I hope.
by Cookyman on Apr 16, 2009 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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