If someone had told you in the off-season...

You also failed to mention that if the season ended today, we would be in the playoffs!!!!!!

Congrats to my soul mate and birth brother Zach Wheeler on being drafted into greatness. Should I just buy my Wheeler jersey now, or wait till my next birthday?

by TexasRanger on Jun 15, 2009 3:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the greatest strength

of this team by far is the bullpen. check the giants’ winning percentage when they score first. and this is really good because usually down the stretch you need a good bullpen. if you don’t have one, you’re pretty much done.

also, if the giants added a bat maybe they could have a real shot at going to the playoffs.
but is trading future pitching depth and a brighter future worth trying to win NOW?

by tjbrun88 on Jun 15, 2009 5:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm willing to give Sabean a ton of credit

for fixing the bullpen. The very first thing he did was go out and sign Affeldt. He wasn’t afraid to set the market for free agent relievers. He knew the guy he wanted and went out and got him.

And then plucking Medders and Miller from the scrapheap and turn them into useful players, and finally keeping Medders instead of Perdomo.

by jctGamer on Jun 15, 2009 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Perdomo. He didn’t even stay in baseball once the Padres got him.

Disfrute Los Gigantes every day at www.leftymalo.com

by leftymalo on Jun 15, 2009 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big sabean basher

but over the years, he’s done a decent-to-great job of fabricating bullpens. It’s kind of a high variance strategy, but it’s a high variance part of the game.

But of course, this comment would not complete without some snark…

Your main point is totally wrong. Starting pitching has been worth +2.5 wins (WPA) – 2nd in the NL after the cubs. The bullpen has been a plus (.75 wins) but is actually in the bottom third in the NL.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 15, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Pitching and defense are awesome. The Panda is almost ready to move back to 3b and so Ishikawa, who was starting to swing it finally just before he got shelved, may be back. Also, I don’t know how much more “trying out” Schierholtz needs, he has convinced me that he is an upgrade in both offense and defense to Fred Lewis. With the pitching we have, the offensive upgrade we get from Nate/Travis might be enough.

But, then again, my pessimism from watching this team self-destruct over the past 4 seasons causes me to post this with one eye shut, and the other peeking out from behind my non-mouse fingers.

by toofruss on Jun 15, 2009 6:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re Nate v. Fred

There must be something wrong with me, because I have trouble understanding how .253/.268/.367 is an upgrade over .256/.346/.389. And frankly I cover my eyes whenever a fly ball is hit to either of them.

As for the rest, though, woo-hoo is right. Much much better, and I agree with tjbrun88, the improvement made in the bullpen in the offseason really has made a dramatic difference in the record. Props to Brain.

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 6:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And very exciting! It’s getting easier and easier to stay up until 2:00 in the morning watching the games (getting correspondingly harder and harder to get up at 6:00 in the morning and get ready for work).

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I admire your fortitude. I usually just watch the first couple of innings and then wish them well.

by Evan on Jun 15, 2009 7:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, by and large I fall asleep on it and have to watch the rest of the game in the morning. But, the whole MLBtv HD on my laptop with household WIFI really has revolutionized my east coast Giants following life.

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m lucky, because I’ve always been able to stay up late at night and still be able to function at work the next day. I have no problem going to bed at 2am and getting up five hours later for work. I agree with you about the new technology, it’s amazing. When I was young I only saw the Giants when they played the Mets or when they were on national TV. Then when I finally got cable I was able to add Giants-Braves to the list. Now I see all the games, through Direct TV, TIVO and Slingbox. And for the first time in years, this is a team worth watching!! The last few years I would go to bed late at night and my wife would automatically say, “Giants lost again?” Now she says, “who won?” Perhaps shortly it will be, " what score did they win by?"

Proud new dad of Edgardo errr Edgar Renteria!!!

by rxmeister on Jun 15, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember living in Boston during the race of ’87 and thinking that USA Today had revolutionized things, because I could actually go to the store in the morning and find out whether the Giants had won the night before, rather than having to follow the box scores from two days previously in the Globe. We were still waiting for cable to come to the city, and apart from calling my Dad in California, that was the only way I could even get game scores from the previous day.

Heck, the reason I never got in the habit of getting on the Gameday threads here is that when I first started hanging out here, my dial up connection kept such a tenuous hold of the streaming audio that if I tried opening a second browser page it would disconnect the game feed.

It’s amazing how things have changed.

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problem going to bed at 2am and getting up five hours later for work.

I’m totally the same way. After my sixth or seventh large coffee.

On the plus side, I poop like clockwork!

I'm thinking but nothing's happening.

by JRPhillips on Jun 15, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need to look at splits, because Fred got off to a smoking start his line is deceptive, but he has definitely struggled since the end of April. He also still frustratingly watches hitable pitches for strike 3 almost every night. Nate however has been consistent. As far as defense, you must have missed this weekend’s series. While Winn plays a wonderful RF, he does not have Nate’s cannon. So shifting Randy over to LF is a plus defensive move over Fred. Nate saved two runs directly with his arm.

by toofruss on Jun 15, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fred hit .258/.340/.438 in May (107 sOPS+), so it seems a bit inaccurate to act as though he’s been completely awful since the end of April (for a month, obviously, he was still pretty useful.)

As for Nate, calling him consistent doesn’t really seem to make much sense… he started out well in limited playing time in April, went into a slump after that and has started to come out of it recently with more playing time (but is still only hitting .286/.286/.476 this month so far.) I think he deserves more PT now, but let’s not pretend he’s been something he’s hasn’t this season.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nate does have a great arm, but if you’re going to provide anecdotal evidence of greatness based on two plays, I’ll remind you that the last game we lost he butcher-gloved in the losing run. More to the point while he’s pretty good coming in on balls, he seems to have no sense of where the wall is when going back on them and has at least 4 times this year turned outs into extra base hits because he was worried about where the wall was and couldn’t find it. He did a similar thing in Washington and about got knee capped by an easy out because he was busy looking to see where Aaron Rowand was (not too close). AT&T is no place for a RF who doesn’t know how to find the wall and track a fly ball at the same time.

Personally I can’t say that I find Fred watching strike 3s any more frustrating than watching Nate flail at every first pitch he’s ever been thrown.

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clunk. Aside from an inside-the-park HR with Jack Cust in RF, it’s nothing but clunking grounders and bloops even on the rare occasions he does hit. Clunk. The guy just doesn’t square anything up.

BOWKERMANIA needs a triumphant return.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 15, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Personally I can’t say that I find Fred watching strike 3s any more frustrating than watching Nate flail at every first pitch he’s ever been thrown.

Is this your first year watching the Giants, or something? His career average is .293.

Wall-E for Best Picture 2008
McCC = McClain Chronicles

by Useful_Idiot on Jun 15, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

52nd actually. As for the .293, I’m agreeing with NSCEGF above. Maybe “flail” was the wrong word since he does manage to get a lot of dribbling and blooping contact at of it, but “lunge” at the first pitch would be quite appropriate, I think. According to Fangraphs, btw, Nate owes us $1.9 million for the year so far, including below average performances both with the bat and the glove.

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His career line is .293/.318/.417. That’s not good.

Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry.

:-(

by Cookyman on Jun 15, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Empty, empty batting average.

ShNate Hillenholtz.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 15, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know what’s better than either of those?

BOWKERMANIA!

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jun 15, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My hope is that the time off will have been good for Travis. Take some time to work on stuff, recognize he’s very replaceable, and maybe just maybe he’ll come back better for it. We’ll see. Just a little optimism on my part.

I'm thinking but nothing's happening.

by JRPhillips on Jun 15, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What makes you think Travis is coming back?

I have to think that Pablo’s “arm trouble” is probably ok by now, and yet there seems to be absolutely NO timetable or rush to put him back at 3rd base. I don’t have any inside info, but from the outside, it doesn’t look great for TI.

Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Jun 15, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090614&content_id=5326338&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are SOOO gullible.

Of COURSE they’re going to say that.

Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.

by Mayor of 311 on Jun 15, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think TI's plaque

in wherever the opposite of Cooperstown is will say “Juan Uribe’s bat drove him out of the starting lineup”

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 15, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cobblersburg?

A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.

by Roger on Jun 15, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I say ride Uribe till he stops hitting (which he will).

by thethrillisgone on Jun 15, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really want TI to succeed, but I can’t disagree.

Randy Winn is going to catch that. And he'll do it real classy-like too.

by oldjacket on Jun 15, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good post and I’m with you; this is fun and no reason people shouldn’t enjoy it. When people say things like, “If they do well, Bochy and/or Sabean will get extensions”, I want to pull my hair out.

If this team does well, they’ll have earned extensions

My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman

by Goofus on Jun 15, 2009 7:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+109

by jctGamer on Jun 15, 2009 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it

did you say you’re pulling out your extensions?

Proud new dad of Edgardo errr Edgar Renteria!!!

by rxmeister on Jun 15, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Apparently he’s earned it.

by The Double Deuce on Jun 15, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Burriss Gotta Go

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on Jun 15, 2009 7:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Replacing Burriss w/ a replacement level player

Would be the equivalent to replacing Rowand w/ Teixera.

Think about that for a minute…

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on Jun 15, 2009 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My mind is blown

the loss of Grit would be crushing.

by jctGamer on Jun 15, 2009 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

so you wouldn’t have a problem if we traded for Mark DeRosa?

Proud new dad of Edgardo errr Edgar Renteria!!!

by rxmeister on Jun 15, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would not have a problem

If we played Frandsen

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on Jun 15, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would have believed the bit about the pitching staff allowing the least amount of runs, even if Sanchez struggled. The rest of it has been a shock to me.

Randy Winn is going to catch that. And he'll do it real classy-like too.

by oldjacket on Jun 15, 2009 8:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m psyched.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just like having fun games to watch again.

by satyricrash on Jun 15, 2009 8:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My life as a Giants fan

In all seriousness though, shouldn’t we be a little happier with how the season has gone? It seems people are a little too pessimistic or bitter of past seasons.

I think I could stand to be a little more bitter of past seasons. Expect the worst, hope for the best!

On 5/7, the best part of waking is up LOLDGERS in my cup.

by GameSix on Jun 15, 2009 8:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am not ready to be happy, the last time I got excited, well lets just say I shouldn’t mention what happend…

Minor White > Ansel Adams

by say hey nation on Jun 15, 2009 9:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like you’re trying to avoid “premature exhaultation”. In this case, thinking about baseball won’t help.

My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman

by Goofus on Jun 15, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

The bullpen has been great this year that even Zito can get a win while pitching only 5 innings and left with 1 run leads. Miller and Medders have both been very fine surprises, Valdez is finally pitching to his potential, Affeldt is been more than worthy of his contract as he can get out both righties and lefties with little trouble in tight situations. Romo looks unhittable as of late while Wilson is getting it done in the 9th in his own delicious style.

The only sore spot is Howry but he’s no Tyler Walker. However, there’s still 100 games left to be played but if this bullpen stays healthy and keep up what they’ve been doing – they just might play into October.

Mo'ped Money, Mo'ped Problems

by Scooter Ellis on Jun 15, 2009 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I still don’t have any faith in Merkin Valdez. Part of it is lack of consistent use, but I don’t have faith in his ability to throw strikes in important situations.

Proud new dad of Edgardo errr Edgar Renteria!!!

by rxmeister on Jun 15, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

And for all of his great stuff (which sure looks great), he might actually have “no swing through stuff”.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Valdez still have lots of room to improve provided he stays healthy. He’s mostly an one-pitch guy, his high 90’s fastball and when he can’t locate them very well – those get hit a ton. I’m not sure on his contract status but maybe some other teams may fall in love with his velocity plus potential and can be a trade chip for the Giants.

Mo'ped Money, Mo'ped Problems

by Scooter Ellis on Jun 15, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Valdez has room to improve, but he’s not likely to see the highest leverage situations. I think it’s pretty clear that Wilson/Romo/Affeldt are getting those situations.

Valdez might be slightly ahead of Howry/Medders/Miller.

My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman

by Goofus on Jun 15, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guarantee the Giants will be playing in October.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll one-up you and guarantee the dates – 10/1 to 10/4.

- Nostradamus

Mo'ped Money, Mo'ped Problems

by Scooter Ellis on Jun 15, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as long as we dont play the Padres

we have a chance

The San Francisco Giants: Where old men go to die.

by GrahamCrakalaka on Jun 16, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

isn't Romo the key to that?

If he continues anything like this, he pushes Howry, Medders, Miller, Valdez down the bench one spot each, which seems to make that the best “rest of the bullpen” in the league. Which, hopefully, will mean this will finally be the year that one or two relievers don’t spontaneously combust in August after having pitched in 85 games.

I think I give whoever’s doing the scouting the credit for Medders and Miller, and the various scrap heap pickups over the past year. But the bullpen is sort of the unsung hero of the moment it seems.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

There's 3 ways to do something: the right way, the wrong way, and the Max Power/ Ginats Way...

by natteringnabob on Jun 15, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They’ve already been using Romo as a “setup” man.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sabean Targeted The Bullpen For Upgrade This Offseason

and he has done a great job. While most critics blamed the 2008 fiasco on the Giants scoring few runs Sabean knew it was not the only reason. He was correct to think shoring up the bullpen would be a quick inexpensive way to improve the team. Good work, Sabes.

by wilriv21 on Jun 15, 2009 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The season to this point has been nice, I wholeheartedly agree. Outside of our mysterious Padre-phobia, it’s been surprisingly stomachable.

We did just take 7 of 9 from the 3 worst teams in baseball though. Optimism springs from taking care of business v. crappy teams, but if we’re still around at the trade deadline, that’s when I’ll begin to throw all my irrational positive energy behind this team.

by GiantsTribe on Jun 15, 2009 9:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

PEAKED!

I am reminded of
July 22nd, 2006. Giants take a half game lead in the division, 4 games over .500.

I would link to the page at baseball-ref, but it’s NSFW. People frown on wailing and puking.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 15, 2009 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

BANNED

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

twice in the same thread? I can’t even grow a mustache.

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 15, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll probably regret asking, but can you explain the gif for those of us who are tragically unhip?

Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!

by Lyle on Jun 16, 2009 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buzz Killington from Family Guy

The artist formerly known as Set-up man

by CB30 on Jun 16, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

FRED LEWIS IS THE PROBLEM!!!!!!1111!

Seriously, though, I am happy with the way this season is unfolding. Sure, there will always be those for whom nothing will be good enough, and there will always be those who view things through orange-and-black-tinted decorative eyewear. I think the majority of us fall somewhere in the middle.

If there seems to be an abundance of caution in enjoying the way the season is going, you need look back no further than May 19-24, 2009 for an explanation. The Giants return home from a 1-5 roadie with a sub-.500 record and a stern reminder of the last four years. They’ve since righted the ship, so to speak, with some relatively decent offense, but the past ain’t that far in the, umm, past.

If the Giants do something miraculous this year, obviously we’ll be elated. If, however, players such as Uribe and Rowand fall back to career-average years, we’ll be no more surprised. Enthusiasm ‘round here may seem tempered, but it’s for good reason. I just don’t think it should be mistaken for pessimism. I prefer “realistic.”

Stupid is as Ruben Rivera does...

by bkrhater on Jun 15, 2009 9:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Every time someone makes a “Fred Lews is the problem” joke it becomes a little more true. Look it up.

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list, n/a on a stat sheet.
BBk supports Sleepy's Law: "As a hoops discussion grows longer, the probability of an absurd trade proposal involving LeBron James approaches 1."

by BrianBokake on Jun 15, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still see a team with players who have gotten significant PT with the following OPS+:

84
79
51
70
47
65

None of those players are Fred Lewis (93). There’s also two guys on the team named Juan Uribe (94) and Randy Winn (92). Are they also the problem?

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OH BURN

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Things I like about Fred: Makes hard contact, has impressive range, dude is fast
Things I don’t like about Fred: Takes third strikes wayyyyyy too often, can’t hit a cutoff man, takes awful angles, can’t make some routine major league catches, makes some baserunning mistakes and doesn’t steal as many bases as his speed would lead you to believe he should

I’m not saying he is worthless but when is he going to figure out the basics he should have learned in the minors… or in high school…

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list, n/a on a stat sheet.
BBk supports Sleepy's Law: "As a hoops discussion grows longer, the probability of an absurd trade proposal involving LeBron James approaches 1."

by BrianBokake on Jun 16, 2009 3:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you really think Randy Winn is as or less valuable than Fred Lewis? Is it a legitimate defense to compare a guy who was supposed to be our future left fielder with a guy who was supposed to be a utility infielder who maybe was supposed to make the team?

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list, n/a on a stat sheet.
BBk supports Sleepy's Law: "As a hoops discussion grows longer, the probability of an absurd trade proposal involving LeBron James approaches 1."

by BrianBokake on Jun 16, 2009 3:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point is just that Fred, for all of his flaws, doesn’t deserve to be singled out for criticism on a team full of guys who can’t hit.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 16, 2009 7:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, we can all agree on that. In some ways they’re all equally worthless.

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list, n/a on a stat sheet.
BBk supports Sleepy's Law: "As a hoops discussion grows longer, the probability of an absurd trade proposal involving LeBron James approaches 1."

by BrianBokake on Jun 16, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But here is where I’m at with this….

If there seems to be an abundance of caution in enjoying the way the season is going, you need look back no further than May 19-24, 2009 for an explanation. The Giants return home from a 1-5 roadie with a sub-.500 record and a stern reminder of the last four years. They’ve since righted the ship, so to speak, with some relatively decent offense, but the past ain’t that far in the, umm, past.

Even if the Giants finish around .500 or a few games below, to me this season will have been a success. What I hoped to see going in was an improvement from last year and the development of some of the younger players who will be a key in this team becoming a contending franchise in the next couple of years. Guys like Panda, Romo, Cain, Lincecum, etc. Zito becoming reliable is huge also when we’re stuck with him for another couple years. Rowand showing he can be a pretty decent player is big also. As long as those who have improved or at their peak don’t regress, then that’s really all I care about. Because this easily has been the most fun Giants team to watch in the past couple of years, and flirting with contention certainly is really nice too.

by Hobbes2d on Jun 15, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

IAWTC

and it’s a bigger success if neither Cain nor Lincecum are not converted into Mark DeRosa or Alex Rios or Armando Rios or any of the other scrapheapers who are named so often for GINATS BRATZ11!!!1

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

There's 3 ways to do something: the right way, the wrong way, and the Max Power/ Ginats Way...

by natteringnabob on Jun 15, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m happy for the “kids,” especially the pitching staff and the team is fun to watch; however I’ve been following this team for a long long time and part of me, some deep dark part of my subconscious mind is just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I always go back to Chris Russo Every single frickin year…..

by Merope on Jun 15, 2009 10:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I would have punched them in the face!

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Jun 15, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

JUAN URIBE

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 Jun 15, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HE HIT THAT DOUBLE THE ONE TIME

Bay City Ball

by xanthan on Jun 15, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

DUDE HITS DOUBLES

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

WE ARE ALL JOSE CASTILLO

GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.

by groug on Jun 15, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

79 WINS!!

Sheesh…

by Lars The Wanderer on Jun 15, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

PIE

by Hobbes2d on Jun 15, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm afraid to trust this team

Seriously, has anyone seen my adopted brother?

by j14 on Jun 15, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just got back from vacation, during which time the Giants went 7-3.

Clearly, the difference between this year and last year is the team’s performance while I’m out of town. With this in mind, please give generously to the Kitspool Vacation Fund.

"Are we bad? No. But right now, we are." Boulderskull, 4.16.09

by Kitspool on Jun 15, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

GTFO AND GO BACK ON VACATION

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants winning frightens me. Losing is so much more familiar.

Randy Winn is going to catch that. And he'll do it real classy-like too.

by oldjacket on Jun 15, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Change can be scarry.

Change we can believe in!

My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman

by Goofus on Jun 15, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used to love those when I was little

but this picture is creeping me out

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.

by jponry on Jun 15, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It always blew my mind that they’re reading a book about them reading a book.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, but they are reading isn’t a book about them reading teh book, the cover has changed!

Minor White > Ansel Adams

by say hey nation on Jun 15, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Snake-as-euphmenism-for-phallus, peeking over the chair waiting for the dad to leave? I don’t see what’s so creepy.

Stupid is as Ruben Rivera does...

by bkrhater on Jun 15, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking it’s a worm, but the symbolism is similar… except I think he isn’t waiting for Dad to leave, he is the hidden made visible (earthworms living underground and so forth).

Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.

by Johnny Disaster on Jun 15, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you saying they're having sex in the picture?

by ktice on Jun 15, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it’s a matter open to interpretation, certainly… it could be that we’re just seeing the Father’s subconscious desires made manifest… the worm could even be said to be whispering into his ear.
Creepy however you choose to view it though, and I say that as a former devotee of Scarry’s work.

Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.

by Johnny Disaster on Jun 15, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

.... that our starting 2b

Would be the 4th worst offensive starting player in the Major leagues (by wOBA) I would have told you I wasn’t surprised at all, and I always thought Frandsen should have gotten the job out of spring training.

of the 35 worst offensive regulars in the ML, the Giants own 3.

Burriss, Molina, and Renteria.

Happy day….

McC's Outstanding Newcomer '08.

by FairweatherFan on Jun 15, 2009 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I find this offensive!

Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...

by rotorueter on Jun 15, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and one of them is our clean-up hitter. Woo-Hoo!

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 Jun 15, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants are at a pace for 89 wins

2008 NL Wildcard: 90 wins
2007 NL Wildcard: 90 wins
2006 NL Wildcard: 88 wins
2005 NL Wildcard: 89 wins

Can the Giants keep this up? Or are they a .500 club who are having a good weak, only to follow it up with a bad weak? I’ll officially be excited and have wet dreams about the playoffs if we can play above .500 ball for the rest of June.

El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."

by ResDog on Jun 15, 2009 12:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They can make a believer out of me this week

Win the majority of games against the Angels and Texas and I am in. I don’t think they will.

by Lars The Wanderer on Jun 15, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The offense is certainly weak.

Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear

by Natto on Jun 15, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn it.

El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."

by ResDog on Jun 15, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn it twice.

El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."

by ResDog on Jun 15, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was week.

Sergio Romo: striking out professional hitters since 2005. And winner of the 2012 NL Fireman of the Year Award!

by Lyle on Jun 16, 2009 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

that’s a depressing stat for the wild card. But exciting for your 09 Giants!

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

There's 3 ways to do something: the right way, the wrong way, and the Max Power/ Ginats Way...

by natteringnabob on Jun 15, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Believe

by wilriv21 on Jun 15, 2009 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Baseball Prospectus

sorta believes. 28.5% chance of making the playoffs (23% on winning the WC, highest this side of Yanks/Bosox)

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 15, 2009 1:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, that isn’t bad.

Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...

by rotorueter on Jun 15, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

all we need is

Athletic Nation and Xei Frank and the unholy trinity of Giants hater predictions will be complete.!

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 15, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is pretty hilarious.

I mean we are all thinking that if we can just somehow sneak into the playoffs, we could have a chance at the title, but to have it supported by respected sabermetrics site with an actual probability seems a bit surreal.

Status: So pissed that the Giants sold my wall of Ks to Johnsonville Sausages, that I'm boycotting purchasing anything at the park, or patronizing their sponsers.

by GiantBrass on Jun 15, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE ANY MORE!

Randy Winn is going to catch that. And he'll do it real classy-like too.

by oldjacket on Jun 15, 2009 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s way higher than the odds I gave them (7-1).

"Catcher are base running. Hitters are offense."
Only [hella] games left until the end of Zito's [no, make that Rowand's] contract.
Adoptive father of "Poncho" Villalona: This Angel don't fly. Nothing about him is light.

by thehavenot on Jun 15, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait what? We have the 3rd best chance at winning the world series? Not like… the Rays, Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, Cubs, AL West, Central? Am I understanding this wrong? Does this have a link?

by lincypoo i wuv u on Jun 15, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read that wrong at first too. It’s the chance of winning the wild card, not the World Series.

by Evan on Jun 16, 2009 7:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, as we all know

(or if not will learn in movie version)
The playoffs are a crapshoot, so given our 25% of making it, we have a further 1 in 8 of winning the WS (note: the one with two curves is the “S”), so that would be about 3% chance of championship-ness. Chokey curses not calculated.

The mathematically astute among you might note that this is almost exactly the same chance (before the season starts) of any random team winning the WS – assuming all teams are equal (null hypothesis).

FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.

by zenbitz on Jun 16, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Giants are second only to the bums with 21 home wins, and we didn’t cheat to get any of those. EPIC!

Missed the SF part of the bay bridge series this year. Would have really wanted to be there not to talk shit but just witneses the looks on the faces or crestfallen A’s fan’s after the Drunken shenanigans of those arrogant pricks last year when they swept. Oh well we got them this year and I was in Oakland last year when Lincecum beat them 1-0. Good times.

But yeah, 21-9. Have we even lost a home series? Change the song to, “I left my urine drenched shorts in San Francisco,” to accomadate the broken dreams of opposing teams upon facing our rotation.

I could help but thinking during the middle game, yeah-boi we reppin’ Randy Johnson in this one, what you got? As if we have the cooler toy. Which we do. How many teams rep Randy Johnson in their rotation? You kno the answer to that. Good shit.

Keeping on SWOOPing in the free world! Also, by the reflexive property of the rubber/glue playground comeback, I enjoy wearing hats on my ass.

by SneakToBetterSeats on Jun 15, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Giants are second to bums with 21 home wins, and we did not cheat to get some of these elements. EPIC!

Missed part of the SF Bay Bridge series this year. Had really wanted to be there for not talking about shit, but it seems that witneses or on the face of the ridge at sunset fan Drunken shenanigans of these arrogant Prick last year when they swept. Well we had this year, and I was in Oakland last year, when Lincecum beat 1-0. Good times.

Yes, 21-9. Have we also lost a series at home? Changing the song "I left my urine soaked shorts in San Francisco to meet the broken dreams of the opposing team in front of our rotation.

I could help but think in the middle of the game, yes, we-Boi Reppin ’Randy Johnson in this area, what you have? As if we have cooler toys. As we do. How many teams representing Randy Johnson in their rotation? You know answer. Good shit.

by Lars The Wanderer on Jun 15, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs