What Does Randy Johnson's 300th Win Mean to the Giants?
by Grant Brisbee on Jun 3, 2009 12:29 PM PDT
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PrintI answered a few questions for The Nats Blog before the current series, and one of the questions was about Randy Johnson? Now, genius that I am, I read the question wrong, so my answer comes off almost as a bitchy non-sequitur. Here’s how I read the question:
I appreciate the history. I mean, wow, 300 wins? It’s a grand concoction of spectacular talent, longevity, and a little good fortune, and it’s absolutely amazing. What’s even more amazing is that Johnson started his career relatively late – he didn’t reach the majors until he was 24, and he didn’t pick up his 10th win until he was 26. For all of the is-Sanchez-going-to-pan-out?-chatter, it’s worth noting that Jonathan Sanchez is ahead of Randy Johnson’s pace by a few wins. Johnson is one of baseball’s all-time greatest potential-into-realization stories. I mean, sure, we’ll be celebrating Sanchez’s 300th win in 2028, but Johnson paved the road first.
But this isn’t a Giants thing. It really, really, really isn’t. It’s a baseball thing, and though we’re privileged to watch it, it means very little to me that Johnson is going to get #300 in a Giants uniform. It’s kind of cool – don’t get me wrong – but in that Duke Snider, Warren Spahn, and Steve Carlton kind of way. All of those players played for the Giants, and that’s kind of cool. But when you think of Snider, Spahn, and Carlton, you think of the Dodgers, Braves, and Phillies or Cardinals, respectively.
(A slightly related aside: My friend’s college roommate was a Padres fan, and one day he challenged my friend to a position-by-position, all-time franchise best showdown. My friend chuckled, and said, "Sure. I’ll start with Willie McCovey at first." The Padres fan quickly said, "Oh, he’s on our team too." Uh, yeah. And you’d better believe that Ozzie Smith was the starting shortstop for the Padres, too.)
Am I being too cynical? I’m thrilled to watch a player get his 300th win – I always am – but the Giants factor only boosts the excitement factor by, oh, 10% or so. Dunno. Maybe I’ll feel differently when it happens, even though I'm already excited from a general baseball standpoint.
Open Milestone Thread.
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In for 300
Maybe Randy should have dressed like King Leonidas before the game?
Mo'ped Money, Mo'ped Problems
by Scooter Ellis on Jun 3, 2009 12:35 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
It's a pretty awesome feat...
…especially if you read Ted Keith’s wonderful breakdown on what it really takes to get to 300 in this day and age (longevity being one of the factors, of course).
What’s better is that he’s gunning for #300 early in June and not mid- to late July – Sabean can start fielding offers to trade him for a prospect as soon as 300’s in the bag.
Noonan. Nooooonan!
by Giant Fan in Singapore on Jun 3, 2009 12:39 PM PDT reply actions
I think this is my favorite aspect about it. I was hoping he’d reach 300 by May, but hey I’ll take the beginning of June. I’m not exactly sure what his trade value would be, but I’d love to find out.
I like cats.
Me too
Does anyone think he’ll have much trade value?
Noonan. Nooooonan!
by Giant Fan in Singapore on Jun 3, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Not at $8M prorated over the rest of the season, unless the Yankees or Red Sox suffer a ton of injuries.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Jun 3, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I reached 1200 comments a few days ago
and no one noticed!
/tries to hold back tears while closing office door
Minor White > Ansel Adams
I don’t think people pay attention to their own post count, much less other people’s.
Judgment Day is coming
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Really? Why?
I just happened to notice I was close to 1200. Other sites celebrate milestones, I thought it was pretty funny
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jun 3, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, for one thing they’re not prominently displayed like on most other forums
Sharlon Schoop - de favoriete Nederlandse honkbalspeler van McCovey Chronicles.
You always have to be one step ahead of your drunk friends
--Daisy Owl
I’m glad someone gets the humor
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jun 3, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions
AT&T IS A RIDICULOUS HITTERS PARK!!!!
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Juan Marichal beat a Dodger with a bat. Sure we all think about it, but he actually did it.
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 3, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
And it’s all the Giants fault that Dodger fans can’t be bothered to pay attention to facts!
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
I’m glad for Randy. He’s always been a fierce competitor and his standoff-ish attitude is something I can dig. But the moment won’t be any more exciting for me just because of his uniform (set-up). He would have won 300 this year no matter what team he played for. I’ll be more happy that the Giants won.
El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."
In the same boat. More excited for 300. Guy deserves it, one of the scariest pitchers in the game throughout his career.
It does please me that he is doing his winning for the Giants, and that the attempts at 300 are coming in his first June start and not in mid to late July like a lot of jerks (read: writers) were saying in the offseason.
A win tonight
Will mean far more to me because it was a Giants’ win than because it’s RJ’s 300th.
Funny you mention McCovey as a Padre. The Padres have a great all-time team if you include players who were more famous for being on other teams:
C – Santiago
1B – McCovey
2B – Alomar
SS – Ozzie
3B – Caminiti
OF – Winfield
OF – Gwynn
OF – Sheffield
The starting pitching isn’t as spakly, but still good:
SP: Gaylord Perry
SP: Kevin Brown
SP: Jake Peavy
SP: Randy Jones
SP: Andy Benes
The bullpen would be the best ever:
RP: Hoffman
RP: Gossage
RP: Fingers
RP: Mark Davis
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
You could do a pretty damn good team that way for Les Expos, too
Off the top of my head:
C: Gary Carter
1B: Andres Galarraga
I’m drawing a blank on the rest of the infield, but check out the outfielders you could have:
Larry Walker
Moises Alou
Pete Rose
Vladimir Guerrero
Cliff Floyd
And pitching, there’s Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, John Wetteland…
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Andre Dawson was pretty good, too.
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Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I was going to include him but forgot.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Oh, if you count the Nationals as the Expos, add Alfonso Soriano to that list of outfielders.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
If you REALLY want to cheat and put players at positions they played early in their careers, but never with the team in question, you could put Rose at 3B and Soriano at 2B.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
You seem to have left Termel Sledge off that list.
"Are we bad? No. But right now, we are." Boulderskull, 4.16.09
Not to mention F.P. Santangelo.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
And Edwards Guzman.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
And Archi Cianfrocco, who both an Expo and a Padre.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Jun 3, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I bet if you ask him (or even if you don’t) he’ll tell you all about it.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Especially the part about forcing Barry Bonds to go get his own Copenhagen.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Jun 3, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions
The Mariners would have a pretty good all-time team too, for a franchise that has only been around for 30 years and has never really won anything.
Of course I missed the point of this subthread. Oh well.
Are Johnson, Griffey, and ARod more famous as Mariners or as something else?
Griffey certainly had his best years as a Mariner. The others are probably better known for their later careers.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Unit spent 10 years in Seattle and 8 with Arizona. He was a much more dominant pitcher with the D-Backs (164 ERA+) vs. with the M’s (128 ERA+). overall, he was 130-74 with Seattle and 118-62 with Arizona. It’s a tossup as to which one he’s better known for, but he did win a WS title in Arizona. He’d probably go into the HOF as a D-Back, but it’d be close.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
WHUT ABOUT AS A YANKEE?
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
Nah, he’ll definitely be remembered as an Expo.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
HOF plaque
At least the Giants will make it onto his plaque.
"[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
Got to have Tim Raines in the outfield along with Dawson, and possibly Ellis Valentine or a really good Grissom. Les Grande Orange Rusty Staub played in Montreal and might deserve a roster spot. Tim Wallach at 3B.
Ken Hill had some really nice years on the mound in Canada. And if this team needed saves and ever wanted to recreate Reservoir Dogs and needed a bag man, you couldn’t do any better than Jeff Reardon.
by biff pocoroba on Jun 3, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d say Raines is mainly remembered as an Expo, though. Staub’s a bit before my time – I only remember the tail end of his career – so I’m not sure with him.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
we’d have Goose and Davis, too, though I doubt Davis would make our list (Nen, Quisenberry, Beck + Goose are all better)
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
All-Time Giants Team of Players who made their marks on the game elsewhere
alright, you inspired me (no hard or fast rules here, just my subjective take, as you’ll see)
C: Gary Carter
1b: Duke Snider
2b: Joe Morgan
3b: Bill Madlock
SS: Omar Vizquel
LF: Moises Alou
CF: Eric Davis
RF: Darryl Strawberry
BN: Willie McGee
BN: Reggie Sanders
BN: Joe Carter
BN: Ellis Burks
BN: Shawon Dunston
BN: Andres Galarraga
SP1: Warren Spahn
SP2: Steve Carlton
SP3: Randy Johnson
SP4: Vida Blue
SP5: Bud Black or Danny Darwin
RP: Goose Gossage
RP: Dan Quisenberry
RP: Hoyt Wilhelm
RP: Dave Righetti
RP: Steve Bedrosian
RP: Joe Nathan (sorry) or Keith Foulke
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
you can throw matt cain up on that list
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jun 3, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
not yet.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
sorry I’ve been reading a little to much MLBTR latley
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jun 3, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Brett Butler, maybe?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
And I’d go with Bill Mueller over Shawon Dunston. I always was a Mueller mark, though.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Mueller spent 6 years in SF compared to 6 years among 3 other teams. I realize he got nationally famous as a Red Sox player, but he really was more a Giant than any other.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, I agree. But most non-Giants fans probably think of him as a Red Sock, especially for getting the hit that drove in Dave Roberts, so I figured he’d qualify.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
I certainly didn’t mean the list to be exhaustive. I think Joe Carter is way overrated and could get bumped for someone better.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions
But I liked Joe Carter. :(
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Just for you, jcb9, he’ll stay…
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Me too
Eric Davis, too. They were rentals but they were fun to watch as Giants.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Fun?
I remember Eric Davis being excruciating to watch as a Giant.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
OH! OH! OH!
Chili Davis.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Take Nathan off that list right now. He made his name with the Giants first… The Giants were just dumb and didn’t know it yet. Every fan knew he was a stud. Foulke is a good one though.
God, I bet some of those guys can still hit better than the current Giants team.
Joe Nathan can still hit better than the current Giants team.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
1)Joe Nathan: Uninspired Bullpen Candidate. I wouldn’t put Nathan on the team if it were a competition between him and Jeff Juden. Nathan is the owner of a 5.46 ERA in 556 innings above A-ball. I don’t care if he’s touching 92 again, he needs to have, at the very least, one decent season in the high minors before he is considered for a bullpen job in the majors. If he came up today, he’d be slotted right behind Greg Bruso on the organizational depth charts.
- Some Schmuck called Grant Frisbee, 2/13/2003
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Missed the second paragraph
He’s out of options, but would pass through waivers like a kidney stone shaped like Jason Kidd. Maybe he’s a feel-good story waiting to happen, but he’s much too risky for a team in contention.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
just brutal
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
and jcb9 to get an invitation to a re-education camp.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions
LOL!!!
If that’s how you evaluate talent, Randy Johnson would have never made it past Double A. His stats weren’t that spectacular when he first came up.
Not really the same situation
Nathan had previously been a prospect, but fell off the earth due to arm problems. Johnson was an obvious huge natural talent with serious control problems.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Also, Randy Johnson is a freak of nature and not really a good point of comparison for anybody.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Sanchez = poor man’s Big Unit!
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Not so
haven’t you heard? Sanchez < Sadler
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
no.
/checks inbox…
/reads memo…
/sighs.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought it was
Sanchez = Sadler
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.
Brother is reminding the Giants he’s there when it’s time to replace Sanchez.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
I suppose Santiago would be the backup catcher.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d have Orel Hersieser (sp?) on that list ahead of Bud Black/Danny Darwin
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
thank you
I missed that in my exhaustive 6 1/2 minute search of BB-REF
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Go Vida!
Vida probably tops that list with regard to substantial career value as a Giant. 1978 was a pretty fun year, when you’re a kid who was used to absolute horror from 1972-1977.
"[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
NO NO NO, you can’t have McCovey if the Giants have him already on their all time list. If that’s the case, then we’d have Santiago too. If a guy is in the HOF with a certain team, then that team gets to claim the rights to that guy for ALL TIME lists. If he’s not in the HOF, then you go by who he played for longer, or who he made his name with.
And if you’re talking about all time, then we get the NY Giants players, like Christy Mathewson. Padres wouldn’t stand a chance.
HOF list
The problem with that is that the big money teams have the advantage of having more guys. Reggie Jackson (and Catfish Hunter, for that matter), in all fairness, should be an Athletic in this competition.
"[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
Padres list
Ricky can’t believe Ricky not on that list over Sheff.
by W8ingForATitle on Jun 3, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Sheffield was exclusively a third baseman when he was with the Padres, so really they shouldn’t be in competition.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
Also,
ESPN has made a weird 180 love fest with Randy Johnson as 2 of the MLB front page stories are about Randy:
Reliving the Randy Johnson Experience
Starting 9 Randy Johnson Moments
There are a few other articles here and there on the ESPN MLB page
Yeah,
I pretty much agree with everyone. It’s really exciting that he’s doing it, and kinda cool that he’s doing it as a Giant, but he really doesn’t have any roots whatsoever with this franchise.
When Barry broke the HR record here, it meant a LOT because it was a great baseball moment, but also because he did it in a park that he built and for a franchise that he was the face of for 15 years. It’s great that RJ is getting this milestone, but yeah- more great for him and baseball that it is great for the Giants.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
That said,
for whatever reason I always like to see guys reach milestones in their home parks. I have a feeling if he was at the phone booth for this game, it would have a lot more fans than DC is going to have. I like to have big moments punctuated by hordes of screaming fans, not by deafening silence.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
I wouldn't be so sure
that Johnson wins #300 on the road. His road numbers are pretty ugly so far this season (8.50 ERA, 2.28 WHIP,.338 BAA) and we all saw last night how the Nats can hit. And then he’s starting in Florida, where it could be humid, there could be rain delays, and he might not be able to go even five full innings.
"Are we bad? No. But right now, we are." Boulderskull, 4.16.09
Yeah I know
I’m not saying he definitely will or won’t, I’m just saying that if this exact same game was in SF tonight there’d be a lot more excitement in the park, because DC fucking sucks for baseball.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
I’ve had tickets to this game since the schedules came out, because I live in the Metro DC area and this is my one series every season to see the Giants in person. I’m excited because:
a.) I actually get to see a Giants game live and in person
b.) With an RJ Win, I can say I witnessed history as one of probably only 15,000 other people
I certainly have no allegiance to Johnson outside of his jersey for this season. It’ll be more cool to say I was there than anything else.
Although I hope these stupid thunderstorms miss and don’t delay this game at all.
Hmm Baseball Reference says that the average attendance for the Nationals has been around 20K. I learned a surprising fact today.
The numbers got padded by early attendence, i bet
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
Phillies and O's
More than anything, I’d bet it’s due to the Phillies and Orioles series this season. Those teams have a lot of local fans, and when the GM pleads for them to come, they oblige. What a debacle that was.
Phillies fans almost out numbered yankee fans on memorial day
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jun 3, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
At least he said no to Agent Ned
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jun 3, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Raining in DC?
I think we can all agree that it will be a blast if the Giants get something out of the big unit, but everyone might get a little wet.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
You missed an opportunity there.. coulda said “Cum again?”
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2011 Opening Day starting SS!
Geez, amateurs
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
To be fair, though...
…Azmanz did show some spunk.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
I would’ve gone with ‘spurt’ there.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Cool but...
I’ve been really annoyed that pretty much everyone has been running with the “OMG!!! THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST 300 GAME WINNER IN OUR LIFETIME!!!” angle of the story. Of course 300 wins is really, really impressive. But pitching a perfect game is more rare and I’m supremely confident that one more will occur before I die. Some pitcher will absolutely take off and go on a winning streak that’s unbelievable. Santana wins 100 games over 4 years? Sabathia? Who knows? But someone will do it again. Hell, maybe the Giants will get an average offense in my lifetime and I’ll see Cain and Lincecum both learn how to win their way to 300.
Still the loving, adoptive father of Hector Sanchez. And who doesn't love switch-hitting catchers with power and patience?
It means a lot...
…because it means that he won’t get his 300th win against the Giants.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Or Grover Cleveland Alexander.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.
I don’t buy into all this “no one will ever again make it to 300” bullshit. Really? Just because there isn’t anyone who is DEFINITELY 5-10 years away, no one is EVER going to make it? You really think you can predict how pitchers are going to do in fifty years? How about a hundred? Two hundred? Idiots.
And I’m not particularly excited. There are all these features on RJ, and I’m happy for him, and I’m happy he’s doing it in a Giants uniform, but he is not a franchise player. Honestly, I’d rather see him post a 3.00 season ERA with 200 IP and stick at 299 wins for the rest of the season. I’d obviously take both, but I’m FAR more concerned with how the club, and players like Timmeh, Cain, Sandoval, Bumgarner, Alderson, Posey, etc. are doing than RJ.
People get too hung up on the here and now
it’s why everyone was freaking out about the Yankees in APRIL or why they were saying how the Padres’ hot start meant they were better than people thought. Nobody has any sense of perspective any more because they’re all so freaking ADD riddled.
Just because a pitcher isn’t sitting on 240 or something doesn’t mean it WONT EVER HAPPEN.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
Grant had (has) a friend? One that went to college?
"There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die."
The friend is Mr. Dinky the washcloth. It’s the only one who talks to him.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t believe that Mr. Dinky is a washcloth.
by Lars The Wanderer on Jun 3, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions
He won’t get it tonight. You featured Johnson prematurely.
by Lars The Wanderer on Jun 3, 2009 1:45 PM PDT reply actions
The good thing about Johnson
He comes up again in five days.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
If your Johnson stays in for more than 7 innings, consult a physician.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that pie > cake, that Bochy is endowed by his creator with certain undeniable traits, that among these are veteran man-love, a gigantic skull, and the pursuit of the double switch.
Adopted Giant: Fred Lewis, who can still draw a walk.
And if your unit stays big for over 4 hours
call the guy in India, who will tell you to flick your testicle.
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
Lost Johnson
The hot lighting rep came into the office today (and I sang happy birthday to me in my head, they sent me a hot guy) and out of the clear blue sky started talking to me about baseball. We chatted about Sandoval at first and I went :D Then he said he is a Red Sox fan and I went D: So my “johnson” so to speak died.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions
You mean like this?
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 3, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions
All this does is take our baseball minds off the steroid allegations. To see someone like RJ get this milestone, is like Bonds hitting his 600th HR, but never being on steroids. It’s kinda like saying, “WOW, cool man”… but in a somber monotone voice where what you really mean is…. “good for him… but I don’t really care, cuz it’s only a milestone, and not an all time record that he is breaking.”
I respectfully disagree
I think this is a bizarrely cynical view
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
Steroids only matter to the people who let it matter. I’m happy to see anyone excel in this sport. Even when stupid ugly badhaired Manny Ramirez hit his 500th, I said “good for you, Manny.”
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I spend very little time thinking about steroids.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
Chatterbalks dot com: Still with jokes. Now with updates.
Like ALL Giants fans, you’re in DENIAL!!!!
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I can’t stop thinking about steroids
by lincypoo i wuv u on Jun 3, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Before the chase to 600 and beyond
Robb Nen’s 300th save was pretty cool. What’s great about these milestones/achievements is the Giants’ celebrations that surround the events. When Randy wins his 300th game, regardless of location, he will be honored at AT&T Park for it. That’s one of the reasons I love this team so much. Once you’re part of the Giants family, once you do something significant in this uniform, you’re in for life.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 1:53 PM PDT reply actions
I'm absolutely certain RJ loves that
Especially after being snubbed by AZ. He went to the one place he could count on for super dignified treatment.
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
Shrug
Good for Randy, but I haven’t been a longtime RJ fan, and in fact I only want him to win now because he’s on the team I love. It’s an arbitrary thing anyway— if he retires before the game, he’s in the HOF anyway. I wish him well…. but only because he’s a Giant now. Otherwise, .
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
Its great for the guy, and Im pulling for him. But this milestone means much more to Diamondbacks fans then it does for Giants fans. Congrats on a phenomenal career.
The artist formerly known as Set-up man
THAN!!!! Dammit, 'then' means a sequence of events. "THAN" is the comparative!!!!
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
That's what Rich Aurilia says.
Oh, snap— does that make you the Rich Aurilia of Grammar?
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
When Rich Aurilia gets his AVG over .260, than we will all start using proper grammar.
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
Fake Gerund!
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jun 3, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
not any of his 299 wins, but...
I became a Big Unit fan in 1995 when he was with the Ms and I lived in Tacoma. He led them down the stretch to beat the Angels for the AL West title. Then he had a phenomenal series against the Yankees in the ALDS. Down 0-2 in the best of 5 series, he threw 7 strong innings in Game 3 and then came back on 1 day of rest to pitch 3 more innings in relief in Game 5 for the win.
Amazingly, he did the same thing to help the D-Backs win the 2001 WS against the Yankees, except there, he won Game 6 and pitched in relief to win Game 7 the next day. Just phenomenal.
Most of the pansies today wouldn’t be able to even pitch in that situation, let alone effectively, but Big Unit did twice in the biggest of situation. Just amazing.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions
Um, it doesn't make THEM pansies
it makes HIM a freak of nature, which he is. The reason that’s so incredible is because nobody else could do that.
But yes, I agree. Dude has been phenomenal.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
pansies
I was being hyperbolic.
I actually think Lincecum could do that, too (being the FON that he is)…though Bruce Bochy would probably do it in Spring Training rather than the post-season, so no one tell him I mentioned it.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jun 3, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
No doubt
it just annoys me when people point to extreme cases and say “SEEE??? WHY DONT THESE MODERN PUSSIES THROW MORE PITCHES!!1 DERRR”. I know that’s not what you were doing but it’s my hobby horse. And it pisses me off.
NOT EVERYONE IS RANDY JOHNSON, THATS WHY RANDY JOHNSON IS SO GREAT. Why do more people not understand this!?!?!
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
This is related, but in an odd way.
I just finished Steve Martins book: Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life. It isn’t a very happy story, if anything I found it depressing. Martin was freaking huge. To a ridiculous degree. He was the most successful stand-up ever. At the end, he was able to play a multi-night run in front of 45,000 people.
Take a step back and digest that. 45,000 people. For a stand-up comic.
Yes, he was that good. This caused a problem, though. He wasn’t able to be a real stand-up any more. It was just too big. He couldn’t deal with hecklers, if he ever got them. He couldn’t work on new material because how do you do that in a huge venue of that sort. He was starting to flip out when he realized he was booked for a solid two years. Once that ended he quit and went into movies full-time.
The thing that struck me as sad is that it was clear that he really enjoyed what he was doing to get to that point. He put a ton of thought and work into his act and created something really wonderful. But because he became too good he had to quit.
I began thinking about Barry and his last productive years, especially 2004. There is a parallel in that he got so good at his craft that the opposing team wouldn’t let him play any more. It’s a bit of a stretch but I think most will be able to see what I am hinting at here.
Anyway, I don’t really care about the 300 thing. It’s a great milestone. Iinitially I was going to tie this in with the Steve Martin story but I forgot how. Oh yeah, this was a milestone thread. I think 45,000 people to watch a guy on stage say “excuse me” is an amazing milestone that will never be surpassed. Shit, a BIG comedy show is in a 2000 seat theatre. Most comics never even sniff that.
Baseball is a game of numbers. We know what 500, 300, 3000, 56 mean. They are tied to the baseball consciousness so of course today is potentially a big deal. They say this may never happen again, but I don’t believe it. Baseball has gone through many phases. Who is to say that four man-rotations with limited pitch counts won’t become the new standard. Who knows what the future holds.
Some stand-up might be able to do a 45,000 person show again.
There is one thing I am fairly certain of and that is that the San Francisco Giants will win a World Series some day. Hopefully I get to see it happen.
by positiveuphemism on Jun 3, 2009 2:38 PM PDT reply actions
I love Steve Martin. I’ll definitely get my hands on his book soon.
Supporting San Francisco Dugout since 2005 and Manny Burriss since 2006, and bringing you all your California League needs since 2009.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jun 3, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I might still have it around here; if I find it, it's yours.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
That’s a great book. I always theorized his acting was good because his standup act was more acting than typical observational comedy. He was more of an actor playing a bad/cheesy comedian. Reading his book confirmed it.
I didn’t find his success as sad as you did. It might have been overwhelming, but I saw it more as he climbed the mountain and went on to other creative outlets. His relationship with his dad was a lot more sad to me.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
I agree about his relationship with his dad. I didn’t find his success sad, I found the fact that his success effectively made him unable to continue to be sad. He worked so hard and so long and got so good that he couldn’t do it any more. The choice was kind of taken from his hands. This is sad.
by positiveuphemism on Jun 3, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
RE: Original Post What does Randy Johnson mean to the Giants?
Butts in seats!!! People will come to see him if when he wins 300 and counting…The Giants have always been careful to have a “Marquee” player for the marketing value they represented. I have to say that I have considered what they do in that re guard a "Good sound business decision. Now as to actually executing this with some real sense of who is going to be both “Fan based” Butts in seats valuable as well as being productive on the playing field at the same time. Big bucks contracts to Bonds (15 Mil that last year?) Again they (Giants front office) knew they would make that back through Butts in seats as well as TV just because they had Barry. I believe that is what motivated them to pay Zito so much in his contract. The front office hoped that Barry Zitto would be the team captain and producer on the field as well as being that “Draw” for the fans.
To sum up, Johnson is the “Star” that Zito was supposed to be. Tim and Matt will be as big or better as long as they stay healthy. His 300th win will mean people will come to the park to see him add to that total, just as they came to see Barry Bonds add to his HR total. Butts in Seats = CASH for the Team. Simple.
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