Pablo Sandoval: The Chosen One
by Grant on Jul 1, 2009 10:38 AM PDT
353 comments
If some unknown ruffian were to suggest that our collective internet crush on Pablo Sandoval was an overreaction, I would kindly direct them to this post:
C - Doug Mirabelli
1B - Damon Minor
2B - Deivi Cruz
SS - Royce Clayton
3B - Bill Mueller
LF - Marvin Benard
CF - Chris Singleton
RF - Armando Rios
Fred Lewis probably pushes Benard out of the lineup now. Even after his horrific second half last year and his defensive foibles, John Bowker probably pushes Minor out. Things are looking up! Team of the decade!
So when a rotund, fully developed hitting machine emerges from the River Styx to hit .340, we're going to notice. Here's a fun link: 22-year-olds (or younger) who put up an average over .300 in more than 200 plate appearances. It's premature to include Sandoval here right now, as he's still in the middle of his season. He could slump horribly. If Sandoval slumped his way down to a .300 average, he'd still join a list of pretty good players -- Dan Driessen, Kent Hrbek, and Gary Matthews. There are some non-stars, of course. Juan Uribe's there (Coors-aided) and the spectre of Jeff Francoeur always seems to follow our hero around.
If Sandoval were to keep his average as high as it is for a full season, he'd be in the company of guys like Jimmie Foxx, Al Kaline, and Hank Aaron. And, uh, Ron Fairly. But it's hard to hit even .320 as a 22-year-old without following it up with a sustained, high-level peak.
But average is kinda sorta useless on its own. Pablo Sandoval's OPS+ right now is at 149 -- if he were to sustain it, he'd join some ridiculous company. It's far, far more likely that Sandoval ends closer to the league average than at a historical level, which would still be impressive. If you're not a fanboy, it's more likely, that is. But I'm a fanboy. Sandoval's the same age as a lot of the college draftees from last year -- Buster Posey, Justin Smoak, and Gordon Beckham -- but he's tearing up the majors right now. If that doesn't mean he's the result of a laboratory experiment to splice the genes of Tony Gwynn and Mel Ott, then I'm not sure if I believe in anything anymore.
Here's what impresses me more than the bucket of historical stats, though: Sandoval already seems like he's adjusted his approach. The first couple of weeks, Sandoval was swinging at everything. Even when he slumped to start the season, he hacked his way out. Then someone said something like, "Have you ever tried not swinging at pitches above your head?", and Sandoval thought, hey, that's a good idea. Since then, he's actually taking an occasional walk. If he walks twice today, he'll lead the freaking team in walks. That kind of makes me want to punch something, but it also makes me feel like Pablo has already improved in-season. Sandoval doesn't need to walk to be a great player -- he just needs to walk enough to make the opposing pitcher know it's a reasonably possible outcome for any at-bat.
Pablo. Pablo. Pablo. Pablo. Pablo. We've waited a long time for a homegrown hitter to excite us like this. I'll set the over/under at 3,000 hits. Next year, he could have even more.
0 recs |
353 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
How crazy is it that this team actually has a star-calibur hitter to build the offense around, and young talent in the minors to actually build with?
Wall-E for Best Picture 2008
McCC = McClain Chronicles
by Useful_Idiot on Jul 1, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The ESPN tease: “Pablo Sandoval and the San Francisco Giants go against Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals.” It’s culture shock. I can’t believe we’re becoming a relevant part of the baseball landscape again with players other teams fans are eager to see. What a rush.
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 Jul 1, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he walks twice today, he’ll lead the freaking team in walks.
holy shit.
seriously.
holy shit.
Pablo gives me hearts in my eyes.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hitters who keep it above 10%...
are among the best in the majors and tend to hit for better average than hitters who walk less.
Adoptive parental unit of Ehire Adrianza.
Godfather of Travis Ishikawa.
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
"Let's go get them in 2009!" - The Kid
"He got his pitch; he did not miss it" - Cainer
"Kung Fu Panda don't get hurt" - Cainer
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Jul 1, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
under
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Jul 1, 2009 10:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I lurve Panda
I still have no idea where he came from… it’s like he popped up on the prospect scene and then the next day he was a star. It’s really amazing that he’s playing so well at his age. I tend to forget the fact that he’s 22 and just think OMGAWESOME!
It also looks like his power is going to develop too. I could see him hitting 30 HR a years by the time he’s 25.
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
by shikantaza on Jul 1, 2009 10:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I could see him hitting 30 HR this year.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
SHIT YEA
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
my desktop background right now
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Funny. also, on my cubicle wall in the office.
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 1, 2009 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the fact that this no longer sounds like ridiculous hyperbole for panda indicates just how awesome he’s been
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fred Lewis would appreciate getting his glasses back.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Jul 1, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I could see more than just
this: 
by Jakespaar on Jul 1, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t buy that he’s 22. My gut tells me he’s somewhere around 24, but his production is still amazing for his age.
I like cats. Wings is the greatest show of all time.
Tyler Graham is my favorite San Jose Giant because he has smart balls.
by Norm Median on Jul 1, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why?
I’m pretty sure most of the Visa cases where players were older than expected came out of the DR, not Venezuela.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
SAME THING
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 1, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
IT’S ALL CENTRAL AMERICA AMIRITE
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Portugal, right?
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 1, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mark ?
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Jul 1, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
/ growls
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Caribbean
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Jul 1, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
See, the joke was that one of them is South America and one of them is in the Caribbean, so neither of them is in Central America.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m going to need some documentation on this.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
/me looks for a globe
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Jul 1, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
finds this instead of globe
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Jul 1, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
First line
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Sandoval
Also, since I was responding to this:
I’m pretty sure most of the Visa cases where players were older than expected came out of the DR, not Venezuela.
The joke stands!
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I was pointing out topps thinks its all the same as well
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Jul 1, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
180 lbs…………YEAH…………..
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Jul 1, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s just his head.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 2, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is also on a diet in this picture apparently
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BODY BIAS
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
this always makes me lol
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It always makes me cringe because he looks like he was hurt, not just terribly embarrassed. I’m ecstatic that he didn’t hurt himself but mad that he made me go through that in the first place.
by paboperfecto on Jul 1, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT THEN HE PWNED JOE BIEMEL
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As far as I’m concerned the “Best non-gameday image” award competition is over.
It’s right up there with “Jaunty Shelled Benitez” I laugh every time.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
HOW HAVE I NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE???
one of the funnier home made images I’ve seen on this site
Justin Miller: More ink'd than an octopus on PCP.
by stealth snail on Jul 1, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't even think he was looking AT the cake.
I thought he tripped over it. But falling after checking out the cake is twice as hilarious now. Good work.
by jnormous on Jul 1, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is the cake new or did I just never notice that small detail before??
Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??
by tobias on Jul 1, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The cake is a lie.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
THERE IS NO SMOKED CHEESE.
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 Jul 1, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now where did I put that companion cube?
by Classy_Argonaut on Jul 1, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s fried shrimp, lemon shrimp, shrimp caserole, grilled shrimp, jumbo shrimp, shrimp cocktail, shrimp scampi…
Wall-E for Best Picture 2008
McCC = McClain Chronicles
by Useful_Idiot on Jul 1, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know splits are stupid.
BUT SANDOVAL
Month PA BB BB% April 80 3 3.75% May 100 5 5.00% June 109 13 11.93%
Molina has 3 walks this season. THREE.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt Cain has as many walks this season as Bengie Molina.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lincecum and Bengie are also tied in unintentional walks with 2.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry.
:-(
by Cookyman on Jul 1, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
8 HR’s and 13 BB’s. June was good. Keep it going big guy.
Proud father of Juan Carlos Perez. Think Albert Pujols at second.
by marcello on Jul 1, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
WIN
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
:DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
I R so proud. Though I admit I jumped on the bandwagon a little late, THATS HIS NAME IN MY SIG, AIN’T IT??
Seriously though, he hits and he’s been pretty damn good at 3B too.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2009 10:55 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hard to believe that he wasn’t on BA’s top-30 list a few years ago, and now he’s among the best hitters in the NL at the moment.
It never occurred to me that one man could play with the faith of 50 million.
by imovermyhead on Jul 1, 2009 10:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The thing with Pablo, I think, is that there were always things to like about his minor league performance (well, except that one year in Augusta, that was ugly), but there was never anything particularly “holy shit!” about it until he broke out in SJ last year. Though, in retrospect, perhaps we (and prospectors) should have been more impressed by .287/.318/.476 in high-A as a 20 year old in 2007. Obviously the walk rate was ugly, but he was young-ish for the league, he showed some decent power and he didn’t strike out very much.
What he’s done the last two years, though, has been really remarkable.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And man...
I don’t know if I realized that Pablo was pretty damn good in Connecticut last year… for some reason, I think I had thought he kind of cooled off when he moved up, but he really didn’t very much.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
.337/.364/.549
in Connecticut as a 21-year-old. That’s impressive.
It never occurred to me that one man could play with the faith of 50 million.
by imovermyhead on Jul 1, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pablo got some buzz around here when he was hitting .330 at Salem-Keizer in 2005. I particularly remember a post in which DrB freaked out when he learned Pablo was fat.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably threw himself down a few flights of stairs for:
PANDAZ IS A FATTIE!
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
/throws himself down stairs
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
by shikantaza on Jul 1, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My hands won’t stop shaking!
omg. I miss DrB :(
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think a good sign for a prospect is whether or not Dr. B freaks out.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta give him credit — he was excited about Pablo from the start. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been so shocked and disappointed.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I’m just kidding! I just enjoy the Dr. B meme
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know… I’m sitting here still giggling.
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
by shikantaza on Jul 1, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I miss DrB :(
+1. I bet he’d have some choice words for the Giants about the way they’ve treated Frandsen. He was always a big backer of his boy “Kevbo”.
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK
by Josh from Hollywood on Jul 1, 2009 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol
Did anyone see the picture of Pablo Sandoval? OMG!! Talk about the Pillsbury Doughboy! That kid isn’t just overweight. He’s seriously obese! OMG!! My hands won’t stop shaking! His listed Ht/Wt is 5’11, 180 lbs. BA has him at 210 lbs. I guarantee you he’s quite a bit heavier than that. There is no way, NO WAY a kid who looks like that is ever going to play in the big leagues.
That’s awesome.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I nearly just threw down my laptop in a fury of laughter. Hilarious!
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL Kenshin
someone needs to ban Sandavol from the buffet line (and buy him a larger uniform)
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha, that makes it even funnier. He looks fine there.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I don’t get why the image is so shocking.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mean, in the first link, he even called him a “stocky” catcher. He looks stocky there. I’m not sure what he was expecting.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Body bias!
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
black is a more slimming color than french vanilla…
by Merope on Jul 1, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It looks like a watermelon helmet
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pablo ?
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Jul 1, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But seriously
Dr. B made a good point in the original thread about what will he look like in 7-8 years. This is the one thing that I worry about with Pablo; that he’ll get too big and lose the quickness that’s a big part of his game and be prone to getting hurt.
Comparing this “skinny” pic of him from four years ago to where he is now really does make you wonder where his weight will be in another 3 or 4 years.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s not going to play forever. The Giants just need him to be good until he hits FA.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, exactly. There’s no need to worry about what Pablo’s going to look like when he’s 30.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
x-posted from “Faces Made for the Internet: MCC Photos”
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I kinda want him to be here for the next 15 years, and to be healthy even after that. Hopefully the org is working on helping him see the light of conditioning & a reasonable diet.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that’s obviously true, but I’m just saying that, for now, I wouldn’t worry too much about where Pablo’s going to be when he gets older – just enjoy him for the time we have and hope that he and the team can work things out so he can stay healthy later.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, yeah. I want him to be healthy and have a good diet and all that stuff. But, I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves if we are worrying what he’s going to look like physically in 8 years.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Read my post again
I’m not talking about 8 years from now.
It looks like he’s put on 30 or 40 pounds in four years. If he puts on another 30-40 pounds over the next four years, it absolutely could affect his production as a Giant.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meanwhile, ironically improving his production as a giant.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
its like 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife
On 5/7, the best part of waking is up LOLDGERS in my cup.
by GameSix on Jul 1, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he should do P90x!
It sounds like he’s pretty dedicated to keeping in shape and I’m sure the Giants will be on him about his weight. I’m not worried about him putting on weight in the short-term.
Also, we’re looking at a picture of him at 19-years-old. I looked a lot different at 22-years-old than I did at 19.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i still look the same
People at my job think I’m a high school student
by superk1ng on Jul 1, 2009 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You started coming your hair over your face?
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
*combing
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Doing WHAT to the hair?
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 1, 2009 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
there was an article on sfgiats.com about that a few weeks ago
Pablos pretty dedicated on keeping his weight in check. He runs on the treadmill on off-days and keeps his diet in check.
by superk1ng on Jul 1, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he’s never eating cake again after what happened the last time…
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He can’t even look at it anymore.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
heres the article btw
While his teammates were quietly grabbing their postgame grub and packing up for home after Monday’s defeat, turning up the volume on the stereos and settling any unfinished business from their dominoes games after Tuesday’s victory, Sandoval could be seen, win or lose, pushing one leg in front of the other on the exercise bike
by superk1ng on Jul 1, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could be wrong
but it looks to me like he’s gotten more svelte as the season has gone along.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It Could be
The Indians started a ground breaking program in recent years were they would provide better nutritional food and even a club house spread to the farm teams. I have not seen anything on how that has worked out for them but it does make a ton of sense to me. I wonder if the Giants’ have similar program? If not I wonder how often it is a pack of Ritz with a jar of peanut butter for young man away from home for the first year or two and no kitchen to cook in for half the season?
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So simple, but so smart
That is a great idea. The few hundred bucks a month these guys make, their youth, the strangeness of housing all contribute to poor nutrition. Great idea. I hope the Giants are doing this.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope Pablo does P90X with Wilson in the off-season
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that the name of Wilson’s hair salon?
Disfrute Los Gigantes every day at www.leftymalo.com
by leftymalo on Jul 1, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
/throws across canyon
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Jul 1, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
/throws across a canyon
//with both arms
///at the same time!!!
////Eats Zito.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL… Dr.B is good people. I like his reports on prospects, even if he is a bit prone to hyperbole.
LMAO at “my hands won’t stop shaking!”
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
by shikantaza on Jul 1, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MIKE CERVENAK SIGHTING
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waldrip Joaquin
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i saw Panda play at Salem-Keizer
strangely, I don’t really remember him lol
She Hate Me
"oh I served BRP all right
drained J-Kiddesque running floaters over him all night long last time we balled" - prezofdeath
by cloudydays on Jul 1, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure… the experts certainly didn’t identify his skills though. Panda is a bit like Timmy in the fact that he doesn’t look too impressive, but is a bit freakish in his talents. I guess that sort of thing is hard to identify. Scouts will be looking for the player who is > 6 foot, with a lot of foot speed and broad shoulders. The short rolly-polly guy doesn’t scream projection, even if he’s putting up interesting numbers.
I have to believe that someone watching him play a few years ago would have been intrigued by his coordination and hand-eye skills.
Psycho killer, qu'est-ce que c'est?
by shikantaza on Jul 1, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Before GRM went nuts with it, I was saying that baseball scouts, as a profession, tend to get hung up on how a guy looks when he’s doing something as opposed to whether he can actually do it.
Randy Winn is in time out until his OBP gets back over .330.
by oldjacket on Jul 1, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I pray for a similar breakout in 2 years when Big V is 20.
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BA admitted after 2008 season...
that they made a mistake, that Pablo should have been in their list for the 2008 season.
Adoptive parental unit of Ehire Adrianza.
Godfather of Travis Ishikawa.
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
"Let's go get them in 2009!" - The Kid
"He got his pitch; he did not miss it" - Cainer
"Kung Fu Panda don't get hurt" - Cainer
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Jul 1, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kinda like SI
they called frank gore the most overrated player taken right after the 05 draft, then after he ran for 1700 yards TWO YEARS LATER they went back and changed it to most “underrated”.
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley, hacker extraordinaire
Thanks to roger
I've never been happier to have Crabs
by bondslegend on Jul 1, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there a Giants fan who doesn't like Pablo?
I mean, not only is he part of the holy trinity (Lincecum, Cain, and Pablo), but he seems like such a likeable guy.
Jonathan Sanchez. He's left-handed, like Barry Zito. His fastball breaks 80, unlike Zito.
by Aadik on Jul 1, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mhy first Jersey is going to be a sandoval, sorry tim and matt
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jul 1, 2009 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure there’s someone who hates fun and joy and puppies out there.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He excluded Dodger fans
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jul 1, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But xanthan likes him!
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
mainframes don't have feelings
Jonathan Sanchez. He's left-handed, like Barry Zito. His fastball breaks 80, unlike Zito.
by Aadik on Jul 1, 2009 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Xanthan also loves 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 Jul 1, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
NY Giants fans?
Adoptive parental unit of Ehire Adrianza.
Godfather of Travis Ishikawa.
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
"Let's go get them in 2009!" - The Kid
"He got his pitch; he did not miss it" - Cainer
"Kung Fu Panda don't get hurt" - Cainer
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Jul 1, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Giants fans who believe the same stuff Jeff Kent does??
by SFGuy on Jul 2, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At a recent game
Coming in from the field, after each inning, he tossed a ball to kid, each and every inning. With a big smile on his face. Got to love it.
by bradleybear on Jul 1, 2009 11:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm feeling vindicated
I’ve been trumpeting Sandoval as my favorite Giant since last season and took some grief along the way:
- When I predicted that Pablo would provide adequate defense at 3B, there were those who scoffed
- When I compared his ability to hit all types of pitches like and be productive despite not walking much a la Vlad, I was derided
- When I said, I thought he was doing a better job laying off bad pitches as he came out of the slump, I was told there’s no evidence to support that
- When I responded to claims that pitchers would adjust to him by claiming he would adjust to pitchers, people rolled their eyes
I’m wrong about enough stuff that I can stick my chest out a little when I say I was right about Pablo. And yeah, he really seems like a likable guy. I’m always chuckling at his goofy mannerisms.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 11:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
/scoff
/deride
/lack of evidence
/eyeroll
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 1, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are the Athletic of Sandoval people.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
GOOFUS WUZ RITE
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 Jul 1, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sometimes
even a blind pig finds a truffle. Or 4.
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 Jul 1, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would guess blind pigs could find plenty of truffles actually, seeing as how they smell them out.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, if I am following the metaphors correctly, you're saying that Goofus smells?
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Goofus is a blind pig.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got it. So he DOES smell.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course I smell. How else am I gonna find the truffle?
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was gonna photoshop this months ago
and never got around to it.
Watch out San... oh, wait, Sadowski... uncle Pucetas is comin' for you.
by Sammy Danger on Jul 1, 2009 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pablo Sandoval is Radiohead’s worst album!
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't get enough sleep.
Therefore, I must be Pablo!
Meet my new son: Sundrendy Windster, coming soon to a minor league near you.
by EliminateMe on Jul 1, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When can we declare that Ishikawa has supplanted Damon Minor as the best 1B developed by the Giants since Williams? The both have a current career OPS+ of 96.
I’m ready to proclaim it to be true at this moment.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Never. But once you accept that, if you wait a season, he may be the best since Clark. ;)
by positiveuphemism on Jul 1, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can already seeing as how Williams was a 3B.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um, I know
Was using the criteria from Grant’s OP…or am I trapped inside a sarchasophagus?
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ishi better than Minor
True.
Damon had 10 dingerz in 200 PA? Wow.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pablo is the Best. ’Nuff said.
Proud supporter of the Fightin' Hydrants.
by Little Napoleon on Jul 1, 2009 11:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pablito!
Prospective parent of new pick, Zack Wheeler. Projectable Righty stolen from the braves. Of course, I stalk my son's myspace: http://www.myspace.com/zackwheelerbaseball
"Obviously I’m not doing things like going toe-to-toe with a ninja. Find me a ninja, for one."--Brian Wilson
by haverecords on Jul 1, 2009 11:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just realized the Giants went 17-10 in July
holy crap!
by superk1ng on Jul 1, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
June Swoon!
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great, now you have jinxed him
Watch him fall in a 2-25 slump.
Wilber Bucardo: Carlos Silva with a younger brother.
by gianator on Jul 1, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
on-base plus slugging-percentage. not a great statistic but more than fine for a quick and dirty look at offensive production.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if you mean OPS+, it’s OPS adjusted for league/park.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Summary
It doesn’t MEAN much. It’s a nice quick way to compare two or more offensive players.
by paboperfecto on Jul 1, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you add on-base percentage and slugging percentage together.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh i get it, i wasn’t sure what slugging percentage was, but i got it now.
by Kaizre on Jul 1, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If your just getting use to SLG tow things I would recommend.
1. ISO . ISO = SLG – AVG and gives you a good idea just how hard a guy ussally hits a ball.
2. wOBA. I love this stat but sadly it is not intuitive to me yet.
If the stats side interests you Tango Tiger’s book is really a good way to go. No I don’t get everything in there either but more than enough people around here do and are more than willing to help.
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just think about wOBA in the same way you do OPS. The average wOBA tends to be around .330. So, anything beyond .330 is good. Kinda like how anything beyond an .800 OPS is good.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is more that I am it is not as reflexively apparent to me how a given hitters wOBA interacts with the parts of the game. Part of it is needing to use it longer (I use the (2*obp +slg/3 ) a lot just for this purpose) & part of it is unlearning decades of how I looked at the game. It sit and think about it and it pretty clear it just is not ingrained yet the way HR, TB, ISO BB & SB’s etc were for me as kid. Thus if Kaizre is just looking into this stuff wOBA would be real smart place to start in my opinion.
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
TWO GRATE TASTES THAT TASTE GRATE TOGETHER
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yo dawg I heard you like wOBA so I put OBP in your OPS so you can nerd while you nerd
Everybody loves money
by fwoty oz on Jul 1, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
on't worry about
Both Steve Phillips and Harold Reynolds say it isn’t important
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Jul 1, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where is his 6th tool?
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I wanna know is
What does Pablo’s performance say about THE LEADERSHIP ISSUES IN THE METS CLUBHOUSE?
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
by Kitspool on Jul 1, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MUST BE DISCUSSED!!!
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When I saw that Mets outfielder slip the other day on a highlight show, I immediately thought it must have been due to a lack of leadership in the clubhouse.
by snafu on Jul 1, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joey Votto has a great 6th tool, he’s a fantastic clubhouse leader, he tells guys when to get a haircut or shave their beards.
Bengie Molina, Aaron Rowand and Pablo Sandoval seem to lack that 6th tool, just look at Lincecum’s hair.
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I were a baseball player on the Reds and Votto came up to me and told me to cut my hair or shave, I would tell him to pucker up and kiss my ass.
I mean, WTF?
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 1, 2009 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously. I couldn’t stop laughing when Phillips mentioned this during the opening day game of Mets-Reds.
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And yet
Votto has a weed problem!
Or was it anxiety…
Either way, not funny :(
Or was that Soto? … I gotta party with that dood…
by Giant Homer on Jul 1, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Votto was battling depression and anxiety. he had trouble coping after his father suddenly died last august. he suppressed all of his emotions about it until he got sick this year with the dizziness thing and it came all rushing back to him and he couldn’t deal.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brain Wilson
is in desperate need of leadership
The San Francisco Giants: Where old men go to die.
by GrahamCrakalaka on Jul 1, 2009 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where else do you put your sixth tool? You put a cup on it and head out onto the field.
El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."
by ResDog on Jul 1, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As ooposed to a sith tool...
…a light saber
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of a Sith tool …
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now you can throw things with your mind at your TV when Phillips is on
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The best thing is that he is 22. And, in addition to that, he was never projected to be a star player. He is doing as well as I would hope Villalona to do, but he arrived suddenly and without the fanfare. A very shiny present we weren’t expecting.
by out machine on Jul 1, 2009 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pablo “Lagniappe” Sandoval
(pronounced le-nyap)
"The BB's are out. The BB's are being arseholes to me." - Brian Wilson.
by hairball on Jul 1, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This list makes me sad.
But then it also makes me feel really good about the minor leagues/our current team.
by gimpsta7 on Jul 1, 2009 11:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pablito…man, I’m so happy he’s got the disposition he does, the joy, the love for the game.
If not, I’d really worry about him feeling the pressure to be the next awesome Ginats homegrown hitter. But I’m not worried about that.
He’s a joy to watch hit, and when he makes an out, I actually think “well, we’ll get ’em next time pablo”
Proud new co-dad of Travis Ishikawa. And ishikaBOOM Goes the Dynamite.
by Andy from DC on Jul 1, 2009 11:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pablo’s attitude reminds me of Vizquel. They’re both vibrant characters who bring so much enthusiasm and love for playing the game.
It never occurred to me that one man could play with the faith of 50 million.
by imovermyhead on Jul 1, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
zips
Player Spotlight – Pablo Sandoval
AVG OBP SLG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS OPS+
Projection .284 .312 .455 129 517 72 147 33 2 17 71 21 55 2 2 98
Top Near-Age Offensive Comps: Ivan Rodriguez (obviously not D), Benito Santiago
Offense %
STAR 26
AVG 73
REP LV 99
OPS+ % OBP % 3B % Hits %
>160 0 >.400 0 >10 0 >200 0
>140 0 >.375 0 >5 8 >150 35
>120 8 >.350 9
>100 42 >.325 39 2B %
>80 83 >.300 72 >45 0
>60 99 >30 65
BA % SLG % HR % SB %
>.350 0 >.550 1 >50 0 >70 0
>.325 3 >.500 11 >40 0 >50 0
>.300 23 >.450 44 >30 0 >30 0
>.275 60 >.400 83 >20 20 >10 0
>.250 87 >.350 98 >10 90
Just to illustrate how uncanny his breakout has been (.336/.391/.567)… Zips actually did a full “break” out curve.
Note the 3% of hitting above .325 and 0 of .350, the 1% of slugging > .550 and the big fat goose egg of OBP above .375. And only 8% of OPS+ above 120, which is, killing.
I like Zips. Zips is good. Not baggin’ on the Zips. But all that talk about how he hit .335 at age 21 in Conn is all taken into account, along with other factors. On his PECOTA page, he’s well above his 90% percentile.
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 Jul 1, 2009 11:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It is good to remember though that it is only July. There’s still a lot of time left to go in the season. But with his steady improvement since April, it’s hard not to see him significantly outhitting most of his projections (except maybe the Bill James one, which was like .300/.350/.500).
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also most players who become star caliber I’m guessing they drastically outhit their projections. Especially their first full season.
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What Panda Has Done for This Team
(Caution: completely cherry-picked endpoints ahead)
In the first 118 games of last season, the Giants were 50-68 (.424) . Pablo was called up on August 13. The team went 22-22 the rest of the year and is 42-34 this season. Total record with him on the team: 64-56 (.533)
It’s really easy to make too much of a big deal out of intangibles liked “team chemistry”, but we all see Pablo smiling, joking around, clearly loving playing baseball. I saw it close-up during BP in Seattle—the guy keeps his teammates really loose. You can’t tell me there’s not some connection between that and the team’s performance this year.
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
by Kitspool on Jul 1, 2009 12:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
pet peeve...
those who say we can’t measure this “team chemistry” concept, therefore it doesn’t exist. I agree, there are far more rational, tangible ways to evaluate a player/team. But anyone who has ever held a job knows you work better in a situation where everyone gets along pretty well and maybe there’s even a sense of camaraderie than you do in a place where you’re just counting the hours til you go home. Pablo seems like he really contributes to a positive clubhouse, and while we can’t say exactly how much that helps the team, I think it would be foolish to say it therefore should be discounted.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think there’s no doubt that team chemistry exists… the question is whether or not it contributes to a winning baseball team.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially since some of the great teams in baseball history all hated one another.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mean, apparently the Bonds years had some awful chemistry at times (no LOL ROIDS jokes plz). And there were many stories about how wonderful last year’s clubhouse was…
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the 2008 Giants should have been the poster child for increased chemistry = better performance. BIG BAD Barry Bonds (and all his terrible anti-chemistry) left the team. Numerous articles were written about how good the Giants clubhouse was last season.
The Giants lost 90 games.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Smoke
But a lot of people thoughts they’d lose 100. And the Bonds teams never won a champoinship.
I think using the arugment that teams have done well with bad chemisrty is missing the point. Maybe it’s more appropriate to say, “Some teams had such great individual talent that they were able to overcome a lack of team chemisrty.”
In a game where an extra win or two can make the difference between success and failure, a few plays can make the difference in winning those few extra games. If guys are into it, they’re more likely to lay out for a ball, run out the grounders, hit behind the runner and throw to the right base. They’re also more likely to feel ok about messing up if they know their teammates aren’t dicks and will be trying to pick each other up. They’re also more likely to help each other by sharing knowledge about the opposition. (Just think if Bonds and Kent had shared their knowledge of pitchers with each other and the rest of the team. By all accounts, Bonds didn’t do that until the end.)
Randy Johnson has said he’s enjoying this team as much as any team he’s been on. He seems to be giving a more competitive effort than many people predicted; that he’d “mail it in” after reaching 300.
Team chemistry won’t make a good team bad, but it could make a difference when a game or two might make the difference in making the post-season. A team like the 2007 Rockies probably owed some of their success to team chemisrty and believing in each other.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with this
To be clear, I certainly don’t think you should build a team a certain way because of chemistry— build a team to be talented, first and foremost. But if you were to offer me a choice between backing Team A or Team B, and their component parts (i.e. players) are exactly identical in every statistical way, but Team A is filled with lots of guys who get along pretty well and Team B is filled with selfish jackasses, well, I’m gonna put my money on Team A. I don’t know how much of an edge it is, but to argue it isn’t there goes against everything I know about people.
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
what if the selfish jackasses
happen to play better when annoyed by other selfish jackasses
HUH WHAT THEN! OR DID I JUST BLOOOOOW YOUR MIND!!!
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 Jul 1, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All ballplayers are like snowflakes. They’re unique in their own special way.
El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."
by ResDog on Jul 1, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll just say that I disagree! Debating team chemistry in regards to baseball makes me crazy. So I won’t dive into that discussion.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I link to this USSM article on ‘Valuing Leadership’ I think it says it about anything I could ever say, but better.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point of that article seems to be that intangibles are worth up to $500,000 a year…. where do I sign up?
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 1, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about this for a compromise: Perhaps team chemistry helps, but there is no possible way to know what kind of team will HAVE chemistry. Case in point: 2005 White Sox.
Even if chemistry helps, it isn’t something we ought to spend a lot of time thinking about when looking at ways of valuing or changing a team.
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 1, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I would agree with that. I think the baseball writers just want to chalk certain things up to “chemistry” because it’s an easy story to write and it’s one that’s been told in baseball forever.
At the end of the day, player skills are what matter. That is of course, my opinion.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the end of the day…
Sabes, is that you?!
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 1, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said
Converse example: Milton Bradley and this year’s Cubs team. Again, they could be underachieving for a multitude of reasons, but MB’s predictable instances of batshit insanity must be wearing on them a little bit.
"He is Tim Lincecum...the Most Interesting Pitcher in the World."
by Kitspool on Jul 1, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
predictable instances of batshit insanity
If this isn’t a grand opening for that image of a bat tossing off I don’t know what is.
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but at the same time, you’ve got a team that has the same team OPS+ as the Giants (84) and has had big injuries to key players like Aramis Ramirez. I’m sure the Bradley thing is just the icing on the top of the cake, so to speak.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That doesn’t smell like icing to me.
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Diarrhea icing on top of a cake made of poop.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The sweet smell of excess!
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now what is our SS doing in Chi town?
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
or maybe they find his
lighthearted, madcap antics to be be a refreshing breeze in the drudgery of the everyday grind.
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 Jul 1, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Examples are fun
Clubhouse cancers who’ve won at least one WS:
A.J. Pierzynski
Manny Ramirez
Randy Johnson
J. D. Drew
Rogers Hornsby
Ty Cobb
Cap Anson
I don’t really have an opinion on this subject, but you can’t just pick a random team with chemistry problems that didn’t win as proof of anything.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry.
:-(
by Cookyman on Jul 1, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reggie Jackson
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Carl Everett!
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 1, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DINOSAURS
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 Jul 1, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Indians
never won a world series in the 90s because of Omar Vizquel’s bad clubhouse presence.
by AmorVincitOmnia on Jul 1, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ty Cobb never won a WS.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re right.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry.
:-(
by Cookyman on Jul 1, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If there were some magical way to measure chemistry and translate it into a players composite VORP, there is no way Rowand > Bonds. Even if Rowand were peak Rowand rather than Suck 2008 edition Rowand, there’s no way Rowand > Bonds.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh for chrissakes! Did anyone claim Rowand is better than Bonds?
Let me say this as clearly as possible:
- I don’t think chemistry makes bad teams good
- I don’t think lack of chemistry makes good teams bad
- I don’t think “intangibles” makes bad players good
- I don’t think a lack of intangibles makes good players bad
I do think, however, that given all other things being equal, it’s reasonable to believe a team that works in a cohesive fashion and enjoys coming to work is more likely to play at something closer to their optimal productiviity when compared to a team where the players (and coaching staff) are miserable.
Players are human beings and we generally all perform better in an environment where we’re comfortable.
And I’m not even referring to extreme cases where players are so unhappy that they intentionally dog it like Sheffield.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
People seem a bit over defensive about Bonds.
Bruce Bochy would like you to look at the career numbers and stop complaining.
by cheno on Jul 1, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not possible.
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 2, 2009 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And I’m not even referring to extreme cases where players are so unhappy that they intentionally dog it like Sheffield
Just Manny being Manny.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 1, 2009 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was responding to Xanthan comment (athough I assume it was tongue in cheek) that 2008 was a “poster child” for improved chemistry since Gamer Rowand was replacing Sour Puss Bonds, but instead of getting better the Giants got worse. I was just pointing out that was ridiculous, since nothing could replace Bonds’ contributed wins to the Giants, even if he were somehow quantifiably measured as “negative” in “chemistry” and Rowand was an allstar chemist..
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know how much I buy the Bonds —> Bad clubhouse chemistry story. Certainly, he was rather reserved and had his own chair (ZOMG I Can’t believe a superstar would get special treatment!!!), but he was also pretty clearly pumped up by team acheivements, and even participated in some “silly” team stuff. Where’s that Paula picture?
Even if he was a massive prick, it really seems like a lot of the other players got along, — he’s only one guy and clearly chemistry didn’t affect him. Meanwhile the rest of the team could get along without him.
It’s just part of the massive media conspiracy to paint the Giants and Barry as bad. Something to explain how the Scrappy Angels could beat big bad scary Bonds and crew.
Sometimes I bet the more you hear about “good clubhouse vibes” the less likely it is to be true – more press release than reality – after all they couldn’t write another story about how good the team actually was.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There were two types of clubhouse tension during the Bonds era.
The first caused by all the crap that followed Bonds around: media craziness, steroid accusations, legal issues etc… etc… It’s difficult enough to play pro-ball, trying to do it in a circus probably wasn’t the greatest thing for the young players.
and there was the tension between players, most notably we remember the friction between Bonds and Kent, but iirc Kent had problems with team mates when he played for the evils. So maybe in that case it was Kent that was the poophead.
by Merope on Jul 1, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kent had/has a pretty high opinion of himself and he saw himself as a leader. he was vocal and not shy about it. Obviously, he backed it up on the field. I can see why a guy with a big personality might clash with another guy with a big personality. I can see how both Kent and Bonds rub people the wrong way. But at least they got shit done on the field, which is all I really care about.
I also recall that in 2002, they had that dugout fight and after that the Giants went on a magical run to reach the WS. I believe it was sparked, in part, by that fight. sometimes you just need to clear the air. sometimes those things bring a team closer together. sometimes, they split the team into factions and the season is lost. In that case, it helped.
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So maybe in that case it was Kent that was the poophead.
Perfect !!
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Jul 1, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are at three ways to respond to external pressure/tension on a team, whether the media is creating a circus or a single player is being pain. It could bring the team together, it could split them apart or it could do nothing. Media spotlight != negative chemistry. One bad apple doesn’t ruin the bunch. Heck, as nostock points out, a little scuffle between teammates- or even friends – might end up firing them up or bring them closer together long term, as much as it could ruin the relationship. There is SO much we don’t know about how people react to the various situations and roles they find themselves in – it is all very contingent.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We won the pennant with poopheads!
/runs poopheads.exe
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 2, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think people wrongly attribute hatred or liking one another to what would equate to success. I’d rather have a team full of assholes who’s single goal is to win and who will kill themselves to win a championship over a team of young fun loving guys who might be prone to laziness or would rather have fun than win. If anything its good to have a mix of both, but have the fun guys be just as competitive.
Kent and Bonds may have hated each other for instance but they didn’t let that ever get in the way of winning baseball games.
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Certainly, baseball skills are what win baseball games. Well, skills and luck, but I digress… however, to me, good chemistry does not mean there’s a team circle jerk after every game.
I don’t think an atmosphere of rancor and backbiting is conducive to success in any group endeavor, but it won’t stop a more talented team from beating a less talented one.
I think of good team chemistry as promoting an atmosphere of relaxed confidence, focus and competitiveness. It’s about maximizing the talent available.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 1, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very well said
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
however, to me, good chemistry does not mean there’s a team circle jerk after every game
Well, that’s where you and I differ.
Osiris, lord of the dead, and relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
by neurofarm on Jul 1, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
those goes my employee motivation seminar…
Daily Gameball and Joker at GIANTSBOARD.COM
GB and JK also at Giantsboard Blog
Say Hey Say Willie, that Giant Kid is Great!
by merkin on Jul 1, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and the point of my reply was that common human experience should indicate that it must help… though how much is certainly impossible to quantify
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, but sometimes it’s the opposite. A team full of players with level heads and mutual respect can get complacent, while a team full of players who can’t stand one another can ride that internal competitiveness to victory. It’s nearly impossible to tell from the outside (and probably from within) which way your team chemistry is going to go.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I don’t know about baseball. Football and basketball, though, are definitely affected by team chemistry.
Bruce Bochy would like you to look at the career numbers and stop complaining.
by cheno on Jul 1, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does seem that baseball, in which each player is much more solitary in his play at any given point in time than either football or basketball, has results that seem far more dependent on the aggregate of the entire fielded team.
by shanghaijim on Jul 1, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It doesn’t matter if they do it collectively or individually, as long as you have a group of players determined to succeed on the field and have the talent to do so, they will.
El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."
by ResDog on Jul 1, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
so long story short, I agree with you ;)
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Jul 1, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your Deathpanda...
…wears a manpurse.
It is, needless to say, a manpurse full of awesome.
My son is Madison Bumgarner, the Spacebat of pitching prospects. My other son is a Porsche.
by multiphasic on Jul 1, 2009 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It is, needless to say, a manpurse full of awesome snacks.
by xanthan on Jul 1, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and a vial full of Dodger fan tears
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
by RDreamer on Jul 1, 2009 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
low cal snacks!
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beware of pitchers who come out of nowhere to do well but who don’t throw strikes.
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I rolled down an elevator with Matt & Tim in Boston.
Matt likes his suit and Tim carries a Louis Vitton duffel
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s European.
El Presidente Larry Baer's epitaph
"Nothing important ever happened without me."
by ResDog on Jul 1, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There’s nothing wrong with murses.
Duane Kuiper: Hall Of Fame broadcaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Jul 1, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it unreasonable to hope that he could have as much value to our lineup as say, Aramis Ramirez, for example? I mean, I’ve pined for a player like that to man 3B, and we might be staring at one right now.
by AndOnTheDrums... on Jul 1, 2009 12:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So far, he’s certainly been about that good. .405 wOBA this season, .389 career.
Ramirez appears to be about a .380-.390 hitter in his best years.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, first of all, quit staring.
The pining is going to look bad enough in the hearing for the restraining order.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's ok to stare...
I… just not at his package. Howie had to learn that the hard way with me.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I defer to your greater experience with restraining order hearings.
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Jul 1, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The package staring is why he positioned his murse as shown in the photo.
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 1, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gave Howie a hard package?
Say no more. Say no more.
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bamboo lippers
Pablo is awesome, to say the least.
But aside from baseball I wish he’d learn better english (which I am sure he is doing). I don’t him to turn out like Vlad that has to use a translator for every interview. I want to hear his Panda Thoughts from his mouth. I give him credit for trying as I am sure it is difficult (I don’t have the drive to even attempt to learn a 2nd language).
Also, I love how he throws in MASSIVE bamboo lippers. FTW
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 1, 2009 12:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
His English is a little broken, but I love him in interviews. His obvious joy for the game and quick smile fun to listen to.
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeh...
His interviews are cringeworthy, but in a fun way.
by AmorVincitOmnia on Jul 1, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All the praise in this thread still doesn’t even come close to describing how awesome Pablo is.
by deuce deuce on Jul 1, 2009 1:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Just think...
if we didn’t have Pablo this season. ………
ARGHHHHH BAD DREAM…. BAD.,…… DREAM…./
by jctGamer on Jul 1, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps we are being rewarded for having produced no real positional talent in over 20 years.
Hopefully it will come in a big wave again like in the late 50s-early 60s for the Giants. :)
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have to say...
when Pablo hit that walk off 3 run jack off Beimelol, Steven Seagal likely cried. He will claim it’s allergies but we all know that’s not true.
Mo'ped Money, Mo'ped Problems
by Scooter Ellis on Jul 1, 2009 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Tonights line up
Stright from Baggs.
Filed under : Not broke, than don’t fix.
CF Rowand
LF Winn
3B Sandoval
C Molina
RF Schierholtz
SS Renteria
1B Ishikawa
2B Uribe
P Cain
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I know lineups don’t matter, but wow is that a bad arrangement.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bad arrangement that’s averaging 7.5 rpg. NERD!
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I m not that Jazzed about it either. At least put Molinia behind Nate. They both hack and seem to focus putting the ball in play. But one of them has a tendancey to move at a rate that even the Slowski’s get bored watching it.
Yes, This is still a 79 win squad.
Fuggen Rox! You might want to try beating The Bums more than once in 10 games. Try it. You might find you like it.
by daveinexile on Jul 1, 2009 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d probably go Winn/Sandoval/Rowand/Schierholtz/Ishikawa/Renteria/Uribe/Molina vs RHPs. But omg that’s an ugly bottom of the lineup … nothing to be done, I suppose.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd go Lewis over Winn in one of these damn games.
And drop Molina to 8; he’s going to hack anyway.
Jonathan Sanchez. He's left-handed, like Barry Zito. His fastball breaks 80, unlike Zito.
by Aadik on Jul 1, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d go with Lewis over Rowand in one of these damn games, come to think of it.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Molina in 7
pitcher can’t bunt him over.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Bochy has said he’d never put Molina in the 8 hole for this very reason
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if you’d come out ahead if you just had the pitchers swing away every time and never bunt. I think it would be pretty close.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So why would he never bat Molina anywhere but 4rth?
RIBBIES?!?!?
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 8:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was sure he’ll bench Nate.
Adoptive parent of Noah Lowry.
:-(
by Cookyman on Jul 1, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I too thought that was in the bag
Giant Dirtbags: John Bowker, Steve Hammond. MIA List: Todd Jennings, Brian Anderson
Wronghanded Affeldt pitches right
by Giant among Angels on Jul 1, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
According to Baggs
Houston adjusted its rotation, and Tim will not be facing Roy Oswalt, but RUSS ORTIZ!
by SoFa King Mike on Jul 1, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
RUSS GETS HIS REVENGE
AFTER TIM STOLE HIS SPOT IN THE GIANTS ROTATION
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
PABLO SANDOVAL AM STEAL DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS.
by jponry on Jul 1, 2009 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sadly I fear this game because the Giants are AWFUL against mediocre pitchers. :(
by Hobbes2d on Jul 1, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially those who do not throw strikes.
by Lars The Wanderer on Jul 1, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
running scared
Oswalt didn’t want another L!
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you got in an elevator with Pablo Sandoval, what would you say to him?
I don’t know if I could say words. I’d probably blurt out “THANKS FOR MAKING GIANTS BASEBALL FUN TO WATCH AGAIN! :DDDD” and get awkwardly stared at by Randy Winn or something.
Watch out San... oh, wait, Sadowski... uncle Pucetas is comin' for you.
by Sammy Danger on Jul 1, 2009 2:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He would probably wonder why you’re shouting, “COLON UPPERCASE D UPPERCASE D UPPERCASE D UPPERCASE D!”
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would probably ask him to scoot into the corner as his belly would be suffocating me and I couldn’t breath.
And by belly I mean awesomeness. And by suffocating, I mean from awesomeness.
by Uribe nee Gonzalez on Jul 1, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no charge for awesomeness… or attractiveness.
by paboperfecto on Jul 1, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was so deadly, in fact, that his enemies would go blind from over-exposure to pure awesomeness!
by paboperfecto on Jul 1, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you quoting the KFP the movie?
by Uribe nee Gonzalez on Jul 1, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes he is.
Judgment Day is coming
comics | art | Nattowear
by Natto on Jul 1, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought so… Yeah, it fits.
by Uribe nee Gonzalez on Jul 1, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
dude
can I call you “Fat Ichiro”?
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 Jul 1, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing. So I could be cool you know.
But in my mind I’d be screaming OMFG IT"S PABLO FREAKING SANDOVAL!!!! DUDE YOU ARE SO AWESOME> CAN I SHAKE YOUR HAND> WOULD YOU SIGN THIS HAT FOR ME !!!
My adopted son Matt Downs . Ranked as the 24th best prospect in the Giants farm system by Baseball America !!
by nvsfg on Jul 1, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even though he’s a kid half my age, I’d be all Chris Farley with him.
“Hey Pablo…remember that time, you hit that home run to win the game? That was awesome. And remember that time you went behind the bag to get to the ball then went into the air to make a throw home to nail the runner? That was awesome.”
My adopted Giant: "Raptor Jesus" Guzman
by Goofus on Jul 1, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on Jul 1, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Sup bro”
Now look at me. I'm wet nurse to a last-place, dead-to-the-neck-up ball club, and I'm choking to death!
by zodiac_chiller on Jul 1, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True story...
Since we’re on the topic of “What would you say to one of your heroes if you encountered him in person?”…
I was at Spring Training in Scottsdale 3-4 years ago. It’s late afternoon, after the game, and I’m wandering around a Costco with my kids. I look over—past the t-shirts, socks and underwear—and there’s Chili Davis, walking along, next aisle over, talking on his cell phone. I turn back to my sons and try to catch their attention, “Hey, guys! Check it out! Chili Davis!” Unfortunately, my young sons were absorbed in looking over the latest computer games or something, and didn’t hear me. Chili Davis did hear me, though. He looks over at me for a second, and I can see him saying something to the effect of, “Let me call you back” to whoever he’s talking to on the phone. He finishes his phone call, walks up to me, and says, “Do I know you from somewhere?”
Now, I’d just like to pause for a second, and ask you to imagine yourself in this situation. What would you say to Chili Davis if he walked up to you in the middle of a Costco, right next to the t-shirts and underwear, and asked you if he knew you from somewhere?
As for my response, for some unknown reason, it seemed like a good idea at that moment to say, “What, you don’t remember me? We played ball together at Single-A Fresno!!”.
A look of confusion passed over Chili’s face for a moment…
It was a look that said: “There were so many guys, it’s hard to remember them all. But this guy doesn’t look familiar at all.”
It was a look that said, “Look at this guy—must’ve been a pitcher”.
It was a look that said, “Would a real baseball player say, ‘We played ball together’?”
He started to say something, but I was embarassed now, and sheepishly interrupted to say, “Nahh, I’m just kidding… I’m sorry, I’m just a Giants fan here for Spring Training.” The look of confusion on Chili’s face remained unchanged. I think he said something like, “Oh, well you looked familiar”, or something like that. I think I said something like, “-really loved your years with the Giants”. Then I went on my way, and he went on his—I remember him making a point to make sure that his way was the opposite direction of whatever way I was going.
Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher??
by tobias on Jul 1, 2009 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a great story. Right up there with your Robb Nen story. Even better — creeping out Chili Davis FTW!
"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK
by Josh from Hollywood on Jul 1, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dodgers win 1-0
Rockies had 9 base runners and no runs to show for it.
At least we gained half a game on them.
by superk1ng on Jul 1, 2009 2:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bowker? Ishikawa!
“Even after his horrific second half last year and his defensive foibles, John Bowker probably pushes Minor out. "
Career:
Bowker: .255/.300/.408/.708, 10 HR in 326 AB, 33 AB/HR, 153 ISO, 83 OPS+
Minor: .232/.338/.400/.738, 13 HR in 285 AB, 22 AB/HR, 168 ISO, 96 OPS+
Ishikawa:.267/.328/.426/.754, 8 HR in 270 AB, 34 AB/HR, 159 ISO, 96 OPS+
And that doesn’t even account for Minor and Ishikawa’s defensive superiority over Bowker, Ishikawa in particular.
Bowker’s AAA this season doesn’t even match up with Ishikawa, particularly when one realizes that his BABIP is an outlandish .393, roughly 50 points higher than he’s ever reached before:
B. AAA: .359/.460/.637/1.097, 16 HR in 259 AB, 16 AB/HR, 278 ISO, .393 BABIP
I. AAA: .310/.370/.737/1.107, 16 HR in 171 AB, 12 AB/HR, 427 ISO, .311 BABIP
Not that it’s something to be cheered about, but Ishikawa is clearly the best 1B, thus far, since the Matt Williams era.
Also, I would put Aurilia above Clayton, but I guess it depends on how you define developed. But when we got Aurilia, he was a failed prospect at the AA level, after two good season in the lower minors.
Lastly, I would end with this: this goes to show what I’ve been trying to say from the results of my draft study 5-6 years ago, that unless you get a number of Top 10 overall draft picks, and ideally a number of Top 5 overall draft picks (or pay the equivalent for international free agents), you are going to look pretty stupid in selecting prospects in the draft. Add in the Giants concentration of their first round draft picks on pitching, and you got the position prospect list you compiled and the drought that has lasted until today.
Adoptive parental unit of Ehire Adrianza.
Godfather of Travis Ishikawa.
"I'm really proud to be on this team." - Nate Schierholtz
"Woo hoo" - Tim "The Kid" Lincecum
"Let's go get them in 2009!" - The Kid
"He got his pitch; he did not miss it" - Cainer
"Kung Fu Panda don't get hurt" - Cainer
by obsessivegiantscompulsive on Jul 1, 2009 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup.
As I said above, I’m surprised by Minor’s power. I totally forgot about that.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Jul 1, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Too bad
he couldn’t hit a curveball.
by AmorVincitOmnia on Jul 1, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/M/Damon-Minor.shtml
Check out those college stats! Especially the batting averages.
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 1, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are there a lot of Top 5 picks on the Giants that I don’t know about?
I know that one guy who was drafted Top 10 (Tom something, I think), but were there others?
How does any of this go to show that you need Top 10 picks to compete?
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you dense? The data clearly show that it was literally impossible for the Giants to produce decent hitters.
by Evan on Jul 1, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He’s Finger-lingling Good! (who gets the reference?)
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 1, 2009 3:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Number 23?
Fan of the Kung-Fu Pandaval, even at the hot corner
by jordanovich on Jul 1, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nevermind, I looked it up
and I’m embarrassed to say that I saw that movie, what a piece of crap
Fan of the Kung-Fu Pandaval, even at the hot corner
by jordanovich on Jul 1, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not a movie
Merkin Valdez? Manuel Mateo? A rose by any other name...
by rotorueter on Jul 1, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was talking about The Number 23
Fan of the Kung-Fu Pandaval, even at the hot corner
by jordanovich on Jul 1, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Simpsons episode where Lisa was treesitting and the tree fell down and it went through a panda restaurant and Homer said “But it was finger-lingling good!”
GROUGTHINK ALERT
by groug on Jul 1, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kentucky Fried Panda
Randy Winn is in time out until his OBP gets back over .330.
by oldjacket on Jul 2, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on McCovey Chronicles
Related FanShots on McCovey Chronicles
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Spring Snapshot: Cubs deal with slimmer expectations in 2010
- Smoltz to join TBS broadcasts if nobody calls for him to pitch
- Who will be the brightest offensive star in the Orioles' universe?
- Runaway Pujols-for-Howard rumor rankles involved parties
- Desert Drive: A delicious introduction to the Cactus League
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
