Nate Schierholtz, Starter?
by Grant Brisbee on May 23, 2011 1:30 PM PDT
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PrintThere was a time when Nate Schierholtz was a prospect. In 2007, he hit .333/.365/.560 as a 23-year-old in AAA. Horrific walk rate, sure, but it was a high average with some good punch. With Randy Winn enjoying a fine season, though, Schierholtz didn’t get a lot of time. Dave Roberts had a miserable year, but what were the Giants supposed to do, put Winn in center, where he had only played 5600 innings in his career? Seemed like a risk, so Schierholtz was buried.
In 2008, the Giants started the Aaron Rowand Epoch, which will outlast us all. That shifted Winn to right, and because Schierholtz can’t play left or center for some reason -- 1712 innings in the majors, all in right field -- Nate didn’t get more than a September call-up. He got more at-bats in 2009 as an injury replacement, and he was presumed to be the starter heading into 2010.
Then John Bowker had three hot weeks in March. That meant Schierholtz was on the bench until Bowker had a bad week in April. Who could have seen it coming? So then Schierholtz was starter until he had a bad two weeks in May, at which point Pat Burrell came over, and the Giants won the World Series. Every organization has one of these stories every season, I’m sure.
Point is, I’ve operated as if this is a world in which Nate Schierholtz is a known quantity. Wind him up, and he’ll roll balls over to second base and throw dudes out from the outfield. This will go on for the next ten years or so. But this is also a world in which Andres Torres and Ryan Vogelong are doing things as 30-year-olds that no one expected. It’s not silly to dream about a sudden developmental leap when it comes to a Giants player, and Nate Schierholtz actually has a little bit of a minor-league pedigree. Maybe, just maybe ...
Not saying it’s going to happen -- just saying that a) it’s likelier than Torres ever was, and b) it would be super, super cool if Schierholtz turned into a productive starter. And is there a historical comparison, a guy who kind of shuffled around between AAA and the majors until breaking out in his mid-to-late 20s?
Dammit. Wait, don’t leave! What Rowand represented before the 60/$120B deal was a player who had:
- plus defense
- poor plate discipline that was partially negated by...
- average power
- above-average speed
- a couple of sweet fluke seasons
It will be a while before you can call Schierholtz’s power even average, so there’s a ways to go there, but he could make up for that with a higher batting average. Where Rowand was hitting 15 homers and hitting .260 with a .320 on-base percentage, maybe Schierholtz could hit 10 homers with a .290 average and a .330 on-base percentage. Maybe Schierholtz can turn into the guy the Giants thought Rowand would be.
/weakly grounds out to second
Yeah, this is a lot of pie in the sky talk right now. Schierholtz is a good fourth outfielder right now, and it’s likely that’s all he’ll ever be. But while I’m not ready to say he should start over Pat Burrell just yet, I’m liking it more and more when he does. Ross/Torres/Schierholtz is a totally rad outfield alignment defensively. Totally rad. And it’s easier to take if Schierholtz is hitting just a little bit.
And now, your moment of zen:
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Nate's arm
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
One of these days I am expecting Nate to run into the brick wall, causing the skin on his arm to tear and reveal the robotic arm beneath….
Monday Monkey lives for the weekend, sir.
I'll just drop this here
If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious shit!
-Doc Brown, Zito fan
by jordanovich on May 23, 2011 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 22 recs
Nate's Arm.
It deserves capitalization.
I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write
"I ain't having it" - Buster Posey, hosing folks down
So little arm-load in Nate’s throw—he gets it and it’s gone.
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
Nate’s arm
Might be better than his Ab’s.
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
These things are probably related.
If you watch that throw from Friday, he really uses the abs to get the ball down and straight to the target.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
down and straight to the target.
Hawt
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
He ain't havin' it either
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
Nathan John Schierholtz
I still really want to believe in that AAA slash line.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
LOL the 1st gif!
Proud parent of SD-born Shane Loux.
If Cain is with us, who can be against us? - atxgiantsfan
It took me a long time to find where the ball went.
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
I find it impressive that he threw the ball such that when it hit the ground, it just died there.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
I think it went as high as it went far.
Proud parent of SD-born Shane Loux.
If Cain is with us, who can be against us? - atxgiantsfan
it looked like a throw I’d make
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
If you had one of those tennis ball guns and it was all souped up.
I still believe in Santa Clause and Bowkermania!
Proud adoptive parent of Brett Bochy, he's my boy now Bruce!
by Giant Torture on May 23, 2011 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Even a shotput bounces more than that.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
It’s called a “shot.” You “put” it.
As someone reminded us all recently.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 23, 2011 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s a very understated way of describing what one does with it.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Right you are.
“Lauch” would be closer . . . but “put” is what they settled on at one point. Back then.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 23, 2011 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I will have a sad in July
when Nate Schierholtz is DFA’d to make room for Belt =/
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
With all the dead weight on the roster right now, I can’t imagine that happening.
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
…said Wilpon when asked about the Mets’ playoff chances.
Proud parent of SD-born Shane Loux.
If Cain is with us, who can be against us? - atxgiantsfan
There's no way that is going to happen
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Why is it when Rowand suddenly hits well for a week or two, it’s Rowcasing but when Nate does it, it’s “can we keep him, please, can we, please?” Oh, right, the salary.
And Nate’s Arm™.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
it’s an important consideration.
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
TOE THE RUBBER
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
They could just send VROOOOOOMMM down.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Won't happen
There are times I thought it would. But not now. He has been too valuable so far this year. Nate has had a big problem staying healthy – which hasn’t helped. He has put himself back into the mix. This will be interesting to follow.
no way he get’s DFA’d. He is probably pretty valuable trade bait, TBH.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of Nate Shierholtz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUQypGrJCr4&feature=player_embedded
You follow me, I'll follow you
http://ayeyooojerm.tumblr.com/
SF GIants Baseball 2011 = Torture Pt. 2
by ayeyoJERM on May 23, 2011 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
Great...but it's no Fucking Rudy Gay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK7lIjFsGvg
Oh, Canadians.
by InTimmyWeTrust on May 23, 2011 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions
LMFAO AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
You follow me, I'll follow you
http://ayeyooojerm.tumblr.com/
SF GIants Baseball 2011 = Torture Pt. 2
*Schierholtz
You follow me, I'll follow you
http://ayeyooojerm.tumblr.com/
SF GIants Baseball 2011 = Torture Pt. 2
OT
Don’t read Bruce Jenkins’ latest column.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
you read Bruce Jenkins?
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Whew. That was a close one. Thanks.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
3. Darren Ford. The Giants wouldn’t think of removing that late-inning speed from the roster.
4. Manny Burriss. The only backup infielder, and gaining credibility by the day.
credibility?
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
I liked this part, though:
Nate Schierholz. Should be a Giant for life. Seriously. Whether he’s on the bench, starting, whatever, his defense and occasional clutch hitting are invaluable.
Giants Baseball: Why Not?
"Things I never thought I'd see #47783: Schwarzenegger applauding Ryan Rohlinger" -- Your mother, Nov. 3, 2010.
LOL spelling
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
Ha, I didn’t even notice that, but that’s how it’s spelled in Jenkins’ blog.
Giants Baseball: Why Not?
"Things I never thought I'd see #47783: Schwarzenegger applauding Ryan Rohlinger" -- Your mother, Nov. 3, 2010.
Jenkins is afflicted by the same weird virus Mat Latos has.
by GuyWhiteyCorngood on May 23, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I just finally ended my World Series celebration bender.
Giants Baseball: Why Not?
"Things I never thought I'd see #47783: Schwarzenegger applauding Ryan Rohlinger" -- Your mother, Nov. 3, 2010.
Fell onto the wagon!
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I asked this yesterday
Is Burriss the next Velez in the eyes of Bochy? The guy who kind of sorta play a bunch of different positions but sucks at them all.
I was confused as hell to see him pinch run for Burrell, then play LF. I thought that was Ford’s job.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I’m still convinced he’s Bochy’s pet project like Velez and that’s why he was called up over Rohlinger.
He was also hitting a lot more than Rohlinger at AAA.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
It may have been a fluke
but his play yesterday was pretty sweet. That throw alone was worth leaving Rohlinger down. Why does everyone like Rohlinger around here? He’s not special, from what I’ve seen.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Much less VROOOOOOOM!
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya
Rohlinger has the better glove at 3B
but Burriss has vrooom and, apparently, versatility. I don’t think there’s a huge difference in special-ness so if one of them is clearly outhitting the other at AAA I think thats probably what should decide who comes up as the utility infielder.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Disagree
Burriss is more versatile and he can run. Rohlinger has shown nothing.
He’s pretty dreamy
"He knocks a stake through the heart of the Cardinals! The Cardinals are dead! The Giants are going to the World Series!!!" -Jon Miller
It's Posey time!!
My Adopted Giant: Heath Hembree
I think they were saving Ford for a more important situation. Burriss was inserted with 2 outs in the 7th; he’s still fast enough to swipe a bag and maybe make something happen, but still left our best weapon available off the bench.
Also, by putting in Burriss to run and play left field you are theoretically improving the defense while leaving flexibility. The fact that it was Burriss in left field and not Ford is what made it possible for Nate to PH in the 8th and give Bochy his choice of burning either Burriss or Freddy (or I suppose Fontenot, but ick). If you insert Ford in that situation, you limit your options.
Burriss was probably the right choice in that spot.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I’m confused to why Nate couldn’t pinch hit if Ford was already on the field.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
He could, you’d just have to pull Ford entirely and put in Nate if you want to double-switch. With Burriss, you don’t lose a ton of speed, he probably has a better bat overall if he stays in, and it broadens your options for a double switch (LF, RF, 2B, SS). Plus, you still have Ford available for a situation where there’s a higher run expectancy than a runner on first and two outs.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Alright, that makes sense.
Is it a given that Ford > Manny on the bases?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Burriss is 25 for 35 in his major league career, which I’d call a pretty damn good success rate; Ford is probably the best runner in the league, but that fact, coupled with the fact that he can’t really hit worth a lick, really puts everyone on high alert.
Bochy’s probably right that Ford is the only person in the bigs who can score on that walk-off yesterday, and so I give him the edge on that fact. But my impression of Burriss is that he’s a smarter base-stealer, and still quite fast.
If Ford gets more experience and can really start forcing some errors from the pitchers and fielders, I think that would put him into the stratosphere.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
It’s around over 72%, with some room for fluctuation. The better stealers in the league (non-Bourn division) are top out around 80%. For a guy whose had very little exposure to major league – less than a season’s worth of at-bats spread out over four seasons – 72% is pretty good.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I agree that at bats spread out hurt offensive numbers, I just don’t really see why they’d affect base stealing numbers.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
When you have no idea who the fuck you’re stealing off of or what their move looks like, it makes it harder to swipe a bag.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
But even if he played all year, he’s not going to be stealing off the same pitcher more than once or twice. That part is all on the scouting department anyways.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Being told what a guy’s move and seeing a guy’s move are not equivalent is. More exposure to major league pitching can only make you better in that respect, even if it’s only watching from the dugout. And given that half of the games in a given season are played in-division, some pitchers you will see quite a few times.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I don’t think 71.4% is bad (it’s average as owl says), I just can’t see it being pretty damn good.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I also feel like a better argument might be that it’s more difficult to steal if you pinch ran, compared to getting on for your own, but I don’t know of stats to back that up.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
It’s an intuitive theory; going in as a pinch runner is like having a license plate that says “SB4LYFE”. Yes, a great base stealer should be able to succeed in spite of that, but it does seem like it would be a disadvantage.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
It also also a fairly small sample. His minor league total is 139-181 in his career, or a shade under 77%.
And let’s also remember that while his major league numbers are at right at the league mean, there could well be a self-selection bias. The elite stealers probably push the average higher than the median, as they are making up a disproportionate amount of the steal attempts. He can still be an above-average base-stealer even if his career success average sits at the mean.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
That’s a good point about mean/median. Isn’t the cutoff for a basestealer being beneficial to the team around 71% too?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
That does not follow.
In fact, the harder it is to score runs, the sillier it is to pursue small-ball tactics, which further reduce scoring.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Disagree, the math is pretty clear when you run it
The cost of an out is lower in a low scoring environment. The poorer the offence, the less important it is to worry about stopping a potential big inning, and the more important it is to get that first runner home.
by sarf_london_niner on May 23, 2011 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions
so when you have fewer men on base you should have more of them thrown out?
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
Well, you are obviously phrasing it backwards
It’s not a good thing to lose baserunners, obviously. But the value of a steal is a balance between the value of the extra base vs the penalty of losing an out and a baserunner.
Think of the extremes: a kids softball game where hardly anyone gets out.
-What’s the value of stolen base? Almost none, as the runner was likely to score anywa
- What’s the penalty of an out? Huge, because hardly anyone gets out so giving one up probably costs several runs.
OTOH, consider a useless offence.
- What’s the value of a stolen base? A lot, because two consecutive hits is too much to ask for. One hit can happen.
- What’s the cost of an out? Very little, because the runner was unlikely to score anyway, and the chance of the hitter scoring were even lower.
If you run the math it’s pretty clear.
by sarf_london_niner on May 23, 2011 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Have you some numbers to show?
“Run-expectancy” data, if that’s what was referenced, bother me because they assume a good deal about “average” conditions.
Meanwhile, the narratives above also seem problematic. Lots of things can move runners along without being hits.
I also feel the narratives in effect greatly exaggerate the differences; MLB ballplayers do not have averages that vary from .037 to .891—they are in a fairly narrow range, even from very good to very bad. Many baseball “formulas” work because they assume a linearity that works well within the remarkably narrow range over which most baseball stats actually vary.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
but run expectancy data back you up, not him
Three eras: 1950-68, 1969-1992, 1993-2010.
Needed success rates: 81.0%, 81.4%, 80.1%.
run the math?
OK, let’s.
Let a and b be run expectancies advancing one base and being thrown out. So your success rate x where you expect going to equal not going is where x * a == (1 – x) * b —> x == b / (b + a)
What happens to x when you divide a and b by a constant?
(1) Just to be clear, it’s the change in run expectancy that matters, not the run expectancy itself ( I assume that’s what you meant, but it’s worth clearing up for anybody else).
(2) If you divide by a constant, you get no change at all, which agrees with neither my position nor Owlcroft’s. But why would you divide by a constant? You are assuming that run expectancies for each basestate are in fixed ratios; they aren’t. If you improve hitting, then bases empty 2 outs improves at a much, much higher ratio than runners on 2nd and 3rd, no outs.
(3) So yes, let’s run the math. Using the markov chain tool produced by Tom Tango, I compared a team full of Buster Poseys (oh my) to a team full of Madison Bumgarners (based on 2010 stats). The basestates it spits out are as follows:
The implied breakeven basestealing percentage for a runner on first, no outs is 83% for Team Posey, and 59% for Team Bumgarner.
Obviously, this is a cartoon approach, but it does demonstrate the opposite of what Owlcroft claimed: i.e. it shows that as hitter quality decreases, the benefits of small-ball increase. And while you’ll never get an entire lineup of Bumgarners, you can easily get 3 or 4 really bad hitters in a row at the bottom of the lineup – when those guys are due up, for that one inning you are closer to Team Bumgarner than Team Posey, and you do get a substantial reduction in the basestealing breakeven point.
(4) As an aside, note how each basestates does NOT move in a linear fashion. Generally, the more outs and the fewer baserunners you have, the higher the rate of change.
(5) Worth pointing out that Tango’s estimates for runner advances are not accurate, but that we are demonstrating the principle – this holds no matter what figures you use.
by sarf_london_niner on May 24, 2011 1:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Nice work
I actually came to post this little bit I found from the The Book blog on the issue
The drop from 5.0 to 4.5 runs per game between the time The Book was published and now is a legitimate question. This will have some effect on the breakeven points.
As an example, the "average" SB breakeven point will drop from say 69% to 67%.
So on a drop from 5rpg to 4.5 Tango himself says that the break even point drops 2%. So if the Giants are scoring 3.5-4rpg, the breakeven point should be even lower than 67%
by GuyWhiteyCorngood on May 24, 2011 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
hmm, something went wrong
The drop from 5.0 to 4.5 runs per game between the time The Book was published and now is a legitimate question. This will have some effect on the breakeven points.
As an example, the "average" SB breakeven point will drop from say 69% to 67%.
by GuyWhiteyCorngood on May 24, 2011 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions
BP posted a piece a couple of weeks ago indicating that the going rate was in the 63-64% neighborhood at the Giants’ current level of offensive futility.
But bear in mind Sarf’s comment up above (or is it below? I’ve lost track) — the overall level of team run-scoring is less important than the abilities of the particular batters coming up. Thus, having Darren Ford try to steal when he comes in for Burrell is almost always a good tactical move, while having Andres Torres try to steal with Posey and Sandoval due up in the inning probably isn’t, even if Torres is the better base stealer.
I would not apply a value judgment here; if you are a good stealer, raising your run expectancy is a good thing, and there are very few times that Torres will not be stealing in front of Posey, Sandoval, et al. Plus, contextually speaking, a Torres on second means that Sanchez is much like likely to give away a free out with a bunt anyway. Given that Torres is 35-43 in his career as a Giant, or over 80%, it’s a pretty appealing risk to take as steals in front of good hitters go when looking at risk/reward.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Applying a value judgment is exactly what you have to do, because you need to know whether you really are raising your run expectancy. If Torres is indeed an 81% base stealer, then you’re right, sending him is probably a smart move—Posey and Sandoval are good, but they’re not that good. If you regress him a bit back toward average fast-guy stolen base rates (because 43 attempts is a pretty small sample), then keeping him at first looks like a better bet.
Either way it’s close, though, and pitchers, catchers, and game situations should be the principal factors under consideration.
Value judgments are inflexible; as you say, game situations and context (running on Wakefield-Martinez is a smarter idea than Chapman-Pudge, obviously) should be the primary determining factors. Once we’re looking above the break-even point, we can safely dispense with “good and bad,” and instead gauge risk and reward. That’s mostly what I mean to say.
I don’t necessarily advocate playing against the odds as a philosophy, but it’s worth bearing in mind that not all base-stealing opportunities are created equal, which is why I am leery of blanket statements like “so-and-so should not steal because such-and-such are good.” On the aggregate, yes, the run expectancy is lower, but you can increase that success rate and by extension your scoring expectancy by picking your spots well.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
What went wrong . . .
. . . is that you can’t have blank lines in the quotation box—you need to put a space (or some such “whitespace” character) on the “blank” line separating paragraphs.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
OK.
I will concede that small ball is less pernicious as offense gets weaker. But the example was, as stated, cartoonish. In the real world, the best DHed clubs score nearly what a hypothetical nine Poseys would score, whereas the very weakest score more than twice what nine Bumgarners would. Thus, the real average break-even point is not much different from the figures typically bandied about of 70% to 75%, and even for the weakest teams is not going to be drastically lower.
The other point is absolutes compared to percentages. If we assume a 100% success rate on the Posey team, it takes something like (if I haven’t fumbled the arithmetic in my morning-fog haste) six attempts to yield one run gained.
It looks to me as if with effects that average to such a small magnitude (no one steals at 100% and the gain even when in principle positive is thus very small), much more depends on the factors that are assumed, in constructing such tables, to be “average”. A very good base stealer combined with a poor-throwing catcher and a slow pitcher, and being far down the lineup, might make an attractive case; and, of course, vice-versa.
But what I take away from this is that base-stealing ability is not an important part of anyone’s game (though base-running speed probably is).
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I was never claiming that steals lead to a large increase in runs.
What I did claim in another post was that it can lead to a big increase in win expectancy, which it does. Being able to boost your win expectancy by 10%-15% in the close games is a very nice thing to be able to do.
I don’t disagree that most early inning stolen bases are for show, and actually a lot of “good” 75% base stealers actually hurt their team (especially when they bat 1st or 2nd in front of a top class lineup). But that’s different from saying base-stealing ability is not an important part of anyone’s game.
What’s worth noting is that it’s more difficult for a starter to utilise his speed. Torres is obviously great on base in the 9th, game tied but the only way he can get into that spot is if he gets on base. Darren Ford can get in that spot if anybody gets on base.
by sarf_london_niner on May 24, 2011 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Considering that . . .
. . . the break-even point for SB success is widely held to be about 70% (with some saying more like 75%) why is this important to anyone?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Because it’s good enough to merit consideration; he might be a better stealer in a larger sample.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I believe that Bill James once demonstrated . . .
. . . that a literally 100% success rate, at Rickey Henderson’s average annual number of attempts (which was far above today’s numbers) would add about 5 runs to the annual tream total.
Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest . . . .
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
that seems to me a little low
100% of what, 60 some odd attempts per year? Wouldn’t that be the same as converting some walks and singles to a less valuable double?
less valuable in that it cannot have the same value as a double, clearly. but still in that range.
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
More like double that, as best I recall without looking.
Rickey went a lot.
As to the reasoning, I’m not James; you could look it up (it’s in one of his annuals, I believe in one of the featurettes in the back.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I’m not a fan of the steal under most circumstances, but I am not sure a hundred twenty free bases a year is only worth six runs. Isn’t it more like thirty?
That's a neat little graph.
It expresses it very well once you take a second to puzzle it out.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
It’s color coded by number of outs, and the situation is shown on the diamond. Expectancy goes up as the chart moves to the right.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Gotcha.
Interesting how linear base runners are with no outs compared to 1 and 2 outs.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I think it illustrates well the hazard of the double play, or multiple options for a force out. Note the disconformities with 12_ and 1_3.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
That’s actually the first thing I noticed, was that stealing 3rd with no outs and a runner on first is the best time to do it (if you’re successful)
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
You mean 1st and 2nd with nobody out?
In terms of raw gains, yes. But on the other side of things, having either of the runners thrown out is one of the biggest losses you can create without putting a ball in play.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
That much is clear
But what’s the X-axis measuring?
"The two worst things in football are: 1) They think that a 30-year old professional athlete has to be locked up in a hotel room, with a curfew, the night before a qame; and 2) They're right."
- Cowboy safety Cliff Harris
mrs. nvsfg would disagree with you. She would agree that his talent makes a team better, but that Rickey’s RBR (Rickey Being Rickey) dilutes his value.
When the jrs were still wearing diapers, one of the first things she taught them was to boo Rickey anytime they heard his name.
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
Google turns up this piece, a Sports Illustrated cover story, which is not so much about Rickey as about the changes in the way stolen bases were perceived and attempted throughout baseball history. It’s interesting stuff. Happily for his reputation, though, James never gets near that six-run estimate.
One line I particularly like:
Henderson’s stolen-base exploits this year have done virtually nothing to help his team from a dismal fate. Why? Despite the attention they command, stolen bases are not, I repeat, very important. Picture a vast desert. A single tumbleweed blowing across the landscape will attract the eye because it’s the only thing moving. A runner stealing bases draws attention not because what he’s doing is important, but because he is moving.
Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest . . . .
This coming from someone who is shifting the dialogue to suit his fancy.
The debate is who, between Ford and Burriss, is a better baserunner, which in turn shifted to just how good a base-stealer is. Given that you’ve indulged the topic for four or five posts, now, this is pretty much a cop-out.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
The scene in the movie where I came in . . .
. . . was that 25/35 is a damn good success rate.
I am now going out to work in the garden for a while. Rumor has it that the Rangers are desperately seking relief help. Someone let Susan know that, please.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
The problem with this point is this (and I will grant you, the way managers manage basically makes the following point moot):
Having an ability to steal 80% of the time adds very little in terms of runs, but baserunning is one area where we don’t have to fall back on a linear relationship between runs and wins.
A sensible manager (stay with me…) can send an 75% runner in high leverage situations only, where maximising runs is not as important as maximising win expectation (e.g. 9th inning, scores tied). In these spots, your decrease your run expectation yet increase your win expectation.
by sarf_london_niner on May 23, 2011 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Interesting. Ford is a perfect test subject for this study.
"Career potential: situational lefty." Situation: Ragnarok, bases loaded, Odin at the plate. You know who's getting the call.
-Adopted Giant: Dan Runzler
On a bad offensive squad, does that raise or lower the break-even point?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Lowers. It’s hard for the team to string together the two hits necessary to score a runner from first, so getting that runner to second is a lot more valuable than it would be to a team full of sluggers.
And the loss of that runner on a CS hurts vastly more.
It is not a 100%-success move, and the successes not worth the price of failure—even at ridiculously and artificially assumed success rates (see slightly upthread).
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
If most of the attempts were made in his capacity as a pinch runner, would that explain his success rate? I mean, it virtually eliminates the advantage of a guy getting on base and then taking the pitcher by surprise.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
Interesting:
That is a rate of 71.4%. The NL-average rate in 2010 was 71.2%. Not what I’d call “a pretty damn good success rate”.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Sorry, I'm with Azmanz on that one.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
to be fair to Eugenio, Burriss both caught the ball in LF and made an outstanding throw that almost got the runner.
Velezbian could never do that
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
/goes to read
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
is it online?
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
ah here it is
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/threedotblog/detail?entry_id=89557
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
I’d rather get Rick-rolled.
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
lol Jenkins
It seems increasingly likely that Mets shortstop Jose Reyes will be dealt at season’s end, if not before the trading deadline.
Reyes is a free agent after this year, you loon.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
by GiantPain on May 23, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I find him very trying.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
by owlcroft on May 23, 2011 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
The Owl with the jab!
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
But perhaps the best quote from this particular piece by Deucin' Bruce is...
[The Dodgers’] pitching is vastly overrated, with plenty of evidence to come.
I scrolled to the bottom, thinking Brucie was going to provide some factual support. Nope! I think it’s just an out-his-ass prediction dressed up to look legitimate.
"I'm not sure what the hell charisma is, but I have the feeling it's Willie Mays." --Ted Kluszewski
by Rick Parker (Lewis) Can't Lose on May 23, 2011 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
It's a shame. Bruce is really a very nice person.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
OT:
I just burnt the roof of my mouth because my Hot Pocket was too hot.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
THE ROOF THE ROOF
THE ROOF IS ON FIRE
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Tell your mom to wait before she brings it down to the basement next time.
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
Hoooot Pooocket!
Guess who’s calling in sick to work today~!
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Now there’s a vegetarian hot pocket for those of you who don’t want to eat meat but still want diarrhea! Hooooot poooocket!
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
One of his tweets the other day
(paraphrased) So we’re having our 4th child or as it’s more commonly known, bankruptcy.
I still believe in Santa Clause and Bowkermania!
Proud adoptive parent of Brett Bochy, he's my boy now Bruce!
by Giant Torture on May 23, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions
zomg
What’s his handle?
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
It’s just JimGaffigan
I still believe in Santa Clause and Bowkermania!
Proud adoptive parent of Brett Bochy, he's my boy now Bruce!
by Giant Torture on May 24, 2011 5:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I burnt the side of my lip last week with the hot cheese from a Hot Pocket
(actually it was a lean pocket.)
It scabbed too. :(
YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
dammit
Seth Rosin can hit the side of a barn with a baseball. From space.
Giants baseball: We're stupid enough to WIN that (TM)
LOL
Jim Gaffigan is awesome.
Time to repeat in '11!
by Myemail21479 on May 23, 2011 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Defense
Defense is incredible. Ross, Torres, Shierholtz outfield has blanket converage and 3 solid bats.
Nate is like outfielder 3.75 and Burrel more like 3.25, but I like the mix. I could see him getting 40% of starts and going into games with leads (which should be 60% of what is left or so) and still getting 300 PA this year.
His bat did struggle last year, he took some ugly strikeouts. This year his AB’s have looked more in control, and he is not swinging at garbage. Yesterdays bomb and the upper deck blast in Coors also look pretty.
I love him as outfielder 4, like him as 3, but we would be crying that the team needs more bats if he was the second best hitting outfielder, well like he was last year until Burrel and Ross came in.
Time to repeat in '11!
uh
How often does that happen?
He has flashes of brilliance, flashes of being average, and most of his flashes of being below average at the plate, happened last year (that I have seen).
I am optimistic we will get more of the good things, and less of the horrible things.
Time to repeat in '11!
by Myemail21479 on May 23, 2011 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions
No its not.
The pitch was a fastball. Nate has historically had problems with the back foot slider from a righthander.
I still want to see what he can do when healthy over an extended period. He has yet to get that opportunity.
And I’m surprised we haven’t seen more back-foot sliders from opposing pitchers when Nate bats. It’s like when Geren brought in a lefty to pitch to Huff. Don’t these teams scout us anymore?
Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?
Am I wrong
But, wasn’t nate suffering from a partially separated shoulder last season, resulting from a collision with the wall?
It might have been a dive, but yes.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 25, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure that it's spelled Sheerholes
"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner
Keep an eye on my son, Jake "The Jacksonville Rifle" Dunning. From SS to the mound - exclusively toeing the rubber since March 2010.
So when Edinson Volquez comes back up
he is eligible for ROY, yeah?
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
I think winning 17 games for the Reds in 2008 probably disqualifies him.
by DodgerFanInPackerLand on May 23, 2011 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions
you would think so.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
2010 Giants: World Series Champs
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on May 23, 2011 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d like to see Buster be the first Back to Back ROY winner!
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
2010 Giants: World Series Champs
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on May 23, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I always forget to ask,
But when/how did the "Volquez, the perennial ROY favorite, … " meme start?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
he got some votes the year after his rookie season
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
sheesh
it’s high time the writers were replaced as voters with people who actually care about the sport
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
the "best fans in the world"?
/rolls eyes
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
Drinking “the best beer in the world.”
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
/pours it on Giants player
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
Interesting.
I’ve only really heard about it this year, so I thought it was something more recent than 2008.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Play time.
As most around here know, I believe firmly that play time is important for batters to be able to perform up to their innate levels; and for many men, it is more than “important”, it seems to be vital, and I’m pretty sure he’s one. Schierholtz has had few episodes of major-league time in which he was playing on a 2/3 or better basis, and some of that came while he was fairly badly injured (though that was kept a secret at the time).
Two things I think we can say about his offense: he is not likely to ever walk much (5.5% to 6% rate), and he does have power, possibly substantial power. His career PF is about 1.5, which is decent. I have argued elsewhere that I suspect that to be conservative because he was so often in “get a hit today or don’t play tomorrow mode” with this club that he probably let it fly rather less often than a man with more assured time would have. (Power is not just sheer home runs.) I can see him as a 1.65 to 1.75 guy (he’s 1.86 right now, but that is probably not fully sustainable).
It thus comes down to what sort of batting average one could expect over the long term were he playing regularly. I’m thinking (without running hard numbers, just eyeball and experience) that something like .270 makes him a viable everyday player; much over that and he’s quite a talent. Somewhat under that and he’s a strong 4th outfielder, which I reckon to be his worst-case downside.
For this team at this time, it really seems to come down to him vs Ross for role. Burrell ought to be a 4/6 days in LF for his bat, Torres a 5/6 in CF for obvious reasons, and that leaves RF. There, we (or I, anyway) see either Cody or Nate there 5/6, with the other filling in what’s left (4/6); it’s just who gets 4/6 vs who gets 5/6.
But that assumes rational player use by Bochy, which is nonsense. Most likely, he will find a way to work Rowand into the mix so that nobody at all, or maybe just Torres, gets enough play time to perform up to abilities.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
OK:
Nate is probably a pretty good player who just needs regular time. Could be at least Cody Ross, maybe nontrivially better.
Why? Read the wall of text.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Swing and a miss.
s = short
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
After I copied and pasted your post in Microsoft Word 2009 and converted the text to Times New Roman 12 point font, double spaced, I printed it out. Then toasted a bagel and read it. And yes, I follow your logic. Though like the others I had to look up ‘career PF’.
Smell tha leathaa
Things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
—Albert Einstein
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
did he say this in English? How can something be made simpler than possible?
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
By oversimplification.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
ah, but then the thing is no longer the thing
thus, not possible.
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
Resolving this would take more space than is available on MCC.
Though it would be fun.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Total Bases per hit (TB/H).
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Oh, and I forgot the wonder boys, Ford and Burriss.
They, too, will no doubt eat time that their betters should get.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Who knows?
Rational calculation seems to have very little to do with this team’s personnel use.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I think for now I’d bet on Ford being the first to go back down
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
They had that choice when DeRosa and Torres came back and Burriss and Rholinger went down.
No one here gets out alive.
Yes, and I think Bochy’s mind has been changed since then.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
De Rosa's now-long-term absence changes things.
People move one link up the chain to fill the gap.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Burriss has to be on the roster right now
They have no other viable utility infielder. When Pablo comes back, it gets interesting. My guess is they keep Burriss. He can play some outfield as well and he switch htis. Thus he has more use than Ford.
Whether he can be a serviceable util player is an open question. I do know he was just instrumental in two wins. That is a good thing, is it not?
It is better to be lucky than good.
But being good is more reliable over time.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
And time will tell if he's ok as the 25th player
we aren’t talking about your starting SS here. Just the utility guy. Personally, I’d like to see what he can do.
There's a problem there.
On a soundly constructed and used roster, three guys—the 5th outfielder, the 2nd or 3rd catcher, and the last middle infielder—are in a case marked “Break glass only in case of fire”, and should get absolutely minimal play time.
So it becomes hard to “see what he can do” without taking time away from players who really, on a seriously contending team, have to play. “See what he can do” mode is for building or rebuilding teams and the minors.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
One thing he can do without taking time away from other players
…is take over Ford’s “Designated Base Runner” role.
The thong is, it happened.
True, indeed, but . . .
. . . that doesn’t much help with seeing what he can do, other than run at such-and-such a speed.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Giants are 13-4 when Ford is on the field in some capacity
I know he is OF number 6, but his ability to be the PR and steal second at will, and score on bleeders to RF is valuable (see last night) .
It could go either way. We would all be happy if the can get rid of Rowand and make him the 5th OF.
Time to repeat in '11!
by Myemail21479 on May 23, 2011 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
YEA!
no
Well maybe. I do think having a speed threat on the bench in some capacity adds a whole new dimension, especially late in close games. Giants never, wait, I mean always play close 1-3 run games. When Pat the Bat walks late in games, down by 1, it sure feels nice to have Ford on second instead of Pat or Shierholtz on first.
Time to repeat in '11!
by Myemail21479 on May 23, 2011 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Schierholtz is actually pretty fast.
Maybe the second fastest guy on the team.
Relief! I Thank you for your Lefferts.
Too bad he’s a terrible base-stealer.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
This!
I can’t figure out if it’s poor acceleration, bad jumps or both, but he just can’t steal bases
The thong is, it happened.
13 of 24 for his career.
Brutal.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
One has to wonder . . .
. . . how many of those might be hit-and-run plays where the batter missed the ball. That can screw up anyone’s record, and 24 total attempts isn’t much.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
This occurred to me as well, and I wish I knew how to look it up, but I’ve never seen much to suggest that he would be a good one. Certainly a guy you like to have as a trailing runner, but I wouldn’t ask him to take off too often.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
He has a high top end, but it takes a couple of steps to get there.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm starting a Manny fanclub
I’m really rooting hard for him to make good.
Do I think he can? Well, let me just say this: I’m really rooting hard for him to make good.
Yes, but do I think he can? Well, let me say this also: I think he’s got a better chance than Brandon Crawford.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I also like him a lot. He always had some discipline, and it’s not ridiculous for a hitter to break out at 26.
by kingofthacove on May 23, 2011 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
In this line.
I still have hope. He hasn’t proved himself yet, but I feel like continued improvements aren’t out of the question.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
Even if it turns out that he can hit, his defense up the middle has been cover-your-eyes bad, and I doubt he’ll ever hit enough to warrant starting in left field.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Continued improvements are not limited to offensive play.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
Indeed. But it's getting late for him.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
He’s got a long way to go at his age to be even average.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
He’s also had a lot of potential play masked by injury.
I’ll give him until after next year’s All-Star break. If he’s still not up to snuff after that, I write him off as even a major league utility-man.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
To my knowledge, he hasn’t played injured all that much. Foot goes boom, Manny goes to DL. Plus, range has never been his problem. It’s hands and glove-work, which don’t seem terribly informed by his foot ailments.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
That's not what I really meant.
Potential play as in “time he could have been playing”.
Masked by injury as in “spent on the DL”.
I was trying to say that for a relatively old prospect, he hasn’t played as much as one would expect.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
That's a fair point.
My worry is we’ve never really seen anything, other than flashy plays now and again, to suggest that he is at least average. He might get better, but he’s starting to run out of time.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I don’t think it’s quite fair to say that Burriss has a long way to go for his age, because his age is not a very good indicator of his experience. He was drafted out of Kent State, which is something of a baseball power in the MAC — or, in other words, meh. All indications around the time of his signing pointed to him being very athletic but unrefined as a baseball player. So what did the Giants do? They had him skip Double A, gave him a quick look in Fresno, and then summoned him to the Majors two years after drafting him. Subtract all the time he spent on the DL with his foot problems, and you’re looking at a guy with very little minor league seasoning who has seen time in the Majors mostly as a fill-in.
Burriss’ glovework and lack of pop have been pretty tough to watch over the past couple years, but he really hasn’t had much of a chance to improve his skills. I’m in the ‘too soon to tell’ camp with him; given enough opportunities, he may well turn into a useful player. He certainly looked fantastic yesterday, and in his at-bat on Friday night. Let’s see how it goes.
"I'm not sure what the hell charisma is, but I have the feeling it's Willie Mays." --Ted Kluszewski
by Rick Parker (Lewis) Can't Lose on May 23, 2011 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Thinking that he doesn’t play good defense anywhere, I don’t know how good he can be.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Scouting reports on him when drafted were that he was an exceptional playmaker at SS with perhaps, a slightly below average arm. Then he basically had his development shortwired with hairbrained decisions and hairline fractures. The notion that what we saw out of him in 2008/09 wasn’t the finished product isn’t completely without merit.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I’d love for him to make a contribution, but he shouldn’t ever start in one of the corner OF spots. If he becomes a valuable player, it has to be an up-the-middle position. I hope Bochy doesn’t think it’s anything more.
I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby.
No worries
He will not start in a corner outfield spot unless they suddenly get an outbreak of food poisioning an no one is left.
The ball chased Manny around the field yesterday.
- He goes into left, bloop falls in front of him, then he makes an incredible throw to the plate that I didn’t expect.
- He moves to second, he’s in the middle of the huge 5-4-3 DP (/troll)
- He comes up left-handed and crushes a liner to deep center for an out.
- He comes up right-handed and delivers the gamer.
I’m cautious, but still rooting for him big time.
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
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—George Santayana
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Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
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— John F. Kennedy
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
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That’s gonna leave a mark
-Jackie Kennedy
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
We open at 9 am.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
That’s the thing about salted down possum, it’s just as good the second day. </I.
-Jed Clampett
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
Snakes…Why’d it have to be snakes?
- Indiana Jones
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
He was in the middle of a huge DP?
Was he walking funny afterward?
/troll
The thong is, it happened.
Good question.
When the decision is made that Belt is ready—and that may take longer than some hereabouts think—the obvious move is to install him in of corners, ideally 2/6 in LF and 3/6 in RF; that pushes either Ross or Schierholtz to the bench (and displaces Ford as 5th of). The question of whether it should be Ross or Schierholtz could be resolved by then if they give Nate fair play time between now and then.
Notice that all of this is problematic as long as Rowand is around. And Burriss is treated as an outfielder.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I might make this my new signature.
Giants Baseball: Why Not?
"Things I never thought I'd see #47783: Schwarzenegger applauding Ryan Rohlinger" -- Your mother, Nov. 3, 2010.
You’re either part of the solution, or Aaron Rowand.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
by Solidarity on May 23, 2011 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
When your girl asks you for the gift that lasts an lifetime and Diamond is too expensive, give her the gift that keeps on giving.
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Belt decision
will keep getting pushed back as long as we keep winning.
Rowand is the problem to keeping all of the tools we want in the toolbox.
It’s really getting to the point that they’re just going to have to eat that Rowand contract. There’s really no way to justify giving him playing time over any of Torres, Burrell, Ross, or Schierholtz, and as a 5th OF Ford seems more useful.
True. But . . .
. . .it has been true, and obvious, for a long time, yet nothing has happened. If the past indeed predicts the future, just grit your teeth.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I don’t think it’s been “obvious” for that long. At the start of the season I would have said Rowand and Schierholtz are probably about equally valuable. That’s now obviously wrong, but Nate has been rather better than I expected and Rowand has managed to underperform my modest expectations for him.
How long?
Until recently, Rowand has deserved the 4th OF role most of the time.
Going back to last season, you picked up Burrell and Ross, but Nate was hurt and Torres had the appendectomy. This season, both Torres and Ross were on the DL.
Only with the emergence of Nate looking legit, has Rowand really been pushed back to 5th OF.
The thong is, it happened.
Flip Ross and Burrell
Ross is a significantly better baseball player.
why?
He plays better defense, but Burrell has been a significantly better hitter. I don’t have any problem with Burrell getting more starts and being replaced in the 6th/7th/8th inning.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
I'm not arguing the Burrell hitting thing anymore.
Had enough of that. Ross is a much better outfielder and he can run. Hitting wise, AT THIS STAGE OF THEIR CAREERS, there may not be much difference. Burrell was a better hitter. But Ross is 30 and Burrell is 34. Not sure how much Pat has left. Not giving up on him by any means. But overall I’d take Ross.
Please, no.
Rotate the four around for play time, but please no substitutions. The rotation is to give men rest days; playing 1/3 of a game is not a rest. Use your 5th outfielder, and you severely lower your offense.
Offense is substantially more important than defense. If the game is close, you don’t swap our offense for defense, because you will probably need that offense. If the game isn’t close, why bother?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
You’re against late inning defensive replacements? Even when they come almost immediately after Burrell has his 3rd or 4th PA? I don’t get that.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Again:
If the game is close, you have a good chance of needing the offense later; close games can end up getting tied and going extra innings, and if you have significantly reduced your offensive capability, you have reduced your chances of winning in extra innings (or even very late regular innings). Offense is more important than defense. If you put in your 5th outfielder, you are materially reducing your offense (or he wouldn’t be the 5th); if you use your 4th, you are eliminating his day off (and probably to no material gain).
If the game is not close, why put in a replacement?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I agree that offense is more valuable, thats why I’d start the better hitter and get him at least 3 plate appearances to begin with. But, if you remove Burrell in the 7th inning of a home game or the 8th inning of an away game after he or the player after him makes an out there’s a pretty good chance he won’t get another plate appearance and in that situation I think defense becomes far more valuable in a close game.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
That's where we differ:
There’s a pretty good chance he won’t get another plate appearance . . . .
If the game is close, there’s a fairly good chance he may get another plate appearance, and maybe several, because a tie, or even a small lead by the opposition, is reasonably likely.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
fair enough
but here’s an expanded version of my thinking; While I agree with you that Burrell should get the bulk of the LF playing time at least until Belt comes up because his bat has been significantly better historically, I do think those who disagree do make a good point that the gap between them offensively is probably narrowing and the defensive gap widening as Burrell enters his mid 30s. When the game begins the score is tied and there are probably at least 4 plate appearances left for the the leftfielder I think you get the best bat in those plate appearances as often as possible. But I think once you take a lead the gap between Burrell’s ability to help the team win the game and Ross/Schierholtz’s ability to win the game narrows even more. If you get to a point where there’s a pretty good chance Burrell won’t hit again or will only hit once more and there are 3 defensive innings to be played with a small lead I think it pushes the advantage over to Ross/Schierholtz. Of course I’d agree with you that the chance of another one or more late/extra inning plate appearances is more valuable if our LF was Ryan Braun or the offensive gap between Burrell and Ross/Nate was bigger.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Generally I’m dead-set against defensive replacements for the reasons owlcroft outlines, but the Burrell/Schierholtz has been remarkably effective. Burrell has stayed fresh, Nate has gotten a little extra playing time, and Bochy has leveraged the timing of the offense/defense switch so as to get a cumulative slight advantage.
Nate is a good 4th outfielder
Occasionally we get a little overenthused when he hits a game-tying homer or throws out a baserunner with an Ichiro-like throw… but he eventually goes back to being Nate Schierholtz and we realize our folly.
The problem is that we don’t have a REAL 3rd outfielder to put with Torres and CFRoss, so we take the sporadic Nate-love and try to make him something he isn’t.
/backfootsliderinthedirtforstrikethree
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya
I think Ross IS the 3rd OF to go with Burrell and Torres, but I think Nate should either be pushing or have already pushed Ross from 3rd OF role to 4th OF. I think owlcroft’s above plan in which all 4 of Burrell, Torres, Nate and Ross play at least 4/6 games is excellent and absolutely a rough sketch of how playing time should be divided up until Belt is called up.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Not sure where the Burrell love is coming from
Statistically, CFRoss is comparable as a hitter and is considerably better in the field than PTB.
A Nate/PTB platoon would be the optimal solution with Andres in CF and Cody flipping between LF/RF
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya
how is he a statistically comparable hitter? Based only on this season?
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Of course. SSS Rulez!
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I was told there would be no math....
Last two years:
PTB .745 OPS (approx) over around 780 AB
Ross .765 OPS (approx) over around 1100 AB
If you go before 2009, well, Tejada was effective back then…..
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya
As I have said many times here . . .
. . . OPS is not a very good measure; it’s just a lot better than what was common before it.
On a career basis, Burrell is almost 20% more productive on offense than Ross (18.6% to be exact, which is a large margin as these things go). Neither man’s recent few years suggests that the career values are not good guides to probable current ability.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
208-11 wRC+ only gives Burrell a 7% lead
Ross has played in pitchers parks a lot. Over the last three years and including this one, Ross is at 103, Burrell 110.
And of course, a much, much better defender.
by kingofthacove on May 23, 2011 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Oops, just realized that was already acknowledged above
by kingofthacove on May 23, 2011 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Any merit figure . . .
. . . that factors in defense is highly suspect. Defense has significance, but I do not believe that any current metric can plausibly be said to decently capture its value. The best approach is to note the offense differences, which can be calculated to a nicety, and make some mental adjustment for defense.
Nine Pat Burrells batting score 970 runs in a season; nine Cody Rosses score 818. The difference is 152 runs, or 15 games’ worth. If—as a broad-brush approximation—we scale back by a factor of 10, since there is only one of each to be had, we see a 15 run difference; I really, really do not believe that Cody Ross in LF four days of six day saves 15 runs over Pat Burrell there four days of six, or anything close to that many. YMMV.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Do you really need "Metrics"
to determine that Ross is a significantly better outfielder than Burrell? As for not factoring in defense, you have to be kidding? When you play 3-2 games over and over and over again, defense is damn important.
Just look at the Rockies series. Then compare it to the last two series. They lost in Colorado largely due to poor defense – from the pitchers.
Nate saved Thursday. Friday the A’s commit a key error in the first leading to a run, the Giants get a huge play from Sanchez that saves the game and of course Nate makes his throw and the nice running catch.
Defense is critical for this team. becuase they simply dont’ have the margin for error that a team that scores a bunch of runs has.
You're ignoring the point
Yes, Burrell might be worse at defense, but is he 15 runs worse? He’s not. Defense is critical for this team, but so is offense. You’re not going to be in one-run games if you can’t even get one run in.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on May 23, 2011 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I think at this point in Burrell’s career, you wouldn’t be crazy to bet that he’s not 15 runs better any more.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
See above for the 2008-11 view per wRC+. Burrell for career certainly is, but Burrell right now probably is not, unless you pretend that neither his steady decline off peak nor his bad hitting in Tampa happened.
Why are people ignoring the fact that PTB is 34 and clearly in decline?
Hey, BARRY BONDS has a 165 OPS+, maybe we should get him now!
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya
That is in fact something that has been said unironically.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
What is "clear" about it?
He is not at all far off a simple projection from his career stats, and would likely be closer yet were he not being jerked in and out of the lineup based, apparently, on horoscopes.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
You’re not going to be in one-run games if you can’t even get one run in
You will if you only give up one.
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
You can never win without scoring at least one.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I think that was his point, but he said it wrong.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
OPS+ last two years
PTB 116
Ross 95
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Burrell walks a lot
and people here are really big on walks and OPS.
FTFY
Burrellwalksproduces runs a lot
and people here are really big onwalks and OPSscoring runs
(Note: if he stops hitting HR and walking, then, sure, he’s not productive. But I’m not sure he’s at that stage of his career yet)
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
Burrell Watch
.233/.341/.414, 17 BB, 39K
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I’ll start using this as the last word in any argument.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
It’s rare to see someone’s wRC+ match their age.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Sounds like we may have one of those things people like to call
A “good problem”.
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I'M A GIRL
Um, but . . .
. . . it lends itself to so many bad solutions. And Bruce Bochy is the manager. Be afraid; be very afraid.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
And Rowand is a member of the team.
><
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
So are the causes that generate it.
Or are you from the “TGWTWS so Bochy is a genius” camp?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
No I'm from the
its nice to win a World Series and be leading the league by 3 1/2 camp.
Your honor, the witness is not being responsive.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Let me respond directly
1. I have been frustrated at his overuse of veterans.
2. I agree with folks who says he has given younger players the short stick at times.
3. I think he’s a terrific “non game day” manager. Playres consistently talk about his levelheadness etc and they obviously like to play for him.
4. I think he’s good with his pitching staff.
5. I think he does a good job keeping everyone ready to play.
6. I don’t like his Laizze faire offensive philosophy – I’d atart more runners etc.
7. When all is said and done, I think he’s a pretty damn good manager. i question many of his decisions – but I’d do that with anyone. As would all of us.
Fair enough.
But I disagree with #4 and #5. And I don’t think that #3 really matters much to the bottom line.
As I have said not a few times, I thnk he’s a great guy as a person; it’s just that he utterly lacks understanding of how run scoring works, and thus of which players can best contribute to it, and so makes mistake after mistake in player use (and game tactics, though those are probably less hurtful).
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I think 3 matters
a lot. You lose the respect of your team and you are dead.
I don’t care about his being a nice guy. And since I’m not completely on board with all the mathematical analysis that are used here I’ll just stay away from that one.Personally, I think he’s had a lot oaverage to choose from on players at many positions. And he’s done a decent job juggling them. Bowker was a big favorite here. He;s out of Pitt already. Lewis – don’t get me started on antoher 1000 post thread. He’s the greatest thing since sliced bread. They haven’t had that much to work with.
Still, that doesn't excuse his actions
like sending Affeldt and Runzler up before Romo.
And for 3, honestly, it’s pretty easy to be levelheaded in a “non game day” situation. It’s really not that important.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on May 23, 2011 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions
regardless of the micro stuff
Bochy’s teams – Giants and Padres – have historically overperformed.
Someone wrote a book on it.
Best thing about Bochy – doesn’t bunt much.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
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PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
Overperformed what?
Figured by whom, in what ways?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I beleive by expected team wins
hell read the book yourself.
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/book-2.php?id=978-0-7864-3920-1
By Chris Jaffe of hardball times.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
here's a review
http://friarforecast.com/2009/12/12/chris-jaffe-bruce-bochy-is-a-quality-manager/
This doesn’t include 2010, probably not 2009 with the Giants either.
I think we can safely say that the 2010 Giants “overperformed”. My sense is that the 09 and even 08 squads actually won more games relative to their talent (not talking about pythag or anything here, I don’t really credit managers for that).
I doubt that this would show up tactically.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
more comments from the author
http://www.evaluatingbaseballsmanagers.com/2009/11/frequently-asked-questions.html
Look, it’s hardly hard science… but what is the counter evidence that he is materially hurting the Giants?
I think that when we was batting Molina cleanup once could make the argument that he was costing the Giants maybe 0.5-1 win in a season. Maybe.
He does do things that are inexplicable. Guillen over Ross, for example. Or Rowand over OTHER_LIVE_BODY. But with the Giants (especially in the outfield) he has a bunch of guys who are more more less interchangable — some different strengths or weakenesses, but whatever. There error in estimating their true talent level (by ANY measure) is swamped by noise, so I don’t really care if he’s playing the hot hand or matchups or just rotating guys to keep them fresh.
The exception I note is Andres Torres. This is a guy with no track record who came in and Wally Pipped a dude making $15M/year in CF.
As for the bullpen… I think that huge inferences are being made from very small sample sizes. Bochy has to manage the bullpen not for just a given game but the whole series and the whole season. Yes, I think it’s weird that Romo has thrown fewer innings than some others. But I bet by the end of the year he’ll be right around 60 IP – just like last year.
I don’t think it’s necessarily reasonable to assume that Romo can go out and be a 100 IP 8th inning + more setup guy.
All MLB managers could be more flexible in their “closer” usage – Bochy is more flexible than most (4+ out saves, brings Wilson in tied games). I think it’s very difficult to bridge the 6-8th innings over a whole season.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
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PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
Without reading the whole book . . .
. . . I cannot know what he figured or how he figured it.
I don’t right now have convenient ways of reckoning on stats from seasons past (if I ever get time, I should set that up), but this season the team is, so far, slightly underperforming expectations; but the point is that those “expectations” are necessarily conditioned on who has been given how much use by Bochy, which itself is a huge factor.
It would be interesting to see what the expected results would be for the team with the men used as pre-season career results suggest would have been ideal, but I don’t have that (yet). But one finds oneself asking questions such as (just to pick one) why the worst-performing pitcher on the active roster (Affeldt) has 50% more innings pitched than the best-performing one (Romo), especially when neither performance is a surprise.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
you say 50%
I say 4 innings.
But you are assuming the conclusion anyway. You are judging both Romo and Affeldt on 12 and 16 IP respectively.
Romo’s better than Affeldt – but Romo’s not that good and Affledt’s not that bad. And it’s 4 innings.
Romos’ LI (leverage) when entering games is 1.37. Affeldts’ is 1.15. Romo’s LI is greater than in 2010.
The Giants are 14-3 in one run games. How much better should they be?
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
Yeh, too hasty.
It’s more like one-third more. But:
Romo’s better than Affeldt – but Romo’s not that good and Affledt’s not that bad. And it’s 4 innings.
Well, Romo’s career Quality of Pitching is 2.35; Affeldt’s is 4.35. I’d say that Romo is that good and Affeldt is that bad (though in fairness a good part of his career was as a starter, which is incommensurable).
As to 4 innings, that’s a lot in terms of relief pitching at this stage of a season, which is why percentages are meaningful in comparisons.
And how a team does in one-run games is not an indicator of anything much but luck. It’s how it does in blowouts that shows its quality.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
but bullpen management will be magnified in close games – as long as the games are close when the bullpen enters.
Because over the season Romo is only going to get 60-odd innings and Affeldt likely the same. So what matters is the leverage or timing of when they come in.
And close games have more high-leverage situations (on both sides of the ball), hence bullpen management matters more.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
Many close games . . .
. . . are close because the pen and/or the starter was mismanaged when it wasn’t so close.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
we should probably
end this since we are about to roll off Grants front page.
It would be interesting to go over the game logs and check individually all the Affeldt vs. Romo decisions that were made this year. Tedious though.
My guess is that it’s actually Lopez that getting Romo’s innings.
Brian Sabean: Sing His Praises To The Heavens!
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game that seems to have resurrected itself in my absence...
Ayup.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 25, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
How do you feel about the proposition that those on-field decisions you rail against are not the be-all and end-all of the manager’s job?
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Not very persuaded.
The “clubhouse chemistry” thing is, I strongly believe" largely or wholly a fiction. Some of the more successful teams in baseball history have had legendarily tumultous clubhouses.
A field manager of a major-league club has two major tasks: to consistently put the best players feasible on the field, and to know when (and when not) to change pitchers.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Its not clubhouse chemistry
Far from it. Its having guys ready. its keeping a level head when those around you are panicking. Its managing different int the post season (which he did) then in May. Its knowing that going with youir starter a bit too long in May may lead to dividens in October.
Your statement on the two tasks is dead wrong. They also have to have the respect of their players, know how to balance egos, etc.
"Having guys ready" is . . .
. . . one of his worst failings. Just for openers, no one you count on for anything besides emergency extra-innings appearances should ever (barring injury) go with more than one day off in a row.
To deal with the rest would take another “wall of text”. You might take a look into Tom Tango’s book, aptly titled The Book.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Look if he had CLEARLY better players
at positions and was juggling, I’d agree with you. I prefer everyday players. But he doesn’t. And he hasn’t. He has 5 positions that he will not dick with much: Catcher, CF, 1b, 2b and 3b when Pablo comes back (and sassuming he is still in shape).
The corner outfielders and SS and right now 3b are postiions where it makes sense to mix and match as there are no players that stand out significantly. One shoud be gone – Rowand. But that is not Bochy’s fault. And he has to play him some – if for no other reason than he makes a ton of money and they still may hold out hope they can dump him for at least some of the salary being taken off their hands.
Where I think we are most in agreement is its very hard for younger players to produce on a today sit tomorrow basis. I am critical of him for that.
One of the most important jobs for a manager is to manage the bullpen
Why the hell are you talking about juggling lineups and ignoring his track record with the bullpen?
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on May 23, 2011 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Why do you think his bullpen handling is good?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
We're talking about bullpen management here
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on May 23, 2011 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
So are you suggsting Bochy
has done a poor job of “bullpen managment” for the Giants? If so, what are you using for proof.
see my reply below
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
the best way to dump Rowand is to not give him any more PAs to drop his average even lower, haha.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
No no no. Just don’t buy him a plane ticket next time we are on the East Coast. Don’t tell him when the team bus leaves. Just leave him behind. He probably won’t be able to find his way home from that far…he’s not a dog, after all.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I mean canine Not how he plays on the field.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I mean at bat. Not how he plays on the field.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
he could be, though. Have you seen his batting stance?
He might as well be on all fours!!! ahahahahaha
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Some of the more successful teams in baseball history have had legendarily tumultous clubhouses.
This surprises me coming from you. Would you allow a statement which so easily could be the result of selection bias to stand were I the one arguing it? How many tumultuous clubhouses resulted in poor records?
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
For instance, one could argue that the managers of those successful clubs did their best work in the clubhouse by not allowing strife in the locker room to affect on-field play.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions
And . . .
. . . one could argue that trees waving their branches make winds.
The point is not that tumultuous clubhouse correlate with winning, because they don’t; it’s that clubhouses of any temperament show no correlation with winning.
Players win ball games. Managers maximize winning by regularly putting the best available players into games. What is controversial about either sentence?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
The second sentence leaves a hell of a lot off of what a manager does… it is correct but incomplete.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions
What else has . . .
. . . a measureable effect on wins and losses? Tactics, of course, but those I reckon count for rather less.
Looking around the web for some meaningful articles on best or worst field managers produced surprisingly little; there is seemingly a lot of commentary on ranking GMs, but not field personnel. A couple of articles of some general interest (but no rankings) are these:
“What kind of impact do skippers have?”
“The Definitive Sabermetric Guide to Managing”
The former, speaking of James Click’s book Baseball Between the Numbers, remarks:
It’s interesting to note, however, that Click’s 2006 study did make one relatively firm conclusion regarding the impact of certain in-game decisions. “Only six times in thirty-three years has any manager used sacrifice attempts, stolen base attempts, and intentional walks to increase his team’s win expectation over an entire season. Even the best managers cost their team more than a game per season by employing these tactics. At worst they can cost a team three games per season.” Over multiple seasons, no manager employed those tactics for a positive effect.
That supports the belief that the best baseball manager is one with a strong roster who is smart enough to let his players play and stay out of the way. . . .
Rather, a manager’s most important job is widely believed to be the distribution of playing time.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
That is probably the most important single task for a manager. In fact, I credit Bobby Cox with one of the great managerial triumphs of all time by not reacting to a poor Braves start one year (‘91? I can’t recall precisely)… he basically ran out his starting eight in a regular fashion and trusted in his dominant pitching, to great effect.
But my point is that personality management, encouraging motivation and preparation, and displaying leadership (in Bochy’s case his apparent even keel is a real strength) are still very important parts of a manager’s job, as intractable to mathematical analysis as they might be.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
This is nearly dead, but . . .
. . . what sorts of contributions are there that leave zero statistical evidence in an activity where records are kept down almost to how many sneezes in the dugout per game? To again repeat Bill James’s analogy, why does this huge bear prowling the woods leave no tracks in the virgin snow?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Because it's still snowing.
Really? There are records of managerial activity before and after games and clear records of how those actions affected events on the field play? Do tell…
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes.
See the articles I linked elsethread, and follow out the works they, in turn, discuss.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
They really don’t. They pretty much only talk about distribution of playing time and in-game management – and I have already said I agree that ‘the best baseball manager is one with a strong roster who is smart enough to let his players play and stay out of the way’. My contention is that the third part of a manger’s job is that of a small unit commander, and that while this is difficult to measure, it is not insignificant.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with this
If it applies in the real world, why not on a basebal field?
The thong is, it happened.
I just scanned them again.
I see that my memory of an analyst who compared particular teams before and after managerial changes must be from some other article I read in my search but didn’t link. But I think Click’s work is strongly suggestive (though I am going by that article’s summary of it).
In essence, you are claiming that some managers lead their ball clubs to more wins than others would with exactly the same lineups, and tactical moves, and all the rest of the documented things that managers do, but that there is no statistical evidence of this even though it is true. I would class that an extraordinary claim, and thus invoke the rule that extraordinary claims require extraordinary supporting evidence. And I think that the person who is claiming invisible effects bears the burden of proof. It is not, by analogy, my job to prove that there are no such things as ghosts if you claim that there are.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
And I think your claim that leadership makes no difference is extraordinary and unproven.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 24, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions
And I disagree.
I have no interest in a “did so/did not” playground argument. If managers make some difference to team results, those differences must be in runs scored, runs allowed, or games won from those things.
There are, over the history of baseball, no data suggesting that there are any such differences. If you insist that there are, all you need to is supply those data.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I didn’t think so.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 24, 2011 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
It would be impossible to measure
The only way you could really know is if you either had access to two parallel universes where you could let two different managers manage the same exact team under the same exact circumstances, or had a “do over” button and could re-run the season with someone else managing it.
Perhaps the only way to look at it is how often the manager in question exceeds expectations with his team. I think with both the Padres and Giants, Bochy has a damn good track record in that department.
The thong is, it happened.
Bochy got smarter when Sabes traded Bengie
it’s science.
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - Inigo Montoya
Well, I think that “clubhouse chemistry” is an incredibly vague statement that is used to justify almost anything.
When you win, of course you’re going to have good clubhouse chemistry. Everyone’s happy, and none of the bad things come to the surface.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on May 23, 2011 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, it is vague concept. In fact I generally don’t define clubhouse chemistry in terms of good feelings – instead I define it as an atmosphere that is conducive to professional athletes focusing on their jobs.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Again I'm not talking chemistry
I’m talking about managing players. Different thing all together. You have 25 egos, salary issues, contracts with incentive clauses, injury issues (some of which we never really know about), you have to figure out who needs rest, who needs work etc etc. Then you cna make some determinationi based on who hits better off lefties, who hits the particular pitcher well, who hits well in the park. I know SSS. But for some trange reason in baseball a lot of them seem to play out. I generally think its a confidence thing. As Krukow says – players know when they have “ownage”.
OK.
Opinion duly noted.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Please forgive typos
I fire these out without proofing. Shouldn’t.
Is it your belief . . .
. . . that professional athletes—emphasize “professional”—often, or ever, do not focus on their jobs? I concede that major turmoil in their private lives might have an effect—I think Sandoval had at least some of that least season—but that sort of thing is on an altogether different plane than “clubhouse chemistry”.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Yes, there are professional athletes who don’t focus on their jobs likr they ought to. Matt Kemp for one. Aubrey Huff for another (he has admitted to a lack of motivation and focus on those terrible teams in Baltimore).
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Absolutely
To think that a player can be 100% focused on every pitch of every game, whether they’re hitting or in the field would seem naive.
Want an example? How about about one of the best players in the game? Lincecum has brain farts all the time that can only be explained by not being 100% focused.
Another example would be when players forget how many outs there are. That’s really not that uncommon.
The thong is, it happened.
The difference is . . .
. . . that the suggestion was that players who are not somehow controlled by their manager just fuck off out of laziness. I am sure that if Lincecum could swallow some potion that would enable better focus, he would, no matter how bitter and unpleasant that potion. In other words, he is doing the best he is capable of, not the theoretical best possible, and I find it hard to believe that his level of competitiveness would alter nontrivially, in either direction, no matter who his manager might be.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
A manager who fosters a good environment
…is more likely to have employees show up for work in a good frame of mind, ready to work.
A player who respects his manager is more likely to take it to heart when his boss gives him a kick in the butt, as Bochy did to Sanchez a couple weeks ago when he wasn’t focused. “Snap out of it”
The thong is, it happened.
Two things.
First, that would mean that some managers should do nontrivially better with a given team than others. I don’t believe that there is evidence for that.
Second, I question the proposition. I think that harsh managers, thoroughly unloved, can be quite effective in motivating players, either by threat or by “I’ll show that bastard” reactions.
The bottom line, though, is whether or not there are probative, or at least highly suggestive, data that would show one manager doing materially better or worse than his use of players and tactics would imply. “New brooms” that achieve some mid-season effect normally do so by making different use of the players and adopting different tactics.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Look, you’re both sorta right.
Bork pulled all the right strings in the playoffs, but that was a time when he had to manage to win. Pull pitchers fast, tons of double switches, burn up the ’pen.
I’d argue that Bork is a better playoff manager than regular season manager.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
You can't manage the same way in May
for one thing your staff would be dead by July.
Of course not. But you don’t have to manage like a Little League team either, including everyone.
The better players need to play.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
He doesn't
Whiteside hardly every plays. Ford hardly ever plays. He rotates guys in the corner OF spots and right now ss and third.
I am still in the Pat over Nate boat. Nate can sub him in the 6th, like always.
But I was referencing the bullpen management more than the OF. It’s also just a lack of better options on the left side of the IF that plague this team until Pablo comes back… IN 2 WEEKS!!!!
It’ll be interesting to see who plays SS afterwards.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Again
where is the proof that Bochy has a problem with bullpen managment?
all of May?
yesterday?
anytime Affeldt comes in with the game on the line while Romo wilts away in limbo?
anytime he brings in Lopez to face RHB?
Are you really asking that question? Look at the last week of Giants baseball. I’m no stat-cruncher, but it’s obvious he has too much faith in bad pitchers and too little in good ones.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
So you cherrypick a couple bad results
That is not proof. The thing Bochy has done BEST since coming to the Giants is managing the bullpen. And he had a reputation for bullpen success in San Diego.
Just because we think X should go in and not Y does not mean he poorly manages the bullpen. it just means we second (and first) guess like all fans do. I’m not going to agree with every move any manager makes (unless the Giants hire me!).
we’ll just have to agree to diagree.
the fact that Lopez has faced more RHB than Romo (up until yesterday, not sure if that changed) has this year is, well… my definition of mismanagement.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Romo will get plenty of work
I think one of Bochy’s concerns with Romo is how many innings/appearances he can log. I think the “conventional wisdom” may be that he loses effectiveness as his workload increases. This may be bs, but its a possible explanantion for why his use is low to this point. Also Ramitez and Lopez have been very good.
My guess is you will see his workload pick up dramatically.
"This may be bs, but its a possible explanantion for why his use is low to this point."
Is that not essentially the definition of mismanagement?
We don’t care that his management may be firmly based on definite principles if those principles are, as you aptly put it, “bs”. It’s the resultant moves that matter, not what’s in the black box out of which they issue.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
What may be BS is MY take
My overall point is I don’t think come October Romo will be underutilized. Its a long season. He’s going to get his inning and his chances.
Historically Bochy’s bullpens have performed well, have they not? Last year, I think the bullpen was used pretty well – particularly down the stretch.
Fans only have the game to think about. Managers have the season. There is a difference.
Perhaps saving a few innings in May means more in August through October.
A
"Historically Bochy’s bullpens have performed well, have they not?"
This is the “I’m a genius” fallacy.
A property owner I worked for, very big in SF, would always turn away any suggestion concerning the several major ways in which he could make more money on the ground that he was already making a lot and was therefore—in his own words—obviously a genius (with the implication that that meant that everything was already optimum).
Doing well with good pitchers does not signify that one could not do nontrivially better.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
all of May?
yesterday?
anytime Affeldt comes in with the game on the line while Romo wilts away in limbo?
anytime he brings in Lopez to face RHB?
Are you really asking that question? Look at the last week of Giants baseball. I’m no stat-cruncher, but it’s obvious he has too much faith in bad pitchers and too little in good ones.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah I agree with the regular season/post season manager idea.
He knows how to win the games, but plays for the players over individual wins during the year.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
exactly. Like the ‘ego’ games for Timmeh, Sanchez, MadBum, Timmeh again in the COL, LA, OAK series.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Ego games
Since, as far as I’m aware, none of us has played ball at the major league level, I’ll defer to Bochy on whether letting players go for ego milestones in games makes a difference.
He’s been there and knows if players are like dogs and need re-enforcement a little “atta boys” to stay focused and motivated over 162 games.
The thong is, it happened.
I may look at Cody and Nates wRC+ as 1 point difference, but I view Ross as the guy I want hitting in a RISP situation far more than Nate.
I’m one of the (few) people who believe clutch does exist, while it can’t be actualized with stats, it’s there.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Like the bear in the snowy woods who leaves no footprints.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I like to believe in the magic of the game.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
If this analogy really held water
there’d be no managers at all. Or no reason to have them. Is this what you’re advocating?
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Say what?
That if a claimed phenomenon left evidence, there’d be no managers? I seem to be missing a link in the logical chain.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
It’s a reasonable question, owl. Other than the anarchic result regarding off-field behavior and decisions on-field regarding when and where, and regarding which unwritten rules to enforce, and . . . .
It’s a reasonable question. Can we tie the answers to wins in any rational way?
I don’t know. I’m going to write about Edd J. Roush.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 24, 2011 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm still missing something.
The analogy I made is to a claimed bear roaming the snowy woods who leaves no footprints; that was regarding managers having claimed “intangible” positive effects roaming the snowy woods of ball games without leaving statistical footprints. How does the likely truth of that lead to the conclusion that there would no managers?
Certainly managers have effects, and those effects do leave footprints. They play the wrong players at the wrong times, they make inefficient tactical moves, and so on. We have managers for the obvious reason gallo cited, to avoid anarchy, but also because in a way managers are like players: the teams that have poor ones will have poorer results than otherwise, and the ones that have good ones will have better results than otherwise.
Whether a program could be written that could replace a manager is open to question, because knowing when to pull or not pull a pitcher is hard to reduce to algorithms (but it’s not inherently implausible). It would be fun to see it tried in, say, a spring-training game or three, but it’s hard to see how the initial development could be debugged.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
“in a way managers are like players: the teams that have poor ones will have poorer results than otherwise, and the ones that have good ones will have better results than otherwise.”
You’re saying managerial effects exist.
The bear leaving no traces implies that the bear doesn’t exist. Upthread you seemed to imply that since no one has figured out a way to quantify managerial effects, or “clutch hitting” or whatever, it can’t exist.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Follow the bouncing ball.
Of course managerial effects exist: why else criticize, for example, Bruce Bochy? But those effects are not occult: they consist in what players and pitchers are used how and when, in what strategy is implemented by what tactics—in short, in things that are perceptible and measureable causes and effects.
What does not exist, based on the available data (which is considerable) is some invisible “psychic” effect that augments (or diminishes) winning beyond those certain and calcuable effects just described.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Historically he has
this year he hasn’t. Maybe that will turn around. Personally, I’m a tad tired of seeing him k with runners in scoring position and less than two out.
The days of 8-6 are gone. Its 3-2 2-1. A lot. That is not going to change for this team. They cannot continue to keep failing in those situations. Burrell has been one of the least productive.
No there is going to be a
Burrell has been sh*tty with RISP so far this year argument. The only one I’ve made. Its irrefutable. Look it up. Doesn’t mean he won’t turn it around and I never suggested otherwise.
Do you understand . . .
. . . that that is exactly like criticizing a coin because in some one set of tosses it didn’t come up exactly 50% heads? And the actual heads count will be “irrefutable”.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
DO YOU UNDERSTAND
that I’m not criticisng him. I’m stating an objectifiable stat. i know he may go 10 for his next 15. I’ve said that about 50 times. My point is – to DATE , he’s failed in those situations. And he is a guy the Giants need to succeed in those situations.
If his RISP numbers have no predictive value, as you’ve just as much said, they are not sufficient basis for benching him.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
OK, that's your point.
Asparagus tastes better than cardboard. That is a fact. And its relevance to anything normally discussed on this board is roughly equal to that of Burrell’s RISP stats so far in 2011.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
having said that
I don’t agree with the coin flip analogy. Baseball isn’t pure mathmatical formulas.
Wait, so people are supposed to magically improve when there are runners on base?
If they can hit like that with people on base, then why can’t they hit like that with people off base?
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on May 23, 2011 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Uh, why deplete your mana if you’re not going to get RBIs?
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
Let me answer it this way
Do you think a pitcher throws the same way to a guy when there is a runner on thrid one out as he does with no one on and two outs? Do you think a pitcher throws the same to a guy in the middle of the order with RISP as he does to the number 7-8 hitter in that situation? Do you think a pitcher pitches differently period to the 3-5 guys in the lineup? How bout to a leadoff hitter with great speed but no power? Do you think a pitcher has a guy or two that he determines before the game is the guy that is not going to beat him?
The blind faith to the hitting with RISP is pure luck mantra on this board is just that – blind.
What we think, and what you think, don't matter.
If we are all firmly convinced that we can fly if we wish real hard and flap our arms, what happens when we jump off a ten-story building will be unaffected by our beliefs.
What matters is what the records of things that have actually happened tells us. It tells us that people who jump off ten-story buildings do not fly happily away, and that performance with RISP is indistinguishable from performance overall.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Sorry I disagree
I will never reducel baseball down to a bunch of stats., I mean, if that is the case – why not just let a computer manage.
I think that that remark . . .
. . . effectively terminates the discussion.
I myself am now going away to watch The Dalek Invasion of Earth.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Why not, indeed?
I daresay it could do better than most present-daya managers, if (major caveat) programmed by someone who could tell his elbow from a hole in the ground concerning baseball.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
A valid hypothesis is required to be falsifiable.
by MySpoonlsTooBig on May 23, 2011 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I like this
Debating which adequate starter should start, rather than which awful player shouldn’t start.
That is cray-z.
If only Bochean saw it that way. . . .
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
OT Holy Smokes! Mets owner keeping it real
LOL
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/05/23/mets.wilpon.ap/index.html?eref=twitter_feed
Pitching and defense wins championships, but oh those dingerz....
this is a fine example of
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
I don’t think he’s ever going to hit much, but I do think he’s going to end the 2011 World Series by throwing the potential game tying runner out at home on two consecutive plays (and all the who’s down in Fenway they all cried Boo-Hoo!).
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I was bored so I watched this
It is pretty
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12772579&topic_id=14872112&c_id=sf
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Damn he was insane that night.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Ugh, why would you lower the crowd noise like that? Twice as bad because it allows you to hear Dick Stockton.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
POSEY WUZ OUT
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
No, because the umpire called him safe.
Ergo, Armando Galarraga did not throw a perfect game.
/science?
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
The Human Element!
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Wow
We could have played that game with three fielders- Timmy, Buster, and Huff.
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
Timmy would have caught it
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
Man, he just makes them all look silly.
by fishmicmuffin on May 23, 2011 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions
it sucks that only now are they giving Nate a real look as a starter, as his playing time now comes truly at the cost of more established, better hitters.
Consistent playing time is something he should have gotten years ago, when the team sucked and had the PT to offer to him daily.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
Who are these "more established, better hitters"?
If they use the four-man rotation I mentioned upthread, who is edged out of play time in the outfield? Rowand; Ford; Burriss. Those are “more established, better hitters”?
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I haven’t read the whole thread yet, sorry. I meant Ross and Burrell as the better, more established hitters, one of those two loses time with Nate playing, and that is not to even mention….
the Brandon Belt situation, when/IF he ever comes up. Not to get too far off tangent, but we’ve got a major problem here, and it’s not a good problem anymore. Huff is blocking Belt, but he cannot play any other position, and is having trouble even playing 1B. He’s back to not hitting much, either.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Huff, quite paradoxically, is hitting lefties just fine. He’s just been hopeless against righties, though, and I have to wonder how long his BABIP against RHP will sit at .200. If inexplicably he does not improve, you could actually platoon Belt and Huff at first base, and find Belt spot starts in the outfield as needed to get him at-bats.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
His BABIP against righties
will go up when he stops hitting so many slow rollers to the right side. He has not been hitting the ball hard. He’s been off balance a good portion of the year, leading to getting out on his front foot and rolling it over to second.
He’ll snap out of it and his BABIP will go up – for the reason ones BABIP always goes up – he will hit the ball harder more of the time.
It is a stat I believe is totally meaningless. The A’s BABIP was lousy against Linceum – 3-24 I do believe. Why? Cause they didn’t hit the ball hard.
You have to wonder if/when he’ll get his “balance” back, though. His O-Swing% is up, his Z-Swing% is up; his O-Contact% is up, his Z-Contact% is down.
I’m as big a Huff supporter as anyone, but his uncanny reverse split this year is pretty puzzling.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
He’s swinging at a TON of garbage pitches. And you know that is going around the league, too. I just don’t think- and I believe we talked about this yesterday but didn’t finish the conversation- that he is going the other way with pitches like he did last year.
Huff is pulling LHP, but he’s trying to pull everything from a RHP too, and instead of pitch speed generating oppo field hits, he’s rolling over on it.
Don’t forget he had a reverse split last year, too. He’s doing the same thing Nate has been doing, with nearly the same results.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions
but how can you think that his BABIP will go up when his LD% is still 17? (I think someone said it was 17% the other day)
Also, in response to Solidarity, there is no way Huff and Belt get platooned, Huff vs LHP and Belt vs RHP, if only because Bork is not that smart.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
And yet this is the same logic by which people argue that Bochy will at least platoon Fontenot and Tejada at short when Sandoval returns, or Bowker and Schierholtz last year, or Rowand taking starts over Torres.
Huff’s struggles vs. RHP are not unkown to the organization; they’ve admitted as much in-post game interviews.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
For the record, I have never stated that Miggy and Fonty will be platooned, because I do not believe that will happen. You making the connection in terms of similar veins of logic is one thing, but what I’ve actually said is another.
The team may be aware of Huffs RHP struggles, sure. I’m sure they are aware of Nate’s reverse split, and that Affedlt does in fact suck.
But none of that means they will do the right thing when it comes time to actually show that knowledge by making the correct moves.
They want these anomalies to fix themselves by continuing to NOT put the players in the right positions to succeed. Huff won’t be platooned, because they want him to get it right. Same goes for all the rest.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Then how about the argument that Burrell was so quickly pushed to the bench because of a lapse in performance?
My point is that I think the “But Bochy is dumb” argument is just a treated like a catch-all to justify people’s arguments/fears/assertions, even when it runs in the fact of existing evidence to the contrary.
The fact is that we don’t know what will happen, or if Huff will make the necessary adjustments, so deciding what will or will not happen is just blowing smoke at this point.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
That . . .
. . . ignores completely the concepts that the past predicts the future, and that you play games by the odds. We don’t know that Huff will never again get a major-league hit, and we equally don’t know that he will never again make an out at the plate. But the smart money bets on him eventually doing pretty much what he has always done, as on coins coming up 50% heads.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
We’re just having a conversation here. No one wins, no one loses. We all learn.
You don’t need to get defensive. No one is keeping score.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't learn when I'm told things I already know
In conversations that I’m not having.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
good for you. I, however, am learning. So I’d appreciate you not muddying the subthread with pretentiousness on topics you don’t have anything to learn from.
thanks
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Thus why I directed him to tell you that.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I think owlcroft was just clarifying your position. No need to disrespectful with your comment at 3:57pm
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Does your screen display PDT not EDT?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
yeah. when I put in my avatar, i saw a setting for time zones.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d appreciate you not muddying the subthread
Replying to me is replying to me. I was just trying to redirect the conversation back on-point. Now that it’s pretty much dead… well, there you go.
What needed to be said has been said.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
yep. no worries
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, people are keeping score.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
TWO POINT DEDUCTION!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions
TEN POINTS FOR GRIFFINDOR!
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
-109
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
+1
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Huff’s L/R splits this year look like pure fluke to me. Note the strikeout and walk numbers:
vs right: 23k, 14 bb in 130 pa
vs left: 13k, 1 bb in 55 pa
his K’s are way up, BBs way down.
the against RHP thing looks flukey, but given the K and BB numbers, it seems like there is more to the story.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m just not sure what. Timing issues with RHP, perhaps?
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think its a huge problem at all. You essentially have two 3 man playing rotations with 2 starting spots each. At 1B/LF you have Belt, Huff and Burell and in CF/RF you have Torres, Nate and Ross. I’d play Belt and Torres 5 out of 6 days leaving Huff/Burrell and Ross/Schierholtz to each split 7 starts in 6 days. I don’t think thats a bad option at all and youre even left with 2 R/L platoons even if the splits are more than a little wonky for all those players. The obvious problem is Rowand stealing playing time from both these 3 man rotations, but there are a couple obvious solutions to that problem too.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Seeing as how my username is completely unoriginal, I thought I’d do something for my MCC identity.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions
/awkward silence
Proud parent of SD-born Shane Loux.
If Cain is with us, who can be against us? - atxgiantsfan
Mine is a UID from an old job if that makes you feel any better.
Proud parent of SD-born Shane Loux.
If Cain is with us, who can be against us? - atxgiantsfan
Better than an IUD from an old job.
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
what about an IOU from a current job?
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
That would make you a Dodger.
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
by bgunn on May 23, 2011 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
only if it’s written on a torn off piece of paper because the Post-It’s were all gone.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
also, to make you feel better, I did it because everyone has an avatar, and I wanted to be cool!!
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions
None of you compare to the great butt pee
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Yeah, but he used to give me crap all of the time.
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
He’s probably dead in a ditch by now, then. Cause these Giants REALLY can’t score runs.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Balloon fire?
Giants 2010 in review: One Jerry Garcia bobblehead, one world championship. Questions?
Wildfire.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I like it. it really stands out.
so many of them don’t look too different by the time they get shrunk down in size.
Proud papa to: Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, aka the IT guy.
Your mom's a girl
IT’S THE POOL!! TELL HER IT’S FROM THE POOL!!
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
NATE'S ARM!
We were at the game Friday. Our seats are to the 3rd base side of home plate. When Nate fielded the ball, I did not even think he was going to make a throw. His path to the ball, the act of fielding it, and the throw were all so effortless and easy. I could not believe he made the throw and really did not believe it would be close. I am sure one who feels a warmth in my loins when I see a big 3-run homer travel 456 feet, but I cannot say that I have ever witnessed a more satisfying play than Nate’s throw Friday night.
Outfield throws for outs are exciting.
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
I was there on Friday, too, but I sat on the 1st base side. From there, you could see the ball was actually hit pretty shallow and I had no doubt that Nate would not only throw, but that he’d get the dude out.
I couldn’t believe Freddy’s play, tho, that was some sick-ass shit. I thought no way he could get an out.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
SJGiants San Jose Giants
Hector Sanchez ties a Giants single-game record with his third home run! A three-run blast in the eighth to make it 12-5 Giants.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I hope he doesn't get Wilson Ramos'd.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Play very well and then get traded for less than he's worth because we already have our "catcher of the future".
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Ah ok, for some reason I thought you meant that Ramos had a 3 HR game at some point then didn’t hit a homer for a while or something.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
let's also hope Posey doesn't get Mauer'd
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
2010 Giants: World Series Champs
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on May 23, 2011 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, an MVP award and batting title would suck.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
well, not the good part. the bad parts.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
2010 Giants: World Series Champs
Neal before Zod!
Official Sponsor of the 1997 San Francisco Giants
by nostocksjustbonds on May 23, 2011 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Sanchez acquires LTP!!
Becomes top-100 prospect!
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
Maybe one day, when the Marlins are in town, we’ll get Jonathan squaring off against Anibal, and Freddy and Gaby in the starting lineup.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
Gary Brown stole 2nd base on a pitch out
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Dude
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
I’m pretty sure that was a passed ball, and he took 3rd from 1st.
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Did he just steal two bases on a pass-ball?
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I love the sound of Pings
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Pinging www.l.google.com [74.125.224.48] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 74.125.224.48: bytes=32 time=19ms TTL=55
Reply from 74.125.224.48: bytes=32 time=27ms TTL=55
Reply from 74.125.224.48: bytes=32 time=20ms TTL=55
Reply from 74.125.224.48: bytes=32 time=31ms TTL=55
Ping statistics for 74.125.224.48:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 19ms, Maximum = 31ms, Average = 24ms
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Boy oh boy oh boy . . .
. . . I wish I could get numbers like that. We’re out in the boonies with Hobson’s Choice for an ISP; their “high-speed wireless” gives me Google ping times from 50 ms (very rare) to 400 ms (quite common) to 5000 or even 10000 ms (not unusual). Or sometimes no response. And always lots of packet dropouts.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
nerd talk. hehe
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions
lulz.
From the comments…
daaaammm.. sit down aaron rowand
jimmyinyopants 11 months ago
Relief! I Thank you for your Lefferts.
I'm sure I'm in the minority on this one, but I put Nate in the Frandsen club;
I feel like he’s never quite received the chances he’s deserved (though 2011 is taking steps in the right direction.)
I don’t think he’s the Buster Posey of the outfield, but I think it’s fair to say that we haven’t given him much of a consistent sample size to (dis)prove the haters.
All that being said, I’ve really enjoyed watching him this season, especially with some of the clutch homers he’s raked out, and I’ve always loved his arm (need to get a copy of the gif where he’s drilling the guy strolling into 2nd. Was that Howard?)
Better to be a Giants fan than an Athletic supporter!
Meh, Frandsen for his career is sub-replacement level (ever so slightly sub replacement level as a Giant). Every year, Nate has at least been above replacement level.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Clarification: I'm not equating Schierhotlz with Frandsen in terms of talent
but rather in the relatively raw deals they got in playing time, etc.
Frandsen has gone on to prove his doubters at the time correct, while Nate is improving. Time will tell, I suppose.
Better to be a Giants fan than an Athletic supporter!
Nice article on Vogelsong
Ryan Vogelsong was still soaking in his first major league victory in almost five years, humbled and overwhelmed after what felt like a lifetime of trying to recreate the moment. San Francisco Giants teammate Aubrey Huff was standing a few lockers over and asked him what all the fuss was about.
“I’m thinking, ‘My gosh, time flies doesn’t it?’” Huff said. “Cause it seems like I just faced you in Pittsburgh.”
Vogelsong said, ‘Well, maybe for you time flew. Not for me.’"
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
I'm loving the Vogelsong story. I hope it keeps on rolling.
also is Huff starting to sour on anyone? I loved him last year, the whole rally thong, his quips, attitude, etc… but now when he’s not really producing, hacking at horrible pitches, making stupid errors, complaining about playing the OF, etc… he seems kinda selfish. Part of what made him a great story last year was that he spent a lifetime with losing teams, and finally got his chance to be in the playoffs. Now that he’s got his ring, I’m a little off-put by his sarcasm. Makes me wonder if there isn’t some truth behind his comments about “the rookie” pushing him off 1B and his other quips. Maybe it’s just mounting frustration with him as a player that makes the other stuff worse.
Don’t really know why I thought of that.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I think this is simply a case of a player’s quirks and attitude being a whole lot more endearing when he’s hitting well. Nothing Huff has done or said off the field this year seems much different to me than anything he did or said last year. He even recently said he’d be willing to try 3B again if the team wanted to find room for Belt that way, that doesn’t seem selfish to me.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
and while I'm on it, the whole drinking/smoking thing before a day game put me off, too.
I agree with most of that assessment, it’s more endearing when the player is doing likable things, and he isn’t acting any different than last year- except last year, I’d thinking he was joking, but this year, it seems there is a little truth to it. I know common sense would dictate that the better you know a player, the the less you’d think he was joking, but the reality is we do not know him at all.
What he says and what he does are two different things. He complains (maybe jokingly) that he’s gotta play the OF now, and he does terrible out there, unnecessarily diving all the time (which he either doesn’t know his limits, or is very ill-advised). Then when it is brought to his attention he may need to play 3B, suddenly he can’t make a throw to any base without it being offline.
I hope it’s all coincidence, and me reading too far into this. I don’t want to think of a player on my favorite team as sabotaging his performance to ensure a favorable result.
Amazing what some coincidences and sarcastic comments will do to a players rep.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Someone on Lonestar Ball speculated that when Cliff Lee didn’t return “the claw” to his teammates in the dugout after doubling in Game 1 of the World Series, that’s when he’s teammates realized that Lee was just a mercenary out for a ring on his own terms, and didn’t care about him. This realization led to their complete collapse and handed the Giants a World Series.
You’re probably reading too far into it.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Lee
Someone on Lonestar Ball speculated that when Cliff Lee didn’t return "the claw" to his teammates in the dugout after doubling in Game 1 of the World Series, that’s when he’s teammates realized that Lee was just a mercenary out for a ring on his own terms
Or maybe he’s just not an extreme douche?
by capn on May 23, 2011 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think I am, as well. I was just laying out my thoughts on the matter, knowing in full effect that I shouldn’t be thinking what I’m thinking.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Then when it is brought to his attention he may need to play 3B, suddenly he can’t make a throw to any base without it being offline.
You are really stretching here.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
Now that he’s had the best season of his life after nearly being out of baseball entirely, he’s going to intentionally put wins on the line so that he doesn’t have to work hard.
Or…
It would stand to reason that if we’re playing the psychology game and the testimony in evidence, Huff should perform better with a contending team, given how much he’s complaining about playing for stinkers his whole career.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
yeah, like I said before, I know I shouldn’t be thinking what I’m thinking. It has no solid logic behind it. They are merely coincidences that happen to plug into his comments on where he’d like to play.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
Assuming a Reyes trade happens, it’s expected that it would take place between mid-June and first of July.
Full month before the deadline. Definitely would do Wheeler if this was the case.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I’m in the “adamantly against trading Wheeler club.”
by Sabean_Is_Iago on May 23, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, Reyes has the vibe of being one of those players that’s a pain in the ass to sign during the offseason. So it’s probably just a 3 month rental, and I would hate to give up Wheeler under those circumstances.
by Sabean_Is_Iago on May 23, 2011 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree
I’d like to keep at least one more pitching top prospect in the organization.
Pitching and defense wins championships, but oh those dingerz....
I don't know
I think you have to at least think about trading Wheeler for two picks.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
And a (maybe a lot) better 2011 squad.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
The only problem with the 2 picks is if:
1. they change it in the CBA (doesn’t seem likely)
2. a bad team signs him and we get a 35~ish overall pick and a 60~ish overall, instead of a 25~ish and 35~ish.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
what bad team will have the money to sign Reyes? The Dodgers if they have new ownership? Seems like they’d go after Fielder or even Pujols first though. I don’t see how any other current sub-.500 team could land him.
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
Washington or LAA are 2 possibilities. LAA will be close to the 15th pick cut off tho.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
But yes, if Desmond continues to suck.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
Do they really still have that kind of money to spend still? And would they really target a SS over a 1B or SP?
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
I think everyone targets a SS over a 1B.
What SP are FA?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Not a great list...
Starting pitchers
Mark Buehrle (33)
Chris Carpenter (37) – $15MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Bruce Chen (35)
Aaron Cook (33) – $11MM mutual option with a $500K buyout
Kyle Davies (28)
Ryan Dempster (35) – $14MM player option, no buyout
Justin Duchscherer (34)
Zach Duke (29) – $5.5MM club option with a $750K buyout
Jeff Francis (30)
Freddy Garcia (36)
Jon Garland (32) – $8MM club option with a $500K buyout; vests with 190 IP
Aaron Harang (34) – $5MM mutual option with a $500K buyout
Rich Harden (30)
Livan Hernandez (37)
Edwin Jackson (28)
Kenshin Kawakami (37)
Scott Kazmir (28) – $13.5MM club option with a $2.5MM buyout
Hiroki Kuroda (37)
Rodrigo Lopez (36)
Paul Maholm (30) – $9.75MM club option with a $750K buyout
John Maine (31)
Jason Marquis (33)
Kevin Millwood (37)
Sergio Mitre (31)
Scott Olsen (28) – $4MM club option with a $100K buyout
Roy Oswalt (34) – $16MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Brad Penny (34)
Oliver Perez (30)
Joel Pineiro (33)
C.C. Sabathia (31) – may opt out of remaining four years, $92MM
Carlos Silva (33) – $12MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout
Javier Vazquez (35)
Adam Wainwright (30) – $10MM vesting option for ’12, $12MM for ’13
Tim Wakefield (45)
Chien-Ming Wang (32)
Brandon Webb (33)
Dontrelle Willis (30)
C.J. Wilson (31)
Chris Young (33)
No matter how hard I try
I dont see Barry’s name on this list. :-(
Maybe not better than C.C. Sabathia,
but I love that guy so I am pretty sure that’s an extremely biased statement for me to make.
Probably not better than Sabathia
But there’s zero chance that the Yankees don’t pay to keep him, especially with the above FA class as there other options
It’ll be like the ARod opt-out all over again
Maybe.
But the Red Sox rotation could definitely use the help and they overpaid for Carl Crawford rather significantly. It’s not impossible to think Sabathia could go elsewhere. Hell, maybe even Texas goes after him (more money plus no income tax, right?).
Yeah I kind of excluded the idea that CC would pitch for the Nats next year.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I mean it's possible
Obviously, this will be SSS but I don’t think there has ever been an instance where NYY didn’t re-sign its own FA if it wanted to.
Also, the income tax thing is oversold. Athletes, technically everyone, have to pay taxes based on where they earned the money, so he’d only get half credit for that plus time played in Florida
this seems silly to me
it doesn’t work that way for anyone else who takes 25-30 short business trips in year, does it?
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
I would hazard that they will take who’s willing to take it at this point.
That being said, I don’t see it as likely but it is a possibility.
Right, odds are a good team try to sign him, but it’s no guarantee, that’s all I was saying.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
while I don’t want Reyes at the cost of Wheeler (and his rumored crazy Carl Crawford money demands), remember this:
If we trade Wheeler for Reyes, we get Type A comp picks if he doesn’t re-sign. So in essence, we could even trade the picks for another pitching prospect, or take them ourselves and draft #15-20 overall possibly.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t mean we get picks 15-20, but somewhere in the range we’d get a couple picks.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions
you can’t trade up picks like the NFL?
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Nope, can’t trade the picks at all.
Additionally, I don’t think you can trade the player you picked for a year or something.
Yeah I think it’s a year after you sign. Although you can be part of a PTBNL.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Unless I’m missing something, who does not being able to trade picks benefit? What’s the reasoning behind that? Teams that are cheap would rather just trade their picks for rentals or something just so they don’t have to pay bonuses for high picks?
also, any word on the new CBA doing away with the Type B status for arb-eligible players?
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Reasoning and MLB don't go together
Exhibit A: FOX blackout rules
they basically own all Saturday baseball. So if they aren’t showing your game in your area, your own station can’t even broadcast the game.
at least that is the belief of what is going to happen soon.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Exhibit A: Fox.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
I suspect they might do away with either all FA compensatory picks or all but the Sandwich round for Type As. But that’s really a guess on my part. Certainly taking the signing team’s pick for Type As is going to end.
MY DAD WAS WRONG!
MY BOY NEEDS TO THROW HARDER!
I'd probably do it
It’s a horrible deal from an expected value standpoint (especially as it’s likely a rental), but TINSTAPP and “flags fly forever” push in the direction of going for it with the Giants’ current pitching staff.
LOL DEJESUS!!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 2:51 PM PDT reply actions
Dirty spammer
Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner, and … Ryan Vogelsong? The former high draft pick bust is making the most of his time with the Giants. Vogelsong has excelled in May, going 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA over 22.1 innings pitched. — Chris Quick: Bay City Ball
Xanthan: HE HAS WINZ
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
madbum
My buddy was at a bar on thursday and someone tried to tell him that MadBum needed to spend some time in Fresno to get his confidence back because he was pitching so poorly and was still winless.
Ridiculous.
Confidence has always been there, results surfaced several starts ago. MadBum will be alright. I just hope the magic with Vogelsong sticks around for a few more starts.
"I always knew I was going to be thrown at. I was old-school, so I didn't care, as long as they hit me from the neck down.'' Hac-Man One Flap down Jeffrey Leonard
by Penitentiary Face on May 23, 2011 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Explain to me how they (the Giants) went from 4th to 7th in the Power Rankings after going 5-2 on the week while the Red Sox went 5-1 and went from #16 to 3rd.
I bitched about this earlier. I think the power rankings are assembled by one of the BBT guys. That would make sense.
by Sabean_Is_Iago on May 23, 2011 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
This would be the correct answer
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
I don’t understand getting upset about it. It’s like being upset with your cat for not being able to do algebra.
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
Maybe your cat can't do algebra..
It’s like being upset with your cat for not being able to do algebra.
I'm a Giants Fan, but I'll always be rooting for Matt Downs
Adopted Son:Dan Burkhart , Future Backup To Buster Posey.
When TGWTWS, they still weren’t #1 in power rankings.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Power in rankings is determined by # of people watching your team after midnight EST
Therefore, the Giants just got lucky.
Science!
Better to be a Giants fan than an Athletic supporter!
Wasn’t it the Red Sox, ranked at the top because they got Crawford and Gonzalez (while everyone forgets they lost Martinez and Beltre)
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
That was more of a joke.
They generally don’t have power rankings immediately after the WS.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
No, before the first week of the season, they actually did a power rankings based on ST and where teams were sitting to start the year.
Giants had best ST record in Cactus, maybe overall, and Red Sox still #1 over #2 Giants.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Would you have put the Giants #1 after the off season? I wouldn’t have.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Yes
They weren’t just the best team in the playoffs. IIRC they had the best record in baseball from the time Posey became the starting catcher.
yep. at the time, the Giants had been playing the best baseball since July ’10 of out anyone, so it stands to reason they would be #1.
That, and respect for the Champions.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I like to think of it as an ongoing critique of the relationship between “power” and public favor.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
On alot of the personal ESPN people’s rankings, the Giants show up 3rd on every one of them.
Those are fan rankings, I think. Perez and Olney have the Giants ranked as 3 and 2, respectively.
You don’t look at the Power Rankings, anyways. Look at records. The Rays, Yankees, Sox; the Giants have better records than all of them.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Giants have 3rd best record in baseball.
Indians – Phillies – Giants.
As insane as that sounds, it’s true.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
exactly. Power Rankings are a way for the East Coast teams to get their dicks stroked when they aren’t the best teams.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
In projections from actual stat lines . . .
. . . they are 5th (and in projections from career data also 5th), so that is not some freakish load of luck.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
and we could have been better, too, if we played cleaner ball.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
My point wasn’t that we are lucky, just more about us being perceived to not playing well, when it turns out, we have been.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
This is actually the 2nd time the Giants went 5-2 and went down in the standings.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Fuck their Power Rankings.
I’m guessing Their Power Rankings did not have the Giants at #1 even after winning the World Series last year.
"I always knew I was going to be thrown at. I was old-school, so I didn't care, as long as they hit me from the neck down.'' Hac-Man One Flap down Jeffrey Leonard
by Penitentiary Face on May 23, 2011 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions
former high draft pick bust
Not so. He was drafted in the fifth round.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
LOL XANTHAN BURN
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Nate has plenty of power
His problem at the plate continues to be pitch recognition. That makes your Rownads comp a good one.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 2:58 PM PDT reply actions
And they both can’t hit low and in/out sliders by RHP.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Exactly
I will say that when Nate gets a hold of one, it stays hit for a while.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I think it was Jon talking about how when Nate tries to pull the ball, he looks foolish at the plate. But when he’s just going up there and looking for a good pitch to hit, he’s quite effective.
And yet all of his home runs are pulled.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I think I read your comment wrong at first.
Thought you meant he doesn’t hit well when he pulls it, you said doesn’t hit well when he TRIES to pull it, big difference, and I can agree with that.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I’ve never seen him go opposite field until that game vs the Rockies on Friday a few weeks ago. First oppo field hit I’ve ever remembered.
And when he comes up to bat with runners on, I fear the strikeout. Seems he’s always in an 0-2 hole.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Anecdotally speaking, he goes to left well vs. LHP.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Nate goes oppo, he just has no power the other way. Every now and then he’ll slash one down the LF line for a double
by The Franchise on May 23, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
You should invest a few minutes looking at his hit chart.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
are those charted as hits, or just batted balls in play?
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
You can set it up to show whatever… but it’s for one park at a time:
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/individual_player_hitting_chart.jsp?c_id=mlb&playerID=435625&statType=1
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Career splits:
Pull: 162 wRC+, 277 PA
Center: 79 wRC+, 212 PA
Oppo: 73 wRC+, 162 PA
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
wow @ the center and oppo field splits. Nate seems to hit more balls to CF for hits than LF. Probably selective memory taking effect there.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
He might get more hits to center (I just x’ed out of the page), but I bet he gets less XBH.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
I’m still not 100% sure on what to make of him. I just wish they had found out sooner, because we have more viable options now.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
OT: LOLZ RUNZ?
As it has been lately, Volquez’s control was erratic against the Indians, as he lasted just 2 2/3 innings. He surrendered seven runs (six earned) with seven hits, four walks, one hit batter and three strikeouts.
Afterward, he sparked controversy by calling out the team’s offense.
“I think everybody has to step up and start getting some runs,” Volquez said. “The last five games, we’ve scored how many runs? Thirteen [actually 12] in five games? It’s not the way we were playing last year. We’re better than that.”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at this. GIANTS PITCHERS WOULD LIKE A WORD WITH YOU MR. VOLQUEZ. /clings to their measly three runs.
by you'vejustbeenCAINED on May 23, 2011 3:35 PM PDT reply actions
maybe if you didn't walk more batters than you strike out, and give up more runs that innings pitched
the team would have some goddamn morale and would be able to hold on to whatever leads they get. I know, because Edinson Volquez is was my Pokemon.
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
This is the Armandon Benitez school of thinking
on run support/allocation
Relief! I Thank you for your Lefferts.
He'll be out of the league in a few years with an attitude like that
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
13 runs in 5 games is a luxury for Matt Cain.
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Read the Wilpon quote
The thing about the Giants Ownership Group (GOG) – there are too many of them to have all power concentrated in one dolt. Plus, this Neukom guy seems charming and ruthless.
Fostering Ryan Rohlinger in the Eyrie
OT: Utilitarianism Debate
Look up “impossibility of interpersonal utility comparisons,” as a first order objection to utilitarianism. An in depth treatment falls under social choice theory. Might also want to pick up some knowledge of public choice theory since many advocates of utilitarianism suffer from a nirvana fallacy with regard to the effectiveness of government policy.
It would seem that . . .
. . . the logical end point of the author’s line of reasoning is that everyone in the world should have exactly the same amount of whatever one measures “wealth” (in the technical sense) by; there is already an established sociopolitical philosophy with that point of view, and it has not been tremendously successful or popular, and will probably be gone from the world scene in a few generations at most.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
extrabaggs Andrew Baggarly
#sfgiants Giants concerned about all the hits Posey taking to the head http://bit.ly/msHyL9
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
He’s gotta go back to the 2-piece masks. The hockey-style masks, while efficient at reducing risk on backswings, do not release the energy of a foul tip off the mask. The 2-piece masks break away, and dissipate the energy.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Why is the 1 piece better for backswings?
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
they have coverage on the sides of the helmet, which the traditional ones don’t have as much.
a backswing to the neck or ear area could, in theory, end your career. The hockey masks prevent that more than the old ones, but beyond that there isn’t much science that proves or disproves the use of either type of mask
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
basically, the 1-piece masks go down to the bottom of the neck, while traditional ones only go down to the ear.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
that’s the big difference. a backswing to the neck can be a career-ender.
either way, you’re trading off protection from backswings vs protection from foul tips. and the science still isn’t proving one way or another beyond the coverage on backswings issue.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
why has a better mask not been invented?
It doesnt seem like it would be THAT hard and if football players already have mouthpieces that improve their running form and reduce the risk of concussion shouldn’t there be a mask that protects a catcher from foul balls to the face and bats to the side/back of the head?
Thing A
"Correlation between inability to use the reply button and general crappiness of analysis: pretty high." -Sleepy Freud
I have been wondering why catchers don’t wear mouthpieces as it is. The pain Posey was having due to the foul tips was from sudden impact on a slack jaw. With a mouthguard, he shouldn’t have to worry about that as much.
But in general reply to your comment, the science doesn’t support any new masks yet. There hasn’t been enough research done on the effects of the masks, and what would make a better mask. I think the hockey-style ones have been around for awhile, too. At least 10 years, maybe longer.
The best thing they could do is alter the hockey-style masks to break away on impact, with some type of velcro holding the front end up so it’s not a 1-piece design, which would provide the best benefit of the two types.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought it was weird
that Buster was still chewing gum while bitching about his jaw hurting. And he sure let out a loud “FUCK” when he got hit again later in the game. Poor dude was having a bad day. (And I don’t think I’ve ever heard him swear before.)
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I’m pretty sure he said “FRACK!!!!”
; )
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Why don't we see the Yeager flap any more?
That seemed to do the job of covering the neck.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
This is not news
It would be news if they were not concerned.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I haven't seen this many shots to the head in such a short time
since 50 cents
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Huh. The Pads just sent down Will Venable.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
sounds odd. He’s been a part of their MLB team, starting, for a few years now, right?
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
All 4 of our outfielders have hit at least 10% above average.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Who has?
When Huff played OF he was down right dreadful. Pat has been off and on but still below his averages. Torres hasn’t played enough, but is below his last two seasons likewise with Ross is below is averages. Rowand is also down after his hot start as well.
I don’t know who is hitting above their averages, but maybe Nate’s OPS.
Not above their averages but above the league's average.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Scoring is down.
But their overall lines don’t look bad.
Torres: 265/351/412
Ross: 256/347/395
Burrell: 233/341/414
Nate: 263/314/488
All those guys’ OBP are well above average aside from Nate, who makes up for it with his power.
Brandon Crawford: Your SF Giants 2012 Opening Day starting SS?
Bruce Bochy may not be the smartest manager, but he's also not the worst
http://www.athleticsnation.com/2011/5/23/2185217/best-manifest-destiny-for-the-as-to-progress-geren-must-go
Check out the hate for Geren
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
Bob Geren is a truly terrible manager
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
One of the reasons I stopped following the As
was they gave the managing job to the way inferior Geren, when they could have promoted Ron WAshington.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Good point
however, the reason was apparently that Geren went to college with Billy Beane.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I figure, if you’re an AL manager, you should be great with bullpen management, because you don’t have to deal with PH and double-switches.
but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Is this a joke?
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
But have you seen the places Geren took Beane for his bachelor's party?!?!?!?!
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Geren
had a bad series in an NL park. It is a whole different game strategy wise. Not a great excuse I know but the A’s didn’t have the advantage. I think for the fans sake he should prob go. They need some kind of shake up across the bay to keep whats left of their fan base. Yes Mr. Wolff and Beane the fans do matter.
Pitching and defense wins championships, but oh those dingerz....
also 2010 mariners hitting coach
is now the 2011 A’s hitting coach
Pitching and defense wins championships, but oh those dingerz....
Poll
Am I allowed to post my Miami Vice picture for the marlins series tomorrow, or do i have to wait until they are in miami??
I want more of this show
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
In a world filled with Torture....2 men are willing to face the heat...Coming soon to Pac Bell Park
by ir1shgiant on May 23, 2011 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 4 recs
LOL FRED
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:29 PM PDT reply actions
Sheesh
The Comrades can’t even keep this game interesting for a few innings. And the Boston game is in a rain delay.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
FIST TWISTER
My mind ain't nuthin' but a total blank, I think I'll just stay here and draaank - Merle Haggard
by NuschlerFace on May 23, 2011 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
CHICKEN DICKER
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Foghorn Leghorn looks funny when he argues a call.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Overheard in the Press Box:
“He’s grabbing his groin, but that could just be for the heck of it.”
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
/grabs your groin for no reason whatsoever
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
WOODY WANKER
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
Dear Nate Shierholz
please have a rec on me…..
Trade Sabean/jk...Overthrow the Ydorks...
I am not a "real" fan without season tickets-The Lacob Rules
why are the Red Sox on my ESPNs again?
Pitching and defense wins championships, but oh those dingerz....
at least show me some NL ball, sick of all the AL games on ESPN.
/boots up mlb.tv for some NL games tonight
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Do AL games
ever end? they always seem to go on and on….
Pitching and defense wins championships, but oh those dingerz....
it’s one long nightmare. like being suspended in limbo, Inception-style
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Bautista homered already today
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 4:54 PM PDT reply actions
LOL BONDS
Jonathan Sanchez: Often maddening to watch, but capable of perfection on a moment's notice---just like his adoptive father.
YOU'RE A HOMER
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
And then walked in his next PA.
OBP just went north of .500.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
YOU'RE A WALK
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
you’re a towel
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Does anyone think that he isn’t on some performance-enhancing drugs?
I’m not saying I do, I just don’t know what to think. This is unheard of.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions
the level of improvement he's shown has to go beyond just PEDs
no one has ever been affected by PEDs like he (apparently) has if we assume it’s all PEDs
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
I don’t think I’ve seen a Blue Jays game this year, and I’d never heard of him before this HR outburst, so I’m not in a position to judge the type of improvements he’s made. I just see those power numbers, and it’s crazy- especially for this day and age in baseball.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions
alot of emphasis is placed on the fact that it’s not like he came up hitting like this- it’s a recent development
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Watch a couple games if you can.
Whatever it takes to be an unwavering threat in the box, he’s got it, and PEDs are not magic.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
His bat speed is incredible. Bobby Valentine gave a pretty good breakdown over what he’s doing.
"Career potential: situational lefty." Situation: Ragnarok, bases loaded, Odin at the plate. You know who's getting the call.
-Adopted Giant: Dan Runzler
.353/.500/.816 1.316 OPS
Is this 2002 Barry Bonds or 2011 Jose Bautista?
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Ding ding ding.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 6:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty much, 176.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions
For comparison, here's his 2006 line (469 PAs)
.235/.335/.420 16 HRs and a sweet .755 OPS
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
When Jose Bautista took a day off on September 4, he was hitting
.261/.345/.301 with 3 HR and 19 RBI and had not hit a HR since July 25th.
From the day he came back on September 5 until the end of the season, he hit .280/.360/.660 with 10 HR and 21 RBI.
Most productive day off ever?
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
this is in 2009
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Obviously he participated in some sort of ’80s style training montage.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
Picked up his steroids shipment?
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I would not be annoyed if he hit 75 home runs this year.
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
I wouldn't be either if I thought it would stop all the whining about steroids.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
72 would be better
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Rowand’s slugging and HR totals were also helped by Citizens Bank Park.
"I don't know how the six-pack got in my hands." -P.T.F. Bat
she’s in it for the abs.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
that's awkward if they just did this shoot today
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Nate’s banging some chick at AT&T Park
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d say j/k, but he probably is.
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I am surprised that the thing you are distancing yourself from isn’t having actually used the phrase ‘banging some chick’.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions
AT&T Park is HOLY GROUND
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Hawt
Girl’s not bad too, oh!
"I don't get out of bed, for a million bucks!"
- Edgar Renteria or a hooker bribing a family man?
by Scooter Ellis on May 23, 2011 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
oh, wow. 9-0 PHI in the 3rd. Is Utley playing?
The only people for me are the mad ones. The ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. ~Inspire Me
by giant4life83 on May 23, 2011 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah but hes 0-2
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I fucking hate off-days
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 5:37 PM PDT reply actions
Nate as a starter?
Maybe. He can probably strike out with a runner on third and less than two out almost as often as Burrell.
lol Yankees
Tied 1-1 going into the 6th, Jays up.
Colon gives up a double to Patterson, IBBs Bautista.
Escobar sac bunts, gets runners to 2nd and 3rd.
Colon then IBBs Rivera to get to Juan Hill, who promptly singles in a run, before giving up a bases loaded walk to Thames and a 3-run double to Arencibia.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
Seating Q about your ballpark
I’m heading out to SF this summer and I’m excited to catch a ballgame at your park. It looks spectacular on the tube and I can’t wait to see it for myself, Have a question for you:
Looking at Stubhub, tickets in my price range include:
Arcade
CF bleachers
LF bleachers
View Reserve Infield
Lower Box sect 121
Good sightlines are great, of course, but I also enjoy sitting where fans are engaged and having fun.
Any suggestions on which section to choose?
Thx….
Scratch lower box 121
no tix left here at my price, actually…
I personally hate View Reserved
And I prefer the LF bleachers to the CF bleachers.
Never sat in the arcade but it looks kinda awesome.
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Thanks
I typically don’t like sitting upstairs at ballparks, as I like to move around and feel a part of things. Yeah, the Arcade certainly does look intriguing.
Who will the Giants be playing?
And how do you feel about drunks and pot heads?
Your feelings on those things will influence where you want to sit.
The Arcade is fun and is a uniquely PacBelle Park experience.
Be prepared to dress warmly, in layers for night games, even in summer. And remember September can be warmer than summer.
FtF: Welcome to Opposite Season!
McC: Don't get it? Try the McWiki wiki.
They're playing the Mets in July
And I’m cool with some colorful characters around me. :)
Arcade for sure. CF is a lot of fun as well but can get a little rowdy. Broke up a few fights out there. Also, no back rest…I guess that makes me an old man
OK - I've got my arcade tix.
Drunks, potheads, guy who likes to fight – here I come :)
Thanks for the advice all…..
What a ridiculous accusation!
He must have had a contact high.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
The CF bleachers were pretty engaging last year, but the fact that it was the last game of the year and the day we clinched the playoffs may have had something to do with it.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
VR Infield if it is between 310-320 and in the first 10 rows are very nice seats.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions
In my old age
I prefer to go to fewer games and get better seats. The other night we sat in the Club Level, which is realy nice, but all last year I only sat in 113-117 ish sections. Seeing Tim pitch from behind home plate is something everyone should do in their lifetime.
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I agree. I sat first row behind home plate in his last AAA start. It was incredible.
Nowadays that would cost much more than I can afford. So..yeah.
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Edinson Volquez calling out Reds offense
“I think everybody has to step up and start getting some runs,” Volquez said on Sunday. “The last five games, we’ve scored how many runs? Thirteen in five games? It’s not the way we were playing last year. We’re better than that.”
This makes me appreciate Cain and the rest of the giants pitching staff so much more. Team chemistry, *uck Yeah!!
by riprock on May 23, 2011 6:20 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Pfft. 13 runs in 5 games would be a luxury for the Giants starters.
l2pitch, Edinson
Fortune favors the lucky.
by BusterHomerun on May 23, 2011 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Agent Ned's lineup tonight
features 6 players SLGing under .300, and 7 players OBPing under .300.
Can't spell "Colletti" without LOL.
it's like 2008 giants down there
except less pitching
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
under .300?
Woooow.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
I feel smart for saying the Dodgers would suck back in January when everyone was scared of them.
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
This is how I feel about the Twins,
though I didn’t expect them to be this bad.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
So, this is on my wall now. Just thought I'd share.
Ryan Cavan: Probably better than you think.
by ryanmiles on May 23, 2011 6:44 PM PDT reply actions 6 recs
That looks awful. It would look much better on my wall.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 6:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Shit.
Well, I trust your opinion, so I guess I should just give it to you.
Ryan Cavan: Probably better than you think.
I think that’s a very reasonable attitude you have there, good sir.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Belt hitting 5th today. I think it’s the first time he’s not batting 3rd or cleanup for Fresno.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
HE HAD HIS CHANCE
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
With every decision about starting Nate Schierholtz, you need to ask yourself...
I'm thinking but nothing's happening.
DISASTROS
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 7:05 PM PDT reply actions
No Schulman. Just no
hankschulman Henry Schulman
Hector Sanchez hit three homers and Gary Brown went 4-for-5 for San Jose today. In 2013 or 2014 they could be Gs catcher, CF if Posey is 1B
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Putting Posey at 1B ruins his offensive value
Additionally, Brandon Belt.
Those concern me more than what to do with a catcher in A ball.
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Ruins, no. Greatly decreases, yes. The flip side of that is that a catcher on the DL generates no value, but I don’t want to take a side on that particular issue other than to say I want him catching right now.
As for 1B, I think both Posey and Belt are athletic enough to man an outfield corner and both have good arms, though I would probably keep Posey in LF if I were to move him to the OF. Also, Posey could possible wind up at 3B in the long run. But that of course depends on Sandoval.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
You think Posey could play LF? I’d be scared if that.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions
of*
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
All valid points
I just think it’s really dumb to talk about moving Posey to 1b because a single A catcher hit 3 homeruns and Posey is a little dinged up.
We can talk about this when/if he starts having leg issues.
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
especially when even after 3 HR
said Single A catcher is hitting .313/.331
He is slugging .564 now, to be fair, but he’s got a ways to go.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
I only talk about it at all because so many people on McC seem desperately worried for Posey’s health, so I imagine this will be a continuing dialogue as the season(s) progress.
But Brown in CF? I’m certainly hoping that will happen.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Especially when your comp career paths take him to 2B.
Which makes way more sense for that bat, anyways.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
So, should Brown be in Richmond by June 1st?
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions
.366/.443/.541 5HR 34RBI in 214 PA’s
Also 27/37 stealing.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions
he's got a .267 ISO over the last ten days!
plus his SB are improving (10/11 in last ten days)
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
SHIFT A + OT
Hope I didn’t miss anything, but
NEW OT BANDS!
Also known to haunt as theghostoftravisdenker and theaccidentalghostofsergioromo.
Adopted parent of good old Wendell, he tries so hard. You'll get a hit someday son!
by theghostofjasonellison on May 23, 2011 7:25 PM PDT reply actions
Wow, now this place is the very definition of fixer-upper.
FtF: Welcome to Opposite Season!
McC: Don't get it? Try the McWiki wiki.
the post states at least twice that that property was recently vacated.
FtF: Welcome to Opposite Season!
McC: Don't get it? Try the McWiki wiki.
cthulhu left that mess outside, but the bathtub was ALL hastur.
seriously though, who will buy it?! it looks like hell to fix up – is the area really nice?
By mice?
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions
That staircase has….character.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 23, 2011 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Is anyone else getting low audio on the Grizzlies broadcast?
I’ve cranked up all the volume settings I have and can still barely hear Doug.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
Yeah, I’m on MiLB.tv. Let me try just the online radio broadcast.
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
LOL SAWX
Indians score 2 with 2 outs to go up 3-2 in the 8th.
…That’s a lot of numbers.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Holy shit
Corey Hart just hit his third HR of the night.
Bye bye Jonathan Sanchez.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 7:51 PM PDT reply actions
Bro do you like Blue Scholars?
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
oh... HAI POKEMONZ
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Jesus Christ
Last week, my entire pokemanz team hit 1 HR. Thanks for waking the fuck up, Corey.
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Nate's defense>Pat's bat
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
PLUS, i'm VERY jealous of my girlfriend being at that game right now in Cleveland
got tickets 10 rows up from home plate. She kinda enjoys baseball, but i’m thinking i should probably bring her to a giants game when she comes in August
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
he's really somethin else.
.209 batting avg? WOW
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
BUSY, haha. Still applying to a ton of different jobs
thinking of other possibilities for a Geography major, like Data Analyst, Target Market Analyst…
Should be transferring sometime in the next few weeks tho, no idea where, so i’m checking out prices for apartments in the city
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Doooo iiiiiit.
Unless you’re the sort that will totally stop paying attention to her because you’re distracted by the game.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
lol, i mean, i'll pay attention to her if she asks if i want anything like a beer or something!
KIDDING, usually i talk a good amount at a game, but more about the game itself or something
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
A day at the ballpark can make a really great date, but I’m totally the sort of person that would be like “STOP TALKING, TIMMY’S PITCHING!”
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Ha, yea. I mean, if it is a real tight game, then there’s not gonna be any talking, just watching the game. But ya got to throw in a conversation or two during the game, like in between innings, during pitching changes, waiting for the batter to get into the box, etc
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Yep, she did
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
"You put Darron Ford in the cage, teach him how to hit the ball into the ground – he’s gunna beat out 9 out of 10 groundballs." – KNBR Caller. Yes. Ford will bat .900 in the bigs.
by Uncle Russel on May 23, 2011 8:00 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
yep!
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Love it when people say things like this.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
I’m just waiting for the day that someone calls saying that Ford has serious power – because any double would turn into a inside the park homerun.
by Uncle Russel on May 23, 2011 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
OT: So i'll start to be on here a little bit more
they changed my work schedule a bit, so instead of working 7-330, i’m working 3-1130 tomorrow through whenever… So i’ll miss the giants games, but that is OK
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
I hope you're right KLaw
keithlaw keithlaw
Surkamp. DLR. RT @fauxshawn: Most likely from this list to make impact in ’11: De La Rosa, Surkamp, Peacock? Biggest ’12 impact?
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Oops
keithlaw keithlaw
Surkamp. DLR. RT @fauxshawn: Most likely from this list to make impact in ’11: De La Rosa, Surkamp, Peacock? Biggest ’12 impact?
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Giants first team to fight to stop bullying of gay kids
Go Giants!
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;ylt=A2KJjbypINtNmCEAh.FNbK5?slug=reu-giantsgays
I can only be nice to one person a day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look good either.
by GiantMalcontent on May 23, 2011 8:12 PM PDT reply actions
And dodgers lose
3-1 lead at the bottom of the 9th and kenley jansen loses
by Hyoton on May 23, 2011 8:15 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
lol dodgers. kenley broxton? jonathan jansen?
by non sequitur on May 23, 2011 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
And the worst radio call by the Astro announcer
With Bourne on 2B as the winning run, Pence at the plate w/ 2 out … “and there’s a line drive to left field … aaaannnndddd Gwynne circles around … blah blah blah”. He never said that the ball dropped until he mentioned the throw to the plate. “BALLGAME”
"It'll break your heart. It's designed to break your heart."
- A. Bartlett Giamatti
Green Lantern looks terrible
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
YOU'RE A LANTERN!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, those trailers have not been impressive.
Doesn’t help that Ryan Renolds couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag.
by fishmicmuffin on May 23, 2011 8:29 PM PDT up reply actions
I Disagree
Brian Wilson: "Don't Quote Me"
Buster Posey: "I Ain't Havin' It"
Pat Burrell: "The Patural"
Aubrey Huff: "Let's Get Weird"
by slackersphere17 on May 23, 2011 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
He can totally act his way out of a paper bag!
Given enough time and moisture.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 23, 2011 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't thinka anyone could act their way out of a paper bag.
That is not, I’d imagine, generally how people exit paper bags. Though, of course, the real question is how one got oneself into a paper bag to begin with.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
I’d probably just walk towards the opening. Once out of the bag, I would probably fold it up and put it away. You never know when you might need a paper bag.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s true.
Most french fries can’t act their way out of a paper bag,
But damned if I don’t enjoy them all the same.
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
looks good, i think
Back on the market.
by positiveuphemism on May 23, 2011 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
LOLDGERS
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 8:28 PM PDT reply actions
THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
yikes, they'd play this at like 4 AM during "Hell Week" AKA Initiation Week for Pike
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Now 9 games behind the Giants in the AILC
"It'll break your heart. It's designed to break your heart."
- A. Bartlett Giamatti
Outman is the perfect name for a pitcher
by WhatsAMataHari on May 23, 2011 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Had quite the outing as well.
My son!
Man of the Crazy Sink.
Also related to a certain GasCan.
I'M A GIRL
Westbrook is trying his hardest to blow another game
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
I just dont understand why every time he has the ball you know he’s gonna put it up, dude doesnt pass
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
He was playing so well thru 3 quarters
And then the 4th quarter comes around and he loses his mind
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Havent we seen this before too? Guy got benched last game. Either drive it to the basket, run a play or give it up to Durant
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
That was a bullshit call
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Westbrook takes this shot
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
I wouldn't even inbound it to him
Just pass it to Durant
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Basically did, and Durant just got OWNED
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Fake Bill Walton said it best
TheBillWalton The Bill Walton Trip
With Scott Brook’s woeful play calling, we can only imagine another 36 foot 3 pointer from Durant to fall off the rim before we go to OT.
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Thunder Fail
Someone’s gonna have the stones to go with the really insensitive headline pun. I’m guessing the New York Post.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
This is a mess
I’d put in Maynor
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Cuz he runs around like a chicken with its head cut off
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
pretty much this... tries to do way too much
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
They let Jason Kidd do whatever he wants on defense
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
It's pretty crazy Kidd is 38 and is still pretty damn good
is basically keepin up with with the tempo of OKC
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
More Westbrook fail
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Miami vs. Dallas for the title....
Dirk takes over
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
LOL
TheBillWalton The Bill Walton Trip
Scott Brooks goes back to the clipboard, looking to design another fabulous sandlot play where Westbrook pours confetti on his defender.
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
He's probably not gonna lose his job i dont think
but this is pretty bad, guy is like Keith Smart at trying to draw up plays
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Darren Rovell
Headlines: CHO-KC (DBiggles416), JOKE-LAHOMA (burnSTYLEr), GAME, SET, MAVS! (RichMcChesney), PACK YOUR BACKPACKS (PSchrags)
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
lol, just said that to ya
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
So bad tho, got to pass that to Durant so he can take a shot, give it to your best player
or just run a play
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Such a bad call there, looked pretty light
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Anybody else been to OKC? Been there 4 or 5 times
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
9 seconds from Right handed Hitting box to 3rd Base
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
I'm addicted to the VROOOOOOOOOM
Brian Wilson: "Don't Quote Me"
Buster Posey: "I Ain't Havin' It"
Pat Burrell: "The Patural"
Aubrey Huff: "Let's Get Weird"
by slackersphere17 on May 23, 2011 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Somebody tells me when this ball lands
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
the second one?
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
I love MCC on draft day
Not because I know anything about the draft or draft prospects, but I love how as soon as we make a pick everyone scrambles to find info and post it and we all make snap judgements.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
WHO THE FUCK IS THIS BUSTER POSEY GUY, WHAT ABOUT SMOAK!?!?!?!?
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Everyone knew who Posey was at least
I’m talking about everyone digging for information about Jarrett Parker and deciding we loved Chuckie Jones.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
oh yea, for sure, like heck, i didnt know who Tommy Joseph was
Brandon Belt… all i knew was Joseph had “light tower power”
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Can someone tell me where Jarrett Parker actually is right now in the Giants system?
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
oh nice, thanks for the update! honestly had no clue where he was
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
San Jose
Hitting .259/.380/.427
Love the walks, the power is OK, but needs moar average. Still only 22 though I think. Isn’t he supposed to be a plus defender?
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Plus defender and PLUS speed, PLUS range, MEH arm
He’s basically like Gary Brown, but not as developed i dont think. But basically he’s somewhat in the mold of Mike Cameron
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Almost as quickly as people overreact to Single A numbers
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
/googles Samantha Posey with delirious abandon
My son, so I'm told. And this stalwart young lad (Hi, free f.p. #14!).
I want to be a Posey so bad
I’ll take her name. I insist on it.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
If only...
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
by GiantPain on May 23, 2011 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
They do the same squinty thing!
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
GET THAT BACK ELBOW UP SAMANTHA!
Brian Wilson: "Don't Quote Me"
Buster Posey: "I Ain't Havin' It"
Pat Burrell: "The Patural"
Aubrey Huff: "Let's Get Weird"
by slackersphere17 on May 23, 2011 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions
"That boy is our last hope."
“No—there is another.”
by Here Be Giants on May 23, 2011 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions 8 recs
This isn’t green yet? After an hour?
Fostering Ryan Rohlinger in the Eyrie
by shanghaijim on May 23, 2011 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
GERALDINE POSEY!
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Report from the bleachers of Astros-Dodgers
Went to this game in full Giants gear to root against the Dodgers, and of course my seats were next to 3 Dodger fans who drove 10 hours to watch this series.
-Astros fans are totally unfamiliar with the “BEAT LA” chant. It just failed to catch on with the home crowd, which might have been because the place seemed to be about 60% Dodger fans.
-The bullpen implosion was so predictably awesome. Spent most of the game chatting with the Dodger fans around me about how terrible their bullpen was.
-Dodger fans, Like: Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez, AT&T. Hate: Brian Wilson, “Flukey” championship
-I spent an entire inning talking loudly about how awesome Carlos Santana is.
-Dodger fans in the section next to me got drunk and spent large portions of the game on their feet antagonizing Astros fans and heckling umpires and players on the field.
-Kanley Jansen threw nothing but fastballs the entire 9th inning it was hilarious how he is a 1-pitch pitcher.
-The Dodger fan next to me (who was a legit fan and actually fun to chat with all game) was absolutely beside himself when LA allowed Houston to basically take 2nd and 3rd with no resistance and 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th with a 2 run lead. Called for Mattingly’s head and was so frustrated haha.
Most importantly, walking around the concourse after the Dodgers blew that lead and seeing all the sad glum faces on Dodgers fans was the highlight of 2011 for me. I wish I had taken pictures (I’m not THAT big of a dick) but it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD HAAHAHAH. Oh my god sad dodger fans would just look at other random sad dodger fans and give a disheartened shrug of the shoulders and make tearful glances at the ground OHHH YES IT WAS AWESOME.
Listened to that last half inning on XM with the Astros radio feed
I don’t think you’ll ever hear hometown broadcasters call a comeback walkoff win any worse than that.
Anagram of "SF Giants World Series Champs" = SHARP, ORGASMIC, ENDLESS SWIFT
by Stuttering John Tamargo on May 23, 2011 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Another internet place I go to is suddenly discussing Warren G. Harding
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
They can have him
"Lee pitches...Renteria hits a high drive, deep left-center field, David Murphy going back, he's on the warning track—it is...go-one!"
I don't think they want him either
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Climbed El Capitan first.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 23, 2011 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1laeNO9igk&t=18
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
in other news
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5puwTrLRhmw
Wow, his voice was not attractive.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Oh sigh
“The yearly expenses of the governments of this country have reached the stupendous sum of about 7 billion, 500 million dollars… such a sum is difficult to comprehend”
Better times, Calvin.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
My post was about his horrible voice
not his horrible politics. Please stay on topic. =)
The way he pronounces government is making me lol.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
That was weird
At first I thought it was the bad audio track, but then he said it a few more times, too.
govERNment.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
OT: Rapture
Harold Camping, whose Family Radio network paid millions of dollars to promote his prediction, said that Saturday had been "an invisible judgment day" of the spiritual variety, rather than his original vision of earthquakes and other apocalyptic disasters.
makin’ his list, checkin’ it twice, gonna see who’s been naughty or nice..
Wall to wall
People hypnotised
And they’re stepping lightly
Hang each night in Rapture
by non sequitur on May 23, 2011 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions
what if the rapture really did happen and we are all just a bunch of heathens so none of us got taken?
"Life is like a grapefruit. It's orange and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle. It's got pips inside, and some people have a half a one for breakfast."
Ted Williams: .406 1941
Gary Brown: .438 2010
by operation carrot on May 23, 2011 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
we're still screwed
"We had all of our dates correct," Camping insisted, clarifying that he now understands that Christ’s May 21 arrival was "a spiritual coming" ushering in the last five months before the final judgment and destruction.
In an hour and a half broadcast, Camping walked listeners through his numerological timeline, insisting that his teaching has not changed and that the world will still end on October 21, 2011.
"It wont be spiritual on October 21st," Camping said, adding, "the world is going to be destroyed all together, but it will be very quick."
by non sequitur on May 23, 2011 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think the media will let him go while stories based on him still draws eyeballs and hits and lots of funny comments.
Fostering Ryan Rohlinger in the Eyrie
by shanghaijim on May 23, 2011 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Fuck. I’m never going to reach 45… gonna miss it by a week.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 24, 2011 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions
There’s a band called The Rapture, and they are going out on tour this week. What a missed opportunity for a secret show on Saturday!
"Campeones." - Andres Torres
Please follow my Twitter
by Murray, Present on May 23, 2011 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions
You know, up until last year, probably like 99% of everything I ever heard from his radio station had nothing to do with the May 21 prediction. I didn’t even know he was a nutjob until I read bout him in the SF Chronicle.
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
PUJLOLS
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on May 23, 2011 9:19 PM PDT reply actions
I don't think Bautista will break Bonds' record, of course
But I think he’ll have a good shot at breaking the AL record, which is still Maris’ 61.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
You know if he is for real in a few years when the yankees age finally catches up to them the jays may finally have a chance
"Life is like a grapefruit. It's orange and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle. It's got pips inside, and some people have a half a one for breakfast."
Ted Williams: .406 1941
Gary Brown: .438 2010
by operation carrot on May 23, 2011 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions
They have a CHANCE this year
It’s a narrow one, but they’re not that far back, and they have an OK team.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
That translates to 81 in the NL.
Proud parent of SD-born Shane Loux.
If Cain is with us, who can be against us? - atxgiantsfan
you have to carry the three. 197
Kickham where it hurts
by say hey nation on May 24, 2011 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Oh that's cool, my step brother is on the big screen at PETCO... NOBODY CARES
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
I realllllly want to comment on his photo: "Looks like there were a ton of people there to see it"
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Seriously there has been more thunder lately in chico then there was in the entire thor movie wtf
"Life is like a grapefruit. It's orange and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle. It's got pips inside, and some people have a half a one for breakfast."
Ted Williams: .406 1941
Gary Brown: .438 2010
by operation carrot on May 23, 2011 9:39 PM PDT reply actions
Is Thor good?
I’ve heard that it’s surprisingly good, but they said that about Bridesmaids, which I didn’t like. And there’s a bunch of movies I really want to see coming up, like Hangover 2 and X-Men Babies.
"Campeones." - Andres Torres
Please follow my Twitter
by Murray, Present on May 23, 2011 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions
If only "X-men Babies" was in production...
Brian Wilson: "Don't Quote Me"
Buster Posey: "I Ain't Havin' It"
Pat Burrell: "The Patural"
Aubrey Huff: "Let's Get Weird"
by slackersphere17 on May 23, 2011 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Oh yea, and Thor...
It has a lot of good moments. Could’ve been better, but is still better than most comic book based movies.
Brian Wilson: "Don't Quote Me"
Buster Posey: "I Ain't Havin' It"
Pat Burrell: "The Patural"
Aubrey Huff: "Let's Get Weird"
by slackersphere17 on May 23, 2011 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
As someone who disliked Bridesmaids, I have to say that I did enjoy Thor. It’s a little disjointed in that the two realms feel like two different movies (one this sci-fi/medieval epic, one an action-comedy), but it’s not a movie that I exited thinking I just wasted two hours.
American Heroes: Joe Pavelski, Buster Posey, Charlie Coyle
Fear the Fin - NEEDS MORE DOVES
I really liked thor. It had its flaws but it is maybe the second best marvel “avenger” movie behind the first iron man. The cast of thor was perfect
"Life is like a grapefruit. It's orange and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle. It's got pips inside, and some people have a half a one for breakfast."
Ted Williams: .406 1941
Gary Brown: .438 2010
by operation carrot on May 23, 2011 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t know there was a Chico-ite on McC.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
representin the dirty 530
but yeah I am a chico native. Pika goes to chico occasionally and there are a few alums on here as well
"Life is like a grapefruit. It's orange and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle. It's got pips inside, and some people have a half a one for breakfast."
Ted Williams: .406 1941
Gary Brown: .438 2010
by operation carrot on May 23, 2011 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I stop in once a year in February for a staff reunion; lots of friends who live or lived there, mostly for school, so it’s convenient for them.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I love chico
I really dont want to leave but finding a teaching job up here right of college is sort of impossible unless you teach math or science. But i think i would rather go homeless and jobless than give up these burrito wagons
"Life is like a grapefruit. It's orange and dimpled on the outside, wet and squidgy in the middle. It's got pips inside, and some people have a half a one for breakfast."
Ted Williams: .406 1941
Gary Brown: .438 2010
by operation carrot on May 23, 2011 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Any bullpen that has Brian Fuentes automatically can’t be good.
"Campeones." - Andres Torres
Please follow my Twitter
by Murray, Present on May 23, 2011 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I just remember Jeff Fletcher going on Chronicle Live before the season saying the A’s would have the better bullpen this year in the Bay Area. I rolled my eyes at that proclamation.
/It still might come true
//I hope not
Shift-A: Internet policy at new job got me scared to post in the daytime
I posted yesterday that the only thing noticeably different in Nate’s advance batting stats is that pitchers are throwing more pitches to him in the strike zone (about 4 percent more). I wonder if he can keep the stats up once pitcher start throwing outside the zone again.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
It went well. The new place is a lot more structured than the old place which is good in most way but bad in some (i.e. internet policy). There seems to be a lot of work and the people are nice. But it’s just day one…
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
SSS
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah. The partner has not thrown any curves and my BABIP is too high right now.
Regression is on the horizon.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I think you have a high true talent level
Should be able to start hot and sustain performance.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
I’m going for Eckstein level performance. All HEART
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Just try to remain employed. He's out of a job this year.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
That’s true.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
He’s also a multi-millionaire.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
OT: Beer
I just tried some of Deschutes’ Twilight Summer Ale. It’s making me want to reconsider not moving to Portland. That is damn tasty.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
MUST.... TRY... THIS... BEER
Think summer ale is my 2nd favorite behind Oktoberfest, but Christmas ale is pretty damn good
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
A lighter, yet full-flavored, aromatic Ale for the long days of summer. Twilight’s solid malt foundation pairs with distinctive Amarillo hops for flavors every bit as intriguing as bigger, heavier ales. A back porch, lingering sunset wonder.
Smooth, with a slightly bitter finish, but under the surface is a sprinkling of ‘what is this I don’t even.’ Such a welcome diversion from everyone else’s take on summer ales; this one is a fucking champ. Unpretentious and awesome.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Sounds pretty awesome indeed. I really like a different taste in my summer ales. Gets repetitive if it’s the same damn taste. You said the only place to really get this is in Portland? or what’s up?
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Deschutes is based out of Portland, and they have a pretty awesome taproom. Plus, I really like my beers on tap. I see their pale ale (Mirror Pond) and their porter (Black Butte) in quite a few places around Marin and San Francisco, but I found their seasonal at BevMo this afternoon.
As for summer ales, I love a good wheat beer as much as anybody, but it starts to get old after a while. This is a great change of pace.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
On tap… there’s no comparison there, Sierra Nevada beer on tap is SO much better than by the bottle. I’ll try to find that beer when i’m out and about in SF, and definitely try BevMo, i really need to go to BevMo, still never really been in there when i was of age to buy alcohol.
That’s exactly what i want, a change of pace
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
It goes over like a red ale, but without the bite. And BevMo is pretty awesome for microbrews. Picked up some Old Chico while I was there this afternoon, too.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
This is exactly why i should go to BevMo and try it out. Old Chico, the crystal wheat beer? So good, it probably is my favorite beer they have
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
First tried it last Feb. when I was up in Chico. Only found out two or three weeks ago that they had started bottling it. Good move; I think it’s much more marketable than their Kellerweis.
Also… check it:
http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/find?brew=TWILIGHT%20ALE
You can search for local retailers by zip code.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
Yea! Indeed it is, totally thought the only place they could sell Old Chico was IN Chico, not like anywhere outside the area. It definitely is more marketable than Kellerweis.
But thank you so much for the website, seems they got a few retailers at a few grocery stores right here in the area
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
They started it selling it elsewhere now too. It’s really good, IMO.
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
Old Chico?
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Wow, i had no idea
i swear i thought they just sold it in chico, so that is an awesome idea to start selling it elsewhere. SUCH a good beer, crystal wheat baby!!!!
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Like I said, they finally bottled it and started distributing in some locations, Bay Area included.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I just got some in a Fred Meyer's store in Spokane.
That’s the west coast version of Kroger. It’s a mighty fine beer.
by mrs. owlcroft on May 24, 2011 1:07 AM PDT up reply actions
For clarity . . .
. . . because the sub-thread is muddled, she means the Deschutes’ Twilight Summer Ale.
(Me, I go with Negra Modelo.)
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Beats homework.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Beats finals
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Beat LA
Fostering Ryan Rohlinger in the Eyrie
by shanghaijim on May 23, 2011 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions
BEAT OAKLAND
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
ART TEASE!
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
holy shit drama in Oakland
@JohnSheaHey
John Shea
Brian Fuentes rips into Bob Geren: “Unorthodox managing. I thought it was a NL thing. But tonight was pretty unbelievable.” #Athletics
Fuentes on how much Geren communicates with him: “zero.”
When Fuentes got call in 8th inning in 1-1 game today: “I thought he misspoke. I thought it was a mistake.”
Ranking Geren with his other managers, Fuentes said, “It’s a pretty drastic difference.”
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 10:45 PM PDT reply actions
This could be fun.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
AN is absolutely chuffed that Fuentes called out Geren
The implication I am getting is that Fuentes is the local equivalent of Affeldt in a good year, and Geren is using him as a closer.
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Fuentes has a ~.350 FIP
He’s gotten pretty unlucky, but he hasn’t been awful.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
yeah, he's definitely a better pitcher than Affeldt
Just insofar as he occupies the same roster role of “relatively expensive veteran reliever who’d make a good LOOGY and is being used wrong.”
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Didn't he close for the Angels and do a decent job of it?
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I think so
he’s not Andrew Bailey, but he should be doing alright. Geren is overusing him badly from what I gather.
by Lies and Perfidy on May 23, 2011 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Does chuffed mean…angry?
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh
ok.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions
It's a good word. Very British.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I’ll add it to my mental vocabulary. Chuffed, chuffed, chuffed.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
What are the many ways one can use it in a sentence?
Chuffy? Chuffiness? Chuffier than a pig in shit?
"I always knew I was going to be thrown at. I was old-school, so I didn't care, as long as they hit me from the neck down.'' Hac-Man One Flap down Jeffrey Leonard
by Penitentiary Face on May 23, 2011 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions
Just use it as a direct synonym for happy or content
Though I’ve usually seen it used in the negative:
“The waiter wasn’t too chuffed that the customer stiffed him on the tip.”
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
I found out what "naff" really means today
Hint: it has to do with which side you wear an earring in.
"Campeones." - Andres Torres
Please follow my Twitter
by Murray, Present on May 24, 2011 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Not to be confused
With chafed.
Gigante. Campeón. Pumpkin. Andrés Torres.
Dursh nerf darsh narf. Poop.
Oh boy. Shit hit roof.
Fostering Ryan Rohlinger in the Eyrie
by shanghaijim on May 23, 2011 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions
PEACE GEREN
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
This is going down
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Holy Shit
http://janelee.mlblogs.com/2011/05/24/fuentes-criticizes-unorthodox-managing/
What did you think of the situation you were placed in tonight?
Fuentes: It’s surprising yet not surprising all at the same time.
How do you feel with the way the manager has handled you as a reliever?
Fuentes: Pretty poorly.
How much communication do you have with him?
Fuentes: Zero.
Has this been boiling up or is it just recent?
Fuentes: Just recent, really. I think the games in San Francisco were some unorthodox managing. I thought it was maybe the National league thing, that maybe that had something to do with it, but tonight was pretty unbelievable.
Obviously any links in the above post are probably NSFW
The baseball gods do not always punish the wicked but they will not just allow people to spit in their faces -- Joe Posnanski
Kudos, You are a sick, sick man, but you are very good at it -- wcw
Fuentes, if you want to see unorthodox let's send your ass back to Denver and see what Tracy does with you.
"I always knew I was going to be thrown at. I was old-school, so I didn't care, as long as they hit me from the neck down.'' Hac-Man One Flap down Jeffrey Leonard
by Penitentiary Face on May 23, 2011 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Or worse
Cincinnati!
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions
He was whining after the game the other day too
epic drama
Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.
I call him gerald. he’s a pristine white handkerchief, though? nediB eoJ Joe Biden ‽ Joe Biden.
LOL A's
"Campeones." - Andres Torres
Please follow my Twitter
by Murray, Present on May 24, 2011 12:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Has Bork found a bullpen role for Affeldt yet?
Sumbeeetch needs to stop trotting him out there in games that have yet to be decided. Amirite?
"I always knew I was going to be thrown at. I was old-school, so I didn't care, as long as they hit me from the neck down.'' Hac-Man One Flap down Jeffrey Leonard
by Penitentiary Face on May 23, 2011 11:05 PM PDT reply actions
On the pictures
In case some people don’t know, there are “cookies” attached to some of the pictures posted here.
Still the father of two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
what kind of cookies?
Fostering Ryan Rohlinger in the Eyrie
by shanghaijim on May 23, 2011 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions
With Panda allegedly 2 weeks away from returning (if Bork knows what he's talking about)
I’m concerned about the next 10 games: 3 home vs. Fish, 3 road vs. Brewers, 4 road vs. Cardinals. We need to find a way to go 6-4in the next 10 games and get Panda’s bat back in the lineup. Although realistically, it will take another 2 weeks after that for Pablo to get back his timing. I hope he has not added any weight. (has anyone heard on Panda’s progress?) And I hope Bork at least considers mixing Fonte in at shortstop and not go exclusively with Tejada.
"I always knew I was going to be thrown at. I was old-school, so I didn't care, as long as they hit me from the neck down.'' Hac-Man One Flap down Jeffrey Leonard
by Penitentiary Face on May 23, 2011 11:18 PM PDT reply actions
I imagine Panda has lost wight if anything. Since he can’t really do many baseball-related activities he has probably been running, etc.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Pablo said he wanted to use his recovery as an opportunity to lose more weight.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
He worked out with Neal right? I remember hearing about it on Twitter.
My boy Joe Staley plays lineman on Sundays.
"I will never apologize for watching Bonds dominate" – Duane Kuiper
by Soulbrother16 on May 24, 2011 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I woud be happy going 5-5 in this stretch, to be honest.
Brewers are hot at home right now, and the Cardinals are playing way over their heads.
You keep calling in Affeldt. I don't think that means what you think it means.
I've been on McC regularly since the beginning of the 2008 season
And we still don’t really know what to make of Nate. That’s kind of astounding to me.
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
Well we’ve never really gotten to see him play over an extended period of time.
Carter Jurica!
"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." - Gaylord Perry
by GrahamCrakalaka on May 23, 2011 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions
!!!!!
That’s just so weird to me.
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
Getting back to Grant's original questions . . .
And is there a historical comparison, a guy who kind of shuffled around between AAA and the majors until breaking out in his mid-to-late 20s?
No doubt there are. Here are just two that show what an old crank I am.
Right here in our back yard we have Lefty O’Doul with a considerably more extreme story than Nate’s. I realize that a variety of circumstances makes the comparison inaccurate, but the extremes make it more interesting, so this is what you get.
Francis Joseph O’Doul (for you numerologists, he’s a 7-6-5) was born in S.F. in 1897. In 1919, ’20, ’22. and ’23 he played in an average of 14 games/year for the Yanks and Red Sox. He pitched and played outfield without distinction, perhaps because of lack of playing time available on those powerful teams. So Lefty went back to the West Coast, where he did well.
In 1928, at age 31, Lefty accepted the offer to go to New York to replace the Giants’ outfield star, 35 year old Ed Roush, injured after 40 games. (Yes, Ott was with them, but Ott was outfielder #5 in ‘28 and was 19 years old. His time would come soon.) The Giants needed an established hitter and they got one in O’Doul. He didn’t exactly tear up the league, and he wasn’t a ball hawk like Roush, but in 114 games he hit .319 with an OPS or 117 and a BR+ of 8. A good deal for the Giants, who finished just two game out of first and had the second best offense in the majors, behind only the legendary Yankees of that year.
In 1929, at age 32. Lefty had a BR+ of 58, the same as the 20 year old Mel Ott in his own break-out year, except that Lefty had been sold to the Phillies. In that extraordinary offensive year for MLB, Lefty got 254 hits.
I repeat that for various reasons of transport between coasts, salaries, and Irish romance, this is only a superficial comparison with Nate’s situation
Probably a better one is that of Albert Leonard Rosen (a 6-7-5), also here in our back yard but by way of the mid-west. At ages 23, 24, and 25 he made appearances with the Indians, and mostly he popped up or whiffed. They thought he could hit, but he didn’t, and he certainly couldn’t crack into the outfield of the very strong Cleveland team even in 1950, two years after their championship. Doby, Kennedy, and Mitchell were just too good. So it took a trade of the injured/washed up Ken Keltner (a 7-8-7) to make room for Rosen at 3rd base, where at age 26 he started every game and went on to have five terrific years at bat before blowing out a knee and retiring at 32 to become an asshole of legendary proportions while leading the Giants’ front office.
But that’s another story.
Gallo is a 5-5-5. Nature intended this to be perfection.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 23, 2011 11:30 PM PDT reply actions
So, so cool.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 24, 2011 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions
dregarx is a 5-7-7.
His penchant for even numbers goes unsatisfied.
Adoptive father of Jose Casilla.
Nice.
I’m not a numerologist. But I can’t help recognizing my own fearful symmetry.
He is the world's most annoying rooster.
by gallo del cielo on May 24, 2011 1:26 AM PDT up reply actions
OT: This is just absolutely horrific what's going on in Missouri
This last month has been absolutely insane with Tornados, how sad. 116 + dead in Joplin, MO, i remember driving through that town on the way from St. Louis to OKC, the town is totally leveled
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Giants down to 7th in the ESPN power rankings
http://espn.go.com/mlb/powerrankings
Still the father of two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be." - John Wooden
CLEVELAND ROCKS
Proud adoptive father of the fastest guy in the Giants system, Jarrett Parker
One of the best moments in Giants history, 11/1/2010
Makes perfect sense
Giant’s couldn’t possibly be better than the Yanks or Sawx despite having a better record and leading their division.
Hey Sandoval, mix in a salad. Everyone else, mix in a walk.
OK, curfew seems to have arrived.
Sleep tight, and dream of a 3½-game lead.
Professional baseball analyst since 1980.
Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehn.—Goethe
Good morning East Coasters!
Up early today cuz daughter woke up in the middle of night. Now I can’t go back to sleep.
New SS white whale for 2014: Cabrera of Indians.
Would also like Choo in 2014 but he’s represented by Boras.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Brian Lawrence
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Cam Inman
On Wheeler and Crawford:
http://www.mercurynews.com/columns/ci_18124824?nclick_check=1
A week shy of his 21st birthday, Giants prized prospect Zack Wheeler could hardly fathom being linked to potential trade talks for New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.
“It’s hard to think about when you’re this young,” Wheeler said. "It is a compliment, but also you’re with a really good franchise right now that treats pitchers really good and they’re good at developing pitchers.
“It could go either way, but I’m happy where I’m at right now.”
[…] don’t be surprised if he’s [Crawford] rushed up the minor league ladder soon for an organization thin on infielders.
“I’m here for a reason and I’m here to get my timing back, get my swing back to the level it was at in spring training,” said Crawford, who went 2 for 5 with a double, two runs and two RBIs on Monday. “There’s a reason I’m here, and there’s no reason to rush it.”
He said Giants management has been “pretty positive” but tight-lipped about its plans for him.
“With the situation the Giants had for middle infielders (in recent seasons), obviously I wanted to get up there as quickly as possible,” Crawford, 24, said. “There were a few roadblocks in Double-A, facing pitching that was pretty good. I learned a lot from doing that, though.”
They might be Giants...but they are definitely WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.
"And what was once torture for an entire city became a magical ride into an Orange October."
Late to the party, but here goes
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on May 24, 2011 1:57 PM PDT reply actions
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