The Ballad of John Bowker
by Grant Brisbee on Jan 11, 2012 1:13 PM PST
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PrintHere's the problem with a blog that's updated daily by the same guy: After over a half-decade, you're too familiar with his quirks. If you've read this site for longer than a year, you know which players fascinate me. You know that if Jamie Brewington news breaks, McCovey Chronicles will be on the scene. Actual news about a roster move? I don't know. Maybe I'm around to post something. If not, I'll just steal a link from a FanShot. No big whoop.
So here's your post on John Bowker.
Wait! It's not just about Bowker! It's about baseball in general! Come back!
John Bowker was, for a weekend or so, the slugger of the future. Then he struggled so badly that he was removed from the 2008 Giants' lineup. That was … hard to do. After returning to the minors, he put up a fantastic 2009 season in AAA, even by Pacific Coast League standards. He hit for average (.342) and changed his approach at the plate, leading to more walks (.451 OBP). He had 47 extra-base hits in 366 at-bats.
And he couldn't hit a breaking ball if he stood in front of home plate with the lid of a garbage can. But now we're ahead of ourselves.
At the same time he was demolishing Fresno, the Giants' right fielder was having an abysmal season, as was the entire team.
| Year | Age | G | HR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 35 | 149 | 2 | .262 | .318 | .353 | .671 |
That's what the Giants didn't want to replace in August -- with the hitter who was having the best season of any outfielder in AAA -- on a team that wasn't contending. It was insane.
Then the Giants gave the job to Bowker in 2010 based on his spring training performance. That, as is any roster decision based on spring stats, was craaaaaaaaaaaaaazy.
After giving Bowker the job to start the season, he lost it after not hitting in a two-week sample. Completely f'n bonkers.
Then after Bowker was sent down, he lit up the PCL. Again. And he was traded for a lefty specialist who was likely to pitch only 10 or 20 innings between the trade deadline and the rest of the year. Six years of a potential asset for a dozen innings. Hold-your-breath-until-you-pass-out-and-bang-your-head-on-the-coffee-table stupid. Just awful.
And then the Giants won the World Series specifically because of all the above. The trade was brilliant, after all. If Bowker holds that starting job in 2010, maybe there's no Pat Burrell or Cody Ross. Everything had to work out just so. That everything included hosing John Bowker out of a job.
John Bowker is a symbol of everything we think we know and everything we don't know. He is the element of surprise that baseball likes to shiv you with when you're taking a shower. I was right about John Bowker. I was wrong about John Bowker. John Bowker's professional career is dead. Long live John Bowker's professional career.
And his middle name is "Brite." No foolin'.
So when I read the news that the Phillies released John Bowker to let him pursue a career in Japan, I had no choice but to put something up here. It's news to me, dammit. I'll be rooting for him like no other non-Giants player in baseball. I hope he wins the Central League MVP and gets Suntory endorsements for the next three decades. I'm pretty sure he'll do well there.
Bowker is my little obsession. With the ten characters that make up his name, you can reference the Giants' wacky personnel decisions, the veteranophila of Bruce Bochy, the fact that I don't know what I'm talking about, that the Giants won the World Series in 2010, and that baseball is an erratic, twitchy, and unsavory fellow that isn't to be trusted. He's one-man shorthand for the nuttiness of Giants baseball, and why we love and hate it so.
I want to lead John Bowker away from the scene of the crime, grab him by the lapels, and say, "Forget it, Bowk. It's baseball."
Thanks for existing and for hitting and not hitting baseballs exactly when you did or didn't, Mr. Bowker. You were -- and are -- Giants baseball, for better and for worse. Best of luck in Japan.
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Do the Bowk!
"Baseball is a red-blooded sport for red-blooded men. It's no pink tea, and mollycoddles had better stay out." -Ty Cobb
Mayor of Smug.
by rotorueter on Jan 11, 2012 1:16 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
RIP
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
Bowker Brite Boredtodeath
Just play a Brandon or two, come on!
by Tortured on Jan 11, 2012 1:19 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Remember when he hit home runs in his first two games?
Yeah….that was cool.
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
lol Pill
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
I think my Belt paranoia stems from the handling of Bowker.
It’s only further exacerbated by the eerie tide that swept us into a WS and Bowker into playing for Japan. Belt SEEMS (such a scientific word, I know) like he’s better than that!
Perhaps we’ll see Bowker in ten years, a la Vogelsong.
Better to be a Giants fan than an Athletic supporter!
I dunno if the Giants handling of Bowker dismantled his whole career.
I think he just wasn’t that good.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
He had the potential to be serviceable.
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
I won’t dispute that, but is the Giants’ mishandling of him at the root of him not reaching that potential? I hope people won’t blame me for being skeptical.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
It’s a theory that can’t really be proven. If Bowker was allowed to play through his struggles maybe he becomes a 2.0 WAR player. Maybe he never gets it right and is moving to Japan this year regardless. It’s just frustrating that the Giants look at SSS to evaluate the prospects abilities when the other options are proven to be below average.
In other words, it couldn’t have hurt to find out.
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
I can’t really speak with authority on his journeys elsewhere, but it looks like the Giants gave him much more of a look than the Pirates or Phillies were willing to. Granted, 350 PAs in a season is still in SSS territory, but there are far more egregious examples at hand.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Also, people regard Pill as a non-prospect for many reasons that Bowker appears to have shared in common. So, YMMV, I guess.
Not to say that the Giants aren’t bunglers with young players, but I’d just as soon not get my hands dirty digging on a player like Bowker who, like Pill, is probably generic AAAA stock.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Pill was a league-average hitter in his second shot at the PCL in his age-26 season
Bowker demolished the PCL in his first full season there when he was 25. Big difference.
by Grant Brisbee on Jan 11, 2012 1:59 PM PST up reply actions
I just wrote this, but didn’t post it in time.
I think we’ve all pretty much agreed that Bowker was AAAA, but aren’t his numbers at AAA better than Pill’s? I feel like Pill’s numbers, relative to league, were pretty pedestrian, but Bowker’s were not.
Bowker 2009: 342/.451/.596/1.047
Pill 2011: .312/.341/.530/.871
Those are their best years. An overall look favors Bowker as well.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
I don't see the comparison.
Bowker had much better OPS both at AA and AAA, with a positional advantage on Pill.
The production difference is there, but many of the same things that hamper Pill, if I read the general thrust of the scouting arguments against Pill properly – strikeout-prone, iffy with breaking stuff, unspectacular defense, age – aren’t so different from Bowker’s apparent struggles.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
My theory from back than still holds true
If he can’t hit a breaking ball in BP, how many PAs do you need to give him to decide he can’t hit a breaking ball in a MLB game?
Bold Prediction: Pablo Sandoval finishes 1st or 2nd in 2012 NL MVP voting. I'm Twittering now (well maybe not literally now): @GoofusMcP
I thought then
And still maintain that Nate should’ve been the 2010 Opening Day starter in RF. One great year in Fresno with a new approach and without really looking that different (in terms of his swing) is still SSS.
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
Regardless of what happened with Bowker, Belt is a significantly better prospect than he ever was.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
Lest we forget (I don't remember exactly when this screen cap was taken).
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
Bowker's AA line was pretty nice in a pitcher's league
22 HR’s .307 /.363/.523/.886
Granted, his K/BB wasn’t good and Belt’s AA line was better at the same age and again in a pitcher’s league.
But I am sure there are viable major leaguers whose AA lines were not as good as Bowker’s.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Agreed, but
that doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes. Who doesn’t? (Besides Jeff Sullivan.)
Better to be a Giants fan than an Athletic supporter!
I feel the same way
But I went back to look at old prospect lists. Belt rocketed up to top prospect, with A grade. Bowker was chilling in bottom of top 10 with B-\C+ range, behind Nate.
I never understood the MCC love affair with him…. well sorta but I could never get that excited.
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 1:36 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t know if it was a love affair with Bowker so much as that the Giants right fielder was hitting .262/.318/.353 at the time, and Bowker was the in-house option to replace that. We had a love affair with logic, and Bowker was standing at the very top of Logic Hill in those days.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
wrecked
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Sad T-Rex is sad
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:23 PM PST reply actions
OT: You can buy Pat Burrell's locker room chair, and put your ass where his ass was.
Maybe something will rub off.
ON SALE!
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
You want this
2010 Players/Coaches leather swivel clubhouse chairs – directly from the players locker
· Posey. $3,000 each…now on sale for $1,500.
· Cain. Renteria. Ross. Bumgarner. $1,500 each…now on sale for $600.
· FSanchez. Burrell. Uribe. $1,000 each.…now on sale for $400.
· Burriss. $500 each.…now on sale for $250.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Yes, but it has special wheels for VRRRROOOOOMMMM!!!!
Better to be a Giants fan than an Athletic supporter!
It's an email
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
But I can give you the phone number to order if you are interested.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
I think it might be cool for the room where I have a foosball table, however I would need to see a picture first. These are like office chairs right?
"They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." ~ Gaylord Perry
415-972-2201
Each chair has been autographed by the player/coach AND authenticated by MLB.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Buy one, and help the Giants pay Zito!
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
I’m going on vacation in a week and a half. If I weren’t, I would probably buy the Bumgarner one.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
If I had money I would have already purchased the Matt Cain one.
by S. Pickford #25 on Jan 11, 2012 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
Samesies. CA trip in a couple months and $1000 to send my kid to Arkansas for a week in March.
Otherwise, my ass would already be where Matt Cain’s used to be.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
by bigboneded on Jan 11, 2012 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh shit, I didn’t even notice Cain on that list. Part of me still wants the Bumgarner one, anyway, though. Hm. That’s weird.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
If they ship, I think I might get the Cain and / or Posey.
"They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." ~ Gaylord Perry
Shipping is $125 o_O
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Or you can pick up at the 3rd and King Dugout Store.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
That would be a laaaaaaaaaawng drive.
"They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." ~ Gaylord Perry
The rep at the number is super cool. I’ve ordered stuff before and he’s always been helpful, even when I call back and change my mind.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Get both and send the Cain one to me. I’ll be your best friend.
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
but… will you invite him/her to your birthday party? That’s the real currency here.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I’ll only go if he is serving 1800 Tequila and Doctor Pepper 10.
"They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." ~ Gaylord Perry
No problem
/serves Jose Cuervo & Diet Dr Pepper
/doesnt expect you to notice
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
What I want is the table where Matt Cain sat.
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar dollar bill y'all
by El Person on Jan 11, 2012 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Good call!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 2:13 PM PST up reply actions
Help the RDF …. The Giants are having a yard sale!!
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I wonder if the players see any of this money.
Or if signing a certain number of things for the team’s profit is written into their contracts.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
LOL BURRIS!
The F Sanchez chair has a busted arm rest.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
The Burriss chair has exceptional reclining range, but no matter how far you recline it, it’s still uncomfortable.
by GuyWhiteyCorngood on Jan 11, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
The Burriss chair
Can be used at the dining room table, at the desk, in the office, in the meeting room, or in your yard, but doesn’t particularly do anything well except having someone push you really fast while you hold your arms up and yell “WHEEEEEEE”
Is it bad that I am interested?
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
NO!
I want one, just can’t afford it right now.
Plane rides from AK to CA are too expensive to do things like make fun purchases.
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
Wait a Renteria Chair for only $600?
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 1:37 PM PST up reply actions
It’s structurally defective.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
It will only work once in a 2 year period.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:40 PM PST up reply actions
I wouldn’t touch that Burrell chair with a 10 foot pole.
Carter Jurica!
"Has anyone really been for even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?"
by GrahamCrakalaka on Jan 11, 2012 2:29 PM PST up reply actions
But not literally rub off?
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:26 PM PST up reply actions
Literally.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU (AGAIN) [now with theme song]
I tweet (and occasionally blarg) | Your San Francisco Giants: "Together We're Broken!"
Ehn…
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:41 PM PST up reply actions
I’m not sure I like this whole “If the Giants don’t make this series of stupid and/or weird decisions they may not have won the World Series” line of reasoning.
I don’t think it’s an “if, then” hypothetical. I think it’s more straightforward than that, or is at least meant to be. Just a recitation of history: “The Giants made this series of stupid and/or weird decisions, and then won the World Series.”
It’s accurate.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:29 PM PST up reply actions
Next stop: North American League
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:24 PM PST reply actions
my eyes didn't lie
one AB and I pegged him a non-starter
proud son of greatgiantfan; b. Apr 29, 2009, d. Jul 30, 2010.
Grant, this is one of my favorite pieces of yours.
Great job.
Also, I more or less had to beg for this picture, but it was worth it:
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
I miss your tiger pants.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:30 PM PST up reply actions
And your bangs.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU (AGAIN) [now with theme song]
I tweet (and occasionally blarg) | Your San Francisco Giants: "Together We're Broken!"
I believe howie was imagining that you were wearing tiger pants in your Rickey picture. Seems appropriate. =)
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU (AGAIN) [now with theme song]
I tweet (and occasionally blarg) | Your San Francisco Giants: "Together We're Broken!"
That would have been awesome. As it was, I was wearing some sweet denim shorts, and I had a flannel pullover tied around my waist. So stylish.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
I had assumed you had a jacket wrapped around your waist, but it looks like tiger pants, so that’s what I’m sticking with.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
Bowker has arms?
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
sl
Yeah, but look how short they look in this picture:
(Also, LOL Todd Wellemeyer in the background.)
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
Also, I just now got the joke about his arm in the first picture.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
Bowker and Wellemeyer are both really weird footnotes to 2010.
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar dollar bill y'all
The weirder thing, for us anyway, is going back and listening to the KNBR cd’s and hearing about Downs and Rohlinger making game winning / changing plays.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
The weirdest thing is probably that one time Downs was DH.
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar dollar bill y'all
You listen to those cd’s again and you remember just how dreadful most of the 2010 season was. Did you know, Matt Cain wasn’t the only pitcher to lose a game 1-0 with no earnies… apparently in September Zito did too? I heard that bit just as I fell asleep last night, gotta look it up …
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Yeah, the 2010 Giants are one of two teams ever to lose two nine-inning one-hitters. That Zito game was absolutely awful.
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar dollar bill y'all
PGT:
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2010/9/14/1689894/post-game-thead-giants-lose-1-0-on
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar dollar bill y'all
Baseball reference…eeeew it was a dodger game too boooo!!!
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN201009140.shtml
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I was talking about Marmaduke Grove for some reason.
Cash rules everything around me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar dollar bill y'all
My least favorite Doobie Brothers song.
by Grant Brisbee on Jan 11, 2012 4:09 PM PST up reply actions
I went to the Sanchez 1 hitter loss in SD
OMG i wanted to puke. It was pure Padre’d all over it. Bloop single, sb, ground out and a sac fly to 1b.
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 2:18 PM PST up reply actions
I was just looking at pictures from when the Grizz were at Raley Field in 2010. So many guys who are gone: Rohlinger, Downs, Guzman, Bowker, STEVE HOLM! and, of course, Eugenio.
Fortunately, we still have Pill and Burris. (And, to be fair, Brandon Belt was there, too.)
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
I always had a soft spot for Bowker because he's from Sacramento
But we should have known he was going to suck. He went to Jesuit in Sacramento the same school as Just Turnover O’Sullivan.
He was kind of a douche in SF, but when he was with the Grizz and played games in Sacramento, he was so awesome. People were all, “my mom was your elementary school teacher!” and he would chat with them forever about their mom or whatever.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
I’m friends with one of his old teachers. I think I’ve told you this before, but the word is that Mr. Bowker tended to focus his attention on something other than his studies.
Andre Ethier: Gross-o-Matic 5000
-Adopted Giant: Dan Runzler
I think Jct took a Bowkermania sign to a game. That is dedication.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:33 PM PST reply actions
lol 2011 Huff
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Dirtbag
Giant Dirtbags: :(
Jeremy Affeldt is terrible.
by Giant among Angels on Jan 11, 2012 1:35 PM PST reply actions
He hit okay in college. Long Beach is a tough place to hit. Not a superstar, but I remember Headley putting up numbers not unlike his, and Headley didn’t have to play half his games where Bowker did. Bowker would seem to have had some potential.
It’s funny. When watch those teams I never thought much of him. Maybe it was because he was overshadowed by superstars. I was surprised to see that he was doing well in the minors.
Though, I do remember him hitting the longest ball I’ve seen hit at Blair Field – An absolute bomb down the right field line. Like you said, the ball does not carry at all there (especially at night).
Giant Dirtbags: :(
Jeremy Affeldt is terrible.
by Giant among Angels on Jan 11, 2012 1:43 PM PST up reply actions
Well, we all know
What happens to our prospects who get traded to the Pirates and wind up in Japan. I’ll be looking forward to the MVP votes he’ll get for us in 2015.
by GuyWhiteyCorngood on Jan 11, 2012 1:37 PM PST reply actions
Only works for pitchers
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
For someone who accomplished so little in a Giants uniform
Or any uniform, actually, John Bowker inspired some pretty good photoshop stuff. I just google image searched Bowkermania and LOL’d a couple of times.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:39 PM PST reply actions
I found this pic looking for Bowkermania
To the future!
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 3:09 PM PST up reply actions
Injured, Fresno, Fat
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
The off season sucks
Especially when not relishing in TGWTWS.
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 3:15 PM PST up reply actions
Bowker might have had the weakest arm I've ever seen for a outfielder
I remember that A’s series a couple of years back he could barely get the ball back to the infield.
lol Coco Crisp
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Johnny Damon!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 1:46 PM PST up reply actions
I always read his name in the Team America Matt Damon voice.
by S. Pickford #25 on Jan 11, 2012 1:49 PM PST up reply actions
A sound artistic choice.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
I always hear it in Shelley Fabares’ voice.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jan 11, 2012 3:11 PM PST up reply actions
Johnny Damon’s arm was so weak the Red Sox would as a matter of routine position Manny Ramirez only dozens of feet away as a cutoff man.
by biff pocoroba on Jan 11, 2012 3:52 PM PST up reply actions
According to MLB.com
there were 172 video highlights involving Bowker
http://mlb.mlb.com/search/media.jsp?query=john%20bowker
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I didn’t hang out here back then, so when Bowker got the starting job out of ST all I thought of was how they were screwing with Nate. They love to screw with Nate so much. You watch, Belt with get the LF job and Nate with be riding the pine again in 2012.
Not that that’s such a bad idea in this case, but still, poor Nate.
Just play a Brandon or two, come on!
I was never that attached to Bowker, and I think it’s because I’ve always loved Nate so much.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
I am/was not attached to either.
I DON'T BELIEVE YOU (AGAIN) [now with theme song]
I tweet (and occasionally blarg) | Your San Francisco Giants: "Together We're Broken!"
I've always been far more attached to Nate than Bowker
Defense is sexy
Bold Prediction: Pablo Sandoval finishes 1st or 2nd in 2012 NL MVP voting. I'm Twittering now (well maybe not literally now): @GoofusMcP
I think Nate used to sneer at Posey when he first came up
That was my feeling on his body language to him.
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 1:45 PM PST up reply actions
it is an interpretation
I was looking for it, so probably in my head. But he seemed to give a disgusted look like he was fighting for his life to get a spot, and here is Johnny Comes Lately.
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 2:21 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t know why, but I find this hilarious. In my extremely limited interactions with Nate, he comes off as super shy. I think he’s basically a nice guy.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
If anybody has been screwed with by this team, it's Nate.
Fo’ realz.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Has he though, honestly?
He’s had to earn what he’s gotten, but unlike Belt or Posey, there’s not exactly any real expectation for him to be much better than he is. So he gets to be a fringe starter/awesome 4th OF on a competitive team. I suppose he COULD start for sure on a middling to crap team, but as it stands I think he’s doing pretty well for what’s expected of him. And I have always loved Nate. My grandad and I watched his first major league game against the A’s where he dominated them. That game is associated with one of my happiest memories of my grandfather, and I will always root for Nate Schierholtz because of that.
Thanks. My grandfather's my connection to the sport, really
Took me to my first game at the ‘Stick when I was 5. All of my favorite baseball memories are because of him. I had a really long fan post about 2011 with the Giants, and he, my dad and I… but it’s a bit too personal to share I think. Needless to say, the metaphor for that Giants’ season basically was our year.
I think the reason Nate still has a job with the Giants is that he has been able to pinch hit and almost never play and still do a reasonable job when he gets the nod. This is a pretty valuable skill, if you ask me.
Plus, that D is sweet.
Just play a Brandon or two, come on!
Giants really put a lot of stock in that “well, we benched you and all but forgot about you for a couple of weeks, so when we put you in to pinch hit you’d better get a hit — and I don’t mean get on base via a walk or HBP, I mean a goddamn hit — or else you’re nothing” strategy.
I don’t know, but that one he hit in Colorado was INSANE.
@legaleagle88
I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested.
IT'S HEADED FOR KANSAS!
11 01 10
Veni Vidi Vixi
by WhereThere'sAWillieThere'sAMays on Jan 11, 2012 3:56 PM PST up reply actions
Kinda OT, was checking out ZiPS
And Matt Downs is projected to have the same OPS+ as the beloved Jed Lowrie (97).
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
I love Jed Lowrie almost as much as I love projections!
But seriously, Matt Downs ain’t puttin’ up no 97 OPS+.
He had a wRC+ of 138 (in 222 PA's)
I don’t think it’s crazy to project a 97 OPS+
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
11 01 10
Veni Vidi Vixi
by WhereThere'sAWillieThere'sAMays on Jan 11, 2012 1:55 PM PST reply actions
No thanks
I’d rather he be
Big in Japan
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
This should have been a Tom Waits link.
"Baseball is a red-blooded sport for red-blooded men. It's no pink tea, and mollycoddles had better stay out." -Ty Cobb
Mayor of Smug.
Now I'm trying to remember...
…I have yet some other “Big in Japan” song running through my head, a circa 78-82 post-punky, Ian-Curtis-ish singing-below-his-range kinda version. I was thinking it was the one by the band Big in Japan, but I just listened to that one and it’s not the one I was thinking of.
"If it's weird, you know it's probably Wilson's." - Matt Cain
Look Who is Back
The Indians signed former Dodgers and Mets shortstop prospect Chin-lung Hu, Goldstein tweets. The 27-year-old has a .296/.339/.412 line in nine minor league seasons. He appeared in 22 games with the Mets last year and also has MLB experience with the Dodgers.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Handegg OT: Would he be a good fit for the Niners?
As the New York Jets gut their offensive coaching staff, some players are reportedly wondering whether they have the right field general in place in Mark Sanchez.
The New York Daily News reported on Wednesday that it had spoken to key Jets players and they anonymously questioned the young quarterback’s work ethic and said that the team might be better off with a QB like Peyton Manning, if the Colts made him available.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I heard something along those lines on KNBR this morning…apparently the Colts have a 27bizillion dollar payroll dealie due Peyton in March sometime. No way they want to pay that.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I was actually referring to Sanchez. I don’t know if I want Peyton. Neck injuries are too tricky to predict.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Sanchez isn’t good
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
I can’t quite figure him out. In the few games I have watched he looked like he can make all the throws and is decent. Having Ryan as your coach can’t help.
Probably makes too many mistakes for Harbaugh’s taste.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
He plays in a great system for being not very good as quarterback.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:37 PM PST up reply actions
but it seems like Ryan bottles him up for 3 quarters and then expects him to make comebacks if and when the Jets fall behind.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
That’s the Niners strategy too, except their defense/special teams rarely lets them fall behind.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
I guess the question is then whether Sanchez is better or worse than Smith.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Not obviously better to the point where signing Sanchez is in any way worth it.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Well, Smith is a FA next year. Depending on how truthful the rumors are, you can probably get Sanchez for like a 4th rounder. The dude is 25 and has show improvement.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Why give up a draft pick when you can just re-sign Smith?
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
I’d rather them sign Jason Campbell than re-sign Smith.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
because Smith might want more money than he’s really worth.
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on Jan 11, 2012 2:54 PM PST up reply actions
Might?
Wasn’t the rumor 3 years, 10+ per year?
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
If that's the case
They better start looking for a new QB1
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on Jan 11, 2012 3:37 PM PST up reply actions
Okay.
In the event that 1) the Colts cut Manning, 2) the Jets pick up Manning, 3) the Jets try to trade Sanchez, 4) the Niners have not yet signed Smith, 5) Smith wants too much money, 6) the Jets will accept a 4th round pick for Sanchez straight up, and 7) nobody offers the Jets better than a 4th round pick, we can revisit this.
It’s a pretty unlikely sequence of events for a marginal upgrade, when there are better options available anyway.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Because of reasons
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
Worse right now, at least. He still has youth on his side, though, to be fair.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:46 PM PST up reply actions
I think Sanchez has more talent.
But Smith is definitely smarter. Depends on the type of QB you want.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
If Ryan didn’t bottle him up, they’d be behind a lot more in the fourth quarter, probably.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:45 PM PST up reply actions
you think so?
I mean he has had some success with come from behind wins and the playoffs. I would think that being behind in the 4th quarter would probably be the toughest position to be in.
Jets have no real running game or receivers.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Outside of the defense, Holmes and LT have at least as much to do with the Jets’ success in ’09 and ’10 as Sanchez did.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
I was talking more about last year
he basically had the same stat lines in 2011 as he did in 2010 but with significantly less talent.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Huh?
He had a significant increase in turnovers in 2011
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
He’s had some success in random samples that happen to line up a certain way, is how I read that. Do you have any idea how small the sample gets when you pull out only certain drives in certain fourth quarters? It’s the Tebow argument, which gets legitimized somehow because of FOOTBALL.
To illustrate: Tebow has started 14 games. In several of those, he has played well in the last five minutes. Let’s say 10 of those games, which is extraordinarily fair. 5×10=50. When people talk about Tebow’s fourth quarter play, they’re almost universally talking about less than an hour’s worth of quarterbacking. In what universe is that sample not criminally split?
That’s the same thing that happens to Sanchez’s samples when you split them for the same thing. You’re probably talking about a total of two… three hours worth of play? 15 to 20 minutes of which came in the playoffs? It’s crazy.
He’s not terrible, mind you, but he’s certainly below average by any measure you want to use.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
Actually I am arguing the opposite
in that Sanchez is being placed in a position to fail last year since the defense was not nearly as good as before and the running game was not good.
The only reason why Tebow actually “wins” is because his defense and running game keeps the team close.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I’m not talking about why they win. I’m talking about the folly of the “end of the fourth quarter, game on the line” sample. It doesn’t really matter why the game is close. If you’re only talking about a AB’s performance in the last five minutes of the game, regardless of what happened the rest of the game, you’re saying something ridiculous. I used Tebow only because his sample shows how ludicrously small these numbers get when you split them by more than… what… 5 out of 30 minutes a game is an 85% reduction? Split them by 85%? Why would you split any sample that much, much less one that is already small?
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 3:00 PM PST up reply actions
A QB’s, I mean. Baseball blog typo.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 3:01 PM PST up reply actions
Fair enough
I was just talking about whether Sanchez is a better or worse QB because of Ryan’s coaching style.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Well, I think my opinion is probably obvious. It is, of course, still just an opinion.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 3:05 PM PST up reply actions
Well that was all part of their supposition…IF the Colts cut Manning, and IF he goes to the Jets…. would Sanchez make sense for SF …. blah blah blah… I didn’t hear anything after that…I had reached my destination.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I would pay it if I were them. The upside is Peyton Manning, and they’ll have Luck anyway.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
could the acquiring team pay some of that?
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I don’t really know how football contracts work.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:38 PM PST up reply actions
this is some kind of roster bonus thing, remember NFL contracts aren’t guaranteed either.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Yeah
but I am wondering if the acquiring team can just send cash to Indy like what they do with baseball trades.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
….the Colts eventually need to make regarding whether to keep Peyton and pay him $28 million on early March 2012, or whether to trade/cut him and owe Manning nothing.
I think he ONLY gets paid if he is on the Colts roster at whatever the specific date is in March.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
oh p00p here’s the st00pit link
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/06/peyton-manning-has-the-power-to-soften-colts-contract-dilemma/
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
If the Colts don’t want to pay Manning, then they’re not going to find a team to pay the bonus AND trade for him. People will just wait for him to get released and then bid on their own terms.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Sure
but you are insured to be the team who gets him. It would be like a transfer/posting fee.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
The difference is that baseball teams don’t have an alternative to the posting system for NPB players.
Teams take their chances and wait out the waiver wire all the time.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
I don’t think he goes on waivers. I take it that it’s more of a non-tender than a cut.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
I didn’t meant to suggest that he would. Just that it’s common for teams to wait out the waiver wire rather than put in a claim because they think they can get a player for cheaper.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
In this case, they would smell blood in the water with the Colts, and wait for them to cut Peyton so they can court him themselves.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
It sounds like you might as well wait anyways.
Scenario 1: Trade for him early.
Scenario 2: Wait. They cut Manning. Sign him.
Scenario 3: Wait. They don’t cut Manning. Trade for him.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
Avoiding the scenario that involves paying part of a $28M bonus is a pretty decision to make.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Well
if for example the Jets offer to give Indy $5 million and some draft picks to get Peyton. They can pick up the remainder of his contract but can cut him without paying out any more money.
I am assuming that Peyton would want at least $5 million in a signing bonus to sign with someone else.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I would be pretty pissed if I was a Jets fan and they did this.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Why?
I just talking about the downsides. The upside is that you are guaranteed to get Peyton without getting into a bidding war for signing bonuses.
You may be out draft picks but if you want Petyon bad enough it would be worth it and you could get a draft pick back in trading Sanchez.
Also, I would imagine fans would be psyched to get Peyton.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Because you’re inheriting a deal that presumes a healthy Peyton Manning. Which is stupid.
If I go on eBay, I’m not going to click “Buy It Now” on a product with no return policy listed at three times its retail value.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Shit
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
I wonder if I can return that anyways.
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
yes
you would inherit the deal but it’s really a game by game thing. If he is not playing well after the first four games, you can cut him with no money lost.
I doubt you will get Peyton at 1/3rd the contract price…maybe 2/3rd
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
I’d rather pay a player what I think he is worth rather than what another team thinks he is worth. Especially when performance is a crapshoot.
Ask the Raiders how Carson Palmer is working out.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
but the Raiders believed that Carson Palmer was worth the draft picks they gave up.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Because they thought they were getting the upside and going to the playoffs.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
sure
just as the Jets would believe that they would be going to the playoffs with Peyton.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
They did get the upside
The Raiders missed the playoffs because of their defense. Carson played very well, enough to have been worth his price.
These are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others. -Groucho Marx
Really? The players would rather have Peyton Manning, one of the greatest QB’s of all time, over Mark Sanchez? Surprising.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
one of the greatest QB’s of all time…. whose neck is apparently attached to his body with duct tape and silly putty….
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Players don’t really know how all that works tho. I bet if you anonymously asked players from 25 teams, they’d all take Peyton.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
Mark Sanchez is pretty bad.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 2:35 PM PST up reply actions
He's ok/average-ish
I wouldn’t put him in “pretty bad” yet though
Don't think he can cut it in the bigs? Brock Bond will be the bigger man and walk walk walk away.
More like shortARM AMIRITE?
He’s one-man shorthand for the nuttiness of Giants baseball
Carter Jurica!
"Has anyone really been for even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?"
by GrahamCrakalaka on Jan 11, 2012 2:31 PM PST reply actions
Apropos username is apropos.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
CHANGE SOCIETY!
/blazes up
Giants Baseball: Hope like hell™
Proud father of the man in charge of taking your hard-earned cash.
That is awesome
I see RedBox has Skyrim. I may try it out for $2 someday. Oblivion never did it for me so I am scared. I still have 3 games to finish first.
Blerg
by Myemail21479 on Jan 11, 2012 2:45 PM PST up reply actions
You woulda had less fun.
I just finished the main quest. Now debating on what I want to do.
Brandon Crawford: Better than overpaying for Jimmy Rollins.
OT: My boss is at CES this week
ioSafe was showing off the durability of its new hard drive by zapping it with a Tesla Coil. It’s honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
Snark
How durable are ioSafe’s factories when subjected to flooding?
Though it is clearly well-informed, we find his argument unconvincing; however, the possibility that we are too stupid to comprehend it deserves serious consideration. Germane Literature: The Cutting Edge 13:2, 4/2006
Hah.
Well, we’ve had the pleasure of lighting previous products in their durable line on fire, submerged them under water, and also fired a rifle at ’em. So, they may have their manufacturing troubles, their final products are often indestructible. Like… reverse DeRosa.
Since early Nov., disk prices have at least doubled with slow deflation coming in a couple months. Or so I remember reading a couple of weeks ago.
Though it is clearly well-informed, we find his argument unconvincing; however, the possibility that we are too stupid to comprehend it deserves serious consideration. Germane Literature: The Cutting Edge 13:2, 4/2006
OT: LOST
So our nanny was unavailable today, so I took the day off. Finished the 4th episode already. This show is addictive. Going to start the 5th episode now while getting some margret de canard aux pommes ready for when the wife gets home from work.
"They'll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run." ~ Gaylord Perry
it's really a great show
The first season is probably the best one. The second season is pretty good too, but there’s definitely a lull in the following couple seasons where you can tell the writers were trying to figure out the pacing of the show in respects to how long they might be on the air. Once they decided on an end date, the last couple seasons have a lot more that actually happens.
Unless, of course, you enjoy having a whole episode explaining the origins of Jack’s tattoo. Then the middle sections might be right up your alley.
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on Jan 11, 2012 3:40 PM PST up reply actions
Anyone have a good fantasy baseball league?
I’m looking for an auction league, ideally a keeper. Thanks.
Follow me on Twitter @MTLJosh
by Montreal Giants Fan on Jan 11, 2012 3:37 PM PST reply actions
OT 49ers new stadium
I am a season ticket holder and
I have received numerous, I mean a ridiculous amount, of contact from the Niners in the last week. Mail, email etc. Because I have upper endzone seats they tell me "you will be contacted soon" and invited to our presentation. This reminds of the days of time share. Get you into a room and pressure you to pick the price that works for you. I am probably not going to bite but unfortunately I feel that they will find people for all them seats.
I think it will be a minimum of 5-8 K for the rights. Hell, sideline seats are from 20K to 80K. They call them "Stadium Builder License". Joke. 30 plus years should count for something!
I sit and await always faithful to the giants
by luved the stick on Jan 11, 2012 3:51 PM PST reply actions
Urbs says
BigUrbSports Mychael Urban
#SFGiants close to finalizing deal w/ Ryan Vogelsong. Two years plus an option. Still working on financial details for you.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 4:00 PM PST reply actions
Good thing we don’t have to worry about the more reliable starting pitchers leaving.
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
Also, buying high, again?
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
Yeah… probably.
If it’s more than $6M AAV I’m going to scratch my head quite a bit, but then genuflect to the FO’s decision-making, as it is infallible.
Since it’s his blog, I’d say the chances of his getting impeached are slim.
2010 World Series Champions!
Adopted 'nephew' to the ever avuncular and always awesome Jon Miller
by Johnny Disaster on Jan 11, 2012 4:59 PM PST up reply actions
I’m not going to get my knickers in a twist over anything Urbs “reports”
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
This reminds me of
episodes of “Are You Being Served”
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
Urbs says, NO U!
BigUrbSports Mychael Urban
My Vogelsong report is NOT a rumor. Confirmed. #SFGiants had him take physical 2day. Deal came together quick I’m past 2 days
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 4:11 PM PST up reply actions
Hey, nothing against the guy… you know… but fool me once shame on me, fool me twice and well, we won’t get fooled again!
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Bruce Chen went for 2 years, 9M
Really, unless the $$ is crazy I’m not up in arms about taking a gamble on buying out one year of Free Agency.
Now, about that walk rate….
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
Stop dissing Timmy!
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
im fairly sure grant is a distant cousin of john bowker, or at least once stood behind him in a line at arby’s
Alright I can’t take the congestion anymore…
Step 1 pot-tee
step 2 copious amounts of vicks vapo rub
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I think I’m kinda bored too, so it exacerbates the feelings of p00pitude. If I’da known it was going to take me a million years to find another job… oh well. I’m starting to sign up for volunteer stuff now, I’ll pretend I’m married to a 1%er!
How’s your hubby’s job hunt going?
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
You can always explore more exciting uses for Vicks Vapo rub
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 4:23 PM PST up reply actions
Hubby’s job hunt seems largely theoretical. There’s just not a lot out there. I am enjoying having someone else do the cooking and cleaning.
Just play a Brandon or two, come on!
Ooooooh….. I’ve always wanted a wife!!!
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Lordy! When does Spring Training start?
So we can have some thin material to write about, instead of no material at all.
Tomorrow! Grant writes about Johnny LeMaster! Wait for it!
"It's too LATE to stop now!" - John Lee Hooker
you know I looked for the pitchers and catchers report date last week sometime, and the Giants didn’t have one listed. Stoopit innernet.
http://springtrainingonline.com/features/reporting-dates.htm
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I did find this:
Feb. 19: Voluntary reporting date to spring training for pitchers, catchers and injured players.
Feb. 24: Voluntary reporting date to spring training for other players.
March 2: Mandatory reporting date to spring training.
March 2-11: Teams may renew contracts of unsigned players.
that’s from some ESPN site whose window I accidentally closed and am not going to go looking for again…
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
The Bee had the dates the other day. They had the Mariners and A’s reporting early. I had forgot about their series in Japan.
Aiyaaaaa
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
ahhhhhhh oh jesus oh lordy
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 love picking up picture dictionaries at 2nd hand stores. I have a really neat Chinese one, several Spanish, and I found one the other day that is Punjab. Looking at other written languages is interesting.
I have some stuff in Hmong too, but my Hmong parents have all told me that “nobody reads that stuff. We read English.”
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Chinese is so much easier than English
what with all the grammatical rules and exceptions to the rules and the exceptions to the exceptions to the rules and conjugations……. ARRRRRRRRRRGHHGHHH MAKE IT STOP
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
It’s the literacy part of Chinese that’s a complete and utter bitch. And tones. And the fact that there are, what, five major dialects?
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
Mandarin and Cantonese probably account for something like 90+% of the population. Taishanese, Shanghainese, Taiwanese, Hakka are the other big ones I can think of off the top of my head. I guess what was also called “the dialect” by my ex, who was from Sichuan.
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
I speak some Spanish, enough to communicate, but I could never get the hang of Chinese [or Vietnamese] the different tones just don’t work for me at all. After all those years working with Chinese speaking students I think all I’ve retained is “sing-sing” and “kung-lung”
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I’ve seen people reading Chinese newspapers on the bus, and they stare at the same page for a very very long time, so I glance to see if they’re still awake. I often wonder what they’re reading.
unpack unpack unpack
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
UNPACK UNPACK UNPACK
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
unpack yourself!
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
Every word is the same size. On the same size paper, a page of Chinese is much denser (with more words) than a page of English. I often get sensory overload on Chinese websites. Hundreds of links + 25 to 50 flashing ads. Ugh.
PORN
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 5:24 PM PST up reply actions
Chinese is much easier than English if you are learning a primary language. It is insanely hard if you are learning it as a second language.
There were Chinese History professors in Cal who have awful accents when speaking Chinese.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
My understanding was: As second languages, English is harder to learn but Chinese is harder to learn to speak.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 5:26 PM PST up reply actions
Which is exactly what you said, of course. I’m not arguing this time.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 5:26 PM PST up reply actions
Well, maybe not exactly what you said. I may have read more into the accents sentence than I needed to.
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 5:27 PM PST up reply actions
I disagree. English is easier to learn as a second language. Chinese is harder to learn in all aspects.
To be fair, I’ve never actually tried to learn either one as a second language. So what do I really know?
Once more, coming to you by proxy.
by howtheyscored on Jan 11, 2012 5:37 PM PST up reply actions
I miss so much when I unplug and do actual work for a couple hours
COMIN' ATCHA, FROM ANCHORAGE, ALASKA!
Fathaigh go mbuaimid!
Proud adoptive Father of Joe Panik. 2011 NWL MVP .
Job 1:14-15
BigUrbSports Mychael Urban
Just confirmed by #SFGiants GM Brian Sabean, who said my Vogelsong report is “correct.” He’d be a stud on Twitter. Very efficient with text!
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 4:50 PM PST reply actions
Now being reported by Jaymee and the Giants twitter account
No dollar amount yet.
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 4:56 PM PST up reply actions
Baggs’ got it too.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
I can't read Baggs
He is still blocking me. lulz
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 5:02 PM PST up reply actions
OH GOOD THEN IT MUST BE TRUE
Adopted father of Chris Lincecum, without whom (quite literally) Timmy would not exist.
Civilization 3 > Civilization 4
"Baseball is a red-blooded sport for red-blooded men. It's no pink tea, and mollycoddles had better stay out." -Ty Cobb
Mayor of Smug.
Generally agree.
Too much random crap in 4.
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
See, ya’all bought those desk chairs…now the Giants can afford to sign some players. I wonder what will be up for sale when they start negotiations on Lincecum’s contract.
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
Any money reports out there on the Vogelsong deal?
Quote from my adopted son Mike Krukow: "We're the Giants. We're San Francisco. And we're World Series Champions!"
Not yet
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 5:04 PM PST up reply actions
Let's start with...
too much?
Adopted Giant: Eddie I Have It Grant.
TSFGWTWS DESPITE Botchy, not BECAUSE of him.
you know the last time I asked that
I got a big slap
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 you pay extra for that?
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 5:07 PM PST up reply actions
What would that be?
2 year with a option 3rd.
He was project to make $2.5 M in arb…I would say 2 year $8 million with a club option 3rd.
The Golden Bear is ever watching
2011 Giants Adoptee: Orlando Cabrera (because everyone needs to be loved)
San Francisco Giants Won the 2010 World Series: Not a Typo
New story up
Dearest, Susan - The Patron Saint of Patience
by Lars The Wanderer on Jan 11, 2012 5:07 PM PST reply actions
Now Nyancat-free!
http://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2012/1/11/2700947/giants-ryan-vogelsong-reach-two-year-deal
"I see these guys walking around with rings on, and I want one. That's what it's all about." -Ryan Vogelsong
I still think if John Bowker were given a chance to play routinely before age 25, he would have become a solid power hitting outfielder.
Sometimes it takes a while to get going, but once it starts watch out.
Even Mays got off to a slow start 1n 1951
In 2008, I took a road trip to AZ from my home in Portland, OR to watch the Giants play. In the 8th inning Bowker came up to bat with two outs and a runner on, the Giants down 2-0. We were sitting on the first base line and Bowker lined a foul ball right at me, I stood up to catch the ball and it hit me directly in the hands, one of which was holding an $11 margarita. I lost the ball and spilled the drink all over myself and my wife. Bowker then struck out, presumably at a ball in the dirt. That will forever be my memory of John Bowker. Good Luck Bowker!
by tommylasordaistheantichrist on Jan 11, 2012 7:49 PM PST reply actions
Bowker
Ah yes another typical position player drafted by the Giants that didn’t pan out. Lots of hype in the minors, nothing past that. Wish him well, but the Giants still need to improve on developing position players.
by Giants-Just-Win on Jan 11, 2012 9:48 PM PST reply actions
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