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Around SBN: Notre Dame's Turnaround: How Have The Irish Done It?

Suck it, Winter.

by Grant Brisbee on Feb 14, 2008 11:02 AM PST in News

Pitchers and catchers report today!

Pitchers and catchers report today!

Pitchers and catchers report today!

Or, wait. Maybe it was yesterday. How in the hell did I miss that? And maybe they mean "Pitchers' and Catchers' Report"?

Day One: Matt Cain came into the clubhouse, smiling and laughing. He greeted Aaron Rowand, and then said, "So who else did we sign?" We all exchanged nervous glances. Cain said, "No, seriously, who did we get to help the offense?"

Brad Hennessey broke the news. Cain seemed to take it in stride, but now he's just sitting in a corner and whittling. We thought about sending someone to talk to him, but he's whittling some pretty sharp sticks. Now he's putting on facepaint. This isn't boding well.

The start of spring training is definitely worth a link dump:

The Chronicle gives us a look at Aaron Rowand, our new Vice-President of Intangibles and Good Guyness.
Ned Colletti's son is now a scout for the Giants. Something's not right here. My first inclination would be to suggest that the elder Colletti is a Manchurian General Manager for the Dodgers, but he didn't trade away the farm this offseason. That's what a good secret agent would have done. So now I'll just assume that the younger Colletti is the spy.
"Hey, Pops, the Giants don't have any hitting talent. More details as I get them.
"That's some fine work, Lou. Don't forget about the cyanide pill if you're caught."
Matt Cain is the face of the franchise now, and he pals around with Barry Zito, who, uh...
...has taught Cain guitar, taught him politics and likes nothing better than dumb questions.
Great. So now Cain walks around the clubhouse playing Dave Matthews songs in a "Vote Kucinich!" shirt. That'll take a monkey wrench to the ol' coolness valve.
Seriously, though, has anyone else noticed that Cain is one of the funnier players in recent memory? He has all of the zingers of Jeff Kent with none of the jerkfaciness.
Uh oh. From another Mercury News article, this one about the non-trade of Noah Lowry:
Opposing executives and scouts also were scared off by Lowry's peripheral stats
Dammit. We've entered a new era - one where "Look at his winning percentage and ERA! Shiny, shiny!" doesn't cut it. I kind of liked the old era when it came to mock trades. Mentally pillaging another team's system was much easier then. It's weird to see the term "peripheral stats" in a major newspaper, so kudos to Andrew Baggarly.
Lefty gives a rundown of key spring battles here. I want a "Spring Training `08" logo too, dang it.

Open Everything Pitchers and Catchers Report Thread.

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Comments

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Hey all the cool kids are supporting Kucinich. Plus his wife is hot. I just hopped on the Barry Obama bandwagon because there was room. Though Zito strikes me as a Ron Paul supporter, if just to get the bud legalized.

I read conflicting reports that pitchers and catchers reported yesterday, but I guess they don't actually do anything until today. That wouldn't stop pitchers and catchers from writing reports however, as indicated by Grant's possible query on pitchers' and catchers' report. Topics? Throw some out there.

"Juan Pierre is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life." That would explain a lot of things.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 14, 2008 11:19 AM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Just so it's perfectly clear: Zito is a hard-core republican. At spring training two years ago I gave him a hard time about it and he threatened to throw a bat at me. Now he's a giant. What irony.

by tacomaorange on Feb 14, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions

Hecklers are safe

You weren't in any real danger.

Zito rarely challenges. The bat would probably have missed you high and outside.

by Moggeee on Feb 14, 2008 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

SIX MORE YEARS! SIX MORE YEARS! SIX MORE...

Lon Simmons' adopted dad.

by Kitspool on Feb 14, 2008 3:34 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

zito's a repub? i would have never guessed that. weird.

by em3 on Feb 15, 2008 7:15 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 14, 2008 11:21 AM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

That cat looks so miserable.

by xanthan on Feb 14, 2008 11:22 AM PST up reply actions

I always feel bad for animals dressed up.

Poor creatures sitting there sadly not moving because it feels weird to move with people going "Aww how cute" towards them all the time.

Bleh.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 14, 2008 11:25 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

He's a cat. He deserves it. Ducks

"There's not enough bases out there to intentionally walk everybody you want to." - Grady Little

by leftymalo on Feb 14, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Ducks! Where?

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 14, 2008 11:50 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Anybody else reminded of Wallace & Gromit's "A Close Shave"?

NL West TempestTeapot...the AL doesn't care WHO you sign.

by victor frankenstein on Feb 14, 2008 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

WERE do I report? Stupid cat...

I hope we find out someday that Jeff Kent did steroids

by lincysgiants on Feb 14, 2008 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

Can he man CF?

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 14, 2008 11:23 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Looks like he would be fast and swing the correct sized bat for this squad. Does he play SS?

by daveinexile on Feb 14, 2008 11:36 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

A Hanshin Tigers fan?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 14, 2008 11:39 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

This LOLcat has lots to say about the Curse of Sanders.

Lon Simmons' adopted dad.

by Kitspool on Feb 14, 2008 3:35 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Maybe the all powerful Ceiling Cat told him he could play.

http://www.lolcatbible.com/

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 14, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Zito is encouraging Cain to move to Marin County, where he lives.

DO IT MATT. MOVE NEXT DOOR TO ME. :(

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Feb 14, 2008 11:22 AM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Not if he moves next door to me first!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 14, 2008 11:31 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

He should move next door to me, you know, where I would live if I hadn't actually moved out of my parents' house, and if even when I did live with my parents I didn't actually, you know, hang out in SF anyway.

Oh well.

Tim Lincecum should move to Williamsburg and work at Urban O, only then I wouldn't actually be able to tell it was Tim Lincecum and not one of the seventeen other dudes who look exactly like him and work at Urban O.

"When Jackson Williams thinks of how many times Madison Bumgarner has tried to kill Tyler Walker..."

by multiphasic on Feb 15, 2008 7:35 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Grant, I checked under my cushions but I didn't find the swagger, or even a warrior spirit.

Coming to you from the Land of Many Beers

by WalrusMan on Feb 14, 2008 11:46 AM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

I think you probably learn Swagger naturally around level 30. I've never heard of the move Warrior Spirit, but it sounds a lot like a stat-booster so I wouldn't likely be familiar with it since I never use those moves.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 14, 2008 11:53 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

(P. S. This isn't getting old for me at all)

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 14, 2008 11:53 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

That's what she said!

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 14, 2008 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

IIRC it's a warcry for barbarians in Diablo II.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 14, 2008 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

>...in a "Vote Kucinich!" shirt.

I remember reading somewhere that Zito is a Republican.

"There's not enough bases out there to intentionally walk everybody you want to." - Grady Little

by leftymalo on Feb 14, 2008 11:48 AM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Now I feel less bad for booing him at fanfest.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 14, 2008 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

That's what Alyssa Milano says, but I'm more of a Katherine Helmond devotee.

by Grant Brisbee on Feb 14, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

katherine helmond helped perpetuate the perception that all "monas" are whores. i think.

Dodgers fans eat their young.

by redhornet78 on Feb 14, 2008 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Per the Chron, Zito gets the opening day nod.

by KCE on Feb 14, 2008 12:05 PM PST reply actions

BLECH

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/14/SPMNV2KV7.DTL

To keep the pressure of Cain I guess. Blech.

And Boom Goes the Dynamite

by Andy from DC on Feb 14, 2008 2:25 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Matt (Phoenix): Cain and Lincecum or Kirshaw and Billingsly

Keith Law: LA's kids.

Fuck Keith Law

I hope we find out someday that Jeff Kent did steroids

by lincysgiants on Feb 14, 2008 12:14 PM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

I think it's a pretty dumb decision to take one current effective major league pitcher and a minor league pitcher over two current effective major league pitchers. Kershaw seems pretty special but he's also a relatively long way from the majors at this point. (And Lincecum/Cain are hardly chopped liver.)

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Feb 14, 2008 12:18 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

The shitty part is that the Dodgers offense will give them both run support. Billingsley is an overrated fat ass.

I hope we find out someday that Jeff Kent did steroids

by lincysgiants on Feb 14, 2008 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

I was gonna say, I'm not nearly as thrilled about Billingsley as I once was. Overrated fatass is a fun way to say it.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Feb 14, 2008 2:08 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Is fatass one word?

I hope we find out someday that Jeff Kent did steroids

by lincysgiants on Feb 14, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions

Billingsley has a fat ass; is a fatass

Yes, it is one widebody word:

Hippopotamuslike.

by Moggeee on Feb 14, 2008 2:51 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Hey, Winter!

It's Spring Training Time!!

"Candlestick made me a man." - Will Clark

by MeSoKrabby on Feb 14, 2008 12:45 PM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Boch should've had these t-shirts made instead.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 14, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

I don't think we would have a team if he made these shirts.

No longer proud Papa: SuperBAD Brad

by AndYourBirdCanSing on Feb 14, 2008 2:07 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Fortunately, Operation Schmidtastrophe is still going smoothly.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 14, 2008 2:11 PM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Good to see Nate Schierholtz is out there early getting ready to play Right Field... for the Fresno Grizzlies. Giants management of the youth is disgusting.

by thejuice on Feb 14, 2008 2:51 PM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Better to play everyday in Fresno than rot on the bench in SF.

Nattowear | comics | Durham? I hardly know 'im!

by Natto on Feb 14, 2008 3:18 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Not that I don't like Lefty, but I was kinda partial to this Position Battle Rundown:

http://www.sfdugout.com/content/publish/majors/Spring_Rebuilding_08_-_Position_Battles.shtml

(Sorry, had to go for the cheap plug.)

SFDugout.com is BACK! Top 50 Prospects is starting...but, why are there two #50's?

by BruteSentiment on Feb 14, 2008 3:04 PM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

OOO, I going for the "toolsy prospect", not because I favor Fred Lewis over anybody else but I think they just made up that word and that takes moxy.

If you drop a phonograph needle on Kevin Frandsen's nipple, it plays the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds".

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 14, 2008 3:26 PM PST up reply actions

"Bizarre"?

I know this is probably dead horse territory, but stuff like this still drives me up the wall...

(from Ann Killion's piece)

Barry Zito asked his young friend to move into the neighborhood and Cain complied, though he wants to make sure it's clear he isn't taking the locker.

"That locker should probably never be used," he said.

Perhaps it could be glassed in as a reminder of the bizarre 15-year chapter in the franchise's history.

Yeah, all those bizarre home runs and MVP awards, all that bizarre extraordinary hitting dominance, all those bizarre extra runs scored, all those bizarre post season appearances, all that bizarre GREATNESS...

Yes, let's encase it all in a glass sarcophagus, so that we can all gawk and shudder and stare, and hopefully not get any of that residual ickyness on us.

That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!

by tobias on Feb 14, 2008 5:12 PM PST reply actions

Re: "Bizarre"?

Hey breaking news on ESPN. Barry Bonds failed a steriod test one month after hit his 73rd HR in 2001.

Everybody.......together.....with me

DUUUUUUHHHHH!

If you drop a phonograph needle on Kevin Frandsen's nipple, it plays the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds".

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 14, 2008 5:57 PM PST up reply actions

Re: "Bizarre"?

I'm happy to admit that steroids MIGHT have helped him hit as many as two extra home runs that year.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Feb 14, 2008 6:22 PM PST up reply actions

Re: "Bizarre"?

You're right, it probably helped him hit two more homeruns that last day to push his total to 73. That is what you meant, right?

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 15, 2008 7:45 AM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

this team is gonna suck, and yet, somehow sabean keeps his job

peter m must really enjoy brian's blowjobs

by bacci40 on Feb 15, 2008 2:39 AM PST reply actions

Kim

sabean offered byung hyun kim a minor league deal. i actually like this idea, as long as he's just used against righties, as per the article.

http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/02/15/giants-after-byung-hyun-kim/

by em3 on Feb 15, 2008 7:14 AM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

That's why I love this blog it's always so upbeat and encouraging.

by yankeefan57 on Feb 15, 2008 11:57 AM PST reply actions

Re: Zito (R, Marin)

ZITO, BARRY MR
OAKLAND,CA 94621

OAKLAND ATHLETICS/MAJOR LEAGUE BASE

12/3/2004

$2,000

Bush, George W

A's fan

by mikeA on Feb 15, 2008 3:07 PM PST reply actions

Re: Zito (R, Marin)

The weird thing about this (aside from a Zen surfer rock and roll dude donating to Bush) is the timing - a month after the 2004 election.

2008: The year the Giants begin to stop sucking.

by EliminateMe on Feb 15, 2008 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

Hard Truth

Pretty much all baseball players are Republicans, except for Carlos Delgado.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Feb 15, 2008 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

And Carlos was the guy I was hoping Peter McG would spring for to cover Barry's back.

Don't believe everything you think.

by wcovington on Feb 16, 2008 3:49 PM PST reply actions

Re: Suck it, Winter.

Oh, and another thing, Andrew Baggerly suggests that we should trade Noah even up for Crede. Pull your head out of your . . .!

Don't believe everything you think.

by wcovington on Feb 16, 2008 3:51 PM PST reply actions

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