I was very excited to see Tim Lincecum win the Players' Choice award for Outstanding Pitcher, and the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year award. These player-voted awards are far more meaningful, in my book, than the Cy Young.

The players pay much closer attention, in my opinion. They watch each others' performances over the course of the whole season, not just in September.  Most of the players have the added advantage of having actually stood in a batters box (often multiple times) against each pitcher in question.

And players, for the most part, have a much better idea of what makes a dominant, outstanding pitcher than the scribes and talking heads on TV do. And this was Lincecum's first full season. Players didn't just vote for him from reputation, the way they may have voted for perennial award winners in the past. He earned this.

The tried and true BBWAA process for voting the Cy Young works more like this: 

 - STEP ONE (April-August): Watch "Big Name" pitchers and Yankee/Red Sox pitchers. Ignore everyone else.

 - STEP TWO (September--compile list of 2-3 "Finalists"): 1) Peruse stats page in sports section; see who is leading the league in Wins, ERA, Strikeouts and Saves. 2) Add in best pitcher from a contending team. 3) Add in any aforementioned "Big Name/East Coast" pitchers. 4) Ask sportswriter pals who they are voting for. 

 - STEP THREE (October): Vote for whoever has the best outing in their final appearance of the season.

Great job Timmeh!

Which San Francisco Giant will be the first to reach 10 HRs this season?

It's a scintillating race; albeit one in which the contestants all seem to have forgotten where the finish line is. But eventually, one would think, someone will reach that rarefied air of double figures in home runs. Why is it so important that FanPosts be 75 words long? Beats me. I always thought that brevity was the soul of wit.

Who will it be?

Poll

Who will be the first Giant to reach 10 HRs?

2%

Rich Aurilia

5 votes

28%

John Bowker

62 votes

23%

Fred Lewis

51 votes

4%

Bengie Molina

9 votes

24%

Aaron Rowand

54 votes

16%

No Giant will hit 10 HRs this year; in fact the Giants will fail to hit another HR the rest of the season.

36 votes

217 votes | Poll has closed

A few All-Star games ago, SF Chronicle baseball writer John Shea wrote the following:

       "No Giants pitcher has had success in an All-Star Game since Carl Hubbell."

Given the Giants' more recent All-Star pitching history, it's understandable that Shea would see things in an entirely negative light. But this remark was so howlingly off the mark that I feel an almost annual compulsion to deride it and refute it. The fact is, until Atlee Hammaker arrived on the All-Star scene in 1983, the Giants had a rather remarkable record of success in All-Star Game pitching.

Since moving to SF in 1958, Giants pitchers have compiled a 6-3 record, with an ERA of 4.18 (26 ER in 56 IP). However, a closer look at the record book reveals three distinct eras of SF Giants' All-Star Pitching performances: The first, I call the "Marichal Era" from 1958-71. Second is the transitional "Vida Era" from 1972-82. And then there's that period of time I like to call the "Atlee Era", extending from 1983 to present.

During the "Marichal Era", from 1958-71, Giants' pitchers went 5-0, and allowed just 4 ER in 35.1 IP, for a 1.02 ERA. Marichal, for his part, was remarkable--allowing just one earned run in his eight All-Star appearances, covering 18 innings of work.

One other thing--Stu Miller's '61 outing at the Candlestick Park All-Star game is often cited as another example of "The Curse". But check out Miller's line from that game: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. And he was the winning pitcher. Stu went on to toss three more scoreless innings in the *second* All-Star Game that year, at Fenway Park (that game ended in a 1-1 tie). Miller's very impressive '61 All-Star totals: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K. In the years prior to the "Atlee Era", Giants' pitchers were 6-0, with a 1.43 ERA (7 ER in 44 IP).

Little did Atlee Hammaker know when he took the mound in Comiskey Park on that fateful night in 1983, that he was about to usher in a stretch where Giants pitchers would go 0-3, with an ERA of 20.86. The Atlee Era also was marked by the first instance of an SF Giant being the losing pitcher in an All-Star game (Jeff Brantley,'90).

Out of their first ten "Atlee Era" appearances, Giants pitchers emerged unscored upon in just two of them (Mike Krukow in '86 and Rod Beck in '94). A sign that the Atlee Era may be ending: With Brian Wilson's performance in last night's All-Star game following Jason Schmidt's two scoreless innings in 2003, the Giants now have consecutive scoreless All-Star pitching appearances for the first time since 1982 (just prior to the Atlee Era).

My conclusion is that Giants' pitchers are not cursed. They are merely suffering through the "Atlee Era"--a bad stretch which hopefully will soon come to a conclusion, and give way to another good era.

Here are the numbers:

'58: Antonelli (DNP)
'59 (1): Antonelli 0.1 IP, 0 ER (WP)
'59 (2): Sam Jones 2 IP, 0 ER
'60 (1): McCormick 2.1 IP, 0 ER
'60 (2): McCormick (DNP)
'61 (1): McCormick 3 IP, 1 ER / Miller 1.2, 0 ER (WP)
'61 (2): Miller 3 IP, 0 ER
'62 (1): Marichal 2 IP, 0 ER (WP)
'62 (2): Marichal 2 IP, 1 ER
'63: Marichal (DNP)
'64: Marichal 1 IP, 0 ER (WP)
'65: Marichal 3 IP, 0 ER
'66: Marichal 3 IP, 0 ER / Perry 2 IP, 0 ER (WP)
'67: Marichal 3 IP, 0 ER
'68: Marichal 2 IP, 0 ER
'69: Marichal (DNP)
'70: Perry 2 IP, 2 ER
'71: Marichal 2 IP, 0 ER
'76: Montefusco 2 IP, 0 ER
'77: Lavelle 2 IP, 0 ER
'78: Blue 3 IP, 3 ER
'80: Whitson (DNP)
'81: Blue 1 IP, 0 ER (WP)
'82: Minton 0.2 IP, 0 ER
'83: Atlee 0.2 IP, 7 ER / Lavelle (DNP)
'85: Garrelts (DNP)
'86: Krukow 1 IP, 0 ER
'88: Reuschel (DNP)
'89: Reuschel 1 IP, 2 ER
'90: Brantley 0.1 IP, 2 ER (LP)
'93: Burkett 0.2 IP, 3 ER (LP) / Beck 1 IP, 1 ER
'94: Beck 1.2 IP, 0 ER
'97: Estes 1 IP, 2 ER (LP) / Beck (DNP)
'98: Nen 1 IP, 1 ER
'99: Nen (DNP)
'02: Nen 1 IP, 1 ER
'03: Schmidt 2 IP, 0 ER
'04: Schmidt (DNP)
'06: Schmidt (DNP)
'08: Wilson 0.2 IP, 0 ER

"Marichal Era" (1958-71): 5-0, 35.1 IP, 4 ER, 1.02 ERA
"Vida Era" (1972-82): 1-0, 8.2 IP, 3 ER, 3.12 ERA
"Pre-Atlee Era" (1958-82): 6-0, 44 IP, 7 ER, 1.43 ERA
"Atlee Era" (1983-present): 0-3, 12 IP, 19 ER, 14.25 ERA

GASP Totals: 6-3, 56 IP, 26 ER, 4.18 ERA

Juan Marichal - All-Star totals: 18 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 9 SO, 2-0 W-L 0.50 ERA

 

It's Election Day, but rather than wasting your time voting on trivial, meaningless things such as judges, assemblypeople and eminent domain, why not vote on something that really matters?

Of course I'm referring to seeing to it that the Giants are represented on the website featuring favorite batting stances (past and present) of all 30 MLB teams. 

So far, 14 of 16 teams are represented on the site...but not the Giants?? It's a travesty that needs to be corrected right away. The Giants need to be next up. The world needs to experience the glory and wonder of some of the greatest hitters of all time: Mays! McCovey! Bonds! LeMaster! Every day that goes by without Giants batting stances up and available for public viewing is a day where wars will continue to rage, pestilence will continue to spread and children will continue to suffer.

But Giants batting stances can change all of that! Won't you act today? For the children?

Please go to this site right now, and vote for the Giants. Take you about 5 seconds.

If you have time, I'd also encourage you to list 5 or 10 Giants that you'd like to see done by the Batting Stance Guy.  Here's who I requested:

1. Barry Bonds
2. Bobby Bonds
3. Willie Mays
4. Willie McCovey
5. Johnnie LeMaster
6. Aaron Rowand
7. Rich Aurilia
8. Dave Kingman
9. Tito Fuentes (Not sure if you remember this one. Definitely an all-time classic, complete with the bat-handle-bounce-flip-and-catch-off-home-plate)
10. Jack Clark
11. Will Clark
12. Matt Williams
13. Jeff Kent
14. Robby Thompson
15. Andres Galarraga
16. Darrell Evans
17. Randy Winn (left-handed)
18. Marvin Benard
19. Jeffrey Leonard
20. Jose Uribe

Others...   Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Benito Santiago, J.T. Snow, Chili Davis, Chris Speier, Orlando Cepeda, Jesus Alou, Felipe Alou, Bengie Molina, Juan Marichal (batting against Roseboro?... sorry, my bad taste knows almost no bounds).

 

They say that everyone has a gift. Well, I have a friend whose gift is mimicking major leaguers' batting stances. Over the past couple years, he's been posting short videos of his interpretations of different major leaguers' batting stances and swings, up on YouTube. I'll admit to maybe being a little biased, but I think the guy...well, I already said it. He's gifted. The impressions are pretty much dead-on, and many of them are hilarious.

Most of the videos feature maybe15-20 different hitters (past and present) from one Major League team. Each video is about three minutes in length, although there's one that features players of the 1980's that runs about four minutes. That one has both Jack Clark and Will Clark (check out the Nuschler Face on Will!). The Red Sox and Braves videos are also favorites of mine.

He's got ten teams up so far, and plans on doing all 30 teams. Yes, even the Rays. There's one thing that bugs me though: No Giants team video yet! This is an especially egregious oversight, for two reasons:

1) He's a Giants fan.

2) He's already done the D@#&?$!!!!111!?

So I'd like to ask a favor of everyone. First, check out a video or two on his YouTube link. Second, send him an email asking him to do a Giants video before he does one for any of the other meaningless, inconsequential teams that are rumored to be in the Major Leagues. Please be nice when you email. Don't swear at him for his already having done the Dodgers. I've forgiven him and you can too. But do request any Giants hitters that you'd like to see him mimic, past or present. He asked me for my Top 20, so here's my list of faves I sent him (along with a few extras):

1. Barry Bonds
2. Bobby Bonds
3. Willie Mays
4. Willie McCovey
5. Johnnie LeMaster
6. Aaron Rowand
7. Rich Aurilia
8. Dave Kingman
9. Tito Fuentes (Not sure if you remember this one. Definitely an all-time classic, complete with the bat-handle-bounce-flip-and-catch-off-home-plate)
10. Jack Clark
11. Will Clark
12. Matt Williams
13. Jeff Kent
14. Robby Thompson
15. Andres Galarraga
16. Darrell Evans
17. Randy Winn (left-handed)
18. Marvin Benard
19. Jeffrey Leonard
20. Jose Uribe

Others...   Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Benito Santiago, J.T. Snow, Chili Davis, Chris Speier, Orlando Cepeda, Jesus Alou, Felipe Alou, Bengie Molina, Juan Marichal (batting against Roseboro?... sorry, my bad taste knows almost no bounds).

I'd like to hear your ideas for songs that could best represent the 2008 Giants.

All I keep thinking of while watching the Giants fritter another one away to the Dodgers, is the timeless line from "Synchronicity II":

"...And every single meeting with his so-called superior, is a humiliating kick in the crotch."

 ...So mine's "Synchronicity II.

 

 

Apparently,  Bruce Bochy is attaching some meaning to the goings-on in and around Scottsdale this spring. In this John Shea piece from this morning's sfgate, it's beginning to look as if the "Warrior Spirit" t-shirts aren't working as well as we had hoped.

The 2008 Giants are looking  more and more like a team that is incapable of winning baseball games on any kind of consistent basis (such as, say, two games in a row). Pitching and defense, supposedly strengths of this team are looking ragged. Speed is pretty good, second in the NL in stolen bases (although they lead the NL in being caught stealing--12 times in 42 attempts). The hitting, to no one's surprise, except maybe one or two on this board, has been atrocious.

Bruce Bochy says the team isn't doing the "little things", but they aren't doing the big things either. Take hitting the ball and catching the ball. The Giants aren't doing those two things. On base percentage and slugging percentage are both next-to-last in the NL. The team ERA is 7.11, worst in MLB by far. And that's their pitching, the Giants' supposed strong suit. The team's Defensive Efficiency Rating (from ESPN--it's sort of like fielding percentage, but wonkier) is the worst in MLB by far. Again, another supposed strong suit. Sure, there are lots of players in the mix who won't be heading north with the team. But that's true of every club.

I've been upset for a long time that Brian Sabean had his contract extended. But the more I think about it, I'm almost glad that Sabean will be around this year to preside over and be held accountable for this mess.

 

 

Continue reading this post »

From ESPN.com, this AP article is about the closing of Dodgertown.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3298918

"In an era when spring training has become big business, [Dodgertown] was more like baseball's petting zoo, where players were encouraged to chat with fans and sign their balls."

I just want to know how someone who writes for a living, can come up with a sentence like that and not know something's wrong?

 

Who will hit the most home runs for the Giants this year, and as a special bonus, how many will he hit?

Poll

Who will lead the '08 Giants in HRs?

7%

Randy Winn

12 votes

13%

Someone Else

22 votes

0%

Rich Aurilia

1 votes

3%

Barry Bonds (late Spring arrival!!!!1?)

6 votes

7%

Ray Durham

13 votes

3%

Fred Lewis

5 votes

5%

Bengie Molina

9 votes

6%

Dan Ortmeier

11 votes

49%

Aaron Rowand

81 votes

2%

Nate Schierholtz

4 votes

164 votes | Poll has closed

I apologize if this is old news to the rest of you, but I just happened to see this for the first time...

Today I bought this week's USA Today Sports Weekly (and yes, quite frankly I am very much ashamed of myself for continuing to buy this publication), and I found this story in "The Buzz" (page 3, upper right corner) that reads exactly as follows:

"The San Francisco Giants, who are keeping a close eye on Chicago White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, have also talked about the possibility of bringing back David Bell to fill a void at third base, according to a high-ranking team official.

Bell, a 12-year veteran who last played in the major leagues in 2006, as been plagued by chronic back woes. He played on the Giants' 2002 National League pennant-winning team.

Still, the Giants official said their first choice is Crede, who is coming off back surgery. Giants  center fielder Aaron Rowand, a former teammate of Crede's, said he gave Crede a glowing recommendation when the Giants front office asked questions about Crede's makeup.

The White Sox are listening to offers for Crede, Chicago general Kenny Williams says, because of the emergence of third baseman Josh Fields. Bob Nightengale

This whole story is so ridiculous, it can't possibly have even the remotest potential for coming to fruition, right?  David Bell? Chronic back woes? Hasn't played since 2006?? I think Sabean is maybe trying to make the impending acquisition of Crede look awesome, by comparison.

Right?