October 2008 Archives

For all the Hot Stove talk about trading Matt Cain, Randy Winn, Bengie Molina, and Jonathan Sanchez, the best trade possible for the Giants this winter (other than Barry Zito — not gonna happen) would include Aaron Rowand. I don’t...
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We’re a couple days away from the Hot Stove League — and wouldn’t a hot stove feel nice after all that phreezing rain in Philly? Let’s pick up a few recent Giants-related rumors and address them. * From CNNSI’s Jon...
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One the most unlikely trios ever assembled — Billy Beane, Newt Gingrich and Sen. John Kerry, and no, this is not a lead-in to a Manny Ortez joke — published this morning an op-ed piece in the New York Times on...
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W the F? Game one, 3–2, game two, 4–2? Are these the homer-record-settin’ Rays versus the be-boppin’ bandbox-inhabitin’ Phillies I see before me? Do you hope the ball starts flying all over the yard when the Series shifts venues tomorrow? I...
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Yesterday’s boxscore: Posey went 1 for 2 as the designated hitter. And as Rainman pointed out in yesterday’s comments, Buster had two passed balls behind the plate in Tuesday’s game. That makes seven total. Questions to ponder: Could all the passed balls...
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If the Giants aren’t careful, they’re going to launch a full-blown mini-tempest in a tiny teapot. What the hell is up with Buster Posey? First they send him to Hawaii for winter ball, where he hits good ‘n’ plenty, then...
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Not only did Lincecum win the Players Choice Award as I noted last night, he was named The Sporting News NL Pitcher of the Year (also chosen by the players). If the baseball writers choose someone else for the...
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I've never heard of the Players' Choice Awards, but if they're legit, Tim Lincecum's peers say he was the best pitcher in the National League this year. Either that, or it was an elaborate ruse to fake out his Mom...
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PM UPDATE! Add this to the list of reasons to love Matt Stairs (vid-link tip to Fire Joe Morgan): **************** The last thing the Fox network needed this fall, what with the economy headed toward Gomorrah and advertisers wondering if they...
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It’s one of my favorite words, Lithuanian for “Schadenfreude.” It’s also Hawaiian for reef triggerfish, which is the official state fish. Saying it 10 times fast is also more exciting than the performances to date of Giants’ prospects in the Hawaiian Winter...
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The Giants have several youngsters playing in the Hawaii and Arizona fall leagues, including top draft pick Buster Posey and the man with the rebuilt Achilles tendon, Kevin Frandsen. It’s still early, but let’s check in, shall we? First stop, Arizona. Down...
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Let us count the ways: 1) He's from Canada.2) He crushes Jonathan Broxton pitches half-way up the Dodger Stadium bleachers. 3) He makes Dodger fans shut up.4) He's follicularly challenged.5) He makes Joe Torre look double-foolish. First Torre puts in...
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At the end of last week, the Giants’ 40–man roster shrank faster than the Dow Jones. In case you missed it Friday, like I did, the Giants cut eight players from the roster: Correia, Walker, Hennessey, Alfonzo, Espineli, McClain, Ochoa, and...
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Just when the Bay Area's own Pat Burrell gives us a little cheer with his home run to beat the Dodgers last night, here comes a little rain on our parade. Maybe I should say, here comes a parade that...
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New Giants honcho Bill Neukom spoke to the media yesterday and gave us a glimpse of how the new era might take shape. Ray Ratto poked fun at Neukom for talking up the need for a “Giants Way,” a new organizational...
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I was talking to a friend this morning who whined about a possible Dodgers-Red Sox World Series. “I wouldn’t know who to root for,” he said. “Whom,” I replied. “What?” “He’s on second. Never mind. Are you kidding me? You’re putting...
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We won’t see the major-league post season awards until after the World Series, but I can’t wait to hand out some hardware of my own fashioning. We can skip Giant Cy Young. It’s unanimous. Does anyone out there think Tim Lincecum was...
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Remember when war protesters, hippies and yippies circled the Pentagon and used their chemically enhanced brain waves to make it levitate? It didn’t work. But can millions of people send their thoughts to Chavez Ravine this weekend and give the...
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As the playoffs get under way, my strongest rooting interest is in the Cubs. If the Dodgers get past Chicago, and last night’s 7–2 win boosts their chances significantly, L.A. might be difficult to stop. Other than Whoever’s Playing the...
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Hmm, I wonder how our nation’s horrific financial mess will affect the Giants this off-season…. [Phone rings in a corner office in a sleek downtown highrise.] Bob The Banker: Neither a borrower nor a lender be, this is Bob, how may I...
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