It ticks me off to no end that the public and the media basically accept George Steinbrenner's wailings. His latest, of course, was that Yankee manager Joe Torre could be fired if the Yanks don't advance to the ALCS.
Please. The Yankees don't have a birthright to be in the World Series every year. Stop acting like they do, George. Instead, try and put a good (not necessarily costly) team on the field instead. (I saw a sarcastic suggestion online that George could file a lawsuit to have the Yankees declared division champs, ALCS champs and in the World Series "just because". That sounds so like him.
Yankee pride shouldn't be equated with stupidity. And that's what it all comes down to.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Schilling issues $1,000,000 challenge over bloody sock
Baltimore Orioles TV announcer Gary Thorne has questioned whether Curt Schilling actually had his blood on his sock the night he defeated the Bronx Bums in the 2004 ALCS Playoffs. That anyone would question this -- especially at this point -- is crazy.
But even crazier -- Schilling has offered $1,000,000 to charity if Thorne or anyone else can prove it wasn't his blood. (Read it at Schilling's blog.)
We want to see Thorne try -- and lose.
But even crazier -- Schilling has offered $1,000,000 to charity if Thorne or anyone else can prove it wasn't his blood. (Read it at Schilling's blog.)
We want to see Thorne try -- and lose.
There's no stopping the Giants
OK, we admit it. Before the season we didn't have much hope for the Giants. Or Barry Bonds, for that matter.
But all of a sudden, things have turned around. The Dodgers came into AT&T and humiliated the G's and the G's returned the favor.
The G's are playing great. They've won eight in a row. They just grabbed first place from the Dodgers.
And it looks like it's not a fluke. This team has a swagger it didn't have last year.
Anyone for nine in a row?
But all of a sudden, things have turned around. The Dodgers came into AT&T and humiliated the G's and the G's returned the favor.
The G's are playing great. They've won eight in a row. They just grabbed first place from the Dodgers.
And it looks like it's not a fluke. This team has a swagger it didn't have last year.
Anyone for nine in a row?
What is he thinking?
Just when you thought the BALCO story couldn't get any weirder, take a look at http://www.snac.com/. It includes a reprint of the Muscle and Fitness interview with Barry Bonds, plus video of Barry at the ballpark and a recent interview with Victor Conte at his office in Burlingame.
It's the story that won't go away.
It's the story that won't go away.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Some questions for the Giants
Henry Schulman of the Chronicle put forth some questions about the 2007 Giants. We'd like to use some of his and a few of our own:
1) Which Barry will the Giants count on most? The easy answer is Barry Zito, the $126 million dollar man. But Barry Bonds will be important, too. Assuming all is calm in Bondsville (pending any investigations), Bonds will need to hit. And hit. And hit. Is he up to it? We've expressed our doubts in earlier blog posts. We still hold to that. But we hope we're wrong and he surprises us. It would be nice if he hit a lot more home runs than Zito wins games.
2) If the Giants fail, is Sabean gone? We doubt it. Peter Magowan tends to hang onto things like glue. Second basemen, left fielders and yes, g.m.s.
3) Will Pedro Felix be gone before the end of the season? Yes. Count on it.
4) Will the 2007 Giants win more games than last year? Yes.
5) Will they win the NL West? If the two Barrys have great years, yes. If not, it'll be another long season.
3)
1) Which Barry will the Giants count on most? The easy answer is Barry Zito, the $126 million dollar man. But Barry Bonds will be important, too. Assuming all is calm in Bondsville (pending any investigations), Bonds will need to hit. And hit. And hit. Is he up to it? We've expressed our doubts in earlier blog posts. We still hold to that. But we hope we're wrong and he surprises us. It would be nice if he hit a lot more home runs than Zito wins games.
2) If the Giants fail, is Sabean gone? We doubt it. Peter Magowan tends to hang onto things like glue. Second basemen, left fielders and yes, g.m.s.
3) Will Pedro Felix be gone before the end of the season? Yes. Count on it.
4) Will the 2007 Giants win more games than last year? Yes.
5) Will they win the NL West? If the two Barrys have great years, yes. If not, it'll be another long season.
3)
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Your 2007 Giants will be ... different
Is there anyone who anticipates how your 2007 San Francisco Giants will get along without Barry Bonds' estate of lockers?
OK, so we weren't entirely serious there. But c-c-c-c-changes are on the horizon.
Barry Bonds is not the forefront of the team anymore and he knows it (and is probably glad to let the younger guys take over). The team is split 20/20 with guys born before and since 1980. The non-roster invitees are composed of 16 born before 1980 and 13 born since. As long as all the veterans aren't on crutches, that's a good thing.
The Giants certainly remade the team from the top down. They literally stole Bruce Bochy from the Padres in one of the craftiest moves of the offseason by any team. And Bochy brought with him some well-known names: Dave Roberts (who will always be our hero for his steal against the Yankees in the Red Sox-Yankees playoff game) and Ryan Klesko. Neither of them will be the threats they were at their prime, but Roberts was a pesky pain to the Giants when he was with San Diego. It's good -- assuming he can stay healthy -- to have him on our side. Klesko is more a question mark. He hasn't hit great recently, but maybe the change in scene from San Diego's hitter unfriendly park will help.
We're also glad to see nuts-and-bolts guy infielder Rich Aurelia back. He bounced all over the place the past 3 years, going from Seattle and San Diego (2004) to Cincinnati (2005-06) after leaving the Giants. He's been a solid guy and an anchor in the infield.
Welcome back, too, to Russ Ortiz. Here's hoping he really has found his pitching stroke again. He was miserable in Arizona.
There are a couple of names on the roster that we question severely. One is Pedro Feliz, who we think needs to be shipped off somewhere. The Giants have been way too patient with his streaky hitting streaks. Enough is enough. And what the hell is Damian Moss doing on any roster? He was horrible the first time around for the Giants. What's he doing back here?
There are several upcoming talents to watch on the G's. Kevin Frandsen is getting a good look for the future. We'll never forget Travis Ishikawa's Giants' debut over a year ago and he'll be another one to keep an eye on.
Going into spring training, we're not expecting the Giants to roll over the division (or anyone else in the division to roll over the Giants). But they've got a solid foundation to build on.
Let's hope Bochy can put the pieces together.
OK, so we weren't entirely serious there. But c-c-c-c-changes are on the horizon.
Barry Bonds is not the forefront of the team anymore and he knows it (and is probably glad to let the younger guys take over). The team is split 20/20 with guys born before and since 1980. The non-roster invitees are composed of 16 born before 1980 and 13 born since. As long as all the veterans aren't on crutches, that's a good thing.
The Giants certainly remade the team from the top down. They literally stole Bruce Bochy from the Padres in one of the craftiest moves of the offseason by any team. And Bochy brought with him some well-known names: Dave Roberts (who will always be our hero for his steal against the Yankees in the Red Sox-Yankees playoff game) and Ryan Klesko. Neither of them will be the threats they were at their prime, but Roberts was a pesky pain to the Giants when he was with San Diego. It's good -- assuming he can stay healthy -- to have him on our side. Klesko is more a question mark. He hasn't hit great recently, but maybe the change in scene from San Diego's hitter unfriendly park will help.
We're also glad to see nuts-and-bolts guy infielder Rich Aurelia back. He bounced all over the place the past 3 years, going from Seattle and San Diego (2004) to Cincinnati (2005-06) after leaving the Giants. He's been a solid guy and an anchor in the infield.
Welcome back, too, to Russ Ortiz. Here's hoping he really has found his pitching stroke again. He was miserable in Arizona.
There are a couple of names on the roster that we question severely. One is Pedro Feliz, who we think needs to be shipped off somewhere. The Giants have been way too patient with his streaky hitting streaks. Enough is enough. And what the hell is Damian Moss doing on any roster? He was horrible the first time around for the Giants. What's he doing back here?
There are several upcoming talents to watch on the G's. Kevin Frandsen is getting a good look for the future. We'll never forget Travis Ishikawa's Giants' debut over a year ago and he'll be another one to keep an eye on.
Going into spring training, we're not expecting the Giants to roll over the division (or anyone else in the division to roll over the Giants). But they've got a solid foundation to build on.
Let's hope Bochy can put the pieces together.
Friday, February 02, 2007
And it's still not over
He's signed. He's not signed. Maybe. Maybe not. The endless soap opera of whether you've signed or not looks ridiculous, Barry. Quit the jostling and get it done. It looks silly.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Giant escape clause
It's official. Barry's back.
But the Giants have clearly hedged their bets on Barry making it through the season without a problem. His new contract, as reported by MLB.com and the San Francisco Chronicle, contains a clause that allows them to terminate his contract should he be indicted.
Bonds also won't be able to have his two trainers in the locker room, though in an interview on KNBR, he said they will get together outside the park. He's also said he won't have the big locker room setup as before.
Clearly, this is not the Barry that the Giants have coddled in the past. The Giants know that their $16 mil investment could disappear in an indictment, leaving them without their biggest bat and their left fielder.
Now that Barry's on board, let's assume for a moment that he is fully healthy. What's the likelihood he'll break the Aaron home run record?
In our minds, it'll be slim. For one, who's to say, given his spotty hitting last year, he'll be able to get the home runs he needs. For that matter, who's gonna pitch to him knowing the record's on the line?
The Giants took a big risk, both financially and otherwise, to bring Barry back. They obviously thought that $16 mil to be a sound investment.
We think that by the end of the season, the Giants will look back on this decision and wonder what they were thinking.
You tell us .... was it a good decision to bring Bonds back?
But the Giants have clearly hedged their bets on Barry making it through the season without a problem. His new contract, as reported by MLB.com and the San Francisco Chronicle, contains a clause that allows them to terminate his contract should he be indicted.
Bonds also won't be able to have his two trainers in the locker room, though in an interview on KNBR, he said they will get together outside the park. He's also said he won't have the big locker room setup as before.
Clearly, this is not the Barry that the Giants have coddled in the past. The Giants know that their $16 mil investment could disappear in an indictment, leaving them without their biggest bat and their left fielder.
Now that Barry's on board, let's assume for a moment that he is fully healthy. What's the likelihood he'll break the Aaron home run record?
In our minds, it'll be slim. For one, who's to say, given his spotty hitting last year, he'll be able to get the home runs he needs. For that matter, who's gonna pitch to him knowing the record's on the line?
The Giants took a big risk, both financially and otherwise, to bring Barry back. They obviously thought that $16 mil to be a sound investment.
We think that by the end of the season, the Giants will look back on this decision and wonder what they were thinking.
You tell us .... was it a good decision to bring Bonds back?
Monday, January 29, 2007
It's not too late...
The re-signing of Barry Bonds appears to be closer, according to the SF Giants website. Bonds was in San Francisco Monday for a physical.
Still, until the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted, there's no deal.
Will he pass the physical? Can he pass the physical?
For a guy his age (42) with the physical problems he's experienced the last two seasons, it would appear to be a split decision. For the Giants to sign him again, he'd have to be back close to prime condition.
Chances of that? We'd say unlikely.
But Barry has surprised us before. Maybe he is.
For the Giants' sake, let's hope so ... if the signing is to go forward.
If not, let's put him behind us quickly and move ahead into the season.
Update: The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Bonds' contract, pending his passing the physical, will keep Barry's entourage out of the clubhouse. So no personal trainers, no guys to help with the stretching. In fact, he won't have the multiple lockers he's had before. For $16 mil, though, he can buy a locker room.
Still, until the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted, there's no deal.
Will he pass the physical? Can he pass the physical?
For a guy his age (42) with the physical problems he's experienced the last two seasons, it would appear to be a split decision. For the Giants to sign him again, he'd have to be back close to prime condition.
Chances of that? We'd say unlikely.
But Barry has surprised us before. Maybe he is.
For the Giants' sake, let's hope so ... if the signing is to go forward.
If not, let's put him behind us quickly and move ahead into the season.
Update: The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Bonds' contract, pending his passing the physical, will keep Barry's entourage out of the clubhouse. So no personal trainers, no guys to help with the stretching. In fact, he won't have the multiple lockers he's had before. For $16 mil, though, he can buy a locker room.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Bonding With Barry (continued)
The talks go on.
We're speaking of the talks, that is, to bring Barry Bonds back to the Giants fold for 2007. We've previously said we wouldn't be sad if they didn't sign him. That hasn't changed. Here's the latest Chronicle story.
What's interesting, though, is that the Giants haven't rushed into firming up Bonds's contract. Why? Could it be the results of the amphetamine test they weren't supposed to know about?
We heard brief portions of the interview with Giants G.M. Brian Sabean Saturday from the Giants' Fan Fest. Sabean played it very coy and wasn't very revealing.
Maybe the whole Mark Sweeney episode -- in which Barry supposedly fingered Sweeney as the source of the amphetamines found in his locker -- has finally made them see the light.
Certainly, none of the press will be sorry to see Barry go. Many of our former colleagues in the media have unequivocally said Barry Bonds was insufferable to deal with when they were covering the Giants.
Spring training's right around the corner. There isn't much time left.
Do you agree or disagree. Add your opinions at the link below.
We're speaking of the talks, that is, to bring Barry Bonds back to the Giants fold for 2007. We've previously said we wouldn't be sad if they didn't sign him. That hasn't changed. Here's the latest Chronicle story.
What's interesting, though, is that the Giants haven't rushed into firming up Bonds's contract. Why? Could it be the results of the amphetamine test they weren't supposed to know about?
We heard brief portions of the interview with Giants G.M. Brian Sabean Saturday from the Giants' Fan Fest. Sabean played it very coy and wasn't very revealing.
Maybe the whole Mark Sweeney episode -- in which Barry supposedly fingered Sweeney as the source of the amphetamines found in his locker -- has finally made them see the light.
Certainly, none of the press will be sorry to see Barry go. Many of our former colleagues in the media have unequivocally said Barry Bonds was insufferable to deal with when they were covering the Giants.
Spring training's right around the corner. There isn't much time left.
Do you agree or disagree. Add your opinions at the link below.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Take a walk, Giants
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting here that the Giants may walk away from the deal to resign Barry Bonds that was announced last month after concern about the revelation that he failed a test for amphetamines. Murray Chass of the New York Times reported the Giants' concerns about Barry a day earlier.
To quote the Times story,
We hope so. With the latest revelations, the Giants may have finally realized what everyone else did long ago: Barry Bonds carries a huge anchor of problems with him and is really nothing more than a huge pain in the ass. But with only a relatively short time (four weeks) before the beginning of spring training, this problem puts the Giants in a sticky spot. Do they sign and the contract and get 'er done? Or just walk away.
We say walk away. As the season progresses, if any new complications develop -- more seamy stories, more accusations, more failed tests, even -- the media circus that traveled with the Giants last year will return, probably more intense than before. That's not something the Giants would relish, even with Barry in the clubhouse.
The Giants can't replace Barry's bat, but who says Barry's bat will be all that spectacular to begin with at his advanced age. Who says he won't get injured again?
As we've said before, the risks are too huge to pin this season on Bonds. Don't ruin Barry Zito's first season with the Giants by letting the other Barry overshadow him. Walk, don't run, from that contract. NOW!
Do you agree or disagree? Add your comments.
To quote the Times story,
A lawyer on the Bonds side said yesterday that they suspect the Giants, reacting to negative news media views in the Bay Area, are exploring ways of getting out of the contract. When an official on the management side with knowledge of the talks was asked yesterday if the deal could blow up, he said, “It’s possible.”
We hope so. With the latest revelations, the Giants may have finally realized what everyone else did long ago: Barry Bonds carries a huge anchor of problems with him and is really nothing more than a huge pain in the ass. But with only a relatively short time (four weeks) before the beginning of spring training, this problem puts the Giants in a sticky spot. Do they sign and the contract and get 'er done? Or just walk away.
We say walk away. As the season progresses, if any new complications develop -- more seamy stories, more accusations, more failed tests, even -- the media circus that traveled with the Giants last year will return, probably more intense than before. That's not something the Giants would relish, even with Barry in the clubhouse.
The Giants can't replace Barry's bat, but who says Barry's bat will be all that spectacular to begin with at his advanced age. Who says he won't get injured again?
As we've said before, the risks are too huge to pin this season on Bonds. Don't ruin Barry Zito's first season with the Giants by letting the other Barry overshadow him. Walk, don't run, from that contract. NOW!
Do you agree or disagree? Add your comments.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Baseball's been Barry Barry good to me
Talk about shocks to the system! When my friend emailed me that word was the San Francisco Giants were getting Barry Zito, I almost fell out of my chair. The cheap-ass Giants who have been living off of older players for what seems like decades going for a young, vital player? And a pitcher, no less? Peter Magowan, did you make a wrong turn at the light? What the hell's going on?
Turns out it's true. Barry Zito, the almost-Ranger, almost-Met and former Oakland A (sorry, A's fans, your colors still suck) is now officially a Giant. Maybe he got tired of playing in Al Davis Park. Maybe he got tired of those coulda, shoulda tries at the playoffs in Oaktown. Beat those stupid drums all you want, A's fans. He's ours now.
And is this a good thing? Yes. For several reasons. For one, it shows the Giants are looking beyond that other Barry. That was very much a concern. After all, the other Barry (Bonds, if you need to be reminded) turns 43 on July 24. Not exactly a spring chicken. And he hasn't been playing like one the last two seasons, which have been full of surgeries and cautious play in the field, not to mention the steroid stories centered around him.
In previous blogs, we've written that we hoped the Giants wouldn't resign Bonds. We're still not comfortable with the new commitment the Giants made, especially a $16 million (way too high priced) contract. A lot of promising young players can be had for $16 million.
Getting Zito doesn't straighten out all the Giants problems, but, as we said, it shows the Giants are looking beyond Bonds. They need to. As it is, the millstones around Bonds' neck regarding the steroid accusations could be a weight on the entire team this year. And as of this writing, the Giants, despite having announced an agreement with Bonds a couple of weeks ago, are still working out the language of the contract, which indicates the two sides are tussling over how Barry will conduct himself this year -- whether he'll be available for all games, for example. (Surprising what perks a star player like Bonds can work for himself.)
Barry Zito, however, is the Barry to watch this year, though. Zito's wicked curve will hopefully confound NL (especially NL West) opponents and put a charge in Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and the rest of the Giants pitching staff (assuming, of course, one of them doesn't get traded).
Zito's coming aboard also shows a renewed commitment to winning by the Giants organization. That lack of commitment was one of the reasons we didn't feel bad about dropping our season tickets after 2005. And it's a nice pick-me-up for the fans who went for the ring the Giants held out last season to get them to buy season tickets after the All-Star Game was announced for AT&T (SBC, Pac Bell) Park. Even with the older guys in the lineup, this will be interesting.
So all looks well. This situation brings to mind a previous marketing slogan: Humm baby, it's gonna be fun.
At the same time, it also gives an extended finger salute to one Jason Schmidt. Blue this!
Turns out it's true. Barry Zito, the almost-Ranger, almost-Met and former Oakland A (sorry, A's fans, your colors still suck) is now officially a Giant. Maybe he got tired of playing in Al Davis Park. Maybe he got tired of those coulda, shoulda tries at the playoffs in Oaktown. Beat those stupid drums all you want, A's fans. He's ours now.
And is this a good thing? Yes. For several reasons. For one, it shows the Giants are looking beyond that other Barry. That was very much a concern. After all, the other Barry (Bonds, if you need to be reminded) turns 43 on July 24. Not exactly a spring chicken. And he hasn't been playing like one the last two seasons, which have been full of surgeries and cautious play in the field, not to mention the steroid stories centered around him.
In previous blogs, we've written that we hoped the Giants wouldn't resign Bonds. We're still not comfortable with the new commitment the Giants made, especially a $16 million (way too high priced) contract. A lot of promising young players can be had for $16 million.
Getting Zito doesn't straighten out all the Giants problems, but, as we said, it shows the Giants are looking beyond Bonds. They need to. As it is, the millstones around Bonds' neck regarding the steroid accusations could be a weight on the entire team this year. And as of this writing, the Giants, despite having announced an agreement with Bonds a couple of weeks ago, are still working out the language of the contract, which indicates the two sides are tussling over how Barry will conduct himself this year -- whether he'll be available for all games, for example. (Surprising what perks a star player like Bonds can work for himself.)
Barry Zito, however, is the Barry to watch this year, though. Zito's wicked curve will hopefully confound NL (especially NL West) opponents and put a charge in Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and the rest of the Giants pitching staff (assuming, of course, one of them doesn't get traded).
Zito's coming aboard also shows a renewed commitment to winning by the Giants organization. That lack of commitment was one of the reasons we didn't feel bad about dropping our season tickets after 2005. And it's a nice pick-me-up for the fans who went for the ring the Giants held out last season to get them to buy season tickets after the All-Star Game was announced for AT&T (SBC, Pac Bell) Park. Even with the older guys in the lineup, this will be interesting.
So all looks well. This situation brings to mind a previous marketing slogan: Humm baby, it's gonna be fun.
At the same time, it also gives an extended finger salute to one Jason Schmidt. Blue this!
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