Tommy Lasorda is the Antichrist

2011 Rookie Homeruns

2011-12-10T10:56:00.001-08:00

Just a little infographic to remember a few historic hits that occurred during the 2011 season. Belt's memorable three run shot against the Dodgers' Billingsley on April 1 was my favorite rookie homerun of the season, but not as historic as the trio from Crawford, Pill, and Gillaspie.

Stay Classy Los Angeles

2011-10-28T16:38:00.000-07:00

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has filed a civil suit against the two Dodger fans that are accused of beating Brian Stow. The complaint argues that the two should be held partially liable for the attack, but also claims that Stow himself shares the blame. While referring to the Stow family's civil suit against McCourt and the Dodgers, McCourt's attorney Jerome Jackson asked, "..does it mean Mr. Stow himself has no liability?" Here is a portion of the LAPD's description of the attack.

Stow was leaving Dodger Stadium along with several of his friends, following the conclusion of the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the San Francisco Giants baseball game. The two suspects, who were wearing Dodger attire, began taunting the victims because of their affiliation with the San Francisco Giants. As the victim and his friends attempted to walk away from the suspects, the victim was hit from behind and fell to the ground. The suspects then kicked the victim as he lay on the ground.

How do you place blame on a man who was sucker punched and nearly killed? Ask the Dodgers.

Luckily, Brian Stow is slowly recovering.

The Awkward First Seasons of Jeremy Williams

2011-09-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

I've been the new guy. I can understand being intimidated in a new and overwhelming situation. I realize that first time introductions can be awkward, but I can't imagine letting an entire workplace mistake my name for two years. At the same time, I've never been a big league rookie. Remembering back to 2003 Jerome Williams was having a decent rookie season, including a June 23 shutout at home against Oakland. I was interested in Williams and his puka shell necklaces, but confused when some commentators would call him Jeremy. I never knew exactly how Hawaiian-born Williams pronounced his name until recently when Angels reporter Sam Miller asked Williams, "Hey. This is going to sound weird. I heard you used to pronounce your name Jeremy." The timid pitcher's hilarious story followed.

Pablo's Big Night

2011-09-15T21:05:00.000-07:00

Sandoval's cycle in Colorado tonight was an incredible milestone for the Panda. Pablo hits 1 3B/167.5ABs so needless to mention, this was quite the feat. His offseason weight loss has helped his Gold Glove caliber defense and helped him achieve tonight's improbable performance. Way to go, Pablo.

I stole the GIF from someone over at McCovey Chronicles years ago, it's one of my favorites. I remember cringing when I watched this live, thank goodness he wasn't hurt.

Vin Scully is not the Antichrist

2011-08-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Since L.A. is so horrible this season, I haven't watched nearly as much Dodger baseball as I do during a normal season. For me, a Dodger loss is nearly as rewarding to watch as a Giants win, and easily my favorite part of the broadcast is listening to Scully stammer along about Koufax's birthday dinner in 1963. Scully is a legend and although he will be returning in 2012, it's unfortunate to hear that the Dodgers are sending surveys to their season ticket holders asking them to rate Scully's performance. The man is an 83 year old Hall of Famer and the Dodgers want feedback from their apathetic fan base on his knowledge of the game. Way to go Dodgers. Just let Scully work for as long as he can sit upright and he will continue to be the lone bright spot of a sad and fading organization.

A Must Have for the Ballpark

2011-07-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

Brian Wilson's latest fashion statement is bound to become the new must have gear for AT&T Park. Wilson's ESPY attire, the spux or spandex tuxedo, is reasonably priced and can be found here online. You've got to appreciate Wilson's style, but the spux might look even better with a pair of these.

Ryan Vogelsong's Giant Round Trip

2011-06-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ryan Vogelsong was drafted with the 158th pick of the 1998 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants, four spots ahead of the Giants 2010 homerun leader Aubrey Huff. His path to success was not as routine as Huff's, but after 13 years and 39,863 miles he is anchoring the Giants starting staff. 39K+ miles. The circumference of the Earth is 24,901 miles. Vogelsong literally circled the globe to get back to San Francisco. The best part of this Disneyesque storyline is while Vogelsong was in Venezuela last winter, hoping for another shot in the majors, he was offered a contract from the Dodgers but he would not accept because he "just can't wear Dodger blue." Here's wishing Vogelsong continued success this season and, approaching the midsummer classic, a possible All Star nod from Bochy.

Frank McCourt is a Giants Fan's Best Friend

2011-06-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Molly Knight from ESPN the Magazine did an interview with the Mason & Ireland Show today and pretty much said that MLB is going to have to pry Frank McCourt's Dodger-money out of his cold dead hands. The best part of the interview starts at the 2:45 mark. Apparently McCourt has separated the Dodgers into "30 or whatnot different assets" and even if MLB seizes the team, he will still control the parking lots, stadium and certain ticket revenues. This is the handy flow chart that she references, it's quite confusing but it seems as if McCourt will continue to bleed out the team financially.

Renteria's 1000 Words

2011-06-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

Edgar Renteria received much well deserved criticism for his two year 18.5M dollar deal with San Francisco. He consistently underproduced throughout the life of his contract, that is until the 2010 World Series. Renteria's .259/.316/.344 2009-2010 regular seasons were erased after his clutch 7th inning homerun off of Cliff Lee during game five. Renteria became an instant hero after arguably the most important swing in the history of the San Francisco Giants franchise. It was surprisingly cathartic to see no. 16 finally receive his championship ring last night. Thank you Edgar. I apologize for all the ugly comments on anonymous fanboards.

Chicks Dig the Long Ball

2011-06-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

In 2010 the SF Giants rode their dominant young arms to a World Championship, but the pitchers couldn't do it alone. The Giants also got help from an unlikely source: the longball. In 2008, the first season without Barry Bonds, the Giants hit fewer homeruns than any team in baseball. They averaged one homerun for every 51 at bats throughout the 08-09 seasons. The 2010 Giants, with newcomers Huff, Posey, Burrell and Ross, created a new look offense, an offense much more dependent on the homerun ball. The Giants ranked sixth in the NL in homerun totals in 2010, one HR in every 34 ABs. The 2010 postseason was no different, with memorable homeruns off of the best non-giant pitchers in baseball.

Giant Pride

2011-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

I'm extremely happy to share that the San Francisco Giants have submitted a video in support of the It Gets Better Project, a movement helping LGBT youth realize their futures. The Giants are going out on a limb by becoming the first big league franchise to support this organization. Homosexuality is a very taboo subject in sports, but I am proud that the Giants are helping to take a stand against bullying, hate and intolerance.

The Play at the Plate

2011-05-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

After the Posey-Cousins play at the plate, many people have called for MLB to look into changing the rules on home plate collisions. Posey's agent Jeff Berry is lobbying very strongly for change, while others want to leave the rules as they are. As devastating as the loss of Posey will be, I do not wish to see a dramatic rule change. The play at the plate is the most exciting play in baseball and many times decides the outcome of a game, however there is room for some improvement. MLB's official rules do not specifically address the play at the plate. With a few rule modifications, the catcher would be able to decide if he was willing to sacrifice his body for his team. Proposed changes in italics.

MLB Official Baseball Rule 2.00 (Obstruction)

OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered “in the act of fielding a ball.” It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball. For example: an infielder dives at a ground ball and the ball passes him and he continues to lie on the ground and delays the progress of the runner, he very likely has obstructed the runner.
If a catcher is about to receive a thrown ball and a baserunner is attempting to score, the catcher may choose to block home base to hinder the progress of the runner without being ruled as obstructing.

MLB Official Rule 7.09

7.09 It is interference by a batter or a runner when—
(a) After a third strike he hinders the catcher in his attempt to field the ball;
(b) He intentionally deflects the course of a foul ball in any manner;
....
(l) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a catcher in the act of fielding a thrown ball with the obvious intent to break up a play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference, unless the catcher is fully blocking home base with the intent to hinder the progress of the runner.

With a few additions to the rule book, catchers would be able to predict if an incoming baserunner was legally able to interfere with the play. Since Posey was not blocking the plate, with these additions, Scott Cousins would have been called out at home for interference; possibly Cousins would have never collided with Posey because of that fact. Major League Baseball is notoriously against change, but a few rule changes similar to these could protect defenseless players and keep the play at the plate a part of the game.

New Mays Photos

2011-05-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Sixty years ago today Willie Mays made his major league debut wearing number 14. In his honor, Life.com has released a set of never before seen photos, including some incredible candid shots of Mays at home and in public.

(The Numbers) Inside Brian Wilson's Beard

2011-05-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

When Giants all star closer Brian Wilson made the decision to throw away his razor in August 2010, he helped change San Francisco history. He not only created a marketing sensation, he ratcheted his already dominant pitching into championship caliber ballplay. Before Wilson began growing the now famous beard, he was sporting a respectable 2.23 ERA. After the early August homestand against the Chicago Cubs, when Wilson started the beard, his ERA dropped to a fearful .071, including 10 straight postseason appearances without allowing an earned run.

Andres the Giant

2011-05-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

With CF Andres Torres expected to be activated from the disabled list this week, it's a good time to remind everyone of the Chusy Haney-Jardine documentary Gigante. Expected DVD release July 2011.

Ethier a National?

2011-05-07T15:15:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that Andre Ethier breaks Dimaggio's 56 game hit streak in a Washington Nationals jersey? If Ethier continues his streak through the month of May he will be sitting at 54 games, while at the same time possibly becoming a free agent. It will never happen but this article has some fun with the idea.

Say Hey, Happy Birthday

2011-05-05T20:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to the greatest baseball player of all time, he still wears a ballcap like a champ.

"Long before his Rookie of the Year Award, long before his two Most Valuable Player awards and his one batting title and his twelve Gold Gloves, long before his twenty-four All-Star Games and his 3,283 hits and his 660 home runs, and long before The Catch, Willie Mays was already a legend. And by the time he retired, he was an American icon whose athletic brilliance and stylistic bravado contributed to blacks’ assimilation during the turbulent civil rights era, a distinctive figure of ambition, sacrifice, and triumph who became a lasting cultural touchstone for a nation in search of heroes."

“Willie Mays: The Life, the Legend” by James Hirsch

Congratulations to Big Time Timmy Jim

2011-05-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

The most career double digit K games in Giants franchise history, surpassing Christy Mathewson. Huge career milestone for the young superstar.