Features

Hey, another first for me.  I’m the featured blog this uh…day?  Week?  Arbitrary amount of time? Anyway, thanks to whomever picks that stuff, that’s awesome!  Oh the pressure…

Weird to see myself called “Kaiser The Great” on the front page.  I guess it never occurred to me to change my display name to my actual name.  Done!  Nice to meet you, everybody.

The leaders list for September came also came out.  I’m always curious who makes up the Top 50 fan blogs.  So I cataloged a couple stats:

I thought there’d be more females represented on the pie, but maybe that’s just me who happens to be reading mostly female written blogs.  Still a pretty good number considering sports are a “male thing” stereotypically. 

No shocker that the Yankee blogs reign, but not really by much.  Giants come in third behind Phillies and general MLB content, so that’s cool. There’s only 20 teams on the list so 10 teams aren’t being represented, but I’m too lazy to figure out which ones.  I wish MLBlogs had a way a list of all blogs on their site, broken up by team/subject.  

Killing Time

I’ve got baseball on the brain, but at the same time I’m trying not to spend too much time and effort over analyzing every little thing about today’s game.  So instead I revisisited one of my favorite baseball sites, Flip Flop Fly Ball to see what latest and greatest graphs and charts were available to peruse.  And much to my delight, there was a bobblehead chart!  Check it.    

The first thing that came to my mind was which two teams gave away a bobblehead when the Giants were visiting.  Not an easy thing to figure out without researching every teams’ bobblehead activity, which is what I ultimately ended up doing.  (Like I said, this day is crawling way too slowly towards 7 PM!)   So using Flip Flop’s own key, I made my own chart:

I found a few discrepancies in Flip Flop’s chart, but for the most part they’re the same, square-wise.  I added all the applicable teams though, so on the left side you can see what team was visiting during bobblehead day, and on the right you can see what teams gave away a bobblehead while being visiting. 

I would have assumed that most teams would decide to give away a bobblehead when they’re scheduled to play a bad team in an attempt to generate ticket sales.  The Phillies giving away a Roy Halladay bobblehead on the day they have to play the Pirates makes perfect sense.  (And photos of the sucker blew up all over Twitter, so obviously it worked!)  But then there’s the Dodgers giving away a bobblehead when the Giants came to play, and what would fill seats better than a Dodgers-Giants game?  

Note also that the Braves, Red Sox, Rockies and Yankees are too cool for bobbleheads (or draw enough ticket sales without gimmicks) and the White Sox was the only team to give away a bobble when the Red Sox and Yankees came to town (not enough of a draw for Chicago, I guess).  

I wonder if there’s a bobblehead website…

We’re Not Worthy

Maybe  July was just an easy month.  Mets, D-Backs, Marlins, Brewers, not the cream of the crop, to be sure.  Yeah, there was the Rockies and Dodgers in there too, so I was thinking the success was legit, but they seem to be sliding now.  There’s a lot of season to go, but its facing the Padres, Phillies, Cardinals, Reds, Padres, Rockies, Dodgers, oh and more Padres and Padres.  We’re five games back and second place in the Wild Card race.  Yes, there’s a lot more season to go, but…

R.I.P. Bobby Thomson who died Monday at 86.  I’d like to experience something like that with the Giants someday.    The whole jumping up and down thing.  That would be cool.

Disssssss

Well I got what I wanted.

Took the series, four AWAY games against a DIVISION rival.  I mean, yeah I guess not really a rival since the D-Backs have been way behind for quite some time, but the Giants are so bad at facing the NL West, a win is a win is a win is a win!  I talked about the first game already, but some things that stand out about the other three:

Posey Keeps On Hitting

And hitting and hitting and…a .371 batting average and an 18 game hitting streak, which places him second to McCovey for rookie Giants hitting streaks.  Is he stoppable?  Probably, but let’s enjoy the ride, eh?

Velez Knocked in the Head

The most hated player on the Giants roster, if you go by Twitter, is knocked in the head while drinking his Gatorade by a foul ball from Pat Burrell.  Dislike him or not, that’s still not cool.  Is there no way to keep the dugout safe from such random attacks?  It’s happened at least three times this year that I’ve read about. (Maybe he can do Mountain Dew commercials now, though.)

Juan Uribe’s Grand Slam

My step-daughter and I were shouting the “OOO-RIBEH!” chant in our living room when he decided to hit his fourth career grand slam in the 7th on game three, with two outs and on the first pitch to boot.  I totally think it was our chant that did it.

Still in second place and three games behind because the Padres JUST WON’T LOSE!

Rk	Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	Strk
1	SDP	58	39	.598	—	W 3
2	SFG	56	43	.566	3.0	W 4
3	LAD	53	46	.535	6.0	W 2
4	COL	51	47	.520	7.5	L 5
5	ARI	37	62	.374	22.0	L 4

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/26/2010.

We’re also first now in the Wild Card race, but who wants to get to the series that way?

Rk	Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	Strk
1	SDP	58	39	.598	—	W 3
2	ATL	57	41	.582	—	L 1
3	SFG	56	43	.566	—	W 4
4	STL	55	44	.556	1.0	W 1
5	CIN	55	45	.550	1.5	L 1
6	LAD	53	46	.535	3.0	W 2
7	PHI	52	46	.531	3.5	W 4
8	COL	51	47	.520	4.5	L 5
9	NYM	50	49	.505	6.0	L 2
10	FLA	49	49	.500	6.5	W 1
11	MIL	47	53	.470	9.5	W 4
12	CHC	45	54	.455	11.0	L 1
13	WSN	42	57	.424	14.0	L 3
14	HOU	40	58	.408	15.5	W 1
15	ARI	37	62	.374	19.0	L 4
16	PIT	34	64	.347	21.5	L 4

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/26/2010.

I also saw on the television that we’re number one hits this month.  Not sure if I saw that right and have no idea where to go to validate it but if that’s true?  MAN what a different team post-All-Star game, eh?

Nights With the Mets – Addendum

BTW, the Giants did sweep the Mets.  I forgot. 

Nights With the Mets

Coulda been a sweep, but it was one of those stupid four-game series.  I don’t like those.  One, it’s possible to tie, and who the heck wants to tie in baseball?  And two, it’s just that much more unlikely a team will get through four games without losing at least one.  Oh well, went 3-1 against the Mets, and made them really earn that one win by going into the 10th inning. 

But who wants to talk Mets?  We’re going back on the road, and we’re playing the Dodgers, who we’ve stunk it up against so far, and the Diamondbacks, both of which are in our division, and we can’t seem to beat teams in our division.  While it seems like the team is finally coming together; the pitching is back, the line-up accomplishes runs, everybody’s got their game on, this will be the real test, I think.  Playing the Mets and Brewers doesn’t mean anything, we have to start beating up our division.  So this is the week, can ya feel it?

I think before yesterday’s loss, we were ranked two, but it didn’t even last twenty hours.  We are now at three, but that’s still better than four!

Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	Strk
SDP	54	37	.593	—	W 4
COL	50	41	.549	4.0	W 1
SFG	50	42	.543	4.5	L 1
LAD	49	43	.533	5.5	L 4
ARI	34	58	.370	20.5	L 4
Avg	47	44	.517

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/19/2010.

The Dodgers are on a 4 game losing streak and, from what I’ve been listening to on the radio (Bay Area radio mind you, so there is bias) they aren’t really playing tight as a team these days, whereas I feel the Giants are finally gelling.  That said, according to Dodgers Trends, they are 23-6 in their division, which includes the Giants.  The Giants are 9-20 in their division. Yikes.  So I can’t say I’m feeling it, honestly.  I need some inspiration…

There we go!  (Whoever that guy is will probably sue me someday.)

Suck It, All-Star Game!

You don’t want to play our pitcher in your fancy special game, then we’ll play our pitcher instead and he’ll throw his first complete game this season and earn his 10th win this season and throw his fourth career shut out and his first career win against the Mets.  Neener!

Sorry I got all “bat” crazy the last couple posts, Mr. Lincecum.  Sorry I was all Buster around the Posey.  I got excited about the new and shiny, I admit it.  But you are still the best thing to watch on this team, especially when you’re on fire.  You are still the face of this franchise for me, hands down.  I love you.  Call me.

Speaking of my new and shiny love for hitting, where was it?  Another 2-0 game.  Pablo got a double, and everyone got stoked, especially Pablo.  I’m happy for him, but I don’t necessarily think it means anything, despite what Bay Area media would have me believe.  Everyone’s bound to his once in a while, right?  It was a nice hit for sure, and very timely.  I certainly hope it’s a turning point for him, and he keeps it up, because Pandamonium is much cuter when he’s batting .300+.

Nine innings for Lincecum though!  A complete game!  That never happens for any of our starters.  Bochy is a yanker.  But not last night!  Was it because he could tell Lincecum was hot?  Or was it that 6th inning foul ball that hit him in the head? 

Crawled up half a game and the second half of the season is looking good!

Rk	Tm	W	L	W-L%	GB	Strk
1	SDP	51	37	.580	—	W 1
2	COL	49	39	.557	2.0	L 1
3	LAD	49	40	.551	2.5	L 1
4	SFG	48	41	.539	3.5	W 3
5	ARI	34	55	.382	17.5	L 1

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/16/2010.

Happy All-Star Break

The Giants complete their longest (distance-wise anyway) road tour with much success.  Only 4 games behind (still in fourth place though – bummer) with a 7-4 victory!  I definitely thought it was going to be worse, but I guess seven game losing streaks gives me bouts of pessimism. 

Not to make this a Buster Posey blog, but Buster Posey Buster Posey Buster Posey.  The guy had a great road trip!  His numbers were ridiculous.  Was it a fluke, or is he making the All-Star team next year?  Hoping for the latter.

Date ▴	Tm		Opp	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA
Jul 1	SFG	@	COL	4	2	2	1	1	.297
Jul 2	SFG	@	COL	3	0	2	0	0	.308
Jul 3	SFG	@	COL	2	1	0	0	0	.302
Jul 4	SFG	@	COL	4	0	1	0	0	.300
Jul 5	SFG	@	MIL	4	2	2	1	1	.307
Jul 6	SFG	@	MIL	3	0	1	0	1	.308
Jul 7	SFG	@	MIL	4	3	4	2	6	.331
Jul 8	SFG	@	MIL	4	1	2	1	1	.336
Jul 9	SFG	@	WSN	4	0	1	0	0	.333
Jul 10	SFG	@	WSN	5	2	4	1	3	.351
Jul 11	SFG	@	WSN	3	1	1	0	2	.350
	SFG			40	12	20	6	15	.500

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/14/2010.

In fact, the 7 wins were pretty much all batting, as the pitching was nothing to really brag about.  Lincecum and Bumgarner got their win, but otherwise it was the offense doing most of the bailing.  It’s a crazy focus shift.  It was all about pitching for me before this month, now all of a sudden, it’s the Posey, Huff and Ishikawa show.  Gotta say, killer hitting is pretty fun!

I skipped the All-Star game.  I was out, but even so, I can’t say I was overly excited about it.  It’s kind of like when half the Sharks when to the Olympics, and that was the Olympics, this is just the All-Star game.  Lincecum didn’t end up pitching, but according to The Stew, he was the only guy signing balls before the game.  And anyway, that means he gets to start against the Mets tomorrow, which is more interesting to me.

It is pretty cool that the National League finally broke their 1996 on up losing streak, though. Also cool that Brian Wilson got the opportunity to keep their lead by throwing a perfect 8th inning.  Go Brian!  Maybe they should swap out the Panda caps for Rooster hats?

Nice cleats, btw…I think…uh.

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

That’s our stats against the Padres.  Seven zeroes.  Seven. 

I haven’t been posting that much lately, as my internet connection has been touch and go, and MLBlogs is hard enough to post on without having to deal with a slow connection.

So what did I miss?  Lost a series to the Mets.  I don’t know much about the Mets, but aren’t they supposed to suck or something?  I mean, that’s all I really hear about them.  I’ve always thought, were I a New York resident, I would almost have to root for the Mets over the Yankees to support my local underdog.  But apparently they’re good enough for the Giants, because they beat us 2-0. 

Then we get swept by the Padres.  Again.  Eck.  I can’t even remember the games now, and I was there!  I hadn’t planned on going to any games this month, but I managed to score a cheap ticket via  a Twitter contact.  I can’t remember the last time I went to a baseball game.  I think it was Giants.  I think it was Candlestick.  I think it was against the Padres, and I think the Padres won.  We’ve come full circle, folks.  Anyway, The Girl and The Dude came along, and a good time was had despite the game.  Look how cute little man is, and we still lost!  How is that possible?

Then we sweep the Astros.  w00t!

But now we’re back in San Diego.  What the heck?  Can’t we get a break?  Can we stop for a minute, catch our breath, lick our wounds, figure out what we’re doing wrong?  Nope, let’s go right back in it!  And what’s worse is the Dodgers are on an eight game winning streak, creaming the Padres in the process!  So we’re facing our new mortal enemies for the third time this season (and losing so far), struggling for second place, while our old stand by mortal enemies are right behind us and showing no signs of slowing down.
 
Claustrophobia, anyone?

Gone Fishing

As if in honor of Willie’s birthday Giants finally swept again!

Are we sick of the Karate Kid references yet?  Yeah, me too.  Anyway, I can’t remember who said this, I think it was on the post game show, but it’s completely true.  Giants Baseball = TORTURE!

Two out of three games they won by the skin of their teeth.  That first one especially, they “went plaid” again with 13 innings.  Thank god Rowand tied it up in the 9th with that very timely home run. 

Second game, the Marlins load the bases, what?  Twice?  With zero outs.  I can’t remember if that’s what really happened, but if felt like it.  Thank god for Romo, who bailed us out and let us keep our one run lead.  Can’t believe I’m saying, because I’ve been kind of despising Romo this season.

Yesterday’s game was a little less pressure, as we had 3 runs on ‘em by the end, thanks to Cain’s 6 inning shutout, but the Marlins still managed to squeeze one more out before the Giants ended things, and I admit I got a little nervous, because this season has proved that it ain’t over until it’s over.

Our starting pitchers keep the other team at bay. Our weak hitting keeps the other team competitive, despite our starting pitchers.  Our bullpen seems to drop the ball and ruin our leads around the 8th or 9th inning every game, which makes being cocky and confident an impossibility. 

But I’m not here to complain.  We swept!  We took the last series. Whatever we’re doing is currently working, it just makes for some real nail biters. 

Off to New York, #1 again in our division, with a three game winning streak under our belt.