Here's a preliminary list of yeas and nays for the 2009 Giants. Let me know if you agree, disagree. Also, subscribe to the blog at right and you'll get all the comments and posts sent to you.
Fred Lewis: Some clutch hits, above average fielder. But what's this about a bunion keeping him out of several games, and a mysterious "minor" quad injury that scratched him from tonight's game against the Reds (11-7 Reds won)?
Eugenio Velez: Yeah, I'd say keep him. Speed and hits.
John Bowker: Oooh, tough one. He started off so hot with back-to-back homers in his first two games. Damon Bruce on Sportsphone 680 was calling him "Babe Bowker," life was good. Then he hit the All Star break and starting taking suck pills or something. He was like 0 for 120 and sent back to Triple-A Fresno. He's got heart though.
Nate Schierholz: Dump this guy. His outfield skills are just awful. He had a particularly poor outing in June against the White Sox in left field, falling all over himself. So what he made a big play in the Olympics? Stateside that doesn't mean sh*t. I guess he's not on the 40-man roster, so whatever.
Pablo Sandoval: Oh hell yeah. This guy has made more of an impression than just about anybody in the second half of the season.
Ivan Ochoa: He can bunt. Undecided
Emmanuel Buriss: Who? Undecided
Your thoughts? Have no idea who any of these guys are? Write a comment or e-mail me: purplejaxbaxter@gmail.com. Check out some www.sfgiants.com.
Can't wait for dinner,
Jax
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Lincecum, Cain, pray for rain
Sitting in this garage place is weird. It's hot in here, it's hot outside. Urgh. Sometimes I just wish I was a little Chihuahua, and I could just jump in my water dish to cool off. I don't know where to go potty. I guess that's the worst part. Maybe outside?
Stephen and I heard the middle innings of the Lincecum's start last night on KNBR-AM 680. Giants won 4-1 of course. It's like Lincecum, Cain, pray for rain. The other pitchers are bums.
He threw 132 pitches and Bochy pulled him. I say OK. I don't know who Lincecum's agent is, but he is not going to be playing for $400,000 next year. Maybe $4 million. This kid needs to be protected, physically and financially. He has the swagger and the story to be The Franchise, so let's lock him up already before the Scott Boras's of the world get to him first.
Very hot,
Jax
Stephen and I heard the middle innings of the Lincecum's start last night on KNBR-AM 680. Giants won 4-1 of course. It's like Lincecum, Cain, pray for rain. The other pitchers are bums.
He threw 132 pitches and Bochy pulled him. I say OK. I don't know who Lincecum's agent is, but he is not going to be playing for $400,000 next year. Maybe $4 million. This kid needs to be protected, physically and financially. He has the swagger and the story to be The Franchise, so let's lock him up already before the Scott Boras's of the world get to him first.
Very hot,
Jax
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Lost in transition
I rested with my jaw on the floor last night and heard parts of the Giants-Rockies game on the radio. We need a TV, OK. This is bullshit.
My paw hurts. I'm on painkillers. But at least I have this new, carpeted "apartment" that Jim Dear and Darling (that's a Lady and the Tramp reference. The dog refers to his married owners by those names because that's what they call each other) keep calling it. It's actually a garage with a fenced in yard that I can hang out at during the day. Seems pretty sweet to me. I wonder what's in those paint cans ...
I have no idea what the Giants are up to because I have no Internet and this crummy radio.
Urgh.
Jax
My paw hurts. I'm on painkillers. But at least I have this new, carpeted "apartment" that Jim Dear and Darling (that's a Lady and the Tramp reference. The dog refers to his married owners by those names because that's what they call each other) keep calling it. It's actually a garage with a fenced in yard that I can hang out at during the day. Seems pretty sweet to me. I wonder what's in those paint cans ...
I have no idea what the Giants are up to because I have no Internet and this crummy radio.
Urgh.
Jax
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Cy Young, Tim Lincecum, Brandon Webb
Hey there, how ya doing? How ya doing?
Tim Linecum's name has been tossed around for the Cy Young award this year, which would be interesting considering the Giants are 58-72. "Tim-may," a k a "The Franchise" is 14-3 with a a 2.48 ERA and 200 strikeouts. But he's on a losing team. It's unlikely the Giants will get up to .500 this season, so is he pitching in less meaningful games than say, Brandon Webb? I would say, of course. Dummy.
Webb and the Snakes are bound to clinch the NL West. The rest of the Giants schedule? They play whipping post teams. Besides the Arizona series, and maybe the Dodgers, we're looking at the Reds, Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh?! c'mon), Rockies, the rudderless Padres again ...
All I know is I had to listen to the game yesterday on the radio cause we don't have a TV that works. What the hay? What the hay?
I know we're moving, but c'mon.
Ha-choo!
Jax
Tim Linecum's name has been tossed around for the Cy Young award this year, which would be interesting considering the Giants are 58-72. "Tim-may," a k a "The Franchise" is 14-3 with a a 2.48 ERA and 200 strikeouts. But he's on a losing team. It's unlikely the Giants will get up to .500 this season, so is he pitching in less meaningful games than say, Brandon Webb? I would say, of course. Dummy.
Webb and the Snakes are bound to clinch the NL West. The rest of the Giants schedule? They play whipping post teams. Besides the Arizona series, and maybe the Dodgers, we're looking at the Reds, Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh?! c'mon), Rockies, the rudderless Padres again ...
All I know is I had to listen to the game yesterday on the radio cause we don't have a TV that works. What the hay? What the hay?
I know we're moving, but c'mon.
Ha-choo!
Jax
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Win streaks
The Giants have won four in a row, matching their longest win streak of the season.
OK, that says something right there.
I've been told I need to get more angry in my blog posts, have more of a "take" in sports talk radio parlance. What they hey!
I don't have a lot to be angry about with the Giants. They're playing the rookies, the rookies are winning. I guess Eugenio Velez and Fred Lewis could get bunts down better. Ochoa continues to deliver some clutch hits.
I like (ex-Padre) Giants basecoach Tim Flannery's view on how to bunt a 98 mph fastball.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10271176?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
"These guys know the mechanics, so it becomes a matter of will,'' Flannery said. "You say, 'No matter what, I'm going to get this down.' You either turn the adrenaline and pressure into fear or you turn it into focus.''
Nice. That reminds me of when I'm chasing rabbits on the fire trail on walks. I'm going to get that bugger, it just takes some determination.
I missed Zito's start yesterday because I was moving. That was nuts! I found some peanuts and butter in the trash, ate them, felt weird, then I cut my paw on something on the ground. Our new house is awesome.
I can't wait until the TV is plugged in and we can watch Giants. I'm going to go wag my tail in front of Stephen now and nod over the TV so he can get the picture.
What the hey!
Jax
OK, that says something right there.
I've been told I need to get more angry in my blog posts, have more of a "take" in sports talk radio parlance. What they hey!
I don't have a lot to be angry about with the Giants. They're playing the rookies, the rookies are winning. I guess Eugenio Velez and Fred Lewis could get bunts down better. Ochoa continues to deliver some clutch hits.
I like (ex-Padre) Giants basecoach Tim Flannery's view on how to bunt a 98 mph fastball.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10271176?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
"These guys know the mechanics, so it becomes a matter of will,'' Flannery said. "You say, 'No matter what, I'm going to get this down.' You either turn the adrenaline and pressure into fear or you turn it into focus.''
Nice. That reminds me of when I'm chasing rabbits on the fire trail on walks. I'm going to get that bugger, it just takes some determination.
I missed Zito's start yesterday because I was moving. That was nuts! I found some peanuts and butter in the trash, ate them, felt weird, then I cut my paw on something on the ground. Our new house is awesome.
I can't wait until the TV is plugged in and we can watch Giants. I'm going to go wag my tail in front of Stephen now and nod over the TV so he can get the picture.
What the hey!
Jax
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Olympics shmimpics
OK, I'm sick of diving, beach volleyball, women's softball, all that. I'm just tired of Bob Costas trying to make everything sooo dramatic and telling me that the telecast is "live" or "kinda live if you're on the East Coast" or "live-ish" from Beijing.
Whatever. Give me baseball.
Stephen and I watched the Giants game last night. Brian Wilson imploded, giving up a 3-run jack to the Marlins' John Baker in the top of the ninth to tie it. Wilson--who I heard was born again as a Christian in the off season--I think he mouthed something like "F- it, Jesus" after that homer went up. It's hard to tell with no audio.
Speaking of audio, this other dog in the neighborhood was barking throughout the game, so I couldn't hear Kruk and Kuip for much of anything. I had to bark back, naturally. My sense of smell is way better than my hearing, even with these big, floppy ears.
Anyway, Wilson aside, I'll admit I have a soft spot for "Big Money" Bengie Molina. We're both, let's face it, a little chubby. He's Latino, I'm black (fur). We both squat a lot (he's a catcher, comes from a family of catchers), you catch my drift.
In the bottom of the ninth Big Money hit a nice sac fly to center to bring in Dave Roberts and end it. Celebration on the mound! Now, if only we coud string together about 20 wins like that ...
Doggie out,
Jax
Whatever. Give me baseball.
Stephen and I watched the Giants game last night. Brian Wilson imploded, giving up a 3-run jack to the Marlins' John Baker in the top of the ninth to tie it. Wilson--who I heard was born again as a Christian in the off season--I think he mouthed something like "F- it, Jesus" after that homer went up. It's hard to tell with no audio.
Speaking of audio, this other dog in the neighborhood was barking throughout the game, so I couldn't hear Kruk and Kuip for much of anything. I had to bark back, naturally. My sense of smell is way better than my hearing, even with these big, floppy ears.
Anyway, Wilson aside, I'll admit I have a soft spot for "Big Money" Bengie Molina. We're both, let's face it, a little chubby. He's Latino, I'm black (fur). We both squat a lot (he's a catcher, comes from a family of catchers), you catch my drift.
In the bottom of the ninth Big Money hit a nice sac fly to center to bring in Dave Roberts and end it. Celebration on the mound! Now, if only we coud string together about 20 wins like that ...
Doggie out,
Jax
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Maddux as a Dodger
My master and I saw it on the crawl on ESPN Monday night (you know, those news bits that scroll across the bottom) "Maddux traded to LA Dodgers for two minor leaguers and cash." Something like that. I guess this shouldn't be a surprise to Padres fans. It's August, they're 17 games out and, oh, run up the white flag.
For the Dodgers, what a spree lately. First they got "Man-Ram" (that still sounds weird to me, Jim Rome) from Boston, and now Maddux. Maddux replaces injured starter Brad Penny (shoulder) and LA only gave up two minor leaguers "yet to be determined" according to today's Mercury News. How could that yet to be determined? If this is some shrewd Padres trade, isn't that the key part of the equation? These guys should be studs, dammit, whoever they are.
The Dodgers are one game out and I would say, headed to the playoffs if they can gel in the next few weeks here.
The only other thing I have to say, because I'm ready to rest my jaw on the ground and take a nap here, is about the Billy Wagner situation in Mets land.
Teams that won't make the playoffs (read: Giants) ought to consider trading a reliever or closer to the Mets, who seem desperate. Could the Giants afford to get rid of a Brian Wilson? His stock is as high as its going to be (leads the NL with 33 saves) so why not try to get some promising minor leaguers or something. The Giants farm system seems to have shown squat lately, with the exception, obviously of Lincecum and a short list that follows.
The problem is Giants GM Brian Sabean doesn't have the cojones.
On a good note, San Jose's finest Kevin Frandsen was spotted dressed in the Giants dugout last night, nearly back from the ruptured Achilles. We're rooting for you, Kev.
See you at the dog park,
Jax
For the Dodgers, what a spree lately. First they got "Man-Ram" (that still sounds weird to me, Jim Rome) from Boston, and now Maddux. Maddux replaces injured starter Brad Penny (shoulder) and LA only gave up two minor leaguers "yet to be determined" according to today's Mercury News. How could that yet to be determined? If this is some shrewd Padres trade, isn't that the key part of the equation? These guys should be studs, dammit, whoever they are.
The Dodgers are one game out and I would say, headed to the playoffs if they can gel in the next few weeks here.
The only other thing I have to say, because I'm ready to rest my jaw on the ground and take a nap here, is about the Billy Wagner situation in Mets land.
Teams that won't make the playoffs (read: Giants) ought to consider trading a reliever or closer to the Mets, who seem desperate. Could the Giants afford to get rid of a Brian Wilson? His stock is as high as its going to be (leads the NL with 33 saves) so why not try to get some promising minor leaguers or something. The Giants farm system seems to have shown squat lately, with the exception, obviously of Lincecum and a short list that follows.
The problem is Giants GM Brian Sabean doesn't have the cojones.
On a good note, San Jose's finest Kevin Frandsen was spotted dressed in the Giants dugout last night, nearly back from the ruptured Achilles. We're rooting for you, Kev.
See you at the dog park,
Jax
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Welcome to my blog
Welcome to my blog. My name is Jax. I'm a dog who likes baseball.
I'm always talking about baseball and arguing with my master, Stephen. He doesn't know much about baseball players, managers, trades or really much of anything. So I try to educate him and his friends when they watch games on TV.
A lot of times I'll be resting with my jaw on the floor of the living room watching ESPN, and he'll be sitting next to me. While he's at work, I actually watch ESPNEWS all day while listening to KNBR-AM 680 The Sports Leader in the background. Since I got his Internet to work, I put on my glasses and read all the baseball blogs, I subscribe to Baseball America and all those other magazines. I read Andrew Baggerly's stories in the San Jose Mercury News, and Bruce Jenkins in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Each night we watch the Giants lose, again and again, naturally I have a lot to say about what's happening in the league and what could be done to save this team.
We get in to discussions and sometimes arguments. Recently, he turned to me and said, "If you know so much, why don't you start a blog?"
And I said, "The hell with you, maybe I will."
So, here it is: unfiltered baseball knowledge, straight from a dog with satellite TV, a fast Internet connection, and Peter Gammons on speed dial. (OK, I'm lying about the Peter Gammons part. But stick with me here. I'm typing this at paw speed, OK?)
I'm always talking about baseball and arguing with my master, Stephen. He doesn't know much about baseball players, managers, trades or really much of anything. So I try to educate him and his friends when they watch games on TV.
A lot of times I'll be resting with my jaw on the floor of the living room watching ESPN, and he'll be sitting next to me. While he's at work, I actually watch ESPNEWS all day while listening to KNBR-AM 680 The Sports Leader in the background. Since I got his Internet to work, I put on my glasses and read all the baseball blogs, I subscribe to Baseball America and all those other magazines. I read Andrew Baggerly's stories in the San Jose Mercury News, and Bruce Jenkins in the San Francisco Chronicle.
Each night we watch the Giants lose, again and again, naturally I have a lot to say about what's happening in the league and what could be done to save this team.
We get in to discussions and sometimes arguments. Recently, he turned to me and said, "If you know so much, why don't you start a blog?"
And I said, "The hell with you, maybe I will."
So, here it is: unfiltered baseball knowledge, straight from a dog with satellite TV, a fast Internet connection, and Peter Gammons on speed dial. (OK, I'm lying about the Peter Gammons part. But stick with me here. I'm typing this at paw speed, OK?)
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