tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43249294946948419372012-01-11T09:23:42.100-08:00A San Francisco Giants BlogRichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08754684892525367437noreply@blogger.comBlogger4241100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-74571525765486610992012-01-11T09:19:00.000-08:002012-01-11T09:23:42.116-08:00

In the world of health care there is a term referred to as Scope of Practice, also known as the universal rules of conduct. It states that you can only practice what you are licensed or credentialed to produce. Which brings me to the question of how writers qualify to vote for players who deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. When I looked at the most recent voting, that elected Barry Larkin into

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-89561291600282268812012-01-06T10:34:00.000-08:002012-01-06T10:35:04.199-08:00

With baseball being six to eight weeks away from Spring training launching another season I thought I'd begin the 2012 season with a poem and some quotes about those attitudes-in-need of adjustment, the umpires. The Umpire The umpire is a lonely man whose calls are known to every fan Yet no one will call him Dick or Dan In all the season's games. They'll never call him Al or Ed or Bill or Phil

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-27066379468079199132011-12-14T09:18:00.000-08:002011-12-14T09:18:48.822-08:00

"Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see.  It's getting hard to be someone but it all works out, it doesn't matter much to me. Let me take you down 'cause I'm going to Strawberry Fields, Where nothing is real and nothing to get hung about."      the Beatles With the deadline to offer contracts ending on December 12, 2011, the San Francisco Giants chose who they felt would

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-88426936265756588862011-11-11T15:36:00.000-08:002011-11-11T15:36:28.496-08:00

Trading Jonathan Sanchez to Kansas City for Melky "Leche" Cabrera probably for one season was not a bad move. If you look at Melky's career with the Yankees, then Braves and Royals you almost have to ignore the numbers.  In New York everything is exaggerated into full-blown overrated.  But, his 2009 season, during the ALCS, he batted .391.  That's something all Giant fans need to file away as

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-30476023331422492152011-09-06T11:44:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:44:39.783-07:00

When you are alone most of the time there has to be a way to utilize your time that activates your peace of mind.  Music is essential but to a penniless person it takes batteries to make your radio work. Using your mind to replay songs is a neat feature to have but it doesn't funcion well when you are seemingly surrounded by downtrodden, faceless people in the crowd.  It's as if something is

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-57658704241677439492011-08-17T17:46:00.000-07:002011-08-17T17:46:06.793-07:00

Going into the game, unbeknowst to many people in the know, Jeff Keppinger, Nate Schierholtz, and Aaron Rowand all had to get x-rays for various "ow-wees" they received in Monday's game. This limited manager Bruce Bochy's ability to use baseball strategy.  He would only have Mark DeRosa (who up until then was 0-26) and Eli Whiteside. (Word from the pressbox was that Aaron Rowand informed Bochy

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-54851566268748687092011-08-17T14:33:00.000-07:002011-08-17T14:33:19.807-07:00

"Sometimes I think it's a sin when I feel like I'm winning when I'm losing again."  Gordon Lightfoot On August 15, 2011, the San Francisco Giants were in Atlanta, Georgia, to play the Braves. Game time was the time I started getting ready for school (6pm-9:50pm).  My dial was tuned in to KNBR680AM. This is how the game went for me on Monday: The Braves had Tim Hudson on the hill.  Cody Ross

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-67260046109415935902011-08-16T14:51:00.000-07:002011-08-16T14:51:47.074-07:00

Saw an article in ESPN magazine, don't recall which issue, that is month. It is a 2011 edition. (Actually, I was hoping the page I tore it out had the date on the bottom, like some do. This page had nothing.) The article, by Hallie Grossman, listed 5 records it considered Unbreakable. Bill Mosienko's Hat Trick On March 23, 1952, Mosienko, a right wing for the Black Hawks, scored goals at 6:09,

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-52820919108091313582011-08-11T14:42:00.000-07:002011-08-11T14:42:00.953-07:00

In the June 27, 2011, ESPN magazine was an article by Laura Downhour that told a wonderful tale about zoos in the United States. Downhour opens up the article with a ditty about how San Francisco Zoo renamed a hippo Brian Wilson to celebrate the World Series win.  More importantly she discovered this wasn't the only zoo to do such a thing. Here are some excerpts: Brian Wilson/The Hippopotamus/

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-37929343030039810932011-07-23T15:01:00.000-07:002011-07-23T15:01:47.550-07:00

When you have a team built around pitching and you encounter a home plate umpire who is inconsistent your chances of winning are not good. The friday, July 22, 2011 game at AT&T between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants was determined not by those who played the game but rather by an umpire whose strike zone benefitted one pitcher and hampered the other. Joe West is an attitude

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-78663283526786203112011-06-27T09:05:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:05:45.568-07:00

June 27 has some San Francisco Giant history. On this day, 1977, Willie McCovey hit 2 home runs in the same inning for the second time in his career.  He was the first major league ballplayer to perform the feat. And on this day in 1986, Bo Diaz, former Philadelphia Phillies catcher, threw out Robby Thompson, of the Giants, four times. It is the first recorded instance of a player being thrown

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-14305111028346789672011-06-20T09:08:00.000-07:002011-06-20T09:08:01.614-07:00

It's Fresno Bus ticket time for former Milwaukee Brewer and Boston Red Sox hack, Bill Hall. I'm sure Brian Sabean was  hoping Hall could hit a few homers but he overlooked Hall's penchant for swinging and missing as well as not being able to catch a hit or thrown ball. The Giants need to catch the ball and execute moving runners along the bases better than they have exhibited up until now. 

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-15782539663482227922011-06-06T09:45:00.000-07:002011-06-06T09:45:30.105-07:00

Giants’ fans saw what he did last year during the playoffs. He proved general manager, Brian Sabean, right for signing him to a multi-million dollar contract. He is Freddy Sanchez. In an interview early in the season I recall Freddy being asked by Giants’ announcer, Dave Fleming, what it was like being up in a crucial situation, with the game on the line and the fans chanting your name. And

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-15958162665623052882011-06-03T13:45:00.000-07:002011-06-03T14:00:30.793-07:00

Much is being discussed about the play at home plate where Nate Schierholtz threw a ball to Buster Posey hoping to peg the runner from third base.  Buster's lack of concentration caused him to not come up with the ball cleanly and in the course of his not being able to find the handle the runner saw his only chance of reaching home safely was by crashing into Posey. Unfortunately, for Posey, he

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-1664258799587834732011-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:002011-06-01T08:00:51.352-07:00

The Strike Zone It is essential that we understand the rule as it is written in the rulebook before we heckle the home plate umpire for missing a pitch or two. With some home plate umpires you would think it was the plate that was moving and not the ball. Rule7, Section 4a of the (Softball/Fastpitch/Slowpitch w/stealing) rulebook states: a strike is called by the umpire for each legally

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-56762675323590881762011-05-13T15:05:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:06:58.340-07:00

In the Sporting News issue dated 4/11/11, there was an I Remember piece with Bobby Richardson being the focal point. Giant fans since the opening of Candlestick Park know Richardson as the second baseman who was in the right spot at the worst time for a Willie McCovey line drive. With runners on second and third base and 2 outs, the McCovey liner was how Game 7 of the 1962 World Series ended.

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-59104634554773838232011-05-11T12:52:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:36:54.261-07:00

In an article on May 6, 2011, by Pamela S. Busch, of the San Francisco Examiner, she enlightened me some about AT&T's concessions stands and the types of wines that are sold. And although she mentions the prices are reasonable I suggest you would have a much better time at the Giants' games if you had the type of bank account Gilligan's Island occupants, Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Howell III,

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-13650528545848593042011-05-02T13:01:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:09:23.973-07:00

In the May 1, 2011 game at Washington, DC, Darren Ford came in to run for the recently walked Buster Posey. Immediately all eyes focused on this extraordinary runner as he danced off first base. Time and time again the pitcher threw over to first base, once almost tossing the ball over the first baseman's head. Then with batter Pat Burrell struggling to make contact (as if he couldn't see the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-61798509861089807722011-04-27T12:13:00.000-07:002011-05-02T11:59:22.834-07:00

The ongoing saga of MadBum (according to me, a Giant's fan who has umpired since the age of 9. I am pretty comfortable in distinguishing a ball from a strike)could be called, As the Umps Mess With the Kid. Are the umpires messing with the kid?  Think about it, he joins the team midway in the season and nobody messes with him.  Then he does better than anticipated in the postseason.  Giants win

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-69763565476439676042011-04-12T16:22:00.000-07:002011-04-12T16:22:09.899-07:00

I can recall back in the days when the San Francisco Giants called Candlestick Park home. Back when Rod "Shooter" Beck toed the slab as the Giants' closer. He had a look not many tailors could work with.  In fact, if memory serves me, when Dusty Baker was mulling over why so many players today are pulling muscles Beck's response was, "You can't pull fat." He had a look that caused my

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-37932431169167055562011-04-12T14:32:00.000-07:002011-04-12T14:45:20.103-07:00

Okay, he's the best fifth starter the San Francisco Giants have in their organization. Or is it that he costs so damned much that the team doesn't want to part ways with him just yet. Well, with the help of Lowell Cohn (of the Press Democrat) I would like to interject some thoughts as to why Giant fans cannot stand to see Seventy Five toe the slab. The Giants do what they do because of pitching

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-54598872343503673222011-04-05T13:39:00.000-07:002011-04-05T13:51:04.214-07:00

The writer was Peter Keating. He speaks of Pittsburgh Pirates' catcher, Chris Snyder. Says Keating, Snyder has stolen zero bases, hit one triple and grounded into 43 double plays in just over 2,000 plate appearances. Now, if you consider that at its most stationary positions (1B, C, DH), baseball requires far less speed than any positions in any other Big Four sports (Football, Basketball and

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-75452120854573539192011-04-05T12:17:00.000-07:002011-04-05T13:36:03.793-07:00

I found it quite humorous reading about Pat Burrell's antics regarding his old college teammate, Aubrey Huff. Before Sunday's game, (the one in which Huff misjudged a couple of fly balls leading to a couple of runs for the Dodgers who would eventually win the game 7-5) Burrell had Brandon Belt lay down so he could do an outline like the police do for murder victims, only he used medical tape and

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-15151472995450858132011-03-25T14:41:00.000-07:002011-03-25T15:40:46.005-07:00

I'm reading the sporting News issue dated 2/14/2011 about the National Hockey League's greatest teams and Hall of Famer,Bryan Trottier, said something that made me immediatelhy refer to the 2010 San Francisco Giants. Said Trottier about his successful New York Islander teams,"It was just a group of guys who always found a way to win... Everyone chipped in on defense, made themselves responsible.

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-68854611430852429642011-02-11T12:47:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:31:57.545-08:00

When I was in the army I was lonesome, I missed baseball. There was a World Series. I went to the PX to listen to the World Series game on the radio. And I was sitting there feeling a long, long way from home. Hot climate, no sense of autumn, the Fall Classic. And an old sergeant came in. He's sitting down in front of me and he took out a cigar and lit it and that cigar smoke drifted back into my

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-77133844920883756592011-01-28T14:08:00.001-08:002011-01-28T14:51:05.793-08:00

In 1938, the players were polled if they would have any objection to play with Negro players and 4/5ths had no objections.It was the owners and commissioner Keneshaw Mountain Landis who were not interested.(Keneshaw got his name from a misspelling of Kenneshaw Mountain, Georgia, where his father, a physician, fought on the union side and lost a leg during the American Civil War at the Battle of

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-69508233468804039812011-01-21T13:40:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:36:07.571-08:00

Legend has it that owner/manager Jim Mutrie got so pumped up after a win over the Philadelphia Phillies, he yelled out, in addressing his team, "My big fellows! My Giants!"The Gothams, as his team had been called, soon became the Giants. Their home field was a series of Polo Grounds. The first one was located just north of Central Park next to 5th and 6th avenues and 110 and 112th streets. Later

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-27283481805009950232011-01-14T12:50:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:04:34.820-08:00

(From This Copyrighted Broadcast by Hank Greenwald)Bill King came from Bloomington, Indiana. In his later years, Bill would be walking down the street and old ladies would mistake him for the devil.(But boy could he paint the visual picture of an Oakland Raider or San Francisco/Golden State Warrior game.)According to Hank: He had the ability to make you "see" through the radio what was coming

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-65922496892978256542011-01-11T13:42:00.000-08:002011-01-11T14:18:33.989-08:00

"August 2, 1907 was the first time I watched him take that easy windup and then something just went past that made me flinch. The thing just hissed with danger. We couldn't touch him. Everyone of us knew we'd met the most powerful arm ever turned loose on a ballpark." Ty Cobb commenting on Walter "Big Train" Johnson."It was useless to try for more than one single. You had to poke and try and

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-10464200042499380342011-01-07T12:44:00.000-08:002011-01-07T14:26:34.962-08:00

"No one ever saw anything graceful or picturesque about Wagner on the diamond. His movements have been likened to the caracoling gambols of an elephant. He's so ungamely and so bow-legged that when he runs his limbs seem to be moving in a circle after the fashions of a propellar. But he could run like the wind." New York-AmericanNote: Honus Wagner had 723 career stolen bases. In a day when the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-63324560621916451822011-01-05T13:59:00.000-08:002011-01-05T14:42:54.415-08:00

I'm finally getting around to watching the Ken Burns special on Baseball. I watched it when it first came out but like most good movies (or productions) there are usually parts you either missed or didn't allow to sink in that you "got" the second or third time around. I am now jotting things down that have some significance in the game I love following, as well as playing. *********************

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-51487047844468047262010-12-25T12:00:00.000-08:002010-12-25T13:02:53.620-08:00

Thoughout the Twenty Ten major league baseball postseason, the bottom of the order had something to say about the outcome of the game. For the most part, as with everything, there are always exceptions to the rule.The Phillies winning 6-1, in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series didn't have any production, to speak of, from the lower half of the batting order for either club. And

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-45095640689583664122010-12-23T08:45:00.000-08:002010-12-23T08:59:03.238-08:00

In every Sporting News there is the section Since You Asked (You have questions, they have answers) and in the December 6, 2010 edition I found one question particularly fascinating, as well as hopeful (for us San Francisco Giants' fans).Question: It has been a long time since we've seen a baseball player who disrupts the game the way Maury Wills did, whose presence in every at-bat had the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-57718584786980722642010-12-13T14:14:00.000-08:002010-12-13T14:38:58.688-08:00

In an article dated November 22, 2010 from Sporting News magazine, John Feinstein had this to say about major league baseball.The World Series was a disaster. The TV ratings were horrific, as low as any in history. But it had to be. After all, no Yankees. No Red Sox. Certainly no Cubs. Not even any Phillies. Heck, if you paid attention to the New York media, baseball would have been smart to

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-46649991128098667882010-12-13T13:57:00.000-08:002010-12-13T14:14:46.088-08:00

Can I get a show of hands of how many people are glad Eugenio -"No Brain-y-yo" on the bases-Velez went to the dreaded Dodgers?Talk show host (9am-Noon, KNBR 680AM) Gary Radnich has this thing whenever somebody calls about some obscure thing, although not to the caller, of course, there will be a "drop" from his producer of someone saying "nobody cares." And this move most definitely falls into

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-29653772720649558332010-12-08T13:14:00.000-08:002010-12-08T14:19:00.149-08:00

Now I know a gal, her name is Lindsey LouShe told me she loved me but I know it ain't truePut on your Madison shoesput on your Madison blues shoesI've got the Madison bluesNow put on your Madison blues shoesYes, it's a borrowed line from a George Thorogood song. Who's he? Maybe you haven't heard of George but if you saw him live he'd leave a noteworthy impression. Take my word, like the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-11753523353016274922010-11-27T12:31:00.000-08:002010-11-27T12:45:06.466-08:00

(From an article in the SF Examiner on October 26, 2010, by Katie Worth,)The story starts close to 100 years ago, when a graceful utility infielder named Eddie Grant spent 2 1/2 seasons on the New York Giants. He was not a typical ballplayer- in off-seasons he went to Harvard University and acquired a law degree."Harvard Eddie," as he came to be known, retired from the game at 32 years of age, in

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-32625654816894614642010-11-27T12:08:00.000-08:002010-11-27T12:30:30.821-08:00

Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays had background and personalities as well as their views on social issues that could not have been more different. Everything about the young Mays-apprehensive, amicable, fearful of controversy-Robinson contradicted. Robinson grew up amid affluence in Pasadena, California. Even as a boy, Robinson had a quick temper-he threw rocks at the father of a girl who called

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-30916191972251665892010-11-24T13:10:00.000-08:002010-11-24T13:51:04.930-08:00

Jim Bouton, a former pitcher for the New York Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. He became famous for the book he wrote while with the Yankees entitled, Ball Four.He has an interesting perspective that I'd like to share (as told in Willie Mays' Autobiography by James Hirsch)...He said Mays's skin color was different than everyone else, and that

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-63919118901388123152010-11-24T12:11:00.000-08:002010-11-24T13:01:56.965-08:00

Jimmy Ray Hart played for the San Francisco Giants from 1963 (a late season call-up) until 1972 (an injury plagued season). He ended his playing career as one of the original successful designated hitters with the New York Yankees, hitting 13 HRs and driving in 53 runs in 1973.From Hookerston, North Carolina, probably more than a stones throw away from Andy, Barney, Floyd, Goober, Gomer, Opie

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-73199637556844501152010-11-22T11:57:00.000-08:002010-11-22T12:57:02.973-08:00

(from the Autobiography of Willie Mays by James Hirsch)The Polo Grounds was hunched on the eastern shoulder of Manhattan beside the Harlem River. Built at the foot of a cliff-Coogan's Bluff-so patrons actually walked downhill to their seats.The oddity of the Polo Grounds was that no one ever played polo thee. The name was derived from a polo field used by a Giant team in the 1880s.Baseball

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-58131163700500846932010-11-18T13:56:00.000-08:002010-11-18T14:57:36.541-08:00

Juan Marichal, the Domincan Dandy, was 19-9, 1.73ERA. Sandy Koufax, the nicknameless one, was 21-8, with an ERA of 2.10.In the Roseboro-Marichal incident it really began the day before. When leadoff hitter, Maury Wills squared around to bunt, Giant catcher Tom Haller moved forward just then Wills pulled his bat back making contact with Haller's glove or mask. Catcher's interference was awarded.

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-38945927880892474552010-11-16T14:23:00.000-08:002010-11-16T14:47:38.642-08:00

I'm still reading the autobiography on Willie Mays by James Hirsch.I'm entering the year 1965.But for this I want to go back to 1963.July 2, 1963 to be exact. It was at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco Giants versus the Milwaukee Braves. On the mound were Juan Marichal for the Giants, Warren Spahn for the Braves. From here on I'll let Mr. Hirsch take over...Neither team could score through 9

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-9710474693498149242010-11-16T14:02:00.000-08:002010-11-16T14:23:11.803-08:00

When your favorite ball club is built around pitching it's good to know who the home plate umpire is for that day's game. For the entire post-season the Giants' KNBR/680AM had Mike Krukow give the lowdown on the home plate umpire. And his scouting report was flawless. In fact, if an umpire worked earlier and he was due to work again I had a pretty queasy feeling about the Giants' chances.On at

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-45102892535962720882010-11-10T13:00:00.000-08:002010-11-10T13:23:46.650-08:00

In Monday's SF chronicle, John Shea had an insightful article showing just how a "team" works. And we all know, this "team" pulled together and took all of the help coaches and scouts could afford them and made it work out for the best possible results. Let's reflect back on an article that points out just how well the San Francisco Giants pulled together as one big "team."Brian Sabean is

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-80584686877156577102010-11-05T13:43:00.000-07:002010-11-05T14:02:56.511-07:00

Except for the obvious (Madison Bumgarner is a left-hander and Jim Palmer was a right-hander) both made their World Series debuts in fantastic fashion.In 1966, the Baltimore Oriole 20-year old Jim Palmer pitched a complete game shutout. Walking 3 and striking out 6 while allowing 4 hits versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers would go on to win that series.On October 31, 2010, Madison

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-34885096796841086362010-11-02T13:23:00.001-07:002010-11-02T13:34:01.314-07:00

This guy got his team to believe they were the best. And you could see how badly they wanted to win for him. As the season crept into September you could sense this bond developing and these likable ballplayers putting it together to beat the odds.Bochy listened to advice from management, heard what the media had pre-determined for his ballclub but only he knew how good his 25-man roster in the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-25091693420475464182010-11-02T13:03:00.000-07:002010-11-02T13:21:53.330-07:00

Edgar Renteria. The same guy I dubbed "Rent-an-error." Because at that time he was pitiful.But the man knows when it counts most. And that's why Ed-Garrrrr, was MVP of your 2010 San Francisco Giants, the World Series Champs!Edgar.He was overpaid.Brian Sabean sucks hind tit. What the heck was he thinking? (Feel pretty foolish now, eh? I don't 'cause I'm one of those guys, hey if you prove me wrong

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-44830100477072651252010-10-30T14:05:00.000-07:002010-10-30T14:12:16.514-07:00

The saying used to be Spahn and Sain and pray for rain. Well you can now say: Lincecum and Cain and pray for Sanchy! Just when the opponent is thinking they have a chance to win Sanchy does his thing. And don't forget, he's the one who has thrown a no-hitter.Song by Ashkon to the beat of Journey's Don't Stop BelievingJust a loyal fanTrying to do the best I canBut these last three, four years

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-75598615293106065212010-10-26T14:10:00.000-07:002010-10-26T14:53:47.261-07:00

The Sunday San Francisco Examiner, (10/24), had an article by Andrea Koskey entitled Giants Biggest Catches. And lest you think it was how these particular Giants flashed their leather the caption below read: Local ladies have eyes on bad-boy Wilson as most desirable SF player.There was a list of Top Giant Heartthrobs. Playboy tells you about their playmate of the month with measurements, there

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-10839834973822479792010-10-25T12:35:00.000-07:002010-10-25T13:18:52.785-07:00

This may be a title for a future SF Examiner headline, if the Giants are leading the series. The best of seven, World Series.But what I have personally gone through, just making good use of my time (between games) is also filled with premonitions. And a lot of this is because I just took a book out of a library by James S. Hirsch, authorized by Willie Mays entitled, Willie Mays- The Life. The

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-43804426970258360562010-10-22T13:52:00.000-07:002010-10-22T14:08:33.917-07:00

After listening to Mac (of Murph and Mac KNBR-680AM notoriety) tell his story of some selfish dame telling him the "way it is in Section 315" of AT&T, I had to say something. Whether you agree or disagree is not an issue nor is it the point. But that someone felt the need to express themselves in a selfish manner annoys me to no end.Rules are an established practice that serves as a guide to

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-57120125673297145662010-10-20T13:00:00.000-07:002010-10-20T13:28:32.214-07:00

Looking over the post-season numbers being posted by former Willie McCovey award winner and former San Francisco Giant catcher, Benjie Molina, I can't help but wonder what it would be like if the Texas Rangers advance to the World Series and the Giants keep getting stellar pitching and enough timely hitting to meet Benjie's hot-hitting teammates in the Fall Classic.If Benjie Molina or Josh

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-23556096179181808442010-10-15T14:26:00.000-07:002010-10-15T14:44:43.301-07:00

In a Sporting News magazine article, recently, was a question to a former major league umpire (Vic Voltaggio).Vic sounds a little bitter in his response as to whether he thinks there should be more instant replay in major league baseball.In response to your question about replay-you'll notice I left off the word instant-the games are too long now, with players stepping out of the box on every

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-45020794464933324072010-10-13T14:13:00.000-07:002010-10-13T14:44:27.236-07:00

There was an article in ESPN magazine entitled We're All Born Naked. A lot of ballplayers prefer to stay that way. And there was a picture of Willie Mays during his New York Giant days with his shirt off and a smile next to 1954 World Series hero, Dusty Rhodes.Baseball is known for it's wacky players. Seven and sometimes eight months together (if you're good enough to reach the postseason) will

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-90800614271759275652010-10-07T14:42:00.000-07:002010-10-07T16:00:07.541-07:00

In Mr. Arangure's theories as to why the left-handed pitcher usually wins the battle when facing the left-handed batter he offers:The culprit may be the specialization of pitching, which has filled bullpens with LOOGYs (Lefty One-Out Guys...Javier Lopez of the San Francisco Giants). Their sole task is to get lefthanded hitters out, usually with breaking balls away. Some pitchers, like Pedro

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-41965409052105285252010-10-04T13:21:00.000-07:002010-10-04T13:51:29.716-07:00

Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants!A tip of the cap to the players and to general manager, Brian Sabean, for adding the necessary ingredients to a team that needed a little of this and a little of that to get over the HUMP. When you look up and down the roster you recognize Pat Burrell and Andres Torres as genuine steals. Cody Ross and Mike Fontenot (whose beard is as scary as anyone's

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-84270641861264817732010-09-30T14:19:00.000-07:002010-09-30T14:53:01.745-07:00

From Aubrey Huff's rally thong to Cody Ross' eye-black we must venture even further to discover that closer, Brian "Help Me, Rhonda" Wilson has got a most interesting look. Wilson's look is what conjured up the "Help Me, Rhonda" because at further review, his beard looks fake!In an interview after Wednesday night's game (9/29), broadcaster Dave Fleming asked Javier Lopez about Brian Wilson. Lopez

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-3538195234175403252010-09-28T13:46:00.001-07:002010-09-28T14:05:09.422-07:00

When I think of the ballplayers then and now who put on the eye-black I immediately go to former Baltimore Oriole and California Angel, Doug DeCinces. Our own F.P. Santangelo comes to mind. Both of these guys knew what they were doing.Cody Ross? The black line "drawn" under each eye is a big splotch of black and it has no sense of style. It's like he can't be bothered doing such a thing in

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-60805540361342579102010-09-23T13:30:00.000-07:002010-10-04T13:54:34.089-07:00

As I await the first pitch (in the final game of a 3-game series at Wrigley Field) I can hear a sense of panic in some callers on KNBR 680AM, the Sports Leader.Gary Radnich says if the Giants fall short of the playoffs that it was still a good, entertaining season.One caller, seemingly of "reasonable intelligence," responded by saying that all the pieces are there for next year to be the year

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-76457965926443064852010-09-20T14:17:00.000-07:002010-09-20T14:41:00.840-07:00

The Brooklyn Trolly Dodgers played their last game at Ebbets Field on September 24, 1957. Before that season, to ease the fans' pain, Owner Walter O'Malley hired the clown Emmett Kelly to perform before and after games. Kelly's character, Weary Willie, looked very much like the famous Brooklyn Bum drawn by cartoonist Willard Mullin.At the close of Spring training in 1958, O'Malley met with New

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-76608332994519657382010-09-13T12:33:00.000-07:002010-09-13T12:49:10.146-07:00

Some may not recall that it was Los Angeles where Juan Marichal (the Dominican Dandy) ended his Hall of Fame career. Ole #27 wore #46 in his short stint for the dreaded Dodgers in 1975. (He wore #21 for the Red Sox in 1974, his won/loss record for the Bosox was 5-1.)Immediately you think of Brett Butler or Jeff Kent. KNBR host F.P. Santangelo is another. Jeff Leonard, Candy Maldonado, Von Joshua,

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-14792879240380879852010-09-07T12:56:00.000-07:002010-09-07T13:28:16.064-07:00

(In Baseball) Luck is the residue of being in the right place at the right time and your glove happens to be facing the right way for the ball to land inside the pocket of your glove versus a not so fortuitous hop hitting off the outside of the leather covering for the "would-be" fielder's hand. Never has luck been the residue of hard work because it cannot be planned since it can happen

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-79236743734627200542010-09-04T17:24:00.000-07:002010-09-04T17:43:45.212-07:00

After watching Barry Zito let another batter off the hook, after having a two-strike count on the batter, (and it just happened to be the opposing pitcher) I have had it with number 75.I had hoped this season he would come into his own, after reading articles (and sharing some on this blog) about how much he had learned through all the bad press. But he lacks the killer instinct to put batters

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-5696252777899378892010-08-30T13:27:00.000-07:002010-08-30T13:46:08.050-07:00

Yes, this is in reference to the Botcher, a.k.a. Bruce Bochy.Yesterday, in the Giants 9-7 win, I ask Manager Bochy, why was Javier Lopez brought in to face just one batter? It wasn't his fault Juan Uribe has less range than the ageless Omar Visquel (who is still playing at a high level with the Chicago White Sox) and yet he gets removed for Santiago Casilla. A pitcher who takes your breath away,

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-4976151948410057432010-08-23T12:49:00.000-07:002010-08-23T13:38:25.610-07:00

Say Fielding, every fourth day it's your turn to call balls and strikes, correct? Does this work for you? I mean you get treated well being that you are representing the Major Leagues of Baseball, albeit as an umpire, right?Judging by your efforts on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at St. Louis, I'd say you were disinterested at best.The sporadic strike zone you allowed for Barry Zito and the favorable

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-78997703479582717282010-08-19T14:21:00.000-07:002010-08-23T12:48:59.813-07:00

(From an article in ESPN magazine, dated 8/9/10)Richard Jefferson (San Antonio Spurs)"When I first got here, Tim Duncan told me, "Don't suck. As long as you don't suck, you'll be helping the team.' He basically told me that I wasn't very good. Now, most nights, if I play okay, Tim says, "Yo, you didn't suck tonight.' So, for the most part, I try not to think about anything other than not sucking.

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-73525116936110271752010-08-19T13:57:00.000-07:002010-08-19T14:19:10.367-07:00

It's tough listening to sports talk radio when your favorite team is struggling. And that is because, everyone with an opinion thinks they're an expert.Just as the word great is often misused, so is the word expert. Not everyone referred to as an expert has that special skill or knowledge in the subject introduced by the sports talk show's host(s). But just as Yogi Berra's quotes are funny, as

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-42227136770189401262010-08-19T13:27:00.000-07:002010-08-19T13:56:42.770-07:00

I feel very fortunate that the San Francisco Giants hire the best play-by-play announcers. These "voices" sell the product that is Giants baseball better than any advertisement could and they have decent ads.Baseball begins in March, with Spring training, and ends in October (if your favorite team plays well enough to make the post-season). That's eight months of a twelve month year. The voices

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-34045339975009301642010-08-16T16:26:00.000-07:002010-08-16T16:39:33.085-07:00

Nothing ruins the good ole game of baseball like bad home plate umpiring.Yesterday, at AT&T, Daryl Cousins assumed the role of umpire calling balls and strikes. And the attitude he exuded was, 'it doesn't matter what you think, if I say it's a strike, it's a strike.'The San Diego Padres were the benefactors of a more batter-friendly strike zone than were the hometown Giants.Now, I've said this

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-49373359233221084412010-08-13T12:23:00.000-07:002010-08-13T13:18:19.902-07:00

In the June 21, 2010 edition of the Sporting News was an insightful article on Barry Zito. A chance to look inside the make-up of Barry Zito the man to see just how intelligent this guy is and why he succeeds at the things he tries.His won/loss record during his first 3 seasons with the San Francisco Giants is 31-43, with a 4.56 ERA. We Giant fans know he (like Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum and

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-76867627079388154632010-08-12T13:16:00.000-07:002010-08-12T13:40:03.878-07:00

In the June 20, 2010, Sporting News magazine Will Leitch had some excellent insights on the men in blue. Here's what he had to say...My late grandfather, Dennis Dooley, was the ost famous Connie Mack League youth baseball umpire Moweaqua, Ill., ever saw. An old military man with a buzz-cut, six-pack abs, and his dog tags hanging around his neck, he exuded authority and omnipotence. Once, a kid

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-31482880675458600132010-08-11T11:50:00.000-07:002010-08-11T12:43:31.896-07:00

From ESPN magazine MLB Player X-AnonymousThere are lots of sounds that can distract a player when he's on the field. I can hear everything that goes on in the stands-the hot dog vendors, the beer guy, the hecklers. And when the crowd really starts to scream, even at home, it affects the game. It's next to impossible for shortstop to hear the third baseman or for a centerfielder to hear the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-6219002730806038882010-08-09T13:05:00.000-07:002010-08-09T13:43:19.023-07:00

Over the weekend of August 5-8, 2010, the Giants visited the Braves in Atlanta, Georgia.When it was all said and done,the Giants escaped with a victory.An anemic batting lineup needs all the help it can get. That is to say, if you cannot hit the ball you had better catch it. In Saturday's game, the Braves had the bases loaded with nobody out and Matt Cain dealt. Before you knew it there were 2

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-56294006173535236442010-08-05T13:25:00.000-07:002010-08-05T13:58:31.780-07:00

In the July 5th, 2010 edition of Sporting News magazine is a look at how Chris Bahr, Ryan Fagan and Stan McNeal see the races heating up.My only concern is that of the National League West. It's the only division I am interested in because our San Francisco Giants have something to say about who wins the West or who wins the Wild Card.If you have the time to look back at how I thought the 2010

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-47460363905013872522010-07-21T15:22:00.000-07:002010-07-21T16:14:33.061-07:00

The umpires are bumbling their responsibilities of knowing the rules and putting themselves in a position NOT to miss a call.Beginning on Sunday and showing up in both the Monday and Tuesday Giant/Dodger games.The finale at AT&T Park versus the New York Mets, when a home plate umpire said he thought the catcher made a good attempt and tagging the baserunner therefore it was enough to rule the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-91117747521723006702010-07-19T13:06:00.000-07:002010-08-06T14:44:05.160-07:00

After getting stellar performances from Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Matt Cain, it was up to Jonathan Sanchez to show that he belongs in this solid rotation. And Jonathan, without the run support that Matt Cain received the day before, held his own.Thanks to a rally in the bottom half of the ninth inning, Jonathan was taken off the hook for the loss, after he delivered the pitch to Met

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-67070178057557460992010-07-14T16:20:00.000-07:002010-07-14T16:35:40.024-07:00

(from an article on Roy Halladay by Tim Keown in ESPN mag earlier this year-2010)There's an old baseball bromide that a pitcher, any pitcher, owns the advantage his first time through a new league. According to the theory, hitters need time to ascertain tendencies and patterns, allowing pitchers to get outs until the hitters complete their dossiers and adjust. Statistics show this to be patently

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-32975273349422760192010-07-08T15:35:00.000-07:002010-07-08T15:49:53.198-07:00

A lot of thanks can be given to the Milwaukee Brewers' defense. Their inability to turn a double-play opened the flood gates for the Giants to beat them 6-1 in games one and two (Monday and Tuesday).Crushed by the dreaded double-play grounder the Giants were given new life on two different occasions. Once by shortstop Alcides Escobar and the other by former Giant killer, Craig Counsell.Wednesday

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-5509944405804632752010-07-02T14:21:00.000-07:002010-07-02T14:54:01.368-07:00

Last night's game is all you need to know about Edgar Enrique Renteria.Let's recap, shall we...First inning on a pickoff attempt by pitcher Madison Bumgarner to first-baseman Aubrey Huff, the runner (Dexter Fowler) decided to take off for second base. Huff stepped inside the baseline and threw to the person covering second, which was Edgar Enrique. When the throw got to Edgar instead of slapping

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-75205215541885513462010-06-30T16:24:00.000-07:002010-07-01T16:16:34.725-07:00

Isn't it amazing how when a team is struggling- in baseball- NOTHING goes right. A flair hangs up for a player lumbering (slightly faster than Bengie Molina running downhill) but miraculously still manages to catch-up to the ball before it lands. Yet when a batter is hot that ball not only lands safely it BOINGS on by the fielder for extra bases. (Yes, even Bengie gets another 90 feet.)Holy Cow!

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-91537559892516515812010-06-29T14:55:00.000-07:002010-06-29T15:09:11.035-07:00

Pablo "the Panda" Sandoval is going through his sophmore jinx phase. Where the pitchers have found something that is working and everyone's exploiting these weaknesses.That teamed with Pablo's trying too hard and you have a struggling Panda. Nothing Marlin Perkins ever saw, ya think? On the other hand, his partner, (Jim), may have (since he was doing all of the dirty work while Marlin was sipping

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-86165465155195228282010-06-22T15:39:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:59:16.387-07:00

ESPN mag had an article I have to share with a fan of any sport. Because the World Cup is happening and we fans, new to watching soccer, are learning the nuances of this game and along the way are discovering a familiar theme, something referred to as flopping.Alyssa has some good takes I'd like to share."Everyone lives by selling something." When Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson spoke

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-91089254715195788972010-06-17T15:17:00.000-07:002010-06-17T15:39:21.431-07:00

Before Giant fans hit the panic button on Tim Lincecum, one more time, let me do some 'splaining about yesterday's 6-3 Giants victory over the Orioles.Tim Lincecum over the past couple of seasons has gone to the change-up as his "go-to" pitch and has had very good success when changing speeds. But yesterday, home plate umpire, Rob Drake, refused to call Lincecum's change-up a strike. Therefore,

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-41744442863082912592010-06-14T13:16:00.000-07:002010-06-14T13:38:11.175-07:00

According to an article in the Sporting News dated 4/26/2010, a half century ago, baseball belonged to the owners. When players signed their contracts there were no agents and few, if any, negotiations.Ralph Kiner: First contract: 1941 Pittsburgh Pirates.The only problems I ever had were with Branch Rickey who was very stingy with money to ballplayers. I had seven years that I led the National

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-41617107215180928922010-06-14T13:04:00.000-07:002010-06-14T13:16:04.974-07:00

Tom Glavine, a 305 game winner in the major leagues has some thoughts on pitchers he considers to be 5-multi tool starters.Location, stuff and preparation are just as important as velocity.Tim Lincecum: Even though he is defined as a power pitcher, he still locates and changes speeds pretty well.I found it interesting, after Lincecum's 6th win of this 2010 season he said he had to stop doubting

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-88252959508021464462010-06-07T13:39:00.000-07:002010-06-07T14:07:17.865-07:00

In the April 26th issue of Sporting News magazine there was the question What's the biggest hindrance to 100 stolen bases? Jimmy Rollins, Phillie shortstop said: "Most guys are coming up out of high school and college already having a slide-step, so it's not like they have to learn it or they're giving up anything.When you're picked off, how often is it your mistake? Said Rollins: Most of the

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-71321766441434440582010-06-02T12:54:00.000-07:002010-06-02T13:09:15.599-07:00

Yes, the Colorado Rockie right-hander was better than the San Francisco Giant two-time Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum. But did any of you SEE the game?The Giants hit several smashes that just happened to find leather. All except Pablo Sandoval who finished the game with 3 hits, including a double. When you have numbers like that of Ubaldo Jimenez, 10-1 won/loss record with an ERA of 0.78 it's

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-27095165701824581832010-05-22T13:16:00.000-07:002010-05-22T13:38:48.421-07:00

With all the talk of steroids, in baseball, I have a question, "Why is there so much slack given to major league umpires?"A home plate umpire can toss the rulebook aside and make the strike zone his own personal judgment call. This is the umpire in every game who determines the outcome in most games and you better believe these ESPN-watching ego maniacal folks love it!!!!!!!!If a ball looks like

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-63220994249683629722010-05-20T14:04:00.001-07:002010-05-20T14:24:15.274-07:00

I see bicyclists refusing to stop at the octagonal signs and stop lights. I see them riding in the crosswalk and just zig zagging along (sometime with newspaper taxis in the area) and nothing is done by those driving the newspaper taxis to enforce the rules of the road while these bike riders are operating their training-wheel less bicycles.How many of these bike riders have insurance? How many

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-39954715558481420212010-05-17T12:54:00.000-07:002010-05-17T13:07:29.802-07:00

Jamie Moyer, Philadelphia Phillie southpaw has allowed 491 homers. All-time record holder, recently passed Robin Roberts at 505.Russell Branyan, 34-year old journeyman has 2,824 plate appearances entering 2010. At his current pace-one whiff every 2.99 plate appearance-he'll reach 1,000 K's before his 3,000 trip to the plate. Record holder is former Giant and Brewer Rob Deer who was fastest to

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-29389016757461688252010-05-17T12:45:00.000-07:002010-05-17T12:53:57.492-07:00

An article in ESPN magazine by Jason Catania lists some players who were signed to big contracts and haven't really panned out. Neither of which is Barry Zito.Say what you want about Barry Zito but the pitcher doesn't miss his turn to pitch.Eric Chavez, a former teammate while on the Oakland A's has had injury problems since signing his 6-year deal in 2004. He was on his way to a Hall of Fame

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-76446044042061028412010-05-12T13:24:00.000-07:002010-05-17T13:15:17.834-07:00

Do we get in the panic mode now that Pablo"the Panda" Sandoval has gotten himself into the worst hitting funk he has ever faced in the major leagues? Or do we have faith "the Panda" will figure a way out of hitting into double plays or swinging at the pitcher's pitch?He's always going to go after pitches out of the strike zone. That's part of the Panda charm. He has to stick with his approach and

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-57624984321281347102010-05-03T13:56:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:05:21.092-07:00

Pitcher to watch: Tim Lincecum. Do I need to say why?Best Road Hotel: St. Francis in San Francisco,CA. It's right in the middle of Union Square and close to everything.Best Former Teammate: Moises Alou. He played the game hard, played the game right. He was always ready to go and a fantastic teammate.Brandon Inge, the former Detroit Tiger catcher turned third baseman. He can throw a baseball 100

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-37660148400092618622010-04-27T14:18:00.000-07:002010-04-27T14:59:33.626-07:00

Listening to sports talk radio and reading the weekly publications (Sporting News and ESPN mag) you get a pretty good idea what the expectancy level of play our San Francisco Giants will likely attain.Of course, the players can disprove any of the prognostications, IF they are good enough. And as of April 27, hope still springs eternal.In the March 29, 2010 Sporting News magazine here are some

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-84763070419817716092010-04-15T12:06:00.000-07:002010-04-15T12:28:40.617-07:00

An article in ESPN magazine on new Chicago Cubs' hitting instructor, Rudy Jaramillo, was interesting because the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals also have new hitting coaches. It appears that teams are trying to get as much bang for their buck as possible and to avoid any more finger pointing as to the acquisitions they made that may not be developing into the kind of production

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-86094024973688217132010-04-15T11:47:00.000-07:002010-04-15T12:05:46.606-07:00

I got to see some of the Boston Red Sox versus Minnesota Twins' game in the home opener for the Twins and their brand new stadium.Mike Cameron of the Boston Red Sox ripped a liner down the left field line that disappeared from sight. The configuration of this new park- which reminds me a lot of AT&T Park, with it's glove and statues of former (Twin) players-has a gap between the left field foul

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-10888000357740571392010-04-12T11:27:00.000-07:002010-04-12T11:38:42.895-07:00

When teams are winning you can see all the "high fives" and butt slapping and everything is good. But when teams are finding ways to lose games, or playing good enough to lose, you don't see too much in the way of congratulatory behavior. Not too many "high fives" or patting on a teammate's back(side).In the March 22, 2010 edition of ESPN magazine, Page 2 had an article entitled Contact High.

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-45826276558753185692010-04-06T13:16:00.000-07:002010-04-07T13:44:44.960-07:00

As I was watching Aaron Rowand struggle at the plate (5-AB 0-H) the thought did cross my mind...the good thing about baseball is if you are struggling on offense you do have the opportunity to do something defensively. Making a defensive play when you aren't contributing on offense is the only motivation you will have on days when the ball seems like an aspirin tablet. (I say aspirin because you

silverstreakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05859218224436450067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4324929494694841937.post-3254019574665333932010-04-01T12:08:00.000-07:002010-04-01T12:25:05.559-07:00

In the Contra Costa Times, Andrew Baggarly asked the question, Who Will Man Right Field?Randy Winn's heir apparent Nate Schierholtz or Baggarly's reference to Giants' manager Bruce Bochy appearing more willing to take a chance in right. Says Bochy, "The angles are a little different, but right field is right field."Reading between the lines, Bochy wants the hot bat in the lineup. So we fans of

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