28 Jun
Just a pinch over a fortnight ago we all popped champagne bottles because this happened. That was fun. We should do that again sometime. I digress…
On a night dominated by the NBA Draft, something equally awesome occurred at 3rd & King for the San Francisco Giants. Fresh off of sweeping skunking the Los Angeles Dodgers in shutout fashion, Madison Bumgarner took the hill and spun a gem against a potent Cincinnati Reds lineup:
15 Jun
During their 2011-2012 season, the Golden State Warriors might not have bought into a quality defensive team effort but they did manage to execute Operation Tank to near perfection. Outside of a hiccup win against the Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio-less Minnesota Timberwolves, the Dubs really poured on the losses at the end of the season. Sitting at a pedestrian 18-21 on March 14th, the Warriors dropped 22 of their final 27 games to help accomplish their ultimate goal: retain their Top-7 protected 1st Round draft pick owned by the Utah Jazz.
13 Jun
There’s something indescribably romantic about baseball. And Tony Bennett. Even if you go see the Houston Lastros take on the offensively challenged San Francisco Giants, you just might see something you can tell your grandchildren about. And tonight that happened in the form of Matt Cain: the class of the San Francisco Giants organization.
25 May
Over the hills and far away there’s a Kansas City Royals fan in a Jonathan Sanchez jersey sobbing. And he/she has every right to be for their team was robbed.
Fresh off a typical 71-91 season last year, the Royals were ripe with young offensive prospects but virtually no starting pitching depth. After trading 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010, the Royals were desperate to make a move for a talented starter. Heck, their best hurler last season was Luke Hochevar who rocked a 4.68 ERA. Yikes.
Stepping back, there were five players in all of Major League Baseball to hit for 200+ hits in 2011. One of those studs happened to be Melky Astacio Cabrera. The best part? Nobody saw it coming. Alas, the Royals have a trade piece.
21 May
Everybody loves an underdog story, unless you’re a Dodgers fan. Thankfully I’m not, and I assume you’re not either. So please allow me share with you the Rolls Royce of underdog stories. You’d be surprised to hear that this anecdote is not only one of the best stories going on in sports right now but also has Bay Area roots. In fact, it all started just down the street from where I grew up in Redwood City…
Back in 1997, a freshman standing just 4’8’’ and weighing 70 pounds enrolled into Saint Francis High School (Mountain View, CA) in hopes of making the baseball team. By his senior year, this Ecksteinian young man was still only 5’5’’ but beefed up to 140 pounds. Saint Francis, always a high school baseball powerhouse, penciled the switch-hitting senior outfielder into the very bottom of the order (9th). He would finish his high school career with 1 HR and no athletic scholarships to college. You think the story ends here? Heck no.
9 Apr
Like I always say: when the $#&% hits the fan, send in Barry William Zito for a complete game shutout. Seriously, nobody could have forecasted his role as stopper after 14 earned runs in 3 games from Lincecum, Bumgarner & Cain. Zito flat-out shoved. And that’s just what the doctor ordered for the winless San Francisco Giants.
After being swept in Arizona in demoralizing fashion, the blue skies and brisk air of Colorado’s home opener proved welcoming for the orange and black. However, let’s try not to put too much stock in just one measly start in Zito’s illustrious career. It’s just one game. But no matter how you slice it, this was a much needed win and there’s good reason to be optimistic moving forward.
5 Apr
Trying to predict the San Francisco Giants lineup is easier said than done. Manager Bruce Bochy drew up 126 different lineups in 2010 and even more ugly ones in 2011. What’s the point? Bochy says he mixes and matches because he likes to play the “hot hand” but the reality is that most Giants position players aren’t very good. In fact, most aren’t anything better than replacement level if you look at their WARs (Wins Above Replacement). This inconvenient truth must be acknowledged. There’s a reason the Giants were trotting out scrubs like Miguel Tejada, Aaron Rowand & Orlando Cabrera: desperation.
But it’s a new year! And that means the Giants are going to win the World Series again improve a lot. Last season the Giants offense was a punch-line around the league. Pairing the lowest on-base percentage in Major League Baseball with virtually no speed on the base paths equated to one ugly season for the Giants in 2011. The good news is that the Giants got faster with the outfield acquisitions of Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan and reserve Gregor Blanco. There’s nowhere to go but up for the offense.
22 Mar
You thought the 49ers were going to place Alex Smith on an iceberg and send him adrift didn’t you? And act like his 13-3 season never happened? So did I. With Peyton Manning under center for the Red & Gold it was hard not to put my feet up, crack open a cold one and let the visions of glorious grandeur take me to my happy place. However that’s not the way the cookie crumbled. Unfortunately for Peyton Manning, he wanted more money to play for an inferior football team led by an unproven GM. His loss. But that’s neither here nor there.
What I’d like to get across is that the 49ers have never looked better. They haven’t been in this good of shape in a decade, maybe longer. After the dust settled with 2012’s NFL free agency, San Francisco has emerged with all 11 of its defensive starters plus a more dynamic offense. And Wall Street stock brokers are screaming at you to “BUY! BUY! BUY!” some Alexander Douglas Smith shares.
6 Mar
The first thing that comes to mind when you look at the San Francisco Giants is their phenomenal pitching staff. As quite a motley crew, the rotation is entering their prime as a collective unit. Most of the buzz surrounds perennial Cy Young candidates Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, but what truly makes the Giants’ staff so remarkable is their consistent dominance in the face of virtually no run support. Oh yeah, and this man-child named Madison Bumgarner.
24 Feb
Let me start by saying that Ryan Braun is one of my favorite players in Major League Baseball: a fresh-faced smooth swinging outfielder that can hit for average and power, coupled with a flat-out gun from left field. I’ll have what he’s having. Where can I get me one of those? I have nothing against the guy. Which is why his current situation is shameful for both he and Major League Baseball. Dig this.
Candlestick Conscience 