Warriors On February 13, 2012 I wrote regarding the release of Jeremy Lin how could this happen? The Warriors had a brilliant new owner and had hired all kinds of smart executives and consultants who don't look so smart now do they? ---- At the All Star break Kobe Bryant of the Lakers said of Lin, "You can't play that well and just come out of nowhere. There has to be something there and everybody missed it , so heads should roll!
Giants On February 19, 2012 I wrote that Vogelsong should be very careful before he throws after being injured using weights and then on February 21, 2012 I mentioned that rookie Charlie Culberson was also injured using weights and how it probably would delay his promotion to Fresno --- In the February 26, 2012 Sunday edition of The Chronicle it was suggested that the Giants throw away the key to the weight room.
Wilson On February 21, 2012 I wrote that Wilson had mentioned that he had a hip problem last year and I added that he most likely compensated for it which led to his elbow problem.--- On Chronicle Live February 27, 2012 the reporter from Arizona said that Wilson seemed like his old self and that he believed that the hip injury led to Wilson' elbow problem last year.
Homer Sweeney
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
A Few Thoughts
Ryan Braun: Will the lack of drugs be blamed if Ryan Braun has a poor year? Maybe! But what about the fact that he does not have Prince Fielder to support him in the lineup. Remember Rich Aurila in 2001 batting in front of Barry Bonds had 206 hits, a .324 BA, 37 home runs and 97 RBI's. Can any Giant come close to these stats in 2012?
NBA: I believe the NBA should keep the shortened season. Start the season in November finish in February and have the playoffs finished by tax day, April 15. I hear the coaches saying that the players are tired. If that is true why do they spend their summers playing basketball around the world?
Giants: If Brandon Crawford doesn't get at least a few good hits this spring look for Ryan Theiot to be the starting shortstop which will allow the Giants to start the season with either Whiteside or Stuart as a backup catcher. After last years embarrassment I just can't believe that the Giants will allow three sub .200 hitters to bat 7, 8 and 9 in any game this season.
Red Sox. Experts have been trying to figure out for months why the Boston Red Sox blew the AL East Championship last September. The truth has finally been revealed. They were 'tipsy'. What else can you conclude when Bobby Valentine the new Sox Manager banned alcohol from the clubhouse and on some plane trips for the upcoming season. The Yankees are having an extra one tonight!
Homer Sweeney
NBA: I believe the NBA should keep the shortened season. Start the season in November finish in February and have the playoffs finished by tax day, April 15. I hear the coaches saying that the players are tired. If that is true why do they spend their summers playing basketball around the world?
Giants: If Brandon Crawford doesn't get at least a few good hits this spring look for Ryan Theiot to be the starting shortstop which will allow the Giants to start the season with either Whiteside or Stuart as a backup catcher. After last years embarrassment I just can't believe that the Giants will allow three sub .200 hitters to bat 7, 8 and 9 in any game this season.
Red Sox. Experts have been trying to figure out for months why the Boston Red Sox blew the AL East Championship last September. The truth has finally been revealed. They were 'tipsy'. What else can you conclude when Bobby Valentine the new Sox Manager banned alcohol from the clubhouse and on some plane trips for the upcoming season. The Yankees are having an extra one tonight!
Homer Sweeney
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Shocker!
The Cough Drop Beard shocked me! I was shocked when I noticed how thin Brian Wilson looked in videos of the Giant workout from Scottsdale. He has lost a noticeable amount of weight which indicates to me that he is both very serious about the coming season and worried about his health. He mentioned that he had a hip problem last year and most likely compensated for it which led to his elbow problem. Wilson has to be concerned with a big baseball payday awaiting him in the near future. Lets hope Vogelsong with his back problem recognizes what can happen if one tries to pitch when hurt. Note: Wilson's beard resembles the beards of the Smith Brothers Cough Drops which have been sold for over 100 years and the reason for the name Cough Drop Beard.
Charlie Culberson: The Giants # 6 rookie became by our count the 855 baseball player to be injured using weights. He will be out a few weeks which is tragic because it really diminishes his chances of moving up to play 2nd base for Fresno this year.
More Secrets: Brian Wilson let everyone know that he had a hip problem last year. Did that surprise manager Bruce Bochey like the news that Pat Burrell would be late for spring training this year because of shoulder surgery. Bochey commented that he did not know that Burrell had a shoulder problem. Another secret is revealed and maybe the reason Pat could not get around on a fast ball last year. Burrell is a special consultant to assist the Giant organization.
Charlie Culberson: The Giants # 6 rookie became by our count the 855 baseball player to be injured using weights. He will be out a few weeks which is tragic because it really diminishes his chances of moving up to play 2nd base for Fresno this year.
More Secrets: Brian Wilson let everyone know that he had a hip problem last year. Did that surprise manager Bruce Bochey like the news that Pat Burrell would be late for spring training this year because of shoulder surgery. Bochey commented that he did not know that Burrell had a shoulder problem. Another secret is revealed and maybe the reason Pat could not get around on a fast ball last year. Burrell is a special consultant to assist the Giant organization.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Baseball Tidbits
Dick Wakefield Retires: I remember years ago watching Wakefield get belted on national television and saying to myself, "Well they finally caught up with him." But he kept coming back and recovering and continued to be a starter for the Red Sox for years. I wonder if the thought of Bobby Valentine being the new manager of the Red Sox had anything to do with his decision. He retired at a relatively young age of 45 for a knuckle ball pitcher when you consider Phil Neikro was 48 and the one time New York Giant Hoyt Wilhelm was close to 50 before he retried. Wilhelm pitched five years for the Giants but did not come west to San Francisco in 1957. In 1952 his first year in the majors, Wilhelm was the leading Giant pitcher with a record of 15-3, pitched in 71 games and threw159 innings. Compare that to Brian Wilson's record during the 2010 World Championship year when he appeared in 70 games but threw a comparatively few 74.2 innings.
Giant Injury: Ryan Vogelsong is expected to miss the first two weeks of spring training because of a stiff back due to lifting weights. He joins about 854 other baseball players who have been injured lifting weights. The real danger is coming back too soon even though you might think you are ready. You start to throw and really don't even notice that your using a little different motion which leads to an arm injury and there goes the season. It has happened too many times in the past. Learn from history. My advise is to wait a month before you start throwing. It's a long season and the Giants need a healthy Vogelsong!
Angel Colors: I have always wondered why the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim wear red the color of Lucifer the fallen Angel.
Giant Injury: Ryan Vogelsong is expected to miss the first two weeks of spring training because of a stiff back due to lifting weights. He joins about 854 other baseball players who have been injured lifting weights. The real danger is coming back too soon even though you might think you are ready. You start to throw and really don't even notice that your using a little different motion which leads to an arm injury and there goes the season. It has happened too many times in the past. Learn from history. My advise is to wait a month before you start throwing. It's a long season and the Giants need a healthy Vogelsong!
Friday, February 17, 2012
More Non-Roster Players
The Giants added three more non-roster players to participate in spring training with hopes of making the big club. I have fond memories of all three from when they played with the Giants
Justin Christian: Came up last year and made some very nice plays but unfortunately also made some not so great plays and Sabean doesn't think much of him. I thought at one time he would be a candidate for a 5th outfield spot but that won't happen. Will be a good player to have in Fresno to bring up when injuries occur.
Ramon Ortiz: Pitched in the Giants glory days and was the pitcher leading the 6th game of the 2002 World Series when jerked by Manager Dusty Baker. He is very likeable but he nibbled and always seemed to be behind in the count. He should come this spring and throw strikes and let the fielders do their job. The vendors always loved it when Ortiz pitched because sales went up between 8 and 12% on those nights.
Travis Blackley: Most major league teams looked to Japan for help but not the Giants, they went to Australia a country made famous by General MacArthur in World War II. He walked everybody. I am not sure if it was because he was afraid to put the ball over the plate to be hit or if he just couldn't throw a strike. He like Ortiz should just throws strikes and hope for the best this spring. Walking batters in the spring will bring a pink slip quickly.
Justin Christian: Came up last year and made some very nice plays but unfortunately also made some not so great plays and Sabean doesn't think much of him. I thought at one time he would be a candidate for a 5th outfield spot but that won't happen. Will be a good player to have in Fresno to bring up when injuries occur.
Ramon Ortiz: Pitched in the Giants glory days and was the pitcher leading the 6th game of the 2002 World Series when jerked by Manager Dusty Baker. He is very likeable but he nibbled and always seemed to be behind in the count. He should come this spring and throw strikes and let the fielders do their job. The vendors always loved it when Ortiz pitched because sales went up between 8 and 12% on those nights.
Travis Blackley: Most major league teams looked to Japan for help but not the Giants, they went to Australia a country made famous by General MacArthur in World War II. He walked everybody. I am not sure if it was because he was afraid to put the ball over the plate to be hit or if he just couldn't throw a strike. He like Ortiz should just throws strikes and hope for the best this spring. Walking batters in the spring will bring a pink slip quickly.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Read It Here First
I am sure it's a coincidence but three of my posted ideas have been followed up on the internet or in the local paper..
On December 10, 2011 in an article titled "The Giants 2012" I wrote I know Gillaspie is ready with the bat but can he play 2d base? In the SF Giants Bleacher Report today one of the articles is titled "The Forgotten Roster Candidate". The article describes Connor Gillaspie and the fact if he could play 2nd base he could make the Giants team. He wasn't forgotten by everyone.
On December 20, 2011 in an article titled "Candlestick the Last time?" I wrote that the television networks will want the 49ers featured in prime time in 2012 because of their success this year. They will play road games at night but will the NFL take a gamble on Candlestick? The other day I believe it was SF Gate discussing the 49ers schedule for the coming year asked the same exact question that I asked.
On January 4, 2012 in an article titled "The Fiesta Bowl" I wrote about past cheerleaders and how they have changed. The male yell leaders of my day were well dressed in uniform and led yells while today cheerleaders are female, wear little and hold up signs that say 'Noise'. Recently there was an article and pictures about male cheerleaders in action from the past on SF Gate.
On December 10, 2011 in an article titled "The Giants 2012" I wrote I know Gillaspie is ready with the bat but can he play 2d base? In the SF Giants Bleacher Report today one of the articles is titled "The Forgotten Roster Candidate". The article describes Connor Gillaspie and the fact if he could play 2nd base he could make the Giants team. He wasn't forgotten by everyone.
On December 20, 2011 in an article titled "Candlestick the Last time?" I wrote that the television networks will want the 49ers featured in prime time in 2012 because of their success this year. They will play road games at night but will the NFL take a gamble on Candlestick? The other day I believe it was SF Gate discussing the 49ers schedule for the coming year asked the same exact question that I asked.
On January 4, 2012 in an article titled "The Fiesta Bowl" I wrote about past cheerleaders and how they have changed. The male yell leaders of my day were well dressed in uniform and led yells while today cheerleaders are female, wear little and hold up signs that say 'Noise'. Recently there was an article and pictures about male cheerleaders in action from the past on SF Gate.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Can the Giants Win in 2012?
Everyone is full of optimism as spring training for the Giants is about to begin. Can they win it this year? The short answer is yes!
The evidence is in the performance of the team in the last two years. Both years they had superb pitching. In 2010 Ross had a career 2 months, Huff one of his best years, Torres a career year and Posey and Sanchez had close to great seasons Last year things changed. Huff, Torres and Ross flopped big time. Sanchez and Posey had season ending injuries early and the team was at the bottom of almost every run producing statistic.
There are some new faces this year. We are assuming that the pitching will again be excellent like the last two years and injuries won't be devastating. The big question is will they be able to score enough runs this year to assist the pitching staff. The players will be Huff, Belt, Sanchez, Posey, Sandoval, Schierholtz Cabrera and Pagan. Two of these eight players need to have near career type years and the others solid years. This means no .240 hitters from this group that strike out every time with men in scoring position and less then two outs.
That's why they play the games.
Homer Sweeney
The evidence is in the performance of the team in the last two years. Both years they had superb pitching. In 2010 Ross had a career 2 months, Huff one of his best years, Torres a career year and Posey and Sanchez had close to great seasons Last year things changed. Huff, Torres and Ross flopped big time. Sanchez and Posey had season ending injuries early and the team was at the bottom of almost every run producing statistic.
There are some new faces this year. We are assuming that the pitching will again be excellent like the last two years and injuries won't be devastating. The big question is will they be able to score enough runs this year to assist the pitching staff. The players will be Huff, Belt, Sanchez, Posey, Sandoval, Schierholtz Cabrera and Pagan. Two of these eight players need to have near career type years and the others solid years. This means no .240 hitters from this group that strike out every time with men in scoring position and less then two outs.
That's why they play the games.
Homer Sweeney
I Can't Resist!
49ers: There almost set to move to Santa Clara or are they planning on a move to SF County Jail so that they will have enough players to field a team..
Giants: The fans were thrilled when they saw the headline, Giant loses 22 lbs. Hooray for Sandoval! Oops it was Lincecum
Warriors: Wasn't my fault. Don't blame me. The release of Jeremy Lin the NBA's first American-Taiwanese player and a Bay Area product is haunting the Warriors. He has set New York on fire. Every TV program out of New York talks about Jeremy Jeremy! He outplayed Kobe Bryant the other night and even the LA papers were wondering if he isn't the next Kobe. How could this happen? The Warriors had a brilliant new owner who knew more about basketball then Jerry Jones every thought of knowing about football and hired all kinds of smart executives and consultants during the off season who don't look so smart now, do they? Could this be the Warriors biggest mistake ever or could it possibly be the greatest goof in the history of the NBA?
Homer Sweeney
Giants: The fans were thrilled when they saw the headline, Giant loses 22 lbs. Hooray for Sandoval! Oops it was Lincecum
Warriors: Wasn't my fault. Don't blame me. The release of Jeremy Lin the NBA's first American-Taiwanese player and a Bay Area product is haunting the Warriors. He has set New York on fire. Every TV program out of New York talks about Jeremy Jeremy! He outplayed Kobe Bryant the other night and even the LA papers were wondering if he isn't the next Kobe. How could this happen? The Warriors had a brilliant new owner who knew more about basketball then Jerry Jones every thought of knowing about football and hired all kinds of smart executives and consultants during the off season who don't look so smart now, do they? Could this be the Warriors biggest mistake ever or could it possibly be the greatest goof in the history of the NBA?
Homer Sweeney
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