The Giants finally broke their losing streak last night in Arizona. Bochy recently implemented one of my suggestions by moving Crawford out the 8th spot in the batting order in some games. The other two moves are becoming more obvious by the day. What is he waiting for? When will the Giants finally send Sanchez to Fresno so he can get some at bats. He doesn't have a chance batting once or twice a week. Then there is Pence batting fifth. The DBacks walked Posey last night on purpose and will continue to pitch around him until Pence is moved from the fifth spot. Last night he hit into two double plays and made another crucial out. When Sandoval had to leave the game I wondered how many games he missed in the WBC and the Winter League. I understand according to the Giants Pablo is losing weight. Could have fooled me! The camera caught him eating in the dugout on Sunday.
The NBA Playoffs took a back seat to Jason Collins popular move telling the world that he is gay. The league is joyous and many of the players and executives are saying I wish I knew now I can also come out. Nobody knows how many NBA players are gay but if the response is any indication it could reach as high as 70%. It has been questioned for sometime what the real reason is that Warriors want to leave the greatest supporters in the NBA and move to San Francisco. Maybe the Warriors management will also come out and tell us.
Parents have a real dilemma today. If their son plays football their brains get scrambled, if they play basketball they easily become gay and then there is the drug problem in baseball and you wonder why soccer is so popular.
FBI Incompetence --- The President said that the FBI did their job in letting the Boston bombing suspect lose. They even interviewed him. Wow! When they asked him if he planned to do any bombing at the Boston Marathon he answered no. So they let him go again proving what we said before that the FBI is very incompetent. If you don't know the real reason for their incompetency then learn to think.
Homer Sweeney
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
The NFL, the NBA, the Giants and the FBI
The NFL --- Last week NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appeared on the Kelly and Michael show to promote the new USA Football because the show is watched by millions of mothers. "Football will be safe, we are going to train every coach in the country" The NFL is getting desperate and they are worried because of suicides, scrambled brains that result from playing football. The pros get their players from the colleges, who get them from the high schools who get their players for the most part from youngsters that have played Pop Warner type of football. There was a scandal here in Orange County last year asserting that a Pop Warner coach would pay his players if they injured the opponents. That's the attitude the NFL will be attacking.. Will mothers believe the big NFL or just say NO to football? Without the supply line just like the army the NFL will starve. We offered our solution to return to leather helmets to the NFL but it was not accepted We mentioned that this years NFL Draft was the weakest in memory proven by the fact that Seattle drafted a Christine. The 49ers were given a well deserved 'A' grade for their efforts this year to make up for last years complete bust.
The NBA --- There is a lot of finger pointing in Lakers land these days which usually means firing the coach. The main culprit is management for putting together such an old team. Last August when they signed Howard the media in LA were besides themselves even wondering why even play the season the Lakers are a cinch. We wrote on this blog on August 13, 2012 "The Lakers have a long track record of making the right moves even though some might consider Howard a bum who is also coming off back surgery for a herniated disk which is usually found in old men. Like Kobe, Nash and Jamison they will have much in common." Howard got two technical fouls so he didn't have to finish playing their last game. What a bum and the Lakers want to sign him again? Send him off to the Nets so he can ruin that team next. The Lakers only had a few players left at the end of the season with so many being injured which happens frequently to older players.
Charles Barkley said the Warriors are playing old fashion NBA basketball running instead of walking. Curry was unbelievable last night in the Warriors win over Denver. One more win and they are off to San Antonino for round two.
The Giants --- It's the same players but not the same team. The season is too young to draw conclusions since every major league team has their ups and down during the season. The sweep by the Padres was not a surprise to this expert who pick San Diego to win the NL West. As mentioned before review the team at the end of May and then decide if any changes can and should be made.
The FBI --- As a follow up to the Boston Marathon Tragedy many wonder why the FBI is so incompetent. The answer is obvious but you will never see it in print because it is not politically correct.
Homer Sweeney
The NBA --- There is a lot of finger pointing in Lakers land these days which usually means firing the coach. The main culprit is management for putting together such an old team. Last August when they signed Howard the media in LA were besides themselves even wondering why even play the season the Lakers are a cinch. We wrote on this blog on August 13, 2012 "The Lakers have a long track record of making the right moves even though some might consider Howard a bum who is also coming off back surgery for a herniated disk which is usually found in old men. Like Kobe, Nash and Jamison they will have much in common." Howard got two technical fouls so he didn't have to finish playing their last game. What a bum and the Lakers want to sign him again? Send him off to the Nets so he can ruin that team next. The Lakers only had a few players left at the end of the season with so many being injured which happens frequently to older players.
Charles Barkley said the Warriors are playing old fashion NBA basketball running instead of walking. Curry was unbelievable last night in the Warriors win over Denver. One more win and they are off to San Antonino for round two.
The Giants --- It's the same players but not the same team. The season is too young to draw conclusions since every major league team has their ups and down during the season. The sweep by the Padres was not a surprise to this expert who pick San Diego to win the NL West. As mentioned before review the team at the end of May and then decide if any changes can and should be made.
The FBI --- As a follow up to the Boston Marathon Tragedy many wonder why the FBI is so incompetent. The answer is obvious but you will never see it in print because it is not politically correct.
Homer Sweeney
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
After About Four Weeks
The Giants are now 13-9 after losing two extra inning games at home against division rival the Arizona Diamondbacks. In Tuesday's game the Giants Belt hit a game tying home run but lost because they had made three errors in the field. Then today Pagan misjudged a fly in center field that cost them the game the second time it has happened in the last week. Bochy made some questionable decisions in the the loss Wednesday wasting a run tying home run by Crawford. I have disagreed in the past and found that the Giants manager was correct and I was wrong. However intentionally walking a .190 hitter Pennington to get to a .300 hitter makes no sense at all. But that's what makes baseball fun. We will review our thoughts on the Giants around June 1st which should be the time the team has discovered what they really have and what they need.
The NFL Draft is tomorrow and still the Niners have 13 choices in what is supposed to be the weakest draft since World War II which was fought in the early 1940's for those who are Ivy League graduates. The 49ers have traded for or signed some veterans from other teams during the off season in an effort to make up for their devastating off season losses.
The Warriors will win the NBA Championship this year if they shoot 64% in every game like they did in upsetting Denver Tuesday. . . Last Sunday I turned off the Miami- Milwaukee game when I saw a zombie playing for the Heat. What an example for the youth!. . . Thank you grandma - DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers shaved his beard because his grandmother told him he looked like a wolf man and he would be eliminated from her will. Then I look at all those ugly tattoos and the players either say nothing or make comments like 'oh how cute those tattoo looks on you'.
Homer Sweeney
The NFL Draft is tomorrow and still the Niners have 13 choices in what is supposed to be the weakest draft since World War II which was fought in the early 1940's for those who are Ivy League graduates. The 49ers have traded for or signed some veterans from other teams during the off season in an effort to make up for their devastating off season losses.
The Warriors will win the NBA Championship this year if they shoot 64% in every game like they did in upsetting Denver Tuesday. . . Last Sunday I turned off the Miami- Milwaukee game when I saw a zombie playing for the Heat. What an example for the youth!. . . Thank you grandma - DeAndre Jordan of the Clippers shaved his beard because his grandmother told him he looked like a wolf man and he would be eliminated from her will. Then I look at all those ugly tattoos and the players either say nothing or make comments like 'oh how cute those tattoo looks on you'.
Homer Sweeney
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Floored
If the Giants are trying to prove again this year that you don't need power to win the World Series they are off to a great start. They were out homered by the Cubs and Brewers 15 -3 on their just completed 3 -4 road trip. The Giants would love to have more power but their current problems include poor starting pitching, the Posey and Belt slumps and lack of key hits. There have been more then a couple innings in which the Giants score 1 or 2 runs but leave runners on base that with an additional hit would have met a 4 or 5 run inning.
Today Bochy followed one of my suggestions by moving Crawford from 8th to 5th in the batting order. He was moved up through the minors quickly to the Giants early because they were desperate for a shortstop. He was over matched at the plate even though he was consider a good power hitter coming out of college. He has learned how to hit major league pitching in his first years with the Giants so it is not a complete surprise that Crawford looks like he is going to develop into be a good solid major league hitter.
There are two suggestions of mine that Bochy has not implemented to this point. One is to send Sanchez to the minor for six weeks so he can learn to hit again and second to help Posey out of his slump do not have Pence protecting him in the lineup. If Posey is to continue as the clean up hitter bat Pence either 3rd or 6th in the lineup. I would like to see Crawford bat 3rd, followed by Posey, Pablo and Pence in that order.
Other Opinions:
Just looking at the tape and you know Zack Greinke of the Dodgers threw at Padres Carlos Quentin Carlos who is a very good hitter and with two out and none on base and a 3-2 count why give him an opportunity to hit a home run.
The 49ers have 13 draft choices. They are worthless if they have a draft like last year which was almost a complete bust. Only the second round choice James the running back from Oregon who fumbles too much contributed.
The Boston Marathon was a great tragedy. The press conference on the first day was a complete bust. All of the agencies involved which seemed like about fifty could not answer any questions then why have the conference except to tell the public what a great job they are doing working to together. What B.S.! The fact is they failed to protect the citizens of Boston. They should have been apologizing which would have been a first. Then there was the governor of Massachusetts and the FBI Director who continued to call the attack a crime scene. These guys are so political they make me sick. Remember Boston was the taking off point for 9/11.
The NBA pre-season 82 game elimination tournament finally ended and the Warriors for the second time in 20 years can now play real NBA basketball. Lets hope they can win one game against Denver. The other day I read that the Warriors owner had promised an NBA Championship for the Bay Area. He offered no plan. Let me suggest a plan. If the Warriors can win one game this year then two the next year and improved by one win each year they will be NBA champions in 2028.
The Masters - Tanlang Guan the 14 year old amateur from China was penalized a stroke for slow play. Boy that official had guts especially when it took most of the pros almost six hours to complete 18 holes. Where I play, granted the course is not as long, we can complete 18 holes in 3 1/2 hours. Then Tiger admitted cheating on a shot and was allowed to continue. What do you think would have happened to the 14 year old if he did the same thing as Tiger?
Jim Nance of CBS played the big role of grilling the Director of the tourney on TV for his ruling when it was CBS that made the decision. Ratings and money you know!
If you watch the Giants on TV you know they have great support all over from LA, San Diego, Oakland, Scottsdale, Chicago, New York and now Seal Beach. My son-in-law found a store in Seal Beach that carries Giants merchandise. The owner said that they received an order of Giants merchandise by mistake and decided to put it out for sale. They been selling like hot cakes. .
Homer Sweeney
Today Bochy followed one of my suggestions by moving Crawford from 8th to 5th in the batting order. He was moved up through the minors quickly to the Giants early because they were desperate for a shortstop. He was over matched at the plate even though he was consider a good power hitter coming out of college. He has learned how to hit major league pitching in his first years with the Giants so it is not a complete surprise that Crawford looks like he is going to develop into be a good solid major league hitter.
There are two suggestions of mine that Bochy has not implemented to this point. One is to send Sanchez to the minor for six weeks so he can learn to hit again and second to help Posey out of his slump do not have Pence protecting him in the lineup. If Posey is to continue as the clean up hitter bat Pence either 3rd or 6th in the lineup. I would like to see Crawford bat 3rd, followed by Posey, Pablo and Pence in that order.
Other Opinions:
Just looking at the tape and you know Zack Greinke of the Dodgers threw at Padres Carlos Quentin Carlos who is a very good hitter and with two out and none on base and a 3-2 count why give him an opportunity to hit a home run.
The 49ers have 13 draft choices. They are worthless if they have a draft like last year which was almost a complete bust. Only the second round choice James the running back from Oregon who fumbles too much contributed.
The Boston Marathon was a great tragedy. The press conference on the first day was a complete bust. All of the agencies involved which seemed like about fifty could not answer any questions then why have the conference except to tell the public what a great job they are doing working to together. What B.S.! The fact is they failed to protect the citizens of Boston. They should have been apologizing which would have been a first. Then there was the governor of Massachusetts and the FBI Director who continued to call the attack a crime scene. These guys are so political they make me sick. Remember Boston was the taking off point for 9/11.
The NBA pre-season 82 game elimination tournament finally ended and the Warriors for the second time in 20 years can now play real NBA basketball. Lets hope they can win one game against Denver. The other day I read that the Warriors owner had promised an NBA Championship for the Bay Area. He offered no plan. Let me suggest a plan. If the Warriors can win one game this year then two the next year and improved by one win each year they will be NBA champions in 2028.
The Masters - Tanlang Guan the 14 year old amateur from China was penalized a stroke for slow play. Boy that official had guts especially when it took most of the pros almost six hours to complete 18 holes. Where I play, granted the course is not as long, we can complete 18 holes in 3 1/2 hours. Then Tiger admitted cheating on a shot and was allowed to continue. What do you think would have happened to the 14 year old if he did the same thing as Tiger?
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| Seal Beach Giants Shirt |
Jim Nance of CBS played the big role of grilling the Director of the tourney on TV for his ruling when it was CBS that made the decision. Ratings and money you know!
If you watch the Giants on TV you know they have great support all over from LA, San Diego, Oakland, Scottsdale, Chicago, New York and now Seal Beach. My son-in-law found a store in Seal Beach that carries Giants merchandise. The owner said that they received an order of Giants merchandise by mistake and decided to put it out for sale. They been selling like hot cakes. .
Homer Sweeney
Friday, April 12, 2013
The First Ten Games
As the saying goes they need some good old fashion home cooking. The Giants after their start needed and got some good old Colorado Rockies pitching that led one to believe that most of the Giants are now on target with their bats. The Giants are off to a solid 7-3 start which if they continue to put them in the World Series hunt again this year. The following is a quick summary of my thoughts of first ten games.
Starting pitching has been below expectations. Vogelsong is not ready which might be the result of the WBC. The Giants rallied for him against the Cubs to even his record at 1-1. The media credited the Giant offense for the win but without two glaring Cub errors the Giant never would have rallied.... I heard plenty excuses for Licecum two starts but in my opinion he was lousy.... Cain had a bad start which can happen to be best. Bumgardner and Zito might now be the aces of the staff. It was just a year ago that Zito was number 5 starter and we hoped he could give us five or six innings and keep us in the game. The Giants have won the last 16 games that he has stated. What a story! If the Giants want to exercise their option for Zito next year they are going to have to pay plenty of $'s.
Relief pitching has been outstanding. Romo is already 6 for 6 in saves. Remember Wilson would usually make the closing too exciting by allowing a hit or two and a walk. It's just the opposite with Romo who goes through the 9th innings in almost perfect fashion. Not only does Romo save his arm but heart attacks are way down in the Bay Area.
Belt's great spring training is now a waste. He got sick then showing he was macho started against Kershaw of the Dodgers. Gone is his confidence which I feel he will regain. Scurato had a sore back (37 years of age?) which got him off to a slow start which is not a good sign for the next three years. Crawford's bat is his story He may eventually bat third against right handers Sandoval had a side by side picture on TV Sunday one being after getting his ring and the other from 2011. When my wife saw how puffed up Pablo's face was she immediately said he is on steroids. She has been on them off and on for the last eight years because of various illnesses and her sister took them for 25 years before she died. Please tell me its Hershey's and not steroids! Last year Arias filled in for Pablo at third when he was on the DL and did a great job even though he had very little experience at third. Then this year he is the backup first basemen and he looks like he played it all of his life. Unfortunately next year a team will play plenty for him to be their regular shortstop which is the reason I had hoped that the Giants would have signed him for more then one year.
Posey has not looked good at the plate except perhaps for one game. I still don't like Pence protecting him in the lineup. Rather see Pablo batting behing him in the order. Sanchez should be sent to Fresno for about 6 weeks so the can get some at bats. Missing spring training for a player who only plays a couple times a week was a killer.
Pence started fast but his average has now slipped to .250. He has looked more like the player who played against the Giants for the Phillies and Astros. Pagan got his money but that hasn't stopped him from going all out. Blanco better be careful or Torres might be playing everyday. There were a couple games against the Rockies that Torres looked like the Torres the Giants had in 2009 and 2010.
Strategy: In the second game against the Rockies the Giants trailed 6-2 in the sixth inning. The first five Giants got on base. Scurato then bunted runners to second and third. Never give a team on the ropes an out! By bunting the Giants gave the Rockies an out lost their best hitter Sandoval to an intentional walk setting up a double play. Sure enough Belt hit into a inning ending DP but fortunately Pence before the double play had singled home the typing run but the Giants missed a golden opportunity to break the game wide open.
I continue to marvel at the Giants organization for selling out all the games and for on field celebrations. I would have hoped that the Giants would have come out with a statement in support of families that are continually under attack in this country. The Giants are carried on CSN Bay Area which is owned by NBC which also owns CNBC which came out recently in support of children belonging to the community and not to their parents. Maybe the Giants should look for a another TV outlet like the new Fox Sports Network that will be available next year.
Homer Sweeney
Starting pitching has been below expectations. Vogelsong is not ready which might be the result of the WBC. The Giants rallied for him against the Cubs to even his record at 1-1. The media credited the Giant offense for the win but without two glaring Cub errors the Giant never would have rallied.... I heard plenty excuses for Licecum two starts but in my opinion he was lousy.... Cain had a bad start which can happen to be best. Bumgardner and Zito might now be the aces of the staff. It was just a year ago that Zito was number 5 starter and we hoped he could give us five or six innings and keep us in the game. The Giants have won the last 16 games that he has stated. What a story! If the Giants want to exercise their option for Zito next year they are going to have to pay plenty of $'s.
Relief pitching has been outstanding. Romo is already 6 for 6 in saves. Remember Wilson would usually make the closing too exciting by allowing a hit or two and a walk. It's just the opposite with Romo who goes through the 9th innings in almost perfect fashion. Not only does Romo save his arm but heart attacks are way down in the Bay Area.
Belt's great spring training is now a waste. He got sick then showing he was macho started against Kershaw of the Dodgers. Gone is his confidence which I feel he will regain. Scurato had a sore back (37 years of age?) which got him off to a slow start which is not a good sign for the next three years. Crawford's bat is his story He may eventually bat third against right handers Sandoval had a side by side picture on TV Sunday one being after getting his ring and the other from 2011. When my wife saw how puffed up Pablo's face was she immediately said he is on steroids. She has been on them off and on for the last eight years because of various illnesses and her sister took them for 25 years before she died. Please tell me its Hershey's and not steroids! Last year Arias filled in for Pablo at third when he was on the DL and did a great job even though he had very little experience at third. Then this year he is the backup first basemen and he looks like he played it all of his life. Unfortunately next year a team will play plenty for him to be their regular shortstop which is the reason I had hoped that the Giants would have signed him for more then one year.
Posey has not looked good at the plate except perhaps for one game. I still don't like Pence protecting him in the lineup. Rather see Pablo batting behing him in the order. Sanchez should be sent to Fresno for about 6 weeks so the can get some at bats. Missing spring training for a player who only plays a couple times a week was a killer.
Pence started fast but his average has now slipped to .250. He has looked more like the player who played against the Giants for the Phillies and Astros. Pagan got his money but that hasn't stopped him from going all out. Blanco better be careful or Torres might be playing everyday. There were a couple games against the Rockies that Torres looked like the Torres the Giants had in 2009 and 2010.
Strategy: In the second game against the Rockies the Giants trailed 6-2 in the sixth inning. The first five Giants got on base. Scurato then bunted runners to second and third. Never give a team on the ropes an out! By bunting the Giants gave the Rockies an out lost their best hitter Sandoval to an intentional walk setting up a double play. Sure enough Belt hit into a inning ending DP but fortunately Pence before the double play had singled home the typing run but the Giants missed a golden opportunity to break the game wide open.
I continue to marvel at the Giants organization for selling out all the games and for on field celebrations. I would have hoped that the Giants would have come out with a statement in support of families that are continually under attack in this country. The Giants are carried on CSN Bay Area which is owned by NBC which also owns CNBC which came out recently in support of children belonging to the community and not to their parents. Maybe the Giants should look for a another TV outlet like the new Fox Sports Network that will be available next year.
Homer Sweeney
Monday, April 1, 2013
The 2013 Season
The Giants and A's played their last exhibition games in the Bay Area before about 115,000 which will help pay many of the spring training bills. . . Why doesn't every team including the Angels and the A's have the names of their players on their spring training uniforms especially since so many games are televised over MLB? . . It must be a generation gap but why does Oakland outfielder Josh Reddick want to look like a 60 year old hermit at the plate. When he is 60 he will say to himself I have been through this before but unfortunately he will not be able to look like a 26 year old. . . I predict the Oakland A's will win the AL West by at least 7 games.
I would like to pick the Giants to win the NL West however they will miss those 8 out of 9 wins over the Astros from last year and modern baseball history is certainly not in their favor. By winning two of the last three years they already have shocked the baseball world. Doing it again for the third time in four years is a tremendous challenge and that is why I'm predicting the San Diego Padres to win the NL West.
The Giants had to be thrilled with the continued development of the two Brandon's Belt and Crawford and the comeback effort of Pence. I still don't like Pence backing up Posey in the lineup. Both he and Posey do better when Pence bats third. Crawford should be given a chance to bat higher then eighth especially against right handers. The Giant have to be concerned about Sandoval, Sanchez and left field. Pitching will be very good at worst and excellent if Lincecum comes through.. . . Remember Eric Surkamp who was to be the next left handed starter who pitched a few games in 2011. I see he was put on 15 day DL. Can't believe he is still around. I thought he was just another Giant can't miss starter who disappeared off the radar.
Homer Sweeney
I would like to pick the Giants to win the NL West however they will miss those 8 out of 9 wins over the Astros from last year and modern baseball history is certainly not in their favor. By winning two of the last three years they already have shocked the baseball world. Doing it again for the third time in four years is a tremendous challenge and that is why I'm predicting the San Diego Padres to win the NL West.
The Giants had to be thrilled with the continued development of the two Brandon's Belt and Crawford and the comeback effort of Pence. I still don't like Pence backing up Posey in the lineup. Both he and Posey do better when Pence bats third. Crawford should be given a chance to bat higher then eighth especially against right handers. The Giant have to be concerned about Sandoval, Sanchez and left field. Pitching will be very good at worst and excellent if Lincecum comes through.. . . Remember Eric Surkamp who was to be the next left handed starter who pitched a few games in 2011. I see he was put on 15 day DL. Can't believe he is still around. I thought he was just another Giant can't miss starter who disappeared off the radar.
Homer Sweeney
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