What Will The Giants Do?

In the coming weeks there will all kinds of speculation on what the Giants will do for next year.  My thoughts as of late August follow:

-  They will keep Pence because if they don't then they will need two outfielders and it's hard enough trying to find one.

-  Torres is gone and Blanco might be back for a spring tryout if he gets a few hits in September.

-  Most people like myself say the Giants first need is a left fielder.   They are giving almost everyone in  the organization a shot at playing that position.  This is not however the Giants top priority which is obtaining a very good starting pitcher.  They want this pitcher to be number 3 behind Cain and Bumgarner.  If Lincecum comes back he will either be # 4 or a relief pitcher and Vogelsong # 5.

- Relief pitching took a big hit this year.  The injuries to Affeldt and Casilla really hurt because it forced other relief pitchers to adopt new roles which turned out to be a disaster.  They will love to resign Lopez but the Dodgers will offer him 10 million which the Giants will not want to match.  Competition for relief pitchers will be fierce in the free agency market making it very difficult to put a very solid staff together.

-  The infield is signed except for Arias who they could lose to free agency.  Scurato's age and back has been a bigger problem then expected.  According to the Giant 'experts' when Scurato's back is bothering him his bat speed slows.  Pablo is the key if he can continue to lose weight and avoid injuries the Giants can challenge almost anyone in the National League.  We look for Belt and Crawford to continue to develop and catching to be great with Posey and Sanchez who hopefully learned his lesson this year.

In summary the Giants will pursue a first class starting pitcher, try to find an outfielder that can hit with some authority and work to develop a solid releif staff.  That's easier said then done.

Homer Sweeney

Giants, Golf and the 49ers

Pablo's bat came to life during the last two games and as we know when he hits the Giants win.  Vogelsong just might have pitched himself to a 6.5 million contract for next year by shutting down the Pirates for eight innings. . . In the middle of the game Belt was on second with one out and Sandoval hit a blooper for a single.  Belt only advanced to third because he wasn't sure if the ball  would be caught.  In that situation I want the runner heading for home immediately.  Worse thing that can happen is a double play.  As it turned out today the Giants ended up with runners on first and third and bingo the next batter grounds into a DP.  No runs! .  .Golf gave us a preview of baseball proposed instant replay system today.  Tiger Woods hit a ball that he wanted relief  because it didn't land where he could hit it to the green. .  A golf official was called over and then he gets on the phone to call PGA HQ in Palm Beach Gardens, FL to an official who is watching tv, similar to the plan for baseball. The official relays back a message to the golf course telling the official to tell Tiger that he hit the ball to that location so it's his problem. . . Extra police were called to the 49er game because a number of fans were running on the field interrupting play since they  know the judge will let them off  free proving again today their are no consequences for actions.  By the end of the season it will very dangerous to go to Candlestick just like when Kezar was closing almost fifty years ago and bottles were flying and hitting people on the head

Homer Sweeney

The World of Sports

The Red Sox were in town this week and most everyone was most impressed with the team from Boston's improvement from worst to almost best in one year.  A number of factors were discussed but the one they forgot was fact that they fired manager Bobby Valentine who in one year almost destroyed a franchise. . .  Brian Sabean on TV the other day said what was obvious that all eight Giant players that participated in the World Baseball Tournament were effected negatively. . . The Lakers announced that they would wear black jerseys for some games this year which is a perfect fit for their funeral. . . Speaking of the NBA the Warriors signed Curry's brother who played at Duke but was not drafted.  They hope they can sneak him into a game when they want to give their star named Curry the day off.  Not a bad idea! . . .Remember Giant fans do not lose hope the lower the  team finishes the higher the draft choice and the Orange Black need some new talent. . . I have been disagreeing with those that say Sabean will dismantle the team after this season.  After the last two games I starting to change my mind. . . Antonio Smith of Houston got suspended for three games  for hitting a Miami player with the Dolphins helmet.  I would added to the penalty by saying that Smith had to play the rest of the season without a helmet. . .  Vida Blue was comparing the Pirates batting averages with the Giants the other night and noticed that the Giants were actually hitter at a higher average.  The only problem Vida is the Pirates hit with power and Giants hit singles. . .  I would play Pill in left field for two weeks straight against all types of pitching and then evaluate his play.  Pill was given a chance in left field in 2011 until he let a fly ball go over his head at hit the base of the wall.  That was the last time he played in the field.  Hope Bochy gives him a little more of an opportunity this time around.

Same Headline ---Stupid Play

The Giants lost two out of three to the Red Sox in a series that wasn't that close.  The Giants won Tuesday evening on a walk off walk by Scutaro.  Everybody was waiting for  the the last pitch  to be called a strike since it seemed to hit the corner.  But no it was a ball and even instant replay could have saved the Sox because you will not be able to challenge balls and strikes. . . The final game was horrible led by Scutaro's continual poor play at second base. . .If I didn't know better I would say Scutaro had a clause written in his contract that he gets to play any day he wants. . .  I still believe Arias should be playing everyday someplace in the infield.  When he plays regularly he hits. . . Scutaro slid into first base head first the other night and was out.  When you look at the replay you see how he slows down when his belly hits the dirt. It is a stupid play because it easy to get hurt and it  is not faster then running across the bag.  On Sunday Sandoval was out when he dove head first into first causing bodies of the pitcher and the first baseman  to go flying all over first base.  A video on the Giants website mentioned that Pablo got spiked on the play.  He probably did but he also hurt his back.  This has caused Sandoval to miss three more games because he made a stupid play.  The suggested cause of the back problem  has been the long 5 1/2 hour flight home from Florida.  I can't believe Sandoval sat the entire trip.  I read that Sandoval has hired his brother as his private chief and the results are showing since Pablo has reportedly lost 22 pounds since the All Star break..  I like to see how much the brother weighs. 

Homer Sweeney

The 49ers

I am loyal and rapid 49er fan and have been since they began in 1946.  However I am afraid they are going to learn a real lesson this season.  Don 't lose the Super Bowl!  For the last  fifty years the Super Bowl loser  has not returned to the game the next year. . .  The 49ers have had outstanding  teams in the last couple years built on excellent drafts and solid free agency signings.  How could they blow the 2012 draft?  I wrote last year along with many others that they knew that their first  round draft choice Jenkens was a bust and he proved it.  Now he has been traded.  James the second round choice is an over rated back.  He has trouble picking up blocking assignments and has had a strong tendency to put the ball on the ground.   Hunter whose injury last year was a big blow to the team is a much more reliable back and if he returns to full strength should play ahead of James.

Homer Sweeney

Stupid Baseball!

The Giants lost Sunday to split the season series with the Marlins three games each.  The Orange and Black played stupid baseball Sunday.  Their relief staff is shaky at best and cannot hold a one run lead. With the score tied in the 6th inning the Giants got the first two men on base.  Instead of trying to break the game open they played for one run and gave the Marlins an out by having Arias bunt the runners to second and third.  Up steps Scurtaro bad back and all as a pinch hitter and he pops up and then Blanco makes the last out.  No runs.  Another loss!

Looking back to last April . . .  We mentioned at the start of the season that Sanchez should be sent to Fresno to learn to hit again.  It took the Giants about six weeks but they finally did it and now he is back  hitting the ball with authority. . .   We also said from the beginning that Belt should bat third.  He has earned it recently with his new bat grip but he is now hit less in the last two games. . . Right from the start we thought Crawford should bat higher in the lineup especially against right handed pitchers.  He looks like an excellent # 2 hitter. . . We mentioned that when Sandoval goes on the DL it is not just 15 days but weeks you lose his bat because it takes him so long to get his swing back.   His slump this year was even longer and it is pretty clear when Sandoval doesn't hit the Giants lose. . . Last year I worried about Blanco because he went 0 for two months after the Giants lost Melky.  He had the same slump this year . . .  Pill started the season with the Giants and was sent to Fresno because he was not playing or hitting.  He returned a few weeks ago  after having a very good season at Fresno.  Giant management said this time he was going to play.  Sure he will.  He ran for Sanchez last night. . . The Marlin starting pitcher Koehler threw over the first base eight times trying to pick Blanco off.  Blanco was not the potential winning run in the eighth inning but the first batter of the game.  This is a prime example of why baseball games are long and drawn out.  But no two teams will take a back seat to the Red Sox and the Yankees who took over four hours to complete their nine inning game Sunday night.  Alex Rodriquez was hit by a pitch Sunday.  It took Dempster four tries but he finally nailed him.  The umpire Brian O'Nora warned both benches which sent Yankee manager Joe Girardi into a complete frenzy.  After  the game the ESPN 'baseball experts' commented that they were surprise that the Yankees did not retaliate.  The 'experts' missed the retaliation.  During the middle game ex-Giant and Yankee catcher Chris Steward happen to miss a fast ball that plunked the umpire right in upper part of the chest.  Was the catcher crossed up by the pitcher?  Sure he was! . . . Justin Miller, 35 former Giant and major league pitcher died recently in Florida.  Baseball  made him wear long sleeves because he had so many tattoos distracted the batter.  It was known as the Justin Miller Rule.  I still trying to find out if they have discovered the cause.  If it was blood poisoning do you  think they would announced it and send many athletes into a death fearing sweat.

Homer Sweeney

Who Will Be The Giants TV Coach?

As Shepherd Smith said today on his Fox news show the seven hour Red Sox Yankees games are here. He was commenting on the fact that instant replay would be expanded next year for major league baseball.  Leave it to Bud Selig to make the games slower and longer.  Most responses I heard support instant replay.   Get the call right that's all that matters.  But you do not get to challenge balls and strikes just were most games are decided by the umpire.  Each manager will get three challenges.  Can you imagine the new TV coach sitting in the clubhouse watching the game sending messages to the manager on whether to challenge the call.  Managers will not challenge until they get the approval of the TV coach. So the runner who thinks he beats a throw to first will stumble fake an injury and cry on the shoulder of the coach until the TV coach has a chance to review the replay.  Players make errors, umpires make mistakes and have done it for years.  That's the game.  We don't live in a perfect world!

Look what is  done for football.  Isn't it great.  Nobody knows what a completed pass is anymore.

Homer Sweeney

Hooray For Hector!

Hector Sanchez the injured, over weight and out of shape second string catcher who has spent months in Arizona and Fresno has finally arrive in shape and ready to hit again.  Wednesday night in the ninth inning Pence hit sure game winning double that was caught and  instead ended the game.  Sanchez watching from  the dugout knew the only one way to prevent it from happening it again was to to hit it out of the park.  It was Sanchez first major league homer of the season a three run shot that gave the Giants a 4-3 victory there only win in the three game series.  The Giants elimination number from the NL West  is now 16.

Friday Night Prediction:  KC Chiefs 24 SF Forty Niners 6.

What Has Bochy Said All Year?

I read were Bruce Bochy said that Chris Davis home run  Saturday was one of hardest hit balls he had seen.  No kidding!  I guess he forgets about the 2010 spring training hit Davis got against the Giants up in Surprise, AZ.  I remembered it. . . . The Giants are getting pretty good starting pitching lately only to find they are still losing meaning that they need more hitting and a revised relief corp. . .Bochy has said all year long, 'are bats need to come alive'.  Time is running out.  Sabean, are you listening?  The Giants are currently 15 games behind in last place in the NL West.  They  need to win 34 out of their remaining 52 games even to have a chance to tie in  the West.  The 1951 Giants won something 37 or their final  45 to tie the Dodgers. . . . I noticed over the years when a player in almost any sport returns from an injury his second game not his first is the most important.  It will be interesting to see how Vogelsong does this week in his second start.

Homer Sweeney  

A Few Observations

The Giants blew a big opportunity in the ninth inning that would have won last night's game against the Orioles.  Brandon Belt looks like a great hitter.  Is he fooling us again?  He has hit well at times in the past then quickly slips into a tantrum at the plate that lasts for weeks. . . I thought Vogelsong looked confident and relaxed on the mound which is good sign for the future. . . Rookie Roger Kieschnick was up with a chance to win it in the ninth.  Watching on Baltimore TV he was thrown the same pitch six times all way below the strike zone and he swung and missed at three of them. He is not the answer because he does hit the ball with authority. . . I wrote recently that I thought Chris Davis of the Orioles was the most impressive player at the All Star game. I guess Bochy did not see what I saw since he intentionally walked a batter last night to get to Davis in the 10th inning who promptly hit the ball 400 feet for a game winning double.  It was more lefty righty BS.

Homer Sweeney

Belt the Hero! and NFL Friday Night Football

Brandon Belt hit a three run homer in the first inning enabling the Giants to hold on and beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1.  We said back in April that this season Belt would have fewer slumps and they would be shorter.  Wrong!  There have been more and they are longer.  Belt has been a big disappointment.  How about Pill who they brought up  and said  that he will play this time.  I think he got something like eight hits in his first three games and has hardly played recently. .

The NFL Thursday Night Football started tonight.  Very seldom if ever does one  see an NFL game or even an NCAA game of significance on a Friday night.  That night is reserved for the high schools.  But schools have changed and Friday is now a goof off day so many games are played on Thursday night in competition with the both the NFL and NCAA.  Both the NFL and the NCAA have complained that high school football is cutting into their TV revenue and they should stop scheduling games on a night that students should be studying.    Is the next step NFL Friday Night Football? Why not?  The high schools would not have an argument.

Homer Sweeney

Some Thoughts

Yesterday I received an email informing me that the Giants won thanks to poor umpiring and a horrible Milwaukee defense.  The pitcher for the Brewers had an 0-9 record this year in the minor leagues and the Giants were lucky to win. . . . Last year following the All Star break Scurado had 44 rbi's.  In fact I called him an rbi machine.  This year after a couple weeks following the break he is yet to have one rbi. . .. I heard that starting a week before the All Star game Pablo Sandoval has lost 19 lbs.  My wife watching the games on TV even noticed.  Pablo is proving  that weight makes no difference.

Homer Sweeney

The Barry Bonds Hangover!

The long awaited over blown baseball PED suspensions were announced today and absent from the list were Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon because they had paid for their crime last year.  The Giants with the impression that they were the drug kings of baseball and that the Barry Bonds  scandal was still fresh in many minds refused to even consider signing Melky Carbrera this year even though they were in desperate need of a left fielder.  Did they over react?  Colon got the same penalty for the same crime, served his time, returns to A's and got invited the All Star game an nobody said a word. . . Remember when Barry Bonds set baseball's home run  record there were those who said don't worry a real clean  player Alex Rodriquez would soon over take Bonds and baseball will have well respected worthy all time home run  king.  Sure we will! . . One fact that was clear with all the comments about this scandal is that players are rarely tested.

Homer Sweeney

Three Wins!

Just when you began to think the Giants would never win again they turned around and won three games on their just concluded road trip beating the Phillies twice and Tampa Bay once.  Their Elimination number is now 18.  Eighteen more Giant losses and it will be impossible for them to win the NL West which means they would have to play .650 baseball in the remaining weeks.  The way the Dodgers are playing even if the Giants win all of their 52 remaining games they might not be able to catch LA.

Some thoughts. . . Did you see Francoeur throw a Phillies runner out at the plate on a single to deep left field.  Very impressive.  Now if he could only hit even left handers! . . . Kieschnick will have to learn not to slide spikes flying which I think went out with 'Pepper' Martin in the 1930's.   Poor Brandon Belt paid for it by getting beaned in the helmet. . .   It took them months but the Giants are not having Pence bat behind Posey which we said should have been done in April.  It would not have made a big difference anyway. . .   Duane Kuiper said Sunday that the Giants need a player who can hit a home run at least once in awhile.  Where have I heard that before? . . . These next seven weeks will be like a try out for next year for many veterans and rookies. . . I would like to see the Giants  bring back Perez to play center field for a few weeks.  He was solid in the field and showed he has a great arm.  Major league pitching was a little too much the first time through but perhaps he has learned to adapt. . . Bochy admitted today that he thought the World Baseball Congress effected Vogelsong.  No kidding!  Remember he pitched an additional month in 2012.

Homer Sweeney