Giants Midnight Replay

Almost Too Easy

I don’t like Jackie Robinson day. I always turn the game on and think that the Giants have changed their jerseys. It always takes me about an inning to realize that everyone is wearing the same number. So here is Matt Cain, winning his first game as #42.

I am feeling something with Cain this year, as if he is going to do something great. I have felt this for about three years now. But the better he gets….. the more you think it. If I thought he was on track to do something special last year (which he did) then this year I have to assume the same. 

Year of the Cain……..?       I guess we’ll see. 

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The Omar Vizquel Defensive Wizardry Award Goes to: 

Gotta give props where they are deserved. Kelly Johnson made a pretty nice play on this “almost” bloop single. 

The Velez Award for Ball Bobbling Goes to:

Since this was an error free game I am going to put my favorite screenshot from last season up. 

ooooh lord I love this photo!!!! hahahahahahahahaha

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The W. Mark Felt Award (hero) goes to: 

Matt Cain, the guy is a beast. What more can I say about this guy?

The Richard Nixon Award (villain) goes to:

Again…… I can’t think of any…… This game was really really well played and kinda boring. I was going to say Jose Lopez for making Wilson come into the game, but… nah, he’s too good. No villain today…. So I will go with another classic Giants Villain Photo for those who know……

Mr. Poetry in motion…. The perfect Villain. 

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More Stuff

Pablo continues his beastly run. If he knew where the strike zone was he could hit .400 some year. 

I should have put the picture of Rowand’s strike out hat trick right here, but this picture has Rowand’s future replacement in it….. can you guess who it is?

Tejada is swinging a nice club right now. 3 hits. 

Call me a second guesser, but I don’t see why Ford or Schierholtz was not in right field at this point. This is the 5th or 6th inning. It was 5-0, Just felt like we had wrapped it up by then. 

Pretty lucky brake here, after a Pablo gone fishing strike-out Huff was hung out at least 8 feet.

Pablo is tearing it up over at the hot corner, I feel like I put a picture of his defensive plays in almost all my posts so far. (although he didn’t get the runner)

“Guuuuuyyyss…… Hey guuuuuuyyys…… I’m over here wait for meeeeee” says temporarily lost Aaron Rowand

I know that Fontenot didn’t really contribute in this game, but I just wanted to point out again that I am rooting for him and that the day that I didn’t do a game wrap he totally killed the ball and won the game for us. Love this guy!

I wonder if Darren Ford got his ring today? I really want to see this guy up in the bigs this year. 

I like how all the Arizona fans have given this guy a 4 seat radius…. I’ve seen some pretty terrible beards this year, this one is pretty epic. 

Wilson kisses the imaginary ring…… just a note. Anyone notice that Wilson now has matching orange (home) and grey (away) cleats? pretty legit. 

There Will Be Blood

I tried…. I tried REALLY hard to save the Zito stache phenomenon until I could do a “This Week In Giants Facial Hair” post…. But it’s not possible, it was on full display tonight. This shapely “Nose Mullet” is THE nicest I have seen on a pitching mound since Clay Zavada. Can you attribute Zito’s future dominance to his new “Tom Selleck”? That would be a resounding YES! Is it a major reason why the Giants won 4 to 1 tonight? YES!

Zito I am your eternal fan if you keep the stache! I take back all the bad things I said about you. I will forget the fact that your an emotional wreck with a philosophical attachment to surfboards and other self-absorbed-beach culture douchiness.

Keep the “Plainview” Barry, if you know what is good for you. 

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The Kafka Tamura Award (Hero) goes to: 

Pablo Sandoval for the 38 lbs lighter defensive show he put on in the 4th inning. Pablo also got the first RBI of the night.

The Johnnie Walker Award (Villain) goes to: 

Gio Gonzalez, cause you gotta recognize greatness! This guy is a beast straight up! I would not be surprised if he wins a Cy Young at some point soon.

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The Omar Vizquel award goes to:  

Pat Burrell, There isn’t many times where I can give the award to him. So I gotta do it when I can. Nice Catch Burrell, nice catch. 

The Velez Award goes to:

Andy LaRoche was having a bad day all around. He had a wide throw to first base on a double play chance, and also this bungled ball. 

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Extra goodness. 

OMG these guys are insane homers! I am so happy to have our broadcasters, every time something doesn’t go their way its “NOOOOO” from the fucking peanut gallery. 

Hey look…  smiles!

Coco smiles!

Exhibition game smiles!

Game face bitches!

Zito was about 11 inches away from giving up his 1 run lead early.

Holy crap, DeRosa has a HUGE backside! Just sayin…… just sayin…

DeRosa’s big ass is slowing him down on this foul pop-up.

As much as I hate Panda hats, imagine if this was your only hat choice. Actually imagine if that was your job, making like 2,000 ballon hats. 

Don’t forget the little guy’s contribution an RBI double in the 7th. Fontenot is another player that is better than Rowand

A missed sign gets Andy Laroche into a “Fun”-down in the 5th.

I swear if Schierholtz loses his job and Rowand keeps his I will be pretty irrate. Two batters after Rowand waved frantically at a high pitch Nate blasts this one deep into center field.

Tomorrow I will post my season “Preview”.

This one…… means nothing.

Cain laughing on the mound…. after a year of taking screenshots, I have NEVER seen this. 

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The Aaron Burr Award (hero) goes to Aubrey Huff who turned early (get it…. Aaron Burr, turned early… haha…. cause Aaron Burr turned around early in the duel………. come on guys read some history books geez) on a high Brett Anderson pitch deep into the night.

The Alexander Hamilton Award (goat) goes to Brett Anderson for two reasons. 1. Hitting Pablo with a high inside pitch (not cool). 2. But most especially for this! I don’t care what you do man…. you gotta take a swing, or at least step up to the plate and act like your gonna swing. 

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Omar Vizquel Award goes to: 

Pablo who made all three plays in the ninth. A sharply hit ball, a ground out, and a crazy foul out to end the game. 

The Eugenio Velez Award goes to:

Forgot this guy’s name….. But he took a bad route. hahaha

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Some random fun. 

Synchronized pop up dance. 

Brett Anderson’s box placement. 

More Synchronized fielding. 


When hick pitchers attack.

Best shot of the night, dude spills his bear everywhere while scrambling for Huff’s hr. 

There where 38 thousand people there this year. Last year, there was THIS many!!!

Good turn-around guys. 

Dodger Blues

The Giants win the Pennant! The Giants win the Pennant! .. oh wait.. it’s just a spring training game….. oh.

Ya…. it’s getting to be that time. Even the fans want to start the regular season. Not much to say today. I’m going to a pizza party in Bed-Stuy tonight so I won’t get all flowery on this post. Just gonna say….. WE WON!

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The John Lennon award goes to:

Cody Ross for killing that home run in the 4th even Matt Cain was impressed. 

The Mark David Chapman award goes to:

Javier Lopez….. Your a lefty specialist. You gotta limit the damage with Ethier at the plate. We forgive you, it’s the preseason. But we won’t forgive MDC. I guess it’s kind of harsh to be handing out awards with that dudes named attached. Sorry it’s preseason… I’m only warming up. 

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 On a lighter note. The Velez award goes to:

Runzler for going into a full commando roll after being too slow, taking his eyes off the ball and getting beat to first base by Gwynn. 

 The Omar Vizquel award goes to: 

Huff for staying with a weird hop on a bounce hit down that line that came back into play, and tagging the hitter (forgot who this was). 

Bonus Award…!

The Josh Beckett “slowest mutha fucking pitcher ever” award goes to:

Mota who made 2 innings of work breeze by like it was 2 YEARS!!! No wonder Ethier struck out, he probably did so on purpose cause he had to take a bathroom break. 

Ya take your time buddy, no hurry.

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Bonus pics: I know it’s only spring but……. check out the average on Buster….  .526!!!

Ya Lincecum… You look nothing like that taxi driver on youtube… Nothing.
 

Interviewer: “So Matt I heard you hurt your arm.”

Matt: “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr”

(side note:… I really hate these interviews in the middle of the game thing..it really is not that fun to watch. And as much as I want to relive the World Series I bet Matty, Bumgarner, and Affeldt are pretty sick of it. Especially in the middle of the one game I get to watch all week, cut this shit out. ) 

I felt this one coming….. Pat the Bat launches one. 

Some random fans. 

The whole elvis thing is tired…
 

oh San Francisco. Jam packed full of 20 and 30 somethings with raging cases of Peter Pan syndrome.

Annnnnnnd… The perfect ending. 

If I Can’t Have a World Series

If there is no way that we could win the World Series in 2011, then there are still some things that would make me happy to see as a Giants fan.

#1. Matt Cain throws a No-Hitter. Even after a World Series ring AND not allowing a run in the post season, I am afraid that Matt Cain is still woefully overlooked. The plain fact is that he is SUPER DOMINANT! Every time I see him lose a 1 run game in the 8th I want to cry. Cain has thrown:

2 hit game through the 8th 2 times

1 hit game through the 8th 2 times

3 hit game through the 9th 3 times

2 hit game through the 9th 1 time

1 hit game through the 9th 2 times

12 Complete Games and 

4 Shutouts.

The only stat in these categories that Lincecum even comes close to matching him is shutouts. We all know that Cain has a no-hitter in him somewhere. he has gotten soo close, his ability to shut down a game is amazing. 

#2. Kung Fu Panda the sequel. There is nothing that I would love more than to see all those morons with panda hats on enjoying their purchase once again. There are no stats to back up what I want here, I just know that “thinner” pablo has a better shot of being 2009 pablo than Panda-tha-hut does. 

#3. Brandon Belt gets some trophies. Between 1992-1996 LA Dodgers rookies won 5 consecutive Rookie of the Year awards. And through all that they won 0 World Series. Which is pretty surprising because among the 14 N.L. ROYs since there have been 6 World Series winners. We are already 1 for 1 so… let’s get this goggly-eyed kid some hardware.

#3.5 Wilson Giants Saves Record. He is sitting on 134 saves right now just 72 behind All-Time Giants record of 206 by Rob Nen. So I guess that maybe this season is a little early to get close to that, but…. when can we start talking about it? It’s gonna happen soon.

#4. Andres Torres gets Golden. Andres Torres needs a Golden Glove like I need a cup of coffee right now. The fact that Jeter got one last year and Torres didn’t just proves that it is nothing to really brag about. This guy is the heart and soul of our team he needs something for his mantle. 

#5. Barry Zito Dominates. I don’t know how he will do it? I don’t know why, but all I want for next season is for Zito to rip through batters and re-prove himself. I know that this will not happen, but I am contented to think that it can happen though. Let’s see that snappy 12-6 curve come back and that pinpoint control. A great year for Zito would bring him that much more respect, and me an ounce of pride for cheering him on. 

Giants Lose and it’s All Bochy and Molina’s Fault

J/K 

Matt Cain shuts out the Reds 3 to 0

Screenshot of the game. 

God that is one beautiful swing!

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4 out of 5 Neukoms

- 7 walks taken, 6 in our first 4 batters

- 2 GIDP

- 3 muffled plays by Sandoval

- Molina GUNS someone trying to steal 2nd

- 2 for 10 with RISP

- 12 LOB

- 9 inning shutout by our staff ace

- Torres was his usual AMAZING self in the outfield.

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The Homer Simpson award (Hero) goes to Bengie Molina, because everyone has been taking a dump on his head lately and I just thought he needs some recognition as much as he needed those hits tonight. 

The Montgomery Burns award (villain) goes to Stephen Strausburg for stealing the spotlight on Matt Cain’s night to shine….  (sorry it’s hard to pick a villain when all our hitters did well, even huff and sanchez who both went 0-3 got 2 walks a piece. 

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extras:

Another flub by Pablo

More bobbles by Posey

Big Money gets a nice hit. 

Even Matt Cain got into it with two hits and a RBI

Thats it…. strangely I kept missing stuff when I got up to eat. And this was just a rather slow game with Cain shutting the Reds down so effectively.

Yes We Cain!

Sorry…. that title was bad.

Giants fend off the Rockies 4 to 1

Screenshot of the game. 

Andres Torres tries to blow the ball fair on a bunt (jk)

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3 out of 5 Neukoms

- 2 official GIDP

- one unofficial when Molina struck out and Uribe got thrown out by a mile.

- only 1 walk

- 2 for 4 with RISP

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The Steve Zissou award (hero) goes to Matt Cain, who is for the moment the ace of our staff (sorry zito). And who kept it breezy today. 

The Alistair Hennessey award (villain) goes to Troy Tulowitzki for taking Cain deep. 

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Random thoughts. 

- Wilson is soooo vital to this team- 6 and 3 on the home stand

- Giants lead the National League in 53 GIDPs, that means that we hit into DPs %14 of the times that it’s possible. 

- Pablo has 13 of them to lead the NL- Last in the NL in Stolen Bases

- 2nd to last in Walks taken

- Last in the NL for Pitches Per Plate Appearance with 3.68 

- We have SEEN about 1000 less pitches than the league leader. 

- We are 2nd in the NL in Fielding Percentage… (ya ya I know… it’s a kind of obsolete measurement)

- Even with our “struggling” ace, we have the 4th best ERA in baseball

- First in K’s per 9 and Hits allowed per 9.

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Extra stuff:

Torres, making us forget about Nate the great.

Posey “getting his hand in there!!” ……….. Thats what she said…?

Rowand must have finally had himself a slump-buster last night……

Mr. Mullet himself…… takes Cain VERY deep. 

Weezy, who should be an all star this year, shut the door with 9 pitches. 

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FUCK MLB/Fox!!!!!!! (Giants/Rockies Recap)

Giants take their 3rd straight series over the Rockies 6 to 1

Screenshot of the day. 

Jazz Hands rides again!

                                                 Warning Rant Ahead.

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??? out of 5 Neukoms

I am not sure… because I could not watch the game until after it was over. So I didn’t get to watch the whole thing!!!!!!

I mean I know that we took 4 walks and we were 1 for 6 with RISP….. But did I REALLY SEE the game?

NO, After paying 100+ dollars to see “all” the Giants games here in Brooklyn, I get blacked out. In fact that was kinda the story of the day if you were on twitter…… I am pretty sure that MLB decided to black the game out even in San Francisco, because I heard a lot of gripping over there. 

Come on MLB.tv/MLB/FOX!!! Who’s do I have to have sex with to see the Saturday game. And COME ON Giants you guys should be a little more subversive and start your games like 1 hour later. 

Let’s just put this whole rant under the title FUCK MLB/FOX

ok sorry ……. rant over…….

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The Lindsay Weir Award (hero) goes to Matt Cain…. for returning to form and otherwise “joining the party”

The Mr. Rosso Award (villan) goes to Ian Stewart….. for being a bitch.

Extra photos.

Uribe and Bowker…..LOVE!

BOOM! it’s been a while since that splash hit number changed.

More Jazz!

OK Now You CAN Be Mad….

Giants lose to the Padres on Eckstien’s walk-off HR 3 to 2. 

Screenshot of the day.

What exactly are “The Fundamentals?”

Is it working a pitcher for a walk (1 BB taken)? Is it taking an extra base when you can (above)? Is it calling off the other outfielder on a fly ball (above)? Is it getting to a ball in the corner so someone doesn’t take 3rd base (above)? Does it extend to, getting a runner home from third with less than two outs? Because we did SOME of those things. And for that reason I give this game a…

3 out of 5 Neukoms rating.

The Rocky and Bullwinkle Awards (heros) go to Matt Cain for being a quiet leader who is continually taking punches to the stomach every 5 days, and to Jazz Hands for making this game more exciting in the 9th and not leaving it up to Torres to get a run in…… I think we know how that has gone. 

The Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale Awards (villans) go to David (fucking) Eckstien for being a short little prick!!!! who has now officially hit %50 of his HRs this year, and Clayton Richard for becoming another mediocre pitcher to look amazing against Giants hitting. 

Don’t blame Affeldt…… what are the chances that Boris hits one out? (1 in 300ish)

A Recap in Screenshots and Garbled Kid Speak

Matt Cain make very stressed face.

Juan Uribe, run run run, tehe

Catcher says “I KICK YOU IN BALLS!!!!!!”

Man in suit says “I PUNCH THE AIR HUYYYYYYYAA”

Aubrey Huff makes the ball stop! YAY no more runs for the bad guys

WHACK! Take that mr. Pitcher I make the ball go towards you with stick.

YAY WE WON! everybody slap hands and SMILE!!!!!!