As we all know, The Princess Bride is one of the greatest movies ever made. Maybe the greatest. Heros, villains, giants, wizards, sword fights, true love. It's got it all. Just check out some of the taglines: "Scaling the Cliffs of Insanity, Battling Rodents of Unusual Size, Facing torture in the Pit of Despair. - True love has never been a snap." "She gets kidnapped. He gets killed. But it all ends up okay." How could that movie not be awesome?
What some people may not know is that it was a book first. I found out a couple years ago. At first I was upset b/c I thought that one of my favorite movies was not even an original. But the author of the book is the same guy who wrote the script, so I would say that integrity is maintained. I decided I should read the book, and I'm now about 100 pages in. I'm enjoying it, but the problem is it could never be as good as the movie. Some of it is exactly the same as the book (line for line - "Inconcievable!" for example), and there's some minor differences. I'm at the part where the Man in Black is about to reach the top of the Cliffs of Insanity. I'd say that in the movie, the next 30 minutes from this part is arguably the best section of the movie. So I'm pretty excited.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Animals
Few people know that Wikipedia is one of my favorite websites. Now less few. Sometimes I just pick something to read about, and follow the interesting links in that article. I could do that for hours. Well, not really. But the point is this: I went to the Museum of Natural History a couple weeks ago with my mom. And in the ocean animals section, they had this huge crab-type thing on display, along with all the other crustaceans. I couldn't believe the species was around today, so I turned to the best encyclopedia ever. Check this thing out - the Japanese spider crab. It looks like it should have existed in dinosaur times. Tell me you wouldn't freak out if you were scuba diving and saw one of those guys. Scary animal. I mean crabs and lobsters are creepy, but this guy is freakin huge. Leg span can reach 13 feet.
Speaking of creepy animals, here's my list, in no order, and perhaps incomplete: Spiders, turanchulas, scorpions, snakes, crabs, lobsters, octopi, squids, jelly fish, let me know if I missed any.
I think out of any animal, I would choose to get eaten by a giant squid last. That would suck. On the bright side, out of any animal, I am probably least likely to get eaten by a giant squid.
Anyway, I decided to learn about some more animals, and it didn't take me long to get to the platypus. Pretty cool animal. Venom, electrolocation. There's more to it than just being "proof that god has a sense of humor."
Speaking of creepy animals, here's my list, in no order, and perhaps incomplete: Spiders, turanchulas, scorpions, snakes, crabs, lobsters, octopi, squids, jelly fish, let me know if I missed any.
I think out of any animal, I would choose to get eaten by a giant squid last. That would suck. On the bright side, out of any animal, I am probably least likely to get eaten by a giant squid.
Anyway, I decided to learn about some more animals, and it didn't take me long to get to the platypus. Pretty cool animal. Venom, electrolocation. There's more to it than just being "proof that god has a sense of humor."
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Back to the Dorms
So I'm moved into Columbia housing. School starts next Tuesday. They say this is a suite, but you can't really call it a suite. More of just a floor, with four different sections, 12 people in each I believe. Really the only thing that makes it different from a normal dorm is that each section (each "suite") has a full kitchen. Actually full times two, b/c there's 2 ovens and fridges. But it's not big though. And we are allowed to drink, which is nice. The first night we set up beer pong in the lounge. Ah, college.
In other news, the Emmys happened the other night. Jeremy Piven got best supporting actor for Ari Gold in "Entourage." Good for him. Also, Jack Bauer got best person ever for his role in saving the world shown in Fox's documentary series "24." I didnt see the show, but based on what I read, I think Jack accepted the award under an alias, "Kiefer Sutherland."
In other news, the Emmys happened the other night. Jeremy Piven got best supporting actor for Ari Gold in "Entourage." Good for him. Also, Jack Bauer got best person ever for his role in saving the world shown in Fox's documentary series "24." I didnt see the show, but based on what I read, I think Jack accepted the award under an alias, "Kiefer Sutherland."
Friday, August 25, 2006
Some Newsworthy items
1) Pluto has been plucked of its status as a planet. I applaud the decision by the International Astronomical Union. For one, there are objects orbiting the Sun that have similar characteristics to Pluto and, in fact, are larger, but not planets. I believe when Pluto was discovered it was the largest of these types of objects, and that is why it got planetary status to begin with. And now it is rightfully in another class, called dwarf planets. I bet the 8 real planets were pretty pumped about the news. It's a little known fact that among the 8 real planets, Pluto was always known as the "eccentric-orbit little bitch." A few notes on the story:
a) NASA's New Horizons mission launched January of this year, and will not reach Pluto until 2015. I bet NASA is pissed. I wouldn't be surprised if they had troubles with the mission, they just abandoned the whole thing entirely. "Eh, it's not even a planet." (That's what they'll say).
b) Diagrams and mobiles in science classes will have to be replaced. But earlier in the decision process, the IAU was considering a definition that would have kept Pluto a planet and added like 2 or 3 other objects. Thank god that didn't happen. That would have really confused the kids.
c) Affecting my personal life the most: Some of those Copper Kid quizzes at the end Silverhawks episodes are now horribly wrong. For those who don't know, Silverhawks is in the top 10 most awesome shows of all time. It's a cartoon that aired a long time ago, and at the end of every episode, the Copper Kid would be quizzed by Bluegrass on many aspects of the solar system.
Here is the CNN article about Pluto getting the boot.
2) The upcoming season of Survivor will be its 13th. That's quite a run, no? But I digress. The real story is this: The teams this season will be divided by race. Yes, they are doing what everyone wants to see, but never thought they would. Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, all in direct competition. On a show called "Survivor" nonetheless. I will be just as interested as the next guy to see what happens, but let's be honest here. What good can come of this? I mean think ahead to the first episode when the host Jeff Whatshisname meets the cast and says "OK. Whites over here. Blacks, you go over here. Asians you here, and Hispanics you go over there." Its almost comical, but too-easily brings up disturbing and all too familiar memories of segregation in places that matter. I wonder if they displaced a native population on the islands they are filming on. What if the whites win? Are supremacist going to claim a victory? What are the relations going to be like between teams? There is no doubt that a cast member will make a comment he or she regrets. Same goes for people outside the show commenting on it. What good could come of this? Good TV I guess.
3) Kids in Gary, Indiana, must be going nuts. Every child's dream has come true for the boys and girls of this school system. What would I do if I heard these words as a elementary, middle, or high school student: "School canceled indefinitely due to teacher strike." When we got to go home for half the day freshman year due to a bomb threat, that was awesome. But "school canceled indefinitely." Man, what a concept. Now what the kids have to due is borrow from the book of Bart Simpson and perform Operation: Make-Strike-Go-Longer.
4) How about those Oakland Athletics? Somehow, they are in first place with a 5.5 game cushion. I'll cut and paste the most interesting parts of this article for your viewing pleasure:
The A's are last in the majors in slugging percentage, doubles and batting average with runners in scoring position, are tied for last in batting average and are 21st in runs scored.
"And we're first in [hitting into] double plays,'' Beane said, laughing. "Usually you have to have a lot of baserunners to do that. We are a complete freak show.''
Third baseman Eric Chavez has played injured most of the season; he's hitting only .241. Shortstop Bobby Crosby is hitting .229. It's possible that the A's will win the division without a 100-RBI man, and with only two players with as many as 75 RBI.
Only 2 players with 75 RBIs? Speaks volumes about pitching and defense.
a) NASA's New Horizons mission launched January of this year, and will not reach Pluto until 2015. I bet NASA is pissed. I wouldn't be surprised if they had troubles with the mission, they just abandoned the whole thing entirely. "Eh, it's not even a planet." (That's what they'll say).
b) Diagrams and mobiles in science classes will have to be replaced. But earlier in the decision process, the IAU was considering a definition that would have kept Pluto a planet and added like 2 or 3 other objects. Thank god that didn't happen. That would have really confused the kids.
c) Affecting my personal life the most: Some of those Copper Kid quizzes at the end Silverhawks episodes are now horribly wrong. For those who don't know, Silverhawks is in the top 10 most awesome shows of all time. It's a cartoon that aired a long time ago, and at the end of every episode, the Copper Kid would be quizzed by Bluegrass on many aspects of the solar system.
Here is the CNN article about Pluto getting the boot.
2) The upcoming season of Survivor will be its 13th. That's quite a run, no? But I digress. The real story is this: The teams this season will be divided by race. Yes, they are doing what everyone wants to see, but never thought they would. Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, all in direct competition. On a show called "Survivor" nonetheless. I will be just as interested as the next guy to see what happens, but let's be honest here. What good can come of this? I mean think ahead to the first episode when the host Jeff Whatshisname meets the cast and says "OK. Whites over here. Blacks, you go over here. Asians you here, and Hispanics you go over there." Its almost comical, but too-easily brings up disturbing and all too familiar memories of segregation in places that matter. I wonder if they displaced a native population on the islands they are filming on. What if the whites win? Are supremacist going to claim a victory? What are the relations going to be like between teams? There is no doubt that a cast member will make a comment he or she regrets. Same goes for people outside the show commenting on it. What good could come of this? Good TV I guess.
3) Kids in Gary, Indiana, must be going nuts. Every child's dream has come true for the boys and girls of this school system. What would I do if I heard these words as a elementary, middle, or high school student: "School canceled indefinitely due to teacher strike." When we got to go home for half the day freshman year due to a bomb threat, that was awesome. But "school canceled indefinitely." Man, what a concept. Now what the kids have to due is borrow from the book of Bart Simpson and perform Operation: Make-Strike-Go-Longer.
4) How about those Oakland Athletics? Somehow, they are in first place with a 5.5 game cushion. I'll cut and paste the most interesting parts of this article for your viewing pleasure:
The A's are last in the majors in slugging percentage, doubles and batting average with runners in scoring position, are tied for last in batting average and are 21st in runs scored.
"And we're first in [hitting into] double plays,'' Beane said, laughing. "Usually you have to have a lot of baserunners to do that. We are a complete freak show.''
Third baseman Eric Chavez has played injured most of the season; he's hitting only .241. Shortstop Bobby Crosby is hitting .229. It's possible that the A's will win the division without a 100-RBI man, and with only two players with as many as 75 RBI.
Only 2 players with 75 RBIs? Speaks volumes about pitching and defense.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
On Barry Bonds
As a follow up to the Giants post, I'll delve into a rant on every Giants fan's favorite Giant.
Yesterday, on espn.com's Page 2, an article appeared that is the most vicious assault on Barry Bonds I have read. Written by Jeff Pearlman (author of Bonds biography, Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero), the piece attacks Bonds as a bad teammate, role model, husband, and father. "Barry Bonds is an evil man. A truly evil man." Says Pearlman. He claims he's not writing the article to promote his book, but rather as a plea to Bonds to come clean on performance-enhancing drugs. By doing this, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams would be spared jailtime for not revealing their sources to the Grand Jury for their book (Game of Shadows--the first book that described Bonds' supposed steroid use).
The first thing worth mentioning here is that when Pearlman mentions his book, it is a link. And by clicking on the link, you are directed to amazon.com's page for the book. But he's definately not promoting his book. Not in the least.
Secondly, on his critisms of Bonds: "As a father, he has been absent and indifferent." How the hell would he even know that? The only people qualified to judge that are his kids and I somehow doubt Pearlman was able to interview them for the book. And if he did, I would guess they would have a favorable opinion of their dad. "As a Giant, he has held a franchise hostage and refused to help teammates in need." Please. There is nothing Bonds has wanted more than to win. Throughout his entire career, he has stated that winning a World Series is the most important thing. Even if you don't believe him (I do), how can you say he has held the franchise hostage? By winning 4 MVPs in a row? By being the sole reason the Giants got a new stadium? By being the reason people fill it? I think most teams would have enjoyed being "held hostage" by Barry Bonds. This is a guy who changed the game more than anyone since Babe Ruth. HE GOT INTENTIONALLY WALKED WITH THE BASES LOADED, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.And if you ask me to, I can name countless examples to back up a statement the casual or cynical viewer may not believe true: Barry Bonds is a team player. Don't tell me he refuses to help his teammates in need when, on his birthday, he throws out a guy at home to keep the game tied in the top of the 9th inning, and then in the bottom of the inning hits a walk-off home run. Please.
Now, as for these authors of Game of Shadows. First of all, I read the exerpt that came out in SI. And this is the most sensationalized piece of writing I have ever read. Literally. I'm suprised it didn't appear in the tabloids. Yet pretty much everyone 100% bought into 100% of it. Now these authors are being asked to name their source of much of their information to a Grand Jury hearing investigating Bonds. The information in quesiton is from a previous Grand Jury hearing in which Bonds testified he never knowingly took steroids. The authors say they wont reveal their source even if it means jail time for them. Now they are being made out as martyrs, as heroes. A lot of people are finding it attrocious that they are gonna have to go to jail, when they did nothing wrong. They are the ones who "cleaned up baseball"--they did what Congress and MLB couldn't do. Well, if I may steal from Damon Bruce again: Imagine this: A guy is very good at his job. But a lot of other people are good at the same job. They guy feels like in order to become the best at the job, so he can make the most money, he might need something extra. So he tries some illegally obtained materials to beef up his performance. It works. He shoots to the top of his profession and makes a lot of money. Sound familiar? I'm not talking about Barry Bonds. Here, the "guy" is actually two guys: Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.
Now, the analogy is not perfect. Because the real criminal is the person who leaked the testimony, not the guys who obtained and used it. But I still think it's an interesting and valid way to look at the situation. I can't blame the guys for not revealing their sources. They're journalists. But by not testifying, they are impeding the investigation into who leaked the Grand Jury testimony. This situation is not Daniel Ellsberg leaking the Pentagon Papers to the media. Whoever leaked the Grand Jury testimony was not blowing the whistle on some evil government. He ratted out a steroid user. Now you could make a point by asking where do you draw the line between a source that needs protection and one that does not need to be protected. I just think it's pretty clear in this case.
So the point is, these guys are not heroes. They did not clean up baseball. Baseball had a steroid problem because it had no testing program. Now that it does, the problem is pretty much as solved as it can be. People will find loop holes, and maybe a stricter policy may be needed, but don’t tell me the guys who exposed a number of players “cleaned up baseball.” They are not heroes. Moreover, to the city of san Francisco, these guys are villainous traitors.
So, here is my take on Barry Bonds: Yes, he probably used performance enhancing drugs. So did a ton of other people. These substances, however, were not banned by Major League Baseball. So if you are gonna blame someone, blame MLB. I've even read something that said since the testing policy has been in place, more pitchers have tested positive than position players. So was the playing field really uneven? And if you want to put astericks by Barry's numbers, you gotta put astericks by sooooo many other stats. Rafael Palmiero's 3ooo hits and 5oo home runs. All of Jose Canseco's statistics. These are just the high profile guys with high profile cases. But is this really what you want?:
Single Season Home Runs:
Barry Bonds - 73* - 2001
Mark McGwire - 70* - 1998
Sammy Sosa - 66* - 1998
Mark McGwire - 65* - 1999
Sammy Sosa - 64* - 2001
Sammy Sosa - 63* - 1999
Roger Maris - 61 - 1961
Babe Ruth - 60 - 1927
The fact is, this is a persecution. The media, Grand Jury hearing; they are out to get Bonds. If it was Bonds (not Palmiero) who testified "I have never taken steroids. Period." and then later tested positive, do you think they would have said "yea we looked into perjury, but couldn't find enough evidence"? No. We would be in pretty much the same situation we are in. Bonds has never tested positive for steroids, and yet he is undeniably the face of the entire scandal. Not Jason Giambi. Not Rafael Palmiero. Not Floyd Landis. Newcomers to the list are Marion Jones and Justin Gatlin. And I'm not saying race has a lot to do with it, but in this day and age it is still a lot easier to demonize a black man.
Yes, Barry Bonds has been a dick to the media. But since when is he paid to be friendly to the press? Is it in his contract? No. He has chosen not to deal with one inconvenience that comes along attached to his job. And with the way the media has been treating him lately, can you blame him? Maybe he is a total jerk. I've heard a lot of bad things about him. But I've also heard a lot of good things about him as a person. In fact, everyone I know who has met him has said great things about him. This includes my mother. And while she may be a little crazy, she has met Barry Bonds, which makes her pretty dam cool.
Yesterday, on espn.com's Page 2, an article appeared that is the most vicious assault on Barry Bonds I have read. Written by Jeff Pearlman (author of Bonds biography, Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero), the piece attacks Bonds as a bad teammate, role model, husband, and father. "Barry Bonds is an evil man. A truly evil man." Says Pearlman. He claims he's not writing the article to promote his book, but rather as a plea to Bonds to come clean on performance-enhancing drugs. By doing this, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams would be spared jailtime for not revealing their sources to the Grand Jury for their book (Game of Shadows--the first book that described Bonds' supposed steroid use).
The first thing worth mentioning here is that when Pearlman mentions his book, it is a link. And by clicking on the link, you are directed to amazon.com's page for the book. But he's definately not promoting his book. Not in the least.
Secondly, on his critisms of Bonds: "As a father, he has been absent and indifferent." How the hell would he even know that? The only people qualified to judge that are his kids and I somehow doubt Pearlman was able to interview them for the book. And if he did, I would guess they would have a favorable opinion of their dad. "As a Giant, he has held a franchise hostage and refused to help teammates in need." Please. There is nothing Bonds has wanted more than to win. Throughout his entire career, he has stated that winning a World Series is the most important thing. Even if you don't believe him (I do), how can you say he has held the franchise hostage? By winning 4 MVPs in a row? By being the sole reason the Giants got a new stadium? By being the reason people fill it? I think most teams would have enjoyed being "held hostage" by Barry Bonds. This is a guy who changed the game more than anyone since Babe Ruth. HE GOT INTENTIONALLY WALKED WITH THE BASES LOADED, FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.And if you ask me to, I can name countless examples to back up a statement the casual or cynical viewer may not believe true: Barry Bonds is a team player. Don't tell me he refuses to help his teammates in need when, on his birthday, he throws out a guy at home to keep the game tied in the top of the 9th inning, and then in the bottom of the inning hits a walk-off home run. Please.
Now, as for these authors of Game of Shadows. First of all, I read the exerpt that came out in SI. And this is the most sensationalized piece of writing I have ever read. Literally. I'm suprised it didn't appear in the tabloids. Yet pretty much everyone 100% bought into 100% of it. Now these authors are being asked to name their source of much of their information to a Grand Jury hearing investigating Bonds. The information in quesiton is from a previous Grand Jury hearing in which Bonds testified he never knowingly took steroids. The authors say they wont reveal their source even if it means jail time for them. Now they are being made out as martyrs, as heroes. A lot of people are finding it attrocious that they are gonna have to go to jail, when they did nothing wrong. They are the ones who "cleaned up baseball"--they did what Congress and MLB couldn't do. Well, if I may steal from Damon Bruce again: Imagine this: A guy is very good at his job. But a lot of other people are good at the same job. They guy feels like in order to become the best at the job, so he can make the most money, he might need something extra. So he tries some illegally obtained materials to beef up his performance. It works. He shoots to the top of his profession and makes a lot of money. Sound familiar? I'm not talking about Barry Bonds. Here, the "guy" is actually two guys: Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams.
Now, the analogy is not perfect. Because the real criminal is the person who leaked the testimony, not the guys who obtained and used it. But I still think it's an interesting and valid way to look at the situation. I can't blame the guys for not revealing their sources. They're journalists. But by not testifying, they are impeding the investigation into who leaked the Grand Jury testimony. This situation is not Daniel Ellsberg leaking the Pentagon Papers to the media. Whoever leaked the Grand Jury testimony was not blowing the whistle on some evil government. He ratted out a steroid user. Now you could make a point by asking where do you draw the line between a source that needs protection and one that does not need to be protected. I just think it's pretty clear in this case.
So the point is, these guys are not heroes. They did not clean up baseball. Baseball had a steroid problem because it had no testing program. Now that it does, the problem is pretty much as solved as it can be. People will find loop holes, and maybe a stricter policy may be needed, but don’t tell me the guys who exposed a number of players “cleaned up baseball.” They are not heroes. Moreover, to the city of san Francisco, these guys are villainous traitors.
So, here is my take on Barry Bonds: Yes, he probably used performance enhancing drugs. So did a ton of other people. These substances, however, were not banned by Major League Baseball. So if you are gonna blame someone, blame MLB. I've even read something that said since the testing policy has been in place, more pitchers have tested positive than position players. So was the playing field really uneven? And if you want to put astericks by Barry's numbers, you gotta put astericks by sooooo many other stats. Rafael Palmiero's 3ooo hits and 5oo home runs. All of Jose Canseco's statistics. These are just the high profile guys with high profile cases. But is this really what you want?:
Single Season Home Runs:
Barry Bonds - 73* - 2001
Mark McGwire - 70* - 1998
Sammy Sosa - 66* - 1998
Mark McGwire - 65* - 1999
Sammy Sosa - 64* - 2001
Sammy Sosa - 63* - 1999
Roger Maris - 61 - 1961
Babe Ruth - 60 - 1927
The fact is, this is a persecution. The media, Grand Jury hearing; they are out to get Bonds. If it was Bonds (not Palmiero) who testified "I have never taken steroids. Period." and then later tested positive, do you think they would have said "yea we looked into perjury, but couldn't find enough evidence"? No. We would be in pretty much the same situation we are in. Bonds has never tested positive for steroids, and yet he is undeniably the face of the entire scandal. Not Jason Giambi. Not Rafael Palmiero. Not Floyd Landis. Newcomers to the list are Marion Jones and Justin Gatlin. And I'm not saying race has a lot to do with it, but in this day and age it is still a lot easier to demonize a black man.
Yes, Barry Bonds has been a dick to the media. But since when is he paid to be friendly to the press? Is it in his contract? No. He has chosen not to deal with one inconvenience that comes along attached to his job. And with the way the media has been treating him lately, can you blame him? Maybe he is a total jerk. I've heard a lot of bad things about him. But I've also heard a lot of good things about him as a person. In fact, everyone I know who has met him has said great things about him. This includes my mother. And while she may be a little crazy, she has met Barry Bonds, which makes her pretty dam cool.
On the Giants
Here are some thoughts I have on the Giants this season:
The season can be summed up nicely, if I may steal from KNBR's Damon Bruce's show last night: Giants baseball - brought to you by Purgatory. Not Heaven. Not Hell. Just sort of.....who the hell knows. It's late August, and still we are saying, "wait and see." The criticle stretch of 19 games in a row against only division opponents that was supposed to show us what the Giants were made of, one way or the other, just ended. The results? 10-9. What does that tell us? Just about nothing. The stretch featured both a 5 game losing streak, for which afterwards the Giants were "done for," and then a 5 game win streak, which put them "right back in it." Currently they reside at the bottom of the NL West, which is the definition of mediocre. No team that scares you, no team that is absolutely horrible. 4.5 games out - certainly doable. If their starting pitching continues to shine, the bats pick it up a bit, and something is done about the closer situation, this team could make the playoffs.
Therein lies the problem, however. I've already seen the Giants in the playoffs. I've already seen them in the World Series. I want to see them WIN. And barring multiple miracles, this team is not a world champion team. I just don't see them getting past the Mets and whoever the AL team is (most likely the Yankees, White Sox, or Tigers. I doubt the A's or Angles would make it past the divisional series, and the Red Sox, who scare me, probably wont make the playoffs). There are just so many flaws to this Giants team. They are very old, and very slow. They have not hit in the clutch. Barry Bonds is about 1/5 the player he used to be. Steve Finley and Randy Winn are performing below expectations. Moises Alou is hurt all the time. The bullpen sucks.
Speaking of which, Armondo Benitez is quickly climbing the ladder of Bad Giants (see a future post for a definition and list of Good and Bad Giants). Saving two thirds of save opportunities does not cut it as a closer, especially when you are getting paid like 7 million dollars. And, to add insult (literally) to injury (figuratively), the comments he has made are justification for him to get drowned in McCovey Cove. "I did my job" after a blown save? (in reference to Ray Durham misplaying a ground ball). "We're running like babies" after a blown save? (in reference to Steve Finley slipping on the basepaths). Come on, Armondo. Take responsibility for the fact that you put a fastball down Main Street on an 0-2 count. We know you've "been on better teams than this," but that doesn't mean you are better than the team. In fact, you are quite worse. If you actually had actually earned your money this year, the Giants would probably be in first place.
And I have to say I don't like the way the Giants have handled the situation. The only good thing about a Benitez blown save is the fact that I can hear Ralph Barbieri (my favorite KNBR personality) rant about him. His interviews with Brian Sabean are priceless and spot on. Sabean answers the questions about Benitez in a diplomatic way, which is all you would expect, but that does not mean the situation cannot be dealt with. Yes, the team has a lot of flaws. That doesn't mean you shouldn't deal with the most glaring one. And what's crazy is that Ralph's worst fears have been realized, exactly how he said it would happen. Benitez accidently successfully saves a couple games, and Felipe Alou says "we've got our guy for the 9th inning back." WHAT? First of all, back to what? He's never been good for the Giants. Secondly, to keep trotting Benitez out there is one of the worst moves I've ever seen a manager make. He has got to go after this season is done as well. He’s old and dry and boring. He never argues calls. He’s got to light a fire. I don’t think he is getting the most out of his players.
Anyway, the point is this: Since the All Star Break (and really the whole season), the Giants have been little more than a tease. The highpoint was after they had beaten the Padres 3 in a row and had taken over 1st place. They were all ready to win the 4th game and sweep, and then embark on a week of games against the worst teams in the NL. But then Benitez blew the save and they immediately transitioned into the lowpoint: a 9 game losing streak...against the worst teams in the NL.
But hey, they're not out of it.
The season can be summed up nicely, if I may steal from KNBR's Damon Bruce's show last night: Giants baseball - brought to you by Purgatory. Not Heaven. Not Hell. Just sort of.....who the hell knows. It's late August, and still we are saying, "wait and see." The criticle stretch of 19 games in a row against only division opponents that was supposed to show us what the Giants were made of, one way or the other, just ended. The results? 10-9. What does that tell us? Just about nothing. The stretch featured both a 5 game losing streak, for which afterwards the Giants were "done for," and then a 5 game win streak, which put them "right back in it." Currently they reside at the bottom of the NL West, which is the definition of mediocre. No team that scares you, no team that is absolutely horrible. 4.5 games out - certainly doable. If their starting pitching continues to shine, the bats pick it up a bit, and something is done about the closer situation, this team could make the playoffs.
Therein lies the problem, however. I've already seen the Giants in the playoffs. I've already seen them in the World Series. I want to see them WIN. And barring multiple miracles, this team is not a world champion team. I just don't see them getting past the Mets and whoever the AL team is (most likely the Yankees, White Sox, or Tigers. I doubt the A's or Angles would make it past the divisional series, and the Red Sox, who scare me, probably wont make the playoffs). There are just so many flaws to this Giants team. They are very old, and very slow. They have not hit in the clutch. Barry Bonds is about 1/5 the player he used to be. Steve Finley and Randy Winn are performing below expectations. Moises Alou is hurt all the time. The bullpen sucks.
Speaking of which, Armondo Benitez is quickly climbing the ladder of Bad Giants (see a future post for a definition and list of Good and Bad Giants). Saving two thirds of save opportunities does not cut it as a closer, especially when you are getting paid like 7 million dollars. And, to add insult (literally) to injury (figuratively), the comments he has made are justification for him to get drowned in McCovey Cove. "I did my job" after a blown save? (in reference to Ray Durham misplaying a ground ball). "We're running like babies" after a blown save? (in reference to Steve Finley slipping on the basepaths). Come on, Armondo. Take responsibility for the fact that you put a fastball down Main Street on an 0-2 count. We know you've "been on better teams than this," but that doesn't mean you are better than the team. In fact, you are quite worse. If you actually had actually earned your money this year, the Giants would probably be in first place.
And I have to say I don't like the way the Giants have handled the situation. The only good thing about a Benitez blown save is the fact that I can hear Ralph Barbieri (my favorite KNBR personality) rant about him. His interviews with Brian Sabean are priceless and spot on. Sabean answers the questions about Benitez in a diplomatic way, which is all you would expect, but that does not mean the situation cannot be dealt with. Yes, the team has a lot of flaws. That doesn't mean you shouldn't deal with the most glaring one. And what's crazy is that Ralph's worst fears have been realized, exactly how he said it would happen. Benitez accidently successfully saves a couple games, and Felipe Alou says "we've got our guy for the 9th inning back." WHAT? First of all, back to what? He's never been good for the Giants. Secondly, to keep trotting Benitez out there is one of the worst moves I've ever seen a manager make. He has got to go after this season is done as well. He’s old and dry and boring. He never argues calls. He’s got to light a fire. I don’t think he is getting the most out of his players.
Anyway, the point is this: Since the All Star Break (and really the whole season), the Giants have been little more than a tease. The highpoint was after they had beaten the Padres 3 in a row and had taken over 1st place. They were all ready to win the 4th game and sweep, and then embark on a week of games against the worst teams in the NL. But then Benitez blew the save and they immediately transitioned into the lowpoint: a 9 game losing streak...against the worst teams in the NL.
But hey, they're not out of it.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Intro
Well, I now have a blog. I set this up only so I could post comments on other blogs, namely the Giants one found at http://tampabaygiants.com/, created by Sam and I guess Brad.
You may see an origional post here or there, if I think something is worth mentioning, or if I come up with something that I think is funny. Probably what will happen is I'll be into it for a while, and post all sorts of shit that I believe to be funny/newsworthy/witty/something I want to rant about. Then I will realize that nobody reads this thing, and posts will drop off exponentially. Then again, I just saw something on facebook where you can direct your blog right into your facebook account. So maybe people will see it. Who knows.
If you are not a Giants fan, you might be confused as to what the hell the title of this blog is about. It is in reference to then Giants right-fielder Jose Cruz Jr dropping a routine flyball late in the decisive game of the 2003 divisional playoffs against the Marlins. The error ultimately cost the Giants the game, and hence their eventual World Series title. A somewhat frustrating end to a 100 win season in which they were not for one day out of first place.
Oh yea, and this happened a year after they blew the previous World Series by coughing up a 5 run lead in the 7th inning of Game 6. So you can see why I was a tad bit upset with Jose Cruz Jr.
You may see an origional post here or there, if I think something is worth mentioning, or if I come up with something that I think is funny. Probably what will happen is I'll be into it for a while, and post all sorts of shit that I believe to be funny/newsworthy/witty/something I want to rant about. Then I will realize that nobody reads this thing, and posts will drop off exponentially. Then again, I just saw something on facebook where you can direct your blog right into your facebook account. So maybe people will see it. Who knows.
If you are not a Giants fan, you might be confused as to what the hell the title of this blog is about. It is in reference to then Giants right-fielder Jose Cruz Jr dropping a routine flyball late in the decisive game of the 2003 divisional playoffs against the Marlins. The error ultimately cost the Giants the game, and hence their eventual World Series title. A somewhat frustrating end to a 100 win season in which they were not for one day out of first place.
Oh yea, and this happened a year after they blew the previous World Series by coughing up a 5 run lead in the 7th inning of Game 6. So you can see why I was a tad bit upset with Jose Cruz Jr.
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