The Bo Sox fans have some strange loyalty! Hats inside out.....saw that alot until top of the ninth and then Jr. Ortiz came up to bat and *The Hammer* got him to ground out weakly right to first base (Ortiz didn't even run it out) Pittsburgh does not like that, and they booed him, BUT, the bo sox fans took their shirts off, turned them inside out and put them back on!!! We've never seen that before and many Pirate fans were High fiving each other after that. LOL!!!

At the beginning of the game, they announced Tim Wakefields name, and the whole place errupted with applause. The last time he played for us, was the last time we had a winning season. He looked the same (just a little fat around the middle) And, for the record, last night was the largest crowd ever at PNC park. It was a great game, and alot of fun.

They sold an unbelievable amount of standing room only seats. We had three Bo sox fan's standing right behind our box seats. So my sweetie and I shared our seats, you know, rotated thru (it was a Dad, a teen about 14 and another one 11 or 12) and the younger guy knew his baseball. (as do I) so I was having alot of fun with him and we didn't mind sharing the seats, gave everyone a chance to stand, sit....blah blah blah....anyhow, the Dad bought us Ice Cream Cones (for being nice) I haven't had ice cream in ages, as I don't eat like that, but let me tell you.......that just may be part of my baseball experience! However, the sugar (and the adrenaline) kept me awake half the night, and alarm Kat wanted me up at 5.......(yawn) getting ready to go to game three.......trying to pick out what broom to take! (lol) ~Lets' Go Pirates~ (and don't take those Philly's lightly, they are GOOD!)

Ain't basebal grand!?

Sometimes I just need a break from seriousness in life.

Yes, you beat us on two errors, a pop fly tag up and a fielders choice. Thats how all four of your runs were scored. But, as is the case in baseball. The better team prevailed. You guys also had 2 errors. And left 8 runners on base. It could have been much worse. We'll take two out of three from one of the best teams in baseball. Your fan's pumped 4 million dollars into our economy in three days (thank you for that) tickets, hotel rooms, parking, eating out, buying things ect... and I found every one I came in contact with to be genuinely nice people who, just like me, love baseball.

I completely missed what happened to Tabata. Your pitcher came off the mound to field the ball, and the third baseman came over and somehow their legs became entangled and they layed motionless on the field. Then I looked over at first, when I saw Hurdle running out and saw Tabata laying
on the field. They gave us an update, it's a quad related injury.

We got another catcher (?) This was a super weekend, if you love baseball. Sold out on a Sunday!. I don't think that has happened in 10 years.

Alarm Kat is sleeping. I think I am going to go to bed too. We head to Toronto and I will be Jonesing it for baseball, as they are away until the fourth of july. No inside out Shirts today!......(and no ice cream)

I believe it is. Thats why they call it Americas favorite past time!

We swept the Indians!! WOOT!! On another winning streak, but damn, we need some consistent hitting. Every game is a 1 or 2 run win only.

I love this thread- I'm starting to watch for other team stats and learn about other players, etc. that the rest of you are posting about so I can follow your team's standings. This will come in handy following the All Stars game and the play-offs. I'll have other teams to root for if the Giants don't end up back in.

OK, so I need to follow the Pirates, the Tigers, and the Red Sox for sure.... and study them up! Hey, as the play-offs get closer, other members will be posting (yanno, not the "real" baseball fanatics, ;?), those that don't follow the game all season) and I will have some savy about these other teams earlier on!!! Great! I really miss both my parents, one sister and my brother that I talked, maybe "lived" baseball with as a kid and young adulthood. Baseball loving family from way back.

Kind of fun that my older sister has actually gotten interested in it the last couple of years as she was never into any kind of athletics, to participate in or follow ever even within our family of sports nuts. Too bad she doesn't live close- but she and her husband have started going to AZ in the winter (they are in their 70s & 80's) and go to watch Spring training, so she has become interested. Cracks me up because our parents in retirement loved taking off in their truck and travel trailer to AZ every year to follow teams in Spring training as well as fish along the way at camping/RV areas- especially any near casinos!!

Yup, Corkey, America's favorite pastime!! You, betcha'!!!

[QUOTE=AtLastHome;366608]We swept the Indians!! WOOT!!

The Indians are my second favorite team.....That Bumgarner took us all by surprise with 11 K's. I never heard of him before last week, when he pitched 2/3 of an inning and gave up what (?) 9 hits/8 runs. Sorry for my Indians. They also are a small market team, with a low payroll and nothing great about them, just fundamental baseball. They started out very well, and now....they are struggeling. They had 16 strike outs. I think that is a major problem!

I hate to say it Atlast, I really stopped paying attention to the Giants because of Barry-Roid-Bonds. He disgraced baseball. Just my opinion. (also a former pirate)

[quote=Yellow band;366610]Oh, Bumgarner's mess with that twins game was a very unusual game for him. Poor guy. He is quite a pitcher all around. Even Lincecum went through a slump for awhile- all players do. I was glad to see Bumgarner get his stuff back- Isshhh... the Twins in that game hit everything he threw!! My jaw dropped to the floor because I have followed him (rookie last year and a big part of the Giants winning the WS).

Oh, Bonds was hard to take as a long time Giants fan. Yes, he disgraced the team and the game. Still is as far as I'm concerned. I do remember him early on when he first started out, but he became a primadonna fast and then the steroids. I guess it is kind of like die-hard Reds fans and dealing with Pete Rose- the team is not one player. I could smack Bonds and when he is at a home game, I wish they didn't even put him on the camera.

I have been watching the Giants since they arrived in SF in the 1950's (yup, I was 7 or 8 when they moved here from NY= my parents courted by going to see them back in new York before that). Been with them through thick and thin and Bonds and won't leave them due to one ass.

Probably the most rewarding thing about the team since Bonds left is that it is a team again, no stand out stars really. I love that about them even though there are a few players that I guess are top in the entire league- but there are those players on every team. It made my heart fly to see a bunch of scruffy guys out there last year working together, none of which was a super star and playing together. many are still on the team, but not all. But, the "style" of the ball club is very much post-Bonds and "lets not let the Bonds era take us down." There is a lot of sensitivity about him here and what he did and the pandering to his conceited, superficial self. I guess as an earlier player, the guy did have talent, but I remember him looking like he only needed to hit home runs and that was it. The guy moved like a snail in the out field and at times it looked like he felt like he didn't have to do his job other than hit balls and that he was the only reason the Giants ever won a game. The guy was good enough to be a great hitter actually without steroids- and look at all of the "star" players throughout the MLB that have been nailed for using them. Thinking of Mike McGwire, too. It is sad, but bonds is not the only one.
I never thought his defensive play was all that great.

I hate having my team associated with Bonds but have to remember other greats that were nothing like him like Willie Mays, Will Clark, Urebe, Willie McCovey, and Juan Marichal to name a few.

Gotta stick with my team, but there are some other players out there on other teams that I love to watch, too.

[quote=AtLastHome;366632]A very public moment in Pittsburgh was the spring training confrontation Jim Leyland had with Bonds, as you said *primadonna* and Leyland got in his face and screamed *I'm tired of kissing your ass* Bonds was traded at the end of that season. Mark McGuire, even more disgusting than Barry- Roid, is in a coaching position some where in baseball. After being on television and adamently denying any involvement of steroid use.......I was also very turned off on Baseball after the *strike*, it took years for it, (the sport) to recover from that.

We have a very young and extremely talented center fielder named Andrew McCutchen. Last I looked, he wasn't in the running for the All star Bid, and thats a shame, as he is outstanding. He runs, Bats and throws. Some have said he is a reminder of a young Barry Bonds......I hate to say being good, when he was young (barry-roid) went to his head.....but will end on a pun. Did you ever notice the disproportionate size of his head near the end of his playing days?

my cubs beat the rockies today...7-3. taking on the giants tomorrow.

I'll be watching!

You are right on. The "talent v. substances" question will always cloud any achievement players like Bonds have. Really sad when you think about all the players, old and new that are so good at playing and really work hard to play their best.

I so agree about some of the new guys out there. Weeks is going to be a good one I think, too. He not only has speed, he has hands! Seems comfortable out there and yes, he might be one of the greats in progress. I like it that he and one of my other favorite rookies, Crawford are both with Bay Area teams. I'll be able to watch them a lot.

Although, I'm a die-hard Giants fan, I miss Tony La Russa as the A's manager here. He is just a good human being. His support for his daughter and standing up about date rape a few years ago, plus his work for shelter animals puts him in my way good guy column.

The giant organization this season during Pride Month has also backed the Glenn Burke story of being a gay player (as well as POC). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...rke/index.html. Kudos to the organization!

Hey- who are some of the other rookie year players that interest us? It would be fun to see who other posters are watching.

[quote=Yellow band;366668]Yes, Bonds really stands out when you see footage of him pre-roids. I did see him play in SF then a few times at the park and later- why the hell his use didn't get discussed much earlier is amazing. I just hope the hell that he (and many others) didn't mess up their hearts and we hear of early deaths.

Mainly, I want to see the raw talent and love of the game for the game out there. Baseball is really a game of athletic ability and strategy that takes brains to be good at it. I really appreciate watching how managers know their guy's strengths and how and when to use this on the field to try and score or defend.

As Kobi said, younger No Named guys are coming up and displaying talent. I'm enjoying the shock factor of it. Also, baseball seems to be going to the seasoned Managers....The names elude me right now, but the Washington Nationals manager who gave the team a half a day to resign his contract (and they did not) and then they brought in Oldie, but Goodie. I agree, again (good points Atlast) we are seeing stratagies become part of the game again and it not be the roid filled home run ball. I'm wondering when and if Jose Bautista has been tested.....(?) from a career nothing to a something......(? Hmmmm) No baseball for me . To be honest, I'm still recovering from my big week end. I have not had so much fun as a Pirate fan, since, well the 70's, when we were winning all the time. And I enjoyed those games with my Dad. Funny, waving my broom around on Sunday, SO reminded me of WHO I got my passion for baseball from!

Cubs v. Giants in 54 minutes.... :hangloose:

It is raining hard here today, so I am glad SF is not playing at home. Guess I better check the pre-game show and see what the wheather is like in Chicago! Hummm... do they have a dome field?

I know, I'm an idiot! I thought after I posted then logged off- "Wait! They have Wrigley Field!!!" As soon as I tuned into the second game yesterday, I remembered the wonderful ivy walls and those "roof" seats are something. I am having such a good time being able to see away games on TV this season.

WOW, the Giants hit yesterday! And Zito's return on the mound after injury was a great start for him.

Ah, yes! Pineda of the Mainers is a rookie to watch along with Weeks of the A's! Nt favorite SF rookie, Brandon Crawford (SS) got some hitting going yesterday. He is the Giants rookie that came up after Fontenot got hurt. Again, he demonstrated keen skill defensively, but he has work to do with at bats. He started his very first ML at bat with a Grand Slam last month! First pitch. Then did some very consistent hitting until a couple of weeks ago. But the last 3 games he has improved. Hope this continues. Kind of a cute thing that happened at his first home game for SF was that his Mom caught one of his foul balls! He is a local kid and his folks and sisters come to all the home games- been SF fans forever as well as high school friends coming to root for their "hero." A few were even in Chicago yesterday. Makes it more fun.

When we play the Mets, Nationals and Atlanta, I will zero in on the guys you list. The Mets are coming up soon here at home. And I am looking foreward to seeing the Tigers after we finish up with the Cubs. They are tearing things up this year. I think they will give my Giants a run for it.

I'm trying to get my 2 nephews that live in the San Jose area to come up for a game in SF again soon. Even though you see much more on TV, I do love the feel of going to the ball park. AT & T is a really fun park to go to and has easy acess via public transit for me from here in the East Bay.

A true baseball lovers game!
 

Whoa! My Giants lost to the Cubs (2-1) in one of the best games ever. Both pitchers were phenomenal (Lincecum v. Dempster as starters) and some great defensive plays as well as keen strategies by both managers. It really was a baseball fan's lovers game!

One more tomorrow in the series then SF goes to play the Tigers Thinking Hack will have some things to say about that series. I am anxious about this series as the Tigers are very strong- might well see some deficits (like hitting) the Giants have really show up while playing them.

does anyone know when the All Star rosters will be publicized? I'm getting more excited about it- ought to be terrific!

If you like management strategy, you'll love the Tigers. Jim Leyland and Gene Lamont are two of the best in the league in my opinion. Interleague play brought the Tigers here, otherwise I wouldn't see much of them.

I hope they never take interleague play away. However, the coaches don't care for it. Enjoy!!

LOL!!!

I do enjoy seeing the AL teams, too, but I get what you are saying. I wish could get more Red Sox games, they are my fav AL team. Don't like the A's all that much- probably because I'm a SF fan here in N CA.

my cubs are on a winning streak...they beat the giants 2-1 yesterday and 5-2 today.

Phooey!! Nah- they played well against my guys.

Philly, just like the Bo Sox, is sold out every game. They have been a very good team for an awful long time.

I was unable to stay awake until the end of the Pirates Vs.Toronto game. Again, we took the series, but not a sweep. We get the Astros at home beginning 4th of July and then the Cubs, before the All Star break.

HA HA.....The pirates have a hard enough time getting their own fans to go to baseball games, let alone to endorse any products.

Tonight there is a good match up. Cleveland and Cincinnati. I saw on sports net Gary Sizemore had a nasty collision with the outfield wall on Wednesday. He stayed in the game. I'm sure he felt the effects of it yesterday. They were off last night. Cleveland will need his with the Reds.

Who is hosting the all star game this year? I hate to admit it, I don't even know.

2011 All Star game update
 

Voting for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game ended Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET. When the polls re-open, it will be to allow fans to choose the final All-Star for the American League and National League teams.

The full rosters, minus the 34th player for each squad, will be announced this Sunday at noon ET on TBS. In addition to the starters, who are voted on by the fans, the pitchers and reserves will be chosen by the players and All-Star managers (Bruce Bochy in the NL and Ron Washington in the AL).


Alex Rodriguez is one of five Yankees who were the leading vote-getter at his position after the final update to voting. (AP photo)In the final update before the polls closed, the leading vote-getters in the AL were: Russell Martin at catcher, Adrian Gonzalez at first base, Robinson Cano at second base, Alex Rodriguez at third base, Derek Jeter at shortstop, David Ortiz at DH and Jose Bautista, Curtis Granderson and Josh Hamilton in the outfield.

In the NL, the leaders were: Brian McCann at catcher, Albert Pujols at first base, Rickie Weeks at second base, Placido Polanco at third base, Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop and Ryan Braun, Lance Berkman and Matt Holliday in the outfield. Because Pujols is injured, he will miss the game.

The 82nd All-Star Game will be played July 12 at the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field.

Have to agree on both 1 & 2! The Giants (and the A's- both here in the Bay Area of CA) have "Official" everything!! All of the ball park give-a-ways have logos of sponsors on them. Although, they do hand out some pretty kewl stuff especially for kids and I like that because it is so damn expensive for families to go to a game these days.

Something that has always bothered me is that our park is AT&T park- I know it has to do with finances, but it was built about 10 years ago and is really great and I wish it had a name from baseball, not a huge corporation. The park was designed well and located well for public transportation and even getting in and out of SF easily. It is nice looking and incorporates many of what makes the great old parks so beautiful like red brick plus has nice walkways along the waterfront for all to enjoy- not just baseball goers. Not a bad seat in the place, really- so you can see everything well even if you are in the "cheap seats." But I keep thinking that parks like Fenway & Wrigley just sound like baseball!

All of SF's home games have sold out this season- and actually have for a few years since the new park was built. Yes, winning the WS is part of it, but SF is a baseball city. It does have working class immigrant roots historically that were more about fishing and the docks. And there is also the move back in the 50's from NY that drew a lot of people that did the "go west" thing for economic opportunities.

You know, I would really like to own Ken Burn's history of the game as well as his series on the "Negro League." The game is far more than a sport- really is.

Yes, SF is playing all divisional teams the last month. I think it is like this across the MLB for all the pre- play off excitement between rivals.

OK, I am nervous about SF and the Tigers tonight- they just don't have any consistency with hitting and I think this is what will continue to give us grief. Yeah- SF has fantastic pitchers and some great defensive players, but, the teams that I think will get to the WS have some bats, too!

I'm stocked that Bochy is going to manage the NL All Stars- he is quite the strategist. Doesn't look like we will have anyone on the NL roster except pitchers. Posey & Sanchez are injured and they might have made it.

Pirates lost to the National 2 to 1......

But I was more interested in Cleveland and Cincinnati....The Indians kicked the reds butts!

Yay me. The reds are in our Division, and The Indians are my Second favorite team in baseball, and helps me stay connected to AL baseball.

Gary Sizemore is one tough cookie. After that collision into the wall Wednesday, he had 2 hits, for two runs and two RBI's. I was shocked he even played. (maybe the days of the winers are fading away too)Sizemore had a homer and a double. Two good at bats.

Phillies put Madson on the 15 day list. His wrist and hand are pretty baddly bruised.

Thanks for the all star info Kobi. Once again, the Pirates were snubbed. No pirates selected. We have a couple that should have been. While I largely agree, this year the teams DO look like they have position players with skill (less popularity)......now one pirate will be selected by default.
Exhale.....maybe next year.

I have to check on Lyle overpaid. See what he's been doing. The trade rumors are heating up with all of our injuries, everyone thats been called up from the minors is doing pretty well. OVERPAID needs to go. But I guess he gets that 5 million GTD.

A nail biter game yesterday in Detroit. SF won! I could have done without Brian Wilson's tantrum! Can't be the closing hero all the time, Brian!

Pirates beat the Nationals 5 to 3. So Our Short Stop sufferred a concussion last night. Ronnie Cedeno. Someone kicked him in the head at a play at second. He's on the 7 day disabled list. Sound odd? He is the first player to utilize this 7 day disabled list since it was put into effect. It is for concussions only (and is mandatory, if it's a concussion, you sit for seven)

Alot of haters in this town when it comes to Cedeno. Still mad that we didn't keep Jack Wilson I'm guessing. I don't think Ronnie is that bad. (please, with overpaid over on the corner,,,uuugh)

So what was up with that temper tantrum from 6 foot 11 relief pitcher Jon Rauch? (Philles and Toronto) the pitcher was being restrained by his manager and had his shirt torn off in doing so.....I guess he was challenging the umpire......Wow, jealous that the home town fans are still liking Halladay?

No baseball on my networks. It was Tennis (which I chose) or golf.....no thanks.

i am sad to report that my cubs have dropped 2 games to the white sox. they play again tomorrow.

I caught some of Wimbeldon this year and was glad to see Serena back out there. but, the woman that won sure played great! It is nice to see all the new players coming up. I have been so glued to baseball, I haven't followed tennis as much as usual. I played in college and started to play at age 4. But was not welcome on the snooty courts/tennis club because of my Dad being a garbage collector and an immigrant. But, my folks fought the snoots and I was able to take lessons. LOL... at 7 I started to compete and had a powerful serve for a kid and boy, did I ever enjoy smashing aces at all the WASP girls that had doctors, lawyers, archetects for fathers! It is a great game, but has a very classist and racist history. One reason I have really enjoyed the williams sisters- and the fact that they are also highly skilled women players.

Hey, it looks like the Indians have been back in the game! Hell, the took SF in their recent series a couple of games.

Yeah, that outnurst by Raush (sp?) was something! I think he was pissed because of a couple of pitches that were called balls. And the night before Brian Wilson's tantrum bugged me. I love him but thought it was childish.

Whoa- the Giants routed the Tigers yesterday, 15-2!!! Our bats were humming! Honestly, I thought SF would not really beat Detroit except for maybe 1 game. Couldn't believe the hitting, every strter had a hit and Tejada hit a grand slam. Plus Crawford hit a 3 run homer. Maybe my favorite rookie has found his bat!!!

They continued right on hitting after the 2 hour rain delay after the 3rd. But, I bet the Tigers come back with a vengence today.

So strange to see SF with that many runs, they are dead last in offense in the entire league!

The A's lost, but Jamile Weeks continues to be hitting well as a rookie. I think that kid is on his way to being one great ball player.

slight derail/will return to baseball
 

Just like you, I was a little bit before title nine. I always loved tennis and tennis courts were few and far between. My Dad, (I love that he was kid who never grew up) used to take me to a warehouse on the week ends and using chalk, he'd chalk off half a court on the asphalt (he'd measure it)
and I would hit the ball against the warehouse wall. He'd run around and retrieve all of my errant balls. He knew nothing about tennis. As I got older, and still loved everything tennis, two tennis courts were built not too far from our house and he'd take me, and he'd stand on the other side of the net and toss me balls. Because he was a fierce competitor, those balls were not tossed right to me, i had to run and actually work to return a volley. Finally, when I was a Junior in High school. Tennis courts were layed and I made the tennis team, turned out I was pretty good! All from my basterdsized training from my dad. I still play occasionally. It's hard to find someone who likes to play. I love what the Williams' sisters have brought to tennis. Tremendous athletes, both of them.

Back to baseball. Here we are, almost at half way baseball mark and the Pirates are 2 1/2 out of first place. Thank you cleveland for continuing to beat down those reds! Because I love the battery of baseball (pitching and catching) I tend to be a little myoptic with the pitchers. The poor AL pitchers having to bat and oh my goodness, RUN, is just pittiful.....Cleveland lost Fausto Carmona as he was running to first and he tripped over his own two feet, did a belly flop and had to be removed....(sorry, I had to giggle) Baserunning is such an important part of the game and the AL and the DH makes it a bit harder for us National leaguers to get that part of the game being remiss. (You may recall, how we Booed Ortiz for not running out a weakly hit ground ball to first ~Bo Sox~) well, again DH. And then seeing the Indians pitcher who couldn't bat and then couldn't run....can anyone tell me why AL games are almost an hour longer than NL games on average?

Go Pirates! It's so good to not be the basement Bucs!

No, the Pirates are NOT in the cellar!! They are in good position at this point in the season.

I'm having fun with looking at other teams that posters have an interest in.

Oh, yes, the AL and the DH!!! I am glad SF will be finished with inter-league series as of tomorrow.

Oh that bae runner "fall" was rather funny- hope he didn't get hurt, though. One pitcher that is not a terrible hitter is Ryan Voglesong (pitching today against the Tigers)- he is a very good bunter, too. Now, he is no slugger, but, at least when he is up, I don't have that "Ugh, the pitcher is up" during times in games when a hit/ sac-bunt is needed! One of the worse is Tim Lincecum and I hate that it is so- he is one of my favorite pitchers and plays the game with heart.

Hummm... I am kind of bummed that during the SF v Detroit series that I didn't/won't see Verlander throw- he is something.

Did anyone see the Padres and Mariners? Maybin walked after only three balls, which set them up nicely for their only run during the game. Very disappointing but really the Mariners haven't been great for a while and I am not a fair weather fan with any of my teams, really.
The Red Sox aren't where I'd like them to be but they won a great game against the Astros. Still not used to all this Interleague play!
Can't really complain with Cleveland right now, either. Although I live closer to Cincy, I grew up with the AL and can't really get into NL teams although I keep an eye on Joey Votto I really like him.
Who's looking forward to the All-Star game? The home run derby is my favorite part to watch.

I ain't happy!
 

[QUOTE=AtLastHome;370932

Whoa- the Giants routed the Tigers yesterday, 15-2!!! Our bats were humming! Honestly, I thought SF would not really beat Detroit except for maybe 1 game. Couldn't believe the hitting, every strter had a hit and Tejada hit a grand slam. Plus Crawford hit a 3 run homer. Maybe my favorite rookie has found his bat!!!

They continued right on hitting after the 2 hour rain delay after the 3rd. But, I bet the Tigers come back with a vengence today.

So strange to see SF with that many runs, they are dead last in offense in the entire league!


The tigers have more in Coaches than they do in players. No great Pitchers and no great hitters. They are also a streaky team. I love Jim Leyland. He'll prepare his team to come and play......

I have been checking out your guy Bumgarner, since admittingly, i never heard of him before the Twins fiasco. He is on *fire*!. He averages 10 strike outs per game with only one walk......wow. How is it that I never have heard of him (loving pitchers as I do)........


ETA: The Giants and Tigers are on Fox today. If it rains here (and it is looking like it will) I'll watch that game. I'm liking this thread more and more. Wish would hear from more baseball junkies!