Home Run Derby

A bunch of months ago, we gave a preview of Kosuke Fukudome, who we expect to be the next big Japanese import to Major League Baseball.

Sources say that the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, and San Diego Padres are all interested in Fukudome.

Which could mean he might get the $10-13 million per year that he reportedly wants to cross the Pacific and play in Major League Baseball.

We could talk about his hitting and fielding skills or his August elbow surgery that limited him in Japan’s Central League this year - but we’d rather show you how he behaves when things don’t go his way.

The following video begins as Fukudome has a 3-0 count with two outs.  And then the ump decides to start calling strikes on the outside corner.

Hilarity ensues …

(more…)

It amazes me how completely clueless Baseball Executives can be sometimes.

The Cincinnati Reds hired Dusty Baker to manage their ballclub.

Apparently, GM Wayne Krivsky didn’t do research into Baker’s tenures as a manager or watch ESPN while Dusty was taking up space in the broadcast booth.

To Baker’s credit, he seems to have his best effect on a team in his first year - but his track record plummets after that. We’ll explore three jobs that Baker has had coaching in the Bigs.

• Hitting Coach of the San Francisco Giants (1989-1992)
• Manager of the San Francisco Giants (1993-2002)
• Manager of the Chicago Cubs (2003-2006)

So let’s do some of that, shall we?

(more…)

100 days ago today, authorities found the body of “The Shooter,” Rod Beck.  He had passed away at his home in Arizona at the age of 38. 

He played with passion and was not above talking to fans after the game or outside the trailer he lived in while playing in the minor leagues.

Since Rod Beck played for two 2007 MLB Playoff teams (the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox) and he played for a team that almost made the playoffs (the San Diego Padres) …

Please take a moment with Home Run Derby to remove your caps and observe a moment of silence for The Shooter. 

The following video retrospective is from the fabulous June 25 tribute and moment of silence at the June 25th game between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco …

(more…)

So two weeks ago, we took a stroll into the jewelers and looked at some rings. World Series Championship rings, to be exact. The Ultimate in Baseball Bling.

But I’m kinda cheap. I don’t have the scratch for a World Series Ring. So I asked if there was anything … uh … a little less expensive. You know, maybe some Cubic Zirconia or some Diamonoids or something?

Turns out there is … League Championship Rings! Because for some reason, players get a ring if they lose the World Series.

In reverse order …

2006 - Detroit Tigers

Whoa. That’s pretty sharp.

White Gold with a huge “D” made of Blue Sapphire set on a field of plenty of Diamonds. This piece of bling could easily pass for a World Series Ring.

I think I like this ring more than the Cardinals 2006 World Series Ring.  Then again, the Cardinals’ ring says “World Series Champion” on it.  This one doesn’t.
(more…)

Time for another mascot showdown. Let’s head back to the Critter division, where we’ll match up a Bay Area legend against a big purple dinosaur. 

#2 Crazy Crab (San Francisco Giants) vs #7 Dinger (Colorado Rockies)

(more…)

This week, I’ve been watching the Giants a lot. 

One of the things I noticed was that the San Francisco Giants usually trot out a very -  uh - mature lineup.  The Giants start a lineup which typically averages 36 years of age.

In the Giants regular starting lineup, there’s not a single player under the age of 32.  Five of them are aged 35 or older.  And their utility infielder (Aurilia) is 35 as well.  

Their position players have nearly 100 years of MLB experience under their collective belts almost every time they take the field. 

Sometimes, there’s something to be said for experience … when you’re winning. 

Both the Yankees and Tigers field older starting lineups and they’re both competitive in their respective Divisions and the American League.   The Giants, on the other hand, are a percentage point away from having the worst record in the National League. 

Why?

(more…)

Joe Morgan loves Barry Bonds.

He makes this abundantly clear every time he announces a Giants game. He always has a new interview for that special time before the game when he “catches up” with Barry (it seems more like stalking to me).

Now, there is nothing wrong with this on the surface. It’s fine that Joe has a standing play date every time he’s in San Francisco and that Barry has found a member of the media he doesn’t wish would die a fiery death.

Barry might want to think about this, though, because Joe has gotten quite close to another prominent baseball figure in the past, and that player went on to get banned from baseball. I’m talking, of course, about Joe’s graceful aftershave conversation with Pete Rose in this classic 1979 Aqua Velva commercial.

(more…)

Barry Bonds etched his name on the most hallowed of baseball records last night when he hit career Home Run number 756 …

Whether you like it or not.

And I think that Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, Jr. DESERVED to serve up his career-defining pitch to Bonds … because Bacsik started showboating right before it.  Watch.

(more…)

Barry Bonds was on deck against the Dodgers the other night in his quest to hit Home Run #755.

The game was being nationally televised on ESPN2.

You should always check your zipper before you go to the on-deck circle.