Five Questions with McCovey Chronicles
by WholeCamels on Oct 14, 2010 7:01 AM EDT
Email
PrintYeah, so we did the Five Questions thing with the rival SBNation blog. This time, we welcome Grant from the one and only McCovey Chronicles. You can find my answers to his questions here. Below, good stuff. Thanks, Grant, and best of luck! And by that I mean I hope the Giants lose.
1. Thank you for dispatching the Braves, the most vile franchise in MLB. What were the Giants' NLDS keys to victory?
Bunting. They bunted well. They hit behind the runner well. The #2 hitter took a pitch to allow the leadoff hitter a chance to steal, and even though the leadoff hitter never did steal, that's why the Giants won.
Also, the Giants' starting pitching allowed three earned runs in 29 innings over four games. Also, also, a journeyman utility player was forced to play a position he wasn't adept at, and he made bushels of errors. Also, also, also, Cody Ross was not Jose Guillen.
2. With all of the to-do about the Phillies frontline rotation of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels, the Giants' daunting top three of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez stacks up pretty well. How do you think the team's rotations can exploit the opposing lineups?
If the Phillies pitchers are able to throw either pitches in the strike zone or pitches out of the strike zone,they'll have a pretty good chance at getting the Giants to flail. If the Phillies pitchers throw pitches that are neither in nor out of the strike zone, instead existing in a limbo-like state called antarabhāva, the Giants will have a shot, probably because that sort of nonsense is against the rules.
The Giants have problems with quality sliders and changeups. They're not exactly unique in that regard, but it sure seems that they have more of a problem with offspeed stuff than other teams.
It's hard to know how the Giants' three will exploit the Phillies because it's totally dependent on what is working for them that night. If Lincecum is commanding his slider, he'll throw it often in strikeout counts. If he doesn't have the command of his slider, he'll stick to his changeup. It all depends, which is kind of how it is for every pitcher, I guess. They'll have specific game plans for attacking Phillies hitters in mind, but I couldn't guess at what those would be. Maybe Lincecum's dossier on Ryan Howard is just a sheet of paper with "Be left-handed" written in 29-point comic sans.
3. Tim Lincecum had something of a "Lost Weekend" in August 2010. Just from glancing at the numbers it looks like his walks and home runs allowed were up, a recipe for failure. What was wrong, and how did he (evidently) right himself?
His mechanics were off, which lead to poor velocity and command. It was a bad combination. I have absolutely no idea how he rediscovered his stuff, but his velocity is back up to 90-94, his changeup is one of the best pitches in baseball again, and he picked up a new, awesome slider just because he could.
4. A lot has been made about how Buster Posey's arrival changed the whole look of the Giants' lineup. While this is obviously true (of course a new hitter is going to make the lineup "look different"), I'm wondering if you have any thoughts as to if/how his presence affects the rest of the team's hitters.
Before: A cleanup hitter who didn't work counts, didn't hit for power, and couldn't score from second on a single.
After: A cleanup hitter who worked counts, hit for power, and had below-average speed instead of tar-pit speed.
It was a philosophical shift, in a way. The Giants really thought Bengie Molina was an adequate hitter last year because of a dozen home runs and some RBI. So it was refreshing to watch a player who was actually good in the cleanup spot.
5. Pat Burrell: Legend? (Consider this an open essay question, worth 50% of your final grade)
Pat Burrell slept with my wife and put a cigarette out on my cat. I didn't get a chance to thank him, but I did get a chance the next day to clean up his empty bottles and drink whatever was left. It was awesome.
86 comments
|
3 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Outstanding! I like this, Grant, fellow.
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Oct 14, 2010 8:01 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think he was joking that Burrell mounted his wife and ashtrayed his cat…
by Boundforbeach on Oct 14, 2010 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I am curious as to the order in which these events occurred…
"I tried to run him over but Eli had his big boy pads on and he kind of stopped me from getting in the end zone. The next time I’ll try to jump over his head.’’ - Asante Samuel
by foos05 on Oct 14, 2010 9:23 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think its best not to ask that question. Sometimes, knowing makes something awesome less special. Part of the awesome is in the mystery…
Let the beasting begin.
by TransplantedFan on Oct 14, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I suspect that there’s some sort of Burrell equivalency going on there at some level.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
If the Phillies lose the NLCS, remind me to go back and read Grant’s answer to question 4. It may take a while, but it’s answers like this that will help me rediscover laughter in the world.
by Wet Luzinski on Oct 14, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
and by question 4, I meant “question 5.” Tricky, no?
by Wet Luzinski on Oct 15, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Giants fan here
We think he’s an OK guy as well.
"Yo Paul, if it hurts, don't swing." - Mike Krukow
Zito: 7 Yrs $126 Million
6 Pack of beer and a month of TV: $70
Sitting down to watch Zito Strike out Helton looking on a Curve four times: Priceless
I don’t totally agree with the first question, I think the Mets are a slightly more vile franchise (and far, far more pathetic).
You're both wrong
The Dodgers are the most vile franchise.
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
by 49er16 on Oct 14, 2010 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I don’t hate the Mets as much as I used to. And I will say that I actually really like Amazin Avenue and I think it is a great blog with some genuinely funny commenters.
Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will.
Yeah, I think I hate the Mets less than I used to because of how good Amazin’ Avenue is. Talking Chop, OTOH, made my hatred of the Braves increase many-fold.
by ThinMountainAir on Oct 14, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
These guys make it so hard to hate their team. Actually, the Giants, post Bonds instantly became my second favorite team in the NL. Which is odd because I generally dislike most California teams. (totally irrational). Regardless of all of that, I hope the Phillies destroy them.
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
by EREX21 on Oct 14, 2010 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The Giants with Bonds were my favorite non-Phillies franchise. I still like them because of the afterglow he still radiates on the franchise. And because of Burrell.
by David S. Cohen on Oct 14, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying I disagree with you, as I don’t know a whole lot about California but why do you say that?
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
It’s very different from Southern California, which is what most non-Californians’ image of the state is. SF and many of the surrounding towns are real cities with downtowns, neighborhoods, public transportation, weather, etc.
LA is hot, dangerous, and smoggy
San Francisco is Mild weather, very rarely burn your feet hot. Relatively clean air, and only dangerous in Tenderloin and Hunter’s Point/Bayview.
LA: South Central, East, all freeways, Compton, Chavez Latrine.
As a Dodger friend of mine put it: “If you’re in LA don’t go to Dodger Stadium if you are wearing anything Giants.”
"Yo Paul, if it hurts, don't swing." - Mike Krukow
Zito: 7 Yrs $126 Million
6 Pack of beer and a month of TV: $70
Sitting down to watch Zito Strike out Helton looking on a Curve four times: Priceless
You mean Southern California isn’t really California…
Overplayed memes:
EASTCOAST BIAS
2002 WS CANCELED
Blue Jays want all our player that we don't utilize correctly
by say hey nation on Oct 14, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
ive live in fremont in the east bay and i always say fuck la
by phillyeaglesfan on Oct 14, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
the south takes what the north delivers!
we got the hills of Beverly!!!
let’s burn the hills of Beverleeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
by perfectdepth on Oct 14, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Two states!
We want two states!
Norht and south!
GROUGTHINK ALERT
"You all are just blinded to reality by your hatred of Armando just as the Bonds haters are." -grm
Rec’d. I can’t dislike the Giants. I can’t dislike their fans (MCC is pretty great). I hope we beat them, and I think we will, but it’s going to be a great series. Hopefully the nice back and forth continues.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
Burrell
I liked the Burrell answer. What it lacked in length (TWSS) and detail, it made up for in wit and vivid imagery. Grade: A
http://www.thegoodphight.com
yes, imagery… The aftermath of a Burrell visit..
by Boundforbeach on Oct 14, 2010 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I did not recognize that as a cigarette in the cat’s mouth. It looked like a blood trail at first. And I was horrified that a beautiful, white kitty (presumably from the Hamels household) had been murdered.
I literally shouted, “MURDERERS!!! OH GOD, THE HUMANITY!!!” And then my assistant poked her head in my office with a quizzical look on her face as if about to say, “What the fuck?” and then she just shrugged and went away, leaving me sobbing under my desk in the fetal position.
I looked again, and all was well, and I laughed.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
According to Fox News: This is Barry Bonds “talking trash” about Philly.
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/sports/mlb/phillies/101410-barry-bonds-trash-talks-about-philly
Really? That’s what you call that?
"You can commit no mistake and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard
Caught a few minutes of the Cataldi show this morning and it was as unbearable as ever. He would bring on guests and then maneuver them into making the logical statement that the Phils were not guaranteed to win the series, and then he would [good-naturedly, to be fair] berate them by saying they were just bending over backwards to invent reasons to go against the home team. He repeatedly suggested that the Phillies had already won the World Series and that playing the games was a formality. He also said there was no contest about Ruiz being superior to Posey, and was dismissive of Lincecum.
That’s sports talk radio for you in a nutshell.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I heard it as well on my hour commute and Cataldi sure seems to be this up for a Negadelphia downfall moment. He completely downplayed the role of randomness/luck in the sport.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Oct 14, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
to be SETTING this up
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Oct 14, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
In fairness to your radio guy, Lincecum allowed some hits this year, and Posey is no Bengie Molina.
When you look at things this way, it’s obvious the dude is right.
History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there.
George Santayana
by Sabean's_Folly on Oct 14, 2010 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked it better when the other team had Broxton. Good times.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Oct 14, 2010 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The really offensive thing here is that this guy is not even a genuine homer. That kind of cheerleading is stupid, but it least it’s innocently stupid in a Ralph Wiggum kind of way. This guy, in contrast, is a total manipulator who’s just trying to set up a “heads I win, tails you lose” scenario in which he can either pose as Superfan if the Phillies win it all or berate the team for “choking” if they don’t. He spends most of his time demonizing various persons affiliated with the Eagles for one dumb reason or another. You may have heard about the field trip of Eagles fans who went to New York in 1997 to boo Donovan McNabb at the draft – this is the guy who was responsible for that.
He also proudly takes credit for driving superstar athletes away from the city on various occasions. He’s an egomaniac.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
I had a chance to see him in person once, courtesy of Novacare suite seats to one of the Red Sox games back in June of 2009. He came in with a small entourage, yelled at Francona from the edge of the box, then tried to hold court while we studiously ignored him. Not even close to the approachable, man-of-the-people that he – every once and awhile – tries to portray.
"Ninety percent of this game is half mental" - Yogi Berra (SI, May 14, 1979)
by bandwagonesque on Oct 14, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
subject
But aren’t we, on this site, sort of local media? Kind of?
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
MAAAAAAANNN!!!
http://www.thegoodphight.com
by WholeCamels on Oct 14, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
A revolution?
Can Cataldi be first against the wall, plz?
Comrades!
"I remember being three and I wanted to be a baseball player, that's all I ever really wanted to be. That and Spider Man." -Raul Ibanez
by Jose and the Contrarians on Oct 14, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The 10 minutes I spent listening to Missanelli this afternoon driving home may cause me to call out stupid tomorrow. Takeaways:
1- Mitch Williams said “the only way you cure a dead arm is pitch through it.” He actually mentioned lactic acid. I wanted to send up a j reed searchlight right then and there.
2 – The extended layoff will be the death of us all.
3 – Anybody seen that 30/30 thing with the Serbs and Croats? We can access human tragedy in a manly way through our sports stars.
by Wet Luzinski on Oct 14, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ll second that big “meh”. Hardly trash talking.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Hardly Not trash talking.
Fixed. Sorry.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
That is dumb.
Overplayed memes:
EASTCOAST BIAS
2002 WS CANCELED
Blue Jays want all our player that we don't utilize correctly
by say hey nation on Oct 14, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I like this part.
In his career, Bonds was known as a poor playoff performer and his teams never won a World Series title.
I giggled. Maybe 2000 and 2003 but 2002 was decent.
S/Ls
NLDS: .294/.409/.824
NLCS: .273/.591/.727
And on the Biggest Stage he played out of his mind
WS: 471/.700/1.294
As every Giants fan knows, Barry wasn’t at fault for 2002, Baker was.
"Yo Paul, if it hurts, don't swing." - Mike Krukow
Zito: 7 Yrs $126 Million
6 Pack of beer and a month of TV: $70
Sitting down to watch Zito Strike out Helton looking on a Curve four times: Priceless
This is amusing. The AJC’s Braves columnist suggests the team is in payroll hell and may have to trade Jurrjens….
And Jurrjens has injury issues.
How were his FIP, K/9, and BB/9? It strikes me that he wasn’t teh awesomeness recently, either.
Re: the prospects, they apparently have cloning tanks pumping out good pitchers. Lakewood has been lucky that NJ-induced mutations have created some good prospects, but I fear the Phillies are relying a little more on gamma radiation and luck than good, sound science.
I fear the Braves’ technology. Atlanta must be destroyed.
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
last three seasons
FIP: 3.59, 3.68, 4.19
xFIP: 3.96, 4.34, 4.47
K/9: 6.64, 6.36, 6.65
BB/9: 3.35, 3.14, 3.25
Pretty consistent. I do think he’s an okay pitcher when healthy, and he should still have some room for improvement since he’s only 24. If his trade value has gotten sufficiently low because of his rough 2010, it might actually be a good idea for the acquiring team as well.
Yeah it’d actually be quite smart to trade Jurrjens now while the bloom still clings to the rose.
http://www.thegoodphight.com
by WholeCamels on Oct 14, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Using the same theory, I bet the Phillies could still trade Ibanez in the off-season, right? Right?
Remember the Phitans
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 14, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
More like deep in the wazoo, in that they’re in low-A or short-season.
by dajafi on Oct 14, 2010 10:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Brian Sabean says
The Giants are always interested in adding yet another aging outfielder.
Giants Front Office....Torture!
by Giant Torture on Oct 14, 2010 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Rowand, Burrell, and Ibanez. Wow. Imagine that.
☸ Do not take the finger for the moon. ☸
by RememberthePhitans on Oct 15, 2010 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions
we would need to invent a new word for awesome.
by Wet Luzinski on Oct 15, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Pat Burrell slept with my wife and put a cigarette out on my cat. I didn’t get a chance to thank him, but I did get a chance the next day to clean up his empty bottles and drink whatever was left. It was awesome.
You come up with new ways to entertain every day, Grant.
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
Yeah Right
We all know that Grant still has that monkey who escaped from NASA do all of his writing for him. From what I hear, the guy has magnets on the side of his computer and only writes with Crayola. Still he’s pretty cool for letting that monkey use his computer, which reminds me, I need to send him some more Crayola.
Giants Front Office....Torture!
by Giant Torture on Oct 14, 2010 8:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha
It was really classy of that Braves poster to go over to their board and tell them all what a bunch of d-bags and a-holes we are and then tell them just to ban us immediately like they do.
Nothing like refusing to listen to alternative viewpoints…
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
Hi, one of Grant's moderators (minions) here
We don’t ban people unless they’re obvious trolls and/or break rules (sexists, racist, honophobic remarks,etc)
We’re not really into “smack talk” but defintely appreciate our opponents views and opinions.
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
In addition to honophobes, we hate homophobes as well
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
Good to hear. The Braves board just bans people who even disagree with them or talk the slightest smack. They don’t do that here and have taken quite a bit of their passive aggressive BS over the last few months.
Lex clavatoris designati rescindenda est.
“Hello, Goofus.”
I saw jct’s “Photoshops” post and you better believe I twitched.
Not a member or affiliated with McCOVEY CHRONICLES in ANY way/shape/form.
Despite all my hoarsely screamed threats SBNation cannot delete them from my profile.
by victor frankenstein on Oct 16, 2010 6:44 AM EDT up reply actions
22Gigantes disagrees, but asks that you visit his site.
Giants Front Office....Torture!
by Giant Torture on Oct 14, 2010 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Those other guys are a bunch of trolls!
Signed, a troll
"Guys, here's 20 wins right here" - Aubrey Huff on his red thong
So… machine then, I guess?
Also, just wanted to say I got quite a chuckle out of some of the responses. Nice work, Grant.
The funny thing about Grant
…is his best work is when he leaves his computer unattended and his boss posts in his name. It’s pretty incoherent and focuses on llamas instead of baseball, but it’s beautiful.
Proudly adopted Aubrey Huff. You can't beat that!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Good Phight
Related FanShots on The Good Phight
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Next Game
Washington Nationals
@
Philadelphia Phillies
Tuesday, May 22, 2012, 7:05 PM EDT
Citizens Bank Park
Jordan Zimmermann vs Roy Halladay
Partly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing out to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70.
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Reds fan catches two home runs in same inning — and then gives both balls away
- Aroldis Chapman arrested after police clock him going 93 mph (in his car) on suspended license
- The Juice: Felix Hernandez bests Yu and the Rangers, Chris Capuano and Dodgers keep rolling
- Giancarlo Stanton busts Marlins Park scoreboard with tape-measure grand slam (VIDEO)
- Baltimore’s tradition of fans shouting ‘O!’ during national anthem sparks interleague feud
