Signs of Life

by The Cheat on May 18, 2008 11:41 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 123 comments

Bizarre.

There's no simpler way to describe Sunday's victory in San Francisco than "bizarre."

It appeared as if the White Sox would be in for a long day, with a good pitcher in Matt Cain on the mound and John Danks representing their only baserunner offensively in the first 4 innings. But Joe Crede's HR in the 5th broke up the no-hitter, and brought the Sox even, if only for a few minutes.

Danks surrendered the lead moments later when a routine groundout to second base turned into anything but routine when the ball took a weird hop off the base itself. When Orlando Cabrera hit the first of his two HR --that's right. OC hit two HR in one game to raise his SLG to .301-- the game started to smell like a Sox victory. But when Danks left, things really started to get interesting.

The back end of the bullpen had been a bit taxed over the Sox 4 game win streak, so Ozzie was forced to go with some unusual choices in order to keep those guys fresh and healthy for the rest of the year. And after all, it was the Giants offense. What could go wrong?

Wassermann. Thornton. Dotel. That's what. The trio combined for 8 baserunners in just three outs, yielding 5 runs after being staked to a 3-run lead. Twice. If not for the fine relief work of Nick Masset, who got the emergency call in the 8th when Dotel loaded the bases, the damage could have been much worse. Masset needed just 4 pitches --or maybe the Giants needed just 4 pitches... It's all perspective-- to wriggle out of the bases loaded, nobody out jam. And it might have been less if not for blown call/poor throw/poor footwork play at second base.

Nick Swisher's bases clearing double will probably grab the morning headlines, but it was Masset's work that truly saved the game. Just for good measure, the offense added 4 runs in the 9th to allow Bobby Jenks a much-needed day off, even if he did have to warm up.

The offense was long overdue to pick up the pitching staff, especially the bullpen, who have grown used to the Sox bats going quiet late in games. You probably could have made some money taking bets that the Sox, who went the first 25 innings of the series with a total of 1 hit with a runner in scoring position, would reach a dozen or more runs after the 4th inning. Likewise, you probably could have made a lot more taking bets on the Giants 8. It was some exciting, truculent baseball.

* * * * *

The Sox come home from their 10-game west coast trip with a 7-3 record and back atop the AL Central standings. I'd say it was a successful trip, if an unimpressive 7-3. Seattle and San Fran aren't exactly playing good baseball, and aside from a couple of brief outbursts, the offense still has major issues. The starting pitching has been impressive, however. And I have to admit that the offense's ability to keep giving the bullpen a lead to blow Sunday made me feel a little better about their future.

I suppose you could spin the trip any way you'd like. I'll chose to point out that the '07 Sox shared a 23-20 record, though they were 4 games back in 3rd place of what appears to have been a much tougher division. This team could still fall on its face, or the pitching could be for real, the offense could get more consistent, and they could march into October.

A year ago at this time, I called the Sox "a lifeless team inexplicably treading water above .500." I can't say the same about this team, which, I think, says a lot about their future.

0 recs | Comment 123 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

"went the first 25 innings of the series with a total of 1 hit with a runner in scoring position"

Wow.

Great stat, Cheat.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 6:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Did Cheat actually mention the Sox and October in the same post?

He put it on the board, yes! Couched, cautioned, hedged, but still…

And why the hell not? It’s been 25 years since they made the playoffs by “Winning Ugly”, and yesterday’s game was reminiscent of ‘83.

My only fear is if they do make it that way, WU will be even more insufferable.

;-)

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 7:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No need to toot the horn if they contrinue to do well -

my sig shows what i think, and if I’m (gladly) wrong I’ll STFU.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did too. But I always do.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this weekend they certainly were winning ugly

Saturday, the offense tried hard to lose the game with the LOB, but the pitching wouldn’t have it. Sunday, the bullpen tried their damnedest to give it away (except Masset, who didn’t get cc’ed on the memo), but the bats disagreed.

Thankfully, we get in the way of ourselves.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

'05 Was Fueled By a Mediocre Homer Happy Offense

And brilliant (and yes, lucky) run prevention. So far ‘08 looks much the same. Every SP (except MB) is pitching at or above reasonable expectations. The bullpen, for the most, has been solid.

I think this team is improved, but I still see the Sox falling short of the 90+ wins it will take to make the playoffs. Still, an exciting summer and some semblance of a pennant race would be great after the disaster of last season. I surmised this team would win around 80 games before the season. I might have to revise that to around 85 now.

by madvillian on May 19, 2008 7:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My gut tells me the defense was considerably better in ‘05 than it seems to have be so far in ‘08. But I haven’t looked at the numbers. Besides, my gut tells me a lot of things.

by vince_ on May 19, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't look now

but the team OPS+ is 101. thank you san francisco.

by larry on May 19, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

With more runs scored than DET

by hitlesswonder on May 19, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they need to figure it out, bite the bullet, buck the collusion, whatever

before the season gets too far away. barry’s only a phone call away for the tigers.

by larry on May 19, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you guys don't have geographical or familial ties

but seeing as I do, I’m starting to feel bad for the Tigers. of course, they still have triple the chance to make the ‘offs according to the PECOTA adjusted report.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

did your geographical or familial compadres

feel bad for you last year?

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they did!

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if someone would have told you before the season started...

that our starters would be this good, that our bullpen would be that consistent, and that we would have more runs scored that the detroit tigers what would you have guessed our record would be right now?

by Sox Fan Louie on May 19, 2008 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good enough to be in first?

by CatBrains on May 19, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weird game yesterday

seems like every time I’d walk out of the room the score would change

by 815Sox on May 19, 2008 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So it was your fault!

by Trooper on May 19, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wierd

That the Sox managed more than 3 runs, yes.

by madvillian on May 19, 2008 9:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is "Z" not working for anyone else?

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Emily Latella

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

working for me right now

Mac OSX 10.4 and Firefox 2.0

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Masset ground-ball clinic

Masset delivered three straight double-play balls.

Pretty sweet (even if it was SF).

by tommyjoepeters on May 19, 2008 10:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

his sinker

was flat out nasty.

by Rockraines on May 19, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have to score some runs against the Indians starters,

in order to get to their relievers.

The Indians lead all of baseball with an overall 3.36 ERA.

S / R splits are:

as Starter 2.98
as Reliever 4.36

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

we have the capability to do that

(we’re actually better than average in pitches/pa), but sometimes…

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little bit of last year

The Sox record after 43 games in ‘08 is identical to their ‘07 line after 43.

by tommyjoepeters on May 19, 2008 11:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

but the runs scored/allowed is markedly different

by larry on May 19, 2008 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And...

you don’t feel like you’re watching the walking dead as was the case last year.

by Brush Back on May 19, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

but the runs scored/allowed is markedly different

...which would explain why mlb’s XW-L is 25-18, compared to last year’s 20-23.

by tommyjoepeters on May 19, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

        RS    RA
2007   178   190
2008   203   173

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 19, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

let’s see if they can widen that margin over the next two weeks

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game though, right? "

by onlysoxfaninboston on May 19, 2008 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Cheat mentioned that in his post:

I’ll chose to point out that the ‘07 Sox shared a 23-20 record, though they were 4 games back in 3rd place of what appears to have been a much tougher division. This team could still fall on its face, or the pitching could be for real, the offense could get more consistent, and they could march into October.

A year ago at this time, I called the Sox “a lifeless team inexplicably treading water above .500.” I can’t say the same about this team, which, I think, says a lot about their future.

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were

lifeless because Toby was on the DL…this year a healthy Toby whose teaching Alexei english, dying Jenks goatee pink, getting water for the fella’s when they are dry and throwing out 3 in 10 basestealers while hitting a solid .294 is the difference.

"Jenks, who was never afraid to say "no" to a hamburger..."

by BobbySouthSide on May 19, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, maybe. But I think it's clearly the work of Cox.

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, Toby Hall for MVP

or Mr. Congeniality. (Tells a great clubhouse joke, too.)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

me and my Yankee fan friend

always used to joke that’s why they kept bringing back Tino Martinez. he’s a great clubhouse guy. you can’t have too many of those.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toby

I believe his proper nickname is “T Dog” per Swish.

Oh, and he owns the Giants.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The suffix - "Dog" is when they can't figure a real nickname

for you (I had one of those from my buddy whom I referred to as “the whitest black man in the world”). That was my “hood-handle”.

Toby’s ought to be “Pus-Arm”.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I missed that.

by tommyjoepeters on May 19, 2008 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Quentin

has made himself a nice comfortable home in he 3-hole.

by Rockraines on May 19, 2008 11:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

speaking of signs of life...

i feel like i hardly have any. can’t pull off partying six days and/or nights in a row anymore. was at the game yesterday sitting 5 feet from the giants’ on-deck circle just left of the plate; amazing to watch the pitches from that angle/short distance (~40 feet according to what i read), even if the netting is annoying. also a great spot to be able to hear the ball hit the bat; knew q!’s ball was gone just from the sound and still can’t believe either of oc’s got out. the giants fans actually came to life after their two rallies, which made the masset magic and crooked number in the top of the ninth that much more satisfying.

oh, and wu, the karma police must be on vacation.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 19, 2008 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what's the sig from?

and you need to do a long winded note filled Fanpost, son.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

something that my CLEARLY favorite poster said about ba's .688 OPS during a particular stretch.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 19, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

link plz

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

just remember...owens is fast.

http://www.southsidesox.com/2007/10/30/202416/54#2813016

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 19, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Congrats, my man.

BIG weight, whether you admit it or not, to have that behind you.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

indeed. maybe now i'll revert back to my old sweet self.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 19, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guess who's picture is NOT on the Sox site for All-Star balloting?

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=cws

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Click on photo #2

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Q maintains at this level

through the All-star break, there’s little doubt Tito will select him as a reserve.

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game though, right? "

by onlysoxfaninboston on May 19, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Might be the biggest write-in vote in history?

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Might want to start the campaign NOW (underlined in red).

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice marketing, heh? Uribe is there, but not you-know-Q

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"you-know-Q?"

Gotta get some signs printed up with a catchy line re write-in voting for Q!.

What’s the catchy line, all you creative ones?

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

To Chiburb.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

GOT TO GET Q INTO MY LIFE!

parody songs are always the way to go

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never gonna give Q! up
Never gonna let Q! down
Never gonna run around and desert Q!

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 19, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little lengthy, Cheat.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice Rick Astley.

(I’m worried you know about him.)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q! knows the game and he's gonna play it

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 19, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q and me against the world.....sometimes it feels like Q and me against the world

Just Q and me….simple and free

Q are so beautiful…to me….(OK, it’s awkward).

AND EYYYEEEE…WILLLLL ALWAAAAAYS LOVE QQQQQQ-WHOOOOOOOO

We gotta million of ‘em.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it helps that Q and you rhyme

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

They do?

I was just being sincere.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so does Q and WU. or is that what Colin meant?

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q and me and rain on the roof

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Got Q Babe

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q Put The Bomp In The Bomp-a-Bomp-a-Bomp

Q put the ram in the ram-a-lam-a-ding-dong

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q Can't Always Get What You Want

Q Can’t Always Get What You Want
Q Can’t Always Get What You Want

But if you try sometime, you just might find, you’ll get a clutch home run!

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q Will Save Your Soul

Q will save… save your soul when it comes to the flowers now?
oh, Q will save your souls, after those lies that you told, boy?
And Q will save… save your souls if you won’t save your own?

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

By Q-ell, of course

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, a gem of a writer/singer.

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't you remember Q told me Q love me Uribe

Q said Q’d be coming back this way again maybe
Uribe, Uribe, Uribe, Uribe, oh Uribe….

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have a winner!

Wait! As long as we are quoting Tommy Boy duets:

Eres Q! Eres Q!

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Chiburb's

I Got Q! Babe!

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Credit where credit is due, please

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.

Short, sweet.

With the ! or without.

I really like the !. IINM, Cheat gets credit for Q!.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With the ! or without???????

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Quentin is Q!,

then Pablo should be “O?”

As in, why is still on this team?

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was tailgater. best compliment he's ever had though...

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct...I need all the props I can get, as they are few and far between

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Q Trivia:

Q is the ONLY letter in the alphabet that doesn’t appear in one of the 50 states’ name.
Underlined in green.

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But some day...

Quillinois.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This team has plenty of problems

and I’m not sure we won’t be sunk by one of them yet. But HOPE! Hope, damnit!

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thankfully

every team in the A.L. Central is taking their turn “sucking.”

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

21 more HR

and Q! becomes the all-time HR leader of players with the last name starting with Q. He already is the leader of players with an exclamation point in their name.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you have forgotten Ichiro!

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Ichiro can have Ichiro on his uniform

instead of Suzuki, at what point can we lobby for Q getting “Q”?

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the point at which he's no longer a write in vote, iirc

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on May 19, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

absolutely!

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Legend

Do you suppose he feels his very life being sucked out of him by playing for the Giants?

I’m not saying the Sox are playing great (inspired, maybe…but way too many left on base), but the Giants didn’t show many signs of life whatsoever.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 1:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

well...

according to the people next to us at the game yesterday, the giants are HIS team. where he leads, they follow and on and on and on, and “you can just tell” he is going to help right the ship.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 19, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy to be the leader

When your far and above the best position player on the team who is still in his prime. Who is going to question the only guy on the team who should be starting on a major league ballclub?

by Grinder in Training on May 19, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you saying

the fans won’t rally around a “Dan Ortmeier”?

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think its because he started bowling night during ST

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yep

My dad was trying to convince me that Rowand has really brought the Giants together now that Barry is gone, based on an article in the Trib or Herald which I determined wasn’t worth reading based on the headline.

I wouldn’t let him finish his thought. I kept interrupting, “but they suck.”

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on May 19, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

to judge by the fans in the stadium yesterday, the guy the fans really root for is Rich Aurilia, for some reason.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 19, 2008 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AT & T looks like a nice park with a nice view from the upper deck

Any word on the food and beverage offerings?

Most importantly, is tailgating allowed?

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The park is really nice.

The food is standard ballpark fare, maybe a bit better than that.

I don’t know if tailgating is allowed, but the closest parking lots are blocks away. Very few people drive and park – most people take public transportation.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 19, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a beautiful park. I sat in a corporate suite, and food was catered.

So my experience with vendors was limited to the ‘hard booze bar’ that also sold cigars. They had a patio for smokers/drinkers. This was during their 1st season, so things may have changed.

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they have sushi

by larry on May 19, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is this in sausage form

or slathered in cheese sauce?

I just can’t relate.

"We're gonna bring it all day, everyday...we're gonna keep grinding it out." - Nick Swisher (4/1/08)

by tailgater on May 19, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

calamari trumps the hot dog

It’s the seventh-inning stretch here at San Francisco’s shiny new, waterfront AT&T Park, and it’s time to sing. “Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the crowd, buy me some peanuts and….” Only here, the sole park in the country where fans queue up in kayaks to catch homers over the fence, there are a few new words that could be added to the anthem. “Szechuan green beans and tofu,” for example, or “fresh fruit smoothies,” or “whoopee pies, cha-cha bowls, and a pu-pu platter.”

More here:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0908/p13s02-alsp.html

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

did you just link to the christian science monitor?

and for sports?

by larry on May 19, 2008 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, thinking of Josh.

and remember, there are no atheists in the dugout.

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People talk about those stands...

but I’ve never seen ‘em.

The best thing about that park is the garlic fries.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 19, 2008 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

different world

Its almost like they aren’t watching baseball.

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 19, 2008 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like the "High Life" commercial.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 19, 2008 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've never seen tailgaters in SF, gotta go to Oakland for that

The view from the upper deck 3rd base concourse is awesome. A great view of the Bay Bridge and the financial district of SF. The seats are angled so that you get a great view from the upper deck. The bleachers are uncomfortable after long periods of sitting, but that’s to be expected I suppose.

The holes in the RF fence that allow fans outside the park to get a field level view of the action is a great touch as well.

Plenty of good food, including sushi, crappy pizza, hot dogs, polish sausages, etc.; even veggi dogs and garden burgers.

I also like the fact that they serve liquor, not just beer, at some of the concourse drink stands.

What gets me about that ballpark is that it really reminds me of an Old Navy store. The brushed brick and obnoxious retro signs everywhere are a bit annoying. They also made the LF concourse way too kiddie for my tastes and I’m not partial to the ushers that want you to wait for an at bat to end before returning to your seat.

That being said, I don’t blame them for the annoyances because it was a privately funded park and if those features help sell tickets, then good for them.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on May 19, 2008 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you dont like

ushers that actually make you adhere to basic ball park rules? Everyone should wait for an at bat to end before you walk down the aisle, only cubs fans ignore that rule on a constant basis.

by Rockraines on May 20, 2008 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, because I think it is an implied act not to disrupt the viewing of fellow fans

It probably has to do with the “cool cop” attitude of the majority of the ushers. Just rubs me the wrong way.

But I suppose it’s a nice feature to save people watching from the inebriated fans that become less courteous with each beverage. So I may not like them, but I see how they can be useful.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

by rhythm on May 20, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take your pick of the AARP guys

Aurelia has the salt ‘n peppa thing happening, though. He’d go over BIG in The Trop.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy to be hard

Easy to say “no”.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised you are upright to type

Last we heard you had been up only two nights in a row past 1 AM. You made it 6?

Must still be celebrating. Betty Ford beckons.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's the music, brother. the music. oh, and i'm not really all that upright. and not at all at work.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 19, 2008 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Money may not buy happiness, but...

We shall reach greater and greater platitudes of achievment.

by Chiburb on May 19, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe you haven't noticed....

but I do believe Alexei Ramirez is “readier” than most have suggested here. I love that he’s getting regular playing time….I love the way he carries himself. I’ve got really high hopes for him.

by dantesox on May 19, 2008 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Does he walk to home plate...

the right way?

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 19, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ask B.A.

by SSH2005 on May 19, 2008 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He smiles a lot

How grindy is that?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 19, 2008 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Partly.

It appears he doesn’t easily get down on himself and really enjoys playing. It likely also helps that he doesn’t understand the language very well and thusly is somewhat insulated from all the criticism and resultant over self-analysis. And, probably most importantly, the sample size was much too small for those of you condemning him already. He has obvioius tools. He may need to go down to AAA down the line, we’ll see. I’m just glad he’s getting this chance-- it makes perfect sense that he is.

by dantesox on May 19, 2008 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs