June 2009: Week 1
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Welcome back to a fresh new NOR CAL Report! This week, the Reporters have kudos for all three in-season squads — plus a They Said What?? you just can't make up. To wit:
The A's are suddenly playing good ball, and while the offense, behind Matt Holliday, is definitely headed in the right direction, there's no question who gets the credit — the A's remarkable four-rookie pitching rotation...
After dropping four straight, the Giants celebrate a major milestone for Randy Johnson by tearing through much of the N.L. But will those confounded Dodgers ever come down — and will the Unit be the last 300 game winner ever?
And the Earthquakes win a game, for what only feels like the first time all year. Hear how they got it done — and whether they can sustain their success away from Buck Shaw.
You know where to go for all your sports flow — it's The NOR CAL Report!
UP NEXT: The A's hope to make tracks up the A.L. standings before Billy thinks about flipping stars, while the Giants hope to ride their starting staff to serious playoff contention. The Earthquakes test their mettle in Dallas and Seattle.
** Thanks for making The NOR CAL Report a success. Don't forget to tell your friends! **
Welcome back to a fresh new NOR CAL Report! This week, the Reporters have kudos for all three in-season squads — plus a They Said What?? you just can't make up. To wit:
The A's are suddenly playing good ball, and while the offense, behind Matt Holliday, is definitely headed in the right direction, there's no question who gets the credit — the A's remarkable four-rookie pitching rotation...
After dropping four straight, the Giants celebrate a major milestone for Randy Johnson by tearing through much of the N.L. But will those confounded Dodgers ever come down — and will the Unit be the last 300 game winner ever?
And the Earthquakes win a game, for what only feels like the first time all year. Hear how they got it done — and whether they can sustain their success away from Buck Shaw.
You know where to go for all your sports flow — it's The NOR CAL Report!
UP NEXT: The A's hope to make tracks up the A.L. standings before Billy thinks about flipping stars, while the Giants hope to ride their starting staff to serious playoff contention. The Earthquakes test their mettle in Dallas and Seattle.
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The NOR CAL Blog:
All the latest info, anecdotes and opinions from the Report's own Jess Zitrin.
Yes, recent Report guest Buster Posey is hitting .299-8-39 at San Jose. But the most unheralded prospect in the Giants system — 21-year-old shortstop Brandon Crawford — was at .371 before getting bumped to AA Connecticut with top pitchers Tim Alderson and Madison Bumgarner. As Peter Gammons opines on the draft: lately the Giants "don't seem to miss." Sabean haters, watch out: his next contract renewal will seem a lot more sensible than the last one, and it won't be for love of the over-30 set...
I don't know why it took Sports Illustrated until now to include the Giants' closer Brian Wilson, heavy on personality, in its weekly pop culture grid. Asked when they'd had their first kiss, the other three respondents all answered 12 or 13. Wilson: five. In the sidebar you'll only find in the magazine edition, Wilson actually said: "Yeah, Papa Dubs was five — believe it. She was going to kiss whoever smelled best in class, and my pheromones are naturally awesome." We can be dead certain S.I. didn't fabricate that quote...
For those looking for more fodder about the Warriors' front office generally, and new G.M. Larry Riley specifically, take a breath — and read this recent profile on the man, and the respect he commands around the league. I'll spot you that the Warriors' brass is... well, spotty. But despite the exceedingly early "Nellie-stooge" tag, Riley sounds like a dose of just what the Wa's so desperately need...
Given U.S. Soccer's total inability to win in Mexico (0-22-1) or even Costa Rica (0-7-1) in World Cup qualifiers — yet the Americans' dominance of these teams on U.S. soil — I have to wonder, what exactly makes soccer such a home field game? Yeah, I get that a goal or two can decide entire games, and more — but maybe the World should consider neutral sites...
As a guy who attended the Niners' first Super Bowl parade at age 5, I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt on their right to move to Santa Clara. But what bugs me in this story is the paltry $79 million in public funds. Not that most stadiums should be publicly financed — they shouldn't. But don't tell me they have to move because S.F. couldn't scare up 8% of the tab (particularly considering the $196M the team plans to pay in rent over the life of the lease.) By the way, bless grande dame Diane Feinstein, who rarely speaks her mind before she's certain, for legislating to block any move that involves the team keeping the "San Francisco" name. City to 49ers: Pay me or trade me...
For an entertaining contrast, check out the 49ers' ESPN page — with no mention of stadium, Santa Clara, or anything like them — versus the Niners' own high-falutin' splash. Tongue firmly in cheek as usual, Scott Ostler's got his own thoughts on it...
Finally, the Niners did do the right thing (we hope) by locking up Joe Staley just as he's starting to peak.
The Raiders' own performance-enhancing receiver, "DHB" — or Darrius Heyward-Bey — mas finally managed to see the field after a slow start, and let's hope that's not a trend. Says DHB after matching up with franchise player Nnamdi Asomugha, "All right. I'm not in college anymore..."
Yes, now that the Giants promoted their two stud arms, San Jose's biggest catch is Buster Posey, still with an OPS over 900. Meanwhile, the A's AA Midland Rockhounds have the reigning Player of the Week in Jason Fernandez, a 23-game reached-base streak for OF Archie Gilbert, and a full-time 2B hitting .385 at age 21, Adrian Cardenas...
Think my saying the Ryan Express won 300 by mistake is a stretch? For sure. But bear in mind, Ryan got to 324 without topping 16 victories from 1978 through '93, or ever leading a league in wins...
A trivia question that loyal readers will recognize, but bears repeating: Who's the active leader in wins, 35-and-under division? Hint: He's also the only pitcher ever to lead his league in losses, and start the seventh game of the World Series — in the same year. I'm gonna make you check back on last week's blog for the answer.
Thanks as always for peekin' in on us! See you next week as always, on the Report.
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