tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109924602011-12-10T13:59:07.903-08:00A chronicle of major league baseball from the perspective of two SF Giant fans and the owners of the Pickled Pecklers of the BABI NL fantasy baseball leaguePEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.comBlogger4491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-80607379348428084992011-12-10T13:33:00.000-08:002011-12-10T13:59:07.939-08:00

With the NBA season delayed, Comcast Sportsnet had time to fill in their broadcasts, so they have brought back the original CBS broadcast of 5 classic Warriors playoff games from their championship run in 1975. The past two weeks they reran games 6 and 7 from the Western Conference finals against the Chicago Bulls and the next 3 weeks will feature games 1, 3 and 4 from the NBA finals against the

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-81931054709942659082011-12-07T12:54:00.000-08:002011-12-07T13:04:04.047-08:00

I just want to go on record to say I think Angel Pagan is a great pickup for the Giants. He can play. Every time I've ever seen him, I've thought "that guy is a player."Of course, I remember saying that about Mickey Johnson. (That ought to get some of you scrambling.)I was never enamored of Andres Torres except as a fine gentleman. I'm not sure how he hit all those homers in 2010, though I'm sure

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-66804355264292720182011-06-22T09:59:00.000-07:002011-06-22T10:16:33.811-07:00

Here is your ultimate fantasy pitching disaster:1/3 IP, 9 hits, 8 earned runsAnything after that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that Madison Bumgarner didn't walk anyone. And he did get a strikeout along the way, though it was the strikeout of an AL non-hitting pitcher, but only after the first 8 guys had gotten hits, which is some kind of gigantic first measured by the "live ball era."If you

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-58973968543698458652011-01-10T11:28:00.000-08:002011-01-10T12:56:04.576-08:00

Jeffrey Steingarten appears regularly as a judge on Iron Chef, and seems to love to give the impression that he is an egocentric bore. He probably is, but give him credit - he considers it important in life to find the perfect hamburger. And he can write, which I'm in favor of as well.In his quest, he summarized beautifully the criteria for evaluating a burger:"What do we demand of the perfect

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-66084259089226000282011-01-10T10:39:00.000-08:002011-01-10T16:07:47.972-08:00

On Friday we had our office holiday lunch at Michael Mina's new restaurant, RN 74, which is over in the fancy Millenium Tower at Mission and Beale. I took the opportunity to share the cheeseburger with C. Lo as an appetizer.They bill it as the "Prime Steak Burger", which comes with arugula, cheddar cheese and horseradish aioli. Sixteen bucks. I confirmed with the kitchen that indeed, they grind

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-59797916331715600382011-01-03T21:14:00.000-08:002011-01-03T21:17:52.887-08:00

Stanford 40, Virginia Tech 12.OK, it was 4 touchdowns, not 3. It was a gimme just like I said. And if you do the math, I even predicted 40 points for Stanford.You're all welcome.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-70772949619196015432011-01-02T11:30:00.000-08:002011-01-02T11:34:15.876-08:00

I hadn’t been to the Bulls Head for eons despite the fact that I have lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years. By the way, every time I look at the restaurant sign, I want to call it the Bull Sheed.It’s by the West Portal Muni Station, a hole in the wall steakhouse that has been there forever. I was reminded of it in looking at hamburger joints, and on New Year’s Eve, having left the office

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-37846181650008003242011-01-02T11:11:00.000-08:002011-01-03T20:01:41.533-08:00

I don’t bet football games, or baseball or basketball for that matter. I stink at it. The guys that make the point spreads are just too smart for me.That said, I keep looking at that Orange Bowl line, Stanford favored over Virginia Tech by 3 and keep thinking it is a misprint. Every day I look at the line and expect to see a big change, not a half point or a point but a TD.I have not seen

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-81879525399833184492010-12-28T20:51:00.000-08:002010-12-28T20:53:00.303-08:00

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-1778822959311394542010-12-28T16:25:00.001-08:002010-12-28T16:33:29.725-08:00

Listed high on the cheeseburger list is One Market, located at....why don't you just guess?Here was the menu listing:Hamburger & Potato Tots, sweet onions, Pt. Reyes blue cheese, cole slaw, port dijon - $14.75I thought about asking for the burger with something other than blue cheese. Now understand - I like blue cheese. I like a good Cobb Salad as much as the next guy. And I like Pt. Reyes

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-68619315870992561822010-12-15T14:20:00.001-08:002010-12-15T15:42:18.489-08:00

I took a walk today to Westfield Shopping Center and used it as an opportunity to have a burger at Lark Creek Steak.I had eaten there once before, and was generally disappointed in the steak I had, but really, really, really liked the croutons in their salad. I'm not kidding, those were the greatest croutons I ever had, and I make some of the greatest croutons ever. After the meal I walked over

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-87456719416104746612010-12-11T07:11:00.000-08:002010-12-11T07:24:52.429-08:00

Here is an update on my ill-fated San Francisco cheeseburger project.Actually, it was literally ill-fated for the first restaurant in this series, Midi, where I ate their cheeseburger at the bar and then they went out of business. Good size with gorgonzola cheese, the meat was fairly lean, the burger properly cooked. Great fries. $13. RIP, though I’d likely not return for that anyway.When I drive

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-54440071729407808472010-11-03T16:55:00.000-07:002010-11-03T22:50:02.336-07:00

I love this picture. This is Cody Ross, who was on 3rd base when Edgar Renteria hit that 7th inning homer in game 5 off the unhittable Cliff Lee to score the go-ahead run. In his mind, he had just won the World Series. He was jogging down the baseline, and before he touched home, he did a full 360, which he has just completed. Look at his face. He's in rapture.I love this picture because at that

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-9828924507679117372010-10-30T18:48:00.001-07:002010-10-30T18:48:46.977-07:00

Well, he didn't totally suck.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-48160472830182046492010-10-30T14:57:00.000-07:002010-10-30T16:11:47.021-07:00

Uh, Oh – It’s Jonathan Sanchez pitching for the Giants today. Well, at least it's not an important game.Jonathan Sanchez was pretty horrible in his last outing, leaving everyone freaking out as he heads to the mound in Game 3 of the Series today. It’s not that we’re freaking out about Game 3, not with a 2-0 lead.We’re freaking out that if the Series goes to Game 7 next Thursday, it will be his

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-90961689171015330212010-10-30T14:34:00.000-07:002010-10-30T14:37:44.381-07:00

“With my dog I don't get no respect. He keeps barking at the front door. He don't want to go out. He wants me to leave.” – Rodney DangerfieldThe Giants are up 2-0 in the World Series, having first beaten the Braves and the Phillies convincingly, and yet no one is actually convinced. They remain underdogs to everyone but themselves, and should they lose game 3, they’ll probably be underdogs to cop

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-67251000768516565492010-10-27T11:01:00.000-07:002010-11-04T15:55:57.621-07:00

Before we move on to the World Series, I just want to point out a glaring similarity between the NLCS and the ALCS. Both series ended with the losing team's best hitter at the plate taking a called third strike. That would be Ryan Howard for the Phillies and Alex Rodriguez for the Yanks.How embarrassing.Literally the entire season is riding on your final pitch, and you leave your bat on your

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-62386484686967328982010-10-21T15:28:00.000-07:002010-10-22T10:29:58.423-07:00

Ooooh! Reeebay!Yes, I was there. NLCS, game 4. Giants win 6-5 with a walk off sac fly by Juan Uribe.I'm still high, and still have no voice.What makes this Giants team so fun to watch is that there were so many people who had a hand in that win. Rowand, the forgotten man in the Giant outfield, had his signature moment with the Giants, throwing out Carlos Ruiz at the plate. Pablo, lost at the

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-63189498276483401092010-10-09T19:15:00.000-07:002010-10-09T19:49:39.730-07:00

A week ago Friday I met the Colonel and my Giant seat mates Dale and Susan at Puccini and Pinetti's (129 Ellis) for lunch to split up our playoff tickets. We were all pretty upbeat that day, though at that point the regular season was still on. At that moment the Giants were 3 up with 3 to go. It got a little hairy when they lost the first two games of the Padres' series, but it all worked out as

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-58869005717411379872010-10-09T19:02:00.000-07:002010-10-09T19:14:13.257-07:00

This is your biggest fantasy nightmare.You have two starting pitchers starting in the same game for the Cubs and the Nationals one day. You’re watching something on ESPN that night and you see the following scrawl across the bottom of the screen:Chi 14, Wash 8.There is just no getting around it. You are going to feel pain.Joe Posnanski wrote a great blog item (see it here) this week comparing

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-86357750943021943242010-10-04T20:15:00.000-07:002010-10-06T16:08:29.857-07:00

There was no tomorrow. Well, for Giant fans that wasn’t really true, but it was true for the Padres, who won 90 games and for that got to go home to their good weather for a few months. But for the Giants, well, if they lost there would have been today, and if they lost today, there would have been another tomorrow.When I got to the ball park for the big game yesterday, the scoreboard showed the

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-80582555746096062952010-09-28T21:03:00.000-07:002010-09-29T11:51:07.004-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I set up a lunch with Norm at Tyler Florence’s new hot restaurant, Wayfare Tavern. It’s tough to beat Norm to a new hot place, but I had done it, having been there for lunch just after it opened. I had ordered Marrow Bones for the first time ever, and I was in love. Plus Tyler serves big fluffy popovers instead of bread, just like the PU Club and Locke Obers in Boston (

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-32066454083535860112010-09-26T17:14:00.001-07:002010-09-26T17:53:06.010-07:00

Since I wrote up my burger challenge yesterday, I've already added a couple of dozen places to the list. Some of them are places I've been, like Bill's Place and Bullshead and Joe's Cable Car and Mo's and John's Grill and Taylors' Refresher, which I'll go to after I'm well into this project.Others are places I know about, but haven't been, like the Tee Off and Grubstake and Home and the Double

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-76164777127750966722010-09-25T14:37:00.000-07:002010-09-26T17:54:22.081-07:00

Yesterday my buddy Will came into town for a friendly lunch. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I took him to some place close to the office and so new I was sure he hadn’t been there yet: Hubert Keller’s Burger Bar in Macy’s Union Square.I’m working my way through the different meats they offer at Burger Bar (American Kobe yesterday, buffalo is next). Hubert makes a nice burger, and when you ask

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-14026203429744234702010-09-10T08:56:00.000-07:002010-09-10T09:13:20.723-07:00

I have to note in a moment of candor that I was notified on Wednesday night by Olaf, King of Sweden, that I have won the 2009 Nobel Prize for Fantasy Football. I had previously won this most prestigious of awards in 1986 in recognition of my invention of the internet.Here is the text of the letter from King Olaf which I received notifying me of this great honor:Dear Mr. PEFACommish:

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-13444705922826732622010-07-03T11:23:00.000-07:002010-07-03T11:29:29.493-07:00

Joe Posnanski challenged his readers to come up with the greatest sports books ever. Here is the link. So far there are 457 comments (the last two by me). Here was my input:Thank you, Joe, for bringing this subject up and to all of you for your input. I’ve made a reading list based on your comments that should keep me busy for many years. Even though I’m comment #456 (or so), I have noted a

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-88754519476048732792010-04-28T17:28:00.000-07:002010-04-28T17:31:48.814-07:00

Kenny 9 cornered the market on Pittsburgh Pirate pitchers. They were there and they were cheap. I’m sure it seemed like a good idea at the time.Until Monday, 4/26/10.Zach Duke – 4 IP, 9 H, 8 ER, 4 BBOctavio Dotel – 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BBBrendan Donnelly – 0.2 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 2 BBThat’s a total of 5 IP, 15 H, 17 ER and 7 BB. That converts to an ERA of 30.60 and a WHIP of 4.40. For the record, he

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-43303316526160782482010-02-15T18:22:00.000-08:002010-02-15T19:46:58.355-08:00

Pure BABI here. If you’re looking for the brilliant stuff, keep looking.Our champion sent me an email asking for the Prestigious Pickled Pecklers’ annual roster analysis. OK, as soon as Dr. Tailgate writes it, I’ll edit and post it.Don’t hold your breath.I don’t have time to write stuff like that at this time of year. If I’m going to waste time during the tax season, I’m going to pick a subject I

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-60360987247524436782010-02-01T10:38:00.000-08:002010-02-01T11:54:30.505-08:00

A few years ago I got rid of my overpriced Warriors season tickets, and replaced them with season tickets to the USF Dons. I've got 4 tickets in row E at the mid-court line that cost me a grand for the season, total. Parking is free. Home by 9:15. It's a great local diversion.USF Basketball has been pretty bad for quite a while.* Pretty Bad. The low point was the Eddie Sutton Era (lasting about a

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-64721358157922491252010-01-25T10:59:00.000-08:002010-01-25T14:36:31.220-08:00

I was reviewing the 2009 BABI auction, and was struck by the following question:How the hell did the Pounders finish 2nd?I really have no idea. Coolio kept only 7 players from 2008 season, with a Rotolab/Baseball HQ projected profit of +18. This was tied for the lowest profit of any team in the league. (We won't mention which team the Pounders tied.)One of the seven was a true, premier keeper:

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-53426354086650628272010-01-21T15:16:00.000-08:002010-01-21T15:43:20.507-08:00

They kicked our butts last year, and this year, they remain the favorites. Check out this keeper list:They have the core of their hitters:Matt Kemp - 20-11CHunter Pence - 20-11C (what the hell were we thinking?)Justin Upton - 20-11CThat's three guys for this year AND next year, the oldest of whom is 26. Yowzaa! And let's throw in 25 year old Ryan Zimmerman, 25-11. That's 110 homers, 365 RBIs,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-51270002542890868932010-01-21T14:43:00.000-08:002010-01-21T15:15:54.565-08:00

With all of the media discussion about the upset by Scott P. Brown in the Massachusetts Senate race this week, I have yet to see anyone make mention of the irony it produced.Brown now takes over Ted Kennedy's seat, which he had held since 1962. Ted Kennedy's professional passion, "the cause of my life" was for Congress to pass a universal health care bill. By dying, he also killed the chance for

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-67597579170004335032010-01-06T11:53:00.001-08:002010-01-06T13:11:00.834-08:00

The guy I stumped for, Andre "The Hawk" Dawson, got into the Hall of Fame this year. The case is simple - he's 25th all time in total bases, combined with over 300 steals and 8 gold gloves. He did it all, despite 12 knee surguries.Bert Blyleven came oh-so-close, 5 votes short. You would think he'll make it next year, but he's only got 2 more years to do it. Over 3700 freaking strikeouts. Duh. As

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-91223627731855470582009-12-30T09:47:00.000-08:002009-12-30T10:27:52.846-08:00

I vividly remember being home from college back in the early '70's, and after dinner I picked up Mario Puzo's "The Godfather" and settled in on the living room couch. The next time I moved other than to turn pages it was 6AM.Now that's how I define a good book.I usually do my personal reading just before I go to sleep. There is always a book or three next to my bed. Right now I've got "Strokes of

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-23623158450599022342009-12-23T10:50:00.000-08:002010-01-21T15:13:40.116-08:00

OK, I got it wrong. Nick Johnson did not sign with the Giants, but instead is now one of the designated hitters for the Yankees. One year, $5.5 million.But did you know that the Giants offered more? Rumor says $6 million to be the starting first baseman, and my insidde authorities were surprised that they didn't get him. The lure of the ring, I suspect. Am i the only one who thinks the next

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-67092149498749631072009-12-09T13:15:00.000-08:002009-12-09T13:22:54.864-08:00

The Giants insist that they would like to sign Bengie Molina for 1 year while their future catcher, Buster Posey, learns how to catch. Ready for prime time? Not yet, Buster. Overlooking his difficulties hitting in the majors, have you actually seen him catch? He’s going to get some home plate umpire killed some day. They are trying to get a mediocre old guy to sign for one year. Now it appears

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-16960071148624435492009-11-25T18:06:00.000-08:002009-11-25T18:12:59.165-08:00

I'm just making this post to go on record.The Giants are going to sign free agent Nick Johnson to play 1st base. I've got no official inside information, but as an accountant, I can add 1 and 1.Johnson was relatively healthy for a change, with 457 at bats. He hit .291, but his outstanding statistic was an on base average of .426, with 99 walks. Unfortunately, his slugging percentage was only

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-50334234153069370532009-10-03T17:38:00.001-07:002009-10-03T17:52:13.029-07:00

It's Penultimate Day!!!We're here at the Pickled HQ enjoying what we hope will be our last few hours in last place in BABI. We started the day, again, 8 points down to the Falkuhns, 36-28, and we immediately lost a ratio point to the Old Rips thanks to Randy Wells giving up only 3 hits and a walk in 7 innings.Johnny Cueto is through 5 in Cincy, as the Reds hold a 5-1 lead over the Bucs. Cueto,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-64946692818175246492009-10-02T09:43:00.000-07:002009-10-02T09:53:26.036-07:00

There was a short schedule of games on Thursday as we head into the last roundup. Neither the Falkuhns or the Pecklers had many players active, though the Falkuhns had a sudden power surge, with homers from Ryan Braun (Larry regrets the trade of Lincecum, he says) and Andres Torres, resulting in a net pickup of 3 RBIs, increasing the lead to 6 RBIs.The Pecklers got a clean inning from Todd

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-41873822926229460592009-10-01T10:34:00.000-07:002009-10-01T10:41:16.354-07:00

We're down 9 points with 4 days to go. Unlike the Giants, we are not mathematically eliminated, and we're keeping hope alive.The Falkuhns have 36 points, but they are going to lose 3 pitching points, as they are 96 innings short with four days to go. So let us assume they are at 33.The Pecklers are back down to 27, having briefly hit 30 before a semi-disasterous pitching day in which we got two

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-23452940435126025982009-09-26T20:15:00.000-07:002009-09-27T16:51:29.567-07:00

Many years ago, I worked on my college newspaper at Brandeis University, eventually climbing the ladder to Editor in Chief. It's the place I first started writing well, and I learned to edit other people's writing as well as my own.At a small college, they can't get enough people to work on the paper, and so they'll take you on whether you have talent or not. As a result, I was made Asst. News

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-67054678357205484842009-09-26T15:40:00.000-07:002009-09-26T15:41:11.359-07:00

Yes we can!The Pickled Pecklers have been sitting in 12th place for virtually the entire season. I don’t have the week by week reports, but I’m pretty sure we’ve been buried alive in last place since the end of April. I can’t remember when we’ve had more than 30 points, or more than 8 hitting points. Until this month it looked like we would not make our innings, and as a result we’d lose our

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-36877428743258661092009-09-24T14:52:00.000-07:002009-09-24T15:06:11.243-07:00

Not that 400. The other 400.With 9 games to go, Big Al Pujols is batting .330 and he leads the majors in homers with 47. He's leading the majors in slugging at .676. He's only missed 2 games.Yet he's only got 361 total bases. He needs 39 more in the remaining 9 games, which is the equivalent of a homer per game plus a triple. He's going to fall just short of 50-50 (he has 42 doubles and 47

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-63420136919413608912009-09-17T10:14:00.000-07:002009-09-17T10:50:57.770-07:00

Two numbers have me interested today: 1008.1 and 997.2.The first number is the number of innings for the last place Pickled Pecklers. This one is of interest only to the Doc and me. We think well make the 1075 target. We've got 6 starting pitchers, four of whom are pitching tomorrow, and so should have 3 starts to go. We'll have somewhere between 16 and 20 starts from decent pitchers. If we

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-87237602297805338722009-08-18T20:45:00.000-07:002009-08-18T20:52:09.801-07:00

From Rotoworld Today:Carlos Marmol is reportedly the new closer in Chicago. Marmol alluded to this position change to the Chicago media. He walks way too many batters, but when he gets the ball over the plate, he is unhittable. For the Cubs to make the playoffs, they need a shutdown closer and Marmol is the best option.What in the world has Lou Piniella been waiting for?Kevin Gregg has blown 3

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-37309765970494568222009-08-05T11:37:00.000-07:002009-08-05T12:11:09.586-07:00

Kevin Gregg had an ugly week, with two blown saves in a row. Ugly blown saves.On Saturday the Cubs had an 8-5 lead entering the ninth. Gregg gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. He did get a win out of it when the Pickled Ones' own Derrek Lee bailed out the Cubbies in the tenth with a game winning home run.On Sunday, he went one better on the ugly scale. He entered the ninth inning with the Cubs leading 2-

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-41994506054924092812009-05-22T17:39:00.000-07:002009-05-23T14:45:25.457-07:00

I started the research for this entry a long, long time ago. The original inspiration was some more man-love for Al Pujols, who has a chance to be in the conversation as the greatest hitter of all time. I decided to compare his statistics to the age-based statistics for some of the greatest hitters ever.He compares to them all, except maybe Jimmy Foxx*, who was a sick, sick, sick hitter until he

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-63894924360907159572009-02-16T17:57:00.000-08:002009-02-16T18:02:07.185-08:00

I'm going to let Ted Williams' words speak for themselves. His speech, accepting his election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, is the gold standard for speaking from the heart at such a special time."I guess every player thinks about going into the Hall of Fame. Now that the moment has come for me I find it difficult to say what is really in my heart. But I know it is the greatest thrill of my life.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-52586227026339461592009-02-10T11:43:00.000-08:002009-06-06T12:06:50.831-07:00

This column is one of my winding detective adventures about the olden days in sports. There is no fantasy anything here. This is about a great upset in the world of sports.Do you know where the term upset as in a sports’ upset came from? Man O’War won 20 of 21 races. He lost to a horse named Upset. Until that time, upset meant you had an upset stomach or you were upset with something. Thereafter,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-57489231707594682492009-02-04T17:09:00.000-08:002009-02-04T17:16:37.734-08:00

Rule #1 – you become a better writer by writing. I’ve written a lot since college, a lot more than I suspected I would after losing most of my confidence in senior English as the whuppin’ boy for Gracie Sullivan. She caused me to stop reading novels. I didn’t read a novel after high school until Xmas vacation in my senior year at Brandeis.I did, for some strange reason, join the school newspaper,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-12718632442073319552009-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:002009-02-03T15:40:25.341-08:00

Our keeper list was decimated this season. It began with Jason Bay’s trade to the Red Sox last summer. It continued when Florida traded Mike Jacobs to KC. And then our best keeper, $3 Kerry Wood, signed with the Indians. It didn’t leave much.The Pickled Pecklers are going to rebuild. We’re waiving the white flag. We’re dumping it all except for the obvious keepers:Soto 11-2010Pence 5-

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-87329638014425581402009-02-02T16:30:00.000-08:002009-02-02T16:33:54.558-08:00

I was looking at the list of players nominated for the Hall of Fame who did not get the required 27 votes (5%) necessary to get on the ballot again next year. This is usually a group of pretty good players who you would NEVER think of as hall of fame material.Of course, there are always a few names that are intriguing.This year the most intriguing name was Mark Grace. He was a pretty good

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-89994170114104468842009-02-02T13:46:00.000-08:002009-02-02T14:40:00.608-08:00

Bob Hayes finally, finally, finally was voted into the NFL Hall of Fame. It is a shame he's not here to enjoy it.Only us old guys remember him. First he changed track and field forever. Then he changed the game of football.Here is a link to my clearest memory of Bob Hayes. It's a horrible print. You can ignore the last couple of minutes, which is a retrospective of the 1964 Olympics. Hayes had

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-77759826045805432802009-01-30T10:37:00.001-08:002009-01-30T10:42:40.232-08:00

We were price enforcing: $14. Our excel spreadsheet on our computer that said his value was $19. We had already spent $30 on Pedro Martinez, and we had no spot available for that kind of bid on a starting pitcher. In fact, we had no spots planned for ANY additional starting pitchers.Crickets.Brandon Webb was ours.We’ve been in BABI a long time. I could go look up the Klesko thing (my way of

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-79599045796359091352009-01-29T17:19:00.000-08:002009-01-30T10:04:13.348-08:00

After reading my analysis of the Leaguers, our reigning champion sent me an email asking, basically, “What about me?” Now Boof is going to deny he said this, but I’ve got the email right here:From: Boof BrittainTo: Sgt. BilkoSubject: Mr. Leaguer AnalysisWhat about me?BoofThere you go. Proof positive.In a subsequent email he made a good case for an analysis by BABI’s most brilliant commentator. He

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-4253508096453490682009-01-28T16:54:00.000-08:002009-01-28T17:00:57.175-08:00

I’ve taken a careful look at the BABI results since the new millennium, and if you’re somehow unaware, Mr. Leaguer has been kicking our asses. I mean REALLY kicking our asses.Since the year 2000, he’s been in the money 9 out of 9 times. He’s won it 5 times, and his worst finish, in a rebuilding year after 4 consecutive wins, was 5th. His AVERAGE finish is 2nd (2.22).He’s won 80% of the money.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-79514693757367487742009-01-23T13:52:00.000-08:002009-01-23T14:11:19.458-08:00

In the wake of Jeff Kent's retirement, there has been a lot of local chatter about him. Yesterday JT Snow was on with Tom and Ralph and told a wonderful story about Kent when he first came to the Giants.In 1996 Kent was traded from the Mets to the Indians. He never quite fit in at either place, and he felt he wasn't getting his full opportunity with the Indians. He played in 128 games that season

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-65328289716895208982009-01-21T18:09:00.000-08:002009-01-21T18:16:58.067-08:00

Jeff Kent called it quits today.I’m already on record – the boos at Telephone Park are ridiculous. He gave the Giants 6 seasons of incredible hitting from a second baseman. Beyond incredible.After Rogers Hornsby, those six years were possibly the best hitting by any 2nd baseman ever.Here are those Giant years, and they were truly giant, from 1997-2002:BA - .297OBP - .403SLG - .535Hits – 1021 (170

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-82408103793943133292009-01-21T09:44:00.000-08:002009-01-21T09:56:57.658-08:00

Here are rules suggestions I’ve received. Obviously some of them need to be fleshed out.Thornton Melon1 – Move to 5x5, adding K’s and runs scored.2 – Real time pickupsOld Ripper1 – Open FAAB date postponed until 6/1. Between draft night and open FAAB date, replacements only for open roster spots. All players traded from AL may be bid on by anyone.Gilbert Sullivan1 – 5x5 or 5x42 – Reserve SquadMr.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-66776422864915362742009-01-19T15:30:00.000-08:002009-01-19T15:37:15.519-08:00

I hadn’t checked out Joe Posnanski’s blog in a while. I’d give anything to have his talent and his perseverance. I maintain that Joe, author of the greatest book ever written (The Soul of Baseball) also has the best blog on the planet.Joe is able to write “curiously long posts” which include meanderings that if put on a telestrator look like John Madden’s chicken scratching play descriptions. In

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-35132692827365074932009-01-19T12:03:00.000-08:002009-01-19T12:17:01.938-08:00

Happy New Year. Let’s all assume I’ve got the usual New Year’s resolutions about this blog and get on with 2009’s 1st post.I’ve made the case here before touting Andre Dawson’s HOF credentials. I don’t get Jim Rice going in before The Hawk. I think that’s about the Boston Whiners. Dawson did it all – hit, hit with power, run, throw.Dawson got the most votes of anyone who didn’t get in this year.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-88035683451169043312008-11-28T13:27:00.000-08:002008-11-28T13:29:03.434-08:00

OK, Rotisserie fans: what is this semi-recent historical pitching line worth?Innings – 216Wins – 17ERA – 3.75WHIP – 1.259That’s a pretty good line, don’t you think? To put it in perspective, Edison Volquez’s 2008 season stats were fairly similar: 196/17/3.21/1.327. We’d all say Volquez had a pretty darn good season.I’ll tell you the who and the when in a minute. But first, I’ve got a story.Did

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-257074499269138322008-10-31T09:37:00.001-07:002008-10-31T09:39:10.255-07:00

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-39683089555253628482008-10-31T09:35:00.001-07:002008-10-31T09:36:42.093-07:00

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-41421344174206146782008-10-31T09:19:00.001-07:002008-10-31T09:29:26.821-07:00

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-63860350244682653362008-09-29T12:12:00.000-07:002008-09-29T12:13:26.987-07:00

Larry Dot Net called on Saturday to tell me Boof Brittain had left him a phone message congratulating himself on winning BABI. Dot thought that while it probably wasn’t premature, it was a breach of etiquette. Indeed it was. So what? Go ahead, Boof – do your dance.Since Boof has already congratulated himself, and since Dot was a loser, and Mr. Leaguer laid down like a dog at the end, keeping

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-39445224286370076422008-09-24T10:59:00.000-07:002008-09-24T11:05:19.552-07:00

The following was on MLB.com today:Rockies' Taveras wants everyday roleSeptember 23th, 2008Thomas Harding / MLB.comRockies manager Clint Hurdle is deliberating whether center fielder Willy Taveras will continue at leadoff man next season. All Taveras wants is a verdict that has him playing every day, whether it's with the Rockies or another club.Last night at the game, Willie was on the bench.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-16747218941963209702008-09-10T17:41:00.000-07:002008-09-10T17:46:22.881-07:00

This is the Take It For What It's Worth Dept:A friend of a friend told a friend of mine that he was drinking in a bar with Brian Wilson. Brian told him the real story of All-Star Tim Lincecum in New York.Remember how Timmy got the flu and went to the hospital, missing the All-Star game that because of its length, could really have used him?Uh, not exactly.Wilson and Lincecum got to town, and

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-59585115685841296432008-05-21T16:33:00.000-07:002008-05-21T16:39:00.454-07:00

Writing a blog is a habit. Not writing a blog can get to be a habit mighty fast. The poker boys have been complaining: "You're in first place, where is Sour Grapes?"The toughest part of going for a run are the first 3 steps. For the 89th time (give or take) here are my first 3 steps.I’ll write about the Giants and all of the BABI teams soon enough, but I just want to dip my toe in the water by

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-66382128961012987092008-04-07T11:28:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:39:04.173-08:00

Today is the Giants’ home opener, and just as it is supposed to happen, I flipped on the TV this morning with my morning coffee and found the old Ray Milland classic playing on HBO. We all love that movie, but we should remember that at its heart, it is about cheating – applying a chemical substance to the ball. On the other hand, what is funnier than watching King Kelly’s “hop” pitch.I started

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-1861003133084193042008-03-31T16:39:00.000-07:002008-04-03T12:15:10.165-07:00

It’s opening day, and despite the Giants performing about as well as we all expected (take the under 72.5 games, the UNDER), and despite Kerry Wood getting crushed today, it’s a wonderful day of baseball. Today I finally finished David Halberstam’s “October, 1964” a history of the 1964 baseball season which finished with the Cardinals defeating the Yankees in 7 games.I remember that world series

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-20394427599385863412008-03-29T11:31:00.000-07:002008-03-29T11:38:54.086-07:00

I really don’t have time to do this, but I know you all are counting on me to explain what happened yesterday. We here at Sour Grapes aim to please.Before I begin, I need to make a statement. When I write these recaps of keeper lists and the auction itself, it is obviously from the perspective of our vision of value. As a result, our team always looks better to us because we follow OUR values,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-10844121845182323552008-03-27T12:27:00.000-07:002008-03-27T12:31:42.437-07:00

No baseball here.Hillary Clinton’s gaffe this week about her claims that she came under hostile sniper fire in Bosnia while first lady has me bugged.She claimed multiple times, both in a speech and in interviews, that she and little Chelsea had to run for cover as soon as they landed for a visit in 1996. "I remember landing under sniper fire. There was supposed to be some kind of greeting

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-17523987674305390632008-03-19T10:21:00.000-07:002008-03-19T10:24:35.755-07:00

From the Chicago Tribune: “Piniella also announced Tuesday he would announce his closer by the end of this week. Kerry Wood, the probable closer, will pitch back-to-back outings for the first time this spring Wednesday and Thursday.”We should know by tomorrow night if our $3 Mr. Wood will be the closer for the Cubbies to start the season. He’s been excellent since his second outing this spring,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-11092603701424974732008-03-10T14:52:00.000-07:002010-02-04T14:52:35.455-08:00

OK, I was wrong, but I was close. There was a wake for McNulty. I was right about that. He just wasn’t dead. Now how could I guess that alternative?I loved the final episode. There were some incredible lines:Norman – “The Commissioner is about to have a Come to Damascus moment.”Rawls – “You’re a cunt hair away from being indicted.”Vinson - "That sentimental motherfucker just cost us money."And of

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-9852109340793569262008-03-09T13:25:00.000-07:002008-11-12T18:39:04.446-08:00

No, not of the blog. In just 5 hours, after 2 weeks of impatiently waiting, I’ll be watching the final episode of television’s greatest series, The Wire. If you haven’t been watching, and apparently that is a lot of you, well – you just don’t know. The best writing, the best acting, the best conception – it’s perfect. Perfect except it will soon be gone.BEWARE – POTENTIAL SPOILER COMINGIf somehow

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-6750361474768076082008-03-04T09:53:00.001-08:002008-03-04T09:53:59.749-08:00

This is a stat line that speaks for itself:………….. IP..H…R…ER..BB..SO..HRN Lowry 1….0…4…..4..…9….0…..0Technically, it was a no hitter.I’d say if the Bums were thinking about keeping him, they probably changed their mind yesterday. Speaking of the Bums, they have hiding on their potential keeper list Mike Hampton at a buck. He’s looking like the #4 starter in Atlanta this season. The Braves are

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-49858684770207645722008-03-03T16:05:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:39:05.386-08:00

I’ve been a bit busy these days, working 7 day weeks, so the blog is getting a little spotty. Here is a classic blog entry, a quick one based on an observation yesterday.I was “on the road” yesterday, meeting with some big clients on the Peninsula. After a meeting in Los Gatos, I had a craving for some ice cream, and stopped at a Baskins nearby.Of course, I was looking for my classic coffee ice

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-16705340727736166792008-02-27T19:20:00.000-08:002008-02-27T19:23:31.010-08:00

There will be a number of high priced closers available this season in the BABI draft. We assume that the following will be kept:Capps - 5 (Cartel)Corpas - 2 (Cartel)Gregg – 5 (Hobo)C. Cordero – 24 (Hobo, on a contract)F. Cordero - 27 (Bats, probably)Isringhausen – 24 (Pounders)R. Soriano – 12 (Cappers)Wilson – 11 (Falkuhns, nice FAAB pickup)All of those team situations are settled for the

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-20522394446725162052008-02-26T18:18:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:39:05.602-08:00

Sorry, boys, I’ve been sick this week, and just don’t have the gumption to keep up with both the mountains of work and the mountains of phlegm in addition to the molehill that is this blog. But I did read something this week, that I’ll write about, and get back to it in a couple of days.I’ve been reading historical sports books by great writers, and am currently working on some of the late, great

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-7659456356023054282008-02-21T18:02:00.000-08:002008-02-21T18:11:21.420-08:00

Grant over at McCovey Chronicles wrote something very funny yesterday. He linked to a San Jose Mercury article in which Aaron Rowand recommended the Giants trade for his former White Sox teammate, third baseman Joe Crede. Here is the quote that got to Grant:The Giants might be able to get Crede without parting with a pitcher like Jonathan Sanchez. Outfielder Fred Lewis is out of options and

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-69498097382260382712008-02-21T14:08:00.000-08:002008-02-21T14:14:47.905-08:00

Unless you are playing in a keeper league and you have an incredible keeper list, when the auction is over you are going to be short stats in some categories. Maybe you’ve got lots of power but not enough steals, or you’ve got plenty of saves but not enough starting pitching, or the starting pitching you’ve got isn’t very good. Something is going to be lacking. Of course, you will have gotten

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-16730888276599340722008-02-20T13:14:00.000-08:002008-02-20T13:19:22.818-08:00

Several years ago the Pickled Pecklers proposed that all the teams in BABI throw in all their cards and start over. There is so much inflation that has built up over time, we thought it would be fun to have a complete auction where everyone starts exactly even. The owners debated this mightily, and then we were mightily hooted down.I specifically remember a conversation with Mr. Leaguer in

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-40174280843459883142008-02-19T10:40:00.000-08:002008-02-19T10:46:02.966-08:00

Bonana Fanna Fo Fanna.Can we all agree that despite all the protestations of “good chemistry” and “aggressiveness” and “speed” that the Giants’ offense is going to stink this season?Here is the projected lineup according to Lefty, give or take one crappy player for another:LF- Roberts/Davis3B - FrandsenRF - WinnC - MolinaCF - Rowand2B - Durham1B - OrtmeierSS - VizquelPitcherThe rush to Momo’s

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-20788646447668084172008-02-15T13:23:00.000-08:002008-02-15T13:31:05.724-08:00

I want to follow up about Johan Santana’s value this year and the value and consistency of super starting pitchers. There will be a lot of historical pitching lines in this piece, but I’d like to start with a challenge: Here are the pitching lines of a Hall of Famer in consecutive years. Can you name him? Answer at the end, but try this, and don’t peek!Year 1 – 323 IP, 23 Wins, 1.75 ERA,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-84339215646284970342008-02-13T18:00:00.000-08:002008-02-15T14:55:31.755-08:00

The one monster player that went from the AL to the NL this off season is new Met, Johan Santana. So what is he worth in BABI?Shandler projects the following numbers:232 IP20-6 W-L record2.87 ERA1.03 WHIPLet’s compare that to our last two Cy Young winners:2007 Jake Peavy223 IP19-6 W-L record2.54 ERA1.06 WHIP2006 Brandon Webb235 IP16-8 W-L record3.10 ERA1.13 WHIPI was ready to say that those are

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-44296208869076841622008-02-12T12:58:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:39:05.889-08:00

In today’s paper we saw the following item involving a Pickled Peckler:Padres agreed to terms with first baseman Tony Clark on a one-year, $900,000 contract. Not exactly the two-year, $3 million deal the Diamondbacks reportedly offered him. Clark will primarily provide a power threat off the bench, but also could spell Adrian Gonzalez at first from time to time. He's a switch hitter, but is

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-17703977355232303432008-02-10T13:24:00.000-08:002008-02-10T13:28:11.938-08:00

I finally got Rotolab installed this week. The Doc set up the projected rosters, and I refined it. Based on Baseball HQ’s preliminary projections and our guess at the keeper and contract decisions, BABI breaks into 4 three team tiers.Top Tier – Bums, Cartel and Old RipsThe Champs have a great, deep keeper list, but the key profits are in two farm players entering their second year at $5: Ryan

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-33686718739396057412008-02-09T11:09:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:39:06.059-08:00

A really great friend of the Pickled Pecklers, Jeff Tiret, passed away yesterday. He was one of our tennis buddies, and among them, he was truly special. Many of the widespread Tiret family are tennis-playing members of the O Club, and the tennis fortunes of the Tiret and Peckler families became intertwined in a way that we really just became one big tennis-playing extended family.I remember

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-66516381248485021472008-02-08T17:05:00.000-08:002008-02-08T17:22:44.514-08:00

Grant over at the McCovey Chronicles wrote a piece about describing the SF Giants in just 6 words. He wrote a few himself, and then turned it over to his readers. You’ve got to read the comments. They are hilarious.My favorite of Grant's is: Meal ticket indicted. Team even worse.Here are a few of the better ones from the peanut gallery:Nvsfg wrote about Aaron Rowand:Size twenty heart. Size ten

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-24811905787641672482008-02-07T14:20:00.001-08:002008-02-07T14:23:55.127-08:00

George Carlin doesn't understand that phrase. Why would anyone want to Take a Dump? He thinks it makes more sense to Leave a Dump.We went ahead and bought a 3 month subscription to Shandler’s Baseball HQ. No one on their staff has any sense of humor. It’s like eating Grape Nuts dry. But we did it because we have to own something to allow me to take a break from tax returns periodically

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-42805390141368109762008-02-04T09:37:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:38:54.301-08:00

Well, I guess I got that wrong. This is why I don't bet on football.Good game. Here's to the '72 Dolphins. Again.Finally. It's baseball season. Play Ball!!!

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-21973336418041605792008-02-03T15:35:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:37:01.801-08:00

The game just started and I want to put my predictions in writing:I'll take the Patriots and give 12.I'll take the OVER 54.Tomorrow we can start talking baseball seriously.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-41620483024638308542008-02-01T17:25:00.000-08:002008-02-01T17:41:55.096-08:00

Just in time. Thank God I didn't already vote absentee.And if that wasn't enough,

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-73952090385274075642008-02-01T11:24:00.000-08:002008-02-01T11:29:53.379-08:00

It’s the Friday before the Super Bowl, and I’m just not interested. I’m not at my wife’s level of “not interested”, at least not yet. She loves the Super Bowl because there are no shopping lines anywhere in the US.I am going to watch it, because I always watch it. I’m old enough to confirm that I’ve watched every one, all XLI of them. I’ve seen them at Super Bowl parties, including a

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-72724695531979777612008-01-31T11:04:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:39:06.267-08:00

It's Super Bowl week, and I can only write so much about Pedro Feliz. So here's a little football nostalgia.There’s The Play (I was there), The Catch (I shoulda been there), The Drive (1986 AFC Championship Game) and The Fumble (1987 AFC Championship Game). I imagine there is another “The” out there, but my focus today is on The Fumble.Reading Posnanski’s blog, it is clear that as an old

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-46143638094361737962008-01-30T10:03:00.000-08:002008-01-30T11:21:41.165-08:00

I am the current owner of 2 Volvos. Sorry, let me correct that for accuracy. My wife owns a Volvo and she and I own a second Volvo.We've owned nothing but Volvos since we bought our first one in 1983. She has insisted on it, and frankly, in my unmanly manner, I don't really give a shit. I'm a "My car is transportation" kind of guy. For those concerned to hear those words, allow me to allay your

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-36322111146339322742008-01-29T14:13:00.000-08:002008-01-29T14:20:14.074-08:00

Today I’m going to try something new, albeit in an abbreviated way. At 12:55 I have opened a word file and begun a blog entry. I’m going to keep it open until I have to leave to pick up my car, which is in the shop. I’ll post whatever I’ve written along the way, in between tax returns.It might suck. If it does, maybe I’ll post it anyway.I’ve been reading Posnanski. What an amazing writer.

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-33782878959920072302008-01-28T16:22:00.000-08:002008-11-12T18:39:06.477-08:00

Rumor has it that Chris Webber is going to bookend his career with the Warriors, returning to be the power forward he never actually was for them. We certainly need one, though I guess we’re likely to find out if he’s got any gas in his tank. Given the high price of gas, it’s surprising he’ll sign for the prorated minimum salary.Don Nelson and Chris Webber are together again. Wonderful! I was

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10992460.post-35469442950896278312008-01-27T13:37:00.000-08:002008-01-27T14:02:46.643-08:00

Here’s a little weekend round up of items in baseball news. Some have a fantasy bent, some have a Giants bent, and some are just bent. Here is Sour Grapes post #350:Free agent Mike Lieberthal said he's retiring after 14 big-league seasons. The Dodgers declined to bring Lieberthal back for $1.5 million. "If they would have picked up my option, I probably would have played one more year,"

PEFACommishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02655825814861100652noreply@blogger.com1