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First, a Word About the Greatest Ballplayer to Ever play the Game
Willie Mays passed away at 93 while the Giants were playing a ball game, which was somehow fitting. There is plenty of press about Willie’s records and longevity in the game. I was privileged to see him for the first time in 1958 (as a 12-year-old) at the old Seals stadium when the Giants moved out here from New York. He was a rock for the team at the plate and in the field. He struck fear in every pitcher he ever faced and smiled while doing it. The Hall of Fame credentials, the Presidential Medal, and countless other honors are great, but he will forever be enshrined in the hearts of every Giants fan for the boundless joy he brought to the game. I am privileged to own a copy of the Catch signed by Willie – it’s hanging at the Palisades office. Say Hey, Willie.
The Wild Card is Still in Sight, But Just Barely, Pitching Anyone?
The G-Men are still alive in the Wild Card race (even though they are in 4th place in the NL West and behind everyone but the Rockies), but to say this team hasn't lived up to the offseason expectations and needs to get back on track is to downplay the problems. While not everyone has been bad, there are real disappointments, starting with Blake Snell and the entire pitching staff other than Logan Webb. It’s all about pitching and we need starters.
Snell already has had two stints on the IL and has performed poorly when he has pitched. Through six starts, he has an ERA of 9.51 and a WHIP of 1.944. He has flashed the ability of the pitcher that they signed, but each of his starts has fallen apart. Batters are slashing .308/.395/.500 against him. It's impossible to find success as a pitcher if that's what you're giving up. Snell may be a one-year deal despite initially being signed as a two-year contract. He can opt out after this season and search for a new home and, if things don't turn around, it wouldn't be surprising to see him on his way out.
There is no one dependable behind Webb, and the bullpen (including Dovel) is melting down from the pressure. You can only have so many bullpen games. Maybe we can turn Hjelle into a starter.
How about the Offense, where is it? And our Off-Season Moves?
The other big, failed, signing to this point has been Jorge Soler. It was a three-year/$42 million contract, hoping to capitalize on the success he had with the Miami Marlins a year ago.
The 32-year-old is starting to turn things around but has really struggled for most of the season. Over the past two weeks, he's slashing .286/.375/.381. His batting average has hovered closer to .200 for most of the year but has improved to .219 entering this week. Jorge, get with it, we need you!
The bright spots are Heliot Ramos and Patrick Bailey. Ramos is a stud who is making incredible catches in the field and has the hottest bat in the game of all the Giants. Hopefully, as we go into the second half of the season, he will stabilize the offense (and the defense). He is worth coming to the ballpark to see all by himself. Bailey is the second coming of Buster Posey, and I don’t say that lightly. Watch that young man, he keeps getting better.
Matt Chapman started the season out slowly but has turned things around to look more like the player that they had hoped for. Chapman has been a large reason we have turned around from the ugly start and injury troubles to now being in the fight for a Wild Card spot.
Jordan Hicks has also been one that's worked out. He was a career flame-throwing relief pitcher that has switched to a starter with a weaker fastball, but he’s now started looking much better. Unfortunately, he is only one of two relatively dependable starters. Robbie Ray will be a welcome addition to a rocky bullpen when he finally debuts.
Breaking it all down, this team is still jelling and trying to establish a personality. If we can improve the starting pitching this season could turn around quickly.
The Series to Come – The Cubs and the Dodgers
The Cubbies are coming into Oracle with an identical record to the Giants. They have their own issues with hitting and pitching but just took a series (2 to 1) against the G-Men in Chicago. Hopefully, the Gigantes can return the favor this coming week. After that, the team that shall not be named from somewhere south of Santa Barbara (I cannot bring myself to name them) will come into town. Their swagger is obnoxious but earned. Otani will be the big draw. Taking that series would be an awesome achievement. We will all watch.
On the board ready to be picked up are:
WED 6/26 [6:45] – Cubs [3 – I'm going]
THUR 6/27 [12:45] – Cubs [4]
Let the torture continue!
Ciao, and GO GIANTS!
The Czar
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THE PROTOCOL: The firm has four seats in Section 118 (Premium Lower Boxes), Rows 25 and 26. These are awesome seats directly below the press box and 25 rows behind home plate on the left side behind the screen. It is foul ball territory for left-handed batters so bring your glove – I have collected 22 foul balls myself over 23 years and am looking for more. If we don’t use all the tickets ourselves (or clients and friends of the firm don't claim them by calling me and reserving a game), then my next step is to give the tickets TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO GETS BACK TO ME PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE SERIOUS. If you ask for the tickets and don't use them, you will be taken off the list unless there is a seriously good reason. There will be a wait list.
When there are four seats available (we split up a lot of games) we will allocate the tickets two and two if the first people back just want two tickets. You can also go for four and might get them. I'm the Czar, my call.
Oh, and BTW, The Czar found the original Hinman & Carmichael brick from 2000 (after looking for it every year since 2000) and found H&C’s Gotham Club Founders Bat! If you are on the patio, or in the Club, look for the symbols of baseball!
