Giants Archives - Jane Heller

The Infirmary Population Grows Even Larger

April 29, 2019

I was thrilled when I read that the “C” team Yankees had miraculously swept the Giants for their 11th win in 13 games — until I saw the words: “second baseman DJ LeMahieu exited in the third due to right knee inflammation and third baseman Gio Urshela exited two innings later when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand.” Are you kidding me???? This injury thing has gotten ridiculous and it’s unprecedented. A team cannot lose every single player. Yes, we’ll have some guys coming back from the IL but who knows when and what do we do in the meantime? Both LeMahieu and Urshela have been terrific filling in for the “A” list guys, and now this? All I can hope for is that their injuries aren’t serious.

Meanwhile, Gary Sanchez continues to wield a hot bat, hitting another homer yesterday, in addition to the one by Torres (Leo, that was for you, since you yelled at him in your comment). Voit keeps slugging and Maybin has turned out to be a nice pickup.

Starting pitching wise, German wasn’t perfect but good enough to get the win. The kid clearly has talent.

After today’s off-day, the Yankees will continue their west coast swing in Arizona. Please let the surviving players stay healthy.

Help is on the Way

August 31, 2018

I’m happy about this. As I commented to Leo yesterday, Judge isn’t coming back this season (my guess), and the Yankees knew it. So they acquired OF Andrew McCutchen from the Giants and while he isn’t 20 anymore, he’s still a three-time All Star with pop in his bat — and said to be one of the really good guys in baseball. If the trade (for minor leaguers) comes through by the end of the day, he’ll be eligible for the postseason roster.

After last night’s debacle against Detroit, it would be nice to get a new closer too, since Chapman may or may not be back. Betances is NOT a closer!

The Chapman Sweepstakes

July 24, 2016

Following the Yankees’ series win against the Giants today, speculation is rampant that a deal for Aroldis Chapman is about to close. According to many sportswriters, the top teams in contention for his services include the Indians, Cubs, Rangers and Nationals. All I can say is that it’s been fun watching Chapman throw gas at batters and get swings and misses. As long as he remains a good guy and doesn’t get into any further trouble outside of baseball, he’ll make a great closer for anybody who needs one. Luckily, we’ve got Betances and Miller, so Chapman, while entertaining to watch, is dispensable – provided we get really good prospects in return. That’s the point. Whoever goes before the August 1 trade deadline better bring us top quality players, whether for this season or the future.

What will be interesting is whether Beltran, Teixeira and others are dealt too. The Yankees are clearly on a roll after their series against the Orioles and Giants. Will they continue to win? Or was this streak a fluke? We shall see.

Yankees Showed Shocking Signs of Life Vs. O’s

July 22, 2016

Yes, the O’s were depleted and a virus of some sort was running through their clubhouse, but the Yankees won three out of the four games at the Stadium and that’s an accomplishment. They got what they needed: timely hitting (even Tex had a homer) and good pitching. Yesterday’s loss was a shame, because it looked as if they might get on a nice run.

But back to reality, what are the chances that they beat the Giants this weekend? What are the chances that Cashman still won’t deal the upcoming free agents to build for next year? The organization probably doesn’t see them getting a wild card berth, but maybe I’m wrong. I just don’t know. We’re approaching the August 1st trade deadline so something needs to happen if it’s going to. But again, what do I know? Maybe they’ll stick with this group and see where it leads. If I had to put money on it, I’d say there will be trades. Yeah, I’m going with trades.

That said, I’d scream with excitement if somehow, some way, the 2016 Yankees got into the playoffs.

Goodbye, Mo

September 22, 2013

There’s only so much crying a person can take. I was wailing my brains out during Mo’s farewell and then Pettitte’s walk off the mound: a doubleheader of pain. The game didn’t do much to lift my spirits either, but it was the Yankees’ season in a nutshell. They either got good pitching and no offense this year or lots of offense and bad pitching.

Poor Zoilo Almonte. He made a rookie mistake hesitating at third base in a crucial situation. And Murphy’s strikeout to end the game was rough. But that’s what happens when your bench is full of kids. Sigh.

The right script would have been for Andy to get the win and Mo to notch the save. It wasn’t meant to be.

Mostly what I thought as I watched today was that I don’t want the old guys to leave us. I don’t like the new guys. I want the old guys to stay forever. I wonder what was going through Jeter’s mind as he hugged his departing teammates.

I’ll stop now before I get too maudlin. Yes, there are a few games left, but not in the Bronx. Sob.

The Good Nova Was Back

September 21, 2013

I missed today’s game (see my Mainly Jane blog), but from what I read Nova pitched a beauty. Good for him to rebound from that awful start in Boston and get his confidence back. The Giants aren’t the Red Sox, but a complete game shutout is nothing to sneeze at.

Sounds like Soriano continued his power hitting, despite his sore thumb, and Nunez had a very big day at the plate. I’ve stopped scoreboard watching for the most part, because I still don’t think the Yankees have much of a shot at a Wild Card spot, but another win is sweet.

Tomorrow is the day I’m both looking forward to and dreading. Not only will it be Pettitte’s last home game but, of course, Mo’s official farewell. The game is on TBS and I really hope they’ll show at least some of the pre-game festivities. If not, I’m sure there will be clips on YES. I also hope Mo gets to pitch at home one last time and that Girardi will put him in the game even if it’s not a save situation.

Breaking Records

September 20, 2013

I’d be a hypocrite if I said I wasn’t happy about A-Rod’s grand slam tonight. It gave the Yankees a win in the series opener against the Giants and kept them from a very long winter – temporarily.

But I’d also be lying if I said I wasn’t conflicted about the grand slam moving him ahead of true Yankees legends. His record is tainted. We don’t know when he was using what banned substances or how they did or didn’t contribute to his ability to bang out homers. I’m sure Randy Levine isn’t thrilled to have to write those bonus checks for each of his milestones.

But he’s playing hurt and hasn’t been hitting (or running), and it must have been pure upper body strength that sent tonight’s big homer out of the Stadium.

CC, too, hung in there. I didn’t see the whole game, but I could tell he was grinding even against the weak-hitting Giants.

I was impressed by Nunez’s defense at third (yes, I’m actually praising Eduardo Scissorhands). Clearly, he’s capable and has a good arm. He just needs to….I don’t know……be more consistent?

Pettitte’s retirement announcement was a bittersweet reminder that it really is the end of an era. I keep wondering where our next starting pitchers will come from, but that’s a discussion for another time.

In The "Things Could Always Be Worse" Category

July 11, 2013

If reading about A-Rod’s coming suspension is getting you down, here’s another sordid story – this one about a guy who was with the Yankees for five minutes. What is wrong with people????????????

Via Huffington Post:

Chad Gaudin Faces Lewdness Charge: Giants Pitcher Accused Of Touching Woman’s Breast In Hospital

Chad Gaudin, #57 of the San Francisco Giants, was arrested Jan. 27 and charged earlier this month with open and gross lewdness, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://bit.ly/11CURlh).

The arrest wasn’t publicized back in January and the newspaper reported on the case on Wednesday.

According to police reports, Gaudin appeared drunk when he approached a 23-year-old woman on a gurney at Desert Springs Hospital, told her she was gorgeous and touched her face and breast.A paramedic who witnessed the incident told Gaudin to leave the woman alone, but he refused, and security staff held him down until police arrived, the report said.

“I asked Gaudin several times how he ended up at the hospital and each time he told me that he didn’t know,” the officer wrote in the report. “Gaudin appeared to be intoxicated. He had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, trouble standing still, obeying commands, an odor of alcoholic beverages and couldn’t repeat his house number, where he lives, the same way twice in a row.”

Team officials didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on the case Wednesday. A number listed for Gaudin in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nev., appeared to be disconnected.

Gaudin, who has pitched as a starter and in relief, is 2-1 this year with a 2.44 ERA. He last pitched against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, when he got a no decision, going seven innings and giving up a run on four hits.He’s married and has one son, according to his biography on the Giants’ official website.

In The “Things Could Always Be Worse” Category

July 11, 2013

Via Huffington Post:

Chad Gaudin Faces Lewdness Charge: Giants Pitcher Accused Of Touching Woman’s Breast In Hospital

Chad Gaudin, #57 of the San Francisco Giants, was arrested Jan. 27 and charged earlier this month with open and gross lewdness, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://bit.ly/11CURlh).

The arrest wasn’t publicized back in January and the newspaper reported on the case on Wednesday.

According to police reports, Gaudin appeared drunk when he approached a 23-year-old woman on a gurney at Desert Springs Hospital, told her she was gorgeous and touched her face and breast.A paramedic who witnessed the incident told Gaudin to leave the woman alone, but he refused, and security staff held him down until police arrived, the report said.

“I asked Gaudin several times how he ended up at the hospital and each time he told me that he didn’t know,” the officer wrote in the report. “Gaudin appeared to be intoxicated. He had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, trouble standing still, obeying commands, an odor of alcoholic beverages and couldn’t repeat his house number, where he lives, the same way twice in a row.”

Team officials didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on the case Wednesday. A number listed for Gaudin in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nev., appeared to be disconnected.

Gaudin, who has pitched as a starter and in relief, is 2-1 this year with a 2.44 ERA. He last pitched against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, when he got a no decision, going seven innings and giving up a run on four hits.He’s married and has one son, according to his biography on the Giants’ official website.

The Newest Yankee Has Gray Hair

November 5, 2012

No Hair Club for Men for Eli Whiteside, whom the Yanks claimed off waivers from the Giants. Who knows if we’ll ever see him in pinstripes – it’s a long way from being on the 40-man roster in November and showing up in the Bronx on Opening Day – but Cervelli is probably moping.

So It's Giants Vs. Tigers In The World Series

October 22, 2012

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

In other words,

I didn’t even watch Game 7 of Giants-Cardinals tonight. I went for the debate instead. I wish I could muster some interest in the World Series, but without the Yanks or any team I’m invested in emotionally, I just don’t care a whole lot. Tell me if it gets exciting or if there’s a storyline I’m missing.

So It’s Giants Vs. Tigers In The World Series

October 22, 2012

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

In other words,

Baseball Can Be A Cold Business

April 4, 2012

Yes, it was heartwarming to see Andy Pettitte pitch a scoreless inning, but for Cervelli the game and its aftermath wasn’t much fun. After he hit a homer against the Mets, he was informed that he was being optioned to AAA.

I thought he had the backup catcher job locked up and so, apparently, did he. It seems the job will now go to somebody named Chris Stewart, newly acquired from the Giants for George Kontos.

Poor Cisco. He’s had – what? – like 10 concussions by now? He hasn’t always been the greatest catcher, no question, but he deserved to stay in the bigs if you ask me, which nobody is.

Oh well.

After tomorrow’s workout at the evil Trop, the season will kick off there against the Rays and all will be right with the world.

Baseball At The Hair Salon Today

March 10, 2011

So I was sitting in the chair, having my hair blown dry, when Andie, my stylist, said, “My son is bringing his new girlfriend home for dinner tomorrow night.”

“Really? That’s exciting,” I said, as I flipped through last month’s issue of Town and Country. I’d been reading the article about the McCourt’s divorce that Andie had brought over to show me. She’s a Dodgers fan and is sickened by what’s happening with her team’s owners. “Are you looking forward to meeting her?”

“I was,” she said. “But my son told me she has a problem.”

“What kind of a problem?” I asked, thinking we might be talking about drugs, alcohol, shop lifting, an addiction to reality shows.

“She’s a Giants fan.” Andie made a face.

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. For baseball fans on this coast, the rivalry between the Dodgers and Giants is as intense as Yankees-Red Sox. “Maybe she’s just a casual fan. Maybe she just said that because she’s from the Bay Area.”

“Nope. Her family has season’s tickets. They’re hardcore.”

“Well, he’s not marrying her,” I pointed out. “He’s just bringing her home for dinner.”

She sighed as she finished my hair. “We’ll see about that.”

I would love to be a fly on the wall at their dinner.

Meanwhile, how about Jorge playing first today against the Phillies? I’m so impressed with the way he’s going along with his new role(s). Hip hip. And CC was back on track after his rocky start the other day. How funny was it after he took a comebacker off his thigh and told everybody he was fine because he “had a lot of meat down there.”

Laughing Woman — (courtesy: olaughingpress.com)

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