SF Giants BaseBall 2023

I've watched my San Francisco Giants hit a higher gear these past few weeks. They sport an 11-3 record since their last losing series and are 4.5 games back of the NL League leading Dodgers. They have battled their way back to the middle ranks by utilizing young talent mixed in with veteran experience. 

Also, quality pitching, timely hitting, and precision fielding have the Giants playing as a synchronized team. It's as if they've been playing together for years. All this while weathering injuries and early season losses. Coaching gets a star for superbly mixing and matching players with on-field scenarios. 

I've been hesitant to post about their recent success for fear of jinxing their future. But after watching how courageously they battle, with a never give up attitude, it was time for me to say what I'm sure all Giants fans are thinking and/or saying about our team: 

"There's something about this squad that reminds me of those championship years!"

Now that I've said and posted it, I feel even better about our chances this season. As it stands the Giants are 28-26, tied for 5th in the National League. There's plenty of baseball left to play this season, so this post is more an observation than prediction. 

There are times in team sports where something that was missing is found and things just click into place. We just might be seeing this with the Giants as each day they come out and courageously compete. Right now, the future of this team looks very bright. 

Yesterday's Amazing Giants Game

Final Score

Pirates 4

Giants 14

SFGiants (@SFGiants) / Twitter

 

May 21, 2023  Patrick Bailey hits first career home run, Ryan Walker debuts (mlb.com)

Lakers & Celtics - Gone Too Soon!

 

Like a comet

Blazing 'cross the evening sky

Gone too soon

Like a rainbow

Fading in the twinkling of an eye

Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly

And splendidly bright

Here one day

Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight

On a cloudy afternoon

Gone too soon

Like a castle

Built upon a sandy beach

Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower

That is just beyond your reach

Gone too soon

Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight

Here one day

Gone one night

Like a sunset

Dying with the rising of the moon

Gone too soon

Gone too soon

NBA Conference Finals

Monday 5/22                     Monday 5/29

Final Score (GM4)          Final Score (GM7)

Nuggets 113                      Heat 103

Lakers 111                         Celtics 84

 

FSU's Kathryn Sandercock Cooks-Up Perfect Game!

7 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 5 Ks, 0 R, and 59 pitches

When a pitcher finds themself in a "Zone" during a baseball or softball game, it is up to their team and coaches to recognize the moment with all the encouragement and support they can muster. Yesterday, for Florida State Women's Softball, the Seminoles squad can proudly claim full recognition for a job well done. 

Seminoles pitcher Kathryn Sandercock pitched a perfect game against the South Carolina Gamecocks with a performance that was legendary. She took the mound in a best of three series, "win or go home" game 3 scenario. 21 outs later she is being mauled on the mound by ecstatic teammates after producing a pitching masterpiece: 0 Runs - 0 Hits - 0 Errors, with 0 Walks.

Final Score

Florida State 1

South Carolina 0

Congratulations Kathryn for stepping up to the plate and delivering a commanding performance in the clutch. 

For us fans in love with the sport of Pitching, Batting, Fielding & Catching, Ed Sheeran may have sung it best!

Good luck Seminoles advancing to the NCAA Tournament Super Regional round to face the Georgia Bulldogs.

Sandercock's Perfect Game leads FSU Softball to program's 10th Super Regional (247sports.com)

note: Hope Trautwein pitches 21-strikeout perfect game (2021)

Warning! They’re Back!

 

Banning Books

Dividing Citizens

Violent Attacks

Distorting Truth

Obstructing Justice

Repealing Freedoms

Blaming Innocents

Speading Lies, Fears & Falsehoods

Glorifying Nazism

Don’t Be A Sucker!

No Mystery in Boston: The Butler Did It!

After sinking a 3-pointer to go up 96-87 with 6:37 left in the game, Boston Celtics PF Grant Williams went back down the floor and did the unthinkable. He began trash talking to Miami Heat star forward Jimmy Butler. In other words, he "Poked the Bear!" 

When will the Boston Celtics learn their lesson. Last year's NBA Finals had Boston fans poking fun at Warriors star guard Steph Curry's wife Ayesha's cooking, by wearing "Ayesha Curry Can't Cook" t-shirts. 

With the Warriors down 2 games to 1. Steph Curry went into Boston's TD Garden and lit-up the leprechauns to the tune of 43-points and a series tying win. The Celtics were never the same afterwards, losing the series 4 games to 2.

Now, here we are a year later at TD Garden with the stakes being a chance to advance to the NBA Finals. After losing game 1 at home, you would think the Celtics would tread lightly, holding on to a tenuous 9-point lead down the stretch. And it looked like that was the Celtics approach until Grant Williams began taunting and antagonizing Jimmy Butler.

The Bear . . ., I mean the Butler, simply smiled then proceeded to lead his team on a 24-9 game closing run that left Celtics players and fans wondering how they squandered a chance to even the series. Well, I'm here to solve the mystery and tell all you Celtics fans exactly how you blew the opportunity. 

For Boston sports fans there should be a mural painted in the town square of the "Butler Bear" going head-to-head with Williams after being poked. The scene of these two players literally going Head-to-Head has to become a classic sports photo epitomizing the term "Don't Poke the Bear." 

With the Heat up 2-0 and the series heading to Miami for two games, maybe, just maybe the Celtics won't go poking around in the kitchen of Jimmy Butler. Maybe they've finally learned their lesson. 

"The Butler Can Cook"

Final Score

Heat 111

Celtics 105

NBA Twitter trolls Grant Williams for taking page out of the Dillon Brooks playbook (fansided.com)

Lies My U.S. Congressman Told Me

 

Every George Santos Lie .  .  .  To Date

George Santos is currently a sitting United States Congressional Representative from New York’s 3rd District. He is a member of the Republican Party and claims to be Jew-ISH. He seems to fit right in with today’s right-wing political party of disinformation and deception. Yes, George is a real trumper, a go-getter, a “fake-it-till-you-make-it” manipulator. He’s Tucker Carlson unhinged and Elizabeth Holmes unrepentent.

And if you’ve heard any of the easily exposed and utterly ridiculous lies told by George, you begin to understand not who he is but what he is. You see, George Santos is what you’d call a “Pathological Liar.“ He lies because he can’t control his impulse not to lie. Yes, he is a Compulsive Liar who knowingly lies. And his lies come in all shapes, sizes and colors. 

Let’s face it, politicians are known to coverup, mislead and/or fudge the facts when addressing voters. We just had a 45th U.S. President who was truly allergic to giving facts, resorting to alterrnative facts. But George here isn’t allergic to giving the facts, he’s just addicted to telling lie, after lie, after lie. And like the 45th President, George’s lies have led to his indictment on a number of charges.

“This indictment seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself.  He used political contributions to line his pockets, unlawfully applied for unemployment benefits that should have gone to New Yorkers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic, and lied to the House of Representatives.

I believe George, like the indicted 45th President, needs medical attention to address his mental health. 

Example: When George lied about his mother’s career as a pioneering female executive, he seemed trivial. When he lied she died in the World Trade Center south tower during the  9/11 terrorist attack, he seemed sick.

America has a known mental health crisis sitting in its congress. It goes by the assumed name of George Santos. His party and colleagues should seriously address conducting an intervention in efforts to get him into immediate treatment. 

Treatment for Pathological Lying

Treating this behavior is complicated. No medication will fix it. The best option is psychotherapy, but even that can pose challenges. That's because pathological liars may lie to their therapist instead of addressing their lying behavior.

Treatment will depend on what they need and what they respond to during therapy sessions. Finding a qualified, experienced therapist for the long term is key to managing this condition.‌

Suggest medical treatment. If the person who's lying seems distressed by their lies, you might suggest they get professional help. Therapy can help them confront the root of their lying and may lead to changed behavior.

Miracle of Marcelino - Happy Mother's Day

"Marcelino Pan Y Vino," is about a little orphan boy who causes a miracle. Left on the doorstep of a monastery as an infant, Marcelino was raised by the Monks. He was well cared for but lonely and missed having a mother. One day he found a special friend in the forbidden attic... hanging on a cross — a friend that would repay Marcelino's kindness by granting him one heart-felt wish.

If any movie is deserving of watching on a day reserved for Mothers, it is this one. The Miracle of Marcelino caught me completely off guard with its "pull at the heartstrings" appeal. This 1955 Spanish made movie shares with viewers the loves and needs of a child, along with a just reward granted by an almighty God. 

It might take a village to raise a child, but Mothers are the true gift God bestows on every infant born on this planet. Whether she be on earth or in heaven, her unconditional love is a want and need which draws our very being like a magnet. In the image of a Mother a child may see God.

And for orphans like Marcelino, once they meet a loving Mother and see the beam of beauty and love emanating from her, the reality of what a Mother is sets in. From this transforming encounter an orphan without a Mother can feel and imagine his/her absent Mother's love. 

It is then that God's grace takes over and provides whatever is needed.

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers!

Especially, Mother's absent from their child's life

God Provides a Way!

The Gift That Keeps on Giving - L.A. Chokes

 

Raiderlegend Repost: 2020 World Series Game 4 

It was bottom of the ninth, two outs and a 3-1 World Series lead in the bag should a game ending third strike materialize. The Dodgers had out-battled the Rays 7-6, deserving of the team with the best record in major league baseball 2020. One out away from everyone outside Tampa Bay baseball crowning their asses champions early, the boys from SoCal were on the cusp of driving a dagger into the heart & hopes of this formidable opponent. It was truly the best of times for the "better luck next year" L.A. Dodgers.

Then came the two out base hit from seldom used Rays outfielder Brett Phillips to drive home the classic Dickens quote; it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And just like that a classic baseball game became a classic novel; "A tale of two cities." 

One hit, two errors, a tumbling down baserunner and a two run walk-off in the most zany, improbable World Series game ending play ever. Anyone who watched last night is waking up and replaying video of that play just to be sure what they saw actually happened the way they think it did. But as Freddy Krueger once said, "This is not a dream!"   It was however a Nightmare for Dodgers fans on Elm Street and beyond. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.

Cont'd

Raiders Draft Results

Finally, after weeks of Draft Projections we get the real deal. All the Raiders picks look good. They smartly let their needs dictate their picks rather than any shiny object sparkling on the board. 

There was a time where the Raiders (Al Davis) would target speed in the draft as opposed to need. Raiders fans know what I'm talking about (Raiders Speedsters). The ill-fated Henry Ruggs III was the last. Those times are now in the past, thank goodness. 

The Raiders did draft a little speedster/cheetah in the third-round, Tre Tucker out of Cincinnati. He's listed as a wide receiver, but his versatile skillset makes him a multi-purpose threat. He thrived on special teams playing both sides of the ball. A point of interest about Tre is he has a wrestling background, which translates into balance and toughness.

The needs the Raiders addressed were mostly on defense with DE Tyree Wilson out of Texas Tech. as their first-round pick (7th). 

A much needed defensive inside presence was drafted in DT Byron Young. "The best ability is availability." He played 54 consecutive games over four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide. What more can you want. Roll Tide!

CB Jakorian Bennett was a needed pick in the fourth-round. He'll add to the much needed depth in the Raiders defensive secondary. "Tenacious & Athletic" are two descriptions used about this pick. 

Another much needed offensive pick was TE Michael Mayer. After seeing Darren Waller leave for New York, and Foster Moreau stepping away from football to address medical issues, Mayer is a welcome sight to the receiving corps. He not only has decent hands but is a big blocking tight end who can seal the corner for end arounds. He's an additional big body on the O-Line and a beast to tackle with the ball.

Mitchell Renz Raiders Draft Grades

Curry-Looney Show Subdues Sacramento

 

The Golden State Warriors closed out their first-round playoff series with a Game 7 shutdown of the Sacramento Kings. Overall, it was a championship team effort. Obvious to all viewers were two individuals whose Dynamic-Duo performances were simply legendary. 

Center Kevon Looney had 21 rebounds to go with 11 points. He controlled the glass at both ends (10 ORB/11 DRB), scoring on a number of putbacks. His offensive rebounds gave the Warriors a second, third or in at least one instance a fourth shot attempt. Looney has been doing this the entire series (3 games with 20+ rebounds). However, yesterday's rebounding was a much-needed assist to a Warriors legendary star who shined and twinkled brightest yesterday for all the NBA universe to see.

Wardell Stephen Curry II, son of former NBA player WSC Sr., simply lit up Sacramento's Golden 1 Center with a performance for the ages. He was "Beaming" with confidence and commitment. He shot over, under, around and through Kings defenders repeatedly to score the most points ever in any NBA playoff game 7: (50 pts).

Coming out after half-time, down 56-58, Steph Curry took over the Warriors offense and the Kings slowly began to wilt. He had that look in his eyes reflecting his will to win and not be denied. He made thirteen 2-point shots and seven 3-pointers. Steph was in a zone and the rest of the team knew and supported it. 

"It wasn't what he did that was so impressive, but how he did it!" 

- network sports analyst

Sports analysts who continue to question Steph's greatness (Haters!) were left echoing superlatives their sports desk constituents always used in highlighting Steph's basketball skills. "He is one of the greatest to ever play the game and deserves to be in that conversation."

With Looney kicking out rebounds and Curry knocking down shots, the Sacramento Kings cow-bell ringing, purple beam shooting displays were put to bed.

"Never underestimate the Heart of a Champion"

Final Score

Warriors 120

Kings 100

New York Times,  - Stephen Curry's Game7  50 Point Masterpiece 

Basketball Terms - Terminology