Tagged: Angeles

April 2, 2009

2007 Home Run Derby Pictures…

I have never posted a blog about this, but I did go to the Home Run Derby when it was at AT&T Park. I just wish I would have took more pictures. The battery died on the camera so I knew I only had a few pictures in it. It really was a cool experience to see all the booths and stuff they had set up outside of the stadium. Right when I walked in the stadium I went straight to the field. The National League team was having batting practice and the American League team was starting to stretch out in front of me. I got a couple pictures of some of them up close. It was just really cool to see all these players from different teams up close. These players seemed so loose and were just joking around. You knew they were all having a blast.

Here is a couple of pictures from my seat view. I never sat this high before but these were the only tickets I could find for the Home Run Derby.

The winner of the 2007 Home Rub Derby was big, bad Vladimir Guerrero from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

~ King of Cali

April 2, 2009

My 2nd Fantasy Baseball Team

Last Friday I did my 2nd Fantasy Draft. I had the 6th pick in the draft. My #1 pick of the draft was Josh Hamilton. I have never played Fantasy Baseball before so I’m still not to sure how everything works. I know I have two guys on this team that are injured. I decided to get Alex Rodriguez since I figured he would be back in May. I also got Troy Glaus. I had no idea he was injured. I think I seen on MLB. com today that he won’t be back till June. Grrrrrrreat (not Tony The Tiger Grrrrrrreat) now I need to figure something out. lol Well here is my 2nd Fantasy team. Let me know what you think and any suggestions would be nice. =)

Team – King of Cali

C                  Brian McCann

1B               Pablo Sandoval

2B                Howie Kendrick

3B               Alex Rodriguez

SS                 Rafael Furcal

OF                Josh Hamilton

OF                Alfonso Soriano

OF                Corey Hart

Util              Andre Ethier

Util              Jim Thome

BN                Delmon Young

BN                Orlando Hudson

BN                Troy Glaus

BN                Fred Lewis

SP                 Jon Lester

SP                 Matt Cain

RP                George Sherrill

RP                Chad Qualls

P                   John Danks

P                   Ryan Dempster

P                   Jered Weaver

~ King of Cali

March 13, 2009

Who would you build around?

This is just something I have been thinking about and I’m curious as to what other bloggers think about this. If you could start your with one player. Who would be the guy you would build your team around? Would you start off with a young Ace like Tim Lincecum. Somebody that can start every five days and shut the other team down. Maybe you want a star shortstop like Derek Jeter. Someone that can hit and give you a 100% day in and day out. Maybe you want a centerfielder like Aaron Rowand that goes balls out on defense. You can even go with a monster swinger like Ryan Howard. He can spark your offense and get a ton of RBI’s. There is so many ways you can go with this. I’m just curious to see what bloggers would go with what guys to start a team and build around them. I look forward to your comments.

~King of Cali

February 13, 2009

Q&A with radio host Damon Bruce from KNBR

I would like to introduce all of you to Damon Bruce. You can hear Damon on KNBR, the Giants flagship station. Where he is the nightly host of “Sportsphone 680”, which is heard from 7-10pm Pacific Time. You can also stream his show online at www.knbr.com. You gamers out there might recognize his voice, he does the play-by-play for the video game “The Bigs”. One thing I love about Damon is that he’s very passionate about the Giants and what they should be doing to improve the team. Damon was born in Chicago. You would never know it from hearing him on the radio, but he’s a Chicago Cubs fan! I know that his second favorite team is the Giants! Damon does a “Giants Hot Stove League Show” where he interviews players, coaches and broadcasters.

I recently contacted Damon, told him about my blog and asked him if I could
interview him for it. He agreed to let me interview him via email. I did get a chance to meet Damon when I was at the Giants Fan Fest. I walked up and introduced myself to him. Not only did he know who I was, but he obviously reads his own emails! He told me he would have all the answers to me by early in the week. It was great to finally meet the man behind the voice. (Picture to the right is Zito, Frandsen and Bruce at Giants Fan Fest.)

Here is a Q & A with sports host Damon Bruce from KNBR.

King: Since it’s known you’re a Chicago Cubs fan and you cover the Giants. Who would you want to win in the NLCS if they played each other?

Damon B: Cubs vs Giants – Lets hope, and it’s a sfe bet… that’s not going to be a problem for me. Personally, I would love to see the Cubs in the World Series in my lifetime, but not at the expense of me getting to cover a World Series in my lifetime. I would likely have to take the series off, and just start drinking heavily.

King: Who is your favorite player current and all time?

Damon B: Favorite Player All Time – Mark Grace… if we’re talking current Giants: Lincecum or Cain

King: What’s your best Giants memory?

Damon B: Covering Bonds the night he tied Hank Aaron in San Diego. It was surreal to watch him do that in another team’s ball park. Padres fans didn’t want to applaud, but they couldn’t stop themselves. It’s covered in scandal, but it was quite a moment in time.

King: What’s your opinion on Manny Ramirez possibly being a Giant?

Damon B: Sign him before the Dodgers do… are you even serious with this question? This guy is a proven winner, and the best post-season performer in ML history. I can’t belive the Giants are just watching the Dodgers take their time with this guy.

King: I like adding Renteria and Johnson if they add a clean up hitter. If they don’t then I don’t see a point if they aren’t trying to win. What do you think about those signings?

Damon B: Both are stop gaps… Renteria will be an offensive upgrade over Omar, but not 1/2 the defender. It really show’s they don’t have a player in their minor league system ready to go at SS. It’s a C-plus signing, maybe a B-minus… lets see how he plays and adjusts to NL pitching again. Johnson is a sub-plot to the season which will be cool to cover. 300 wins is special, and hopefully it gives the Giants incentive to deal some pitching for a bat.

King: If you were the Giants GM what moves would you have made this off-season?

Damon B: Manny… Manny… Manny… trade some pitching for a real bat if he didn’t sign. I like the Affeldt signing, would have tried to deal for Holliday instead of letting the A’s do it. Would have never inked Zito for that cash… I could go on & on… but I’ll spare you. Oh, I would have made a move on Dan Uggla.

King: Has there been a recent move by a team this off-season that you’re impressed with and didn’t see coming?

Damon B: I think every off-season needs to be spent addressing major issues… there is a major lack of major league bat in the middle of this line-up, and until that’s fixed, they’re just painting a rusty car, not treating the rust.

King: What’s your prediction for the NL West?

Damon B: D-Backs, Giants, Dodgers, Rockies, Padres.

King: What’s your take on the Barry Bonds issue?

Damon B: Should have come clean a-la A-Rod and this would have been over years ago. His ego was his greatest asset and worst enemy at the same time.

King: Is there anything you want to let people know about you that they might not know?

Damon B: I’ve written a book about Bay Area Sports Lists… will be out near the beginning of baseball season. It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, so I’m excited, and hope people dig it.

I hoped you guys really enjoyed getting to know a little about Damon Bruce.
Thanks again Damon for taking the time to answer these questions and it was really nice to meet you at the Giants FanFest. Here is a picture of Damon and I at the Giants Fan Fest.

~King of Cali

February 12, 2009

Domino effect time for free agents

With spring training here. I think a lot of players are going to start to panic
that they are not on teams. They don’t want to sign late and miss the start of the season. I’m sure we will see some signings starting to come quick. Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn signing recently is starting the domino effect for the rest of the players. If someone would have asked you at the beginning of the off-season that your team can get Abreu for $5 million would you have believed them? I’m sure if any team would have thought that. Every team would have jumped to try to get that deal worked out quick. Abreu is a steal for the Angels. It’s such a great move cause they got him for cheap and he can bat anywhere. They don’t expect him to be a huge force. He’s just a great bat that has some pop. He will get them about 20 or more home runs and will hit about .300. Can’t ask for anything more than that for a $5 million deal.

I think Adam Dunn was waiting as long as he could to get a better offer. He just never got it, so he decided to finally sign with the Nationals. The reason I say finally cause it was reported a while back that the Nationals had a contract offer to Dunn but he just kept waiting and waiting. I think he was waiting for Manny to sign and then see what’s out there for him. I’m sure he was hoping Manny wouldn’t sign in LA, so he can sign with the Dodgers.

Now it’s wait and see who’s signing next. I’m sure most of us have heard the Dodgers are trying to sign Manny and Orlando Hudson. As a Giants fan I hate this move. As a baseball fan… I think this makes the Dodgers a whole lot stronger. To add these two bats to your lineup. Orlando will hit around .300 and Manny will just rake all day at the plate. I hope the Dodgers can’t get both of these players, but if they do. We will just throw Tim Lincecum at them and no Dodgers will be hitting that day. =)

~King of Cali

February 11, 2009

Abreu going out west… Orlando Cabrera too?

One big name is now off the free angent list. Bobby Abreu has signed a one
year contract with the Angels. I think this is a good move for the Angels. They already have big bad Vlad and to add a good bat like Abreu can only help your offense. They did need to fill some gap that was left by Mark Teixeira depature to the Yanks. Now lets see what move the A’s will come back with now. The A’s are still working on a deal to try to sign Orlando Cabrera. If he doesn’t want to be teamless this close to Spring Training. I’m sure they will work something out within the next few days. The AL West should be a good battle with the A’s upgrading their offense and the Angels still having their solid team. They did lose Teixeira but got a decent bat by adding Abreu.

~King of Cali

February 10, 2009

Giants sign Edgardo Alfonzo

The Giants got him! Not the San Francisco Giants. The Yomiuri Giants signed
Edgardo Alfonzo. He signed a one year contract for $380,000. The Giants gave him the contract after he tried out at their spring training camp.

Alfonzo was quoted on Monday saying “It’s an honor to become a member of the Giants and I’ll play my hardest to contribute to the team.”

I’m glad to see Alfonzo is still playing ball, cause you know he loves the game. He hasn’t been in the Majors since 2006. I hope he has a good season over there. I can’t see any MLB team signing Alfonzo if there is still a lot of players not signed. Guys like Ray Durham might be forced to retire because no teams have any interest in him.

~King of Cali

February 8, 2009

This weekends Hot Stove

A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez is the only name to be released from the ’03 steroid testing. He is on a list of
104 players to have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. A-Rod was approached by an SI reporter on Thursday. A-Rod did not want to discuss the test results. He would not say if he tested positive or not for performance enhancing drugs. A-Rod said “You’ll have to talk to the union.” He was asked if there was an expanation for his positive test, and he said “I’m not saying anything.” There were no penalties for positive tests in 2003. I’m sure we will get a lot more information on this in the next couple of days. I will try to keep you updated with information as I get it.

Gordon signs a 1 year contract with the D-Backs

Tom Gordon has signed a 1 year contract with the Arizona. It’s reported that he will earn $500,000 and with bonuses can earn him up to $2.5 million. Gordon hasn’t pitched in a game since July 5th of last season with the Phillies.

Andruw Jones hopes to resurrect his career with the Rangers

SI.com has confirmed that Andruw Jones has signed a 1 year minor league contract with the Rangers. Jones was released by the Dodgers this offseason. He worked out a deal so the Dodgers will release him and still pay him his contract over time. The Rangers signed him for $500,000 plus $1 million in incentives. I really like Jones and hope he has a bounce back year. He’s to young to be on that big of a decline.

Ryan Howard signs a 3 year contract with the Phillies

Well now the Phillies and Ryan Howard can stop all the arbitration stuff. I think this is a great move for the Phillies. They have a legit power hitter locked up with a contract he’s going to be happy with. If he can cut down a lot of his strike out’s, he’s going to be an even better player. He will earn $15 million this season, $19 million next year and $20 million in 2011.

Giants have an offer on the table for Crede and Aurilia

It’s been reported that CBS television on Saturday that the Giants have made an offer to Joe Crede. No specifics on the contract offer have been reported. Crede isn’t that big bat that the Giants need but he’s a good 3rd baseman and has a little pop. It’s just a question if he can stay healthy or not. Maybe that’s what the Giants signed Juan Uribe to back him up like he did last year for the White Sox. The only other team that has been talking about trying to sign Crede has been the Twins.

The Giants have also made an offer to Rich Aurilia for a minor league contract. Aurilia has spent 10 of his 13 big league seasons with the Giants. Brian Sabea said “I think he’s taking the weekend to decide. We hope he comes back.”

I did go to the Giants Fan Fest this weekend and will be blogging about it this week. I also will have pictures of the event in the Fan Fest blog.

~King of Cali

February 6, 2009

Check the attendance for your team…

Teams Dates Home att. Home avg Road avg Total

NY Yankees 81 4,287132 52,928 35,193 7,137,726

NY Mets 79 4,042,045 51,165 35,944 6,953,516

LA Dodgers 81 3,730,750 46,059 34,710 6,542,284

St. Louis 81 3,432,917 42,382 32,342 6,052,643

Philadelphia 81 3,422,583 42,254 33,214 6,112,949

LA Angels 81 3,336,747 41,194 29,621 5,736,079

Chicago Cubs 81 3,300,200 40,743 36,328 6,206,469

Detroit 81 3,202,654 39,539 29,308 5,511,391

Milwaukee 81 3,068,458 37,882 33,237 5,760,633

Boston 81 3,048,250 37,633 38,367 6,155,993

San Fran. 81 2,863,847 35,356 32,272 5,445,583

Houston 80 2,779,487 34,744 32,198 5,387,486

Colorado 80 2,650,218 33,128 32,812 5,307,964

Atlanta 81 2,532,834 31,270 34,105 5,227,115

Arizona 81 2,509,946 30,987 33,946 5,259,562

Chicago WS 80 2,460,294 30,754 30,253 4,910,792

San Diego 81 2,427,535 29,970 35,795 5,326,908

Toronto 81 2,399,786 29,627 30,119 4,809,298

Washington 80 2,321,988 29,025 32,825 4,948,027

Seatle 81 2,329,788 28,763 29,823 4,745,428

Minnesota 81 2,302,431 28,425 29,527 4,644,597

Cleveland 80 2,169,760 27,122 31,029 4,652,092

Cincinnati 81 2,058,632 25,415 34,288 4,835,994

Baltimore 78 1,950,077 25,001 31,654 4,482,366

Texas 80 1,945,857 24,323 29,765 4,327,076

Tampa Bay 81 1,811,986 22,370 30,343 4,239,403

Oakland 81 1,665,256 20,559 29,943 4,030,782

Pittsburgh 80 1,609,076 20,113 33,701 4,338,855

Kansas City 79 1,578,922 19,986 29,918 4,002,291

Florida 80 1,335,079 16,688 33,335 4,001,845

AL total: 34,488,931    AL average: 30,630

NL total: 44,085,595    NL average: 34,201

MLB total: 78,574,526    MLB average: 32,536

January 30, 2009

What’s the Giants next move?

I keep reading and hearing about the Giants and possibilities. Seems like the
Giants are rumored with any and every free agent. The Giants needed so much so pretty much any player addition was a good fit for the Giants. Early on in the “Hot Stove” the Giants were linked to have interest in Rafael Furcal who would have been a great addition at shortstop. They ended up with Edgar Renteria. I don’t think that’s a bad move. Saves some money and Edgar is still an upgrade at shortstop. I think the move is fine if the Giants get another good player. If no other moves are made. Then I don’t see a point. Just let the young guys play. I just think this NL West division is so weak this year. That it’s there for the Giants to just take it. The starting rotation is really solid and the bullpen has been improved with the addition of Jeremy Affeldt and Bob Howry.

Giants fan have also heard the Giants name with free agents such as Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Manny Ramirez, Ty Wigginton, Joe Crede, C.C. Sabathia and now Bobby Abreu. I’m sure I left a few other names out.

We all know where CC ended up at. He’s went with the money and signed with the Yankees. You can’t blame a guy for wanting to get paid. Giants fans just hoped CC we take a hometown discount to play for the Giants. It was like a fantasy for Giants fans. It just wouldn’t have made much sense to pay him a huge salary and not get a bat with that money. Well we didn’t get him but where’s the big bat?

We no longer would need Orlando Hudson if we have 3 players who are trying to fight for our 2nd base position. To me it was either Hudson or a shortstop and we already got the shortstop. Pat Burrell who is from the Bay Area didn’t seem like a good fit to me either. He’s just not the big bat I think the Giants should add. It’s known they want a first or third baseman. Ty Wigginton and Joe Crede seem like they would be okay, but they are not the big bat that the Giants need. Adam Dunn sounds okay to me even though he’s not great on “D” and strikes out a lot. I’m just trying to get any bat in a Giants uniform. I would have never said I want Dunn before today. I did also see the Giants were interested in Bobby Abreu and a cheaper alternative to Manny Ramirez. I just can’t see the Giants bringing him. He’s a good player but he’s on the decline with his power numbers.

If anyone from the Giants front office ever reads this blog. Please let us Giants fans know if you want to win or just put an okay team out there to get your $$$ rolling in. Giants fans have been waiting a long time to win it all. I’m not saying this is the team to do it, but if we had a bat like Manny’s then we would have a great shot at winning the NL West. Then once you get in the playoffs it’s a crap shoot. Well I like our chances in a crap shoot with the starting rotation we would take into a playoff series.

~King of Cali