September 29 - Top 5 Moments in San Francisco Giants History

What is this all about?

Yesterday


Here's every September 29 game in San Francisco Giants history that mattered.

1962 home vs. Astros we were 15-5 at the end of April, 1 game up on LA.  We were 35-15 at the end of May, half a game up on LA.  We were 51-28 at the end of June, half a game up on LA.  We were 67-39 at the end of July, 4 games behind LA.  We were 85-49 at the end of August, 2.5 behind LA.

We come in 1.5 out, we have 3 left to play, LA has two left.

Doubleheader at the Stick against Houston.  We get the first to move to 100-60.  Haller, McCovey, and Cepeda all homered, Stu Miller went 3+ in relief of Jack Sanford, we win 11-5.  But we drop the second 4-2, we only gave up 5 hits, but Marichal didn't get out of the 5th and we just couldn't get close to evening the game. Fortunately, LA lost - so with a day to go, we are 1 game out of first.

Walk off 1964 home vs. Houston, we're 4.5 out with 6 to go, the first place Reds lose and we take advantage, 4-4 in the bottom of the 11th, Matty Alou walks them off with a leadoff homer. We're in 4th, so it's still tough to navigate, but with 5 left we are 3.5 games out of first.

1965, until September we never spent a single day in first, but 13 days ago a 14 game win streak gave us a 4.5 game lead.  Today we lose to St Louis.  The Dodgers win.  We're 2 back with 3 left. Down 8-6 in the 9th, 2 on, 2 out, McCovey at the plate - but Hal Woodeshick strikes him out.

1966, off day, 3.5 out with 4 to go.

1969 off day, 2.5 out with 3 left

1971 - there have been a total of 3 days all season where we didn't at least have a share of the lead, but the Padres walk us off (Nate Colbert hit a 3 run homer off Jerry Johnson) and with 1 to go we have a 1 game lead on LA.

1982 home vs. Astros, we've never spent a day even tied for the lead, and two months ago we were 13.5 out of first - but we come into this one 2 back with 5 left and we beat the Astros (in front of less than 9000 paid on a Wednesday night at the Stick) we get 14 hits including homers by Davis and Leonard.  We win 6-1.  The Braves also win - they have a 2 game lead over both us and LA with 4 to play.

1987 NL West Champs (clinched 9-28)

1989 NL West Champs (clinched 9-27)

1993 we lose to the Rockies, the Braves win, we're 1 out with 4 left

1997 NL West Champs (clinched 9-27)

2000 NL West Champs (clinched 9-21)



2001 home vs. Padres Russ Ortiz goes 7, strikes out 7, at 1-1 in the 6th Barry Bonds hit #69 on the season, off of Chuck McElroy, we win it 3-1.  He had been 2-32 off McElroy.  Barry's now one homer short of tying McGwire's single season record (and Rickey Henderson, now leading off for San Diego, is one run short of tying Ty Cobb's runs scored record). This was Barry's 563rd career homer.  Arizona also won.  With 7 left, we stay 2 out.

2002 NL Wild Card (clinch 9-28)

2003 NL West Champs (clinch 9-17)

2004 the Padres walk us off, we drop half a game out of the WC with 4 to go.

2009 home vs. Diamondbacks, we come in 5 out of the WC with 6 left, we leave 5 out with 5 left after beating the Snakes.  A Bengie Molina 2 run homer in the 4th off of Doug Davis gave us a 4-1 lead in a game we'd win 8-4.



2010 home vs. Diamondbacks, we led through most of April, but after May 6, we didn't have first place by ourselves until 13 days ago. Over the last two weeks we've been trading it on and off with the Padres - we come into this one up 2 with 5 left. We only get 5 hits, and only score in the fourth- but that's enough, we win 3-1 and stay 2 up with 4 to go. Lincecum struck out 11, all 3 runs came on one swing of Pat Burrell's bat off Ian Kennedy.

2012 NL West Champs (clinched 9-22)

2014 NL Wild Card (clinched 9-25)

2015 The Dodgers end our season, Kershaw throws a 1 hitter and strikes out 13.

2016 home vs. Rockies, from May 11 to August 15 we had at least a share of first every single day, but the last time we saw first was August 20 and are now fighting for the last WC spot, 1 up with 4 left coming in to this one.  Johnny Cueto goes 7, strikes out 11, and with us up 3-2 in the 6th, he bunt singled us into 2 more runs when Nolan Arenado threw it away.  We win 7-2. The Cards also win - so with 3 games to go our WC lead stays at 1.

See you tomorrow.  Go Giants!

Top 10 Television Shows 2017 (July-September)

April-June is here.

I'm behind, obviously, but in my own defense, I'm behind.

I've yet to see, but will see:

I Love Dick (have yet to start)

Transparent (am underway)

Casual (have yet to start)

Wet Hot American Summer (yet to start)

Difficult People (yet to start)

I noted in the April-June list that I might readjust Veep/Fargo at year's end, upon finishing each it's clear that both shows had their softest seasons to date (as did The Americans, recall)

1. Top of the Lake (Sundance)

2. I'm Sorry (Tru)
3. Halt and Catch Fire (AMC)

4. Catastrophe (Amazon)

5. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)

6. Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
7. Master of None (Netflix)
8. Better Things (FX)

9. You're the Worst (FXX)

10. Broad City (Comedy Central)

For me, Top of the Lake season two is rare peak TV better in 2017 than in its previous season; it's my Peggy Olsen viewing of choice this year.  I'm Sorry was just funny and very true to itself, had a very consistent comedic voice in every episode.  I don't know that Halt and Catch Fire (or Catastrophe) needed another season, it's well done and a pleasant visit, but it feels like the story could have stopped a year ago.  Kimmy Schmidt is entirely Titus's show now, he scores in every scene and the further the story gets away from him the less interesting the show becomes.  Maybe the softest year yet for OITB in a season of largely soft campaigns for premium shows. I haven't quite finished Master of None yet, it seems to have given a little back this year.  The last three shows are all about 1/4 through their seasons, there's a practical element to their inclusion here, given the backlog of shows I haven't seen and the entire fall still to come, I wanted to slip them in here.

September 28 - Top 5 Moments in San Francisco Giants History

What is this all about?

Yesterday


Here's every September 28 game that mattered in San Francisco Giants history (and one that didn't)

1962 off day, but LA loses, so we're only 1.5 out with 3 to play.

1964 off day, we stay 4.5 out with 6 left

1965 tied with LA with 5 games left, we lose to St Louis 9-1 and drop a game out, 4 to go.

1966 at Atlanta no margin for error, we come in 4 out with 5 to play, and we live to see tomorrow by sweeping the Braves. Gaylord throws a complete game, we were down 2-1 in the 5th when Tito Fuentes hit a 2 run homer to flip us ahead 3-2.  We won 5-2, the Dodgers lost, so with 4 remaining, we're now 3 out.

1969 at Los Angeles, we're 2.5 out with 4 left, we're chasing the Braves, Juan Marichal throws a complete game, because of course he does, 5 hits, 0 earned, we were 1-1 in the 6th, Bobby Bonds singled home the go ahead run off of Bill Singer and we go on to win 8-1. Unfortunately, the Braves win, so now it's 2.5 down with 3 to play.

1971 at San Diego, we're 1 up on the Dodgers with 3 to go, Gaylord throws a complete game against the Padres, we put it away in the 6th, we had a 3-1 lead and Chris Speier hit a 3 run homer off Ed Acosta. We won 7-1, the Dodgers also win, our lead remains 1 with 2 to play.

1982 - we lose again to the Braves, they move into first, LA is 1 back, we're 2 back, 5 games to play, Bill Laskey didn't get out of the third, they beat us 8-3.

1986 home vs. Dodgers here's the meaningless game, it goes 16 innings, the Giants play 25 guys, Will Clark goes 0-8, we were down 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th and a Maldonado homer and Youngblood run scoring double tied it.  Then we were down 5-3 in the bottom of the 14th when Harry Spilman tied it with a 2 run scoring single.  Finally, we won it in the 16th, Bob Brenly singles off of Balvino Galvez to end the nearly 6 hour game.



1987 at San Diego, 7 back, 7 left - we just need one more to get our first playoff spot in 16 years - and we get it.  Don Robinson goes 5 in relief and wins the game with a tiebreaking 8th inning homer off of Lance McCullers, we win 5-4.

1989 NL West Champs (clinched 9-27)

1993 home vs. Colorado - here's the thing you need to know, the Braves lost, so we entered the day down a game and the Braves lost, meaning - if we can beat the Rockies we will have regained a share of the lead we had virtually the entire season and then lost in this death match of a pennant race.  We win. We only get 4 hits, but we win.  Up 2-0 in the 5th Steve Scarsone hit a 3 run homer off David Nied and we held on for the 6-4 win.  5 games left and we are tied for first in the West.

1997 NL West Champs (clinched 9-27)

1998 it's Game 163, we're in Wrigley for a one game winner take all game to earn the Wild Card spot, we lose 5-3.  We trailed 5-0 through 8 and then gave it everything we had in the 9th, Mayne and Mueller opened with singles off Kevin Tapani, Terry Mulholland entered and gave up a run scoring single to Javier, Ellis Burks walked to load the bases with nobody out for Bonds - but he flied to right, that scored the second run but was obviously a blow.  Rod Beck came out and got Kent to ground out - that scored the third run but left us still down 5-3 with only one on and Beck got Joe Carter to pop up to end our season.

2000 NL West Champs (clinched 9-21)

2001 home vs Padres, we come in 2 out with 9 left, chasing the Diamondbacks and starting a series against San Diego.  We get the opener. Shawn Estes goes 7, gives up 2 earned and strikes out 8, we win 10-5 a Marvin Benard first inning homer got it going. Barry hit #68, bringing him two of the record.  Arizona also won - with 8 to play, we stay 2 out.

2002 home vs. Astros, we need a win or a Dodger loss to clinch the WC - and we get it.  It takes 8 Giant pitchers but we beat the Astros 5-2 and make the postseason. The big moment is Barry's a 5th inning tiebreaking splash homer off Jeriome Robertson. It was Barry's 613th career homer.

2003 NL West Champs (clinched 9-17)

2004 at San Diego, one out in the WC, 3 out in the West - we get 17 hits and win the opener in San Diego, Ray Durham goes 5 for 6, Dustin Hermanson came on to close for us, up 7-5 in the bottom of the 9th and put the first two men on - then got Nevin to pop up, struck out Klesko - and then Rich Aurilia ground to third to end the game.  We move into a WC tie with 5 to go

2005 - the Padres end our season.

2009 - off day, 5 out of WC with 6 to go

2010 - home vs. Diamondbacks, we're 1 up with 6 left, 2-2 in the 6th, Nate Schierholtz pinch singles home the go ahead run.  We win 4-2.  The Padres lose, we're now 2 up with 5 to play.

2012 NL West Champs (clinched 9-22)

2014 NL Wild Card (clinched 9-25)

Walk off 2015 home vs. Dodgers we open up a series with the first place Dodgers 6 out with 7 left - we leave 5 out with 6 left.  2-2 in the 12th, Alejandro De Aza hits a pinch sac fly to drive home the winning run. We live another day.

2016 - we lose to the Rockies but remain 1 up for the last WC, now with 4 left.

See you tomorrow.  Go Giants!

September, 2017 Athlete of the Month

August is here.

Sloane Stephens.  Runners-up: Rafael Nadal, Corey Kluber, Aaron Judge

2017 is 3/4 of the way gone.  Who will be named Athlete of the Year?

January - Deshaun Watson
February - Tom Brady
March - Russell Westbrook
April - A'ja Wilson
May - Stephen Curry
June- Kevin Durant
July - Roger Federer
August - Giancarlo Stanton
September - Sloane Stephens

September 27 - Top 5 Moments in San Francisco Giants History

What is this all about?

Yesterday


Here are all the September 27 games that mattered in San Francisco Giants history.

1959 - it's the last day of the season, we're in 3rd, 1.5 behind the Braves and Dodgers - but we have a doubleheader in St Louis today - so, if both the Braves and Dodgers lose, and we win both games against the Cardinals, we've forced a 3 way tie.  None of that happens, the Dodgers win, the Braves win and we lose both games to St Louis.  Eliminated.

1962 - we lose to the Cardinals, fortunately the Dodgers also lose, so with 3 games left we remain 2 out.

1964 - we lose both ends of a doubleheader in Wrigley to drop 4.5 out of first with 6 to play.  We're in 4th place, so it's going to be a tough haul to make it.

1965 - home vs. Cardinals, we come in dead tied with LA with 6 to play, we win on a Monday afternoon, Tom Haller hits 2 homers, the first a 3 run shot off of Tracy Stallard in the second to score the game's first runs.  We win 8-4. LA wins too.  With 5 left - we remain tied.

1966 - at Atlanta, we're 4 behind the Dodgers with 6 left - we win, Lindy McDaniel went 6 scoreless in relief. Down 3-1 in the 6th, Willie Mays hit a 3 run homer off Pat Jarvis, we win it 6-3. LA wins, we're 4 back with 5 left.

1969 - the Dodgers walk us off, 2-1 in 11, former Giant Len Gabrielson beats Don McMahon with a run scoring single. The Braves win - we fall to 2.5 out with 4 left.

1971 - off day, we stay 1 up with 3 left.

1982 - a tough Monday night, we're tied with the Braves for second, a game behind LA, Atlanta comes to the Stick in front of 45,000 and Phil Niekro shuts us out 7-0.  The Dodgers lose, so now there are 6 left and LA and Atlanta are tied for first and we're still 1 game out.

1987 at Atlanta - we're 7 up with 8 left and beat the Braves 15-6, we get 19 hits, we have two 6 run innings, Jose Uribe gets 4 hits - we actually trailed in this one and by a decent amount, 5-2 in the 4th inning, but Candy Maldonado hit a pinch grand slam and then we rolled to victory. The Reds win, so with 7 games to go we have a 7 game lead.

1989 at Los Angeles, the Dodgers beat us 1-0, the only time we were swept in a series all season, but down in San Diego the Padres lost in 13 innings and that gave us the NL West Title.  The A's clinched the AL West on the same day.

1993 home vs. Padres, the Braves weren't losing so we needed every single game down the stretch and we nearly got it, this was our 10th of 11 and cut the deficit to 1 game with 6 to play. We got 14 hits, including 3 from Will Clark and Jeff Reed, Matt Williams got it going with a 2 run first inning homer.



1997 home vs. Padres, it had been 8 years since the last time the Giants could say they were NL West champs, but it happens here, Wilson Alvarez goes 7, gives up 2 hits and strikes out 9 and we win 6-1. Glenallen Hill got it going with a run scoring single in the 4th off of Sterling Hitchock to break the scoreless tie.

1998, it's the last day of the regular season, we're in Denver, Neifi Perez walks us off with a homer off Robb Nen. Meanwhile - the Cubs lost to Houston in 11 (Rod Beck was the losing pitcher) so the Wild Card race would be decided at Wrigley tomorrow on Game 163.

2000 NL West Champs (clinched 9-21)

2001 off day, we're 2 out with 9 to go.

2002 home vs Astros, we've won 5 straight, Jason Schmidt goes 7 1/3, gives up 1 earned, 4 hits, 8 strikeouts.  Houston had the tying run at third in the 8th, but Tim Worrell got Craig Biggio to fly to center to end the inning.  We win 2-1.  Our magic number to get the WC and eliminate LA is 1.

2003 NL West Champs (clinched 9-17)

2004 off day, we're a game out in the WC, 3 out in the West, 6 games left.

2005 - we lose to the Padres, we're 4 out with 5 left. Brett Tomko started, gave up 5 earned in 3 innings.

2009 - home vs Cubs we end a 3 game slide and keep the season alive another day, 5 out of the WC with 6 to play. Cain goes 8, gives up 3 hits, no runs and strikes out 8. Eli Whiteside had a pair of run scoring doubles, we beat the Cubs 5-1.

2010 off day, we're 1 up with 6 left.

2012 NL West Champs (clinched 9-22)

2014 NL Wild Card (clinched 9-25)

2015 at Oakland, we beat the A's to stay alive, 6 out with 7 left, 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th, 2 out, the winning run at the plate - Santiago Casilla strikes out Billy Burns.



2016 home vs. Rockies, we come in 1 up for the final WC with 6 to go and blast the Rox, 12-3, Matt Moore goes 7 2/3 and strikes out 11.  Brandon Crawford has 4 hits, Brandon Belt is a homer short of a cycle. We stay 1 up in the WC with 5 to go.

See you tomorrow.  Go Giants!