2017 NCAA Tournament Brackets

Let's pick some March Madness games.

East
Rnd One:

-I've got Mt. St. Marys and my Trojans in the play in games.

-Two seed upsets in round one: Marquette over South Carolina, and with the Gamecocks playing in state that doesn't sound like a great pick.  And - I've got UNC Wilmington knocking off Virginia.  If Virginia goes through they're 50/50 to make the sweet 16, so that's a real pick.  I'd like to take USC to beat SMU again, but there's probably a better chance of Providence knocking us out than that happening.

West
Rnd One:

-I've got Vandy in the coin flip game over Northwestern; I've got a 12/5 upset here, Princeton taking out Notre Dame. That's a "I think Princeton's got a 40% chance to win so I take the shot" pick, but I'm taking Xavier over Maryland in the 11/6 game, and that's a 50/50 game.

Midwest
Rnd One:

-I've got NC Central in the play in game.

-Seed upsets - Rhode Island beating Creighton in the 11/6.  That's it.

South

Rnd One:

-I've got Wake over KSt in the play in - but, but but....if KSt wins, I'm going to take them to beat Cincinnati in Round One, but not Wake.  Got it?

-I've got Middle Tennessee over Minnesota in a 12/5, I've got Wichita over Dayton in a 10/7.

Round Two
East

-I've got chalk, the cross out on my bracket is crossing out SMU and picking Baylor.  If SMU wins look really hard at their beating Duke in the next round.

West

-I've got St Marys over Arizona, that's not the end for St Marys, so that's an upset I'm banking on a little bit.

Midwest

-Chalk.  If Michigan does get by in Round one it will be hard not to root for them here against Louisville, even with what that would mean to my bracket.

South

-I've got Wichita taking out Kentucky, placing a double digit seed in the sweet 16, as generally happens.

Sweet 16

East

-Chalk, although, if it's SMU/Duke, look out.

West

-Rolling with St Marys over Florida St.

Midwest

-Chalk, but I half like Purdue here if they're able to get by Iowa St.  I'd half like Iowa St to come to think of it. I don't like Kansas is what I'm saying, even though I've got them going to the elite 8.

South

-Chalk, UCLA is super interesting, I could see them bounced by Cincinnati really readily, but I've got them going to the elite 8.

Elite 8
Villanova over Duke
Gonzaga over St Marys
Louisville over Kansas
UNC over UCLA

The midwest is a tricky one, I just don't think there's a team really worthy of the final four, I've got Louisville coming out but without enthusiasm.  I'll be rooting for UCLA; that's a fun team and I watch a lot of west coast basketball.

I've got a Gonzaga/UNC finals, with the Zags cutting down the nets.

2017 MLB Predictions

I'll update prior to the start of the season, here are my current picks for the 2017 MLB season.

This is the update.  Final version here.

AL East
1. Boston 87 (under 93)
2. Toronto 83 (under 88.5) WC2
3. Tampa 82 (over 78)
4. NYY 81
5. Baltimore 77 (under 81)

AL Central
1. Cleveland 93
2. Detroit 82
3. Minnesota 76
4. CWS 74 (over 70)
5. KC 72 (under 77)

AL West
1. Houston 92
2. Seattle 87 WC1  
3. Texas 82
4. LAA 77
5. Oakland 76

Texas at Seattle
WC Winner (Seattle) at Cleveland
Boston at Houston
Houston at Cleveland

AL Champs - Houston

NL East
1. Washington 90
2. NYM 86  WC2                            
3. Miami 79
4. Atlanta 75
5. Philadelphia 72

NL Central
1. Chicago 95
2. Pittsburgh 82
3. StL 79 (under 84.5)
4. Milwaukee 75 (over 70.5)
5. Cincinnati 73(over 70.5)

NL West
1. LAD 96 (over 94)    
2. SFG 87 WC1                
3. Arizona 77            
4. Colorado 75 (under 80)      
5. SD 68

SFG at NYM
WC Winner (SFG) at LAD
Washington at Chicago
Chicago at LAD

NL Champs - Los Angeles

Top 100 Giants of All Time

By the best WAR metric (B-Ref+Davenport) these are the Top 100 Giants (NY and SF) through the 2018 season.

Forever Giants

1. Willie Mays CF 148.15 (1951-72) 

2. Barry Bonds LF 117.9 (1993-07)

3. Mel Ott RF 105.85 (1926-47, full career as a Giant - Pureblood Giant)

4. Christy Mathewson SP 99.8 (1900-16)

5. Carl Hubbell SP 69.3 (1928-43, Pureblood Giant)

6. Willie McCovey 1B 61.05 (1959-73, 77-80)

7. Amos Rusie P 60.25 (1890-98)

8. Juan Marichal SP 60.05 (1960-73)

9. Roger Connor 1B 56.85 (1883-89, 91, 93-4)

10. Bill Terry 1B 49.2 (1923-36, Pureblood Giant)

11. Buster Posey C 45.35 (2009-)

12. Art Fletcher SS 44.5 (1909-20)

13. Travis Jackson SS 43.45 (1922-36, Pureblood Giant)

14. Mike Tiernan RF 43.2 (1887-99, Pureblood Giant)

15. George Davis SS 42.3 (1893-01, 03)
16. Madison Bumgarner SP 41.45 (2009-)

17. Buck Ewing C 40.95 (1883-89, 91-2)

18. Mickey Welch P 40.85 (1883-92, only a Giant during life of the Giants)

19. Will Clark 1B 39.75 (1986-93)

20. Bobby Bonds RF 36.1 (1968-74)

21. Frankie Frisch 2B 35.6 (1919-26)
22. Jeff Kent 2B 35.35 (1997-02)
23. Gaylord Perry SP 34.85 (1962-71)
24. Larry Doyle 2B 34.8 (1907-16, 18-20)
25. Art Devlin 3B 34.4 (1904-11)
26. Hal Schumacher SP 34.1 (1931-46, Pureblood Giant)
27. Johnny Antonelli SP 33.65 (1954-60) 
28. Orlando Cepeda LF 33.3 (1958-66)
29. George Burns LF 33.25 (1911-21)
30. Matt Williams 3B 32.7 (1987-96)

31. Matt Cain SP 32.35 (2005-17)
32. Robby Thompson 2B 32 (1986-96, Pureblood Giant)

33. Johnny Mize 1B 29.7 (1942, 46-9)
34. Jack Clark RF 28.95 (1975-84)

35. Joe McGinnity P 28.9 (1902-08)
36. Dick Bartell SS 28.6 (1935-8, 41-6)
37. Hooks Wiltse P 28.55 (1904-14) 
38. Tim Keefe P 28.15 (1885-89, 91) 
39. Jim Barr P 27.9 (1971-8, 82-3)
40. Ross Youngs RF 27.9 (1917-26, Pureblood Giant)

41. Freddie Fitzsimmons P 26.9 (1925-37)
42. Roger Bresnahan C 26.1 (1902-08)
43. Alvin Dark SS 25.4 (1950-56) 
44. Brandon Belt 1B 25.05 (2011-)
45. Chris Speier SS 24.65 (1971-77, 87-9)
46. Gary Lavelle RP 24.15 (1974-84)
47. Jouett Meekin P 24.2 (1894-99)
48. Pablo Sandoval 3B 24.05 (2008-14, 17-)
49. Hank Thompson 3B 24.05 (1949-56)
50. Jeff Tesreau SP 23.9 (1912-18, Pureblood Giant)

51. Sal Maglie P 23.5 (1945-55)
52. Brandon Crawford SS 23.35 (2011-) 
53. High Pockets Kelly 1B 23.3 (1915-17, 19-26)

54. Jim Ray Hart 3B 23.15 (1963-73)
55. Larry  Jansen SP 23 (1947-54)
56. Tim Lincecum SP 22.95 (2007-15)
57. George Van Haltren CF 22.75 (1894-03)
58. Jason Schmidt SP 22.6 (2001-06)
59. Bobby Thomson CF 22.1 (1946-53, 57)
60. Freddie Lindstrom 3B 22.05 (1924-32) 

61. Cy Seymour CF/P 21.9 (1896-00, 06-10)
62. Darrell Evans 3B 21.65 (1976-83)
63. Kevin Mitchell LF 21.5 (1987-91)
64. Chief Meyers C 20.9 (1909-15)
65. Harry Danning C 19.85 (1933-42, Pureblood Giant)
66. Monte Ward SS 19.65 (1883-89, 93-4)
67. Tom Haller C 18.7 (1961-67)
68. Robb Nen RP 18.65 (1998-02)

69. Mike McCormick SP 17.35 (1956-62, 67-70) 
70. Cliff Melton SP 17.15 (1937-44, Pureblood Giant)

71. Chili Davis CF 17.05 (1981-87)
72. Rich Aurilia SS 17 (1995-03, 07-09)
73. Monte Irvin LF 17 (1949-55)
74. John Montefusco SP 16.8 (1974-80)
75. Greg Minton RP 16.75 (1975-87)

76. Jim O’Rourke OF 16.75 (1885-89, 91-2, 04)
77. Vida Blue SP 16.55 (1978-81, 85-6)
78. Ruben Gomez SP 16.35 (1953-58)
79. Bob Brenly C 16 (1981-89)
80. Sid Gordon 3B/LF 15.95 (1941-3, 46-9, 55)

81. Jo-Jo Moore LF 15.95 (1930-41) Pureblood Giant
82. Brett Butler CF 15.9 (1988-90)
83. Bobby Bolin RP 15.4 (1961-69)

84. Rube Marquard SP 15.35 (1908-15) 
85. Dan McGann 1B 14.85 (1902-07) 
86. Willard Marshall RF 14.8 (1942-49)
87. Dave Koslo SP 14.75 (1941-53)
88. Danny Richardson 2B 14.75 (1884-89, 91)
89. Red Ames SP 14.6 (1903-13)
90. Jack Sanford SP 14.4 (1959-65)

91. Whitey Lockman LF 14.2  (1945-56, 57-8)
92. Randy Winn CF 14.1 (2005-09)
93. Dummy Taylor SP 14.05 (1900-02, 03-08)
94. Jimmy Davenport 3B 13.9 (1958-70, Pureblood Giant)
95. Santiago Casilla RP 13.75 (2010-16)
96. Stu Miller RP 13.7 (1957-62)

97. Felipe Alou RF 13.6 (1958-63)
98. Fred Merkle 1B 13.5 (1907-16)
99. Kirk Rueter SP 13.35 (1996-05)
100. Wes Westrum C 13.35 (1947-57, Pureblood Giant)

Last Out...
101. Eddie Stanky SS 13.35 (1950-51)
102. Al Bridwell SS 13.05 (1908-11)
103. Hunter Pence RF 12.9 (2012-18)
104. Russ Ortiz P 12.85 (1998-02, 07)
105 Art Nehf P 12.5 (1919-26)

Top 50 San Francisco Giants of All Time

By the best WAR metric (B-Ref+Davenport) these are the Top 50 Giants (SF only) through the 2019 season.

1. Barry Bonds LF 117.9 (1993-07)
2. Willie Mays 108.45 1958-72
3. Willie McCovey 1B 61.05 (1959-73, 77-80)
4. Juan Marichal SP 60.05 (1960-73)
5. Buster Posey C 45.35 (2009-)
6. Madison Bumgarner SP 41.45 (2009-)

7. Will Clark 1B 39.75 (1986-93)

8. Bobby Bonds RF 36.1 (1968-74)
9. Jeff Kent 2B 35.35 (1997-02)
10. Gaylord Perry SP 34.85 (1962-71)
11. Orlando Cepeda LF 33.3 (1958-66)

12. Matt Williams 3B 32.7 (1987-96)
13. Matt Cain SP 32.35 (2005-17, Pureblood Giant)
14. Robby Thompson 2B 32 (1986-96, Pureblood Giant, Giant for full career)

15. Jack Clark RF 28.95 (1975-84)
16. Jim Barr P 27.9 (1971-8, 82-3)
17. Brandon Belt 1B 25.05 (2011-)
18. Chris Speier SS 24.65 (1971-77, 87-9)
19. Gary Lavelle RP 24.15 (1974-84)
20. Pablo Sandoval 3B 24.05 (2008-14, 17-)
21. Brandon Crawford SS 23.35 (2011-) 
22. Jim Ray Hart 3B 23.15 (1963-73)

23. Tim Lincecum SP 22.95 (2007-15)

24. Jason Schmidt SP 22.6 (2001-06)

25. Darrell Evans 3B 21.65 (1976-83)

26. Kevin Mitchell LF 21.5 (1987-91)

27. Tom Haller C 18.7 (1961-67)
28. Robb Nen RP 18.65 (1998-02)

29. Mike McCormick SP 17.35 (1956-62, 67-70) 
30. Chili Davis CF 17.05 (1981-87)
31. Rich Aurilia SS 17 (1995-03, 07-09)

32. John Montefusco SP 16.8 (1974-80)
33. Greg Minton RP 16.75 (1975-87)
34. Vida Blue SP 16.55 (1978-81, 85-6)
35. Bob Brenly C 16 (1981-89)
36. Brett Butler CF 15.9 (1988-90)
37. Bobby Bolin RP 15.4 (1961-69)
38. Jack Sanford SP 14.4 (1959-65)
39. Randy Winn CF 14.1 (2005-09)

40. Jimmy Davenport 3B 13.9 (1958-70, Pureblood Giant)
41. Santiago Casilla RP 13.75 (2010-16)

42 Felipe Alou RF 13.6 (1958-63)

43. Kirk Rueter SP 13.35 (1996-05)
44. Hunter Pence RF 12.9 (2012-18)
45. Russ Ortiz P 12.85 (1998-02, 07)
46. Scott Garrelts SP 12.4 (1982-91, Pureblood Giant)
47. Ed Halicki P 12.3 (1974-80)
48. Ray Durham 2B 12.2 (2003-8)
49. Bill Swift SP 12.1 (1992-4)
50. Rod Beck RP 11.8 (1991-7)

Top 50 NY (Baseball) Giants of all Time

By the best WAR metric (B-Ref+Davenport) these are the Top 50 Giants (NY baseball) of all time.

1. Mel Ott RF 105.85 (1926-47, full career as a Giant - Pureblood Giant)
2. Christy Mathewson SP 99.8 (1900-16)
3. Carl Hubbell SP 69.3 (1928-43, Pureblood Giant)
4. Amos Rusie P 60.25 (1890-98)
5. Roger Connor 1B 56.85 (1883-89, 91, 93-4)
6. Bill Terry 1B 49.2 (1923-36, Pureblood Giant)
7. Art Fletcher SS 44.5 (1909-20)
8. Travis Jackson SS 43.45 (1922-36, Pureblood Giant)
9. Mike Tiernan RF 43.2 (1887-99, Pureblood Giant)
10. George Davis SS 42.3 (1893-01, 03)

11. Buck Ewing C 40.95 (1883-89, 91-2)
12. Mickey Welch P 40.85 (1883-92, only a Giant during life of the Giants)

13. Willie Mays CF 39.7 (1951-57) 
14. Frankie Frisch 2B 35.6 (1919-26)

15. Larry Doyle 2B 34.8 (1907-16, 18-20)
16. Art Devlin 3B 34.4 (1904-11)
17. Hal Schumacher SP 34.1 (1931-46, Pureblood Giant)
18. Johnny Antonelli SP 22.65 (1954-57) 
19. George Burns LF 33.25 (1911-21)
20. Johnny Mize 1B 29.7 (1942, 46-9)

21. Joe McGinnity P 28.9 (1902-08)
22. Dick Bartell SS 28.6 (1935-8, 41-6)
23. Hooks Wiltse P 28.55 (1904-14) 
24. Tim Keefe P 28.15 (1885-89, 91) 
25. Ross Youngs RF 27.9 (1917-26, Pureblood Giant)
26. Freddie Fitzsimmons P 26.9 (1925-37)
27. Roger Bresnahan C 26.1 (1902-08)
28. Alvin Dark SS 25.4 (1950-56) 
29. Jouett Meekin P 24.2 (1894-99)
30. Hank Thompson 3B 24.05 (1949-56)

31. Jeff Tesreau SP 23.9 (1912-18, Pureblood Giant)
32. Sal Maglie P 23.5 (1945-55)

33. High Pockets Kelly 1B 23.3 (1915-17, 19-26)

34. Larry  Jansen SP 23 (1947-54)
35. George Van Haltren CF 22.75 (1894-03)
36. Bobby Thomson CF 22.1 (1946-53, 57)
37. Freddie Lindstrom 3B 22.05 (1924-32) 
38. Cy Seymour CF/P 21.9 (1896-00, 06-10)
39. Chief Meyers C 20.9 (1909-15)
40. Harry Danning C 19.85 (1933-42, Pureblood Giant)

41. Monte Ward SS 19.65 (1883-89, 93-4)

42. Cliff Melton SP 17.15 (1937-44, Pureblood Giant)
43. Monte Irvin LF 17 (1949-55)

46. Jim O’Rourke OF 16.75 (1885-89, 91-2, 04)
45. Sid Gordon 3B/LF 15.95 (1941-3, 46-9, 55)
46. Jo-Jo Moore LF 15.95 (1930-41) Pureblood Giant

47. Rube Marquard SP 15.35 (1908-15) 

48. Ruben Gomez SP 15.1 (1953-57)
49. Dan McGann 1B 14.85 (1902-07) 
50. Willard Marshall RF 14.8 (1942-49)