Sons of Steve Garvey

Heyman Makes a Funny?

2009-11-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

From Jon Heyman at SI.com:

Giants. [Johnny] Damon is a target. And [Jason] Bay makes sense, even from a marketing standpoint in that area.

Is Heyman suggesting that one reason the Giants should sign Bay is so they can run WELCOME TO THE BAY AREA ads?

Heyman has a more realistic take on the Dodgers' offseason:

Dodgers. The storied major-market team appears to be looking for innings eaters (yawn!). Whether it's because of their iffy ownership situation or a plethora of arbitration cases -- they have nine -- don't look for L.A. to spend big this winter.

And that's all the conjecture that's fit to print.

The Angel and Devil Revisited

2009-11-20T10:13:00.000-08:00

This clip has a special meaning to me for two reasons:

1. HALL AND F'ING OATES!

2. A few of the Sons and myself used Hall & Oates as our defacto theme music during a couple of LEGEN - wait for it - DARY baseball road trips. Along with this gem...

Off-Season Competition: Flo vs Deltalina

2009-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's not too late to sign up for the first (and possibly last) off-season competition of 2009! Remember, untold amounts of sweat were sweated by you to earn you the right to play this game (i.e., your 3D Tic-Tac-Toe victory), so use that right.

Here's how the teams/participants stack up so far:

Team Flo:

Josh S
QuadSevens
w.d.d.i.m.
Dunkhawk
Dr Geek
Mr C
Neeebs
MLASF
MattyA
John G
Felix Pardalis
Keven C

Team Deltalina:

FB
rbnlaw
Scott
Wicks
Greg
Fanerman
J Steve
Dusty Baker
Jason
djansson
TD
Matt
Steve Dittmore
Bryan

Ideally we'd like at least 12 per side, although it's not a necessity. But having an even number per side is important. So if you're interested, sign up by commenting below, along with your allegiance: Flo or Deltalina. We'll reveal details next Monday (or maybe Tuesday)!

UPDATE (2:08pm PT): Registration for Team Deltalina is now closed. Team Flo has two spots remaining.

Dodgers No Likey Lackey?

2009-11-19T13:30:00.001-08:00

Hey, actual baseball news! From Bill Shaikin at the LA Times:

Even with starting pitching as their most pressing need, the Dodgers do not plan to pursue John Lackey, the best starter available in free agency. [...]
[Dodgers president Dennis] Mannion would not say what the Dodgers' payroll might be next season or whether the team made money last season. He noted that the team did not raise prices on season tickets or parking last season and would not do so next season.
"You can't ignore the fact the economy will be level at best for next year," he said. "We're not going to make any outlandish-type decisions in a rough economy."
He said that would rule out Lackey "unless there is an effective way to make that kind of deal."

Disappointing but not surprising. Expect more yammering about needing an ace, but what the Dodgers' starting rotation can really use is more Randy Wolf-type consistency — sans Wolf, who will probably sign with another team. While Chad Billingsley's fate remains unclear — trade bait? Comeback Player of the Year candidate? — I'm hoping Clayton Kershaw can continue to fulfill his destiny as the most exciting homegrown Dodger pitcher to emerge in years. Add to that a couple of rotation-fillers, and 2010's pitching situation is beginning to look a lot like 2009's, just another year older and (hopefully) wiser.

Great Movies I Saw Once and Never Want to See Again

2009-11-19T13:00:00.000-08:00

Schindler's List
Saving Private Ryan
Oldboy

and

Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire

Seeing each of these movies was the emotional equivalent of getting kicked in the gut for two hours, but I'm glad I saw them. I just don't think I could handle a second viewing.

Flo vs Deltalina: State Your Allegiance

2009-11-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

Don't be distracted by the graphic. Focus. Because the following text is critical.

Do you meet the requirements in fine print below? If so, it's time to quit waffling and state your allegiance. Flo or Deltalina. There is no "either." There is no "neither." And for cryin' out loud, there is definitely no "I'm not sure". If you're still not sure, leave now. You sicken me.

The above photos, along with these two posts should be all the information you need to make a decision. So stop worrying about hurt feelings and tell us in the comments if you're with Flo or Deltalina (as per my example comment). And as you may suspect, there is a larger reason for this. Tune in tomorrow or early next week to see what you've committed to.

I meet the following requirements:

I have nothing better to do right now (or possibly ever) than make a surface judgment on the two ladies then summarize my conclusion in the comments section.

Over the next few weeks I agree to dedicate at least 5 minutes per week participating in something undoubtedly absurd and ridiculous on this website.

Once I pick Flo or Deltalina, I shall forsake the other for all eternity.

Hold The Mayo: Kung Fu Panda Going Jenny Craig?

2009-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

That's right, Pablo Sandoval has allegedly reported to Spring Training early, in an effort to shed some of those unsightly extra pounds:

Sandoval, you see, already started spring training 2010 at the Giants' complex in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Nov. 1. He was roughly 3 1/2 months early. Why?
Sandoval put up those gaudy numbers despite carrying way too much weight for a person listed at 5-foot-11 and (generously) 245 pounds. So, Panda wants to slim down into a leaner, not-so-mean hitting machine.
In a tremendous post by Giants' blogger Joan Ryan (also the author of "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes"), she goes into fine detail about Sandoval's recent lifestyle changes, a diet and exercise regimen that Giants trainer Dave Groeschner calls unprecedented for the club.
It's called: "Operation Panda." Of course it is.
"There are no guys who show up in November to get ready for the season,'' Groeschner said. "But this is something Pablo wanted to do."

KFP going for a little less KFC? Unthink, indeed. But lest we Sons lose one of our favorite whipping boys of our arch-rivals, let us consult chowhound and yelp for some of their recommendations for the Scottsdale area:

The Roaring Fork, known for its apple cobbler;
Cowboy Ciao, known for its duck sliders;
Fiesta Burrito, with its adobada burritos.

Have at it, Pablo!

Caption Contest

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

Caption Matt Kemp and his new buddy during the latest "Under the Lights" event at Dodger Stadium:

photo by JonSooHoo/Dodgers

3DT3: Congratulations Readers!

2009-11-17T10:00:00.000-08:00

After checking the videotape, the officials decided to give the game to the Readers. So congratulations Readers on once more hammering the Writers into submission on our home turf. And to add insult to injury, you needed only two dimensions to beat us:

Stay tuned for more...

A Fine Time-Killer

2009-11-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

Via Big League Stew comes this gem:

The Best of Baseball Reference's Sponsorship Comments (Baseball Junk Drawer)

DT regular Eric Enders makes the list. Check it out!

3DT3: Round 10

2009-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

Dude, what happened? Who knocked over the frickin' game board?!? Quad? Rbn? Mr C? I knew we should have cut off the alcohol after Round 5.

(shakes head in frustration)

Ughh. Alright, I guess we have to start over. Give me a minute to reset the board. Dammit.

Someday, Bison, You Will Have One of Your Own

2009-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Matt Kemp Twitpics the championship ring of his BFF Trevor Ariza.

3DT3: Round 9

2009-11-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

I imagine you're feeling pretty good about your position, Readers. But are you sure you aren't just stepping into a trap, like a Polish burlesque dancer stepping into a trap? And remember what they say: overconfidence is the hobgoblin of Tic-Tac-Toe victories. Which I think also applies to the 3-D version.

Your move:

See rules here

Appreciate This

2009-11-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

From the LA Times' Letters section:

My 11-year-old son Jacob just told me what he wants for the holidays this year. He asked me for about 100 blank DVDs. "What in the world are you planning to do with them," I asked. "I want to record every televised game Vin Scully calls next season and keep them forever," he said.

Maybe there is hope for America's youth after all!

Watch This

2009-11-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

Read This

2009-11-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

MSTI’s 2009 in Review: Secondary Starting Pitchers (Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness): A fine analysis of some of 2009's unsung heroes, but also an excuse for us to run MSTI's excellent Jason Schmidt card.
DeJon Watson talks with TBLA (True Blue LA): A sweet exclusive with the Dodgers' Assistant GM, Player Development. Get your prospect fix.
Pedro Guerrero (Cardboard Gods): A tribute to one of SoSG's shining stars. Okay, not really, but a nice appreciation.

3DT3: Round 8

2009-11-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Dammit, who came up with the blasted alternating levels rule?

So it seems the Readers got the move they wanted, in a landslide no less. And they do seem to be in an advantageous position. But We the Writers are known for our resiliency, so I'm hopeful we'll come up with something. We ain't dead yet!

Thankfully the weekend comes at the perfect time to give us some breathing room. But first make your move, Readers. Then tune in Monday when the game to continues...

See rules here

October Is For Costumes; November, Not So Much

2009-11-13T06:01:00.000-08:00

I can't tell which story is more pathetic, about men gone bad while wearing costumes, as well as the nearby doppelgangers that appear to spawn. Exhibit A, from London, tells of a gun-toting Teletubby that robs a woman, as well as the police who show up and question a different man who also happens to be wearing a teletubby costume:

Halloween took a bizarre and frightening turn in London this weekend when a man dressed as a children's television character, a purple teletubby, robbed a woman at gunpoint near the city's core.
London police say a costume-wearing, gun-toting teletubby confronted the woman near the intersection of Talbot and Mill streets just after midnight and demanded cash.
The woman, in her 20's, gave an undisclosed amount of cash to the robber, who then ran south on Talbot.
The woman wasn't injured but her misfortune wasn't hers alone. A second man dressed in costume was later stopped in the area by police and questioned — but police had the wrong teletubby.
"He was deemed not to be the teletubby we were looking for," Const. Kevin Lui said.

What are the chances?

And then, Exhibit B: closer to home, a Spider-Man impersonator on Hollywood Boulevard allegedly hits a man; and once again, the cops go after a different man in another Spider-Man costume:

A Spider-Man impersonator was arrested on outstanding criminal warrants Wednesday after an incident in which he allegedly slugged a man near the Hollywood & Highland complex, police said.
It was not immediately clear what led to the altercation, which was reported about 12:30 p.m. in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard. But it's the latest in a string of incidents involving movie characters and celebrity look-alikes who vie for space -- and attention -- along the tourist-filled corridor that includes Grauman's Chinese Theatre.
Christopher Loomis, 39, was being held on outstanding misdemeanor warrants in lieu of $5,500 bail, police said.
The incident began when Los Angeles Police Department patrol officers received a radio call reporting battery by a man in a Spider-Man costume. When they arrived, they encountered four people dressed as the web-slinging crusader.
"They stopped one, it wasn't him," said LAPD Lt. Beverly Lewis. "They stopped the second, and it was the suspect."

Second time's the charm, I suppose.

photo: Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times

Ethier, Kemp Are Ag Sluggers

2009-11-12T16:22:00.000-08:00

Ethier, Kemp claim Silver Slugger honors (Dodgers.com)

3DT3: Round 7

2009-11-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Saved by the Bell!

And by 'Bell', I mean democracy and the fine print rules.

Here's how Round 6 broke down: The Readers collectively voted IV-A-1, which I can only guess was the unintended result of the vote being split between IV-A-2 and IV-D-1. Regardless of why, space IV-A-1 was already occupied. So as per the asterisked small print in the initial rules, the Level with the 2nd most votes kicks in, which was Level II. Alas, spot II-A-1 was also occupied, meaning we go to the Level with the 3rd most votes. Levels I and III were tied, but since I-A-1 was also occupied, the Readers' move defaults to Level III. Thus, III-A-1.

Not the move that was intended I suspect, but hey, works for me. After all, the Writers' disadvantage impacts our moves theoretically half the time.

Also, a note about what we're playing for: last year, to reward you Readers for your C4 victory, you may remember we Sons organized and administered SoSG Baseball (congratulations again, GSoSG!).

This year, if you beat us in 3DT³, your prize will again be the organization and administration of a different off-season competition (still under development).

Play on!:

See rules here

Central Division Charm

2009-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Bison & O-Dog Are Golden

2009-11-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

Kemp, Hudson secure Gold Gloves (Dodgers.com)

3DT3: Round 6

2009-11-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Readers defy the wishes of both Deltalina and Flo and go with IV-C-III. Dangerous living...

See rules here

Your Feelings, Now and Then: Flo vs Deltalina Edition

2009-11-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

In a surprisingly close battle, Flo from Progressive Insurance beat Deltalina from Delta Airlines. But let's keep it real and take a second look at them, this time out of costume.

First, Flo:

Plus bootleg footage of her:

And now, Deltalina:

With some alt footage of her:

So now, here's my question (you have to pick one):

3DT3: Round 5

2009-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

See rules here

How have your feelings changed, if at all, regarding Flo and Deltalina?
	I originally picked Flo, but now I'm with Deltalina
	I originally picked Deltalina, but now I'm going with the Flo
	I originally picked Flo, and I'm stickin' with her
	I originally picked Deltalina, and I'm stickin' with her

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