May 28--The Deuce; The Near No-No and the Train Shop!

Part II.  Bay Area Double-Dip

*Sac State Hornets taking on ASU today in San Luis Opispo (CA)--Feel the Sting!
*Bron Bron in the finals--again!  Looking back, he called it!
*Who will face the New York Rangers?  Chicago or LA?  Hey I am a NORCAL guy, plus
    NYC and Chitown both cold weather puck and stick kind of cities!
*Speaking of a buzz, Chrome worked out on the track today.  A week to go, "and they're off."
*More of a murmur surrounding the Cup Del Mundo--the biggest stir so far, was the news of
    who didn't make the team.  Oh well, it's a start!
*When did the Indy 500 cease to run on Memorial Day--Did I miss something?
*The Visalia Rawhide with a textbook come-from-behind 4-3 win last night, decked out in 
   teal aqua jerseys.  Similar to their park, and overall vibe, very cool man, very cool!


May 28, the Double-Dip, part 2:

The 10-under demographic loves the Golden Arches, therefore we began the day with their Cinnamon Melts. Pure gas (sugar) as I often say--tasty, very tasty, and the kid, actually both of my offspring, LOVE them in a lick the box dry kind of way!

Heading East on Highway 152, near Los Banos, it's windy.  I mean Rio Vista CA hills kind of windy! (Extremely windy--Wizard of Oz style!)  Dirt is flying across the road, the car is bouncing, even dirt is flying.  This won't be the first time today I think of my childhood today.

Next on the itinerary, a visit to the "Train Shop" in San Jose.  Located just off of freeways 280 and 17 in San Jose (near the SJ airport and Santa Clara U, and just up the street from the Winchester Mystery House), this shop is a must visit for all train enthusiasts. I am in over my head here, so the natural thing to do is to overspend.  The box was so long, it barely fit into the trunk of our Volkswagen Passat!  The Bachman, HO scale, "Overland Limited" set a big hit to start the day. Memories here people, trying to create and etch everlasting memories.

Onto SF, the is kid in the back beaming.  (Did I mention the locomotive pumps out real steam? A real bonus--of course I knew this beforehand!)  Sailing along 280, on a gorgeous sunny afternoon, we make good time. We are going to make the second inning, hopefully?!? I am a tad nervous about the traffic in the city--however the stars are aligned as we sail in off of third street, right near the park.  I expected to pay a few bones, and I was right $35 big ones.  Wow!  The budget again takes a hit!

As any kill-joy Giant fan will tell you, AT&T a joyous spectacle. True. The water, the statues, the humm baby of the crowd....very hip. Noah gets his picture taken with a cutie of Cubs fan--hey it is the kid's birthday remember--and we are feeling good.  I see a gentlemen wearing an old SF Seals jersey, and it reminds Sal Taromina, a friend of my dad's, and longtime coach at Santa Clara U who played in the original coast league.  Sal used to come pheasant hunting with my father years ago.  It seems like this day meant for fathers and sons.

We had in our possession club level outfield tickets.  Not necessarily expensive, but not necessarily the cheap seats. My children have grown up often times sitting near Bob Ueker in the "not-so-front row", so Noah is juiced.   He enjoys the escalator rides, especially the one with containing the neon lighting, creating a nightclub feel.  The club level is spiffy, including all kinds of food and drink, and statues of Lucy, Charlie Brown, and Snoopy.  We love the Peanuts. Good times! (Die-hard Giants fans, lots of great artifacts to check out in the Club Level.  The Ghilardeli ice cream stand a must!)

Our seats are good. Second row in the second level, down the left field line.  The view is better. Looking west, the bay is off in the horizon behind the wonderfully aesthetic-looking yard. The company, nails.  The only issue, we are in direct sunlight, and with a sugar-hyped 9 year old early in a long day, I am on alert. Popcorn, H2O, pizza, H20, ice cream, and what do you know, we survive.

Around the 5th inning I realize there is a game being played. Linecum has a no-no through 5!  The Cubs, with their B-Listers, are perfect fodder!  I have never seen a no-hitter live, any where, any place.  Shoot, now I am getting excited.  Then the Big Fella, and I do mean BIG FELLA, takes Lincecum out.  Are you kidding me?  His pitch count was over 90, apparently, so the Abe Lincoln looking-like manager pulls Timmy. Nooooooooooo.  Oh well, it was only a matter of time, and in the seventh the Cubs scratch out a hit--AARRGHH!  The Giants eventually pull away for a crisp, clean, oh what could have been kind of day. Thanks Boch, thanks a lot.  It is no wonder--with Captain Kill Joy as the their leader--The Giants haven's signed the lovable, personable Panda. I digress....

The Giants have the mojo.  You could just feel it.  They are playing well, and they ooze a confident, "we have got it" type of vibe.  Kill-joys are in for a fun summer.  The size of the Jumbo Screens JUMP out at you.  The screen in center, it is Bochy like, HUGE.  AT&T is indeed a destination attraction, and an enjoyable place to spend an afternoon.

Final thought from the afternoon--the replay situation has to be modified.  The Giants were up 4-0 and on a bang bang play at third, the umps proceed to review.  Snooze. Double Snooze.  We should have left then, and beat the traffic, but that's another story.

My big brother and sister in-law who wisely rode BART, join us for the sojourn over to Oaktown.  They are good sports.

Two tips for would be Double Dippers:

1.  Stay the night ahead of time in a Bay Area hotel.  I also am in favor of a pool--you just never know!
2.  Take BART trains (Bay Area Rapid Transit);  now I had a 9-year old hunkered down in the back seat, with some serious cargo in the back, so from our point of view, everything was just fine.  (Our guests, well, like I said, they were good sports!)  Nice afternoon, and down the backstretch to Oakland here we go!

We are going extra innings....Part III. to come in the next 48 hours!

May 28, Part I. One Swell, Baylicious Humpday!

Part I.  The Bay Double-Dip

Sports fans' taste buds absolutely on fire with all the great events taking place currently:  NHL and NBA semi-finals, baseball is rolling along (hello there Blue Jay Fans), the Chrome Crown is building, and even the World Cup fright around the corner!  The French Open is underway and the Men's US Open Golf Tournament is short Par 4 away. (Visalia Rawhide are home this weekend too--busting out Teal jerseys on Friday!)

May 28 will always be a special day.  In 2005, my son Noah joined the human race, in very dramatic fashion.  Noah's dropping heart rate minutes before birth the longest 2-3 minutes of my life....he is becoming one heck of sports nut! 

Nine years later in 2014 the tantalizing opportunity to take in an A's and Giants game on Noah's Birthday (or Cubs game, as I loving say to all the followers who love to hang out over near McCovey Cove) simply too enticing!  Perhaps most importantly, on this May 28, we could create a special, "memory forever etched deep in the brain kind of day."

I have to got to give credit to my childhood chum Old Man Sacramento River for planting the idea in my cranium.   River, is one of a rather large group of older guys who grew up in my neighborhood of Iselton CA, that loved sports, and looked after me.  River is a little confused-he likes the SF Giants and the Raiders-but hey, it is what it is.  Anyway, he recalled fondly how he took his son to the Double Dip years ago, and how later his son recalled the day.  Hmmm, very cool.  Then, my dear college friend, a Bay Area Native, also shared his tale of the Dip--I was hooked. This same gentleman, he's a Big Time A.D. well this who single handedly flung open the world of writing, and sports writing into my soul. He also is why I carry a soulfull appreciation and love for copy editors! 

Thus, with the Cool Aid of "two games in one day" down, I was all in.  The next step was to convince the Spouse to allow our young tike to miss the last day of school. (I believed this to be the cake topper, man style!)  My dear spouse, well, she is a gamer, (loves the big games too!) recognized the moment, and approved.  I could see in her eyes, she knew this year trip meant a little more...my father's health was failing at the time...and well, the O.Co, the Coliseum as I like to call her....she appears to be on her last legs too. Many dear memories at the Coli, and May 28 looked like too a good a hanging curve to pass up.

My chic, hip, 70's cool farmer big brother likes the Gigantes and I anticipated I could lasso he and my delightful sister-in-law in for part of the trip.  My original game plan called for their participation of 50%, well it ended up closer to 66%!  With a couple of other zany A's fans on the hook (a future hall-of-fame hoop coach and his passionate Philly style sports fan spouse!) the trip was coming together like a Billy Beane off season.

There was a little work to do as we live in the Central Valley, just down the road from where the Carr brothers and Trent Dilfer her tossed the pigskin about.  I needed to make this day special for my son, to hit one on the screws!  Typically my Portuguese/Euro "Does anybody really know what time it is "roots come into play, as do my, oh let's just say fondness for the 24th hour decision, and last second audible! Another go to pal, a real New Yorker--Go Rangers-once told me I like to schedule 72 hours of activities in a single day.

Slightly overbooked, it was go time!

Part II. coming soon, let's say withing 24 hours. Well what do you know, a real tease......

Angels and Soccer--Oh Nelly! College Baseball too, and My Man SpeBo!

*Parting shots for the weekend......

*The A's have are pretty hot--winning 10 of their last 12.  The bullpen has been a little shaky, but you can't win them all?  The schedule gets tough in the next couple of weeks with the Jays, Tiger, Yankees, and Orioles on the horizon.  Guess who is flying under the radar?  Yes, those pesky Angels of Anaheim.  If their pitching hangs in there.....so will the Angels!  A's have been rolling but only lead Trout & Weaver by 3.5 games.  (Of course if somehow the Angels could knock off the Tigers in Round 1 of the playoffs, maybe the A's and Halos could play for passage to the World Series?  Just more CA dreaming.....)

*The Giants depth will be tested now that Cain and Casilla have gotten the injury bug.  Will the Giants open up those deep pockets to add reinforecments?  Has Marco....Scutaro....tried a little of the cream and the clear--that should cure his ailing back!

*US Men's World Cup coach Jurgen Klinsman leaves is sending a message to American Soccer--either you're all in or you not!  Donovan missed qualifying games......I like the move, I like it a lot! I have two rule changes to help increase the popularity of the the game on the pitch in the US:
          1.  Anytime a goal receives the ball from his own team--corner kick for the opponent.  This will help eliminate some of the goal-killing, icing of the ball.
          2.  Eliminate the offsides rule.
These rules--the Fonz's rules lets call them-would open up the game ever so slightly.

*Rangers vs Kings in the NHL final--good old East vs West rivalry!  In the NBA, while I still think the Pacers have a chance to sneak in there..it looks like a repeat of last years final:  Bron Bron vs Pops Old-Schoolers.

*Lots of college baseball this weekend--those Sac State Hornets, took it on on chin last night to the Roadrunners of Cal State Bakersfield.  I envision they will bounce back to day in WAC tournament.  Also, my pops' Santa Clara Broncos took it on the chin in the West Coast Conference tourny.  Still alive....and the Bulldogs of Fresno State gunning for another magical run in the Mountain West Tournament.  Drama, drama, drama....

*Have yet to see any Silver and Black #4 Jerseys, but my son is getting one!  (Anyone else want one?)

*Chrome just chilling in NYC now...just 2 plus weeks until the Big Day.  The Belmont is allowing Chrome to wear his nose strips--and, honestly, how could they not!

*Speaking of my offspring, he is set to be 9 next Wednesday--taking him to Cubs and Giants in the afternoon, A's and Tigers in the evening.  A Bay Slam--filled with plenty of Big Root Beers naturally!

*Visalia Rawhide on the road this week; keep in mind park is great, and the promotions even better.  Fun-filled, actioned pack at Rawhide Ballpark!

Today I lift my Big Root Beer:  to my man Spencer Boling, who captured the Fresno Area High Jump Championship last week.  SpeBo is the man, clearing 5-7.  Way to go SpeBo!

To Chrome, Hornets, and even a little Football!

*Now that Summer is just about here, let's take it around the diamond!

*On the Hill:  California Chome Baby!  Two for two with his impressive win in the Preakness.  Now it's off to NYC, and as any California youngster knows, you have made it to the top, when you can be a star in New York.  Hopefully all of this nasal strip nonsense will simply fade away--just like Chrome's opponents. What a great race he and jockey Victor Espinoza ran Saturday.  The Belmont however, with that long track, will certainly be a test for the ages.  What is up with horses skipping the Preakness, then running in the Belmont?  Either your in or out, that's what I say!  Great, great article in the Fresno Bee by David White in Sunday May 18's paper.  DW's slant is slightly CenCalian, however it is a great read.  It's like this talented writer saw into my horse racing soul! (Reminder: if the Triple Crown doesn't interest you or your little ones, rent Secretariat, it might just help set the mood?!?)

*Catching:  The NBA and NHL are down to their sports Final Four's.  If you love hockey or hoop, this is your time!  Keep an eye on those Pacers, and those pesky New York Rangers!

*First Base:  I am very surprised at all the "chatter" regarding the possibility of another Bay Bridge World Series. Both teams are hot, and I mean when you look around, are there any teams outside of the Bay that are flat out scary?  It's the same cast of characters isn't it:  Tigers and Angels in the AL, Cards and Dodgers in the NL.  I will hold judgment on the Brewers until July 4!  The problem for the A's is those darned short 5 games series you need stars--Sonny Gray perhaps, maybe? I hope Billy B goes all in and lands a front line pitcher and maybe a little athleticism up the middle.  Time to win that last game of the year Mr. B!  The Giants have the stars--the question, do they have enough juice to get there? Buster isn't the only one who needs to stay healthy--so does Angel Pagan!

*Second:  Oakland fans are always taking a gut punch. Now the Sacramento River Cats say the would like to have Giants instead. Wow, Sacramento used to be my favorite city.  Of course if that happens, the A's would just slide back into Fresno, and perhaps it is just a good old fashion bargaining ploy, but man oh man, that's a sucker punch.

*At Short:  Speaking of Sacramento, how about those WAC Champions Sac State Hornets. The Hornets feature Sam Long, whose Dad played hoop for me years ago.  Yes sir Trent Long, one of the coolest cats of all-time in my book, and now he's gushing with pride over the success of his left-handed pitching ace of a son.  They need to win the conference tournament first....but here's hoping Omaha is in the Longs' future travel plans! Feel the Sting Baby! (The Hornets are Green and Gold in case you were wondering!) Way back when my father was friends with the coach at Santa Clara U., a great gentlement by the name of Sal Taromina.  Thus, I will be keeping my eye on the Broncos as they compete in the West Coast Conference in Stockton!

*Third: Speaking of the Giants, I took in a couple of their Advance A minor league team, the San Jose Giants(I know just more irony). To begin with, the Ballpark in Visalia perhaps the best venue in California to catch a game.  Yep.  Well the Giants have sported some very bright orange hats which made me think--man would Brian Wilson have loved these to go with his funky orange shoes!  Not sure if anyone else would like them, but hey let's move on....

*On deck:  The Cup Del Mundo.  Yes sir, the Cup is right around the corner.  Can the Americans rally from the group of death? Nah, I don't think so....but it does seem like the "program" is headed in the right direction.  Another excellent article--this one in the San Francisco Chronicle by Ann Killian, talks of the transformation taking place under the leadership of Jurgen Klinsman.  I even watched some exciting, English Soccer in the FA Cup--heck, the news is that I now know what the FA Cup is!  Santi Corzola's goal from a free kick--stellar.  Talk about a small window, ish.  My Portuguese genetic code must have been inspired--I am just saying maybe there is hope that Soccer will indeed be a household item one day in the old U.S. of A!

**To a great week people, and don't forget to follow us on twitter at 100percent3G!

California Dreaming

*From the Get Down Lounge...a little late, or early!

*Anyone considering a road trip--check that--the road trip, to see California Chrome go for the Triple Crown in New York after he wins the Preakness tomorrow?  Oh sure he could get out of gate slow, and yes there are some speed horses....but with only 9 horses entered in the field, CA Chrome is good to go.  What is up with horses coming in and out of the triple crown races?  It looks to me like the Chrome's competition waiting for he Belmont.  Oh well, quite a story for this stud from Coaling Station A (that's Coalinga for you non Californians!).  And their off....

*Fifty years ago they broke ground on the O.Co;  40 years ago the old gal hosted the I-5 Series; 25 years ago it was the Bay Bridge Series;  I would think the formerly named Oakland-Alameda Coliseum deserves one more shining moment in the sun?  Maybe Sonny Gray is just the man to bring it home?  The four best records in the bigs as of today:   The Tigers, Brewers, Giants and A's!

*Why does Oakland in general receive such little love and respect?  When people speak of the great baseball teams, the Big Red Machine sure gets tons of love for their two titles in the 70's.  Ironic--don't you think--the Red's lost to the Swinging A's in 1972.   I believe people don't want to acknowledge the late Charlie O was the greatest owner the last 50 years!

*Well, well, well, even the NFL draft gives Oakland football fans some hope.  Not many people had Khalil Mack falling to the 5th spot--and because the Texans weren't going to experience another Carr saga, Derek Carr ends up a Raider.  Wow.  CenCal is strong Raider territory, and it just experienced a kick start.  There will definitely be some Red Wavers (Fresno State followers) making the trek to Otown.  Funny, it wasn't that long ago that Singletary led Niners were not very good....like I mentioned above, doesn't the O.Co deserve a few more glorious memories?  December 7 should be fun--crazy--but fun!  On that day the Niners cross the Bay!

*Winner of Day 1 of the NFL draft--I had the Rams, taking a mammoth offensive lineman, than grabbing the best defensive lineman on the board.  Day 2 and 3, well, it looked to my like the Texans did OK for themselves. The Browns, or the Johny Browns?  I just don't see it--and Bortles was a surprise coming off the Board at #3.

*The W's....man, E Gods as my father would say.  Steve Kerr, man was he loved at Arizona, and has had a great career.  Why in the world would he want to leave his job as an NBA analyst to coach?  This just looks and smells baaaaddddd.  The owner and GM have already thrown the previous GM, Larry Riley, along with Coach Jackson, in front of the Bart train.  As I like to say, if it winning was that easy in pro sports, then why can't the Cubs hoist the trophy--speaking of the Cubbies, I would love to see former Golden Domer Jeff Samargia end up with the A's for the stretch run!!

*One Larry Riley story.   The man is a gentleman an a basketball lifer.  I once met him at a junior college basketball game in California--he was one of about 50 people in the stands--totally unnoticed, just blending in the crowd.  Seems to me like the Warriors are paying it backwards!

*Sharks fans, man, I empathize.  Ish.  Well, the World Cup is near, and after all, aren't Hockey and Soccer similar sports?  Roll, roll, Port-u-gal!!

*By the way, if the A's can't move, why don't the Raiders move to San Jose?  I'm just saying....

*To Derek Carr and Josh Reddick I raise my glass.  To Carr, because he represents hope--to Red Dog as I like to call him, for having the fortitude to use any Wham tune as a walk up song in Oakland.  See Derek, good times often come from places you just don't see coming!  Maybe Careless Whispers will be the O.Co's swan song?  (By the way Red Dog went off tonight in Cleveland!)

*Visalia Rawhide won for the 7th time in a row this evening--if you live in the area, and enjoy baseball, you really owe it to yourself to check out Rawhide Ballpark. You will not be disappointed, in fact I would wager 3-5 you will be back!

**Don't forget to follow twitter:   100percent3G!

*My man Timmy C in GTown Mass, I hope you had a great Birthday--your present will be in the mail next week.

Draft Day....and Really W's, Really?

*Before we get to the NFL draft, a few tidbits.....

*California Chrome, yesiree--I am on the bandwagon!  I have been using the term "DA" as a sign of affection for years, so for the Chrome's stable to use that moniker--well priceless!

*The Warriors.  Really?  Joe Lacob and Bob Myers have now pushed aside the former GM Larry Riley, and now Coach Jackson. Riley was thrown under the bus, despite his assistance in putting the Warriors together, and Jackson, well, unbelievable.  If Bogut had stayed healthy, the W's would be flying home from Oklahoma City today!  I am sure after the Warriors win the title in 2015, they will then lead the Cubs, Falcons, and Sharks to major league titles!

*A's fans feeling more than their fare of share this early season--despite a record of 20-15, the A's are only 7-9 at home.  Booing has been heard in the O.Co, in particular towards Jim Johnson and Daric "Mr. Angst" Barton.  Despite their winning record, the A's bullpen has already amassed 7 blown saves--this team could have 25 wins, easily!  Expectations are indeed running high in the former Oakland Alameda County Coliseum.  (We will address their team issues in later posts!)

*If you haven't seen the Visalia Rawhide play yet, well, here is another quirky reason (besides it being "Thirsty Thursday", which means $1 beers and sodas from 6-8 p.m!), on Monday, the Stockton Ports (A's) and the Hide combined for an 0-20 at the plate with men in scoring position.  That is hard to accomplish--that game also featured a routine 9-4-6-2 putout.  If you like sandlot games, you need to check out Vtown!

*The NFL draft--as my spouse reasoned before our two children were born--there simply aren't too many surprises in life.  Well.....dear you were correct!  Naturally, I see the NFL draft the same way, I mean, all of these future pros, don't know yet where they will call home.  Unfortunately, the Raiders have been drafting high--very high--the past 10 years, so ideally, that will change in 2015!  Thus, for all off you draft pundits, here is my mock draft:

     #1. Texans, DE Clowney from South Carolina.  Texans stay with the Freak!

     #2. Rams, ILB Mack from Buffalo.  (Rams need D in the mighty NFC West!) 

     #3. Jaquars, WR Watkins. Jags get Big-Time play maker!

     #4. Browns--like the Jags-and the Raiders would love to trade down.  However, for the sake our drill

           Browns take OL Greg Robinson.  

     #5. Raiders--need to get better in the trenches--although they may be tempted by WR Mike Evans or 

           DT Aaron Donald from Pitt.  It's Matthews from A&M or Lewan from Michigan.  I say
           Matthews.

      **If you like QB's, I see a fall, then a flury, in fact a tight end may come off the board before a QB!

      Sit back and enjoy as the draft now last 3 days--the spouse fyi, can't believe it!

*Today I raise the glass to Coach Jackson--it has been a longggggg time since the W's made back-to-back playoffs, and I fear, it may be long time until they repeat this feat!