Rule Tweaks, Young Guns, & a New, Old Leadoff Hitter! Still Believe in Stephen Vogt--the Gigantes Do!

(Photo by Minda Hoss of Omaha, from Werner Park 2015, on Wikipedia)

From The Bull-Pen

I. MLB Rule Change(s):  The one current rule that needs to tweaked or terminated--when a relief pitcher enters the game; why, why do relievers entering games mid-inning need to warm-up? They are loose and good to go already! Once the skipper hands the ball over to the pitcher, 30 seconds. That allows the pitcher a brief time to adjust the mound, throw a pitch or two, and let's go! So often the game bogs down when pitching changes take place. Keep the game moving. It's :30 then let it fly. 

Another set of corresponding "tweaks"; pitcher steps on the rubber, he must pitch. If he decides to step off, it's a ball. The batter, in the box, you hit. I would allow the batter one time to step out per at bat and that's it. Play ball. In it to hit it so to speak!

(While I don't approve of any of the rule changes being bandied about, one I might consider with a slight modification. I don't approve of the proposed rule that says a pitcher must pitch to 3 batters; however, reduce that number to 2, and now you have a very interesting and fascinating series of possibilities.)

II. Lazardo and Puk:  Ooh la la! If A's number 1 prospect Jesus Lazardo, and number 2 A.J. Puk can match the glowing reviews and prognostications of the MLB Network, it's on! Starting pitching is the elephant in the room, and if these two can match the hype, the next couple of summers (and perhaps falls!?!) could be very special in the Coli!!  Of course, the Green and Gold can always swing a deadline deal for Zach Greinke, he of the $32 million per year contact. Why not, think BIG! (Sin Choo Soo and his $21 mil salary another future deal on the think big list. I love saying Choo Soo!)

III. Gross Man!:  Out of deep right field, the A's sign a veteran outfielder, switch hitting Robbie Grossman. Two items immediately jumped out regarding this signing. To begin with, Rob is a switch hitter. As the A's carried a plethora of relievers last year, switch-hitters would appear to be the absolute "market efficiency!" Secondly, his career on-base-percentage is .355. Last season, Nick Martini and Ramon Laureano--both in limited sample sizes--recorded .397 and .358 respectively. Captain Matt Chappy and future MVP matriculated on base at .356 pace (Jedi Lowrie was .353). This is clearly a classic A's move. Grossman is scheduled to bat leadoff in the first scheduled Spring Training game on Thursday, February 21. Sign of things to come? Perhaps. Keep an eye on Grossman, and his exploits at the plate. (With what seems to be a surplus of outfielders, is a trade brewing, or at minimum beginning to percolate?!?)

IV. Shaking off these two Greats:  Across the bay the Gigos are an interesting study. Coming off those great even year runs of '10, '12, and '14, what is their next move with all of the money they are raking in?!? Are they in on Harper, or are they simply being used to jack up the Phillies bid? New GM Farhan Zaidi--former A's and Dodgers employee--has acquired depth, by making several A's types, on-the-cheap moves. (Why not grab a front line pitcher, like Dallas Keuchel?). Recently they signed all time great guy Stephen Vogt (from CenCal Visalia, CA); to go along with all world nice guy and Giant legend Buster Posey. So, while the Bus is coming off hip surgery, I-Believe-In-Stephen Vogt has relocated from Milwaukee to SF. Huh? So the Giants are confident that with perhaps the toughest and grindiest of all positions in baseball--catching--guys coming off of hip and shoulder repair are the way to go? Will either of these two still be playing when the Giants roll into Oakland August 24th and 25? Time will tell, time will tell!! 

Spring Training, Double Dipping, Moneyball Irony and an Update!

(May 28, 2014; Noah's 9th Birthday)

Around the Bases We Go!

*Spring Training:  For many years I kept hearing how fun and wonderful a trip it was to visit Arizona and Spring Training in Arizona. By golly, it was grand! If you can ever make the journey, allow two simple suggestions. First, either night games, or seats in the shade! Don't let the Arizona sun put a damper on the day. Secondly, might I add attending during March Madness. After a day of baseball featuring the A's and Dodgers (some rather muscular fellow name Puig and wearing #66 made an appearance that day!), my dear spouse and I cooled off at night in Scottsdale's Salty Senorita watching college hoop madness. The weather, the pace, the proximity to the players, the charm....hard to beat. As we were walking, Fernando Valenzuela practically escorted us in the park. If you are fan of baseball, this trip can electric! I know friends that make the trek every season, and quite frankly, I envy them! 

**Double Dipping East Bay Style: Back in 2014, on my son Noah's 9th birthday, the two of us experienced what I like to call the "Bay Area Double Dip." The Giants by day, the A's by night! On this day, Josh Donaldson's concluded our day with a towering walk-off bomb, propelling the A's over the Tigers. The only tricky part of this excursion was navigating across the bay area traffic in the late afternoon. Warriors fans, here you go--on Sunday March 31 the A's will hosting the Angels at 1:00 p.m., then you can head across the way to the ROarcle, to watch the Steph and the gang tip it off with the Charlotte Hornets at 5:30 p.m.! Much like the scamper to Spring Training, my wife readily was and is all in on this adventure! (Note that Warrior tickets are significantly steeper than the 3rd deck, so plan your budget accordingly.) Might be a surprising and ever-so-romantic Valentine's Day Gift for that special Oaktown Sports Fan in your life!?! 

No posh elevators like this one in the Coli! In the new stadium perhaps?!?

***Moneyball and Football: Oh the irony with Kyler Murray electing to pursue a football career and take the intentional pass with the A's for the time being. Remember the beginning of the Moneyball movie? Beane gives his word to the Mets and takes the cash out of high school--when it feels like Billy and his mother really wanted him to play baseball and quarterback the Stanford Cardinal!?! In the movie version, Beane's dad steps in and says your word is our word--however, at the time, Beane's family, just like Kyler and his family--were following the money! If Billy could go back in a time machine, would he his life have huddled in a different direction? Clearly the A's are going to win the World Series know--and Moneyball the Sequel will once again start with a baseball player/quarterback dilemma! Good luck Kyler--to a great career and I sure hope somebody provides you the opportunity to play both sports (Raiders and 49ers, are you listening?!)!

****Pitching & Catching:  The A's are good, young, and their roster is pretty well set. In fact, all they need is an ace, and they can jump in (and perhaps over) with the big fish--the Red Sox, Astros, and Yankees. The A's have plenty of depth and pitching candidates. Any one pitcher who gets in hot in during the spring, may even find himself with a starting role. In regards to catching, all signs point to rookie Sean Murphy taking over the reigns sometime in the very near future. Most reports glow about his arm and glove, with his bat the only real question mark. Look for Murphy to start the year in Vegas, become familiar with his AAA mates, and make short flight to Oakland sometime around Cinco de Mayo or the Kentucky Derby. 

Notes from the bullpen:  Much like the old designated list, know called the injury list, a player must remain on the list for 10 days before returning to the parent club. Look for a new 100% 3G blog every 10 days or so, which works out to 3 times per month. This is my planned delivery sequence for 2019. This past fall I joined with up Kiyokawa Crawford, LLC as they began a college basketball scouting service. (I covered junior college women's basketball). This spring and summer, I have a new project which will find myself (along with Noah as the video coordinator) scouring Central California as a baseball scout for Evolution Metrix. Thus, whether inside or outside, near or far, I look forward to the new opportunities! You can also follow me on twitter at Brian Fonseca@100percent3G. Don't forget about Valentine's Day?!?

While it was a day to remember, quite frankly, our purchase of the train set on our way to San Francisco the biggest hit of the day. Now, 5 years later, the transaction high on Noah's radar--selling the train set for a Gaming PC. Time flies. 

Check Downs on Super Bowl Sunday

(1986 Super Bowl Starter Tony Eason--My Neighbor Practically!)

Super Bowl Sunday Tidbits

(After all, QB'ing is all about quick reads!!)

*GOAT:  The greatest of all time list is constantly being thrown around, and no we are not going to talk about QB's or Michael vs. Bron Bron; no, today a toast to one of the All-Time American GOAT's, the late Jackie Robinson. Mr. Robinson's 100th birthday was this week, January 31, 1919 was his birth date. A tip of the cap to you #42, one of our country's greatest of all time.

*MARCO....POLO:  A's fans, and Giants too, will remember the exploits of Mr. Stick, Marco Scutaro. Marco is the only player that comes to mind that raked in the postseason for both Bay Area teams. Well, the A's are taking a flyer on former Blue Jay Marco Estrada. (Es-traduhhhh a fun name to pronounce!) The good news is Marco started 28 games for the Canadians a season ago; the bad news is he battled through some nagging injuries. If this veteran can be counted on to take the hill once every 5 days or so, this will be a real plus for the green and gold in 2019.

*GONDOLAS:  Gondolas from downtown Oakland to the Waterfront where the proposed stadium will be.....hard not to take a flyer on this idea! One little sticking point for myself, crossing over the Freeway, oh I don't know, weirds me out! If the stadium and gondolas come to be in Oakland, well, I guess it will be a good problem to have!?!

*TONY EASON:  The houses Champagne Tony (outside of Walnut Grove) and I (Isleton) grew up in were a mere 7 miles a part or so! Tony played at smallish Delta High School located in Clarksburg California, a Hail Mary's distance Southwest of Sacramento; before a stint at American River JC then to to Illinois University. Despite an enrollment of 300 or so, back in the 70's and early 80's, the Saints under coach Joe Miller produced more than there fair share of football studs. Tony and Bo Eason both made to show, along with lineman Dan McQuaid. There were many others who played in college...but hey it's about the quick reads today. One tidbit about Tony, Bo, and even their father. The times I ran across all three of these guys, they always treated me like a million bucks. Tony's Patriots ran into the Payton/Fridge/Ditka bears, or we may have had a great biopic movie about a "neighbor." (I am still digging Bohemian Rhapsody by the way!)

*THE ALL-ANGST BOWL:  For a twist, this game might be fun to watch with Raiders and Saints fans!? As a result of the Tuck and the No-PI-here call, these two fan bases might not mind a tie? Can't argue with the success of Brady/Belichick partnership--in fact with a little luck, they may have won a couple of additional Lombardi trophies? (How many other character-perhaps lurking in the shadows--have contributed to the Pats winning ways?) This might be a great game...I envision overtime, both teams score a FG (just to add the angst of previous said fan bases), and then Brady proceeds to lead the Patriots to a dramatic 27-24 win. Cokes on the Krafts! (Coca-Cola is located in Atlanta.)

*MEMORIES: While naturally I have my parents to thank for most of my early sport and fondest  memories, today I lift the glass to a couple of old-school colleagues of my father, Lincoln Chan and Frank Spingolo Sr. Mr. Chan built a large and successful farming and trucking company; along with a great deep laugh, two stellar German Shepard guard dogs, and a stogie ready to go, he was THE MAN, and a great 49er fan. Mr. Spingolo was an old-school Italian who for many years ran a prominent trucking organization in Stockton California (the home of Rickie Fowler who is struggling to hold on in Arizona today!), and held more than his fair share of Raider Tickets. His daughter Mary hosted the best tailgates in that cozy little venue the Oakland Alameda Coliseum.  To both Icon's and their families, enjoy the bouncing pigskin today.