Bryan Stow may not be back to his old self again, but his family has certainly seen the best of what Giants and Dodgers fans have to offer over these last two months. Consistent donations have been pouring in from stadiums, restaurants, celebrities, etc...
But now the family is on the attack themselves. The Stow family has filed a lawsuit against Frank McCourt for cutbacks that "led to perfect conditions for an attack."
I understand the family's frustration. Well, I don't. I might never understand how much pain a family must go through when someone they love is in a medically induced coma. What they have gone through over the last 7 weeks might be more gut wrenching than anything I have ever experienced in my life.
I just don't understand what the family hopes to accomplish with this lawsuit. If they take this to trial and win some money from the McCourts, it will certainly be better spent than how they have wasted money. Mrs. McCourt allegedly has a house just for her clothes. However, this trial would certainly be a waste of taxpayer money.
With all the beautiful gifts this family has received since March 31, 2011 from all walks of life, why not just let that be part of the healing process. To see so many people come together should help make up for what this family is suing the Dodgers for in the first place.
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Dodgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles Dodgers. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Saltzman Says...Jose Reyes a Giant?
It is certainly a intriguing idea. The idea of a top of the lineup difference maker who can play shortstop for the next 5-7 years for the Giants. At 29, Jose Reyes certainly has some outstanding years left in his body. However, if we look at Rafael Furcal, there is certainly some red flags to signing Reyes beyond 2011.
Both play a similar brand of baseball, which is hard nose, all out and never let your body get in the way of a triple baseball. These two lighting fast Dominican-born shortstops have a lot in common. They are both career .286 hitters who have some pop. Furcal had 78 home runs by age 29, and Reyes has 75. Furcal had 251 stolen bases and Reyes already has 342, both have been caught less than 90 times in their career, so it is more than speed. These guys scare opposing pitchers. When Furcal signed with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2006, I knew they had signed a difference maker.
Now, since Furcal's 29th birthday, durability has been a series issue. Years of averaging 150 games a year took its toll on his body and since he turned 29, Furcal has only played in 150 games in one season (2009). In no other season in his 30's, has he even played 100. When healthy, Furcal is one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in the game...when healthy.
Reyes only played in 36 games in 2009, so durability must be looked at when evaluating the Mets shortstop. If he can stay on the field, he is one of the games best, and clearly the top free agent option on the market this coming off-season.
If the Giants were to pull off a Reyes trade this season for a package that included Zach Wheeler or Jonathan Sanchez and other minor leaguers, they could look to offer Reyes less money over less years than he might make on the open market. With all the chaos surrounding New York the last few seasons, it might be a nice change of pace to be in a locker room with fun loving players like Pablo Sandoval, Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell.
Both play a similar brand of baseball, which is hard nose, all out and never let your body get in the way of a triple baseball. These two lighting fast Dominican-born shortstops have a lot in common. They are both career .286 hitters who have some pop. Furcal had 78 home runs by age 29, and Reyes has 75. Furcal had 251 stolen bases and Reyes already has 342, both have been caught less than 90 times in their career, so it is more than speed. These guys scare opposing pitchers. When Furcal signed with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2006, I knew they had signed a difference maker.
Now, since Furcal's 29th birthday, durability has been a series issue. Years of averaging 150 games a year took its toll on his body and since he turned 29, Furcal has only played in 150 games in one season (2009). In no other season in his 30's, has he even played 100. When healthy, Furcal is one of the most dangerous leadoff hitters in the game...when healthy.
Reyes only played in 36 games in 2009, so durability must be looked at when evaluating the Mets shortstop. If he can stay on the field, he is one of the games best, and clearly the top free agent option on the market this coming off-season.
If the Giants were to pull off a Reyes trade this season for a package that included Zach Wheeler or Jonathan Sanchez and other minor leaguers, they could look to offer Reyes less money over less years than he might make on the open market. With all the chaos surrounding New York the last few seasons, it might be a nice change of pace to be in a locker room with fun loving players like Pablo Sandoval, Miguel Tejada, Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell.
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| Reyes might be safe for now, but trade talks should heat up this summer |
Monday, April 4, 2011
Saltzman Says...How you can help Bryan Stow
For more information on how you can help Bryan Stow and his family, check out support4stow.blogspot.com
Bryan Stow is in an induced coma after being beaten for being a Giants fan following an Opening Day loss to the Dodgers.
Donations to offset his medical costs can go to Commonwealth Central Credit Union, account No. 118881, P.O. Box 641690, San Jose CA 95164-1690
Bryan Stow is in an induced coma after being beaten for being a Giants fan following an Opening Day loss to the Dodgers.
Donations to offset his medical costs can go to Commonwealth Central Credit Union, account No. 118881, P.O. Box 641690, San Jose CA 95164-1690
Here is a sketch of the thugs who brutely and senslessly beat Bryan Stow
Saltzman Says...Neukom and McCourt issue joint statement
"This attack is unconscionable behavior that will not be tolerated in either of our ballparks or in either of our cities," the statement read. "Once apprehended, the attackers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Public safety is the top priority for all of us and even one act of random violence is unacceptable.
"Baseball is a family sport that has unified our country after times of crisis and tragedy. This senseless act of violence has no place in our society and certainly not in our national pastime. The Giants-Dodgers rivalry is one of the most storied in all of sports, dating back to when the teams played across town in New York City before their moves to California. This is a great rivalry between teams competing on the field of play. That's where it must stay."
"Baseball is a family sport that has unified our country after times of crisis and tragedy. This senseless act of violence has no place in our society and certainly not in our national pastime. The Giants-Dodgers rivalry is one of the most storied in all of sports, dating back to when the teams played across town in New York City before their moves to California. This is a great rivalry between teams competing on the field of play. That's where it must stay."
Friday, April 1, 2011
Saltzman Says...Dodgers fans hit new low
I love my wife. I love my family. I love each and every Dodger fan that is now related to me. They certainly represent everything that is good about a baseball fan. That being said, I have always generically despised Dodger fans. Now specifically, I despise these three dodger fans. Nothing is more pitiful or cowardly than to jump unsuspecting, innocent victims. One Giants fan is in critical condition. Incredible. When people ask me what it's like for my wife and I to go to a Giants-Dodgers game, this is why I tell him we have never been to one together. Not worth dealing with the lowest common denominator.
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| A beautiful park, the voice of Vin Scully, but a cowardly parking lot |
Friday, February 4, 2011
Saltzman Says...Giants becoming a perfect blend
The Giants have more experience with two franchises over all others. They are the two teams that they started with in New York. They are the Yankees and Dodgers. The Yankees have become the big money team in baseball, as revenue is so much larger in New York. The Dodgers spent the past several decades building teams based on pitching, speed, and defense.
The Giants have begun to finally blend what works with both teams to not only win their first World Series in San Francisco, but more importantly to sustain what they have built. More important to any Yankee fan than the big free agent signings, has been the retention of their own talent. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada played their entire major league careers in pinstripes, and Andy Pettitte spent all but 1 season in New York. They were able to re-sign key free agents to extensions over the last 20 years as well. Players such as Mike Mussina, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano have been re-signed instead of finding more money elsewhere.
The Giants have given Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt, and Aubrey Huff new contracts over the last two years, and re-signed arbitration eligible players such as Cody Ross, Jonathan Sanchez, Andres Torres and Javier Lopez. Those re-signings have given Giants fans the same confidence that Yankee fans take for granted. Fans of the Oakland A's can never grow too attached to a good player because they eventually end up with another team. Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Matt Holliday are just some of the star players that have left Oakland over the last 20 years.
The Dodgers had Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale in their best years in Los Angeles. The Giants now have Lincecum and Cain. Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner are two more starters that have shown falshes of brillance, including a no hitter and Game 4 NLCS and World Series wins respectively. Drafting Buster Posey, who can clearly command a staff behind the plate and hit for power and average is no different than the long line of catchers drafted by the Dodgers. Even Jorge Posada in New York spent several years behind the plate in pinstripes. Now with Brandon Belt next in line and many good position players competing for roster spots in the minors, the Giants scouting department is on the same level now as the former New York "roommates" of the Giants.
The Giants have begun to finally blend what works with both teams to not only win their first World Series in San Francisco, but more importantly to sustain what they have built. More important to any Yankee fan than the big free agent signings, has been the retention of their own talent. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada played their entire major league careers in pinstripes, and Andy Pettitte spent all but 1 season in New York. They were able to re-sign key free agents to extensions over the last 20 years as well. Players such as Mike Mussina, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano have been re-signed instead of finding more money elsewhere.
The Giants have given Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt, and Aubrey Huff new contracts over the last two years, and re-signed arbitration eligible players such as Cody Ross, Jonathan Sanchez, Andres Torres and Javier Lopez. Those re-signings have given Giants fans the same confidence that Yankee fans take for granted. Fans of the Oakland A's can never grow too attached to a good player because they eventually end up with another team. Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye, Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Matt Holliday are just some of the star players that have left Oakland over the last 20 years.
The Dodgers had Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale in their best years in Los Angeles. The Giants now have Lincecum and Cain. Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner are two more starters that have shown falshes of brillance, including a no hitter and Game 4 NLCS and World Series wins respectively. Drafting Buster Posey, who can clearly command a staff behind the plate and hit for power and average is no different than the long line of catchers drafted by the Dodgers. Even Jorge Posada in New York spent several years behind the plate in pinstripes. Now with Brandon Belt next in line and many good position players competing for roster spots in the minors, the Giants scouting department is on the same level now as the former New York "roommates" of the Giants.
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| Is this the second coming of Koufax/Drysdale? |
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Saltzman Says... Tejada vs Uribe
Like I assumed, the Giants did try to offer a similar contract to Juan Uribe. They assumed they could offer a slightly lesser deal than the Dodgers and receive a "hometown" discount. They reportedly offered a 3 year $20 million to bring him back. Uribe was looking for at least $25 million and the Dodgers reportedly threatened to take the money off the table. Uribe's agent took the higher offer, and Uribe is a Dodger.
Tejada, by far, is the closest player to Uribe on the open market. Clearly, the other shortstop options don't have the power we will miss with Uribe gone. The other part of the equation that can't be understated is the absence of Uribe in the locker room will be missed, but Tejada can and will make up for that and then some.
One thing we have learned is that the locker room is a sacred place and with guys like Renteria, Uribe, Huff, Rowand and Zito, character is worth something to the Giants. Tejada has always been proclaimed as a fantastic teammate, and his presence in the locker room will fill the void lost by Renteria and Uribe.
As far as $6.5 million being way to much money to pay for Tejada, the team had budgeted $7 million for a SS, which means they have the money to sign whoever else they planned on bringing back. Yes, it is too much money for what he is "worth" but you also need to remember that he is on the top of other team's list for a SS/3B this off-season. If we didn't bring him in, someone else, i.e. San Diego, would have signed him. We already lost Uribe in the division. We don't need to miss out on another.
Tejada, by far, is the closest player to Uribe on the open market. Clearly, the other shortstop options don't have the power we will miss with Uribe gone. The other part of the equation that can't be understated is the absence of Uribe in the locker room will be missed, but Tejada can and will make up for that and then some.
One thing we have learned is that the locker room is a sacred place and with guys like Renteria, Uribe, Huff, Rowand and Zito, character is worth something to the Giants. Tejada has always been proclaimed as a fantastic teammate, and his presence in the locker room will fill the void lost by Renteria and Uribe.
As far as $6.5 million being way to much money to pay for Tejada, the team had budgeted $7 million for a SS, which means they have the money to sign whoever else they planned on bringing back. Yes, it is too much money for what he is "worth" but you also need to remember that he is on the top of other team's list for a SS/3B this off-season. If we didn't bring him in, someone else, i.e. San Diego, would have signed him. We already lost Uribe in the division. We don't need to miss out on another.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Saltzman Says... $44 million reasons to bring Uribe back
Aubrey Huff signed a 2 year $22 million deal to come back to the Giants. It is being reported via the internet Juan Uribe will sign a 3 year $22 million deal to go to the loss angeles dodgers. This sounds too perfect. Who are we to say someone is overpaid in a league that overpays all of their free agents? We have two of the worst contracts in baseball right now: Zito making $126 million and Rowand making $60 million. Zito is still owed $57 million and Rowand is still owed $24 million.
Our two big free agents are Huff and Uribe. If we bring back Huff and Uribe for $22 million each we are bringing back to two biggest thumpers in our 'thumpless' lineup. We are bringing them back for less than what we owe Aaron Rowand.
How is that too much money?
Huff's presence in the locker room is no different than Uribe's. He is as valuable to our Latin born players as Huff is in that locker room.
Our two big free agents are Huff and Uribe. If we bring back Huff and Uribe for $22 million each we are bringing back to two biggest thumpers in our 'thumpless' lineup. We are bringing them back for less than what we owe Aaron Rowand.
How is that too much money?
Huff's presence in the locker room is no different than Uribe's. He is as valuable to our Latin born players as Huff is in that locker room.
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