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M.T. Karthik

~ midcareer archive, 1977 – 2017 plus 2022

M.T. Karthik

Tag Archives: sfg

Beat LA and Seize The Division

30 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by mtk in PreGame GBCs

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Tags

baseball, corner, Francisco, giants, League, mlb, mtk, National, San, sf, sfg, sfgiants

The second half has been very much like a root canal but at last, the playoffs are around the corner and the Giants have just a little more work to do to ensure we’re once again in the postseason in an even year this decade.

All Giants fans are of course confident that if we just get in we can go on an epic tear with our postseason roster, as we have done in each of the last even years this decade.

That confidence resides within all of us but was best phrased in all caps by Grant Brisbee in 2012 before the World Series vs. the Tigers. (You can’t spell Brisbee without S-E-E-R).

But today and this weekend the pathway is clear:

Beat LA and Seize The Division.

It is a pleasure to beat the nemesis, but certainly it means the most when there’s the postseason on the line and we handle business. I really hope we show some force this weekend and seize the wild card – a sweep would be sweet.

I still believe we can do this despite not having a closer, or even a bullpen I trust. Because I believe we do have Champions Blood. When the chips are down, we got as good a chance as anyone.

If we end up playing the Mets, as I think is likely now, I am starting to wonder whether we should start Cueto rather than Bumgarner … which seems crazy to type, but there it is.

Samardzija out of the ‘pen might be a thing we see this weekend and in the postseason, which also seems crazy.

But we gotta win one at a time, so for right tonight, I am dressed. Let’s get it on!

img_20160916_164548

 

Beat LA

Seize The Division

Let’s Go Giants!

 

Love,

 

MTK

 

We Believe In Our Champions Blood

16 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by mtk in Commentary

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Tags

baseball, Brandon, Bumgarner, Casilla, corner, Francisco, giants, Karthik, Madison, mlb, National, pagan, pence, Romo, San, Sandoval, sf, sfg, win

We have endured the East Coast and LA bias from national networks for so long they’re irrelevant to us. In fact sometimes it feels better to ride the role of underdog, knowing we have the most experienced, smartest and most tightly knit coaching staff in all the majors.

The mainstream sports media and the hulking brutes of NYC and Chicago always count us out. They have no comprehension of the nuances of the game or teamwork.

They counted us out when we were chasing the D-Backs in ’10 and again vs. the then-Champion Phillies and again in the World Series – even after seeing what MadBum, Timmy and the Beard could do. Not to mention the quietly peerless Buster Posey.

They counted us out when Melky went down for PED use, and we all agreed WE wouldn’t allow him back for the playoffs – though we could have – but rather try to soldier on. This one is always my favorite of the three, because of Pablo’s 3HR, with two off Verlander (him saying “wow,” watching the second one go out – best bad ball hitter ever: Pablo Sandoval). How Romo dismissed Cabrera is maybe my favorite SFGiants WS moment ever.

Then in 2014, they counted us out as a wild card has-been! and we just Madbummed the shit out of them. They counted us out against the Darlings of the Nation and we sent MadBum out to finish them off in their house.

So we are USED to being the ones counted OUT.

But what we know is different. We know we have Rags, Skip, Bam-Bam and Wotus in place. We know that losing Flan for the more conservative Kelly is really just an adjustment, not a loss. We have a Hall of Fame manager who has been through it all.

We know these guys know how to win with their backs against the wall. We know if we just get in to the playoffs, we have as a good a chance as any and a better chance than most because we have CHAMPIONS BLOOD.

I for one, believe that the moves we made are good moves. It hurts so much to have lost Vogey and Petit and Duffy. It hurts a LOT.

But I understand what Evans and Sabean are trying to do and I approve. These are aggressive and expensive moves – Samardzija and Cueto were $90million! We’ve never paid that kinda money for two players before. Duffy was just awesome in Panda’s place for a critical WS series year and more. But I get the trade. Getting the right puzzle pieces is hella expensive.

Here’s what I know: they can’t win if we don’t believe.

and I do.

I believe in this team of managers, coaches and players. I think the new guys need to tune in to a culture of winning and realize that petty losses should be dumped immediately. This is a tightrope walk, not whack-a-mole.

I know Posey, Pence, Bcraw, Belt, Panik, Pagan, D-Span, Nunez and our pitchers that rake can get out of this slump and start producing like the machine they were earlier in the season. It’s all about getting hot at the right time and we have the machine that can do that.

We dispensed with injuries to Pence and Panik and Pagan early so they are ready and playing well.

We dealt for better – read more experienced – pitching help for the bullpen and starters. We’re doing all the right things.

(EXCEPT I STILL REALLY THINK WE OUGHTA BAT THE SP IN THE 8 SPOT AND LET PAGAN AND D-SPAN BECOME BACK-TO-BACK LEADOFF HITTERS).

Anyway, all that is left is:

for us to believe and

for the guys to never quit.

 

We believe.

 

so, guys? …. Never Quit.

 

Love,

 

MTK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matt Duffy, NOT Kris Bryant, is National League Rookie of the Year

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by mtk in Commentary

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Tags

baseball, bryant, chicago, cubs, duffy, Francisco, giants, kris, League, major, matt, mlb, nl, rookie, roy, San, sf, sfg, year

Cubs fans, I like your team and your young talent Kris Bryant. I’ve admired your new manager for many years. In fact, I’m excited for your run. But there’s one award you guys don’t get this season, and that’s National League Rookie of the Year.

Before we even begin discussing statistics, I want to be clear why Matt Duffy is the NL ROY.

Simply put, he is the Rookie of the Year because among all rookies Matt Duffy has the most command of baseball’s five tools:

1)  Hitting for Power

2)  Hitting for Average

3)  Fielding Ability

4)  Throwing Ability

5)  Speed

Hitting for power among national league rookies belongs to Kris Bryant. It’s undeniable.

And if you can’t think deeper than that one aspect of the game, I can see why you might think Bryant should be the ROY. Bryant has more HRs, more RUNS, RBI and a better OPS, SLG (slugging percentage) and fWAR.

But back on August 20th, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Corcoran in a piece called Awards Watch had more to say about measuring the two players with adjusted stats.

“Based on the raw stats … you might think Duffy should rank behind Kris Bryant … but Duffy’s stats are depressed because he plays in an extreme pitchers’ park.

“Looking at park-adjusted OPS+, the two are in a virtual tie in terms of production (Duffy is at 125 to Bryant’s 128, with 100 being league average).

After power-hitting, it looks considerably less convincing for Kris Bryant as a candidate for NL rookie of the year.

Hitting for average belongs to Matt Duffy. He has more doubles, more triples, more hits, and a better average by almost 40 points than Bryant. But it’s Duffy’s average with RISP that should surprise and enlighten Cubs fans.

Avg. with RISP Matt Duffy .378

Avg. with RISP Kris Bryant .311

It shows Duffy to have been as clutch as Bryant. In fact, despite lagging in RBI, perhaps more so.

In terms of base running, Duffy has shown an awareness rarely seen by rookies. Recently scoring from first with heads-up alertness on a deep single, The Duffman consistently shows a keen knowledge of base running and how to use his speed. Duffy has never been caught stealing.

To his credit Kris Bryant has stolen four more bases, but he has been caught stealing four times and, like all power hitters, is much more susceptible to striking out.

Duffy’s better efficiency at the plate is clear in a comparison of the two young men’s walk-to-strikeout ratio.

While displaying massive power and great clutch-hitting skills, Kris Bryant is not performing defensively like Duffy, and what the Duffman has done is what puts him over the top.

Bryant has played outfield in 26 games, preventing him from having to play position defense. But as a result Bryant and Duffy have each played 123 games in the infield allowing a fair comparison … and statistics are clear.

When playing 3rd base, Bryant has committed 17 errors – seven more than Duffy at that position, and five more than Duffy overall. Bryant’s fielding percentage is 20 points lower than Duffy’s. Duffy’s dWAR exceeds Bryant’s significantly.

Corcoran agreed, back on August 20th:

“Beyond that, Duffy is a better fielder at the same position and has arguably contributed more with his legs (he has taken the extra base 12 times to Bryant’s nine, reached on an error eight times to Bryant’s four and is five-for-five in stolen base attempts, while Bryant is 12-for-15).”

Both these young men have been great rookies this year. Their clutch performances, poise and consistency over the course of the season have been a blast to watch and root for.

But since a decision has to be made, and towering home runs aren’t a single reason to award the Rookie of the Year in the National League, it should be awarded to Matt Duffy for his fullness as a player and for his impressive command of the five tools of baseball.

Screeeeee! THONK, THONK! This Thing On? Time for 2015 World Series Stretch Run!

27 Monday Jul 2015

Posted by mtk in Uncategorized

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Tags

#SeizeTheDivision #BeatLA #SweepTheBrewCrew #MopUpTheBeer, 2015, baseball, ffrancisco, giants, Karthik, League, mlb, mtk, National, nl, run, San, sf, sfg, stretch, west, winning

Welcome Back to Giants Baseball Corner, I’m MTK. In case you don’t know us, here‘s the way you might, mine’s the first voice you hear in that episode.

Another roller-coaster first half but this year ending with a sweet streak that runs well into July. Buster being Buster leads the G-men in HRs, RBIs and average. But the thrilling surprise is the sustained excellent play of Matt Duffy, Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford – particularly at the plate in light of the loss of Aoki and Pence for weeks.

Our starting five pitchers, with Cain and Peavy back, show intense potential – only Hudson’s wear-and-tear cause concern. Chris Heston just keeps rolling. The rookie no-no hasn’t been seen for the Giants since way back in the last century and he shows consistent command.  The idea of Petit, Vogey and Lincecum as long relief is just laughably great.

The bullpen was rocky but we discovered Josh Osich amidst that, too – a big lefty who is cool under pressure, his debut start – first batter! – was Bryce Harper with runners on in the 8th inning and he and Susac popped him up. (Go Beavers!)

I HAVE A DREAM

Actually …

I HAVE SEVERAL DREAMS

My first dream is

That the bats and defense just mentally decide that they are going to win all the rest of Madison Bumgarner’s starts, helping him to go 21-5.

Then we would demand they give him the NL Cy Young because he is the most feared pitcher in all of baseball and it’s the only award he doesn’t have yet.

My second dream is

That the San Francisco Giants end the season with FIVE guys hitting over .300

At the moment Aoki, Posey, Panik, Pence, Crawford and Pagan are in the mix.

My third dream is

We Seize The Division from the nemesis and avoid the play-in game.

I figure if we go 44-20 from here out and especially sweep the brew crew this week, we can get ahold of first in the NL West and never let go.

You may say I’m a dreamer … but I’m not the only one.

Let’s Go Giants

#SweepTheBrewCrew #MopUpTheBeer #SeizeTheDivision #BeatLA

Colorado Goes Yard on Vogey, Giants; Rockies Win 8 – 2

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by mtk in Post Game Blasts

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Tags

sfg, sfgiants

Vogelsong yanked after 1 and a third – giving up three homers and five runs. Huff gets out of 2nd with a DP but then gets injured legging out his first major league hit. Petit saves the day with long relief, but the Giants give up two more homers.

Pagan thrown out for arguing a called third strike.

ugh.

 

Bumgarner Platinum, Romo Gold

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by mtk in pitchers

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Tags

10-0, 2011, 4-1, 5, Bumgarner, Caldwell, Caldwell South, champion, county, five, Fletcher, Hudson, Jeff, Jeff Fletcher, nc, north carolina, Parham, platinum, program, pull, quote, sfg, sfgiants, south, stadium, strikeouts, struck out 12

From the program displayed in the video above, as per J. Fletcher quoting Madison Bumgarner’s  high school coach, Jeff Parham at Caldwell South, regarding his second attempt to win the State Championships:”Playing the series at Five County Stadium (AA Mudcats), Bumgarner struck out 12 in a 4-1 victory in Game 1. He capped the championship_clinching win in game 2 with an inside-the-park homer, which ended the game 10-0 by the mercy rule.”

The MAN is a BEAST on the mound and grows strong.

Romo gold.

Image

the pennant

03 Saturday Nov 2012

Tags

baseball, bicycling, Francisco, giants, mlb, omm, pennant, San, series, sfg, woohoo, world

Posted by mtk | Filed under baseball, our son, S.F.

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Together We’re Giant

22 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by mtk in baseball, our son, S.F.

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Tags

baseball, giant, Karthik, m.t., milan, mlb, mtk, ocean, omm, sf, sfg, together, we're

 

Lincecum vs. Strasburg and Melky Suspended 1080HD video

17 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by mtk in baseball, S.F.

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Tags

1080, AT&T, August 15, cabrera, dc, drug, Francisco, giants, hd, Karthik, Lincecum, melky, milan, mlb, mtk, Nationals, omm, park, policy, San, sf, sfg, Stephen, Strasburg, suspended, testosterone, Tim, violation, washington

This past Wednesday was a crazy day at the park.

My son and I had been excited for weeks because we figured with both teams in the hunt for the pennant and young, premiere pitchers on the mound, it’d be a defensive battle. The Freak vs. The Phenom

Then SHOCK! – we find out at the ballpark moments before the game starts, that Melky Cabrera, who leads the Giants and the National League in hits and is second in batting average only to the Pirates’ Andrew McCutcheon, had been suspended for 50 games for violating MLB’s substance abuse policy.

Numb, speechlessness … and the game began:

Barry Zito, Lou Seal and Baby Panda at the Yard 1080HD

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by mtk in pitchers

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2012, AT&T, august, baby, Barry, delivery, giants, Hector, lou, mlb, panda, park, sanchez, Seal, sfg, Zito

Barry Zito Delivery

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by mtk in baseball, S.F.

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AT&T Park, Barry, giants, Karthik, mlb, mtk, pitching, san francisco, sfg, warmup, Zito

Melky Cabrera Base Hit

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by mtk in baseball, S.F.

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AT&T Park, base, cabrera, giants, hit, melky, mlb, san francisco, sfg

Video

Clay Hensley Delivery

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

Posted by mtk in baseball, S.F.

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Tags

Clay, Francisco, giants, Hensley, Karthik, mlb, mtk, S, San, sf, sfg

August 2nd, 2012

In First Place Out West

02 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by mtk in baseball, S.F.

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Tags

AT&T, diamondbacks, division, dodgers, first, flags, giants, mlb, padres, place, rockies, san francisco, sfg, west

Cody Ross Steals Second [quarterspeed]

11 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by mtk in steals

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Tags

angeles, AT&T, base, baseball, Cody, dodgers, giants, los, mlb, park, Ross, SB, second, sfg, stolen

Bumgarner Picks Off Tony Gwynn, Jr. [quarterspeed in HD]

11 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by mtk in pitchers

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Tags

1080hd, angeles, AT&T, Bumgarner, dodgers, giants, gwynn, huff, jr.aubrey, Madison, motion, off, park, picks, san francisco, sf, sfg, slow, Tony, video, vs.Los

Sergio Romo Delivery vs. A’s June 18, 2011

18 Saturday Jun 2011

Posted by mtk in pitchers

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Tags

18, 2011, A's, Athletics, baseball, delivery, giants, interleague, june, mlb, Romo, Sergio, sf, sfg, vs.

Sergio Romo Delivery vs. A's June 18, 2011

18 Saturday Jun 2011

Posted by mtk in pitchers

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18, 2011, A's, Athletics, baseball, delivery, giants, interleague, june, mlb, Romo, Sergio, sf, sfg, vs.

Giants Infield June 18, 2011

18 Saturday Jun 2011

Posted by mtk in infield

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Tags

Aubrey, baseball, Brandon, Burris, Crawford, Emmanuel, Exhibition, game, giants, huff, oakland, pablo, Sandoval, sfg

M.T. Karthik

This blog archives early work of M.T. Karthik, who took every photograph and shot all the video here unless otherwise credited.

Performances and installations are posted by date of execution.

Writing appears in whatever form it was originally or, as in the case of poems or journal entries, retyped faithfully from print.

all of it is © M.T. Karthik

a minute of rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYLHNRS8ik4

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