Northern California Baseball Blog and Q&A

Paul Gutierrez
Raised in Barstow, Calif., where he played community college baseball for two years, Paul Gutierrez has worked at Sports Illustrated and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, where he covered his alma mater's Runnin' Rebels at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During a six-year stint at the Los Angeles Times, he co-authored Tommy Davis' "Tales from the Dodgers Dugout." He came to The Bee in October 2005 and is now a Bay Area sports features writer who concentrates on baseball during the spring and summer.

• Ask a question

« August 2007 | Northern California Baseball Blog and Q&A front page | November 2007 »

September 26, 2007

Adios, Barry Bonds

The going-away party the Giants are throwing for Barry Bonds tonight has been fairly uneventful, especially when you consider the Giants are trailing the San Diego Padres, 9-2, in the sixth inning and Bonds has grounded out twice thus far.

But a female fan ran onto the field at the start of the inning in an effort to get to Bonds and was kept at bay by security and police. She waved at Bonds as she was led away, and Bonds responded in kind with a wave of his glove.

The crowd broke out in a "BAR-RY, BAR-RY, BAR-RY" chant.

-- Paul Gutierrez

Posted by rprice at 09:28 PM | Comments

September 21, 2007

Bonds' possible destinations?

With the Giants having announced Friday that Barry Bonds will no longer don the orange and black after this season, and Bonds insisting he still has at least one season left in his 43-year-old legs, we look at a couple of possible clubhouse destinations for him, his Barcalounger and big screen TV, in order of likelihood. Of course, the Home Run King's diminishing defensive skills in the outfield require the packing of his glove and, um, supplements to head for the American League and become a full-time designated hitter to chase 3,000 hits. And yes, we're still stinging that the Giants did not invite Sid Bream to offer his best wishes to Bonds when he was pursing Hank Aaron.

Detroit Tigers - Earlier this season, Bonds spoke wistfully of how everyone he knew with his first organization, the Pittsburgh Pirates, was long gone from the Bucs and now working in Motown. That means the modern Marlboro Man, Manager Jim Leyland, a cigarette-burning chimney stack who has the utmost respect from Bonds...and vice versa. Need proof? Remember the shouting match the two had during spring training in 1991? It's right here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNttXpxZ1Kc .

New York Yankees - The Bronx is Burning? More like The Boogie Down is Going Nuclear. The Boss is never one to shy from controversy and if the Yankees and their $220 million payroll fail to win the World Series this season, the fallout will be especially toxic and megalomaniac George Steinbrenner will be looking to clean house. Adios, A-Rod; Hola, BALCO Barry. Hey, the Yankees have already provided comfort to one face of the Steroid Era in Jason Giambi.

Texas Rangers - The franchise once owned by Dubya, who traded away a young Sammy Sosa, has not gotten much of anything right of late. The Rangers have housed such legendary head cases as Juan Gonzalez, Chan Ho Park, Chad Kreuter and dinosaur denouncer Carl Everett, and welcomed the shamed Sosa back this season so he could get his 600th home run. With a cap size that has purportedly grown exponentially in recent years, Bonds could fit right into this strange climate that fostered Rafael Palmeiro. After all, everything is bigger in Texas. Plus, Bonds could actually respect Manager Ron Washington.

Oakland A's - This one makes too much sense that it makes no sense at all. Bonds could become the A's third straight DH headed to the Hall of Fame, following Frank Thomas and Mike Piazza, while staying relatively close to, if not still in, the San Francisco cocoon that enabled Bonds to do his thing with aplomb. Remember, Bonds is revered here, reviled pretty much everywhere else in the known world. No doubt A's general manager Billy Beane would love to be seen Bonds' redeemer but Bonds does not fit in Oakland's frugal budget, unless he agrees to a massive pay cut from the nearly $20 million he will get for this season. Plus, the A's are still in love with The Great Jack Cust, who burst onto the scene as a modern-day Babe Ruth, though he more closely resembles Shrek, when the playful ogre turned human after taking that potion.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Another possibility that seems logical, given that Bonds actually lives in Beverly Hills. But given the traffic on the SoCal freeways, he'd need a helicopter to get from the West Side to the O.C. on time for games. And the Angels aren't liable give in to such demands. Plus, the Halos are already set at D.H. with the three-headed monster of Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera. And the Angels, who beat Bonds and the Giants in the 2002 Worlds Series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qtkjwBYCgg and are about to clinch their fourth playoff berth in six years, really don't need Bonds and his baggage to alter team chemistry.

OK, faithful readers, what are your predictions?

-Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Bill Bradley at 06:44 PM | Comments

Bonds' possible destinations?

With the Giants having announced Friday that Barry Bonds will no longer don the orange and black after this season, and Bonds insisting he still has at least one season left in his 43-year-old legs, we look at a couple of possible clubhouse destinations for him, his Barcalounger and big screen TV, in order of likelihood. Of course, the Home Run King's diminishing defensive skills in the outfield require the packing of his glove and, um, supplements to head for the American League and become a full-time designated hitter to chase 3,000 hits. And yes, we're still stinging that the Giants did not invite Sid Bream to offer his best wishes to Bonds when he was pursing Hank Aaron.

Detroit Tigers - Earlier this season, Bonds spoke wistfully of how everyone he knew with his first organization, the Pittsburgh Pirates, was long gone from the Bucs and now working in Motown. That means the modern Marlboro Man, Manager Jim Leyland, a cigarette-burning chimney stack who has the utmost respect from Bonds...and vice versa. Need proof? Remember the shouting match the two had during spring training in 1991? It's right here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNttXpxZ1Kc

New York Yankees - The Bronx is Burning? More like The Boogie Down is Going Nuclear. The Boss is never one to shy from controversy and if the Yankees and their $220 million payroll fail to win the World Series this season, the fallout will be especially toxic and megalomaniac George Steinbrenner will be looking to clean house. Adios, A-Rod; Hola, BALCO Barry. Hey, the Yankees have already provided comfort to one face of the Steriod Era in Jason Giambi.

Texas Rangers - The franchise once owned by Dubya, who traded away a young Sammy Sosa, has not gotten much of anything right of late. The Rangers have housed such legendary head cases as Juan Gonzalez, Chan Ho Park, Chad Kreuter and dinosaur denouncer Carl Everett, and welcomed the shamed Sosa back this season so he could get his 600th home run. With a cap size that has purportedly grown exponentially in recent years, Bonds could fit right into this strange climate that fostered Rafael Palmeiro. After all, everything is bigger in Texas. Plus, Bonds could actually respect Manager Ron Washington.

Oakland A's - This one makes too much sense that it makes no sense at all. Bonds could become the A's third straight DH headed to the Hall of Fame, following Frank Thomas and Mike Piazza, while staying relatively close to, if not still in, the San Francisco cocoon that enabled Bonds to do his thing with aplomb. Remember, Bonds is revered here, reviled pretty much everywhere else in the known world. No doubt A's general manager Billy Beane would love to be seen Bonds' redeemer but Bonds does not fit in Oakland's frugal budget, unless he agrees to a massive pay cut from the nearly $20 million he will get for this season. Plus, the A's are still in love with The Great Jack Cust, who burst onto the scene as a modern-day Babe Ruth, though he more closely resembles Shrek, when the playful ogre turned human after taking that potion.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Another possibility that seems logical, given that Bonds actually lives in Beverly Hills. But given the traffic on the SoCal freeways, he'd need a helicopter to get from the West Side to the O.C. on time for games. And the Angels aren't liable give in to such demands. Plus, the Halos are already set at D.H. with the three-headed monster of Vladimir Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera. And the Angels, who beat Bonds and the Giants in the 2002 Worlds Series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qtkjwBYCgg and are about to clinch their fourth playoff berth in six years, really don't need Bonds and his baggage to alter team chemistry.

OK, faithful readers, what are your predictions?

-Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Bill Bradley at 06:42 PM | Comments

September 19, 2007

Mariners turn the tide on A's

Yes, it's pretty pointless to do so, but that doesn't mean it's not fun.

The A's last season absolutely owned the Seattle Mariners, beating their Northwest rivals a record 17 times in 19 meetings en route to the American League West division title.

And while injuries crippled the A's chances at successfully defending their crown - they officially were eliminated Tuesday night - wouldn't it be fun to see where the Limpin' A's would be this season had they been able to replicate their success against the Mariners from a year ago?

Having gone 5-14 against Seattle this season (the first time the A's lost a season series to the Mariners since 2003 and an Oakland record for most single-season losses to one opponent, equaling the 14 defeats Oakland endured at the hands of the Minnesota Twins in 1973), they would have 12 more victories, making them 86-67 and putting them two games behind the New York Yankees in the A.L. Wild Card race and 4 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the West.

And if we give last year's A's this season's record against the Mariners, Oakland would have finished 81-81, in third place, one game ahead of the Texas Rangers (80-82) but behind both the Angels (89-73) and, yes, the first-place Mariners (90-72).

Pointless? Perhaps. Interesting? No doubt.

Especially since the A's went just 1-8 against Seattle at home this season.

- Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 05:34 PM | Comments

September 13, 2007

Only in America, indeed!

Draped in gobs of "bling," a star-spangled Don King was also dripping in a red, white and blue wind-breaker while waving mini-flags of the United States, Canada and California as the boxing promoter was barking loudly on the field at AT&T Park (yes, the Giants ended the Los Angeles Dodgers' 11-game winning streak here, so we'll now refer to the waterfront yard by its given name rather than Dodger Stadium North).

While the Giants prepared to stretch Wednesday afternoon prior to their series finale against the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks, King was joined by Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof. They were busy promoting King's Sept. 29 eight-bout card at Arco Arena, which will feature two world title fights on Showtime (World Boxing Council light-heavyweight champ Chad Dawson, 24-0, 16 knockouts, defends against No. 1 contender Adrian Diaconu, 24-0, 15, while International Boxing Federation bantamweight titlist Luis Perez, 25-1, 21, meets Joseph Agbeko, 24-1, 21).

Then King was introduced to the Giants' $126 million man, left-hander Barry Zito.

"It's good to be rich," King bellowed, and really, who could argue with him?

King also had a parting request for a silenced Zito.

"Throw me a no-hitter," King roared. "Roger Clemens ain't got (spit) on you."

Yes, only in America.

- Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 01:47 PM | Comments

September 07, 2007

Loaiza's pay-off

Greetings from Dodger Stadium North and Franklin Stubbs Bay, or, as the locals refer to it, AT&T Park and McCovey Cove (remember, with the Dodgers owning the Giants to the tune of an 11-game winning streak here, we're not referring to San Francisco's home on the water by its given name until the Giants break the string).

Anyway, I had a chance to catch up with former A's pitcher Esteban Loaiza, who was picked up on waivers by the Dodgers on Aug. 29. The right-hander, who made just two starts for Oakland this season because of injuries, said he was still "in shock a little bit" over being let go by the A's (he still had some $8 million in contract money remaining) but relished the opportunity to be in a playoff race.

Perhaps more shocking, though, was the bounty Loaiza had to pay Dodgers first-base coach Mariano Duncan to get No. 25 from him.

"I got him a Cartier watch," Loaiza said. "He wanted a Rolex; I had to change it up a little bit. It (cost) a couple thousand dollars. I wanted to get him something nice. Otherwise the whole team here, especially the veterans, would have gotten on my case. I didn't want to be cheap."

He will also chase Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela's record for most major league wins by a Mexican-born pitcher, while wearing Dodger blue instead of A's green and gold. The left-handed Valenzuela was 173-153 from 1980 to 1997 while Loaiza, who was born in Tijuana, is 125-108 in a career that began in 1995.

"Records are made to be broken but I don't know how long I'll be playing," Loaiza said. "I want to finish out this season strong and then win at least 15 next year and take it from there.

"But you can't promise anything."

He'll have an interested observer, though, as Valenzuela is a Spanish-language radio broadcaster for the Dodgers.

"What record?" an amused Valenzuela said with a laugh.

-Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Bill Bradley at 08:02 PM | Comments

In any language

In commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, the Giants are wearing jerseys that say "Gigantes," Spanish for Giants, while playing host to their 3rd Annual Fiesta Gigante (the diversity-conscious Giants have also celebrated such heritage nights as Japanese, Chinese, Jewish, Italian and Irish events).

The joke among the Spanish-speaking members of the media is that if the Dodgers held a similar commemoration, their jerseys would simply read "Doyers."

Then again, their road jerseys are already in Spanish. What, you didn't know "Los Angeles" meant "The Angels?"

-Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Bill Bradley at 08:00 PM | Comments

September 05, 2007

K-Rod's deep thoughts?

The differing manners in which Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez disposed of Nick Swisher and Jack Cust with the tying run at second base to end Tuesday night's game in Anaheim showed just what he thought of both A's sluggers.

K-Rod striking out Swisher with nothing but off-speed pitches illustrated his level of respect for the switch-hitter.

And K-Rod striking out the power-hitting Cust with a fastball demonstrated how little he thought of him as a hitter.

- Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 11:35 AM | Comments

September 04, 2007

Bonus baseball predictions

Playoff Predictions

Congratulations. You've read the "fiber," the newspaper, to get my handicapping of major league baseball's divisions for the final month and now you've found your way to the "cyber," the Internet, for some bonus picks. And away we go...

American League

Division Series

Yankees win Wild Card berth and exact revenge on the Angels, who beat them in 2002 and 2005 division series and are the only team to have a winning record against them since 1996, by thwarting the Rally Monkey in a thrilling five-game set.

Red Sox beat the Indians in ho-hum fashion in four games, setting up the inevitable...

ALCS

Yankees beat shell-shocked Red Sox after Boston jumps out to 3-0 series lead, harkening memories of 2004 and giving birth to the "Curse of Johnny Damon's Beard."

National League

Division Series

Phillies get Wild Card, beat offensively-challenged Padres in stunning sweep.

Cubs get revenge for 1969 and upset over-confident Mets in four games.

NLCS

Cubs, swelling with confidence, make short work of the Phillies in five, advancing to their first Fall Classic since 1945. With star-crossed cousins the White Sox and Red Sox winning the World Series in recent years, the stars seem to be aligning for the Cubbies. Until...

World Series

With the Cubs five outs from winning their first World Series since 1908, in five games at Wrigley Field, a Steve Bartman-look-alike strikes by interfering with a sure out on a foul ball down the left-field line, allowing the Yankees to rally and win Game 5 and send the series back to New York. The Yankees then blow by a demoralized Cubs squad at Yankee Stadium, proving $220 million CAN buy you a championship. Finally.

-Paul Gutierrez

Posted by Bill Bradley at 07:13 AM | Comments

---

Ask a question

Please use the form below to submit your question. Because there is a 100-word limit for questions, a word counter is located directly beneath the box where you enter the your question.

Name:

City:  State:

E-mail:

Baseball question:

Your letter contains of 100 words allowed.  Count words


Your IP Address has been recorded as 38.103.63.16 and will be included with this submission.

---

Contact Sports

Tom Negrete - Asst. Managing Editor, Sports & Business - (916) 321-1171
e-mail: tnegrete@sacbee.com.

Bill Bradley - Sports Editor - (916) 321-1224
e-mail: bbradley@sacbee.com.

For comments or questions about high school sports coverage, e-mail preps@sacbee.com or call (916) 441-4100. Fax: (916) 326-5503.