The available games, dates and number of tickets will be shown at the end of the blog before the rules. Remember when you email me back to identify the game, the date, and the number of tickets you want. Please whitelist my email so you get the blog posts and ticket offers all season long.
Oracle Park is now open for baseball (no restrictions) but we all hope that everyone is vaccinated and covid free.
Its Spring, Time for Baseball, the New Look G-Men and the New Rules
In 2023 MLB is starting with new rules designed to make the game go faster, the offense go larger and the defense more challenged. No more shift so the short fielder in right is gone which should improve the batting average of every left-handed hitter on the team (here’s looking at you Joc Peterson and Yaz). The bases are larger which makes them easier to steal and the pitch count clock forces a “ball” if the pitcher dithers and a “strike” if the batter spends too much stepping out of the box like a prima donna. The changes are working, pre-season games are playing out in 2 hours and the game looks invigorated. Just don’t leave the seats too soon to get that hot dog or crab sandwich or you might miss a rally.
There is a lot to like about the 2023 Giants (at least so far). Sure, they didn’t get Aaron Judge or that other guy (I’ve already forgotten his name) for a $300 million contract in free agency. Rather, they picked up a lot of good players molding together into a team capable of taking on LA and San Diego (both of whom spent a fortune on name players with good box office potential).
Also, we bid a fond good-bye to the Captain. Belt has one season left and he’s spending it in Cleveland. There may be a joke in there somewhere, but I like Cleveland. Nice people. The last Brandon standing (Crawford) is the last of the WS winning team Giants and he is looking good at age 35 ready to pass the torch to the next generation (his tee-shirt is available on the opening weekend series). The Giants are also honoring Sergio Romo by activating him for the March 27th game against the A’s so he can retire as a Giant. That’s a classy thing to do and tickets are available for that game (I’m going and looking for company).
How do the 2023 Giants Look?
The Czar prognosticates that the 2023 Giants will be a good team, will compete at the top of the NL West and have a good shot at taking out the LA and San Diego teams (and don’t overlook the Rockies and the Snakes, they are having good springs also).
Here are my reasons. Every player seems to be a good guy. They’re all young, they’re all interesting, they all seem happy being where they are, they intermingle with one another like freshmen at a frat party and they support each other. The rivalries for positions are fierce, but the cooperation is notable. This is a good group of people.
As proven with the Giants’ 107-win season three years ago, it’s not always about the team with the shiniest marquee. Every now and again a team that on paper has no right to be there, gets there. It’s the sum of the parts and the parts here are super and looking better with every pre-season game. I also like the coaching staff and the supportive ownership group.
The Padres are better than LA this year. I’m not sure a single Giants position player could crack the starting lineup of either team. But they have what the other two may not — togetherness.
San Diego has a ton of stars. Is it possible they can have too many? LA is weaker than last year with what they had to give up saving enough money for a serious run at Shohei Otani next year (who will also be a target of the G-Men). Combine that with the loss of Gavin Lux, the presumed everyday shortstop, and a staff of meddling MBA’s who are in manager Dave Roberts’ ear incessantly and the pre-season questioning in Southern California is already starting.
The attitude of the 2023 Giants seems to be “Nobody told us we’re supposed to lose so lets go out, have fun and win some games.”
So here, in no particular order, are observations of the new guys from different sources that make them a collection of personalities we will want to watch throughout the year.
Pitcher John Brebbia: He’s the team comedian.
Pitcher Sam Long: He’s the kid who every mother wants their son to hang out with in school. Good looking, polite, All-American boy.
Pitchers Tyler and Taylor Rodgers: One twin has a mole somewhere on his face. That’s the only way to tell them apart. Good luck with that (until they wind up to pitch and you remember that one is righthanded and other is a lefty).
Pitcher Sean Manaea: A guy with something to prove and just flat out happy to be here.
Pitcher Logan Webb: Opie with an attitude – also the opening day starter.
Catcher Blake Sabol: Rule 5 guy we all hope makes the team. You must love anyone who played for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, the Altoona Curve, and the Surprise Saguaros on his way to the major leagues. Also, the catcher competition is still wide open unless Joey Bart finally gets his act together and forces the issue.
Pitcher Alex Wood: He’s a new dad and if baseball games were only five innings long, he’d be a Hall of Fame candidate.
Infielder David Villar: The team “quote.” Good prospect. Better talker. Good 3rd sacker and worthy replacement for Longoria.
Outfielder Michael Conforto: The second most decorated athlete in his family. His mom, Tracie Ruiz, won two Olympic Gold Medals in synchronized swimming in the 1984 Games.
Infielder J.D. Davis: His given name is Jonathon Gregory Davis. Why the “D?” His nickname is Dizzie.
Infielder Brett Wisely: Likely to be the Newcomer of the Year this spring. Grew up with six older brothers. He’s been fighting for a spot in the lineup his whole life.
Outfielder Austin Slater: Got married this off season to former Stanford All-American field hockey player Carolyn Beaudoin. She still beats him up the Lyon Street Steps in their off-season workouts, as befits a Stanford athlete (but still, GO Bears!)
Designated Hitter Joc Pederson: He worked on hitting this off-season with Barry Bonds. If he learned a tenth of what Bonds knows about hitting, he’ll be an All-Star.
Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski: this is Yaz’s year to come alive and lead.
Outfielder Mitch Haniger: A Bay Area guy never much on school. To the point that he once escaped from pre-school at two years of age by going over a fence. The Giants hope he still has that in him.
Pitcher Anthony DeSclafani: You must like a guy whose nickname is “Disco.”
Coming up next, the A’s Game on March 27th and the Opening Home Series Against the Royals and that National League Team from LA we don’t name.
Not much to say about the Royals and the LA group except that they are both doing well in pre-season (Royals 18-11 and LA 13-10 against the G-Men’s 12 and 14).
On the board ready to be picked up are:
MON 3/27 – A’s Pre-season [6:45] – 3 [Sergio Romo retirement day – I’m going]
SAT 4/8 – Royals [1:05] – 4 – 2 flaps down hat day
SUN 4/9 – Royals [1:05] – 3 – [Brandon Crawford Tee-shirt Day - I’m going]
TUES – 4/11 – LA [6:45] – 4 – USF night
Let the torture begin.
Ciao, and GO GIANTS!
The Czar
We use mail chimp so give permission for the blog to arrive in your mailbox if you want to receive the blog and participate in the fun. Past blogs can be found at www.beveragelaw.com at the Czar’s blog archive.
THE PROTOCOL: The firm has four seats in Section 118 (Premium Lower Boxes), Rows 25 and 26. These are awesome seats directly below the press box and 25 rows behind home plate on the left side behind the screen. It is foul ball territory for left-handed batters so bring your glove – I have collected 22 foul balls myself over 23 years and am looking for more. If we don’t use all the tickets ourselves (or clients and friends of the firm don't claim them by calling me and reserving a game), then my next step is to give the tickets TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO GETS BACK TO ME PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE SERIOUS. If you ask for the tickets and don't use them, you will be taken off the list unless there is a seriously good reason. There will be a wait list.
When there are four seats available (we split up a lot of games) we will allocate the tickets two and two if the first people back just want two tickets. You can also go for four and might get them. I'm the Czar, my call.
Oh, and BTW, The Czar found the original Hinman & Carmichael brick from 2000 (after looking for it every year since 2000) and found H&C’s Gotham Club Founders Bat! If you are on the patio, or in the Club, look for the symbols of baseball!
