Ryan Vogelsong signs another 1-year deal with San Francisco Giants

source: US Presswire, Bleacher Report

When the San Francisco Giants captured a third World Series title in five years, it's a given that the roster in October won't be the same roster in April 2015.

Two key players from the 2014 team, Michael Morse and Pablo Sandoval, have signed with new teams. Morse is now with the Miami Marlins. Sandoval signed with the Boston Red Sox.

Another player who became a free agent at the end of the 2014 season is pitcher Ryan Vogelsong. After the 2013 season, it took some time, but I knew the Giants would resign him.

I was pretty sure this wouldn't be the case in 2014. Just 3 days ago, it was reported Vogelsong would sign with the Houston Astros. Later that same day, I was relieved to read that Vogelsong's deal with the Astros fell through. This past Friday, Vogelsong signed a 1-year $4 million contract for 2015 to remain with the Giants.

Whew.

I've been a big Ryan Vogelsong fan since he rejoined the Giants in 2011 (San Francisco drafted him in the 5th round in 1998). His promotion to the starting rotation came at a very low point in my life (heartbroken and unemployed). It was then I read a moving, poignant article written by San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler (June 9, 2011), "Ryan Vogelsong's long, strange trip to SF Giants".

I cried when I read it then. It still makes me cry when I read it now. Mostly because I found Ryan's persistence, resilience and loyalty finally got him back to where he started.

Yes, there are arguments that Vogelsong's game isn't what it was in 2011 and 2012. His 2014 post season (no-decisions in 3 starts) was far from his stellar outings in 2012 (3-0 - see October 21, 2012 blog entry). But the team's run production was achingly low during his starts. Plus, in the 7 post season games he started, the Giants have won them all.

As of this writing, the Giants pitching rotation isn't set in stone, which is why the Giants resigned Vogelsong. Matt Cain and Tim Hudson will be returning from surgery. Tim Lincecum's last 3 seasons have lacked consistency. As it was in 2011, Vogelsong may not begin 2015 as a starter. And he's OK with that.

From being drafted in 1998 to 2 World Series titles in 2012 and 2014, I'd be OK with that too.

Nike's Championship Poster - Ohio State Buckeyes

source: SBNation, @Lynna_Lai, Twitter

They called you lucky.

They called you undeserving.

They called your conference weak and your team untested.

They called the other teams a dynasty, the favorite. Unbeatable.

They called your ranking disputable and surprising.

They called you a fourth seed, if that.

They called you an underdog.

But now they call you something else.

Subjective Women's Sizing

Top: Leader Jacket, size L, Bottom: Ice Jacket, size XL

I'll be perfectly blunt. I am a huge sucker for San Francisco Giants clothing.

Especially when the Giants win a World Series. My wallet got even busier when the Giants won their third World Series in five years.

To add to that, less rent to pay at my new place and return to full-time work at nearly the same salary as my last job made me an extra large Tootsie Pop.

I am, however, infuriated that I had to return online clothing 3 times because of inconsistent sizing for many of their women's T-shirts and jackets. In my opinion, most women's clothing at the MLB store are designed as Edna E. Mode would put it, "poofy stick things".

I haven't ever been a poofy stick thing.

The best example: the leader jacket at the top of the photo was bought in person at the Giants Dugout Store in a size large. Because this size fit well, I figured it'd be a no-brainer to order online from the MLB Store the Ice Jacket (for the 3-time World Series Champions logo) in the same size and clothing manufacturer, Antigua.

It didn't turn out that way. The arms and jacket length fit OK, but the chest was snug. I could zip it all the way up but felt any sudden moves would have resulted in a broken zipper or ripped seam. I returned the Ice Jacket and reordered it in a size Extra Large. It turned out to be a much better fit.

I've been fortunate my clothing size since high school has been, give or take 1-2 sizes, the same. But it's subjective sizing like this that fuels the inferiority complex American women have had about their body image for many years.

ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, 1965-2015

source: Twitter

For anyone who's a sports fan, we all were saddened to hear longtime ESPN anchor Stuart Scott died today at the age of 49.

When Stuart first appeared on ESPN in 1993, I was one of those who found his style too brash. But as the years went on, he grew on me.

For me, Stuart and Chris Berman are synonymous with the "E" in Entertainment Sports Programming Network.

Stuart's death hit hard many of his friends and colleagues, particularly former SportsCenter co-anchor Rich Eisen and current ESPN anchor Hannah Storm.

Rest in peace, Stuart. You'll always be as cool as the other side of the pillow.

If you haven't already seen it, ESPN aired a wonderful tribute to Stuart. Former ESPN anchor Robin Roberts narrates.

2014 Highlights

As the end of 2014 arrives later this week, these were my personal highlights of the year.

January 28,2014 - Back to Work
After a 3 1/2 year absence, I returned to work full-time.

Job is very challenging yet fulfilling. The work I do is similar to what I've done in the past, but I now apply my previous skills and experience to a new industry - fueling. The majority of my work career has been in retail.

October 4, 2014 - Moved from San Francisco's Outer Sunset to Lakeside.

What I lost in parking and lack of storage, I gained in a bigger living space (including my bedroom), closer commute to work, and a 44% increase in cash flow because I share the rent of the house with a roommate.










October 29, 2014 - San Francisco Giants, 3rd World Series title in 5 years.

As they did in 2010 and 2012, the Giants were the underdogs against each opponent they faced in the 2014 post-season.

Defense, small ball, and a pitcher named Madison prevailed.





Wishing everyone a warm, joyous, safe and Happy New Year for 2015.

Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation - favorites of all time

source: spikeandmike.com

From the late 1980's to the late 1990's, I'd buy tickets to see the latest animated films at Spike and Mike's Festival of Animation. For many years in San Francisco, it was held at The Palace of Fine Arts.

These film festivals first got me acquainted with my favorite claymation team, Wallace and Gromit. Other than the Wallace and Gromit films, I really looked forward to the encore presentation of audience favorites from previous festivals. For me, two of them stand out.

Bambi vs. Godzilla:



and, Snookles, the Baby Dragon and Little Bird:



The last festival I attended was in the late 1990's. These days, you can go to Spike and Mike's website to see the latest entries for a nominal fee.

New PBA Season, Different Format

source: PBA
From L to R: Dick Allen, Brad Angelo, Anthony Pepe, Liz Johnson 

Today marked the 2014-15 opening season for the PBA on ESPN. The season opener started with the Cheetah Championship. Congratulations to Anthony Pepe, who won his first PBA title on TV.

For those of you that follow ESPN's PBA broadcasts, you'll notice the format is different. In previous years, it was a 2-hour stepladder format. A viewer would see the top 5 seeds bowl. 

The first match would feature the #5 seed bowl against the #4 seed. The winner of that match would then bowl the #3 seed. It goes up the "stepladder" until the final match, which is against the #1 seed. On occasion (and pretty exciting to see) a #5 seed work his way up and defeat the top seed.

At least for today's and next week's match, these are the major changes:

• Broadcast time is cut in half, from 2 hours to 1.
• The top 4 seeds (rather than 5) bowl the finals on TV.
• The #2, #3 and #4 seeds bowl each other in a 1-game match. Winner of that match meets the #1 seed in the finals.

As a big fan of the PBA tour and the broadcasts, I don't like it. Especially the reduction in air time from 2 hours to 1. 

I know these matches have to compete with the much more popular and lucrative NFL, NBA and NHL games, but that's why I have a DVR. It enables me to watch the matches at a later time. Die hard bowling fans will say this is why I should subscribe to Xtra Frame. For $64.99/year, I may very well do that.

Based on the Xtra Frame preview (see below) of how the finalists made it to today's show, this big bowling fan might be so inclined.

Translink to Clipper: All-in-One Payment System?

Not long after I moved from the Outer Sunset to Lakeside, I attended my first offsite, informal work-related dinner in downtown San Francisco.

I could have driven directly to the restaurant and cough up about $10 to park in a nearby garage.

But as I now live only a block away from the 'M' Muni Metro stop at 19th Avenue and Holloway Boulevard, I opt for the greener, more economical way to go downtown. I reach into my wallet and pull out a little used Translink card I got about 5-6 years ago.

After I boarded the MUNI Metro streetcar, I tapped the card on the reader 3 times. No luck. A female passenger nicely explained to me Translink cards no longer work on the readers. I then walked up to the front of the car to pay cash for the fare. I didn't have correct change and $5 was the smallest bill I had. Without getting anyone in trouble, all I'll say was that I was able to stay on board.

Once I finished dinner and headed for home, I immediately went to a kiosk at Montgomery Street station and purchased a Clipper card. I walk up to the gate, tap card, wait in boarding area, board street car, and make it home safe and sound.

I go to the Clipper website the next day. I live in the one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world. Here's what I find out when I'm at Clipper's website.

• I can't transfer funds online from the old Translink card to the new Clipper card.
• If I cancel the Translink card, I'll lose any remaining funds on it.
• If I choose to transfer funds, I have to call Customer Service to have this done.
• I call Customer Service. They confirm transfer can be done. But I'll be charged a $5 processing fee. So what was $13.75 remaining on my Translink card will be $8.75.

Are you serious? 

All this because my Translink card no longer works, despite Clipper's claims otherwise. 

Please fix this. If nothing else, waive the $5 transfer fee. This experience only reinforces the poor reputation the San Francisco Bay Area public transportation systems always seem to have.

Black Friday 2014 - Samsung Smart TV

Samsung TV remote

As tweeted earlier this week, I splurged again for a big ticket home item. First the buffet, then the clothing armoire, and now a new TV.

I got a new TV because I watched most of last weekend's Niners game with the right half of the screen dimmed. It would usually go away if I turned off and on the TV. But it didn't this time. My Toshiba Regza 47" is almost 8 years old, so I knew the problem was only going to get worse.

I spent the next few days conducting my own due diligence as to what would be my next TV.

My requirements:
- Samsung or Sony
- LED/LCD flatscreen (no Ultra 4K yet)
- 48" minimum screen size
- 1080p
- internet access and ability to set up apps such as Skype, YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime
- price not to exceed $750
- order it before Thanksgiving

It then came down to where I'd buy the TV - Amazon or Best Buy. I loved Best Buy's offer on all TV's with at least a 51" screen would get free delivery, setup and haul old TV off for recycling. Earliest date I could get the TV would have been today.

I ended up going to Amazon. As an Amazon Prime member, I'd get free shipping and delivery by Black Friday, 2 days sooner than Best Buy's earliest date. It would arrive in time to watch Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan game.

I chose a Samsung 48" LED 6350 series 1080p Smart TV with a quad processor. I used my remaining American Express Membership Rewards points which helped me keep the total price (tax included) under $600 -- 1/2 the cost of the old TV bought in 2006. I'll put the old TV out curbside for donation this week.

My housemate Wil brought in the TV while I was out at bowling practice. When I got home shortly before noon, he helped me take out the TV from the box, assemble the stand and turn on the TV. I was surprised at how much lighter the new TV was than the old one. So light in weight that I was able to place it under one arm and hold it without much effort.

Here's what the setup screens looked like:

The setup instructions were extremely easy. Once the stand was assembled, it took no more than 5 minutes to get the TV on.

Smart TV access is not yet installed due to the terrible wifi connection in the living room. A wifi repeater and ethernet connectors are on order which should strengthen the wifi connection.

Until then, access to Amazon Prime films and YouTube is on hold for now. Can't wait.

Farewell to the Flan Man

source MiLB.com

San Francisco Giants nation has suffered 2 losses in the past 2 days. Yesterday, 3rd baseman and 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval signed a 5-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Today, Giants 3rd base coach Tim Flannery announced his retirement. Most Giants fans know 'Flan' for his band, The Lunatic Fringe, and their involvement in community events, most notably, their work in assisting Bryan Stow, a Giants fan severely injured in a parking lot at Dodgers stadium in March 2011.

In his role as 3rd base coach, Flan is famous for his animated, enthusiastic directions to Giants baserunners. During the 2014 post season, he amused fans with his overestimation of Buster Posey's baserunning speed. Posey was thrown out at home 3 times.

My favorite memory of Tim Flannery was on May 25, 2013 in a home game versus the Colorado Rockies. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Giants were down 5-4. Angel Pagan hits a deep driving shot into right field, enabling baserunner Brandon Crawford to score and tie the game. Flannery appears near the end of the video clip. He frantically waves Pagan home while in a sprint alongside Pagan on the way to a walk-off inside-the-park home run to win the game 6-5. For me, it was the most memorable moment for the 2013 season.



Man oh man, Flan. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family. I'm going to miss you and Pablo so much.

2014 World Series Film

source: SF Examiner

Last Monday (November 10) Fox Sports 1 aired 2014's World Series Film. As I did in 2012, I recorded it on my DVR when it re-aired Wednesday morning.

I immediately watched when I got home from bowling and watched it again the next evening. The DVD is on order at Amazon and will be available to ship on November 25.

Like I did with the 2012 World Series film, I'll probably watch the DVR recording at least once a week for the next year.

As mentioned in my November 25, 2012 entry, the team that wins the World Series usually chooses a well-known actor who is an avid fan of the team.

For the 2010 film, it was Rob Schneider. 2012, Benjamin Bratt. 2013 (Boston Red Sox), Ben Affleck. This year's narrator, Colin Hanks.

The 2012 film ended with a very funny segment of Giants players doing Hunter Pence impersonations. For 2014, players did impersonations of none other than NLCS and World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner.

Below is a video clip. Performances by Bruce Bochy, Jeremy Affeldt, Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Bumgarner's post season housemate Tim Hudson, Javier Lopez, 2012's subject Hunter Pence, and Michael Morse.

Moving in, phase III: Self-Espressions

TV stand

Shoe Cabinet

As I'm gradually settling in and unpacking the rest of my boxes, you may have noticed I'm very partial to furniture in an espresso color.

Bathroom Wall Cabinet

Bed

Coffee Table

Rack of hooks

The latest piece of "espression", a clothing armoire, will arrive in the next 2 to 3 weeks.

My Favorite Highlights of SF Giants' 2014 Post Season

source: SFGiants.com
L to R: Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence

Without a doubt, Madison Bumgarner dominated the 2014 post season. Without him, San Francisco does not get a third World Series title in 5 years.

But the humble Bumgarner will tell you as well as all Giants players and management, they credit their success as a team effort.

For example, 3rd baseman Pablo Sandoval batted .366 with 26 hits. Right fielder and media darling Hunter Pence batted .333 with 22 hits. If Bumgarner hadn't overwhelmed with his cyborg like statistics: 52.2 innings pitched, 7 appearances, 6 of them starts (including a complete game shutout), a stingy 1.03 ERA, Pence or Sandoval would have been a shoo-in for World Series or NLCS MVP.

Pitching, defense and "small ball" were the key components for the Giants to capture World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014. In the photo for this blog entry, 3 of the 4 players - Bumgarner, Sandoval, and Posey have played on all 3 championship teams. None are yet at the age of 30. Pence, with 2 World Series rings, is the oldest at 31.

So I'll close out with my favorite highlights of the San Francisco's 2014 post season run to the World Series.

NLCS, Game 5, bottom 9th inning.
Left fielder (natural 1st baseman) Travis Ishikawa hits a 3-run walk-off home run to win the National League pennant. See October 17 blog entry.



World Series, Game 7, top 3rd inning.
Rookie 2nd baseman Joe Panik dives for a smash off Kansas City's Eric Hosmer. Not only does Panik stop the ball, he flips the ball from his glove hand to shortstop Brandon Crawford to force out baserunner Lorenzo Cain. Crawford is then able to relay a strong throw to 1st baseman Brandon Belt. The initial call of safe at 1st base is overturned and changed to a double play. The momentum the Royals had gathered until the double play suddenly ended.



World Series, Game 4, bottom 5th inning.
Giants are down 4-3. Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson makes an awesome diving catch in shallow center field off Giants batter Juan Perez. Hunter Pence, on 3rd base knows Dyson is going to have a hard time making a strong throw to home plate after the diving catch. Pence tags up and scores to tie the game 4-4.



World Series, Game 4, top 6th inning.
Score is tied 4-4. Brandon Belt fields a ground ball hit by Kansas City's Nori Aoki. Belt touches 1st base, then throws to Crawford who relays a strong throw back to Belt to complete the 3-6-3 double play.



Wild Card Elimination Game, top 1st inning.
A do-or-die game and the first playoff game for the Giants, Brandon Crawford's grand slam home run at PNC Park to start the game sets the stage for another successful run to a third World Series title in five years.



Honorable Mention, Michael Morse. NLCS Game 5, bottom 8th inning and World Series Game 7, top 4th inning.
His home run in NLCS Game 5 ties the game at 3-3 versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
His RBI single in World Series Game 7 allows Pablo Sandoval to score and break the 2-2 tie in the top of the 4th inning, ends up being the final score and enables San Francisco to win their third World Series Championship in 5 years.



Special thanks to G4MarchMadness for the terrific YouTube videos.

Quest for Three: Congratulations San Francisco Giants, 2014 World Series Champions

source: posterrevolution.com

And now, 2014.


YES! YES! YES!


You guys rock.

Big, big congratulations to 2014 NLCS and World Series MVP/Stud, Madison Bumgarner, for his outstanding post season efforts.


Bumgarner, along with 7 other Giants active on the 2014 World Series roster were members of the 2010 and 2012 teams.


Jeremy Affeldt
Santiago Casilla
Tim Lincecum
Javier Lopez
Buster Posey
Sergio Romo
Pablo Sandoval

Dynasty? In the age of the 162 game schedule, free agency and wild card playoffs, it's pretty damn close.

Moving in, phase II

Den - Office - Storage

Bedroom

Three weeks in, I am about two-thirds unpacked. The only room I haven't completely unpacked is the den. Originally built as a dining room, my housemate set aside this room exclusively for my use, so I've decided to make the room into a den/office/reading room.

Although I'm now living in a house almost 300 square feet larger than my previous rented house, I moved into the house as a secondary occupant. Which means no garage, no master bedroom with enclosed bathroom and most importantly, less storage. I've been spending a bunch of time online researching storage ideas.

Kitchen

Bathroom

Living Room

At first, I was thinking about an armoire and storage cabinets. Since I don't know how long I'll be here (I hope for awhile), I want the storage to be inexpensive, versatile and mobile in the event I'll have to move again.

I'm really keen on finding storage ideas for unused spaces. This is common in big cities with small dwellings like Tokyo, New York, Paris and of course where I live, San Francisco. I found a few other nifty ideas on Pinterest and pinned them to my page for future reference.

I installed a shower pole caddy in the bathroom today. I have on order with The Container Store for a couple of narrow storage drawers that I hope will fit in the gap between the refrigerator and kitchen closet. If it works, then I'll add with other storage pieces from the same modular line for the den.

Updates, likely sporadically, to follow. Comforts of home are always a work-in-progress.

Memories of October 16 and 17 - We Own The Pennant

image source: Twitter, @SF Giants

October 16 is going to hold a lot of wonderful memories for me.

Five years ago yesterday, it was a dinner with Jeff and longtime friends at PPQ, one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Twenty-five years ago today, it was the Loma Prieta earthquake (see blog entry, October 17, 2013)

Last night, it was the San Francisco Giants in post-season.

After building a reputation for pitching, defense and mastering the art of "small ball", the San Francisco Giants win their third National League Pennant in five years - with 2 home runs in the 8th and 9th inning.

Michael Morse, pinch hitting for pitcher Madison Bumgarner:

Then, in the 9th inning, Travis Ishikawa, who was on the 2010 team and returned to the Giants this year, hammers a 3-run walk-off homer and enable the Giants to make it to another World Series.

I'll never tire of seeing these clips over and over again. WOW.

Moving In, phase I

Bed duster is now a temporary window shade. Coach purse strap used to tie the blind. Airbed is used as an anchor to keep the window open.

As many of you already know, I moved to a new home over the weekend. The sweet house I rented in the Outer Sunset was sold and the new owners moved in.

I've moved only 9 times in my entire life. Which is why I absolutely, positively hate moving. I put everything off until the last minute. What I saved in money using non-professional movers was lost in time. Too much time. I've begun to unpack but it'll probably take me at least another week before everything is where I want it to be.

For the first time in 31 years, I am now a resident of a zip code other than 94122 (17 years) and 94118 (14 years). I moved to the Lakeside District, which is in zip code 94132, on the south side of San Francisco. I am sharing a 2 bedroom, 2 bath house east of 19th Avenue, just across from San Francisco State University and Stonestown Shopping Mall.

I chose to share a house with another person because 1-bedroom apartments in my price range and desired neighborhoods were too old, too small, too dark and lacked amenities such as on-site laundry and a full kitchen.

As the wall color and bedroom layout is just like my other place, I woke up very briefly thinking I was still at my old place. I'm not, so I've got to get back to unpacking a few more boxes.

More updates to follow.

Priced to Move - Everything Must Go

If you've clicked this blog entry in hopes to find the latest and greatest clearance sale, you're out of luck. It's all gone.

For the first time by myself, I hosted a moving/garage sale. Compared to most garage/moving sales, I had a rather sparse selection. One could call it a 'quality over quantity' kind of sale.

I began the sale around 10 am. A portable heater and a small folding table that doubled as a desk in the second bedroom kicked off the first items sold.

By 3:30 pm, everything I had put out was gone, including a wardrobe everyone seemed to like except me. Probably because it was the biggest reminder of the Kiwi ex-boyfriend.

During the 5 1/2 hours of the sale, I got to meet to some very interesting people:

• Katie and her grandmother. Katie was moving into a place 3 blocks away. She took my library chair/stepstool, bookcase and table runner. 

• Wayne and his mom. Wayne grew up in the Sunset and now lives in Daly City. He spends Saturdays with his mom and garage sales is one of the activities his mom enjoys. Wayne's mom got a kick out of the very little Cantonese I knew. They ended up taking a suitcase, 2 backpacks, a lounge chair pad, a fan, a comforter, 2 bed pillows, 4 accent pillows. 

• Ruby, a friend of a friend. My friend/ex-co worker Sherri told her about the sale. Ruby texted Sherri to ask if she wanted anything. Sherri asked if I had any knives. Ruby bought the wine glasses and got for Sherri a Wusthof knife set.

• Jose Sr. and Jose Jr. The father-son painters were the last visit and officially closed business for the day. They took the CD boom box, dishes, side tables, corner nightstand, and most importantly, the bed and 2 wardrobes. They were so appreciative they bought me takeout from the corner Chinese restaurant when they had to clear the truck bed of the first round of items they got. 

I credit my success of clearing everything because I was intent on selling, not haggling. The most I got from a single item was $10. The money made was enough to hold off a weekend ATM visit. Mission: Everything Must Go, accomplished.

Autumnal Equinox 2014

image source: The Epoch Times

Depending on the source, 2014's Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere will take place tomorrow, September 22 or Tuesday, September 23.

For us former spring chickens who equate fall as a miserable time because it starts the school year, this means there is an equal amount of night and day.

And the realization it'll get darker a lot sooner until December 21 or 22. Then daylight slowly returns.

And here's a short and sweet video from Kurdistan Planetarium to summarize my favorite season of the year:

A&E's Longmire - cancelled

source: TV Guide

Disappointed to find out from USA Today's Jayme Deerwester that A&E's Longmire got cancelled.

It was A&E's second highest rated TV series.

One of the reported reasons for the cancellation was the average viewer age was 60 years old.

Dumb, dumb, dumb. And stupid.

Not only did the clueless executives that made this decision insult a demographic with deep pockets, they've cancelled the primary reason why many of us watch series television: the ability to tell a story (see previous blog entry of July 13, 2012).

In a world where so many of us are on information overload and short attention spans, it's a series that needs to be watched over time to be fully appreciated.

And for me, Bailey Chase (Deputy Branch Connally on the far right in the above photo) was a nice distraction. I'm not one normally one drawn to men dressed as cowboys, but whenever Branch wore his stetson and jeans, he got my attention.

Kudos to the network that decides to pickup the series. I think this would be a great addition on TNT.

****UPDATE: August 14, 2015****
Thanks to the fans, Longmire returns for a 4th season, beginning September 10 on Netflix.