5.10.2008
Radio-Only Game
Krukow and Kuiper on KNBR make for a decent hometown team, lacking the effortless knowledge and dulcet tones of Jon Miller but notable for their easy rapport and mastery of the play-by-play, particularly the feel of it: so-and-so worked a great at-bat, this guy was taking "spring training cuts," the Phillies were acting reluctant to come to the box against Lincecum (whom they now casually refer to as Franchise).
The first words out of their mouth as soon as the broadcast went on air were "Omar's back!" as if the shortstop Vizquel had finally returned from a six-month pilgrimage in the Himalayas. They described the smile on his face as he took pregame grounders with the genuine appreciation of old veterans who know how it feels to cherish every moment out there on a major league field. "You don't ever want to take the uniform off," they later said referring to Vizquel, Philly starter Jamie Moyer and all of the players on both teams who are reluctant to call it quits.
They show the diplomacy necessary to keep relationships with the players they cover, but every now and then the truth slips out. Jose Castillo "hasn't been playing at an All-Star level or anything close to it," despite his four-hit game today. Jamie Moyer's fastball "comes in at 77 -- that's it. That's all there is." Moyer was gone after four innings in a blowout loss for the Phils.
The hits came easy today for the Giants, and Lincecum mowed down the Philly lineup with corresponding effortlessness (8 IP, 8 K). With Vizquel, Rowand, and Winn all back in the lineup (and Brian Bocock mercifully sent back down to the farm), the Giants do somewhat resemble a major-league team. On days like this it seems I've been a little rough on them. Final score: Giants 8, Phillies 2.
The first words out of their mouth as soon as the broadcast went on air were "Omar's back!" as if the shortstop Vizquel had finally returned from a six-month pilgrimage in the Himalayas. They described the smile on his face as he took pregame grounders with the genuine appreciation of old veterans who know how it feels to cherish every moment out there on a major league field. "You don't ever want to take the uniform off," they later said referring to Vizquel, Philly starter Jamie Moyer and all of the players on both teams who are reluctant to call it quits.
They show the diplomacy necessary to keep relationships with the players they cover, but every now and then the truth slips out. Jose Castillo "hasn't been playing at an All-Star level or anything close to it," despite his four-hit game today. Jamie Moyer's fastball "comes in at 77 -- that's it. That's all there is." Moyer was gone after four innings in a blowout loss for the Phils.
The hits came easy today for the Giants, and Lincecum mowed down the Philly lineup with corresponding effortlessness (8 IP, 8 K). With Vizquel, Rowand, and Winn all back in the lineup (and Brian Bocock mercifully sent back down to the farm), the Giants do somewhat resemble a major-league team. On days like this it seems I've been a little rough on them. Final score: Giants 8, Phillies 2.
Labels: game reports, philadelphia phillies, san francisco giants, tim lincecum
