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Post by sharksrog on Feb 22, 2013 17:10:38 GMT -5
Boagie, are you going to be able to attend the Giants' Spring Training opener and/or other games? I am envious of my son, who will be there tomorrow for the opener.
A note on the just-traded Conor Gillaspie. He was the 2007 MVP of the Cape Cod (Summer) Baseball League, beating out -- among others -- Buster Posey. Conor's OPS that season was nearly 400 points higher than Buster's.
Conor was also outstanding for Wichita State, and I remember he was precisely the guy Marc wanted the Giants to take when they did so (#37 overall IIRC).
I'm not sure what happened to Conor, but he never hit for a big average or much of any power in the minors. I do think he could hit a little bit somewhere if he gets the chance and takes advantage of it.
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Post by Islandboagie on Feb 22, 2013 21:04:32 GMT -5
I don't have tickets as of yet, kind of rare for me I usually get them the first day they're available. Spring training isn't what it used to be, imo. I'm interested in seeing them play, but I'll be honest when I say.. 2010 was the last time it felt like spring training. Since then The Pink Pony was sold, and renovated, and the prices are ridiculous now. I think them winning the World Series has made it harder to get good seats and the prices keep rising. I remember a number of games sitting in the first or second row right behind home plate, the chance of that happening now is slim.
They have a handful of games on the MLB Network this year, I might just stick to that rather than making the trip to hear the "lets go Giants" chants all day. But, I'm also very likely to change my mind.
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Post by allenreed on Feb 23, 2013 11:56:13 GMT -5
They've turned spring training into an elitist thing, reserved only for the wealthy, much like they've done at AT&T. The normal fan isn't welcome anymore.
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 23, 2013 20:32:38 GMT -5
but they are the job creators
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Post by Islandboagie on Feb 23, 2013 20:39:31 GMT -5
I wasn't able to catch the Giants game today, but I was able to see the Nats and Mets on the MLB Network. Did anyone else see Wheeler pitch? The guy was hitting the gun at 96-97 regularly...That one's gonna hurt.
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Post by allenreed on Feb 23, 2013 20:47:20 GMT -5
[but they are the job creators
Allen- Yes, they are.
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Post by allenreed on Feb 24, 2013 11:06:01 GMT -5
And actually Don, wouldn't the fault lie with the Giants and not with the wealthy? And can you really blame a for profit organization for trying to maximize said profit? Why do liberals resent and demonize successful people, and strive to take away their success (ie money) and give it to people who chose not to work as hard?
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 24, 2013 12:36:03 GMT -5
Boagie -- I don't have tickets as of yet, kind of rare for me I usually get them the first day they're available. Spring training isn't what it used to be, imo. I'm interested in seeing them play, but I'll be honest when I say.. 2010 was the last time it felt like spring training. Rog -- Through the spring of 1974 I was at Spring Training just about every year since I reached 8th grade. I think the last time I was there was in 2008, and that was the first time since 1974. No question things have changed, but it's still pretty darn cool. Boagie -- Since then The Pink Pony was sold, and renovated, and the prices are ridiculous now. Rog -- What in the world does the Pink Poney have to do with Spring Training prices? I've never even BEEN to the Pink Pony, and it hasn't kept me from enjoying my experience. Now, Don and Charlie's, that's extremely cool. And if you want to try something really different, eat at Pinnacle Peak. Boagie -- I think them winning the World Series has made it harder to get good seats and the prices keep rising. I remember a number of games sitting in the first or second row right behind home plate, the chance of that happening now is slim. Rog -- I've got an idea for you when you go. Move down into the good seats for batting practice. Then just kind of stay in that area. That's what my son and his girlfriend did yesterday, and they wound up sitting right behind the plate, about 15 or 20 rows up. They sat right next to minor league pitcher Justin Fitzgerald (raised in Santa Rosa), and just a seat or two away from Matt Cain's wife. My son isn't near the baseball fan any of us here are. He had attended a lot of games with me and especially my dad, but he basically lost interest after my dad died in 1996. Because I thought the debut of Tim Lincecum might have special significance, I got seats for my son and two of my friends. As I mentioned, we all got to talk with Tim's dad for about 45 minutes before the game. I mention this because that is when my son got back in the game. He's still far from a hard core fan, and prefers hockey (So do I, by the way.), but he's back to being a fan. My point is, if my son and his girlfriend were able to get good seats right behind the plate -- and in the section of the Giants' families -- you should be able to do the same thing. My son said they don't seem to care all that much in spring training where you sit. It's bleacher seating, so you just kind of fit in. I hope this strategy can work for you, Boagie. When my son and I went back in 2008, the first day we sat in our seats down the left field line. The second day we sat right in front of the Giants' announcing both. Boagie -- They have a handful of games on the MLB Network this year, I might just stick to that rather than making the trip to hear the "lets go Giants" chants all day. But, I'm also very likely to change my mind. Rog -- I hope you go and test out the strategy outlined above. Even better, if they're not already sold out, you can attend a session involving Willie Mays and just 140 fans. I do believe Marty will be interviewing him. For $395, you and a guest can attend on March 7th at Tommy Bahama's restaurant. You can get info by calling the restaurant. I called my son yesterday to find out if he were possibly going to be in the area then, but his job assignment suddenly moves out of Flagstaff this week. Good thing he made plans to go this weekend. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1571&page=1#9114#ixzz2Lq0EWuIR
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 24, 2013 12:43:07 GMT -5
Allen -- They've turned spring training into an elitist thing, reserved only for the wealthy, much like they've done at AT&T. The normal fan isn't welcome anymore. Rog -- This just isn't true, Allen. My son does very well for himself, but he's far from wealthy. He just decided two or three weeks ago to attend this weekend, and he wound up with a couple of the best seats in the house -- even though his actual seats may have been in Timbuctu. Spring training isn't what it was when I was a kid, but it's still pretty cool. Where else can you go out to the stadium early and see Murph walking his dog on the grass (not the field itself) before the game? Where else can you go to Don and Charlie's one day and then a pizza parlor company my son had visited with his girlfriend in New York City? Oh, and I forgot to mention Pinnacle Peak, which was actually the highlight of the trip for my son. Allen, you seem to look at the world as if you're an outsider who can't get in. Just enjoy the opportunities. They are plentiful, and many of them are free. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1571&page=1#ixzz2Lq5ljjy7
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Post by allenreed on Feb 24, 2013 12:50:56 GMT -5
Spring training is very cool. I went once (in 1994) and had the time of my life. I saw 12 games in seven days. But $22 for a spring training game? No.
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 24, 2013 13:13:07 GMT -5
Allen -- Spring training is very cool. I went once (in 1994) and had the time of my life. I saw 12 games in seven days. But $22 for a spring training game? No. Rog -- Allen, you're a bright man and a nice guy. I'm sorry I'm disagreeing with basically everything you say right now. But if you spend the money to go to Arizona, who cares if the game costs $2, $12 or $22? At any of those prices, a very high percentage of your cost of watching the game is to get yourself there, travel around once you're there, stay there, and eat. A wise shopper can save a lot more on a trip like that then his tickets will cost -- even at $22, which frankly isn't a lot to spend on a ballgame. Although I'm combining it with a trip to Santa Cruz, I'm driving two and a half hours and paying $75 per ticket to watch the Sharks on Thursday night. Our seats are good, but not great. We'll be eating at a special place, adding on to the bill. Since we would otherwise get home quite late, we may be spending Thursday night in San Jose. Driving back and forth to San Jose is over 250 miles round trip. At even just 50 cents per mile, that's well over $100 just to get there (which is why we're combining trips). I didn't like paying $75 for tickets. I used to be able to go for a lot less. But it's the only time we'll be going this season. Aside from a San Francisco Bulls pre-season hockey game (which was free), my girlfriend has never been to a hockey game. And you're complaining and apparently not going to spring training because the tickets are $22? If you can afford the trip, you can afford the tickets. If you can't afford the trip, be happy with what you've got. Even a few of the pre-season games will be on TV, not to mention the entire regular season. I'll be the MLB Network will have a game or two on. Or you can probably spend a few bucks and get to watch a LOT of spring training games on pay TV. You don't think I was envious of my son yesterday when he was sitting right behind home plate and I was working? But why be envious? Why not simply enjoy what I have? The cup IS half full, Allen -- even when it's half empty. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1571&page=1#9133#ixzz2LqBNTeSe
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 24, 2013 13:56:28 GMT -5
And actually Don, wouldn't the fault lie with the Giants and not with the wealthy? And can you really blame a for profit organization for trying to maximize said profit? Why do liberals resent and demonize successful people, and strive to take away their success (ie money) and give it to people who chose not to work as hard? dk..strange, you were the guy complaining about the prices and calling Spring Training an elitist thing...I could care less what the Giants charge for tickets because I don't think I can make any games in the Giants parks.....at least I don't hear any crying about the Giants being cash flow poor because they have to pay off the stadium....can you guess how much the Dodgers have to make to pay off their purchase price???
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Post by Islandboagie on Feb 24, 2013 14:02:39 GMT -5
Boagie -- Since then The Pink Pony was sold, and renovated, and the prices are ridiculous now.
Rog -- What in the world does the Pink Poney have to do with Spring Training prices? I've never even BEEN to the Pink Pony, and it hasn't kept me from enjoying my experience. Now, Don and Charlie's, that's extremely cool. And if you want to try something really different, eat at Pinnacle Peak.
Boagie- The Pink Pony was the Giants favorite dining place for many years. Players, coaches and umpires used to frequent the Pink Pony every spring. The walls were cluttered with Giants memorabilia..Bats, balls, pictures and autographs of some of the biggest stars in the last 50 years. I remember seeing Roger Craig, Don Zimmer, Harry Carrey, Terry Kennedy to name a few. As time passed they started to dwindle because of the word got out that that's where they all went. But even after they stopped going, it was still the best prime rib joint in town. I continued to go there up until the new ownership took over.
One memory of the Pink Pony that I'll never forget...Gene Autry was such a frequent guest that they had one large booth with all his memorbilia on the walls surrounding it. One night we were seated at his booth, not 10 minutes later Gene Autry himself walks through the door. Quickly the waitress apologizes to us and shuffles us to another table. After a few minutes the waitress comes back and says that the man at the table we'd just been ousted from would like to invite us to his table for a drink. Normally I'm not starstruck, but this is Gene fricken Autry. I'd love to say we had great laughs talked all night, but I basically turned into a little kid. The first thing that came out of my mouth was "aren't you Gene Autry?" Then I went on about how my father was a big fan of his even in his youth, which probably made an old man feel even older. Anyways, he apologized for us being moved, and thanked us for the table. We went back to our table and when dinner was over the bill never came, we asked the waitress for the bill and she said it's already been handled. Yes, Gene Autry picked up our bill. As nice as those other restaurants are that you mentioned, a little part of spring training died for me when the Pink Pony changed owners. Most of the memorbilia has been taken down, the price of prime rib has soared to ridiculous prices. It's just not the same for me.
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 24, 2013 14:07:35 GMT -5
I think the best way to see the Giants in Spring Training is to go to their "road" games...most of the other teams do not have the sellouts that the Giants have...I walked into a nice deal the only time I was in Arizona to see the Giants at the Angels...they let you in for free to see batting practice and you sit whereever you find a seat...after BP, they clear out the stadium....I had tickets for crummy seats, but I checked back at the ticket window just before the game was to start....ended up with great tickets behind home plate ...sat next to Jack Snow.....
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Post by allenreed on Feb 24, 2013 14:08:20 GMT -5
Rog -- Allen, you're a bright man and a nice guy. I'm sorry I'm disagreeing with basically everything you say right now. Allen- If we didn't disagree, this board wouldn't be very much fun now, would it? But if you spend the money to go to Arizona, who cares if the game costs $2, $12 or $22? At any of those prices, a very high percentage of your cost of watching the game is to get yourself there, travel around once you're there, stay there, and eat. A wise shopper can save a lot more on a trip like that then his tickets will cost -- even at $22, which frankly isn't a lot to spend on a ballgame. Allen- Not on a regular season game, on a spring training game, way too much. Although I'm combining it with a trip to Santa Cruz, I'm driving two and a half hours and paying $75 per ticket to watch the Sharks on Thursday night. Allen- Again, not an exhibition game. And hockey, which is terribly overpriced. I've never seen the Sharks in person, and would love to go. I used to go see the Seals in Oakland, and hockey in person is a blast. But at $75 per ticket, they've priced me out. And you're complaining and apparently not going to spring training because the tickets are $22? If you can afford the trip, you can afford the tickets. Allen- Right now, I can't afford the trip, and can't in good conscience lay down $22 to watch an exhibition game. It isn't just the game though. Airline tickets are high, gas is high if you choose to drive, hotels are high during spring training, and unless you want to eat fast food, restaraunts are pricey too. If you can't afford the trip, be happy with what you've got. Even a few of the pre-season games will be on TV, not to mention the entire regular season. I'll be the MLB Network will have a game or two on. Or you can probably spend a few bucks and get to watch a LOT of spring training games on pay TV. Allen- Honestly, I'm not that excited about watching practice games (though I am watching Yankees/Blue Jays on MLB as I type this). I might watch a few to see the youngsters and get a general feel of how things are going, but for the most part, not that thrilled. You don't think I was envious of my son yesterday when he was sitting right behind home plate and I was working? But why be envious? Why not simply enjoy what I have? Allen- Who said I'm not? I'm just stating facts here. They've jacked the prices up so high that alot of regular fans have been priced out. If they can get those prices (and right now they most definitely can) why shouldn't they? Free market system. I'm all for that. It's just a shame that alot of fans get shut out, and I think it keeps younger fans from becoming interested. As for myself, I don't enjoy going to the games that much anymore. Too many people, and I can't in good conscience pay those prices. And you expose yourself to the criminal behavior that's rampant in big cities now. There's always that chance of being in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people, like poor Mr. Stow. Frankly, I'd rather watch on TV. With a big screen, you can see the game better, the food is cheaper, and no lines at the bathroom. Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1571&page=1#9133#ixzz2LqBNTeSe[/quote]
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donk
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Post by donk on Feb 24, 2013 21:32:10 GMT -5
a cheap way...and a good way...of going to Spring Training is to go to the minor league training grounds in Scottsdale...you get to see all the young guys in the organization not training with the big club...stopped by on the way home, years ago, and was talking with the Rockies rookie and this one kid, whos name I forgot, but it was something like Schneider a left handed pitcher...he was still all pumped up when he told me that he got to pitch to Barry Bonds...and when I asked him how he did...he said...I got him....something the kid has to remember the rest of his life as he went to the PCL and blew his arm out and I never heard of him again...
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Post by allenreed on Feb 25, 2013 11:34:33 GMT -5
dk..strange, you were the guy complaining about the prices and calling Spring Training an elitist thing.
Allen- It has, and I don't know that I'm complaining as much as perhaps lamenting. You can't blame the Giants for charging as much as they can get. If they can find people to pay those prices (and apparently, they have) more power to them. It's sad that alot of fans get priced out though. I've already made up my mind that I'm not going to pay those prices, and I enjoy watching on TV more anyway.
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Post by sharksrog on Feb 25, 2013 12:10:25 GMT -5
Rog -- A wise shopper can save a lot more on a trip like that then his tickets will cost -- even at $22, which frankly isn't a lot to spend on a ballgame. Allen- Not on a regular season game, on a spring training game, way too much. Rog -- Let's say a guy goes to Arizona to watch a weekend of spring training games. He likely spends $200 or more for tickets, $200 or more for lodging, $50 or more for a rental car and gas, and $100 or more to eat. He spends at least $550 on non-baseball costs. If he pays $44 for tickets to two games, he still has spent on non-ticket costs over 92% of his total expenditure. If the tickets were instead, $10 each, he would have spent over 96% on costs other than tickets. My point is that if the guy can afford the other $550, surely he can afford to pay $44 for tickets instead of $20. And if he can't afford the $44, how in the world is he going to be able to afford the other $550? Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1571&page=1#9138#ixzz2LvoO0nsn
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Post by allenreed on Feb 26, 2013 13:28:54 GMT -5
You're right. My point is that there are alot of people who can't afford either, and it's a shame they've been priced out. More of a shame is that our government is trying to do the same to us in regards to things like food and gasoline.
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Post by sharksrog on Mar 1, 2013 9:48:36 GMT -5
I will say that I enjoyed the seats the most of any I have had, even though I could have spent a few times as much.
I've sat in much more expensive seats, including many games in the 6th row, but I felt sitting in row 2 of the upper deck gave me a better view than the more expensive seats -- including at the red line.
We can complain about ticket prices, but they are based on supply and demand. If anything, they are sometimes CHEAPER than supply and demand would dictate.
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