September 2009: Week 3 (with Joe Cannon, San Jose Earthquakes)
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** Thanks for making The NOR CAL Report a success. Don't forget to tell your friends! **
Check out www.lexxxluthor.com and follow Lex as he tours with his European band The Mainstream in Germany and Holland.
It's Opening Day, football style — on The NOR CAL Report! And when football season rolls around, and there's still meaningful baseball to talk about — now, that's something special. Plus, the local hockey squad has squeezed into the news in big fashion! To wit:
The 49ers go to the desert looking for a big division win — and get one. But can they be serious about the run-first philosophy after this performance?
The Raiders come oh-so-close to a big division win of their own. Does this game mean they're as improved as they looked - and just how did it slip away?
The Giantscome home to an N.L. West fest, hoping to stay afloat against those hoping to stomp them to the netherworld. When you think they're in,they're out; but when you think they're done, there they are. And the story continues...
The A's can't make their own postseason waves, but they can take some names, including those of the Texas Rangers. The young team is under water, but the periscope shows a bright future, and (shh!) a pretty decent present;
And the Sharks make big waves of their own, finally netting the big fish they swore they'd catch. But can former Sen Dany Heatley lead them to the big water?
UP NEXT: Future Hall Of Famer Randy Johnson joins Jess and Lex for an exclusive interview, just as he joins the Giants for the postseason hunt. Join the lads for their once-in-a-lifetime visit with the Big Unit! Plus: The Raiders and Niners look to ride tough defense to big wins against old foes; and, Lex's take on the big Sharks trade.
The NOR CAL Blog:
All the latest info, anecdotes and opinions from the Report's own Jess Zitrin.
Wondering about Randy Johnson, who shapes up to be the oldest Giants reliever ever? Yes, he threw that simulated game, and yes, he says he has a torn — not strained — labrum. What's the difference? Medically, it's a matter of degrees. If it's a bad enough strain, with enough fraying, they'll call it torn. Remember, in the same vein, almost every pitcher has a partly torn rotator cuff — throwing a spheroid with an overhand motion is just not natural to the human body. But as a pitcher, I've had surgery to repair a torn labrum, and I can tell you: pitching through one can be mighty painful. It's almost impossible to throw through, not around, that sharp pain. For the moment, the Unit claims he's pain free — and no one's ever dared question his toughness...
Say the Giants do make the playoffs. Is there any historical precedent for a postseason qualifier with an offense this bad?
A's fans, noticed a trend? Not only has Matt Holliday propelled the Cards to the top (48 RBI in 47 games), but the man Oakland traded for him, Carlos Gonzalez, is going crazy in Colorado, hitting .329 with 10 HR since the break. Fluke? Just remember, CarGo also hit .339 at AAA this year, with OPS over 1.000 in both cases...
Raider rooters, forgot exactly where Louis Murphy came from? It was the fourth round in 2009, and if it weren't for a catch overturned by replay, he would have had 2 TDs and over 100 yards in the physical opener vs. San Diego...
Not for nothing, but 39 year-old Mariano Rivera's current streak of 36 straight saves is his longest ever — and in mid-September, the Yankees are simply everyone's pick for best team in baseball. The best team in the National League? The smart money's still on the Colorado Rockies...
Hard to know what to make of the Raiders dumping Jeff Garcia, except for Lex's admonition that "the patient" is in charge, and patient Davis likes the deep ball — ergo, JaMarcus Russell. Too bad, given that Darren McFadden looks like a terrific young receiver. Meanwhile, the Eagles, fresh off the news about Donovan McNabb's ribs, couldn't be happier to have the three-time Pro Bowler...
Ever find yourself in a packed bar at 2 a.m., screaming out Don't Stop Believin'? Then you'll understand why Journey's Steve Perry is p.o.'d at the L.A. Dodgers...
Remember as always, to subscribe — and tell your friends! We never stop believin' — in The NOR CAL Report!
** Thanks for making The NOR CAL Report a success. Don't forget to tell your friends! **
Check out www.lexxxluthor.com and follow Lex as he tours with his European band The Mainstream in Germany and Holland.
It's Opening Day, football style — on The NOR CAL Report! And when football season rolls around, and there's still meaningful baseball to talk about — now, that's something special. Plus, the local hockey squad has squeezed into the news in big fashion! To wit:
The 49ers go to the desert looking for a big division win — and get one. But can they be serious about the run-first philosophy after this performance?
The Raiders come oh-so-close to a big division win of their own. Does this game mean they're as improved as they looked - and just how did it slip away?
The Giantscome home to an N.L. West fest, hoping to stay afloat against those hoping to stomp them to the netherworld. When you think they're in,they're out; but when you think they're done, there they are. And the story continues...
The A's can't make their own postseason waves, but they can take some names, including those of the Texas Rangers. The young team is under water, but the periscope shows a bright future, and (shh!) a pretty decent present;
And the Sharks make big waves of their own, finally netting the big fish they swore they'd catch. But can former Sen Dany Heatley lead them to the big water?
UP NEXT: Future Hall Of Famer Randy Johnson joins Jess and Lex for an exclusive interview, just as he joins the Giants for the postseason hunt. Join the lads for their once-in-a-lifetime visit with the Big Unit! Plus: The Raiders and Niners look to ride tough defense to big wins against old foes; and, Lex's take on the big Sharks trade.
Played: 225 | Download | Duration: 00:37:47
The NOR CAL Blog:
All the latest info, anecdotes and opinions from the Report's own Jess Zitrin.
Wondering about Randy Johnson, who shapes up to be the oldest Giants reliever ever? Yes, he threw that simulated game, and yes, he says he has a torn — not strained — labrum. What's the difference? Medically, it's a matter of degrees. If it's a bad enough strain, with enough fraying, they'll call it torn. Remember, in the same vein, almost every pitcher has a partly torn rotator cuff — throwing a spheroid with an overhand motion is just not natural to the human body. But as a pitcher, I've had surgery to repair a torn labrum, and I can tell you: pitching through one can be mighty painful. It's almost impossible to throw through, not around, that sharp pain. For the moment, the Unit claims he's pain free — and no one's ever dared question his toughness...
Say the Giants do make the playoffs. Is there any historical precedent for a postseason qualifier with an offense this bad?
A's fans, noticed a trend? Not only has Matt Holliday propelled the Cards to the top (48 RBI in 47 games), but the man Oakland traded for him, Carlos Gonzalez, is going crazy in Colorado, hitting .329 with 10 HR since the break. Fluke? Just remember, CarGo also hit .339 at AAA this year, with OPS over 1.000 in both cases...
Raider rooters, forgot exactly where Louis Murphy came from? It was the fourth round in 2009, and if it weren't for a catch overturned by replay, he would have had 2 TDs and over 100 yards in the physical opener vs. San Diego...
Not for nothing, but 39 year-old Mariano Rivera's current streak of 36 straight saves is his longest ever — and in mid-September, the Yankees are simply everyone's pick for best team in baseball. The best team in the National League? The smart money's still on the Colorado Rockies...
Hard to know what to make of the Raiders dumping Jeff Garcia, except for Lex's admonition that "the patient" is in charge, and patient Davis likes the deep ball — ergo, JaMarcus Russell. Too bad, given that Darren McFadden looks like a terrific young receiver. Meanwhile, the Eagles, fresh off the news about Donovan McNabb's ribs, couldn't be happier to have the three-time Pro Bowler...
Ever find yourself in a packed bar at 2 a.m., screaming out Don't Stop Believin'? Then you'll understand why Journey's Steve Perry is p.o.'d at the L.A. Dodgers...
Remember as always, to subscribe — and tell your friends! We never stop believin' — in The NOR CAL Report!
Posted by Jess Zitrin and Lex Gopnik at September 15, 2009 
Categories: raiders, A's, Giants, Sharks, 49ers
Categories: raiders, A's, Giants, Sharks, 49ers
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