Who says Corporate America isn’t fun…

With two people, it took 4 hours to put together. Worth every second.

-b

One of the blogs bay area sports blogs I read (http://sayhey.wordpress.com/) posted this Will Clark video yesterday.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRL6EB5e3NA&rel=1]

Will was my hero growing up. I played 1st base in little league. I modeled my batting stance after his iconic pre-swing rituals. I even had a life size Will “The Thrill” cutout in my room when I was 13. With the steroid scandals tearing baseball apart from its red stitching, this video reminded of a time when the sport was popular because of the competition, not because of the WWE like Goliaths that play today. Will was the best of the best when the sport was at its best. Here are some interesting stats and great moments related to Will Clark:

Wikipedia Summary:
William Nuschler Clark, Jr. (born March 13, 1964 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball best known for his play with the San Francisco Giants from 1986 to 1993. He was recognized by his peers as being one of the best clutch players of his time, and possessed a fiery intensity. He earned the nicknames of “Will the Thrill” (a name given to him by his classmates at Jesuit High School in New Orleans, where he played both varsity baseball and varsity basketball) as well as simply “The Thrill”[1] and “The Natural” because of his natural gifts as a player. Clark was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.[2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Clark)

Fun Stats:
Middle Name: Nuschler
High School: Jesuit (In New Orleans, where my fraternity brother Steve Johnson went)
Drafted: 1982- Kansas City Royals in the 4th round (did not sound); 1985- San Francisco Giants in the 2nd pick overall.
First Minor League AB: Home Run of Fernando Valenzuela
Games Played in 1988: 162/162
Life Time Batting Ave: .303
Post Season Batting Average: .333
Times in The Top-5 MVP Balloting: 4 timed (2nd- 1989)
First Major League AB: Home Run of Nolan Ryan (All time strike out leader)
Career Earnings: $54,221,863 ($60,000 in 1986)
Accomplishments: College Hall of Fame Inductee, Member of the 1984 gold medal winning Olympic team, 6-time All Star, 2-time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove, Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, 1989 NL-ALCS MVP

I would say Will’s career highlight was leading the Giants from being a 100 loss team in 1985 to a World Series team in 1989. Check out the iconic series clinching play/celebration in 1989. This might be my new dance move…Both arms up into a full force whole body fist pump:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qxb2Mv3MlE&rel=1]

Will was the total package. Not only was he a perennial all star with the Giants in the late 80’s but check out how good he was great with the media. Notice here in the 1989 NL-MVP post game award ceremony. He stops the interview to thank Chevrolet for being a sponsor. He noted the great play of the other team, specifically his peer at 1st base (Mark Grace). Shit, he even knew what charity he was donating the “Astrovan” he was awarded for his great play.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOGIaP3aptE&rel=1]

Here is a video where Will is is featured as part of the renaissance of the Giants:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANaLJ0IWeDA&rel=1]

First of all, if you want to know something about Will Clark collectibles http://www.thrill22.com/ is the place to go. I did some research on the price if “Thrill” collectibles on eBay. Here are some cool things I found:

Will Clark Bobble Head Doll:

Average Selling Price: $85.37

Game Used Bat

Average Selling Price: $239.86

1987 Topps Rookie Card:

Average Selling Price: $10.50
I have a signed copy of this card on my desk at work.

While I don’t remember the details, I believe Will retired from baseball because he has a child with some sort of physical or mental disability. He sited the need to be a family man as his largest priority. While I doubt he is much of a blog reader, Will, if you ever stumble on this page you should know that even if you’ve gained a little weight and do some part time work for the Giant’s division rival (Arizona Diamondbacks), you’ll always be a hero in the bay area…

Thanks Will!

-b

Looking for a great way to find new music? Why not get the hookup from while growing your social network…

Join the San Francisco Music Exchange!

Here’s your ticket to getting in “the know” about the best tunes around:

• Each member is responsible a making a for the club the entire club.
• The mixes must be a minimum of 10 songs.
• Mixes must include liner notes w/ mix theme, song, artist, and any details for why the song was chosen.
• Everyone is encouraged to differentiate and personalize their mix to represent their taste and personality.
• The person making the mix is responsible for distribution (mailing list will be provided).

The group will consist of between 12 to 24 people, (1-2 mixes per month). In addition to mix distribution, depending on the level of interest in the group, the book club type thing is always an option. This means group members would get together, chat about the music, do a pot luck, and most likely get a little drunk.

The founders of this group are professional/Silicon Valley types…yes, I am one of them. We are looking for cool/professional/responsible people for this club.

If interested, please click reply to my craigslist post (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/grp/541431066.html) with a little bit about yourself. Be sure to include your name, contact info, occupation and musical preferences. This information will not be shared outside the group.

You can also check out my the web page I made with Google Page Creator: http://sfmusicexchange.googlepages.com/home

Once we have enough people, we will hold a meet-’n-greet somewhere in Russian Hill.

Rock on!

-b

Hi all,

My friend Shannon is an up and coming singer/songwriter biased in NYC. I’ve been asking her to perform in San Francisco for a long time and she finally gave into my persistent pestering. She will be playing at Grant and Green in San Francisco on the 31st. The show is free a must see. Shannon has been described as a mix between Tori Amos and a female Ben Folds. She’s really, really good. You can check out here music at http://www.myspace.com/shannoncorey .

If this show goes well, we are (I am) hoping it will generate some bigger shows in the area, thus making Shannon come back soon.

Anyone who knows me knows I am a diehard University of California supporter. This was one of, if not the most dissapointing seasons in recent memory. For the record, I’ve blocked everything from the hiring of Keith Gilbertson (the West Coast version of Mark Mangino) to the beginning of the JT era. Anyway, here are some of my thoughts:

Nate Longshore: As Nate went, the bears went. Nate, you looked so strong at the begnning of the year. Both the Tennessee and Oregon games were your games to win and you did. Unfortunatly, as you tend to do…you got banged up and choaked a lot at the end of games. You’re a “pocket passer”, meaning you are slow as maple syrup running uphill. I’m sad to say it, but once was an accident and twice is a trend. I think you’re good enough to be a star at this level, but if it were up to me, you’re time would be up.

DeSean Jackson: You and Russell White are the most explosive players I’ve ever seen at Cal. You were 1/1 on turning punts to you into touchdown (Thanks Coach Fullmer). Above average hands. Great speed. Stop on a dime and turn on a nickel. You will be a player on the next level. With that said, I’m not heartbroken you are inevatably going to leave school. Rumors of you spitting in Kevin Reiley’s face post the Oregon State game and saying ”you cost me the heisman” didn’t surprise me. You were hurt for the Stanford game which was one of my lowest points of the year. Sure, it must have been frustrating as hell watching our QB’s struggle to get you the ball but try to show a little more heart. If you can get that right…you’re a star on any level.  

 Justin Forsett: You are one of the biggest over achievers in the Tedford era. Undersized. Not the fastest back ever but man, are you a hustler. I wish I could take you’re attitude and put it in Desean Jackson. If we could pull that off, I could play quarteback and we’d still never pass the ball. You lead the Pac10 in rushing yards…Congrats. Thanks for keeping this team moving in the right direction.

 Kevin Riley: It looks like you earned the starting QB job next year. Baring Brock Mansion being the next comming of Joe Kapp, you should be the guy. You’re mobile and you’ve got a cannon. You’ve redemed yourself from the Oregon State blunder with a great bowl game performance.  Limit the turnovers next year and we should be A-Ok on offense next year.

Coach Tedford and Co: Guys, what happened here. Yes, you are the backbone behind the rejuvination of this program. Northern California loves you for the job you’ve done here. With that said, you mishandeled this team badly. Our defensive scheemes only work when we are up by 20 points. You need a pass rush and you can’t leave the middle of the field open all year long. Who uses a 3 man rush? Chances are Bob Gregory is gone. On offense, the quarterback controversy is a huge black mark on your reputation. This is the second time you stayed with an ineffective QB at the cost of the team. I do love the loyalty. I would have gone back to Nate after Oregon State…but…I would have gone back to Riley by USC. Let’s be more flexible on offense and more dynamic on defense. This was a uber-talented team that underperformed.  

Next Year: New wide reciever core. Inexperienced but talented running backs. One year more experience on the defensive line. Weaker schedule. QB controversy all over again. At first glance, it looks like this is a 8-4 team, however looking at the talent level and tendency for recent Cal teams to over achieve in off years, I’m going 9-3 with another trip the Holiday or Sun Bowl.

 Long live Tedford’s Contract. Cut those damn trees down already and Go Bears!

 -b 

Little know fact: Tom Brady is from the Northern California, more specifically, the Peninsula. Sure he didn’t graduate from Burlingame High School, but no one is totally perfect.

While leading his team to the first ever 16-0 regular season, Tom Brady has spent this year padding his someday Hall of Fame stats. Oh, he also had his first ever child (Jesus Brady) while dating Gisele. Having been in Boston for the Pats first Super Bowl win, it is hard to believe that they have gone from “total upset” to “evil empire” in such a short period of time. The most amazing stat to me is that Tommy Touchdown has something like 42 more touchdowns than interceptions. That’s ridiculous.

I know there are lots of Patriot haters. I totally understand. Love em’ or hate em’, you have to respect what this team has accomplished.