Show Me Proof (the Spring Training Pictures thread)

[CubinNY]

I'm ready for some baseball!

 

Me too!

 

It is frickin 14 degrees here in lovely Mahopac NY. Man, I hate February.

[Balsa]

The helmets look like something out of a bad sci-fi movie.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Soto looks to be in much better shape than last year.

[Roast]

anybody else really not like the new helmets???

 

anybody know anything about these?, because I just looked at some other teams and the Cubs are the only team that i've seen with them.

 

Sosaphobia?

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2004/01/08/8BuuNxmh.jpg

[MPrior]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060226/capt.31d466eb2d49499382f66fcf3b5d66c2.cubs_spring_training_baseball__aznh104.jpg

Is he throwing a knuckler? His pinky's nowhere near the ball.

 

I don't really know much about pitch grips, but it could be some form of circle change?

 

Yes. Circle change.

 

I'm no expert, but no circle change grip I've ever seen looks anything like that. In fact, in all the circle change grips I've ever used or seen, the pinky is actually hugging one side of the ball.

 

On further review, I suppose his ring finger could be fulfilling the function that the pinky usually does, but I don't see his forefinger where it ought to be. If I had to guess, I would bet that that's a slider, since he's gripping the outer third of the ball. But as I said, I am definitely not an expert - I just tool around with the stuff cause I love it. In fact, if anyone has some useful tips, throw 'em my way.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Maybe it slipped. It could just be a 4 seamer. Or a breaking pitch depending where his unseen fingers are on the ball.

[ManCrushOnNomar]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060226/capt.31d466eb2d49499382f66fcf3b5d66c2.cubs_spring_training_baseball__aznh104.jpg

Is he throwing a knuckler? His pinky's nowhere near the ball.

 

I don't really know much about pitch grips, but it could be some form of circle change?

 

Yes. Circle change.

 

I'm no expert, but no circle change grip I've ever seen looks anything like that. In fact, in all the circle change grips I've ever used or seen, the pinky is actually hugging one side of the ball.

 

On further review, I suppose his ring finger could be fulfilling the function that the pinky usually does, but I don't see his forefinger where it ought to be. If I had to guess, I would bet that that's a slider, since he's gripping the outer third of the ball. But as I said, I am definitely not an expert - I just tool around with the stuff cause I love it. In fact, if anyone has some useful tips, throw 'em my way.

That's what I thought. I thought a circle change was making a circle with your index finger and thumb. At least that's the change I threw (whether it be a circle or otherwise).

[Balsa]

I keep hearing about how much weight Jerome Williams has lost too, but there haven't been any pictures of him!! ARgh!!

[Abe Frohman]

In that picture, I would definately say Zambrano is throwing a two-seamed fastball. You guys are right about the circle change - most pitchers throw that with the ball back in their hand and the index finger sort of wrapped aroung the ball - connected to the tip of the thumb forming a "circle," hence the name "circle change." Also, some people throw the circle change with the ring finger & pinky on the ball, as the point is to have the ball sort of roll out of the pinky side of the hand at release.

 

Here is a picture of Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy (a little blurry, but you can still see the fingers) throwing a strange circle change, he obviously uses both the index & middle finger in the circle part. I imagine that isn't too hard to pick up for the batter?

 

http://images16.fotki.com/v278/photos/4/41654/199598/BrandonSOX3-vi.jpg

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah, that's definitely not a circle change. 2-seamer sounds about right (not that I ever pitched, but a bunch of us position players would often fool around with pitching grips back in HS).

[moorecg]

I keep a baseball in my office as sort of a stress relief/figit toy. I just made the same grip and its most definetly a 2 seamer.

[moorecg]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060226/capt.d226b6ba297f4992ae1388f3c4da5c49.cubs_spring_training_baseball__aznh111.jpg

Soto

 

Apolo Anton Soto?

[WrigleyField 22]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060226/capt.d226b6ba297f4992ae1388f3c4da5c49.cubs_spring_training_baseball__aznh111.jpg

Soto

 

Apolo Anton Soto?

 

I'm not seeing the Apolo comparison.

 

Really what makes him look so funny is cuz I think he waxes his eyebrows. They are prett perfectly sculpted. Add in the cleanly shaven face and it just looks a little funny.

[Abe Frohman]

Well, Soto is supposedly a pretty good defensive catcher. You won't find a good defensive catcher who is a Nancy-boy. DeLaHoya looks like a poon too, but he can crack some skulls. Also, don't forget the pitch of Mike Tyson's voice.

[Brian34Cook]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060228/capt.azbm10402281802.giants_spring_baseball_bonds_azbm104.jpg

Jeff Fassero as Simon Cowell, Barry Bonds as Paula Abdul, Ray Durham as Randy Jackson.

 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060228/capt.azbm10302281801.giants_spring_baseball_azbm103.jpg

 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060228/capt.azbm10102281738.giants_spring_baseball_azbm101.jpg

 

:shock: :shock: :shock:

[Guest]

Jeff Fassero as Simon Cowell, Barry Bonds as Paula Abdul, Ray Durham as Randy Jackson.

 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060228/capt.azbm10302281801.giants_spring_baseball_azbm103.jpg

Is it me or does that dress make his Barriness look fat?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Jeff Fassero as Simon Cowell, Barry Bonds as Paula Abdul, Ray Durham as Randy Jackson.

 

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060228/capt.azbm10302281801.giants_spring_baseball_azbm103.jpg

Is it me or does that dress make his Barriness look fat?

 

So that's what really happened to Star Jones.

[Brian34Cook]

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/AZBM10902281839.jpg

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/AZBM10802281833.jpg

 

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/apphoto/AZBM10202281740.jpg

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[rawaction]

That's scary!

[moorecg]

Not only scarry...but in about 30 seconds, changed my impression of what I figured Bonds was like in camp.

 

I didn't figure anyone with the kind of ego I assumed he had would do anything like that.

[rocket]

Still more attractive than the real Paula Abdul

[Chocolate Milk]

Holy crap! Barry Bonds in enourmous!

[Uber]

Not only scarry...but in about 30 seconds, changed my impression of what I figured Bonds was like in camp.

 

I didn't figure anyone with the kind of ego I assumed he had would do anything like that.

 

people will do lots of things for good PR

[goonys evil twin]

Not only scarry...but in about 30 seconds, changed my impression of what I figured Bonds was like in camp.

 

I didn't figure anyone with the kind of ego I assumed he had would do anything like that.

 

 

people will do lots of things for good PR

 

Or to promote a new reality show.

[Brian34Cook]

Bonds takes a turn as Paul Abdul

Chronicle Staff Report

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

 

Scottsdale, Ariz -- (02-28) 11:31 PST "Dancing with the Stars" might be too much for Barry Bonds' knee to take, but "American Idol"? No problem. Dressing up as Paula Abdul? Pass the wig.

 

Bonds took the Paula Abdul role Tuesday as the Giants' veterans took a break from spring training to haze their rookies, and put themselves up for some ridicule as well. In "Giants Idol," the brainchild of new Giant Mark Sweeney, all players and training staff members in their first major-league training camp have to get up on the Giants dugout at Scottsdale Stadium and perform for a three-person judging panel.

 

Hosting the event and playing the part of Ryan Seacrest was shortstop Omar Vizquel. Playing the part of Randy Jackson was second baseman Ray Durham. Playing the part of Simon Cowell was pitcher Jeff Fassero. And playing the part of Abdul, dressed in full drag and with fake breasts under his strapless get-up, was Barry Bonds. Five prospects plus the training staff interns performed Tuesday morning at Scottsdale Stadium.

 

[More in URL]