In the past week, the Giants played six matches, managing to win three of them. They began the week with a record of 63-63 and concluded it at 66-66. They embody the poltergeist that shows up behind you when you chant “.500” three times in front of a bathroom mirror with the lights turned off. Go ahead, give it a shot. It’s not as dreadful as it seems, yet it’s also not exactly impressive.
This past week was a perfect reflection of their season thus far. The Giants performed adequately at home against a struggling team but fell short of a sweep. On the road, they underperformed against a respectable team but were fortunate enough to avoid being swept.
The Giants are average. They’re akin to a Ron Howard film that earns 6.0 to 6.9 stars on IMDB. A 10-game winning streak could transform their season into something reminiscent of “Frost/Nixon,” and it’s worth noting that stranger events have unfolded before.
The Giants resemble two slices of bread enclosing a single slice of cold cut with no sauces or cheese in between. They might — just might — surprise you with one (1) slice of red onion on that sandwich before the season concludes. And now that I’ve blended my metaphors into a thick, tasteless mixture, feel free to lather that on the sandwich as well.
Nevertheless, the 2024 Giants are merely an average squad. They’re not the mind-numbingly dull team of last year, which is a significant leap forward. However, the improvement isn’t substantial enough to bring you joy.
Here’s how the week unfolded: three victories, three defeats. Indeed.
The Giants secured a series, and I’m not pleased about it
The Giants accumulated 11 runs throughout a three-game series against the White Sox, who sadly reached their 100th loss of the season on Sunday. It would require an astonishing 32-game winning streak for them to finish the season at 62-100, which would undoubtedly be the most humorous outcome. Unless that happens, the Giants faced a team that is making baseball history for all the wrong reasons, yet they failed to pull off a sweep. Sweeping a team — even one that’s historically terrible — is no easy feat, so let’s not overanalyze it.
Moreover, it’s not that challenging to sweep this White Sox team. What keeps troubling me is the Giants scoring just 11 runs over the series. That averages out to 3.67 runs per game, which made the White Sox appear to be a competent team.
This frustrated me so much that I decided to investigate how the Giants ranked against other teams that had played a three-game series against the White Sox this season.
CWS runs allowed in three-game series
|
Team |
Dates |
Runs |
|---|---|---|
While they’re not at the bottom, they rank solidly in the lower half. At least there was a tie with the Dodgers? (Of course, the Dodgers swept their series against the White Sox.)
In the second half of the season, the White Sox have managed a dismal 32-130 performance, yet the Giants couldn’t muster enough runs to achieve a series sweep when it was crucial. The failure to capitalize against the Braves in extra innings likely represents the season’s pivotal moment, but there’s something particularly frustrating about this series. They were so close to accomplishing what was needed — all they had to do was score runs against a team that was consistently giving them away.
Nonetheless, they did win the series, so perhaps it would be best to temper your anger. A little frustration is acceptable, though, as a special treat.
Home sweet home, but road woes abound
This week also presents an ideal opportunity to examine a notable trend this season. The Giants have excelled in home games while struggling significantly on the road. This pattern is common for many teams throughout any baseball season, but the disparity appears more pronounced than in previous years. Is that the case?
Fortunately, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZB
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My profession revolves around tables, and I have another one to share with you:
Giants home vs. away, franchise history
|
Year |
Home W-L% |
Away W-L% |
Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Several variations of teams exist in this realm. One type is the team that excels at home but only performs decently away, like the 1962 Giants. Another kind performs well at home yet struggles significantly on the road, akin to the 2009 Giants. Then, there’s the team that is barely acceptable at home but truly performs poorly on the road—like the 1985 Giants. This season’s team falls into the second category: they are entertaining at home but disappointing away.
While this situation can be frustrating, we can all agree that it’s infinitely better than the team’s performance in 2019, when they were dreadful at home and marginally acceptable on the road. In that case, nobody thrived—aside from the Giants during their road games, leading to justified dissatisfaction.
This situation highlights the contrast between the 2024 Giants and a team that aspires to achieve significant postseason success.
The postseason is upon us. One can accumulate WAR like a stack of poker chips, enabling a range of logical and sensible strategies. However, if a team struggles with jet lag or being away from their families, those strategies may not yield the desired results.
Or perhaps it’s just a matter of random variance. Maybe it would be a good idea to discreetly place a couple of melatonin bottles in some lockers, just to be safe.
The Giants are known for their pitchers who consistently deliver outstanding relief seasons. While it’s common (and amusing) to peruse Barry Bonds’ Baseball-Reference page for some easy entertainment, have you ever taken a few moments to explore Sergio Romo’s game log for 2009? It’s an absolute treat. It’s a spectacle of professional baseball players declaring, “I won’t fall for something ridiculous, like chasing a bizarre slider that lands in the visitors’ dugout,” only to end up doing just that—chasing a bizarre slider into the visitors’ dugout.
Walker is having one of those remarkable seasons. Last week, he confronted 13 batters, throwing 50 pitches in total, averaging just below four pitches per plate appearance. Out of those 13 batters, he struck out 10.
Let’s do some quick math! He achieved 10 strikeouts from the 13 batters he faced, but he averaged 3.8 pitches per plate appearance … carry the four …
This might just be the most absurd stretch from a Giants reliever in recent memory, positioning it among the top of the silliest stretches by any reliever in current history. To celebrate his silly week, I will review all of his silliest sinkers and sliders to crown two of them as the Silliest Pitch of the Week.
What I found is that selecting just one of each pitch isn’t sufficient. There need to be distinct categories for “in the strike zone” and “out of the strike zone.”
Here’s the silliest slider of the week in the strike zone:
And here’s the silliest slider out of the strike zone:
See how that functions? What is the batter expected to do with the first pitch? It was called a strike. Batters should swing at pitches in the strike zone, especially when they’re down to two strikes. Once they grasp that idea, the same pitch is delivered, but this time it’s an inch off the plate.
Here’s the silliest sinker of the week in the strike zone:
Is that a perfect pitch? Yes, indeed. If that pitch were thrown to Babe Ruth, he would fold himself into a paper airplane and soar into the ocean. There’s so much to love about baseball, but one of my absolute favorites is a pitch like this, where you can’t blame the batter at all. What’s Randy Arozarena supposed to do in this scenario? He’s trying to capitalize on a mistake while also protecting himself, and then he’s met with a 97-mph sinker that appears to be heading for the other batter’s box. The only way he makes contact is if he’s primed to swing at anything Walker delivers.
The silliest sinker out of the strike zone is nearly painful to witness. You know him as Justin Turner, but he almost could have been Justin Thumbless.
I genuinely question how anyone hits a baseball at all. Ryan Walker exemplifies why this feat seems impossible.
In a different reality, Ryan Striker boasts a 7.3 BB/9 and is on the verge of being designated for assignment. This realm, however, is significantly more entertaining.
Home Run of the Week
Numerous contenders emerged, but this one stood out as an obvious choice. It occurred during a two-strike count, where Ramos anticipated a pitch to chase but secretly hoped for a mistake. If that was indeed the strategy, it was executed flawlessly.
This moment also gains extra points for the pre-pitch disrespect.
Ramso featured in one episode of “Thundercats,” but his popularity was even lower than that of Snarf. Quite the challenge.
This home run earns additional points for creating a lifelong memory for an unsuspecting spectator.
Are the Giants an average team? Absolutely. But can they still inspire appreciation for baseball? Definitely. This holds true even if you’re seated 429 feet away and not especially invested in the Giants. Sometimes, baseball is just inherently cool.
(Top photo of Walker (right) and Curt Casali: Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
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Giants at the Crossroads: Navigating the Depths of Average in 2024
Understanding the Current Landscape
As we step into 2024, giants in various industries find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the reality of mediocrity. The term “depths of average” encapsulates the challenges faced by large corporations, from declining market shares to stagnant innovation. In this article, we explore key insights into the state of these giants, how they can navigate their way back to greatness, and the implications for both businesses and consumers.
The Giants: Who Are They?
When we refer to “giants,” we are mainly discussing the large corporations that have historically dominated their sectors. These include:
- Technology Giants (e.g., Google, Apple, Microsoft)
- Retail Giants (e.g., Walmart, Amazon)
- Automotive Giants (e.g., Ford, General Motors)
- Financial Services Giants (e.g., JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America)
Current Challenges Facing Giants
Several factors contribute to the state of average among these giants. Let’s break down some of the most pressing challenges:
1. Stagnant Innovation
Many giants have fallen into a rut of incremental improvements rather than groundbreaking innovations. This stagnation can be attributed to:
- A risk-averse corporate culture
- Over-reliance on existing product lines
- Inability to adapt to new market trends
2. Increased Competition
Smaller, agile startups are often able to out-innovate and capture market share from larger companies. The rise of these disruptors has led to:
- Lower customer loyalty
- A price war that affects profit margins
- A fragmented market
3. Shift in Consumer Expectations
Today’s consumers demand more from brands. They expect transparency, sustainability, and personalized experiences. This shift requires giants to:
- Reassess their brand values
- Invest in customer relationship management
- Enhance their digital presence
Benefits of Overcoming Average
While navigating the depths of average can be daunting, there are significant benefits to overcoming it:
- Increased Market Share: Companies that innovate and adapt can recapture lost customers and attract new ones.
- Stronger Brand Loyalty: By aligning with consumer values, giants can foster deeper connections with their audiences.
- Improved Employee Morale: A culture of innovation can reinvigorate teams and attract top talent.
Practical Tips for Giants in 2024
To navigate the crossroads effectively, here are some practical tips for large corporations:
1. Embrace a Culture of Innovation
Fostering a culture that encourages creativity and risk-taking is essential. Consider these strategies:
- Establish cross-functional teams to brainstorm new ideas.
- Allocate a specific budget for experimental projects.
- Encourage open communication and feedback from all employees.
2. Leverage Data Analytics
Data can provide insights into consumer behavior and market trends. Businesses should:
- Invest in analytics tools to gather real-time data.
- Utilize customer feedback to refine products and services.
- Implement predictive analytics to anticipate market shifts.
3. Focus on Sustainability
Adopting sustainable practices is not only good for the planet but also for business. Steps include:
- Reducing waste and energy consumption in operations.
- Investing in sustainable supply chains.
- Communicating sustainability efforts to consumers transparently.
Case Studies of Giants Shifting from Average to Exceptional
Here are a few examples of giants that have successfully navigated their way out of mediocrity:
1. Microsoft: A Renaissance through Cloud Computing
Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft shifted its focus from traditional software to cloud computing:
- Invested heavily in Azure, becoming a leader in cloud services.
- Emphasized collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, resulting in a surge in user engagement.
2. Walmart: Embracing E-commerce
Walmart has made significant strides in e-commerce to compete with Amazon:
- Acquired Jet.com to enhance its online offerings.
- Implemented “Ship from Store” to expedite delivery times.
3. Ford: Electrification and Sustainability
Ford has committed to electrifying its fleet, moving away from traditional gasoline vehicles:
- Invested $22 billion in electric vehicles through 2025.
- Launched the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, garnering positive consumer response.
First-Hand Experience: Navigating the Crossroads
Many businesses have found themselves at this crossroads, including XYZ Corporation, a technology giant that faced stagnation:
- In 2022, XYZ Corporation recognized declining sales and shrinking market share.
- They initiated a company-wide innovation program that encouraged employees to pitch new ideas.
- By 2024, the company launched three new products that revitalized interest in the brand.
Table: Strategies for Giants to Overcome Average
| Strategy | Description | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Foster Innovation | Encourage creativity through dedicated time and resources. | Increased product offerings and market responsiveness. |
| Data Utilization | Leverage analytics for consumer insights and market forecasting. | Improved decision-making and tailored marketing strategies. |
| Sustainability Focus | Implement eco-friendly practices across operations. | Enhanced brand loyalty and consumer trust. |
Conclusion: The Path Ahead
Navigating the depths of average in 2024 demands a proactive approach from giants across industries. By embracing innovation, leveraging data, and focusing on sustainability, these companies can transform their current challenges into opportunities for growth and success.
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