The Beginning of a Magical Era of Giants Baseball

We can all put away the pitchforks and torches. What began with a dismal 1-6 start to the season, now has Giants fan wondering how good this 2007 team really is. Everyone knew from the beginning the strength of this team would be the starting rotation. The off seaon acquisitions of manager Bruce Bochy, and Gold Glove receiver Benjie Molina, have drawn the full potential out of this staff to date. The Giants starters have had 9 consecutive quality starts, and the starters combined ERA for the year sits at 2.81. We have never seen a run like this in San Francisco Giants pitching history.
The projected starters before the season began were Zito, Cain, Morris Lowry and Sanchez, in order of anticipated strength. Rising from the ashes of a shattered career, Russ Ortiz has taken over the 5 spot,is 2-1, and looking like the Ortiz of '99 through '04 when he was one of the top pitchers in the National League. Matt Morris is looking like a Cy Young Candidate once again at 3-0. Noah Lowery is pithing extremely well despite a 1-2 record as his 2.70 ERA and 1.15 WHIP attests. The 126 million dollar man, Barry Zito, is pitching well at 2-2 save for one bad inning, and could easily be 3-1. Now comes the fun part. Matt Cain. Highly touted as being the Giants next ace, I don't think anybody really knew how truly dominating this young man could be. Every time he takes his turn on the mound the possibility of a no-hitter exists.
Since 1900, only four pitchers have held opposing hitters to a .205 batting average or lower through their first 40 career starts.
Herb Score - .199
Matt Cain - .203
Nolan Ryan - .204
Sandy Koufax - .205
That is some ridiculous company! With Cain we're watching the blossoming of what promises to be a spectacular career.
Now this is where I get as little giddy. He may not even be the best pitcher in the Giants organization! Tim Lincecum is tearing up the PCL like he's from another planet. A veritable man among children. Its almost unfair. He's 3-0 with a 0.36 ERA, 32 K's in 25 IP with an insane .113 BAA. The sky is the limit with this youngster, and for the future of the Giants starting Rotation. Sit back and enjoy my fellow Giants fans, we've never seen anything like this before.

A Giants All Star Extravaganza

Generally not moved by the pomp and circumstance of Opening Day ceremonies, the Giants yesterday staged a brilliant and emotional show that brought childhood memories flooding back and welled up deep emotions in me that I had forgotten about.
The whole show, though 45 minutes long, seemed to go by too quickly.
As each former All Star was announced, it seemed every memory I had of him came rushing back nearly making me dizzy. The next being announced all too quickly, not giving me enough time to reminisce. Some of the Old Timers were were before my time though I had read about them. As the now grey haired All Stars marched out onto the field, it reminded me just how long I have been in love with this team. Emotions ran high as Willie McCovey was introduced. This man was larger than life, a God and a living legend to me as a child. I once witnessed him hit a home run off the Longines clock in right field before the 'Stick was enclosed. To see him on crutches...
Then came the moment when I lost it. The introduction of my boyhood hero and the greatest to ever play the game, Willie Mays, being introduced with his godson and the greatest player of our time, Barry Bonds. They came out of the dugout hand in hand. At this point, my wife looked at me and said,"I knew there was something that could make you cry". Then she said, "God Bless Baseball".
I agree. God Bless Baseball and the Giants. The memories stirred up by this beautiful and touching ceremony still have not ceased.

Beginning Our 50th Season of Baseball in San Francisco

Giants baseball is back for it's 50th year in San Francisco. Is this going to be the year we finally win it all? No more hand wringing and anurisms? The prognosticators have all but buried our Gmen. Being the eternally optimistic Giants fan, I see the Giants in contention all the way to the wire. And why not? They have improved at nearly every position. So lets break it down.

OUTFIELD
Randy Winn moves over to right to make room for new addition Dave Roberts. This not only gives us a pure lead off man with speed for the first time since Kenny Lofton, but it increases the overall outfield speed to cover the deep alley in right center at Mays Field. Bonds is in left and healthier than he's been in three years. Bonds will have an MVP caliber season until the league stops pitching to him again in the second half.

INFIELD
The keystone combo of Durham and Vizquel is set and strong. At third base we stand pat, having to endure another season of watching Pedro Feliz whiffing clumsily at low and away breaking pitches. Take a pitch every once in a while Pedro! He may be a cherry picker, but he did knock in 98 runs last season. First base is definitely improved with the acquisitions of Rich Aurilia and Ryan Klesko. I'm so glad to see Richie back in a Giants uni. If Pedro falters and Klesko returns to his All-Star form, we'll see Aurilia take over third, with Klesko at first base batting fourth behind Bonds. A lot if "ifs", I know, but isn't baseball all about those "ifs"?

CATCHER
Benjie Molina replaces Elezier Alfonso behind the plate. Molina is an improvement defensively and potent on offense as long as he doesn't have to rely on his "speed". Alfonso joins Feliz on the all-time "whiff and no walk" team.

PITCHING
The acquisition of Barry Zito gives the Giants two legitimate aces, along with Matt Cain. Russ Ortiz is my early season pick for the Willie Mac award and Comeback Player of the Year. Matt Morris and Noah Lowery round out one of the best 1-5 pitching staffs in all of baseball.

BULLPEN
This is our Achilles Heel. The bullpen has been abysmal the past two seasons and will be the key as to whether we win the division or not. Fingers crossed, Pepto nearby.
Armando Benitez will start the season as closer, and says the Giants would be "stupid" to let him go. I pray he's right because there is no one else ready to jump into that position.

COACHING
Bruce Bochy is a major improvement over Felipe Alou. This man knows how to handle a staff. He also makes the best of what he has to work with. He won two divisions with the Padres weak offensive teams, and less than stellar starting pitching. He's a hands on manager, and he actually talks to his players.

FINAL THOUGHTS
The Giants have made major improvements over the off season. Offensively the only thing lacking is a true #4/5 hitter to bat behind Bonds. Klesko may fill that void as the season progresses.
The Giants finished with 76 wins last season, going 1-9 for the last 10. They ran out of gas. Bochy has a deeper bench, and more flexibility to work with this year to give his starters the days off they need. Kevin Frandsen is busting at the seams to win a spot, and the young man can play nearly any position on the infield. Todd Linden has proven he can play all the outfield positions well. Klesko can also back up Bonds in the outfield, while Aurilia can play 1st and 3rd very effectively.
The bullpen blew at least 10 games last year, while Senor Tres y Dos blew 8 games all on his own. Thats an 18 game swing right there.
So lets do the math.
76 games won last year. If the bullpen improves by, say, 50%, thats 9 more games in the win column, bringing the Giants to 85 wins. If the starting 5 win only ONE game more than last years' starting 5, they would be at 90 wins. 90 wins will win this division.

Lots of shoulda's, coulda's, woulda's and ifs. Thats the beauty and intrigue of the game. The seasons gotta be played. So now, Rogers and I will stop looking out of the window waiting for spring. The 2007 Giants Baseball season is fianlly here!!!

HUMMMMMMMMMMMM Baby!!!

LET THE WORD GAMES AND POSTURING BEGIN



Peter MaGowan made a public statement that next year "Bonds will not be the centerpiece of this team". What is this man really saying? If Bonds is on the Giants next season, he will by definition, be the centerpiece of this organization wether Magown likes it or not. Bonds puts butts in the seats. For the last 10 years, Magowan has been lining his pockets with cash BECAUSE of Barry Bonds. Bonds is Giants history, an icon, a symbol of the Giants, as is Mays, McCovey and all of the Giants legends. He IS the Giants right now, and as long as he wears the Orange and Black he will be the centerpiece.

Macgowan also sputtered out the side of his neck that if Bonds didn't return "attendance would be fine". Does fine mean "half full"? Does fine mean being able to hear crickets at night games if the Giants don't field a contender? Becauseuse that's what will happen.

I've been a Giants fan for nearly 40 years, and I'm one of those sicko's that loved Candlestick. I loved the fog creeping over the top of the left side of the stadium at night games. I loved the swirling winds that played havoc with the most talented of outfielders, often making them look inept. When I finally got a ticket to go to a game at Pac Bell, I felt like I was cheating on a girlfriend. Candlestick and I had gone through so much together. When it looked like the Giants were moving to Tampa, I was there at the last game of the season and had to be physically removed from the park, because I refused to leave.

Mr. Magown does not truly understand the mentality of Giants season ticket holders. The true die hard Giants fans are the best in baseball with reguards to class, respect,and knowledge of the Giants and the game of baseball. But, sadly, die hard Giants fans do not own the majority of season tickets. When Pac Bell opened it was all about corporations getting the bulk of the remaining season tickets. Now ATT is filled with the kind of season ticket holders I despise... Status seeking, laptop carrying, Blue Tooth and cell phone wielding, chardonnay sipping, don't know who's who on the field, night game sunglass wearing elitist snobs. These are the same fans who won't show up when it's not posh anymore, or if the Giants arent't doing well. Face it, the newness of the park is wearing off a little. When was the last time you could get tickets,same day, to the final series of the year against the Dodger no less. Not since the Jewel By The Bay opened ... until this year.

So if Mr. Magown thinks he can strip the Giants down with out Bonds to "rebuild" with out taking a brutal attendance hit, he's mistaken. The Giants won't approach 3 mil in attendance next season.

Mr. Magown needs to keep his grocery mega millionare mouth shut, stop posturing for negotiation purposes, and leave baseball matters to baseball knowledgeable people. Stienbrenner can talk because he has the money to back it up.

Put up or shut up Pete.

ON BONDS


Let's stop all this speculation on where Bonds will be playing next year.
Bonds isnt going anywhere..period. He's a San Francisco Giants icon. There's going to be a Bonds statue put up at the yard someday alongside the other Giants HOF'ers. He's not hurting for green, and unlike most players nowdays, he has an immense appreciation for baseball history and the Giants franchise. Hes loyal to the Giants primarily because of his family ties and really want to retire as a Giant. I believe we'll see another side of Barry this offseason. He'll take a reduced salary to beat the record wearing the Orange and Black and then retire. He is NOT hurting the team, he still is an impact player just by his presence, and his legs are looking stonger than they have all year. He also has a tremendous work ethic, and he'll bust his kiester to stay in shape so he can accomplish these goals. Mark my words. Bonds, batting fourth, Opening Day 2007.

Sanchez, Stud Number 5


What a wonderful, hope inspiring game today. Not just in respect to the pennant race picture, but the immediate future of the Giants. Jonathan Sanchez, the latest arrival to the Giants young and formidable rotation, threw 5 2/3 innings of 3 hit ball, giving up only one run while stiking out seven. His performance was nearly effortless. Although he did show some signs of lack of command as any young pitcher, nonetheless gave Giants fans a stellar performance, and now has the rest of the league perking up it's ears. I do believe the Giants have the makings of one of the most dominant young starting rotations of this era.(Sorry Marlins)
The Giants have some aging veterans they need to unload to free up some free agent money. If the Giants can wheel and deal to get two young stud hitters... I know Pujols is untouchable, but Carlos Lee and Soriano will more than likely be on the market . Imagine if we had Liriano and Nathan back from that horrible Pierzinski trade? Dare I say it? I dare...DYNASTY!!! Over the top?..Maybe.. But let me dream...

Can I get a little traveling music maestro ???

Lets do a breakdown of the remaning games...

The Giants are at home for 12, away for 12. 6 of the home games are against the Pads and the Dogmeats. This is where they can do the most damage and make a huge push for the post-season. After Cincinatti, the Giants have the Cards, Rockies and Brewers on the road, none of whom are playing well at all. The Brewers just broke a 10 game losing streak against the Dodgers thank you very much.

The Padres are on the ROAD fo 17 games including a 10 game swing starting this weekend against our G-men the Reds and Dodgers, all contenders.

The Dodger are on the road for 15 games with 4 games against the Mets other than that the Dodgers aren't playing any really tough teams.

Pads will die on the road and if I still lived in the Bay Area I would sell my soul to get tickets to the last three games at home against the Dodgers. It just seems fate is pointing to that series once again.

SABEAN FOR A DAY.
Say you're Brian Sabean. Not a position I'd like to be in actually. But if I was, what would I do? Do I start in on the youth movement and call this season what it really may be, a valiant effort, or ride this wave of momentum out? The game today was probably the most exciting of the year. Tie it in the eighth with a two-run bomb from Bonds, and in the tenth a clutch homer from the new guy, Hillenbrand, to win it. In the end Benitez was on the bench where he couldn’t do any damage. Right at this moment there's a little magic in the Giants dugout, and a tingling in every Giants fans stomach. We want to write off this season because we don't want to go into that last week of the season and just come up short and have our hearts ripped out. What would be worse is if the Dodgers mathematically eliminate the Giants in the end. (I still have a little trouble looking at Finley in a Giants uni.) To make the playoffs this year, as the wild card or division champ, would be as sweet or sweeter than any of their most memorable seasons. To field an all 40 yr old outfield in the playoffs would be history in itself. That they still have a chance to get there this late in the season, albeit thanks to a very weak and balanced division, is a miracle in itself.
The whole starting rotation of Schmidt, Cain, Morris and Lowery is peaking right when good teams should. Durham is having a career year. Bonds is showing he’s not ready for a wheelchair just yet, and Vizquel is just a freak. Two triples in a game yesterday at age 39. He is no doubt the greatest fielding shortstop in MLB history.... right now! Yes, I saw OZ play too. He was 100% ball park frank extra mustard. Yes he was gifted, but made easy plays look tougher than they were on purpose, because he could. I can still see him blind-siding Will Clark with a sissy punch to this day. I digress, Omar does that to me. To let the younger guys get in some time now to show what they can do would be a crime of intervention. I just gotta know if the old guys can pull it off. Is this season "Do You Believe in Miracles?", or "You can tell it Goodbye"?

The G-Men are once again getting my hopes up. This time there is reason for hope. The Giants starting staff is slowly turning into one of the best in the league. The numbers don't reflect how well they are really doing because of the ridiculouly inept performance of the bullpen and more specifically, Mr. 3 and 2, our star closer, (GAG!!) Armando Benitez. Factor out his blown saves and we're running away in the west. Nonetheless, in a close race, good pitching always wins out. The Giants are the best equipped team in the division for a short series. The Giants starters arent Clemens, Pettite, and Oswalt of last year for the Astros, but Schmidt, Cain, Morris and Lowery are formidable right now, and they're peaking together at the penultimate time of the season. How I love baseball in September !!

Dosen't this boxscore summarize the whole season???

Cincinnati 000002112 6 10 0
San Francisco 120000000 3 11 1
Starting pitching has been very good and the bullpen is a disaster !!

I'm just so disgusted. So How's Scott Eyre doing?

Time to get excited ??? Giants Win !!! Dodgers Lose !!! WOOOHOOOO !!! Hold it a second... Look at the boxscore, ya , way down at the bottom... hmmmm ... Benitez BS 8. Eight. Eight games where all he had to do was his job, what he's paid a nauseating amount of money for. HOLD A TEAM FOR ONE INNING! That's all, just one stinking inning. Eight games in the standings means what? First place thats what !!! But thats not all. There are more areas of real concern. Randy Winn is hitting 260. Is this the real Winn, or is the Winn who went on a mad tear to end last season the real Winn? How about Bonds? Bonds is hitting 240 !!! At the 2/3 point hes on pace for a 20-70 season, his weakest season in forever. Can the Giants even afford to keep that bat for another year, or is it time to unload that contract and shore up for the future by signing a young stud (Alfonso Soriano are you listening?) to a long term contract. Picking up Carlos Lee instead of Hillenbrand might have made all the difference. Coulda shoulda woudla. It's all speculation. The face of the Giants is changing. Soon we will lose Omar, Barry, Moises, Finley, possibly Ray Ray and hopefuly Stanton. Remember the Young Giants of the early 70's? Speier, Fuentes, Maddox Matthews and Bonds? They were bad but fun to watch. We may be going through that again real real soon. Could be worse. Could be raining.

What is wrong with me? Do I have some kind of brain damage ? Even though I know the Giants have little or no chance at the division, I find myself looking ahead at the schedule to see where they can make up some ground. As long as they are less games behind than there are left to play, I keep hangin' on. I keep hoping for a lightning in a bottle streak that will propel them back into contention that will ultimately fizzle and come up oh so short. I find no solace in the recent two game win streak against the Padres because we made up no ground and pushed the only other team that can beat the Dodgers farther back in the standings. If the Giants can't win, the Dodgers can't either. I've always said, "My favorite team is the Giants, and my second favorite team is whoever is playing the Dodgers". The game will be starting soon, and I won't know wether to laugh or cry if the Giants win again, and the Dodgers do also.

Where is this team headed? The last two years have been studies of futility and mediocrity. It seems everyone raves about Sabean's July trades. I for one am not so impressed. When was the last time the Giants made a trade that pushed them from also-rans to division winners? Do you have to go back to the Rick Reushel trade or the Kevin Mitchell trade. They were set in 2002. No trades necessary. Bonds was God and the pitching was adequate. I'm still infuriated about the Pierzinski trade. Nathan and Liriano are young stud pitchers. Nathan was 12-4 for us as a starter the year prior. Can you imagine this team with those two??? OMG !!! We wouldn't NEED to hit!!!
So where is this team going? This season is nails. The Dogmeats just beat us for the second straight night putting us 7 1/2 back. Schmidt pitches a gem and we still lost. Its over. Whats the plan now Mr. Sabean? And how many years is it gonna take?