Friday, January 30, 2015

San Francisco Giants Organizational Depth Chart (1/29/15 Edition)

2015 San Francisco Giants Organizational Depth Chart
Put together by @CandlestickWill & @CoveChatter

C Buster Posey (MLB)
C Andrew Susac (MLB)
C Hector Sanchez (40 Man)
C Guillermo Quiroz (Triple-A)
C Jeff Arnold (Triple-A)
C Trevor Brown  (Triple-A)
C Brad Moss (Triple-A)
C Eliezer Zambrano (Double-A)
C Myles Schroder (Double-A)
C Ben Turner (Single-A)
C Aramis Garcia (Low-A)
C Jared Deacon (Single-A)
C Geno Escalante (Single-A)
C Matt Pare (Single-A)
C John Riley (Low-A)

1B Brandon Belt (MLB)
1B Travis Ishikawa (MLB)
1B Angel Villalona (Triple-A)
1B Brian Ragira (Double-A)
1B Ricky Oropesa (Double-A)
1B Skylar Ewing (Single-A)

2B Joe Panik (MLB)
2B Matt Duffy (MLB)
2B Brandon Hicks (Triple-A)
2B Blake Miller (Double-A)
2B Kelby Tomlinson (Double-A)
2B Alberto Robles (Single-A)
2B Travious Relaford (Low-A)
2B Trevor Brown (Low-A)

SS Brandon Crawford (MLB)
SS Ehire Adrianza (40 Man)
SS Carlos Triunfel (Triple-A)
SS Ydwin Villegas (Single-A)
SS Christian Arroyo (Single-A)
SS Kelvin Beltre (Low-A)
SS Rando Moreno (Low-A)
SS Jameson Henning (Low-A)

3B Casey McGehee (MLB)
3B Joaquin Arias (MLB)
3B Adam Duvall (40 Man)
3B Chris Dominguez (DFA)
3B Adalberto Santos (Triple-A)
3B Mitch Delfino (Double-A)
3B Brandon Bednar (Single-A)
3B Sam Mende (Single-A)
3B Ryder Jones (Single-A)
3B Jonah Arenado (Low-A)
3B Nathaneal Javier (Low-A)

LF Nori Aoki (MLB)
LF Gregor Blanco (MLB)
LF Juan Perez (MLB)
LF John Bowker (Triple-A)
LF Juan Ciriaco (Triple-A)
LF Darren Ford (Triple-A)
LF Elliott Blair (Double-A)
LF Devin Harris (Double-A)
LF Tyler Horan (Double-A)
LF Ryan Lollis (Single-A)
LF Shawn Payne (Single-A)

CF  Angel Pagan (MLB)
CF Gary Brown (40 Man)
CF Brett Jackson (Triple-A)
CF Justin Maxwell (Triple-A)
CF Daniel Carbonell (40 Man)

RF Hunter Pence (MLB)
RF Jarrett Parker (40 Man)
RF Javier Herrera (Triple-A)
RF Mac Williamson (Single-A)
RF Austin Slater (Low-A)
RF Mikey Edie (Low-A)
RF Gustavo Cabrera (INJ)

SP Madison Bumgarner (MLB)
SP Matt Cain (MLB)
SP Jake Peavy (MLB)
SP Tim Hudson (MLB)
SP Tim Lincecum (MLB)
SP Ryan Vogelsong (MLB)
SP Yusmeiro Petit (MLB)
SP Chris Heston (40 Man)
SP Joan Gregorio (40 Man)
SP Ty Blach (Triple-A)
SP Kyle Crick (Double-A)
SP Clayton Blackburn (Double-A)
SP Chris Stratton (Double-A)
SP Adalberto Mejia (Double-A) * Restricted List
SP Tyler Beede (Single-A)
SP Keury Mella (Single-A)
SP Luis Ysla (Single-A)

RP Santiago Casilla (MLB)
RP Sergio Romo (MLB)
RP Jeremy Affeldt (MLB)
RP Javy Lopez (MLB)
RP Hunter Strickland (MLB)
RP Jean Machi (MLB)
RP George Kontos (40 Man)
RP Erik Cordier (40 Man)
RP Derek Law (40 Man)
RP Cody Hall (40 Man)
RP Ray Black (40 Man)
RP Steven Okert (Triple-A)
RP Brett Bochy (Triple-A)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Top 10 Reasons the Giants are a Dynasty

Top 10 Reasons the Giants are a Dynasty
By Michael Saltzman
On Twitter @CandlestickWill

So many players, coaches, front office people and members of the ownership group have had their hand in the three championships the San Francisco Giants have won over the last five years. But who is the most responsible. Nothing like a top 10 list to debate who had the biggest impact and who is the biggest reason the Giants are being referred to as a dynasty.



Honorable Mentioned:

The 6 Castoffs & Misfits: Andres Torres, Freddy Sanchez, Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, Juan Uribe and Cody Ross


The Giants had never won a World Series in San Francisco until these 6 men became Giants. All 6 had important roles in a Giants patchwork lineup that out hit the Braves, Phillies and Rangers in 2010. What makes these men unique in this historic run of the Giants is that none of them were able to do much for the Giants outside of 2010. Torres, Sanchez and Uribe were members of the Giants in 2009, but played smaller roles. Huff, Burrell and Ross had terrific numbers as Giants in 2010.

Wins Above Replacement in 2010:
Aubrey Huff (5.7)
Andres Torres (5.3)
Pat Burrell (2.1)
Freddy Sanchez (1.8)
Juan Uribe (1.5)

Cody Ross, who only played a month for the Giants before the post-season, made up for it in October, hitting .294 with 15 hits, 10 runs batted in and 5 home runs or a 1.076 OPS. Andres Torres highest WAR after 2010 was a 1.4 he had for the Mets in 2012.

Without these 6 men, the Giants don't win in 2010. Without winning it all in 2010, is there any talk of a dynasty?


Marco Scutaro:
What the misfits were to 2010, Scutaro was to 2012. Injuries plagued his 2013 season that he tried to play through and ultimately his back wouldn't let him play in 2014. He was recently designated for assignment by the Giants. However, his impact on the Giants in 2012 was enormous. He had a 2.1 WAR despite only 268 at bats. He hit .500 in the NLCS alone with 14 hits and a 1.140 OPS. His patience at the plate and his influence in the locker room helped the entire roster play smarter and more efficient. While he doesn't make my top 10, he certainly is one of the most influential figures in this dynasty for the Giants.



The Top 10



#10: Ownership Group
I'm not going to pretend to know all the interworkings of the front office to know who among the group approved the salary raises for our homegrown players or told Brian Sabean he could make a certain trade or sign a certain player.

According to Baseball Prospectus the Giants went from a payroll of $95M at the end of 2009 to a current payroll of $179M in 2014. That kind of financial commitment has as much to do with the success of the franchise as any other factor.

The combination of re-signing homegrown talent and trading or signing players to free agent contracts, wouldn't be possible without the support of the ownership group.


#9: Coaching Staff
Again, it's hard to designate one member of the staff as head and shoulders above the others. Dave Righetti, the team's pitching coach, has been tremendous in preparing the staff over the years and specifically during the playoff rounds where the Giants have out pitched some great staffs. But How can we say that his impact on the staff is more valuable than bullpen coach Mark Gardner or bullpen catcher Bill Hayes.  What Henry "Bam Bam" Muelens has done as the hitting coach has been vastly underrated. What Roberto Kelly and Tim Flannery have done at 1st and 3rd base respectively, has been incredible. If you don't think what they've done is valuable, go through the twitter response to Flannery announcing his retirement. And maybe the most influential part of the staff is bench coach Ron Wotus. Kelly and Wotus were in charge of the infield and outfield positioning. But Wotus was also the right hand man of Bruce Bochy. Bochy has said repeatedly how valuable his staff has been and how much responsibility he has given them. Wotus, for example, has been in charge of Spring Training camp for years now.



#8. Pablo Sandoval
Fans owe the Panda a standing ovation the next time Boston comes to San Francisco. For any animosity they may have over him choosing to leave the Bay Area, needs to be trumped by the three championships he was a part of. As the MVP of the World Series in 2012, he became a instant legend with three home runs in Game 1, joining the likes of Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson. However, it's his overall playoff performances that are truly outstanding.

In 2010, 2012 and 2014 he slashed a .344/.389/.545/.935 postseason line.  Sandoval also has the 2nd highest WAR among hitters since 2010 among Giants.

For all the weight issues, contract disputes, and slumps, Sandoval was most productive when it mattered most. That can't ever be forgotten. 



#7. Hunter Pence
Despite only being a part of two of the three championships, it's hard not to rank Pence even higher than 7th for what he means to the team on and off the field. He is the heartbeat of the Giants and the team is always better with him in the lineup. The effort Pence gives on ground out to 2nd base is why he leads the Giants every season in infield hits. The passion Pence plays with is why the team always seems to find ways to win.

His speech in Cincinnati with the Giants on the brink of elimination was the stuff of legends, and the fact that it led to winning six elimination games that post-season is tremendous.

His speech to the fans at the end of the 2014 regular season will forever make him a San Francisco icon.  Do the fans believe in value of Hunter Pence? YES! YES! YES!




#6. Core 4
The Giants have looked very different over the years and from the castoffs to Hunter Pence and Angel Pagan to Andres Torres and Gregor Blanco, the team has continually brought in new faces. One of the constants has been the pitching staff, and specifically the bullpen. Javy Lopez, Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo have each won three World Series as a member of the Giants. While their roles have changed throughout the run, their effectiveness hasn't.

In 2010, Brian Wilson was the closer, while the Core 4 were all used as setup men depending on the matchups.

In 2012, Sergio Romo was the closer, with the Affeldt, Casilla and Lopez each playing critical setup roles again.

In 2014, it was Santiago Casilla's turn to pitch the 9th inning, but again, all four were lights out throughout the playoffs.

The value of Casilla, Romo, Affeldt and Lopez has been one of the most underrated elements of the Giants dynasty. That is why they deserve such a high ranking. That is also why they are all still members of the best bullpen in baseball.


#5. Tim Lincecum & Matt Cain
It's never been easy for me to decide between the value of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain and which pitcher has been more valuable during this dynasty.  Instead of ranking them separately, I've decided to put them together because this team doesn't win championships without both.

Lincecum had won back to back Cy Young Awards in 2008 and 2009, but his 2010 might be the best year of his career when you combine his regular and post-season.  From his 1st ever post-season appearance in 2010 of 8 scoreless innings and 14 strikeouts vs the Braves to his last post-season appearance of 8 innings of 1 run ball and 10 strikeouts vs the Rangers.

Cain had some great seasons as a Giant, but his 2012 was his best. He started the All-Star game, and led the Giants staff by pitching the clinching game of each round of the post-season. When the season was on the line, the Giants went to Cain.

Cain was injured in 2014, and Lincecum was limited to 1.2 innings pitched in the 2014 World Series. However their impact on the pitching staff and their success in 2010 and 2012 was astronomical. The Giants did outhit their opponents in their post-season series, but that was mostly due to the lack of hitting from the other teams. One of the main reasons for that was the starting staff that was led by Lincecum and Cain in 2010 and 2012.


#4. Madison Bumgarner
If 2010 & 2012 were dominated by Lincecum and Cain, 2014 was dominated by Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner is the only starting pitcher over the last three post-seasons that has had a dominating performance in all three World Series.

His 2014 post-season was one of the greatest we have ever seen. It was so good that he was awarded the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, despite not being the best pitcher during the regular season.

It wasn't just 2014 that makes Bumgarner ranked so highly on this list. It was his 8 shutout innings in Game 4 of the 2010 World Series as a 20 year old. It was his 7 shutout innings in Game 2 of the 2012 World Series. And that, combined with his otherworldly 2014 performance, and Bumgarner may go down as the best post-season pitcher of his generation.

Scariest part is he is 25 years old.

If you aren't convinced that Bumgarner is the best pitcher on this staff over the last five years, let's use his bat as the tie breaker.


 
#3. Brian Sabean, Bobby Evans, Dick Tidrow and John Barr
Everyone in baseball knows Brian Sabean, but few realize the all-star front office he has put together. Bobby Evans, the assistant general manager has taken over for Ned Colletti and the transition has been seamless. His ability to work out contracts with the roster and work with the agents and other teams has been masterful. Dick Tidrow is the team's scouting director and the homegrown talent he has amassed over the years is staggering. John Barr has overseen the amateur and international scouting for the team among other responsibilities. These four men have led the Giants from a good organization to an elite one.

Fans are always quick to remember a front office's worst moves. Sabean and his team have had their share of moves that fans have criticized. From re-signing guys like Huff, Lincecum, Scutaro, or from trades like Carlos Beltran for Zach Wheeler or from not signing guys like Jose Abreu, Rusney Castillo, or Yasmany Tomas.

However, when you look at some of the best moves Sabean has made, it's pretty special.

  • Hunter Pence for Tommy Joseph and Nate Shierholtz
  • Marco Scutaro for Charlie Culberson
  • Angel Pagan for Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez (who both came back to the Giants)
  • Pat Burrell for the league minimum
  • Cody Ross for nothing
  • Aubrey Huff for $3M
  • Freddy Sanchez for Tim Alderson
  • Juan Uribe, Torres and Gregor Blanco as a spring training invite
  • Extensions for Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, etc...
  • Drafting Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Bumgarner, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik, etc...
Sabean was always hamstrung in the Bonds years because they were always looking to replace young talent with veterans. Now that he has the backing of the ownership group, has brought in a tremendous coaching staff and has the personnel around him in Evans, Tidrow, Barr and others, he has been able to blend young homegrown talent with shrewd trades and signings. This has allowed the Giants to have the best front office in baseball.



#2. Bruce Bochy
Bochy will go down as the greatest manager in San Francisco history when he retires. Not because of what he may still do, but with what he has already done. Three championship rings is three more than any other manager. Bochy has always been known as a players manager, but what makes Bochy stand out among other managers in the game today is his ability to get the most out of the entire 25 man roster by playing all 25 guys on the team.

This isn't commonplace around the league, as some guys may go weeks without seeing the field. For all the frustration fans may have with unproductive guys getting playing time, Bochy will always let a guy on his roster earn what he gets. The guys at the end of the bench or the guys at the end of the bullpen will play. They will play and if they perform, they will continue to play. If they don't perform, they will eventually be replaced. Fans may want guys sent away sooner sometimes, but it is clear that there is a method to Bochy's approach. He wants guys to know they were given a chance to succeed and that gets Bochy's teams to play up to their potential.

Other managers have had more talent in each playoff run, but the 9 straight playoff series wins is not by accident. Being the underdog in nearly every series is because the other teams have usually had more talent on paper. However, winning each and every series is because of Bochy as much as nearly everyone in the organization.



#1. Buster Posey
When all is said in done, Posey might be on the Mount Rushmore of Catchers. Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra are the top tier of catchers in baseball history. Both are hall of famers as much because of their numbers on the field as the World Series trophies they helped win.  Posey now has 3 World Series trophies he has helped win in his four healthy seasons.

Posey has a 23.3 WAR since his debut in 2010, by far the most for any hitter since that first championship season.

His ability to catch the incredible staff the Giants have had throughout the run is another reason he has shown to be the most valuable player in the last five years.

Posey has a Rookie of the Year trophy, Comeback Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, as well as a batting title, two Silver Slugger awards, The Hank Aaron award, the Willie Mac award and a two time All-Star.

The scary part is that he is only 27 and so he is just entering his prime.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Taking you back to 2010, where it all began

Taking you Back to 2010, Where it all Began
By Will Candlestick



For life long San Francisco Giants fans, this new era of success still feels more fantasy than reality. The idea that winning a championship is expected from this new wave of fans feels ridiculous. After 52 years, some of us fans still look back at 2010 as that perfect moment.

Now that all Giants fans are spoiled regardless of when they started cheering, it's important to look back at the evolution of this franchise from an organization that never found a way to the one that seems to be doing all the right things.

October 27, 2006
Bruce Bochy signed a three year deal to manage the Giants and it would be the 3rd coach Brian Sabean had brought in during his tenure. Dusty Baker and Felipe Alou both had success managing the Giants, but ultimately it was time to let Alou take a step back with the organization and find someone else. That someone was Bochy, who was a rival coach and player with the San Diego Padres for the better part of the last two decades. Bochy said all the right things at his introductory press conference with the Giants.

"I look forward to this challenge," he said. "I made a commitment to myself and to my wife that if we were to make a change, it would be with an organization that would be a cultural fit for me, where I would be comfortable and where there was potential to build real chemistry between myself and the front office.
"It would be a place where I would have a chance to make an impact and a contribution. That's why I'm sitting here today. That's the only reason I'd leave San Diego."



First 3 Years
The Giants struggled mightily in his first two seasons, winning 71 and 72 games respectively in 2007 and 2008. The team was old and the team lacked much talent coming through the minor league system, which was the same old story with all of the Barry Bonds led lineups that Sabean and company were putting together. Bochy, to his credit, did the best he could with what he had as he had done in San Diego.

For years, Bochy had overachieved with the Padres, winning the National League West title 4 times as well as the pennant in 1998. Had it not been for the greatest Yankees team in 60 years, Bochy may have come to San Francisco with a World Series ring. (Although who knows if the Padres would have let him go had he won it all in 1998 either.)

Now he was overachieving with the Giants, but casual fans couldn't see it because the record didn't show it. Bochy was finding ways to win with players who were at the end of their careers and struggling to stay healthy or productive.

In 2009, the last year on Bochy's contract, the team won 88 games. Led by Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, the Giants were doing something Padres fans weren't used to when Bochy coached for them.  Bochy was letting the young guys lead the way. Lincecum, Matt Cain, Pablo Sandoval and Brian Wilson were just some of the young players who were taking over the locker room that for the last 15 years had always been a veteran's locker room. Much like in San Diego, veterans ruled because that's where Bochy was most comfortable. If he was going to lose, he was going to lose with "his guys," the guys who had experience and played the game the right way.

How the 2010 Season Began
As 2010 began, it was clear that the pitching staff was led by Lincecum and Cain. Lincecum was a back to back Cy Young champion and Cain had become as reliable a pitcher as there was in the game. The 1-2 punch of those two starters really set the tone for the shape the team would take that season.

Sandoval had opened eyes around the league in 2009 with 25 home runs and 90 runs batted in to go with a .330 batting average as a switch hitter. He was still learning how to play 3B at the major league level, but his potential was through the roof.

However, as Sabean and Bochy had proved in the past, they were reluctant to go with young guys all over the diamond and 2010 was no exception.  Travis Ishikawa and Emmanuel Burriss had played more games at first and second base than any other player in 2009. The team needed to upgrade. The team had traded for Freddy Sanchez in 2009 and signed Aubrey Huff late in the off-season to take over those two slots.

Edgar Renteria was at shortstop, but had never been able to stay healthy as a Giant to this point. Mark DeRosa, another veteran that had been brought in by the front office was even in worst shape than Renteria and wasn't going to be able to be the everyday LF they had hoped he could be.  The Giants brought in Juan Uribe for a second Spring Training invite to camp hoping the veteran could earn his way back onto the club.

The outfield was also a mess with Randy Winn gone and Fred Lewis being sent to Toronto. The team also had an underachieving Aaron Rowand as the only OF left. So the team kept Andres Torres and Nate Schierholtz to compete for spots on the roster along with Triple-A product John Bowker. 

Then there was Bengi Molina. For years, Molina had done everything asked of him and more for the franchise. Despite not being a power hitter, Molina was the Giants clean up hitter for much of his time as a Giant and in fact led the team in home runs in 2008 and was one of their most consistent hitters. However, Molina wanted to find a new home and nearly left for the New York Mets in the off-season. Sabean even famously said that Molina's "ship has sailed" when referring to the chances Molina would come back. Yet, Molina did end up returning in 2010 despite knowing that the team's top prospect, Buster Posey, was waiting in the wings to replace him.

The Same Old Bochy & Sabean
For many fans, these signings were just further proof that the Giants were going to win with veterans whenever they could.

As the season went on, production from Huff, Sanchez and Uribe was good enough that fans were being more patient with this particular group. Molina, Renteria and Rowand were all struggling with the issues fans had predicted in Spring. Molina was dealing with the constant questions surrounding when would Buster Posey come up and when he would take his place. Renteria was struggling to be healthy enough and Rowand was struggling with production on the field.

As the year went on, another interesting twist occurred. Pablo Sandoval was struggling. What seemed like the makings of the next big bat in Giants history suddenly was struggling and weight issues seemed to be at the center of it. On top of that, Sabean was finding more veterans to add to this bunch. Pat Burrell, who had been released by the Tampa Bay Rays, was brought in to take over left field. Despite his defensive struggles, Burrell's bat erupted as a Giant, and suddenly with Huff, Burrell, Uribe and Posey, the Giants had some serious power threats in their lineup.

As the team got closer and closer to the trade deadline and the August 31st cutoff for playoff rosters, the team added Jose Guillen and Cody Ross to keep the lineup effective as the team got closer to a possible playoff berth. They had also shored up their bullpen with the additions of Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez, and this team that had so much youth at the start of the year was looking more like the teams that had been built for so many years by Sabean.

If Bochy and Sabean were going to lose to the Padres for the NL West title, it was going to be with their veterans.

So What Changed?
It's funny what happens to a season. One moment you are committed to one of your most productive catchers of all-time in Bengi Molina, and the next minute you are giving the job to the Rookie of the Year in the National League. One moment you are convinced that Pablo Sandoval is the best third baseman in the organization since Matt Williams, and the next moment, you are going with a two time Spring Training invite in Juan Uribe.  Barry Zito, who had signed a 7 year, $126 million contract the year Bochy arrived was being replaced in the post-season rotation with a 20 year old phenom, Madison Bumgarner.

This inconsistency of going with Posey over Molina, but then going with Uribe over Sandoval, while not including Zito on the playoff roster at all was crazy. Renteria and Rowand both made the playoff roster as well, but Rowand was also sent to the bench in favor of Andres Torres, who had come out of nowhere in 2010 like so many others to be the team's everyday CF.

How could you explain Sabean and Bochy's decisions? It came down to one simple question: Who will give us the best chance to win today?  Huff and Sanchez had never participated in the post-season before, despite several years in baseball, and they weren't going to miss this opportunity. Renteria, who had been injured most of the season, had vowed to his teammates to make up for it in the playoffs. Uribe took the 3B job from Sandoval and found ways to drive in runs any way he could. And the OF of Burrell, Torres and Ross became one of the most unlikely groupings in post-season history.

Production was trumping experience or potential. So many times, front offices had given players more chances then they had earned because they had "potential" and so many times, we had seen both Sabean and Bochy fall victim to the "experience" excuse for using veterans over unproven players. However, all of sudden, this 2010 Giants team was winning because players were playing simply based on what they had earned.  And it fluctuated.  All 25 members of the roster contributed to the playoff wins. Rowand was given chances to start and Sandoval was given chances to hit. Maybe the most impressive showing came in Game 4 of the World Series when Madison Bumgarner was given the ball despite having never pitched a full season before in the big leagues. His eight shutout innings vs the Texas Rangers showed how far Sabean and Bochy had come.

Fans who had ripped both in the past for loving veterans too much and relying on guys well after their production had warranted it, was going away. Fans had embraced this group of "castoffs and misfits" like no other team before it and as Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz, every fan of the Giants finally knew what it felt like to win the World Series.


Of all the moves Sabean made, and of all the on-field decisions Bochy made, no one move stood out. It was the collection of moves that showed how much both had grown working together. Sticking with Renteria or believing in Bumgarner or letting Posey catch this incredible pitching staff or sitting Sandoval for Uribe. It didn't matter which decision was best. All of these decisions led to a championship by the Bay and a title that no fan will ever forget.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Ernie Banks was baseball

We lost one of the greatest ambassadors are game will ever know. Before there was Derek Jeter, Greg Maddux, Tony Gwynn, or Cal Ripken Jr., we had a golden era that included some of the greatest names in baseball history.  People always remember to list Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Roberto Clemente, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax and others, but sometimes lost in those lists is Ernie Banks.

Ernie Banks was more than just a Hall of Fame baseball player. He was more than just Mr. Cub. He was one of the best examples of what it means to be a baseball player. He loved the game and he loved anyone else who loved it too. In an era when Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby and others were trying to survive the segregation and ugliness, Banks' enthusiasm never wavered.



Perception becomes reality and for Banks and others, the courage and bravery to somehow withstand that persecution must never be forgotten.


President Barack Obama gave his thoughts on Banks as well today.


The man that coined the phrase "Let's play two" will always be remembered by baseball fans and purists. However, I do think that Major League baseball should make sure that Banks' legacy remains a part of the game as much for his love as his play.

Let's Play Two Rule:
Double headers no longer exist in baseball unless there's a makeup game needed. Rain delays and games postponed become double headers later. Teams no longer have double headers scheduled.

Let's make a rule that creates a guaranteed double header in the summer time for each team. Cubs will always be at home for this game and there game should always be the 1st of the season and called the Ernie Banks Let's Play Two series.  It can be a short two game series with a rival team even.

Ernie Banks Man of the Year Award:
Much like Walter Payton was forever honored in the National Football League, Banks should be too. Nobody was better in baseball history at representing the league on and off the field.



Friday, January 23, 2015

Twitter is #VogelStrong























SI fires all it's photographers. So let's look at their best work the last few years















Way too early 25 Man Roster Predictions for 2015

Since fans are always trying to piece together the 25 man roster, it makes sense to do some analysis of my own and make some predictions about the last few spots that will be open for competition.

The Starting Lineup:

LF Nori Aoki
2B Joe Panik
C Buster Posey
1B Brandon Belt
RF Hunter Pence
CF Angel Pagan
3B Casey McGehee
SS Brandon Crawford
SP Madison Bumgarner


  • I'm predicting that Aoki takes over the leadoff spot and Pagan moves into an RBI role as the #6 hitter.
  • I'm also predicting Brandon Belt breaks up Posey and Pence to have a R-L-R middle of the order and so Belt is in a prime spot for extra base hits.
  • Pagan batting 6th slides a switch hitter in between Pence and McGehee as well. 
  • When Blanco plays for Pagan, I have a feeling McGehee would move to the 6 hole.
The Other Starters:

SP Matt Cain
SP Jake Peavy
SP Tim Hudson
SP Tim Lincecum


  • I don't expect Ryan Vogelsong or Yusmeiro Petit to make the rotation out of camp, assuming everyone is healthy out of camp of course.
The Bench

C Andrew Susac
1B Travis Ishikawa
IF Joaquin Arias
IF Matt Duffy
OF Gregor Blanco



  • I do see Susac beating out Hector Sanchez for a roster spot. It would be interesting if Sanchez proves to be healthy if the team would consider keeping both catchers so that Posey isn't the only backup when he plays 1st or gets a day off.  Both Susac and Sanchez have the bats to warrant a pinch hit role as well as a backup catcher slot.
  • I think Matt Duffy will prove to be more valuable to the roster heading into 2015 to warrant keeping him Ishikawa and Arias over Juan Perez. 
  • If Juan Perez is out of options, Matt Duffy becomes the odd man out
The Bullpen

RP Ryan Vogelsong
RP Yusmeiro Petit
RP Travis Blackley
RP Jeremy Affeldt
SM Javy Lopez
SM Sergio Romo
CL Santiago Casilla



  • I think there is only 1 opening now in the bullpen with the re-signing of Ryan Vogelsong
  • Hunter Strickland, Jean Machi, George Kontos, Travis Blackley, Juan Gutierrez, Derrick Law, Chris Heston, Steven Okert and others will all be fighting for the single spot.
  • I'm choosing Blackley to simply relay to the fanbase that we are bringing him to camp and I'm not sure everyone knows that. I do hope he earns that spot though. Another Vogey story!


Welcome Back Ryan Vogelsong! #RallyVogey works again





A revised letter to Ryan Vogelsong:

Dear Ryan Vogelsong,

Thank you for giving your heart and soul to the San Francisco Giants for the last four years. What an incredible journey it took to come back to the franchise where it all started. What an even more incredible last four years. Two world championships, a Willie Mac award and an All-Star appearance.  Through all the ups and downs, you continued to put in the hours and give everything of yourself for this team. The best thing about your time in San Francisco is that when the team needed you most, you performed. Your post-season record will go down in history as one of the best ever in the history of the franchise. Fans will always remember you for that. And, that will make you forever a fan favorite.

Ryan after winning the Willie Mac Award in 2011 with his family.


I am so happy for you to find a team where you will have the opportunity to pitch every fifth day. I know that opportunity might not have been possible with the Giants in 2015 be coming back to San Francisco where you belong. Here's hoping you are able to continue to pitch for as long as you want. One day, you will have a plaque outside AT&T Park for all of your success in orange and black. Fitting you found another team in orange to play for. Good luck in Houston. You will forever be a champion and forever a Giant.

Fanbase

How can I leave this beautiful city?

Thursday, January 22, 2015

The 6 man rotation. A fan's suggestion

Henry Shulman of the San Francisco Chronicle has stated in the past and reiterated today that both Bruce Bochy and Dave Righetti are against the idea of a 6 man rotation. With the team interested in bringing back Ryan Vogelsong after all, that would give the team possibly 7 capable starters.

 
  •  One obvious drawback to the 6 man rotation is that Madison Bumgarner would get significantly less starts. 
  • Also, It takes away the advantage of having starting pitching depth by using all of the depth we have. 
  • If there were to be an injury, the Giants would be forced to change the rotation significantly. 
  • Throwing pitchers off their regimen mid season in any way can impact a pitcher's performance dramatically. 
All that being said, I think there are some interesting circumstances in play with this particular staff and the possibilities and benefits that could come from a 6 man rotation.




1st - Bumgarner is the only pitcher in the rotation that is coming into the 2015 season where performance was not an issue at some point last season. An extra days rest for any of the other members of the staff could be beneficial.

2nd - Because of Bumgarner's 270 inning 2014 season, He may need extra rest at some point next season. Having a 6 man rotation in place could help with that.

3rd. I would suggest keeping Bumgarner on a 5 day regimen like normal, but still go with a 6 man rotation.

Game 1 - Bumgarner
Game 2 - Matt Cain
Game 3 - Jake Peavy
Game 4 - Tim Hudson
Game 5 - Ryan Vogelsong
Game 6 - Bumgarner
Game 7 - Tim Lincecum
Game 8 - Cain
Game 9 - Peavy
Game 10 - Hudson
Game 11 - Bumgarner
Game 12 - Vogelsong
Game 13 - Lincecum
Game 14 - Cain
Game 15 - Peavy
Game 16 - Bumgarner
Game 17 - Hudson
Game 18 - Vogelsong
Game 19 - Lincecum
Game 20 - Cain
Game 21 - Bumgarner



This would give Cain, Peavy, Hudson, Vogelsong and Lincecum 6 days between starts instead of 5, which will keep them all better rested throughout the season. All 5 of these pitchers have thrown so many innings in their careers, that spreading out their starts could have some great benefits.



4th - This also could give Bochy more options in a late inning game with a bullpen slot given to another starter since Yusmeiro Petit will make the squad as well.



5th - Speaking of Petit. If this 6 man rotation idea ends up happening and working, an injury to any of our starters would end up meaning Petit would just slide into the rotation. He was so good at doing that last season, and he should be even better this year, going into camp with a guaranteed contract and roster spot.



6th - I don't have a 6th reason, but if I am going to try and convince you that there should be a 6 man rotation, I shouldn't only have 5 reasons. How about a fantastic picture of Tim Lincecum? Or maybe a better one of Tim Hudson finally winning a World Series trophy after 16 seasons.