Bumgarner had the flu, but Giants bats look healthy

The San Francisco Giants enter the 2016 season with expectations at an all-time high. Spending huge money on starting pitching in the off-season left Madison Bumgarner as the lowest paid starter in the rotation. However, there is no question who is the ace of the Giants staff heading into 2016.

Bumgarner started his third straight opening day today in Milwaukee, but didn't look himself. He was pitching with the flu, and his day began my walking Chris Carter with the bases loaded and giving up home runs to Scooter Gennett and Jonathan Villar. It was only the second time in Bumgarner's career he has walked a batter with the bases loaded. It was also only the third time in his career a left handed batter homered off of him when Gennett went deep.

Despite Bumgarner's struggles with his health and his command early on, he struck out the side in the fifth against the heart of the Brewers order. The Giants bats, on the other hand, weren't struggling at all. Denard Span, Brandon Belt, Matt Duffy and Angel Pagan felt right at home at their new spots in the lineup and the runs piled up early on as the Giants scored seven runs in the first five innings.

Duffy, who spent much of his rookie year in the third spot in the order, batted sixth today. His drop in the lineup was to provide some balance with both Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford left handed and Buster Posey and Hunter Pence both right handed. His first at bat provided instant dividends as he came to the plate with two on and drove in the first two runs of the season for the Giants. His third at bat added two more runs with a home run to left.

Pagan, who was batting ninth, walked, stole second and scored on an RBI single from new leadoff hitter Span. It was another move by the Giants that created instant results, as the Giants moved Bumgarner to the 8th spot in the order to allow for their two lead off hitters to bat 9th and 1st.

Span's biggest moment came later as he hit a three run home run to give him five RBI's for the game. Joe Panik and Posey followed it up with home runs of their own. When all was said and done, the Giants scored 12 runs. The staff made all the headlines this off-season, with the additions of Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. When you include former Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy and the return of Matt Cain from an unhealthy 2015, you have the makings of an impressive staff.

If today's Giants game is any indication, the lineup will be making even more headlines this season than the rotation.

Players accept changes because of Bruce Bochy

Angel Pagan came into camp with a lot of questions, mostly from the media. San Francisco Giants beat writers wanted to know if he was healthy, first and foremost. They wanted to know how he felt about the Giants signing Denard Span. Span was essentially signed to replace him in center field and the leadoff spot in the lineup. And they also wanted to know if he was going to accept the move to left field and down the batting order.

Pagan said all the right things to reporters today, saying "I don't have any hard feelings. I want them to know I'm on board." Pagan did admit "every player has pride, but you have to sit there and understand that at some point you have to make a move." He even went so far as to suggest he could bat behind the game's best hitting pitcher every fifth day.

Angel Pagan here and healthy and ready to go said he would hit anywhere in lineup even 9th to give SFG two lead off hitters when Bum pitches

— marty lurie (@baseballmarty) February 23, 2016

Pagan didn't have any questions coming into camp because his questions had already been answered by Bruce Bochy and the Giants front office. Some fans have wanted the Giants to make a change in center field for a long time.

Pagan has struggled to stay healthy ever since he signed a new contract with the Giants after the 2012 season. And yet Bochy kept giving him chances to prove he was healthy and prove he could perform at the level they expected of their centerfielder. As Pagan's production declined at the plate and in the field, the writing may have been on the wall for a change, but Bochy was going to give Pagan every chance he could to prove doubters wrong. Some may look at Bochy as being foolish for this, but this is why Bochy has had so much success.

All 25 guys in a Bruce Bochy clubhouse know where they stand and what their role is and what the team's expectations are. Giving his veteran players more chances than fans may want could be one of the reasons they have missed the playoffs in three of the last six seasons. But it is also the reason they have won the World Series in three of the last six seasons. Bochy has proven this format works and is the best way to get the best out of the 25 guys he's been given. Whether he has the right 25 guys is an argument for another article, but there is no question this is how the Giants have won championships.

In 2010, Aaron Rowand and Edgar Renteria were big money players at the end of their careers. There was talk of them not making the post-season roster at all. However, Bochy saw a need for both, and Renteria proved him right with a World Series MVP. One player who didn't make the roster,
however, was Barry Zito, the team's highest paid player. Bochy chose to go with 20 year old Madison Bumgarner over Zito. However, Zito understood the move and handled it professionally. Zito knew he wasn't one of the team's top four pitchers heading into October, and also knew he had been given every chance that season to earn that job. That set the stage for every tough decision the team would have.

In 2012, Zito and Ryan Vogelsong had earned their spots in the rotation, but that meant Tim Lincecum, the team's two time Cy Young award winner, would be coming out of the bullpen. Like Zito, Lincecum handled it professionally and was incredible during the post-season in middle relief. So were Zito and Vogelsong, who shined in the National League Championship series and World Series. Zito, having been demoted two years earlier, not only knew he deserved the starts he got in 2012, but he knew he had the full support of Bochy and the front office.

There are many more examples of Bochy letting his player's play on the field determine their status, and not the opinions of anyone. All professional athletes want from their front office and their manager is to be told where they stand and given a chance. Bochy tells players what their role is, what the expectations for them are, and then backs it up by giving them a chance to prove it on the field.

Pagan comes into the 2016 season knowing he has been given many chances to regain his job in centerfield and atop the batting order. He knows the team signed Span because he didn't meet expectations. He also is being given an opportunity to win the left field job because he can still be a part of this year's team. And as we've seen many times before, we should get the best version of Pagan going forward as he tries to live up to his manager's new expectations for him.

San Francisco Giants Organizational Depth Chart (4/21/15 Edition)

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

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

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

2B Joe Panik (MLB)
2B Matt Duffy (MLB)
2B Ehire Adrianza (Triple-A)
2B Brandon Hicks (Triple-A)
2B Ronny Cedeno (Triple-A)
2B Blake Miller (Double-A)
2B Kelby Tomlinson (Double-A)
2B Austin Slater (Single-A)
2B John Polonius (Single-A)
2B Jeremy Sy (Low-A)

SS Brandon Crawford (MLB)
SS Carlos Triunfel (Triple-A)
SS Juan Ciriaco (Triple-A)
SS Randy Moreno (Double-A)
SS Christian Arroyo (Single-A) 
SS Ydwin Villegas (Single-A)
SS Travious Relaford (Low-A)

3B Casey McGehee (MLB)
3B Joaquin Arias (MLB)
3B Adam Duvall (40 Man/Triple-A)
3B Mitch Delfino (Double-A)
3B Ryder Jones (Single-A)
3B Brandon Bednar (Single-A)
3B Jonah Arenado (Low-A)
3B Will Callaway (Low-A)

LF Nori Aoki (MLB)
LF Gregor Blanco (MLB)
LF Juan Perez (Triple-A)
LF Darren Ford (Triple-A)
LF Elliott Blair (Double-A)
LF Devin Harris (Double-A)
LF Ryan Lollis (Single-A)
LF Rafael Rodriguez (Single-A)
LF Brennan Metzger (Single-A)
LF Shawn Payne (Single-A)
LF Cristian Paulino (Low-A)

CF Angel Pagan (MLB)
CF Brett Jackson (Triple-A)
CF Daniel Carbonell (40 Man/Double-A)
CF Jesus Galindo (Single-A)
CF Randy Ortiz (Low-A)
CF Johneshwy Fargas (Low-A)

RF Hunter Pence (MLB)
RF Justin Maxwell (MLB)
RF Jarrett Parker (40 Man/Triple-A)
RF Javier Herrera (Double-A)
RF Mac Williamson (Double-A)

RF Tyler Horan (Single-A)
RF Chuckie Jones (Single-A) *Suspended
RF Hunter Cole (Low-A) 
RF Andrew Cain (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 Chris Heston (MLB)
SP Ryan Vogelsong (MLB)
SP Yusmeiro Petit (MLB)
SP Ty Blach (Triple-A) 
SP Jake Dunning (Triple-A)
SP Austin Fleet (Triple-A)
SP Robert Coello (Triple-A)
SP Braulio Lara (Triple-A)
SP Nik Turley (Triple-A)
SP Kevin Correia (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 Matt Lujan (Double-A)
SP Joe Biagini (Double-A)
SP Jack Snodgrass (Double-A)
SP Tyler Beede (Single-A)
SP Keury Mella (Single-A)
SP Luis Ysla (Single-A)
SP Nick Vander Tuig (Single-A)
SP Martin Agosta (Single-A)SP D.J. Snelten (Single-A)
SP Chase Johnson (Single-A)
SP Matt Gage (Low-A)
SP Mark Reyes (Low-A)
SP Samuel Coonrod (Low-A)
SP Nathanial Santiago (Low-A)
SP Jose Reyes (Low-A)
SP Nicholas Gonzalez (Low-A)
SP Michael Santos (Low-A)

RP Santiago Casilla (MLB)
RP Sergio Romo (MLB)
RP Jeremy Affeldt (MLB)
RP Javy Lopez (MLB)
RP Jean Machi (MLB)
RP George Kontos (MLB)
RP Hunter Strickland (40 Man/Triple-A)
RP Erik Cordier (40 Man)
RP Cody Hall (40 Man/Triple-A) 
RP Steven Okert (Triple-A)
RP Brett Bochy (Triple-A)
RP Juan Gutierrez (Triple-A)
RP Curtis Partch (Triple-A)
RP Mike Broadway (Triple-A)
RP Clay Rapada (Triple-A)
RP Derek Law (40 Man)
RP Ray Black (40 Man)
RP Joan Gregorio (40 Man/Double-A)
RP Josh Osich (Double-A)
RP Kelvin Marte (Double-A)
RP Jose Casilla (Double-A)
RP Pedro Rodriguez (Double-A)
RP Stephen Johnson (Double-A)
RP Phil McCormick (Double-A)
RP Tyler Rogers (Double-A)
RP Christian Jones (Single-A)
RP Ian Gardeck (Single-A)
RP Jeff Soptic (Single-A)
RP Mason McVay (Single-A)
RP Daniel Slania (Single-A)
RP Connor Kaden (Low-A)
RP Raymundo Montero (Low-A)
RP E.J. Encinosa (Low-A)
RP Carlos Diaz (Low-A)
RP Rodolfo Martinez (Low-A)
RP Reyes Moronta (Low-A)
RP Ramon Del Orbe (Low-A)

The 2015 San Francisco Giants have reported!

Today really should be a holiday. The day that all of baseball is reporting to work. Not just pitchers and catchers, but second baseman and right fielders too. On this glorious day, let's take a look at the defending champs, the San Francisco Giants, and their chances at a return trip to October baseball in 2015.

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

If everyone stays healthy, this could very well be the 2015 Opening Day lineup April 6 in Arizona, and it would almost certainly be the lineup at the Oakland A's new training complex March 3 for the Spring Training opener.

The top three in the order will all come into 2015 with one specific question mark that will get asked over and over again.

1. Can Angel Pagan stay healthy?
2. What can Joe Panik do in his 1st full season?
3. Can Brandon Belt hit 25-30 home runs?

There are other questions for those three, like any baseball player, but the conversations over the next month will start and end there.  Ultimately, if Pagan can stay healthy, Panik can be productive all season, and Belt can hit for power, this is a team that can play October baseball. 

The 4-5 hitters don't come into 2015 with question marks. Buster Posey and Hunter Pence have been the most consistent performers in the Giants lineup since their arrival in 2010 and 2012 respectively. Their abilities as two way players and their leadership on and off the field make them nearly immune to scrutiny during batting slumps.

Fans will continue to push for Posey to play first base more to take pressure off his legs during the season. However, those same fans want more production from Brandon Belt. Hard for both to happen since only one can play first at a time.

Hunter Pence has become such a cult hero in San Francisco from his speeches, to his effort, to his signs across baseball that he really doesn't get criticized much at all in the Bay Area. For a game that sees players only have success 3 out of 10 times, that is pretty remarkable.

The bottom three in the order also come into the 2015 seasons with specific questions on their performance.

6. Can Casey McGehee earn the 3B job and keep it throughout the season?
7. Can Nori Aoki earn the LF job and keep it throughout the season?
8. Can Brandon Crawford improve his defense and become the elite shortstop we all know he can be?

McGehee (pronounced Mah-Gee) and Aoki come in with the same question because they are both new to the team. This is the generic question for anybody brought in to start for any team.  Aoki isn't as crucial because Gregor Blanco has proven he can start in spurts as well. McGehee doesn't have any real competition at this point at third base in the organization, so there is more pressure for him to succeed. 

Crawford has improved as a hitter each season he has been in the big leagues, so whether he struggles at the plate or improves again isn't as important as his defense. His defense is what got him to the big leagues in the first place, and the amount of errors he has committed over his career is much more than any elite shortstop should be committing. If he is able to cut down on the mistakes in the field, he will not only become a contender for a Gold Glove, but more importantly, the leader of a defense that has been a critical element to October success. To Crawford's credit, he has always performed better at shortstop in October than any other month in his career.


The Rotation
Madison Bumgarner
Matt Cain
Jake Peavy
Tim Hudson
Tim Lincecum

Ryan Vogelsong
Yusmerio Petit

Madison Bumgarner will be fine. Throwing 270 innings last season has been talked about all off-season, but Bumgarner is 25, stronger than most his age, and clearly is Paul Bunyan. If you don't believe me, here's proof:

ICYMI: #MadBum was looking like a BOSS in the parking lot yesterday. http://t.co/zEjyg60vDl #BusterPosey #FaceOfMLB
— #BusterPosey (@SFGiants) February 24, 2015

The rest of the rotation is loaded with question marks. It starts with the most consistent pitcher the Giants have had in their organization since Juan Marichal, Matt Cain.  Cain hasn't been himself since the 2013 All-Star break, and it's because of bone chips he's had in his elbow for the last 10 years. For eight of those years, Cain pitched with them without much problem at all, becoming one of the greatest pitchers in the organization's history.  Now that he has had surgery to remove the bone chips, Cain has come into 2015 with a renewed sense of health.  Cain was quoted as saying he felt "18 again" and was looking forward to a "new beginning" in 2015. This doesn't stop fans from being pessimistic, but it certainly allows be to be optimistic.

Peavy, like Panik, has never played a full season for the Giants, but unlike Panik, he is 33 and has pitched 12 seasons in the major leagues. There is some hope that he can repeat the regular season success he had in San Francisco last year. There is also some concern that he might repeat the post season performances he had in October that weren't as good. There is also the obvious worry that his struggles with Boston were severe enough for the Red Sox to trade him to San Francisco in the first place last year and that those performances could return. His presence in the locker room and his attitude on the mound are both big pluses for most Giants fans, and that will minimize some of the concern as well

Hudson had an All-Star appearance in 2014 for his tremendous performance in the first half of the season. He also was pulled in the 2nd inning of Game 7 of the World Series because his 2nd half was not nearly as productive. The tale of two seasons is the story line for Hudson in 2015. Will we see more of his 2014 1st half or 2014 second half?

Lincecum will get the first shot at the fifth starter spot, and if the reports are accurate, Lincecum enters 2015 with a "chip on his shoulder" and something to prove. He went back to his father, Chris Lincecum to work on his mechanics and feels he has found something that has been missing the last three seasons. If that is true, Lincecum could end up being one of the main pieces of the rotation instead of it's fifth starter. If Lincecum doesn't show improvement, the team has two capable starters on the roster already in Vogelsong and Petit.

The Bullpen

Bullpens always have turnover, but what has kept the Giants successful over the last five seasons is the consistency they have had at the back end of the bullpen. Despite many changes in their roles, the "core four" of Jeremy Affeldt, Javy Lopez, Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla have made the Giants bullpen one of the strongest in baseball.

Casilla will enter 2015 as the closer, and that should allow Romo and Lopez to continue to thrive in their previous roles as matchup guys in the late innings. Affeldt, like Casilla, has shown the ability to pitch late as well as pitch multiple innings, and that versatility to what makes the bullpen so effective.

2015 Expectations
Despite all the question marks, there are two things that make the 2015 season look promising.

First is the financial flexibility the team will have in 2016 that could allow the organization to make moves at the trade deadline if anyone gets hurt or struggles through July or August. 

Second, the combination of Brian Sabean, Bruce Bochy, Posey, Bumgarner and Pence are hard to match with any team in the game. Other teams may even have a better top three players on their team, but no team has the combination of an elite, general manager, elite manager and three elite players at key positions.

Even though it's an odd year, the Giants have set themselves up to compete again for some October baseball.

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)

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!

Circa 2007 a tattoo less me. I'm happy to announce that I am back again. I love the Bay Area and the teams that play there. Can't wait for this new opportunity and to see some familiar faces again this season. Thanks to the @SFGiants for believing in me enough to bring me back. I'm very grateful and excited to make it worth your while. #sanfrancisco #giants #guesswhosback #backagain #thirdtimesacharm #baseball #mlb #milb

A photo posted by travisblackley (@thejerseycollectordtd) on Jan 12, 2015 at 1:26pm PST

The Greatest Home Runs in San Francisco Giants History...since 2010

The 100 Greatest Home Runs in San Francisco Giants History

October 21, 2014 Hunter Pence World Series Game 1 Home Run  




October 16, 2014 Travis Ishikawa sends team to the World Series

October 16, 2014 Michael Morse ties it in the 8th inning

October 4, 2014 Brandon Belt 18th Inning Home Run vs Nationals in NLDS

October 1, 2014 Brandon Crawford Grand Slam in play in game vs Pirates

August 27, 2014 Buster Posey Walk-Off Home Run vs Rockies

July 13, 2014 Madison Bumgarner & Buster Posey Grand Slams vs DBacks



July 5, 2014 Brandon Belt 10th Inning Home Run vs Padres

March 31, 2014 - Buster Posey Opening Day 2014

September 4, 2013 - Pablo Sandoval 3 HR Game vs Padres

August 27, 2013 - Hunter Pence mammoth Coors Field HR
August 18, 2013 - Hunter Pence goes beyond artwork in Miami

August 15, 2013 - Hector Sanchez pinch hit HR to beat Washington

May 25, 2013 -  Angel Pagan Inside-the-park HR Walkoff to beat Rockies



May 1, 2013 - Brandon Belt 3 Run HR BELTED to beat DBacks...again
April 30, 2013 - Pablo Sandoval 2 Run HR to beat DBacks

October 28, 2012 - Buster Posey Game 4 World Series HR to take the lead

October 24, 2012 - Pablo Sandoval 3 HR World Series Game 1


October 11, 2012 - Buster Posey with #PoseySlam off Mat Latos in Game 5 of NLCS



June 15, 2012 - Buster Posey mammoth shot at Safeco Field

May 22, 2012 - Buster Posey goes DEEP center at Miller Park off Scoreboard

November 1, 2010 - Edgar Renteria 3 Run HR to Win 1st Ever San Francisco World Series



October 27, 2010 - Juan Uribe 3 Run HR in Game 1 of World Series

October 23, 2010 - Juan Uribe Solo HR to take lead in Game 6 of NLCS



October 18, 2010 - Cody Ross hits 3rd HR of NLCS, this off Roy Oswalt
October 16, 2010 - Cody Ross hits solo HR in the 5th, 2nd off Roy Halladay
October 16, 2010 - Cody Ross hits solo HR in the 3rd, 1st off Roy Halladay

October 8, 2010 - Pat Burrell hits 3 run HR in Game 1 of NLDS

October 3, 2010 - Buster Posey 8th inning HR in Game 162 vs Padres

September 17, 2010 - Buster Posey moonshot off Ted Lilly and loss angeles

September 9, 2010 - Pat Burrell hits top of the Building in San Diego

July 31, 2010 - Pat Burrell hits 2 run HR in 8th to #BeatLA

April 14, 2010 - Aubrey Huff Inside the Park HR  

The Life of a Giant Bobblehead

The Life of a Giant Bobblehead
by Will Candlestick

1st 40,000 fans receive an...autographed...Buster Posey...handmade...Garlic Fry...paper bowl.  The suspense got lost there sometime after Posey.  As the San Francisco Giants promotional schedule came out yesterday, I noticed some fantastic things on there for this year. April 10th, for example, is a Farewell to the 'Stick stadium replica. The team also has the 60th anniversary of the 1954 World Championship team with the fans getting a replica ring, bobblehead nights of Duane Kuiper (commemorating his 1 and only home run,) Hunter Pence, Brandon Crawford OR Brandon Belt and Angel Pagan and even Sergio Romo socks.

All of these giveaways got me to thinking about what are some other giveaways that would make me want to buy tickets immediately after hearing about them.

What about a Aubrey Huff commemorative Rally Thong?  Maybe not.

A can of Bud Light autographed by Pat Burrell?  Maybe more inappropriate. And also, maybe too soon for 2010 memorabilia.

1. Commemorative Mike Krukow action figure. Or better yet...Magic 8 ball. It could answer you with "Grab some Pine Meat!"  "Atta Babe!"  "Gamer Babe"  and of course his signature horse laugh.

2. Hunter Pence Scooters for everyone.  Can't just be to the first 10,000 kids, because, hey, if Hunter can ride one, I want one.

3. Kirk Rueter Woody Doll. It might be a little creepy if they use his likeness on a doll, but what fan wouldn't want one, and I'm positive it would find a great place in "The Shed."

4.  Angel Pagan Lion Mane Wigs. What better way to celebrate a Giants win, than letting your Pagan Wig fly?

5. Brandon Crawford mini Vacuum Cleaners. Maybe he needs a gold glove 1st. Of course, then I would suggest Gold Crawford Gloves.

6. Panda Blow-Up-and-Back-Down-Again-Dolls.  The toy that adjusts as Pablo does.

7. Ryan Vogelsong Gameday Chicken Enchiladas.  Actually, instead of a giveaway, they should serve chicken enchiladas at Orlando Cepeda's booth on games he starts.

8. Madison Bumgarner Snot Rockets...ok, I know that wouldn't go over well, or how that would even look, but at least had to throw it out there just for fun.

9. Buster Posey American Flags. Because we believe in truth, justice and the Posey way.

10. Bruce Bochy grunt button. Perfect for a desk at work. "How are you feeling today Will?"  "mmmgrrrphhhgmm"  "Oh, sorry, didn't realize the Giants were tied 1-1 in the 15th."

What's your favorite promotional idea?  What can we add to the list?