Plagued By Injures, Again

Recently closer Brian Wilson has made the headlines, again.  Bit this time it has nothing to do with his beard or his outlandish behavior -- both of which is is well know for.  This time, it is for a serious year ending injury.  Wilson will soon undergo his second "Tommy John" elbow surgery.  This is a surgery that can take up to thirteen months to recover from, and being that this is the closers second go, it might take even longer.

Although Brian Wilson was said to have shown up to Spring Training in great shape, he is still susceptible to injury just like any player out there.  Unfortunately, injuries have been an on going problem for the San Francisco Giants.  Injures were the nail in their coffin last year, and they are creeping into the year as well.  Wilson is major force in the Giants bullpen.  He is an intimidating presence, and he has the talent to back it up.  There is no doubt that the Giants will feel the impact of this lose.

But, as they do in baseball, the politics are slowing coming into view.  The 2013 season will be the last for Wilson before he is up for arbitration.  This presents a big decision for the Giants management, there are a few options they can take.  First, they could try and offer him a 20% pay cut, which is the max allowed, bring his salary down to $6.4 million.  Keep in mind that Wilson will still be recovering at the beginning of the 2013 season and he will most likely be limited in the number of innings and pitches he will be able to throw.  Or, they could set Wilson out as a free agent, and then try and bring him back in at a much lower salary.  This is a risky choice, being that they might lose Wilson completely, but that is a risk I think they could live with.

Let's say they send Wilson out into the land of the free agents, and he gets picked up by someone else for a nice long term high money contract.  The Giants still have the option of bringing back Santiago Casilla and Jeremy Affeldt for around the same price that they would pay for Wilson.  Let's not forget that we still have plenty of depth in our bull pen.

But letting a player go in this fashion does not show any loyalty on the Giants part.  It is funny how this can work both ways, how a game can come down to politics.  And, it will not be a pleaser for us fans.  Giants fans and non-fans alike enjoy watching Wilson take the mound to do what he does best; strike people out!  We always want to see our favorite players stay with our team, but this is not always the case.  So only time will tell with what will happen to Brian Wilson over the coarse of the next year.  I for one just hope that he is able to come back from this surgery and still throw well.  And weather he is doing it n a Giants jersey or not, I'm sure we will all still be fearing the beard.

Rules: For Fans?!

So, for those of you who don't know, AT&T Park has a few more rules than your typical ball park.  Some of which I can understand, some of which are just a little ridiculous.  I came across this "Park Etiquette" list on SFist.com.

Now, some of these "rules" I can understand.  Don't scream profanities in front of kids; check.  Smoke your weed outside of the stadium; sound advise that many people need to take into consideration.  But no WAVE!  That is just unacceptable, the wave was my favorite part of the game when I was a kid.  You are waiting in anticipation, hoping that your timing is just right -- then -- you nail it, and you are part of something that each and every fan of baseball experiences.

Now I know this is San Francisco, and you can find Sushi at AT&T Park just as easily as you can find a hot dog, but there comes a point when too many rules can take away the enthusiasm of the fans.  I truly believe that it is every fans right to have a good time in at the game and to do so in a safe environment.  The violence between fans that sometimes comes with a baseball game is purely unacceptable.  I think that there could be more strict rules about the distribution of alcohol.  If someone appears to have had enough to drink, don't serve them anymore, or hire a few more security guards to monitor the hallways. But there is a fine line between monitoring and keeping the peace, and telling the crowd just exactly how they should behave while at the game.

I understand that there are many adults out there that just can't seem to pull it together and act like adults, there will always be a few bad apples.  But in the end, people need to be reminded that this is just a game, it is just a game!  And though I love to see my team win, my life still goes on either way.  I think this article could really be summed up in a few sentences; Don't be an asshole, come on down to the game, have fun with the rest of us, and if you can't handle that, just stay home!! 

Rules can be good, they are there for a reason, but let's not get too carried away.  I would hate to lose some of the wonderful traditions that come with watching a live baseball game.  And one of those is cheering loud and clear, and often.  So let's keep the golf claps, for well, golf, and let us keep our wave!

Here is the article for those who wish to read.  Baseball is about being outside with friends and family in an open friendly environment.  Be kind to other fans.  But be careful what you ask for, pretty soon we will be having a mandatory 7th inning yoga stretch, instead of just trying to get one more beer before last call.

http://sfist.com/2012/04/23/att_etiquette_for_new_giants_fans.php

5 more years of Bumgarner

Once again, the Giants have brought out the big bucks to keep there bullpen stacked.  The very young (22) and very talented Madison Bumgarner was given a $35 million, five-year extension.  The deal includes the option of a two year extension which could keep Bumgarner as a Giant through 2019.  After that, Bumgarner may become a free agent at the age of 30, leaving him plenty of good years left in his career.

     To me, this seems like a no brainer.  Bumgarner has been a strong force for the Giants in his short two years with the team.  His calm and cool attitude has brought his success on the mound, and has played a key role in our bullpen.  These are just a few reasons why Bumgarner has been offered the most lucrative extension given to a player with only two years of pitching in the majors.

     His career 21-20 record has been even with his year record of 1-1.  But he is built like a pitcher that will have a long and lucrative career.  Let's hope that he is not plagued by the Giants curse of injury, and that he keeps throwing great and winning games.

Tailgating

     There is an entire part of baseball (most sports for that matter) that is separate from the game it self; tailgating.  Tailgating consists of BBQ, drinks, and friends all gathered in the stadium parking lot.  It is a way for fans to prepare for the upcoming game, and a chance to get nice and buzzed before you have to spend $8 on a beer inside the stadium.  But tailgating is more than just standing around in a parking lot chugging beer bong after beer bong.  It takes preparation...

So here are some simple things that you need to have a successful tailgate party...

• Find a good spot in the parking lot.  Make sure that everyone in your group knows where the general meeting area is otherwise, you might never find each other.

• Bring a grill and plenty of food to cook.  I would recommend going with the most essential food of baseball, the hot dog.  

• Bring plenty of beverages as you will be out in the sun on acres of hot asphalt, and you will get thirsty.  I would recommend beer, it quenches your thirst and it's made with water so you will stay hydrated.  And just in case it gets cold, I also bring plenty of whiskey which will help keep you warm.  

     Now, the only thing left for you to do is eat and drink and hangout with friends.  Talk about the upcoming game, or your favorite player, or just stand in a circle and shotgun beers.  The choice is yours.  But, make sure that you have a flask to fill up with the left over whiskey that you can sneak into the game.  I would suggest you hide it somewhere the security will not check, any more details would ruin the integrity of this family oriented blog.

And we are off...

Normally, it would be a total let down that we got swept in our first series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  But, you really have to look at the bright side here...  In the first three games, the Giants scored a total of 14 runs.  This is an average of 4.7 runs per game which is a huge improvement from last year 3.5.  The main focus for the Giants this year is to improve base running -- offense in general -- and most of all runs scored per game.  So, not all was lost in our first series against the 2011 National League West champions D-Backs, they are a tough team to beat and we will have plenty more games against them.  The first few weeks is all about looking toward the future and focusing on the positive.

One of those positives is that Buster Posey proved that he is back in his top performing shape with his first home run of the regular 2012 season.  This has fans in high hopes for our team this year, it was an epic lose last year when Posey was taken out at the plate by Cousins, cutting his year short and facing him with a long and difficult recovery.  But he is already proving that he took the necessary steps to heal well, and heal right.  Now along with the bats of Pablo Sandoval and new comer Melky Cabrera, Giants fans can hopefully look forward to some excitement from the offense.  Let's hope that it no longer lays dormant like it did last season.  Keep your eye on Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt for some big swinging improvements, i think they will be a huge key in our success.

So, even though we might be off to a slow start, the Giants are still looking good.  Plus, there are still 159 games left to play!  The key for the Giants this year will be to stay injury free, the amount of injuries was just too much to keep us on top last year.  Head coach Bruce Bochy and his staff have always made great decisions on keeping players healthy and performing in top condition.  Let's just hope that the world is turning with us, and that we can stay strong until the end of September... and beyond! 

The Final Countdown

This Friday is opening day!  I cannot wait for the regular season to start.  Although the Giants start season play in Arizona against the Diamondbacks, they will be opening at AT&T Park on Friday April the 13th against the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Click here for there schedule.

I, as usual, will be going to the Oakland A's opener this friday where they'll be playing the Mariners.  It's not quite like catching the game at AT&T, but it's still watching baseball with good friends!  Opening day means alot to fans, it marks the end of a long waited out winter break, and the start of many great games to come.  Hopes are high for fans and players alike at the beggining of the season.  Every team is starting off fresh, and the first couple of weeks is always filled with action. 

So, here is to the return of tailgaiting, bbq, freinds and family, and warmer days ahead.

LET'S GO GIANTS!!

Cain signed through 2017

     The Giants have drawn up a $127 million contract for right hander Matt Cain that will keep him on the team till 2017.  This contract has made Cain the highest-paid right-handed pitcher in baseball.

     This will assure that the Giants will maintain a key part of our fierce pitching staff for the next few years.  As many fans know,  our pitching has been the key to Giants wins the last few seasons.  In fact it is the only thing that has been keeping them alive!  There are a few that think the contract is a bad idea.  Such as this article by Ryan Bothmann from bleacherreport.com.  But I'm not sure that I agree with what he says.  There is more to it than just taking the huge financial risk.  Teams like the familiarity of faces around the club house.  There is a camaraderie that is built between players.  One aspect of a pitchers success is his confidence in a catcher.  Lincecum had a problem with Posey when he was first brought up, his numbers fell drastically in August; something that he said was his unfamiliarity of Posey.  Soon, Lincecum would come to have confidence in Posey, and in himself.  As a fan, we like to see those familiar faces too.  Matt Cain is a pillar in the Giants foundation.

     Although the contract is for a few more years than one might like, and for a few more millions than we can really afford, in my opinion, keeping Cain on the pitching staff is a vital move for the Giants.  He has done nothing but right by us, and he is a hard working right-hander that is moving well into veteran status.  Matt Cain will be a pitcher that others will look up to and look to for advice.  Cain is already proving that he has worked hard in the off season, he is throwing hard and well.

So, I say good for us!  We need to keep control of our strengths, and right now pitching is our strength, and continue to work on our weaknesses -- our hitting.  I think this is a great move by the Giants organization.  Cain is a face and name that all Giants fans know, and love.  He is a positive presence around the club house and in the bull pen.  I am looking forward to the many years that we will get to watch him throw pitches with a Giants jersey on.