Thank You Boch!

source: KNBR

Today marked the end of the 2019 season for the San Francisco Giants and the last game in a managerial position for Bruce Bochy.

Found myself awed by the number of former players from the time Boch was hired as the Giants manager in 2007.

If you're a Giants fan and missed the live broadcast as I did, it's already available on YouTube.



Wish you well in retirement, Boch. We already miss you.

1989 San Francisco Giants 30th Reunion

source: AP
Will Clark

This afternoon at Oracle Park,  members of the 1989 National League Champions San Francisco Giants held their 30th reunion.

For me, 1989 remains forever etched in memory, specifically, October 17. Game 3 of the Bay Bridge World Series.

At 5:04 pm, the Loma Prieta Earthquake happened. Jeff took me to the airport earlier in the day for my flight to Columbus.

Among the former Giants who attended today's reunion: Kevin Mitchell, Dave Dravecky, Mike Krukow, manager Roger Craig, former owner Bob Lurie, Robby Thompson and Will "The Thrill" Clark. Current Giants CEO Larry Baer announced Clark's 22 jersey will be retired after the 2019 season. In my opinion, it was long overdue.

Clark follows legends such as Willie Mays, Mel Ott (4), Juan Marichal (27), Willie McCovey (44), Orlando Cepeda (30), and most recently, Barry Bonds (25).

If you missed it earlier, here's today's ceremony:

Pablo Pitches in a Pinch

source: Jeff Chiu, AP
Pablo Sandoval, relief pitching
SF Giants vs LA Dodgers, 28 April 2018

I haven't posted in the past 2 weeks due to a bunch of weekend bowling activities.

April 14 and 15 - worked and bowled in Pacifica at Sea Bowl for the SFUSBC City Tournament.

April 21 and 22 - in Reno at the National Bowling Stadium bowling Women's USBC Championships.

Today, Women's Peninsula USBC Open at Bel Mateo (where I bowl Monday nights).

Yesterday, back in Pacifica at Sea Bowl for the yearly meeting and election of SFUSBC Directors. Appointment approved and got my navy association polo to make it all official.

Also yesterday, the Giants and Dodgers played a doubleheader (day and evening game). The day game was to makeup April 6's rained out game in San Francisco.

Had it not been for the doubleheader, it was unlikely we would have seen 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval make his pitching debut.

Since Pablo's return to San Francisco late last season, he's performed admirably in a utility/supporting role. He's played 3rd and 1st base and is listed as an emergency back up catcher for the Giants.

He added another position to his player résumé. Relief pitcher.

The Giants were down 15-6 with another game still yet to play. On those occasions where the game is a blowout, a MLB team will have a position player come in to pitch.

Enter the Panda.

He pitched a perfect 9th inning. 3 infield ground balls = 3 outs. If you missed it yesterday as I did, here it is:

A Fond Farewell To Matt Cain

source: Zimbio

Two weeks ago, former San Francisco Giant pitcher Ryan Vogelsong retired (see blog entry September 17, 2017).

Yesterday, it was Matt Cain.

Drafted out of high school in the 1st round in 2002, he made his MLB debut in 2005. At the age of 33 (today's his birthday), he made the decision to end his career with the same team that gave him his start.

There isn't enough to say how much Matt's 13 years with the Giants means. He will forever remain etched in team history for his perfect game on June 13, 2012 - the first and only perfect game (to date) in the Giants franchise.

His last start yesterday was the perfect way to end a stellar career. 5 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, 0 earned runs.

The Giants lost the game 4-3 to the Padres but it did not diminish in any way Matt's emotional farewell. The waterworks began as soon as the dugout hugs started. Tears flowed freely when I saw 2nd baseman Joe Panik in tears. Then toward the end, the long hug with fellow ace Madison Bumgarner.  I lost it.

Goodbye, Matt. We are going to miss you so much.

Ryan Vogelsong retires as a San Francisco Giant

source: Ezra Stone / Getty Images

"...I don't know where I'm gonna be at next year. Or what the front of my jersey's gonna say. But I do know one thing. I will always - always - be a Giant."

--Ryan Vogelsong, October 4, 2015, San Francisco's last home game of the season.

If you're a regular follower of my blog, you already know I'm a huge Ryan Vogelsong fan. My September 23, 2012 blog entry titled "Resilient - Ryan Vogelsong" got the attention of Ryan's wife Nicole on Twitter.

Knowing he wouldn't be with the team after the 2015 season, Vogelsong signed a 1-year contract in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2017, he failed to earn a roster spot with the Minnesota Twins and made the decision to retire.

This past week, the San Francisco Giants signed Ryan to a 1-day contract so he could officially retire with the team that drafted him in 1998 as a 5th round draft choice.

In a season that has had a lot more lows than highs, it was a very nice distraction to see Ryan back in a Giants uniform wearing his familiar #32. He threw 3 warmup pitches, waved to the cheering crowd with a couple of pats to his chest acknowledging his heartfelt appreciation.

I'll close with a YouTube video I shared on my June 5, 2016 blog entry:



Yes, Ryan, you are forever a Giant.

Woeful Weekend Without Wins

Oklahoma defeats Ohio State, 31-16
9-9-17

It was a big fat goose egg for all my sports teams this weekend.

NCAA - Ohio State, ranked #2 at gametime, lost to #5 Oklahoma, 31-16. The game was close (3-3 at the half) until the 4th quarter. Then Oklahoma took over.

PBA - US lost to Europe for the 5th consecutive year in Weber Cup, 18-12. As a big fan of Team Europe's captain Dom Barrett, the loss didn't sting so much. Of course, it helps to have the entire team return from last year (Martin Larsen, Jesper Svensson and Stu Williams).

There's a lot to be said about having bowled previously in Weber Cup. US newcomer/2017 PBA Player of the Year EJ Tackett was manhandled in a singles match versus Stu Williams.

MLB - In what has been the worst season in 32 years, the San Francisco Giants lost to the Chicago White Sox 13-1, and today, 8-1.

NFL - Kyle Shanahan's coaching debut with the San Francisco 49ers results in a 23-3 loss.

It was an 0-for-4 weekend. Ugh.

Tomorrow's another day. And a new bowling season of Monday night league. You can't win if you haven't experience loss.

Madison Bumgarner - 2016 Home Run Derby?

source: Deadspin

As I lick my wounds from tonight's Game 7 Golden State Warriors devastating loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, I'll focus on another Bay Area positive - The San Francisco Giants. Currently in first place in the National League West, the Giants sweep the weekend series over the Tampa Rays (in Tampa) earlier today.

I have never been comfortable with my teams doing too well too early. Case in point: tonight's Warriors loss. Seasons are long and grinding. How a team plays during the regular season doesn't always extend to post-season. Just ask the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 World Series. Or the 2014 Washington Nationals.

I'll end with a personal, quiet campaign to permit Madison Bumgarner participate in this year's Home Run Derby at next month's MLB All-Star Game. Likely won't happen, but what the hell. Perhaps YouTube's MrHighlightVideos featuring Bum's career homers might help.

Madison Bumgarner - 2 starts, 2 wins, 2 home runs

source: Deadspin

It wasn't enough for San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner to attain 2 post-season MVP's in 2014.

This past week, Mr. Incredible/Paul Bunyan/John Wayne hit 2 home runs in his last 2 starts. His 2015 season-to-date total = 5. It's the most home runs hit by a pitcher since Carlos Zambrano (Chicago Cubs) in 2006.

Oh, and he won both those games too. For Giants fans that can't get enough, here they are:

August 16:


August 21:


Gotta love his home run trot too. Head down, no flash. Barry Sanders would be proud.

San Francisco Giants World Series Ring Ceremonies

2010 World Series Ring Ceremony
source: AP

2012 World Series Ring Ceremony
source: AP

2014 World Series Ring Ceremony
source: AP

Today, the San Francisco Giants held their third World Series ring ceremony.

For each ceremony, the Giants wore special edition home uniforms with the lettering in gold.

You'll notice all of them are familiar yet different takes on their regular home uniforms.

Some of the players in the photos include:

2010: Aaron Rowand, Cody Ross, Andres Torres, Mark DeRosa, Aubrey Huff.

2012: Barry Zito, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong, Javier Lopez.

2014: Hunter Pence, Sergio Romo, Gregor Blanco.

Raising the 2012 World Championship Flag - San Francisco Giants

source: MLB.com/YouTube
L to R: Sergio Romo, Angel Pagan, Hunter Pence, Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong

MLB's 2015 season begins tomorrow. Two years ago today, the 2013 season began with raising the 2012 World Championship Banner at AT&T Park. A repeat of this ceremony to raise the 2014 World Championship flag will take place at the Giants' home opener versus the Colorado Rockies on Monday, April 13.

For all Giants fans like me that feel 8 days is too far away, here's an encore of the video. So comforted to know all 6 players are on the 2015 Opening Day roster.

Play ball!

Ryan Vogelsong signs another 1-year deal with San Francisco Giants

source: US Presswire, Bleacher Report

When the San Francisco Giants captured a third World Series title in five years, it's a given that the roster in October won't be the same roster in April 2015.

Two key players from the 2014 team, Michael Morse and Pablo Sandoval, have signed with new teams. Morse is now with the Miami Marlins. Sandoval signed with the Boston Red Sox.

Another player who became a free agent at the end of the 2014 season is pitcher Ryan Vogelsong. After the 2013 season, it took some time, but I knew the Giants would resign him.

I was pretty sure this wouldn't be the case in 2014. Just 3 days ago, it was reported Vogelsong would sign with the Houston Astros. Later that same day, I was relieved to read that Vogelsong's deal with the Astros fell through. This past Friday, Vogelsong signed a 1-year $4 million contract for 2015 to remain with the Giants.

Whew.

I've been a big Ryan Vogelsong fan since he rejoined the Giants in 2011 (San Francisco drafted him in the 5th round in 1998). His promotion to the starting rotation came at a very low point in my life (heartbroken and unemployed). It was then I read a moving, poignant article written by San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler (June 9, 2011), "Ryan Vogelsong's long, strange trip to SF Giants".

I cried when I read it then. It still makes me cry when I read it now. Mostly because I found Ryan's persistence, resilience and loyalty finally got him back to where he started.

Yes, there are arguments that Vogelsong's game isn't what it was in 2011 and 2012. His 2014 post season (no-decisions in 3 starts) was far from his stellar outings in 2012 (3-0 - see October 21, 2012 blog entry). But the team's run production was achingly low during his starts. Plus, in the 7 post season games he started, the Giants have won them all.

As of this writing, the Giants pitching rotation isn't set in stone, which is why the Giants resigned Vogelsong. Matt Cain and Tim Hudson will be returning from surgery. Tim Lincecum's last 3 seasons have lacked consistency. As it was in 2011, Vogelsong may not begin 2015 as a starter. And he's OK with that.

From being drafted in 1998 to 2 World Series titles in 2012 and 2014, I'd be OK with that too.

Farewell to the Flan Man

source MiLB.com

San Francisco Giants nation has suffered 2 losses in the past 2 days. Yesterday, 3rd baseman and 2012 World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval signed a 5-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.

Today, Giants 3rd base coach Tim Flannery announced his retirement. Most Giants fans know 'Flan' for his band, The Lunatic Fringe, and their involvement in community events, most notably, their work in assisting Bryan Stow, a Giants fan severely injured in a parking lot at Dodgers stadium in March 2011.

In his role as 3rd base coach, Flan is famous for his animated, enthusiastic directions to Giants baserunners. During the 2014 post season, he amused fans with his overestimation of Buster Posey's baserunning speed. Posey was thrown out at home 3 times.

My favorite memory of Tim Flannery was on May 25, 2013 in a home game versus the Colorado Rockies. In the bottom of the 10th inning, the Giants were down 5-4. Angel Pagan hits a deep driving shot into right field, enabling baserunner Brandon Crawford to score and tie the game. Flannery appears near the end of the video clip. He frantically waves Pagan home while in a sprint alongside Pagan on the way to a walk-off inside-the-park home run to win the game 6-5. For me, it was the most memorable moment for the 2013 season.



Man oh man, Flan. I wish you nothing but the best for you and your family. I'm going to miss you and Pablo so much.

2014 World Series Film

source: SF Examiner

Last Monday (November 10) Fox Sports 1 aired 2014's World Series Film. As I did in 2012, I recorded it on my DVR when it re-aired Wednesday morning.

I immediately watched when I got home from bowling and watched it again the next evening. The DVD is on order at Amazon and will be available to ship on November 25.

Like I did with the 2012 World Series film, I'll probably watch the DVR recording at least once a week for the next year.

As mentioned in my November 25, 2012 entry, the team that wins the World Series usually chooses a well-known actor who is an avid fan of the team.

For the 2010 film, it was Rob Schneider. 2012, Benjamin Bratt. 2013 (Boston Red Sox), Ben Affleck. This year's narrator, Colin Hanks.

The 2012 film ended with a very funny segment of Giants players doing Hunter Pence impersonations. For 2014, players did impersonations of none other than NLCS and World Series MVP, Madison Bumgarner.

Below is a video clip. Performances by Bruce Bochy, Jeremy Affeldt, Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, Bumgarner's post season housemate Tim Hudson, Javier Lopez, 2012's subject Hunter Pence, and Michael Morse.

My Favorite Highlights of SF Giants' 2014 Post Season

source: SFGiants.com
L to R: Madison Bumgarner, Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence

Without a doubt, Madison Bumgarner dominated the 2014 post season. Without him, San Francisco does not get a third World Series title in 5 years.

But the humble Bumgarner will tell you as well as all Giants players and management, they credit their success as a team effort.

For example, 3rd baseman Pablo Sandoval batted .366 with 26 hits. Right fielder and media darling Hunter Pence batted .333 with 22 hits. If Bumgarner hadn't overwhelmed with his cyborg like statistics: 52.2 innings pitched, 7 appearances, 6 of them starts (including a complete game shutout), a stingy 1.03 ERA, Pence or Sandoval would have been a shoo-in for World Series or NLCS MVP.

Pitching, defense and "small ball" were the key components for the Giants to capture World Series titles in 2010, 2012, and 2014. In the photo for this blog entry, 3 of the 4 players - Bumgarner, Sandoval, and Posey have played on all 3 championship teams. None are yet at the age of 30. Pence, with 2 World Series rings, is the oldest at 31.

So I'll close out with my favorite highlights of the San Francisco's 2014 post season run to the World Series.

NLCS, Game 5, bottom 9th inning.
Left fielder (natural 1st baseman) Travis Ishikawa hits a 3-run walk-off home run to win the National League pennant. See October 17 blog entry.



World Series, Game 7, top 3rd inning.
Rookie 2nd baseman Joe Panik dives for a smash off Kansas City's Eric Hosmer. Not only does Panik stop the ball, he flips the ball from his glove hand to shortstop Brandon Crawford to force out baserunner Lorenzo Cain. Crawford is then able to relay a strong throw to 1st baseman Brandon Belt. The initial call of safe at 1st base is overturned and changed to a double play. The momentum the Royals had gathered until the double play suddenly ended.



World Series, Game 4, bottom 5th inning.
Giants are down 4-3. Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson makes an awesome diving catch in shallow center field off Giants batter Juan Perez. Hunter Pence, on 3rd base knows Dyson is going to have a hard time making a strong throw to home plate after the diving catch. Pence tags up and scores to tie the game 4-4.



World Series, Game 4, top 6th inning.
Score is tied 4-4. Brandon Belt fields a ground ball hit by Kansas City's Nori Aoki. Belt touches 1st base, then throws to Crawford who relays a strong throw back to Belt to complete the 3-6-3 double play.



Wild Card Elimination Game, top 1st inning.
A do-or-die game and the first playoff game for the Giants, Brandon Crawford's grand slam home run at PNC Park to start the game sets the stage for another successful run to a third World Series title in five years.



Honorable Mention, Michael Morse. NLCS Game 5, bottom 8th inning and World Series Game 7, top 4th inning.
His home run in NLCS Game 5 ties the game at 3-3 versus the St. Louis Cardinals.
His RBI single in World Series Game 7 allows Pablo Sandoval to score and break the 2-2 tie in the top of the 4th inning, ends up being the final score and enables San Francisco to win their third World Series Championship in 5 years.



Special thanks to G4MarchMadness for the terrific YouTube videos.

Quest for Three: Congratulations San Francisco Giants, 2014 World Series Champions

source: posterrevolution.com

And now, 2014.


YES! YES! YES!


You guys rock.

Big, big congratulations to 2014 NLCS and World Series MVP/Stud, Madison Bumgarner, for his outstanding post season efforts.


Bumgarner, along with 7 other Giants active on the 2014 World Series roster were members of the 2010 and 2012 teams.


Jeremy Affeldt
Santiago Casilla
Tim Lincecum
Javier Lopez
Buster Posey
Sergio Romo
Pablo Sandoval

Dynasty? In the age of the 162 game schedule, free agency and wild card playoffs, it's pretty damn close.

Memories of October 16 and 17 - We Own The Pennant

image source: Twitter, @SF Giants

October 16 is going to hold a lot of wonderful memories for me.

Five years ago yesterday, it was a dinner with Jeff and longtime friends at PPQ, one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Twenty-five years ago today, it was the Loma Prieta earthquake (see blog entry, October 17, 2013)

Last night, it was the San Francisco Giants in post-season.

After building a reputation for pitching, defense and mastering the art of "small ball", the San Francisco Giants win their third National League Pennant in five years - with 2 home runs in the 8th and 9th inning.

Michael Morse, pinch hitting for pitcher Madison Bumgarner:

Then, in the 9th inning, Travis Ishikawa, who was on the 2010 team and returned to the Giants this year, hammers a 3-run walk-off homer and enable the Giants to make it to another World Series.

I'll never tire of seeing these clips over and over again. WOW.

AT&T Park - The Gotham Club

image source: The Gotham Club, San Francisco

Introduction at the website's home page:  If you have ever played for the New York Gothams, New York Giants, or San Francisco Giants, you are a member. If you have never played for the Gothams or Giants, this is your opportunity to join.

Club venues: The Clubhouse, The Bullpen, and The Game Room. As a bowler and avid San Francisco Giants fan, this would be my ultimate gift of a lifetime.

However, I can only wish. Membership is invitation only with a $2,500 initiation fee with $1,250 annual dues.

Oh well.

Bruce vs. Bruce, the encore

image source: Bruce Lee Foundation

Last week, on July 20, martial arts legend Bruce Lee would have been 74 years old.

Almost 2 years ago (September 4, 2012), the San Francisco Giants honored the San Francisco native with Bruce Lee Tribute night at AT&T Park.

In my opinion, this was one of the best tribute ideas the Giants organization has ever had. My absolute favorite part of the tribute was the promotional video, "Bruce vs. Bruce" (the other Bruce, Giants skipper Bruce Bochy).

I've watched the video at least a dozen times. Thrilling, brilliant, ultra cool and very funny. See it again here:

25th Anniversary of Dave Dravecky's comeback

source: DaveDravecky.com

Yesterday's San Francisco Giants game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated the 25th anniversary of former left-handed pitcher Dave Dravecky.

In October 1988, a year after Dravecky was traded from the San Diego Padres to the Giants, he underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his throwing arm.

As detailed in his Wikipedia biography, doctors had advised Dravecky not to pitch until the 1990 season. However, by July 1989, Dravecky was pitching in the minors. The next month, on August 10, Dravecky started against the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched 8 innings and won the game, 4-3.

It was Dravecky's next start against the Montreal Expos in the 5th inning he experienced tingling in his arm. In the 6th inning, he gave up a home run. He hit the next batter, Andres Galarraga. After Galarraga, Dravecky then pitched to Tim Raines. His humerus bone snapped.

Upon review of x-rays, it was found another malignant tumor had formed. The cancer returned. Two more surgeries would follow, and in 1991, Dravecky had his left arm and shoulder amputated. Dravecky went on to become a motivational speaker, which he still does today.

A San Francisco Giants/MLB short video on last year's anniversary can be found at Dave Dravecky's website. You can also view it here. Below is a short YouTube video summarizing his life after baseball:

2013 GIBBY Award Winner - Pitching Performance of the Year - Tim Lincecum, SF Giants

image source: MLB.com

A big congratulations to San Francisco Giants Tim Lincecum as winner of the 2013 Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards (GIBBY) - Pitching Perfomance of the Year.

Timmy pitched the no-hitter on July 13, 2013.
As was noted in my blog entry on that date, it was the 7th no-hitter in San Francisco Giants history (15th in franchise history) and the first no-hitter in San Diego's Petco Park.

Buster Posey, who caught Tim's game, also caught Matt Cain's June 13, 2012 perfect game. Buster is the only catcher in Giants franchise history to catch 2 no-hitters.

And, if you're so inclined to watch, FlyingHellFish99 was kind enough to put San Francisco's broadcast of the game on YouTube. In HD too.