Here is the opening to my Sunday column about the Giants:
As we approach the All-Star break, let’s take stock of the San Francisco Giants. It’s especially important to take stock now, because fans fret so much about the team. You’d think the Giants were on the verge of elimination — or even extinction.
“Fret” is the correct word. Here are typical frets:
Can Pablo Sandoval ever improve his physique? (I admit to being a big fretter about the state of the Panda belly.)
Have we seen the end of Timmy as we knew him?
Is Brandon Belt the true heir apparent at first base?
You get the point.
It says here the Giants are going to make the playoffs.
To read the entire column, please click here.
lameduck
I like that they appear to play like a team. They outfkeld 3 way bump. I’ve seen Theriot bump jump too. The other sign is the acceptance of Hector Sanchez as a catcher. He can give Posey the needed rest and improve
the hitting. He should continue to improve.
Blanco IMHO, saved the team this year. Without him, Pagan doesn’t shine and the offense becomes anemic.
July 8th, 2012 1:38 am
Johnc
The Giants may make the playoffs ,but how good are they after that?. If Lincecum can return to form then they can go all the way
They need another bat in the lineup that can hit homeruns. Since you mentioned the shorstop who does not hit. neither does the first baseman Belt . Trade for someone else who can hit. Casila will need help in the bullpen so they have to acquire another closer also .
If Lincecum can turn it around they can overcome the glaring weakness of the offense which is 28th in the league driving in runs with men on base. and despite what Zito may or may not do the rest of the year. Zito can be replaced from within.
July 8th, 2012 3:28 am
Tommy CostaRica
Good take on Zito, I couldn’t root for anyone more! The way he was sat throughout the playoffs and the World Series and you never heard one word from him. He’s tough as nails, that was the most serious blow to a player’s ego I can ever remember seeing. And now he’s fighting his way back. I love the off season work he did with the head shrink who throws!
July 8th, 2012 6:39 am
Neal
The division has turned very weak, even with Sabean bad free agents signing, Huff, Freddie Sanchez, Rowand who they still are paying for, he has made good trades in Melky and Pagan. Let’s hope these guys that are doing well , are offered contracts that are fair and not excessive.
July 8th, 2012 10:06 am
Stan
My reasons why they will:
I .Lincecum discovers Mexican food,and finds that nothing gains weight like Tamales and sourcream. He cant stop,and neither do the wins..
Bruce Bochy finally settles on the ultimate cool sunglasses “I can think better when I look cool” says Bruce. (he imagines he’s 24 again..shhhhhh-dont let him know I told ya.)
Pablo,discovers that to improve his hitting..playing wiffle ball at the park with little nephews works..no,wait..that was me.
And last but not least..the whole Giant team says “Hey man its only summer once a year,lets win this thing!”…
July 8th, 2012 10:48 am
mendozaline
This is what Barry Zito said after the Giants 2010 World Series victory:
“Zito also laughed off the notion that the team might have “lost” him by taking the ball away during the playoffs.
“I don’t see that at all,” he said. “I’ve never been a candy-ass. I consider myself blue collar, not white collar. It’s not what’s owed to me. This game gives you what you put into it. I’ll start over looking for better things.”"
That was pure class from Zito.
July 8th, 2012 11:25 am
Tommy CostaRica
But Timmy is lookin’ baaaaaad today!
July 8th, 2012 12:24 pm
Frank in Minnesota
Wow…i just read about the game on the ‘net….what a fall Tim has taken……i think he needs a break, you know?
July 8th, 2012 4:03 pm
Neal
I am not going to say it is the end of Timmy, the worst pitcher in baseball but I will say that unless he takes care of himself, stop smoking Pot, might be the reason he can’t play in the heat and get in better physical shape.
July 8th, 2012 4:24 pm
Stan
Now that everybody agree’s with me-Lincecum looks like crap-and his pitching too. The hunched shoulders..and for a man who denies he has a weight problem,he sure likes to accentuate it with a baggy uniform. Or,is it he lost so much weight so fast,the Giants dont have a smaller size to use with his name?
It really looks like success with Tim has meant..good,now I can lose more weight..then failure forced him to eat to get back to success. This year? Its like he doesn’t care…just doing the fly banging his head on the screen door…until he drops and dies. The fly,that is. I hope Tim isn’t so dumb..
July 8th, 2012 7:03 pm
lameduck
OK. I’m fretting anyone else?
July 8th, 2012 8:08 pm
Stan
THE BIG QUESTION..What to do about Lincecum? I say tough love. You send him down,give him a personal manager who will make sure he eats right. Tell Lincecum,he can return from the minors after gaining 20 pounds.
I’m not sure how much more of watching a 98 pound weakling heaving the ball with every last bit of effort the Giants can watch at this point while making no demands of Lincecum. If he cant or wont change..then you make him. At least the Giants will know whether he will return to form or…he’s a lost cause here in SF.
I still feel he wants away from here…you connect the dots why..
July 9th, 2012 11:04 am
Stan
Let me refine that..at the very least,vacation him with a trainer and orders of dont come back until you’ve gained 20. If Lincecum feels insulted by the minors..at least working out while gaining lets him come right back when he’s at a proper weight.
What the Giants are doing now is running the battery until it goes completely dead..not a good strategy.
July 9th, 2012 12:25 pm