I was in the Giants clubhouse early this morning, there to interview players for my Sunday column. While I waited, I chatted with a cameraman from a local tv station — I won’t name the station. His camera was on a tripod pointed in a certain direction — it has to be pointed somewhere — but the photographer was not behind the camera looking through the lens. He was talking to me. One player — I won’t name the player… Read More »
Here is the beginning of my Thursday column about the Giants losing to the Dbacks and about the Giants’ temporary onset of mental sloppiness: SAN FRANCISCO It is bad form to criticize the Giants. It’s early in the season. They are contending in their division. They are the defending world champs. And they are good. But they just lost two of three to the rival Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona won 3-2 on Wednesday and the Giants’ bullpen failed, or as Bruce… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Thursday column about Barry Zito shutting out the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday: SAN FRANCISCO Change Barry Zito’s name to Barry Zero. Zero has a good ring to it and it’s appropriate because Zito/Zero has given up, get this, no runs in two starts this season, as in zero, as in 0.00 earned run average. As in zilch. Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum wish they could change their names to Zero. But they can’t. Here… Read More »
Here is the opening to my column about the Giants’ home opener: SAN FRANCISCO Pregame. Introduce entire lineups for Giants and Cardinals including trainers. Hoist that World Series pennant up the pole. Bruce Bochy brings in the World Series trophy. Cheering. Nostalgia. Tradition. Etc. OK, that was the scene setter for the Giants’ home opener, a 1-0 win over St. Louis. Now can we talk ball? This was the perfect game for the Giants to launch the defense of their… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Sunday column, the Giants season preview. With the Giants it’s the pitching. Never forget that. The Giants are a pitching staff supplemented by Buster Posey and the “other guys.” The other guys change from time to time, but the pitching stays the same, at least for now. The Giants have those great starters, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito et al. And the Giants have that shut-you-down bullpen — Sergio Romo (lots… Read More »
The Giants gave Buster Posey an eight-year contract starting in 2014. It’s being reported the deal is for $159 million. Add in the bargain rate they have Buster for in 2013 — $8 million — and the total deal is nine years at $167 million. As some of you may remember, I would not have given Posey all that dough so fast. Not that I am in the business of signing players for the Giants. I advised caution. See how… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Sunday column about Buster Posey: Should the Giants lock up Buster Posey to a long-term deal? Should they do it right now? The question is pertinent — you might say essential — because the Giants and Posey’s representatives are talking right now. They are talking quietly, no big announcements, no trumpet fanfares. But they definitely are talking. Posey wants a 10-year deal worth many millions of dollars. This has been reported. And Posey, almost… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Thursday column about Tim Lincecum: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. … kind of – Please notice the dateline on this column. It says Scottsdale, Ariz. kind of. I’ve been back from Arizona a week now but the scene I’m writing about took place outside the Giants’ clubhouse in Scottsdale Stadium, so I included the dateline even though I’ve been home and writing about the World Baseball Classic with a San Francisco dateline. I didn’t want you to… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Sunday column about Giants’ right fielder Hunter Pence: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With Hunter Pence it’s the eyes. You walk up to some players early on a spring-training morning and the eyes look away. It’s like — “This is way too soon for talk. Let me drink my coffee and get ready for life.” Not with Pence. His eyes are inviting. You might even say absorbing. They are open wider than most eyes, almost startled,… Read More »
Here is the opening to my Sunday column. In it Bruce Bochy analyzes his team: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Imagine me as a stand-in for you. The other day, I met privately with Bruce Bochy and asked basic questions about his team, questions I imagine you would ask. I hope you enjoy. Cohn: You have lots of guys at the World Baseball Classic — seven major leaguers, one minor leaguer. Does this negatively impact the Giants? Bochy: I don’t think so.… Read More »
