“The one thing I don’t want to do that I’m afraid I probably will do is end up crying,” Sergio Romo said. “I don’t know emotionally how I’m going to feel. Not only running out there but … walking off.”
News from
@TheAthletic
: 👇🏻
Gabe Kapler told reporters in Cincinnati that he doesn't plan on coming out for the national anthem and that will be his plan going forward "until I feel better about the direction of our country."
Gonna say this once and log off: Giants officials have made it clear to me they are not banning Aubrey Huff because they dislike or disagree with his political views. They believe he has crossed the line when it comes to misogyny, vulgarity and common decency. Words matter.
Buster Posey and his wife are adopting identical twin girls. That is why he has missed time in camp. The twins were born prematurely and stable but will be in NICU for some time. He is opting out of the season.
Hey MLB owners, you invested in a baseball franchise and not an effing hedge fund. Start acting like you give a crap about your fans and pay the players their prorated salaries. If you make me cover a 50-game bastard season, I’m gonna blast its legitimacy every chance I get.
Not how you draw it up with Antoan Richardson getting ejected, but Alyssa Nakken becomes the first female coach to make an on-field appearance in a major league game.
Arnold Palmer was a great golfer who also will be remembered for inventing the delicious combination of ice tea and lemonade. Jack Nicklaus is a dumbass who can drink a tall glass of shut the f*£# up.
This is sure to inspire a ton of reaction: The Giants have informed Aubrey Huff, their top offensive player from the legendary 2010 World Series team, that he will not be invited to participate in anniversary celebrations this year. Our exclusive story:
When Kris Bryant and family checked into their hotel, there were SF jerseys on the bed + a closet full of gear. His 16-month-old son had a jersey, too. "Kyler would not let go of the jersey last night. He's recognizing the Giants logo now and keeps saying `Daddy' to that logo."
Last night, Tyler and Taylor Rogers were sipping their postgame beers together. One of them said to the other, “You know, we’ve been catch partners our whole lives but we’ve still never played catch on a major league field.” So today, they are.
Our headline has been updated with more details: Sources confirm Tommy Pham slapped Joc Pederson across the face after confronting him about a disagreement stemming from their fantasy football league.
Some news: The Giants formally interviewed assistant coach Alyssa Nakken for their managerial role, according to sources. She's believed to be the first woman to become an official candidate for an MLB club's top uniformed job. Story:
Baseball is worried about losing young fans because of pace of play? How about a third of the teams not trying to win? Ask a Pirates fan today if they're concerned about pace of play.
Bumgarner: “I can’t even say it with a straight face but the more I think about it, I should just let the kids play. But I just ... I can’t. ... They want to let everybody be themselves, then let me be myself. That’s me.”
Carlos Rodón said an All-Star snub hurts more for guys who haven’t received the honor in the past. He seemed more bothered that his former White Sox teammate, Dylan Cease, was left off. “He put together a first half better than a lot of guys on that list.”
Jeff Samardzija with a spicy reply when asked about playing in fan-less ballparks: "I wouldn't put the carriage before the horse. I think we've seen from the owners they're not afraid to put anyone at risk, especially if it makes them money."
There’s a generation of Braves and Cubs fans from all over. Know why? BECAUSE PEOPLE COULD WATCH THE GAMES. If baseball isn’t affordable and accessible, then it is hurtling toward its extinction as a major sport. No matter how much they futz with the rules.
@extrabaggs
Manfred & everyone in charge of mlb content should be kicked out before baseball is dead in 20 years & beyond when older generations is gone fans are going to be non existent. It should be way easier to watch your favorite team. MLB is atrocious at handling its own media content
I don’t care what “era” the Hall of Fame is selecting from this time for the Frick Award. Just give it to Duane Kuiper and put Mike Krukow in alongside him. 🐐 🐐 This masterful call, especially after everything Kuip has endured, is an all-time classic.
Congrats to ESPN for hiring a guy who interviews Brandon Crawford live and decides to ask if he puts balsamic vinaigrette in his hair and what he plans to eat after the game.
Wearing a mask in public is not a sign of weakness or complicity. It is a sign of love. It is a sign of community. It is saying, “I am doing this for you, so that you may be inspired to do it for others.” And if you take issue with that...well, I wear a mask for you, too. ❤️
Just a reminder that Barry Bonds should have another five years of Hall of Fame eligibility after today. That rule change cutting eligibility from 15 years to 10 wasn’t advocated by the BBWAA, and for damn sure it wasn’t arbitrary.
Brandon Belt on his reaction to Posey’s retirement: “I was a little shocked … even though he told us every day of the season last year that he was gonna retire.”
Gavin Lux's drive left the bat at 106.9 mph and had an expected average of .890. The wind whipped all the way down from Candlestick Point to keep it in the ballpark.
Javy Baez did it with the Mets. Anthony Rizzo did it with the Yankees. Now Kris Bryant has homered in his Giants debut. Amazing. (And sorry, Cubs fans. 😢)
Logan Webb said the first thing he did when he got to the clubhouse was to give Camilo Doval a hug and tell him what an important part of this team he’ll be.
The Dodgers are 4-4 against the Giants.
The Dodgers are 18-5 against everyone else.
The Giants have won seven in a row.
Maybe the Giants are a good team?
I loved how Alex pronounced words like genre and Qatar. I loved how, in subtle ways, he beamed with pride when a contestant found their footing after a rough start. I loved how he championed facts and knowledge. He didn’t host a TV show. He curated a beloved institution. RIP.
Carlos Rodón officially gets it. He picked a number other than 55, out of deference to what Tim Lincecum means to Giants fans. (Rodón is here in Scottsdale but the contract hasn’t been officially announced yet.)
Tyler Rogers: “Logan Webb is a star.”
TV reporter: “I’m a little late to the party, I’m guessing you’ve been asked about Logan Webb…”
Rogers: “I SAID HE’S A STAR.”
Gabe Kapler says he fully supported Duggar stealing and Dubon bunting for a hit. The goal is to score as many runs as possible and exhaust an opponent.
Kevin Gausman: "Well, that's probably the first time I've pulled the ball. So I didn't know how to gauge it. ... Top two moments of my life. The birth of my children and that."
He’s shown contempt for players with bad-faith negotiating. He’s shown contempt for the game itself by calling the World Series trophy a hunk of metal. But the one group a commissioner can never address with sneering contempt is the fans. And he just crossed that line.
#strike3
Manfred on the reverse boycott by fans of the Oakland Athletics
"I mean, it was great. It is great to see what is this year almost an average Major League Baseball crowd in the facility for one night. That's a great thing."
And by the way
@extrabaggs
I saw you at the San Diego winter meetings last month, and you didn’t say a damn thing like this to my face as you shook my hand with a beta male smile.
@SFGiants
No matter whether they mean it or it's just so ingrained that they don't intend maliciousness: it's time to de-platform announcers like Jack Morris and Bob Brenly who say thoughtless stupid racialized shit and thus propagate more thoughtlessness. Hold people to higher standards.
If you start typing "Buster Posey can do whatever he wants, but..." into Twitter, please throw your device into a dumpster and light it on fire and walk away.
One final point: Trea Turner was placed on the COVID-19 IL today. He can't join the Dodgers until he completes mandatory quarantine and tests negative multiple times. Not sure if that impacted how much LA was willing to give up for him, but it couldn't have helped.
Kris Bryant said he’s blown away by how the Giants have received him and said he and his wife always had a sense he would end up here. What about re-signing? “It’s definitely enticing.”
Brandon Belt on KNBR just now: "People gotta know. I-AM-THE-CAPTAIN. When I walk in the clubhouse, everyone stands at attention. I think they know who's walking through that door. C or no C, I know where I stand. I'm the guy in this organization. Everybody looks up to me."🧑✈️
You know, Joe Biden is not a perfect person. But I believe he is a good person. An empathic person. A caring person. A public servant. And it is reassuring to know that someone like that will be our President again.
Ohtani camp presented Giants the exact deal that Ohtani ended up finalizing with LA. "We were agreeable to it," Zaidi said. Then Giants were told it was in Ohtani's hands. Obviously, Shohei picked Dodgers.
The Giants organization is in mourning. Longtime executive and former major league pitcher Dick Tidrow has passed away. He was 74. "Dirt" was instrumental in drafting Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, Jonathan Sanchez and so many others. This is a loss that is being deeply felt.
Kevin Gausman to Tyler Rogers after the game, on how much his rising slider moves: "You're going to hit a lefty in the face one day, and the guy's probably going to swing at it. Which is crazy to think about."
Duane Kuiper is here in Denver. He’s covering for Dave Flemming, who has golf duty this week. It’s Kuip’s first road game since 2019. And it is GREAT to have him back.
Hey
@mlb
, check out all the NBA fans hyperventilating on the first day of free agency. Teams that sign superstars now get an entire offseason to market them and sell tickets, too. Just something to think about next time you start spring training with a Bryce Harper on the couch.
Brandon Crawford texted Joc Pederson yesterday and asked if he knew where he'd sign. "Maybe Japan at this point," Joc replied. One day and one $6 million contract later, the Bay Area natives will be teammates in SF.
Among the many reasons I'll miss covering Buster Posey: He made me better at my job. Ask a cliché question and he'd be quick with a cliché answer. But give him something thoughtful to chew on and there's a good chance he'd consider it and offer a thoughtful response.
#Rangers
DH Hunter Pence could be disappointed that his injury will keep him out of the All-Star Game, after he was named a starter last week.
Instead, listen to him spit some wisdom...
Giants manager Gabe Kapler started his pregame session with very strong words in response to the racist and abusive language directed at reliever Jay Jackson after last night’s game.
@neiltyson
Making a didactic if factually accurate point does not always equate to intelligent or productive discourse. And this was neither inteligent nor productive. Disappointed to read this from you.
LaMonte Wade Jr. says his mom won’t be at the games in LA. She’s back home playing in a ping-pong tournament. “Shows where her priorities are,” he said, smiling.
Not getting the whole "the Dodgers are the favorites now" as the trade deadline dust settles. The Dodgers were the favorites last week. They were the favorites in April. They were the favorites in the spring. The Giants had to keep proving people wrong. How has that changed?
Darin Ruf just spoke with reporters He asked for no video because he knew he’d get emotional. Said he was caught off guard to be traded but knows he has a great opportunity with the Mets. Flying out tonight.
Joe Panik turned in early last night. He awoke to a text with the La Stella glove flip highlight. “Awesome play! Love seeing Oracle packed and loud. Go Giants.”
Why is 95.7 using its account to signal boost a wildly inaccurate take from a caller who either didn’t bother to read what Posey actually said or is recklessly taking his comments out of context? This is a blatantly false representation. And they’re amplifying it. Irresponsible.
"Buster Posey lost me. I hope he doesn't get into the Hall of Fame. It's a total disconnect...If you ain't from the city, don't talk about the city. Do not say anything about San Francisco!"
-
@WillardAndDibs
caller Filmo Mike brought it today, reacting to Buster's comments 🔥
The Dodgers will finish 106-56, matching the best record in franchise history. For the first time since 2012, they will not win the NL West.
They will host the Cardinals in the Wild Card Game Wednesday. Wainwright vs. Scherzer. Buckle up.
Gabe Kapler is the NL Manager of the Year. He received 28 of 30 first place votes. The Giants led the major leagues with 107 victories, and they were as actively managed as any team in baseball. Open and shut case to me, anyway.