Giants Add a Bat

The Giants needed to do something. After losing out on bids for the bigger names, the Giants signed Aaron Rowand to a five year deal worth $60 million. That's pretty small by today's baseball standards. I admit I am pretty ignorant about this guy, but you can find out more at the New Sports Page.

Sad Passing of a Former Giant

I find it always a little jarring when former professional athletes die quite young - especially ones I grew up watching. With his beer belly, flowing hair, and curling mustache, Rod Beck wasn't exactly the image of your typical athlete. It was his image, however, and quite a memorable one. I watched him close out games for the Giants for five of my most loyal years as a fan. Beck first came to prominence on the 1993 Giants team that won 103 games. While struggling mid-1990's Giants teams gave him few save opportunities, he returned to form in 1997, when the Giants won the Western Division title. My fondest Beck memory comes from that season during a crucial late September game against the Dodgers. Beck really held the Giant's fate in his hands pitching in the tenth inning with the bases loaded, nobody out, and fans calling for his exit. A strikeout and a double play later, the crisis was averted - and Beck followed that with two more shutout innings. A week later, he was on the mound when we clinched the division.

Beck was just 38 at the time of his death, and the cause is not yet known. His look and style made him a unique character for his time on the Giants and certainly one I will not forget anytime soon. Being a closer is quite possibly the most challenging of baseball duties - for not only does the team live and die with you, but your every fault is magnified in fan's eyes. Beck certainly took his share of boos but handled it with absolute professionalism, ultimately letting his pitching speak for itself.

Zito Wins, Gets Ready to Rock (Literally)

So, Barry Zito's 3-3 record is a tad misleading. He's really pitched a lot better than that might suggest. Regardless of his record, however, I've come to believe one thing about Zito - he may not even be the best pitcher on the staff, but he certainly makes everyone else better. Looking at quite possibly the best Giants starting rotation I've ever seen - I can't help but feel his leadership is a big part of that. On Monday night, Zito faced quite possibly the best lineup in baseball and held them to just three runs in six innings. His biggest contribution, however, came at the plate ... The Giants were leading 2-1 in the fifth when Zito stepped up with two outs. He singled - just the second hit of his major league career. The Mets then made a pair of errors, Rich Aurilla hit a home run, Bonds walked, another single, Bengie Molina homered (his second of the inning) and all of a sudden, it's 9-1.

In other Zito news ... his organization (Strikeouts For Troops) is teaming up with the Junior Giants Foundation for a little fundraiser in San Francisco on May 24 (details). Zito - a guitar player - will be performing, along with his sister, as well as Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel and Raquel Aurilla (wife of aforementioned Giants first baseman, Rich). Oh yeah, Eddie Money's also playing. Tickets are $100 so whether N&UR will be in attendance is up in the air. However, the pull of our hero Barry Zito rockin' out may just be too strong.

Another Win For Zito, Giants Back on Track

Two weeks ago, the Giants were 1-6 with star signee Barry Zito hardly boasting about an 0-2 record and an ERA over 8. But if years of watching baseball have taught me anything, it's that things can turn around in an instant. Two weeks later - we feel a little vindicated. Zito has won two in a row, not allowing a run in either game. Oh yeah, and that 1-6 record is now 8-8. Not the breakfast of champions, but a hell of an improvement.

Zito Gets First Win For SF

When you sign the richest contract for a pitcher in history, and then lose your first two starts, there's bound to be a little backlash. So, how do you respond? Well, if you're Barry Zito, you start growing a mustache and throw six shutout innings in the toughest ballpark for any pitcher in baseball. For two straight games now, the Giants have played to their fullest capabilities - scoring 8 runs in each game, while shutting down the opposing offense. Zito looked especially dominating last night, proving that he might just be worth all that money afterall - as if we had any doubt. As for that mustache, however, I am not sold on it.

UPDATE: The mustache is no more.

Dear Barry Zito

Dear Barry Zito,

Now, I recognize the fact that a 1-5 start with you being 0-2 is not what anyone wanted - especially you. However, I come to realize everyday that things change in life very quickly ... and that change is even more dramatic in baseball, which I've always found to be a pretty great metaphor for life. I've gone through some hardship in my life, and I've sat through some pretty heartbreaking baseball seasons. But this is just the first week, and when the San Francisco press starts getting cynical, I just have to laugh. Because, really, we have a very long season ahead of us. My horoscope today told me not to get hung up on the daily bumps in the road, and instead focus on the pursuit of long-term goals. Yesterday must have been frustrating as hell, what with the team still not giving you sufficient run support. I, however, have totally and complete faith in this team. Besides, the team the triumphs over adversity is more celebrated than the turn that runs away with it. Rock on!

Sincerely,
N&UR

Zito Goes For First Win Today

Barry Zito makes his second start as a San Francisco Giant later this afternoon, looking to help the team rebound from a somewhat depressing 1-4 start. Let's hope he gets some run support this time. I'm going to send the guys some good luck in the form of music...

One Win Down, Hella More to Go

Zito Loses in SF Debut

Well, my new favorite player's first start with the San Francisco Giants didn't go quite as planned - five innings, 3 runs, in a 7-0 loss. In Barry Zito's defense, however, it really doesn't matter how many runs you give up when your team doesn't score any. I still think Zito's awesome - read here. The loss has me down a little bit, but I've got that new(ish) Shins album on - which I am finally able to listen to - and that is cheering me up.

"Phantom Limb," The Shins

Barry Zito ... My New Favorite Player

It has been several years since I've had a "real" favorite baseball player - but as the San Francisco Giants open the 2007 season, I'm happy to finally have another. The Giants signed Barry Zito this past offseason to the richest contract ever for a pitcher. While I was excited about this initially, I've only become more interested in Zito the more I've read about him. He's quite unlike any player to pass through San Francisco in recent memory, and it seems to be a number of quirks (or just unique qualities) that endear him to me. He once told the New York Times, "I refuse to be molded into some stereotypical ballplayer that has no interests, really, no life, no depth, no intelligence," which is pretty impressive as it is.

But on top of an ability to actually articulate, he has a tireless work ethic - approaching it with a unique perspective that separates him from other athletes. When a friend told him about the intensity of wrestling matches - he hopped on a plane to Iowa for the National Dual meet championships in Cedar Falls, hoping to "integrate that intensity and focus into my game." (Full story at ESPN). He's, like, all focused on the power of the mind, with a serious interest in zen and yoga, and applying those principles when he pitches. Oh, and did I mention that he listens to Michael McDonald and Radiohead, his favorite movie is Todd Solondz's Happiness (according to Wikipedia, he has a "favorite philosopher" (Neville Goddard), he plays guitar and was rumored to be dating Hilary Duff???

Seriously, dude's a rockstar.

Panic Party In Detroit

Ok, so my team may not be in the playoffs, but that is not going to stop me from enjoying one of my favorites times of the year. In fact, it takes a lot of the stress out when you don't actually have to worry about your team and can arbitrarily pick favorites. It was obviously a given that I would be rooting against the Dodgers, so it was exceptionally satisfying to see them swept. I am more excited, however, about the developments in the American League. I was pulling for that other team across the Bay - the Oakland A's - who nicely took care of Minnesota, but the most exciting thing has been the Detroit Tigers complete and utter upset of the New York Yankees.

Could these two teams be any more different - the Tigers, averaging 90-100 losses for nearly a decade against the Yankees, predicted by ESPN to be world champions with a lineup referred to as possibly the best in history. Regardless, the Tigers mix of ageless veterans and hungry youngsters took the Yankees out in four games, holding that threatening lineup at bay for the last two games. Though I pretty much root against the Yankees regardless of opponent, the Detroit Tigers hold a somewhat special place in my heart. My mom's family grew up in Michigan and were all Tigers' fans, while the team was also my brother's favorite for several years before he was converted over to the Giants. Charlie and I attended an A's/Tigers matchup years back, when neither team was making waves in the American League - now it will be especially exciting seeing them compete for the title. I'm not going to pick a favorite in this one - I'm just hoping for seven games.

Of course, the Yankees' meltdown seems to be the bigger story here. ESPN has all the coverage, including a report that manager Joe Torre will be fired, as well as a countdown of the Top Ten Yankee Crashes. Taking nothing away from the Tigers, N&UR wants to seriously congratulate such a storied achievement. It really makes me think of podcast subject Kelley Stoltz who composed a number celebrating the Tigers' 1984 World Championship. I wonder if another song is in order.

Last, here's a little Bowie for your Sunday...