 12/13/2004 11:51 PM ET
Giants add a backstop in Matheny
Signing ends Pierzynski's tenure in San Francisco
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| Mike Matheny addresses the media during his introductory press coneference. (Missy Mikulecky/Giants)
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Call it the new Northern California gold rush.
When the Giants introduced veteran catcher Mike Mathney to SBC Park on Monday night after signing him to a three-year contract worth $10.5 million -- with a $4 million option for 2008 -- it gave San Francisco its second new Gold Glove winner for next season.
Matheny has won the coveted honor for defensive excellence on three occasions, and he joins nine-time Gold Glove shortstop Omar Vizquel -- inked in November -- meaning you can expect some nifty leather work nearly 'round the horn.
Other Gold Glove winners on the club include J.T. Snow, center fielder Marquis Grissom and left fielder Barry Bonds. The lineup for next year boasts 29 Gold Glove awards, and should boost the club's defense, which spiraled downward from third in the Senior Circuit in 2003 to eighth in 2004.
Not that Matheny is all about defense. He's all about working in sync with pitchers. And don't forget about the winning.
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