News
Giants develop new personality in '09
Lincecum, Cain, Sandoval transform face of franchise
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
10/05/09 2:13 AM EST
Intangibles and individuals blended seamlessly to help the Giants sustain a season-long run that nearly put them in the postseason for the first time since 2003 and for the first time without Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run leader, since 1989. Nobody could deny that the presence of Bonds, who won five of his seven National League Most Valuable Player Awards during his Giants tenure (1993-2007), was powerful in more ways than one. And nobody could deny that his absence, prompted by club management's refusal to re-sign him, necessitated a change in philosophy. The Bonds-led Giants were usually clubs laden with veterans who ideally would complement the slugging left fielder and help execute the team's "win-now" approach. Bonds' departure forced the Giants to rely even more on their pitching, which had always been an emphasis since the club's move to spacious AT&T Park in 2000. Perhaps more important, the team needed to develop a new personality to fill the void left by Bonds. They accomplished that this year with an ideal mixture of younger players and veterans. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, San Francisco's first pair of All-Star starting pitchers since Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry in 1966, provided elan along with effectiveness, as did third baseman Pablo Sandoval, the Giants' most effervescent performer since the great Willie Mays broke in during the 1951 season. This trio, each age 25 or younger, replaced Bonds as the collective face of the franchise. "We knew it was going to take a couple of years to be transformed as far as persona goes," left-hander Barry Zito said. "And I think we've made that transformation into a new San Francisco Giants. ... There is a lot of young talent. There are also some veterans, but I think the team in general has a lot more relaxed, fun dynamic instead of being rigid."Professionalism and rigidity, there's a fine line. And I don't ever like to be on the side of rigidity. It takes all the fun out of it. It turns the game into a business and it doesn't allow people to have their personalities come through. When guys' personalities are allowed to come through off the field, like in the clubhouse, then they're more comfortable with themselves on the field, which means they're going to perform better."
Others reinforced the team's foundation. Randy Johnson, a future Hall of Famer, arrived as a free agent and hastened the pitching staff's maturity. Said Cain, "He told me, 'I hate losing.' That's a great mentality, because we all do. But a lot of people don't ever say anything about it. It's pretty cool to hear him say 'I hate losing,' because it rubs off on everybody else."Shortstop Edgar Renteria, another free-agent pickup, didn't match the lifetime .290 batting average he owned entering the season but compensated with much-needed guidance and a handful of clutch hits.
"He's a consummate professional," infielder Rich Aurilia said. "He has a lot of hardware collected, between Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers. To bring someone like that in the middle infield as a stabilizing force is important for this team."
Every winning team needs reserves who are competent and uncomplaining. Juan Uribe personified these qualities, filling in at second base, shortstop and third base while buoying the mood in the clubhouse. "Where the team needs me, I'll do it," Uribe said. And, as expected, the Giants' established leaders -- Aurilia, Zito, center fielder Aaron Rowand, outfielder Randy Winn and catcher Bengie Molina, the two-time Willie Mac Award winner as the team's most inspirational player -- continued to lead. "I think people are more comfortable around each other and with each other," Rowand said. "I think the chemistry part of it contributes to winning." Record: 88-74, third in NL West. Defining moment: The Giants thrived primarily on their pitching, so it made sense that they were distinguished by the night when their pitching thrived most. On July 10, Jonathan Sanchez pitched the Giants' first no-hitter in 33 years, an 8-0 decision over the San Diego Padres. On a staff boasting Cy Young Award winners Lincecum, Johnson and Zito and All-Star selection Cain, it was Sanchez who made history, reflecting the depth and strength of San Francisco's starting rotation. Remarkably, Sanchez accomplished his feat in his first start following a brief banishment to the bullpen -- accentuating the talent oozing from the Giants' staff. Only an eighth-inning fielding error by third baseman Uribe separated Sanchez from a perfect game. What went right: If anything, the pitching was stronger than advertised. Lincecum duplicated the excellence of his 2008 Cy Young Award-winning campaign, Cain joined him as an NL All-Star, Johnson went 8-6 in the first half before a shoulder injury sidelined him and Zito enjoyed a strong second half. ... Acquired to bolster the rotation for September, Brad Penny went 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA in six starts. ... The bullpen was mostly airtight. Closer Brian Wilson trimmed his ERA by nearly two runs and his best setup man, Jeremy Affeldt, led the Major Leagues in holds and (among relievers) double plays induced. ... Playing mostly third base, Sandoval established himself as an offensive force to be reckoned with. Catcher Molina, Uribe and second baseman-outfielder Eugenio Velez also made significant offensive contributions. ... The Giants regained their magic at AT&T Park, where they posted a 52-29 record after two losing home finishes in a row. What went wrong: The Giants lived by their free-swinging tendencies but also died by them. At times their impatience played into the hands of opposing pitchers, and their inability to supplement their offense by drawing walks didn't help. ... A .290 lifetime hitter entering the season, Renteria hit a career-low .250 and underwent surgery in September to remove bone spurs and chips from his elbow. ... Obtained shortly before the Trade Deadline to spark the offense, neither Ryan Garko nor Freddy Sanchez produced as hoped. Garko hit .235 and soon slipped into reserve status while Sanchez endured shoulder and knee injuries. The latter required surgery. ... Though the Giants soared at home, they sagged on the road, where they finished 36-45. ... Outfielders Rowand and Winn had their moments, but both hit under .270, which was not what the Giants expected. Biggest surprise: The Giants knew about Uribe's reputation as a positive clubhouse influence off the field and as a valuable handyman on it when they signed him. They probably didn't expect him to contribute as much as he did. Uribe hit a robust .289 with 16 home runs and was directly responsible for maintaining the players' upbeat mood.Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
