As the Giants enter play on Friday night they remain winless. Weak defense, struggling bats and untimely opposing hitting has gotten the better of them in both lop-sided losses. The Giants have a tough schedule ahead and interim skipper Neil Johnson is well aware of their uphill battle, "It is important we tighten our defense, and build a core group of guys we can trust at the plate."
Peter Osgood, GM of the Giants, pronounced it clearer in the media frenzy that followed last weeks loss, "it's showing up, working hard ... basically get a runner on, get em over, get em across, " this being an old baseball proverb once used by Whitey Herzog of the famous high flying cardinals in the mid 80's.
The Giants, with their new additions, will take some time in adjusting to individual indifferences and the team "gelling" concept. This might take a few games. But media circles will be scrutinizing closely to see if the free agency frenzy that they dipped into this off-season will pay dividends by year's end.
La Marr Hoyt
Wednesday May 28, 2008
Songwriters, Paul McCartney and John Lennon tagged up to produce one last ballad, the long and winding road back in the early 70's. Their tenacious songwriting ability combined with their gifted musical skills made them genuine winners. As a beat writer for the San Francisco chronicle, I sit on this Saturday afternoon, drinking my lemonade, listening to this song. Questions arise from my mental meanderings about the struggling Giants.
Here are the facts, I'll let the reader decide. Giant’s bats remained synonymous for their silence. Newly acquired Matt Froese cleaned up his brother's mess, while the defense remained indifferent in the decision.
Team chemistry was put forth in the line of questioning, by local media sources at the post game conference. "Is it true that only a select few stayed after the game for bevies".
Shaken, but not stirred, GM Peter Osgood responded, "We would like to see all players chat it up after the game, we are a family, kind of like the village people."
All players better take something positive from their loss on Friday. Their tough schedule continues with the Cardinals on Friday and then a home-n-home with the Hobos the following week.
Leon Durham
Wednesday June 4, 2008
The rising Yen has had a direct correlation on the struggling Giants. Interim Skipper Neil Johnson had wanted to go to Japan, instead he found himself in the Florida Keys. His recent adventures down south had him soaking up the sun and the beautiful scenery. Tucked away, in the damp basement of his mind, and 1000 miles north, was the continuation on the disappointing inaugural season of the newly formed Giants. The scheduling of the Giants hasn't been favourable, however it has given media circles plenty of ammunition in bringing down the Giants.
Newly acquired Wayne Gibbons, didn't mince words. "This league is getting younger and richer in talent. There is a definitive division of talent.
Yes, its recreational, and yes its all about everyone pay, everyone play.
Whether management chooses the 12 man or the 17 man rotation consistency will be required from everyone. At present improvement is essential in areas of dedication, pitching, defense and hitting across the board." Joe Stephens went even further by suggesting that "intensity is lacking, even before we take the field." These words will hopefully provide a little fuel to the fire that must be lit for the Giants to win there first game.
In last nights loss to the Hobos Joe Stephens pitched effectively. Defense was solid.
Next up, are the X-Men. There must be substantial change in all areas of the game from everyone in order for the Giants to put up there first win.
Jack McDowell
Wednesday June 7, 2008
The anticipated meeting between the X-Men and Giants will have to wait, heavy rains caused their game to be postponed to a later date.
Over the last couple of games the Giants have looked to produce more quality chances at the plate with a 12 man rotation. But be it a 12 or 17 man roster, management will need to cool the irate. Giants skipper Goulbourne is confident in the abilities of the team but insists that a shake up may be necessary to facilitate a change for the better. “We need to get it going offensively. Our defense has been progressing and pitching will be there, but you can’t win ball games if you don’t cross the plate.”
The Brewmeister Wilcox spoke up about the Giants fate, in a long letter to congress, about the things the Giants need to create, with a pen in hand, and paper on a crate, he wrote the pros and cons, and made sure that he did not negate,
"rough and tough we're men on the sea, from distant shores is where we flee, we watch the sun's course, we watch the tides flow, but gosh, golly g wiz I'm thinking of snow."
Bucky Dent
Wednesday June 11, 2008
Welland Exhibition Game Recap We had everyone pitch in for this one.... Joe Stephens’ awesome diving line drive catch over 2nd base, while going 4 for 4 at bat with several solid hits including 2 doubles. Not to mention two solid innings on the mound Al’s excellent innings pitching and catching Matt threw 4 K’s in two first innings Chris McDougall scoring two runs Shane Gray catching, playing 1st base and right field , a versatile man when we needed him Wayne Gibbons pitched a solid 4th and 5th inning before taking 2nd. And who could forget the 2 run Blast over the right field fence Richard Pryde who made solid at bats going 2 for 3 and filled in the outfield for the short handed Giants Dave Wilcox for making an outstanding catch in deep centre to end the 6th inning with two men left in scoring position Blair McConnell for stepping in and covering 3rd for Matt, SS for Joe and 2nd for Wayne, Blair went 1 for 3 with a broken bat single for 2 RBI’s. Sorry to see your Muzano bamboo bat break! Go get that 90 day warranty filed! Pete Osgood going 2 for 4 at bat while hitting the game winning 2 run stand up double that saw the Giants defeat the Welland legends 10-9 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Let’s keep that momentum going into Friday Night.
Wednesday June 18, 2008
Nawms Excellent Adventures …
New comer Norm Watt spent some time playing hooky from BVB action to tour a few points of interest South of the border. During his adventures he took in some much envied action at 3 outstanding big league facilities.
This week Norm sets his site on securing the Giants first victory of the season with his second start of the season against the Cubs. Good to have you back in the mix Nawmy!
Go Giants Go!
Wednesday June 25, 2008
Things over here are not Giants but windmills.
With a smaller roster the Giants faced the Cubs in a must win situation on Friday night at Millcroft. As the skies cleared and the sun set both teams agreed that this was a must win for each team. After untimely errors on the bases and in the field in the first and second innings the score was 6-1 for the Cubs, a tough hill to climb for the Giants who have not faired well this year. Norm Watt pitched through the struggling defense and pitched exceptional well.
As for the bats that have remained as silent as a snow blower in Hawaii mustering only 4 hits throughout the game. Goulbourne remained optimistic when asked about the Giants struggles at the plate, "we can have poor defense, poor pitching, but with 4 hits, and a general lack of hitting, we won't be winning much." Strong words, for a management team that has be under heavy criticism lately for their roster shuffles.
Newly acquired Greg Froese spoke more candidly to the media, "There aren't many bright spots right now, management has a roster and must make the best of it. All areas need improvement. I'm certain with everyone there we have the pitching to win. The league is getting younger with talent, on paper the acquisitions look good, but maybe there's not a gel that was anticipated at the beginning of the year."
Wednesday July 2, 2008
It is held in wide regard to stick with your team during thick and thin, peaks and valleys, through the black and white within the tides of their carriage. The Giants are slowly turning those dark days of spring into something positive, something surreal, a momentum shift of baseball physics.
After two closely contested games this weekend against the Cardinals and Red Sox it's slowly coming to fruition, that this team has the talent to compete. The Giants are developing a consistency at the plate, defensive blunders are becoming less frequent and the attitude in the clubhouse has become friendlier in recent days. Matt Froese had a 3 run home run, and the flurry of activity on the base paths, combined with the solid pitching combination of Billy De La Rosa / Mike Gionas provided a solid start against the Red Sox.
The Giants look towards the highly anticipated game against the Cubs Tuesday night to break the goose egg, and begin the uphill climb to post season stardom.
Len Sakata
Monday July 7, 2008
Journal Entry #167 - 365 – 11
A few guys from our ball team decided to go to a Pet Shop Boys concert. After our first win against the Cubs, we hopped on a short bus, and took off from Nelson. Neil brought a Ghetto Blaster and Ottis brought his cassette tape of the band "Bread", I believe it was their anthology, Greatest Hits. Peter, our GM had hoped for a little Mack 10, or Ice Cube, but we were already chillin.
Matt after a stellar pitching performance against the Cubs was hangin at the front of the Bus with Gionas talking about Mikey's key hit to cash the winning run and his efficient clean up of Ryan's pitching performance. I think they were hugging, or at least holding hands. We'll keep that a secret.
As the Bus headed for Woody's in the T-Dot, Gibby provided some spark to get the team en route, and the reliable Wilcox brought some cooling refreshments, as he always saves the day, he also brought a Spider man costume, which I thought was a little over the top, but who knows maybe this year we are supposed to go beyond the threshold, the elixir.
Anyways, anyone who is interest on the concert and the neat experience of meeting Gilbert O'Sullivan will be discussed next week.
Kudos to the Giants who now sit above the X.
Wednesday August 13, 2008
In an effort to increase the sales of the diminishing attendance this year, the Giants have gone away with conventional marketing ploys and have adapted a new, more innovative approach. Al Case will be bringing his spaceship to the game, and will offer free rides to the youngsters. The ride, which incorporates a full view of his planet K pAx will last 20 minutes and will include in-house games of Yatzee, and Twister. Players from the Cubs, Marauders, X-men and the Giants will be given a discount because of their performance this year. Shane Gray, Baznick and new comer Sean Clarke will be at the helm of the spaceship providing innovative insight to the capability of what this machine can do. They will be taking turns at manning this machine while they sit on the bench.
Al Case will initially launch this at Sunday's game versus the X-men. X-men players beware for this has many unique features. Dave Ryan, a veteran of the Giants exposed some of these in a recent interview with People magazine. "The glare, the speed, the precision, is similar to the performance we will provide our spectators when we play the X this weekend."
In other news ....
Peter Osgood, GM of the Giants, made it clear to a local media source that he has no intention of playing in the teams' annual Badminton tournament. "I 'm not good at whacking birds with my racquet, I Had offered the team to a friendly game of table tennis, but there were no takers."
Sean Clarkie threw batting practice and his arm is getting better....
Neil Johnson and Greg Froese are forming a Hip-Hop label called "DEEE-sert". There Group XMan, plan on launching there new single "Take me out (to a Ball Game) by mid to late November.
Wednesday August 27, 2008
It's a tough task to explain the complex world of sport to the average reader, and it's even tougher to explain the intricacies of the Giants clubhouse.
Many unique personalities are built within the game of baseball and get posterized on the sports front pages.
I was walking my German Sheppard along the boardwalk in the bay area during an early morn dew when I came across reliever David Ryan. He had a shabby Dark raincoat on. With his hair scattered, his face pale white and his eyes were sunken and bloodshot from the festivities beyond the realm of explanation. I asked him what he was doing with a battered copy of "the Old Man and the Sea".
He explained to me, when he was a fisherman on the sea, and a tough task was at hand, he would relinquish every little drop of energy to get the job done, and do it. The same can be said for the Task at hand, beating the Marauders. As we finally reached the door of his retreat, not far from my place of residence, he excused himself for a moment. Uncanny to the disposition and the mood I was put in, I waited anxiously, for his next move.
I heard a slight scuffle within his house. Moments later, his window open, a Native American tribal song played loud, through his tapered curtains and he started shouting out the Window "Yeha Noha", Yeha Noha" with a tribal headdress on.
I thought that it might be a little odd for a man of his public character to be shouting this out his windows. He threw the book at me and told me to give it to the Marauders ... "I am Santiago... they are the Marlins ...."
I quickly grabbed the collar of max, my Sheppard and we made a run for it. I had heard the sirens in the distance, as the Neighbours had enough of the disturbance.
Point of the story before the ink dries is that strange character's provide deep meaning between the will and the want of winning.
Go Giants Go...
Jose Oquendo
Wednesday September 3, 2008
With summer now over, baseball enthusiasts look towards the fall and playoffs. As the Giants took to the field yesterday in search of their first post season win in a couple of years, they faced the good hitting team Marauders.
The Giants have been synonymous for their minimalist approach to hitting and it showed once again as they once again were slow at putting the bat on the ball.
With runners in scoring positions in both the 1st and 2nd innings Greg Froese managed to minimize the damage to a run in each inning. Sneaky pitching and key defensive plays held the Marauders scoreless in the 3rd. Matt Froese hit a solo shot and the Giants did muster up small rallies in the 5th and 6th innings with some luck and good fortune with timely hitting from Osgood, McDougall and Wilcox. However, The Giants couldn't capitalize on a "bases full-nobody out" situation in the 4th, which might have been a momentum shift. Al Case pitched a decent 5th and 6th to hold the damage in check.
However, as history does repeat itself, so do the box scores from past Giants games this year. As the game progressed so did the margin of score.
The Giants are eagerly awaiting game 2, where Joe Stephens comes off his suspension and Matt Froese becomes healthy again. There will be plenty of arms and the defense will tighten up with Joe being there.
