There are different ways of standing out.
Hopefully, he can stop standing out by being the worst pitcher on the staff. The last start was encouraging.
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Posts Tagged ‘Sergio Romo’
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Life Is A Contact Sport But Baseball Isn’t Anymore
on February 20, 2012 at 12:01 am- 2012 »
- Comic »
- Spring Training
Yesterday, the news came out: Giants manager Bruce Bochy had ordered catcher Buster Posey to not block the plate anymore.
Honestly, there’s a baseball traditionalist who is a little sad about that. I admit it: I like things like ‘gritty’ and ‘scrappy’ play. Baseball’s not often a physical game, but I like those moments that it is. A collision at home plate is exciting. And I say that as someone who played catcher long ago on school playgrounds, and got involved in a few from some over-eager bullies.
But on the other hand: more Buster Posey. What happened last year ended the season. Sure, the team was in first for a few months after it, but everyone felt the loss of Posey. It killed the team. Everyone knew it. So, yea, in the name of keeping the star hitter healthy, no more plate blocking.
But Buster’s the kind of guy I am. I’m pretty damn sure that, during a pennant chase or the playoffs, if the game’s on the line, Buster’s going to get in someone’s way.
I’m not worried about the San Francisco Giants’ ability to survive without Brian Wilson. At least, not too much.
It’s not like losing Wilson isn’t a blow. This guy is one of the top closers in baseball. For all the crap he takes, for all the torture he induces, he does go out there and get saves time after time. He has more saves than any other closer in baseball since he got the regular job, and that’s despite missing some time at the end of last year.
That said, the Giants have a bullpen that’s playoff tested. Sergio Romo was one of the best non-closer relievers in baseball last season. Santiago Casilla filled in admirably when Wilson went down last year. Jeremy Affeldt may brainfart like no one else can at times, but other times he comes in and shuts down the Phillies for innings in the NLCS when the starter gets himself taken out barely after he’s warmed up. And Javier Lopez can absolutely knock ‘em down.
These guys can do what Wilson does on the field. Maybe not as well, but close enough. It’s what Wilson does off the field that I’m worried about.
Wilson is the lightning rod of the Giants. Make no doubt about it. He wanted the role, and went out and took it like it was his birthright. And unlike almost anyone in any public field, he handles it with more grace and intelligence than I’ve ever seen. Forget baseball, he outclasses celebrities and political figures. He absolutely never responds to the haters. He never seems to be down. He also never gets himself in trouble off the field. No fights, no drugs, no gossip. None. It’s the most amazing thing about him, that with all he does, he’s not a self-destructing mess like Dennis Rodman.
These Giants succeed without the pressures many east coast players have. Sure, part of that is the lack of the east coast media mentality, but another part is that few Giants stars face the level of scrutiny that even other Giants players have faced. When the general media wants a quote, they want Wilson. When players need to deflect, they can deflect to Wilson. When the media needs to talk about anything Giants, you damn well bet they’ll start by talking about backup shortstops, and still somehow end up talking about Wilson. And that’s not Wilson stealing the spotlight, that’s the media doing it themselves.
Without Wilson, other players will get a bigger share of being the face of the team. That’s not an enviable position. Who knows how they might react? Some players take the pressure on the field. Others get into off-field issues. I’m not sure I trust Lincecum with that, especially the way things are right now.
No one can handle the media like Wilson. I hope he’s taught some of the guys a few of his tricks.
Oh, and as for Wilson’s on-the-field comeback? I have absolutely no doubt. Even if he comes back with less velocity, or the mandate to stop throwing sliders, or anything else, I feel confident the player can adapt. You may have heard this in the past, but I’ll say it again: Wilson is the smartest man in any room. Period. He understands a lot more than he lets on. If anyone can think his way out of limited stuff and find ways to continue hounding hitters, I believe he can.
PS – The roll call above goes like this from left to right: Lopez rocking the Captain’s outfit; Casilla with the wrong jersey coloring in his shoes (Why does he have the wrong jersey on? Because of this, obviously!); Affeldt, extending his mohawk from the chin to the top of his head; and Romo, preening his beard.
PPS – If the ‘Committee’ lasts more than three weeks before Bochy settles on a regular guy finishing games, I’ll be shocked. Committees suck.
The Giants bullpen has been a strength since Armando Benitez was exorcised. It had moments of doubt here and there, sure. But it’s been strength.
This is probably just one of those moments. But geeze, this thing doesn’t look good.
It kills me to say that about Steve Edlefsen. I like him. A lot. He had been a consistent ground ball machine. That slider wasn’t a Romo-esque think of beauty, but in the minors it was a 2001-Felix Rodriguez-esque thing of consistency. But then last year, something happened. It happened mostly in Fresno, but a bit in the majors. This spring, there was a tease that he was back. Nope. I still believe in Edlefsen…but it’s time for him to go to Fresno and find his mojo.
There is hope. His name is George Kontos. Remember him? No? He was who Sabean got for Chris Stewart. A third catcher, at the end of spring training. And Sabean got a guy who, frankly, looks good. 1.71 ERA in Fresno, 26 strikeouts and 7 walks in 31 2/3 IP over 23 appearances. And he’s on the 40-man roster! His name is Kontos. Why isn’t he up?
In the meantime, I would love to see Schierholtz take a shot at the mound. But part of me would honestly be afraid for Posey’s safety. Maybe not the umpire’s, but definitely Posey’s.
On a separate note, I want to dedicate this comic to Alex_Lewis. He was a poster over at McCovey Chronicles, one of the great online communities I’ve ever seen on any topic. I didn’t get to interact with him much, since I don’t spend much time over there, but from what I knew of him, he was a fun-loving guy with a good sense of humor. He passed away suddenly earlier this week at his father’s home, at the age of 27.
Some people wonder why I’ve included a computer as a character almost unto itself in this comic from time to time. It’s because it’s an indispensable part of many communities these days, and in some ways, especially for Giants fans. It’s a way for us to come together and celebrate what we love, and get to know new people, even if we never actually ‘meet’ them. Grant from McCovey Chronicles is far more eloquent than I, and I don’t recommend reading that link unless you’re in a place where you aren’t ashamed to shed a tear. But the friends we have online, even if they’re ‘only’ online, are real friends. And he will be missed. Stay strong, Gallo. You and your family are in my thoughts, and I hope in all of ours.
Wow, that dance escalated fast. I’m fully expecting an Ashkon-style fan video to happen soon around AT&T Park. I’m half expecting the real players to be in it.
Gotta give some major props to Rog on this one. He stayed up very late to get this done and put all the detail into it!
And if you don’t think this is catching on, check out this post-game wrap from the day before the clincher!
(If you don’t watch it the entire time, at least watch starting at 2:50)
Now we just need to find a way to wait until the playoffs.
Awesome. But not amazing.
This team did crazy things. It won tough game after tough game, and then they cruised. And then, one last tough game.
But it was not amazing. Not to the Giants fans who followed this team this year.
The team was built for productivity, not glamour. Nearly every single one of Brian Sabean’s moves paid off in one way or another, from Scutaro to Blanco, from Pagan to Pence, hell even the end-of-Spring Training trade of a third catcher for George Kontos.
Then Bochy toyed with them perfectly. Send Lincecum to the bullpen and not have him sulk? Sure! Throw Zito out in Game 1 of the World Series? Of course. Ryan Theriot the designated hitter? All according to plan.
This was the Giants. Everyone across the country who got a taste, I hope you liked it. It’s not sexy. It’s not glamourous. It even has the most extreme crazy eyes ever (thank you, Pence). But it’s the fundamentals. It’s making contact, and drawing pitches. It’s catching the ball. It’s running hard. And it’s having the 8-9 guys hit as well as the 3-4 guys. And, oh yes, it’s pitching.
This team ain’t going nowhere, they’re staying right here.
When does 2013 start?
Don’t look at me, this is what you signed up for. This is what it is to be a baseball fan. Your team wins it all…and a few days later, they’re back where the other 29 are: in the offseason trying to chase themselves for another ring.
Enjoy the weekend…it’s going to be a long offseason.
I know, I know, Romo has a beard…but it’s always changing. After all, he started this year with the Melky chinstrap beard, as many guys grew, before getting it bigger. Last year, there was the Millard Fillmore (which was my favorite.
The Many Facial Hairs of Sergio Romo
You simply can’t market something that changes so much.
And the others? Well, soul patches just aren’t marketing material since the 1990′s.
Of course, the real point is not to let Brian Wilson go. Even at $6.8 million, which I will admit is expensive for even a proven closer, I’d say that the Giants should hold onto him.
Wilson holds more value than just as a pitcher to the Giants. He’s a brand. He’s an identity. During the 2010 World Series run, he was the face of the Giants. Not the dominant Lincecum, not the youthful and earnest Posey, or the slumping, overweight Panda; it was the Beard.
And that was a good thing. Wilson relished the attention. He was one of those rare people who was able to handle it in his own way. But the point was that with the media glare on him, it was off of the other young players who weren’t necessarily as media savvy or media friendly. Even in the 2011 victory lap, Wilson stayed a huge focus.
While most of the players have grown and shown an ability to stand up in the media spotlight, this year would be different. There are real concerns on this team for 2013, not the least of which is what Henry Schulman termed a “Cold War” between Lincecum and Posey. With Lincecum up for free agency after this season, the media would be stupid not to look at that. But with Wilson around, the spotlight would be shared, both about Wilson’s comeback as well as his impending free agency as well.
That’s worth the investment.
Wilson is a Giant…and he should remain that for at least one more season.
So, Sergio Romo blew the save and Mexico lost a shocker to Italy.
Well, he kinda blew it. Here’s the play.
…
Well, it was blown even without the drop. Deep fly ball to left with a man on third and one out, the game would’ve been tied.
Yeah, but that’s tied, not lost. I mean, come on, the left fielder should’ve had that ball!
Yeah, but Romo shouldn’t have given up a ball that deep.
But you can’t totally hold it against him. It was a slider that was popped up, and the ball carries in Arizona during the day.
Two words for you: Anthony Rizzo.
Wait, the girl from Grease?
SHUT UP! We’re trying to be serious.
Okay, but he was kind of good with the Cubs last year.
Yeah, but he sucked as a Padre.
So did Denorfia, and he got a double off of Romo, too.
We’re ignoring the real question: Why are there so many ex-Padres on the Italian team.
…
There you have it. All the academic discussion you’ll get out of me so far on the World Baseball Classic. It’s been fun to watch. Having not gotten to see the U.S. play yet, I find myself rooting for The Netherlands. I wouldn’t know why…
Also, last night, the umps hassled the Cuban manager all night about wearing gloves, blew a call that went against Cuba, and wouldn’t let Venezuela have a moment of silence for Hugo Chavez.
Forget Right-Coast bias. Get ready for some nuts to start saying that baseball has a Right-Wing bias. *sigh*…
I kid…it seemed like the game had many more people there than that last night. After all, A’s fans enjoy the chance to see their team in an up-to-date ballpark.