Tagged: Giants
11/5 MLB Tonight – World Series Wrap-up
Just as the ’96 Championship launched a Yankee Dynasty, it’s a good time to speculate if yesterday’s win will start a new Dynasty run.
We won’t know for a few years, but looking at the Club there are good arguments for each side.
With a new core of talent including Teixeira, C.C., Burnett, and the Captain Jeter, you can argue that this crop is going to stay on top. Unlike the group brought in after the 2000 Championship, this group got the job done with no delay.
You can also argue that this Club just clicked at the right time, laving a lot of issues to work out this offseason.
With all the things they have going for them, they also have a lot of problems on the horizon.
Will they resign key free agents heading towards the twilight of their careers? Johnny Damon and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui brought the World Series home, but can you maintain a dynasty with your heart instead of your head?
There is a 37-year old Andy Pettitte and a senior Jorge Posada, who still has to play the most demanding position on the field.
Rivera is a year older, and then there is the question of Joba’s role next season.
It’s safe to say that the Yankees have the money to bring in the high priced talent, but with an 8-year drought because of chasing the wrong players, will they have what it takes to bring in the right type of guy.
This year they got it right.
Being at the new ballpark, the atmosphere in the postseason was different from past years.
The feeling at the ballpark is just not the same. I can’t say if it’s all the empty seats, or that it’s quieter; it doesn’t have a pulse like the old Stadium.
Al Leiter made a good point, and said, “It hasn’t found its identity yet.” With one season down, and a championship won, we’ll see if there is a new identity in the Bronx. Just as it’s unfair to compare teams of different vintage, it is unfair to compare Stadiums form different eras.
A day after the season it’s a little ridiculous to start making predictions, but here’s what I think. I didn’t have a voice on the show tonight, so I’m going to let it out here.
Look for the Giants to have a big 2010, get some offense and make the playoffs. I always like to pick a Cinderella team, but I’m not going to make the same mistake by picking the Reds. I’d love to be able to say with conviction…The Padres will turn it around in 2010. – Matt Vasgersian
9/29 MLB Tonight – View From Outside the Dugout
After the Twins and Tigers game, we are going to break down the Brewers and Rockies matchup. Even though the Braves have fallen out of the sky to put a little heat on the Rockies, the Rockies are still my favorite for the Wild Card. Once they’re in it’s a different story because of a few weaknesses that need to be straightened out in the last days of the season.
Two challenges stand out in my mind: the pitching of Jason Marquis, and the Rockies lineup against left handed pitchers. It’s time for Jason Marquis to step up. Here’s a guy who had a great first half, which is his trademark, but he can’t escape his other trademark which is a pitcher who needs to put two good halves together and complete a season. He’s carried the wagon for most of the season, but this start tonight might just determine if he’s going to have a spot in the rotation come playoff time.
The other challenge the Rockies need to address in these next few games is their lineup against left handed pitching. With 4 out of the next 6 games against lefties, Jim Tracy will be able to shuffle around guys like Garrett Atkins, Ryan Spilborghs, Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, and Dexter Fower to see whose stroke is in rhythm with the southpaws.
With all of our focus on the playoffs, it’s time to shift on a few teams that will be going home in a week. For the Rangers and the Giants, the season was just two weeks too long. They took a few steps forward, and now they see what improvements need to be made in the offseason.
And with 81 wins the Marines had a season they can feel good about. It didn’t take long for the entire organization to put that 100 loss season in the rear view mirror. From players to scouts, coaching staff to the front office, all around top to bottom, the organization was completely turned around, and there’s a team to look forward to next season.
It’s playoff time, no second guessing – Clint Hurdle
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