(Dawning of a) New Era
Finally, all of those counters and clocks can be retired. All of those flickering numbers, moving ever closer to the exact moment when pitchers and catchers report can stop. It's here. Baseball players can start playing baseball again.
I realize for many this is a big day, but for me I've never seen the big deal. Yes, it's another step to real baseball in April, but other than that all it means for me is a bunch of top-five questions lists (apparently there is some controversy with Barry Bonds. I was unaware) and some pictures of Armando Benitez in a different style hat.
But this is the first day towards learning who will get the fifth spot in the rotation. Will Russ Ortiz find a way to do a reasonable impersonation of a major league pitcher or will a younger option (Sanchez, Lincecum) get a chance. For now I'm in the Sanchez camp, but I'm open to persuasion. That's why they play the meaningless March games.
It's also one day closer to finding out whether Mando has anything left in his tank or if Brian Wilson can steal the closer job. If Benitez can hit at least 80 mph he'll have the job at least the first month -- veteran savvy and all that -- but you can't count out the serpent. I'd love both of them to be effective members of an improved bullpen, which could happen if Mando is healed and Wilson continues to progress in the majors.
So I guess there is some merit to all the excitement over pitchers and catchers reporting. But I'm still focused on that day about two months from now when there will be a real 25-man roster, real stats and standings and all of my current irrational hopes can be crushed over a grueling eight month period. Yea, baseball.
UPDATE: Something Lefty Malo had mentioned earlier, but Bonds is not listed on the Giants Web site 40-man roster anymore. According to Henry Schulman, apparently the Chronicle called the Giants to ask why Bonds was still on the list on the Web site and they basically said, "What, he's not on the list!" and hung up real fast. And wouldn't you know it, it's gone now.
UPDATE (Typos are fun division): Apparently the Giants have decided that after years of trying there is no way they can ever replace Will Clark and have given up on first base all together. CBS says on its Giants projected lineup that both Feliz and Aurilia will be playing third this season. We'll have to see how this strategy works out, but a bold move by Bochy.
I realize for many this is a big day, but for me I've never seen the big deal. Yes, it's another step to real baseball in April, but other than that all it means for me is a bunch of top-five questions lists (apparently there is some controversy with Barry Bonds. I was unaware) and some pictures of Armando Benitez in a different style hat.
But this is the first day towards learning who will get the fifth spot in the rotation. Will Russ Ortiz find a way to do a reasonable impersonation of a major league pitcher or will a younger option (Sanchez, Lincecum) get a chance. For now I'm in the Sanchez camp, but I'm open to persuasion. That's why they play the meaningless March games.
It's also one day closer to finding out whether Mando has anything left in his tank or if Brian Wilson can steal the closer job. If Benitez can hit at least 80 mph he'll have the job at least the first month -- veteran savvy and all that -- but you can't count out the serpent. I'd love both of them to be effective members of an improved bullpen, which could happen if Mando is healed and Wilson continues to progress in the majors.
So I guess there is some merit to all the excitement over pitchers and catchers reporting. But I'm still focused on that day about two months from now when there will be a real 25-man roster, real stats and standings and all of my current irrational hopes can be crushed over a grueling eight month period. Yea, baseball.
UPDATE: Something Lefty Malo had mentioned earlier, but Bonds is not listed on the Giants Web site 40-man roster anymore. According to Henry Schulman, apparently the Chronicle called the Giants to ask why Bonds was still on the list on the Web site and they basically said, "What, he's not on the list!" and hung up real fast. And wouldn't you know it, it's gone now.
UPDATE (Typos are fun division): Apparently the Giants have decided that after years of trying there is no way they can ever replace Will Clark and have given up on first base all together. CBS says on its Giants projected lineup that both Feliz and Aurilia will be playing third this season. We'll have to see how this strategy works out, but a bold move by Bochy.
posted by Chris at
9:02 AM
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