Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay - 2058 Review
May 7, 2021 13:21:32 GMT -5
RandyP, Rich - Former GM, and 2 more like this
Post by Tim_GiantsGM on May 7, 2021 13:21:32 GMT -5
Expectations prior to the 2058 season were high in San Francisco. Two years earlier, the Giants came within a whisker of competing in the World Series. In 2057, after a poor start the team battled back to again win 91 games. During the recent winter months, the front office staff acquired players analysts felt would provide a boost in 2058. Everyone was optimistic.
Then high expectations morphed into disappointment. Players failed to hit in the clutch. Pitchers failed to maintain leads. Overall, team chemistry seemed to lack the "refuse to lose" spirit. In short, the season became the most disappointing season for the franchise in decades. Owner Joe Neukom recently pulled GM Tim Ackley aside to administer a tongue-lashing. He is not happy. Ackley and his coaching staff were bewildered. What was missing? To their credit, however, fans continued to flock to Presidio Park throughout most of the dreadful season. Attendance again exceeded 3 million.
Highlights were few, but the focus going forward is on the positive. In late June, German Alvarado earned a promotion after punishing AAA pitching early in the season. In the 84 games in which he played he launched 21 HR and compiled a .283/.352/.535/.887 slash line. The .887 OPS led the club. Suffice it to say that he earned the starting role in RF. Walt Numbers continued to produce in the clean-up role with 33 HR, 106 RBI, and an .874 OPS. His production was down a bit from 2057, but we look for him to bounce back next season. In the bullpen, Raul Rodriquez, now 25 years old, finally blossomed. In 49 appearances, he compiled a 1.62 ERA while dominating opposing batters with 14.1 strike outs per nine innings. Veteran closer Pablo Bloem again anchored the bullpen by accumulating 33 saves in 35 opportunities.
Immediately after the close of the season, former closer Jason Frye and the Giants front office team held a press conference to announce Frye's retirement. The Giants also will retire the number 16 Frye wore during his 17 seasons wearing the orange and black. In 2058, Frye concluded his career pitching across the Bay in Oakland. Frye was unquestionably the greatest closer in Giants history. His career stats include a franchise record 507 saves with the Giants and 508 overall, which is 6th in the history of the PBL. Also, in 1,152 appearances he compiled a 2.93 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, an opponents batting average of .200, and an outstanding 88.3 save percentage. Bay Area analysts and fans alike strongly believe Jason Frye soon should be inducted into the PBL Hall of Fame.
Extremely popular Enrique Vazquez is a second pitcher local fans believe will have his number retired and who will be inducted into the PBL Hall of Fame. At 38 years old, Vazquez is not as overpowering as he once was, but he still is pitching well. Last season he added 13 wins to a career total that now stands at 230, which is 13th in the history of the PBL His WAR of 84.53 currently stands at 7th in league history. Vazquez recently signed a short-term extension which everyone hopes will provide the opportunity for him to add to his career totals pitching in a Giants uniform before his eventual retirement. Vazquez is the most popular and accomplished pitcher not named Tim Lincecum who has toiled for the PBL Giants. Everyone looks forward to his induction into the PBL Hall of Fame.
Until then, Giants management will continue to compete and, hopefully, develop a winning attitude that some day will pay dividends in San Francisco.
Then high expectations morphed into disappointment. Players failed to hit in the clutch. Pitchers failed to maintain leads. Overall, team chemistry seemed to lack the "refuse to lose" spirit. In short, the season became the most disappointing season for the franchise in decades. Owner Joe Neukom recently pulled GM Tim Ackley aside to administer a tongue-lashing. He is not happy. Ackley and his coaching staff were bewildered. What was missing? To their credit, however, fans continued to flock to Presidio Park throughout most of the dreadful season. Attendance again exceeded 3 million.
Highlights were few, but the focus going forward is on the positive. In late June, German Alvarado earned a promotion after punishing AAA pitching early in the season. In the 84 games in which he played he launched 21 HR and compiled a .283/.352/.535/.887 slash line. The .887 OPS led the club. Suffice it to say that he earned the starting role in RF. Walt Numbers continued to produce in the clean-up role with 33 HR, 106 RBI, and an .874 OPS. His production was down a bit from 2057, but we look for him to bounce back next season. In the bullpen, Raul Rodriquez, now 25 years old, finally blossomed. In 49 appearances, he compiled a 1.62 ERA while dominating opposing batters with 14.1 strike outs per nine innings. Veteran closer Pablo Bloem again anchored the bullpen by accumulating 33 saves in 35 opportunities.
Immediately after the close of the season, former closer Jason Frye and the Giants front office team held a press conference to announce Frye's retirement. The Giants also will retire the number 16 Frye wore during his 17 seasons wearing the orange and black. In 2058, Frye concluded his career pitching across the Bay in Oakland. Frye was unquestionably the greatest closer in Giants history. His career stats include a franchise record 507 saves with the Giants and 508 overall, which is 6th in the history of the PBL. Also, in 1,152 appearances he compiled a 2.93 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, an opponents batting average of .200, and an outstanding 88.3 save percentage. Bay Area analysts and fans alike strongly believe Jason Frye soon should be inducted into the PBL Hall of Fame.
Extremely popular Enrique Vazquez is a second pitcher local fans believe will have his number retired and who will be inducted into the PBL Hall of Fame. At 38 years old, Vazquez is not as overpowering as he once was, but he still is pitching well. Last season he added 13 wins to a career total that now stands at 230, which is 13th in the history of the PBL His WAR of 84.53 currently stands at 7th in league history. Vazquez recently signed a short-term extension which everyone hopes will provide the opportunity for him to add to his career totals pitching in a Giants uniform before his eventual retirement. Vazquez is the most popular and accomplished pitcher not named Tim Lincecum who has toiled for the PBL Giants. Everyone looks forward to his induction into the PBL Hall of Fame.
Until then, Giants management will continue to compete and, hopefully, develop a winning attitude that some day will pay dividends in San Francisco.