PLAYERS VERSUS TEAMS
I'm realizing as I watch more games and try to get pumped about the Giants that I distinguish between the joy players give me and the joy teams give me. They're not always exclusive, but in the case of the Giants, they are.
For the last two or three years, the Giants were a team I loved. NL West leaders, World Series contenders, everyone corraling behind Barry Bonds to do something special. As a team.
This year, given the Giants painful inability to gel as a cohesive unit, I take joy instead in the outstanding offensive performances of Michael Tucker, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Pedro Feliz, or Omar Vizquel's astonishing feats at shortstop. Pitchers Jason Schmidt and Kirk Rueter are clearly not on their game. The bullpen in general stinks. Our biggest weakness is relief pitching, and our reliance on Armando Benitez as a so-called power closer spells doom.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Nationals, who are surprising everyone by being a well-organized team, rather than a collection of excellent players.
Last night, although the pesky Marlins broke the Nats' 5-game winning streak, the Nats late in the game showed that they wouldn't be cowed by Florida's 9-0 lead, coming back with a strong if ultimately inadequate 4 runs, a move the Giants couldn't have matched.
When Moises Alou returns from the DL and if/when Barry makes his triumphant comeback, we might see the Giants become a team again. Until then, I'll settle for kick-butt at bats and a win here or there.
For the last two or three years, the Giants were a team I loved. NL West leaders, World Series contenders, everyone corraling behind Barry Bonds to do something special. As a team.
This year, given the Giants painful inability to gel as a cohesive unit, I take joy instead in the outstanding offensive performances of Michael Tucker, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Pedro Feliz, or Omar Vizquel's astonishing feats at shortstop. Pitchers Jason Schmidt and Kirk Rueter are clearly not on their game. The bullpen in general stinks. Our biggest weakness is relief pitching, and our reliance on Armando Benitez as a so-called power closer spells doom.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are the Nationals, who are surprising everyone by being a well-organized team, rather than a collection of excellent players.
Last night, although the pesky Marlins broke the Nats' 5-game winning streak, the Nats late in the game showed that they wouldn't be cowed by Florida's 9-0 lead, coming back with a strong if ultimately inadequate 4 runs, a move the Giants couldn't have matched.
When Moises Alou returns from the DL and if/when Barry makes his triumphant comeback, we might see the Giants become a team again. Until then, I'll settle for kick-butt at bats and a win here or there.
posted by Andrew at
1:17 PM
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