When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

10.02.2008
Bright Moments, 2008

As the playoffs get under way, my strongest rooting interest is in the Cubs. If the Dodgers get past Chicago, and last night’s 7–2 win boosts their chances significantly, L.A. might be difficult to stop. Other than Whoever’s Playing the Dodgers, I’m rooting for Tampa Bay, though not as strongly as I would if they hadn’t dropped the “Devil” from their name.

The older I get, though, the more passing my interest becomes in non-Giants-related baseball. I think it’s a time-related problem. There are so many hours in the day, and life’s duties (day job, Monkeypants, exercise) encroach increasingly. So forgive me if I comment only sporadically on the playoffs. I’d prefer to keep my focus on the Giants.

Let’s dedicate today to the best moments of the season. I’ll start with a few off the top of my head.

* Pablo Sandoval’s hop, skip, and dive to score against the Dodgers on Sep. 20. There are plenty of other Sandoval moments to consider, but this one exemplifies the fun and surprise he brought to the team down the stretch.

* Tim Lincecum’s 138–pitch complete game against San Diego. Whether you love or hate the decision to let Timmy go that long, it was mesmerizing.

* Rich Aurilia’s two-run double to take the lead against Washington on July 24. Not exactly a crucial moment in team history, but it was one of the year’s most exciting games, one of the year’s most tenacious at-bats, and perhaps the last gasp of the old Giants guard that brought us so much joy in the first half of the decade. Plus, as I noted a couple days ago, Tim Flannery’s basecoaching on the play was itself worthy of a Web gem.

I’ll add more in the comments later. Meanwhile, give us yours.



Also on the Network:



[October 2, 2008 2:49 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Boof said

The highlight of the season was the day that Jose Castillo got DFA'd.

[October 2, 2008 5:31 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM replied to Boof

Let's stick to events on the field. And just for one day, let's drop the cynicism. Do it for the children.

Here's another moment: Dan Ortmeier's pinch-hit, game-winning double off Heath Bell in April, his first professional at-bat after abandoning switch hitting. Not only did it warm my heart, it allowed me to make a Tribe Called Quest reference.

[October 2, 2008 10:12 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Boof replied to ELM

It does have a lot to do with what happened on the field. Soon after Castillo was DFA'd, the Giants started playing some of the youngsters in earnest, not just what they gave lip service to the previous 3 months. We got to see the energy that Pablo brought the Giants, a real tryout for Ishikawa, Burriss, and others.

[October 2, 2008 5:26 PM]  |  link  |  reply
B Go said

Season highlight = Any time Tim Lincecum took the hill!

[October 2, 2008 5:44 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

Another highlight: Jonathan Sanchez's best game of the year, Apr. 25 against Cincy. Utterly dominating.

[October 2, 2008 8:39 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Ben said

How about back to back walk off wins against those damn dodgers?

[October 3, 2008 12:22 AM]  |  link  |  reply
giantsrainman said

Omar's steal of home.

Bowker's 3 bombs in his first two games.

Castillo's triple play.

Cain's two bombs.

[October 3, 2008 2:59 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Dave said

Best game I went to this year was Matt Cain's start against the Cubs. He went eight strong with a Wilson adventure inning in the night for a win. I was so hoarse from yelling my co-workers were asking me if I had a cold the next day.

[October 3, 2008 10:42 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

Best mediated Giants moment of the year: the closed caption of a Giants telecast vs. Detroit in June translates Mike Krukow as saying, "Grab some pie and meat!"