BRUCE JENKINS Giants-L.A., the next generation
Things we’d like to see this baseball season:
Fresh blood in the Giants-Dodgers rivalry. Fans revere
Matt Cain for his noble service, but it’s time — sooner than later — for Ty Blach or Tyler Beede to join this rotation. Let’s see how Christian Arroyo fares against Rich Hill’s big bender.
Adrian Gonzalez provides quite the roadblock at first base, but the Dodgers should turn loose Cody Bellinger, probably the best hitting prospect in the game (wicked lefty power stroke) and an excellent defender. The Nationals take care of
Dusty Baker, working the last year of his contract. What’s the delay? They won’t find a better man. Get that extension done before Opening Day.
After months of rumors, the Nationals finally nail down a trade for White Sox closer Daniel Robertson. At the moment, Baker can’t trust any of his relievers to close a game.
A widespread trend finds teams cutting back to a 12-man pitching staff. Put down the analytics data and let effectve relievers stay out there a while. Pick up the pace. And strengthen your bench in the process. Speaking of which, Michael
Morse makes the Giants’ roster. Maybe the numbers game works against him, but there’s nothing like having a big power threat in reserve, and someone whose mere presence jacks up the energy level (this sugestion endorsed by Hunter Pence).
A quick start for the A’s. There is no finer manager or gentleman in the game than
Bob Melvin, but a lousy record, cheapskate ownership and Coliseum doldrums can bring a man down. He deserves relevance and an uplifting climate. At some point, the sight of
Matt Chapman, who was born to play third base in the bigs, joining Ryon Healy in an Oakland starting lineup. Two of the really dynamic swings among young right-handed hitters.
Pablo Sandoval in a playful mood, looking trim and holding down the Red Sox’s third-base job. He doesn’t have to replace the retired David Ortiz as the team’s spiritual leader. Youngsters Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts own that club now.
In this age of the whiff, some earnest kid turns to the history books and decides to be just like
Tommy Holmes. In 1945, Holmes cranked out 224 hits for a .352 average in 714 plate appearances — and struck out just nine times. For a taste of higher celebrity, there’s always Joe
DiMaggio, who fanned 13 times during his epic season of 1941.
No postseason games on FoxSports1 or any other channel not necessarily available in a home, tavern or hotel room.
Every basball-mad pitcher in America gets a video of Clayton
Kershaw as he explains his upbringing and wariness of travel teams, which force kids into an all-year baseball commitment that simply isn’t healthy. “The biggest thing was, in high school, I pitched on Friday nights and then not again until the next Friday night,” Kershaw told reporters. “In between, I played first base. And I played other sports in the offseason to give my arm a break.”
Careful with that sofa
Loved this item in a Kansas City Star piece about people overly concerned about injuries in the World Baseball Classic:
“Mark Quinn was once injured while kung fu fighting with his brother. George Brett once broke a toe rushing to a TV to watch Bill Buckner hit.” ... ESPN analyst Keith Law ranks Beede and Arroyo as the Giants’ 1-2 prospects. The next two are outfielders: Brian Reynolds, the team’s first selection in the 2016 draft, and Steven Duggar, who seems to have everything but raw power ... Gonzalez got a little too cranky at the WBC. Yes, Mexico got incomprehensibly screwed out of a play-in game, but he didn’t perform as advertised and Mexico had no business losing to Italy after holding a four-run lead in the ninth. For him to say, “It’s not worth it. I’ll tell anyone who asks not to play” — thats just lame. A lot of Mexican kids have their dreams after watching a full round unfolding in Guadalajara ... Just a week ago, there were serious questions among NBA insiders about the league’s best backcourt. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, they speculated, had lost the throne to Washington (Bradley Beal,
John Wall) and perhaps even Toronto (when injured Kyle
Lowry rejoins DeMar DeRozan) or Portland (Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum). The playoffs will unveil the truth, but the Warriors’ victory over Orlando showcased some very promising theater ... Wisecrack from the end of the bar: “Not sure you can count a win over the Magic. Their point guard
(Elfrid Payton) plays with a thatch of dyed kale on his head” ... Well, that’s it: One more “Diaper dandy” from broadcaster
Dick Vitale and he’s escorted to a seat in the stands ... Someone has to explain this: Complex issue unfolding. No clear answers. Big debates. And someone blurts out, “It is what it is.” Oh, so we’re all good now?