By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner
On one side of the family was a Hall of Fame first baseman, on the other an outfielder involved in one of the more famous plays in World Series lore. The baseball genes were there for Charlie Culberson.
“I guess you could say that,” Culberson agreed, “it’s neat to have that history.”
Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company
By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner
“These are the major leagues,” insisted Vida Blue on Comcast SportsNet this week. “This has got to stop.” Not the way the Giants are fielding. Or fumbling.
Who knew the Bad News Bears would be resurrected in orange and black? It was one thing when the Giants couldn’t hit a moving ball. It’s another when they can’t catch one.
Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company
Bruce Bochy, Giants, Guillermo Mota, Pablo Sandoval Email Article By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com
SAN FRANCISCO – The subject was baseball, which was perfect for Ozzie Guillen. Hard to get into trouble talking about pop flies. No protests when discussing the pitching rotation.
A few hugs, to his pals on the Giants, a few wisecracks, and wasn’t this why the Miami Marlins had brought him in as manager because of his experience in the game?
He may be a lightning rod, a firecracker ...
© RealClearSports 2012
By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner
What’s to worry? Tim Lincecum wasn’t going winless this season. You mean you thought that was possible? Oh, ye of little faith. And of first-inning jitters. True, he’s not where he would hope to be, but neither is he where he was.
“Baby steps,” was Lincecum’s observation. For Giants fans, it was more like, “Oh, baby, what a step.”
Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company
By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com
SAN FRANCISCO — He gave up five runs, yet his ERA fell. Not much. It still is embarrassingly high, 10.54, but maybe Tim Lincecum has regained some of that edge with the slider and some of that swagger in his manner.
The possibility was enticing. Lincecum, the San Francisco Giants' two-time Cy Young Award winner, against Roy Halladay of the Phillies, also twice a winner of the Cy Young, if once in the American League.
© RealClearSports 2012
Giants, Phillies, Roy Halladay, Tim Lincecum Email Article