SF Examiner: Vogelsong, lineup step up when San Francisco Giants need it most

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

He walked toward the dugout with his head down, but there was nothing symbolic about his posture.

That’s the way pitchers are supposed to appear as they leave the mound to a standing ovation, which on this very significant Wednesday afternoon, Ryan Vogelsong and the Giants deserved entirely.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Is it time to take pity on the LA Dodgers?

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Oh, how it’s changed. There are the Giants, wildly successful, in the standings and at the box office. And then there are the Dodgers, despised as much by their own fans as they once were by San Francisco — bankrupt, literally and emotionally. The applicable word is unbelievable.

L.A., where the stadium always was as full as Tommy Lasorda’s belly ...

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Blame game over for Zito, for now

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Goodbye, June. Hello, Barry. The idea (blush) the Giants, figuratively had gone south when in actuality they went east across the Bay Bridge? Sorry.

Journalists, like infielders, botch easy ones. Make that E-C, as in error, columnist.

Oh ye of little faith. Oh me of little faith.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Football is thriving, just not in the US

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

Are you ready for some football? They have it here, in the papers 365 days a year — here meaning all of Great Britain, football meaning soccer. But there’s no lockout, so at least stories have substance.

Yes, Wimbledon, the All England Lawn Tennis Championships, is in full flower — and full of strawberries and cream, priced at $4 for a small bowl anywhere on the grounds.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: San Francisco Giants mired in offensive slump

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

This isn’t a June Swoon, it’s an “Oh gawd, how do we get back to last October?”

It’s a season of Murphy’s Law baseball, with the people who aren’t getting injured unable to get out of slumps.

“It’s going to have to pick up,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We know it.”

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2011 SF Newspaper Company