Even Dodgers applauded Tim Hudson

By Art Spander

SAN FRANCISCO — He was walking off a off a major league mound for a final time, and in the other dugout, the opposing dugout, the Dodgers dugout, players were standing and applauding, joining a last hurrah for Tim Hudson.

His Giants teammates, of course. The more than 40,000 fans, indeed. But the Dodgers, the historic rivals of the Giants, also taking part? More than anything, that was proof of the respect Hudson had earned in a career now coming to a close.

These are strange days for San Francisco baseball. The Giants’ chance for the postseason, the opportunity to repeat as World Series champions, was halted earlier in the week by the Dodgers. The games no longer mean anything.

It is a time for reflection, for farewells, in the case of 40-year-old Tim Hudson, for a cameo and an ovation that Thursday afternoon shook AT&T Park. You can’t win every year, but you can be appreciative of the years you did win, and the players who contributed to those wins.

For Hudson, the appearance amounted to a victory lap, even if there would be no victory, the Dodgers edging the Giants, 3-2. Hudson lasted 2 1/3 innings. After a single by Howie Kendrick in the top of the third, Bruce Bochy stepped onto the field to replace Hudson. The time had come.

“It was a special moment,” said Bochy of Hudson taking his leave. “It’s been an honor to have him on our team.”

Brief as that might have been. Huddy was with the Athletics for six years, then, joining as a free agent, the Atlanta Braves for nine. He came to the Giants before the season of 2014 with the express purpose of pitching and winning a World Series, a goal that was achieved and one that Hudson quickly asserts remains the highlight of a 17-year career.

“I never would have dreamed things would have unfolded the way they did,” said Hudson.

Sport emphasizes the passing of time. One day you’re a rookie, the next you’re nearly finished. Always someone is arriving — the Giants' catcher Thursday, the man to whom Hudson pitched, was Trevor Brown, 24. Always someone is departing.

These were an exciting few days for Brown, as they were for the other rookies who were in the Giants’ starting lineup, Kelby Tomlinson, Matt Duffy, Mac Williamson, Jarrett Parker and Nick Noonan. These were bittersweet days for Hudson, as they would be for any retiring athlete. The tributes confirm the reality that life is about to change.

“I’ve had so much fun the last 17 years,” said Hudson. “This was a special day for me, the way the fans responded, my teammates responded.”

When someone wondered if this curtain call was easier than the one he shared last Saturday in Oakland with Barry Zito, Hudson said, “It’s always easier in front of the home fans. These are the best baseball fans, the best sports fans there are. I just wish we would have won the ball game. This is a classy town, a classy organization.”

We have seen so many come and go through the seasons, Willie Mays, Joe Montana, Rick Barry, greats all. Whether Hudson is in that category is debatable, but he did win 222 games—the most of any pitcher active through the end of 2015 — and struck out 2,080.

Bochy mentioned the Hall of Fame, and when Hudson was asked if he thought about the possibility of being elected — he won’t be eligible for five years — he said, “It’s tough for me to get my head around that now. I feel very lucky to have played as long as I have.

“It kind of makes me laugh. This year has been pretty tough.”

Hudson missed time because of a hip problem and finished with an 8-9 record, after 9-13 last season. Not the way he would have wanted, but that old guy, Father Time, has a reputation for ruining all sorts of plans.

Hudson was relieved by Jeremy Affeldt, who a day ago announced he also was retiring, at age 36. It was also a goodbye appearance for Affeldt. He pitched only two thirds of an inning before Ryan Vogelsong took over.

The Giants' pitching wasn’t bad. The Dodgers' pitching, mainly starter Brett Anderson, who went 7 2/3, was spectacular.

“Huddy wanted to be out there,” said Bochy. “I’m sure a lot was on his mind. He had a wonderful career. I hope he takes time and looks back on what he accomplished.”

For certain, everyone else will.

Hudson and Zito took us back to the past

By Art Spander

OAKLAND — The game is one of learning to grip the ball, but in time, we’re told, baseball has the grip on us. It was true Saturday when two teams figuratively going nowhere were able to take us someplace they — and we — had been, into the past.

No pennants this year by the Bay. No playoffs. So being resourceful, as well as realistic, we rely on memories, and for two pitchers, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito, and for two teams for which each has played, or still was playing, on a glorious Saturday in early autumn that proved enough.

This might not have happened in New York or Chicago, where the supporters of one of that city’s teams find it difficult, if not impossible, to embrace anything to do with the other. But the A’s and Giants realize that for us by the Bay, there is an understanding of the big picture. A respect for the other side, especially when the guy on the other side is or has been on your side.

You know the situation, that Zito went from the A’s to the Giants and now for a brief moment is back with the A’s; how Hudson started with the A’s, along with Zito and Mark Mulder, and after years in Atlanta ended up with the Giants. And how through fate, fable and the decency of the men who manage those teams, Bob Melvin of the A’s and Bruce Bochy of the Giants, the decision was made to let the pitchers have one start against each other, a last hurrah if you will.

Neither lasted very long, Zito, age 37, just two innings — he did start the third — and Huddy, 40, only one and one-third innings, And a game harkening to pitching greatness ended up 14-10, if with a hint of the future for the Giants, Jarrett Parker becoming the first San Francisco rookie to hit three home runs in a game and the first Giants player with three homers and seven RBIs since Willie Mays in 1961.

“A crazy game,” said Hudson, meaning baseball in general and not this one in particular. “It wasn’t quite the pitchers' duel I envisioned. I came in thinking it was going to be 1-0 Giants.” Heck, it was 2-0 in the top of the first.

That’s the way sport and life go, entirely unpredictable. Except when it came to the reaction of the sellout crowd of 36,067. You knew they were going to cheer Zito and Hudson. What you didn’t know was the cheering would be so energetic and enthusiastic.

Each pitcher, after his brief but meaningful appearance, was given a call on the public address system and so each was given a standing ovation. Or two of them. Nostalgia. Enjoyment. Thanks, guys. Over the seasons you did yourselves proud, did us proud.

“It was surreal,” said Zito of the cheers — and the chants. After the burst of shouting, there was a repetitive, “Barry, Barry, Barry.”  It gave Barry chills.

“I flashed back to the last time I pitched in San Francisco,” he said, referring to 2013. He was a Giant then, beloved for his postseason performance in 2012 after being disliked for his performances in seasons prior to that.

“I couldn’t believe here I got to be on the field in an in an A’s uniform because I thought the Giants were my last time in the major leagues. It was so special. I always love this ballpark.”

He won the 2002 Cy Young Award pitching for the A’s. Then, as a free agent, he went to San Francisco for a  contract that only seemed obscenely large because he had more bad games than good ones. But it ended well.

Zito is probably done. He spent the season in the minors, then was given the opportunity for one more chance in the bigs. Hudson surely is done. He’s retiring at the end of a season, which closes in eight days. He made it through the first inning Saturday but in the second forced in two runs on walks and a third on a hit batsman. Wild is an understatement.

“Both pitchers had a lot going through their heads,” reminded Bochy. “Memories, the crowd, emotions. I’m sure it got to both of them.”

So did the ovations. The crowd was probably 60 percent A’s fans, but it was 100 percent baseball fans.

“They were awesome,” said Hudson. “I wish it could have ended up a little better, but it was a good day for everyone. I appreciate the fans. They’ve always been great here.”

S.F. Examiner: Giants go from bad to worst

By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

Bruce Bochy was alone at his desk, studying numbers that could only reinforce what he knew, what we knew — the Giants are a team in trouble. The scintilla of optimism that burst forth Saturday night like the reflection off the championship rings that had been awarded, and the victory that at last was achieved after eight straight defeats, had disappeared.

They’re not very good, these 2015 Giants, the defending World Series champions. They may in fact be very bad. The 5-1 victory by Arizona on Sunday set up what even Bochy, at his postgame news conference, agreed would be a critical few games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Read the full story here.

© 2015 The San Francisco Examiner 

The 2014 Royals are the 2012 and 2010 Giants

By Art Spander

SAN FRANCISCO — The template is as old as the game. The Giants used it in 2010 and 2012.

Now the 2014 Kansas City Royals are using it. The Royals are the new Giants.

Pitching wins, and the Royals have pitching, great pitching. From start to finish. Especially at the finish.

This supposedly was the one that tips the balance. When the first two games of the World Series are split, the metrics tell us, 70 percent of the time the team that wins the third game win the Series.

Well, the Royals took Game 3, won it, 3-2, Friday night at AT&T Park, and the mood by the Bay has gone gloomy. The crowd filed out in a state of disbelief.

The Giants never lost at home in their last two World Series, never failed before their boisterous fans. In fact, home or away, against the Rangers and Tigers they barely lost at all.

This is different, a shock perhaps, although to those who have followed the Royals through their remarkable postseason when they’ve won 10 of 11 games, probably not a shock.

It’s an electric, exciting baseball team that keeps on the pressure — just as the Giants are a team that never gives anything away, most of all a game.

No designated hitter for the American League Royals on Friday in a National League ballpark. No problem. Except for the Giants, who were down 1-0 three batters into the game and never caught up. Now, with Ryan Vogelsong scheduled to pitch for San Francisco on Saturday night in Game 4 — as scheduled — the Giants never may catch the Royals.

“If you look at their pitching,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said philosophically, “you can say they might not need the DH. That’s how well they threw the ball. It’s more like a National League team. Very well balanced. Speed. They do the little things well.

“Their defense played very well. We hit some balls hard. We couldn’t find one to fall in. Cain (rightfielder Lorenzo Cain) made a couple nice plays out there, but it always comes down to pitching. I don’t care if you’re in the National League or American League. If you pitched well, you probably have a chance to win.”

The Giants pitched well, although the very first ball thrown by Tim Hudson, finally in a World Series game after 16 big league seasons, was smacked off the left field wall — out there by the Chevron cars — for a double by Alcides Escobar.

“It was a fastball,” said Hudson. “He could just as easily have popped it up.” But these Royals don’t pop up, they pound. Two batters later, Cain, that pest, grounded out and scored Escobar from third.

When it was 2-0, in the top of the sixth, with one out and a runner on second, Javier Lopez, the lefty, was bought in to face Eric Hosmer, a lefthanded batter. Lopez got two strikes, but Hosmer stretched the count to 3-2, then singled home Alex Gordon. That run was the difference. Kansas City forces the issue.

“He did what the Royals have been doing all postseason,” said Lopez.

Which is finding a way to beat you.

There was some discussion between Bochy and pitching coach Dave Righetti about perhaps using Madison Bumgarner on Saturday in a game of such importance.

A loss in Game 4, and the Giants would be where in 2010 and 2012 they had the other teams, in a hole from which excavation would be impossible.

But what we’ve learned about Bochy in the seasons he’s been in control is that he is very much in control. He stays the course, allows the patterns to remain unchanged.

“It’s confidence in (Vogelsong),” said Bochy, “and we’ve pushed Madison pretty good here. So we’re going to keep things in order and go with Vogey. He has experience. He’s pitched great in postseason. It was a good ballgame tonight, but we’re not going to change things because we lost.”

And, Bochy reminded, “If Madison pitched (Saturday), we’re going to have to pitch somebody the next day.”

San Francisco’s pitching wasn’t the problem for San Francisco. Kansas City’s pitching was the problem for San Francisco. The Giants had only four hits, received no walks. 

Jeremy Guthrie, the Stanford kid, was excellent in the five-plus innings he worked. The people who followed from that in-your-face bullpen, Kelvin Herrera, Brandon Finnegan, Wade Davis and Greg Holland, were no less excellent. Maybe more, if that’s possible.

“It’s a pretty good bullpen,” said Bochy, understating the situation somewhat. “It’s the reason they’re here. You get late in the ballgame, and you’re going to face those guys. You have your work cut out. We know that. Still, you hope to score off them.”

In the bottom of the ninth, against Holland, the Giants had their big three: Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence. Posey was the only one to get a ball out of the infield. A soft, sad response.

“The key factor in all this for us,” said Ned Yost, the Royals’ manager, “is timely hitting, great defense, really solid starting pitching but a dynamic back of the bullpen.”

Sounds like the Giants when they were champions.

Giants are lucky — and good

By Art Spander

SAN FRANCISCO — Oh, those lucky Giants. Oh, those remarkable Giants.

They can’t hit a home run. They squander first-inning leads. They score on bloop hits. They score on wild pitches. They score when a bunt is thrown into right field. Is that luck or what?

“It’s a great thing to have,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, of the black magic and good fortune. “But you don’t get this far by being lucky. You have to be good.”

You have to have players who are tough, talented and most of all resilient.

You have to have players who can go through the fifth through ninth innings as they did Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, with only two base runners and one hit, and remain unfazed.

You have to have players who appear as if they’re going to blow another game as they did on Sunday night when the Cardinals rallied again and again and won on a walkoff home run.

And then, as a sellout crowd at AT&T Park stops gasping and starts screaming, you have to have players who do the little things that turn out so big and win in what seems the most unlikeliest of fashions — but to the Giants is, yawn, the norm.

In the bottom of the 10th, Brandon Crawford, hitless in three at bats, leads off with a walk. Ninth-place batter Juan Perez fouls off two balls attempting to bunt, swings away and singles. Gregor Blanco lays down a bunt, which reliever Randy Choate fields and flings into right field for an error as Crawford dashes home to give San Francisco a 5-4 win and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series.

“I’m a little delirious, I guess,” said a half-joking Bochy when asked what it’s like to manage this team in these games. “Man, these are hard-fought games. We don’t do anything easy.”

When have they ever? Sweet Torture is how the broadcasters Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper labeled Giants baseball back in 2010, when the torture sweetly climaxed with a World Series triumph.

The template was created, and it’s being followed once again — chomped cuticle by chomped cuticle.

“I’m not sure if I assume something is going to happen,” said Bochy, “but it couldn’t have worked out better. Perez, he couldn’t get a bunt down and gets a base hit. Now you’re playing with house money.”

Now you’re playing Giants baseball, making the easy difficult, making the absurd reasonable. The Giants had a homer (by Crawford) in the wild card game at Pittsburgh. The Giants had a homer (by Brandon Belt in the 18th) in the second NL Division Series game against Washington.

That was six postseason games ago. They haven’t had one since.

“It’s kind of our way,” conceded Bochy of the scrambling. "We play a lot of tight games ... We didn’t get a lot of chances with men on, but we took advantage of them. Ishi with the big hit. Pence that first inning, two outs, two strikes and he hits the ball down the line.”

Hunter Pence, not unexpected. Travis Ishikawa, reacquired during the season after seasons in the minors,  quite unexpected.

Two outs in the first, none on. Buster Posey singles, Pablo Sandoval singles, Pence doubles, Belt walks and then Ishikawa hits it deep and high to right center, where the ball is blown around by wind that would have done Candlestick proud. Ishikawa has a double, two runs batted in, and San Francisco has a 4-0 lead.

“One of the toughest winds I can remember,” said Pence, who despite being the Giants regular right fielder misjudged a shot by the Cards’ Kolten Wong in the fourth that ended up a two-RBI triple. “I started to my left and it blew over my head to the right.”

The subplot in this one was the tale of Giants starter Tim Hudson, who at age 39, in the majors since 1997 with Oakland, Atlanta and now San Francisco, had never pitched in a league championship game.

He made it to the seventh, then with one out gave up a home run to rookie Randal Grichuk. The 4-0 lead was now a 4-4 tie, and Hudson was relieved by Jeremy Affeldt.

“One thing that can kill you,” sighed Hudson, “is giving up a homer right there to the number eight hitter, and you know they are going to pinch-hit for the pitcher after him. It was probably the worst cutter (cut fastball) I’ve thrown all day ... Obviously it was a tough one for me to swallow. But the guys battled and picked me up as they have all year.

“That’s our personality as a team. We have guys who scratch and claw and do whatever it takes to get some runs across and keep the game close at times, and try to find ways to win in the end.”

Which, when the other team turned a simple bunt into a mammoth mistake, is exactly what they did.

“It doesn’t matter how we score our runs,” said Ishikawa. “It’s been a big topic on how we scored on wild pitches and passed balls and things like that. Somebody asked me if there’s another way we can score a run other than a non-conventional way. I said, 'If there is, we’re going to find a way.'”

Call them lucky. Call them resourceful. Call them remarkable. Call them winners.