Monthly Archives: May 2019

by | May 29, 2019 · 12:27 PM

This Week In San Francisco Giants History: The Never Ending Doubleheader

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Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry – San Francisco Giants | Photo: MLB.com

The Giants left for San Francisco in 1958. Because of their move, along with the Dodgers jump to LA, New York was awarded an expansion franchise in 1962. Thus, the Mets were born. Fun fact about the Mets, their uniform colors being orange and blue is a nod to the Giants and Dodgers who left town. That’s what I’ve always known and apparently it’s true.

There were still Giants fans left in the city of New York. My father was one of them, and he’s the reason I want to write about a Sunday doubleheader at Shea Stadium in 1964. He was there, and this is one of the stories I grew up listening to that made me a Giants fan today. Who knows if the account I was given was totally true, but who cares? It’s Giants lore, and I ate it up. Let’s dig in to the day. Continue reading →

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by | May 27, 2019 · 10:31 PM

Episode #167: How Far Down is Bottom?

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Joe Panik, pictured here, after his game-winning 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 9th to defeat the Braves 4-3…or he’s about to karate chop Duggar and Shark. This was the only joy this week in a 1-6 homestand. Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

The Giants went 1-6 since our last podcast, and have completely taken the season in a different direction, being outscored 55-19 in the process. In addition, they gave up 15 unearned runs this week, which is almost half of the season total of 32. They are dead last in hitting and fielding percentage, and 3rd worst in the NL in ERA, a spot they were third in just a few weeks ago. They’ve lost 5 in a row, 6 of 7, and are on pace for 97 losses. Mac Williamson was DFA’d again, Carl Yaztremski’s grandson was called up and got 3 hits, and the only win of the week was so improbable, with the Giants being down to their last strike 8 times. Baseball is weird. We talk about it in episode 167 of the TortureCast!

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by | May 25, 2019 · 11:21 AM

This Week In San Francisco Giants History: Angel Pagan’s Mad Dash

Angel Pagan of the San Francisco Giants walks it off against the Rockies

Angel Pagan scores the winning run on an inside-the-park home run to beat the Rockies in May 2013. | AP Photo

Six years ago today, the San Francisco Giants had one of the most memorable regular season wins in the history of Oracle Park. On May 25, 2013, Angel Pagan blessed us with one of the most exciting plays in baseball, the inside-the-park home run. This moment was even more special because it won the game in extra innings. Let’s watch it.

Remember where you were for this? I do. I’ll never forget watching this game. Watch for Tim Flannery’s reaction. I’m not sure anyone was happier than him that day. Including Pagan. And as you can see, Angel was PUMPED UP. Continue reading →

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by | May 20, 2019 · 2:13 PM

Episode #166: Pinch hit Wonder

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Madison Bumgarner propels the Giants to a win in Arizona on May 18. Photo by NBC Sports.

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

The Giants went 3-1 after our last podcast, and have exceeded expectations (sadly) with a 17-17 record over their last 34 games. They took 2 or 3 from Arizona and their regulars have been performing well. Crawford won 2 games by himself with a game-saving play and a homerun. Panda hit 2 pinch hit HRs and won a game. Zaidi keeps the roster rotating with some shrewd trades and moves. Listen to this and more in episode 166 of the TortureCast, the podcast by and for fans of the San Francisco Giants!

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by | May 17, 2019 · 2:52 PM

This Week In San Francisco Giants History: Willie’s Hit Parade

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San Francisco Giants Outfielder Willie Mays grabs a balloon during a parade on April 14, 1958 to welcome the team after their move from New York. – AP Photo

Welcome back to another This Week In San Francisco Giants History. After a week off to take care of the present day, we’re back with another peek at a fascinating moment in Giants history.

If you missed any of the previous installments in this series, you can click the links below to check them out.

TWIGH: Opening Day Timmy | Zito Loves Coors | California Baseball Begins | Robby Hits For The Cycle | The Comeback

Willie Mays is the greatest player in the history of baseball. You can’t convince me otherwise. I’m a Giants fan. Always have been, always will be. So, with all due respect to Babe Ruth, Mike Trout and Pablo Sandoval, Mays will always be at the top of the list. I’m subjective, and I don’t care. You try growing up with stories about that man and not feel the same. When my dad talked about Willie, he went to a place of wonderment and joy as he relived the moments he saw in his head from childhood. You could see it in his eyes. I’m biased, and I think I’ve established that. Continue reading →

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by | May 15, 2019 · 1:45 PM

Episode #165: Opener Closed

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After the Giants have been outscored 42-5 in the first inning through 40 games, the Giants decided to use Nick Vincent as an “opener.” Unfortunately, things didn’t work out, as he gave up 3 runs in the first. Photo by USA Today.

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

We review the last week in Giants’ baseball, including a 2-4 record, using Nick Vincent as an opener after being outscored 42-5 in the first inning through 40 games, Derek Holland’s comments about a “fake” injury and Zaidi’s response, injuries, the revolving door that is the roster (36 on the 25 man and counting), who’s hot and not, Hunter Pence’s renaissance, and much more. Although the Giants sit in the NL West cellar, there’s always interesting topics to discuss…just gotta look for it! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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by | May 6, 2019 · 2:35 PM

Episode #164: The Comeback Kids

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Buster Posey hits a 3 run homerun against the Reds. This was a game-tying homerun in the 6th. Brando Crawford won the game in the 9th.

You can download the episode here, or stream it below!

The Giants could have had a much worse week if it weren’t for the fact that they came back from 8 runs and 4 runs down in two games in Cincinnati. They took 2 of 3 against the Dodgers and split 4 in Cincy. The Giants lead the league with a 9-2 record in one run games…that’s good but not good considering their lack of ability to put teams away.

Their win after an 8 run deficit is the 5th time they’ve done that in Giants history and the first time in 30 years. They followed that up with a 4 run deficit win against the Reds, and that is a miracle of its own. We celebrate Eric’s 40th birthday and Willie Mays’ 88th birthday in episode 164.

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by | May 2, 2019 · 1:55 PM

This Week In San Francisco Giants History: The Comeback

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San Francisco Giants’ Bobby Bonds, right, and Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn pose with the All Star Game Most Valuable Player trophy after it was presented to Bonds at Royals Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on July 24, 1973. (AP Photo)

In the year 1973, the San Francisco Giants were facing a brave new world. It was the first season since 1954 in which Willie Mays was not on the roster. He had been traded to New York the prior season and was finishing his career out in a Mets uniform.

With Bobby Bonds in charge of a new outfield. the Giants had a good core of young players mixed with veterans like Willie McCovey to provide leadership and help the team contend. Twenty-three year old Garry Maddox patrolled center field, with 22-year old Rookie of the Year Gary Matthews spending most of his time in left field. A young Chris Speier, himself only 23 years old, was the captain of the infield at shortstop in only his 3rd season. McCovey was the only regular to get playing time who was over the age of 30 as the Giants gambled on young talent to carry them through the 1973 season.

The kids got off to a good start. The Giants entered May at 18-6, the best record in baseball. Continue reading →

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