I asked ChatGPT to produce this. I didn’t dare use a real picture of the real team that won. Not sure why they all look like brothers with the same facial hair.
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The MLB season is officially over, and it ended in agonizing fashion with the Dodgers squeaking out their second consecutive championship over a Toronto Blue Jays team that just couldn’t put the nail in the coffin. We beat the dead horse that should have been a ring for Toronto, but before that, we break down Tony Vitello’s presser at Oracle, Gold Glove wins for Bailey and Webb, and some new coaching hires. We’ll be back periodically throughout the offseason as news breaks, but thank you for your continued support as we close out season 15 of the TortureCast.
Tony Vitello is the 40th manager in Giants’ franchise history
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Today, the Giants announced that University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello will be their new manager. Vitello becomes the first college coach to move directly to MLB manager without previous professional coaching experience. He turned a Volunteers team around, accruing a .722 winning percentage, and winning the 2024 College World Series and was named Coach of the Year. This could be exactly what the Giants need, or it could flame out in horrible disaster, but they had to try something, and this is Buster Posey’s first crack at “his guy” to helm the ship. The whole gang is back together (Willie, Eric, and Chad) to talk about Vitello and to preview the World Series, which unfortunately has that team in blue in it…again.
Dec 12, 2024; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames reacts during his introductory press conference with president of baseball operations Buster Posey (left) and manager Bob Melvin (right) at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
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NOTE: We had some audio issues that we tried to clean up and since uploaded a new version on 12/16/24.
Chad and Willie “Dills” talk about the impact that newly signed Giants’ shortstop, Willy Adames will have on this team. The left side of the infield is pretty strong right now and the outfield is set. Second and first may have a little work, but we have assumed starters there and at catcher. Most of the discussion revolves around starting pitching and the DH. After Snell signed with the Dodgers, it’s apparent that the Dodgers are probably already better on paper than they were last year when they won the whole thing. The Giants really are relegated to shooting for the wild card at this point, but that’s all it takes. Brandon Crawford officially called it a career and we reflect for a few minutes on his contributions to the franchise and imagine all of the upcoming Wall of Fame and statue ceremonies.
San Francisco Giants pro scouting director Zack Minasian was one the first hires made by Farhan Zaidi, the former president of baseball operations. He is now the GM. (Photo: Kerry Crowley)
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Buster Posey and the Giants hired a general manager! Zack Minasian (his brother is also the GM of the Angles, btw) has spent six years with the Giants and prior to that, was with the Brewers organization for 15 years. He grew up in the Rangers’ clubhouse, as his dad was a clubhouse attendant. In his teens, Zack realized that he wasn’t going to make it as baseball player and set his sights on the front office. Well, he’s arrived. Randy Winn was also named VP of player development. We’ll see if positions come up for JT Snow and Rich Aurilia. Patrick Bailey and Matt Chapman won Gold Gloves. It’s Bailey’s first, Chapman’s fifth, and it’s the first time the Giants have had two or more Gold Glove winners since Crawford, Panik, and Posey in 2016. Notice how we didn’t mention the Dodgers? Wait, what?
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Look. Many Giants and fans of other franchises did not want to see Dodgers and Yankees. Chad certainly doesn’t. He’s rooting for a cancelation of the World Series. But, even though Eric and Willie would never want the Dodgers to win, they are intrigued by the superstar spectacle that this is. It’s a far cry from last year’s small market, wild card World Series between Arizona and Texas. In their 12th meeting in the World Series (5 ahead of the Yankees and Giants), and their first Fall Classic together since 1981, the Yankees and Dodgers square off in a Fox wet dream. Between the US and Japan viewership, this could be the most watched World Series in a decade or more. The boys make their picks, lament about Bay Area sports in general, and wrap it up with a little Giants’ news (3 Gold Glove finalists!). We’ll be back to review the World Series and get into the hot stove season with Buster Posey commanding the ship.
The 2014 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants were honored at Oracle Park on Saturday. Most of the team was there, including Bum, Posey, the core 4, Pence, Panik, Peavy, Vogey, Belt, Sabean, and more. How has it been 10 YEARS?! (Photo by SF Giants)
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The Giants have been slowly creeping up in the standings and suddenly find themselves 2 games above .500 and only 1.5 games back of the wild card with 42 to play. We discuss their playoff chances, their recent trades, the demotion of Doval, Snell’s resurgence and no-hitter, the all-important 4-game series with the Braves this week, the 2014 World Series team reunion, and much, much more.
Dusty Baker reacts shortly after winning the World Series 4 games to 2 over the Phillies on November 5, 2022. Photo: Getty Images
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Dusty Baker finally got the monkey off his back and won his first ring as a manger as the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4 games to 2. Jeremy Pena won the first World Series MVP by a position player rookie, along with ALCS MVP and a gold glove. Yes, we talk a little Judge, since the hot stove is LIT! And, Carlos Rodon officially declined his $22.5m option, as expected. Barry Bonds will have another shot at the Hall of Fame in December. Also, who do you think will be the Giants’ uniform sponsor in 2023? And, why do we have to have a goddamn patch on these clean unis?!
Bruce Bochy was introduced as the next manager for the Texas Rangers earlier today (October 24, 2022). He signed a 3-year deal. The Rangers visit Oracle park Aug 11-13, 2023. That’ll be fun!
You can download the episode here, or stream it below!
All three hosts have a very lively conversation about the Astros and Phillies in the World Series, and how the Phillies’ run is reminiscent of the 2014 Giants. Eric really, really hates the Astros, btw. Bruce Bochy comes out of retirement to become the next manager of the Texas Rangers (BTW, Rangers visit Oracle next Aug 11-13). Pete Putila is the new Giants’ GM, and Zaidi promises to be “very active” this offseason, with reports that they are targeting Aaron Judge and Trea Turner. This and Eric’s epic entry and run in a World Poker Tour 5 Diamond tournament at the Bellagio last week!
Our old friend Pablo Sandoval and the Atlanta Braves had a 2-0 and 3-1 lead over the hated Dodgers, but couldn’t manage to win just one out of the remaining three games of the NLCS. Yes, the hated (did I say that) Dodgers are in the World Series…again. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
You can download the episode here, or stream it below (video a bit more down)!
The boys streamed episode #211 over on Facebook, but are bringing it to you on YouTube as well. We review the Division and Championship Series and preview the World Series. Braves, WTF, you had ONE JOB! We also talk about potential Giants’ All-Stars, Belt’s surgery, Ramos’ injury, a 10% reduction in Giants baseball operations and more. You can follow us on Twitter @torturecast and like us on Facebook, where we stream our episodes live. You can also get our audio-only podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Members of the Washington Nationals celebrate becoming World Series champions. The Washington Nationals defeated the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
You can download the episode here, or stream it below!
Much like the “Mattress King” did, we thought the Astros would win the World Series. Unlike the “Mattress King,” we did not bet 3 million bucks on it. Congratulations to the Washington Nationals for bringing home the coveted Tiffany trophy for the first time in the city’s history. It wasn’t the most exciting seven game series that we’ve seen, with only one game decided by one run and the rest by 3 or more, but it was seven games, nonetheless.
Eric and Chad review the World Series and then talk about the Giants who elected free agency, and the finalists for the Giants’ managerial position.
We’ll be back periodically throughout the offseason, even for short(ish) episodes when something big drops. Perhaps signing Cole? We kid.
Thank you for all of your support throughout the 2019 season. It was our most successful year after our inaugural season of 2011. We recorded 28 podcast episodes during the season, totaling over 30 hours of content, including a few interviews. We hope to bring as much or more audio content to you in 2020, and perhaps more video products. We want to hear what you want! Send us a line at chad at torturecast dot com.
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