spring training 2006 notebook

[west coast orange and black]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> please contribute articles to this sticky <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


benitez the closer and schmidt the putative ace each had miserable 2005 seasons. each has something to prove in 2006 and each is vital to the giants' quest to return to the playoffs.

both provided some revelations two days ago as the giants popped the seal on 2006 by officially opening spring training for pitchers and catchers.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, thursday, 16 february 2006

benitez and schmidt look to rebound (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/16/SPG7BH9JU21.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

head trainer stan conte has reinstituted the more aggressive conditioning that served the team well over the eight previous years.

giants players lost fewer aggregate days to the dl (about 600) than any other team in the west. only nine teams in the majors had fewer days. and benitez and bonds accounted for half the team's total.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, friday, 17 february 2006


conte goes tough on his giants (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/17/SPG8RH9SVR1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

schmidt felt great at the start of last year's cactus league competition, but admitted things "took a nosedive after that. i felt good but I couldn't throw a strike.

i beat myself up every day," he said, conscious that his fastball had slowed by the midway point until finally revving up late. "i felt like it was back, but going through the groin stuff I wasn't able to use my body to its full advantage and go for it. i had to pitch at 80 percent for a while.

"right now i feel good, i'm ready to go, plain and simple," said schmidt. "it's good to be back."
-rich draper, mlb.com, 16 february 2006


schmiddy ready for 2006 (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060216&content_id=1313032&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)

[Rowe]

Giants ST blog by "giantfan9", with copious photos:

http://giantsjottings.blogspot.com/

Nice work.

[west coast orange and black]

"'I've got to say off the top of my head, when I look at Jason Schmidt I see a No. 1 guy,' Alou said. 'I've managed Schmidty for three years, and he is 47-19 in that time. There's always hope that he's healthy enough. He could dominate the league again. Matt Morris has been a No. 1. He has the qualities to be a No. 1. When you have two guys like that, unfortunately one of them has got to be a No. 2.'

"'Schmidty is still considered the ace here.' However, Alou seems prepared to go with a rotation of Morris, Schmidt, Noah Lowry, Matt Cain and the fifth starter -- in that order -- if need be."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, saturday, 18 february 2006

here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/18/SPG4MHATDP1.DTL&type=printable) is schulman's entire story

[west coast orange and black]

the giants are expected to have bonds, alou, feliz, niekro and matheny be his 4-5-6-7-8 hitters.

Also, Giants fans will do some double-takes if Todd Greene makes the team as Mike Matheny's backup catcher. Greene is a dead ringer for Matt Williams.

"Since I left the Yankees, I haven't been on a winning ballclub. Losing four years in a row will make you run to a good team, where you're only going to play a few games, in a heartbeat.

"Guys like us who have been around for seven or eight years, coming to a team like the Giants after being on losing teams is like a breath of fresh air. It's like getting called up again."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle, sunday, 19 february 2006

schulman's story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/19/SPGNKHBB4S1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Ray Durham checked into camp Sunday and declared himself "bigger, stronger and hopefully faster".

If Durham stays healthy, Alou would like him to lead off again. That's fine with Durham, who said, "I'm a baseball player. I'll bat anywhere. I don't care.

"I'm not getting any younger. We've got a lot of guys up there in age. I definitely think if we don't win now, especially with Barry here, you don't know how long he's going to be around. I think this definitely is our best chance to do it.

"If we don't do it this year, who knows? We might never get it done."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle, monday, 20 february 2006

schulman's story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/20/SPGC0HBKDA1.DTL&type=printable)

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40-man roster

pitchers.................b/t....ht....wt.....dob

59 jeremy accardo .......R/R...6-2...190...12/18/81
60 kelyn acosta .........R/R...6-2...195...04/24/85
49 armando benitez ......R/R...6-4...245...11/03/72
43 matt cain ............R/R...6-3...230...10/01/84
53 kevin correia ........R/R...6-3...210...08/24/80
61 jon coutlangus .......L/L...6-1...180...10/21/80
14 jeff fassero .........L/L...6-1...200...01/05/63
41 brad hennessey .......R/R...6-2...195...02/07/80
34 steve kline ..........L/L...6-1...240...08/22/72
51 noah lowry ...........R/L...6-2...210...10/10/80
35 matt morris ..........R/R...6-5...220...08/09/74
54 scott munter .........R/R...6-6...240...03/07/80
63 jesus reina ..........R/R...6-5...215...01/29/73
56 alfredo simon ........R/R...6-4...230...05/08/81
37 jack taschner ........L/L...6-3...205...04/21/78
57 erik threets .........L/L...6-5...240...11/04/81
65 merkin valdez ........R/R...6-3...220...11/10/81
47 tyler walker .........R/R...6-3...240...05/15/76
45 tim worrell ..........R/R...6-4...240...07/05/67

catchers
50 eliezer alfonzo ......R/R...6-0...225...02/07/79
33 justin knoedler ......R/R...6-2...215...07/17/80
22 mike matheny .........R/R...6-3...220...09/22/70

infielders
1 angel chavez ..........R/R...6-1...195...07/22/81
5 ray durham ............S/R...5-8...195...11/30/71
7 pefro feliz ...........L/L...6-3...200...09/24/83
28 lance niekro .........R/R...6-3...215...01/29/79
9 mark sweeney ..........L/L...6-1...215...10/26/69
20 jose vizcaino ........S/R...6-1...190...03/26/68
13 omar vizquel .........S/R...5-9...185...04/24/67

outfielders
18 moises alou ..........R/R...6-3...220...07/03/66
25 barry bonds ..........L/L...6-2...230...07/24/64
21 jason ellison ........R/R...5-10..180...04/04/78
12 steve finley .........L/L...6-2...195...03/12/65
32 fred lewis ...........L/R...6-2...190...12/09/80
39 todd linden ..........S/R...6-3...230...06/30/80
40 dan ortmeier .........S/L...6-4...220...05/11/81
46 nate schierholtz .....L/R...6-2...215...02/15/84
2 randy winn ............S/R...6-2...195...06/09/74

[west coast orange and black]

non-roster invitees

pitchers................... b/t....ht...wt......dob

31 matt anderson........... R/R...6-4...200...08/17/76
67 joe bateman............. R/R...6-2...170...05/06/80
52 brian cooper............ R/R...6-1...195...08/19/74
87 justin hedrick.......... R/R...6-3...225...06/08/82
38 matt kinney............. R/R...6-5...215...12/16/76
71 pedro liriano........... R/R...6-2...170...10/23/80
62 jeff miller............. R/R...6-3...235...02/01/80
75 billy sadler............ R/R...6-0...190...09/21/81
76 jonathan sanchez........ L/L...6-2...165...11/19/82
68 michael tejera.......... L/L...5-9...190...10/18/76
84 brian wilson............ R/R...6-1...205...03/16/82
48 jamey wright............ R/R...6-6...235...12/24/74


catchers
-- todd greene............. R/R...5-10..210...05/08/71
8 yamid haad............... R/R...6-2...215...09/02/77
17 todd jennings........... R/R...6-0...190...12/10/81
89 brian munhall........... R/R...6-0...190...06/17/80
66 guillermo rodriguez..... R/R...5-11..195...05/15/78


infielders
77 brian buscher........... L/R...6-0...200...04/18/81
72 tomas de la rosa........ R/R...5-10..185...01/28/78
79 kevin frandsen.......... R/R...6-0...175...05/24/82
88 derin mcmains........... S/R...6-0...180...11/03/79
80 pablo sandoval.......... S/R...5-11..180...08/11/86
74 chad santos............. L/L...6-0...230...04/28/81
81 jake wald............... R/R...6-2...180...02/08/81


outfielders
82 john bowker............. L/L...6-2...190...07/08/83
83 brian horwitz........... R/R...6-1...180...11/07/82
73 abraham nuñez........... S/R...6-3...210...02/05/77
85 adam shabala............ L/R...6-1...190...02/06/78
86 clay timpner............ L/L...6-2...195...05/13/83

[west coast orange and black]

Last year, Pedro Feliz started nine games at first, 67 at third and 70 in left field as Barry Bonds' primary injury replacement. The additions of Mark Sweeney and Steve Finley make it unlikely Feliz will spend much time in the outfield. Third base seems to be his, and his alone.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, tuesday, 21 february 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/02/21/SPG74HBTQR1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

"'You can see it just in the way Cain and Noah talk with each other, and the way he asks questions, and the questions he asks,' Dave Righetti, the one-time American League Rookie of the Year and Yankee soap opera subplot, said. 'The other guys can tell. They know he's going to pitch for winning teams, and they want to be along for the ride.'"
-ray ratto, sf chronicle sports writer, wednesday, 22 february 2006

the article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/22/SPGDRHCJCP1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Barry Bonds was a no-show for the Giants' first full-squad workout Tuesday.
Moises Alou said Bonds has earned the right to stay home an extra day or two, adding, "To me, he can come here whenever he feels he's ready, because whenever Barry comes here he's going to be ready to perform."

The Giants scored their first 2006 victory over their rivals when they signed backup infielder Jose Vizcaino.

"I told him, if you can get a deal with the Giants, I'd love to go there. They have a good chance of going to the playoffs."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, wednesday, 22 february 2006

the article (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/22/SPG10HCB9L1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Jamey Wright is a non-roster invitee, but he's still the odds-on favorite for the fifth starter's spot, having more experience than contenders Brad Hennessey and Kevin Correia.

"I cherish this opportunity," said Wright. "I've always been excited to pitch in San Francisco with the crowds and the energy there, and I've pitched well there. I can't even put into words how awesome it is to be in this clubhouse with this team."
-rich draper, mlb.com. tuesday, 21 february 2006

the giants.com story (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060221&content_id=1318399&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)

[west coast orange and black]

Brian Cooper is 31, Matt Kinney, 29. They're both 11-year professionals, both non-roster invitees, both considered journeymen with about 150 Major League games between them, including decent stints with San Francisco last season.

And both are seemingly always on the fringes.

They face equal challenges in making a pitching roster as deep as observers can remember. There have been no cameras or packs of reporters seeking them out this spring, yet on the outside looking in or not, they are here.
-rich draper, mlb.com, wednesday, 22 february 2006

click here (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060222&content_id=1319637&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf)for the giants.com story

[west coast orange and black]

Jason Schmidt and Noah Lowry both looked sharp, drawing few good swings from a group that included Moises Alou, Barry Bonds, Steve Finley and Randy Winn.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, thursday, 23 february 2006

here is the short column (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/23/SPG95HCVIB1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

This spring brings a lot of firsts for Morris. He is training in a different part of the country at a new complex with new teammates and coaches. Rather than being apprehensive, Morris views this as a positive.

"It's good for me because I have no history here. I've got to go out and prove myself again. That helps me work harder and be more focused. I'm trying to impress people who have never seen me work."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle, friday, 24 february 2006

the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/24/SPGTJHDOVH1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Manager Felipe Alou has decided to leave Randy Winn where he thrived in two months as a Giant last year -- in the leadoff spot.

"He's a very healthy guy, a run producer, a good switch-hitter," said Alou, who in September had mused about dropping Winn to third, ahead of Barry Bonds.

Winn said he was happy to hear he was staying atop the lineup.

"It's really fun. I enjoy hitting leadoff," he said. "It's like you set the tone. It gives you a chance to draw first blood, and hopefully you put the defense on its heels."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, monday, 27 february 2006

the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/27/SPGALHF82R1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

"There was a lot of intensity," Felipe Alou said. "I didn't think a guy of that age or stature could do that."

Well, of course a guy of that age could win a bunting contest. As Ray Durham put it, "He's been doing it longer."

Durham went first and scored just one point. Vizquel got four. Finley went last and tied Vizquel with 10 bunts to spare. He won on his first shot at the box in front of the plate.

"It's not easy, but it's fun. It's a game," said Finley, who immodestly considered himself a precontest favorite. "Before we did it, I said nobody should even bunt because I was going to win."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, tuesday, 28 february 2006

the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/28/SPG40HFJ0S1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Talk about a bounty of riches. Since July 30, center fielder Randy Winn has been traded to his hometown Giants, named National League Player of the Month for September and been given a spot on the U.S. team for the World Baseball Classic. Tuesday brought perhaps his biggest prize.

Winn and the Giants agreed to a three-year extension through 2009 that will pay Winn $23.25 million. He also gets complete no-trade rights for 2006 and 2007 with limited no-trade rights the following two seasons, when he can veto 10 teams per year.

"It just kind of all happened so fast.The World Baseball Classic came out of nowhere to me. I didn't think I'd be on the team at all. That happened kind of quickly to me. Now, the contract happened. I can't complain."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, wednesday, 1 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/01/SPGO7HG88V1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Nonroster pitcher Jamey Wright, vying for the fifth spot in the rotation, will start the practice game against Team USA. He specifically asked for it.

"That's the game that I wanted," he said. "I asked (pitching coach Dave Righetti) who was throwing that game. He said, 'Do you want it?' I said, 'Yeah, if nobody else wants it.' It'll be a fun game to throw."

"That will be the challenge, just keeping the adrenaline in check," Wright said. "There's already going to be plenty as it is with the crowd and trying to make an impression to my new teammates and my manager and the coaches. I'll try not to go out and put any pressure on myself and do something special because it's an All-Star lineup."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, thursday, 2 march 2006

the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/02/SPGPGHH6KL1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Running a major-league team is easy. Just give a guy $23 million and watch him hit a home run.

In the first swing by a Giant this exhibition season, Randy Winn opened a 10-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers by sending a Chris Capuano fastball over the left-field fence at Maryvale Baseball Park. Winn was hit by a pitch his next time up, then said goodbye to the Giants for as long as three weeks. Today he joins Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, friday, 3 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/03/SPG87HI03I1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

The most heartening sight for the Giants was a bull-legged Armando Benitez blowing a high fastball past Rickie Weeks for strike three to help escape a first-and-second, nobody-out jam.

"I talked to the catcher (Todd Greene) and I said he's seen a lot of slow stuff, a lot of sinkers. Let's throw the high cheese, and we got him out."

.........

Briefly: Matt Cain's command was off but he pitched two shutout innings in his 2006 debut

In his first game since a late-September elbow operation, Scott Munter did his usual thing, getting three go

Steve Finley singled in each of his first two at-bats of the spring

The Brewers scored 4 runs off Tyler Walker. Alou said Walker seemed to tire after getter the first 2 outs
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, saturday, 4 march 2006

the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/04/SPGJBHIL211.DTL&type=printable[/url)

[west coast orange and black]

Steve Finley made a statement, even if it was not his intent. The center fielder, who turns 41 a week from today, made two superb catches in a 7-2 victory over the Cubs on Saturday.

"I told you, I came here in good shape," said Finley, who also doubled and scored off former Giant Jerome Williams.

Finley said defense "is not something I've ever had trouble maintaining." Jason Schmidt. "I've always been his biggest fan even when I've been on the other team. We all know what he can do on defense. Running those balls into the gap, you're going, 'That's a double or a triple.' Then I had flashbacks from his Diamondback days ruining my games from the other end with his glove."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, sunday, 5 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/05/SPG41HIPE01.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Felipe Alou has said he is not in a hurry to decide if he will return next season, and Magowan concurs. The owner said Sunday the decision will not be made until after the 2006 season.

"We'll just have to see," Magowan said. "We've got an open mind about it. I'm sure Brian (Sabean) does, too. There are so many factors that are involved here: Moises (Alou), how we do, lots of things. Expectations are pretty high. I know Felipe's expectations are pretty high. Mine are too, as usual."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, monday, 6 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/06/SPGB1HJ2R11.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

With four regulars away at the WBC, the Giants are starting a lot of young hitters and putting up a lot of runs. They have averaged seven a game in five Cactus League games plus the exhibition against Team USA.

A lineup that featured just one everyday player pounded Angels starter Jeff Weaver for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings in an 11-3 victory Monday. DH Eliezer Alfonzo, a catcher, hit one of two three-run homers against Weaver in the first inning. Mark Sweeney had the other. Durham, Jason Ellison and Alfonzo had two hits apiece, and Angel Chavez double keyed a two-run third.

"These guys are swinging the bat well. Elly is hitting the ball. Linden is getting hot. Finley looks like he's getting two hits every time he plays. Overall, the hitters are looking pretty good," said skipper Alou.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writertuesday, 7 march 2006

the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/07/SPG9VHJHKI1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Derin McMains is turning heads in camp. He certainly grabbed Trevor Hoffman's attention Tuesday with his second homer of the spring, a three-run blast off the Padres' closer in a 12-3 Giants victory at Peoria, Ariz.

The switch-hitter is headed for a sixth minor-league season, but his hitting and sharp second-base play have caught the eye of manager Felipe Alou, who said even before the homer against Hoffman, "He looks like bad news. He's a real tough cookie."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, wednesday, 8 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/08/SPGK6HKF5A1.DTL&type=printable[/url)

[west coast orange and black]

Catcher Mike Matheny has not played in a Cactus League game since Sunday and could remain sidelined until the weekend because of what he described as "a little bit of a stiff back."

Trainer Stan Conte said Matheny was "85 percent better" by Wednesday and has resumed throwing.

Manager Felipe Alou seemed unconcerned about his iron-man catcher, who started 127 games last year and ranks among the club's most indispensable position players. "He should be alright by the weekend."

Asked when he thought he might play again, Matheny said, "As soon as I can talk them into it."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle, thursday, 9 march 2006



read here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/09/SPGUKHKTHL1.DTL&type=printable) about prospect nate schierholtz's mammoth home run and about derin mcmains, who continues to tear it up.

[west coast orange and black]

"It would be something special to go in the books, throwing just one pitch in the big leagues," Lance Niekro said. "If it came up, I'd volunteer."

Sometimes, a nonpitcher is summoned for an inning of a ridiculously lopsided game. The last nonpitcher to pitch for the Giants was infielder Greg Litton on July 4, 1991.
-john shea, sf chronicle staff writer, friday, 10 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/10/SPGRGHLVK31.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Fighting for a spot in the Giants' rotation, Brad Hennessey gave up six hits and five runs in 2 2/3 innings before his teammates rallied for an 11-6 victory.

Hennessey didn't blame an annoying wind, which happened to be blowing straight out, saying he simply made "too many mistakes" with his breaking pitches.

"I just got too many breaking balls up. It's kind of tough. It's a pitch I need to keep working on, but I don't want it to keep beating me."
-bruce jenkins, sf chronicle staff writer, saturday, 11 march 2006


read the story here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/11/SPGETHMK5Q1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

It has been years since the Giants had any kind of reputation for developing position players. Still, early results from the Cactus League season have produced the following:

Eliezer Alfonzo is 6-for-12 (.500) with two homers.

Angel Chavez, 7-for-19 (.368) with four doubles.

Fred Lewis, 4-for-13 (.308) and showing the potential of being a late-season call-up.

Justin Knoedler, 4 hits in 7 at-bats.
-bruce jenkins, sf chronicle staff writer, sunday, 12 march 2006


here is the chronicle story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/12/SPG67HMU491.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

"Facing Milwaukee on March 3, Munter saw three batters and got three groundball outs, validating his decision to have elbow surgery in September.

"'That was huge, Munter said. 'When you go through rehab and all that, you wonder in the back of your mind if you can still get the groundball. It was exciting to see that.'

"Munter's fastball is so heavy, manager Felipe Alou dubbed it the 'bowling-ball sinker'."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, tuesday, 14 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/14/SPGHHHNQ7J1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

"In three Cactus League games, is 5-for-7 with two home runs, including one in a 3-2 victory over Texas on Tuesday. He went 3-for-3 as the designated hitter [yesterday]."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, wednesday, 15 march 2006

[B]here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/15/SPGP6HOD4I1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

San Francisco Giants closer Armando Benitez had a cortisone injection in his swollen left knee and won't be able to throw off a mound for a few days.

Benitez was bothered by the knee warming up before coming into a game last Sunday against San Diego. He tried to pitch anyway and allowed six runs in one-third of an inning, giving up a grand slam to Mike Piazza.

"I felt it warming up and thought it's not too serious. I tried to throw and look what happened."
-josh dubow, ap sports writer, wednesday, 15 march 2006


here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2006/03/15/sports/s124317S97.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Closer Armando Benitez was diagnosed with an inflamed bursa sac and will not pitch for several days.

The injury is not considered serious and, as Benitez said, "Everything is coming good. I'll be ready for the season."

. . . . . . . . .

It was a matter of time before Barry Bonds caught Derin McMains for the Giants' Cactus League home run lead. Bonds hit his third of the spring, third in three games. With two aboard, Bonds practically one-handed a Doug Davis curveball over the right-field fence.

"It's amazing that someone can be out on his front foot so much and hit it as far as he did," Giants starter Brad Hennessey said. "He seemed to be out in front of a curveball and he was still able to hammer it."

If Bonds keeps hitting like this in spring training, he might not see a strike in the regular season.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, thursday, 16 march 2006


here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/16/SPGD5HP31N1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

In a 4-3 loss to Texas, Correia not only blanked the Rangers' "A" lineup for four innings, he went 12 up, 12 down after allowing a David Dellucci double to start the first inning.

Correia might get lost in the numbers game. He still has a minor-league option remaining even though he has pitched 38 times for the Giants over three seasons.

However, manager Felipe Alou termed Correia's outing "one of the best performances I've seen since I've known him."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, friday, 17 march 2006


here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/17/SPG1KHPBU61.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

"I think the best thing that happened to me is I didn't go play [last season]. I got myself healthier. If I had gone back to play I wouldn't have been 100 percent."

Now, Grissom is accepting a new life as a 38-year-old role player. He had nothing but kind words for the Giants, thanking owner Peter Magowan and general manager Brian Sabean for the three seasons he had in San Francisco.

"They treated me with a lot of respect. I don't have any regrets about anything. I wasn't upset or mad about anything. It was a situation where I couldn't produce. I knew it. They knew it. What else could I do after that? Just go home and work."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, saturday, 19 march 2006


read about gus here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/18/SPGO8HQGPB1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Mr. Winn, did Nishioka bolt before you made the catch?

"Upon further review, I believe he did not."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, sunday, 19 march 2006

here's the admission (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/19/SPGO8HQH781.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

There were no surprises among eight cuts Sunday.

Outfielder Nate Schierholtz and catcher Justin Knoedler were optioned to Fresno.
Pitchers Michael Tejera, Matt Anderson, Matt Kinney and Brian Cooper, and catcher Yamid Haad and shortstop Tomas De La Rosa were all reassigned to minor-league camp.

There are 36 players left in camp.
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, monday, 20 march 2006

here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/20/SPG94HQS621.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda has been tutoring Lance Niekro and Mark Sweeney on playing first. Cepeda really had nobody to teach for nearly a decade because Snow already was a master.

"I'm going to be working with him, and I'm more than happy to do it," Cepeda said of Niekro. "He won't be like J.T. Snow. Nobody's going to be like J.T., but he's willing to learn. I like him. He's got some great hands. He has to learn how to be in the right place and learn the hitters."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, tuesday, 21 march 2006

here's the story (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/21/SPGQVHRJQF1.DTL&type=printable)

[west coast orange and black]

Benitez' knee looks good," head trainer Stan Conte said. "It has looked good for a while, so we'll see how he comes out of this and we'll get him into a major-league game as soon as we can. We'll watch him, but things are going the way we anticipated. He's got plenty of time to get his innings in between now and Opening Day."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, thursday, 23 march 2006


here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/23/SPGELHSHCV1.DTL&type=printable)

[Honus Wagner Rules]

In a 4-3 loss to Texas, Correia not only blanked the Rangers' "A" lineup for four innings, he went 12 up, 12 down after allowing a David Dellucci double to start the first inning.

Correia might get lost in the numbers game. He still has a minor-league option remaining even though he has pitched 38 times for the Giants over three seasons.

However, manager Felipe Alou termed Correia's outing "one of the best performances I've seen since I've known him."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, friday, 17 march 2006


here's the story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/03/17/SPG1KHPBU61.DTL&type=printable)
Correia went to my university, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo!!!

[west coast orange and black]

slo mustangs

[west coast orange and black]

"Jason Schmidt prepped for his Opening Day assignment by pitching six shutout innings and allowing two hits Wednesday in the final Cactus League game, a 12-0 victory that featured seven Giants home runs."
-henry schulman, sf chronicle staff writer, thursday, 30 march 2006


here is schulman's story (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2006/03/30/GIANTS.TMP&type=printable)