Orange and Black Attack

The rows fill, bubble, and shift like the head on a beer. A variable sea of orange and black. Pandas and giraffes are seated next to beards and long black wigs. Members of the press shake hands and exchange hugs. It is the end of the Giants season, and what a season it has been. With injuries to Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez, and a range of painful afflictions that plagued the team over the course of the season, it looked like the giants could have been counted out.

Our boys played hard. They played as if they were honoring their fallen comrades and the fans that love them. And with the introduction of new blood in the form of Brett Pill (who homered in the first at bat of his MLB career), Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford (who hit a grand slam at his first at bat), and Ryan Vogelsong. The Giants never dropped below second place in the course of the season.

After three days of Opening Day activities, getting to meet the p resident , five players joining in on All Star Weekend ( Matt Cain, Brian Wilson,Tim L incecum, Ryan Vogelsong and Pablo Sandoval), two pitchers reaching their career milestone 1,000 strikeouts (Tim Lincecum being the 4th fastest in MLB history to reach 1,000)… It seems like our boys had been pretty busy.

Buster Posey played hard for the beginning of the season. After receiving the Rookie of the Year award, it was announced that his wife, Kristen, was pregnant, with twins! In an “eerie” (as Posey puts it in a CSN Bay Area exclusive interview) turn of events, his season-ending injury at home plate on May 21 caused him to be home for their birth. He plans on returning as catcher next year, hoping to be stronger and better than ever.

Ryan Vogelsong has been this year´s fairytale story. Brought up through the ranks, playing in Japan for years, he became both a starter and an All Star in the same year. He was awarded the Willie Mac Award, awarded to the team´s most inspirational player as voted on by players and staff alike. Ryan Vogelsong is not the only pitcher of note, however. Sergio Romo performed an amazing feat, retiring 30 batters straight through. Madison Bumgarner went for 13 strikeouts in one game. The Giants won a 14 inning game!

The team’s hitting was amazing as well, with Cody Ross hitting career home run number 100! Pablo Sandoval, who is probably one of the most improved players on the team from last year, hit for the cycle, and had an amazing hit streak of 22! With all of this, they had the chance to defend their title, but injuries kept them from achieving that goal.

The team started out their season with pomp, circumstance, jewelry, and a little bit of gold, and we ended the season loving them, win or lose. They fought hard, and will continue the journey next year. Looking forward to pitchers and catchers reporting in 2012. See you all then.