Comparing the 2010 and 1997 Giants
by fabiani1233 on Sep 5, 2010 1:48 AM PDT
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PrintI remember the September 18, 1997 Giants vs Dodgers game like it was yesterday. I was listening to the radio savouring the whirlwind game the Giants eventually came out on top in. The Giants had established a large early lead but the Dodgers gradually chipped away over the course of the game. The game was tied going into the bottom of the twelfth inning when former Giants catcher Brian Johnson hit the game winning home run. My friend, who had been listening with me, and I jumped for joy as we celebrated the victory of the most hated blue. The Giants were two games back going into the short two game series at Candlestick Park. The Giants win completed a sweep that would propel them into a share of the division lead and eventual win of the western division. The reason why I'm writing this is because I've noticed some striking similarities between the Giants of 1997 and the Giants of 2010.
For starters, at this time in '97 the Giants were thirteen games over .500 with a record of 77-64. The Giants of 2010 are also fourteen games over .500 with a record of 75-61. The Giants in '97 were trailing the first place Dodgers by two games for the division. The win tonight against the 2010 Dodgers have put the Giants two back of the Padres. The Padres loss today makes the length of their losing streak at nine games. The Padres haven't done that since 2003. From September 8th to September 21st of 1997, the Dodgers lost ten of thirteen games. The Giants capitalized by winning eight games during that stretch and taking sole possession of the division by two games. The Giants will probably need to do the same if they want to be on top in the end. Not only that, but also play better against the Padres who they have struggled against this season. The 1997 Giants had also struggled against the Dodgers going 4-6 against them before the final two game series. The 2010 Giants have gone a much worse 2-9 against the Padres. This needs to change, as the division may rest on how well the Giants play against the Padres in the final seven games they have left with them.
The differences between '97 and '10 Giants are numerous but the main message still stands. The Giants will need to play better against the Padres if they want a shot at the western division, as the race is too close not to. As I see it, the Giants should at least split the four games at Petco Park and take two of three in San Francisco in the final series of the season to be on the safe side.
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This year reminds me a lot of ‘93 but for different reasons. Obviously we don’t have Bonds, and don’t have 2 guys headed for 20 wins. Nor do we have a first year manager like Dusty, or a team full of gold glove defenders, BUT this year has probably been one of the most fun, energized teams I’ve seen in quite some time, and I also get the feeling that despite a great record, this year could end in heartbreak on the final day of the season. Hopefully it won’t come to that. We’re due for some good luck for once right? I mean it’s been like 60 years since the Giants have had any legitimate luck go their way.
We might not have a team for gold glovers, but the motley collection of over-weight atheletes+ Torres+ Posey and Franchez have been suprisingly effective… Last time I checked on fangraphs the Giants were the second best defensive team according to UZR (I realize not everyone likes UZR)
Huff has been solid at both 1B and LF.
In fact, underrated a bit.
Remember, he lost a bunch of weight (I always remember him being a bit pudgier), and he’s not nearly as slow as I thought he’d be.
by AmorVincitOmnia on Sep 5, 2010 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions
You really think the Giants will go 4-3?
What’s that based on their outstanding performance against the Pads thus far? Or the way the giants have dominated the Padres starters and gotten clutch hits against the bullpen?
Q: Did you ever make an offer for Vladimir Guerrero?
Sabean: In a word: No. If we had signed Guerrero or [Gary] Sheffield, we would have been without [Long list of replacement level vets]—obviously not being able to field a competitive team, especially from an experience standpoint, given our level of spending.
It has to even out sometime. And the way the Padres are playing right now, I think this series might be it.
I feel prickishly demanding!
I couldn't be prouder of my recent adoptee - Tim Lincecum's dealer. He provides the secret fuel behind both Cy Youngs. Also, he taught Timmy the change-up.
by giantsfansince1981 on Sep 6, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
this team most reminds me of '03
the way the roster is going into september. obviously without Bonds but value partially offset by a nuch better staff
I'm a Giants Fan. I have no fingernails. You knew this.
by iCANwatchMOLINAneverCLEANUPagain on Sep 5, 2010 11:32 PM PDT reply actions
Actually without Bonds, Williams, and Clark. Also the ’93 staff was really really good. Swift might have been the best pitcher in the NL that year, and the Rogers/Jackson/Beck bullpen was nearly perfect.
My Bucardo is better than yours.
A hot August weekday, before a small crowd, when the only thing at stake is the tissue-thin difference between a thing done well and a thing done ill. Insofar as the clutch hitter is not a sportswriter's myth, it is a vulgarity, like a writer who writes only for money.
Brian Johnson Homerun
Our generation’s “Shot heard ’round the world”?
I remember after that, they had Brian Johnson hair-cut night. basically, if you shaved your head, you got a free ticket to the game. Must have been quite a few cold heads at Candlestick that night.
Monday Monkey lives for the weekend, sir.
Probably been done before, but where were you?
I was driving home from work. I was on the 57 Freeway from Santa Ana to Fullerton prior to the 91 exit.. I was heading home in case the game was still going, instead of grabbing dinner before a class at Fullerton JC. I was going apeshit in the car which had to be my 1982 Orange BMW.
The Magic is inside all of us.
Proud father of the man taking your hard-earned money.
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