Sergio Romo had to develop as a person as well as a pitcher in order to handle the anxieties of being a big league closer. He's been an asset and counselor in Giants camp this spring as Ryan Walker seeks to do the same.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
The most important (and convoluted) aspect of the World Baseball Classic that nobody is talking about: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
Italy has an espresso machine in their dugout ☕🇮🇹
📸 Chris Vaccaro on X
How Logan Webb sealed his decision to play for Team USA on a country singer’s tour bus
www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
Not sure I’ll ever get a story like Madison Bumgarner and his secret rodeo alias again, but it sure was fun to write about Giants top prospect Bo Davidson’s previously unreported year-long hiatus to become a slo-pitch softball ringer. www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
When Team Italy GM Ned Colletti reached out to longtime Giants coaches and lifelong friends Dave Righetti and Ron Wotus about joining the coaching staff, it was an offer they couldn't refuse. Here's why: www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...
Grant McCray (!!) drew his 7th walk of the spring. He's tied for 2nd in the Cactus League. Wrote earlier this week about how he's changed his hitting mentality and how his tools appear to be a perfect fit for a Giants offense that wants to be confident and aggressive: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/708... Giants’ Grant McCray is showing patience, but believes his time is now
🤖 Justice delos Santos
Will Bednar has seen David Bednar pitch at every level. How many times had David seen Will pitch in pro ball?
“It’s a lot to zero,” Will laughed.
Now, it’s a lot to one.
Talked to the brothers — and their parents — about a memorable day.
My goodness. Anyone who cherished all the dramatic twists of last year’s all-time classic World Series Game 7 (raises hand) is going to love every word of this. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
It’s tough to get exclusive time with Aaron Judge, but when he learned the subject would be Bryce Eldridge, he was happy to talk about the only MLB hitter officially taller (via ABS measurements) than him: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
(And doofus sportswriter crashes it in the background.)
Bryce Eldridge: “I spend my whole life wanting to get a picture with Bryce Harper, and when I finally do, my eyes are closed.”
Eldridge also had a cool moment when he stood at first base next to fellow 6-foot-7 slugger Aaron Judge at first base. The Team USA captain told Eldridge, “We hope to see you here on the next (WBC) go round.”
Bryce Eldridge on meeting Bryce Harper: “I told him he's the reason I love playing baseball. He's the person I mimicked growing up, and he was my idol. And I think he really appreciated that.”
Neat intersection. David Bednar is pitching the bottom of the seventh inning for Team USA while his brother, Will, warms up in the bullpen presumably to pitch the top of the eighth for the Giants.
(And yes 🤷♂️ was for the kids.)
Aaron Judge meets the only MLB hitter who’s taller than him, based on official ABS measurements. Judge is 6-7. Eldridge is 6-7 “and change.” 🤷♂️
Team USA lineup vs. the Giants:
Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Bryce Harper, 1B
Aaron Judge, RF
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Alex Bregman, 3B
Cal Raleigh, C
Roman Anthony, LF
Byron Buxton, CF
Brice Turang, 2B
Paul Skenes, RHP
Meeting restricted to Gold Glove catchers only (and Sergio Romo).
Both Bednar brothers are on the list to pitch. (Will for the Giants, David for USA, obviously.) Their parents and sister are here for the game. Cool day for the family.
Adrian Houser is starting instead of Blade Tidwell for Giants vs. USA. Tidwell will appear later in the game.
Paul Skenes will start for USA against the Giants tomorrow at Scottsdale Stadium. Jax, Boyd, Bednar, Mason Miller also on the schedule to pitch.
Mark DeRosa confirmed Logan Webb will start the pool play opener for USA vs. Brazil. Skubal, Skenes, McLean to start the next pool games
Just Logan Webb chatting with guys who have combined to win five Cy Young awards
The kid wasn't wrong. A decade later, it was still goaltending on Gonzaga!
Pretty cool assignment for Blade Tidwell. The Giants are going to start him against team USA in the exhibition on Tuesday. Logan Webb said he’ll be chirping at him from the visiting dugout.
Jesse Chavez told us he isn't on Giants' staff without Call of Duty. He'd play with Mike Minor, who added strength coach Quentin Eberhardt to their group. They became good friends. When Tony Vitello took Eberhardt with him to SF, Eberhardt threw out Chavez as a name to consider for bullpen coach.
When Luis Arraez was growing up on the outskirts of San Felipe, Venezuela, only one other MLB player had come from his area: Marco Scutaro. As another undervalued contact hitter who had to fight for a pro contract, Scutaro showed Arraez what was possible. Their story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...
Giants fans attending today's exhibition against the A's at Mesa might want to stick around till the end. Teenage super-prospect Josuar Gonzalez will be on the travel roster for the first time and is expected to come off the bench in the late innings.
