Today we hear from Giants prospect Chris Shaw who is currently playing 1B for the San Jose Giants.
Shaw talked about using the whole field: … “when I was younger I was pretty much strictly an opposite way approach type hitter and I kind of got pull happy at the beginning of college (Boston College) when I started to come into my power. Once I understood that the power is still going to be there when I’m thinking that opposite way approach I got back to that approach. Ultimately I think it helped round me into a better player. It allows me to see balls deeper, lay off bad pitchers and be more consistent.”
Giants outfielder Angel Pagan joined us during the last home stand.
The Sports Virus asked Pagan how often he looks at his statistics during the season: “… Never…Right now I don’t even know how many at bats I have, how many hits, anything. Even though they put it up on the board, I don’t see it because that can get in your head. It’s not about numbers, it’s about going out there and trying to do something productive for the team every day. After that if you do something every day, at the end of the day your bag is going to be full so you don’t have to worry about that.”
We set you up for the Giants series in Atlanta with Braves broadcaster and former Major League pitcher Paul Byrd.
Byrd tells The Sports Virus about new Braves manager Brian Snitker: … “he started coaching in 1981. He’s paid his dues. Everybody’s so happy for him, 62 years old, finally gets his shot. All of the players are rallying around that because he’s coached so many of the prospects in the minor leagues. He’s a player’s guy and everybody likes him.”
San Francisco Chronicle Columnist John Shea joined us for our on-site podcast from Keeble and Shuchat Photography in Palo Alto in Part 2 of our conversation.
Shea talked to The Sports Virus about Tim Lincecum: … “The mechanics are back, the hip is fixed. There were hip issues last year. It messed with his long stride and step. He was pointing his toe one way and if he pointed it the other way he would have been back in stride, but he just couldn’t close out the windup like he normally used to. Basically, he had no command. He had little velocity. At the showcase he reached 92 mph. You never saw 92 last year, you saw 86, 88, 89. He’s not over the hill. He’s 31. A lot of guys are performing at a high level in their mid to late 30’s.”
San Francisco Chronicle Columnist John Shea joined us for our on site podcast from Keeble and Shuchat Photography in Palo Alto in Part 1 of our conversation.
Shea talked to The Sports Virus about the Giants superb infield defense: “… You talk about gold glovers. The only one with one is (Brandon) Crawford, but there’s gonna be more. I put down the computer (on a) ground ball. It’s a must watch because they’re turning double plays, it’s so swift, it’s clean and the essence of defense and glove work. It’s beautiful to watch right now.”
We talk about the Giants and go around the Major Leagues with Matt Vasgersian from MLB Network and Fox Sports.
Vasgersian talked to The Sports Virus about Jake Peavy: … “he’s older, he’s had major physical problems. For him to come back after a detached lat, after a surgery that had never been performed on a Major League pitcher before, and pitch at the high level he’s pitched at for the last four or five years since that surgery, it’s been pretty amazing. I like the guy so much as a competitor and as a guy that he’s so easy to root for. He knows that he’s got to re-craft himself whether that’s as a starter or as a long guy. His heart is huge. His want is big enough that if he has another bad start, if something changes in the rotation, he’s going to try and help the team any way he can.”
Come back TUESDAY our “on-site” podcast at Keeble and Shuchat Photography with SF Chronicle Columnist John Shea. We’ll be giving away free t-shirts from The Sports Virus so join us at 11 am at 290 California Ave. in Palo Alto!
Papa talked to The Sports Virus about the early woes for Jake Peavy and Matt Cain: “… the bottom line, they make a lot of money. You’re talking $33 million. They’re not going to eat that on Cinco de Mayo or Mays’ birthday. They may entertain it on Memorial Day, but even then there’s DLs, you can do things. They have enough of a track record. I think overall they’ll be fine, you’ve just got to give them a little more time.”
JOIN US IN PERSON AT 11 AM ON TUESDAY, MAY 24 FOR OUR ON-SITE PODCAST AT KEEBLE AND SHUCHAT PHOTOGRAPHY, 290 CALIFORNIA AVENUE IN PALO ALTO. SF CHRONICLE COLUMNIST JOHN SHEA WILL BE OUR GUEST. YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND WIN A FREE T-SHIRT FROM THE SPORTS VIRUS JUST FOR SHOWING UP!
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We talk about the Rougned Odor/Jose Bautista Rangers/Blue Jays brawl and replay plus conversation about Tim Lincecum and the state of the Giants rotation with ESPN Senior Baseball Writer Jayson Stark.
Credit: Joe Faraoni/ESPN
Stark talked to The Sports Virus about replay: … “The overwhelming sentiment that I got from everyone is they want the process to speed itself up somehow. The question is how. The idea that’s probably got the most traction is put a time limit on how long a manager gets to challenge. Recognize…you’re talking about saving 5, 10, 15 seconds. I don’t think there is an appreciable time of game advantage that you’re going to get from that kind of rule. The average game is lengthened by replay by 15 seconds. It’s really not replay that is causing the games to be slower this year. In an action sport, it’s always disconcerting when the action just grinds to a stop. I still think this is better than the NFL.”
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JOIN US IN PERSON AT 11 AM ON TUESDAY, MAY 24 FOR OUR ON-SITE PODCAST AT KEEBLE AND SHUCHAT PHOTOGRAPHY, 290 CALIFORNIA AVENUE IN PALO ALTO. 
Hey Giants fans. You have a chance to win a 
FREE T-Shirt from The Sports Virus just by asking a good question.
