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.”
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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.”
During the last home stand at AT&T Park in San Francisco we talked to Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija and Senior Vice President and General Manager Bobby Evans.
Samardzija tells The Sports Virus about his “twist” delivery: … “you’ve got to use your whole body, your legs and your core. For me it’s just a way of generating a little bit more velocity with a little less exertion. It feels comfortable for me. As long as I’m nice and slow and calm in my lift and my turn and not ahead of myself it usually works out alright.”
Evans tells The Sports Virus about the chances of Tim Lincecum being back in a Giants uniform: … “We’ve kept an open door. For him, he’s got to really evaluate opportunities and situations out there that are afforded to him in terms of a role. He’s particularly interested in starting. For us, we really see it more in the bullpen. That said, we understand what his options will be and he’ll have to make a decision here soon I think.”
We talk with San Jose Mercury News reporter Dan Brown who is also author of the new book about the Giants: The Big 50.
Brown discussed the future of Jake Peavy and Matt Cain in the Giants rotation: … “they’re both smart guys, they’re both masters at their craft in terms of being thinking pitchers. I don’t know how much deeper into May though they can stand to go with this long leash.”
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