Why I Am Shamelessly Rooting for the SF Giants
Often, and I mean quite often, someone will ask me what team I rooted for when I was a sports columnist. I always reply that I did not root, that I had no stake in whether a local team won or lost. The person I am talking to looks confused because who doesn’t root and after all I got to meet all the famous players/heroes. But then a light goes off in this person’s mind and he/she says, “Oh, I see, you needed to be objective.”
Which is not the case, not by a longshot.
I never was objective about the teams I covered. I was an opinion columnist and hardly was objective. I had biases and preferences and ideas which I expressed all the time. Otherwise, what good was I?
But I was detached, covered the teams from a mental distance, which meant I did not live or die with wins and losses, had no emotional investment in the Giants, 49ers etc. To put it in words we all understand, I got paid the same whether the Warriors won or lost, and I got no financial benefit if the Chronicle or Press Democrat sold more papers on a given day because of my column.
Which brings me to the subject of this essay. I am rooting with all my heart for the SF Giants, totally out of character for me and contrary to all my journalist’s instincts and ethics.
Why?
Because Giants management (read Buster Posey) screwed the current team, gave up on this group at the trade deadline, left them for dead. As you know, the Giants added no players but got rid of two elite relievers. The message to the team and manager Bob Melvin was: you are not good enough, so we won’t invest in you. Drop dead.
This after they had acquired Rafael Devers, which means the Giants and Posey didn’t know which direction they wanted to go, were all mixed up – improve the team or let it flounder. It was actually funny to see, at least it was funny to me in the sense I was laughing at the Giants.
So, I want the Giants to win. After the trade deadline flop, several Giants players said stuff like we brought it on ourselves blah blah. The company line. I almost lived in clubhouses for 40 years and believe me that is almost certainly not what the players said privately. I believe they told each other Buster had given up on them, and the hell with Buster. I believe they told each other to play their asses off just to spite him.
I’m all in with the players. Play your asses off guys, win some games, show Buster and the others they made the wrong call. I’m rooting for you all the way.
I would think if the Giants start winning, it would look positive for Buster. At any rate, I'll always be faithful to my Niners and follow the Giants. I often see Giants jerseys and caps here in DC. Sometimes I would have on my Niner cap and a few times I would get remarks: "Like your hat." Or, we'd make casual conversations about being fans of the same teams. It's in our DNA and a form of identity and reminiscing. For example, my dad and I often went to Friday night Giants games at Candlestick. We'd bring a blanket and sneak in coffee mixed with Irish Whiskey. Mom never knew. In those days you weren't searched when going into the Park. I remember seeing the Niners with Dad. Once, they were playing Buffalo and were getting creamed--plus it was raining cats and dogs. Many people left, and we snuck to the Fifty Yard Line from the lousy seats we had. We got soaked, but saw many players close enough to practically touch them. I recall seeing Walsh and waved to him. He didn't wave back. Maybe he didn't see me or just wanted to get out of Dodge. If he did, he probably thought I was crazy. But it was a good kind of nutz, and I'm sure he understood, after all. In these uncertain times it's good to be a fan, and even if my team stinks, life will go on. But I do wish the Niners didn't get rid of Jordan Mason or years ago, Harbaugh.
Sports is something I have emotionally invested in the better part of my life on, as you put it rooting. Then, October 27 2002 happened. I was sitting on my couch in the family room in Tracy, the tears forming after the final pitch. The camara panned down the Giants bench, and Mr. Bonds was sitting there slightly irritated while I was having an emotional breakdown. That was my moment. My life has forever changed. It turned into math for me. If Barry didn’t have heart ($$$$ with all that income) why was I so upset? There was also Zito who I believe was embarrassed for his performance as a Giant but not enough to gave the money back (why would he). So, Lowell, I just don’t care enough to root for any San Francisco Team (Santa Clara included). At best I follow.
If you’ll allow me to rant a little more…Your son described a play last night that actually tore up Brock’s arm 3 years ago. Last night Mr. Jones was on the receiving end of a non-injury sack for a similar offensive play. The 49ers were lucky. $265 million for a quarterback, a coach doesn’t invest in an offensive line or that knows how to protect. Purdy, Jones, Garoppolo, Lance, or etc. This man is a genius at getting QB’s hurt.
The Giants and 49ers are going know where for a bit. I don’t enjoy watching buffoons continue to make the same irresponsible mistakes. Moody, seriously. Sports have changed a lot. I like to see the teams I “root” for improve year to year. The money “OMG” … You don’t get to make these kinds of mistakes.
I’ll be watching the Panthers and Bryce Young. The year. 3rd year quarterback who finally was getting it together at the end of 2024. Why, because everyone was going after this young kid. The Chargers because of Trey Lance. Again, another young kid a lot of people go after.
Kyle, I am done with and Buster, I’ll give him another year. My heart doesn’t bleed for professional sports anymore. I think this was suppose to be about Posey and the Giants. Bear with me. It’s professional sports in the Bay.