Baseball...

Today starts the second half of the season for my beloved Gigantes. As it stands, the Giants are currently in second place in the NL West, 7 games behind the dreaded Dodgers. In addition, if the season ended today, the Giants would make the playoffs via the "Wild Card" spot. I must say, the Giants are looking to be in a good position at the moment...HOWEVER....
They still need a bat.
Pitching has been a strength all season. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are the anchors and doing what is eppected. Randy Johnson has been ok but is currently sidelined. Barry Zito has even managed to win a few games but has also looked pretty bad at times. The Giants got a couple of good outings from a rookie as well and it came a great time. The one spot in the rotation that in my opinion is key, has been the fifth spot. This is where the rookie stepped in for Jonathan Sanchez when he was demoted. Sanchez has talent and has looked brilliant at times. He has looked pretty bad as well. That is why he was sent to the bullpen. But a funny thing happened....Randy Johnson got hurt and Sanchez was forced to make a start. Guess what happened? The fucker pitched a no-hitter!! Can you believe that?
Sanchez was focused. Sanchez was efficient. Sanchez had all his pitches going that night. He was an animal. I do not know if his demotion lit a fire up his proverbial ass or if he was just on, or if he made a deal with the Devil himself...but whatever it was, it was beautiful.
If Sanchez can be half as dominant as he was that night, and this fan believes he can be, than I think the Giants, if the pick up a bat in a trade, will do quite well the rest of the season and into the playoffs. Now, its not entirely upto Sanchez, the team needs to play well behind him and all the pitchers but it would definitely look better for the boys in orange and black.
Go Giants.

Opening Day

Today, Americans all across the land are full of hope and optimism. Today, millions of people, big and small, short and tall, of all colors, sex, religious and political beliefs will be united in their thinking and wishing for same thing. Yes, today is Opening Day for baseball (the season actually started Sunday night but the Giants, my Giants, start today...and thats all that matters) and fans across the globe all think that their team will win the World Series in October.

Many have waited through a cold winter for today to come. Spring is here and with it, the smell of fresh cut grass and hot dogs is in the air. The roar of the crowd, the boos directed toward the opposing team (and umpires) and the distinct cry of the peanut vendor will be heard today by the hoards of fans who were insightful enough to ask for the day off of work weeks ago or resourceful enough to come up with a good ailment to use to call in sick.

Among the crowds will be Opening Day virgins, experiencing the spectacle firsthand for the very first time and veterans alike, who have witnessed more than one Opening Day but still look forward to the next one like a kid waiting for his turn to ride the slide at ATT Park.
Kids, of all ages, will fall in love with baseball today for the first time or the 100th time. Today, every team is in first place, and every fan thinks that their team will still be there 162 games later.

People will come together, united, toward a single cause. Today, more than most days, many of us are more alike than we will ever realize or admit. Today, a game unites a lot of us. America's past time. Baseball.

Go Giants.

Play Ball!