Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Don't Stop Believin' - 2010 San Francisco Giants


It still feels like a dream. A great montage of videos, including the obligatory call from the President (third video in). They cemented the visit to the White House as well as put in the request for the President to throw out the first pitch for Opening Day 2011.

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=12979441&c_id=sf&partnerId=ed-4271752-167743794

DON'T STOP BELIEVING - BRINGING IT HOME WITH GIANTS FAN STEVE PERRY



I guess this is 'our' song now. The White Sox borrowed / adopted it during their World Series run. The Dodgers, of all teams, adopted it as did many other teams. It was popular when my football Giants were building up to eventual Super Bowl champs from 1981 to 1986. The songs theme was a vivid reminder to me that even though the path will be littered with setbacks, those that keep the faith and persevere are eventually rewarded.

An awesome message indeed. And now the song is back home where it belongs.


Thank You Message from Giants CEO Bill Neukom - The 2010 World champion Giants thank their fans for their support throughout the season.


November 9, 2010

Dear Giants Fan,

On behalf of the 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, I want to thank you for your support during this remarkable season. You stood by us through the nail-biter games that Duane Kuiper famously described as "torture." You so thoroughly embraced this team and its gritty style of play that the players and coaches came to see their home fans as true partners.

When the Giants won the National League West title by beating the San Diego Padres on the last day of the season, the team took a lap around the park to shake hands and celebrate with the people they saw every day in the stands, the ones who "never stopped believing." The players, coaches and everyone in the Giants organization are grateful for the extraordinary bond we enjoy with our fans.

After 52 years of waiting, the San Francisco Giants won its first World Series Championship. When Brian Wilson threw the final strike in Arlington, Texas, and Giants players leapt with joy and amazement, so did Giants fans everywhere. The triumph is so thrilling and satisfying because all of us own a piece of it, from the diehards who weathered bitter nights at Candlestick Park to recent converts in Panda hats and black beards. None of the 2010 Giants players landed in our clubhouse by happenstance. None of the extraordinary performances was born of luck. Our scouts, analysts and coaches drafted and developed the best young talent in baseball: Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey and Jonathan Sanchez. During the winter and throughout the season, General Manager Brian Sabean found key players to fill specific needs by making strategic trades, signing free agents and plucking solid contributors from the waiver wires. Manager Bruce Bochy arranged and rearranged the pieces, using 126 different lineups during the regular season. Most important, he melded players of vastly different personalities, nationalities, skills and experience into a single unit that focused on one goal: Winning.

As thrilled as we are to win the World Series this season, we are already back at work, looking toward tomorrow. Our goal is to field a contending team every season. We are committed to developing the smartest, most skilled and most prepared players in baseball. On and off the field, in dugouts and cubicles, hotdog stands and ticket booths, the "Giants' Way" means working hard and working smart to build the most successful franchise in Major League Baseball.

Through this wonderful, improbable season, your loyalty and passion energized every player and coach. When we chose "It's Magic Inside!" as our slogan for 2010, we had no idea how true those words would be. From all of us at the Giants, thank you for sharing the magic.

Sincerely,

Bill Neukom

Managing General Partner and Chief Executive Officer

I really enjoyed seeing this video and this song, "Don't Stop Believing", attached to the Giants and to see Steve Perry leading a rendition at AT&T Park. This team and city really embodied the spirit and theme of the song. Perry mentions in the montage above how deeply this teams championship run affected him. Glad to know I wasn't the only one and it goes to show the amazing power this game has on fans.

Maybe this song becomes a new Giants tradition much like the Cubs "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and the Sawks "Sweet Caroline".

Opening Day 2011 @ AT&T Park could be a real memorable event.

STEVE PERRY LEADS GIANTS FANS IN NLCS

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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.