SF Examiner: Giants on right trajectory

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

The season is far from ideal. There’s that Timmy thing, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are still in front of the division. But now the Giants have hitting and speed, and with the season still four months from conclusion, they very well could finish where everyone thought they would: in first.

Melky Cabrera breaking a record by Willie Mays — and who ever imagined those names would be linked?

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Latest call-up brings big-league pedigree

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

On one side of the family was a Hall of Fame first baseman, on the other an outfielder involved in one of the more famous plays in World Series lore. The baseball genes were there for Charlie Culberson.

“I guess you could say that,” Culberson agreed, “it’s neat to have that history.”

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

SF Examiner: Too much fumbling, bumbling by Giants

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

“These are the major leagues,” insisted Vida Blue on Comcast SportsNet this week. “This has got to stop.” Not the way the Giants are fielding. Or fumbling.

Who knew the Bad News Bears would be resurrected in orange and black? It was one thing when the Giants couldn’t hit a moving ball. It’s another when they can’t catch one.

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company

RealClearSports: Wizard of Ozzie Works Magic for One Night

By Art Spander
For RealClearSports.com

SAN FRANCISCO – The subject was baseball, which was perfect for Ozzie Guillen. Hard to get into trouble talking about pop flies. No protests when discussing the pitching rotation.

A few hugs, to his pals on the Giants, a few wisecracks, and wasn’t this why the Miami Marlins had brought him in as manager because of his experience in the game?

He may be a lightning rod, a firecracker ...

Read the full story here.

© RealClearSports 2012

SF Examiner: Tim Lincecum 'stopped worrying,' found success

By Art Spander
Special to The Examiner

What’s to worry? Tim Lincecum wasn’t going winless this season. You mean you thought that was possible? Oh, ye of little faith. And of first-inning jitters. True, he’s not where he would hope to be, but neither is he where he was.

“Baby steps,” was Lincecum’s observation. For Giants fans, it was more like, “Oh, baby, what a step.”

Read the full story here.

Copyright 2012 SF Newspaper Company