Although our beloved band of Misfits started the first half of the 2011 season sitting in first place in the National League West, they fell eight games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, who lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in the race for the National League Championship in early October. As many dedicated fans wished to see the home team once again go to the championships, their dreams were ultimately crushed as a tremendous wave of injuries crashed down on the Giants.
In an intense evening tiebreaker against the Florida Marlins in May, Scott Cousins plowed into Buster Posey, who suffered a fractured fibula and torn ligaments in his left leg. He then had season-ending surgery to speed up the healing process. Posey, the 2010 Rookie of the Year, spent several months on crutches, but was thankfully present at the birth of his twin son and daughter, Lee Dempsey and Addison Lyn. A couple of weeks after the catcher’s unfortunate injury, second baseman Freddy Sanchez dislocated his right shoulder after sliding to catch a ground ball. He also underwent season-ending surgery to repair his right labrum. Several other players were then added to the DL (Disabled List), such as Barry Zito with his chronic ankle sprains and Jeremy Affeldt with his comical mishap while barbecuing.
However, if it weren’t for the Giants’ stunning pitching staff, the defending champs would have been well out of the running for first place in their division. Starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong dominated the mound by ending his comeback season with a 2.17 ERA and a 13-7 record, and threw seven scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies on September 26. Vogelsong, having secured his position as the fourth day starter, Barry Zito, and Jonathan Sanchez will compete for the fifth day starting position during Spring Training.
Sadly for several players the city by the bay has grown to love, many will have to retire or play for another team. Pat Burrell, the Giants’ veteran left field man, will be forced to retire if his foot injury persists. After his slump in hits and runs over the 2011 season, there is a possibility that the Giants may not re-sign Cody Ross, making him a free agent for the first time in his career.
Even though the team lost some valuable players on the field, many promising prospects rose to the occasion and showed San Francisco what they had under their, er, baseball gloves. Rookie left fielder Brandon Belt made a huge impact in his first major league season, hitting nine homeruns and averaging .225. Belt, nicknamed “Baby Giraffe” by fans, had been called up several times and then sent back down to Triple-A Fresno before finally finding a regular roster spot. Eric Surkamp was called up to the big leagues in late August, and pitched his first major league career game against the Houston Astros, leading the team to a 2-1 victory. Ending his season with an even 2-2 record, Surkamp might be sent back down to the Double-A Fresno, and may be brought back up when he is more prepared.
Even though the defending champions finished their season eight games behind Arizona, San Francisco still overflows with black and orange. The majority of the Giants’ fanbase has stayed dedicated to the team, whether it be by wearing SF Giants swag or cheering the players on at the games. The Giants fanbase is one of the best in Major League Baseball. Go ahead, let this season get you depressed and pessimistic about next year, but remember that this team, against all the odds, won the World Series Championship.
