Kuzul

The 2002 World Series Loss Still StingsWinning World Series titles in 2010 and 2012 should have pushed any lingering pain of the San Francisco Giants 2002 World Series loss far into the stratosphere—especially since I was among the million at the purely joyous 2010 parade.Laying eyes upon a villain from that 2002 series, however, proved I'm not fully healed—at all. Most of those Los Angeles Angels are long retired. As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.The pain quickly flooded back Wednesday when the CSN camera locked on Toronto's starter—Ramon Ortiz, 40 years young, back in MLB after a two-year absence. He was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of that World Series (thanks to run support, it should be noted).Just seeing his face brought it all back. Some folks lead very successful adult lives and still withdraw upon spotting an old high school bully at a reunion. ...

ESPN used to run a commercial featuring a young couple having cutesy time on the couch. As unsavory as that image was to a sports fan just wanting to watch game highlights, the visual turned absolutely repugnant once the camera zoomed out to reveal the guy was wearing an Ohio State sweatshirt, while the girl was sporting her Michigan threads.Just thinking about it makes you uncomfortable, right?Now imagine a Giants fan and a Dodgers fan embracing on the couch, making out and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ear. I don't know about you, but I just threw up a little in my mouth.Well, that is because the two fanbases don't get along. In fact, they downright hate each other. They hate each other's teams, their team colors, their hometowns and their regional vernacular. They even hate the air the other side breathes (with good reason, at least for Giants fans—LA ...

According to Andrew Baggerly of CSN Bay Area, Pablo Sandoval will return to the San Francisco Giants' infield sometime in the middle of next week. Bruce Bochy said trainers tell him Pablo Sandoval is a week away from activation. He's eligible Thursday.— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) August 5, 2012 Make no mistake, Sandoval will play third base when he returns. Bruce Bochy doesn't want to see a repeat of Sandoval's hamstring pull in a stretch at first base, so the Panda will return to his familiar hot corner. That's certainly good news for the Giants' offense.But it's probably also bad news for Brandon Crawford because Marco Scutaro, who's been manning third base since he came over from Colorado, can play his position.Crawford has been one of baseball's worst shortstops this season—literally. Crawford is dead last among starting shortstops in OPS. It's been a disappointing year for Crawford, who the Giants didn't exactly expect ...

I knew New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson about 30 years ago. He was new in baseball, acting as the general counsel for the Oakland Athletics. He was a classy guy. Very nice, very engaging. Very friendly to a young kid who was doing some day of game work for MLB Productions. The guy who ripped Giants fans and one of the fine young hitters in baseball, Pablo Sandoval, is a different guy. Alderson showed absolutely no class with his Twitter comments. He came across as petty and arrogant. Alderson tweeted: ASG election of "Kung Fu Panda" shows the value of a cute nickname. Surprised Giants fans didn't elect a "ball dude" to start at 3B.— Sandy Alderson (@MetsGM) July 3, 2012 Of course Wright deserves to start ahead of Sandoval at third base for the National League.But did Alderson forget about the 2009 election, when Sandoval clearly deserved to ...

Pablo Sandoval may be back at third base for the San Francisco Giants, but after his dismal performance on Sunday, there is cause for concern. Yes, the Panda has only been back two games, but with his latest string off-the-field issues, how good will Sandoval be? No question when Sandoval is healthy, he is a dynamic threat at the plate with his ability to hit for power and average. Before his injury he was the Giants' best offensive weapon hitting .316 with five HR and 15 RBI. Yet after six weeks off and increasing coverage about his weight issues, will Sandoval re-emerge and help the Giants push for the playoff? Remember the Giants won a World Series without major contributions from the Panda.   So be excited that Sandoval is back, but here are 10 reasons why he isn't as important to the Giants' success as many would like to ...

Prior to Saturday’s afternoon game vs. the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park, Giants manager Bruce Bochy was asked numerous questions about Pablo Sandoval.   Affectionately known as the “Panda,” Sandoval was activated from the 15-day disabled list today after missing 35 games while rehabbing from surgery on a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist.  While there were a number of questions surrounding Sandoval’s rehab and availability to hit from both sides, Bochy was asked if he appreciated Sandoval’s recent comments about taking his fitness seriously.  Pulling no punches, Bochy responded immediately, saying, “There comes a time when you don’t want to hear it, you need action, and that’s got to happen now.”  Bochy didn’t stop there, as he elaborated on the weight Sandoval has apparently lost this week, “That has to be consistent, it can’t (just) be for three or four days, or a week, it’s gotta be for the ...

San Francisco third baseman and 2011 All-Star selection Pablo Sandoval is being investigated by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department over possible sexual assault charges, according to Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area.Sources told Baggarly's employer that the alleged incident took place early in the morning this past Friday at the Seascape Beach Resort. However, those same sources explained that Sandoval was not a registered guest at the resort during that time.Sources who talked with CSN Bay Area claim that the woman in question reported to the authorities that she was too intoxicated to give consent.The investigation is still on going, and it's important to note that Sandoval has not been charged by the police according to sources cited by CSN Bay Area.Sandoval's attorney, Eric Geffon agreed to an interview with CSN Bay Area, explaining:On Friday, June 1, Pablo Sandoval voluntarily met with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department ...

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval had a resurgent 2011 season, batting .315/.357/.552 with 25 home runs and 70 RBI, and earning his first All-Star appearance. But Sandoval also flashed a great glove at the hot corner last season, according to the defensive metrics on Fangraphs. His performance on the field may have earned him what looks to be the coolest bobblehead we'll see this season.Through their official Twitter account, the Giants posted a picture of what the first 25,000 fans who attend the team's Aug. 26 game against the Atlanta Braves will receive.Check this baby out.How slick is that? Kung Fu Panda looks so very Joe Cool, sporting shades and chewing bubble gum while diving for a baseball.I'll bet the bubble doesn't even pop while Sandoval makes the play. Oh, and he doesn't appear to be looking the ball into his glove, giving the certain "web gem" of the year ...

From winning the World Series in 2010 to missing the playoffs in 2011, the San Francisco Giants have experienced euphoria and crashed back to earth.The Giants are a pitching-rich, offensively depleted team. They enter 2012 with one mission in mind: to prove their championship a season ago was not a fluke. It won't be easy. Everything that seemed to go right on their path to the World Series went wrong the following season.Will Buster Posey return to form? Can Aubrey Huff find his swing? Does Tim Lincecum have another Cy Young season in the tank? Fans are eager to see if a team largely unchanged during the offseason can overcome the hardships and disappointments of 2011.Let's take a look at five major possibilities for the 2012 season.Begin Slideshow

I hate to write this article, but Chipper Jones will be 40 years old during the first month of the 2012 season. That means it's time to take a look at five guys the Atlanta Braves could bring in to replace one of their all-time great players, a player with a World Series ring, MVP Award and batting title.Chipper has said he will return for 2012, and has a $7 million club option for 2013 that would become automatic if he plays 123 games in 2012. Since the Braves have limited options right now, there's a good chance he reaches that number of games if he can stay fairly healthy.It's also worth noting that he is still 385 hits away from 3,000 after picking up 125 in 2011, so there's a chance he tries to stick it out through 2014 to reach the magic number of 3,000. Since it's unknown how much ...