How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 26

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part twenty-six tells us of star pitcher Tim Lincecum.

Tim Lincecum was born on June 15, 1984, in Bellevue, Washington. He attended Liberty Senior High School in Renton, Washington, where he graduated from in 2003 after leading the team to a 3A State Championship. He was originally selected in the forty-eighth round of the 2003 draft by the Chicago Cubs, but elected not to sign, turning his sights to playing baseball for the University of Washington. In 2005, he re-entered the draft and was selected in the forty-second round by the Cleveland Indians, but again chose not to sign. It was later revealed he was holding out for a large signing bonus to allow his father to retire. Lincecum got what he wanted in 2006, being drafted in the first round with the tenth overall selection belonging to the San Francisco Giants. His signing bonus was for over $2 million. Lincecum was widely considered one of the best prospects in baseball throughout his time in the minor leagues. In 2006, he made only eight starts, split between the Class A Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the Northwest League and the Class A Advanced San Jose Giants of the California League. His statistics during the season were a 1.71 earned run average, fifty-eight strikeouts, and just thirty-one and two-thirds innings pitched. Lincecum spent the first month of the season with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies, completely skipping the Class AA level, and in five starts, Lincecum held a 0.29 earned run average, forty-six strikeouts, and just thirty-one innings. An injury in the major league Giants rotation gave Lincecum his debut opportunity on May 6, 2007. He ultimately received a no-decision for his efforts. San Francisco elected to keep Lincecum on the team for the rest of the season, before shutting him down to a high innings count in mid-September. His rookie year ended with a 4.00 earned run average, 150 strikeouts, and 146 and 1/3 innings of work. Noticeably, major league players were giving Lincecum credit, mentioning that he was everything they had heard about him. Future teammate Ryan Theriot said Lincecum's stuff was the best he had seen all year after a game against Theriot's Chicago Cubs. The praises continued in 2008, which turned into a star-making year for Lincecum. He was selected to his first All-Star Game, although he did not play due to flu-like symptoms. On September 13th, Lincecum notched his first complete game shutout, and ten days later he set a team record for strikeouts in a season. Overall, Lincecum's statistics in 2008 included a 2.62 earned run average, 227 innings pitched, and a National League-leading 262 strikeouts. In addition, Lincecum was named the National League Cy Young Award winner, for the best pitcher in the league. Lincecum continued to dominate in 2009, pitching three complete games in June, two of which were shutouts. He had a league-leading four complete games and two shutouts for the season. He was named to his second All-Star Game, and this time he started the game, working two innings. On September 8th, Lincecum missed his first start since joining the Giants, allowing another young, rising-star pitcher to make their debut. That pitcher is Madison Bumgarner. His final line for the season was a 2.48 earned run average, with 261 strikeouts in 225 and 1/3 innings pitched. He again led the National League in strikeouts, and once again took home the Cy Young Award, the first pitcher in history to win two Cy Young Awards in their first two full seasons. He showed signs of vulnerability in 2010, and while still a very good pitcher, he struggled through and on-again, off again slump for the entire season. Regardless of his struggles, he was still playing at a high enough level to make his third consecutive National League All-Star team. At the end of the year, Lincecum's 3.43 earned run average with 231 strikeouts (for a third consecutive National League strikeout title) in 212 and 1/3 innings pitched were enough to help the Giants earn a playoff spot. Lincecum made five starts and one relief appearance in the 2010 playoffs. In the playoffs, Lincecum was a force, pitching a two-hit shutout in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. He continued in the National League Championship Series, winning Game 1 but losing Game 5. He also made a relief appearance in Game 6, earning a hold by preserving the lead before Brian Wilson closed the game out to secure a World Series berth. In the World Series, Lincecum started Game 1 and Game 5. Game 1 was rocky, but good enough for the win, while Lincecum returned to dominant form in Game 5, securing a World Series Championship, the first of his career. For the postseason, Lincecum owned a 2.43 earned run average, with forty-three strikeouts in thirty-seven innings. Lincecum went against the grain in 2011, as San Francisco slumped as a whole, but he rebounded into his usual ace form. In the season, he recorded his eighth complete game and fifth shutout, his 1,000th strikeout, and was named to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. Despite his 2.74 earned run average, 220 strikeouts, and 217 innings pitched, Lincecum only held a 13-14 record. As is often the case in San Francisco, the pitchers are left out to dry when the offense runs cold, and Lincecum received two runs or less in twenty-one of his thirty-three games. The Giants rebounded in 2012, but Lincecum was merely a passenger for most of the season, struggling throughout a year-long slump. His end of the year numbers of a 5.18 earned run average with 190 strikeouts in 186 innings were very far from what was expected of him. Because of that, Lincecum was not in the postseason rotation, instead working from the bullpen. He pitched in two games during each series of the 2012 playoffs, five of which were relief appearances. His lone start was a disaster against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, pushing the Giants to the brink as they fell to a 3-1 deficit. They fought back in the next three games (with the help of the successful #Rally(pitcher's nickname) Twitter hashtags) to advance, where Lincecum was allowed to shine on baseball's biggest stage. In the World Series, Lincecum was a dominant force from the bullpen, allowing just one walk over four and two-thirds innings during Games 1 and 3. It was this contribution, as well as a great effort from the team, that allowed Lincecum to obtain his second World Series Championship in three years. In 2013 and beyond, Lincecum must return to an ace level of pitching, or soon become an afterthought, albeit one with a colorful personality.

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NFL Thanksgiving Games 2012 (Week 12)

As has been tradition in the NFL for recent years, there are three games on Thanksgiving. This marks the unofficial second anniversary of my blogging career. This means that for the two days after Thanksgiving, I will be at the Tacoma Dome watching Washington State High School Football semifinals. We all have our traditions, and that is one of mine. This means that the NFL posts for Sunday may be delayed as I work on my other posting series (KHL hockey and How They Got Here) as well as the semifinals reports. Now that you all are aware of the next few days ahead, let us begin with today's three games, starting with...

The Detroit Lions hosting the Houston Texans. Detroit led off in the first quarter as Mikel Leshoure ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Jason Hanson made the extra point. Houston answered in the second quarter with a 6 yard touchdown run from Arian Foster, allowing Shayne Graham to make the extra point. The Lions retook the lead when Matthew Stafford passed 5 yards to Mike Thomas for a touchdown, and Hanson again supplied the extra point. The Texans replied on a Matt Schaub touchdown pass of 9 yards to Owen Daniels, and Graham's extra point again tied the game. Detroit regained the lead as Stafford found Calvin Johnson for 22 yards and a touchdown, and Hanson tacked on the PAT. The Lions padded the lead in the third quarter with a 46 yard field goal by Hanson. Houston took some back as Justin Forsett ran 81 yards for a touchdown, and Graham again made the extra point. The Texans tied it when Graham kicked a 45 yard field goal. Detroit took the lead back as Joique Bell ran 23 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Hanson was there with the extra point. Houston tied it again as Foster ran in another touchdown from 1 yard out, and Graham made his extra point. The Texans came out on top with just over two minutes remaining in overtime as Graham booted a 32 yard field goal for a 34-31 win. The Texans improve to 10-1 while the Lions drop to 4-7.

Down in Dallas for game 2, as the Cowboys host the Washington Redskins. Dallas started in the first quarter as Dan Bailey kicked a 30 yard field goal. Washington shot back in the second quarter as Robert Griffin III passed 68 yards for a touchdown to Aldrick Robinson, and Kai Forbath made the extra point. The Redskins added on with a 1 yard Alfred Morris touchdown rush, followed by another Forbath extra point. Washington padded the lead as Griffin found Pierre Garcon for 59 yards and a touchdown, and Forbath supplied the extra point. The Redskins extended the lead as Griffin connected with Santana Moss for 6 yards and a touchdown, and Forbath again tacked on an extra point. The Cowboys replied in the third quarter when Bailey made a 33 yard field goal. Dallas got some more back as Tony Romo passed 85 yards to Dez Bryant for a touchdown, allowing Bailey to make the PAT. Washington answered in the fourth quarter as Griffin passed 29 yards for a touchdown to Niles Paul, and Forbath booted another extra point. The Cowboys shot back on a Romo 10 yard touchdown pass to Felix Jones, and then Romo ran in the two-point conversion. Dallas chipped away when Romo found Bryant again, this time for 11 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey supplied another extra point. The Redskins got some breathing room when Forbath made a 48 yard field goal. The Cowboys got them back as Bailey made a 51 yard field goal, but it was too late to avoid the 38-31 loss. Both teams moved to 5-6.

Finally, we end with the third game in New Jersey, as the New York Jets host the New England Patriots to renew a bitter rivalry. New England opened in the second quarter as Tom Brady passed 3 yards to Wes Welker for a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots added on as Brady connected with Shane Vereen for an 83 yard touchdown play, and Gostkowski again knocked in the extra point. New England struck again as Mark Sanchez fumbled, and Steve Gregory picked up the loose ball, returning it 32 yards for a touchdown, with Gostkowski again handling the extra point. On the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots forced another fumble, this time by Joe McKnight, and Julian Edelman took it back to the end zone for a 22 yard scoring play, allowing Gostkowski to boot the extra point. New England kept up the attack as Brady passed 56 yards to Edelman for a touchdown, and Gostkowski was true on the PAT. New York got on the board with a Nick Folk field goal of 32 yards. The Jets took some back in the third quarter by receiving a safety after a penalty. New York chipped away as Bilal Powell ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Folk tacked on the extra point. The Patriots extended the lead in the fourth quarter on a Brady 1 yard touchdown rush, and Gostkowski was there with the extra point. New England struck again as Stevan Ridley ran 9 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski ended the drive with an extra point. The Jets took some back with a 1 yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez to Dustin Keller, and Folk made his extra point. This was as close as it got, with the final being 49-19, moving the Patriots up to 8-3 while the Jets fall to 4-7.

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How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 25

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part twenty-five tells us of journeyman infielder Ryan Theriot. 

Ryan Theriot was born on December 7, 1979, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Broodmoar High School in Baton Rouge, and graduated in 1998. Along with childhood friends Mike Woods and Trae Duncan, Theriot was named a High School All American, and the three of them were the first three infielders from the same state to do so. Most of the time, Theriot has played second base or shortstop based on the necessity of the team, and has also appeared at third base, left field, and right field. Theriot went on to Louisiana State University, where he helped lead the Tigers to the 2000 National Championship, by scoring the winning run. He was a leader for his team, and crossed paths with multiple future teammates while in college. Theriot was drafted in 2001 by the Chicago Cubs in the third round, and completed the season in the Class A Advanced Florida State League with the Daytona Cubs. He hit only .204, and produced only nine runs batted in. Theriot has never been known as a power hitter, but does possess some speed. Theriot was assigned to the Class A Midwest League for 2002, playing with the Lansing Lugnuts of Lansing, Michigan. Here, he managed to produce a .252 batting average with thirty-two stolen bases and thirty-seven runs batted in. He split hit time in 2003 evenly between Lansing and the Class AA Southern League, where he played with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, in Jackson, Tennessee. In Lansing, he hit .259 with twenty-one stolen bases and seventeen runs batted in, while with the Diamond Jaxx, he posted a .236 average with nine runs batted in and stolen bases each. His numbers so far looked like a draft bust, and Theriot found himself with Daytona again for all of 2004. This proved to benefit him, as he improved to a .273 batting average as well as thirteen stolen bases and thirty-four runs batted in. He returned to West Tennessee in 2005, where he spent most of the season hitting to a .304 average, as well as twenty-four stolen bases and fifty-three runs batted in. He earned a mid-September call up to the Chicago Cubs, and appeared in nine games, mostly as a pinch hitter or a pinch runner. Theriot spent two stints with the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as making two trips to the big league Cubs in the 2006 season. In Iowa, he posted a .304 batting average, fourteen stolen bases, and twenty-two runs batted in, while he hit .328 with three triples and home runs each, thirteen stolen bases, and sixteen runs batted in during his time with Chicago. To stay in the Chicago lineup in 2007, Theriot had to embrace a role as a super-utility player, playing five different positions throughout the season. He hit .266, while adding three home runs, two triples, forty-five runs batted in, and twenty-eight stolen bases in his first full season in the major leagues. He also managed a .250 batting average with a run batted in during the playoffs, but Chicago was swept 3-0 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series. In 2008, he was able to settle in to the everyday shortstop role, and improved to a .307 batting average with four triples, one home run, thirty-eight runs batted in, and twenty-two stolen bases. While the Cubs were again swept 3-0 in the National League Division Series, this time by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Theriot was able to hit to a .273 postseason average. Theriot continued to man shortstop for the Cubs in 2009, and finished the season with a .284 batting average, five triples, seven home runs (including his first grand slam on May 1st), fifty-four runs batted in and twenty-one stolen bases. It was particularly admirable that Theriot was able to step up when the team was bit hard by the injury bug, as his power streak demonstrated. For 2010, Theriot was returned to a second base position to make room for highly-touted prospect Starlin Castro, a shortstop, to play. The move didn't disrupt him, as he hit .284 with twenty-one runs batted in and sixteen stolen bases before being traded with Ted Lilly and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Brett Wallach, Kyle Smit, and Blake DeWitt on July 31st. In the next two months with the Dodgers, Theriot hit only .242 with just eight runs batted in and four stolen bases. Theriot was flipped in the offseason to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Blake Hawksworth. With the Cardinals, he played in a near-everyday role, hitting to a .271 batting average, as well as forty-seven runs batted in, but as he has aged, his speed has declined and he has stolen far fewer bases. He split time at second base with Skip Schumaker in the postseason, although in the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, he was six-for-ten with some minor run production in Game 1 of the series. While his bat went cold against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, his glove was on full display, and he famously robber Prince Fielder of a hit to end an inning, which Fielder responded to with an emphatic high five. After a hitless performance in the World Series, it could be said that Theriot, with a .242 postseason average, was merely along for the ride as the Cardinals won the World Series title. It was the first of his career, but on December 12th, Theriot entered free agency. He was signed by the San Francisco Giants on January 27, 2012, and played largely at second base in the 2012 season. An injury suffered on May 8th led Theriot to the disabled list, a rare occurrence for the usually durable infielder, but he became the everyday second baseman when he returned later in the month. He played well in the role, but it wasn't enough, and he was relegated back to a timeshare role at second base and shortstop when Marco Scutaro was acquired from the Colorado Rockies. He also did a lot of pinch hitting to close out the season with a .270 batting average, thirteen stolen bases, and twenty-eight runs batted in. Theriot only worked as a pinch hitter in the National League Division Series and in the National League Championship Series. In the NLCS, Theriot came up big after Matt Holliday's controversial takeout slide on Scutaro, which shook up the veteran and allowed Theriot to finish the game at second base. He provided two valuable insurance runs in the eighth inning, and then did added his third and final 2012 postseason run batted in during Game 6, again in the eighth inning. He made only two appearances in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers as well, pinch hitting in Game 2 with no success. However, his iconic moment came in the tenth inning of Game 4. With the Giants on the road, the designated hitter rule was in effect, and Theriot was playing at designated hitter for the first time in his career. With the score tied at three in the tenth inning, Scutaro (he who took Theriot's second base job at the trade deadline) hit a single that allowed Theriot to score from second base. Theriot could be seen jumping up excitedly after sliding home, and the only run he scored in the postseason turned out to be the decisive run, allowing San Francisco to sweep and Theriot to get his second World Series title in as many years.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion. 

KHL November 22nd 2012

Our one game for today comes from Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Jeff Glass of Sibir and Alexei Murygin of Amur tend the twines. Khabarovsk opened with a first period power play goal from Alexander Osipov, powered by Perttu Lindgren and Dmitry Tarasov. Novosibirsk tied it in the second period as Arturs Kulda scored, with the help of Igor Velichkin. Amur regained the lead as Timofei Shishkanov notched a power play goal, made possible by Vladimir Loganov and Andrei Stepanov. Khabarovsk iced the game at 3-1 when Jakub Petruzalek put away an empty net goal, with a lone assist from Tarasov. The three stars went to Tarasov, Shishkanov, and Murygin (30 for 31 in saves).

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KHL November 21st 2012

Eleven games for the KHL today, beginning with...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Alexander Lazushin of Metallurg and Alexei Murygin of Amur are set to play goal. Khabarovsk was first to score with an unassisted second period goal by Juha-Pekka Hytonen. Novokuznetsk replied on a power play goal by Dmitry Kagarlitsky, courtesy of Randy Robitaille. Amur answered on a power play goal by Jakub Petruzalek, made possible by Dmitry Tarasov. Khabarovsk extended the lead as Petruzalek scored another power play goal, again powered by Tarasov. Amur padded the lead in the third period on a Perttu Lindgren goal, assisted by Tarasov, who got a sock trick, and Petruzalek. Khabarovsk iced the scoring at 5-1 as Dmitry Lugin scored, thanks to Nikita Gusev and Mikhail Fisenko. The three stars belonged to Petruzalek, Tarasov, and Murygin (16 for 17 in saves).

Well to the west, Salavat Yulaev Ufa hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov for Spartak and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev are in the blue paint. Ufa began in the first period as Vitaly Proshkin potted the puck, with the help of Igor Mirnov and Alexei Kaigorodov. Moscow tied it on an Oleg Gubin goal, coming off of Alexander Suglobov and Branko Radivojevic. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back in the second period as Ivan Baranka scored, thanks to Denis Khlystov and Sergei Zinovyev. Ufa added on with a power play goal by Nikita Filatov, assisted by Andrei Konev and Zinovyev. Salavat Yulaev extended the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Konev, powered by Khlystov and Proshkin. This was all for the scoring, with the final being 4-1. Proshkin, Konev, and Zinovyev get the three stars while Khlystov and Tarkki (23 for 24 in saves) are the honorable mentions.

To the south, Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo for Avangard and Ari Ahonen for Metallurg are the masked men. Omsk quickly scored first with a first period goal by Alexander Frolov, going in unassisted. Avangard added on in the second period with an Igor Volkov goal, set up by Vladimir Pervushin and Matti Kuparinen. Magnitogorsk got on the board as Sergei Gonchar scored, with the help of Enver Lisin. They failed to tie the game, falling 2-1, with the three stars belonging to Ramo (32 for 33 in saves), Volkov, and Ahonen (29 for 31 in saves).

A bit southeast brings us to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor hosts Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Andrei Mezin for Traktor are the starting goalies. Astana led off in the first period with a power play goal by Roman Starchenko, assisted by Vitaly Novopashin and Victor Hedman. Barys extended the lead on another power play goal, this time from Dmitry Upper, powered by Starchenko and Hedman. Astana struck again in the second period as Nigel Dawes scored, thanks to Dustin Boyd and Hedman. The scoring was silent in the third period, with Barys winning 3-0. Starchenko, Hedman, and Lassila (28 save shutout) earned the three stars.

North to Yekaterinburg, as Avtomobilist hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Edgars Masalskis for Yugra and Christopher Holt for Avtomobilist play in front of the nets. Khanty-Mansiysk opened with a first period goal by Vitaly Sitnikov, courtesy of Marek Troncinsky and Igor Skorokhodov. Yekaterinburg tied the game in the second period on a Fyodor Malykhin goal, made possible by Joffrey Lupul and Denis Sokolov. The game required extra time to determine a winner, although Avtomobilist changed goalies for overtime, subbing Holt out in favor of Evgeny Lobanov. The game was sent to a shootout, where Skorokhodov and Stanislav Bocharov led Yugra to a 2-1 win over Avtomobilist, whose only goal in the shootout came from Lupul. Skorokhodov, Lupul, and Masalskis (32 for 33 in saves) get the three stars.

Northwest to Kazan, as Ak Bars hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Emil Garipov for Ak Bars are all padded up. Riga started quickly in the first period on a Jekabs Redlihs goal, passed from Paul Szczechura and Alexandre Giroux. Kazan tied it when Ilya Nikulin scored a shorthanded goal, with a lone assist from Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars took the lead as Niko Kapanen scored, thanks to Alexei Morozov and Danis Zaripov. Dinamo tied it with a second period shorthanded goal off the tape of Kristaps Sotnieks, and Gints Meija had the only assist. Kazan regained the lead as Obukhov scored a power play goal, courtesy of Jarkko Immonen and Alexei Yemelin. Ak Bars added on with an Immonen goal, fueled by Obukhov. Kazan kept going as Zaripov scored, with the help of Morozov. Ak Bars ended the scoring at 6-2 in the third period on a Janne Pesonen goal, a power play goal powered by Evgeny Medvedev and Yemelin. The three stars of the game were Obukhov, Zaripov, and Immonen, while Morozov and Yemelin receive honorable mentions.

Just a bit to the southeast, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco of Donbass and Matt Dalton of Neftekhimik receive the starting nods. Donetsk began in the first period on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, coming on the power play via Clay Wilson and Vaclav Nedorost. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the third period on a Tomas Netik power play goal, powered by Maxim Pestushko and Alexander Seluyanov. Neftekhimik took the lead as Netik scored again, with this goal helped along by Pestushko and Petr Koukal, coming shorthanded. Donbass retied it when Dadonov scored again, thanks to Wilson and Tuomas Kiiskinen on the power play. Nizhnekamsk retook the lead with another shorthanded goal, coming off the tape of Yegor Milovzorov, passed from Seluyanov and Koukal. Donetsk retied it on a goal by Nedorost, made possible by Peter Podhradsky and Sergei Varlamov. The game needed a shootout to determine the winner, and it was Neftekhimik after goals by Nail Yakupov and Milovzorov led to a 4-3 victory, while Donbass got a lone shootout goal from Nedorost. The three stars go to Milovzorov, Netik, and Nedorost, while Dadonov, Pestushko, Seluyanov, Koukal, and Wilson get the honorable mentions.

To the west, SKA St. Petersburg hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Ilya Ezhov for SKA are between the pipes. St. Petersburg led off in the first period on a Maxim Chudinov goal, assisted by Anton Burdasov and Alexander Kucheryavenko. SKA extended the lead in the third period as Ilya Kovalchuk scored, with the help of Vladimir Tarasenko. Cherepovets got on the board with a Vadim Berdnikov goal, fueled by Bogdan Kiselevich. Severstal tied the game when Tom Wandell scored, courtesy of Nikolai Stasenko and Mikko Lehtonen. St. Petersburg retook the lead as Ivan Nepryayev scored, with assists provided by Tarasenko and Dmitry Kalinin. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Tarasenko, Nepryayev, and Kovalchuk.

A bit southeast, as CSKA Moscow hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Semyon Varlamov of Lokomotiv and Ilya Bryzgalov of CSKA play in the creases in a battle of NHL goaltenders. Yaroslavl got going with a second period Artyom Anisimov goal, set up by Alexander Chernikov and Sergei Plotnikov. Plotnikov added on for Lokomotiv with a power play goal powered by Sami Lepisto and Mark Flood. Yaroslaval extended the lead as Emil Galimov scored, with helpers provided by Vitaly Vishnevsky and Anisimov. Lokomotiv made it 4-0 in the third period as Plotnikov scored again, thanks to Anisimov and Galimov. The three stars went to Plotnikov, Anisimov, and Galimov.

Over in Prague, Lev Praha hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov for Atlant and Tomas Popperle for Lev are guarding the cages. Praha was first to score with a first period goal by Jakub Voracek, with a lone assist by Martin Skoula. Atlant switched goalies in the second period, pulling Galimov for Anton Khudobin. Mytishchi got on the board as Alexei Mikhnov scored a second period goal, with a lone helper from Sandis Ozolins. Lev retook the lead as Marcel Hossa scored, thanks to Erik Christensen and Skoula. Atlant pulled even again in the third period on a Konstantin Koltsov goal, coming off of Mikhnov and Ilya Kablukov. Praha retook the lead again as Jakub Klepis scored, with the help of Lubos Bartecko. Lev iced the game at 4-2 when Ondrej Nemec scored a goal, assisted by Juraj Mikus and Tomas Surovy. The three stars went to Mikhnov, Skoula, and Klepis.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval for Torpedo and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are tending the twines. Nizhny Novgorod struck first in the first period on a Juuso Hietanen power play goal, made possible by Martin Thornberg. Torpedo added on as Thornberg scored an unassisted goal. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead in the second period on a Thornberg power play goal, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Mazim Potapov. Torpedo kept going as Vladimir Gazulin scored, thanks to Semyon Valuisky and Artyom Chernov. Bratislava got on the board in the third period as Tomas Mikus potted the puck, with the help of Andrej Stastny. This only made it 4-1, with the three stars going to Thornberg, Hietanen, and Koval (30 for 31 in saves).

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How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 24

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part twenty-four tells us of controversial outfielder Melky Cabrera. 

Melky Cabrera was born on August 11, 1984, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He was an undrafted player, being first signed by the New York Yankees on November 14, 2001. He made his first professional appearances with the Staten Island Yankees of Staten Island, New York, in the Class A Short Season New York-Pennsylvania League. Here, he hit to a .283 batting average with two home runs and thirty-one runs batted in. He moved up to the Class A Midwest League in 2004, appearing in 42 games with the Battle Creek Yankees in Battle Creek, Michigan. Cabrera had a line of a .333 batting average with sixteen runs batted in before a promotion to the Class A Advanced Tampa Yankees of Tampa, Florida, in the Florida League. Here, he closed out the season hitting .288 with eight home runs and fifty-one runs batted in. He continued to progress rapidly, playing much of 2005 in the Class AA Eastern League with the Trenton Thunder in Trenton, New Jersey. Cabrera posted statistics reading .275 in batting average, as well as ten home runs and sixty runs batted in for the season at this level. This earned him a promotion to the Class AAA International League to play with the Columbus Clippers in Columbus, Ohio, where he stayed for nine games before a major league call up. He first appeared for the New York Yankees on July 7, 2005, but quickly wore out his welcome with a defensive miscue and a lack of hitting. He returned to Columbus after the short major league stint, and finished with a .248 batting average, three home runs, and seventeen runs batted in. He was sent back down to Trenton to end the year. In 2006, Cabrera played the beginning of the season with the Clippers, hitting to a sterling .385 batting average, with four home runs and twenty-four runs batted in, before being called up as an injury replacement for left fielder Hideki Matsui. He did not lose the major league job, finishing out the year with a .280 batting average and seven home runs as well as fifty runs batted in. His first home run came on June 15th. He also got his first taste of postseason baseball, appearing in two games against the Detroit Tigers in the American League Division Series, which the Yankees ultimately lost 3-1. For 2007, Cabrera spent the whole year with New York, hitting to a .273 average with eight home runs and seventy-three runs batted in while working as a fourth outfielder before getting the starting job in center field. He also proved himself valuable with a solid bat, strong throwing arm, and ability to draw walks. In 2008, he maintained all of his defensive assets, but his hitting disappeared a bit. He was relegated back to a fourth outfielder role before being sent down to the Yankees' new Class AAA affiliate in the International League, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees of Pennsylvania. He spent mid-August there, hitting .333 with five runs batted in, before earning a September call up. He closed out a disappointing season in New York, ending with a .248 batting average, eight home runs, and thirty-seven runs batted in. Cabrera regained his poise in 2009, including hitting the first walk-off hit at New Yankee Stadium on April 22nd. Competing with Brett Gardner for the center field job, Cabrera was able to prove himself despite being the underdog and took the job back. Cabrera's season reached a high point on August 2nd, as he became the first Yankee in nearly fourteen years to hit for the cycle, and to sweeten the day, he also hit his 200th run batted in. He closed out the regular season with a .274 average, thirteen home runs, and sixty-eight runs batted in. Cabrera was an easy choice for the postseason roster, with his biggest playoff game coming on October 20th, when he knocked in all four of his runs batted in against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the American League Championship Series. His effectiveness in the postseason was about the same as in the regular season, and he finished the playoffs with a .271 batting average, as well as a World Series title when the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. It wasn't enough for New York to keep him, and they traded Cabrera, reliever Mike Dunn, and pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino to the Atlanta Braves for the disappointing starter Javier Vazquez and reliever Boone Logan on December 22, 2009. Atlanta felt like they were on the losing end of this deal though, as Cabrera did not do extremely well in 2010, hitting only .255 with four home runs and forty-two runs batted in. Cabrera was criticized for his size and lack of effort. After going hitless against the San Francisco Giants in the postseason, Cabrera was released. He signed with the Kansas City Royals as a free agent, in an attempt to revitalize his career. It worked, as he hit .305 in 2011, while supplying eighteen home runs and eighty-seven runs batted in. It was truly a career year for Cabrera, who hit new career highs in all of the major statistics categories. The Royals sold high on Cabrera, trading him to the San Francisco Giants for Jonathan Sanchez and Ryan Verdugo. Initially, this looked like an absolute fleecing in favor of San Francisco, as Cabrera excelled even more in 2012 while Sanchez struggled and was eventually flipped to Colorado. Cabrera's month of May was even more impressive, as he set a team record for any month with fifty-one hits. He earned a trip to the All-Star Game (coincidentally in Kansas City), and earned Most Valuable Player honors in the 8-0 National League win by hitting a two-run home run. However, in one of the crueler plot twists we've seen so far, Cabrera's season was cut short on August 15, 2012, with his final line reading a majors-leading .346 (which he requested be taken out of consideration for the batting title), as well as eleven home runs and sixty runs batted in. His season ended amid a controversy about a positive test for testosterone, indicating performance-enhancing drug usage. He served a fifty-game suspension from Major League Baseball, and was eligible to return for the National League Championship Series, but the Giants elected to not interfere with team chemistry, and Cabrera was not on the postseason roster at any point in the season. While he had nothing directly to do with their World Series title, and is not listed as a champion for the season, Cabrera did evoke memories of another San Francisco left fielder caught up in a performance-enhancing drugs scandal, Barry Bonds. It could be argued that San Francisco would never have gotten to the playoffs without Cabrera's likely tainted assistance, but since it didn't happen we will never know. Cabrera will attempt to move on from the scandal in 2013 by playing with a newly revitalized Toronto Blue Jays club, having signed with them just two days previous to this article.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.

How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 23

How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general manager. Part twenty-three is about wunderkind catcher Buster Posey.

Gerald "Buster" Posey III was born on March 27, 1987, in Leesburg, Georgia. Attending Lee County High School, baseball was Posey's main sport, and for good reasons. Splitting time between shortstop and pitching, Posey set school records for batting average at .544 and runs batted in with forty-six in just his junior year. He also had a 10-1 record and 1.53 earned run average. In his senior year, he set a school record with fourteen home runs to go with a .462 batting average and forty runs batted in. He had a 12-0 record in thirteen starts, with a 1.06 earned run average and 108 strikeouts as well. His honors from high school include Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger State Player of the Year, and EA Sports and Baseball America All-American nominations. Besides being great on both sides of the ball, he was also great in the classroom, finishing high school with a 3.94 grade point average, perhaps the most important statistic he could have from his student-athlete career. He was a 50th round selection in the 2005 draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but he chose to attend college instead. Posey played college baseball at Florida State, and in his freshman year played shortstop. He was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American for his .346 batting average, four home runs, and forty-right runs batted in. As suggested by his coaches in 2007, he started playing catcher, and he was named the second best catcher in Johnny Bench Award voting. He hit .382 with three home runs and sixty-five runs batted in. The 2008 season was even better for Posey, where he won the Johnny Bench Award, hit a stunning .463 batting average as well as twenty-six home runs and ninety-three runs batted in, was named Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year, and achieved a very rare feat. On May 12th, he played all nine fielding positions, striking out two batters as a pitcher and hitting a grand slam in a 10-0 win over Savannah State University. His versatility was never more on display, and although that's not an achievement usually attempted a highly competitive environment, it is a feat worthy of praise. Posey was a first round draft pick in the 2008 draft, where he was selected fifth overall by the San Francisco Giants. Posey began his professional career with ten games in 2008, split between the Rookie-level Arizona League Giants, before moving along to the Class A Short Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of the Northwest League in Salem, Oregon. In the short stint, he hit .351 with one home run and six runs batted in. Posey was fast-tracked to the Class A Advanced California League in 2009, where he appeared in eighty games at catcher for the San Jose Giants, hitting .326 with thirteen home runs and fifty-eight runs batted in. He earned a mid-season promotion to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League. Posey hit .321 with five home runs and twenty-two runs batted in at this level. This earned him a short major league call up, where he played in seven games but struggled early on. Undeterred, Posey went to Fresno for the beginning of the 2010 season, hitting .349 over forty-seven games, while launching six home runs with thirty-two runs batted in before being recalled to the major league Giants on May 29th. He worked at first base for the first month of the season, before going back to catching after a June 30th trade that saw starting catcher Bengie Molina traded to the Texas Rangers. Posey's rookie season was a highlight reel, with a twenty-one game hitting streak, his first grand slam, and a bump in the lineup to the coveted cleanup spot. This was only July, and he proved a force to be reckoned with as the Giants hurtled to a National League West Division title. He closed out his rookie year hitting .305 with eighteen home runs and sixty-seven runs batted in. This earned him the National League Rookie of the Year award for 2010. He was an obvious choice for the postseason roster, where he hit .288 with a home run and five runs batted in, although there was not a particular defining moment as Posey helped the Giants past the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers for a World Series Championship. Sadly, Posey was a poster boy for the San Francisco 2011 season as well, when a controversial play on May 25th resulted in a season-ending injury for the sophomore catcher. The play, still fresh in the minds of many of us, was when Scott Cousins scored a winning run against the Giants and crashed violently into Posey, causing serious ligament damage as well as a fractured fibula. Posey came out publicly when threats were made against Cousins, denouncing such actions while stepping up to acknowledge the vast support he received. He ended the season with forty-five games played, a .284 batting average, and twenty-one runs batted in with four home runs. Uncertainty clouded Posey's 2012 campaign, but he quickly cast doubts aside. He was the catcher for Matt Cain's perfect game on June 13, 2012 against the Houston Astros, resulting in what Posey called one of his most nervous moments on a baseball field. He was an easy selection for the All-Star Game, his first, and at season's end, he won the Willie Mac Award for demonstrating the spirit and leadership that Giants great Willie McCovey showed throughout his career. He hit a major-league leading .336 batting average (as well as a majors best .433 against lefties), with twenty-four home runs and 103 runs batted in en route to the National League batting title (which he won when teammate Melky Cabrera took himself out of the running due to his performance-enhancing drugs suspension). He was a cornerstone for the playoff run by the Giants, appearing in every game. The iconic moment of Posey's postseason was in Game 5 of the National League Division Series, when he hit a grand slam against Mat Latos, and later turned a strikeout-throw out double play to help preserve a lead that allowed the Giants to advance to the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Another key moment was his go-ahead home run in Game 4 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers, which proved vital when Delmon Young hit a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning. Without those two home runs, Posey and the Giants may not have won the World Series, and because of his clutch power displays, Posey earned his second World Series Championship in three years. Additionally, Posey is the answer to the trivia question "Who is the only Giants player to be on the field for the clinching moments of both the 2010 and 2012 World Series?" Besides the previously mentioned awards, Posey won the following awards for his performance in 2012: National League Comeback Player of the Year, National League Silver Slugger at catcher, National League Hank Aaron Award for best hitter as determined by the fans and media, and the Baseball Writers Association of America National League Most Valuable Player Award. Despite playing a different position and in a different era, parallels between Posey and Giants great Willie Mays have already been drawn, including performance, leadership, and even years missed due to exterior circumstances. Hopefully, Posey can keep the comparisons going, as even with only three years to his name, he already looks like a Hall of Fame-caliber player.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.