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-seven is about the interesting reliever Sergio Romo.
Sergio Romo was born in Brawley, California, on March 4, 1983. He attended Brawley Union High School, where he graduated from in 2001. Originally working as an infielder in high school, Romo transferred to pitching in college. He originally attended Orange Coast College, and then transferred to Arizona Western College. He then moved along to the University of North Alabama in 2004 and Colorado Mesa University in 2005. He was still flying under the radar for the most part, but was drafted in 2005 by the San Francisco Giants in the twenty-eighth round. Romo went to pitching in the Class A Short Season Northwest League for the rest of the season, appearing in fifteen games (fourteen starts) for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in Oregon. He owned a 2.75 earned run average as well as sixty-five strikeouts in sixty-eight and two-thirds innings pitched. In 2006, he was promoted to the Augusta Greenjackets of the Class A South Atlantic League, in Augusta, Georgia. Here, he continued to work as a starter before being converted into a reliever. This resulted in thirty-one appearances, ten of which were starts and ten more that ended the game, with his numbers reading a 2.53 earned run average, ninety-five strikeouts, and 103 and 1/3 innings pitched. In 2007, he again stepped up, moving to the Class A Advanced California League to work as a part-time closer for the San Jose Giants. With a 1.36 earned run average, Romo turned nine saves while striking out a whopping 106 in just sixty-six and one-third innings pitched. Romo continued to work his way up in the Giants organization, starting 2008 in primarily a closer role for the Connecticut Defenders of Norwich, Connecticut of the Class AA Eastern League. He turned eleven saves in twenty-seven innings, as well as thirty strikeouts, composing a 4.00 earned run average. Romo was brought up to the San Francisco Giants on June 24, 2008, and made his debut two days later. He was with the team until August 6th, but returned after being designated for assignment to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League and stayed with the team to close the year from August 16th onward. With the major league Giants, Romo had a 2.12 earned run average over thirty-four innings pitched, striking out thirty-three batters. Romo began the 2009 season on the disabled list, and after rehabilitation appearances in San Jose and Fresno, he was in San Francisco on May 30th. Romo was deployed in high-leverage and late-inning situations for most of the season. On July 7th, he turned his first major league save against the Florida Marlins. Overall, he had a 3.97 earned run average over thirty-four innings, striking out forty-one batters and accumulating ten holds. His role expanded in 2010, and Romo became noticed as one of the premier setup relievers in the major leagues during the season. For the year, he had a 2.18 earned run average and seventy strikeouts in sixty-two innings pitched. He also pitched to twenty-one holds during the year, and was an easy choice for the postseason roster. In his first trip to the postseason, Romo didn't fare extremely well, blowing two saves (although neither resulted in a Giants loss). He wasn't a complete detriment either though, improving after getting past the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series. In the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, and against the Texas Rangers in the World Series, Romo appeared four times without giving up a run. The rest of the team was good enough to help Romo earn his first World Series title when things were all said and done. Romo's biggest feat in 2011 was throwing ten consecutive perfect innings during a span of fourteen games, only the fifth reliever in history to do so. At the end of the year, Romo had a 1.50 earned run average, seventy strikeouts, twenty-three holds, and just forty-eight innings of work. Alas, it wasn't enough to bring the Giants back to the postseason. Romo's role increased again in 2012 after Brian Wilson's season-ending Tommy John surgery. He was a critical part of the closer committee, working both in a setup role to the tune of twenty-three holds, and as a closer later on, where he turned fourteen saves, with just one blown save all year. Evidence of his talents are on display in his 1.79 earned run average, as well as his sixty-three strikeouts in fifty-five and one-third innings. Romo was the designated closer during the postseason, and he appeared in ten games overall during the playoffs. His only run allowed during the playoffs came against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series, while he was turning his first save in Game 5. He also earned the win in Game 3 of that series. He made four appearances against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, protecting the lead in non-save situations in all of the games. He was only used in games the Giants won in that series. The star-making moment came in the national spotlight though, as he saved Games 2, 3, and 4 in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched three innings in the World Series, playing perfect baseball with five strikeouts, including the final strikeout of the season against Miguel Cabrera in Game 4, which he then emphatically celebrated before being mobbed by his teammates on the mound. Looking to the future, Romo will be a valuable piece of the Giants bullpen no matter which role he is used in.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
KHL November 24th 2012
Only one game for today, as Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Jeff Glass for Sibir and Alexander Lazushin for Metallurg tend the twines. Novosibirsk scored first in the first period as Anton Malyshev potted the puck, with a lone assist from Artyom Voroshilo. This was the only goal in the game, with Sibir winning 1-0. Malyshev, Glass (35 save shutout), and Lazushin (24 for 25 in saves) receive the three stars.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, November 23, 2012
KHL November 23rd 2012
We've got another eleven games on today. I apologize if I can't finish this post before I leave the house for High School Football later. Some of the games are a bit late starting. We begin in...
Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco for Donbass and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev are in front of the nets. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Igor Musatov, assisted by Alexander Stepanov. Donetsk tied it as Clay Wilson scored, with the help of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Sergei Varlamov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back on an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Mirnov and Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a Nikita Filatov goal, set up by Yury Trubachyov and Denis Parshin. Ufa iced the game at 5-1 with a third period goal coming off the tape of Andrei Konev, fueled by Denis Khlystov and Vitaly Parshin. The three stars belonged to Mirnov, Pihlstrom, and Kaigorodov.
Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Ari Ahonen for Metallurg are set to start in goal. Magnitogorsk began with a Cal O'Reilly goal, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin in the first period. Astana tied it as Maxim Spiridonov scored a power play goal, set up by Nikolai Antropov and Brandon Bochenski. Metallurg retook the lead as Nikoali Kulemin scored, with a lone assist from Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Dmitry Kazionov scored a power play goal, powered by Mozyakin, who got a sock trick, and Sergei Gonchar. Metallurg padded the lead with a Gonchar goal, and Evgeny Malkin had the only assist on the power play tally. Magnitogorsk struck again with another Kazionov goal, courtesy of Justin Hodgman. This prompted Barys to replace Lassila in net, opting to go with Pavel Poluektov. It worked, as he gave up no goals, but they didn't score either, falling 5-1. Kazionov, Mozyakin, and Gonchar earn the three stars.
A little to the east, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra and Andrei Mezin for Traktor are between the pipes. Chelyabinsk got going with a second period unassisted goal by Yegor Dugin. Traktor added on when Mazim Yakutsenya scored a goal, with a lone assist provided by Evgeny Kuznetsov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period when Maxim Belyaev scored, and Rinat Ibragimov supplied the only assist. They couldn't tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Yakutsenya, Mezin (17 for 18 in saves), and Dugin.
Up north, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh for Avangard and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are given the starting nods. Omsk was first to score in the first period as Pavel Valentenko scored with the help of Dmitry Syomin. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Nikita Tryamkin goal, fueled by Joffrey Lupul and Fyodor Malykhin. Avangard retook the lead in the second period on an Alexander Frolov goal, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn and Georgijs Pujacs. Avtomobilist retied the game as Rastislav Spirko scored a goal, assisted by Sergei Gusev and Evgeny Lapenkov. Omsk took the lead again in the third period on a Tomas Zaborsky goal, coming off of Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard extended the lead with a Syomin goal, courtesy of Anton Belov and Frolov. Omsk struck again on a power play goal by Kostitsyn, powered by Oleg Piganovich. Avangard continued with another Syomin goal, passed from Kostitsyn and Frolov. Yekaterinburg got one back as Josef Straka scored, with a lone assist provided by Denis Makarov. This produced the 6-3 final in Avangard's favor, with the three stars being Syomin, Kostitsyn, and Frolov.
To the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Yakhin for Spartak and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars are in the blue paint. Moscow opened with an Alexander Suglobov goal, with a lone assist by Jakub Nakladal on the power play. Kazan tied it in the second period with a Janne Pesonen goal, fueled by Jarkko Immonen. Spartak took the lead when Alexander Romanovsky scored, via Alexander Khokhlachyov. Ak Bars tied it again in the third period with a power play goal from Alexei Yemelin, powered by Immonen and Evgeny Medvedev. The game went into overtime, where Moscow won 3-2 on a Branko Radivojevic, with the only helper coming from Nikita Shchitov. The three stars went to Radivojevic, Immonen, and Yakhin (32 for 34 in saves).
Just a bit to the southeast, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik are protecting the nets. Riga started in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored, with help from Martins Karsums and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. This was the only goal, leading to a 1-0 Dinamo win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (47 save shutout), Szczechura, and Karsums.
Way to the west, CSKA Moscow hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval for Torpedo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA have the green light to start. Nizhny Novgorod began with a second period goal from Vladimir Gorbunov, passed from Alexander Semin. Torpedo added on in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov, powered by Juuso Hietanen and Matt Ellison. Moscow got on the board as Alexander Radulov scored, with the help of Pavel Datsyuk and Mikhail Grabovsky. CSKA tied the game as Datsyuk scored, and Grabovsky recorded the lone assist. The tie was broken in the shootout by a lone goal from Sergei Shirokov for a 3-2 win by CSKA. Datsyuk, Grabovsky, and Shirokov receive the three stars.
Staying in the city of Moscow, Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Alexei Volkov for Dynamo tend the twines. Cherepovets struck first early in the second period as Alexander Ryazantsev scored, thanks to Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal added on as Bogdon Kiselevich scored a power play goal, and Shipachyov recorded the only assist. Cherepovets kept going as Teemu Laasko scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Tom Wandell. Moscow replied when Dmitry Pestunov scored a goal, assisted by Denis Kokarev and Ilya Gorokhov. Dynamo pulled closer with an Alexander Ovechkin goal, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom and Leo Komarov. Moscow tied it with a power play goal by Filip Novak, powered by Komarov and Backstrom. Dynamo took the lead when Ovechkin scored his second goal of the game, helped along by Backstrom, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Mironov. Moscow iced it at 5-3 with a Backstrom goal in the third period, pushed through by Denis Mosalyov and Novak on the power play. The three stars went to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Novak, while Komarov and Shipachyov get the honorable mentions.
Northwest to St. Petersburg, as SKA welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne of Dinamo and Ilya Ezhov of SKA are the masked men. St. Petersburg was the first on the board as Vladimir Tarasenko scored, courtesy of the goal Ezhov and Ivan Nepryayev. SKA padded the lead as Tony Martensson scored, and Dmitry Kalinin had the only assist. Minsk got on the board as Charles Linglet scored, thanks to Jere Karalahti and Cory Murphy. Dinamo tied it in the third period when Karalahti scored a goal, assisted by Vladimir Denisov on the power play. St. Petersburg won it 3-2 in overtime as Yury Alexandrov scored, and Patrick Thoresen provided an assist to seal the game. The three stars go to Alexandrov, Karalahti, and Ezhov (36 for 38 in saves with an assist).
Southwest to Prague, where Lev Praha hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv and Jakub Stepanek for Lev are in the creases. Praha scored first in the first period as Roman Cervenka potted the puck, with help from Jiri Novotny. Lev added on in the second period as Tomas Surovy scored, courtesy of Ondrej Nemec and Martin Skoula. Praha kept going as Skoula scored, thanks to Marcel Hossa and Nemec on the power play. Lokomotiv pulled Sanford at this time in favor of Vitaly Kolesnik. Lubos Bartecko extended the lead for Lev, pushed through by Jakub Klepis and Mathias Porseland. Yaroslavl got on the board with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, set up by Daniil Apalkov. Praha shot back as Klepis scored, and Bartecko and Petr Vrana were credited with the assists. Lokomotiv shot back as Sergei Plotnikov scored, via Emil Galimov and Artyom Anisimov. Sanford replaced Kolesnik for the third period. Yaroslavl answered in the third period on a Yury Petrov goal, coming off of Alexander Chernikov and Mark Flood shorthanded. Lev replied again when Bartecko scored another goal, helped along by Vrana and Klepis. Praha iced the game at 7-3 with an empty net goal by Michal Repik, and Erik Christensen picked up the assist. The three stars went to Skoula, Klepis, and Bartecko, while Vrana and Nemec got the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Bratislava, as Slovan hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Anton Khudobin for Atlant and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are all padded up. Bratislava led off with a first period goal by Peter Olvecky, courtesy of Tomas Mikus. Mytishchi tied it late with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Sandis Ozolins on the power play. Atlant took the lead on a Viktor Bobrov goal, assisted by Alexander Rybakov and Artyom Dorofeyev. Slovan got it back on a Marko Dano goal, made possible by Ivan Svarny and Olvecky. Bratislava got the lead in the third period on a Roman Kukumberg goal, helped along by Milan Kytnar and Vladimir Dravecky. This held up for a 3-2 win, giving the three stars to Olvecky, Kukumberg, and Janus (33 for 35 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Ufa, as Salavat Yulaev hosts Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco for Donbass and Iiro Tarkki for Salavat Yulaev are in front of the nets. Ufa led off with a first period goal by Igor Musatov, assisted by Alexander Stepanov. Donetsk tied it as Clay Wilson scored, with the help of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Sergei Varlamov. Salavat Yulaev took the lead back on an Igor Mirnov goal, passed from Antti Pihlstrom and Alexei Kaigorodov. Ufa extended the lead in the second period as Pihlstrom scored, thanks to Mirnov and Kaigorodov. Salavat Yulaev kept going with a Nikita Filatov goal, set up by Yury Trubachyov and Denis Parshin. Ufa iced the game at 5-1 with a third period goal coming off the tape of Andrei Konev, fueled by Denis Khlystov and Vitaly Parshin. The three stars belonged to Mirnov, Pihlstrom, and Kaigorodov.
Next, we head south, as Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila for Barys and Ari Ahonen for Metallurg are set to start in goal. Magnitogorsk began with a Cal O'Reilly goal, made possible by Sergei Mozyakin in the first period. Astana tied it as Maxim Spiridonov scored a power play goal, set up by Nikolai Antropov and Brandon Bochenski. Metallurg retook the lead as Nikoali Kulemin scored, with a lone assist from Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead in the second period as Dmitry Kazionov scored a power play goal, powered by Mozyakin, who got a sock trick, and Sergei Gonchar. Metallurg padded the lead with a Gonchar goal, and Evgeny Malkin had the only assist on the power play tally. Magnitogorsk struck again with another Kazionov goal, courtesy of Justin Hodgman. This prompted Barys to replace Lassila in net, opting to go with Pavel Poluektov. It worked, as he gave up no goals, but they didn't score either, falling 5-1. Kazionov, Mozyakin, and Gonchar earn the three stars.
A little to the east, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra and Andrei Mezin for Traktor are between the pipes. Chelyabinsk got going with a second period unassisted goal by Yegor Dugin. Traktor added on when Mazim Yakutsenya scored a goal, with a lone assist provided by Evgeny Kuznetsov. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the third period when Maxim Belyaev scored, and Rinat Ibragimov supplied the only assist. They couldn't tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Yakutsenya, Mezin (17 for 18 in saves), and Dugin.
Up north, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg welcomes Avangard Omsk. Eduard Reizvikh for Avangard and Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist are given the starting nods. Omsk was first to score in the first period as Pavel Valentenko scored with the help of Dmitry Syomin. Yekaterinburg tied it with a Nikita Tryamkin goal, fueled by Joffrey Lupul and Fyodor Malykhin. Avangard retook the lead in the second period on an Alexander Frolov goal, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn and Georgijs Pujacs. Avtomobilist retied the game as Rastislav Spirko scored a goal, assisted by Sergei Gusev and Evgeny Lapenkov. Omsk took the lead again in the third period on a Tomas Zaborsky goal, coming off of Alexander Perezhogin. Avangard extended the lead with a Syomin goal, courtesy of Anton Belov and Frolov. Omsk struck again on a power play goal by Kostitsyn, powered by Oleg Piganovich. Avangard continued with another Syomin goal, passed from Kostitsyn and Frolov. Yekaterinburg got one back as Josef Straka scored, with a lone assist provided by Denis Makarov. This produced the 6-3 final in Avangard's favor, with the three stars being Syomin, Kostitsyn, and Frolov.
To the northwest, Ak Bars Kazan brings in Spartak Moscow. Alexei Yakhin for Spartak and Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars are in the blue paint. Moscow opened with an Alexander Suglobov goal, with a lone assist by Jakub Nakladal on the power play. Kazan tied it in the second period with a Janne Pesonen goal, fueled by Jarkko Immonen. Spartak took the lead when Alexander Romanovsky scored, via Alexander Khokhlachyov. Ak Bars tied it again in the third period with a power play goal from Alexei Yemelin, powered by Immonen and Evgeny Medvedev. The game went into overtime, where Moscow won 3-2 on a Branko Radivojevic, with the only helper coming from Nikita Shchitov. The three stars went to Radivojevic, Immonen, and Yakhin (32 for 34 in saves).
Just a bit to the southeast, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik are protecting the nets. Riga started in the second period as Paul Szczechura scored, with help from Martins Karsums and Aleksandrs Nizivijs. This was the only goal, leading to a 1-0 Dinamo win, with the three stars belonging to Tellqvist (47 save shutout), Szczechura, and Karsums.
Way to the west, CSKA Moscow hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval for Torpedo and Rastislav Stana for CSKA have the green light to start. Nizhny Novgorod began with a second period goal from Vladimir Gorbunov, passed from Alexander Semin. Torpedo added on in the third period with a power play goal by Dmitry Makarov, powered by Juuso Hietanen and Matt Ellison. Moscow got on the board as Alexander Radulov scored, with the help of Pavel Datsyuk and Mikhail Grabovsky. CSKA tied the game as Datsyuk scored, and Grabovsky recorded the lone assist. The tie was broken in the shootout by a lone goal from Sergei Shirokov for a 3-2 win by CSKA. Datsyuk, Grabovsky, and Shirokov receive the three stars.
Staying in the city of Moscow, Dynamo hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal and Alexei Volkov for Dynamo tend the twines. Cherepovets struck first early in the second period as Alexander Ryazantsev scored, thanks to Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal added on as Bogdon Kiselevich scored a power play goal, and Shipachyov recorded the only assist. Cherepovets kept going as Teemu Laasko scored, with the help of Evgeny Ketov and Tom Wandell. Moscow replied when Dmitry Pestunov scored a goal, assisted by Denis Kokarev and Ilya Gorokhov. Dynamo pulled closer with an Alexander Ovechkin goal, courtesy of Nicklas Backstrom and Leo Komarov. Moscow tied it with a power play goal by Filip Novak, powered by Komarov and Backstrom. Dynamo took the lead when Ovechkin scored his second goal of the game, helped along by Backstrom, who got a sock trick, and Andrei Mironov. Moscow iced it at 5-3 with a Backstrom goal in the third period, pushed through by Denis Mosalyov and Novak on the power play. The three stars went to Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Novak, while Komarov and Shipachyov get the honorable mentions.
Northwest to St. Petersburg, as SKA welcomes Dinamo Minsk. Pekka Rinne of Dinamo and Ilya Ezhov of SKA are the masked men. St. Petersburg was the first on the board as Vladimir Tarasenko scored, courtesy of the goal Ezhov and Ivan Nepryayev. SKA padded the lead as Tony Martensson scored, and Dmitry Kalinin had the only assist. Minsk got on the board as Charles Linglet scored, thanks to Jere Karalahti and Cory Murphy. Dinamo tied it in the third period when Karalahti scored a goal, assisted by Vladimir Denisov on the power play. St. Petersburg won it 3-2 in overtime as Yury Alexandrov scored, and Patrick Thoresen provided an assist to seal the game. The three stars go to Alexandrov, Karalahti, and Ezhov (36 for 38 in saves with an assist).
Southwest to Prague, where Lev Praha hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv and Jakub Stepanek for Lev are in the creases. Praha scored first in the first period as Roman Cervenka potted the puck, with help from Jiri Novotny. Lev added on in the second period as Tomas Surovy scored, courtesy of Ondrej Nemec and Martin Skoula. Praha kept going as Skoula scored, thanks to Marcel Hossa and Nemec on the power play. Lokomotiv pulled Sanford at this time in favor of Vitaly Kolesnik. Lubos Bartecko extended the lead for Lev, pushed through by Jakub Klepis and Mathias Porseland. Yaroslavl got on the board with an Alexei Kalyuzhny goal, set up by Daniil Apalkov. Praha shot back as Klepis scored, and Bartecko and Petr Vrana were credited with the assists. Lokomotiv shot back as Sergei Plotnikov scored, via Emil Galimov and Artyom Anisimov. Sanford replaced Kolesnik for the third period. Yaroslavl answered in the third period on a Yury Petrov goal, coming off of Alexander Chernikov and Mark Flood shorthanded. Lev replied again when Bartecko scored another goal, helped along by Vrana and Klepis. Praha iced the game at 7-3 with an empty net goal by Michal Repik, and Erik Christensen picked up the assist. The three stars went to Skoula, Klepis, and Bartecko, while Vrana and Nemec got the honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Bratislava, as Slovan hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Anton Khudobin for Atlant and Jaroslav Janus for Slovan are all padded up. Bratislava led off with a first period goal by Peter Olvecky, courtesy of Tomas Mikus. Mytishchi tied it late with an Alexei Mikhnov goal, passed from Sandis Ozolins on the power play. Atlant took the lead on a Viktor Bobrov goal, assisted by Alexander Rybakov and Artyom Dorofeyev. Slovan got it back on a Marko Dano goal, made possible by Ivan Svarny and Olvecky. Bratislava got the lead in the third period on a Roman Kukumberg goal, helped along by Milan Kytnar and Vladimir Dravecky. This held up for a 3-2 win, giving the three stars to Olvecky, Kukumberg, and Janus (33 for 35 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
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.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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.
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).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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