Money, Momentum and Moxie SF GIANTS : ‘WIN AT ANY COST’ I live in the San Francisco Bay Area but let’s tell it like it is…For years, the Giants management have tried to win at any cost, especially now. Baer and Company are the greatest at making excuses when they’re not winning. As even the most ardent Giants fans will admit, they have made some of the worst trades and signings in baseball history (think Zeto, Rowand, Rentaria most recently). The Giants haven’t won a World Series since 1954 and may be a little embarrassed, but instead of showing some humility like the Chicago Cubs people, they only show cockiness. When Barry Bonds, in all his roided-out ‘brilliance’, kept the turnstyles rolling, management was right there to defend him while the rest of the country looked at them as laughing stock. This year, GM Sabean has taken his ‘rare window of opportunity’ philosophy to the extreme, bringing in cast-offs one after the other. If you do it enough times one will stick and Burl and Ross HAVE made some contributions – afterall, they were better than what was there, and with the pitching staff they have they can get by with mediocrity . (But they are not young, and don’t be surprised to see them gone next year.) Other than Buster Posey and Bumgartner, the Giants have virtually ignored their farm system, bringing in veteran player after player, only to throw them under the bus. Perhaps Padres’ Mat Latos and one or two of the Philles got it right… Instead of giving players a chance , a wrong move or two and they’re gone. Poor Zeto, who has had his best year in years, is persona non grata now, left off the playoffs roster. Most of the players who began the year with the Giants are gone, or at least banished to the bench. Even now, if someone makes an error or two, expect a different lineup the next day. Apparently, the pressure cooker is on at Giants headquarters. Sabean and Bochy and Baer have been around one team longer than all current counterparts – and without winning big one. I will say that manager Bochy, whether under the gun or not, has come a long way as manager, truly managing and probably should be manager of the year. But, look at the competition. Whether other managers or teams- - there’s not a truly top caliber one with both pitching and hitting in all the big leagues, except the Yankees, and they haven’t been doing all that well in the playoffs. As for luck, the Giants seem to have it going for them , getting that ‘torture’ run courtesy of either the other team mistakes (See Atlanta) or umpires (a would-be inning-ending right-down-the plate third strike was called a ball by Umpire Cousins, resulting in two more runs, just enough to win the first playoff game against the Phils most recently. For the Giants its Win Now At All Costs (we don’t say that, they do). The money’s been spen now- with one of the highest payrol. The World Series has eluded them for longer than just about any team. So, step on toes. Go boldly as it WILL probably be back to the Old Inept Giants next year. So, Giant fans, enjoy while you can. I’ll take the Padres or even the A’s ( despite having the worst manager in baseball) and their homegrown, old school philosophies. See http://www.YellowPagesCoupons.net http://www.BayAreaCoupons.net