Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 3/22/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy // www.sports.yahoo.com Newly acquired Matt Morris went 14-10 with a 4.11 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005.

I have been quoted on many occasions proclaiming that this is our year to win it all. The San Francisco Giants capturing a World Series Title, that is. Ever since Barry came to the team in '93 he has kept the Giants in the playoff picture year in and year out. We were only six outs away from winning it all back in 2002, but came up short to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Well Folks, this is our year, with recent accusations of ace pitcher Matt Morris and Bonds being healthy this year, they seemed to have filled in the holes from last years team. Morris led the St. Louis Cardinals to several consecutive playoff berths as well as posting a 101-62 career win/loss mark. The starting pitching staff will include ace Jason Schmidt, followed by Noah Lowry, Brad Hennessey, and rookie phenom Michael Cain. The staff is loaded at the top with veterans who have proved that they can win at the major league level, and followed by three young arms with unlimited potential. With the closer Armando Benitez healthy this year the Giants finally have the vital position locked up. Benitez had 47 saves in 2004 with the Florida Marlins but injured his hamstring early last season missing most of the year. For Giants fans, they understand how important a closer is seeing how the Giants were near the bottom of the leader board in every bullpen category. Blown saves being the most important statistic, in which we never seemed that we could seal the deal.

Towards the end of the trading deadline last season the Giants picked up hot-hitting center fielder Randy Winn, who hit .350 after the transaction with San Francisco. Along with Randy Winn the Giants picked up veteran Steve Finely (who has now played for every team in the National League West) and keep slugger, and coach's son, Moises Alou. Oh yeah, and they have that left fielder guy Barry. With all the media attention over his steroid allegations, he seems to excel at a greater level to defy all the skeptics. His career homerun mark is set at 708; just four behind second place Babe Ruth. Many fans across the country will make fun of the fact that the Giants average age in the outfield is 40 years old, but I will be the first to tell them that these oldies still can play. They may not have many more seasons left in them, but I know they still have some gas left in their tank.

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