I'm never one to head hunt the manager. It's simply to easy to blame one person. Bochy did a fine job in San Diego in the first part of the decade, it's hard to believe this is the same skipper that turned around the Padres.
In May the Giants were offensively anemic. However strangely enough, things started falling into place for the Orange and Noir with the May 29th call up of "mega-prospect" Buster Posey. On the night of Posey's 2010 debute he put on a hitting clinic. He took 0-2 counts to the opposite field like an 8 year veteran. Then in a controversial yet serendipitous move, the Giants landed Pat Burrell. Burrell was seeing the ball well and hitting with authority. This had a synergistic effect on Aubrey Huff who transformed into the ghost of Lou Gehrig. With Edgar Renteria on the DL; Juan Uribe became the sweetheart shortstop of the national league. It was not uncommon for the Giants to have back to back home run production out of the 3/4 spots occupied by Huff and Uribe. Between May 29th and June 15th the Giants won all but 5 games including a sweep of the cross bay rivals in Oakland who were in 1st place and had earlier swept the Giants.
June 15. Edgar Renteria returns from the DL. The party literally ended. San Francisco has not won a series since Renteria's return.
Chemistry. During the Giants barnstorming victory tour; Bengie Molina was experiencing a 4 for 57 slump. The effects of Buster Posey on Bengie Molina (who stopped blogging on June 2nd) can be seen on everyone Renteria is having an effect on. Molina caused a domino reaction. Bochy made catching time for Molina and played Posey out of position at first base. Aubrey Huff (an excellent DH)was put in the weak out field corner. (strong RH line up, Aubrey plays RF and etc...) Bochy even went so far as to swap multi-tasking superstar Andre Torres with Huff when ever a pinch hitter came up and the game was on the line.
With a catcher playing first,it caused the first baseman to take a position normally held by an outfielder. The Giant clubhouse was already filled with disgruntled out of work outfielders. Back to June 15th. Renteria returns but sits as the Giants would win the last game of their 2010 Barnstorm Victory tour. On June 16th, Renteria went into Bruce Bochy's office and asked why he wasn't playing. The first report was Bochy saying something like "We've got a good thing going; I'll play you when I need you". It was said that Renteria turned and walked out of Bochy's office without saying a word.
This writer questions those reports as Renteria was back in the line up in Toronto and the 2010 version of the June Swoon began. Giants lose 2/3 to Toronto. They lose 2/3 to Houston (WTF?) Ah the home stand. Giants lose 2/3 to Boston.
All I can say is Heads need to roll. It sounds to me like agents are involved and calling the shots. If Bochy is being userped; then Sabean needs to intervene. If he's not Bochy needs to be fired. If Sabean is trying to make everyone happy; Sabean needs to be fired. The bottom line is, The Victory tour will not come to your town again until Renteria, Molina and possibly Aaron Rowand have found new employers.
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