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Scary Barry's Commentary: The Giants' free-agent blues
December 13, 2004 |
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You old folks out there will know what the Scary One means when I compare the San Francisco Giants' 2004 season to Marlon Brando's "I could've been a contender" speech in the movie "On The Waterfront." The team's tight pocketbook strategy meant, short of a miracle, they had conceded the season given the glaring weaknesses. On Friday, the Giants reaped the harvest of their tight-fisted methods when much-sought-after free-agent centerfielder Steve Finley backed out of a deal with San Francisco and signed with the Anaheim Angels. In July, Finley had vetoed a deal with the Giants, rightfully doubting their ability to be a legitimate contender for the National League West title. Week after week during the 2004 season, Giants general manager Brian Sabean and assistant Ned Colletti would talk the talk on the ballclub's flagship radio station. Their no-nonsense, terse, gangster-type speaking style sounding like something right out of central casting. They talked a good game, but after the trading deadline passed, all they had was a bunch of excuses. So now the Giants have signed a veteran shortstop -Omar Vizquel - and a real closer in Armando Benitez. Nice, but they let the big fish get away. I can't blame other free agents for passing on the Giants. Their track record is suspect. The casual fans and laptop-crunching yuppies with cell phones stuck to their heads only come to SBC park for the view of McCovey Cove, but those in the know aren't fooled. There's no passion behind all the Giants' front men, Sabean and Colletti. It's not really about baseball, but the bottom line, the spreadsheet, running the numbers, and playing business hardball. The players are no different and their pinstriped hit-man lawyers could care less what the fans want. Nowadays it's all show and no go. As long as the ticket-buying suckers keep pushing past the turnstiles, the Giants will put on the same old show. Catch the controversial Scarry Barry right here for sports commentary. |
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