Posey for President (and other such amazingness)

“Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona.” 
― George F. Will

Baseball takes up a Grand Canyon sized portion of my heart and my free time. 

I love it. I love the "thwack" of a bat meeting a ball, the smell of stadium food, the fog rolling into AT&T park during night games, and I love the crazy twists and turns that happen season long every April-October. I especially love and adore the San Francisco Giants. The team, the stadium, the crazy personalities (of both the players and the fans), the orange and black, McCovery Cove, the history, Bruce Bochy and of course Journey. I love the Giants enough to participate in things I usually think are lame: Wearing flats (comfort is key at baseball), wearing baseball hats, eating food that has been prepared with questionable sanitation and hygiene, chanting along with groups (I love yelling "Marco Scutaro" to the tune of Marco Polo as well as yelling all my boy's name and nicknames), dancing in public to songs like the Jersey Shore theme song, waiting in lines, using public bathrooms, and high fiving strangers. My love for the Giants knows no bounds... have you seen my Facebook statuses? All sorts of cliche Giant's love there: Posey for President! Yes, we Cain! Pandomonium!

I woke up this morning STILL smiling about last night's game. Now, before we move on to the positive... let's get one poor sportsmanshiply type thought out of the way. Did anyone see Verlander's dirty smirk last night? During the third inning, about to face the Panda, having just given up another run, Jeff Jones (Tiger's pitching coach) approached the mound and Verlander (not the worst idea since Verlander was not playing to his abilities - even if he had nothing insightful to say, it could have helped quiet the crowd, and given Verlander a chance to compose himself). He was "greeted"  by a look from Verlander that clearly said "Sit down, I got this". Except that HE DIDN'T!! Panda then hit a two run home run. Oh Verlander, take a few days, get some pants that fit a little less tight and try again ok?

Smirk didn't work. Sorry I'm not sorry!

Now on to the positives! 

Did you know the Giants are just three games away from becoming World Series Champions AGAIN! 

This season has been amazing so far, and although I would LOVE for them to win it all (only three more games people) I have to say I couldn't be prouder of what we've accomplished this year. So, in honor of my Giants, their great season, and their (hopefully soon to win) World Series run... here are some highlights (and in true Giant's form some torturous "lowlights" as well) of their 2012 year! I have bolded the most important of the important items for your reading convenience!

March 9, 2012 – In a spring training game, C Buster Posey returns to action for the first time since the injury which ended his 2011 season.

April 10, 2012 – Barry Zito pitches a complete game shutout against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field for his first shutout as a member of the Giants. The game is the Giants' first win of the year after an 0–3 start.

April 13, 2012 – Matt Cain pitches a one-hit shutout in a 5–0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The single hit by opposing pitcher James McDonald is the only baserunner allowed by Cain in the game.

April 15, 2012 – Closer Brian Wilson is diagnosed with a season-ending elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery.

April 25, 2012 – Pablo Sandoval sets a franchise record with a 19-game hitting streak to start the season. The streak will ultimately reach 20 games.

May 7, 2012 – RHP Guillermo Mota tests positive for a PED and is suspended for 100 games. Aubrey Huff returns to the roster to take his place.

May 29, 2012 – Melky Cabrera sets a new San Francisco Giants record with 50 hits in the month of May. He would finish the month with 51 hits, tying the Randy Winn for the Giants' San Francisco record for most hits in any month.

June 5, 2012 – Freddy Sanchez has back surgery, ending his attempts to come back from a season-ending injury in June, 2011.

June 12, 2012 – Madison Bumgarner hits his first major league home run while striking out 12 batters. The previous Giant to hit a homerun and throw 10+ strikeouts in a game before Bumgarner wasMike Krukow, who was announcing the game.

June 13, 2012 – Matt Cain throws a perfect game with 125 pitches thrown and 14 strikeouts. Cain's 125 pitches is the most pitches thrown in a perfect game and his 14 strikeouts ties Sandy Koufax'srecord for most strikeouts thrown in a perfect games.

June 28, 2012 – LHP Madison Bumgarner throws the first shutout of his Major League career against the Cincinnati Reds. It is the fourth game in four consecutive shutout victories, the first three against the arch-rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

July 1, 2012 – OF Melky Cabrera, P Matt Cain, C Buster Posey, and 3B Pablo Sandoval are named to the NL roster for the All-Star Game, each starting for their respected positions.

July 10, 2012 – OF Melky Cabrera is named MVP of the All-Star Game played in Kansas City, going 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI as the National League routs the American League 8–0. Matt Cain, the starting pitcher for the NL, pitches 2 shutout innings to earn the win. 3B Pablo Sandoval breaks the game open with a bases-loaded triple in the first inning. C Buster Poseycatches 5 shutout innings while drawing a walk and scoring a run.

July 13, 2012 – LHP Madison Bumgarner becomes the leadoff pitcher in the starting rotation, swapping spots with Tim Lincecum.

August 15, 2012 – OF Melky Cabrera is suspended for 50 games after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone.

September 2, 2012 - The Englishman met my parents for the first time ever, as well as one of my siblings... a perfect day for me, Giants, family, love!

September 15, 2012 – OF Angel Pagan sets the Giants' San Francisco-era record with his 13th triple of the season at Arizona's Chase Field, breaking a record jointly held by Willie Mays and Steve Finley.

September 21, 2012 – C Buster Posey is named recipient of the team's 2012 Willie Mac Award.

September 22, 2012 – The Giants clinch their second NL West title in three years with an 8–4 victory over the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park. Sergio Romo gets Mark Kotsay to line out to Angel Pagan for the final out.

October 2, 2012 – The Giants defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4–3 at Dodger Stadium, eliminating the Dodgers from postseason contention.

October 11, 2012 – The Giants defeat the Cincinnati Reds 6–4 at Great American Ballpark, winning the NLDS 3 games to 2. The Giants become the first National League team of the Wild Card era to come back from a two-game deficit to win a five game postseason series, and are the first team overall to do so by winning the final three games on the road.

October 22, 2012 – The Giants defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 9–0 at AT&T Park to win Game 7 of the NLCS and the National League pennant. Matt Cain pitches 5 2/3 shutout innings as the Giants break the game open with a five-run third inning highlighted by a bases-clearning broken bat hit by Hunter Pence. In a driving downpour, Sergio Romo gets Matt Holliday to pop out to series MVPMarco Scutaro to end the game. Scutaro tied an LCS record with 14 hits in the series. The Giants outscore the Cardinals 20–1 over the last three games to come back from a 3–1 series deficit and tie the 1985 Kansas City Royals with six consecutive wins while facing elimination in the same postseason.

October, 24th - The Giants defeat the Detroit Tigers 8-3 at AT&T Park to win Game 1 of the World Series. Barry Zito again was on fire, and Pablo Panda hit three home runs.

And now, a ton of Giants photos from the last year!

Rally nails.

Future Giant.

Won the pennant! Going to the World Series!

Who cares how awful you look when the Giants are winning!?!

Oh, and last night I watched the game from afar. The Giants haven't lost a game of the 17 I have been to all season, so, in case we get to a game six and are back at AT&T park, I am saving my money to be there to help them win in the end! 

But even at home I was wearing my orange pants! Only cupcakes (in the bag) can get me excited enough not to cry not being at the actual game!