ABOUT THE CHAMPION GIANTS

November 3, 2010

Yes, the Giants have won their first world series since 1954.  Yet, prior to the World Series, some writers recently commented that the Giants of San Francisco have nothing to do with the Giants of New York when they left in 1958.

It just so happens that there is a STRONG historical connection.  Just because you move from one city to another, even 3,000 miles away, doesn't erase certain facts.

When the Giants left the Polo Grounds on September 29, 1957, they opened the 1958 season in SF with over 15 players from New York.  Included in the group was their beloved field manager, Bill Rigney, who also packed his bags for the West Coast. 

Rigney (1918-2001)

As many of you know, I was present at the Polo Grounds that day along with l1,605 other fans, and I was the only one who actually filmed 40 minutes of that game and ceremonies.  Part of the NY Giants history were guys like Bobby Thomson, Carl Hubbell, and many others who were present that day. That's also history.

So.................I don't want to ever hear about New York's baseball being separate from San Francisco.

Did you happen to read the new story about how Commissioner Bud Selig is taking a "longer look" to expand the playoffs?  He is seriously investigating the dumb possibility from 8 teams to 10!!!

All we learned from the incomplete reporting of the story is that the owners and the Players Association are getting  together in a few weeks to discuss how the World Series can be moved into December.  It's not cold enough in the East.

The brief story mentioned IS that the Wild Card came into existence in 1995, right after the union cancelled the season a year before.

I cannot imagine how the geniuses will expand these playoffs.

I do know that in baseball, unlike Football, where you can usually predict the winner, top teams can be swept by a last place team in 3 games.  This is not unusual. That's more of a reason NOT to have the Wild Card altogether.  If a team winds up SECOND, it's because that team can't win consistently enough to win the pennant over 162 games.  So, why give another chance to a team that can win  a short series but can't wind up first?

Now.......................Expansion?  HOW?

The off-season should be unusually interesting.

What's all the excitement over Derek Jeter?  He just finished a 10 year deal where he socked away over $140 million after taxes....................saved most of it.......................and now he might demand more than a one year deal at age 36? He will probably strike a one year deal only, but not for $16 million, which is more money than I can earn in 3 years.

Jeter, who is happy to be a Yankee, should settle for a lousy $10 million which will probably be the offer for one year. He should take half of that and contribute it to the former players who never earned enough money and who made it possible for him to be a trillionaire.

Graphics by Eddie Resner 

Eddie Resner for the Allied Investment Group