2008 San Francisco Giants season
Encyclopedia
The San Francisco Giants
are an American baseball
team. Their 2008 season
marks their 50th Anniversary in the Bay Area since moving from New York in 1958. It is also their first since 1992
without all-time home run champion Barry Bonds
, who was not re-signed following the 2007 season
. At the end of the season, Tim Lincecum
was voted the 2008 National League Cy Young Award
winner.
and Pedro Feliz
. On December 12, 2007 the Giants signed Aaron Rowand
to a five year and $60 million contract.
The Giants finished spring training with a record of 9–23–2, the worst spring training in their recorded history. The Giants had the highest ERA and the lowest batting average among teams whose spring training was in Arizona. The team lead the majors with 40 errors. The Giants lost a spring training game 4–3 to their Triple-A
affiliate Fresno Grizzlies
. Giants opening day starter Barry Zito
allowed 24 earned runs in 25 innings in Spring training.
Giants spring training included injuries and competitions for several roster positions. Steve Holm
won the back up catcher spot against Eliezer Alfonzo
and Guillermo Rodríguez
. Relievers Merkin Valdez
, Erick Threets
, and Keiichi Yabu earned spots on the opening day roster. Noah Lowry
, Vinnie Chulk
, Kevin Frandsen
and Omar Vizquel
started the season the on disabled list. Brian Bocock
was the opening day shortstop in place of Vizquel. Steve Kline was designated for assignment. The Giants claimed Jose Castillo off waivers from the Florida Marlins
late March 2008. He was the opening day third baseman
. Kevin Correia
won the competition to be the teams 5th starter.
The Giants were widely expected to miss the playoffs in 2008, according to numerous sports writers.
All-Star Game
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
are an American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team. Their 2008 season
2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
marks their 50th Anniversary in the Bay Area since moving from New York in 1958. It is also their first since 1992
1992 San Francisco Giants season
The 1992 San Francisco Giants season saw the Giants finish in fifth place in the National League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses....
without all-time home run champion Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
, who was not re-signed following the 2007 season
2007 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants are an American baseball team. Their 2007 season began with the team attempting to return to the post-season for the first time since 2003. New manager Bruce Bochy was hired to help the club improve on a 76 win season in 2006. Giants left fielder Barry Bonds entered 2007...
. At the end of the season, Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
was voted the 2008 National League Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
winner.
Pre-season
On September 21, 2007, Giants' ownership announced that Bonds would not return after the 2007 season. The Giants did not resign Ryan KleskoRyan Klesko
Ryan Anthony Klesko , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and corner outfielder, who played for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and the San Francisco Giants...
and Pedro Feliz
Pedro Feliz
Pedro Julio Feliz is a Dominican Republic minor league baseball third baseman for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. Feliz has hit 20 or more home runs in four of his first five seasons as a starting third baseman and is an above average fielder at third base...
. On December 12, 2007 the Giants signed Aaron Rowand
Aaron Rowand
Aaron Ryan Rowand is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who has played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released by the Giants in September 2011.-Early life and college career:...
to a five year and $60 million contract.
The Giants finished spring training with a record of 9–23–2, the worst spring training in their recorded history. The Giants had the highest ERA and the lowest batting average among teams whose spring training was in Arizona. The team lead the majors with 40 errors. The Giants lost a spring training game 4–3 to their Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
affiliate Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
. Giants opening day starter Barry Zito
Barry Zito
Barry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams....
allowed 24 earned runs in 25 innings in Spring training.
Giants spring training included injuries and competitions for several roster positions. Steve Holm
Steve Holm
Stephen Robert Holm is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent.- Amateur career :Holm attended Sacramento's McClatchy High School, where he played shortstop...
won the back up catcher spot against Eliezer Alfonzo
Eliézer Alfonzo
Eliézer Jesús Alfonzo is a professional baseball catcher who is currently with the Colorado Rockies. He has played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball, most recently in 2011 with the Colorado Rockies. He bats and throws right-handed. Eliézer is the second cousin of former MLB star...
and Guillermo Rodríguez
Guillermo Rodríguez (baseball)
Guillermo Segundo Rodríguez Pérez is a retired Major League Baseball catcher who now works as an instructional coach within the San Francisco Giants minor league system....
. Relievers Merkin Valdez
Merkin Valdéz
Merkin R. Valdéz Mola is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Valdez graduated from Escuela Rural Palenque High School in his native Dominican Republic.-Atlanta Braves:...
, Erick Threets
Erick Threets
Erick Morgan Threets is an American Major League Baseball currently a free agent. Threets made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Francisco Giants in...
, and Keiichi Yabu earned spots on the opening day roster. Noah Lowry
Noah Lowry
Noah Ryan Lowry is a free agent left-handed starting pitcher formerly of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-College and the MLB Draft:...
, Vinnie Chulk
Vinnie Chulk
Charles Vincent "Vinnie" Chulk is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays in the Oakland Athletics organization. He is of Cuban heritage.-Early life:...
, Kevin Frandsen
Kevin Frandsen
Kevin Vincent Frandsen is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Career:...
and Omar Vizquel
Omar Vizquel
Omar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
started the season the on disabled list. Brian Bocock
Brian Bocock
Brian William Bocock is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He attended Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, Virginia where he was a standout in both baseball and basketball...
was the opening day shortstop in place of Vizquel. Steve Kline was designated for assignment. The Giants claimed Jose Castillo off waivers from the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
late March 2008. He was the opening day third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
. Kevin Correia
Kevin Correia
Kevin John Correia is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Early life:...
won the competition to be the teams 5th starter.
The Giants were widely expected to miss the playoffs in 2008, according to numerous sports writers.
Regular season
On May 16, 2008, Peter Magowan, the owner who brought Barry Bonds to San Francisco, built a new ballpark and kept major league baseball in the city, announced he would be stepping down as the managing partner of the Giants. Effective October 1, 2008 Bill Neukom would be the new managing partner of the Giants.Game log
| 2008 Game Log | |
|---|---|
Roster
| 2008 San Francisco Giants | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches (third base) (bullpen) (first base) (hitting) (pitching) (bench) |
||||||
Awards and honors
- Bengie Molina C , Willie Mac AwardWillie Mac AwardThe Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. It has been presented annually since 1980. It is awarded to the player on the San Francisco Giants who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership consistently shown by McCovey throughout his long career, voted upon by the players and...
All-Star Game
2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...