Sports Columnists

Giants newcomers can turn to veterans like Buster Posey, pictured here in 2019 with manager Bruce Bochy, for advice on how to handle pennant race pressure. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

Giants legends offer advice to newbies on handling September pressure

‘Listen to Buster. And Crawford. And Belt. And watch how they go about their business’

  • Aug 27, 2021
Giants newcomers can turn to veterans like Buster Posey, pictured here in 2019 with manager Bruce Bochy, for advice on how to handle pennant race pressure. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
New York Giants fans still remember the days of Willie Mays, pictured here during a dust-up with the Pirates in 1955. Many remain fans of the San Francisco Giants because of the team’s New York roots. (Ernie Sisto/New York Times)

Giants bring winning ways, warm memories to New York City

For many, love of Willie Mays has become a family tradition

  • Aug 27, 2021
New York Giants fans still remember the days of Willie Mays, pictured here during a dust-up with the Pirates in 1955. Many remain fans of the San Francisco Giants because of the team’s New York roots. (Ernie Sisto/New York Times)
Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. homered in a game against the A’s at Oracle Park on June 26, 2021.<ins> (Christopher Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

How the Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr. got his swing back in the groove

By Chris Haft Special to The Examiner LaMonte Wade Jr. went back…

  • Aug 13, 2021
Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. homered in a game against the A’s at Oracle Park on June 26, 2021.<ins> (Christopher Victorio/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
San Francisco Giants third baseman Kris Bryant (23) fields a ground ball hit by Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley (23) in the third inning at Oracle Park on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner) San Francisco Giants third baseman Kris Bryant fields a ground ball hit by Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley in the third inning at Oracle Park on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)

Kris Bryant has made an immediate impact on the Giants: But will he stay?

By Chris Haft Special to The Examiner Giants fans are truly enjoying…

  • Aug 6, 2021
San Francisco Giants third baseman Kris Bryant (23) fields a ground ball hit by Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley (23) in the third inning at Oracle Park on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner) San Francisco Giants third baseman Kris Bryant fields a ground ball hit by Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley in the third inning at Oracle Park on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)
San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on Thursday. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)

In praise of Johnny Cueto, who confuses, confounds and delivers

I heard his name just as I was leaving the parking lot,…

San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on Thursday. (Chris Victorio/Special to The Examiner)
The Giants and Dodgers face each other again following a May series the Dodgers swept; Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux caught stealing by Giants second baseman Donovan Solano at Oracle Park on May 23 is pictured. Chris Victorio/ Special to The Examiner

Giants vs. Dodgers: What you need to know before this week’s huge series

By Chris Haft Special to The Examiner That grinding noise you’ll hear…

  • Jul 23, 2021
The Giants and Dodgers face each other again following a May series the Dodgers swept; Dodgers shortstop Gavin Lux caught stealing by Giants second baseman Donovan Solano at Oracle Park on May 23 is pictured. Chris Victorio/ Special to The Examiner
Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. looks towards the Giants dugout after hitting a home run against the A’s on June 26th. The team is on a record-setting pace for home runs this season. (Christopher Victorio/ Special to The Examiner)

‘Powder River!’ Giants record-setting home run pace provides a blast from the past

By Chris Haft Special to The Examiner Nod in approval, Barry Bonds.…

  • Jul 16, 2021
Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. looks towards the Giants dugout after hitting a home run against the A’s on June 26th. The team is on a record-setting pace for home runs this season. (Christopher Victorio/ Special to The Examiner)
Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) looks back to the bench during 3rd inning at Oracle Park on April 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California.

Can Buster Posey still make it to the Hall of Fame?

This season’s resurgence rekindles debate about his Cooperstown credentials

  • Jun 25, 2021
Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) looks back to the bench during 3rd inning at Oracle Park on April 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) high-five fans on his way back to the team locker room after defeating the Green Bay Packers 37-8 at Levi’s Stadium last Sunday in Santa Clara. (Chris Victorio/Special to S.F. Examiner)

On Sports Media: Why isn’t 49ers-Ravens in a better time slot?

Niners and Ravens are darlings of the NFL, but not enough to flex them to a late afternoon game

  • Dec 1, 2019
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) high-five fans on his way back to the team locker room after defeating the Green Bay Packers 37-8 at Levi’s Stadium last Sunday in Santa Clara. (Chris Victorio/Special to S.F. Examiner)
ESPN’s Karl Ravevch on set during the 2013 All-Star Home Run Derby at Citi Field in Queens, New York on July 15, 2013. (Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

On Sports Media: Ravech chimes in on Kapler, Giants future

ESPN’s Karl Ravech gives his take on hire of Gabe Kapler as Giants manager and the Winter Meetings

  • Nov 24, 2019
ESPN’s Karl Ravevch on set during the 2013 All-Star Home Run Derby at Citi Field in Queens, New York on July 15, 2013. (Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)
San Francisco 49ers quaterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gets set to throw the football before Seattle Seahawks defenseive tackle Quinton Jefferson (99) can get to him in the 1st quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 11, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)

Is Garoppolo tipping his reads? Plus, Kittle and Staley out

Heading into a Sunday match-up with Arizona, 49ers deal with tipping reads and two personnel losses

San Francisco 49ers quaterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gets set to throw the football before Seattle Seahawks defenseive tackle Quinton Jefferson (99) can get to him in the 1st quarter at Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 11, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)
Headstrong will be running on NBC Sports California through the month of November. (Courtesy / NBC)

On Sports Media: HeadStrong is a must-see sports documentary

Mental health documentary debuts Friday night on NBC Sports Bay Area

  • Nov 8, 2019
Headstrong will be running on NBC Sports California through the month of November. (Courtesy / NBC)
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (left) lines-up next to hitting coach Hensley Meulens (second from left) and Ron Wotus (center) at Oracle Park on September 29, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

On Sports Media: Chris Russo talks Bochy managing, 49ers

Chris Russo made waves during an interview with Bruce Bochy where he said he’d like to manage again

  • Nov 3, 2019
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (left) lines-up next to hitting coach Hensley Meulens (second from left) and Ron Wotus (center) at Oracle Park on September 29, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
Warriors to start three rookies against Charlotte

Warriors to start three rookies against Charlotte

Golden State sitting D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green due to injury

Warriors to start three rookies against Charlotte
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr trying to get the defense set-up against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Chase Center on Oct. 24, 2019 in San Francisco. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)

Kolsky: The Warriors are fine

While mediocrity is a culture shock for some veterans and fans, this group is just fine

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr trying to get the defense set-up against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter at Chase Center on Oct. 24, 2019 in San Francisco. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) before playing the Cleveland Browns at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)

On Sports Media: Niners becoming ratings hit

San Francisco 49ers could see multiple games flexed into primetime if winning continues

  • Oct 27, 2019
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) before playing the Cleveland Browns at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)
TNT analyst Reggie Miller and play-by-play man Kevin Harlan call a game. (Courtesy / TNT)

On Sports Media: Warriors opening night is a national affair

TNT’s Reggie Miller talks about this season’s Golden State team and their new home

  • Oct 20, 2019
TNT analyst Reggie Miller and play-by-play man Kevin Harlan call a game. (Courtesy / TNT)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) at the end of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 13, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)

Kolsky: 49ers undefeated start is for real

The picture-perfect offseason machinations have produced a team whose 5-0 start is unassailable

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) at the end of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 13, 2019 in Los Angeles. (Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner)
Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler before the Phillies played the Miami Marlins on Sept. 27, 2019. (Yong Kim/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

On Sports Media: Who’s predicting the next Giants manager?

National media handicaps who will be the next San Francisco Giants skipper

  • Oct 13, 2019
Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler before the Phillies played the Miami Marlins on Sept. 27, 2019. (Yong Kim/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)
San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi addresses the media in hist post-season press conference at Oracle Park on Oct. 1, 2019. (Ryan Gorcey / SF Examiner)

Kolsky: Giants back are in the business of selling hope

After a better-than-expected start to rebuild, San Francisco has a path forward

San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi addresses the media in hist post-season press conference at Oracle Park on Oct. 1, 2019. (Ryan Gorcey / SF Examiner)