Baseball

Teammates wait for Oakland Athletics right fielder Stephen Piscotty (25) at home plate after he hit a game-winning grand slam against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on Aug. 4th, 2020. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner).

In an unusual year, Oakland Athletics put in their usual winning performance

Unusual years aren’t unusual for the A’s. Whether it is a record-breaking…

Teammates wait for Oakland Athletics right fielder Stephen Piscotty (25) at home plate after he hit a game-winning grand slam against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on Aug. 4th, 2020. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner).
A view of cutouts of African-American players from the Negro Leagues are displayed in left field during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 29, 2020 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Hunter Martin/Getty Images/TNS)

Negro Leagues finally recognized by MLB with major league status, calling it a ‘longtime oversight’

Records of players who competed in leagues will be included in historical records

A view of cutouts of African-American players from the Negro Leagues are displayed in left field during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 29, 2020 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Hunter Martin/Getty Images/TNS)
The Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A minor league franchise, are one of four teams invited Wednesday to join the San Francisco Giants’ system. <ins></ins> <ins>Chris Allan/ Shutterstock</ins>

Giants, A’s send invites to minor-league affiliates

TheGiantsandA’smadesignificantchangestotheirlineupsWednesday,butnotthetypethatwillgetfanssalivatingaboutareturntotheplayoffs. Instead, the two Bay Area teams — in conjunction with the…

The Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A minor league franchise, are one of four teams invited Wednesday to join the San Francisco Giants’ system. <ins></ins> <ins>Chris Allan/ Shutterstock</ins>
Astros eliminate A’s with 11-6 win in American League Division Series

Astros eliminate A’s with 11-6 win in American League Division Series

By Ben Ross Special to the S.F. Examiner After winning their first…

  • Oct 8, 2020
Astros eliminate A’s with 11-6 win in American League Division Series
Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants won Most Valuable Player in the 2012 World Series. (Matt Solcum/Getty Images/Tribune News Service)

San Francisco’s Panda earned Giants fans’ favor

There’s no one quite like Pablo Sandoval

Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants won Most Valuable Player in the 2012 World Series. (Matt Solcum/Getty Images/Tribune News Service)
Lou Seal watches the game amidst empty seats as the San Francisco Giants play the first home exhibition game of the MLB 2020 season against the Oakland A’s at Oracle Park on Tuesday. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

In a year of ‘nos’ and ‘won’ts,’ what will 2020 look like for the Giants?

Ragtag lineup may surprise in strange, short MLB season

Lou Seal watches the game amidst empty seats as the San Francisco Giants play the first home exhibition game of the MLB 2020 season against the Oakland A’s at Oracle Park on Tuesday. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
San Francisco Giants left fielder Alex Dickerson (8) hits a single to right field in the 4th inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on June 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

Giants offensive woes continue in Dickerson’s absence

The San Francisco Giants will have to wait a little bit longer…

San Francisco Giants left fielder Alex Dickerson (8) hits a single to right field in the 4th inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park on June 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea, seen here on August 1, 2017, is turning into an ace. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Kolsky: It’s time to adopt the A’s

Entering Wednesday, the Bay Area’s two baseball teams were separated by just…

Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea, seen here on August 1, 2017, is turning into an ace. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Former San Francisco Giant star Barry Bonds is all smiles after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to a standing ovation prior to action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS in San Francisco, California, on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. (Jose Luis Villegas/Sacramento Bee/TNS)

Another year overlooked by voters, another reminder Barry Bonds should be in Hall of Fame

Another year of Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, and another swing and…

Former San Francisco Giant star Barry Bonds is all smiles after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to a standing ovation prior to action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS in San Francisco, California, on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. (Jose Luis Villegas/Sacramento Bee/TNS)
Through the ups and the downs of a 13-year career, Matt Cain loved San Francisco — and The City loved him back. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)

How the greatness of Matt Cain touched someone halfway across the country

I cried a little bit as I read Matt Cain’s retirement letter…

Through the ups and the downs of a 13-year career, Matt Cain loved San Francisco — and The City loved him back. (Stan Olszewski/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Giants' catcher Buster Posey donated 1,000 gloves to kids as part of the Junior Giants program on Monday, June 26, 2017. (Sarahbeth Maney/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Buster Posey donates 1,000 baseball gloves to kids

Giants’ catcher Buster Posey donated 1,000 Rawlings baseball gloves to a crowd…

Giants' catcher Buster Posey donated 1,000 gloves to kids as part of the Junior Giants program on Monday, June 26, 2017. (Sarahbeth Maney/Special to S.F. Examiner)
USF third baseman Allen Smoot’s strong play over the last two years has significantly improved his draft stock. (Courtesy Chris M. Leung/USF Athletics)

Allen Smoot emerges as a bright spot amidst gloomy conditions for USF baseball

BENEDETTI DIAMOND — Friday’s cloudy weather and intermittent rain was a fitting…

USF third baseman Allen Smoot’s strong play over the last two years has significantly improved his draft stock. (Courtesy Chris M. Leung/USF Athletics)
Andrelton Simmons of the Los Angeles Angels slides back to the bag as Yonder Alonso catches a pickoff throw. (Emma Marie Chiang/Special to S.F. Examiner)

A’s offense goes quiet as Angels find fair ground

OAKLAND — Jharel Cotton showed some of the promise that appeared in…

Andrelton Simmons of the Los Angeles Angels slides back to the bag as Yonder Alonso catches a pickoff throw. (Emma Marie Chiang/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Alexis Busch was the first full-time batgirl in the MLB. The Giants will honor her with a plaque in the dugout before today’s game. (Courtesy Corey Busch)

Giants to dedicate plaque to Alexis Busch, former bat girl lost at sea

Alexis Busch loved baseball. She loved the Giants. And she loved AT&T…

Alexis Busch was the first full-time batgirl in the MLB. The Giants will honor her with a plaque in the dugout before today’s game. (Courtesy Corey Busch)

SF Giants manager Bruce Bochy hospitalized in Miami

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy was hospitalized in Miami on Monday…

Willie Mays salutes the crowd after it sang “Happy Birthday” to the Hall of Famer at AT&T Park on his 81st birthday. (SEzra Shaw/Getty Images 2012)

Cable car to be dedicated to Willie Mays

San Francisco will celebrate the 85th birthday of baseball great Willie Mays…

Willie Mays salutes the crowd after it sang “Happy Birthday” to the Hall of Famer at AT&T Park on his 81st birthday. (SEzra Shaw/Getty Images 2012)
People engage in a Virtual Reality experience of the SF Giants spring training at Scottsdale Stadium during the SF Giants Media Day at AT&T Park Tuesday March 29, 2016. VR experiences will be available to fans at the @Cafe behind the center field bleachers in the coming season. Jaunt, a cinematic VR company, is partnering with SF Giants to produce videos throughout the season. (Emma Chiang/Special to S.F. Examiner)

AT&T Park dives into virtual reality

Whether it’s watching Buster Posey as he catches a fly ball or…

People engage in a Virtual Reality experience of the SF Giants spring training at Scottsdale Stadium during the SF Giants Media Day at AT&T Park Tuesday March 29, 2016. VR experiences will be available to fans at the @Cafe behind the center field bleachers in the coming season. Jaunt, a cinematic VR company, is partnering with SF Giants to produce videos throughout the season. (Emma Chiang/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws during practice before the spring baseball season in Scottsdale, Ariz., Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Bum news has Giants on shaky ground already

Balls interrupts its 123rd NCAA Tournament bracket to bring you this important…

Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws during practice before the spring baseball season in Scottsdale, Ariz., Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
(Ben Margot/AP)

Dodgers to announce signing of Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are set to announce the signing of…

(Ben Margot/AP)
Dante Benedetti looks at photos of Joe DiMaggio with Babe Ruth on the wall of his restaurant New Pisa in the North Beach section of San Francisco on March 8, 1998, the day DiMaggio died. Benedetti, who played baseball with DiMaggio as a child, recalled DiMaggio was "always picked first for teams," and that he was "the best baseball player that ever lived." (Ben Margo/AP)

Dante Benedetti honored at Italian Athletic Club

Dante Benedetti was a man of his word. He was known for…

Dante Benedetti looks at photos of Joe DiMaggio with Babe Ruth on the wall of his restaurant New Pisa in the North Beach section of San Francisco on March 8, 1998, the day DiMaggio died. Benedetti, who played baseball with DiMaggio as a child, recalled DiMaggio was "always picked first for teams," and that he was "the best baseball player that ever lived." (Ben Margo/AP)