Kathy's Sports Korner: 2016 Giants Season Ends in Heartbreak

Kathy's Sports Korner: 2016 Giants Season Ends in Heartbreak: The day after the 2016 Giants season ended in heartbreak, all over San Francisco, people are still talking about the seemingly unreal 6-5 co...

2016 Giants Season Ends in Heartbreak

The day after the 2016 Giants season ended in heartbreak, all over San Francisco, people are still talking about the seemingly unreal 6-5 collapse at AT &T park to the Chicago Cubs.  My neighbor Marc wanted Manager Bruce Bochy to leave Matt Moore in to pitch the final inning with a 5-3 lead. "Why did he take Moore out?" He asked me. There are no easy answers.  Of course we can all speculate and play Monday morning quarterback. The fact is Moore did his job, just like Bochy said, and after 120 pitches it was time for the bullpen to do theirs and get three outs. But that didn't happen. It really isn't much of a shock for those of us who followed the team all year. 30 times, the bullpen gave up a save opportunity this #believen year. 10 times in the 9th inning our so called closers left the door wide open for the opponents to steal a win.

And so we are left watching the Cubs celebrate on our turf. The fist time in an elimination playoff game since the Bochy era began in the City by the Bay. And it hurts. We want to blame somebody. Anybody. Mary Ann also puts it all on Bochy. But that won't solve the problem. Even if the Giants had pulled off the miracle upset against the Cubs, there was little chance they could have carried that magic without a formidable bullpen through two grueling 7 game series. The reasons the Orange and Black won in 2010, 2012 and 2014 when Bochy apparently made all the right moves, were that he had outstanding starting pitchers,  big hits, and above all a feared bullpen.  Giants management went out and secured the outstanding starting pitchers, although injuries, age and slumps kept those timely big hits at bay all too often they weren't the problem. Bochy tried as hard as humanly possible to piece an effective, dependable, fearsome bullpen and closer with what he had.  He just couldn't find him and those with the money and power didn't help him out. Perhaps the best analogy I heard on this hangover-like day-after came from an uncharacteristic sullen Tim Flannery on KNBR.  "It doesn't matter how beautiful your house is," Flannery said,"You need a roof. Without a roof you have nothing." The directive for Team President Larry Bauer and his equally skilled staff is go out and get Bochy a proven closer and oh yes, while you're at it, get us that big time hitter who launches baseball to the seats or better yet McCovey Cove when his team needs a run or two or three. It was also interesting listening to Flannery talk about how Giants fans come to expect championship seasons and want to pin the blame on his pal Bochy when the team falls short. He simply said: "It's hard. That's why I'm not out there anymore in uniform. Everyone is doing their best. Sometimes their best just isn't good enough." In the end that's the answer I gave Marc. We were all spoiled into thinking we could just do it again in 2016. The reality of sports is they can lift you to the highest of highs and drop you to the lowest of lows in a matter of seconds. Now it's onto the Warriors whose historic acquisition of Kevin Durant make them the must watch, must win collection of superstars. Talk about lofty expectations!

Kathy's Sports Korner: The San Francisco Giants Prove they are Made for O...

Kathy's Sports Korner: The San Francisco Giants Prove they are Made for O...: Thank you Connor Gillespie, Madison Bumgarner and the rest of the San Francisco Giants. You did it again. Proving once more that it is doesn...

The San Francisco Giants Prove they are Made for October.

Thank you Connor Gillespie, Madison Bumgarner and the rest of the San Francisco Giants. You did it again. Proving once more that it is doesn't really matter how you get there, but what you do once you arrive at the Playoff Dance. As the team, "Made for October" lands in Chicago, there isn't a baseball fan who doesn't respect and admire what this group of players has accomplished. The 2016 squad is quite different than the ones who collected World Series rings in 2010, 2012 and 2014. However, the way in which they play when it truly counts is hauntingly familiar.  Manager Bruce Bochy will be the first to tell you this even year  season "wan't easy." From having the League's best record in the first half to close to a League worst record in the second half, except for the last week when it counted the most and his team rose to the challenge finishing 5-1.

Through good and bad, there was no doubt that when push came to shove, this group would find a way to win. Giants torture turned into #BELIEVEN. On Wednesday night at Citi Field in New York, with a stadium covered in Mets Blue and Orange, the Orange and Black from the City by the Bay, led by their ace Bumgarner refused to blink. Yes, the home team sent their equally intimidating Noah "Thor" Syndergaard to the mound, and he shut down the visitors, no arguing that point. He carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning and allowed just two hits in seven innings while striking out 10.  But with his pitch count elevated, he was pulled in the 8th inning. The Giants knew they could outlast their opposing superhero. Going into the scoreless 9th inning, the Giants faced another ace, closer Jeurys Famila. No worries, Brandon Crawford, not the top of the order, lead off the final inning with a double. A chess match ensued with Bochy asking Angel Pagan to bunt hoping to get Crawford to third. The NY native center fielder struck out.  Then Joe Panik who has been having a tough year due to nagging injuries works Familia for a walk. As Gillespie stepped into the batter's box with one out, Jarrett Parker was on deck to bat for Bumgarner. Of course this move had all of us watching in San Francisco screaming, "Noooooooooooo" out loud.  A group of die-hard fans, young and old assembled at Rogue/ Nick's Crispy Tacos on Polk and Broadway stood watching anxiously. Gillespie is not a household name, but I've watched him carefully since taking over when third baseman All-Star Eduardo Nunez got hurt September 25. He has a calm aura around him. Gillespie is described as "a hard worker" who is much admired by his teammates for his demeanor and work ethic. The Nebraska native was brought back on a minor league contract in February, his third go around with the Giants who drafted him with the 37th pick in 2008. He was having a rough night striking out twice, but he wasn't alone and his teammates reassured him each time he returned to the dugout. Now the third baseman was facing Familia. Gillespie met a 96 mph fastball and lined it out of the park to score Crawford, Panik and pumping his fists crossing home plate to a hero's welcome from his ecstatic teammates. Every one of them congratulating yet another unsung hero who comes up with the big hit and reminds us all how every member of a team is essential to create memorable playoff magic.
"I'm just so honored and happy right now," said Gillespie after the game. "You work so hard for this chance. It's not that I don't think I can do something like that, but how often does it actually happen?" If you're a Giant, it's been happening every even year since 2010. Memories of Travis Ishikawa, Cody Ross, Marco Scutero, Aubrey Huff and Michael Morse flood our memory bank as our Giants prepare to face the Cubs.  Of course, none of it is possible without the other man of the hour: Our Mr October himself, Bumgarner. The record books will tell his story well after our kids have grandkids. He is one of a kind. Systematically becoming one of the best post season pitchers ever. A work horse with ice in his veins, calm and collected, no matter what's at stake; the inning, or who who he is facing. His post-season shutout streak is now 23 innings. The Giants improved to 9-0 in elimination games with #40 on the mound.
"It's hard to have any more confidence than what we have in Bum, especially in a game like this," Bochy said. "Bum just did his thing."
Oh yes, the three World Series Champion stayed in the game after the Gillespie 3-run homer and finished the shut out with a celebratory hug from his favorite catcher, All-Star Buster Posey. Then the rest of the Giants joined in the celebration. 11 victories away from another even year World Series Championship and Parade down the streets of San Francisco.

Colin Kaepernick makes football secondary

Give him credit for one thing, Colin Kaepernick has us all talking. The sad part is that it's not about football, or his health after a number of surgeries. On the tennis courts at Golden Gate Park and all over San Francisco, people are voicing their opinions on the once superstar quarterback's decision to sit and kneel during the  national anthem as protest against racial injustice and police brutality in our country.
For those of us who covered him as a rookie sensation, the turn of events these past two years are a reminder of how quickly everything can change in sports. Of course it can happen in life too, but the bright lights of stardom leave scorching scars. Just ask Tiger Woods.  The difference here is that Kaepernick has ignited a  constitutional firestorm. His pre-game stance is bridging the line between sports and politics. This conversation  reaches far beyond the football field and encompasses all Americans, sports fan or not. You don't need to know anything about football to voice an opinion about this hot topic. At Washington Square park in North Beach, Tom called the 49ers quarterback "un-American." Rachel told me, "it's a shame someone who could be a positive role model for our kids chooses to disrespect his country."
 Even Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump had something to say about the controversy.  "It's a terrible thing," Trump argued. "If he doesn't like American he should move."
But the 28 year old bi-racial Milwaukee native who grew up in Turlock, California, insists that couldn't be further from the truth.
"I love America," explained Kaepernick. "I'm not anti-American, I love America, I love people. That's why I'm doing this. I want to help make things better," he told reporters following Thursday night's game.

"And I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from," continued the night's starting QB. "I've had more conversations about human rights and oppression and things that need to change in the past week than I've had in my entire life. I think there are conversations happening not only in NFL locker rooms, but around the country. I've had friends that aren't on football teams say 'I respect what you're doing, I support you." And he's garnered support from at least one fellow player. Safety Eric Reid, joined his quarterback and knelt on the sidelines during the singing of the anthem at the "salute to the Military Night" in San Diego. The two heard boos from the pro-military crowd, but that didn't deter them. In fact, after the 49ers' 31-21 victory over the Chargers, Kaepernick turned the focus on the media. "The media is painting this as I'm anti-American, anti-men and women of the military and that's not the case at all," Kaepernick stated. "I realize that men and women of the military go out and sacrifice their lives and put themselves in harm's way for my freedom of speech and my freedoms in this country and my freedom to take a seat or take a knee so I have the utmost respect for them.  I think what I did was taken out of context and spun a different way." And he explained he changed his protest from sitting to kneeling to honor all military personnel. I wanted to see him do more,and he did.  To literally put his money where his cause is, Kaepernick says he will donate $1 million to groups that help people affected by racial inequality and police brutality.  While his critics are many, Kaepernick did receive an impressive stamp of approval from legendary sports and social activist icon, Kareen Abdul-Jabbar.  "Mr. Kaepernick is trying to get people to understand that he is concerned about a very important issue, which is the unnecessary killings of so many young black men," said the Hall of Fame Center.  "He's really concerned about that and he went to a great length in order to call attention to that issue. There are a lot of people who don't like his tone, or maybe the venue that he chose to make his statement. But the fact that he is concerned about a real issue I think is a very admirable thing, and I hope that he will continue to find ways to bring this message across to people in a positive way." Many 49er fans like Ronny in San Francisco  just hope Kaepernick can focus on football. They want to see his play on the field return to that of the 2013 season when he crushed the quarterback rushing record and lead his team to the Super Bowl. But that may be tougher than tackling the social issues of our time. At least there, Kaepernick is succeeding in getting people talking, and talking is the first step to change as long as there is action that follows it. And yes, Kaepernick did his part by having his best outing on the field in 15 months. The embattled quarterback completed 11 of 18 passes for 103 yards and rushed for 38 yards on four carries in his two quarters of work in the team's last pre-season game. The saga both on and off the field continues, and for now, we are all tuning in.

Kathy's Sports Korner: Experiencing the Rio Olympics in San Francisco

Kathy's Sports Korner: Experiencing the Rio Olympics in San Francisco: It may not look like an obvious place to catch Olympic fever, but Minas Brazilian Restaurant on Franklin street in San Francisco, is just th...

Experiencing the Rio Olympics in San Francisco

It may not look like an obvious place to catch Olympic fever, but Minas Brazilian Restaurant on Franklin street in San Francisco, is just that kind of local gem. As one walks in, the bright yellow walls and gorgeous mural-like paintings instantly transport us to the tropics of Brazil.  Our senses  zoom into overdrive. The scent of the food ignites every taste bud, not to mention the sight of the menu with tantalizing and exotic choices.   Coxinhas- lightly fried croquettes filled with chicken and fresh herbs, Bolitho de Bacalhau-lightly fried croquettes made of minced salted cod fish mixed with potato and fresh herbs, and Mandioca Frita- Yucca fries served Minas special sauce are just a  few of the mouth watering selections. Then there are the drinks, the famous Caipirinhas are a must have. The owners also take great pride in offering what they describe as a wide selection of cachacas, providing a rare opportunity to "explore the breadth and width of Brazil's unique, signature spirit."

Soft brazilian music plays in the background, yet what caught my eye as my two friends and I sat down after yoga and meditation at the nearby Mindfulness Care Center, were the images of the USA men's Olympic team on the television above the bar. Draymond Green in his white USA jersey signing autographs, flashing that familiar smile and Kevin Durant solidifying his top dog status.  Images of the stadiums, the beaches, glorious scenery, the music and dance troops rehearsing for their big days ahead at the XXX1 Olympic games. There is an air of enthusiasm everywhere, but here among Brazilians in the city by the bay, there is also caution and a little fear. Our server Tairo explains it simply, "We all want our cities to shine in the spotlight," he says, "but we are worried because so much can go wrong. I'm afraid that something bad is going to happen. Unfortunately there is a great deal of corruption in our government and things aren't always as they appear."
The same could be said for the Olympics as a whole. It all started with the Zika virus and top athletes vowing out. Reports from Rio this week have been mixed. Of course there was the scene made by the Australian delegation who refused to move into the Olympic village due to unsanitary conditions, but then we've also seen and heard positive comments about the beauty and generosity of the host country. Perhaps nobody has summed up the olympic experience better than tennis great Serena Williams.  "It's always special to be here," said Williams who at 34 is looking to add to her four gold medals. "When I held my first gold medal, it was a feeling that I never expected," explained the defending champ. "There are so many great athletes from across the globe competing in every sport. I appreciate and truly enjoy my gold medals more than other trophies."
As the opening ceremonies kick-off, America's flag will be carried by none other than the winningest olympic athlete in US history, Michael Phelps.  This choice doesn't come without controversy. The 18 gold medal winner has faced harsh criticism for not one, but two DUI convictions in his 12 year Olympic career. Now at 31, Phelps is embracing his new found commitment coming out of retirement. He is sober, engaged and recently became a father. "To have the opportunity to lead our country into this Olympics is a dream come true," said Phelps. Despite the critics contentions that Phelps isn't the right person to carry the flag, his teammates disagree. :it feels so right," explains Missy Franklin, a four-time gold medalist and former Cal swimmer. "To have the most decorated Olympian, who -outside the pool- has overcome so much, and shared that with everyone and shown people what an inspiration he is, that's what USA is all about."
And that's what the Olympics are all about, and nobody will be cheering harder than the people of Brazil, including the staff, owners and visitors at Minas Brazilian Restaurant who can just want to say Obrigada! (thank you)

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  9.00
• Bolinho de Bacalhau – Lightly fried croquettes made of minced salted cod fish mixed with potato and fresh herbs$10.00
• Mandioca Frita – Yucca fries served with Minas special sauce$8.00
• Filet com Fritas – Tender sautéed fillet of beef and onions served with fries$14.00
• Frango a Passarinho – Chicken marinated in lemon pepper and salt, sautéed in garlic and parsley$12.00
• Lula Brasileiro – Fried calamari served with a garlic fresh herbs and lemon sauce$12.00
• Mexilhões Negros - Black mussels sautéed in olive oil with lemon, garlic, tomatoes and white wine served with bread.$14.00
• Camarao Flambado na Cachaça – Shrimp sautéed with Brazilian spices and flamed with cachaça$14.00
• Torresmo de Barriga - Pork Belly Mina’s style, marinated overnight, slow roasted, then seared to get a crispy crackling with sweet tender meat

• Coxinhas – Lightly fried croquettes filled with chicken and fresh herbs$9.00
• Bolinho de Bacalhau – Lightly fried croquettes made of minced salted cod fish mixed with potato and fresh herbs$10.00
• Mandioca Frita – Yucca fries served with Minas special sauce$8.00
• Filet com Fritas – Tender sautéed fillet of beef and onions served with fries$14.00
• Frango a Passarinho – Chicken marinated in lemon pepper and salt, sautéed in garlic and parsley$12.00
• Lula Brasileiro – Fried calamari served with a garlic fresh herbs and lemon sauce$12.00
• Mexilhões Negros - Black mussels sautéed in olive oil with lemon, garlic, tomatoes and white wine served with bread.$14.00
• Camarao Flambado na Cachaça – Shrimp sautéed with Brazilian spices and flamed with cachaça$14.00
• Torresmo de Barriga - Pork Belly Mina’s style, marinated overnight, slow roasted, then seared to get a crispy crackling with sweet tender meat