San Francisco Giants Spring Training Wrap-Up March 8-12

Spring Training is always at the top of my list before baseball season begins and this year we decided to spend a few more days in Scottsdale to see a few more games. It was an amazing trip and I wanted to share a handful of photos and comments outside of what was covered in the game recaps.

Melissa, Alex, Chris and Eric from Around the Foghorn were all there over the weekend. It was really amazing spending time with people you email and tweet to all day. We got along famously, as we knew we would.

From L to R: In back: Alex Chris Eric – In front: Melissa, Denise Ken – Around The Foghorn staff

Friday, March 7 – Athletics vs. Diamondbacks at Phoenix Municipal Stadium

Ken and I met up with Eric and Chris from ATF at the A’s game since it was close to both of our hotels and we were driving in from Palm Springs that morning. It was great meeting them for the first time during what I call an unemotional baseball game (aka the Giants aren’t playing). A great chance to get to know each other in person for the first time.

Friday evening was a night out with the crew at Grapevine, a local Scottsdale karaoke bar. We took over the bar along with Robert (@Giants55 on Twitter) and Jeanne (@xxjeanne on Twitter) and sang “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Lights” along with 20 other people in the bar. It was an epic evening to say the least.

Saturday March 8 – Mariners at Giants at Scottsdale Stadium

SP: Ryan Vogelsong, Giants L 3-18

Giants and Mariners Lineup from March 8, 2014.

The game was disappointing, especially watching them lose (spring training or not) 18-3 against the Mariners. Vogelsong and Petit were lit up early. Vogelsong allowed seven runs (five earned) and six hits in 2 1/3 innings. Romo pitched the eighth inning and gave up five earned runs with two walks.

Ryan Vogelsong in the 1st inning of the Giants vs. Mariners on March 8, 2014

Noteworthy: Brandon Crawford and his wife Jalynne welcomed their second daughter earlier that morning across the street from the stadium at Scottsdale Medical.

Sunday, March 9 – Giants vs. Giants Future Stars at Scottsdale Stadium

SP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants W 8-0

Giants Futures Lineups from March 9, 2012

I originally had tickets to see The Giants at Dodgers at Camelback Ranch but after waking up from a late night of drinking and karaoke, decided to stay local and see my favorite starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner against the Future SF Giants. I put my Dodgers tickets up on Stubhub and they sold within 5 minutes. Tickets to the Futures game were $11 each and we were directly behind the Giants dugout.

Bumgarner pitched a phenomenal game and I loved seeing the prospects play.

pitching against the Future SF Giants on March 9, 2014

Christian Arroyo, Ryder Jones, Mac Willamson and Kyle Crick were a few players that started for the Futures.

pitching Futures game in Scottsdale on March 8, 2014.

Christian Arroyo ties to tag Roger Kieschnick on a steal.

Mac Williamson up to bat against Madison Bumgarner at the Futures game on March 8, 2014.

Hunter Pence and Sergio Romo were spotted in the Giants dugout early in the game.

and

in the dugout for the Futures game on March 8, 2014.

Sunday night was another night out with the Around The Foghorn crew and we took over the Grapevine once again. Sang the Journey songs, while throwing in some hip hop and other songs like “Center Field” by John Fogerty (courtesy of co-editor Melissa). Another fantastic night had by all.

Monday, March 10 – Cubs at Giants, Scottsdale Stadium

SP: Matt Cain, Giants L 2-3

Before the game, we came early to watch some batting practice. Barry Bonds was in town for ten days as hitting coach and Willie McCovey was also there watching. It was pretty incredible and Bonds was all smiles, waving at everyone and saying hello.

Barry Bonds at Spring Training on March 10, 2014 working with Giants during BP. Photo by Denise Walos. Willie McCovey At Spring Training on March 10, 2014 watching BP. Photo by Denise Walos.

Here were the lineups for Cubs at Giants in Scottsdale:

Giants and Cubs Lineups for March 10, 2014

Matt Cain started the Cubs game on Monday and pitched a perfect five innings. It was funny seeing ex-Giants Nate Schierholtz, Eli Whiteside and Jonathan Sanchez in Cubs uniforms. Unfortunately five perfect innings wasn’t enough to help the Giants win the game that day.

Matt Cain pitched five perfect innings against the Cubs on March 9, 2014.

Tuesday, March 11 – Giants at Reds, Goodyear Stadium

Unfortunately Eric and Chris from ATF had to leave for the airport at 12pm but wedecided to go to open BP at Scottsdale Stadium around 10:30am. They open the gates for away games and anyone can come in and watch batting practice.

When we arrived, we wanted to walk around and take photos around the outside of the ballpark first. When getting to the entrance gate in center field, we heard some shouting from behind a fence in the backfield. Of course we had to look. And here is what we found. We left pretty quickly, it seemed like we were violating the players’ privacy or something.

SF Giants pitchers doing drills in the backfield of Scottsdale Stadium before the game.

After running away from the ‘secret’ field, we made out way into Scottsdale Stadium and there were about 100 people max watching BP. Bonds was working with the players not headed over to Goodyear, which included Michael Morse, Brandon Crawford and Pablo Sandoval. Rich Aurilla was also in attendance.

Bonds, Aurilla and Morse at BP on March 11, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos. Bonds, Meulens, Sandoval, Aurilla, Morse discussing mechanics at BP on March 11, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos.

After BP, we said goodbye and took some photos. I love the people on our staff. We all got along better than one could imagine. All part of the same SF Giants family but just amazing personalities and new and close friendships. It was pretty amazing.

Chris, Denise, Eric from ATF staff saying goodbye to Scottsdale Stadium.

Tuesday, March 11 – Giants at Reds, Goodyear Stadium

SP: Tim Hudson, Giants W 8-5

Giants at Reds at Goodyear stadium March 11, 2014

The Giants game at Goodyear Stadium against the Reds was my favorite of the week. We had seats three rows behind the Giants dugout and I finally saw Angel Pagan for the first time of the spring. Tim Hudson pitched a fantastic game and even went 2-2 with a single and double. We had mainly Giants’ fans in our section so we had a blast.

Pagan and Pence warming up before the Reds game on March 11, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos.

Hudson and Posey chatting after warmups on March 11, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos.

Tim Hudson pitching the 1st inning against the Reds on March 11, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos.

Wednesday, March 12 – White Sox at Giants, Scottsdale Stadium

SP: Tim Lincecum, Giants W 4-3

Giants vs. Mariners March 12, 2014

Our last game of the week, and our first chance to see Tim Lincecum pitch this spring. He was fantastic, I haven’t seen him pitch this well this early in the season for awhile. Was hoping the moustache would be shaved by Wednesday but no luck.

Scutaro took some ground balls during warmups. He looked pretty good at the time.

Scutaro taking ground balls at 2B during warmups on March 12, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos. Timmy pitching the 4th inning vs. White Sox on March 12, 2014. Photo by Denise Walos.

The Giants trailed for most of the game until Joaquin Arias hit a walk-off single to win the game in the 9th inning.

After margaritas by the pool and some Grimaldi’s pizza, we said goodbye to Scottsdale and vowed to come back a few days longer in 2015. And hopefully we’ll be returning with more of the crew from Around The Foghorn.