San Francisco Giants: Three New Years Resolutions for 2018
Player’s Resolution: Don’t play afraid of failure
2017 was brutal for the Giants, as was the end of 2016, and their playoff chance blowing inning against the Cubs. All three of those had one significant thing in common: players played afraid of failure.
The San Francisco Giants going into the 2016 All-Star break constantly played with confidence, and the feeling like they were always in control. On the mound, with the glove, or in the batter’s box, the team just exuded confidence. That got lost during the rough times and their fall from grace in 2016, and it carried on all the way through the miserable 2017.
More from Around the Foghorn
- SF Giants: The closer of the present and future has arrived
- BOGO 50% off on San Francisco Giants shirts at BreakingT
- SF Giants: Brandon Belt hits IL with fractured thumb
- SF Giants: 2021 team is approaching franchise milestone
- SF Giants: Brandon Belt is a qualifying offer candidate
Too many times did pitchers pitch around guys with empty bases. Too many times were players hesitant in their decision-making, and too many times the Giants struck out with the bat on their shoulder’s. They lost their confidence. They lost their bravado. They need to get it back, and they need stop playing like they’re afraid of mistakes. The more freely they approach everything, the better they will play.
Bumgarner needs to come out and set the tone on opening day. The lineup needs to come out and set the tone. You know who else needs to do so? The coaching staff. Bruce needs to come in light-hearted. There was a significant shakeup in leadership this offseason, and now it’s time for them to help exude some sort of freedom into these players.
Next: Hoping for Clarity and Direction in 2018
When they begin to play free and play unafraid of failure, then they will really return to being their best. Stop over thinking things, and just go on your championship instincts. Be open to criticism and new ways of doing things. Be open to change. If the Giants can follow through with all of that, this team has the ability to return to October baseball.