Tag: San Francisco Giants

Grant McCray (SF Bay News Lab)

Giants win 3rd straight against Brewers 3-0

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Photo: Outfielder Grant McCray celebrates in the Giants’ dugout after hitting a two-run home run at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Monday, July 27, 2026 (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab).

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The enigmatic San Francisco Giants–44-61 overall–but they seem to do well against baseball’s best, beating the Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Monday night at Oracle Park.

The Brewers came into the game at 66-39, good for the second-best record in baseball. But the Giants were up to the task, winning their third-straight game against Milwaukee.

The Giants started the scoring in the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Jesus Rodriguez led off the inning with a double to right field. Second baseman Luis Arraez promptly singled him home to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Arraez figures to be traded before the Aug. 3 deadline, so the Giants will definitely miss his bat going forward. He came into the game hitting .327 on the year.

San Francisco tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning after two outs, but the inning started on a sour note. After Casey Schmitt led off with a bloop single to right, he was taken out of the game after injuring his leg rounding the bag at first. He walked back to the clubhouse on his own power but limping. Schmitt’s status is unclear.

Christian Koss then pinch ran for Schmitt at first, but he got picked off by Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Sproat. Sproat has a quick move to first base that has been fooling runners all season.

With two outs in the fourth, Willy Adames singled. The next batter Grant McCray launched a two-run opposite field homer to left field, giving the Giants a 3-0 lead. That’s all the runs the Giants needed on Monday night to shut out the Brewers.

On the pitching side, Tyler Mahle was masterful for the Giants on Monday night. He threw six shutout innings, giving up three hits, two walks, while striking out three. The Giants’ beleaguered bullpen was excellent as well, throwing three perfect innings. Erik Miller closed out the game, earning the save with a one, two, three ninth inning. He struck out two batters.

For the Brewers, Sproat threw a quality start, but it wasn’t good enough for the win. He threw six innings, giving up three runs on six hits. He walked three and struck out five batters. He also picked off two baserunners in the game.

Up next–the Giants will go for four wins in a row against the Brewers. Landon Roupp (7-8, 3.93 ERA) will take on Logan Henderson (4-1, 3.05 ERA). Game time is at 6:45 p.m. at Oracle Park.

A win on Tuesday night would not only give the Giants a guaranteed winning homestand, it would also clinch the season series for them against the Brewers. And that’s something the Giants could be proud of.

Vince Cestone is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Whisenhunt struggles, and Giants are unable to complete sweep in 4-3 loss to Angels

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (left) puts the tag the Los Angeles Angels base runner Mike Trout (27) in the top of the fifth after trying to stretch a hit into a double at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Angels 4 (42-64)

San Francisco Giants 3 (44-61)

Win: Jose Soriano (9-6)

Loss: Carson Whisenhunt (2-1)

Save: Mitch Farris (1)

Time: 2:33

Attendance: 34,111

By Stephen Ruderman

Once again, the Giants were unable to get the sweep. The Angels got to a semi-wild Carson Whisenhunt for four runs, and despite a two-run charge in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Angels held on to beat the Giants 4-3 Sunday.

There are two things the Giants have yet to do this season. They have not won four games in a row, and they have not swept a three-game series this entire season.

After a thrilling 10-inning win on Friday night, followed by a 9-2 blowout Saturday, the Giants had a chance to sweep the Angels Sunday. 

The Giants had called their young eccentric left-hander, Carson Whisenhunt, back up to make his third big league start of the season. Whisenhunt struck out Zach Neto to start the game, but Whisenhunt got wild.

MIke Trout doubled down the left field line, advanced to third, and then nearly had his head taken off by a line drive. Vaughn Grissom walked, and former Giant Jorge Soler got Trout in with a ground out to short.

Jose Soriano made the start for the Angels. Soriano allowed base-runners in each of the first three innings, but all were scoreless.

Whisenhunt settled down for a one, two, three top of the second, and a scoreless top of the third. Unfortunately, the top of the fourth would be about power. Jose Soler led off the inning with a home run to center. Two batters later, Jo Adell hit a two-run bomb half-way up into the bleachers in left-center to make it 4-0.

Soriano threw a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the fourth, and then Whisenhunt did the same in the top of the fifth. That would be it for Whisenhunt, who despite his struggle with command at times, only walked two, and struck out seven. 

The Giants would manufacture a run to get on the board in the bottom of the fifth, As was the case for Whisenhunt, the fifth would be the final inning for Soriano.

Just as he did last Sunday in Seattle, Adrian Houser came out of the bullpen and ate up some innings. Houser gave up just two hits over four shutout innings.

As for the Angels, Samy Natera Jr., Case Silseth and Ryan Zeferjahn pitched scoreless sixth, seventh and eighth innings respectively.

The Giants were down to their last three outs, but still had one last chance to come back and complete the sweep. Kurt Suzuki brought in Sam Bachman for the bottom of the ninth. 

Jesus Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk, and Willy Adames grounded into a fielder’s choice. Ryan Cavanaugh also walked, and Suzuki went to Mitch Farris. Daniel Susac pinch-hit for Grant McCray, and lined out to center for the second out.

It was left up to Luis Arraez. Arraez hit a high drive to right that hit just above the glove of the leaping Jo Addel and off the wall. Two runs scored to make it 4-3, and Arraez stood at second as the tying run.

Up came Heliot Ramos. A base-hit would most likely tie it up, and a home run would win it. Ramos battled to a 2-2 count. Farris then threw a fastball about an inch or two off the inside corner that was called strike three by Home Plate Umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. 

Unfortunately, for the Giants, Willy Adames wasted the Giants’ final challenge on a pitch that was called a strike to make the count 3-1. That meant the game was over. Honestly, it was a close-enough pitch that used to be called a strike quite frequently. 

Despite ABS, hitters still need to protect with two strikes. Certain hitters also need to be more mindful of the overall picture when they think about challenging strike calls.

Jose Soriano got the win, Carson Whisenhunt took his first loss of the season, and Mitch Farris pitched up his first big league save.

The Giants are 0-6 when they have a chance to win four in a row. They are now 0-5 when they have a chance to sweep a three-game series. The Giants fall to 44-61 on the season.

The Giants failed to sweep one of the worst teams in baseball, and now they will welcome in one of the best teams in baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series. Tyler Mahle will make the start for the Giants in the series opener Monday night. Brandon Sproat (3-5, 5.09 ERA) will go for Milwaukee.

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Kent goes into the Hall of Fame; Remembered as being guarded combative with the press

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Former San Francisco Giant second baseman Jeff Kent was inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame on Sun Jul 26, 2026 (MLB sitll photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko, former San Francisco Giant second baseman Jeff Kent was inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame on Sunday. Kent’s lifetime batting line hit .290, 2461 hits, 1320 runs, 1518 RBIs.

#2 Marko, Kent was one of baseball’s most guarded and combative stars with the press. That reputation wasn’t based on a single incident—it developed over nearly two decades and reflected both his personality and the media environment he played in.

#3 Kent generally disliked discussing his personal life, emotions, or motivations. Many reporters described him as someone who viewed media obligations as part of the job rather than an opportunity to build relationships with fans.

#4 Kent said that after being traded to New York in 1992 after breaking in with the Toronto Blue Jays it might have been New York that Kent built an exterior and made him very guarded against the press and news media.

#5 Kent, while he difficult with the media as a player he said during his playing days in San Francisco were special under manager Dusty Baker and he gave props to his former teammates Bill Mueller, Kirk Rueter and Barry Bonds.

Marko Ukalovic is a San Francisco Giants podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg: Giants looking to deal Ramos but plan on keeping JH Lee

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Don’t look now San Francisco Giant Rafael Devers rounds the bases after connecting for a fourth inning a three run home run against the Los Angeles Angels Sat Jul 25, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Saturday the Giants got the bats going with five runs in the third and four in the fourth to defeat the visiting Los Angeles Angels at Oracle Park on Saturday 9-2.

#2 Talk about Jung Hoo Lee and Rafael Devers both hit three run home runs Saturday in their contribution to the Giants run total.

#3 The Giants on Sunday according to sources report that Jung Hoo Lee is off the table but are looking to move Heliot Ramos that deal could be coming as soon as before Sunday’s game ends with the Angels.

#4 In what might be Robbie Ray’s last home game pitching for the Giants as he’s pursued by numerous team. Ray pitched six innings of shutout ball against the Angels on Saturday. He’s been pretty much the anchor for the Giants starting pitching this season.

#5 Talk about today’s starting pitchers as the Angels and Giants conclude this series Sunday at Oracle Park Los Angeles will going with starter Jose Soriano (8-6 ERA 3.43) for San Francisco LHP Carson Wisenhunt (2-0 ERA 3.38) with a 1:05pm PDT first pitch.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 1080 KWAI radio Honolulu

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Ray dominant over six shutout inning in potential final home start as Giant in 9-2 blowout over Angels

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Saturday, July 25, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Angels 2 (41-64)

San Francisco Giants 9 (44-60)

Win: Robbie Ray (9-6)

Loss: Ryan Johnson (2-5)

Time: 2:32

Attendance: 39,102

By Stephen Ruderman

San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (right) is congratulated by Rafael Devers (16) after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

SAN FRANCISCO–Robbie Ray pitched six shutout innings in what could have been his final showing for Giants’ fans here at Oracle Park, and his offense backed him up in a 9-2 Giants’ blowout of the Angels.

After what I can admit was a thrilling win last night to snap their five-game skid, the Giants looked to make it two in a row against one of the few teams throughout Baseball that has had it more difficult than the Giants over the last decade.

The Trade Deadline is in nine days. A lot is going to happen over these next nine days, and with the not-so-low probability that Robbie Ray will be one of the Giants dealt for prospects, today was set to potentially be his final home start for the Giants here at Oracle Park. 

Ray signed with the Giants in 2024, when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, and only pitched in seven games that season. Last season, an incredible 7-0 start earned him a trip to the All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Saturday, Ray was his usual self, as he threw six shutout innings. He walked two, struck out five, and gave up six hits. Tony Vitello pulled him after just 80 pitches.

Angels’ starter Ryan Johnson opened the day with two shutout innings. However, the Giants exploded for five runs against him with two outs in the bottom of the third inning. 

Rafael Devers, the hero from last night, lined a base-hit to left field to knock in Luis Arraez, and put the Giants on the board. Casey Schmitt grounded a single the other way to right, which scored Heliot Ramos to make it 2-0. Up came Jung Hoo Lee, who slapped a home run to the metal tin atop the Willie Mays Wall in right field.

The Giants followed that up with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth. That was capped off by a three-run home run by the red-hot Devers, who went 6-for-10 in the first two games of this series.

With this Giants’ bullpen, no lead is ever safe. Tristan Beck gave up a run in the top of the seventh, but he settled down to throw a one, two, three, inning in the top of the eighth.

Former Giants’ catcher Tyler Heineman was on the mound for the Angels in the bottom of the eighth. Believe it or not, he threw an 11-pitch one, two, three, inning.

Keaton Winn was the man for the ninth, and of course he had to give us a little bit of “drama.” He walked Vaughn Grissom with two outs, but that would be it. The Giants won 9-2.

Robbie Ray gets the win, and Ryan Johnson takes the loss. The Giants are now 43-60, and they will have a chance to do something Sunday that they have not done all season: sweep a three-game series.


Carson Whisenhunt will be brought up to make the start Sunday. However, Whisenhunt is only expected to be up here for one start. Jose Soriano will go for the Angels.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Jeff Kent goes to the Hall of Fame:

Don’t forget, folks. Legendary Giants’ Second-baseman Jeff Kent will officially be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York Sunday. 

Kent, who was voted in by the Veteran’s Committee, will be inducted alongside outfielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones.

The Giants have a contingency in Cooperstown, which includes President and CEO Larry Baer.

The ceremonies will begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, 10:30 a.m. Pacific.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Win against Angels huge after getting swept in Kansas City

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) puts the tag on Los Angeles Angels Zach Neto (9) at second base during a steal attempt at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jul 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

A win is a win no matter who you get it against the Giants had blown a 5-1 lead to the Los Angeles Angels of all teams after getting swept by the Royals of all teams whatever you could do to get a win and you know what. The Giants fought back and in the bottom of the tenth inning Rafeal Devers got a single to score the walk off winning run for the Giants 7-6 win.

Devers hit bounced over the wall the runner didn’t come into score he was too busy celebrating a similar thing happened in the 1995 NLCS the New York Mets had come back in game six as the Mets won game five. Robin Ventura was mobbed by his teammates at first base and he was charged with only a single.

The Angels and Giants match up for game two of the series on Saturday at Oracle Park. Starting pitchers for Los Angeles RHP Ryan Johnson (2-4 ERA 6.10) for San Francisco LHP Robbie Ray (8-6 ERA 3.33)

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants beat Angels, 7-6, as San Francisco celebrates Autism Acceptance & Cal Poly Night

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) swings on a 91 mph slider and called for a strike against the Los Angeles Angels during the bottom of the 6th inning of a MLB baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, July 24th, 2026. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants returned home on Friday night to start the second half of the season. They hosted the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series, and the Giants took game 1 in ten innings 7-6. This was the two teams’ first time seeing each other, and the rest of the weekend will be the only time they see each other this season.

The Giants came back home with some injuries and losses. After winning the first game back from the All-Star break, the Giants would lose the next five in a row, also being swept at Kansas City. Giants outfielder Harrison Bader stopped baseball activity and will see a foot and ankle specialist in Indianapolis this weekend.

Angels starting pitcher for this first game of three is RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-3, 8.23 ERA). Rodriguez has 27 strikeouts and walked 17 so far this season. The Giants’ starting pitcher for the game was 2026 MLB All-Star, RHP Logan Webb (5-7, 3.87 ERA). Webb has 85 strikeouts and walked 27 this season.

Los Angeles leadoff hitter Zach Neto wasted no time for his team as on his first bat he got himself a triple on a sharp fly ball to right field. This put Giants pitcher Logan Webb in an early awkward position in the first. Then Angels Nolan Schanuel would bring home Neto on a single to give the Angels a 1-0 early lead.

After the Angels batted, it was the Giants turned and they responded. Giants Arraez singled, then got hit by a double play from the Angels. Giants Bryce Eldridge walked, but Rafael Devers came to bat and got the crowd going. Devers homered on a fly ball to left field, his 21st of the season, giving San Francisco the lead, 2-1.

Two innings later, in the third, the Giants were still connecting the bat with the ball. Giants Bryce Eldridge joins the fun as he gets a ground-rule double. Then the Angels intentionally walked Devers, setting up a three run homer for Casey Schmitt to left field. Schmitt’s homer was also his 21st of the season, and he would extend the Giants’ lead to 5-1.

At the top of the fifth, the Angels were getting their hitting momentum going after being shut out the last four innings. Starting it off would be Angels Jo Adell and Denzer Guzman with both getting singles. Then Tyler Heineman tripled on a fly ball to right field, bringing in Adell and Guzman to score, 5-3.

Next batter, Zach Neto would get walked, with now two players on base with no outs as well. Then the Angels’ Mike Trout was out on a sacrifice fly, but brought in Heineman to score, 5-4. Eventually, the Giants would stop the bleeding and get the final out by a force out at second.

It wouldn’t be until the bottom of the seventh that the Giants got back on the board. Giants’ Drew Gilbert gets walked and then subbed for pinch-runner Grant McCray. Then Daniel Susac would get out on a sacrifice fly, but would bring in McCray to score, 6-4. However, the Angels weren’t phased as they responded right into the next inning.

At the top of the eighth, Angels Jorge Soler singles, then Angels Vaughn Grissom homers on a fly ball to left field. This homer would be his sixth of the season and would tie the ballgame, 6-6. After that, both teams’ defense and pitching would sharpen up as they entered the ninth inning of the game.

In the ninth inning, the game is still tied, with both teams still having a chance to win and take game 1 of the season series. Unfortunately, both teams’ defense would step up, and neither team would score. So this “Battle of California” game is heading into extra innings.

Bottom of the tenth inning, it was all Giants. The Giants had runner Jesus Rodriguez on second, so at bat it was Luis Arraez who was able to get himself another single in this game. So now the Giants have two runners on base. Then the Giants’ Bryce Eldridge walked, which led to Rafael Devers hitting a single to left field and bringing in the game-winning run. The Giants would take game 1 against the Angels, 7-6.

These two teams come right back to action in Oracle Park Saturday, July 25th, at 1:05 p.m. for first pitch. The San Francisco Giants will start LHP Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.33 ERA) hoping to take game two as well. The Angels will respond with RHP Ryan Johnson (2-4, 6.10 ERA) as the Angels try to get the win and even the series. The game will be broadcast on NBCS BA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Giants return to SF to host LA Angels Friday night

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San Francisco Giants Jesus Rodriguez slides into home plate safely in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium on Wed Jul 22, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 How did starting pitcher Landen Roupp perform for the Giants, and what challenges did he face during the Royals’ five-run seventh inning?

#2 What offensive contributions did Luis Arráez make for the Giants, and how did his performance affect San Francisco’s scoring chances?

#3 How did Bryce Eldridge perform at the plate, and what impact did he have on the Giants’ offense during the 5–4 loss?

#4 Which Giants relievers pitched after Landen Roupp, and how effective were they in trying to hold Kansas City’s lineup?

#5 Despite strong efforts from players such as Luis Arráez and Bryce Eldridge, what were the key reasons the Giants were unable to hold their lead against the Royals?

Lincoln Juarez does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Squander 3-0 Lead Losing to Royals 5-4

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez throws to second base for the first out in the bottom of the second inning to retire Salvador Perez at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Wed Jun 22, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

If you love the nuances of the pitching game, the opening innings of game three between the San Francisco Giants (42-60) and the Kansas City Royals (43-60) was definitely your cup of tea.

Through the first five innings of this game three it was a good old-fashioned pitchers duel with Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp and the Royals starter Seth Lugo putting up some brilliant work. Each team had a single hit through five innings. The Royals just get by the Giants for the three game sweep in a Wednesday 5-4 win.

GAME RECAP

The first five innings show-cased some excellent pitching from both starters. Landen Roupp for the Giants and for the Royals Seth Lugo were both amazing. Each pitcher had only given up one hit apiece.

The Giants finally broke through in the top of the sixth inning and they did it without a single hit. Willy Adames crossed home plate for the first run of the game. He had walked to open the inning. Drew Gilbert was hit by a pitch giving the Giants two runners on base. A sacrifice from Luis Arraez gave Adames the first run and the first lead of the day 1-0.

Going into the top of the seventh inning there had been a total of three combined hits for the two teams. Both pitchers had done a great job keeping the offenses in check until San Francisco got an impressive rally going with two outs in the inning.

Rafael Devers got the rally underway walking. Jung Hoo Lee came through big-time hitting a triple and Devers scored giving San Francisco a 2-0 lead. Willy Adames followed with a double that drove Lee home, the lead now 3-0 in favor of the Giants. Going into the bottom of the seventh the Giants had some ample breathing room.

The Royals displayed quite a rally of their own in the bottom of the seventh inning after a dispute on second base claiming that Vinnie Pasquantino had been pushed while trying to advance to second base.

It was a downright horrible call and disrupted play for a minute. After the incident Salvador Perez hit a 2-run homer and in a flash San Francisco was looking at a 3-2 lead. A pitching change for the Giants took place with Sam Hentges relieving Roupp.

Unfortunately Hentges gave up a couple of singles and the Royals had runners on first and third with only one out. Again a pitching change for the Giants and Keaton Winn relieved Hentge.

Winn allowed a run; Michael Massey scored when Starling Marte singled and this game was tied 3-3. When it had looked so very promising for San Francisco it all came crashing down.

With two outs the Royals had the bases loaded and Lane Thomas singled driving in Nick Lofton and Marte. The 3-0 Giants lead had become a distant memory now trailing 5-3. The bottom of the seventh got underway on a sour note and ended horribly for San Francisco.

The Giants got through the eighth inning without further damage and went into the top of the ninth inning, their last chance to avoid a sweep. Heliot Ramos was the first at bat and struck out.

Rafael Devers grounded out and Casey Schmitt was the last hope for the Giants. Schmitt hit a home run and San Francisco was still breathing. It all came to an end when Jung Hoo Lee popped out and that was the ball game 5-4 in favor of the Royals sweeping San Francisco. The Giants are now 18 games under .500.

GAME NOTES

The Giants jumped out in front early showing great energy. Willy Adames provided some really nice offensive sparks in the game as did Jung Hoo Lee and Casey Schmitt. The team just could not sustain rallies still struggling with runners on base.

The bottom line is that the Giants could not turn their scoring opportunities into enough runs to win this game. San Francisco was in a tight, winnable game but the big difference was clutch hitting and late execution by Kansas City. A huge moment for the Royals was the homer off the bat of Salvador Perez for his 317th home run tying the franchise home run record.

Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp had a stellar six innings which loosened toward the end of his outing. He was relieved by Sam Hentges in the seventh inning. Roupp had allowed four hits, two earned runs with seven strikeouts.

Hentges only lasted 1/3 of an inning allowing two hits and two earned runs. He was relieved by Keaton Winn who also allowed two hits and one earned run.

The Royals starter Seth Lugo pitched through seven innnings. He allowed three hits, three earned runs, one walk with five strikeouts. For the first six innings of the game both of these pitchers put on quite a show.

The Giants will now return home on what will no doubt be a very quiet flight. This had been an extremely tough series. They will be back on the field Friday taking on the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series.

Probable pitchers for Friday for San Francisco will be Logan Webb. He has a 5-7 win/loss record and a 3.87 ERA. The San Francisco offense will be facing Los Angeles starter Grayson Rodriguez. His ERA is 8.23 with a 3-3 win/loss record. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Jeff Kent to the Hall of Fame before Barry Bonds

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Former San Francisco Giant Jeff Kent beat out former teammate and outfielder Barry Bonds to be inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Fame (AP file photo)

Jeff Kent to the Hall of Fame before Barry Bonds

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Who in their right mind, who followed baseball when Kent and Bonds were playing together on the Giants teams from 1997 to 2002, would have predicted that Jeff Kent would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, before Barry Bonds?

We can all come to our own conclusion. Bonds, who hit an incredible 762 home runs, the #1 all-time, and has all the accolades possible for a baseball player’s career, has not been inducted into the most famous Hall of Fame in sports in the United States.

At the ceremony in Cooperstown this July 26, there will be a record 61 Hall of Fame players in attendance to see Jeff Kent, Carlos Beltrán, and Andruw Jones inducted (Class of 2026). Jeff Kent will be inducted with a San Francisco Giants jersey.

I was broadcasting the Giants games during the years Kent and Bonds were playing with the Giants. Kent played for the Giants from 1997-2002; he also played for the Blue Jays, Mets, Astros, and Dodgers, while Bonds, who played for the Pirates for the first seven years, became a Giant in 1993 and played with the team until 2007.

The majority of the headlines during their careers were about Barry Bonds, and obviously his accomplishments are in a class by themselves. Jeff Kent also had a great career, and he will be remembered as a Hall of Fame player from 2026 until the rest of his life.

Jeff Kent’s career spanned 17 years, and he played for seven different teams. He ended with a .290 batting average, 377 home runs, and 1,519 runs batted in. Won the National League MVP in 2000 with the Giants and was selected to five (5) All-Star Games. Main position: Second base (the all-time leader in home runs for the position).

Maybe it was a clash of egos, but Kent and Bonds did not like each other, even though the Giants were a winning team and, on the field together, both were a dynamic offensive duo; a great majority of the runs scored by the Giants were because of Bonds and Kent; they were the big producers of the Giants’ offensive attack.

But it is a simple fact: their relationship even led to a physical dugout altercation, howevr both were great players deserving of the Hall of Fame. Barry Bonds spent 10years on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot, peaking at 66% of the vote in 2022 (falling short of the required 75%). Continues to be considered by the Hall’s Era Committees, such as the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

This Sunday, July 26, will be a day of celebration for the three new members of the Hall of Fame, Beltrán, Jones, and Kent. May they enjoy it with their families in good health.

For information on the Hall of Fame tour    https://baseballhall.org/Visit/Special-Experiences/Museum-Tour

Quote: You should always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise, they won’t come to yours.  -Yogi Berra.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.