Optimistic Pence always looks at the bright side of life

Hunter Pence’s life could be a YouTube video. In fact, it IS a YouTube video.

While most celebrities go to great lengths to shield their private lives from public view, Pence and his wife, Alexis, freely share – even invite – EVERYONE into theirs.  An Internet celebrity in her own right before she married the Giants outfielder, Alexis opens the door into her and Pence’s lives through her “Let’s Get Lexi” YouTube channel, where viewers learn about the couple’s favorite coffee bars, find out what’s in Hunter’s locker, and even get a voyeuristic peek into Hunter’s well-orchestrated marriage proposal to Alexis at Disney World.

Few topics are taboo or off-limits. The light-hearted weekly videos range from Hunter and Alexis sharing their top five annoying things about having each other as a roommate (counterbalanced by another episode that reveals what they love about their roomie) to revelations about what Pence hears in right field to pranks the couple pulls while grocery shopping.

“We’re open books. Nothing is forbidden. (Alexis) tries to keep it pretty raw and emotional,” says Pence. “She loves creating and making videos, so I encourage it. She’s really opened my eyes to the creative side, too.”

Pence’s teammates – and even players from other teams, such as current Washington Nationals and former Oakland A’s pitcher Sean Doolittle – have also joined in the fun.  Videos have pitted Giants second baseman Joe Panik against his then-fiancée now wife, Brittany, in a “Soon-to-Be Newlywed Challenge; featured Giants pitcher Cory Gearrin and his wife, Maddi, reviewing Dutch Bros. Coffee; and showcased Doolittle and Pence competing in the “Cotton Ball Challenge.”

Even before he met his energetic future wife in April 2014, the self-effacing Pence had already used social media to give fans an insider’s look at his personality. In 2013, he made a mock infomercial for “Hunter’s Hitters,” a fake baseball academy teaching kids how to play ball in Pence’s unorthodox signature playing style. The video promises parents that their kids will learn how to “throw like you don’t have an elbow” and to hit “like a hungry man chasing a taco,” among other important baseball skills.

“It’s important to connect with people, with the fans and share our personality,” says Pence, who is active on Twitter and Instagram (@hunterpence), about his social media presence. “The world is very cool today in how connected we are.”

Now in his seventh season with the Giants, Pence is one of the team’s longest-tenured players, with only Brandon Belt, Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Crawford having more years in orange and black. During his time in San Francisco, Pence has fully embraced the City – he is often seen enjoying the town’s many coffee bars and fine restaurants, visiting neighborhood comic book shops, and riding his electric scooter to and from his waterfront condo near the ballpark.

 “I just love being part of this team, organization and city. I really feel so lucky to be part of it and am so thankful everyday,” Pence says.

Building that connection with fans, teammates and the community is the very essence of Hunter Pence. He’s the “glue” that ties everyone together, says teammate Gearrin. Successful teams are not built on star power alone. Winning teams are made up of just the right pieces, held together with a special bond. That’s Hunter Pence. Since his arrival to San Francisco in a trade deadline deal in 2012, Pence’s influence and impact on the team, on and off the field, has been invaluable.

“He’s such an unbelievable guy, constantly building people up, inviting people in to share his passions, like coffee and video games. He shares that with his teammates, friends, fans and the city of San Francisco,” says Gearrin, who notes that Pence was the first person to welcome him to the team when he arrived in 2015. “He’s just such a special guy to have around. I will cherish him as a friend for the rest of my life. He’s one of those guys, where if you ever need him, he’ll be there for you.”

Pence’s energy and gift for motivational speaking have inspired and lifted his teammates. Known as “The Reverend,” Pence is most famous for his clubhouse speech before the start of Game 3 of the 2012 National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds. With the Giants facing elimination, Pence rallied the troops to victory that night and then go on to win three straight to knock the Reds out of contention. And fans will recall his “Yes! Yes! Yes!” speech during the last regular season game at AT&T Park on Sept. 28, 2014 that catapulted the Giants into postseason play. Pence says that his speeches are never planned or scripted. Instead, they form organically and emerge when a moment unleashes a wave of emotion.
“He brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse,” says third baseman Pablo Sandoval. “He’s one of the guys you want to follow as a role model. The way he plays the game and the way he acts on and off the field is an example for everyone here.”

When the off-season acquisition of Andrew McCutchen necessitated Pence’s move from right field – a position that he has played his entire Major League career – to the opposite corner in left, Pence didn’t bat an eye.

“He was so excited to get Andrew,” says Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “He said he was looking forward to (moving to left).”

Adds Bochy:
“You really have to spend a season with him to learn to appreciate how authentic he is and how much he cares about his teammates, the fans and everybody. That’s just who is he. He’s pretty special.”

These intangibles are not lost on Bochy. And, it’s one of the reasons why he has steadfastly stuck by Pence, despite his troubles at the plate.

“There are certain constants in this game, and (Hunter’s) one of them, coming in with a positive attitude. We call him our spiritual leader,” Bochy says. “Even last year, as tough a year as we had, he still played as hard as he ever played and was as positive as he’s ever been. That’s who he is.”

The last couple of seasons have certainly been challenging for Pence and the rest of the Giants. An early and disappointing exit from postseason play in 2016, followed by a 98-loss record last season and a slow start this season can test even the most cheery of personalities. Not surprisingly, Pence the Philosopher takes everything in stride.

“(Being positive) is a conscious effort, but it’s like being on a wave in the ocean – there’s ebb and flow to life, and to baseball as well,” says Pence, who meditates two to three times a day, writes in a gratitude journal and reads books about personal growth. “There’s the top of the wave and there’s the bottom of the wave. You have to be constantly adjusting when things are going well. I like to think about a pole vaulter who has to get really low before he goes high.”

For the most part, Pence is fairly successful at leaving his woes at the ballpark, says his wife. His 10-minute scooter ride home from the ballpark gives him time to decompress. But he is human, after all. He took the team’s elimination loss to the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series in 2016 particularly hard. When he came home that evening, Alexis had his favorite foods and games laid out on the dining room table in an effort to cheer him up.

“I knew he’d probably want some time alone before he was ready to face the real world again,” she says. “It took him about a week until he was even ready to talk about it.”

And while the loss stung, Pence had happier times ahead – his marriage to Alexis the following month. On Nov. 26, 2016, the couple exchanged vows at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, and partied the night away at a dinner reception at Epic Steak in San Francisco. The event, which was later posted on YouTube, is a fitting storybook chapter to their fairytale relationship, which started in April 2014 when Pence met the former Alexis Cozombolidis while filming a promotional ad for “MLB The Show” video game at IGN, an Internet media company focused on the video game and entertainment enthusiast market in San Francisco. Alexis was a production coordinator for IGN at the time. The petite brunette and her T-shirt, which read “Karma Dharma Zen” immediately caught Pence’s eye. Alexis, meanwhile, had no idea who Pence was, but did think that he was cute and charming, she says. Too shy to ask himself, Pence asked his agent to get Alexis’ phone number. Alexis offered her business card. Pence later texted Alexis, asking her to dinner. At first she said “no”, but then accepted after he explained that the team was going on the road for two weeks. They met at Starbelly restaurant in San Francisco, and the rest is history.

On Dec. 3, 2015, Pence asked the woman who he calls his best friend and soul mate to marry him. In a carefully choreographed event at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Pence arranged to have a fake interview set up where he was to talk about his favorite moment at Disney World. With the camera rolling, he suddenly got on his knee and asked Alexis for her hand in marriage as fireworks lit up the night sky over the theme park. Of course, the momentous event was caught on video and later posted on YouTube.

“You have a lot more to live for. It makes things a lot better, happier,” says Pence on how marriage has given him a new perspective on life. “Having that partner brings a lot of joy and happiness knowing that you are able to share everything and life together.”

The couple recently incorporated their two passions – coffee and games – into a café located in their off-season hometown of Houston. Partnering with Greenway Coffee Company’s David Buehrer, AMC’s “Comic Book Men” star Ming Chen and barista/gamer Sanford Bledsoe III, they opened Coral Sword – the moniker refers to a weapon used in the Final Fantasy videogame series – earlier this year. Coral Sword offers state-of-the-art gaming, a gaming bar, a podcast booth, and the ability to actively live stream during social media for games and tournaments. In addition to the fun and games, customers can enjoy specialty coffee, tea, beer, wine, and a food menu that includes pizza.

“It’s been such a joyride and learning experience from the first day we broke ground on construction to opening day,” says Alexis. “We are so thankful for our team who made it possible.”

And, while it may appear that Pence is settling down – enjoying married life and now his new business venture - he gives no indication that he’s ready to hang up his spikes after logging 12 big league seasons and recently celebrating his 35th birthday.

“I don’t try to look into it too much,” says Pence about his future. “I’m right here, right now. I’m here today to win and locked into the moment right now. (Life is) great and I’m loving every minute of it.”

One would expect nothing less positive from Hunter Pence.

Hunter’s Faves

Favorite “Let’s Get Lexi” videos:
* Coffee reviews
* Challenges, where participants compete in different contests, such as a cook-off, telling bad jokes, talking with marshmallows stuffed in their mouths and drawing blindfolded.
* “Hunter Pence is Changing His Last Name?!”
* “We Adopt a Minor Leaguer! - Hunter Pence & Matt Paré”

Favorite books:
* “The Four Agreements, “ by Don Miguel Ruiz
* “Seven Spiritual Laws Success,” by Deepak Chopra
* “Principles,” by Ray Dalio
Pence is currently reading Daniel Pink’s book “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.”

Favorite video games:
* Mario Kart
* Super Smash Bros.
* Skyrim
* Fortnite
* Hearthstone

Favorite musical band: Incubus

Barry Bonds Comes Home

I recently made my annual pilgrimage to the Arizona desert and arrived at Giants Spring Training camp on Friday to do some work for Giants magazine.  It’s always a nice time, with warm temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere among the players and the fans. I knew that Barry Bonds had been in camp all week, brought in by the Giants as a special hitting coach, and I was looking forward to seeing him. Unlike most people, I do not have negative feelings about the guy. Sure, he could be grumpy and dismissive at times, but he never was mean to me, like the way others say he treated them.

I first met Barry in 1996, when Giants magazine asked me to write a feature story on him. I thought this assignment to be quite an honor until I realized that I was given the assignment because I was apparently the only writer that Barry wasn’t already mad at. In other words, I was “fresh meat”, I was told. For two straight days, I went to Candlestick Park to stake out Barry for an interview. Both days, he blew me off. With my deadline looming and my patience wearing thin, on the third day, I went to the clubhouse and sat on a chair in front of his locker, waiting for him to return from batting practice. When he returned, I said, “Okay, now?” and did not move until he complied. He grinned, and said, “I guess so!”

Since that day, his attitude toward me swung from aloof and dismissive to charming and warm. I quickly learned that if you asked him about baseball, you’d get either no answer, or some vague cliché. But if you talked about kids or family, he would light up, flash that winning smile and talk to you at length.

When I was pregnant with my son, Alex, he was the only player who noticed and asked me how I was feeling. After Alex was born, he often asked about him, and then shared stories about his own kids. On a couple of occasions, I brought Alex to the ballpark and when Barry saw him, he scooped him up in his arms and talked to him.  Several years later, he started asking me if I planned to have more children (I found this to be a personal question, but was amused that Barry Bonds was asking me such a question!), and tried to convince me that I should have more than one. Imagine that, family planning advice from Barry Bonds! He obviously adored his children and often spoke highly of them.

So, when the whole steroid scandal broke, I was disappointed, but not surprised. I somewhat suspected it way before it all came out, around 2001 or 2002, when he showed up to Spring Training noticeably bigger (his head looked huge!). It is a shame that all of his baseball greatness will be forever tainted by the scandal. A couple of years ago, I visited the Baseball Hall of Fame and saw his record-setting 756th  home run ball with an asterisk permanently etched into. But even worse, were the comments I heard from other visitors about what a cheater he was. I was saddened by the commentary.

Fast forward to today. Today was my last day at Spring Training camp and I had seen Barry in passing, but did not get a chance to talk to him. I was about to leave the clubhouse thinking that I had missed my opportunity when I headed up the stairs and saw Barry sitting on them talking casually to another reporter. I joined the conversation. He seemed relaxed, healthy and happy. He looked to be in great shape and it was nice to see him back in a Giants uniform. He said he enjoyed his week with the team, but did admit that it was tiring work.

I had heard that he had taken up biking and I asked him about that. He said that he loves to ride and has ridden up Mt. Diablo. He said he’s ridden with Levi Leipheimer, but gets dropped by the pro cyclist. I reassured him that MOST people would get dropped by Levi Leipheimer! He said that he likes swimming, but not in the ocean. He said that he did a “mock” sprint triathlon in Hawaii that his friend set up for him. We talked about triathlons and he seemed impressed that I had done the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and some Half Ironman Tris. I told him that he should try one. He said that he can’t run very well anymore. After more than two decades of baseball, his body broke down. His knees and back hurt. “You just don’t realize until the end of your career how much you sacrificed your body,” he said.

His kids are all grown now, and he’s moved back to San Francisco from Los Angeles. He's looking for a house to buy in the City.  “San Francisco’s home,” he said.

Welcome home, Barry!

Five-Minute Interview with Brandon Crawford

This spring turned up some pleasant surprises in the Giants’ camp. The Giants are counting on some of their young prospects to help get the team back to the World Series this year. After a brief stint last season, Brandon Crawford knew that he had to work on his hitting in order to make this year’s roster. The hard work paid off as he posted a .333 batting average this spring and solidified a spot in the Opening Day line-up. His dramatic debut last season when he hit a grand slam for his first big league hit on May 27, 2011 in Milwaukee surely gave Giants fans plenty of reason to have high hopes for the team’s new starting shortstop this season.

How did you spend your off-season?
My off-season was busy. I was in Arizona for the Fall League for six weeks. A few days after that, I went to Hawaii and got married (on Nov. 26, 2011 to Jalynne Dantzscher). Then, we went on our honeymoon in Jamaica and then the holidays came. After that, I went to a rookie development camp in Virginia. Then, I went back to Arizona for the conditioning camp and then Fan Fest in San Francisco and back to Arizona for Spring Training.

Were you working on anything in particular during the Arizona Fall League?
I tweaked my swing at the end of last year, so I worked more on that during the fall. I worked on perfecting that and making it feel more comfortable.

What changes did you make to your swing?
I lay the bat on my shoulder now. I’m using my hands a little bit better. That was something that I struggled a little bit with last year.

You’re a great fielder. Were you more focused on hitting than fielding during the off-season?
I wanted to improve my overall game. I was working on things defensively as much as offensively. I worked on slowing things down, not rushing throws and not making dumb decisions. If I get to a ball and I don’t have a play, I’ll just hold onto it instead of rushing and throwing it away.

What was your reaction when you got called up last year?
I was excited when I got the call. I was surprised. I was in Bakersfield, playing for (Single-A) San Jose. It was about midnight when (the Giants’ vice president of baseball operations) Bobby Evans called me and told me I was coming up.

I hear that you’re a local boy. Where did you grow?
I was born in Mountain View and lived in Menlo Park until I was seven. Then, I moved to Pleasanton.

Were you a Giants fan growing up?
I was always a Giants fan. My dad had season tickets so I would go with him to the games.

Who was your favorite Giant?
I liked Royce Clayton. He was the shortstop. I wanted to be a shortstop, so I liked him. He was a defensive shortstop and that’s what I’ve become.

How did it feel during your first game with the Giants?
I was a little nervous going into the game, coming to a stadium that I had watched so many games in. Now being able to play on the field is a great feeling.

Five-Minute Interview with Buster Posey

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training this week, Giants catcher Buster Posey made his return to the field for the first time in eight months after his season-ending home plate collision with the Florida Marlins’ Scott Cousins on May 25, 2011. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Buster to check in on his rehab and ask other assorted random questions.

How’s the rehab going with your left leg after last year’s season-ending collision with the Marlins’ Scott Cousins? How do you feel about where you are at this point?
I’m really happy with how everything is going. Throughout the process, we’ve had goals. We’ve met some of them and exceeded others. It’s feeling more and more like my normal ankle all the time.

Are you confident about making a full recovery?
There are certain things I haven’t done yet with it. All along there has been some caution with everything I’ve done. I’ll do something and it’s okay, so I’ll get a little more aggressive the next time. It’s all been part of the process.

Will you be ready for the first Spring Training game on March 3?
I’d like to. It’s not 100 percent that I will, but it’s a possibility.

What were some of the peaks and valleys while going through this rehab?
Recently, my ankle has felt pretty consistent, which I’ve been happy about. But back in October and November, I’d go out and jog and feel great. And then the next day, it felt worse. That was the challenge – you think you feel like you take a step forward, but then you have to go back a little bit. I’m just trying to stay as positive as I can.

As you continue to recover, is it helpful to have a former catcher as a manager (Bruce Bochy) who can understand what you’re going through?
I think so. Boch understands the toll the position takes on you.

OTHER RANDOM QUESTIONS:
How did you get the name Buster?
My father and grandfather are also named Gerald. I think the way the story goes is that my dad’s grandmother called him Buster when he was little. My parents liked it, so they started calling me that when I was born. My dad now goes by “Demp” because his middle name is Dempsey. But I think Buster is going to stay with me.

How old were you when you started playing baseball?
I started playing organized ball when I was five years old.

What positions did you play before you became a catcher?
Shortstop and pitcher.

What were your favorite subjects in school?
I was a math and science guy.

Who was your favorite player when you were a kid?
I grew up a Braves fan, so I liked the pitchers – (Greg) Maddux, (John) Smoltz, (Tom) Glavine. I liked Chipper (Jones), too.

You were a pitcher when you were drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. How has that helped you defensively in terms of managing the game?
I pitched my whole life through college and all the way up until I signed with the Giants. It helps knowing a little about what (the pitchers) are going through. But I can’t say that I know everything these guys are going through. It’s a different world than college baseball.

Did you know that you would be heading in a different direction than pitching?
Not necessarily. I wanted to hit at the next level. I enjoyed pitching, but I enjoyed hitting more. It was (Florida State University assistant baseball coach Mike Martin Jr.’s) idea to try me at catcher. But you have to buy into it to make it work. Surprisingly, I was receptive to it, so I just went with it. I never thought I would catch. I used to look at those guys and think, “What are they doing? They’re getting beat up back there.”

What’s your pre-game routine?
It depends. It’s not necessarily the same everyday. Some days, I’ll talk to the starting pitcher. Other days, I’ll talk to the pitching coach. Just relax and try to be prepared for the line-up we’re going to face and for the pitcher that we’re going to face.

The Long Journey Back

Leave it up to the Comeback Kid to snap the Giants’ five-game losing streak. Sure, much of the credit was given to the Giants’ bats finally waking up, but let’s not dismiss yet another solid performance from pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, who allowed just one run in six innings to the hot-hitting Arizona Diamondbacks this afternoon. Vogelsong chalked up his ninth victory—tied with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain for the team lead—and now leads the National League with a 2.19 ERA.

Discussion on today’s sports talk shows pondered the possibility of the 34-year-old righty being considered for the Cy Young Award. While pundits say that it’s unlikely that Vogelsong will be chosen over the likes of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Jair Jurrjens and Clayton Kershaw, wouldn’t it be a fairy tale ending to a remarkable story?

It wasn’t too long ago that Vogelsong wondered if his professional baseball career was coming to an end. His journey has taken all sorts of twists and turns. Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Giants in 1998, Vogelsong made his Major League debut in 2000, but was soon traded midseason in 2001 to the Pittsburgh Pirates. He suffered a devastating elbow injury, which later required Tommy John surgery, in his second start for Pittsburgh and went through a frustrating year of rehab in 2002. After several mediocre seasons, the Pirates released him. With few options in the States, Vogelsong and his wife, Nicole, decided to move to Japan where he would play two seasons for the Hanshin Tigers and one season with the Orix Buffalo.

“It was tough, not just on me, but on my whole family being away from everyone,” says Vogelsong. “Just going through the struggles of not really ever having success. Always failing and failing beats you down after a while.”

But it was his love of baseball that pushed Vogelsong to continue pursuing his dream. “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I can’t really see myself doing anything but this,” he says. “That’s what drove me.”

At the end of 2009, Vogelsong, with encouragement from Nicole, decided to give the Major Leagues one more shot. But his road continued to be bumpy. He signed a minor league contract with Philadelphia, but was cut halfway through the season. For six days, no team picked him up. Eventually, the Los Angeles Angels signed him to a minor league contract, but did not re-sign him for 2011. Vogelsong went to Venezuela to play winter ball and caught the eye of Giants scouts, eventually signing a minor league contract on Dec. 28, 2010. He pitched impressively during Spring Training and started the season at Triple-A Fresno.

Vogelsong was promoted to San Francisco on April 17 to replace the injured Barry Zito. He earned his first win on April 28 against his old team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Since then, he has been playing lights-out baseball, compiling a 9-1 record.

“It was a long, tough road, but the main thing is that it got me back here,” says Vogelsong. “This is where I always wanted to be.”

Last month, Giants manager Bruce Bochy named Vogelsong to this year’s All-Star Game. Even though he didn’t pitch in the game, just being there was a dream come true, says Vogelsong.

“It was an amazing experience. To be around all these elite players for a couple of days was very special to me, considering all that I’ve been through,” he says.

While his path back to the Majors may not have been ideal, Vogelsong says he has gleaned benefit from all of his experiences. That combination of life experience, mental focus and maturity over the years has helped him develop into the pitcher that he knew he could be.

Still, now that he is seeing some success in the big leagues, Vogelsong does not take his situation for granted.

“I don’t look too far ahead these days. When I was younger, I was always looking four steps ahead,” he says. “I’m more focused on taking the next step instead of looking too far in advance. I think about who I’m facing in my next game, the next pitch and try to simplify things as much as I can.”

His wife and one-year son, Ryder, help put things into perspective.

“I was always the guy who brought the game home with him. Baseball was always on my mind at home. Now that I have (Ryder), once I leave here, it’s time to be Dad,” says Vogelsong.

Giants Enjoy Off-Season, Sabean and Bochy Get Contract Extensions

Tim Lincecum’s sporting a ponytail and a wispy mustache à la Johnny Depp (see photo). The Panda’s looks at least 30 pounds lighter than last season. And Brian Wilson’s making another foray into Twitter. Change, such as it is, appears to be afoot for your 2011 Giants. One thing that will stay the same is team leadership. Already signed for the 2011 season, General Manager Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy both received one-year contract extensions that will keep them with the Giants through 2012. The duo led the team to its first World Series berth since 1954.

“Brian and Bruce’s proven leadership and strategic moves throughout the course of their baseball careers, culminating in last year’s World Series Championship, distinguishes them as two of the best minds in all of baseball. This decision reflects our confidence in their abilities to build upon last year’s success and to steer us toward being perennial contenders,” said Managing General Partner and CEO William Neukom.

Sabean, 54, is currently in his 15th year at the helm of the Giants and is the longest-tenured general manager in Major League Baseball. During his 14 years as GM, he has guided the club to five post-season berths, including last year’s World Series Championship.

“I really, really appreciate the vote of confidence,” said Sabean, who has transformed San Francisco into the National League’s third-winningest team over the past 14 seasons behind only Atlanta and St. Louis. The Giants have won two National League pennants, four NL West Division flags and a Wild Card berth since Sabean assumed the GM reins at the end of the 1996 season. “It really gives us a chance, Boch and I, with the bar raised to see what’s next, and we hope that’s defending the Western title, getting to the playoffs and trying to make another run at winning another trophy.”

Bochy, 55, completed his fourth season as the manager of the Giants and guided the 2010 club to their first-ever World Series title in San Francisco history and first championship since 1954. He became the fourth skipper to win a title at the helm of the Giants, joining John McGraw (1905, 1921-22), Bill Terry (1933) and Leo Durocher (1954).

“This has been an incredible ride. I’m very honored to continue to be a Giant. This is a special place to be,” Bochy said. “We know that we have some work ahead of us, but to have this team still intact says a lot about what ownership and Brian wants to do— to not just do this one time, but to try and do it again."

Both are ready to take on the 2011 season and show that last year’s team of “misfits and castoffs” are the real deal and a force to be reckoned with. And while it is difficult for a team to repeat—only 14 teams have won back-to-back World Series titles since 1903—the 2011 Giants have the advantage of remaining largely the same as last season. The only major change is the addition of veteran Miguel Tejada replacing Edgar Renteria.

“We just have to stay true to ourselves and let the chips fall where they may. Obviously, we want to come out on top, but it’s one game at a time,” Lincecum said.

With their off-season postponed by a little event called the World Series, many players spent the last couple of months just chillaxing. Eli Whiteside took his 11-month-old son to Disneyland. Mike Fontenot got married and spent his honeymoon in the Bahamas. Lincecum bought a new house in Washington. Most others just kicked back at home with family and friends. Their break will come to an end in nine days when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Feb. 14. Position players will follow four days later on Feb. 18.

Coming off of last year’s post-season high, which culminated in a festive city-wide parade and celebration on Nov. 3, a lot of players say that it’s still hard to believe that they are World Champions.

“It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Whiteside. “Maybe it will when we get our World Series ring.”

Said Rookie of the Year winner Buster Posey: “There are certain times it hits me and I think, ‘Wow, we won the World Series.’ But it still hasn’t really sunk in.”

Playing for a Dream

At yesterday’s press conference, Giants manager Bruce Bochy talked about how as a kid, he would dream about being in the World Series. That moment is today, now.

“You picture yourself being in the World Series, then as you get older, you realize how big this stage is,” Bochy says. “I’ll never forget the first time I was in the World Series (with the 1984 Padres), you realize this is your dream. This is what you play for. This is what the game’s about and this means a lot to me.”

Sure, this isn’t the first time that Bochy has managed a team into the Fall Classic. He did in 1998 when he piloted the San Diego Padres to an overmatched contest against the New York Yankees, who quickly dispensed with the Padres in four games. Bochy hopes to see better results with this year’s Giants, who are more evenly matched with the Texas Rangers.

His so-called group of “misfits” just might have what it takes to be the best in baseball. They may not have a fearsome batting order as did past World Series winners—the Yankees, Phillies and Red Sox. And without a big bat like Barry Bonds, who anchored the fourth spot during their last World Series run, the Giants’ lineup isn’t going to scare any pitcher off the mound. But what the men in orange and black do have is a great mix and chemistry of young, upstart pitchers and established veterans. The clubhouse atmosphere is vastly different from 2002, where most of the attention was focused on Bonds. This season, everyone shared in the spotlight—from the journeyman outfielder who overcame attention-deficit disorder to become the team’s best leadoff hitter since Darren Lewis (Andres Torres) to the veteran first baseman who was out of a job this winter (Aubrey Huff) to the phenom catcher who came up mid-season and plays far beyond his years (Buster Posey) to the castoff outfielder who became the National League Championship MVP (Cody Ross). Every single player on the team contributed in some way—big and small—to create the best team in the National League. And, all they while, they had fun doing it.

And the fans are having fun, too. Panda hats, fake beards and rally thongs. How can you not have fun supporting Huff Daddy, Big Time Timmy Jim and Ross the Boss?

The magnitude of what it means to be playing baseball at the end of October is not lost on the fans or Bochy.

“You realize how hard it is to get here. It’s not easy. You got to get to the postseason. You have to get through two tough teams to get here. It’s a tough road. When you get here, you need to step back and realize how hard it is, appreciate it and enjoy the moment,” he says.

As the Giants’ slogan goes, it has been a truly magical season. Let’s hope it continues and that Bochy’s dream goes beyond his imagination as he and his team bring San Francisco their first-ever World Series crown.

Go Giants!