What A Night

September 28

Notes from the last day of the baseball season:

Jose Reyes bunts for a hit, then sits out the Mets’ final game, vitually assuring him the National League batting title with a .337 average. He is booed as he leaves, possibly spending his last moments as a Met.

Weak? Ehhh … this kind of stuff has happened before in baseball. It happens in a game that places such an emphasis on numbers and let’s face it, it means a few more bucks, too. In the end it didn’t really matter, because Ryan Braun finished at .332.

The Giants lose to the Rockies, 6-3 to end things, but a nice ovation for Pat Burrell on what might have been his final day as a major leaguer. He went 1 for 3 with two strikeouts, mirroring his average in The Marina.

As Bill Neukom bows out as managing partner ( with a nice video tribute from the franchise that is giving him the heave-ho, er, celebrating his retirement ), Burrell ponders his future. Hopefully there is a role for him in the Giants’ organization.

The Giants gather to thank the fans who supported them so well with a season of sellouts, and manager Bruce Bochy says “let’s get ready for 2012.” The Giants have a lot of work to do in the offseason, so it’s probably just as well that they’ll get an extra month to do so this year.

In Arizona, Matt Kemp finishes one home run shy of a 40-40 season, as the Dodgers become the first team since July to beat the Diamondbacks. Arizona won 76 of their last 77 to win the NL West, or so it seemed.

No one will favor the NL West champs in the playoffs, which will make them dangerous. Sound familiar?

Ah, but who else will make the postseason? Here’s where the fun begins …

Tony LaRussa’s Cardinals crush the Astros, 8-0, assuring no worse than a Wild Card play-in game with the Braves on Thursday. The Braves squander a 3-1 lead to the Phillies, and Freddie Freeman grounds into a double play in the 13th, burying his helmet in the turf as the Braves’ historic collapse is complete, 4-3. Chop this.

For LaRussa, the September comeback from the dead may be the crowning achievement of a Hall of Fame career. The Cardinals celebrated like they stole something, which they did, sort of. LaRussa acknowledged the Phillies for playing hard until the end when they had already clinched the NL East.

The only consolation for the Braves is that their swan dive will be overshadowed by the Red Sox’ tailspin — or the Rays’ comeback. The Sox were sitting pretty for a while Wednesday night, with a 3-2 lead over the Orioles while the Rays trailed the Yankees 7-0. But that’s why they play nine innings.

The Sox were sent into the clubhouse after a rain delay that must have been torture for them, except that word has been copyrighted by the Giants, I think. During the delay, the Rays scored six in the 8th to pull within a run, 7-6.

Then in the bottom of the 9th at the Juice Box, former A’s first baseman Dan Johnson homered to tie the game, 7-7, and force extra innings. I know, amazing isn’t it? Dan Johnson is still playing baseball.

In Baltimore, the Red Sox still held a 3-2 lead in the 9th. Their closer, Jonathan Papelbon, gets two quick strikeouts. Then Chris Davis doubles, Nolan Reimold doubles, and Robert Andino singles.

Carl Crawford slid but could not snare the low, sinking liner off Andino’s bat, and the throw home was late. Crawford ends up aiding his old team, the Rays. The O’s celebrate their 69th and most significant win after they were down to their last strike. The Sox finish a 7-20 September.

Now, the Sox must get the Yankees’ help to reach the postseason. Fat chance.

The 4-3 Orioles’ win is posted on the scoreboard at the Juice Box. On cue, just minutes later, Evan Longoria hits a low screamer that would have short-hopped the wall in the left field corner at A T and T Park. Fortunately for him and the Rays, the wall is only 315 feet down the line, and is lowered near the foul pole.

Longoria, who had hit a three-run homer in the 8th, is a hero in an 8-7, 12-inning victory. Just like that, Sox are out, Rays are in.

They’ll do an ESPN 30 on 30 about this remarkable evening. The nine ESPN employees who aren’t Red Sox fans will be part of the production. Meanwhile, otherwise- learned authors will waste their brainpower on another 39 books about the Red Sox tortured history, and this historic collapse.

No one outside of New England will care because the Sox have won two World Series in the last seven years, and have saturated the media. I won’t miss the shots of praying fans at Fenway. Boston has already had an embarrassment of riches in sports.

The Boston media and Red Sox fans will grind on this for months. Nothing personal against the players, who are crestfallen, but it’s yet another reason to delight in the Sox’ demise.

Some are already calling for Manager Terry Francona’s head. Seriously. That’s what he gets for bringing Boston the first two World Series titles since the over-told “Curse Of The Bambino.”

A reporter after the game asked Papelbon “his feelings” about the loss. Really. His feelings? Fan-freaking-tastic! The look in Papelbon’s eyes told the story: I want to kill you.

My schadenfreude is not reserved solely for the Red Sox. Once again, the Braves flame out, sparing the nation the sound of the baleful “Tomahawk Chop” war-chant. It is at worst, highly offensive, and at best inane.

As usual, the talking heads and ‘wags’ go overboard, calling it the “greatest night of baseball ever.” MLB Network’s guys, who did a great job keeping track of the action, were positively giddy, talking about how “honored” they were to cover this evening.

I really don’t know how to quantify it, but the night reminded me of a few nights around here last fall. Nights that make me glad I’m a baseball fan.

Wave Of The Future?

September 27

It was both a high point and low point for fans at A-T-and-T Park Monday night. It was a night the Giants set an all-time franchise attendance record, a night when fans showed a lot of spirit in a game that didn’t mean anything.

It was also a night that they shamed themselves.

IT returned. “IT” being “The Wave.” The Wave went out of style, when ? About the time of Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam ? Yet, you will see fans who act like they just discovered the iPad.

This is what happens when you draw more than three-million fans in the wake of a World Series win. You get more “casual” fans who aren’t necessarily into the game, but are into a scene they perceive as “hip.”

This, of course, works to the Giants’ advantage. It puts money into their coffers, and it pays the mortgage on the beautiful ballpark. It also puts them in position to ( cough cough ) bring in better players.

Anyway, the luring of the casual fan is the price you pay for success in a pretty venue. Who would like to return to cold, foggy Candlestick and 5,000 fans a night ?

Most sane fans would not, but unfortunately, when you get bandwagon fans in a nicer park you also get a higher percentage of dipsticks. People who aren’t aware of the rhythm of the game, or that it’s not appropriate when your pitcher is on the mound, or your team’s batter is at the plate. In short, just about anytime.

Monday night was not the first time “The Wave” has reared its ugly head, nor will it be the last. Despite a cascade of boos from many longtime Giants fans, the wave continued unabated and for a prolonged duration — not just through the grandstands, but the bleachers.

Why is “The Wave” so onerous ? I guess for the same reason most people not living in Oildale no longer wear mullets. Or, the same reason most of us don’t wear “Members Only” jackets anymore.

It’s old. It’s lame. Worse than that it’s a distraction to the players on the field. It’s not just the noise, but the motion of the crowd. As it turns out, Sergio Romo gave up a run in the 8th inning during the height of “The Wave.” That ended his streak of 21-plus scoreless innings.

Now, Romo has given up runs in non-Wave situations ( is that a new stat ?), but it was just disappointing to see it at home while he was on the mound. Please tell me beach balls aren’t next.

But hey, at least they weren’t chucking batteries.

***

The Giants have hit a grand total of 40 home runs at home this season, which led to a provocative article by KNBR Insider Andrew Baggarly about the prospect of changing the park’s dimensions to help Giants hitters and perhaps attract more sluggers.

Before we go too far into this debate, a few facts: despite the ballpark’s dimensions, the Giants have a higher slugging percentage and OPS than opponents this season at home. They are, despite all their problems, ten over .500 at home. Also, they have outhomered opponents 119-96 overall.

In essence, whatever problems the park presents to Giants hitters is outbalanced by the fact that their pitchers have taken great advantage of those dimensions. Even with a lineup badly depleted by injuries.

You could argue that the 2001 Giants didn’t have trouble with the gaping maw of green grass in China Basin. They hit 235 home runs, greatly aided by Barry Bonds’ 73. Of course, we now understand why. I’m not advocating a return to needle-dom.

Even last year, however, the Giants hit one home run per game, a total of 162 in the regular season. Few people were complaining then, although it was hilarious that Aubrey Huff’s first homer in the park as a Giant was an inside-the-parker off the right field bricks.

A few years ago, I stood with those who wanted to make the park smaller, not by moving the fences but by simply moving up home plate. Not by much, maybe by five to ten feet. I saw too many people hit 420-foot bombs off those bricks, and it doesn’t seem right that anyone who hits a ball that far should have anything but a round-tripper.

If the Giants move up home plate it would either increase foul territory, or would leave room to add a couple of row of box seats. If you’re the Giants it wouldn’t hurt to add a few premium-priced seats.

It would also be a bit more fair. Somehow 410 feet doesn’t sound quite as bad as 420 for a hitter, and it would not greatly change the way pitchers use the park. 410 is still a long poke.

Worried about center field being too close ? There’s room to move back the fence in dead center, and the power alleys would still be reasonable.

This has been discussed in the Giants’ board room from time to time, but has never gotten to the serious stage. It may never. Let’s face it, the Giants will likely hit more home runs next year if their top hitters stay injury-free for the whole season, and if they upgrade at a couple of positions.

The ballpark is also one of the main reasons ( along with money ) why Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum might hang around, and they are at the core of this franchise. Making it too hitter-friendly could be just as damaging as failing to improve the offense next year.

As long as those guys and Madison Bumgarner are here, it will remain a pitchers’ park, despite the entertainment value of lighting up the scoreboard. Not that a little tweaking here and there would hurt, but I’m a realist.

A friend of mine said, “you wouldn’t put arms on the Venus de Milo, would you?” Actually, I believe the sculpture originally had arms, and ( Segue Alert ) so will the Giants if they don’t tinker too much with their little work of art.

Turtle Ball

September 17

49er fans who watched their team fritter away a 10-point lead in the 4th quarter and lose to the Cowboys, 27-24 in overtime, might have felt a sense of deja vu. This game looked very much like several home games against quality teams in the Mike Nolan or Mike Singletary eras.

The 49ers turtled, and eventually got shelled.

Early in the 4th quarter, David Akers belted a 55-yard field goal but the Cowboys were flagged for what could have been a 15-yard penalty, putting the ball on the Dallas 22. Instead, coach Jim Harbaugh went by the old football bromide and decided not to take points off the board — he declined the penalty and the 49ers led, 24-14.

As it turned out, Dallas had just enough time to get two scores and tie the game at 24-all, forcing overtime. The 49ers won the coin toss but managed just one first down. Tony Romo, cracked rib an all, rallied the Cowboys again with a 77-yard pass to Jesse Holley that set up David Bailey’s game-winning 19-yard field goal.

Harbaugh said he trusted his defense with a 10-point lead but what he also clearly said was, “I don’t trust my offense.” As much as he wants to build up Alex Smith, this was a rebuke. He had a chance to go for the throat but declined.

Was he wrong ? The 49ers offense had done little, ending up with just 67 yards after halftime. Smith was sacked six times.

If Smith or someone else had subsequently turned the ball over after eschewing Akers’ field goal, or if Smith was sacked, the second-guessers would have descended like rainbow fish on a sea urchin.

The strong argument can be made that even if Smith and the 49ers had only moved the ball a bit more, and Akers might have kicked another field goal anyway, valuable time would have been taken off the clock and Romo would have been under more pressure.

Instead, the 49ers played turtle ball with a 10-point lead. Harbaugh decided to have the penalty assessed on the kickoff, rendering it useless. Akers kicked off from the 50 into the end zone for a touchback, which he had already done consistently from the 35.

Anyone who has watched the NFL the last couple of seasons could tell you the problem with that strategy. With rule changes that now clearly favor the offense, it’s easier than ever to rally. It makes the NFL more exciting and marketable, but it makes Turtleball a bad strategy.

Against a team like the Cowboys, even as injury-depleted as they were, it was asking for trouble. The 49ers secondary couldn’t cover Miles Austin, and when injury took him out of the game, they missed coverage on former practice squad player Holley for the final nail in the coffin.

The knee-jerk reaction would be to “sick” the wolves on Harbaugh, to condemn him as milquetoast after two play-it-safe games. I don’t think it’s that simple — yet.

The declined field goal wouldn’t have been much of an issue if, with a 24-21 lead, the 49ers offense could have burned more than three minutes off the clock. Instead, Smith and the 49ers seemed to justify Harbaugh’s lack of trust by mustering just one first down when they needed a sustained drive.

At this early stage in the Harbaugh Era, his offensive line is actually shakier than his quarterback, and there is still a learning curve with a new coach — especially with time limited by the lockout.

At some point, Harbaugh will need to develop trust in his offense to go for the jugular, but he’s obviously not there yet. The problem is, he can’t totally trust his defense, either.

Harbaugh kept saying the 49ers “played well enough to win,” and while that is debatable, I did see signs of progress in this so-called “GPS game” Sunday. They clearly put the hurt on Romo, who could barely speak up loud enough in the huddle. They came up with some play designs we haven’t seen in a while, and stood toe-to-toe with a talented team.

They just couldn’t close the deal. Consider it a lesson learned. Harbaugh is still learning about his team and what works, but he probably found out Sunday what DOESN’T work.

The 49ers will struggle to reach .500 again this season, but I don’t think we’re seeing a flashback to the Nolan and Singletary eras. Harbaugh has this team going in the right direction, but Sunday was a big speed bump. Or was that a turtle shell ?

He Gone

September 15

The departure of Bill Neukom as Giants’ managing general partner and CEO is being characterized as a “retirement.” Neukom may have, at some point, been considering stepping down, but it’s hard to believe that time was now.

This was an ouster, plain and simple, and it was clumsy. Spin doctors were at the operating table during the Giants’ news conference on Thursday, but did anyone expect anything different ?

This was about politics, egos, money, and communication. Neukom apparently ruffled some feathers with his mode of operation, and the committee of ten that is at the core of ownership doesn’t want to work that way anymore. That is clear because Larry Baer takes over as CEO, but there is no managing partner.

It’s never easy when decisions are made by a committee, but that is how the Giants will operate going forward, based on the recommendations of Baer and Brian Sabean. Does that mean the Giants are going into the toilet, as many bloggers and fans have assumed ? I think that’s premature.

I’m sorry to see Neukom go. I think he brought a lot of good things to the table, including an end to long-term contracts a la Rowand and Zito, and better synergy between baseball and marketing. I think Neukom deserves at least part of the credit for the championship, and I understand why fans are upset at this week’s turn of events.

However, he is just one man with a bow tie. There are many moving parts here, many reasons the Giants made it to the top in 2010. Some of those factors haven’t changed, but the franchise must negotiate perilous waters to return to safe harbor in McCovey Cove in 2012 and beyond.

Baer said the payroll won’t go down, but didn’t say it was going up, either. Actually, given the fact the Giants still have to pay Zito and Rowand, there’s no way it can go down. It sounds like the signing of a big-name free agent isn’t likely, but Baer isn’t ruling anything out.

In fact, I still think the payroll MUST go up, at least modestly. At a minimum, 19-million dollars is coming off the books, but several players are due considerable raises, either by contract or arbitration.

One factor in the 2010 title was the emergence of home-grown talent, and that talent remains as the core of the team. Baer said the franchise should continue to emphasize developing that talent, which is smart for several reasons: such players are cheap, under team control for a long time, and fans identify strongly with them.

I’m encouraged that Baer wants to continue that emphasis, with the likes of Bobby Evans and John Barr bringing more talented position players into the farm system. Brian Sabean certainly has a great eye for pitchers, but needs to stay away from evaluating anyone who can swing a bat.

The Giants need to get younger and more athletic. I’m tired, and I think most fans are tired, of seeing ballplayers in their mid-30s and on the downside of their careers. They need to have a core of players who will keep that window of opportunity around for several years.

Of course, to keep that window open they must keep Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum around, but they won’t without improving the offense. Carlos Beltran has taken some flak for saying he wouldn’t want to return unless the Giants get a good center fielder ( he has a vested interest as a right fielder whose range is declining ), but he’s right.

Beltran, with the return of Posey and the continued development of Sandoval, would give the Giants a formidable middle of the lineup, but unless they can find someone to get on base in front of those hitters the offense will still sputter. Since I supported trading for Beltran I can’t be totally against re-signing him, but if he thinks he’s getting a five or six-year deal he’s crazy.

Along with the core of young players, the Giants do have to augment their lineup with some bona fide bats. Albert Pujols will be too rich for their blood, and if Beltran wants five or six years, I’d pass on him as well. Jose Reyes would be a better fit for this team as a shortstop and leadoff hitter, and at 29 would be a better gamble.

I don’t think the issue is money; the Giants are awash in cash right now. There was apparently a fundamental disagreement among ownership on how that money should be spent. In fact, the Giants have been big spenders for a while, but often on the wrong people.

Those in ownership who supported salting away money for leaner times, or to sign Cain and Lincecum long-term, are not Scrooges. They’re simply recognizing the fact the Giants were lucky to hit the jackpot in the middle of an economic recession. I don’t think they want to close the bank, but rather keep a closer eye on where the money is going.

That’s one area where I think Neukom was right; no long-term deals, especially for aging ballplayers. I loved the fact they jettisoned Rowand and Tejada before their contracts were done, but they can’t afford to throw away dollars on everyone. They’ve got to be smarter.

The Giants must still sign a couple of free agents in the offseason, and while it would be nice to think a Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols is in view, it’s just not realistic. Does that mean the Giants are screwed ? Nonsense.

The Giants can augment the offense with a modest signing along with someone like Reyes. That may be enough to make them serious contenders again, given the great arms they will still possess in 2012.

Among free agent center fielders, I think Coco Crisp would add some energy to the offense, although he’ll be 33. He would at least be a good placeholder until Gary Brown arrives. I’m OK with Cody Ross returning, but not for six-million dollars. Andres Torres is going to be a backup outfielder for the rest of his career.

I have always liked outfielder Michael Cuddyer; he can play several positions, and he would be a good #5 or #6 hitter for the Giants. He will be 33 but I don’t think he would break the bank, and he’d be fine for a two-year deal. However, he loves playing for the Twins and might take a discount to stay in Minnesota.

The Giants might have to settle for Ross or a Justin Christian ( or even a Darren Ford ) until Gary Brown is ready, which could be later in 2012. They might be able to get by with that if they sign an impact player like Reyes, Buster Posey and Freddy Sanchez return healthy, and Brandon Belt continues his development.

Based on what Baer said, the Giants are stuck with Aubrey Huff and Barry Zito, at least for a while. Huff will start the year at first base, but the clock will be ticking. If he fails to adhere to his every-other-year pattern, he should find the bench by midseason.

So here’s one scenario:

Reyes ss

FSanchez 2b

Posey c

Sandoval 3b

Cuddyer lf

Belt/Huff 1b

Schierholtz rf

Crisp cf

Bench: Crawford, Keppinger, Hector Sanchez, Pill, Torres or Ford. ( GBrown later in year ? )

Rotation: Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, Zito or Surkamp

Bullpen: Mota, Casilla, JLopez, Romo, Wilson, plus … ?

Obviously with Cuddyer, Freddy Sanchez and Crisp, this lineup still has 30-somethings, but it has more speed and more range in the field, clearly more athletic with at least some pop. That’s the kind of team that can play well at A-T-and-T Park.

That’s just one idea. I’m sure I will hear many more on the air on Sportsphone 680 after the Giants and Rockies play Friday night.

Pigskin Overload

September 11

A couple of days of football, and I have pigskin overload. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yes, I’ll have more bread and circus, please.

Vignettes from Saturday and Sunday:

Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31.

Denard Robinson overcame a horrible start and showed what kind of leader he is, but Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator has some ‘splainin’ to do for the late blown coverages. It doesn’t get any easier for Brian Kelly and the Irish, who could be looking at a losing record.

USC 23, Utah 14.

Bet’cha thought the final score was 17-14 ‘SC, didn’t you? The Trojans blocked the tying field goal attempt and returned it to the house as time expired. USC was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, and because referees are allowed to wave off touchdowns on such penalties, it was assumed the TD was negated.

Later, the Pac-12 announced the score counted because the penalty was assessed after the whistle. And, you guessed it, the Trojans were favored by 8 1/2.

It was thought that Utah beat the spread, and the L.A. Times reports the change could mean a six-figure loss for the MGM Mirage Sports Book in Las Vegas. Money was already paid out and can’t be retrieved.

This is why I don’t bet on point spreads. Ever.

Nebraska 42, Fresno State 29.

Not a good month for the Red Wave. They looked sloppy in an opening loss to Cal, looked better in a loss to Nebraska, but then came the bombshell. Up to 24 players from the 2010 squad are tied to a welfare fraud investigation, in which a county worker allegedly filed false benefits for the players and others.

I’m sure it was just a Social Studies assignment.

Stanford 44, Duke 14

Andrew Luck throws four touchdowns as Stanford dials up 504 yards in offense and what does Luck say> “We’re going to get beat if we continue to play like that offensively.” Luck did throw a pick-six on a deflected ball in the first half as Duke pulled within 10-7, but it was all Stanford after that.

Equally impressive was the combined SAT score of players on both sidelines, but I’ll bet they never thought of welfare fraud like those cagey Bulldogs. Of course, they don’t need to.

UCLA 27, San Jose St. 17

A gutty effort by Mike McIntire’s group after an opening 57-3 loss to Stanford. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, however, looked sick to his guts on the sidelines as the game was 17-17 in the 4th quarter. He has a mess in Westwood, and likely won’t get another year to fix it.
‘

NFL Week One

Packers 42, Saints 34

This is why I DO bet the over/under. This one was a laughable 47 1/2. Two high-powered offenses in the first game of the season, on a fast track at Lambeau in September, against defenses that were not quite in game shape ? Fish in a barrel.

49ers 33, Seahawks 17

49ers defense? Pretty good, albeit against a Seattle team missing Robert Gallery and Sidney Rice and with a new quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson. Offense ? Lackluster. The offensive line looked pretty mushy and Jim Harbaugh isn’t going to do anything exotic yet; he hasn’t had enough time and frankly, he wants to run the ball with Frank Gore.

Special teams ? Welll … where do I beGINN? (Sorry). Ted Ginn, Jr. returned a kickoff and a punt for a score in the 4th quarter to seal the game.

Here’s the point I made about kickoff returns earlier in the week: although there might be more touchbacks, compressing coverage by five yards could allow more big plays if a returner can get past the first wave. The ‘Niners got Ginn to shore up one of their great weaknesses, the return game, and it finally paid off Sunday.

The Harbaugh family completed a 2-0 Sunday, in Jim’s debut.

Cardinals 28, Panthers 21

I guess Cam Newton is going to be OK. At least if you judge by first impressions. He set a record for a rookie in an NFL debut with 422 yards passing, throwing for two scores and running for another. Any time you shatter a record set by Otto Graham, you’re doing something right.

( By the way, did you know the third biggest debut for an NFL rookie belonged to Ed Rubbert, who tossed for 334 yards for the Redskins in 1987? Ahh, replacement players; he was the real-life Shane Falco.

Ed Rubbert “retired” with a career 110 passer rating. He is now coaching high school ball near his home town of Suffern, New York. )

9/11 Annniversary

Ten years ago today, nobody was thinking about football or point spreads, or bread and circus. It was not a day for escapism.

Sunday, the sports world took a moment to remember what happened on 9/11. It was an appropriate reminder of how lucky we are to enjoy the escapism that sports provides.

I can scarcely believe it’s been a decade. I still remember seeing my kids after school, and the concern on their faces. I don’t know if I really believed it when I told them, “don’t you worry, this country has survived for more than 200 years and this won’t stop us.”

Almost every day, motorists along Interstate 680 get a reminder of 9/11 when they pass under the Tom Burnett overpass. He was on Flight 93, believed to be a leader of a group that fought hijackers who meant to aim the plane on the nation’s capital.

Ten years later, we’re still going to work, still spending time with our families, still enjoying sports or a trip to the beach ( as I did Sunday ), or many other peaceful activities. In this way and many others, we have not only survived but surmounted the terrorists.

When required, we can summon the resolve and the unity to overcome major challenges. We did so ten years ago.

I just wish the people who currently represent us in Washington, D.C. could look past their own noses, and their political own careers, and display those same qualities in our time of economic trouble. But then again, we voted them in.

Playing For Second

September 5

Mathematically, it’s not over, but it’s over.

Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean had to remind certain players not to toss in the towel yet, to continue playing hard, even though the Giants have pretty much played themselves out of the NL West race.

In fact, the Giants are now playing for second. Making up seven games on Arizona with 21 to go would take a miracle, given how the two teams have been playing lately. At the end of a long season it’s tough to keep up the intensity when you know it’s probably for naught.

However, the Giants can’t quit. These guys get paid enough to play a game, it’s not too much to expect their best effort until they’re eliminated. I think THIS is when you separate the real “gamers” from the posers.

Sure, there is disappointment. This division was the Giants’ for the taking, but as the season progressed it was clear they had fundamental flaws. Of course, many of those flaws would have not have been exposed without a plethora of injuries.

They were staying atop the division despite a run differential that was barely in the green, one of the most inept offensive lineups San Francisco fans have ever seen, and a spotty defense. We began writing about that in early June, not longer after Buster Posey went down, but the fact is the offense was a problem when Posey was healthy.

They added a potent bat in Carlos Beltran but he got off to a slow start, partly due to a hand injury. They added an able #2 hitter in Jeff Keppinger. They added Orlando Cabrera. It wasn’t enough.

They tried to give the team a jolt amid a lackluster homestand when they jettisoned Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada, who were dragging down the clubhouse. They were no great shakes on the field, either.

Next year, the roster needs more “jolts” in order to hold open the window of possibility and keep their prized starting rotation intact. That means adding offense, getting younger, and getting more athletic.

That has not been the Giants’ modus operandi in the last decade. That has to change now.

The Giants have made a lot of money in recent years, and given their fans many thrills, topped by 2010. If they want to keep that good vibe going, and keep the fans coming, they need to drastically remake the roster.

The Giants are in the top 8 of major league baseball in payroll. They’re really in the big leagues now, and with a World Series ring, the bar is raised for everyone.

However, fans will give them the Heisman if they return with the same old, retread, veteran-dependent roster. Due to contracts, Aubrey Huff and Freddy Sanchez will be there but their clocks are ticking.

Especially Huff’s. He needs to enter next season like his hair is on fire. He was a big part of the successful run, and the Giants responded with an overly-generous contract, so he owes them a better effort.

He’s known as an “every other year” player, for whatever reason. The reasons next year should be a future in the Major Leagues, and one last contract. If he was complacent this year, that needs to end quickly in 2012 or he’s out of a job.

The 2012 roster should incorporate young up-and-coming players from the farm system and young veteran free agents. No more “back-of-the-baseball card” guys who challenge Topps because they’ve logged too many years for the backs of those cards.

The good news is Posey is on track to return in the spring. If he’s healthy, that will like acquiring a bat at a key position, but the Giants can’t afford to “stand pat” as they did last season. Standing pat actually meant going backwards, even in a weak NL West.

The basic problem for the Giants is that few free agents with power want to play in San Francisco, unless they’re on the downside of their careers and can’t afford to be “choosers.” Others are averse to the cold night air by the Bay.

The Giants already have a hefty payroll, and they have to consider re-signing Matt Cain at the end of 2012, especially now that Zach Wheeler is gone. But it’s also true that a lot of money comes off the books at the end of ’12, and some of that can go to Cain.

If you don’t want to run with the “big dogs” you’ve got to get off the porch, but it’s too late for the Giants. Their fans expect more, now, because they have poured a lot of cash into the orange and black vault. They must make a run at an impact player such as Jose Reyes.

Jimmy Rollins would be a cheaper option but he will be 33. He’s not quite the player he used to be. Seems like the Giants would be going down the same old road.

Center field is wide open. Andres Torres proved to be a one-year wonder, and Giants fans thank him for his service. Cody Ross is only coming back if he takes a pay cut. Gary Brown is probably a year away, but who knows ?

The Giants’ payroll is already big-league — time to spend the money on the right kind of players, and time to give the kids a chance. Reyes would fill two needs — shortstop and leadoff hitter. He’s 29 and has trouble staying on the field at times, but when he does, he’s one of the most electrifying players in baseball.

Not every year can be “magical,” and clearly the string of injuries — starting with Posey — made it a tough go for the Giants this year. However, their window of opportunity is still open.

Let’s face it: 2010 had a great deal of good fortune, and surprising performances from players who won’t likely repeat that level of success. In a way, 2010 re-affirmed in Brian Sabean’s mind that getting older, mediocre players who “might get hot” was the way to go.

It was, for a brief shining moment, but in the long term it’s exactly the m.o. the Giants don’t need.

This is not a set-in-stone lineup but I think it would be a big improvement over what the Giants have this year.

Reyes ss

Sanchez 2b

Sandoval 3b

Posey c

Huff 1b

Schierholtz rf

Crisp cf

Belt lf

Bench: Keppinger, Crawford, Burriss, CStewart, ATorres, Ford

With Gary Brown possibly coming up mid-year.