Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

A bunch of guys signed today, avoiding arb for the most part.

Scott Garrelts, Bill Laskey, Steve Nicosia, Tom O'Malley, John Rabb, Eric Show, Brad Wellman, and Terry Mulholland are all sticking around.

[rpriske]

Jeff Robinson just signed. It looks like we are keeping a tight core.

In personal news, I was awarded my second straight Gold Glove.

[rpriske]

More great news! Mike Aldrete wa snamed Rookie of the Year, beating out Gary Sheffield!

And Bruce Ruffin came 3rd in voting.

[rpriske]

Arbitration hearings happened at Atlee Hammaker is sticking around... but Guy Sularz and Terry Harper are not.

[rpriske]

There are huge rumours flying around, saying that Fernando Valenzuela may be coming to San Francisco.

If that turns out to be true... wow.

Fernando, Eck, Ruffin, Atlee...

[rpriske]

I got the standard raise. I'll be making $79,200 next year.

[rpriske]

Remember the Fernando rumours?

How about this - the Giants are negotiating with Nolan Ryan.

1988 could be our year!

[rpriske]

The rumours were nothing. Fernando signed with Oakland.

Meanwhile, the Giants signed Eddie Milner to a minor league deal. He is a couple of years removed from strong season with the Reds, but he is still only 31.

[rpriske]

Honestly, it looks like the Giants are in on every name pitcher on the market... but they are looking for bargains. We'll see what pans out.

[rpriske]

DRAFT

The Rangers drafted first and took Ray Lankford.

Here are the first five Giants' picks by round:

1. Butch Henry - SP
2. Craig Grebeck - 2B
3. Reed Peters - LF
4. Roger Pavlik - SP
5. Pat Garman - 3B

[rpriske]

Our bullpen just got better!

The Giants signed 30 year-old righty, Mark Clear!

[rpriske]

If the rumblings are true, one of the reasons the organization is looking at starting pitching is that they want to convert Dennis Eckersley to a closer!

I don't know... I thought Scotty Garrelts was the guy.

[rpriske]

1987 starts here


year 3

[rpriske]

Any dreams of Nolan Ryan signing with the Giants were dashed today as it was announced that he was going to Toronto.

[rpriske]

The Giants have a new veteran infielder! Bobby Grich has come aboard!

I imagine there is a lot I could learn from him. (Though I have also heard he has quite the ego...)

[rpriske]

Lou Brock has been voted into the Hall of Fame!

[rpriske]

March 2nd, 1987

Spring training is here! Our first game is against the Dodgers so no easy going here. Bruce Ruffin is pitching for us and Orel Hershiser is going for L.A.

Apparently it is official that Dennis Eckersley is our new closer.

I led off the home half of the game by getting dinged by Orel's 2nd pitch. I stole 2nd. It is good to get the wheels going. I moved to 3rd on a Mike Aldrete grounder and then scored on a Chili Davis single.

Giants lead 1-0.

I led off the 3rd by by dropping one into right for a single. I was erased on an Aldrete fielder's choice.

I made my first defensive play on grounder by Candy Maldonado for the 1st out in the 4th. The Dodgers tied it up that inning when Mookie Wilson singled home Benito Santiago from 2nd.

Game is tied 1-1.

Randy Morse took over pitching in the 5th.

I came up with one out in the 5th, with Eddie Milner on 3rd and Morse on 1st. Craig Lefferts was pitching for L.A. He uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Eddie to score. I hit a trickle back to Lefferts but outran it for an infield single. Morse went to 3rd. I stole 2nd. Then Aldrete singled and both Randy and I scored.

Giants lead 4-1.

We scored again in the 6th when Bob Brenly doubled home Chris Brown.

Giants lead 5-1.

Mike Perez took over pitching in the 7th. Then I was lifted for a pinch hitter in the bottom half.

There was no further scoring.

I had a good day, going 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 2 stolen bases.

[rpriske]

March 3rd, 1987

I didn't get the start today against the Expos but came in as pinch hitter in the 5th. The game was tied 1-1 and led off the inning facing Scott Bankhead. I flew out to Chuck Jackson in centre. That was my only appearance.

We lost 6-2.

[rpriske]

I just heard that the team has signed another veteran presence to a minor league deal with a spring invite. Jerry Mumphrey, who spent the last four years with the Astros.

He kind of reminds me of Dan Driessen last year. Hopefully it turns out better.

[rpriske]

March 4th, 1987

I am in the game facing Eric King and the Padres. Willie Fraser is going for us.

I led off our half of the game by singling into right. I went to 2nd on a wild pitch by King. With one out I stole 3rd. Chili Davis singled and I scored.

Giants lead 1-0.

In the 2nd the Padres struck hard as Eric King knocked a three run blast.

Padres lead 3-1.

I made the first defensive play in the 3rd, grabbing a Randy Ready grounder for the 1st out.

I came up with one out in the 3rd and flew out to Tony Gwynn in right.
Before the inning was up, Mike Aldrete scored on a Chili double and then pinch runner Jerry Mumphrey scored on a Steve Stanicek single.

Game is tied 3-3.

In the 4th I came up with two out and Mark Williamson on the mound. I flew out to Derek Bell in centre.

Dennis Eckersley took over pitching for us in the 5th.

In the bottom half Mumphry blasted a two run homer. He is sure working out so far.

Giants lead 5-3.

The Padres struck back in the 6th when John Kruk and Carmelo Martinez hit back to back doubles. With one out Derek Bell also doubled, tying the game.
Dave Miller took over for Eck at that point. He did no better, as Bell scored on a Paul Noce single. Later Mark Wasinger knocked in both Noce and Glenn Hubbard.
Bill Laskey was next on the mound. He gave up another hit but got out off it without letting in any more runs.

Padres lead 8-5.

I left the game in the 6th.

We ended up losing 10-5.

I went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored.