John Shea

1 week ago | sfstandard.com | John Shea

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred promised the league would return to Rickwood. Now, the plans to honor the Negro Leagues are set. When the great Willie Mays was a teenager in high school, Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., was a second home. It’s where he teamed with established Negro Leaguers on the legendary Birmingham Black Barons, who played in the final Negro Leagues World Series in 1948. Mays never forgot Rickwood. The intimate ballpark always remained in his heart.

1 week ago | sfstandard.com | John Shea

The future Hall of Famer joined the team with the hope of chasing 300 wins. After more than a month, he has yet to add to his career tab of 262. This is getting eerie. Bizarre. Downright freaky. The winningest active pitcher in the major leagues can’t win a game for the Giants. Is it a curse? A jinx? A hex? Old-fashioned bad luck? Whatever it is, Justin Verlander isn’t digging it. The 42-year-old, who has been sitting on 262 wins since the moment he signed his $15 million contract on Jan.

2 weeks ago | sfstandard.com | John Shea

A two-game trip to San Diego turned into a reality check for a Giants team that struggled to keep pace with the Padres. SAN DIEGO — The best part about playing in the deepest division in the major leagues, with four teams believing they can reach the postseason, is the satisfaction of knowing the Rockies also are in the division.

2 weeks ago | sfstandard.com | John Shea

Tyler Fitzgerald and Patrick Bailey are searching for an edge at the plate. Torpedo bats offer promise, but they're in short supply. SAN DIEGO — A reporter approached Tyler Fitzgerald in the Giants’ clubhouse Wednesday morning, and the second baseman answered the question before it could be asked.

2 weeks ago | sfstandard.com | John Shea

The Giants' success will depend on their ability to beat tough NL West opponents. The Padres wasted no time making that clear. SAN DIEGO – The Giants waited 30 games to finally play a National League West foe but took less than 30 minutes to find themselves in a 3-0 hole. After passing test after test in the season’s first month to show the baseball world they’re legitimate, the Giants floundered in their first test against one of their division’s powers, losing 7-4 to San Diego Tuesday night.