Susan Slusser

London, San Francisco

Senior Baseball Beat Reporter at San Francisco Chronicle

SF Chronicle senior baseball beat reporter, on 🦋 same handle 🏳️‍🌈

Articles

Christian Koss enjoys improbable journey in becoming a Giant

6 days ago | dailyrepublic.com | Susan Slusser

SAN FRANCISCO — As spring training continued into the third, fourth and fifth week, non-roster infielder Christian Koss remained in the San Francisco Giants' camp. This was not expected, so much so that even Koss' wife, Laura, started asking him, "When are you getting sent over to the minor league side?""Maybe tomorrow?" he would respond. Koss' sterling defensive work, his hustle and his ability to do all the little things well made him the biggest surprise on the Opening Day roster.
Christian Koss’ improbable Giants journey just his latest unlikely feat

1 week ago | sacbee.com | Susan Slusser

May 29-As spring training continued into the third, fourth, fifth week, non-roster infielder Christian Koss remained in the San Francisco Giants' camp. This was not expected, so much so that even Koss' wife, Laura, started asking him, "When are you getting sent over to the minor-league side?""Maybe tomorrow?" he'd respond. Koss' sterling defensive work, his hustle and his ability to do all the little things well made him the biggest surprise on the Opening Day roster.
Christian Koss’ improbable Giants journey just his latest unlikely feat

1 week ago | sfchronicle.com | Susan Slusser

Utility infielder Christian Koss grew up as a Giants fan in Southern California. Jeff Chiu/Associated PressAs spring training continued into the third, fourth, fifth week, non-roster infielder Christian Koss remained in the San Francisco Giants’ camp. This was not expected, so much so that even Koss’ wife, Laura, started asking him, “When are you getting sent over to the minor-league side?”“Maybe tomorrow?” he’d respond.
How did Giants’ Camilo Doval get his groove back as an elite reliever? ‘I’m just trusting myself’

2 weeks ago | sfchronicle.com | Susan Slusser

San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey, left, celebrates with pitcher Camilo Doval after a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in San Francisco, Thursday, April 24, 2025. Jeff Chiu/Associated PressWhen a closer struggles, it’s not pretty and it’s not fun. The bad moments come at the worst times, they’re obvious, everyone sees them and there’s no leeway for an extended poor stretch. Camilo Doval learned that last season, and he learned from it.
It wasn’t clear right away, but Randy Winn relishes Game Changer dad’s approach

2 weeks ago | sacbee.com | Susan Slusser

May 21-There was only one down side to having a dad who's also a coach, former San Francisco Giants outfielder Randy Winn said this week. Winn, who's now the Giants vice president of player development, played for his father, Dwight, from T-ball all the way through senior league. "I could never escape my dad!," he said with a laugh. "You go to practice when you're a kid and you want to goof off with your friends, but when the coach is your dad, you have to answer to him.
It wasn’t clear right away, but Randy Winn relishes Game Changer dad’s approach

2 weeks ago | sfchronicle.com | Susan Slusser

Randy Winn will honor his dad, Dwight, at the Game Changer Awards on Thursday. Courtesy of Randy WinnRandy Winn will honor his dad, Dwight, at the Game Changer Awards on Thursday. Courtesy Randy WinnFormer San Francisco Giant Randy Winn smiles as he listens to Rev.
Giants no-hit into 6th, fall to Royals in first loss in a Robbie Ray start

2 weeks ago | sacbee.com | Susan Slusser

May 19-Something had to give Monday at Oracle Park, with the San Francisco Giants' perfect record in Robbie Ray starts butting up against the team's rough time against opposing left-handers. And then Kansas City starter Kris Bubic - Cupertino native, alum of Archbishop Mitty High School and Stanford and a Giants fan growing up - held the first 19 hitters of the game hitless.
Giants’ Justin Verlander dealing with pec issue; David Villar DFA’d, Casey Schmitt returns

2 weeks ago | sacbee.com | Susan Slusser

May 19-Verlander is scheduled to pitch at Washington on Saturday. Sunday, his velocity was down about 3 mph and his fastball location was off, especially from the stretch. He declined to detail the issue after the start, saying only that the coaching and training staffs were aware of what was going on and did not believe he would incur further injury by pitching. "We'll just give it a day or two to calm down," Melvin said.
Giants’ Justin Verlander dealing with pec issue; David Villar DFA’d

2 weeks ago | sfchronicle.com | Susan Slusser

Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander, seen pitching against the Sacramento A’s on Sunday, said he has a pectoral issue but expects to make his next start, on Saturday at Washington. Godofredo A. Vásquez/Associated PressSan Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said that Justin Verlander was dealing with a little bit of a pectoral muscle issue during his start Sunday, but — like Verlander — he’s optimistic Verlander will make his next start.
Giants finish sweep of A’s, but Justin Verlander’s first win for S.F. remains elusive

2 weeks ago | sacbee.com | Susan Slusser

May 18-Another start and still no win for Justin Verlander with the San Francisco Giants. Sunday's game gets an asterisk, though. The 42-year-old was dealing with an undisclosed physical condition that affected his velocity - and the Giants won, too, easing the sting. The Giants completed the three-game sweep of the A's even without Wilmer Flores driving in a run.