A Giant Fan Considers the Post-Bonds Era

It was great while it lasted -- the Bonds years from 93 to 2002. 2002 was the year the Giants were just a few outs shy of winning their first SF World Series. Things fell apart quickly when Rob Nenn couldn't throw anymore. The next year they won 100 games, but fell apart in the playoffs. Then the steroids questions arose, Bonds passed Hank by, and the Giants collapsed.

This Spring there is no Barry Bonds. His era is over. The star on the field is center-fielder Aaron Rowand, their only free agent pick up. We're kind of back where we were after the 100 loss 1985 season. Not knowing what will happen. For those who forget or weren't paying attention that year, 1986 saw the emergence of a cocky first baseman named Will "the Thrill" Clark. Will homered off Nolan Ryan in his first at bat and we began wondering about Hall of Fame credentials. Robby Thompson was the other key rookie that year, a scrappy 2nd baseman who with Clark formed a fantastic left side of the infield. That year the Giants pushed past 500. The next year, 1987, the Giants, led by the aforementioned duo, along with Chili Davis and Jeffrey Leonard, made it to the playoffs and almost knocked off the Cardinals. And then, 2 years after that, though they got swept in 4, they made it to the World Series. What a turn around we long suffering Giants fans had seen.

So, as we face the future, sans Bonds, with no real "star" on the day-to-day roster, we wonder about the future. Will Dan Ortmeier break out at first base? Will Kevn Frandsen be the next Robby Thompson or Matt Williams? And what about that starting rotation that looks so good. Will Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum become the dominant starters so many hope they'll become? And then there's Barry Zito and Noah Lowery. Will they come back and shine as in earlier years? So much is up in the air. Our expectations are low. This season may be a long one, but then again the Giants haven't had a winning season since 2003.

Since the mantra of change is in the air -- in politics, in church life, and more, then perhaps, it's not a bad place to be in. Who knows, another Will Clark may be lurking out there in the Giants camp. They didn't look great in their first exhibition game, but these past few years they've done well in the exhibition season only to fall flat during the regular season.

So, here we go, off into a new era. I'm kind of excited! Besides, I'm not a Cubs fan!