Rusty Priske - Future Hall of Famer

[rpriske]

After five straight Gold Gloves at SS, I now have one at 3rd!

[rpriske]

I have my second Silver Slugger!

[rpriske]

Some of our guys are going to Free Agency, as usual. Dale Murphy, Bob Walk, Gene Nelson, Tom O'Malley

The team is also not offering Brad Wellman arb.

[rpriske]

The Giants signed our first Free Agent with big league experience. A pitcher named Dave Johnson in pitched parts of '88 and '89 with the Pirates.

Not exactly a needle mover.

[rpriske]

Mr. Canady is making some moves!

We traded Roy Smith and a minor leaguers to the Angels for 3B Tim Hulett!

Word is that Tim is a nice guy, but trading one of our starting pitchers for a utility guy?

He also made a swap of one of our minor leaguers to the Cubs for relief pitcher Joe Boever. Nice pick-up.

[rpriske]

DRAFT DAY

We are picking 21st.

We'll see if we get anyone interesting...

(Seriously, I haven't heard of any of these guys...)

[rpriske]

We lost Mackey Sasser to the Rangers in the Rule 5 draft.

[rpriske]

1991

[rpriske]

Word is that we were in the running to sign Dave Stieb, but he went with the Reds.

[rpriske]

We are heading into Spring Training, after a disappointing season, without making many moves.

That isn't great.

It looks like John Burkett is joining the rotation, along with Frank Viola, Bruce Ruffin, Rick Sutcliffe and Scott Garrelts... but also, hot prospect, Al Leiter will get a look.

Joe Boever looks to be out new closer, moving Bobby Thigpen to set-up.

The big news for me is that they want me back at shortstop. I like that.

They also want me to hit 7th.

I don't like that so much.

Mark Lewis is looking to play 3rd. Other that, we are pretty much status quo.

[rpriske]

Spring Training 1991

March 4th - Giants 0, Reds 1

I went 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter.

We signed a pitcher named Heathcliff Slocumb. No ML experience but looks good.

March 5th - Braves 5, Giants 6 in 11 innings

I didn't get an official at bat but I walked twice, a run scored, a stolen base, and a caught stealing.

March 6th - Giants 5, Dodgers 4

I went 1 for 2 with a single, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

March 7th - Cardinals 2, Giants 1

I went 1 for 2 with a single, a run scored, and a stolen base.

March 8th - Giants 2, Astros 3

I went 0 for 2.

March 9th - Giants 6, Phillies 3

I went 0 for 2.

March 10th - Padres 3, Giants 2

I went 1 for 2 with a single.

March 11th - Giants 3, Mets 6

I went 0 for 2.

March 12th - Cubs 5, Giants 3

I went 0 for 1 with a walk.

March 13th - Giants 2, Pirates 3

I went 0 for 1.

March 15th - Giants 1, Expos 2 in 11 innings

I went 1 for 2 with a single and a stolen base.

March 16th - Reds 1, Giants 2

I went 0 for 2.

March 17th - Giants 1, Braves 3

I went 0 for 1 with a walk and an RBI.

March 18th - Dodgers 2, Giants 4

I went 0 for 2.

March 19th - Cardinals 3, Giants 1

I went 0 for 1 with a walk.

March 20th - Astros 6, Giants 3

I went 0 for 1 with a walk and a caught stealing.

March 21st - Phillies 0, Giants 4

I went 1 for 2 with a single, a run scored, and a stolen base.

March 22nd - Giants 2, Padres 9

I went 0 for 2 with a walk and stolen base.

Not the greatest way to celebrate my 23rd birthday.

March 23rd - Mets 3, Giants 4

I went 0 for 1 with a walk.

March 24th - Giants 7, Cubs 4

I went 0 for 1 with two walks, a run scored, and two stolen bases.

March 25th - Pirates 6, Giants 7 in 13 innings

I went 0 for 2.

March 26th - Expos 7, Giants 6

I went 0 for 1.

March 28th - Giants 1, Reds 6

I went 0 for 2.

Apparently we had been led along that Dennis Eckersley was going to come back to us, only for him to go the Red Sox. We were just there to drive the price up. Maddening.

March 29th - Braves 2, Giants 1

I went 0 for 0 with a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and two stolen bases.

March 30th - Giants 4, Dodgers 9

I went 0 for 1 with a walk.

March 31st - Cardinals 2, Giants 5

I went 0 for 1 with a walk and an RBI.

April 1st - Giants 6, Astros 14

I went 2 for 2 with two singles and a run scored.

April 2nd - Giants 2, Phillies 5

I went 2 for 4 with two singles and a stolen base.

April 3rd - Padres 4, Giants 2 in 14 innings

I went 0 for 2.

April 4th - Giants 3, Mets 2

I went 1 for 2 with a single and a stolen base.

My Spring was... not great. I hit .213.

We went 11-19.

The writers have us finishing 4th in the NL West.

They still have me a contender for NL MVP, along with Ken Griffey Jr. and Gary Sheffield in Atlanta.

[rpriske]

Opening Day Lineup for the 1991 San Francisco Giants

Rotation

Frank Viola ('89 Cy Young)
Bruce Ruffin
John Burkett (swingman last year)
Rick Sutcliffe (same)
Tom Kramer (rookie)

Bullpen

Joe Boever (Closer with the Cubs last year)
Mark Ross
Bryan Hickerson
Darry Scott (rookie)
Jeff Mutis (rookie)
Scott Service (3 major league appearances)

What happened to all our vets? See below...

Usual Lineup

2B - Robby Thompson
RF - Ruben Sierra
LF - Harold Baines
1B - Alvin Davis
3B - Mark Lewis
CF - Ryan Klesko
SS - Rusty Priske
C - Alan Cockrell

(I am not thrilled about hitting 7th, but at least I am back at ss)

Bench

C - Timothy McKercher (rookie)
IF - Craig Grebeck
IF - Tim Hulett
IF - Tim Naehring
OF - Luis Medina

Those relievers who have been part of the team for a while...

Scott Garrelts, Mark Davis, Bobby Thigpen, Mark Williamson

All placed on waivers.

I am stunned.

It looks like a rebuilding year, only a year removed from winning a World Series.

Not happy.

[rpriske]

April 9th, 1991

OPENING DAY!

We are opening on the road, down the coast in San Diego.

The Padres are pitching Bryn Smith.

The Giants have Frank Viola.

I have gone only 9 for 50, or .180, against Smith.

I am hitting 7th. Huff. At least I am back at short.

Robby Thompson started our season off right with a leadoff home run!

Giants lead 1-0.

What were the Padres doing during the offseason? I will give you a hint.

They tied it up in the bottom of the 1st when GEORGE BRETT scored on a Junior Felix single.
I took care of a Darren Daulton grounder for the 3rd out.

Game tied 1-1

I came up with one out in the 2nd and grounded out to Tom Quinlan at 3rd.

We opened it up in the 3rd. First Robby scored on a Ruben Sierra double and then Harold Baines hit a two run homer.
I flew out to centre for the 3rd out.

Giants lead 4-1

I made a good play on a Felix liner for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 3rd.

I caught an Ozzie Guillen pop for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 5th.
I then took care of a Tony Gwynn grounder for the 3rd out.

I led off the 6th by having what should have been my first hit robbed by a diving Gwynn in right.

Before the winning was up, Alan Cockrell scored on a throwing error by Gwynn.

Giants lead 5-1

I took care of an Eric Young grounder for a fielder's choice and out #2 in the bottom of the inning.

At the beginning of the 2nd, Matt brought in Luis Medina and Rob Deer as defensive subs for Ruben and Alvin Davis (with Ryan Klesko moving to 1st).

Padres pinch hitter, Pedro Munoz scored on a Gwynn single in the 7th.
Then Brett scored on a Daulton single.
Gwynn scored on a sac fly by Young.

Giants lead 5-4

I came up with one out in the 8th, now facing Mike Gardiner. I grounded one back to the pitcher.

Mark Ross took the mound for us in the bottom of the 8th.

He got through the inning and then Joe Boever came in for the 9th.
He gave up a double but I took care of a Carmelo Martinez for the final out and we opened the season with a win.

I went 0 for 4. I will get my first hit of the season tomorrow.

After the game we found out that Mark Williamson and Bobby Thigpen had cleared and were going to Phoenix. That surprised me.

Jeff Mutis, who started the season in our pen, is gone already and Bret Lachemann was added.

[rpriske]

April 10th, 1991

We are on pace for an 162-0 season. Let's keep it going.

Today the Padres are pitching Kevin Gross. The Giants have Bruce Ruffin.

I have gone 12 for 59, or .203, against Gross. I am hitting 7th.

We struck early when Robby Thompson scored on the 1st off a Mark Lewis single.

I struck out to end the inning.

Giants lead 1-0

They got it right back in the bottom of the 1st when Ozzie Guillen crossed on a Tony Gwynn single.
We turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to get Gwynn and Darren Daulton to end the inning.

Game tied 1-1

We got the lead back in the 2nd when Alan Cockrell tripled and scored on a. double play.

Giants lead 2-1

I caught an Eric Young pop for the first out in the bottom of the 2nd.

I came up in the 3rd with two out and Ryan Klesko on 1st. I grounded out to Young at 2nd.

The Pads tied it back up in the 4th when Junior Felix scored on a single by Young.

Game tied 2-2

I took care of a Guillen grounder for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 5th.

I came up with one out in the 6th and took a walk.
Alan whiffed on a hit & run and I was thrown out in a collision at 2nd. I banged up my knee pretty hard and was forced to leave the game.

We ended up losing 7-3.

It turns out that I hyperextended my knee. The doc says I should be fine in about a week.

This has been an awful start for me. I am still hitless and now I am hurt.

I am going to keep playing, though. I have to fight through it.

[rpriske]

April 11th, 1991

We are finishing up in San Diego today and I am nursing a sore knee.

The Padres are pitching Tim Belcher and the Giants have John Burkett.

I have gone 7 for 30, or .233, against Belcher.

I am hitting 7th.

I took care of a Tim Quinlan grounder for the final out int he 1st.

I came up in the 2nd with two out and Mark Lewis on 1st.
While I was at the plate, Mark was thrown out trying to steal 2nd.

In the bottom half Tony Gwynn scored on an Ozzie Guillen fielder's choice that should have been a double play but Darrell Sherman hit me hard. He even stepped on my hand, but I was able to shake it off.

1991 has been a rough one on me so far.

Padres lead 1-0

After being left at the plate when Mark was thrown out, I led off the 3rd. I drove one into centre for my first hit of the season. Finally.
I didn't have to worry about running, though, as Alan Cockrell followed me with a home run.

Giants lead 2-1

In the bottom half, Junior Felix score don a passed ball by Alan.
Eric Young hit a two run homer.

Padres lead 4-2

I came up with one out in the 5th. I grounded out to Quinlan at 3rd.

In the bottom half, Felix scored on a Quinlan fielder's choice.

With a man on and two out in the inning, Matt brought in Scott Service.
He got out of it.

Padres lead 5-2

In the 6th Ruben Sierra hit a two run homer to bring us back within one.

Padres lead 5-4

I led off the 7th by grounding out to George Brett at 1st.
But two batters later, Rob Deer hit a pinch hit, two run home run to give us the lead!

Giants lead 6-5

Rob stayed in to play right field, replacing Ruben, and Bryan Hickerson took over on the mound. Luis Medina and Ryan Klesko also came in for Harold Baines and Alvin Davis.

The Padres tied it up in the 8th when Pedro Munoz singled and Gwynn scored after an error by Luis - who was brought in for defense!

Game tied 6-6

I led off the 9th, now facing David Nied. I grounded out to Quinlan again.

Matt sent in Darryl Scott to pitch the 9th.
Hit, hit, intentional walk. Bases loaded with none out.
Darryl got the next two guys, without giving up a run. Impressive.
Then he walked Eric Young on four straight, and the game was over.

I went 1 for 4 with a single and a run scored.

Now we head to Houston.

[rpriske]

April 12th, 1991

We are in Houston for our second series of the year.

The Astros are pitching a rookie, making his debut - Mike Schwabe.

The Giants have Rick Sutcliffe.

I am hitting 7th and nursing a sore knee.

I took care of a Brian Downing fielder's choice ball for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 1st.

Jacob Brumfield scored on a Craig Biggio single.

Astros lead 1-0

We got it right back when Alvin Davis led off the 2nd with a home run.

I came up with two out and hit one into the right field corner for a double.
I was stranded.

Game tied 1-1

In the 2nd Terry Taylor scored on a Felix Jose single.
Brumfield scored on a John Olerud sac fly.

Astros lead 3-1

I came up with one out in the 5th and doubled again, this time to left.
I was left there again.

We cut the lead in the 6th when Robby Thompson crossed on a Mark Lewis sac fly.

Astros lead 3-2

In the bottom half, however, Schwabe hit a home run. That's right. The rookie pitcher.

Then Brumfield scored on a Downing single.

Matt brought in Bret Lachemann. He got the 3rd out. Luis Medina also replaced Ryan Klesko on a double switch.

Astros lead 5-2

I led off the 7th by grounding out to Clay Bellinger at short.
After that, though, Casey Candaele scored on a Taylor double.
Taylor scored on a Jose single.
Downing hit a Grand Slam.

Matt brought in Scott Service. He immediately gave up a home run to Biggio.

Astros lead 12-2

Tim Hulett replaced Robby in the 8th.

I caught a pop up by pinch hitter Brad Komminsk for the 2nd out in the bottom of the 8th.

Ugly game. We are now 1-3.

I went 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles. My average is up to .231 after a dismal start.

[rpriske]

April 13th, 1991

We need a win here to avoid losing our second straight series to start the season.

Today the Astros are pitching Randy Tomlin (0-1, 7.50).

The Giants have rookie, Tom Kramer, making his debut.

I have gone 4 for 20 against Tomlin.

I am hitting 8th. I am not happy with that. At all.

I came up with two out in the 2nd and lined one into left for a single.
I was left there.

Ruben Sierra led off the 3rd with a home run.

Giants lead 1-0

I came up in the 4th with two out and Mark Lewis on 2nd. They gave me the intentional walk.
Mark scored and I went to 2nd on a single by Tom.
I scored on a single by Ruben.

Giants lead 3-0

I came up next with one out in the 6th. I hit a deep foul ball, caught by Felix Jose in right.

The Astros got on the board in the 6th when Tomlin scored on a sac fly by John Olerud.
Then Jacob Brumfield scored on a Brian Downing single.
Tom ended up walking Casey Candaele with the bases loaded to score Jose and tie the game.
With the bases loaded and two out, Matt brought in Bret Lachemann.
He got out of it.

Game tied 3-3

We got the lead right back in the 7th when Ruben scored on an Alan Cockrell single.

Giants lead 4-3

The Astros tied it right back up int he bottom half when Tomlin scored on a Downing sac fly.
Then Jose scored on a Craig Biggio single.
Matt brought in Mark Ross with two out and men on the corners.
He stranded the runners.

Astros lead 5-4

I came up with one out in the 8th and hit one to left for a single.
I was left on.

Ryan Klesko left for a pinch hitter that inning and then Alvin Davis also left and they were replaced by Luis Medina and rookie Timothy McKercher.
Darryl Scott came in to pitch.

We turned a Thompson - Priske - McKercher double play to get Terry Taylor and pinch hitter Jerry Browne to end the 8th.

We couldn't score in the 9th and took the loss.

I went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles, a walk, and a run scored.

We have the worst record in the NL. It is awfully early, but still...

[rpriske]

April 14th, 1991

We finish up in Houston today, trying to salvage a win.

They are pitching Pete Schourek, making his season debut.

The Giants have Frank Viola (1-0, 5.14).

I have very little exposure to Shourek, going 1 for 2... with a home run.

Maybe that is why I am hitting 4th today.

I came up in the 1st with one out and Robby Thompson on 1st. I reached on an infield single.
Robby scored and I went to 3rd on an Alvin Davis double.
We were left there.

Giants lead 1-0

In the 2nd we scored again when Ryan Klasko crossed on a sac fly by Frank.

Giants lead 2-0

I took care of a fielder's choice ball by Craig Biggio for the 1st out in the bottom of the 2nd.

I came up with two out in the 3rd and grounded out to John Olerud at 1st.

I took care of a Shoureck grounder for the 1st out in the bottom half.

Felix Jose scored on an Olerud double.

Giants lead 2-1

I took care of a Terry Taylor grounder for the final out in the 4th.

I came up next with two out in the 6th. I lined a fastball into centre for a single.
I got no further.

They evened it up in the 6th when Olerud scored on a Clay Bellinger sac fly.

Game tied 2-2

With two on and none out in the 7th, Matt brought in Bryan Hickerson. (Frank walked SEVEN today.)

Bryan ended up walking Biggio with the bases loaded to give the lead to Houston.
Then Casey Candaele hit a three-run triple.
Candaele scored on a Taylor double.
Clay Bellinger scored on a Schourek sac fly.

With two out and a man on 3rd, Matt brought in Scott Service.
Taylor scored on a single by Brad Komminsk.

Astros lead 9-2

Darryl Scott took the mound for us in the 8th.

We turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to get Biggio and Candaele.
I took care of a Bellinger grounder for the 3rd out.

I led off the 9th by flying out to Komminsk in centre.

It didn't get any better.

We are 1-5.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles. My batting average is up to .350, which is good, but my sore knee has stopped me from running.

After the game, Bret Lachemann was sent all the way to Clinton. Jeff Mutis was called up.

We are heading back to San Fran for our home opener.

[rpriske]

April 15th, 1991

Home Opener time! We have had a roughs tart to the season, but what better time to turn things around?

The Dodgers are the perfect opponent to get our fans into the spirit of the season. They are pitching Mike Witt (0-1, 7.20).

The Giants have Bruce Ruffin (0-0, 3.18).

I have gone 15 for 43, or .349 against Witt. Time for a big game.
I am hitting 6th.

We were first on the board in the bottom of the 1st, when Harold Baines scored on a Tim Hulett single.
I grounded out with two men on to end the inning.

Giants lead 1-0

I took care of a Bill Spiers grounded for the 1st out in the 3rd.
I then did the same to Witt for the 3rd.

In the bottom of the 4rd, Ruben Sierra scored on an Alvin Davis double.

Giants lead 2-0

The Dodgers got on the board in the 4th when Phil Plantier crossed on a Benito Santiago single.
Kent Hrbek followed with a three-run homer.

Dodgers lead 4-2

I led off the bottom of the 4th by dumping one into left for a single.
I moved to 2nd on a fly ball by Luis Medina for the 2nd out of the inning.
I scored on a single by Alan Cockrell.

Dodgers lead 4-3

In the 5th we tied it up when Harold scored on a sac fly by Tim.

I came up with two out and Alvin on 3rd. I grounded out to Tim Wallach at 3rd.

Game tied 4-4

In the 6th we turned a Thompson - Priske - Davis double play to get Plantier and Chili Davis.

With one out in the 7th, Wallach hit a solo shot to take the lead back.

Matt brought in Jeff Mutis after that. He struck out the two next guys.

Dodgers lead 5-4

I came up with two out in the 8th and Lee Smith on the mound. I hit a one hop bullet through the left side for a single.
I was left there.

Joe Boever came in for the 9th. Ryan Klesko also replaced Luis Medina in a double switch.
I made a highlight reel play on a Marty Fariss grounder for the 3rd out behind Joe.

We weren't able to score in the bottom of the 9th, though, and we lost our 6th straight game.

I went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and a run scored.

You know those 'Weekly Power Rankings' that get posted? The Dodgers are #1. The Giants are #26. Out of 26.

The good news is that my knee is finally feeling better.

[rpriske]

April 16th, 1991

We won the first game of the season. We lost the next six.

We are looking for our first win at home and we are facing the hot Dodgers.

L.A. is pitching Ken Howell (1-0, 1.29).

The Giants are going with John Burkett (0-0, 9.64).

I have gone 9 for 29, or .310, against Howell. I am hitting 5th.

My knee is feeling good and I am ready to run.

We got on the board in the 1st when Harold Baines scored on an Alvin Davis double.
I came up with two out and Alvin on 3rd. I hit one into right for an RBI single.
That was my first RBI of the season.
It was quickly followed by my first stolen base of the season.
I scored on a Ryan Klesko double.
Ryan scored on a Tim Naehring single.

Giants lead 4-0

I came up in the 2nd with one out and the bases juiced - Ruben Sierra on 3rd, Harold on 2nd, Alvin on 1st.

I already got my first RBI and my 1st stolen base of the year. How about my first home run?

Grand Slam!

Giants lead 8-0

The Dodgers got not he board in the 4th when Phil Plantier led off with a homer.

Giants lead 8-1

I led off the bottom of the 4th, now facing Darren Holmes. I grounded out to Monty Fariss at 2nd.

I came up next with two out in the 6th. Kent Mercker was on the mound. I struck out.

I caught a Mercker liner for the final out in the top of the 7th.

Things were already going pretty well for us, and they got better in there bottom of the 7th.

Butch Davis led off with a pinch hit single.
Tim singled.
Alan Cockrell got an RBI single.
With one out, Robby Thompson loaded the bases with a single.
Ruben hit an RBI single.
Harold hit an RBI single.
With two out, I hit an RBI single.

Giants lead 13-1

Butch took over in centre, replacing Ryan. Scott Service took the mound.

In the 8th, Brian McRae scored on a Kent Hrbek groundout.

Giants lead 13-2

In the bottom half, Tim scored on a single by Ruben.

Giants lead 14-2

I handled a Benito Santiago grounder for the 1st out in the 9th.

I was named player of the game. I went 3 for 5 with a home run, two singles, SIX RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base.

My batting average is at .414. Now THAT was a day!

We got some bitter news after the game, though. Both Scott Garrelts and Mark Davis were released.

That doesn't feel good.

Scott was immediately snapped up by the Braves.