2026 San Francisco Giants Season Thread

Originally posted by SFGiant49ers:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
KNBR is in Arizona doing their annual broadcasts form spring training. I've never been able tomake a trip down there but I hear it's worth the time for any true baseball fan. It's also a chance for much of the country to get away from bad wether. Combined it's a way to lift your spirits.

I have never quite understood the hype of spring training. The games are meaningless as far as team standings obviously, you don't even get to see the starters play that much, and it's pretty expensive.

I lived in Surprise, AZ for 10 years and the Rangers/Royals Spring training facility was like 10 minutes from my house and I never went to a game there lol. I did go to 2 or 3 in Scottsdale, and 1 in Glendale for Giants/dodgers. That dodgers game costed just as much as a regular season game would. And it was in the 90s outside already. If I'm going to sit in direct sunlight in 90+ temps for 3 hours, it better be a better game than an overpriced preseason game.

Just my opinion though. I get why people like it, I just feel like it's overrated though.

I went as a kid and was able to go to some BBQs that the team was at. Idk how, possibly in the ticket package or something. But the years I went, I was able to hang with Kevin Fransen, Fred Lewis, Lance Niekro, etc. I remember being the only kid who recognized Merkin Valdez. I had a dual rookie card of him and Matt Cain and he took it to Cain and had him sign it for me.

And then one year Brandon Belt was my prize person to hang around. I loved it.
The games are meaningless yea, but it's cool to see it with just a few thousand people around and whatnot

Just read theat ESPN and MLB are ending their relationship after this season. It's going to be interesting to see who ends up showing the games nationally. FOX is tied in with the NFL so there could be scheduling conflicts in September.

bryce eldridge sounds like he's 48 years old on radio

Watching this new ball/strike challenge system being used in spring training is weird lol. Too bad Angel Hernandez wont be around went it gets to the regular season.

Originally posted by SFGiant49ers:
I have never quite understood the hype of spring training. The games are meaningless as far as team standings obviously, you don't even get to see the starters play that much, and it's pretty expensive.

I lived in Surprise, AZ for 10 years and the Rangers/Royals Spring training facility was like 10 minutes from my house and I never went to a game there lol. I did go to 2 or 3 in Scottsdale, and 1 in Glendale for Giants/dodgers. That dodgers game costed just as much as a regular season game would. And it was in the 90s outside already. If I'm going to sit in direct sunlight in 90+ temps for 3 hours, it better be a better game than an overpriced preseason game.

Just my opinion though. I get why people like it, I just feel like it's overrated though.

Its funny that you mention Surprise Stadium, as that is my favorite place to see a ST game. Spring Training is great, but there are tricks. The tricks are to not go to Scottsdale (I know its our own stadium, but prices are outrageous), and just go to Giants games in other team's stadiums. Especially because you lived there and had a car (I assume). I wouldnt go to the Dodgers home park either as their prices are equally outrageous. Its definitely not always 90+ either. Its 74 right now in Surprise, a perfect day for baseball.

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Originally posted by SFGiant49ers:
I have never quite understood the hype of spring training. The games are meaningless as far as team standings obviously, you don't even get to see the starters play that much, and it's pretty expensive.

I lived in Surprise, AZ for 10 years and the Rangers/Royals Spring training facility was like 10 minutes from my house and I never went to a game there lol. I did go to 2 or 3 in Scottsdale, and 1 in Glendale for Giants/dodgers. That dodgers game costed just as much as a regular season game would. And it was in the 90s outside already. If I'm going to sit in direct sunlight in 90+ temps for 3 hours, it better be a better game than an overpriced preseason game.

Just my opinion though. I get why people like it, I just feel like it's overrated though.

Its funny that you mention Surprise Stadium, as that is my favorite place to see a ST game. Spring Training is great, but there are tricks. The tricks are to not go to Scottsdale (I know its our own stadium, but prices are outrageous), and just go to Giants games in other team's stadiums. Especially because you lived there and had a car (I assume). I wouldnt go to the Dodgers home park either as their prices are equally outrageous. Its definitely not always 90+ either. Its 74 right now in Surprise, a perfect day for baseball.

Yeah, I shoulda went to at least 1 game at Surprise Stadium. I dunno I just never got excited about it enough to go. And yes I had and still have 2 trucks.

I should mention that I try to stay out of the sun as much as I can. I have had skin cancer on my face twice by the age of 34. It has caused me to not want to do things outside that I normally enjoy. So when I go to baseball games, I prefer night games. It sucks dousing myself in sunscreen and sometimes I feel like it doesn't even work 100%. Maybe it's in my head, I dunno.

Anyways, yeah I probably should have gone more than I did. I think I went to 3 total Spring training games while I was there. And it was hot for every one of them. I think it's pretty normal for it to be 90 or close to it during the month of March there during most of the games.

Originally posted by Zachary:
I went as a kid and was able to go to some BBQs that the team was at. Idk how, possibly in the ticket package or something. But the years I went, I was able to hang with Kevin Fransen, Fred Lewis, Lance Niekro, etc. I remember being the only kid who recognized Merkin Valdez. I had a dual rookie card of him and Matt Cain and he took it to Cain and had him sign it for me.

And then one year Brandon Belt was my prize person to hang around. I loved it.
The games are meaningless yea, but it's cool to see it with just a few thousand people around and whatnot

I'll admit, that is cool. That would probably be the best reason to go. Seeing the team in a more intimate setting in such a small ballpark compared to the big league parks is a cool concept.

I'm not really the type to want to try to meet players and get autographs much, but I did get a ball signed by Hunter Strickland (lol), and George Kontos after a spring training game in 2014. My ex-wife who isnt really a fan took it when I divorced her lol. Petty b*tch

Originally posted by SFGiant49ers:

Originally posted by Zachary:
I went as a kid and was able to go to some BBQs that the team was at. Idk how, possibly in the ticket package or something. But the years I went, I was able to hang with Kevin Fransen, Fred Lewis, Lance Niekro, etc. I remember being the only kid who recognized Merkin Valdez. I had a dual rookie card of him and Matt Cain and he took it to Cain and had him sign it for me.

And then one year Brandon Belt was my prize person to hang around. I loved it.
The games are meaningless yea, but it's cool to see it with just a few thousand people around and whatnot

I'll admit, that is cool. That would probably be the best reason to go. Seeing the team in a more intimate setting in such a small ballpark compared to the big league parks is a cool concept.

I'm not really the type to want to try to meet players and get autographs much, but I did get a ball signed by Hunter Strickland (lol), and George Kontos after a spring training game in 2014. My ex-wife who isnt really a fan took it when I divorced her lol. Petty b*tch

I was younger and Belt gave me his batting gloves lol it was cool. I dont care at all about autos anymore

But wow thats random and messed up lmao

Eldridge hit a bomb

Originally posted by FredFlintstone:
Eldridge hit a bomb

bUt cAn He pLaY dEfEnSe?!?

Originally posted by Rubberneck36:

Originally posted by FredFlintstone:
Eldridge hit a bomb

bUt cAn He pLaY dEfEnSe?!?

Lol

The Giants are going to start the year with Wade and Florers at first. If Wade struggles or gets hurt then we might see Eldridge sooner than later. Otherwise he will probably spend most of the year in AAA learning 1st base. He may never be as good as Belt on defense but if he can be a little above average then his bat will make up for any shortcomings in the field.

Love his swing.

Originally posted by VaBeachNiner:
Love his swing.

Bryce Eldridge hit a 450-foot homer to center in his first spring training game 👀 pic.twitter.com/y3l2B6SlHI

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 22, 2025

No question about his power. It will probaly get even better when he gets his man strength. I heard that scouts rate his power at 70 with the potential to go as high as 80 which is almost unheard of.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
The Giants are going to start the year with Wade and Florers at first. If Wade struggles or gets hurt then we might see Eldridge sooner than later. Otherwise he will probably spend most of the year in AAA learning 1st base. He may never be as good as Belt on defense but if he can be a little above average then his bat will make up for any shortcomings in the field.

I can't remember where I read it, but I heard that Wade may get some time in RF?