Brian Sabean
Encyclopedia
Brian R. Sabean is the Senior Vice President and General Manager
of the San Francisco Giants
, a Major League Baseball
franchise. He has held the job since 1997, when he replaced former General Manager Bob Quinn
. Though some of Sabean's moves have been strongly criticized by Giants fans and the media, the team has had a winning record eight of the twelve seasons he has been General Manager. Prior to his tenure, the team had suffered losing seasons in five out of six years. He is a native of Concord, New Hampshire
.
Sabean's 13 years as the Giants' general manager is the longest run by a general manager in the club's history, surpassing Spec Richardson (seven seasons, 1975–81), Al Rosen
(seven seasons, 1986–92) and Tom Haller
(five seasons, 1981–85). Sabean has the longest tenure with the same club among active general managers. During his tenure, the Giants have won one World Series (2010), two National League pennants (2002 and 2010), four National League West Division flags (1997, 2000, 2003, and 2010), a National League Wild Card (2002) and forced a National League Wild Card tie-breaker game with Chicago in 1998. On two other occasions, the club was eliminated from post season contention on the last day of the season. He has guided the club to five post season berths - the club's most in an 11-season span since 1915–25. As of July 13, 2007, Sabean owns the ninth-highest winning percentage (.544, 927–777) among all general managers since 1950.
and Eckerd College
(of St. Petersburg, Florida
), playing with former major leaguer Joe Lefebvre
on both school's baseball teams. Prior to starting his scouting career, Sabean coached the University of Tampa
(D-II) to the NCAA Regional Tournament. He held the job of head coach with UT from 1983 to 1984 - following serving as assistant coach from 1980–1982. Sabean began his involvement in Major League Baseball as a scout
, and previously worked in the New York Yankees
organization. With the Yankees, he drafted or signed as amateurs the likes of Derek Jeter
, Mariano Rivera
, J.T. Snow, Jorge Posada
and Andy Pettitte
. Prior to his appointment to GM in 1996, Sabean served one season as the Giants' senior vice president, player personnel in 1995 after a three-year stint as an assistant to the general manager and vice president of scouting/player personnel.
for Jose Vizcaino
, Joe Roa
, Julián Tavárez
and Jeff Kent
. Brian Sabean was highly ridiculed in San Francisco at the time of the trade, so much so that Sabean had to defend himself in the media, famously declaring "I am not an idiot." Kent would then go on to win an MVP award and be one of the most offensively productive second basemen of all time.
, Robb Nen
, Kenny Lofton
, Andrés Galarraga
, Ellis Burks
, Joe Carter
, Roberto Hernández, Wilson Alvarez
, and Jose Mesa
.
After the Giants narrowly lost the 2002 World Series
, Sabean was forced to dramatically retool. The Giants lost several key players, including Jeff Kent, Reggie Sanders
, Jay Witasick
, David Bell
, and Aaron Fultz
to free agency. Sabean signed veterans Jose Cruz Jr., Neifi Perez
, Edgardo Alfonzo
, and Ray Durham
to replace some of the free agents the Giants lost. He also traded away fan favorite Russ Ortiz
(to the Braves for Damian Moss
) and Liván Hernández
, the losing pitcher of Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. Sabean hired Felipe Alou to replace fan favorite Dusty Baker
who became the manager of the Chicago Cubs
. Despite these major roster moves, the Giants won 100 games in 2003. Sabean was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News in , the first time a member of the Giants organization had received that award since Al Rosen
in 1987.
The trade of Moss and Kurt Ainsworth
for Sidney Ponson
, which Sabean arranged late in the 2003 season, was criticized by some Giants fans and columnists. Ponson returned to the Orioles after only a few months on the Giants. He was 3-6 with the Giants and posted a 3.71 E.R.A. in the regular season. He went 5 innings and yielded 4 earned runs in his one postseason start, in game 2 of the division series against the Florida Marlins
.
Prior to the season, Sabean faced some criticism for his offseason moves, especially for not signing a closer to replace the injured Robb Nen
and the departing Tim Worrell
, and for not signing a power hitter to protect Barry Bonds
in the lineup. At least one sports writer, John Shea, and numerous callers on Giants talk radio believed the Giants needed to sign Vladimir Guerrero
in 2003 to remain at the top of their division.
Still, the 1997–2004 stretch was still a very successful time in Giants history with eight straight winning seasons. That time period overlapped with the Giants moving into Pacific Bell Park in downtown San Francisco. The business strategy for Giants in this time was that winning was good for business. Because Pacific Bell Park was privately financed, the Giants were dependent on high attendance rates to pay their mortgage. During this eight year stretch, Sabean delivered on that strategy.
but some of the veterans Sabean was acquiring began to achieve below expectations. Edgardo Alfonzo did not put up the same offensive numbers as he did when he was with the New York Mets
. Second baseman Ray Durham
spent more time on the disabled list
than he had previously in his career. In 2004, the Giants had not developed a homegrown position player since 2000.
Sabean defended himself in a press conference, dismissing his critics as a "lunatic fringe". Some fans, took up "lunatic fringe" as a rallying cry, printing up t-shirts with the phrase and wearing them to the ballpark. Although the Giants missed the playoffs by only a few games in 2004, some of the critics' concerns were borne out. Matt Herges
struggled in the closer role, and without protection, Barry Bonds set single-season records with 232 walks
and 120 intentional walks. Following the season, Sabean attempted to address both of these problems, signing Armando Benitez
as the team's new closer and Moisés Alou
to protect Bonds. However, both players spent significant time on the Disabled List, and the 2005 was the first losing season of Sabean's tenure.
Sabean has also drawn criticism for fielding old teams. The Hardball Times
measured the average age of all Major League Baseball teams relative to how much each player contributed to his team. That is, a 39-year-old bench player had significantly less weight on the team's average age than did an everyday player. The contribution of each player was measured by win shares
, so the average age has been termed "Win Share Age." In 2004, the Giants had the second-highest Win Share Age at 33.0, and it has consistently placed in the top five over the past several seasons, usually only rivaled by other veteran-laden teams such as the New York Yankees
and Boston Red Sox
. In addition to Barry Bonds, Sabean has contracted the services of aging veterans such as Reggie Sanders
, Marquis Grissom
, Michael Tucker, Omar Vizquel
, Moisés Alou, Mike Matheny
, Steve Finley
(via trade), Randy Winn
, J.T. Snow, Matt Morris, Armando Benítez
, and Tim Worrell
during his tenure. One Hardball Times writer predicted that the Giants' old players would stop producing in the future. In summer 2006, Giants manager Felipe Alou criticized Sabean's strategy of signing older players when he told the media that "I don't believe one manager enjoys having players die in their hands" in reference to several older players that were designated for assignment.
Sabean has been unwilling to invest in high draft picks. In prior years, Sabean signing of veteran players before the arbitration deadline cost the team several draft picks. In 2004, Sabean forfeited the team's number one pick to sign Michael Tucker. In 2005, the Collective Bargaining Agreement prevented the team from losing any further draft picks in 2006.
Sabean has claimed that the large signing bonuses and unproven quality of draft picks has led to him not focusing on the draft. Sabean was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as saying, "Quite frankly, we're very reluctant to overspend in the draft. We're cautious in that regard because it's so fallible. Our focus is spending as much as we can and being as wise as we can at the major-league level and using the minor leagues as a supplement and not necessarily leaning on it totally. Teams that are allowed to have a three-to- five-year plan and allowed to lose or explain to their fans they're in a rebuilding mode have a greater latitude than we do. We always have to be in a reloading mode".
In 2004, the Giants ranked 22nd in baseball on money spent in the draft and internationally between 2000 and 2004. San Francisco did draft and sign first-round pitcher Tim Lincecum
in the 2006 draft. Among early draft picks the Giants have used in Sabean's tenure, the majority have been on pitching talent (also see: Jesse Foppert
, Kurt Ainsworth
, Jerome Williams
, Matt Cain
, and Noah Lowry
).
As time went on, one of Sabean's trades began to be seen more negatively. Sabean's trade of Francisco Liriano
, Boof Bonser
, and Joe Nathan
for A.J. Pierzynski at the end of the 2003 season has drawn some criticism. Pierzynski remained on the Giants for one year, while Nathan developed into one of baseball's premier closers. Liriano became an All-Star
in 2006, his rookie season, though he suffered injury later that year and would not be a productive starter until 2010. Bonser began his major-league career by ascending to a solid back-rotation starter in 2006, but lost productivity in 2007 with a 5.10 ERA, missed significant time to injury in 2008, and didn't play in 2009.
Following losing seasons in and and his signing of Barry Zito
to a controversial record setting contract, many fans and media commentators speculated that Sabean's job could be in jeopardy if the team did not improve in . Team owner Peter Magowan declared before the start of 2007 season that all Giants employees were on the “hot seat”. However, the Giants rewarded Sabean with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season following the All-Star break despite the Giants being in last place in the National League West
. In previous years, Sabean had been under some pressure to put a team that could "win now" around Barry Bonds instead of rebuilding. Consequently, some critics have blamed Giants ownership and Peter Magowan
for the Giants' losing seasons instead of Sabean
, as well as Sabean's trade of starting catcher and fan favorite Bengie Molina
to the Texas Rangers
in May to open up the catchers spot for rookie Buster Posey
, paid off as the Giants won the National League West for the first time since 2003 with a 92-70 record. Despite being heavy underdogs in the NLCS and World Series, the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves
in four games in the National League Division Series, and the two time defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies
in six games in the National League Championship Series. They then defeated the Texas Rangers
in five games in the World Series for the team's first title in San Francisco, and the first title for the organization since 1954.
when it was revealed Giants trainer Stan Conte came to Sabean and told him he suspected Bonds trainer Greg Anderson
was distributing steroids and Giants management didn't investigate or tell Major League Baseball
. Conte had been approached by a player. In the January 2007 Congressional hearings on performance enhancing drugs, Congressman Henry Waxman
asked Commissioner Bud Selig
to discipline Sabean and Magowan for their culpability. Some sports insiders argued that Magowan and Sabean actions on steroids was not any different from other clubs at the time.
after Cousins' collision with Giants catcher Buster Posey
, which resulted in season-ending injuries for Posey.
General manager (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, the general manager of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the ballclub during contract discussions with players....
of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
franchise. He has held the job since 1997, when he replaced former General Manager Bob Quinn
Bob Quinn (baseball grandson)
Bob Quinn is a former Major League Baseball general manager. He served as general manager of the Cincinnati Reds from to and of the San Francisco Giants from to . He had previously served as general manager of the New York Yankees. His grandfather, also named Bob Quinn, was also a baseball...
. Though some of Sabean's moves have been strongly criticized by Giants fans and the media, the team has had a winning record eight of the twelve seasons he has been General Manager. Prior to his tenure, the team had suffered losing seasons in five out of six years. He is a native of Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
.
Sabean's 13 years as the Giants' general manager is the longest run by a general manager in the club's history, surpassing Spec Richardson (seven seasons, 1975–81), Al Rosen
Al Rosen
Albert Leonard Rosen , nicknamed "Al", "Flip", and the "Hebrew Hammer", is a former American professional baseball player who was a third baseman and right-handed slugger in the Major Leagues for ten seasons in tthe 1940s and 1950s.He played his entire 10-year career with the Cleveland Indians in...
(seven seasons, 1986–92) and Tom Haller
Tom Haller
Thomas Frank Haller was an American professional baseball player and baseball executive. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers...
(five seasons, 1981–85). Sabean has the longest tenure with the same club among active general managers. During his tenure, the Giants have won one World Series (2010), two National League pennants (2002 and 2010), four National League West Division flags (1997, 2000, 2003, and 2010), a National League Wild Card (2002) and forced a National League Wild Card tie-breaker game with Chicago in 1998. On two other occasions, the club was eliminated from post season contention on the last day of the season. He has guided the club to five post season berths - the club's most in an 11-season span since 1915–25. As of July 13, 2007, Sabean owns the ninth-highest winning percentage (.544, 927–777) among all general managers since 1950.
Baseball background
Sabean attended Concord High SchoolConcord High School (New Hampshire)
Concord High School is a high school in Concord, New Hampshire in the United States.- History :Concord's first public high school was established in 1846. The original building was the building on the corner of State and School Streets. A new school house was built in 1862, which stood until April...
and Eckerd College
Eckerd College
Eckerd College is a private 4-year coeducational liberal arts college at the southernmost tip of St. Petersburg, Florida, in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.- Campus :...
(of St. Petersburg, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
), playing with former major leaguer Joe Lefebvre
Joe Lefebvre
Joseph Henry Lefebvre is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies , primarily as an outfielder...
on both school's baseball teams. Prior to starting his scouting career, Sabean coached the University of Tampa
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
(D-II) to the NCAA Regional Tournament. He held the job of head coach with UT from 1983 to 1984 - following serving as assistant coach from 1980–1982. Sabean began his involvement in Major League Baseball as a scout
Scout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
, and previously worked in the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
organization. With the Yankees, he drafted or signed as amateurs the likes of Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
, Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
, J.T. Snow, Jorge Posada
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He served as the Yankees primary catcher for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter for...
and Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
. Prior to his appointment to GM in 1996, Sabean served one season as the Giants' senior vice president, player personnel in 1995 after a three-year stint as an assistant to the general manager and vice president of scouting/player personnel.
The 1997 Turnaround
When Sabean replaced Quinn in 1996, the team was in disarray. The Giants lost 94 games in a dismal season. Sabean is often credited for the team's turn around. Sabean made a very controversial trade at the time, trading fan favorite Matt Williams to the IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Jose Vizcaino
José Vizcaíno
José Luis Vizcaíno Pimental is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a backup infielder for most of his MLB career. In , he played a significant role with the Chicago Cubs, having 551 at-bats and being 9th in the National League with 131 singles as well as second in the NL with 9 sacrifice...
, Joe Roa
Joe Roa
Joseph Rodger Roa , nicknamed "The Roa Constrictor", is former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Roa is a graduate of Hazel Park High School and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 18th round of the 1989 amateur draft...
, Julián Tavárez
Julián Tavárez
Julián Tavárez Carmen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Minor leagues :...
and Jeff Kent
Jeff Kent
Jeffrey Franklin Kent is a retired Major League Baseball second baseman. Kent won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 with the San Francisco Giants, and is the all-time leader in home runs among second basemen...
. Brian Sabean was highly ridiculed in San Francisco at the time of the trade, so much so that Sabean had to defend himself in the media, famously declaring "I am not an idiot." Kent would then go on to win an MVP award and be one of the most offensively productive second basemen of all time.
Winning Seasons: 1997–2004
This eight year stretch was one of the more successful in Giants franchise history. Sabean seemed to be the perfect puller of the personnel lever. During these years, Sabean's strategy of trading away young prospects for veteran position players while developing the organization's pitching talent, was working. Sabean traded away many prospects that never materialized into major leaguers for top major leaguers for a late season push to the playoffs. These trades have included All-Stars Jeff Kent, Jason SchmidtJason Schmidt
Jason David Schmidt , is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher.Schmidt was born in Lewiston, Idaho. In his career he has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves , by whom he had been drafted in the eighth round, 206th overall, of...
, Robb Nen
Robb Nen
Robert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best...
, Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
, Andrés Galarraga
Andrés Galarraga
Andrés José Padovani Galarraga is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Colorado Rockies , Atlanta Braves , Texas Rangers , San Francisco Giants and Anaheim Angels...
, Ellis Burks
Ellis Burks
Ellis Rena Burks is a former outfielder and designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
, Joe Carter
Joe Carter
Joseph Christopher Carter is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from to . Carter is most famous for hitting a walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series for the Toronto Blue Jays....
, Roberto Hernández, Wilson Alvarez
Wilson Alvarez
Wilson Eduardo Álvarez Fuenmayor is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
, and Jose Mesa
José Mesa
José Ramón Nova Mesa [MAY-sah] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. His nickname was "Joe Table," the literal translation of his name in the English language....
.
After the Giants narrowly lost the 2002 World Series
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
, Sabean was forced to dramatically retool. The Giants lost several key players, including Jeff Kent, Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
, Jay Witasick
Jay Witasick
Gerald Alphonse "Jay" Witasick, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut on July 7, as a member of the A's versus the California Angels...
, David Bell
David Bell (baseball)
David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
, and Aaron Fultz
Aaron Fultz
Richard Aaron Fultz is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher.Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 6th round of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft, Fultz spent the first three seasons of his Major League career with them , compiling a 10-5 record in 167 games played...
to free agency. Sabean signed veterans Jose Cruz Jr., Neifi Perez
Neifi Pérez
Neifi Neftali Pérez is a Major League baseball player who most recently played for the Detroit Tigers. He played with the Colorado Rockies , Kansas City Royals , San Francisco Giants , and the Chicago Cubs...
, Edgardo Alfonzo
Edgardo Alfonzo
Edgardo Antonio Alfonzo a.k.a. "Fonzie" is a former Major League Baseball infielder who most recently played for the Yomiuri Giants. He bats and throws right-handed, and is tall and weighs...
, and Ray Durham
Ray Durham
Ray Durham , nicknamed The Sugarman, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.A two-time All-Star, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power...
to replace some of the free agents the Giants lost. He also traded away fan favorite Russ Ortiz
Russ Ortiz
Russell Reid Ortiz is a retired Major League baseball pitcher. Ortiz played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers...
(to the Braves for Damian Moss
Damian Moss
Damian Joseph Moss is a retired Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.-Career:After making his major league debut on April 26, , with the Atlanta Braves, Moss would also spend the season in Atlanta, where he placed fifth in the National League Rookie of the Year award...
) and Liván Hernández
Liván Hernández
Eisler Liván Hernández Carrera is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher. He is the half-brother of pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernández.-Playing career:...
, the losing pitcher of Game 7 of the 2002 World Series. Sabean hired Felipe Alou to replace fan favorite Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
who became the manager of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Despite these major roster moves, the Giants won 100 games in 2003. Sabean was named Executive of the Year by the Sporting News in , the first time a member of the Giants organization had received that award since Al Rosen
Al Rosen
Albert Leonard Rosen , nicknamed "Al", "Flip", and the "Hebrew Hammer", is a former American professional baseball player who was a third baseman and right-handed slugger in the Major Leagues for ten seasons in tthe 1940s and 1950s.He played his entire 10-year career with the Cleveland Indians in...
in 1987.
The trade of Moss and Kurt Ainsworth
Kurt Ainsworth
Kurt Harold Ainsworth is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles and went to Louisiana State University...
for Sidney Ponson
Sidney Ponson
Sidney Alton Ponson is a Major League pitcher who is currently a free agent. According to the Atlantic League website Ponson was placed on the "Retired" list as of June 18, 2010. Ponson stands at 6'1" tall and weighs 260 pounds. He throws right-handed...
, which Sabean arranged late in the 2003 season, was criticized by some Giants fans and columnists. Ponson returned to the Orioles after only a few months on the Giants. He was 3-6 with the Giants and posted a 3.71 E.R.A. in the regular season. He went 5 innings and yielded 4 earned runs in his one postseason start, in game 2 of the division series against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
Prior to the season, Sabean faced some criticism for his offseason moves, especially for not signing a closer to replace the injured Robb Nen
Robb Nen
Robert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best...
and the departing Tim Worrell
Tim Worrell
Timothy Howard Worrell is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. During his fourteen-year Major League career, Worrell has pitched for nine teams, including the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, San...
, and for not signing a power hitter to protect Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
in the lineup. At least one sports writer, John Shea, and numerous callers on Giants talk radio believed the Giants needed to sign Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a free agent Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter.In , he was voted the American League MVP...
in 2003 to remain at the top of their division.
Still, the 1997–2004 stretch was still a very successful time in Giants history with eight straight winning seasons. That time period overlapped with the Giants moving into Pacific Bell Park in downtown San Francisco. The business strategy for Giants in this time was that winning was good for business. Because Pacific Bell Park was privately financed, the Giants were dependent on high attendance rates to pay their mortgage. During this eight year stretch, Sabean delivered on that strategy.
Losing Seasons: End of 2004–2008
The Giants narrowly missed the playoffs in 2004. Many fans began to criticize Sabean for his player personnel moves. Sabean continued to build a team of veterans around Barry BondsBarry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
but some of the veterans Sabean was acquiring began to achieve below expectations. Edgardo Alfonzo did not put up the same offensive numbers as he did when he was with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. Second baseman Ray Durham
Ray Durham
Ray Durham , nicknamed The Sugarman, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.A two-time All-Star, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power...
spent more time on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
than he had previously in his career. In 2004, the Giants had not developed a homegrown position player since 2000.
Sabean defended himself in a press conference, dismissing his critics as a "lunatic fringe". Some fans, took up "lunatic fringe" as a rallying cry, printing up t-shirts with the phrase and wearing them to the ballpark. Although the Giants missed the playoffs by only a few games in 2004, some of the critics' concerns were borne out. Matt Herges
Matt Herges
Matthew Tyler Herges is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher.Herges is an alumnus of Illinois State University and is the brother-in-law of former Major League Baseball player Todd Hollandsworth....
struggled in the closer role, and without protection, Barry Bonds set single-season records with 232 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
and 120 intentional walks. Following the season, Sabean attempted to address both of these problems, signing Armando Benitez
Armando Benítez
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
as the team's new closer and Moisés Alou
Moisés Alou
Moisés Rojas Alou |Spanish:]] ; born July 3, 1966 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a former American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 17 seasons in the National League. In 1,942 career games, Alou had a batting average of .303 with 2,134 hits, 421 doubles, 332 home runs, and 1,287 runs...
to protect Bonds. However, both players spent significant time on the Disabled List, and the 2005 was the first losing season of Sabean's tenure.
Sabean has also drawn criticism for fielding old teams. The Hardball Times
The Hardball Times
is a website which publishes news, original comments and statistical analysis of baseball each week Monday through Friday, in addition to the Hardball Times Annual book which features essays by leading sabermetric personalities. The website features the slogan "Baseball. Insight...
measured the average age of all Major League Baseball teams relative to how much each player contributed to his team. That is, a 39-year-old bench player had significantly less weight on the team's average age than did an everyday player. The contribution of each player was measured by win shares
Win Shares
Win shares is the name of the metric Bill James describes in his 2002 book Win Shares.It considers statistics for baseball and basketball players, in the context of their team and in a sabermetric way, and assigns a single number to each player for his contributions for the year. A win share...
, so the average age has been termed "Win Share Age." In 2004, the Giants had the second-highest Win Share Age at 33.0, and it has consistently placed in the top five over the past several seasons, usually only rivaled by other veteran-laden teams such as the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. In addition to Barry Bonds, Sabean has contracted the services of aging veterans such as Reggie Sanders
Reggie Sanders
Reginald Laverne Sanders is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed. Sanders was 24 years old when he made his major league debut on August 22, , after being selected in the 7th round of the amateur draft by the Cincinnati Reds...
, Marquis Grissom
Marquis Grissom
Marquis Deon Grissom is a former Major League Baseball player. He excelled in baseball at Lakeshore High School, under the tutelage of baseball coach Mike Juenger. He currently resides in College Park, Georgia...
, Michael Tucker, Omar Vizquel
Omar Vizquel
Omar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
, Moisés Alou, Mike Matheny
Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny is the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. He is also a former baseball catcher, playing for four different teams during his thirteen years in the major leagues...
, Steve Finley
Steve Finley
Steven Allen Finley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:Finley, who grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, attended Paducah Tilghman High School and Southern Illinois University, where he earned a degree in physiology and played for the baseball team from 1984–87.-College, Team USA,...
(via trade), Randy Winn
Randy Winn
Dwight Randolph Winn is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder. Winn was a switch hitter, and threw right-handed. He played college baseball at Santa Clara University and made his Major League debut in 1998 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
, J.T. Snow, Matt Morris, Armando Benítez
Armando Benítez
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
, and Tim Worrell
Tim Worrell
Timothy Howard Worrell is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. During his fourteen-year Major League career, Worrell has pitched for nine teams, including the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, San...
during his tenure. One Hardball Times writer predicted that the Giants' old players would stop producing in the future. In summer 2006, Giants manager Felipe Alou criticized Sabean's strategy of signing older players when he told the media that "I don't believe one manager enjoys having players die in their hands" in reference to several older players that were designated for assignment.
Sabean has been unwilling to invest in high draft picks. In prior years, Sabean signing of veteran players before the arbitration deadline cost the team several draft picks. In 2004, Sabean forfeited the team's number one pick to sign Michael Tucker. In 2005, the Collective Bargaining Agreement prevented the team from losing any further draft picks in 2006.
Sabean has claimed that the large signing bonuses and unproven quality of draft picks has led to him not focusing on the draft. Sabean was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as saying, "Quite frankly, we're very reluctant to overspend in the draft. We're cautious in that regard because it's so fallible. Our focus is spending as much as we can and being as wise as we can at the major-league level and using the minor leagues as a supplement and not necessarily leaning on it totally. Teams that are allowed to have a three-to- five-year plan and allowed to lose or explain to their fans they're in a rebuilding mode have a greater latitude than we do. We always have to be in a reloading mode".
In 2004, the Giants ranked 22nd in baseball on money spent in the draft and internationally between 2000 and 2004. San Francisco did draft and sign first-round pitcher Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum
Timothy Leroy Lincecum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "The Freak" and "Big Time Timmy Jim" and "The Franchise." He throws right-handed and bats left-handed....
in the 2006 draft. Among early draft picks the Giants have used in Sabean's tenure, the majority have been on pitching talent (also see: Jesse Foppert
Jesse Foppert
Jesse William Foppert is a Major League Baseball pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization.-High school and college:...
, Kurt Ainsworth
Kurt Ainsworth
Kurt Harold Ainsworth is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles and went to Louisiana State University...
, Jerome Williams
Jerome Williams (baseball)
Jerome Lee Williams is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball...
, Matt Cain
Matt Cain
Matthew Thomas Cain is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants...
, and Noah Lowry
Noah Lowry
Noah Ryan Lowry is a free agent left-handed starting pitcher formerly of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-College and the MLB Draft:...
).
As time went on, one of Sabean's trades began to be seen more negatively. Sabean's trade of Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano
Francisco Liriano y Casillas is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-Professional career:...
, Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser
Boof Bonser is a professional American baseball player. He is currently a pitcher in the New York Mets organization of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
, and Joe Nathan
Joe Nathan
Joseph Michael Nathan is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball . Nathan started out his baseball career as a shortstop in high school but converted to a pitcher after being drafted by the San Francisco Giants...
for A.J. Pierzynski at the end of the 2003 season has drawn some criticism. Pierzynski remained on the Giants for one year, while Nathan developed into one of baseball's premier closers. Liriano became an All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
in 2006, his rookie season, though he suffered injury later that year and would not be a productive starter until 2010. Bonser began his major-league career by ascending to a solid back-rotation starter in 2006, but lost productivity in 2007 with a 5.10 ERA, missed significant time to injury in 2008, and didn't play in 2009.
Following losing seasons in and and his signing of Barry Zito
Barry Zito
Barry Zito is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. He previously played seven seasons with the Oakland Athletics, where he won the 2002 American League Cy Young Award and made three All-Star teams....
to a controversial record setting contract, many fans and media commentators speculated that Sabean's job could be in jeopardy if the team did not improve in . Team owner Peter Magowan declared before the start of 2007 season that all Giants employees were on the “hot seat”. However, the Giants rewarded Sabean with a two-year contract extension through the 2009 season following the All-Star break despite the Giants being in last place in the National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
. In previous years, Sabean had been under some pressure to put a team that could "win now" around Barry Bonds instead of rebuilding. Consequently, some critics have blamed Giants ownership and Peter Magowan
Peter Magowan
Peter A. Magowan is the former managing general partner of the San Francisco Giants Major League Baseball franchise.-Early life and career:...
for the Giants' losing seasons instead of Sabean
2010 World Series Championship Season
In 2010, several key trades and free agent signings by Sabean such as Aubrey HuffAubrey Huff
Aubrey Lewis Huff III is a Major League Baseball first baseman with the San Francisco Giants. He debuted in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and later played for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. He is the starting first baseman for the San Francisco Giants who won the...
, as well as Sabean's trade of starting catcher and fan favorite Bengie Molina
Bengie Molina
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in May to open up the catchers spot for rookie Buster Posey
Buster Posey
Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III is a catcher for the San Francisco Giants. He was drafted by the Giants fifth overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft....
, paid off as the Giants won the National League West for the first time since 2003 with a 92-70 record. Despite being heavy underdogs in the NLCS and World Series, the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in four games in the National League Division Series, and the two time defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in six games in the National League Championship Series. They then defeated the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in five games in the World Series for the team's first title in San Francisco, and the first title for the organization since 1954.
Mitchell Report
In late 2007 and early 2008, Sabean and Giants owner Peter Magowan drew some criticism in the Mitchell ReportMitchell Report (baseball)
The Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball, informally known as the "Mitchell Report", is the result of former Democratic United States Senator from Maine...
when it was revealed Giants trainer Stan Conte came to Sabean and told him he suspected Bonds trainer Greg Anderson
Greg Anderson (trainer)
Greg F. Anderson is a former personal trainer, best known for his work with Barry Bonds, and links with BALCO.-Early life:...
was distributing steroids and Giants management didn't investigate or tell Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Conte had been approached by a player. In the January 2007 Congressional hearings on performance enhancing drugs, Congressman Henry Waxman
Henry Waxman
Henry Arnold Waxman is the U.S. Representative for , serving in Congress since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is considered to be one of the most influential liberal members of Congress...
asked Commissioner Bud Selig
Bud Selig
Allan Huber "Bud" Selig is the ninth and current Commissioner of Major League Baseball, having served in that capacity since 1992 as the acting commissioner, and as the official commissioner since 1998...
to discipline Sabean and Magowan for their culpability. Some sports insiders argued that Magowan and Sabean actions on steroids was not any different from other clubs at the time.
Controversy
In June 2011, Sabean was the subject of controversy over comments he made regarding Scott CousinsScott Cousins
Scott Michael Cousins is an outfielder for the Miami Marlins organization.-Amateur career:Cousins, 6'1 197 lbs, attended North Valleys High School in Reno, Nevada where he was a stand out in both baseball and basketball.As a sophomore at the University of San Francisco in 2005, Cousins...
after Cousins' collision with Giants catcher Buster Posey
Buster Posey
Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III is a catcher for the San Francisco Giants. He was drafted by the Giants fifth overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft....
, which resulted in season-ending injuries for Posey.
Sources
- Five general managers on the firing line
- 1: Giants, Sabean agree on two-year extension with option for 2010
- http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070713&content_id=2084418&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf
- http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=2003&t=SFN
- Sourcing that the Giants must win now to pay for ballpark. Team spending in article is much higher than in the club's pre-Pacific Bell Park years.