Bay Area Buzz 5/14: The Melky Mystery, Wilson Hype Believable?
By Eric He
August 5, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Giants won 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
What if Melky Cabrera Hadn’t Gotten Suspended?
"Who knows what would’ve happened if Melky Cabrera hadn’t been suspended for testosterone use on Aug. 15?It’s not a question that comes up too often. The Giants won the World Series without Cabrera, after all. They subtracted the guy who was leading the majors in hits and runs, and on his way to the NL batting crown, and it almost seemed to forge the clubhouse together rather than tear it apart.Cabrera wasn’t a part of the Giants’ playoff run, even from afar. The club turned down the chance to incorporate him after the NL Division Series, when his suspension had been served. He became a pariah for the way he slinked off rather than face his teammates and apologize.– Andrew Baggarly, CSN Bay Area"
Should We Believe the Tyler Wilson Hype?
"The media praise is high for Tyler Wilson in Oakland. Yes, he had a good rookie camp. He could be a promising prospect.But here’s my advice: Let’s wait to see him in training camp and in the preseason and, just as importantly, let’s wait and see Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor in the summer as well.A lot would have to happen for Wilson to become an early starter in Oakland. It could happen, but this is just the beginning of a long process.– Bill Williamson, ESPN"
Before Injuries, Lattimore’s Feats Were Stuff of Legend
"Louisiana-based draft analyst Mike Detellier, who works for the LSU radio network, also covers high school recruiting in the South. As a result, he studied four of Lattimore’s high school game films before the Parade All-American entered college. His scouting report: Oh. My.“It was man-among-boys stuff,” Detellier said. “He just ran over people and the people he didn’t run over he outran. He was cut above and it looked like he could compete against guys at any level. He was that special of a back before the knee injuries. As a freshman, remember who he was doing it against: The SEC is the toughest conference in college football, defensively.“And he was doing this kind of as a one-man show. (Chicago Bears wide receiver) Alshon Jeffery was there, but still he was the focal point. When you played South Carolina you put eight or nine men in the box and your job was to stop Marcus Lattimore.”– Eric Branch, San Francisco Chronicle"