San Francisco Bay Area

The Giants did not expect to start their trek to a repeat title like this.

The Giants hit a road block on Thursday's opening day at Dodger Stadium, kicking the ball around in the sixth inning.

Miguel Tejada botched a throw to second with a runner at first with one out, followed by a rare Posey throwing error with the bases loaded. Just nanoseconds before, Posey made a great save on a pitch by Lincecum in the dirt.

Everybody has their list.

They get a ton of attention and for this group, unwarranted. They're overrated.

Which stats are the best indicators of being overrated?

OPS? WAR? Should an eye test be taken?

Potential sometimes cannot be judged on stats.

Let's take a look at the 10 most overrated players in baseball.

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An injury to a starter before the season even starts is never a good sign.

However, the 2011 San Francisco Giants are one of the few teams this year that can absorb the blow.

Blessed with incredible outfield depth and player versatility, there is no reason to believe that the current personnel can't hold down the fort for the first two weeks of the season.

Oakland Athletics (2010 record: 81-81)

The Oakland Athletics finished last season with a .500 record after three consecutive losing seasons. They were able to do so thanks largely to an excellent young rotation, a good bullpen and a solid defense. Little of what they accomplished was owed to their offense—which finished 11th in the league in runs scored.

Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell—after the 2010 season, we feel like we know these guys.

We saw them hit. We watched them orchestrate a dramatic transformation of the Giants clubhouse with their veteran leadership. We know their sense of humor, and we rattle off tales of their college days together with autobiographical familiarity, as if we had tagged along for the shenanigans too.

By God, we even learned their underwear preferences over the course of the 2010 season.

I wish the season would start already. 

To give you an idea of how desperate I have been for baseball; pre-season baseball has been the highlight of my month.  I have watched countless recaps of pre-season games, and now I am aching for the regular season.

Many people believe that the season ends after the final pitch of the World Series, however I, and many other baseball fanatics alike, know that the season continues even after the World Champions are crowned.  

Barry Bonds is in trouble. With his perjury trial underway, Bonds faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, as well as the tarnishing of his legacy. As if it wasn't already.

For three years we have waited for this. The date was March 2011, and everyone in San Francisco and anyone growing up with an awareness of Bonds would remember that date. The day is finally here.

Brett Anderson had a bit of a coming-out party in 2010, though injuries didn’t allow him to fully put his talents on display. You can see by his numbers what could be possible:

Seven Wins
112.1 Innings
2.80 ERA
1.19 WHIP
75 Strikeouts (6.01 K/9)
22 Walks (1.76 BB/9)
.294 BABIP

The fifth starter competition is now officially without its original favorite.

Over the weekend manager Bob Geren declared Rich Harden officially out of the competition, stating that there was not enough time left in spring training for him to compete with other starters Brandon McCarthy, Josh Outman, Tyson Ross and Bobby Cramer.

"Yeah, there is not time for that," Geren said regarding Harden continuing to compete for the fifth starter spot.

The San Francisco Giants had a magical ride in the 2010 season to win their first World Series title since moving to San Francisco in 1958.

Team owner Bill Neukom looked splendid in his bow ties. General manager Brian Sabean made some excellent moves throughout the season to bolster the team. Manager Bruce Bochy guided the team down the stretch flawlessly, and the players performed.

2010 was indeed a magical season and will live on in my memory forever. As a lifelong Giant fan, I have now been able to cross this item off my sports fan bucket list.