| | ESPN.com
Jeff Kent is no fool. He knows chicks dig the long ball.
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GIANTS LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Jeff Kent hit .290 with 101 RBI last season. |
1999: 86-76
Runs: 872, 3rd in NL
Allowed: 831, 9th in NL
Key facts
The short porch in right at the new park seems made for Barry Bonds, but he's hit more home runs on the road the past five years than at home (100 to 86) and hit for a higher average at home (.310 to .279).
Since 1950, 24 teams have moved into new ballparks in the same city; 17 have improved their record the first season at the new park.
Livan Hernandez and Randy Johnson were the only pitchers last season to have two 140-pitch games. Russ Ortiz also had one.
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: So jazzed about not having to play anymore at cold, deserted Candlestick, the Giants stay healthy, ride 50 homers from Barry Bonds and unusually good starting pitching to the West title.
Worst-case: Closer Robb Nen's and second baseman Jeff Kent's health problems continue, limiting the Giants to third place.
Prediction: 2nd in NL West
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"You tell McGwire and Sosa I'll be right on their tails," Kent said. "I've worked so hard. I'm going to go hit 71 homers, then I'm going to catch my very own ball, sell it for $5 million and retire."
The last part might be a stretch. But it will be interesting to see how many home runs Kent and his San Francisco Giants teammates can hit this season at hitter-friendly Pac Bell Park. The dimensions are tailored to left-handed sluggers like Barry Bonds, but Kent is certainly smart to use the park to his advantage.
Despite playing at dreary Candlestick Park the last three seasons, Kent has hit home runs like no second baseman since Ryne Sandberg. He hit 83 during that stretch. The total would be higher if not for annual trips to the disabled list, including an injured toe on his left foot that hobbled him last August.
Kent hopes he got his injury out of the way early this year. He missed the first month of spring training with a strained muscle in his left rib cage.
In his first game back, Kent hit a massive home run. "You just have to sit back and admire it," center fielder Marvin Benard said. "Some guys can do it. If it was me, I'd break three or four bats before I put a ball in play. He's one of those guys who can do it."
Health is always a key for Dusty Baker's Giants. They always seem to find a way to overachieve and could make noise in the West if they keep their nucleus together all season.
Kent and shortstop Rich Aurilia did a remarkable job keeping San Francisco's lineup together while Bonds was recovering from elbow surgery last season. The Giants led the West as late as July 24 before the injuries got to be too much.
Bonds, Kent, right fielder Ellis Burks and first baseman J.T. Snow played only 48 games together. Closer Robb Nen underwent elbow surgery after the season, further demonstrating the fragile nature of the Giants.
An eight-year veteran, Kent is coming off his first trip to the All-Star Game. It won't be his last if balls fly out of Pac Bell as easily as is expected.
-- Phil Rogers
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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M. Benard, CF
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Excellent corner OF. Not as good in CF. Big HR jump last year. (What else is new?)
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C
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B. Mueller, 3B
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Solid, but no thump. Russ Davis, splitting time at 3B and 1B, will hit 25 HRs
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C
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B. Bonds, LF
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Bigger/stronger than ever this spring. In one BP round, 21 homers in 24 swings
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A
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Jeff Kent, 2B
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Three straight 100-RBI seasons. Charlie Gehringer (5) only 2B with more
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A
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E. Burks, RF
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New park is 420 to right-center, meaning a lot more running on sore knees
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B
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J.T. Snow, 1B
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Best hands on team. Best scoop in game. Best defensive 1B since Mattingly
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B
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R. Aurilia, SS
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Power surge. His 80 RBI most by NL SS last year
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B
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D. Mirabelli, C
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B-minus thrower, but terrific receiver who handles pitchers well
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C
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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Russ Ortiz, SP
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Big upside, but 125 BB most by NL 18-game winner since J.R. Richard in 1978
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B
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S. Estes, SP
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One NL scout: "He threw the best game I saw all last season." Breakout year?
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C
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L. Hernandez, SP
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Weight watch? 1997: 9-3, 3.18. Since: 18-24, 4.69. Looks heavier than ever
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C
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K. Rueter, SP
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Why they didn?t deal him: higher career winning % (.642) than Greg Maddux
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C
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J. Johnstone, RP
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Holds are a dumb, nebulous, useless stat. But he led ML with 28 in 1999
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A
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Robb Nen, RP
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Bad arm in 1999; couldn't command killer downward slider.
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A
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