Be patient with young players — and me
I imagine there were more than a few people cursing at their TVs back in the Bay Area at the end of game Sunday against the Phillies. Velez let a grounder slip under his glove and the Phillies scored the winning run. It’s frustrating to watch from the dugout, too, but we know we have a team of very young guys who are going to make mistakes. And we know they want to win as much as any of us.
These are really, really good players and we have to have patience with them. Don’t get me wrong. It’s tough, for sure. It’s really, really hard to see a game slip away like that. But these guys are going to be great players for the Giants. They have a lot of heart and a lot of enthusiasm. They’re young and still learning how to play in the big leagues. I tell them when they make a mistake there’s no time to get down on themselves because there’s another game tomorrow. There’s not time for feeling bad. Learn from the mistake, turn the page and move on.
I promised to answer your questions in this post, so here goes.
Zman asked what my teammates and I do with our fan mail. I try to sign all the cards I get right away and send them back. I used to put them aside and promise myself to get to them later but then they piled up. So I now open the envelopes and sign — I mostly receive baseball cards. Sorry you didn’t get yours back, Zman. Try me again.
Hgravity, I’ll do my best to remember to tell Steve Holm that Steve Corey Watts said hi.
Aubrey wanted to know if it’s weird playing against my brothers. The answer is yes, it’s weird in every sense of the word. It’s weird and tough, really, really tough. On the one hand, you want him to do great, but at the same time, I play for San Francisco. I say to Yadier, “You try to get me out because I’ll be trying to get you out.” We kept it professional on the field then after the game, we’re brothers again. We’ll ask each other, now why didn’t you guys try to move the runner over? Strategy things.
I know someone asked about my equipment (but now I can’t find the question — sorry to whoever wrote it). I choose whatever equipment I like. Major League Baseball and the Giants don’t have rules on which company you can and can’t use. Right now I use Reebok equipment. The most important thing for me is making sure my legs are comfortable, my knees especially.
I was happy to have a day off Monday to refresh my legs. Looking forward to the Pittsburgh series — then back home. We love playing at AT&T in front of our own fans. The fans give us that little extra energy to pull us through — and we need it with all the tight games we’ve been in lately.
Thanks for writing — and reading. I’ll check in again soon.
Behind the Mask 
hey bengie my name is noah im a huge fan and i was wondering if ther is an email address that i can ask u for your autograph. thanks for yor time.
Hi Bengie…i can’t believe i’m writing right to you!
I’m a huge Giants italian fan since a lot of years, since in 1996 i started to follow MLB.
I’ve been in SF too in 2005 and saw Lowry pitching at the game.
I just want to let you know for what is worth, that i’ve never seen a Giants team with so much heart like this year’s one.
I think we have so many young players and talented guys.
I totally agree with you about being patient. I’m sure we’ll be rewarded in the future.
I respect you a lot as a player, i know that you play with all your heart every game, and that’s what’s important for a fan.
If you can please give me a sign in your next post that you read what i wrote. It would be really great.
Keep on the great job with this blog, i love it!
Bye from Italy!
Thanks for answering my question!
Aubrey
Hi Bengie,
I have been reading your blog entries and wanted to say it’s awesome!
It’s appreciated that you take the time to explain the various aspects of the game and what you experience.
Caroline in Pleasant Hill, CA
hey Bengie,
love reading your blog. cant wait to see you guys again against the Phillies, it will be Pedro’s first home coming since signing with the Phillies. Where you ever that close with Pedro?
I will see you guys on Saturday
Bengie,
I love watching you guys play. You guys are awsome especially the young guys who steal. Its so exciting to watch that and keep us into the games. I just love the leadership that you older guys present to these young guys. The thing that frustrates me is why bocock is trying so hard. He isn’t hitting at all, and shortstop is struggling. My frustration is with Bocock….he needs to be more patient at the plate and know that he will get 1 pitch to hit. I am a former college shortstop and I know that its hard. But he’s their because he’s good so he just needs to stay patient and wait for that 1 pitch. he will always get 1 pitch to hit. Thanks bengie and Go Giants. I love hearing about what you guys do.
Bengie it’s awesome to see you actually answering questions from fans. Thanks again for another great blog. I look forward to the new ones every day (and actually find myself a bit disappointed when there isn’t one – because you really don’t have anything else to do. Right?). I’m looking forward to catching a game at ATT and I’m hoping about all else that I might actually get close enough to say hello to you. 🙂
Kim
Bengie it’s awesome to see you actually answering questions from fans. Thanks again for another great blog. I look forward to the new ones every day (and actually find myself a bit disappointed when there isn’t one – because you really don’t have anything else to do. Right?). I’m looking forward to catching a game at ATT and I’m hoping above all else that I might actually get close enough to say hello to you. 🙂
Kim
Hi Bengie.
I have a question:
With which of the pitchers is it easier to catch? The hardest to catch?
It’s okay if you don’t answer it. I understand that you’re busy.
I have a question for you. It’s great to see that you’re blogging and answering questions from the baseball community. Thank you! (http://dodgersblog.mlblogs.com)
Do you believe in the Los Angeles Dodgers-San Francisco Giants rivalry, or is it just something played up by the fans and the media?