Back in the year 2000, them San Francisco Giants sure had a mighty fine baseball team. They finished up the season with a real strong record of 97 wins and 65 losses, and they ended up top of the National League West division. But, they did run into a little trouble when they faced the New York Mets in the playoffs, and didn’t make it past the National League Division Series (NLDS). Still, it was a good season, and folks remember it well.
The team had a mix of big hitters and solid pitchers, with some folks really standin’ out, like Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent, and Livan Hernandez. Let me tell ya, these players knew how to get the job done. Bonds, he was known for knockin’ them home runs like nobody’s business. Kent, he could hit and field with the best of ’em. And Hernandez, well, he did a mighty fine job on the mound. All in all, the Giants had themselves a real strong squad in 2000.
Let’s start with the pitchers. The rotation had some good ol’ boys who worked real hard for the team. You had starters like Shawn Estes, Mark Gardner, and Livan Hernandez. These fellas were the ones you could count on when it came to keepin’ the other team from rackin’ up runs. Then you had Joe Nathan and Russ Ortiz, who were also in that starting mix. On the bullpen side, you had folks like Alan Embree, Aaron Fultz, and Doug Henry helpin’ to close out them games when the pressure was on. And don’t forget about Robb Nen, who was the closer—he sure knew how to finish things off when it counted.
The Giants’ batting lineup in 2000 was somethin’ else too. With players like Barry Bonds, who could hit ’em out of the park like nobody else, the Giants had a real good chance at puttin’ runs on the board. Jeff Kent, he was another key player. He could hit, he could field, and he brought a lot of leadership to the team. The team had good hitters all the way through the lineup, which helped ’em win games during the regular season. But in the playoffs, they just couldn’t get past the Mets, and that was a bit of a heartbreaker.
The Giants played their home games at what’s called PacBell Park in them days—now they call it Oracle Park—but it was a good place for folks to come watch the game. Attendance was solid, with a lot of fans packin’ in to see them boys play. The park was also a good place for the team, givin’ them a little boost. The weather was nice, and the fans were behind the team all season long. It made for a good atmosphere, and the Giants were happy to play there.
Now, the record wasn’t just the players doin’ all the work. There was also the manager, who had his hand on the reins. Dusty Baker was the manager of the 2000 Giants, and he had them boys playin’ some good ball. He knew how to work with the players and get the best out of ’em. That’s a big part of what made the 2000 season so special.
Of course, the team didn’t win it all, but there were plenty of bright spots that season. Folks still talk about those days when the Giants were at the top of the NL West. It wasn’t the year they went all the way, but it sure was a fun one to watch. You had folks comin’ out to see the games, cheerin’ on their favorite players, and watchin’ some real exciting baseball. It was a good time, and the Giants will always have a special place in the hearts of their fans.
So, to sum it all up, the 2000 San Francisco Giants were a heck of a team. They had the bats, they had the arms, and they had the leadership to go along with it. Even though they didn’t make it to the World Series, they sure made their mark that year. And for fans of the Giants, 2000 was a season to remember, even if it didn’t end the way they hoped.
Key Players from the 2000 Giants Roster:
- Barry Bonds (Outfielder)
- Jeff Kent (Second Base)
- Livan Hernandez (Pitcher)
- Shawn Estes (Pitcher)
- Mark Gardner (Pitcher)
- Robb Nen (Closer)
2000 Giants Season Recap:
- 97 Wins, 65 Losses
- NL West Division Champions
- Manager: Dusty Baker
- Lost in NLDS to the New York Mets
Tags：[2000 San Francisco Giants, Giants Roster, Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent, NL West Champions, Livan Hernandez, Dusty Baker, San Francisco Giants History]
