| Erik Klackner. 21st August, 2005 - 4:34 pm
 As the old cliche goes: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The trading deadline gives us reason to consider this very subject. Coming to a new team, a new league, and a new fan base, you have to prove yourself all over again. Fortunately for Randy Winn, he took full advantage of his first chance, and did that and then some.
Since arriving in San Francisco at the July 31 trading deadline, the Danville native has batted an even .300 with 3 home runs and 6 runs batted in 18 games. But that doesn't tell the whole story. Two of those home runs have been the deciding factor in Giants victories: a 2-run shot off Tim Hudson to tie the game on 8/11, and the lone run in the 1-0 duel between Noah Lowry and Dontrelle Willis the following night. A mere three days later, Winn hit for the cycle against Cincinnati, the first Giant to do so since May 1999.
Winn has a rich athletic history in the Bay Area. He was named Scholar Athlete of the Year by the Oakland Tribune during his senior year at San Ramon Valley HS. He later went on to the University of Santa Clara, where he played both baseball and basketball, and played alongside 2005 NBA MVP Steve Nash for the Broncos, including the 1993 NCAA Tournament when they shocked #1 seed Arizona. He now has the chance to cement that legacy even more by returning home.
It took a servicable Major League catcher and former prized prospect recovering from Tommy John surgery to land Winn, and some initially scratched their heads at the deal. On a list of needs the Giants had, an everyday CF was not thought to be one of them. But this move had more to do with the 2006 Giants than the rest of this season.
Winn provides the Giants with the best top of the lineup hitter they've had since Kenny Lofton in the magical run of 2002, particularly with Ray Durham thriving in the middle of the order. Winn provides quality speed and defense as well, and does all of this with the veteran mentality the Giants seem to seek in all their players. His presence in the Giants lineup next season will be crucial in what likely will be one last ditch effort to win a World Series in the Barry Bonds era. |
