Bear
04-26-2008, 08:40 AM
Steve Kroner
Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, April 26, 2008
(04-25) 20:39 PDT -- Robb Nen collected a franchise-record 206 saves in his five seasons (1998-2002) with the Giants. Nen, indirectly anyway, still has a hand in closing games for San Francisco.
That's because Brian Wilson, who's in his first full season as the team's closer, credits Nen for providing a special confidence boost after Wilson had a rough outing in spring training.
Nen "said, 'You know, you didn't pitch that bad. It was just unfortunate. You know, you're good, you have some of the best stuff I've seen and you need to start realizing that,' " Wilson said.
To have Nen affirm "that I'm a good pitcher is something that I wanted to hear and something that I needed to hear and ... that was huge for me to hear, coming from him," Wilson said.
Wilson's "got the stuff to do it," Nen said Friday afternoon. "It's just a matter of him believing, which he is now."
Like Nen, Wilson is a right-handed pitcher who consistently can throw the ball by hitters. Nen was asked if he sees himself in Wilson.
"I think he throws a lot more strikes than I" did, Nen said with a laugh. "We both threw the ball hard and challenged people. He's not afraid to throw his fastball when he wants to. ... He's going to have a good career."
Wilson has had a good April, converting eight of his nine save chances, including Friday night's save. His outings haven't been exactly clean: For example, in the previous two nights at San Diego, Wilson collected saves in each game even though he gave up three walks, two hits and a run in a combined two innings.
"Once the game ends," Wilson said, "it doesn't matter how you got there as long as we win."
Said Nen: "I don't know if I had very many clean ones, either."
Clean or not, Nen racked up 314 saves in his career - he had 108 in four-plus seasons with Florida. As part of their 50th-anniversary festivities, the Giants are recognizing a former player at each Friday game and Nen, 38, got the honor for the opener of the Cincinnati series.
A severe shoulder injury cut Nen's career short. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two school-age daughters. Nen said the injury has a way of reminding him why he retired on those occasions when he gets the urge to pitch again.
"After playing catch," Nen said, "it completely changes my mind.":rolleyes:
Briefly: Noah Lowry's rehab from arm surgery has had at least a mild setback. Manager Bruce Bochy said Lowry is going to take some time off from throwing. The left-hander last threw Sunday. :(
If Wilson turns out to be half as good as Nen the Bear will be happy, but I don't think that will happen!:nono:
Chronicle Staff Writer
Saturday, April 26, 2008
(04-25) 20:39 PDT -- Robb Nen collected a franchise-record 206 saves in his five seasons (1998-2002) with the Giants. Nen, indirectly anyway, still has a hand in closing games for San Francisco.
That's because Brian Wilson, who's in his first full season as the team's closer, credits Nen for providing a special confidence boost after Wilson had a rough outing in spring training.
Nen "said, 'You know, you didn't pitch that bad. It was just unfortunate. You know, you're good, you have some of the best stuff I've seen and you need to start realizing that,' " Wilson said.
To have Nen affirm "that I'm a good pitcher is something that I wanted to hear and something that I needed to hear and ... that was huge for me to hear, coming from him," Wilson said.
Wilson's "got the stuff to do it," Nen said Friday afternoon. "It's just a matter of him believing, which he is now."
Like Nen, Wilson is a right-handed pitcher who consistently can throw the ball by hitters. Nen was asked if he sees himself in Wilson.
"I think he throws a lot more strikes than I" did, Nen said with a laugh. "We both threw the ball hard and challenged people. He's not afraid to throw his fastball when he wants to. ... He's going to have a good career."
Wilson has had a good April, converting eight of his nine save chances, including Friday night's save. His outings haven't been exactly clean: For example, in the previous two nights at San Diego, Wilson collected saves in each game even though he gave up three walks, two hits and a run in a combined two innings.
"Once the game ends," Wilson said, "it doesn't matter how you got there as long as we win."
Said Nen: "I don't know if I had very many clean ones, either."
Clean or not, Nen racked up 314 saves in his career - he had 108 in four-plus seasons with Florida. As part of their 50th-anniversary festivities, the Giants are recognizing a former player at each Friday game and Nen, 38, got the honor for the opener of the Cincinnati series.
A severe shoulder injury cut Nen's career short. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two school-age daughters. Nen said the injury has a way of reminding him why he retired on those occasions when he gets the urge to pitch again.
"After playing catch," Nen said, "it completely changes my mind.":rolleyes:
Briefly: Noah Lowry's rehab from arm surgery has had at least a mild setback. Manager Bruce Bochy said Lowry is going to take some time off from throwing. The left-hander last threw Sunday. :(
If Wilson turns out to be half as good as Nen the Bear will be happy, but I don't think that will happen!:nono: