Bengie Molina: Giant Killer to Giant Savior

Much like someone still hung up on an ex-significant other, I try to insulate myself from certain reminders that trigger painful memories. If Starbucks, prosciutto pizza and Usher songs bring back visions of that special someone, then it would be wise to abstain from such things.

I follow this thinking religiously when it comes to all things Angels. You see, I am a die-hard Giants fan and that 2002 World Series (the one in which the G-Men were five outs away from triumph) left the kind of gaping hole that LaDanian’s linemen leave for him, only in my heart.

I certainly change the channel whenever the Angels are on TV, root against Eckstein whenever he hits and smile whenever I see Erstad riding pine. I cannot stomach the thought of being the Angels in a video game. Scott Spiezio may one day cure a deadly disease, but I would still loathe him and his ridiculous red goatee.

Why am I bringing this up now, six years after the fact? I happened upon a small article that detailed the pitchers the Cubs were interested in acquiring for the stretch run.

Of course, there were the usual suspects like AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia, but Jarrod Washburn’s name was also included. And just like someone with a broken heart who stumbled across an old picture, all the feelings of anguish and pain came rushing back as if Percival had recorded the final out all over again.

Washburn was a good pitcher for the Angels and a guy the Giants defeated twice during the Series. I do not know why, but his name triggered a flood of depressing memories of when the Giants blew the World Series.

It also does not help seeing the Angels dominate the AL West and watching the Giants fade into also-ran status since that matchup.

Watching the Angels in the postseason year after year is salt in an open wound much like running into that ex-girlfriend sometime later only to see her fifteen pounds lighter, tanned, riding shotgun in some weenie’s Viper and worst of all, smiling.

But perhaps the greatest reminder of that Series plays for the Giants. Bengie Molina was instrumental in the Angels’ championship over the Giants by providing clutch hits and calling a masterful stretch of games.

I was a little hesitant to welcome him to our side of the Bay at first especially because of his contract, but almost immediately, I noticed why he is an invaluable piece to any team he plays for.

After a particularly painful loss last season, the team was heading into the locker room but Molina stayed on the bench for a long time afterward with a one thousand yard stare pointed out toward the field. He was wearing that loss as if it were game seven of the World Series.  

And that is why he is so special to the Giants. No game, no matter the standings is meaningless to him. I even watched him catch both ends of a double header in Miami against the Marlins during one the hottest days of the year. By the way, Molina went 6-7 with 4 RBIs and 4 doubles that day.

He has been unbelievable in the batter’s box posting his highest batting average (.318) and highest on base percentage (.345) of his career. Molina has only struck out 15 times in 63 games and is on pace to set career highs in doubles and RBIs.

 His work behind the plate has helped youngsters like Lincecum, Cain and Sanchez develop, perhaps quicker than anticipated, into the studs they are destined to be while posting a .995 fielding percentage.

Watching Molina still brings back memories of that dreaded Series, but his play in the orange and black has turned that frown upside down. It is almost as if he is trying to apologize for defeating his current employer back in October of 2002.

The playoffs might be wishful thinking, but Molina’s All Star caliber season has made that realization somewhat palatable.

The 2002 World Series is definitely the one that got away that we may never truly get over. But this year’s plucky team with guys like Lincecum, Rowand, Bowker and of course, Molina, are kind of like a new special someone who may one day have us calling the ‘02 Series “what’s-her-name.”