Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants stands in left field with a 2010 World Series Champion sign on the ball behind him against the Cleveland Indians during the game at AT&T Park on June 26, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

When the San Francisco Giants take the field on opening day April 6, 2012 in Phoenix one player whom Giants fans have been quick to adopt will not be with the club. Cody Ross will not be wearing the orange and black. After general manager Brian Sabean made several roster moves this winter the outfield is set, and there is no place left for the free-agent outfielder who is looking for a multi-year deal elsewhere. During his 154-game stay with the Giants over two seasons Ross made a huge impression on Giants fans by helping to lead the club to the 2010 World Series title and by lightening up AT&T Park with his smile.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Cleveland Indians during the game at AT&T Park on June 26, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

On August 22, 2010 when the Giants claimed Ross on waivers from the Florida Marlins it was a mere footnote in the paper. The second place Giants were simply blocking the first place San Diego Padres from picking up Ross, so they claimed him. The Giants really didn’t need Ross at the time- or so they thought. I did not know much about Ross since he played in Miami and I did not get much of a chance to see the Marlins. I knew he had a beautiful right-handed swing and that he was a streaky hitter. Right after the trade I spoke with my good friend, Florida-based sports photographer Tom DiPace. Tom told me what a fan-favorite Ross was in Miami. He told me he would be great in San Francisco. “Just you watch,” DiPace told me.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Oakland Athletics during the game at AT&T Park on Sunday, May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

When Ross arrived in San Francisco there was no fanfare. He hit .288 down the stretch in only 73 at bats. He hit three homers and definitely showed signs of his streak hitting- mostly the bad side. Ross hit 24 homers for the Marlins in 2009, so I knew he had some pop. However, we didn’t see much of it in September as the Giants scratched and clawed against the Padres for the division crown.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants drops his bat and runs to first base against the Cincinnati Reds on Satuday, June 11, 2011 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Heading into the post-season all Giants fans were looking for someone to get hot with the bat and carry the club. Known for their great pitching, the Giants still struggled to score runs. Fans were looking to Buster Posey or Pat Burrell to get hot. Maybe Juan Uribe would be the guy. NOBODY was looking to Ross to lead the offensive charge. He hit a big home run in Game 4 of the NLDS in Atlanta, and as the club headed to Philadelphia to play the first two games of the NLCS against the Phillies it appeared that Ross was getting into one of those hot streaks.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game at AT&T Park on September 11, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The Giants were facing an uphill battle in Game 1 going up against ace right-hander Roy Halladay. Halladay is a monster on the mound and the Giants were just hoping their ace Tim Lincecum could keep the Phillies close so they would have a chance. Ross came through and quieted the Philly crowd by crushing a long home run in the top of the third inning to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead. You know when Ross is locked in at the plate and rips one. He has a little hop-step out of the box as he drops his bat and heads to first when he really connects. This was one of those times.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game at AT&T Park on September 11, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

When Ross stepped up to the plate in the top of the fifth inning he did it again! Solo blast to left in the exact same spot of the bleachers. Now the crowd was stunned and the name “Cody Ross” was trending nationally on Twitter. By the time the Giants held on to win 4-3 the tone had been set. The Giants came to down and beat the Phillies ace, thanks to Ross. After the Giants won the series in six games Ross was named the series MVP. As the Giants headed home for Game 1 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, Giants fans could not get enough of Ross.

Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants makes a play in left field during the game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Sunday, June 5, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Ross cooled off a bit in the World Series, but it did not matter. The Giants beat the Rangers in five games and Ross was the toast of San Francisco when the team came home for their victory parade. Fans everywhere were wearing “Ross is Boss” t-shirts. There was a mutual love affair going on between Ross and the fans. People figured that he would be an opening day starter in the outfield in 2011 and start the season where he left off in 2010. Unfortunately things didn’t work out that way.

Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants slides into home scoring on Juan Uribe's RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game Two of the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Ross got hurt during spring training, started the season on the disabled list, and never really got going in 2011. The team didn’t hit or score any runs for their great pitching staff and Ross was part of the problem. Maybe too much was expected? I dunno. The entire team kinda sucked and he was right there with everyone else. By the time this winter rolled around the Giants ran out of money quickly and never even offered Ross a contract for 2012. “The Giants were definitely my No.1 choice,” said Ross. “I was looking at any possible scenario, any way, anyhow. Give them a hometown discount, whatever to help their payroll. But they would not commit to more than a year. “It’s sad because I really wanted to come back. They never made me an offer,” Ross told beat writer Andrew Baggarly in his Extra Baggs blog.

“Ross earned himself a place in the Giants’ pantheon of heroes – somewhere not too far from Dusty Rhodes, I’d imagine – and, oh yeah, a lifetime of boos whenever he sets foot in Philadelphia. There’s pride in that,” wrote Baggarly.

“I absolutely loved playing there,” Ross said. “I loved every moment of the 2010 World Championship and those memories are something that can never be taken away from me,” Ross told Bagggarly.

I hope Ross plays for a team in 2012 that comes through AT&T Park to play the Giants. I want to see and hear the thunderous roars that will great him. It should be a special moment- and one he richly deserves.

New York Mets pitcher Kris Benson throws against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland, California on June 16, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Winter time can be a bummer. It gets dark at 5pm. The weather is cold. There are no baseball games on television. I need something else to watch on TV to pass the time after I put in a hard day in the office working on my blog and playing with my cats. Lucky for me VH1 has cranked out an awesome new reality show that is causing much excitement around the Mangin household. That’s right sports fans, I am glued to my 50″ Panasonic every Wednesday night catching every minute of “Baseball Wives.” There have only been two episodes so far, but I am hooked!

Don’t get me wrong, I know the show is trashy as Hell. Situated in the baseball mecca of Scottsdale, Arizona, this show follows the formula of other “wives” reality shows by orchestrating plot lines that put together bitchy women who have one common thread running through them. In this show that thread is that they have had a relationship with a big league ballplayer at one time or another. Some of them are even STILL married to real ballplayers!

Put these women together in a Hummer limo, Scottsdale nightclub, or fancy house for a cocktail party and sparks are bound to fly. Cliques have been formed and hatred abounds. As I watched last night’s show I really started to wonder, who are the baseball players behind the “Baseball Wives?” I can’t believe that these guys are very happy about seeing their wives, former wives, or former girlfriends telling tales out of school about them.

Lets take a look at the guys behind the gals. There is only one place to start, and that is the man behind the villain of the show, Anna Benson:

Kris Benson

New York Mets pitcher Kris Benson throws against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland, California on June 16, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Kris Benson is still married to Anna, his wife who became more famous than him during his days of toiling for the Pirates, Mets, Orioles, and other squads. in 2004 Anna, the former stripper, posed for the cover and a spread in FHM magazine and was named “baseball’s hottest wife.” In an interview with Howard Stern later that year, she vowed that if her husband ever cheated on her she would take revenge by sleeping with the entire Mets organization. Awesome! Needless to say Anna’s husband must be used to being married to his controversial wife, but I wonder what he thinks about the show?

Matt Williams

Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants smiles while taking batting practice before a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Matt Williams is on third wife, and her name is Erika Monroe Williams. The good news for him is he has an insanely awesome 20,000 square foot house in the Scottsdale area and a nice job coaching with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The bad news? His wife is looking pretty ridiculous on “Baseball Wives.”

Portrait of Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants in the dugout during a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1993. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I covered Matt for his entire career and he was always a classy guy who will forever be beloved in San Francisco. He has been through a few troubled marriages, and I can’t see how this show will help his current one. Erika got off to a rocky start in the premier episode while hosting a cocktail party for the other “wives.” How cool it would have been to see Matt wander through the kitchen looking for a beer. No dice. What we got was the beginning of a verbal cat fight that spilled into episode two.

Matt Williams of the Arizona Diamondbacks in action during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona on April 7, 2001. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

For Matt’s sake I hope that things slow down for Erika on the show and that Anna stops beating up on her. For the show’s sake it would be great if she keeps causing trouble!

Jason Kendall

Jason Kendall of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California in 2002. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Jason Kendall, the recently retired catcher’s ex-wife Chantel Kendall has a checkered past and is a very polarizing character on “Wives.” Jason always seemed kinda goofy when I photographed him. He was a real hard-ass with the A’s and helped them to their great season in 2006. I never saw Chantel at any of the family softball games at the Oakland Coliseum. I can’t imagine how entertaining that would have been!

Jason Kendall of the Oakland Athletics wipes his face with a towell while sitting in the dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers in Oakland, California on September 24, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

After two shows it seems that Chantel hates pretty much every other “Wife” with the exception of a surprise guest we will learn about down below. Also- her skinny arms and tattoos scare me.

Mark Grace

Mark Grace of the Chicago Cubs flips his bat after striking out against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1998. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

First of all I was surprised to hear that Mark Grace was ever married. He was always a great interview on the Jim Rome show during his playing days talking about “slump busters” and strip clubs. I learned that he USED to be married in the first episode of “Wives.” Tanya Grace is Mark’s ex-wife and one of the more outgoing stars of the show. The avid golfer met Mark when she was a golf cart girl.

Mark Grace of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California in 2001. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Mark seems to have a good sense of humor and is a local TV broadcaster for the Diamondbacks. I wonder what he thinks of seeing Tanya on “Wives.” I bet he kinda gets a kick out of it!

Ron Villone

Ron Villone of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on April 13, 2008. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Ron Villone’s current wife Brooke Villone has come out of the first two episodes pretty unscathed. Brooke is a model with a really long neck and seems to stay out of everyone’s business as she hangs out with some of the looser women on the show.

Nyjer Morgan

Nyjer Morgan #1 of the Washington Nationals gets ready in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on May 27, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The nutty Nyjer Morgan has the unfortunate task of being the former boyfriend of the youngest star of “Wives” Jordana Lenz. Lenz is a young and trashy stalker who went to the Milwaukee Brewers team hotel during the 2011 NLDS whole Morgan and the Brewers were in town to play the Diamondbacks. She practically chased him into the elevator! She complains that once Morgan got to a good team he dumped her. The thinking here is that T. Plush can do much better than Lenz.

Chuck Knoblauch

Chuck Knoblauch of the Minnesota Twins bats during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The best part of last night’s episode was the arrival at Scottsdale Airport of Cheri Knoblauch, the current wife of Chuck Knoblauch. Cheri was picked up by her good friend Chantel Kendall and they instantly plotted how there were gonna harass nemesis Anna Benson. Anna has been a bitch to Chantel and Cheri has come to town to save the day. It seems that Cheri and Anna know each other from the 1990′s when Kris Benson pitched for the Pirates and Cheri was dating his teammate Brian Giles. You just know that sparks will fly when they get together, and I was not disappointed last night. In a future episode Anna will supposedly attack Cheri with 12 inch dildo!

Chuck Knoblauch of the New York Yankees turns a double play at second base (forcing out Miguel Tejada) during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California in 1998. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Knoblauch was a good ballplayer and a former World Champion with the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees. I can’t imagine that he is too thrilled to have his wife on this show, but who knows? Maybe they need the cash!

Brian Giles

Brian Giles of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in Francisco, California on August 7, 2003. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Brian Giles won a big court decision against his ex-girlfriend Cheri Olvera (Knoblauch), who had sued him for more than $10 million in 2008. Giles allegedly abused Olvera and the jury also awarded Giles the return of the $107,000 engagement ring he purchased for their canceled 2007 wedding. During the trial Giles testified that he didn’t strike his girlfriend at a bar in Phoenix in 2006 – testimony that contradicted witness statements to Phoenix police. But wait- it gets better.

Brian Giles #24 of the San Diego Padres bats against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on April 22, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Giles suggested in his testimony that the 2006 incident was a case of Olvera being drunk. He said Olvera “often falls when she’s intoxicated” and wearing high heels. Giles’ attorneys tried to portray the case as part of a pattern by Olvera to pursue rich men for money to satisfy her lavish lifestyle. Olvera testified she was currently engaged to Chuck Knoblauch. Olvera also testified that while living with Giles, she had someone to help her shop, an occasional driver, housekeepers and a woman to blow-dry her hair for $100 each time. AWESOME!

Brian Giles of the San Diego Padres bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on May 2, 2006. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Well, there you have it. The men behind the women. I hope you enjoyed this run down of the active and in-active roster players who have laced’ em up with the “Wives.” Next Wednesday night- VH1. Don’t miss it!

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals loosens up in the on deck circle against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The news hit me over the head early this morning when I woke up listening to my co-author and buddy Brian Murphy on KNBR radio. Free agent Albert Pujols, who had been rumored to be going to Miami, Chicago (Cubs), or staying home in St. Louis, had shocked everyone by signing a massive 10-year contract for $250 million to play for the Angels in Anaheim. Oh man. What a shock! This made me happy. I hate it when the big star players sign with east coast teams that train in Florida. By signing with the Angels I would have the chance to photograph him in Arizona during spring training and in Oakland many times each season. When Pujols played with the Cardinals I would only see him once a year in San Francsico, thus missing out in the chance to photograph one of the all-time greats.

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals plays defense at first base against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Soon after the Pujols news broke it was announced that the Halos had also inked star lefty free agent pitcher C. J. Wilson to a five-year deal. The Angels have instantly become the team to beat in the American League West by assembling an insane pitching staff that will have great run support. You know the phone lines at Angel Stadium are jammed right now with fans wanting season tickets for 2012.

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

My favorite Pujols memory took place in late October when I had the chance to photograph him belting three monster home runs in Game 3 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. I was shooting from third base that night near the Cardinals owners box. The section of red-clad folks from St. Louis were going crazy with each and every bomb Pujols hit. They got their World Series championship several days later, but are suffering through a sad day today. Pujols is gone and he aint coming back. I can’t wait to shoot him at Tempe Diablo Stadium in March!

This is the the Panasonic Panapet AM radio that I listened to all the San Francisco Giants games on when I was a kid.

Calling baseball on the radio was all I ever wanted to do. I was going to be the next Al Michaels, Lon Simmons or Hank Greenwald. I wanted to be the voice of the San Francisco Giants.

That all changed in high school. After a season of working the PA for our basketball team, I realized my high-pitched, cracking voice would never float across the Candlestick wind. Lucky for me, I found photography. Although my voice has changed since high school, I’m still not calling the games on the radio. Instead I like to have fun with the voice tags I leave on the image files in my Canon Mark IV for my picture editor. This past World Series, one of the best in recent memory, was a great opportunity for me to have a little fun combining play-by-play with my pictures.

I have been doing voice tags for several years, but have had more fun recently trying to explain all the details of the play in a clear voice so my editor Jessica Foster at Major League Baseball Photos will have an easier time writing a caption. At this years World Series in St. Louis and Arlington I really go into it, so I thought I would share some of my images, along with the sound files of my voice tags.

When I went back and listened to my voice, with the crowd noise in the background, I felt like I was at the ballpark again. If you click on the forward arrows to listen to the files I hope you will feel like you are there too.

Great play by the Rangers in Game 2

Ian Kinsler (5) of the Texas Rangers catches a ball teammate Elvis Andrus (1) flipped from his glove to get the force out at second base in front of Jaime Garcia of the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning during Game Two of the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers at Busch Stadium on Thursday, October 20, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Craig comes through AGAIN in Game 2

Allen Craig of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single while pinch-hitting to put the Cardinals ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning during Game Two of the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Thursday, October 20, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Napoli is meat at the dish in Game 3

Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals tags out Mike Napoli of the Texas Rangers to end the fourth inning of Game Three of the 2011 World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Saturday, October 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Albert goes deep in Game 3

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning of Game Three of the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Saturday, October 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Albert goes deep AGAIN in Game 3

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning of Game Three of the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Saturday, October 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Albert hits his third homer in Game 3

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals homers (his third of the game) in the ninth inning during Game Three of the 2011 World Series between the Cardinals and the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Saturday, October 22, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Murphy makes great catch in Game 5

David Murphy of the Texas Rangers makes a diving catch to end the top of the second inning of Game Five of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Monday, October 24, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Freese is Superman in Game 6

David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a 2-run triple in to tie the game 7-7 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning during Game Six of the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Thursday, October 27, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Lynn goes nuts in Game 7

Lance Lynn of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts after striking out Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers in the eigth inning during Game Seven of the 2011 World Series between the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Friday, October 28, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Well there you have it. A few highlights from the 2011 World Series through my eyes AND my voice. I hope you enjoyed the broadcast. Now stay tuned for Giants Clubhouse…

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane watches spring training camp at Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona on February 24, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The first time I even knew that Billy Beane existed was when I saw legendary Sports Illustrated photographer V.J. Lovero’s picture of him displayed two pages across the table of contents in the magazine in 1989. He was a nobody player on a star-studded team. The reason he was in Sports Illustrated? Quite simple. V.J. had nailed him hitting the baseball tight horizontally with a 400mm lens from the inside first base spot at the Oakland Coliseum with the ball squished on the bat. I didn’t know who Beane was and I did not care. All I knew was that the picture was amazing and I wanted to be V.J.!

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane talks to reporters on the field before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on June 16, 2007. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Fast forward a decade or so later and Beane was the A’s general manager and I was covering the team regularly for Sports Illustrated and Major League Baseball. It is no secret that I am not, and never have been, an A’s fan. Growing up in Fremont it was hard rooting for the crappy Giants as the A’s won three straight world titles in ’72, ’73, and ’74. As I grew older and made my living photographing the game I loved my hatred for the green and gold disappeared. They were more fun to photograph when they were good, and man were they ever fun to photograph beginning in 1999! Led by Jason Giambi, Eric Chavez, and Miguel Tejada offensively, it was apparent that this club was going places. Once the young pitching staff, anchored by Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, and Barry Zito came along the frat-house A’s were destined for great things. The architect of this great club? Billy Beane of course!

My picture of the A's celebrating after winning their 18th consecutive game in 2002 ran as a two-page spread "Leading Off" in Sports Illutsrated. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The A’s made post-season runs in both 2000 and 2001, but after they lost Giambi to the Yankees via free agency no one knew how well the 2002 club would hold up. This is the miracle team that ran of 20 straight victories that is featured in the new movie being released this Friday from Sony Pictures entitled “Moneyball.” The movie is an adaptation of the best-selling book by the same name written by Michael Lewis in 2003. The book was a fascinating read that looked at how a small market team like the A’s could compete against the rich teams like the Yankees by using numeric formulas and stats to draft, trade and sign free agents. Since Beane did not have a large payroll at his disposal he had to find diamonds in the rough. Because of this strategy and it’s success (although short-lived) Beane finds himself played by Brad Pitt in a major motion picture that hardly even mentions the stars, yet focuses on the bit players like Chad Bradford and Scott Hatteberg.

Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane talks on his cell phone during spring training camp at Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona on February 24, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I have not seen the movie yet, but I am excited for the release and plan on watching it very soon. I have always been fascinated by Beane. He is a terrific interview whenever he is on radio or television (even though he rarely says anything) as his entertaining answers are not just about baseball, but other things going on around the world. The clips I have seen are very cool, and it appears that Pitt has done a good job of capturing the charismatic Beane on the big screen. I am not an A’s fan, but I am excited about this film. If I was an A’s fan I think I would be going nuts about the national exposure this movie will be giving the green and gold. I would also feel a little sad that the great teams from 10 years ago didn’t win it all.

Manager Ron Gardenhire #35 of the Minnesota Twins wipes his eyes in the dugout during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 30, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Today is a super rare Monday. It is rare because I can actually say that I am caught up with all of my editing, captioning, and archiving. That’s right. Every baseball game I have shot so far in the 2011 season (66 including spring training) has been processed through my work flow and uploaded to my ever-growing archive. The big reason I am caught up today? I took Sunday off from shooting and worked in my office instead. Because I worked so hard yesterday I am able to share a few of my recent favorite pictures.

Pablo Sandoval of the San Francisco Giants makes a play at third base against the New York Mets during the game at AT&T Park on Sunday, July 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I am usually pretty up-to-date with my archiving. I always take care of games I shoot for myself as stock very quickly. Those images are processed through my work flow and searchable in my archive before I go to bed on the day of the game. However, the games I shoot on assignment for Sports Illustrated are not. Those games I sit on for a week or two until the new issue comes out, then I dive in and do the work. Recently I have shot so many games that I was way behind.

Mike Trout and Bobby Wilson of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim get ready in the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

On Saturday night I went and shot a 6:05pm start between the Twins and A’s in Oakland. I heard that Joe Mauer was catching for the Twins, and since this is a rare occasion these days I knew I had to go out and shoot him and the pretty light at the start of the game. Between shooting pre-game and the first four innings I felt like I had some real good coverage of the Twins, so after editing my stuff at around 11pm on Saturday night I decided to skip the Sunday afternoon game. There was no way Mauer would be behind the plate (he wasn’t), the light would be bad, and I could take advantage of the time by kicking ass in my office and getting caught up.

Scott Sizemore and Landon Powell of the Oakland Athletics celebrate after beating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday, July 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the day-to-day stuff I forget about some of the fun pictures I shot only a week or two ago. On Sunday morning I was re-living some of the fun games I had recently shot as I started the long process of editing, captioning, and archiving. I was brought back to a fun assignment a few weeks ago when the Angels and A’s played in a real, honest-to-goodness, old school doubleheader. A twin bill at the Coliseum! Just like the old days! My assignment was to shoot the next Mickey Mantle: super 19-year-old phenom for the Angels, center fielder Mike Trout.

Detail of orange and black striped socks belonging to Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants while he stands in the on deck circle during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park on July 20, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I had a blast shooting the young five-tool player for the Halos. Having a chance to shoot him in TWO games on the same day was a great opportunity. He did not have a good day at the plate, but by the end of the day I had lots of good stuff on him, including many fun dugout features (see above). There is no telling what kind of career this kid will have, but if he turns out to be the next big thing I will have many wonderful images from his first week in the big leagues.

A bat belonging to Scott Hairston of the New York Mets sits in the bat rack in the Mets dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Sunday, July 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I had a fun game in San Francisco against the Mets a few weeks ago that started at 6:05. I have written here in this blog many times about how great the light is for these starts, so besides shooting some general action I did my best to use the light for as long as it lasted. In fact, I even got an early start by shooting some details of bats in the Mets dugout (see above). Who doesn’t love baseball bats? I just have to shoot them every time I see an opportunity.

San Francisco Giants head grounds keeper Greg Elliott waters the infield before the game between the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Sunday, July 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I then headed out onto the field, and with the permission of Giants head grounds keeper Greg Elliott I was able to shoot some fun, low-angle stuff of him and his crew getting the field ready right before game time (see above). As tedious as editing and captioning can be, it was fun to look back on these images knowing how great they will be in my archive. What a fabulous feeling it is to shoot this stuff knowing that I own the images and they will always be searchable in my archive for editorial licensing to clients all over the world. By the time I was watching “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” on Sunday night I had added 660 NEW captioned images to my archive!

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the New York Mets during the game at AT&T Park on Sunday, July 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Today is indeed a very good day in the offices of Mangin Photography. Things will get busy again very soon as I have several games to shoot this week, but as of right now there are 49,349 searchable images in my archive, and that makes me feel really good. My friend Grover Sanschagrin has always said he would be impressed when I hit the 50,000 mark. I am getting close Grover!

Photographer Michael Zagaris tells stories to fellow photographers Tim Mantoani and Robert Seale while they sit in the seats with the fans during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on July 26, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

It is no secret that I am a baseball fan. I shoot close to 100 big league games a year and attend many San Francisco Giants games as a fan in my season ticket seats each season. I rarely get a chance to see a game with the fans in Oakland, and last night was as good as any night to head out to the Oakland Coliseum with friends and watch a little American League ball.

Houston, Texas-based portrait specialist Robert Seale was in town visiting and I thought it would be fun to take him to see the Rays and A’s play, especially since he had never been to an A’s game. Seale has photographed many Oakland Raider games in the past and lived to tell about it, but he was looking forward to making his way through the Coliseum parking lot without having to dodge bullets, flame-engulfed trash cans, and carjackings. The old mausoleum would be a much calmer place during a weeknight A’s game.

Photographer Robert Seale stands outside with his ticket before the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on July 26, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

A’s media services manager Debbie Gallas came through with some sweet tickets, so Seale and I would be watching the ballgame in style with a few thousand other fans on this cool July night, or so we thought. The night began to take on a special quality when Debbie came down from the pres box to join us and share some funny stories. Soon San Diego-based sports, stock, advertising, and commercial photographer Tim Mantoani joined us in the stands. Tim was in town to visit family and shoot a job so the local kid from the San Francisco Bay Peninsula thought it would be fun to sit with us and attend his first A’s game ever!

By this time we were splitting time between watching a few pitches every once in awhile and turning our back to the field to enjoy some fun conversation. In a matter of minutes any hope of knowing what the Hell was happening in the game went out the window. The Z-Man, A’s team photographer Michael Zagaris left his spot on the field to join us, and this is when the fun really began.

Photographer Michael Zagaris tells stories to fellow photographer Robert Seale while they sit in the seats with the fans during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on July 26, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Zagaris was thrilled to see Mantoani sitting with us. They are old friends and had worked together several years ago at the very beginning of Tim’s “Behind Photographers” project. Pretty soon none of us were watching the game, and all eyes were on the Z-Man as he regaled us in stories about a wide-ranging string of topics, none of which can be discussed here. Let’s just say that my face hurt from laughing so much and my neck hurt from turning it away from the game for so long.

This was one of those truly special nights when I am so glad I have such a great group of friends. With many of them living all over the country it is rare to get many of them together in one place. The odds of me being able to sit in the stands at an A’s game and spend quality time with Seale (Houston), Mantoani (San Diego) and Zagaris (San Francisco) at the same time are very low. On this special night I hit the lottery. We should have flown to Vegas after the game!

Hideki Matsui #55 of the Oakland Athletics watches from the dugout against the Seattle Mariners during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 6, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

We are past the half-way point in the 2011 baseball season and things seem to be sorting themselves out in the standings. We have a good idea who the bad teams are and we have a good idea who the good teams are. There are also a bunch of clubs bunched up in the middle that we have yet to figure out. What does this all mean? It means the 2011 MLB All-Star Game is coming up next week in Phoenix, and it could not come at a better time for many of the clubs and players… and me! I shot yesterday’s Mariners @ A’s game in Oakland, and after going through the motions of shooting this boring game on a warm day I know I need a change of scenery.

Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 6, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Don’t get me wrong. I had a great time at the ballpark yesterday. I had the chance to see some good friends and get a few pictures I liked. The big problem about shooting this game is that there was no there, there. No fans. No vibe. No action. No soul. M’s @ A’s is not compelling, especially this close to the break. I did my best. I really tried. By the end of the day I was glad the next week’s break was coming.

Kurt Suzuki #8 of the Oakland Athletics chases a foul pop up against the Seattle Mariners during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 6, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The light was so bad I did my best by shooting everything tight. I tried to clean things up and minimize empty seats in the glaring sun ruining my backgrounds.  The game went so fast, the A’s 2-0 win ended before the light could improve much. It was over before I knew it, and that meant my post-game editing session would be quick and easy. It is not like I drilled batter after batter in the brilliant, screaming, 5pm light.

Ichiro Suzuki #51 of the Seattle Mariners stretches in the on deck circle against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 6, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Luckily I did have a few iconic, aging, Japanese ballplayers to shoot. Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki have always been fun to shoot and yesterday they did not disappoint. They have great faces and unusual batting stances and swings, so I always come back with a few frames that I like of each guy. Yesterday was no exception. I have one more game to shoot this weekend before I officially start my All-Star break. I know what I will be doing. What will you be doing on YOUR All-Star break?

Landon Powell #11 of the Oakland Athletics tries to catch a foul ball against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 3, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I shoot many dozens of baseball games each season. My average, including spring training and post season, is around 90 or so. Many of the games are awful, and many of them are forgettable. Sometimes I am on assignment and sometimes I am shooting stock. One thing is common whoever I am shooting for: I try and get one picture each game that I actually like. This is not easy, because I pretty much hate everything I shoot!

Jemile Weeks #19 of the Oakland Athletics slides safely into second base for a double against the Florida Marlins during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 30, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I shot a few hum-drum games the past week in Oakland and San Francisco. The A’s are trying to show signs of new life under new skipper Bob Melvin and the Giants continue to tread water with great pitching and historically awful hitting. Luckily I have been able to get a few decent pictures through these July dog days, especially thanks to my new favorite A’s player Jemile Weeks (see above). Weeks is a fun-to-shoot switch hitter who gets dirty, runs the bases, and has cool dreads. I am so excited that A’s finally have an awesome to watch, athletic player who I will be able to shoot for many years.

Gerardo Parra #8, Juan Miranda #46 and J.J. Putz #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks sit in the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on July 3, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The Diamondbacks were in town on Sunday afternoon, and they still don’t excite me very much. They did have some fun guys on the bench before the game, so I was able to get some nice candids of guys clowning around before the game (see above). Are those gang signs or are they just happy to see me? After the pre-game was over I took the 800mm lens and went up to the upper deck to shoot amongst the infamous green tarps. My one picture-a-day rule came true when A’s catcher Landon Powell made a desperate attempt to catch a foul ball near the backstop. My overhead position worked out well for me, especially since Powell cooperated by making such a great face (see top). I like this picture- so my day was complete!

Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants rubs his eyes with his hand on the mound during the game against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park on July 4, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

My week finished up with yesterday’s dreadful performance by Tim Lincecum and the Giants against the Padres on the Fourth of July. To top it all off both teams wore the crappy red, white, and blue hats that MLB crams down our throats on Memorial Day the the 4th. I am not a fan. So much so that I do not shoot anything but batters (wearing normal helmets) on days like yesterday, because non one, and I mean NO ONE wants to use pictures of guys wearing the bad hats. I had to make one exception though when Lincecum was about done in the 5th inning and wiped his face (see above). This picture pretty much summed up the day for Timmy, and for me. But at least I got a picture I liked!

I will be back out there in Oakland tomorrow shooting the Mariners and A’s. Once again I will be trying to get one good picture. Hopefully the game will cooperate.

Luke Hochevar #44 and Eric Hosmer #35 of the Kansas City Royals get ready in the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

There was a baseball game played in Oakland yesterday at the, wait for it, O.co Coliseum (awful!). The A’s were hosting the Royals, the sun was out, and I headed out to the Mausoleum to get some pictures of the new-look A’s and the hot rookies on the Royals roster. I was excited to get out to the park after many days of editing indoors, and I was looking forward to seeing some good friends.

Melky Cabrera #53 of the Kansas City Royals gets ready in the dugout before the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

My day started out great as soon as I made my way into the always exciting A’s media dining room. A’s media services manager Debbie Gallas and veteran AP staff photographer Eric Risberg joined me for lunch (pork tenderloin, rosemary potatoes and yellow broccoli) and the hilarity ensued. Great stories (Debbie is a hoot) were told, and the fresh commentary about the release of the “Money Ball” movie trailer was worth the ten bucks I paid for the above-mentioned lunch, chocolate chip cookie and Dr. Pepper. I hated for lunch to end, but I needed to get down on the field to start work. I needed to shoot hot-shot Royals rookies Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas in the dugout before the game started. I needed some candid moments, and luckily the kids from Kansas City were loose and cooperative.

Daric Barton #10 of the Oakland Athletics is safe at home plate after colliding with Kansas City Royals catcher Brayan Pena #27 during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Once the game started my goal was to try and get some good stuff of Moutakas in action (Hosmer was not in the lineup, which really sucked ass) and the A’s flashy and exciting rookie second baseman Jemile Weeks. As we get closer to the summer solstice  the light gets so harsh everything looks bad early in the game, so I always start shooting back lit from third base. We had a decent play at the plate (see above) early in the game as the A’s seemed to be playing with new life under new skipper Bob Melvin.

Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals bats against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I finally got a frame I liked of Moustakas (see above) in the 6th inning, so it was time to head over to  first base and see how Risberg and John Mabanglo (great friend and EPA staffer) were doing. Risberg was in rare form, and the great Mabanglo was fresh off covering the NBA Finals, so he had terrific tales from Dallas and Miami. Let’s just say that Mop and Glo (as he was called several decades ago) knows how to travel and have a good time! It didn’t matter what the score was, and it didn’t matter who was winning. Add in some excellent commentary from Jed Jacobsohn and Michael Zagaris and we were all laughing so loud we were waiting for someone to come running in from the television truck outside to yell at us. You see, there was a hot microphone near us that was picking up everything we said and transporting the sound somewhere…

Jemile Weeks #19 of the Oakland Athletics sits in the dugout against the Kansas City Royals during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

After the game I got home and faced several hours of editing and captioning. I had the Giants game on TV and my cats Willie and Mike to distract me. I also had to endure some taunting Tweets from Risberg, making me wish I was somewhere else. “Massive Bay area traffic jam. Seeking refuge @TraderVicsBay” said Risberg at 6:30pm. I knew what this meant. Risberg would be enjoying some rum before he made his way home to Marin. His final Tweet really made me realize that Risberg really knows how to live. “@bradmangin We wish you were here. Time for a Zombie at the trader and the start of the Giants and Dbacks game.” Once again The Count wins. Even when he is struck with adversity he finds a way to turn things around in his favor. I need to do that more often!