Pablo Poundoval

Is the Giants' Third Baseman to Blame?
By Justin Cheng

Giants fans have long adorned this jovial figure, who has amazed us with his cannon arm and ability to hit any pitch within the area code. Panda hats are a must-have at AT&T Park, all thanks to the Kung Fu Panda. His three homeruns during Game 1 of the World Series were a historic and marvelous sight.

But what happens when these memories fade and we clearly see him for who he is?

A rough two-week stretch has the reigning champions in last place, and everyone outside of Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner has been less than stellar. While Sandoval isn't the only one who has been struggling, it's time to revoke the courteous pass that he has been allotted. 

The Kung Fu Panda has been more Panda than martial artist and is batting a forgetful .128 in his last ten games, with two RBIs in the last 19 contests. The routine groundball out has turned into a magnificent event and the free-swinging has turned into swinging at balls five feet in front of home plate.

This is when I feel like jamming some Lean Pockets in Pablo's face. I don't think I've ever seen a professional athlete with such disregard for his body. He might not be out destroying his liver on the eve of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with Rihanna -- yeah, I'm looking at you, J.R. Smith -- or snorting white lines like Dwight Gooden. What he does seem to get the idea that his body is the vessel for his career, much like a surgeon requires steady hands or a sniper requires good eyesight. 

For me, it's tiresome watching a talented athlete that lacks so the drive to perform better. His four seasons with the Giants have had glimpses of his elite-level talent, but never has he cracked into that discussion due to the mass of injuries that he has accumulated in the past two seasons.     

It's undeniable that Pablo is one of the game's best hitters when he is right, but it's time for him to treat his body as a temple rather than preparing for winter hibernation. Giants fans also need to wake up from the illusion that our "star" third-baseman has such a status and is currently average at best at the current pace. If he doesn't get this right quickly, Willy Wonka -- or in this case, Brian Sabean -- will soon call his oompa loompas to roll him back to Fresno.

The Bayless Babbles is a sports blog is co-authored by UC Merced/ USC alumnus Justin Cheng and UC San Diego alumnus Brent Lee.

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