MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -SAN JOSE, CA– The San Jose Giants finished 2009 atop the California League after a record-setting regular season and a Championship Series sweep of the High Desert Mavericks.  San Jose won both the first and second half titles in the North Division en route to a 93-47 regular season before edging Bakersfield in their opening round playoff series and then sweeping the Mavericks to claim the title.  The championship was San Jose’s second in the last three years and fifth dating back to 1998.

Off the field, San Jose experienced a successful season for the fourth consecutive year, breaking the all-time attendance and revenue records.  The Giants completed the regular season with a total attendance figure of 211,054, an average of 3,015 fans per game.  2009 marked the first time in franchise history with a total attendance mark eclipsing 200,000.  The team also drew a record postseason crowd of 12,053 in four games.  The Giants combined regular and postseason total attendance was 223,107 fans, an average of 3,015 per game.

“Our organization would like to thank all of the fans in Santa Clara County that continue to make the San Jose Giants and Minor League Baseball one of the top attractions in the Bay Area,” said Jim Weyermann, San Jose Giants President and CEO.  “We appreciate all of the support from our corporate and media partners throughout the community.  Their continued commitment has helped us set these records four years in a row.”

Highlights of San Jose’s historical season included setting team records for most overall wins and victories in a half.  The Giants 93 regular season victories were the most in the California League since

1994 and the second-highest in all of Minor League Baseball this season.  San Jose’s 51-19 record after the All-Star break also marked the most wins in a half since the 1984 Redwood Pioneers (53-17).  The Giants led the California League in team earned run average for the sixth consecutive season while tying the league record for highest fielding percentage.  San Jose’s 51 wins at Municipal Stadium also set a team record.

Individually, four players earned All-Star recognition, led by California League Pitcher of the Year Craig Clark.  Clark won a team record 14 consecutive decisions and finished second in the league in 

wins (16-2), second in ERA (2.86) and fifth in strikeouts (135).  Right fielder Roger Kieschnick amassed the second-most RBI’s in team history (110) and was tied for third with 23 home runs to earn the California League Rookie of the Year award.  Left fielder Thomas Neal, who joined Kieschnick on both the Midseason and Postseason All-Star teams, had one of the finest individual years in Giants history when he hit .337 with 41 doubles, 22 home runs and 90 RBI’s.  Finally, catcher Buster Posey garnered All-Star honors after a tremendous three months with San Jose.  Posey hit .326 with 13 home runs and 58 RBI’s before earning a promotion to Triple-A Fresno in July.

Seven former San Jose Giants made their major league debut this season in San Francisco: P Madison Bumgarner, IF Matt Downs, P Waldis Joaquin, P Joe Martinez, C Buster Posey, P Dan Runzler and P Ryan Sadowski.  Bumgarner, Posey and Runzler achieved the remarkable accomplishment of jumping from San Jose to San Francisco over the course of a single season in 2009.

An impressive 25 former San Jose Giants played in San Francisco this season.  19 former SJ Giants were on San Francisco’s active roster at the conclusion of the regular season: OF John Bowker, P Madison Bumgarner, P Matt Cain, IF Kevin Frandsen, P Bob Howry, IF Travis Ishikawa, P Waldis Joaquin, OF Fred Lewis, P Tim Lincecum, P Joe Martinez, C Buster Posey, IF Ryan Rohlinger, P Sergio Romo, P Dan Runzler, P Jonathan Sanchez, IF Pablo Sandoval, OF Nate Schierholtz, P Merkin Valdez and P Brian Wilson.

The San Jose Giants are excited to announce the team will open the 2010 season on Thursday, April 8^th at Modesto.  The home opener at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for Monday, April 12^th against the Visalia Rawhide.  The Opening Night Extravaganza will include a post- game Fireworks display, 2010 magnet schedule giveaway and a special ceremony honoring the 2009 championship team.  For information on tickets for the 2010 season, please call (408) 297-1435 or visit www.sjgiants.com.

Commissioner Bud Selig shaved drug suspensions of players and broke the rules of MLB. Will Manny Ramirez and three others do a year? What will happen to dozens of minor league players whose records, teams, and leagues are affected? Read the whole story at SZ ( www.mlnsports.com).