 02/06/2004 10:33 PM ET
New Giants introduced to media
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| Dustan Mohr (center, with Felipe Alou and Brian Sabean) is aware of the legacy associated with his Giants uniform number. (Chris Shuttlesworth/MLB.com)
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 Photo gallery
SAN FRANCISCO -- One's a chatterbox, one sports a legendary Giants uniform number, another isn't fretting over SBC Park's multi-angled right field wall and the fourth always had San Francisco on his mind.
Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, outfielders Dustan Mohr and Michael Tucker and pitcher Brett Tomko were officially handed their new uniforms on Friday, and optimism reigned as they were introduced to the media at SBC Park.
"This year, we were lucky enough -- like last year -- to retool and reload with guys who bring a lot to the table with their relative abilities," said Giants general manager Brian Sabean. "While they might not be household names in the Bay Area, these guys are well-rounded players and people. They'll fit in nicely."
The Giants' biggest "catch" in the offseason was backstop Pierzynski, who in humble fashion disagreed he was the key man, explaining it's "not one guy but a combination of guys and I feel I'm fortunate to come here and be with a team that has a chance to win."
A.J. Pierzynski
/ C
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There's no doubt the upbeat Pierzynski will be a much-watched man -- and much-listened to.
When he's behind the plate, his tongue is always wagging, much to the discomfort of opposing batters. It's his can't-help-it-trademark, and while the catcher says his reputation is exaggerated, new teammate Tucker chuckled from experience. He's been there, ears burning.
"He talks all the time, all the time," laughed Tucker. "I'll come to the plate and he's talking -- he's talking to everybody. He's talking to the umpire, he's talking to you. Lot of times, you may go, 'How's it going,' and you know you've opened a floodgate -- he's not gonna stop.
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Michael Tucker
/ OF
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"You know it coming in, so when you're up there you only give him a head nod," cracked Tucker.
Pierzynski defended his reputation, stating he's never gone after anybody or called anybody a name.
"I've never gotten into a war of words with a newspaper, I just do what I do and if people take it the wrong way I can't do anything about it," said the catcher, who blossomed with Minnesota last year, hitting .312 and becoming an All-Star.
"I can't change people's perceptions," said Pierzynski. "They can say what the want. If people say bad things about me, they should get to know me and find out they're wrong."
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Dustan Mohr
/ OF
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Mohr, a teammate of Pierzynski in Minnesota, says Pierzynski will purposely run across the pitcher's mound just to annoy the opposing hurler. Among other things.
"They're usually small things, but players notice," said Mohr. "I've seen so many guys get irritated at A.J. they lose it for minute, and you can take advantage of it."
Mohr, however, will no doubt hear comments from fans because of his uniform number: 22.
Worn by sluggers Jack Clark and Will Clark, the uniform brings to mind thrills and booming blasts, but the 27-year-old outfielder says he purposely picked the digits.
"Will Clark is from my neck of the woods," said the Mississippi native, "and I grew up watching him. That's what I had in mind when I talked to (equipment manager Mike Murphy). I've talked to Will a couple of times and I've gone hunting with him. He's a good guy, and I like to think the way I go about playing the game is similar to him."
As for the 32-year-old Tucker having to get used to that tricky right field wall, no problem.
"We kind of acclimated ourselves in 2000 with Cincinnati, and we got a chance to know each other the next year," said Tucker. "Just being here you get a feel for how things will play off the wall with its nooks and crannies. It can shoot way out there or drop off the screen and down.
"It's a different ballpark, it's challenging, but it's a good place to play out here," he added.
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Brett Tomko
/ P
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Tomko, who won 13 games for St. Louis last season, will boost the Giants' rotation experience, and after a brilliant second half, should be a stable force.
There were other teams who wooed him last season -- Texas, Tampa Bay, New York Mets, San Diego, Cleveland, Colorado -- yet the 30-year-old veteran had a yen for the Bay Area.
He couldn't be happier.
"San Francisco was always my No. 1 choice," said the right-hander. "In a perfect world, that's where I wanted to be. It was always in the back of my mind, and when we talked about teams I always added, 'Have you heard from San Francisco.' It's the best situation."
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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