Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Michael Morse hopes to fit right in with Giants
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, December 17, 2013 - 2:00pm
Follow @csnbaggs

Programming note: Get up to date on all the latest offseason Giants news on the Hot Stove Show, TONIGHT at 6:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Michael Morse wasn’t a member of the Misfits that careened through a World Series parade on Market Street in 2010.

He wasn’t a part of those frenzied, sunflower-seed sprayed huddles that preceded every one of the six elimination victories on the way to another championship in 2012.

But can there be any doubt that Morse could’ve been a shaggy face in those crowds?

He has long locks. He is big enough to have descended from a beanstalk. He strikes a self-described “samurai cobra snake” pose in the on-deck circle. His walk-up music is a paean to the ‘80s that inspires 40,000 people into off-key falsetto. (Tell me you haven’t forgotten A-Ha.)

Morse is big as a nightclub bouncer but with none of the surly disposition. And he can’t wait to fit in with the Giants.

“I like to have fun,” said Morse, on a conference call to announce his $6 million contract, which includes an additional $3 million more if he reaches incentives based on plate appearances.

“I think if a team plays fun, they’re relaxed and your best baseball comes out when you’re relaxed. Good teams have fun. They play together and win together. That’s very important, and it’s something the Giants do.”

[RELATED: 1-on-1 with new Giants LF Michael Morse]

This offseason didn’t set up for much fun, as Giants manager Bruce Bochy saw it. He had two starting pitchers, one outfielder and loads of question marks. Now a week before Christmas, and with $172 million worth of commitments, the Giants have Hunter Pence, Tim Lincecum, Ryan Vogelsong and Javier Lopez back in the fold. They have Tim Hudson adding experience to the rotation and Morse’s power bat addressing the need in left field.

They still have a lot of health risks. They still must rely on some Flubber-like bounce-back years. But other than Pence, they haven’t committed a dime beyond 2015. And Bochy likes the way they’ve spent.

“I didn’t know which way a lot of it would go,” Bochy said. “In left field, this is the guy I really wanted. I told Brian that. It’s more than just keeping our club intact. I think we’re a better club now, with more depth.”

[RELATED -- Bochy on Morse: 'It's certainly what I wanted']

Bochy reiterated what he told CSN Bay Area last week: Morse will be the everyday left fielder, and his ability to play first base eliminates the need for extra coverage at the position behind Brandon Belt.

That’s good, since GM Brian Sabean made it clear the team is tapped out, having pushed ownership just to approve the Morse signing. The Giants won’t have to cut any payroll commitments before Opening Day, Sabean said. But they’re probably through adding anyone on a major league contract.


“To get this done, we really had to massage our budget and make things work,” Sabean said. “We did have other trade options we were weighing that were developing slower.

“Frankly, I don’t think we could have done any better. I was not optimistic we could find somebody like (Morse). I thought the dollars would be out of reach or people would be geared to longer term contracts.”

Morse did have other options, including the Houston Astros, and although he didn’t come out and say it, the Giants probably didn’t have the highest offer. But Morse made it clear he didn’t want to play for a second-division team.

“As a player your one goal is to win and to win a World Series,” Morse said. “Not only have the Giants won, but they’ve won two. What other team would a guy want to play for, especially with Boch as the manager?”

Morse is coming off a down year with the Orioles and Mariners that included quad and wrist injuries. He initially hurt his hand when he was hit by a pitch, then overcompensated with his other hand when he tried to play through discomfort. He said he’s 100 percent now with no restrictions.

Asked if he could replicate his 2011 season with the Washington Nationals, when he hit 31 homers and for much of the year challenged for the NL batting crown, Morse said he’s optimistic he could.

Morse also gives the Giants a big bat they can stick at DH for interleague games; the Giants got waxed in AL Parks, averaging just 2.4 runs while losing eight of 10 games.

And what about first base? Because Morse can play there, should we prepare for more daily drama about whether Belt plays or sits?

“Well I don’t think it’s going to affect Belt,” Bochy said of the Morse signing. “Maybe an occasional day off.”

Bochy said he plans on giving Hunter Pence an occasional breather as well. Pence started all 162 games last year – the first Giant since Alvin Dark in 1954 to start every regular-season game.

Mostly, though, expect Pence and Morse to be on either side of center fielder Angel Pagan. And expect Pence’s crazy, elbow-dislocating warmup swing to be challenged by the Samurai Cobra Snake.

That’s what Morse calls his very conspicuous stretching move as he prepares to hit. He started doing it after Rick Eckstein, his hitting coach in Washington, told him to free up his hips more in his swing. He stepped out of the box, overexaggerated to get a feel for it, and got a hit. So it stuck.

Same thing with his walk-up anthem, “Take On Me,” – the unquestioned pinnacle of Norwegian pop in the ‘80s -- which requires so much vocal range to sing that it could cause injuries at karaoke bars.

Morse is keeping the music. Expect 40,000 folks to sing along at AT&T Park.

Or hurt themselves in the attempt, anyway.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

YSTL: Where does win in Green Bay rank in Harbaugh Era?
YSTL: 49ers red zone problems a cause for concern?
Will play clock issues eventually burn 49ers?
YSTL: How much of a difference does Crabtree make for Kaepernick?

Giants

An unapologetic Hall of Fame ballot revealed, explained
Maddux won't be unanimous Hall of Fame selection
Fan selling Giants-themed Mustang
Mattingly extension expected to be done soon
Read More

Athletics

A's agree to terms on one-year deal with RHP Jesse Chavez
A's schedule FanFest for Feb. 8
Are A's preparing to make a run at Tanaka?
Judge dismisses San Jose's remaining claims vs. MLB
Read More

Sharks

LIVE: Sharks vs. Predators
NHL postpones 'Canes at Sabres due to blizzard
In the Crease: Injury-ravaged Sharks visit Preds
Vlasic, Marleau make Team Canada, Couture left out
Read More

49ers

Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII ring already up for sale
Panthers 10, 49ers 9
Vick ready to move on from Eagles
The story behind Harbaugh's hug and kiss
Read More

Raiders

Colts sign former Patriots wide receiver Branch
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (1.7.14)
Davis-Allen meeting pushed back a day
Scott Bair's 2013 Raiders awards: The offense
Read More

Warriors

LIVE: Warriors vs. Bucks
Report: W's among teams interested in Hinrich
Clippers waive former Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson
Player going to North Korea says game dwarfed by politics
Read More

NCAA

Saint Mary's blasts William Jessup 84-46
Seminoles take BCS title in back-and-forth classic with Auburn
Auburn looks to claim second BCS title in four years
Levesque leads Saint Mary's over Portland 72-63
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

An unapologetic Hall of Fame ballot revealed, explained
(6)
Ray Ratto

More Stories

Maddux won't be unanimous Hall of Fame selection
Fan selling Giants-themed Mustang
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Yasiel Puig reportedly arrested for reckless driving in Florida
Yasiel Puig reportedly arrested for reckless driving in Florida
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Mattingly extension expected to be done soon
Legendary broadcaster Jerry Coleman dies at age of 89

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Giants DFA Surkamp, officially add Morse, Vogelsong
  • Giants poised to sell Brett Pill's rights to Korean club
  • Giants check on Mark Mulder, still out on Masahiro Tanaka
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's agree to terms on one-year deal with RHP Jesse Chavez
Joe Stiglich

More Stories

A's schedule FanFest for Feb. 8
Are A's preparing to make a run at Tanaka?
(5)
See more >

A's VIDEO

A's STAY mural near Jack London Square
A's STAY mural near Jack London Square
See more >

A's TALK

Judge dismisses San Jose's remaining claims vs. MLB
A's position-by-position breakdown: Second base
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

LIVE: Sharks vs. Predators
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

NHL postpones 'Canes at Sabres due to blizzard
In the Crease: Injury-ravaged Sharks visit Preds
(1)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Couture to have hand surgery, expected to miss 3-4 weeks
Couture to have hand surgery, expected to miss 3-4 weeks
See more >

Features

Vlasic, Marleau make Team Canada, Couture left out
Couture out 3-to-4 weeks with hand injury

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Cardinals leaning on surgically-repaired Carpenter in Game 2
  • Instant Replay: Giants' comeback falls short in Game 1 loss
  • Kelly to miss first two NLCS games, at least
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Warriors vs. Bucks
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Report: W's among teams interested in Hinrich
(1)
Clippers waive former Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson
(2)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Bogut: Big part of my life was in Milwaukee
Bogut: Big part of my life was in Milwaukee
See more >

Features

Fast Forward: Former Buck Bogut returns to Milwaukee
Player going to North Korea says game dwarfed by politics

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Sacramento Mayor helps Cousins’ All-Star campaign
(7)
Casey Pratt

More Stories

Kings seek first win this year against upstart Trail Blazers
Mavs' Dalembert suspended after oversleeping again
See more >

Watch

Highlights: Defensive lapses doom Kings in home loss to Bobcats
Highlights: Defensive lapses doom Kings in home loss to Bobcats
See more >

Features

Poor defense dooms Kings in loss to Bobcats
Kings seeking defense against low-scoring Bobcats

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII ring already up for sale
Y! Sports

More Stories

Panthers 10, 49ers 9
Vick ready to move on from Eagles
See more >

49ers VIDEO

YSTL: Where does win in Green Bay rank in Harbaugh Era?
YSTL: Where does win in Green Bay rank in Harbaugh Era?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: Kap's arm, legs propel 49ers past Packers
(13)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Colts sign former Patriots wide receiver Branch
Associated Press

More Stories

Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (1.7.14)
Davis-Allen meeting pushed back a day
(75)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

NFL releases Raiders 2014 schedule
NFL releases Raiders 2014 schedule
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign French midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Wondolowski, Goodson join United States camp
(1)
Who got off easy in the World Cup draw?
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants DFA Surkamp, officially add Morse, Vogelsong
(8)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Fast Forward: Former Buck Bogut returns to Milwaukee
(10)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

The story behind Harbaugh's hug and kiss
(17)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Scott Bair's 2013 Raiders awards: The offense
(9)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

In the Crease: Injury-ravaged Sharks visit Preds
(1)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

An unapologetic Hall of Fame ballot revealed, explained

TOP STORIES

  • An unapologetic Hall of Fame ballot revealed, explained
  • Maddux won't be unanimous Hall of Fame selection
  • Fan selling Giants-themed Mustang

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

NCAA

Levesque leads Saint Mary's over Portland 72-63
Utah State defeats San Jose State 86-67

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

YSTL: Where does win in Green Bay rank in Harbaugh Era?
YSTL: Where does win in Green Bay rank in Harbaugh Era?
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California