Insider's Note: I started doing this “quotes of the year” piece in 2012 as something that could serve as a placeholder while I went on vacation, but over time it’s turned into something else for me. It’s a mini time capsule, an easy way to look back and remember what we were writing about, tweeting about, and talking about in a given season. The 2015 season was largely about injuries, but even in a down year, this team had a fair amount of fun and enjoyed quite a few big moments. It was still an interesting clubhouse after games, and a lot of that had to do with three guys — Tim Hudson, Jeremy Affeldt and Ryan Vogelsong — who have retired or moved on. Hudson was hilarious and knew every “old man” joke in the book. Affeldt was self-deprecating but also an excellent interview when you wanted someone to step back and look at the big picture. Vogelsong was introspective and intense, and I genuinely never knew what he was going to say after a start. When I asked in August if he had another year in him, he looked up and replied, “My (stuff) is too good to retire.” The quotes were good, too, as you'll see. Here's our look back at the 2015 season ...
“Yeah, man, I thought about making a couple laps around the field. But our outfielders might have been upset about it.” — Madison Bumgarner, after mounting a horse on Opening Day.
“I really want to try to take in as much as I can. When I catch, I get caught up in -- no pun intended -- making sure I’m ready. I still want to make sure I’m ready, but it’s a special day. You need to appreciate it.” — Buster Posey, talking about his third ring ceremony.
“I’m not sure why they chose to do this in an odd year. But I trust that it was well thought out.” — Bobby Evans, after getting promoted to GM.
“You know what, if I get a nice thing, I like to wear it. It’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever received.” — Brandon Belt, explaining why he often wears his World Series ring while others don’t.
“You could kind of tell they were poking fun at me. Everyone was like, ‘Congrats, but our ring is made out of all gold.’” — Nori Aoki, after he was given his Royals AL champion ring.
“He’s still here.” — Tim Hudson, when told by a reporter that Bumgarner carried the Giants the previous October.
“It’ll at least give me a chance to see if they all have teeth. I haven’t seen their teeth all week.” — Bruce Bochy, when the Giants took an eight-game losing streak into the ring ceremony.
"It's a mohawk/pompadour/Skrillex thing.” — Tim Lincecum, on his new haircut.
“I was 1-for-1. If you want to talk about it, I will.” — Bochy, on his luck stealing bases.
“Ichiro is hitting third for the Marlins. Two power hitters up there today.” — Joe Panik, when he was put in the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
“I’ve never been accused of not being able to sleep.” — Belt, when asked after a breakthrough game if he would sleep better.
“Joe was like, ‘Hey man, I’m sorry … I was the one punching you in the ribs. Honestly, I didn’t feel a thing.” — Matt Duffy, after a walk-off celebration.
"I was watching the Warriors. Sorry.” — Bochy, when a Philadelphia reporter asked him if he saw the previous night’s Phillies game.
“We took him to the vet. He said he’s healthy.” — Duffy, on Skeeter the 35-pound cat.
“People were yelling, ‘Hey Duffy, nice cat!” — Duffy, after hitting a homer in the middle of Skeeter Mania.
“He made a life decision.” — Duffy, on Skeeter’s weight loss over the summer.
“I feel I’m kind of better in these situations. It kind of feels like back in 2011, where every start I wasn’t sure if I would get another one. Maybe this is pressure I need. Maybe this is what I need to get my head out of my butt, so to speak.” — Ryan Vogelsong, after a good start early in the season against the Dodgers.
"He's a warrior. This guy will give you all he has, and that's all you can ask. He's well-prepared and he has a great focus. That was a long first inning and that's kind of been his niche, but he responded.” — Bochy, after Vogelsong had a nice start in St. Louis.
“I’m not sure what it is, maybe it’s these old bones. They start getting lubricated up a bit.” — Hudson, when asked about getting better in the late innings of his starts.
“I figured after you give up four homers in a game, it’s probably time for it to go.” — Vogelsong, who shaved his thick beard after a brutal start.
“Obviously he’s going to really help our club, and hopefully he’ll get the club to the next level. I’m on board with whatever helps the club get better and gives us a better chance of winning a world championship. If it means me changing my role, I’m all for it. I think everyone in this locker room is on the same page, and that’s winning a World Series. You put your egos aside.” — Hudson, on the Mike Leake trade.
“I guess he made a great play. He sent me a video. I haven’t had a chance to watch it.” — Bochy, on Jeremy Affeldt’s final rehab game.
"I might've gotten cut out on the editing floor.” — Hudson, on “Moneyball.”
"I'd be 42? That's going to be tough, that's almost Affeldt's age.” — Posey, when asked if he could win a title every other year to match Yogi Berra’s record.
“He hit it good. Every park in the Major League Baseball that’s probably a homer, except this one. That’s why I came here.” — Hudson, on a ball Adrian Gonzalez hit 410 feet only to watch Pence catch it.
“He’s still talking about it because he fouled a couple pitches off.” — Bochy, on Affeldt’s at-bat.
"I'm from the South. This was nothing. This was a walk in the park.” — Hudson, after he pitched well in Los Angeles on one of the hottest days of the year.
"You can't miss that day. He’ll let you know about it the rest of the year if you forget his birthday.” — Bochy, when asked if he wished Affeldt a happy birthday.
"It's just old. I got that old tricky hip. That's just what it is.” — Hudson, on his hip injury.
"When things are going good, you're probably not quite as good as you think you are. And when things are going bad, you're probably not as bad as you think you are.” — Hudson during a losing skid.
“You’re with a guy who just had a tremendous career. You’ll be talking about the Hall of Fame with this guy. It’s been an honor. We’re very appreciative of what he’s done here and just getting to know him. Over the years, you get a chance to spend time with some great players and get to know them, and he’s been one of them for me.” — Bochy, on Hudson.
"I see the finish line. I see it coming. It's fine ... come on. I'm ready for it.” — Hudson, three weeks before the last game of his career.
“It’s time for me to walk away … I’m going to take my ball and go home.” — Affeldt, at his retirement ceremony.
“I walked in and they were a good looking group.” — Hudson, on all his teammates wearing No. 17 shirts before his final start in Oakland.
“My wife is concerned with the amount of free time I have to be around outdoor things and barbecues. She’s actually really concerned. I think she bought me some gloves the other day that they said are stab-proof.” — Affeldt, on life after baseball.
"I would say I'm probably not on the high-priority list, as much as I hate to say that. As many times as I've seen the field in the last month, it kind of put the writing on the wall.” — Vogelsong, on a possible return to the Giants.
“I get asked 'how hard.’A difficulty rating is extremely impossible for me to do. I just give my best every day.” — Hunter Pence, when asked if the rehab was harder than expected.
“It’s going to mom. Especially on Mother’s day, to do that is pretty cool. You do it for mom — that’s pretty cool.” — Duffy, on the pink bat he used for a walk-off hit.
“We might be better on Mother’s Day.” — Bochy, after the Giants got crushed 10-2 by the Dodgers on Father’s Day.
"That's all I got. You’re probably not going to see one harder than that. That's probably off the wall in San Fran, though.” — Belt, on his homer that went to the third deck in Denver.
“I beat his ass back there.” — Casey McGehee, when asked about his message during a meeting with Duffy that came shortly after McGehee was DFA’d.
“I was surprised by the decision to designate him, but I guess I wasn’t surprised by the way he handled it because he’s been that way with me from the start. I feel like with another person, maybe it’d be easy to not point the finger but to have some kind of animosity.” — Duffy, on that meeting with McGehee.
“I asked him how the Bulls were doing. He didn’t say a whole lot.” — Brandon Crawford, on his message to Chicago’s George Kontos as he announced the Warriors score on the team bus.
"I don't ever have a normal day.” — An injured Pence, when asked if he’ll be able to have a normal offseason routine.
“Of course, Bumgarner was down there waiting, too.” — Bochy, after explaining an extra-innings pinch-hit assignment that went to Justin Maxwell.
“He’s the best pitcher in baseball. To be able to do that and run into one, it’s pretty special. You know runs are going to be at a premium.” — Bumgarner, on his homer off Clayton Kershaw.
“Last October, Madison put together a string of performances that I think is hard to believe, and I’m not talking about his locker room celebrations.” — President Obama during the White House visit.
“He looked at me like, ‘Why are you asking?’ That’s who he is.” — Bochy, on asking Bumgarner if he was OK to go out for the ninth.
“The goal is to go out there and win games, but at the same time you like to be the guy that starts the game and also finishes it. I’d like to think (this season) answers a lot of questions I had coming into the year. That’s why I come in and work my butt off every day.” — Bumgarner, on getting another 200-inning season.
"If he mentions first base, I would listen.” — Bochy, when asked if Bumgarner could play left field.
"I don't know if I'll ever be okay with (a pitcher pinch-hitting for me), but if you ever have one hit for you, he's got to be the one. You’ve got to swallow your pride.” — Vogelsong on Bumgarner’s pinch-hit appearance.
"Now we've got to hear from him for a few days. He was saying how easy that was.” — Bochy after Bumgarner’s pinch-hit single.
"He came into the office after the game and he felt like he lost the game. I said, 'You're kidding me, right?' That's his makeup.” — Bochy, on Bumgarner pinch-hitting vs. Trevor Rosenthal.
"That's probably the best (plate appearance) against him all night. I mean, what would you expect with that guy? He's like a storybook. He goes up there and I was truly expecting him to hit a homer. Honestly, he's got the midas touch up there, I guess.” — Hudson, on Bumgarner facing Aroldis Chapman.
"Even the President is making fun of me. That’s when you know you're legit.” — Pence, on President Obama mentioning his signs.
“At that point, I didn’t know what to do. I just wanted the hug. I thought that was cooler.” — Chris Heston, on his no-hitter reaction.
"I let Timmy throw 148. What do you think I would have done?” — Bochy, when asked if Heston would have been allowed to chase a no-hitter against the Padres. He had a high pitch count early.
“You put your big boy pants on. You come out and get ready to go tomorrow.” — Bochy, after a lifeless loss to the Diamondbacks.
"I wish I could explain it. I’m buffaloed, to be honest.” — Bochy, on getting shut out five times in nine home games against the Diamondbacks.
“It’s nice to know that 84 (mph) can still play in the league.” — Javier Lopez, after an outing that lowered his ERA at the time to 0.96.
“That was my closing speed right there. I kinda impressed myself there.” — Belt, after making a running catch in left.
“Did I look confident? My heart started beating fast right before I decided I was going to go. I don’t think I’ve ever felt comfortable stealing a base.” — Posey, after stealing second base against the Dodgers.
“It has a mind of its own, it knows when to kick in. When I can sniff a triple, I’m going to turn it on and use those long giraffe strides and do whatever I can to get to third base.” — Belt, on his two-triples-in-one-game speed.
“I kid around about, ‘I love three-run homers.’ But grand slams are even better.” — Bochy, after Posey hit his second grand slam in five days.
"I'm pretty sure that on October 29 he locked himself into Cincinnati.” — Panik, on Bumgarner making the All-Star team.
“I don’t really know what to expect. I’ll maybe follow Buster around. He’s been to a couple before.” — Crawford, on going to his first All-Star Game.
"He's been a savior, that's pretty much it.” — Bochy, in the middle of the summer, on Heston.
“I enjoyed watching the old man change his mind.” — Bochy, on Jake Peavy diving back into first after briefly thinking he would go for a double.
“When you aren’t fast, you probably shouldn’t try to be fast.” — Andrew Susac, after hurting his thumb sliding into third base on a triple.
"I went with the approach of making good pitches until you get two strikes and then throwing one down the middle.” — Bumgarner, on a disappointing (for him) outing in Phoenix.
"That's my move.” — Angel Pagan, on Dale Thayer’s gum-toss.
"You know what, I have twin 3-year-olds. I listen to nothing. I enjoy the silence.” — Posey, when asked if he listens to talk radio.
“I’m not sure why that was so funny to me, but I thought it was hilarious. I got the giggles. I kinda felt like a ballerina out there. I felt like I looked so stupid out there.” — Belt, on a “leaping” catch.
"I think he's a mudder.” — Bochy, when asked if he would put Belt in the outfield during a rainy game in St. Louis.
“He’s a Matt Duffy-ish type player.” — Peavy on Kelby Tomlinson.
"I can't believe he hurt his oblique with that smooth swing.” — Bochy, a day after Pence got hurt.
"All of a sudden he just climbed the wall." — Matt Cain, on the Juan Perez catch.
“I’ve watched one part a time or two. Or a hundred.” — Crawford, when asked if he’s watched the wild-card game.
“I feel like they’re all equally bad.” — Bumgarner, when I asked him to rank the relief pitcher swings.
“He loves dog food. We’ve had to put the dog food in the pantry because he likes to grab it and eat it. When he found out where we’d put it, he went right to it, so we always have to make sure the pantry door is closed tight. He’ll take a big handful and try to shove it in his mouth, but so far we’ve always caught him. I tasted it to see what he’s so excited about. It’s really bland. But I think he just wants to chew on something. Other than the dog food, he’s awesome.” — Belt, writing about his son, Greyson, in his always-entertaining blog.
“He couldn't avoid (a strain). He would be the last guy to talk to right now.” — Crawford, when asked if he had talked to Pence about oblique strains.
"We're trying to win games. I don't want Buster to be playing third base.” — Duffy, on staying in the game despite a sprained ankle.
"Bum was Bum today.” — Bochy, after Bumgarner’s final start of a 5-0 month.
"Come on Huddy, hit a homer." — Duffy, standing next to Bochy as Hudson came to the plate.
"I felt pretty strong.” — Belt, after he snapped his bat against the dirt.
“That was pretty emotional for me. I was kind of caught there. I’m not going to lie to you, the crowd influenced me. I needed to get Petey some work. I got a battalion down there (in the bullpen). I could hear the crowd. I told Brett: I need to give Petey some work, but you’ve got this hitter.” — Bochy, on letting Brett Bochy finish a game after the crowd booed the manager’s walk to the mound.
“We’re taking over.” — Duffy, when the Other Matt Duffy was called up by the Astros.
"I sprinted down the hall and told my parents.” — Trevor Brown, on his reaction to getting the call to the big leagues.
"Just think about how the trainer feels.” — Dave Groeschner, when told that fans were spooked by another back injury to a second baseman.
"He's such a positive guy. He's one of those guys that's never had a bad day. I think he likes hanging around the guys and being around the ballpark and showing off his small shirts.” — Bochy, on Andres Torres.
“That’s the best offensive game I’ve ever seen. It’s just an amazing day for this kid. To do what he did today, it really is amazing. The kid has been locked in since he came in. He makes it look so easy.” — Bochy, on Jarrett Parker’s three-homer day.
"I couldn't be more honored to have my name alongside several of the past winners tonight. I’d like to thank the Giants organization, the coaching staff, my teammates, my family and all the coaches who taught me how to play the game the right way. They taught me that if you put in the time and the preparation, good things will come.” — Duffy, on being the first rookie to win the Willie Mac Award.
“I just talked to the guys briefly and told them how proud I am of them. Four concussions, three obliques — and here we are on Sept. 29. They fought. They never stopped and I felt good about that. To go into the last week and still be in it, I’m proud of these guys.” — Bochy, when the Giants were finally eliminated Sept. 29.
"My reward was getting to turkey tap him. That's why we play the game right there.” — Belt, when asked if he got a reward for grabbing Heston’s no-hitter ball.
“You’ve got to take that and just remember that going into your offseason. Everyone here needs to remember that. It’s not a fun feeling. We have to take that into the offseason and have it give us a little fuel for next season.” — Bumgarner, on the Dodgers clinching in San Francisco.
