Showtime aired the second episode of "The Franchise: A Season With The San Francisco Giants" last night, and P Brian Wilson was prominently featured throughout the show. The episode began with footage from last week's All-Star Game, and the narrator said, “During the All-Star festivities, players bask in the glow of the national spotlight, none more so than the Giants' charismatic closer.” Asked about having a “rock star following,” Wilson said, “I do play a mean air guitar and I know that has a lot to do with it.” As one of the "best closers in the game and baseball’s most eccentric personality, Brian Wilson’s celebrity has grown right along with his signature facial hair.” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said, “I get more questions about Willie than any other player. They want to know what this guy’s about. It’s good for baseball.” Wilson: “I’ve got no aspirations to be a movie star. I’ve got no aspirations to be on talk shows. They ask me to do it. I say, ‘Okay.’” Giants P Tim Lincecum said, “It’s not an act. It’s not fake. That’s really Brian Wilson.” The show also examined the baseball journey of Ps Ryan Vogelsong and Barry Zito preparing for the second half of the season, 3B Pablo Sandoval having an All-Star season and Wilson’s appearance at the ESPY Awards wearing a unitard tuxedo (“The Franchise,” Showtime, 7/20). SI’s Dick Friedman writes “The Franchise” is “never less than watchable.” The “hope is to make a Rex Ryan-like star” out of Wilson, but the “most poignant story arc” during the first episode involved Vogelsong. When Bochy informed Vogelsong he had made the NL All-Star team, Bochy “gets misty” and said, “This is an awesome moment for you but for all of us too.” If the show can “summon more such moments, it might have its own championship season” (SI, 7/25 issue).
WORTH THE EXPERIENCE: Bochy yesterday said he initially was concerned "The Franchise," which will chronicle the Giants' entire season, would be a "distraction for the players." Bochy: "We’ve got a cast of characters here, and I didn’t know if they would go overboard with this thing. But it’s been good. They’ve done it in a good way and it has not been a distraction." He added that the crew filming the series is "really respectful ... if I don’t want them around" for certain situations. Bochy also said the show is "good for baseball, and hopefully it’ll get some kids back into the game" ("The Jim Rome Show," 7/20).
