When the San Francisco Giants hired Buster Posey to replace Farhan Zaidi, it was clear that San Francisco would be heading in a new direction, but unclear what direction that was. The new regime has now made their first big signing and the direction and type of player that Posey and company want is becoming clear.

That type of player are ones like Posey himself, as Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle explained on the show Foul Territory.

“I think Buster Posey really wants gritty guys,” she said. “There was a lot of talk the other day, and this won’t come as a surprise to anyone, during the WIlly Adames press conference. He played in 161 last year, wanted to play 162, he wants those kind of guys, he wants guys that play like he did.”

Chapman played 154 games last year, the first Giants player to appear in 150 or more games since WIlmer Flores in 2022. Chapman’s ability to play everyday and show that type of grit is why San Francisco felt comfortable giving him a huge extension.

Adames has played in at least 140 games each of the past two years, including that 161 number last season.

Another player who they are currently a “favorite” for is that same type of gritty guy, just from the mound. Corbin Burnes has made at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons, including at least 190 innings all three years and even a 200 inning season. That is something not seen as often in the game anymore.

One of the big complaints during the Zaidi era was that the Giants didn’t always hav that one player who played everyday. There was a lot of platooning, and it now seems like Posey wants to get away from that and find players who will be there everyday.

“He wants Chapman’s, Adames’ guys who are going to go out and really fight and lift up their teammates and hold them accountable, too, which is exactly what Buster did when he was a player. I think that’s important for him,” Slusser continued.

The president of baseball operations wants to re-work this team and build a new identity in his vision, which is something he has begun to do. However, in order to do that, Posey will need time and patience to turn over a roster like that.

With the addition of Adames, though, he joins Webb and Chapman as those type of gritty players who will be out there everyday.

SAN FRANCISCO – A legacy business in San Francisco that has been around since 1936 is going out of business.

Papenhausen Hardware, a fixture in West Portal for 88 years, will close its doors on Dec. 31, or sooner if inventory runs out.

On Monday, customers flowed in and out of the store, many learning that the days of visiting the shop and benefiting from the staff’s expertise are limited.

“Without this place, where can you go?” asked customer Frank Ruiz.

Karl Aguilar, who joined the staff in 1988 and eventually became a manager and partner, said the business survived two fires, the latest in 2018. However, it could not withstand rising rent and changing social patterns following the pandemic.

As a neighborhood business without a parking lot but situated close to the West Portal, it relied on a steady stream of commuters to stop in. The post-pandemic era, with remote work and food delivery, has led to a 30% drop in foot traffic.

“We have always been more of a convenience store than a destination,” said Aguilar. “When you don’t have parking, you’re always going to be more convenience-based. We just became less convenient for 30% of our customers.”

The hardware store is offering deep discounts, and customers are flooding in to get what they need.

“Even though it’s a small store I find everything I need here,” said customer Joyce Zanze. “But, it’s our community, West Portal. We need a hardware store.”

Papenhausen has been more than just a hardware store; it’s a neighborhood landmark. During the pandemic, it served as a location for essential workers and a gathering place for neighbors when it was safe.

John Veizades said the store’s history goes back farther than that.

“We moved to this neighborhood when I was 11 or 12 years old and we were the commensurate DIY family,” said Veizades. “So, when you needed a screw or a bolt or piece of wire you came on down to Papenhausen.”

Now, the owners are saying their farewells to staff and loyal customers, urging people to support small businesses to prevent further closures in the city.

“I talk to a lot of business owners, and a lot of them are in the same boat,” Aguilar said. “Whether they’re doing better or worse has a lot to do with whether they were able to adapt, how much they can streamline, and whether or not they own their buildings.”