The team, not the city, cost Giants Ohtani

I tell this story to set up the fact that every major city in the United States experiences some unpleasantness, as former Giants great Buster Posey pointed out.

Now holding equity in the team, Posey was interviewed in the aftermath of the Giants losing out on a significant free agent — again. After Shohei Ohtani announced his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a massive $700 million deal, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly interviewed Posey about what happened.

Apparently not a lot of people actually read the article, but one part was taken out of context and run with by local and social media. Posey had the “audacity” to say that the perception of the “City by the Bay” is one that is gross and unsafe.

The reaction ranged from disbelief to outright hatred. Posey, who apparently lived in the East Bay during his time with the team, wasn’t a resident of the city and had no business talking what some perceived as “trash.”

First of all, there is a serious reading comprehension problem in this country. Posey didn’t say he thought “The City” was dirty, gross and unsafe. He was merely relaying stories he had heard from players, and their families, who thought that way.

Never mind the fact that in article Posey also lauded the city, talked about his love and affection for it and how he had come to appreciate the city’s rich and long history. Apparently no one saw those quotes.

Ohtani didn’t sign with the Dodgers because San Francisco is gross. LA is a lot higher on the grossness list than San Francisco.

Ohtani did not sign with the Giants because the roster is middling — at best — and at worst, is downright bad.

Which team would you rather play for? The one that has Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, or Mike Yastrzemski and Lamont Wade Jr.? Nice little players in their own right, but not perennial all-stars.

The simple fact of the matter is, the Dodgers are built to win right now. If he signed with the Giants, Ohtani would probably surpass Barry Bonds for most intentional walks in a season.

The Dodgers are a contender. The Giants are not. That’s why Ohtani signed with LA, not because there are dirty needles and poop in the streets of San Francisco.

***

At least Boomer Esiason and Nate Burleson, two national media members who are on the CBS Sports pregame and halftime show, seem to get it when it comes to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

During halftime of the 49ers’ 45-29 win over Arizona Sunday, both the Hall of Fame quarterback (Esiason) and Burleson, a 10-year NFL vet, extolled the virtues of the 49ers’ second-year signal caller and his bid for NFL MVP. Esiason said Purdy haters are simply talking “out of their you-know-what,” while Burleson took it a step further, saying that those who don’t think Purdy is an MVP candidate, “Don’t know ball.”

It is simply unbelievable that a significant part of the NFL universe still thinks Purdy is simply the product of the system. That any team with players like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and George Kittle would, of course, be among the best in the NFL and that Purdy is simply along for the ride.

Maybe if these pundits actually watched him play, they might think differently. If Kyle Shanahan’s system is so otherworldly, why didn’t Jimmy Garappolo achieve this kind of success? Nick Mullens? CJ Beathard? Any of other slew of quarterbacks Shanahan used in the early part of his 49ers tenure? Why didn’t those guys show up and show out?

If they actually watched Purdy play, they would see him always looking to drive the ball downfield, always hanging in the pocket until the last possible moment, always looking to make a play.

He threw another four touchdowns Sunday, without a turnover. Last week, he threw for a career-high 368 yards. He’s on pace for more than 4,600 yards passing, which would break the team’s single-season mark set by Jeff Garcia in 2000 and he’s well within range of Steve Young’s record of 36 touchdown passes in 1998. After the four TDs Sunday, Purdy sits at 29 with three games left to play.

OK. I get it. Those records were set a 16-game schedule. Purdy will get one more now that the NFL plays 17 games. But even if the season ended after 16 games, Purdy would be right there among discussions on the best single seasons in 49ers history.

But more than the stats, just look at his throws — his touch and anticipation might be the best in the NFL right now. Granted, the Arizona defense made things a bit easier (how do you let Deebo be uncovered or drop coverage on McCaffrey?), but he still has to make the play and most often, he does.

The fact of the matter is, Purdy is carving up defenses with the best offense in football. First pick in the draft, last pick in draft, it doesn’t matter. Purdy is among the elite in the NFL right now and to denigrate him as a “game manager” simply means you don’t know ball.

Nathan Mollat can be reached by email: nathan@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: 344-5200 ext. 117. To report scores or tips, email sports@smdailyjournal.com.