Logan Webb has long been a bright spot amid the chaos and inefficiency of the San Francisco Giants. Now in the dark, he deletes his X.com account after an interview with a radio reporter.
The right-hander who led the National League in innings pitched each of the past three seasons gave up five runs Wednesday in the first inning of the Giants' 10-0 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, including the first grand slam of his career.
Webb settled down and threw six scoreless innings after that. But the Giants were still on their way to 39-54, 21.5 games behind the first Dodgers. Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease hit a home run in the ninth inning before Heliot Ramos singled for the Giants.
Jack Loder, a visibly upset digital content producer for the Giants' main station KNBR, posted a two-minute video to X shortly after the game that singled out Webb for criticism.
“People say, 'How do you blame Webb when the offense didn't do anything?'” Loder said. “Yeah, the offense didn't do anything, I'm fueling the offense here, maybe they do something when it's 0-0 or 1-0. If someone has to be your ace, you think he's going to give you a good chance to win every week….
“I've really enjoyed his performance for the Giants, but it's been a little lacking. I wish he was an ace. Because Lord knows this team has needed him many times over the last few years.”
Loder then accurately predicted that Webb “may be searching his name on Twitter after the game, which is never a good look.”
Webb commented on Loder's video shortly after: “You know what's sad is they let people like you in the lobby.”
Loder, in turn, posted Webb's response, adding, “If you're wondering where the Giants are mentally after going 10-0 to fall 16 games below .500.”
Webb responded to comments from one reporter on the music and at least two Giants fans, telling one, “To be honest you probably don't know anything about anything else that's lost on the couch who can't make his minor league team.”
Later that evening, Webb deleted his account and has not reactivated it. Maybe reporters will talk to him next at the All-Star Game. He has represented Zimnyama for three consecutive years.
Toward the end of his video, Loder expanded on his criticism: “The veterans — the guys who get paid the most — are letting this team down, letting the franchise down, letting the fans down.
Six Giants players were paid more than $20 million this season: First baseman Rafael Devers ($25 million), third baseman Matt Chapman ($25 million), shortstop Robbie Ray ($25 million), Webb ($23 million), Jung Hoo Lee ($22 million) and shortstop Willy Adames ($21 million).
Only Chapman (2.5 WAR) is worth even two more wins than his replacement, and he's on the injured list.
The bigger problems have gone beyond the field. Four pitchers backtracked on the team's annual Pride Night in June, with three writing Bible verses next to the princess-colored logo on their caps and a fourth refusing to wear a colorful cap at all. MLB notified them that they were violating mutual agreements, which created cultural tensions between the most diverse and diverse city in the country and Republican politicians who argued that the players' actions were an expression of religious freedom protected by the Constitution.
The response from Giants president and Hall of Fame catcher Buster Posey was deemed inadequate. He declined to discuss the players' actions or the team's response, telling reporters, “I'll answer baseball questions.”
Baseball's questions surrounding the Giants abounded, from the hiring of a manager – Tony Vitello – who had no professional baseball experience to Devers seemingly disrespecting Vitello by lifting a short runner to three outfielders who engaged in a provocative hip-thrust celebration.
Webb's social media debacle can be added to the list.
