September 8th, 2006: Cain flirts with no-no

Cain excels under Morris' tutelage

When signing Morris to a three year contract in December of 2005, no one thought twice when Sabean declared, ''Simply put, Matt Morris is a winner". While hinting to his performance on the mound, the Giants GM has no idea the nine year veteran would find new ways to help the cause serving as mentor to young Matt Cain.

"We just kind of hit it off, in the spring, started maybe working out a little bit together, and started to get to know each other," Cain said. "It's just been a good relationship. I ask him a ton of questions, and he answers them ... a lot."

Ten years his senior, Morris tends to see much of himself in the young fireballer from Dothan, Alabama. Much like Cain, Morris had been a much coveted prospect out of Valley Central High School in New York and had experience the high expectations. In his professional baseball debut, he struck out the first three batters he faced in rout to a 5 inning shutout win. Then cardinals assistant GM Hern Scorcher was blown away.

"We were like, 'Wow, this guy is something special...I would say he is the most hyped guy we've ever had."

Sound familiar?

Ranked as the Giants Top Prospect in 2005 and regarded as one of the top 15 in major league baseball, Cain has had high expectations to live up to. When listening to the 22 year old hurler talk, you can't help but see Morris' tutelage.

"A lot of the pressure that always happens I think is something people put on themselves,'' Cain said. "It's nothing these guys should do to put pressure on me. It's all up to me and what I do with it is my own decision. I'm going to go out there and try to keep competing everyday and however it comes out is going to come out.''

While getting off to a rocky start to begin the 2006 campaign, the rookie has been lights out in the second half. In his last five starts, he is 4-0, giving up one earned run while stricking out 36 in 34 innings pitched. Last night was just a reminder of the potential of this kid, as he dominated San Diego with one hit in seven scoreless innings in a 4-0, bringing the Giants within 2.5 games of the wild card.

Every Giants fan who has followed young Cain's career has to remember his first major league start against Colorado, at home in 2004. With his parents in the stands, no one can forget as the camera panned to his parents, Tom and Delores, sitting nervously in the stands. Right before his son's first pitch, you did not need a camera to see the words that came from his father's mouth, "Here we go".

Coming off a masterpiece last night, Cain has fans asking where can't this kid go. While a crowd of 39,000 stood and applauded, there was a veteran pitcher waiting in the dugout with a big smile. His protege was reaching his potential and nothing could make a teacher prouder.