Giants' Aubrey Huff in playoffs for first time in 11-season career

Aubrey Huff is in his 11th major league season and 33 years old. San Francisco's first baseman also is a playoff rookie.

Good thing he's got a couple of former World Series winners surrounding him in the Giants' clubhouse: Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand. It's still sinking in for Huff that he's about to play more meaningful games in October. San Francisco opens its best-of-five NL division series at home Thursday night against the wild-card Atlanta Braves.

Huff lived it up after the Giants beat the Padres on the season's final day to clinch their first playoff berth and NL West title since 2003.

"It was weird, when the champagne was done it never really kicked in," Huff said of what he'd just accomplished. "Once the hangover wears off and you have a day to reflect on it, you realize it's real and you cherish it."

Huff has provided a key boost for the Giants, who signed him to a $3 million, one-year contract in January. He had 26 home runs and 86 RBIs while playing 157 games — 100 of those at first base, 46 in left field and 34 in right.

While the majority of the Giants are in their first playoffs like Huff, they have played more than their share of close games to get here.

"We don't have a lot of playoff experience, but this team is battle-tested," Huff said. "All year long, almost every game came down to the eighth inning."



(ap.com)