Aubrey Huff last wore a jersey in the major leagues as part of the San Francisco Giants in 2012, celebrating with his teammates after sweeping the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. 

Only deep down, Huff wasn't celebrating at all. He was fighting with anxiety and depression every day at 35 years old. 

In a video with Gillette World Sport, Huff opens up about both issues and how now that he's able to hone them much better, he is attempting to come back to the majors at 38 years old. He will be 39 in December. 

"The biggest thing for me is to inspire people, because millions and millions of people live with anxiety and depression throughout their life," says Huff. 

Huff arrived in San Francisco in 2010 and had one of his best seasons of his career. In 157 games played, the powerful lefty hit .290/.385/.506 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI. He finished seventh in National League MVP voting and was a key to the Giants bringing home their first World Series trophy in the San Francisco era. 

The Giants awarded him with a two-year $22 million contract after the season, but he couldn't produce to the same standards. His last season with the club, he only played in 52 regular season games -- losing his job to a 24-year-old Brandon Belt -- and the Giants declined his $10 million option for a third year. 

For Huff, his comeback attempt isn't just to suit up in the bigs again, but get back to the player he was for the Giants in 2010. 

"Not only do I want to come back, I don't want to sit the bench, but have the best season I've ever had in my life." 

One of the biggest reasons Huff believes he can play the way he once did again is the training he's been doing. Instead of traditional weight lifting, Huff has been going through isometric training, meaning he focuses less on weight and more on multiple timed holds and movements. 

This unique way of training is credited to Huff's trainer Jason Huntley at Velocity Sports Performance in San Diego. Huff refers to him as the "Mad Scientist." 

"I believe so deeply, when I go back this year, I'm going to be better than I ever have because I'm doing things that nobody else is doing," Huff said on his training regiment. 

Huntley saw Huff as an out of shape athlete that needed to slowly increase how hard he trains. But, quickly he realized there's much more to the man. 

"There's something more driving Aubrey, this ultimate picture he has to be the greatest version of Aubrey Huff he's ever been in his life," Huntley explains.

Huff wants to go out the way he intended to. Once the 2012 season ended and his option was declined, he felt anxiety and depression won the battle and it was time for him to move on. 

Now, he's moving in a different direction that is completely rejuvenating him. 

"I believe in hard work, I believe in the grind. If you're not facing fears, if you're not grinding it out every day and not really embracing a challenge, then you're dying inside. And to me, that's where I was. 

"After baseball was over, I was dying." 

Now, more healthy mentally and physically, Huff is just waiting for an MLB club to bring the 13-year veteran back to life on the diamond.


(csnbayarea.com)

Former first baseman Aubrey Huff hinted on his Facebook page recently that he may be considering a comeback to baseball.

He hasn’t played since 2012, but the former MVP candidate wrote:”I do feel mentally, and physically stronger than I ever have in my life. Hmmmmmm!???”

If Huff were to come back, his best shot is going to be with an American League club. He’s 38, was never a defensively strong option at first base, and seems slated to spend most if not all of his time at designated hitter should he complete the comeback.

If he’s really feeling physically better than he has in years, Huff will have to find a team that’s willing to let him prove it. He finished seventh in National League MVP voting in 2010, but quickly went on the decline and played just 53 games in his final season.

Huff’s career spanned 13 years, including stops in Tampa Bay, Houston, Baltimore, Detroit and San Francisco. He received MVP votes three times, hit 20 or more home runs on seven occasions and received MVP votes in three different seasons. He owns a career .278 batting average, and hit 242 home runs before announcing his retirement in January of 2014.


(calltothepen.com)

Pablo Sandoval keeps firing shots at the Giants.

"The truth hurts," the beloved/once-beloved Panda said.

The latest round came in the wake of Aubrey Huff's Facebook post, in which Huff paints a picture of Sandoval that wasn't necessarily portrayed during his years in San Francisco to fans or media.

Sandoval's response to the former Giants first baseman?

"Who is Aubrey Huff?" he told ESPN Boston. "What is important here is to see where the person who made those comments is, and where I am now, that's what counts."

Huff was the Giants home run leader in 2010, when they won their first championship in San Francisco. Sandoval spent most of the 2010 playoffs on the bench because he was neither in shape nor productive.

Here is what Huff posted:

"I'm pretty sure their (sic) wasn't a tear shed on behalf of all the players, and the coaches when he signed with Boston. It has always been about Pablo. He had the fans fooled but not the players! One of the biggest reasons he didn't want to come back is because the Giants made him workout on the treadmill every day! Pretty subre that was a driving force for him! Never the less [sic] he could have always been a legend in San Fran but ego always will come in to play when it comes to Pablo! Sorry for the rant just want to take up for the players who are there now holding their tongues, because they don't want to get in the middle of this! If you can't get along with guys like (Buster) Posey, (Madison) Bumgarner, (Matt) Cain, (Jeremy) Affeldt (sic), just to name a few, then maybe it's time to look in the mirror! Rant over!"

Said Sandoval: "Those were completely incoherent comments."

Sandoval, who left the Giants for a five-year, $95 million contract in Boston, first sounded off in a Bleacher Report story, saying he wasn't treated right by the Giants during contract negotiations and the only Giants he'll miss are Bruce Bochy and Hunter Pence.

"I'm not selfish. I am where I am because I have worked very hard and have always done my job," Sandoval said. "Anyone can say whatever they want. I will not lose sleep or stop working my hardest because of that."

He added, "I said what I had to say, and I'm not going to take it back. I stand by it. I was clear, and you know what they say, the truth hurts."

Sandoval was asked about his image among Giants fans.

"Yes, maybe some people will change their perception," he said. "But I felt I really had something to say, and I wanted to get it out. It's nothing against the fans or against the players; fans always supported me in good and bad times."

He added, "But it's nothing personal. It's time to move on and turn the page, and now I am focused on my new home with my new teammates, and have left the rest behind. I am focused on my own teammates now and spending as much time together as possible."


(sfgate.com)

I will be wearing this to support not only my package but also the #SFGiants! Go Giants!! pic.twitter.com/ChU3XyU7mW

— AUBREY HUFF (@aubrey_huff) October 1, 2014

In case any of you are wondering yes I will continue to wear the thong! Unbelievable game by Madbum!

— AUBREY HUFF (@aubrey_huff) October 2, 2014

I’m having a hard time believing Aubrey Huff only made $57,825,001 during his MLB career. This guy hammered out 242 dongs and the most he ever made in a season was $10,000,000.

Anyway, Huff is selling his San Diego pad for just shy of $4 million.

According to his realtor:

Resort living in this single-level estate on one of the prettiest corner lots and locations in the prestigious guard gated community of Rancho Pacifica. Beautifully constructed with the finest attention to detail and design, and wonderful integration on the elevated south- and west-oriented lot for maximum enjoyment of the open vistas, sunlight and ocean breezes.

Real Highlights Of Aubrey’s San Diego Resort
• 5 beds, 5 full baths and a half
• Basketball court
• Pool that is perfect for a bikini photoshoot
• 15 miles from Whole Foods
• 14 miles from Goldfingers strip club

Mortgage: $15,477/mo. before you start talking about taxes and gardeners


(bustedcoverage.com)

Aubrey Huff has officially announced his retirement from baseball, ending a 13-year Major League career, reports Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish.

“I’m officially done. I have no desire to play anymore,” Huff said over the phone on Saturday. “That has come and gone. I couldn’t even imagine picking up a bat and trying to get ready for the whole grind of a baseball season anymore. I’m enjoying this way too much, just hanging out.”

Huff already has a new job lined up, as he will be a broadcaster with the Pac-12 network starting next month.

Huff was drafted by the Devil Rays in the fifth round of the 1998 draft and spent seven seasons in the big leagues with them. Over the rest of his career, he would play with the Astros, Orioles, Tigers, and Giants. He was a big part of the 2010 World Series champion Giants, posting an .891 OPS during the regular season with a few multi-hit games during the post-season. Perhaps his most important contribution to that team, though, was the inception of the “red rally thong“. He won a second ring as part of the 2012 Giants as well, but his role and contributions were reduced, as he was 35 years old.


(hardballtalk.com)

I guess Aubrey Huff knows where he stands in the universe. Brian Cashman said yesterday they’d be interested in Derek Lee, Scott Rolen, Chipper Jones and, in keeping with the “old guys who really don’t play anymore” thing, likely kicked the tires on Charlie Hayes. But not Huff:

“Out of curiosity, asked if the Yankees had reached out to Aubrey Huff. Answer: "No." So there is that.”


(hardballtalk.com)

When Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira went down with with a sprained wrist, Aubrey Huff’s name was tossed about as a possible fill-in, but that is not going to happen.

“I’m pretty much retired,” Huff just said by phone. He had hoped to get a spring-training invite but got no calls over the winter. He is 36 and coming off two poor seasons, a knee injury, back issues and a battle with depression.

Huff said he “absolutely” was fine with not playing.

“I have no regrets,” he said. “I love it. I’m having a great time with my wife and kids. I don’t even have an itch to pick up a baseball bat. I wondered if I’d feel that desire when everybody reported to spring training, but I didn’t.”

Huff is due a second Giants World Series ring. He said he has not been invited to the April 7 ring ceremony, but he would be just as happy to get his jewelry in the mail if the Giants do not call.

“It’s just one more flight I don’t have to take,” he said.


(sfgate.com)

Aubrey Huff, the consistent power producer and 2010 Giants hero derailed by an episode of panic attacks in 2012, is looking to make a comeback in 2013.

"He wants to play,'' Huff's attorney Ed Hayes said by phone. "He's working out. It's not a matter of physical issues. Nor is it a matter of mental issues, which he's addressed.''

According to Hayes, Huff, who has 242 career home runs, had an issue with panic attacks on one occasion, sought treatment and has no lingering issue.

"Medication is an amazing thing," Hayes said.

(It should be noted Zack Greinke, who had a similar issue, signed the most lucrative contract this winter, his $147 million deal with the Dodgers.)

Huff's situation is very much like it was three years ago, when the Giants picked him up off of the scrap heap and he wound up having such a productive season, he finished seventh in MVP voting in 2010 and subsequently signed a two-year, $22 million deal. Hayes said Huff intends to prove that last year, when he hit an uncharacteristic .192 in 78 at-bats, is in the past.

Hayes has talked to a few teams, but they know the reality is Huff may need to wait to see what happens with Lance Berkman first. Berkman is ahead of Huff in the pecking order, but the same American League teams could make sense for Huff, provided they can overlook his one rough year.

Texas is one team eyeing Berkman, and that's a team that would presumably interest Huff, a Fort Worth product. The Rays, Orioles, Indians and Red Sox are among other teams who could add a hitter.

Said Hayes, "We're keeping our fingers crossed an opportunity will open up."


(cbssports.com)