The defending champion Giants missed the playoffs in yet another odd-year disappointment, as has become the recent pattern following title runs. Despite that, manager Bruce Bochy is about as proud of this club as he was the teams that won three World Series championships in the previous five years. From new left fielder Nori Aoki to center fielder Angel Pagan and even a lingering oblique injury for typically durable right fielder Hunter Pence, who missed the entire stretch run.