For those that have never seen Entourage (where the hell have you been? go out and rent all 7 seasons now) the show is based on five main characters. Coincidentally, almost every single major league starting pitching rotation has the same number. You do the math.
Let's see how this plays out.
Vince/Lincecum:
Every group needs a leader, someone that is leaned upon to take them to the promise land. Neither the Giants nor Chase's crew would have reached their current potential without their respective stars.
Vince's talents brought his boys out to LA, setting them up for the success that they all will undoubtedly find in this final season.
Under that same notion, the Giants would not have come close to a trip to the World Series without Timmy. Lincecum is the undeniable ace of this squad and proves it time after time on the hill.
Without Vincent Chase there would not be an Entourage. Without Lincecum there would not be a 2011 Championship banner hanging in the rafters at AT&T. Plain and Simple.
Ari/Cain:
If any other Entourage character could hold their own show as a spin-off, it would probably be the slithering agent Ari.
Every week, a different actor/writer client could come into his office portraying the many outlandish stories that actually happens in Hollywood. That's enough episodes for at least three seasons. He could even bring Eric along.
Of the four other starters in the Giants rotation, Matt Cain is most likely to shine as an ace on any squad that isn't named the Phillies or the Yankees. The Cain/Lincecum 1-2 punch is formidable, and definitely in the conversation as the top combination in the league.
While the loud-mouthed Ari and the soft-spoken Cain hardly seem comparable in character, the role that play to the entourage is the same. Both are definitely strong enough to survive on their own without the group, however, each are most likely to perform better as this "non-spotlight" character.
Johnny/Vogelsong:
Although I think Johnny Drama's true doppelgänger is Aaron Rowand (Victory!!!), Rowand isn't a pitcher, let alone a real baseball player these days.
The stories of Ryan Vogelsong and Johnny Drama are not that different. Both started in the business at a young age, only to see their career's hit the skids. Because of their determination and ability to reinvent themselves, they bounced back to their feet and are now better than ever.
Drama's story concluded last season with him taking a lucrative job voicing some weird animated character. Season after season, we watched Johnny awkwardly struggle to get/keep a gig. The auditions scenes were getting rough and finally they decided to use his acting talents without that horrendous mug that he calls a face. This catapulted him back into "the game", seemingly igniting his oft-stagnant career.
Originally drafted by the Giants in 1998, Vogelsong was traded away for Jason Schmidt in 2001, where he slowly fell down the black hole that is the Pittsburgh Pirates. After reaching the bottom of this deep abyss, Vogelsong landed in Japan where he started to rehab his once-shoddy career. His five years away from the MLB has certainly payed off and the Giants are reaping the benefits.
This "comeback story" allure is why people love these two guys. What's not to like when the runt of the pack finally gets his day.
Eric/Bumgarner:
Madison Bumgarner's performance in last year's World Series sparkles on his resume like the ring on a finger of a newly-minted fiancé. While this win certainly provides the young pitcher with a sense of credibility, the road ahead is still very long for Bumgarner to live up to his actual potential.
Likewise, Eric's successes as an agent largely fall at the hands of his one star client, Vincent Chase. Outside of maybe Bob Saget, Eric's list of clients is still a work in progress with hardly any other notable "wins". But the potential for him to take over as the town's next Ari Gold is certainly still a possibility.
The careers of "E" and Bumgarner are certainly trending in the right direction. However, we will have to wait until the end of this season to see whether or not this trend continues. Luckily for Bumgarner, his career probably won't fall completely off the face of the Earth once this year is through like the that of "E" and the actor that portrays him (Kevin Connelly).
Turtle/Sanchez:
Turtle's story lines usually get swallowed by the other characters shenanigans just like Jonathan Sanchez's starts always seem to get lost in the mix amongst the Giants' other starters.
Sanchez struggles with his command, which often gets him in deep water. So often that even a no-hitter couldn't completely remove him from those constant trade rumors.
Like Sanchez, Turtle often has troubles getting noticed because of the company he keeps. There are so many better and more interesting names that supersede these characters that when they do shine, people quickly forget once one of the main stars reenters the frame.
Lloyd/Zito:
Although neither Lloyd or Barry Zito can consider themselves stars in any way shape or form, they are characters that consistently force their way into the spotlight. One isn't afraid to express his homosexuality. The other works for Ari. Man, I really dislike Zito!
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