The tan suffered, but Giles' bruise earned him locker-room cred

CINCINNATI -- While Padres manager Bud Black was telling the world that right fielder Brian Giles was a bit gimpy, Padres players were looking at Giles' purple thigh and wondering how Giles was able to play at all. "I promise you, most guys would have been on the disabled list," pitcher Jake Peavy said. "Brian Giles is a flat-out gamer. The way he competes every day, it's a great thing for the young guys on this team." Giles injured the hamstring at Yankee Stadium on June 19. He downplayed the injury, even as the back of his thigh became discolored. "From all the blood that settled, his leg was dark purple," Peavy said. Said outfielder Scott Hairston: "First time I've seen a purple leg. I've never seen anything like that before." Hairston laughed and jokingly added, "His beautiful tan was altered. I'm sure that hurt him more... [read full story]