Getting it

[Islandboagie]

When Hudson and Peavy joined the Giants there were quotes and a feeling from the media that these guys could offer a veteran presence in the clubhouse. By the end of the season both admitted that THEY were the inexperienced ones in the clubhouse and in awe of the Giants clubhouse. They learned that a just having a lengthy career means nothing when it comes to the Giants clubhouse. In fact, Hudson said he felt like the rookie when it came to the post season. They get it now.

After today, I'd guess that Denard Span is starting to get it too. Laying down two nice bunts down the line. I loved Kuiper's call "an absolute pearl." He gets his role already, get on base - let Panik, Posey and Pence knock me in.

I love it! And I loved Tomlinson's "pearl" as well. Exciting game today, and I'll officially eat my words...I like Denard Span.

Now we just need to get Cueto and Samardzija on board.

[klaiggeb]

I only got to see the highlights, because I don't have Time Warner, and I don't live in Japan, but I sure like what I have heard!

Thanks, boagie!

boly

[Islandboagie]

With grandslams and clutch hits happening, often the little things smart hitters do get left off the highlight reel.

Tomlinson's bunt in the 5th inning was the rally starter, and put Alex Wood on the ropes. Panik tripling and Posey doubling was the knockout punch, which put us back in the game. But none of that would have been possible without Tomlinson's bunt. That's the kind of stuff that doesn't show up on paper, or highlights. That's the part of baseball guys like John Dewan and Brian Kenny can't comprehend.

[klaiggeb]

Hunter Pence made a comment the other day that pretty much summed up what I've been trying to say about this club.

As close to what I can remember, here's what he said:

"With our lineup, we have more than enough to beat the other team, wotj our line up we can obliterate them."

Obliterate.

That's the word I was looking for.

I mean, seriously, here are some realistic HR estimates based upon past history and expected growth.

Span 6 10
Panik 12-15
Posey 18-23
Pence 20-25
Belt 20-28
Crawford 15-20
Duffy 15-18
Pagan-5-8

On the low side, that's 111 HRs from the starting 8, 147 on the high side.

Now that's certainly NOT the 1961 Yankees, but for a team with NO big power stars, that's darned good.


Now add to that their collective ability to, as the name of this post reads, "get it," and to flat out hit... that translates to a lot of runs.

We stay healthy, and we lead the league in hitting and runs scored.

boly

[Rog]

But none of that would have been possible without Tomlinson's bunt. That's the kind of stuff that doesn't show up on paper, or highlights. That's the part of baseball guys like John Dewan and Brian Kenny can't comprehend.


Rog -- Or you can't comprehend that they can comprehend it. In reality, those guys would be the first to tell us when a hitter should bunt and when he shouldn't -- and specifically why.

They could even tell us based on the game situation, Tomlinson's speed to first base, his bunting skill and his likelihood of doing so, just how deep the third baseman should play -- and why.

What you're essentially saying here, Boagie, is something like, if a guy is a good student, he can't understand the way baseball is played on the field. Buster Posey and Christian Arroyo would dispute you on that one. Or that if a guy is good at math, he can't understand writing. Or that if a guy is good with his hands, he can't be a fast runner. Or that if a guy has a brain, he can't get saddle burn.

Or that Leonardo Da Vinci didn't exist.


Read more: sfgiantsmessageboard.proboards.com/thread/3256/#ixzz45L38gvGL

[Rog]

It was said on this very forum before last season that the Giants might not hit 100 home runs. They wound up hitting 136.

Would we take the over or the under on that this season?