If'n

[klaiggeb]

If you're old enough to remember the early 60's when TV stars were singing songs that made top 40 radio.

Paul Peterson from the Donna Reed show had 2 hits; "She can't find her keys," and "My Dad."

Shelly Fabre, same show, "Johnny Angel"

Johnny Crawford of Rifleman fame had a couple: "You're nose is gonna grow," and "Cindy's birthday."\

Most, however, are not likely to remember when Elizabeth Montgomery, of Bewitched, sang "The If'n Song."

Well, that song sums up this Giant team.

IF'N a lot of things go right, we have a chance.

IF'N Crawford can come close to last year's numbers.


IF'N Belt can stay healthy.

IF'N Bart is ready to play

IF'N Thairo Estrada is truly the real deal.

IF'N Rodon stays healthy.

IF'N Wade wasn't a fluke.

IF'N Yaz can get his swing back

IF'N Ruf isn't too old

IF'N Longo comes back healthy

IF'N Littel and the rest of the relievers were the real deals.

IF'N...too many darned IF'N's

[reedonly]

Apr 1, 2022 9:57:00 GMT -5 klaiggeb said:

If you're old enough to remember the early 60's when TV stars were singing songs that made top 40 radio.

Paul Peterson from the Donna Reed show had 2 hits; "She can't find her keys," and "My Dad."

Shelly Fabre, same show, "Johnny Angel"

Johnny Crawford of Rifleman fame had a couple: "You're nose is gonna grow," and "Cindy's birthday."\

Most, however, are not likely to remember when Elizabeth Montgomery, of Bewitched, sang "The If'n Song."

Well, that song sums up this Giant team.

IF'N a lot of things go right, we have a chance.

IF'N Crawford can come close to last year's numbers.


IF'N Belt can stay healthy.

IF'N Bart is ready to play

IF'N Thairo Estrada is truly the real deal.

IF'N Rodon stays healthy.

IF'N Wade wasn't a fluke.

IF'N Yaz can get his swing back

IF'N Ruf isn't too old

IF'N Longo comes back healthy

IF'N Littel and the rest of the relievers were the real deals.

IF'N...too many darned IF'N's

Crawford:  will do well
Belt:  pessimistic
Bart:  seems to have a little more swagger and command.  Might surprise or might get traded if Giants are blown away by an offer (according to Susan Slusser). 
Thairo: Yes
Longoria:  He's not back until June.  Not optimistic.
Relievers:  Should be better with more defined roles however, Slusser hinted Duval needs more work on something but not sure what she meant.  the closer is initially Jake Magee but it might come down to late inning matchups.
As far as the Longoria replacement goes, it might boil down to skill set.  This means, who can play first or second if Belt or La Stella cannot go.  We're talking competition between Vosler, Blandino, williams, and Krizan.   Supposedly, Kapler likes Krizan but he's age 32. 

[klaiggeb]

Like I said, Reed, a lot of "If'n's"

[Islandboagie]

There's an overall reluctancy for the Bay Area media to report about Joey Bart in a positive light because Cueto called out Bart's ability to call games 2 years ago. So, whether they truly believe it or not, they will still continue to say he's a work in progress because they wouldn't dare disregard comments made from someone with dark skin. Afterall, we know in the liberal world if you disagree with someone who's darker than you, you're inherently racist.

That said I think Joey Bart will be fine, he's been fine for a few years in fact, it's only the struggles of an aging Johnny Cueto that held him from being in the majors last season.

As for all the others "if'n"s, every team has question marks at the beginning of every season. We had them last season, we had them in 2010, '12 and '14, this year is no different.

I like our starting staff, I think it's more solid 1-5 than last season. The rest is about like it was last season, minus Posey of course, the young guys will have to pick up the slack in his absence.

[klaiggeb]

Apr 2, 2022 15:45:47 GMT -5 Islandboagie said:

There's an overall reluctancy for the Bay Area media to report about Joey Bart in a positive light because Cueto called out Bart's ability to call games 2 years ago. So, whether they truly believe it or not, they will still continue to say he's a work in progress because they wouldn't dare disregard comments made from someone with dark skin. Afterall, we know in the liberal world if you disagree with someone who's darker than you, you're inherently racist.

That said I think Joey Bart will be fine, he's been fine for a few years in fact, it's only the struggles of an aging Johnny Cueto that held him from being in the majors last season.

As for all the others "if'n"s, every team has question marks at the beginning of every season. We had them last season, we had them in 2010, '12 and '14, this year is no different.

I like our starting staff, I think it's more solid 1-5 than last season. The rest is about like it was last season, minus Posey of course, the young guys will have to pick up the slack in his absence.

I figured there had to be a reason why the SF media wasn't high on Joey, and I appreciate your passing it on.

I know we had a lot of "if'n's" in all of those years and we still over came them.

but for me, the issue is much deeper and much more concerning.

Crawford, Belt, Leone, Littel and a couple of others all had career years. Players coming off career years often take a huge dive for one reason or another.

And honestly, I was surprised that Leone and Littel did as well as they did because I really don't think that much of either one.

Were their years flukes? We'll soon see, but I'm not optimistic.

Shawn Estes said at the least we should win 89-90 games this year, and though I would be inclined to agree, with the injuries we're already seeing, that might be a tad high.

Sure hope I'm wrong, but right now, that's what I see.

[Islandboagie]

Well I think you are wrong if you think our season rests on the shoulders of Littell and Leone. First off, they were both up and down a lot. Neither one really pitched way above their capabilities to the point that they couldn't repeat what they did last season. I think it's almost as likely they pitch better this season rather than falling off a noticeable amount. Also, whether they pitch well or struggle, neither one is put into high leverage situations on a consistent basis. If they do struggle, they are both fairly easy to replace.

Belt and Crawford are a different story. I guess you could call last year career years for both, but they're both capable of having productive seasons and have shown that numerous times over their careers. Crawford and Belt not at their absolute best is still pretty good. I'm not worried about them as long as they're healthy.

[klaiggeb]

Little and Leone were just examples. I could and should have mentioned others in the pen like McGee and Rogers.

I am of the mind that last year's pen success was a fluke.

I just do not see our gus overall winning more than 83...85 games at most

[Islandboagie]

Rogers' level of success surprised me. Most pitchers with an unusual delivery are often figured out at some point, but that never seemed to happen last season. McGee on the other hand is proven. Whether those two repeat the same success this season is a question that will be answered soon. I think overall the bullpen is better because of Doval who should pick up where he left off as our closer, which in turn gives Kapler the opportunity to use Rogers and McGee in more favorable situations.

[Islandboagie]

I'll say one more thing, I didn't like our bullpen starting last season. This season I think we are very solid. I have to give Farhan and Kapler credit for completely revamping the bullpen in less than one season.

No offense, Boly, but you had lots of negative things to say about Wilson, Lopez, Affeldt, Romo, Casilla and Kontos as well..so my immediate reaction is to take complaints from you about our bullpen with a grain of salt.

[reedonly]

Bullpen will be more defined so it should be a strength. Kapler says the thing Doval needs to work in is holding runners.

[klaiggeb]

Apr 4, 2022 10:23:12 GMT -5 Islandboagie said:

I'll say one more thing, I didn't like our bullpen starting last season. This season I think we are very solid. I have to give Farhan and Kapler credit for completely revamping the bullpen in less than one season.

No offense, Boly, but you had lots of negative things to say about Wilson, Lopez, Affeldt, Romo, Casilla and Kontos as well..so my immediate reaction is to take complaints from you about our bullpen with a grain of salt.

That's an absolutely brilliant point!

And for that reason alone my opinion should be disregarded. :-)

[Islandboagie]

Not disregarded, just taken with a grain of salt. I too was not impressed with our bullpen last season, nor was I impressed with the way in which Kapler used it in the post-season. But with the addition of Doval I think the bullpen is more solidified to the point that Kapler can't make too many dumb mistakes this time around.

[klaiggeb]

No question, I agree with you that Kepler overused of the bullpen, and the late season meltdown, especially in the postseason, was the result.

I think Duval will help, and I think phasing him in is the closer is the plan.

[reedonly]

Apr 2, 2022 15:45:47 GMT -5 Islandboagie said:

There's an overall reluctancy for the Bay Area media to report about Joey Bart in a positive light because Cueto called out Bart's ability to call games 2 years ago. So, whether they truly believe it or not, they will still continue to say he's a work in progress because they wouldn't dare disregard comments made from someone with dark skin. Afterall, we know in the liberal world if you disagree with someone who's darker than you, you're inherently racist.

That said I think Joey Bart will be fine, he's been fine for a few years in fact, it's only the struggles of an aging Johnny Cueto that held him from being in the majors last season.

As for all the others "if'n"s, every team has question marks at the beginning of every season. We had them last season, we had them in 2010, '12 and '14, this year is no different.

I like our starting staff, I think it's more solid 1-5 than last season. The rest is about like it was last season, minus Posey of course, the young guys will have to pick up the slack in his absence.

There were complaints about Bart from some of the other pitchers in 2020, not just Cueto.  I think Garcia was another pitcher that had problem with the pacing of the game when Bart was catching.  2022 is going to be a different story, and I think he will do well as Posey's successor. 

[klaiggeb]

Apr 11, 2022 9:14:56 GMT -5 reedonly said:

Apr 2, 2022 15:45:47 GMT -5 Islandboagie said:

There's an overall reluctancy for the Bay Area media to report about Joey Bart in a positive light because Cueto called out Bart's ability to call games 2 years ago. So, whether they truly believe it or not, they will still continue to say he's a work in progress because they wouldn't dare disregard comments made from someone with dark skin. Afterall, we know in the liberal world if you disagree with someone who's darker than you, you're inherently racist.

That said I think Joey Bart will be fine, he's been fine for a few years in fact, it's only the struggles of an aging Johnny Cueto that held him from being in the majors last season.

As for all the others "if'n"s, every team has question marks at the beginning of every season. We had them last season, we had them in 2010, '12 and '14, this year is no different.

I like our starting staff, I think it's more solid 1-5 than last season. The rest is about like it was last season, minus Posey of course, the young guys will have to pick up the slack in his absence.

There were complaints about Bart from some of the other pitchers in 2020, not just Cueto.  I think Garcia was another pitcher that had problem with the pacing of the game when Bart was catching.  2022 is going to be a different story, and I think he will do well as Posey's successor. 

I can only address what I saw in Bart in the first 2 games, and what I saw looked smooth.

Proper blocking techniques, soft hands, good job framing...

I think back to Jack Sanford with the 60's Giants. He didn't want to pitch to the veteran, Ed Bailey, insisting he ONLY pitch to young Tom Haller.

There have been some catchers I didn't care to throw to in my past.

We just never seemed in sync.

But with others, very much in sync. And I can only imagine what that's like at the Major League level what with egos and all.

[Islandboagie]

I think Bart has been smooth and good at blocking from the first time I saw him. What he had trouble with in 2020 was his ability to throw out runners and of course his consistency and lack of power at the plate.

[klaiggeb]

Apr 11, 2022 13:26:00 GMT -5 Islandboagie said:

I think Bart has been smooth and good at blocking from the first time I saw him. What he had trouble with in 2020 was his ability to throw out runners and of course his consistency and lack of power at the plate.

Everyone keeps saying that this is a different Joey, and from what I've seen, as limited as it is, I'd agree.

He carries himself differently. He has a different look in his eyes. He does look more confident, that's for sure.

Well... so far, so good.

[reedonly]

Apr 11, 2022 19:58:24 GMT -5 klaiggeb said:

Apr 11, 2022 13:26:00 GMT -5 Islandboagie said:

I think Bart has been smooth and good at blocking from the first time I saw him. What he had trouble with in 2020 was his ability to throw out runners and of course his consistency and lack of power at the plate.

Everyone keeps saying that this is a different Joey, and from what I've seen, as limited as it is, I'd agree.

He carries himself differently. He has a different look in his eyes. He does look more confident, that's for sure.

Well... so far, so good.

Krukow was saying that his at bats are much better.  Even when he strikes out, he's keeping his balance and not lunging as he did in the past.  Krukow was one of Bart's biggest critics last season and there is nothing but praise for Bart this season.  This is a different Bart than the 2020 version. 

[reedonly]

Apr 11, 2022 10:08:14 GMT -5 klaiggeb said:

Apr 11, 2022 9:14:56 GMT -5 reedonly said:

There were complaints about Bart from some of the other pitchers in 2020, not just Cueto.  I think Garcia was another pitcher that had problem with the pacing of the game when Bart was catching.  2022 is going to be a different story, and I think he will do well as Posey's successor. 

I can only address what I saw in Bart in the first 2 games, and what I saw looked smooth.

Proper blocking techniques, soft hands, good job framing...

I think back to Jack Sanford with the 60's Giants. He didn't want to pitch to the veteran, Ed Bailey, insisting he ONLY pitch to young Tom Haller.

There have been some catchers I didn't care to throw to in my past.

We just never seemed in sync.

But with others, very much in sync. And I can only imagine what that's like at the Major League level what with egos and all.

With the new pitchcom system and pitch clock, it should help Bart maintain the rhythm.

[reedonly]

Apr 4, 2022 8:53:56 GMT -5 klaiggeb said:

Little and Leone were just examples. I could and should have mentioned others in the pen like McGee and Rogers.

I am of the mind that last year's pen success was a fluke.

I just do not see our gus overall winning more than 83...85 games at most

Rogers probably should not have been in the game yesterday with his wife about to have a baby.  I guess they wanted the photo-op with the lineup card exchange with his twin brother but he botched fielding the Machado comebacker.  As it was, he was out of there on the way to the airport by the time the game was over.