MVP— Buster Posey
I’m not sure what site he took them from, but here were some pre-season odds posted by Pav on his blog back in march:
San Francisco – 15/1 to win World Series (seventh-highest odds)
San Francisco – 7/1 to win the National League (second behind Philly)
Buster Posey – 25/1 to win NL MVP
Tim Lincecum – 35/1 to win NL MVP
Tim Lincecum – 15/2 to win Cy Young (third behind Kershaw, Halladay)
Matt Cain – 15/1 to win Cy Young
You bet $50 on all those and you’re getting back a couple of grand……
This is a cool pic:
It’ll be interesting to see how many at bats Buster gets at first base next year. The organization obviously digs Hector. And it was clear that getting Buster 100 at bats at first base likely led to him being able to power through the dog days and still get through the post season (though barely, as he was clearly dragging in October). Belt started to figure it out in the 2nd half of the season so I don’t want him losing too many at bats next season if they go HectorC/Buster1B. Oh well, too many good players is a good problem to have…….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Congrats to Buster.
I’m wondering when we’ll see Posey take some ground balls at Third. Bochy hinted that he thought Buster would make a good Third baseman.
A last thought on the awards. Do you think Cy Young would win the Cy Young every year if he was in his prime today?
ABs are one thing, defense quite another. Watching Posey catch all of the SPs during the playoffs dispelled the notion one or the other couldn’t be effective/work well with Posey behind the plate. Hector should get the typical PT back up C starts and nothing more.
If you really want to *rest* Posey, let him play LF. I used to think like Bozo that Sando could play out there and be no worse than others (like say Burrell), but SF has 3b covered btw Pablo and Arias. LF, I dunno.
I actually totally agree with you. If they don’t pick up a full time LF I think a Posey in LF/Belt at 1st and Hector at C (with Blanco sitting vs lefties) is the best combo we could get.
I can see Buster in LF as part of a rotation to get him from behind the dish on occasion. But was Flavor said, I don’t want to see Belt losing a lot of ABs at 1st.
I think the team is certainly at its BEST when Buster is catching, Belt at 1st, and “a player to be named” is in LF (I like Blance as a 4th OFer and off the bench to pinch-run, etc.).
Posey winning the MVP is a fitting end to a tremendous and magical season. First NL catcher in 70 years to win the batting title, Silver Slugger, Comeback Player of the Year, Willie Mac winner, two WS rings in 3 years. All of this is almost too good to be true, like the movies as B Weezy said. What a tremendous player, and best of all he’s a Giant. How he came back from a devastating leg injury (is there a worse injury a catcher can have?) to have all of this success is easily the story of the year in all of sports. He’s just the latest in a phenomenal run of draft picks by Sabean and company. Wow.
I saw Buster this year for the first time at a game, in Seattle back in June. I was geeked out in my Posey jersey and 2010 WS cap, and he hit a prodigious home run off of Jason Vargas in game 1. A graceful, arching shot into the rarely-reached upper deck of Safeco Field. And to add to all of this goodness, the guy is chock full of character, leadership and the perfect demeanor for a pro baseball player.
And that picture above is terrific.
This is my latest email sig:
When the Giants come to town, it’s “Bye-Bye Baby”
Every time the chips are down, it’s “Bye-Bye Baby”
I found the entire song on YouTube. I hadn’t heard it in years:
I’ve been a Giants fan for around 44 years and I’m more geeked out on them now than ever, and I was geeked out before, following however I could in all my travels, including scouring 4 day old box scores in the Stars & Stripes when I was stationed in Germany (waaaay before computers). You guys were talking about swag a couple of threads ago, well I’m the king of swag; caps, multiple NL Pennant and WS tees, pennants, photos, jerseys, key chains, refrigerator magnets, bottle openers, coffee mugs, beer glasses, clocks, etc, etc. It’s hilarious.
Man, isn’t this fun?
I don’t know JBat – I think I, and certainly my friend (Demp28 who posts here occasionally) may give you a run on the swag.
You do have me beat (as I am sure others here do) on years as a Giant fan. It has been 35 for me. And I too remember the “Stars and Stripes” as my only avenue for updates (a number of us have discussed that previously). I spent time in Guam, Korea, and also Germany with the Air Force. Good times…but as you say…not nearly as awesome as they are now!
I dig your posts…you should frequent here more often (I recall your posts from when I used to read/post on The Splash).
Anyone seen a penant with 2010 & 2012 world Champions on it? I was at a dugout store last week but didn’t see one.
Congrats to Buster. Dude is accumulating quite the list of accolades and hardware:
2010 – Rookie of the Year
2010 – Named catcher on the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.
2012 – Willie Mac Award
2012 – NL Batting Title (lead both leagues with a .336 BA)
2012 – NL Comeback Player of the Year
2012 – NL Hank Aaron Award
2012 – NL Most Valuable Player
All this in 3 years in the Majors.
Glad as hell this guy rocks the Orange and Black.
Great picture, Flav. Just set it as my desktop.
Funny you mention Pavs in your opener, Flav. I like the guy and generally enjoy reading his blog, until I get to the blogger comments. Snarkk used to post there once in a while, but majority of the reading showed lack of intelligent life on that planet. Lot of vitriol directed at Bochy and sabean (one guys’ handle was bochysplatoonyadventures), and it seemed early season there were always half a dozen comments about what the LU should look like. Wonder what those guys think now?
I give up.
don’t let this be your final post here 🙂
JBat – Why would you give up? I have said a number of times that I love your posts. I think you add a lot to the mix. Giddy up and get your bad self back over here.
If what he gave up on is the fucked time stamp, I’m with him. Whoever did it: BAD BOY!
He gave up on trying to post a video. He posted 3 of them and I deleted 2 of them—fucked up, I forgot to leave something in the thread.
New fucking thread.
not to mention the fact that they all have an annoying habit of trying to post *first* at the start of each new thread.
That (trying to be the first to post) is anoying as hell. What a bunch of dipshits. I used to post/read the comments on Baggs blog (now Alex’s). I still like to read Alex’s blog, but don’t waste my time reading the comments…there are just too many dumb asses there.
MVPosey baby. That pic is awesome.
Posey playing LF? I brought that up and the only response I got was idiotic laughter.
That it makes too much sense was the only reason I could come up with for the thumbs down.As I said when I originally posted the idea, it would entail some improvement from Hector defensively and offensively as well.In any case, I hope he’ll be playing winter ball.
Not from me. The guy started as a SS, and also pitched in HS. And I think everyone knows he played in one game where he played all 9 positions. Does that translate into a guy being able to play a particular position? Nope…but I think he is athletic enough that he could hold down that position ok. And it’s not like he would be out there a ton, either.
Chuckles and Snarkk were all freaked by the idea. No one else responded at all. I guess it might be a good idea unless I post it, who fucking knows?
I’m not freaked about Buster in LF, it’s just a lame idea. He’s not quick enough, for one thing. For a coupla games, sure, why not? For a season or rest of career to accommodate Belt at 1b, no way. Sabean will have visions of Buster running in and tripping on the bullpen mound and shattering that ankle again. Let’s get real…
He’s not quick enough? LOL. Another way to tell we’re dealing with a poster who hasn’t watched the other MLB LFers. As I posted in response to Dirt, catching is much harder on every part of the body than playing LF. Not even frigging close.
There is absolutely zero argument that catching isn’t the most physically demanding position to play. Left Field is Senior Shuffleboard by comparison.
I think Posey in LF is a terrible idea. The running and cutting in the OF increases the likelyhood of something happening with his leg. I read somewhere last night that he mentioned making turns on the bases sometimes would slightly aggravate the injury during the season. Either have him play 1b with Belt in LF or give him a full day of rest.
Catching is much harder on every part of his body than playing LF would be.
I agree that catcher is tougher on the overall body but outside of collisions at the plate I think there is a greater potential to aggravate or re-injure a leg when you are running for a fly ball or cutting while you run or even diving in the outfiled. Not to mention a foul ball in the bullpen area or even at the wall of the stands that in a large part of fould territory only comes up about mid thigh. I just don’t think it is a good idea.
Leftfielders get hurt falling off barstools more than actually playing baseball. The notion of injuries occurring from running and cutting in the OF are largely imaginary.Just crouching for 9 innings is far more stressful on the leg, knee, and ankle. But it’s not like I think it will happen- More because Hector is probably not a MLB starting catcher yet. If ever.
well, like WillieD said, *if Burrell can play it*….
Posey played just about every position in his time in college. Learning left field would probably be a breeze for him. And I don’t want Belt in LF because his defense is so important at first base (a spot I consider Buster to play adequately but not much better than that)
I think Posey can play the postion. I just don’t think it is a good idea.
Something happened to the time stamp.
JBat: what does “I give up” mean?
I know Flavor mention Pav’s blog, and others have mentioned that they read it regularly. Regardless, here is a quote form Buster in today’s blog on winning the MVP:
“It’s tough to put into words. It’s an accomplishment that is shared with the whole Giants organization. It starts at the top with the great ownership and front office putting great guys on the field. It’s a great place to come and play ball everyday and I’m just very fortunate that it’s a great environment.
“We’ve seen over the past couple of years how passionate our fans are so I’m very fortunate to play in San Francisco. I couldn’t be more honored to have my name alongside the previous winners.”
They just do not get more classy than Gerald Demp Posey III.
I don’t know what could have pissed JBat off- It wasn’t me this time. I didn’t post until well after his “I give up” comment. Something got deleted by someone, fucking up the time stamp, maybe it was that comment.
JBat – that game you have the video feed for has been discussed a number of times here. I was at that game, Upper Box first row, Section 39 (down the RF line). Awesome game. It was like the Giants had won the damned pennant after the game. No one wanted to leave the yard that day after Johnson’s walk-off. And what a great performance by Shooter in the top of the 10th. Magic stuff.
What game was that when today’s thread photo was shot? Looks like the oppo has red unis — was it the Red’s NLDS or an earlier Nats game?…
Not sure, but the red is pretty dark. I am thinking it was the Afros. And speaking of…have you seen their new uniforms? Fucking UGLY!
Baggs just tweeted: Melky Cabrera is going to Toronto for two years and $16 million, according to ESPN Deportes.
Wow, That’s a lot of coin for Cabrera. Interesting that he left the country and changed leagues, ensuring no games in SF.
Hey Melky! Don’t let the door hit ya in the ASS on the way out!
it looked like it’s fixed now.
great pic; who took it?