emergency catchers, a modest proposal
Holm rarely got used as a pinch hitter last season because Bochy wanted him available in case of injury to Benjie, or pinch running for Benjie. Having Sandoval around, usually playing first base opened things up a little. Then, 2 yrs ago IT happened and Pedro Feliz caught an inning or 2, competently. Images like this apparently upset Bochy and most other managers.
The proposal--guys who are future utility players like Matt Downs and Ryan Rohlinger should start practicing catching now, and keep it up all season. A half hour 2 or 3 times a week might be enough. They are athletes, they can catch the ball. They need to get used to wearing all that gear. Velez, Frandsen, Scheierholz and othes could add years to their careers if they were a credible third catcher.
Meanwhile management floats the idea of carrying 12 pitchers and no backup catcher besides Sandoval. Sounds smart to me since Holm plays so rarely.
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28 comments
Comments
NO
STEVE HOLM MUST CATCH.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
by WalrusMan on Mar 28, 2009 11:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not a good idea, Sabean
Carry two catchers. If you are concerned because Holm would slide into the cleanup spot if Bochy made a switch then blame yourself for having a lineup that features BMoney hitting in the 4-hole. Also Bochy should not be making an in game catching switch too early in the game that would have Holm batting cleanup at an important point in game.
by wilriv21 on Mar 28, 2009 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
how dare you
Molina is the greatest cleanup hitter the ginats have had since 2008
Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."
by natteringnabob on Mar 28, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh my aching head and arse…
Here comes Captain Obvious wearing his Atomic Wedgie!
by daveinexile on Mar 29, 2009 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s rare that such a situation would occur. Most times, Holm would come in on a double switch and hit 9th or so.
Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?
by Speedforthewin on Mar 28, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The thought of Velez at catcher
is a funny one, that could be full of epically hilarious fail.
Baseball is a lot like life. The line drives are caught, the squibbles go for base hits. It's an unfair game. -Rod Kanehl
by j14 on Mar 28, 2009 11:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
will only work
if Gus Cantrell comes to tutor his throwing back to the mound
Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."
by natteringnabob on Mar 28, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It may bring a whole new meaning to EPICgenio FAILez
Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?
by Speedforthewin on Mar 28, 2009 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, for starters, I’m not necessarily sure that not having Steve Holm available as a pinch-hitter is hurting the team, and besides, in this case I’m pretty sure Sandoval gives us an emergency catcher no problem. I think you may be overstating how much this scenario concerns managers – we’re talking a few innings in an entire season, if any, that you might have to throw a non-catcher out there.
Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar
by JakeS on Mar 28, 2009 12:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m actually agreeing with the vast majority of what you just said, so I hope that doesn’t come off as confrontational as, uh, it sounds in my head.
Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar
by JakeS on Mar 28, 2009 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guzman
He excels at fielding balls of his chest
Tommy Lasorda HATES GIANTSBOARD.COM
by merkin on Mar 28, 2009 1:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
What an extreme letdown
I thought this post was going to be about eating Irish babies.
by Sigualicious on Mar 28, 2009 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
boil for 20 mins, then slow roast.
Please Jesus, don't let us be like the Cubs.
by SimpleJaquez on Mar 28, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They should carry a back-up catcher all year and the best option is Holm. This is my opinion.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Mar 28, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Iron Glove at catcher? That would be fun for an inning. Actually, I bet he would get hurt pretty bad, so I take it back.
co-dad of IshikaBOOM w/AfDC.
Ishikawa, let the boy hit against lefties.
by kennv on Mar 28, 2009 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Make Zito do it.
Without killing anyone
We won it 3 times
by ChrisHero on Mar 28, 2009 5:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Wait are we eating the backup catcher?
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 28, 2009 5:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure that's a great idea.
My cat died from getting leftover Todd Greene stuck in her craw.
Tyler Walker, my son, it's time you left the nest. No seriously. Go.
by multiphasic on Mar 28, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a good thing we aren’t eating former Giants relief pitchers. Imagine the person who would eat Thighler.
Todd Jennings: If he's on the DL, he can't suck as much, right?
by Speedforthewin on Mar 28, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roast Thighler is an image that will never leave my mind.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
by cornball on Mar 29, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am glad I wasn’t the only one who thought this.
by Natto on Mar 28, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also thought this
Those harbinger make me smile more than the fracture of Manny on the teammate.
Get important hitting.
by CB30 on Mar 28, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steve Holmfries.
Tyler Walker, my son, it's time you left the nest. No seriously. Go.
by multiphasic on Mar 28, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Downs is already old for his level, if he tries to learn to catch it’ll take concentration, possibly away from his hitting. By the time he reached the majors he’d be…pretty old.
Anyway, I think the backup catching situation is fine. Let the season start already…
Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa
by raisingcain on Mar 28, 2009 5:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My understanding of the emergency catcher recruiting process:
2nd catcher gets hurt. Bochy looks down the bench, sees whoever is left, and asks him “You ever catch?”
Bench player, ever concious of his roster status, replies “Sure skip, I caught a little in the minors/college/high school,” whether he did or not.
And there you have an emergency catcher with experience!
How many total innings in the last, say, 10 years have we had an emergency catcher behind the dish? Feliz is the only instance I can even remember.
Anyway, my point is that
by EliminateMe on Mar 30, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think if we are losing a game by 10 runs everyone should switch positions for the last inning, just to make things exciting.
Also, I’d rather see Velez try to pitch than catch.
by Norm Median on Mar 31, 2009 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs




















