Five-Minute Interview with Brandon Crawford

This spring turned up some pleasant surprises in the Giants’ camp. The Giants are counting on some of their young prospects to help get the team back to the World Series this year. After a brief stint last season, Brandon Crawford knew that he had to work on his hitting in order to make this year’s roster. The hard work paid off as he posted a .333 batting average this spring and solidified a spot in the Opening Day line-up. His dramatic debut last season when he hit a grand slam for his first big league hit on May 27, 2011 in Milwaukee surely gave Giants fans plenty of reason to have high hopes for the team’s new starting shortstop this season.

How did you spend your off-season?
My off-season was busy. I was in Arizona for the Fall League for six weeks. A few days after that, I went to Hawaii and got married (on Nov. 26, 2011 to Jalynne Dantzscher). Then, we went on our honeymoon in Jamaica and then the holidays came. After that, I went to a rookie development camp in Virginia. Then, I went back to Arizona for the conditioning camp and then Fan Fest in San Francisco and back to Arizona for Spring Training.

Were you working on anything in particular during the Arizona Fall League?
I tweaked my swing at the end of last year, so I worked more on that during the fall. I worked on perfecting that and making it feel more comfortable.

What changes did you make to your swing?
I lay the bat on my shoulder now. I’m using my hands a little bit better. That was something that I struggled a little bit with last year.

You’re a great fielder. Were you more focused on hitting than fielding during the off-season?
I wanted to improve my overall game. I was working on things defensively as much as offensively. I worked on slowing things down, not rushing throws and not making dumb decisions. If I get to a ball and I don’t have a play, I’ll just hold onto it instead of rushing and throwing it away.

What was your reaction when you got called up last year?
I was excited when I got the call. I was surprised. I was in Bakersfield, playing for (Single-A) San Jose. It was about midnight when (the Giants’ vice president of baseball operations) Bobby Evans called me and told me I was coming up.

I hear that you’re a local boy. Where did you grow?
I was born in Mountain View and lived in Menlo Park until I was seven. Then, I moved to Pleasanton.

Were you a Giants fan growing up?
I was always a Giants fan. My dad had season tickets so I would go with him to the games.

Who was your favorite Giant?
I liked Royce Clayton. He was the shortstop. I wanted to be a shortstop, so I liked him. He was a defensive shortstop and that’s what I’ve become.

How did it feel during your first game with the Giants?
I was a little nervous going into the game, coming to a stadium that I had watched so many games in. Now being able to play on the field is a great feeling.

Five-Minute Interview with Buster Posey

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training this week, Giants catcher Buster Posey made his return to the field for the first time in eight months after his season-ending home plate collision with the Florida Marlins’ Scott Cousins on May 25, 2011. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Buster to check in on his rehab and ask other assorted random questions.

How’s the rehab going with your left leg after last year’s season-ending collision with the Marlins’ Scott Cousins? How do you feel about where you are at this point?
I’m really happy with how everything is going. Throughout the process, we’ve had goals. We’ve met some of them and exceeded others. It’s feeling more and more like my normal ankle all the time.

Are you confident about making a full recovery?
There are certain things I haven’t done yet with it. All along there has been some caution with everything I’ve done. I’ll do something and it’s okay, so I’ll get a little more aggressive the next time. It’s all been part of the process.

Will you be ready for the first Spring Training game on March 3?
I’d like to. It’s not 100 percent that I will, but it’s a possibility.

What were some of the peaks and valleys while going through this rehab?
Recently, my ankle has felt pretty consistent, which I’ve been happy about. But back in October and November, I’d go out and jog and feel great. And then the next day, it felt worse. That was the challenge – you think you feel like you take a step forward, but then you have to go back a little bit. I’m just trying to stay as positive as I can.

As you continue to recover, is it helpful to have a former catcher as a manager (Bruce Bochy) who can understand what you’re going through?
I think so. Boch understands the toll the position takes on you.

OTHER RANDOM QUESTIONS:
How did you get the name Buster?
My father and grandfather are also named Gerald. I think the way the story goes is that my dad’s grandmother called him Buster when he was little. My parents liked it, so they started calling me that when I was born. My dad now goes by “Demp” because his middle name is Dempsey. But I think Buster is going to stay with me.

How old were you when you started playing baseball?
I started playing organized ball when I was five years old.

What positions did you play before you became a catcher?
Shortstop and pitcher.

What were your favorite subjects in school?
I was a math and science guy.

Who was your favorite player when you were a kid?
I grew up a Braves fan, so I liked the pitchers – (Greg) Maddux, (John) Smoltz, (Tom) Glavine. I liked Chipper (Jones), too.

You were a pitcher when you were drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. How has that helped you defensively in terms of managing the game?
I pitched my whole life through college and all the way up until I signed with the Giants. It helps knowing a little about what (the pitchers) are going through. But I can’t say that I know everything these guys are going through. It’s a different world than college baseball.

Did you know that you would be heading in a different direction than pitching?
Not necessarily. I wanted to hit at the next level. I enjoyed pitching, but I enjoyed hitting more. It was (Florida State University assistant baseball coach Mike Martin Jr.’s) idea to try me at catcher. But you have to buy into it to make it work. Surprisingly, I was receptive to it, so I just went with it. I never thought I would catch. I used to look at those guys and think, “What are they doing? They’re getting beat up back there.”

What’s your pre-game routine?
It depends. It’s not necessarily the same everyday. Some days, I’ll talk to the starting pitcher. Other days, I’ll talk to the pitching coach. Just relax and try to be prepared for the line-up we’re going to face and for the pitcher that we’re going to face.