Will Clark vs Buster Posey

[calsnowskier]

This was talked about briefly in the GDT on "the other site", and it really twisted my brain.

My initial, completely biased reaction, was that no way, not in a thousand years, could Posey replace Clark as the heart and soul of the post-Mays Giants franchise.

Then I started thinking about it...

Clark took a franchise was the modern equivalent of the Pirates, Padres, Royals, etc and made it relevant. He brought it it's first NL pennant in 37 years. He had more personality than should be allowed in a single baseball player. He exposed most if us on this board to the Giants in the first place.

Then you look at Posey. ROY, MVP, two Rings, catching a 5-man filth crew, and now a 9th inning walk off against the hated ones (in a game that Kershaw started, no less).

In 20 years, there will be a message board somewhere where they speak of Posey in even more revered tones than we speak of Clark.

Ultimately, Clark (and to a a lessor extent, Bonds) will just be the bridge between Mays and Posey.

 

[msgkings322]

This was talked about briefly in the GDT on "the other site", and it really twisted my brain.

My initial, completely biased reaction, was that no way, not in a thousand years, could Posey replace Clark as the heart and soul of the post-Mays Giants franchise.

Then I started thinking about it...

Clark took a franchise was the modern equivalent of the Pirates, Padres, Royals, etc and made it relevant. He brought it it's first NL pennant in 37 years. He had more personality than should be allowed in a single baseball player. He exposed most if us on this board to the Giants in the first place.

Then you look at Posey. ROY, MVP, two Rings, catching a 5-man filth crew, and now a 9th inning walk off against the hated ones (in a game that Kershaw started, no less).

In 20 years, there will be a message board somewhere where they speak of Posey in even more revered tones than we speak of Clark.

Ultimately, Clark (and to a a lessor extent, Bonds) will just be the bridge between Mays and Posey.

Posey has already done more than Clark. The kid is The Natural. He's this generation's Derek Jeter, sure fire HOF if not injured.

 

[calsnowskier]

Posey has already done more than Clark. The kid is The Natural. He's this generation's Derek Jeter, sure fire HOF if not injured.

The personality issue is the one wildcard that Clark has that posey does not have.

Although, "Why not?" may go down as one if the greatest quotes in Giants history.

 

[msgkings322]

The personality issue is the one wildcard that Clark has that posey does not have.

Although, "Why not?" may go down as one if the greatest quotes in Giants history.

Yeah, Clark (and Jeter for that matter) have way more personality, but then again they have more than Mays too. Posey isn't a dead fish, he's willing to do fun commercials, etc. He's just all business. He had the manner of a 10 year vet his rookie year.

We're talking Giants legends here. Posey is on his way to being right below Mays and equal to McCovey.

There, I said it.

 

[Mays-Fan]

IMHO, you are understating the overall impact of Bonds.

He obviously had more warts and controversies. But his statistical impact is overwhelming, and it certainly wasn't his fault we didn't win it all in 2002.

When he came to the plate, you stopped what you were doing, and watched.

He filled the ballpark, and was the key to the transition from being perennially mediocre at the Stick to being a perennial contender at ATTP.

He more than anyone on the field brought us to where we are by showing us what we could be.

That is his greatest legacy. We would not be where we are without him.

 

[DK7000]

For the younger generation of Giants fans (30 and under crowd), Posey is already talked about in those terms. Growing up watching Bonds, you knew he was great, but there was something about Bonds that made you think he would never win a title. His personality and lack of leadership are probably to blame for this(not to mention we lacked great pitching). With Posey, there is an air of confidence I've never witnessed with any Giants player I have had the pleasure to watch over 25 years. His leadership and his presence in the clubhouse demands everyone perform to the best of their abilities, because they know that Posey is going to play that way for them. And what they've accomplished since 2010 is a direct result of it.

 

[SFAnthem]

The personality issue is the one wildcard that Clark has that posey does not have.

Although, "Why not?" may go down as one if the greatest quotes in Giants history.

The "why not" quote sums up exactly what makes Posey special.

My is take is that wherever you stand on Will vs Bonds vs Posey, even the few years of Lincecum. Each player embodied the personality of that giants era.

Will was brash and excitable, like those teams. Bonds was arrogant and defiant. Timmy brought a new age, post Peds (yeah right) and Posey represents excellence.

The next generation will surely choose Posey as the face of the franchise

 

[SFAnthem]

But Posey and Will are definitely part of Giants Mt. Rushmore

 

[calsnowskier]

But Posey and Will are definitely part of Giants Mt. Rushmore

I think we have talked about this in the past.

Who is on the Giants Mt Rushmore?

Mays


Mathewson
Ott
Bonds
Mccovey
Clark
Marichel
Posey

For arguments sake, let's remove Ott and Mathewson. That still leaves at least 5 guys in contention for the remaining 3 spots. I agree posey is on pace to be there, but 2+ seasons is not enough to place him there yet.

I think you gotta go with McCovey, Marichel and Bonds. The heart of the team will likely be passed from Mays to Clark, though, when Mays passes.

 

[BroncoInCALI]

Great thread.

One of the things that I like the most about Buster Posey is the fact that his outlook never changes. If he is getting clipped by a foul tip or hitting a Walk Off a few minutes later, he is a pro every step of the way.

Will Clark's outlook never changed either. Once he was between the lines he was the picture of intensity. I always liked that about him. Oh, and I would have loved to see him hold his swing as he hit one of his rainbow Home Runs into the Cove......

My Giants Mt Rushmore would be: The Thrill, Willie Mays, Buster Posey and Bonds.

 

[SFAnthem]

Good point

Maybe Mt Giants Rushmore should be reserved for retired players

 

[Stokes1931]

Good point

Maybe Mt Giants Rushmore should be reserved for retired players

And the Canadian side of the Giants Mt Rushmore would have

Cody Lemaster
Neifi
Teh Manatee
Pierzynski

???

 

[SFAnthem]

And the Canadian side of the Giants Mt Rushmore would have

Cody Lemaster
Neifi
Teh Manatee
Pierzynski

???

lol!

Not enough mountain to fit Sir Sidney Ponson? (He serves as a reminder for Pablo of how to eat your way out of the league)

 

[Reefer]

Still remember being devastated as a kid when Clark left to Texas. Obviously he never won with the Giants, but there are definite similarities to the way the fan base feels about them. Buster just does not have the personality of the Thrill. I think he is more of a mix of Panda and Buster

 

[SFGRTB]

I think it's honestly too tough to narrow down just 4 Giants, how can we eliminate Mathewson? He is arguably one of the greatest pitchers of all-time MLB.

We could probably do a New York Giants and San Francisco Giants Mt. Rushmore and have 2 equally, historically great monuments.

Ott, Mathewson, Hubbell, Mays

Bonds, Mays, McCovey, Marichal

There are so many good names though: Posey, Lincecum, Cain, Clark, Perry, Cepeda, Bill Terry...

 

[calsnowskier]

I think it's honestly too tough to narrow down just 4 Giants, how can we eliminate Mathewson? He is arguably one of the greatest pitchers of all-time MLB.

We could probably do a New York Giants and San Francisco Giants Mt. Rushmore and have 2 equally, historically great monuments.

Ott, Mathewson, Hubbell, Mays

Bonds, Mays, McCovey, Marichal

There are so many good names though: Posey, Lincecum, Cain, Clark, Perry, Cepeda, Bill Terry...

The NY thing is why I removed him (and Ott). We have enough studs in the SF era, that I thought it would be an easy cheat to ignore NY.

You think Mays would make it to the NY monument? He put up some insane numbers there, but it was only 5+ years. I think maybe Hodges gets his spot for NY. But I would need to do some major research to put together a decent one for NY, and I don't really have the time or interest to do that...

Position players are different from pitchers, obviously, but if we had this convo pre-2012, would there be any doubt that Timmeh would be on this list? His hardware is MORE impressive than Busters, and yet, he only makes it to the brainstorm portion of the list-making. This is why I am hesitant to mention Buster with the BIG-BOYS just yet. If he can continue to be at least near-All-Star for another 6 years or so, I think he solidifies his placement.

 

[SFGRTB]

The NY thing is why I removed him (and Ott). We have enough studs in the SF era, that I thought it would be an easy cheat to ignore NY.

You think Mays would make it to the NY monument? He put up some insane numbers there, but it was only 5+ years. I think maybe Hodges gets his spot for NY. But I would need to do some major research to put together a decent one for NY, and I don't really have the time or interest to do that...

Position players are different from pitchers, obviously, but if we had this convo pre-2012, would there be any doubt that Timmeh would be on this list? His hardware is MORE impressive than Busters, and yet, he only makes it to the brainstorm portion of the list-making. This is why I am hesitant to mention Buster with the BIG-BOYS just yet. If he can continue to be at least near-All-Star for another 6 years or so, I think he solidifies his placement.

He made the catch in the Series and won it all. I think that right there is enough. But I agree with you, most people are really only interested in the SF era anyway.

I think Tim would without a doubt be on this list if we looked at his 2007-2011 numbers. Even so though, 2012 was a pretty big blemish, but he did provide a valuable piece in the playoffs last year which led to another title. IF we did not win the championship, I wouldn't have taken that role into much of account, but since we did I'll give him a little more credit. He certainly saved us in Cincy and was dominant in Detroit. This year remains to be seen. The jury is still out on the kid.

But I agree with you and SFAnthem, this should be a list for retired Giants anyway, Tim is a case in point of what could happen