Aging, but not aged: Crawford leads way
Two years ago, Major League Baseball introduced an ad campaign encouraging personalities and celebrations and poohpoohing the unwritten rules of yesteryear.
“Let The Kids Play” was the slogan.
Well, the Giants have a little different slogan, and it’s the perfect touch for their 2021 season.
Players and coaches were seen before Tuesday’s game wearing “Let The Old Guys Play” Tshirts, an obvious reference to the team’s elder statesmen who have made major impacts this year.
“I think they’re just more funny than anything,” 34yearold shortstop Brandon Crawford said after collecting four hits in the Giants’ 65 loss to the Cardinals on Tuesday.
“We as veteran guys still have a lot to offer, not just from a baseball standpoint but experience and showing some of the younger guys either the right way to play the game or tips here and there about the game at this level.
“I think that’s what every team needs. I had it coming up, and I think it’s pretty important.”
However, not all the “old guys” have played lately. Of the four core everyday players well into their 30s, only Crawford is healthy. Third baseman Evan Longoria, 35, and first baseman Brandon Belt, 33, are on the injured list with a shoulder sprain and knee inflammation, respectively.
Catcher Buster Posey, 34, has been shelved since Sunday with a thumb contusion.
Still, all have done their part for a team that owns the majors’ best record. In fact, the Giants entered Wednesday leading the National League in home runs, and look who was leading the team: Crawford with 17, and Posey (12) and Belt (11) are among the other three hitters with doubledigit homers, along with Mike Yastrzemski (12).
Longoria, despite not playing since the first week of June, was tied for fifth with nine.
Despite the veterans missing time, the Giants began Wednesday ahead of the mighty Dodgers and Padres in the NL West and on track for their first playoff appearance since 2016, their losses Monday and Tuesday to St. Louis, notwithstanding.
“It’s hard to replace somebody like Belt or Buster or Longoria,” Crawford said, “but we’ve had guys that have stepped up and done well and gotten some big hits and played some good defense for us.
“It’s about trying to get through this little time period without them with some wins and not dropping off too much, and hopefully we’ll get them back soon.”
Crawford, like the other three 30somethings, has been openminded to the Giants’ analyticdriven coaching staff.
Crawford’s 17 homers through Wednesday are four shy of his career high, and one more this week would tie him with Jose Valentin (2004 White Sox) for most homers by a shortstop at least 34 years old before the AllStar break.
On Tuesday, Crawford opened the ninth inning with his fourth hit, only to be stranded at third when Jason Vosler crushed a ball that was caught by left fielder Dylan Carlson before he crashed into the wall.
“I feel good,” Crawford said of his work at the plate. “I’ve gotten more and more comfortable with some of the stuff we’ve been working on and keeping a more consistent bat path and direction with my swing.”
Crawford said two of his hits, a tworun single to leftcenter and RBI double to right, were the result of “exactly what we’ve worked on. They got a little deep on me with the fastball and cutter in those atbats, but my direction was good in going the right way to be able to get hits out of them.”
The Giants hope to get healthier after the break. Posey continues to receive treatment and likely would be available to pinch hit before working his way into the lineup. Belt hit off a tee Tuesday and threw from 110 feet. Longoria is behind the others and still doing light baseball activity.
At some point in the second half, perhaps the band will be back together.
As they say, let the old guys play.