Giants Splash

Susan Slusser and John Shea host The San Francisco Chronicle’s podcast on the San Francisco Giants, featuring interviews with players, coaches, executives and media pros, as well as in-depth analysis.

Sports
Sports News
Baseball
101
Coach Ron Wotus: Survivor
Gabe Kapler is the fourth skipper he’s worked for in San Francisco, a rare feat of endurance. The third-base coach discusses his impressions of Kapler and the direction the Giants are headed.
30 min
102
Is Gabe Kapler the Right Manager?
Chronicle writers Ann Killion and Susan Slusser discuss the hiring of Gabe Kapler as the new Giants manager, and get right to the elephant in the room: How he handled assault allegations involving minor-league players while he was with the Dodgers organization.
19 min
103
Amateur Scouting Director Michael Holmes
Michael Holmes, hired in December to run the Giants scouting for the amateur draft and international signing periods, talks about top draft pick Hunter Bishop, the outfielder from Arizona State, other top picks from June, and how they performed during their first summer of pro ball.
28 min
104
World Series Preview
In a combined Giants Splash/A’s Plus, Susan, Henry and John Shea break down the World Series matchup and talk about the Nationals' history and the Astros' future. Plus: The Chronicle's baseball writers provide their picks to win it all.
34 min
105
Remembering the 1989 Earthquake
Chronicle Giants beat writer Henry Schulman and features writer Ron Kroichick share their memories of being at Candlestick Park during the 1989 World Series when the Loma Prieta Earthquake hit. Also contributing their personal memories are columnist Bruce Jenkins and national baseball writer John Shea.
36 min
106
Shea and Schulman Talk 2019 Giants
Chronicle beat writer Henry Schulman and national baseball writer John Shea look back at the 2019 season. Did it succeed as the new front office had hoped? Surprises and disappointments, and will the club make big moves for 2020?
23 min
107
Larry Baer Back in Charge
The Giants president and CEO has kept a fairly low profile since his July 2 return from a league-mandated suspension following a videotaped altercation with his wife, Pam. In a rare interview, Baer talks about his time away and major issues involving the franchise.
32 min
108
Best of Giants Splash: Pablo Sandoval
In this episode originally published June 3, Pablo Sandoval talks about being an old veteran now. Plus: Whether he thought he would be in the majors this long, why he stays eternally positive in a clubhouse filled with defeat, his second chance with the Giants and, of course, pitching.
16 min
109
Looking ahead for A’s, Giants
Where will the Giants find starts for prospects Mauricio Dubon and Jaylin Davis? What will the A’s do behind the plate and and at second base in a tight playoff race? Chronicle beat reporters Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman delve into these and many other issues in a joint A’s Plus-Giants Splash podcast.
30 min
110
A's Plus: Bay Bridge Series Preview
In this bonus presentation of our fellow Chronicle podcast A's Plus, John Shea and Susan Slusser preview the A's-Giants matchup this week and discuss the wild-card races for both teams. Plus: Pitchers hitting? And: John takes a look back at the 1989 A's and Giants, the Bay Bridge World Series teams, 30 years later.
25 min
111
Report From the Farm
Giants farm director Kyle Haines talks about the prospects Giants fans care about the most: Heliot Ramos, Joey Bart, Sean Hjelle, Marco Luciano and more. Plus: The health of the farm system.
28 min
112
Why the Giants Are Hitting
Hitting coach Alonzo Powell talks to beat reporter Henry Schulman about the team’s major offensive upswing; how the club can look so different at the plate now than before; growing up in San Francisco; and beating cancer.
23 min
113
Talking A’s and Giants at the All-Star break
In this joint A’s Plus and Giants Splash podcast, beat writers Susan Slusser and Henry Schulman break down the team’s first half, look ahead to the second half and talk about potential trades (Bumgarner to the A’s?), while Susan provides her perspective on Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi.
33 min
114
Dave Flemming on Staying With the Giants
The youngster of the Giants’ legendary broadcast quartet could have left for a national career, but Dave Flemming signed on for another four years. He talks about why he loves working in San Francisco, why he quit Twitter, and more.
23 min
115
Johnny Cueto on His Rehab and Comeback
John Shea interviews the right-hander about his long road back from Tommy John surgery, how he's a mentor to younger players, his relationship with David Ortiz, and his amazing Instagram feed. Giants broadcaster Erwin Higueros interprets.
8 min
116
Bonus: Entrevista con Johnny Cueto en Español
Para esos que quieren escuchar a Johnny Cueto en sus propias palabras, aquí está su conversación con John Shea y el intérprete Erwin Higueros. / For listeners who want to hear Johnny Cueto in his own words, here’s his conversation with John Shea and interpreter Erwin Higueros. This accompanies today's episode, which omits most of Cueto's answers in Spanish.
13 min
117
1989 World Series Nostalgia With Terry Kennedy
The Giants’ 1989 catcher, now a Cubs scout, reminisces about the Loma Prieta earthquake, who he looks forward to seeing at the 30-year reunion, having Bruce Bochy as his backup, and the year he spent in Oakland when his dad managed the A’s.
15 min
118
Will Smith, Fresh Prince of Saves
He's been one of the best closers in the majors this season. Without him, San Francisco's bad record might be a lot worse. Smith talks about becoming a closer, his leadership role, trade rumors, being hooked on strikeouts, and more.
18 min
119
Pablo Sandoval, Elder Statesman Panda
The Kung Fu Panda is an old veteran now. Pablo Sandoval talks about that, and about whether he thought he would be in the majors this long, why he stays eternally positive in a clubhouse filled with defeat, his second chance with the Giants and, of course, pitching.
16 min
120
Will Clark: Still Wearing the Giants Uniform
"The Thrill" talks about his role as a Giants instructor, the Hall of Fame, why he retired when he did, his biggest hits with the Giants, how he “broke in” host Henry Schulman as a beat writer, and more.
21 min
121
The Giants Broadcaster You Might Not Know
Spanish-language announcer Erwin Higueros tells Henry Schulman about his eccentric partner in the booth, Tito Fuentes; his role as official translator; his friendship with Johnny Cueto; and Pablo Sandoval's maturation.
20 min
122
Farhan Zaidi on Derek Holland, May Roster Remake
In a conversation with reporters, Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi responds to pitcher Derek Holland’s criticism of front-office decision-making. Zaidi also addresses the big flurry of roster moves in May and what could happen in days ahead.
12 min
123
Stephen Vogt on His Wild Giants Debut
In a special joint episode of Giants Splash and A's Plus, John Shea talks to the former Oakland fan favorite about his spectacular return to the big leagues with his childhood team, as well as a memorable encounter with Willie Mays.
13 min
124
Follow Charley Steiner to Freedom!
Henry Schulman chats with Dodgers radio voice Charley Steiner about his early years at ESPN, when he starred in the network’s now-famous “Follow Me To Freedom” Y2K ad. Steiner also talks about Vin Scully, working for Donald Trump and how he nearly became the voice of the Giants
21 min
125
Meet New Giants Outfielder Kevin Pillar
Beat writer Henry Schulman talks to just-acquired center fielder about his return to Toronto with the Giants, his background as a three-sport star in high school who was not sure he would ever be a professional athlete, playing at a college few people heard of, a DiMaggio-esque hitting streak and how his childhood differed from most kids who wind up in the majors.
21 min