Willie McCovey (#547) had a great comeback season in 1977 and was named comeback player of the year. It looked like he was finished after a poor 1976 for San Diego and Oakland. Willie became a free agent after the 1976 season and signed with the Giants. He played in 141 games and batted .280 with 28 home runs and 86 RBI. If it weren't for the 1977 season, McCovey may not have accumulated enough lifetime stats to make it to the Hall of Fame. He was a HOF consideration after the 1976 season but became a sure HOFer after his '77 season and the stats he accumulated from 1978-1980.
With the Giants picking up McCovey to play first base and Bill Madlock to play third base, Darrell Evans (#571) was moved to left field for the 1977 season. He played in 81 games at LF, 41 games (11 starts) at 1B, and 35 games at 3B. Darrell wasn't much of a defender in LF -- he had a fielding percentage of .936 vs. a league average of .973. This would be the last year that he would play in the outfield. Evans batted .254 with 17 home runs and 72 RBI.
Chris Speier (#515) played in only six games (.176 in 17 AB) for the Giants in 1977 before being traded to the Montreal Expos for Tim Foli on April 27.
Marty Perez (#438) didn't play for the Giants in 1977. During spring training in 1977 he was traded to the New York Yankees for Terry Whitfield.
Ken Reitz (#297) didn't play for the Giants in 1977. He was traded back to the St. Louis Cardinals (for whom he played from 1972-1975) for Lynn McGlothen.
Derrell Thomas (#266) played six positions for the Giants in 1977, spending most of his time in center field. He batted .267 with 10 triples, 8 HR, and 44 RBI in 148 games. After the 1977 season he was traded to the San Diego Padres for Mike Ivie.
Johnnie LeMaster (#151) was a backup shortstop for the Giants in 1977. He batted .149 in 134 at bats. He batted .314 in 22 games for AAA Phoenix.
Others who played infield for the Giants but who didn't get 1977 Topps Giants cards:
- Bill Madlock (3B - batted .302 with 12 HR and 46 RBI in 140 games)
- Rob Andrews (2B - batted .264 in 436 AB)
- Tim Foli (SS - batted .228 in 368 AB)
- Vic Harris (.261 in 165 AB)
- Skip James (.267 in 15 AB)
2 comments:
I wonder why Darrell Evans' name is in purple?
I love these posts, by the way. I'm seriously considering stealing your format for my Phillies blog. It's great to see all these cards together and get a season in review.
good ol' derrel thomas! the mad dog did get a giants card in 1977 thanks to the wonderfulness that is o-pee-chee! i'll see if i have an extra, if you don't have one already.
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