1978 Topps Giants - Part 1

• This is a cool-looking team card (#82). It looks different from the normal run-of-the-mill team picture. Candlestick Park looks odd with artificial turf.

• The 1978 Topps set is an underrated set. It has a nice design and the backs are easy to read. The set had 726 cards instead of the standard 660. The extra cards were needed due to expansion in 1977. The double prints were kind of a pain, but it was worth it to get more cards in the set.

• Record: 89-73 (3rd in NL West, 6 games behind Los Angeles)
• Team Batting: .248 (10th in NL)
• Team Home Runs: 117 (6th in NL)
• Team ERA: 3.30 (3rd in NL)
• Team Fielding: .977 (9th in NL)
• Attendance: 1,740,477 (4th in NL)
• Gold Glove Awards: none
• The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year: Vida Blue
• NL All Stars: Vida Blue (starting pitcher); Jack Clark (OF)
  

• The 1978 season was Joe Altobelli's (#256) second season as the Giants' manager. He was let go in September 1979 after the Giants struggled. Joe's record in almost three years as the SF manager was 225-239. Altobelli would later win a title with the Baltimore Orioles in 1983.
  
  

• Gary Alexander (#624) didn't play for the Giants in 1978. He was traded to the Oakland A's before the season as part of the big Vida Blue trade.
  
  
  

• Marc Hill (#359) was the starting catcher. He batted .243 with three HR in 117 games.
  
  
  

• Mike Sadek (#8) batted .239 with two HR in 109 at bats in 1978.

Other players who caught for the Giants but didn't get 1978 Topps Giants cards:

• John Tamargo (.239 in 92 at bats)

• Dennis Littlejohn (caught in two games with no at bats)