Today in Giants' History - September 30

1954 - With lefty Johnny Antonelli going the distance, the Giants defeat Early Wynn and the Indians 3-1 in game 2. Dusty Rhodes drives in all the Giants runs with a pinch-hit single and a solo HR. The Indians' only score is a first-pitch HR by leadoff hitter Al Smith.

1967: Jim Davenport sets a National League record with his 64th straight errorless game - 137 chances - at 3B for the Giants.

1971: The Giants win the Western division title by one game over the Dodgers, beating the Pirates, 5 - 1. Juan Marichal allow five hits in the win. The Dodgers 2 - 1 win over the Padres leaves them short.

1999: The largest regular-season crowd in Candlestick Park history, 61,389 fans, watch the Dodgers beat the home team, 9-4 in the last baseball game to ever be played at the 'Point'. Giant greats help mark the occasion with Juan Marichal tossing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game and Willie Mays throwing out the ballpark's final pitch after the game.

thanks to baseball reference

1970 Topps Giants - Part 1 (Thanks Dean's Cards)

• I got a great package from Dean's Cards. He sent me about 2/3 of the 1970 Giants team set. I checked out his site and it has a lot of great vintage stuff in all four major sports. It's worth checking out. Thanks for the great start on the 1970 Giants team set!

• The Giants (# 696) had a so-so year in 1970. They finished 3rd in the NL West. They did play better once Charlie Fox took over as manager in mid-May. They would have one last gasp with the Mays/McCovey/Marichal team in 1971 before age caught up with them.

• Record: 86-76, 3rd in NL West, 16 games behind Cincinnati
• Attendance: 740,720 (10th of 12)
• Team batting: .262 (3rd in NL, but behind five teams that batted .270)
• Team home runs: 165 (4th in NL)
• Team ERA: 4.50 (11th in NL)
• Team fielding: .973 (12th in NL)
• Gold Gloves: none
• NL All Stars: Willie Mays (starting CF); Dick Dietz (C); Willie McCovey (1B); Gaylord Perry (P)
• League Batting Leaders: Willie McCovey (slugging, OPS, walks, intentional walks); Ron Hunt (HBP); Bobby Bonds (times struck out, plate appearances)
• League Pitching Leaders: Gaylord Perry (wins, innings, starts, shutouts, hits allowed)
  
  

• Clyde King (# 624) managed for the first part of the season. The Giants were 19-23 when he was replaced by Charlie Fox. King managed the Giants in 1969 (2nd in NL West) and then managed the Atlanta Braves from the end of 1974 through the 1975 seasons. He also managed the New York Yankees for 62 games at the end of the 1982 season.
  
  
  

• John Harrell (# 401) did not play for the Giants in 1970. He started in AAA Phoenix, where he batted .070 in 18 games. John was sent to single-A Fresno, where he batted .175 in 32 games. John played a few more years in the minors, but he never made it back to the majors. His entire career was two games at the end of the 1969 season.
  
  
  

• Dick Dietz (# 135) played in 148 (137 at catcher) games and batted .300 with 22 home runs, 107 RBI and 109 walks. He made the NL All Star team.
  
  
  
  

• Jack Hiatt (# 13) didn't play for the Giants in 1970. He was purchased by the Montreal Expos at the end of spring training.
  
  Others who caught for the Giants in 1970 but didn't receive a Topps Giants card:

• Russ Gibson (.232 in 24 games)
  
  

Thanks for the Obak cards, Beardy

Beardy opened some Obak packs and said he would send out cards to people who requested teams. I requested the Giants. Here are the three Giants cards he sent me:

Thanks Beardy!!!

Today in Giants' History - September 29

Today in Giants' History - September 27

1922 - In the Giants, 3 - 2 win over the Phils, rookie Travis Jackson debuts, going 0-for-2. Jackson will play 15 years for the Giants, eventually going to the Hall of Fame.

1924 - Behind Jack Bentley's 4-hitter the Giants clinch their 4th straight pennant, beating the Phils 5 - 1, while Brooklyn is losing 3 - 2 to Boston.

Thanks to baseball reference

1988 Topps Giants -- Part 5

Joe Price was 1-6 with a 3.94 ERA in 38 games (3 starts).

Mike LaCoss was 7-7 with a 3.62 ERA in 19 starts. His last start in 1988 was on July 16.

I used to get a kick out of watching Craig Lefferts enter a game. He sprinted from the bullpen all the way to the mound. In 1988 Lefferts was 3-8 with 11 saves and a 2.92 ERA in 64 appearances.

At the age of 39, Rick Reuschel was 19-11 with a 3.12 ERA in 36 starts.

Kelly Downs was 13-9 with an ERA of 3.32 in 27 games (26 starts) in 1988.

Other Giants who pitched in 1988 but didn't get a Topps Giants card:

Terry Mulholland (2-1, 3.72 ERA in 9 games)

Randy Bockus (1-1, 4.78 ERA in 20 games)

Roger Samuels (1-2, 3.47 ERA in 15 games)

Dennis Cook (2-1, 2.86 ERA in 4 starts)

Trevor Wilson (0-2, 4.09 ERA in 4 starts)

Jeff Brantley (0-1, 1 save, 5.66 ERA in 9 games)

Ron Davis (1-1, 4.67 ERA in 9 games)

Lary Sorensen (0-0, 2 saves, 4.86 ERA in 12 games)

Today in Giants' History - September 26

1912 - The Giants clinch the National League flag with a sweep of the Braves, winning 8 - 3 and 4 - 0. Christy Mathewson coasts to his 23rd win in the opener and Al Demaree, recently called up from Mobile where he was 25 - 10, shuts out the Braves on seven hits in the nitecap. Demaree strikes out nine in his first major-league start.

1954 - Going into the last day of the NL season, Don Mueller leads in hitting with .3426; Duke Snider is 2nd at .3425, followed by Willie Mays at .3422. The Giants win in 11 innings over the Phillies' Robin Roberts, as Mays garners a single, double, and triple in 4 ABs. He finishes at .345 while Mueller slips to .341, the same as Snider.

1971 - Willie Mays hits his 646th and last home run as a member of the San Francisco Giants. It comes off Steve Blateric in the 6th inning of the Giants' 12-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Riverfront Stadium.

Today in Giants' History - September 25

1917 - The Cards beat the Series-bound Giants, 5 - 3. Ross Youngs debuts for the Giants, and the future Hall of Famer is 0-for-4.

1922 - The Giants beat St. Louis, 5-4 in 10 innings, to clinch John McGraw's 8th pennant and the Giants' 10th in 41 years in the National League.

1947 - Giants rookie Larry Jansen wins his 21st game of the season, beating the Braves' Red Barrett 2-1. It is Jansen's 10th win in a row, all complete games.

1955 - Bobby Hofman underscores the tone of the season for the Giants as he lines into a season-ending triple play against the Phillies in a 3-1 loss. The Giants win the opener 5-2, as Willie Mays belts his 51st HR of the year.

thanks to baseball reference

1988 Topps Giants - Part 4

Grab some bench meat!
C'mon ball dude, make a play!

Mike Krukow was 7-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 20 starts. Mike missed five weeks from late June to early August and made his last start on August 28.




Atlee Hammaker was 9-9 with five saves and an ERA of 3.73. He started 17 games and relieved in 26 others.

Scott Garrelts was 5-9 with 13 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 65 appearances.

Dave Dravecky was 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 7 starts. He made six starts in April and early May and started another game on May 28, then he shut it down for the season after a cancerous tumor was found in his pitching arm.

Don Robinson had a good season as a swingman in 1988. He was 10-5 with six saves and a 2.45 ERA. He appeared in 51 games, 19 of them starts.

Today in Giants' History - September 24

1908 - Harry Pulliam upholds Hank O'Day's delayed decision and declares the previous day's controversial game between the Giants and Cubs a tie, a decision nobody likes. The Cubs demand the game be forfeited to them as the crowd prevented play from continuing, although darkness would have soon ended it. Both teams appeal. Pulliam sees no inconsistency with the September 4th incident that was similar to Merkle's Boner and claims he has merely upheld his umpire on a question of fact in each case. Meanwhile, the Giants beat the Cubs 5-4, after almost blowing a 5-0 lead. Hooks Wiltse is relieved by Christy Mathewson, and the official scorer awards the win to Matty. The loss goes to Three Finger Brown, his first loss to Mathewson since June 13, 1905.

1917 - At the Polo Grounds, Slim Sallee tops the Cards, 2 - 1, and clinches the N.L. pennant for the Giants, their 6th under John McGraw. The New Yorkers manage just four hits (and six walks) off Bill Doak, but they come when needed.

1936 - The Giants clinch the pennant, winning 2-1 in the 10th of the opening game of a doubleheader with the Boston Bees. P Hal Schumacher singles in the winning run.

1961 - At Cincinnati, the Giants stage a 9-run 4th to rip the Reds, 12 - 5. Orlando Cepeda hits his 45th homer of the year, a grand slam, to climax the frame. Cepeda will hit one more home run this year and finish with 39 walks, the first National League player with more than 40 homers and fewer than 40 walks. Hal Trosky has done it in the American League.

thanks to baseball reference

Today in Giants' History - September 23

1908 - Giants P Christy Mathewson and Cubs P Three Finger Brown battle in the most controversial game ever played. The score is 1-1, with two outs in the last of the 9th when Fred Merkle's failure to touch second after an apparent game-winning hit by Al Bridwell scoring Moose McCormick from third costs the Giants a 2-1 win; the ump calls Merkle out and rules the game a tie. Merkle's 'boner' will eventually cost the Giants the flag.

Thanks to baseball reference

Today in Giants' History - September 22

1969 - Willie Mays hits the 600th home run of his career. The historic homer off Mike Corkins of the Padres proves to be the game-winner in a 4-2 Giants' victory at San Diego Stadium.

Thanks to baseball reference

1988 Topps Giants -- Part 3

Eddie Milner didn't play for the Giants in 1988. He became a free agent after the 1987 season and signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

Dave Henderson didn't play for the Giants in 1988. He became a free agent after the 1987 season and signed with the Oakland A's.

Mike Aldrete started in LF for much of the season. He batted .267 in 389 at bats. He had only 18 extra-base hits (.329 slugging percentage).

Jeffrey Leonard batted .256 in 44 games. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on June 8 for Ernest Riles.

Joel Youngblood batted .252 in 123 at bats as a pinch hitter and extra outfielder.

Candy Maldonado was the starting right fielder and batted .255 with 12 HR and 68 RBI.

Brett Butler was the starting center fielder. He batted .287 with 109 runs scored, 97 walks, and 43 stolen bases.

Chili Davis didn't play for the Giants in 1988. He became a free agent and signed with the California Angels before the 1988 season.

Today in Giants' History - September 21

1957 - Gail Harris is the last player to hit a HR as a New York Giant, as they beat the Pirates 9-5 in the 2nd game of a doubleheader. Ruben Gomez gains the last New York Giants' victory.

Thanks to baseball reference and the virtual card collection

Today in Giants' History - September 20

1955 - New York Giants slugger Willie Mays hits two home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving him 50 for the year and making him the seventh player in major league history to accomplish this.

thanks to baseball reference

1988 Topps Giants -- Part 2

Kevin Mitchell played third base and batted .251 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI in 1988. He really came into his own as an offensive force the following year.

Robby Thompson batted .264 in 138 games.

Matt Williams batted .205 with eight home runs in 156 at bats. He had a two-week stint with the Giants in June and was brought up to stay in mid-August. Matt spent the remainder of the season with AAA Phoenix.

Will Clark batted .282 with 29 homers and 109 RBI and scored 102 runs.

Chris Speier batted .261 in 171 at bats as a backup infielder.

ooo-ribe! ooo-ribe!

Jose Uribe was the starting shortstop and batted .252 in 141 games.

Harry Spilman batted .175 in 40 at bats for the Giants in 1988. He was released on August 11 and was signed by the Houston Astros to finish the season.

How many different ways was his name spelled on baseball cards?

Ernest Riles batted .294 in 187 at bats as a backup infielder.

Others who played infield for the Giants but didn't get a 1988 Topps Giants card:

• Francisco Melendez (.192 in 26 at bats)


• Phil Garner (.154 in 13 at bats)


• Charlie Hayes (.091 in 11 at bats)


• Tony Perezchica (.125 in 8 at bats)


• Angel Escobar (.333 in 3 at bats)


• Mark Wasinger (0 for 2)
  
  
  
  
  
  

Today in Giants' History -- September 19

1933 - Although they lose to St. Louis 12-3, the Giants clinch the pennant when runner-up Pittsburgh splits a pair in Philadelphia.

1961 - The Giants clobber Warren Spahn for four home runs, one of them a grand slam by Willie Mays, and then rally in the 8th and 9th to top the Braves, 11-10. The two teams combine for eight home runs and 57 total bases, but the short ball wins it -- Harvey Kuenn's tie-breaking single in the 8th, and Ed Bailey's sacks-full single in the 9th.

1998 - The Giants score seven runs in the 3rd inning, and six more in the 4th, as they demolish the Dodgers by a score of 18-4. Bill Mueller and Jeff Kent bang grand slams in the two frames, just the 2nd time (April 26, 1970) in Giants history that two players have hit grand slams in a game.

Joe Morgan was born on this day in 1943. He didn't spend much time with the Giants, but I'll always remember the home run he hit in 1982 to knock the Dodgers out of the NL West race. :)

Today in Giants' History -- September 18

1954 - The Giants' Don Mueller makes his 200th hit an inside-the-park HR, making him the first Giant to get 200 hits since Joe Moore in 1936. Willie Mays also has an inside-the park-HR, as the Giants beat the Phils 8-1.

Thanks to virtual card collection and Baseball Reference.

Today in Giants' History -- September 17

1923 - The Giants' George Kelly sets a major-league record by homering in the 3rd, 4th and 5th against the Cubs' Vic Aldridge as New York rolls to a 13-6 win. Kelly adds a single and double to run his total bases to 15 for the game. Kelly has now hit a record six homers off cousin Aldridge this year, a mark off one pitcher that will be tied by Ted Williams (in 1941, off Johnny Rigney) and Ted Kluszewski (in 1954, off Max Surkont). Kelly is the first player to homer in three successive innings.

1968 - At Candlestick, Giants hurler Gaylord Perry (14-14) no-hits the Cardinals and Bob Gibson, 1-0, with the only run of the game being tallied on Ron Hunt's solo home run. Tomorrow the Redbirds will return the favor and no-hit San Francisco.

thanks to baseball reference

Trade with Thoughts and Sox

AdamE from Thoughts and Sox did a trade of some vintage cards. I sent him some 1961, 1973, and early 80s Boston Red Sox cards. He sent me these 1960 Topps Giants plus some other Giants cards from my want list. Thanks Adam! :)