A Giant Blog: February 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

1989 Topps Giants - Part 2 (infielders)

Will Clark (#660) had another thrilling season in 1989. He was second in the NL in batting average (.333), hit 23 HR, and had 111 RBI.

Robby Thompson (#15) batted .241 in 148 games. He hit 26 doubles, 11 triples, and 13 homers.

Chris Speier (#94) was a utility player in the last year of his career. He batted .243 in 37 at bats. Chris didn't play between June 4 and September 4. He did play nine games at AAA Phoenix -- probably a rehab assignment.

Matt Williams (#628) played 3B and SS in 1989 and didn't have a starting job yet. In 84 games Matt batted .202 with 18 home runs.

Ernie Riles (#676) started most of the games at 3B. He batted .278 in 122 games.

Jose Uribe (#753) batted .221 in 151 games as the starting shortstop.

Others who played infield for the Giants but didn't get a 1989 Topps Giants card:

Greg Litton (.252 in 143 AB)

Ken Oberkfell (.319 in 116 AB)

Ed Jurak (.238 in 42 AB)

Mike Laga (.200 in 20 AB)

Jim Steels (.083 in 12 AB)

Mike Benjamin (.167 in 6 AB)

Charlie Hayes (.200 in 5 AB)

Friday, February 26, 2010

1989 Topps Giants - Part 1

The 1989 Giants won the NLWest, beat the Chicago Cubs in the NLCS, then were swept by the Oakland A's in the "earthquake series." It was a fun year to be a Giants fan. This is probably my least favorite 80s Topps sets.

Team Record: 92-70, 1st in NL West, 3 games ahead of San Diego

Attendance: 2,059,791 (5th in NL)

Team Batting: .250 (4th in NL)

Team Home Runs: 141 (2nd in NL)

Team ERA: 3.30 (3rd in NL)

Team Fielding: .982 (2nd in NL)

League Leaders: Kevin Mitchell (slugging .635, home runs 47, RBI 125); Robbie Thompson (triples 11); Scott Garrelts (ERA 2.28)

All Stars: Rick Reuschel (starting pitcher); Will Clark (starting 1B); Kevin Mitchell (starting LF)

Awards: Kevin Mitchell (MVP, Silver Slugger); Will Clark (NLCS MVP, Silver Slugger); Don Robinson (Silver Slugger)

Roger Craig (#744) was in his fourth full season of managing the Giants. The 1989 season would be the second and final time that the Giants would win the NL West during his 6+ years of managing the club.

Bob Brenly (#52) batted .182 in 12 games in 1989. He had been released by the Giants after the 1988 season. Brenly signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 1989 season but was released on July 18. Bob signed with the Giants to help out during the September stretch run and then retired after the season.