Saturday, July 31, 2010

Pat Burrell hits a CLUTCH homer!

This home run was huge! Bottom of 8th, 2 out, runner on 1st with the Giants behind 1-0. It was a 3-2 count when Burrell hit this one off of Jonathon Broxton. This has become a fun season! :)


1962 Topps Giants - Part 3 (outfielders)

#300 Willie Mays
  • Willie Mays had one of his best seasons in 1962. He batted .304 with 49 HR and 141 RBI. He scored 130 runs and led the Giants in just about every offensive category. Willie went 7 for 28 (.250) in the World Series and was on second base representing the winning run when Willie McCovey hit the series-ending line drive in game 7. Mays went 0 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base in the first 1962 All Star Game and 2 for 2 in the second All Star Game.


#395 Willie Mays All Star

#133 Felipe Alou
  • Felipe Alou batted .316 with 25 HR and 98 RBI in 154 games as the starting right fielder in 1962. He hit a sacrifice fly in his only at bat in the first 1962 All Star Game. Alou went 7 for 26 (.269) in the World Series.


#413 Matty Alou
  • Matty Alou was a backup outfielder for the Giants in 1962. He batted .292 in 78 games. Matty went 4 for 12 (.333) in the World Series. He was on first base representing the tying run with two out in the bottom of the 9th in game 7 and was stopped at third when Willie Mays hit a double. Mays later said that he would have tried to score on the play. Matty was stranded at third and the Giants lost.


#480 Harvey Kuenn
  • Harvey Kuenn was the starting left fielder for the Giants. In 130 games Harvey batted .304 with 10 HR and 68 RBI. Kuenn went 1 for 12 (.083) in the World Series.


#544 Willie McCovey

  • Willie McCovey played LF and 1B for the Giants in 1962. He batted .293 with 20 HR and 54 RBI in 229 at bats. Willie went 3 for 15 (.200) in the World Series and hit the line drive with runners on 2nd and 3rd that Bobby Richardson caught to end the series.
Others who played OF for the Giants in 1962 but didn't receive a 1962 Topps Giants card:
  • Bob Nieman (.300 in 30 AB)
  • Carl Boles (.375 in 24 AB)
  • Manny Mota (.176 in 74 AB as an infielder and outfielder)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

1962 Topps Giants - Part 2 (infielders)

#9 Jim Davenport batted .297 with 14 HR and 58 RBI in 1962.

#40 Orlando Cepeda batted .306 with 35 HR and 114 RBI in 1962. He was the starting first baseman in the two All Star Games in 1962 (0 for 3 with an RBI in the first game and 0 for 1 with a BB in the second game). Cepeda batted .158 in 19 AB in the 1962 World Series.
#188 Chuck Hiller batted .276 in 161 games. Hiller batted .269 in 26 AB in the 1962 World Series.


Ernie Bowman batted .190 in 42 AB in 1962. 
#390 Orlando Cepeda All Star. Cepeda was an NL All Star from 1959-1964 and again in 1967.

#401 Roger Maris/Orlando Cepeda

#565 Jose Pagan batted .259 in 164 games in 1962. Jose finished 11th in NL MVP voting and batted .368 in 19 AB in the 1962 World Series.

The Giants' infield was very durable in 1962 and didn't need much help. The following players also played infield in 1962 but didn't get a 1962 Topps card:

  • Manny Mota (.176 in 74 AB as an infielder and outfielder)
  • Cap Peterson (.167 in 7 AB)
  • Dick Phillips (.000 in 3 AB)

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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

1962 Topps Giants - Part 1

#226 San Francisco Giants

  • Team Record: 103-62 (1st in NL -- won a 3-game playoff with Los Angeles)
  • Attendance: 1,592,594 (2nd in NL)
  • Team Batting: .278 (1st in NL)
  • Team Home Runs: 204 (1st in NL)
  • Team ERA: 3.79 (6th in NL)
  • Team Fielding: .977 (3rd in NL)
  • Home Run Leader: Willie Mays (49)
  • RBI Leader: Wille Mays (141)
  • Stolen Base Leader: Willie Mays (18)
  • Victories Leader: Jack Sanford (24)
  • Losses Leader: Billy O'Dell (14)
  • Saves Leader: Stu Miller (19)
  • ERA Leader (starters): Juan  Marichal (3.36)
  • ERA Leader (relievers): Bobby Bolin (3.62)
  • NL Leaders: Willie Mays (home runs - 49)
  • Gold Gloves: Willie Mays (OF)
  • NL All Stars: Orlando Cepeda (starting 1B); Willie Mays (starting CF); Jim Davenport (3B); Juan Marichal (P)
  • The 1962 Giants were one of the few teams that appeared in the World Series since the Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958. The Giants did it mostly with offense, finishing first in the NL in batting average and home runs. Willie Mays had a great season and was barely beat out by Maury Wills for the MVP award. The Giants and Dodgers finished the season tied for 1st place. The Giants won a 3-game playoff to advance to the World Series. The New York Yankees won the series in seven games. The Giants had runners on second and third in the bottom of the 9th inning but Willie McCovey lined out to Bobby Richardson to end the game and the series.



#322 Alvin Dark
  • Alvin Dark retired as a player after the 1960 season and was hired to manage the Giants. The Giants finished 3rd in 1961, 1st in 1962, and 4th in 1963 and 1964. Alvin was let go by the Giants after the 1964 season after owner Horace Stoneham learned of an extramarital affair. Dark also managed the KC Athletics for almost two seasons (1966 and most of 1967) and the Cleveland Indians for almost four seasons (1968-1971). Alvin came back to the A's in 1974 and they won a World Championship. The A's won the AL West in 1975 under Dark's leadership but he was fired after the A's lost in the ALCS. Dark managed the last 113 games of the 1977 season for the San Diego Padres.


#247 Joe Pignitano
  • Joe Pignitano batted .200 in five at bats for the Giants in 1962. He was sold to the New York Mets on July 13 and finished his major league playing career with the Mets in '62. Joe played in two more seasons in the minors but didn't make it back to the majors.


#356 Tom Haller 
  • Tom Haller shared time behind the plate with Ed Bailey. Haller batted .261 with 18 HR and 55 RBI in 99 games. Tom batted .286 with one HR in 14 at bats in the 1962 World Series.


#377 Johnny Orsino
  • Johnny Orsino batted .271 in 48 at bats for the Giants in 1962. He batted .327 in 43 games for AAA Tacoma in 1962. Orsino was traded to the Baltimore Orioles after the 1962 season.


#459 Ed Bailey
  • Ed Bailey batted .232 with 17 HR and 45 RBI in 1962. He batted .071 in 14 AB in the 1962 World Series.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs 1967 game 7


Brad Penny vs. Ray  Sadecki for all the marbles.

Bottom of 2nd: Ollie Brown singled and scored on Hal Lanier's double. Ray Sadecki walked and Jesus Alou singled to score Lanier. Tom Haller doubled to clear the bases. 09 Giants 0, 67 Giants 4.

Top of 5th: Andres Torres tripled to center with two out to break up the no-hitter. 09 Giants 0, 67 Giants 4.

That was all of the scoring in the game. Sadecki allowed four hits and two walks and pitched a shutout to win the series for the 1967 Giants.

It was a fun tournament. I wish I could have included a team from the Roger Craig years and a team from the Bill Terry/Mel Ott years, but I didn't have any of those seasons. The 1967 Giants needed seven games in all four rounds. Pablo Sandoval led the tournament with 10 home runs and 26 RBI. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain were each 5-0 in the tournament.


1967 Giants Batting through Round 4
1967 Giants Pitching through Round 4
2009 Giants Batting through Round 4
2009  Giants Pitching through Round 4
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Friday, July 16, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs 1967 game 6


Barry Zito (09 Giants) vs. Juan Marichal (67 Giants)

Top of 2nd: Benji Molina led off with a home run. 09 Giants 1, 67 Giants 0.

Bottom of 2nd: Jim Hart led off with a double to left. Ollie Brown singled to score Hart and advanced to third on a throwing error by Fred Lewis. Hal Lanier knocked Brown in with a ground out. 09 Giants 1, 67  Giants 2.

Top of 6th: Travis Ishikawa and Aaron Rowand both singled and Juan Uribe walked to load the bases with one out. Eugenio Velez was brought in to pinch hit for Zito and hit a sacrifice fly to tie the score. 09 Giants 2, 67 Giants 2.

Bottom of 12th: Ollie Brown homered to lead off the 12th and tie the series at 3 games apiece. It all comes down to game 7 tomorrow. 09 Giants 2, 67 Giants 3.

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Thursday, July 15, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs 1967 game 5

Mike  McCormick tries to keep the 1967 Giants alive and is opposed by Matt Cain.



Bottom of 3rd: Aaron Rowand singled. Freddie Sanchez reached on an error by Tito Fuentes. Pablo Sandoval doubled to left to score Rowand and Sanchez. Sandoval scored when Jesus Alou threw the ball away trying to throw out Sanchez. 1967 0, 2009 3.

Top of 6th: Jim Hart homered to right center with one out. 1967 1, 2009 3.

Top of 7th: Tito Fuentes singled. Pinch hitter Jack Hiatt walked and Tom Haller was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Willie Mays hit a grand slam. 1967 5, 2009 3.

Top of 9th: Haller and  Mays singled and Hart was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Ollie Brown hit a 2-run single. 1967 7, 2009 3.

Mike McCormick was the winning pitcher with Frank Linzy earning the save. Brandon Medders was the losing pitcher. The 2009 Giants lead the series 3 games to 2 with the series going back to Candlestick Park for the final two games.

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Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs 1967 game 4


Gaylord Perry starts for the 1967 Giants and is opposed by Tim Lincecum.

Bottom of 8th: The game was scoreless until the bottom of the 8th inning and to this point Perry had allowed only one hit. Fred Lewis walked and advanced to second on a ground out by Travis Ishikawa. Aaron Rowand hit an infield single and Lewis scored on a throwing error by Tito Fuentes. Lincecum reached on another error by Fuentes to put runners on first and third with two out. Randy Winn singled to score Rowand. Lincecum then scored on a single by Freddie Sanchez. Pablo Sandoval then singled to score Winn. Benji Molina walked to load the bases and then Sanchez scored when Willie McCovey  made the third error of the inning. 1967 0, 2009 5.

Lincecum allowed four hits, no walks, and struck out thirteen batters on his way to the shutout win. Lincecum is now 5-0 with a 1.23 ERA in six starts. Perry took the loss by allowing five runs (all unearned). The 2009 Giants now lead the series. 3 games to 1.

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Saturday, July 10, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs 1967 game 3


Ray Sadecki starts for the 1967 Giants. He is opposed by Brad Penny for the 2009 Giants.

Bottom of 1st: Aaron Rowand hit a leadoff double and scored on a single by Freddie Sanchez. 1967 0, 2009 1.

Top of 2nd: Willie McCovey singled, went to third on a single by Ollie Brown, and scored on a single by Tito Fuentes. 1967 1, 2009 1.

Bottom of 2nd: Andres Torres hit a solo homer. 1967 1, 2009 2.

Top of 3rd: Tom Haller tripled to right center and scored on a Willie Mays single. 1967 2, 2009 2.

Bottom of 3rd: Rowand doubled to right center and Sanchez homered. 1967 2, 2009 4.

Top of 5th: Jesus led off the inning with a double to right. Mays singled to right to knock in Alou and advanced to second on the throw home. McCovey singled to send Mays to third but Jim Hart hit into a double play to end the inning. 1967 3, 2009 4.

Bottom of 8th: Rowand singled, went to second on a Sanchez sacrifice, and scored on a Benji Molina single. 1967 3, 2009 5.

Top of 9th: Fuentes doubled and scored on pinch hitter Jim Davenport's single. Alou singled to left to put runners on first and second with one out. Haller grounded out and Mays walked to load the bases with two out for McCovey. Brian Wilson hit McCovey with a pitch to force in the tying run. Hart grounded out to end the inning. 1967 5, 2009 5.

Top of 10th: Brown led off with a triple. Hal Lanier singled off of Jeremy Affeldt to score Brown. 1967 6, 2009 5.

Reliever Frank Linzy was able to get the 1967 team out in the bottom of the 10th to finish the game. The 2009 Giants now lead the series 2 games to 1.

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Friday, July 9, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs. 1967 game 2


The pitchers for game 2 are Barry Zito for the 2009 Giants vs. Juan Marichal for the 1967 Giants.

Top of 2nd: Travis Ishikawa doubled to right and scored on an error by Ollie Brown. Aaron Rowand doubled to left center and scored on a single by Juan Uribe. 2009 2, 1967 0.

Bottom of 2nd: Jim Hart and Ollie Brown both singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Dick Dietz lined out to Pablo Sandoval, who then threw to second to double off Hart. Freddie Sanchez threw to first before Brown could get back to the bag and the triple play was completed. 2009 2, 1967 0.

Top of 4th: Ishikawa singled. Rowand hit a double to left to put runners on second and third with nobody out. Marichal was able to set down Uribe, Zito, and Randy Winn to end the threat. 2009 2, 1967 0.

Bottom of 9th: Willie McCovey led off the inning with an INSIDE THE PARK home run. The ball hit the fence at an odd angle and Willie was able to get around the bases. Brian Wilson came on to relieve and Willie Mays greeted him with a double to left center. Wilson was able to set down the next three batters to preserve the win for Zito. Marichal was the losing pitcher. The teams go to Pac Bell park with the 2009 Giants leading 2 games to 0. 2009 2, 1967 1.

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Thursday, July 8, 2010

A Giant Tournament - Finals 2009 vs. 1967 game 1



The 2009 Giants visit the 1967 Giants in Candlestick Park to start the tournament. Matt Cain is starting for the 2009 Giants and he is opposed by Mike McCormick.

Bottom of 1st: With one out Tom Haller singled to right. After Willie Mays struck out, Willie McCovey hit a double to deep center and Haller scored. Jim Hart flied out to end the inning. 2009 0, 1967 1.

Top of 4th: Freddie Sanchez led off the inning with a single to center. Pablo Sandoval popped out and Benji Molina walked to put runners on first and second. Garko singled to left but Sanchez was thrown out trying to score by Jesus Alou. Randy Winn popped out to end the inning. 2009 0, 1967 1.

Top of 5th: Andreas Torres singled to lead off the inning and stole second. After Edgar Renteria and Cain struck out Aaron Rowand hit a single to right and Torres scored. 2009 1, 1967 1.

Top of 9th: After an out was made Randy Winn hit a triple to deep center. Torres knocked Winn in with a single. Renteria singled to left and advanced to second on the throw to third (Torres was safe). Pinch hitter Eduardo Velez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Rowand hit a sacrifice fly to right. Burriss grounded out, ending the inning. 2009 3, 1967 1.

Bottom of 9th: Brian Wilson set down Mays, McCovey, and Hart in order to earn the save. Matt Cain allowed one run on three hits and got the win. Cain is now 5-0 in the tournament. Mike McCormick took the loss and is 3-2 in six starts in the tournament.

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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

1990 Topps Big Baseball Giants

#16 Terry Kennedy
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#51 Scott Garrelts

#96 Matt Williams

#169 Robby Thompson

#193 Don Robinson

#197 Kevin Mitchell

#213  Jose Uribe

#224 Will Clark

#236 Kevin Bass
#259 Brett Butler

#275 Steve Bedrosian
#308 Greg Litton

#328 Rick Reuschel