Happy Birthday Jim Wohlford!

• Jim Wohlford turns 61 today!
• Jim was a backup outfielder with the Giants from 1980-1982.
• He had a nice year in 1980, batting .280 in 91 games.
• Happy birthday Jim!

Happy Birthday J.T. Snow!

• J.T. Snow turns 43 today. 
• Mr. Snow was a solid first baseman who spent ten years with the Giants in the late 90s and early 00s. He won two Gold Gloves with the LA Angels and four more with the Giants.
• Happy Birthday J.T.!

Happy Birthday Bob Brenly!

• Today is Bob Brenly's 58th birthday. He was a favorite of mine during the dreary era of the mid-1980s and during the Giants' renaissance under "Humm-baby" Roger Craig.
• I also enjoyed him when he was a broadcaster (and later the manager) of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He seems to be having a good time with his life -- he is a popular broadcaster with the Chicago Cubs now.
• Here is a card tribute of Bob that was on this blog last year.

Look out Darren!

• A memorable moment from the 2002 World Series was when Darren Baker (Dusty's son) got too close to home plate and almost got run over. This was a great save by J.T. Snow!
• Little ones have been on my mind a lot lately. We've started to do some foster parenting with the eventual intention to adopt one or more children. It really is a new experience for us, but we're enjoying it!

1978 Topps #719 - Randy Elliott

• Randy Elliott spent most of his ten years in baseball playing in AAA.
• This is the only Topps card Randy ever had -- no wonder I didn't know who he was.
• Randy had a couple of short stints with the San Diego Padres in 1972 and in 1974.
• Elliott was picked up by the Giants in September 1976. He was in the California Angels organization in 1976 but he never played that season due to a shoulder separation he suffered in 1975.
• Randy batted .240 with 7 HR and 26 RBI in 73 games with the Giants in 1977. He was used exclusively in left field that season.
• Elliott didn't make the Giants ballclub in 1978 and was released during spring training.
• Randy signed with the Cleveland Indians in April but never played for them (or any of their affiliates) in 1978. He was cut loose during spring training in 1979.
• Elliott had one more go-around with the Oakland A's in 1980 but was released after the season. His .128 average in 39 at bats pretty much sealed the deal.

2012 Topps #298 - Jeff Keppinger

• Here is the fourth card that came from Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz.
• Jeff Keppinger has moved around a lot during his career. The Giants were his fifth major league team in seven seasons.
• Keppinger is now with his sixth team. On 27 January 2012 he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Those orange uniform tops are great!
• Thanks again Chris!

2012 Topps #155 - Matt Cain

• Here is the third of four cards I got from Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz.
• Matt Cain is another of the homegrown Giants. It would be nice to see him stick around with the Giants for several more years.
• It's hard to believe he still has a sub-.500 lifetime record. The 2007 and 2008 seasons were tough ones.
• Thanks again Chris!

2012 Topps #185 - Pablo Sandoval

• Mr. Sandoval had a nice comeback season last year. I hope he can keep it up this year!
• This is a really nice action shot.
• This is the second of four cards sent by Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. Thanks again Chris!

2012 Topps #260 - Brian Wilson

• Beard!
• I hope Mr. Wilson is over the arm problems he had at the end of last year. I'd like to see him get another 35-save season.
• Chris at Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz offered to send 2012 Topps cards to those who wanted them. I asked for some Giants cards and he sent me four cards. Thanks Chris!

R.I.P. Gary Carter

• Gary Carter passed away today at the age of 57. Brain cancer was the culprit. It's sad news -- Gary was one of my favorites, especially when he was with the Expos.
• Carter was with the Giants for only one season (1990). He batted .254 with 9 HR and 27 RBI in 92 games. Gary split time with Terry Kennedy behind the plate that year. 
• After the 1990 season Carter became a free agent and ended up signing with the LA Dodgers.

1977 Kellogg's #5 - John Montefusco

• After 2+ seasons in the majors, it looked like "The Count" was well on his way to a great career. Little did anyone know that his best years were already behind him.
• John injured his ankle trying to beat out a bunt on May 26, 1977 and missed about six weeks. He ended up with a 7-12 record and a 3.49 ERA.
• Montefusco had another ankle injury in 1978 but was able to finish with a better year (11-9, 3.81 ERA, 177 strikeouts)
• In 1979  John tailed off badly, finishing with a 3-8 record and a 3.79 ERA. The Giants were riddled with dissension during that season (they were nicknamed the "San Fiasco Giants")
• John's last year as a Giant was in 1980. He was 4-8 with a 4.37 ERA in 22 games (17 starts). He got in a fight with manager Dave Bristol in the clubhouse. Later in the season John was out for about five weeks with a cracked rib. Montefusco was traded to the Atlanta Braves after the season
• As a Giant Montefusco was 59-62 with a 3.47 ERA in seven seasons.
• Here is a link to John's SABR biography.

1981 Fleer #454 - Allen Ripley

• Allen Ripley was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox in 1972. He spent a lot of time in the minors until he finally got a chance in 1978.
• Ripley split the 1978 and 1979 season between AAA Pawtucket and the Red Sox.
• Allen was purchased by the Giants just before the 1980 season.
• Ripley spent the first seven weeks of the 1980 season in AAA Phoenix and was brought up in late May after an impressive 5-0 record in seven starts.
• Allen was about a .500 pitcher for the Giants in 1980 (9-10, 4.14 ERA) and in 1981 (4-4, 4.07 ERA)
• The Giants traded Ripley to the Chicago Cubs for Doug Capilla after the 1981 season.
• Ripley pitched for the Cubs in 1982 (5-7, 4.26 ERA). 
• He was released during spring training in 1983 after he was unable to come back from a shoulder injury.

1984 Topps Rub Down Johnnie LeMaster

• Tom from The Angels in Order posted some cards a couple of months ago that he had acquired. I commented that it was cool that he got a Johnnie LeMaster. Tom e-mailed me and asked if I would like it. A week later the card was in my mailbox. Thanks Tom! :)

2012 Topps #92 - Active NL ERA Leaders

• Mr. Tim Lincecum is the only pitcher to have a sub-3.00 career ERA. That's quite an accomplishment.
• It's nice to have two Giants in the top ten in this category. I hope the Giants can sign Matt Cain.

2012 Topps #141 - Brandon Belt

• I opened my first pack of 2012 Topps tonight. In the 36-card pack I got two cards with SF Giants on them.
• Brandon Belt has moved through the Giants system very quickly. Hopefully it hasn't been too fast.
• It would be nice if Topps would stop doing the foil stuff on the front of the cards. It's hard for me to read.
• I like the colors on the front and back of these cards.

2010 Topps National Chicle Giants

A collector on Zistle (The Hopeful Chase) offered me a "trade." He offered me several 2010 National Chicle Giants and didn't want anything in return. He's trying to clean out some space. Here are the cards he sent me:

• Isn't that cool? Thanks a lot Dustin!
• P.S. Here are the cards I still lack for the team set: 
• 176 Aaron Rowand 
• 194 Tim Lincecum
• 215 Orlando Cepeda 
• 233 Mel Ott
• 241 Christy Mathewson 
• 275 Buster Posey

SBC Park Cards

Here are some interesting cards that were in the package from Baseball Dad. I don't think this is the full set. 

If you know something about this set, please let me know. :)