1969 Topps Giants - Part 1

Clyde King (#274) became the Giants' manager in 1969. He managed them to a second place finish in the newly created National League West. King was replaced in May 1970 after starting the season 19-23. He later managed the Atlanta Braves at the end of the 1974 season and the beginning of the 1975 season (a total of 198 games). Clyde also managed the New York Yankees for the last 62 games of the 1982 season.

• Team Record: 90-72 (2nd in NL West, 3 games behind Atlanta)
• Team Attendance: 873,603 (9th of 12 in NL)
• Team Batting: .242 (7th in NL)
• Team Home Runs: 136 (5th in NL)
• Team ERA: 3.26 (4th in NL)
• Team Fielding: .974 (10th in NL)
• NL MVP: Willie McCovey
• NL All Stars: Willie McCovey (starting 1B), Willie Mays (OF), Juan Marichal (P)
• NL Batting Leaders: Willie McCovey (slugging - .656; home runs - 45; RBI - 126) Bobby Bonds (runs - 120; strikeouts - 187) Ron Hunt (hit by pitch - 25)
• NL Pitching Leaders: Juan Marichal (ERA - 2.10; shutouts - 8) Gaylord Perry (innings pitched - 325.1)
• Batting Leader: Willie McCovey (.320)
• Home Run Leader: Willie McCovey (45)
• RBI Leader: Willie McCovey (126)
• Runs Leader: Bobby Bonds (121)
• Stolen Base Leader: Bobby Bonds (45)
• Wins Leader: Juan Marichal (21)
• Losses Leader: Gaylord Perry (14)
• ERA Leader: Juan Marichal (2.10)
• Saves Leader: Frank Linzy (11)

Dick Dietz (#293) batted .230 with 11 HR in 79 games in 1969.

Bob Barton (#41) batted .170 in 118 at bats in 1969.

Jack Hiatt (#204) batted .196 in 69 games.

Others who caught for the Giants but didn't get a 1969 Topps card:

• John Harrell (.500 in 6 at bats)

A cool 2-player card (#572)

Don't forget to enter the Giant Strat-O-Matic contest if you want a game. A computer version and a board game version are still available.

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)