Tuesday, October 13, 2009

1973 Topps Giants - Part 1


  • Record: 88-74 (3rd in NL West, 11 games behind Cincinnati)
  • Attendance: 834,193 (10th of 12)
  • Team batting: .262 (3rd in NL)
  • Team home runs: 161 (2nd in NL)
  • Team ERA: 3.80 (9th in NL)
  • Team fielding: .974 (9th in NL)
  • League Leaders: Bobby Bonds (runs, 131; strikeouts, 148); Willie McCovey (intentional walks, 25); Ron Bryant (wins, 24)
  • Gold Glove awards: Bobby Bonds (OF)
  • Rookie of the Year: Gary Matthews
  • TSN Pitcher of the Year: Ron Bryant
  • NL All Stars: Chris Speier (starting SS); Bobby Bonds (OF)


  • This was Charlie Fox's (# 252) last full season as a manager. The Giants won 88 games with below average pitching and fielding. This was the last year that several players from the 60s (such as McCovey and Marichal) would be with the Giants. The revamping begun in earnest in 1974. Here is an April 30 Sports Illustrated article about the Giants' great start early in the season. They weren't able to keep it up for the entire season.


  • Fran Healy (# 361) didn't play for the Giants in 1973. He was traded during spring training for Greg Minton.




  • Dave Rader (# 121) was the starting catcher in 1973. His batting average was .229 in 148 games. Dave walked 63 times, which helped him to have an on base percentage almost 100 points (.326) above his batting average. Dave was intentionally walked 23 times -- he usually batted 8th and the opposing managers wanted to get to the pitcher's spot in the order. He almost led the NL in that category.

Others who caught for the Giants but didn't get a 1973 Topps Giants' card:

  • Mike Sadek (.167 in 66 AB)



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