Friday, December 11, 2009

1979 Topps Giants - Part 1


After a promising 1978 season that saw the Giants (#356) in the pennant race for the first time in years, 1979 was a letdown. The Giants struggled and Joe Altobelli didn't even finish the season as manager. Altobelli had a 61-79 record when he was let go in September. Dave Bristol managed the last 22 games and posted a 10-12 record.

  • Team Record: 71-91 (4th in NL West, 19 1/2 games behind Cincinnati)
  • Attendance: 1,406,402 (9th in NL)
  • Team Batting: .246 (11th in NL)
  • Team Home Runs: 125 (7th in NL)
  • Team ERA: 4.17 (11th in NL)
  • Team Fielding: .974 (11th in NL)
  • NL All Stars: Jack Clark (OF)
  • NL Leaders: Bill North (caught stealing - 24); Vida Blue (earned runs allowed - 132)
  • Team Batting Leader: Terry Whitfield (.287)
  • Team HR Leader: Mike Ivie (27)
  • Team RBI Leader: Mike Ivie (89)
  • Team SB Leader: Bill North (58)
  • Team Wins Leader: Vida Blue (14)
  • Team Losses Leader: Vida Blue (14)
  • Team Saves Leader: Gary Lavelle (20)



  • Mike Sadek (#256) batted .238 in 126 AB in 1979.



  • Marc Hill (#11) batted .207 in 169 AB. He didn't play after July 24.


  • John Tamargo (#726) played in 30 games and batted .200 in 60 at bats. He was traded to the Montreal Expos for Joe Pettini on June 13.

Others who caught for the Giants but didn't receive a 1979 Topps Giants card:

  • Dennis Littlejohn (.197, 1 HR, 13 RBI in 193 AB - was brought up to the Giants in mid-July)
  • Bob Kearney (0 for 1 in two games)


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