Matt Cain pitches a perfect game!

• All I can say is WOW! This makes the mlbtv package well worth the price! Mr. Cain was dominant in this game.
• This is the first perfect game in NY/SF Giants franchise history.
• Here is a perfect game-saving catch by Gregor Blanco in the 7th inning.

2012 Topps Heritage #9 - 2011 NL Strikeout Leaders

• Tim Lincecum's wavy hair looks out of place here. 
• I like how the '63 leader cards were emulated, right down to listing the guy who finished 50th in the league in strikeouts.
• Tim won his first game of the year today. He went only five innings, and it wasn't always pretty, but it's good to see him get a W.

2012 Topps Heritage #325 - Brian Wilson

• It looks like The Beard will need Tommy John surgery. That's a real bummer. Hopefully the Giants can come up with some guys to close out games and hopefully The Beard will be able to bounce back.

2012 Topps Heritage #163 - Matt Cain

• Mr. Cain pitched a gem in the Giants' home opener today. He allowed one hit (the only baserunner of the game for Pittsburgh), struck out 11 batters, and shut out the Pirates 5-0. Great game, Matt!

2012 Topps Heritage #346 - Santiago Casilla

• I opened up my first 2012 Topps Heritage pack today and I got one Giants card -- Santiago Casilla.
• Santiago Casilla has been an important part of the Giants bullpen for the last two seasons. As the back of his card states, the Giants got him just at the right time.
• As far as I can tell, the following Giants are in the 2012 Heritage set:
• 5 - Tim Lincecum (LL)
• 9 - Tim Lincecum (LL)
  50 - Madison Bumgarner
• 61 - Aubrey Huff
• 85 - Buster Posey
• 163 - Matt Cain
• 169 - Brett Pill (rookie stars)
• 208 - Brett Pill (rookie stars)
• 258 - Bruce Bochy
• 270 - Nate Schierholtz
• 325 - Brian Wilson
• 346 - Santiago Casilla
• 388 - Pablo Sandoval
• 460 - Brett Pill (SP)
• 474 - Barry Zito (SP)
• 490 - Brandon Belt (SP)
• If I missed any of the base cards, please let me know.

Happy Birthday Brian Wilson!

• The Beard is 30 today---long live the beard!
• Brian Wilson has had some good years as the Giants' closer.
• 2006: 4-3, 5.40 ERA in 31 games
• 2007: 1-2, 2.28 ERA, 6 saves in 24 games
• 2008: 3-2, 4.62 ERA, 41 saves in 62 games -- it was his first year as the Giants' closer and although he had a skunky ERA Brian made the 2008 NL All Star team
• 2009: 5-6, 2.74 ERA, 38 saves in 68 games
• 2010: 3-3, 1.81 ERA, 48 saves (led NL) in 70 games, NL All Star, 1-0 with 6 saves during the post season.
• 2011: 6-4, 3.11 ERA, 36 saves in 57 games, NL All Star
• Happy birthday Brian!

1984 Topps #109 - Brad Wellman

• Brad Wellman was originally signed by the Kansas City Royals in 1978. He played in the Royals' system from 1978-1981.
• Wellman was traded (with Atlee Hammaker, Renie Martin, and Craig Chamberlain) to the Giants on 30 March 1982 for Vida Blue and Bob Tufts.
• Brad batted .324 for AAA Phoenix and got his first taste of major league action at the end of the 1982 season.
• Wellman batted .311 in 45 games for Phoenix in 1983 and was called up at the end of May to replace the injured Duane Kuiper. Brad was given a shot at the starting second base position but he didn't provide enough offense (.214 in 82 games).
• Brad's 1984 season looked a lot like his 1983 season. He started with Phoenix, hit pretty well, and was called up after a couple of months. Wellman improved his average to .226, but it wasn't enough improvement.
• The Giants were wretched in 1985 (62-100). Brad backed up Manny Trillo at second base. Wellman outhit Trillo during the season (but neither player broke .240).
• The coming of Robby Thompson in 1986 spelled the end of Brad Wellman's time in San Francisco. Brad batted .282 in Phoenix, but he only got into twelve games for the Giants. After the season Wellman became a free agent and signed with the LA Dodgers.
• He played in the Dodger organization in 1987 and then spent the last two years of his career in the Royals' organization. Wellman retired after the 1989 season.
• Brad Wellman now owns Wellman Sports in San Ramon, CA and teaches baseball to youngsters.
• Brad has a son (Casey Wellman) who plays for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League.
• Brad Wellman had a pretty good minor league career (.298 lifetime average in eight seasons).
• Stats:
• 1982 - .250 (1 for 4)
• 1983 - .214 in 82 games
• 1984 - .226 in 93 games
• 1985 - .236 in 71 games
• 1986 - .154 (2 for 13) in 12 games

Happy Birthday Will Clark!

• Today is Will Clark's 48th birthday.
• He had a great nickname --- Will the Thrill
• Clark was one of the players who really helped turn around the Giants franchise in the late 1980s
• Will  homered off of Nolan Ryan in his first major league at bat on 8 April 1986
• Clark was a five-time NL All-Star (1988-1992). He also made the AL All Star team in 1994 after leaving the Giants
• Will was the MVP of the 1989 NL Championship Series
• Happy birthday Will!!!

Happy Birthday Terry Mulholland!

• Terry Mulholland turns 49 today.
• Mulholland started his career with the Giants. Here are his stats with the Giants organization:
• 1984: First round draft pick of the SF Giants 
• was 6-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 12 starts for two teams (Everett and Fresno)
• 1985: 9-8, 2.90 ERA in 26 starts for AA Shreveport
• 1986: 
• 8-5, 4.46 ERA in 17 starts for AAA Phoenix
• 1-7, 4.94 ERA in 15 games (10 starts) for San Francisco
• 1987: 7-12, 5.07 ERA in 37 games (29 starts) for AAA Phoenix
• 1988: 
• 7-3, 3.58 ERA in 19 games (14 starts) for AAA Phoenix
• 2-1, 3.72 ERA in 9 games (6 starts) for San Francisco
• 1989: 
• 4-5, 2.99 ERA in 13 games (10 starts) for AAA Phoenix
• 0-0, 4.09 ERA in 5 games (1 start) for San Francisco
• Terry was traded (with Dennis Cook and Charlie Hayes) to the Philadelphia Phillies for Steve Bedrosian and a player to be named later (Rick Parker) on 18 June 1989
• I hadn't realized that Terry had pitched for so long in the majors. His career went from 1986-2006 -- that's 20 seasons!
• Happy Birthday Terry!

1987 Donruss #66 - Will Clark

• Johngy from Johngy's Beat sent me this card. This was the one card I needed to complete my 1987 Donruss Giants team set. Thanks a lot Johngy!
• Night Owl has a "One Card Challenge" where a collector can ask for one card to complete a set (or a team set). I asked for the 1987 Donruss Clark and Johngy sent it along. Thanks for starting this program, Night Owl!

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