1976 Hostess #82 - Chris Speier

• Chris Speier was a solid shortstop for the Giants in the early-mid 1970s.
• Chris was the first round (second overall) pick of the Giants in the 1970 draft
• After spending one season (1970) with AA Amarillo, Chris won the starting shortstop job in 1971. Speier roomed with the man he beat out (Hal Lanier) and learned a lot from him in 1971.
• Speier was an NL All Star in 1972, 1973, and in 1974
• Chris had a rough year in 1976. Manager Bill Rigney wanted to start Johnnie LeMaster at shortstop. Speier didn't like being moved to second base. He eventually agreed to the move, but it only lasted a week.
• Chris slumped to a .226 average in 1976 and was traded to the Montreal Expos for Tim Foli early in the 1977 season.
• Speier eventually  returned to the Giants to finish his career. His second run with the Giants was from 1987-1989

Giants Playoff Shortstops

• 1951 Alvin Dark (.303, 114 runs scored, 41 doubles, 14 HR)

1951 Bowman #14

• 1954 Alvin Dark (.293, 98 runs scored, 20 HR)

1954 Bowman #41

• 1962 Jose Pagan (.259, 25 doubles, 7 HR, 57 RBI)

1962 Topps #565

• 1971 Chris Speier (.235, 74 runs scored)

1972 Topps #166 (Chris was a rookie in 1971 and didn't get a card that year)

• 1987 Jose Uribe (.291 in 95 games) / Matt Williams (.188, 8 HR in 84 games)

1987 Topps #633

1987 Topps #129T

• 1989 Jose Uribe (.221 in 151 games)

1989 Topps #733

• 1997 Jose Vizcaino (.266, 77 runs scored)

1997 Topps #297 (don't have a Giants card from 1997 of Mr. Vizcaino)

• 2000 Rich Aurilia (.271, 20 HR, 79 RBI)

2000 Topps #124

• 2002 Rich Aurilia (.257, 15 HR, 61 RBI)

2002 Topps #580

• 2003 Rich Aurilia (.277, 13 HR, 58 RBI)

2003 Topps #404

• 2010  Juan Uribe (.248, 24 HR, 85 RBI)

2010 Topps #239

1972 Topps Giants - Part 6 (in action)

#712 Bobby Bonds

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#36 Jerry Johnson

#50 Willie Mays

#166 Chris Speier

#186 Ron Bryant

• When was this picture taken?
• Bryant pitched at home twice against the Cardinals (April 19 and July1)
• On April 19 Ron came in as a reliever in the top of the first inning. Bryant led off the bottom of the 3rd and struck out. He led off the bottom of the 5th with a single. It is doubtful that it was a bunt single. In the bottom of the 6th Bryant came up with two out and nobody on base and grounded out to second base. The Giants won the game 4-2 and didn't bat in the bottom of the 9th. It is doubtful that this picture was taken on April 19.
• On July 1 Bryant started the game and lasted 4 2/3 innings. In the bottom of the third inning Bryant came up with a runner on first base and nobody out and hit into a force play. This may have been a foul bunt attempt by Bryant during this at bat. Ron was removed from the game before his spot came up in the batting order again, so the bottom of the third in this game may be when this picture was taken.

Dick Dietz

#444 Ken Henderson

#568 Juan Marichal

#694 Alan Gallagher

Do y'all have any speculation on when these other plays occurred?

Vote in the poll on which of these cards is your favorite. There are several great action shots here!

1972 Topps Giants - Part 2 (infielders)

#280 Willie McCovey

• Willie McCovey missed about six weeks with an injury and struggled in 1972. He batted .213 with 14 HR and 35 RBI in 81 games.

#427 Tito Fuentes

• Tito Fuentes batted .264 with 7 HR and 53 RBI in 152 games in 1972.

#165 Chris Speier

• Chris Speier had a solid year for the Giants in 1972. He batted .269 with 15 HR, 71 RBI, and 82 walks in 150 games.

#693 Alan Gallagher

• Alan Mitchell Edward George Patrick Henry Gallagher split time with Dave Kingman at third base in 1972. He batted .223 with 2 HR and 18 RBI in 82 games. Gallagher was traded to the California Angels in April of 1973 and retired after the 1973 season.

#733 Jim Hart

• Jim Hart batted .304 in 79 at bats in 1972. Jim had injury problems in 1972 -- he played for about two weeks in May and then didn't play again until September. He ended up starting 20 games at third base and was sold to the New York Yankees early in the 1973 season.

#232 Chris Arnold

• Chris Arnold batted .226 in 84 at bats as a utility player. Arnold bounced between AAA Phoenix and the SF Giants from 1971-1976. He had some great years for Phoenix (.343 in 120 games in 1971 and .302 in 139 games in 1977) but never could stick in the majors. Arnold went to Japan and played for three years after the 1977 season.

Others who played in the infield for the Giants in 1972 but didn't receive a 1972 Topps Giants card:

• Ed Goodson (1B - .280, 6 HR, 30 RBI in 58 games)
• Damaso Blanco (IF - .350 in 20 AB)
• Gary Thomasson (1B/LF - .333 in 27 AB)
• Dave Kingman saw a lot of action at 3B but his card will be featured with the other outfielders.

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1989 Topps Giants - Part 2 (infielders)

 Will Clark (#660) had another thrilling season in 1989. He was second in the NL in batting average (.333), hit 23 HR, and had 111 RBI.

Robby Thompson (#15) batted .241 in 148 games. He hit 26 doubles, 11 triples, and 13 homers.

Chris Speier (#94) was a utility player in the last year of his career. He batted .243 in 37 at bats. Chris didn't play between June 4 and September 4. He did play nine games at AAA Phoenix -- probably a rehab assignment.

Matt Williams (#628) played 3B and SS in 1989 and didn't have a starting job yet. In 84 games Matt batted .202 with 18 home runs.

Ernie Riles (#676) started most of the games at 3B. He batted .278 in 122 games.

Jose Uribe (#753) batted .221 in 151 games as the starting shortstop.

Others who played infield for the Giants but didn't get a 1989 Topps Giants card:

Greg Litton (.252 in 143 AB)

Ken Oberkfell (.319 in 116 AB)

Ed Jurak (.238 in 42 AB)

Mike Laga (.200 in 20 AB)

Jim Steels (.083 in 12 AB)

Mike Benjamin (.167 in 6 AB)

Charlie Hayes (.200 in 5 AB)

1976 SSPC Giants - Part 3

Card Tribute: Chris Speier

1972 Topps #165

1972 Topps #166

1973 Topps #345

1973 Topps #273

1974 Topps #129

1975 Topps #505

1976 Topps #630

1977 Topps #515

1987 Topps #115T

1988 Topps #329

1989 Topps #94

1990 Topps # 753

• The winner of the "Best Gary Lavelle Card" poll was 1975 Topps. Those multi-player rookie cards drove me nuts. I never knew which team to put them with. Finally I made a "micellaneous" category where I put the leader cards, rookie cards, etc.

• Don't forget to vote on the "Best Topps Chris Speier Card" poll on the right. :)