A Giant Tournament Round 2 - 1954 Giants vs. 1955 Giants

It's odd playing two teams that are so similar. It's easy to confuse the two teams.

Game 1: 1954 Dusty Rhodes homered to left in the bottom of the 4th inning. Gail Harris answered with a solo shot in the top of the 5th to tie the score. 1954 Willie Mays homered into the left field upper deck in the bottom of the 6th. In the top of the 9th 1955 Willie Mays tripled to left. Don Mueller walked, Harris grounded into a fielder's choice, then pinch hitter Bobby Hofman tripled to score Mueller and Harris. Windy McCall pitched scoreless ball in the 8th and 9th innings to earn the win. 1955 3, 1954 2.

Game 2: 1955 Whitey Lockman led off the game with a double. After advancing to third on a ground ball he scored on a Willie Mays sacrifice fly. 1954 Hank Thompson hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 4th inning to tie the game. In the top of the 5th 1955 Willie Mays singled, 1955 Hank Thompson homered, 1955 Don Mueller then singled and eventually came around to score on a Ray Katt single. A 1955 Mays homer in the top of the 7th completed the scoring. John Antonelli went the distance to earn the win for the 1955 club. 1955 5, 1954 1.

Game 3: Jim Hearn started against himself in this one. The wind was blowing out at the Polo Grounds as six home runs (three by each team) were hit in this game. The 1954 Giants were leading 5-3 in the bottom of the 8th when Gail Harris came up as a pinch hitter and tied the game with a 2-run homer. In the top of the 9th Willie Mays, Dusty Rhodes, and Alvin Dark all homered off of 1955 Hoyt Wilhelm to take an 8-5 lead. The 1955 club wouldn't go down quietly as Bobby Hofman homered, Monte Irvin reached on an error, and Willie Mays tripled him in. Hank Thompson grounded out to second base to end the game. 1954 8, 1955 7.

Game 4: 1954 John Antonelli allowed one run on four hits to earn the complete-game victory. 1954 Dusty Rhodes hit a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the first Alvin Dark singled and eventually scored on a Don Mueller single. 1954 Willie Mays homered in the top of the third inning and that was it for the scoring. 1954 3, 1955 1.

Game 5: 1954 Marv Grissom wore the goat's horns in this game. The 1954 Giants had a 6-3 lead with two out in the bottom of the 9th when pinch hitter Sid Gordon walked. Bobby Hofman came in to pinch hit and homered off of Hoyt Wilhelm to make the score 6-5. Grissom came in and walked Monte Irvin, Whitey Lockman, and Wes Westrum. Willie Mays singled to score Irvin, then Hank Thompson walked to force in the winning run. 1955 7, 1954 6.

Game 6: Gail Harris was the big star in this game and Marv Grissom took another loss. 1954 Willie Mays hit a 2-run homer in the bottom of the third innings. It looked like those two runs would stand up as Sal Maglie pitched shutout ball through seven innings. In the top of the 8th inning Maglie was tiring and allowed one run to cross the plate, making the score 2-1. Hoyt Wilhelm came in to shut down the rally. Wilhelm was removed for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 8th but the 1954 Giants didn't score. In the top of the 9th Grissom was called upon to get the save. After getting one out Grissom walked Willie Mays and Hank Thompson singled. Don Mueller hit into a fielder's choice (Mays was out at home) and then Harris, who was already 3 for 4 with two doubles, hit a triple which scored Thompson and Mueller. The 1954 Giants went down quietly in the bottom of the 9th. 1955 3, 1954 2.

This is the second upset in a row. The #10 seeded 1955 Giants took out the #2 seeded 1954 Giants. Too much 1955 Gail Harris and too much 1954 Marv Grissom. It seems like the whole 1954 Giants staff imploded in round 2.

1955 Giants Batting Stats

1955 Giants Pitching Stats

1954 Giants Batting Stats

1954 Giants Pitching Stats

 

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A Giant Tournament Round 2 - 1911 Giants vs. 1980 Giants

Game 1: Darrell Evans homered twice and Mike Ivie homered once as the 1980 Giants took game 1 of the series. Ed Whitson had a shutout going until the 9th inning when a Johnnie LeMaster error allowed one run to score. Rube Marquard took the loss. 1980 7, 1911 1.

Game 2: The 1911 Giants scored seven runs in the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings. Larry Doyle had the big blow with a bases loaded triple in the 5th inning. Even though they made four errors the 1911 team still came out on top. 1911 7, 1980 4

Game 3: Vida Blue pitched a masterpiece. He allowed two hits and no runs. Terry Whitfield tripled to score Blue in the third inning and then Whitfield hit a 3-run homer in the 7th inning to seal the victory. 1980 Giants 6, 1911 Giants 0.

Game 4: Christy Mathewson had that whole "Pitching in A Pinch" thing working in this game. He allowed ten hits but didn't allow anyone to score. Josh Devore was the hitting star for the 1911 team as he went 3 for 5 with a triple, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, and an inside the park homer in the 8th inning. 1911 8, 1980 0.

Game 5: Jack Clark was the hitting star in this one. He hit a 2-run double (and scored on an error) in the first inning and he hit a 2-run homer in the third inning. Ed Whitson got the win with help from Gary Lavelle and Greg Minton. The 1911 Giants had runners on second and third with one out in the ninth inning but Minton was able to hold them without scoring. 1980 6, 1911 5.

Game 6: Darrell Evans had the big blow in this game when he hit a grand slam in the 3rd inning. John Montefusco and Al Holland combined to allow only two runs and the 1980 Giants came away with the series win. 1980 6, 1911 2.

Unfortunately the game doesn't separate the stats from each round of the tournament. Here are the stats for each team through two rounds:

1980 Giants Batting Stats

1980 Giants Pitching Stats

1911 Giants Batting Stats

1911 Giants Pitching Stats

This is the second round in a row in which the 1980 Giants have been able to score an upset. This time they knocked off the #1 seed. The 1911 team had a couple of things working against it. The team made a lot of errors, which wouldn't have been a real big deal in 1911 but the errors are a killer when playing a modern team. The game also made a 4-man rotation for each team. Something tells me Mr. McGraw would have shortened the rotation and had Christy Mathewson pitch more.

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A Giant Tournament Round 1 - 1978 Giants vs. 2009 Giants

Game 1: Pablo Sandoval hit a 3-run homer in the first inning and a 2-run shot in the third as the 2009 Giants cruised to a victory. Tim Lincecum got the victory. 2009 9, 1978 2.

Game 2: Benji Molina's 2-run homer in the second inning was all the 2009 Giants would need in this game. Matt Cain got the win. 2009 9, 1978 1.

Game 3: Bill Madlock homered to lead off the game and then singled in Marc Hill in the second inning to lead the 1978 Giants to victory. John Montefusco got the win and Randy Moffitt earned the save. Barry Zito took the loss. 1978 2, 2009 1.

Game 4: The 1978 Giants were leading 8-6 in the bottom of the 8th inning when Juan Uribe came up to the plate with 2 runners on. Uribe homered to make the score 9-8. Brian Wilson had blown the save in the 8th inning but pitched a perfect 9th inning to get the win. 2009 9, 1978 8

Game 5: Pablo Sandoval hit a 2-run homer in the first inning. Aaron Rowand, Ryan Garko, and Juan Uribe added homers to lead the 2009 Giants to victory. Tim Lincecum got the win. 2009 9, 1978 4.

2009 Giants Batting Stats

2009 Giants Pitching Stats

1978 Giants Batting Stats

1978 Giants Pitching Stats

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A Giant Tournament Round 1 - 1955 Giants vs. 1920 Giants

Game 1: Unheralded reserve outfielder Lee King hit a home run in the bottom of the 6th which proved to be the winning run. Jess Barnes outpitched John Antonelli for the win. 1920 3, 1955 2.

Game 2: Hank Thompson homered in the top of the 10th inning to lead the 1955 club to the victory. Jim Hearn pitched nine innings for the win and Marv Grissom pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th to get the save. 1955 3, 1920 2 (10 innings)

Game 3: The 1920 Giants were leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 7th inning when shortstop Dave Bancroft made a throwing error that allowed the tying run to score. Gail Harris then hit a sacrifice fly to put the 1955 club ahead to stay. Both runs were unearned. 1955 2, 1920 1.

Game 4: The 1920 Giants banged out 13 hits as they easily took care of the 1955 club. Phil Douglas allowed one run on five hits for the win. 1920 7, 1955 1.

Game 5: John Antonelli was the big story in this game as he had two hits (including a home run), scored twice, knocked in three runs, and pitched a complete game victory. 1955 8, 1920 6.

Game 6: An 18-inning game----wow! George Kelly homered to tie the game at 3 in the bottom of the 9th inning. Willie Mays walked with the bases loaded in the top of the 12th to force in a run, but Dave Bancroft scored on a Hoyt Wilhelm wild pitch in the bottom of the 12th to tie the game again. Bennie Kauff doubled and scored on Larry Doyle's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 18th to win it for the 1920 Giants. 1920 5, 1955 4 (18 innings).

Game 7: How about a 12-inning game to follow the game 6 marathon? In the top of the 12th inning Hank Thompson singled. Gail Harris hit an infield single, then 3B Frankie Frisch made an error to load the bases. Ray Katt hit a sacrifice fly to score Thompson and eventually win the game. Hoyt Wilhelm got the win and Windy McCall earned the save. 1955 3, 1920 2 (12 innings)

1955 Giants Batting Stats

1955 Giants Pitching Stats

1920 Giants Batting Stats

1920 Giants Pitching Stats

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A Giant Tournament Round 1 - 1967 Giants vs. 1975 Giants

Game 1: Jim Ray Hart doubled and homered, but it wasn't enough for the 1967 Giants. In the 11th inning Frank Linzy walked Von Joshua with the bases loaded to force in the go-ahead run. Randy Moffitt walked the first two batters in the bottom of the 11th but was able to keep them from scoring and preserve the win for Jim Barr. 1975 4, 1967 3.

Game 2: Tom Haller homered in the bottom of the first inning to score the only run Mike McCormick would need. McCormick shut out the 1975 club on six hits. 1967 5, 1975 0.

Game 3: Juan Marichal pitched a complete game and Willie McCovey hit a grand slam in the 2nd inning to lead the 1967 team to victory. 1967 8, 1975 2.

Game 4: Jesus Alou hit a 2-run homer in the top of the 6th inning to help Ray Sadecki to a victory. 1967 2, 1975 1.

Game 5: Jim Barr got his second win of the series as he allowed one run in nine innings. The 1975 club stole four bases and hit four doubles in the victory. 1975 9, 1967 1.

Game 6: Marc Hill homered in the top of the 13th inning to lead the 1975 club to a win and a series tie. Charlie Williams pitched five innings of scoreless relief to earn the win. 1975 4, 1967 3 (13 innings)

Game 7: Juan Marichal decided that enough was enough and pitched a masterful 2-hit shutout. Willie Mays and Willie McCovey homered for the 1967 club. 1967 4, 1975 0.

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A Giant Tournament Round 1 - 1966 Giants vs. 1980 Giants

Game 1: The game started off badly for the 1966 Giants as a Tito Fuentes error allowed an unearned run to score. But Juan Marichal shut the 1980 team down the rest of the way and cruised to an easy win. Willie Mays, Jim Davenport, and Jim Ray Hart each homered for the 1966 team. 1966 8, 1980 1.

Game 2: Gaylord Perry left the game after seven innings with a 4-2 lead. Joe Gibbon was unable to hold the lead. Ollie Brown made a costly error that led to seven unearned runs and the 1980 club won 10-5. Jack Clark hit a 3-run homer during the big 7-run 8th inning. 1980 10, 1966 5.

Game 3: Willie Mays hit a 3-run homer in the top of the first inning and Bob Bolin allowed one run on three hits in a complete game victory. Tito Fuentes went 4 for 5 in the game. 1966 5, 1980 1.

Game 4: This was a tight one. The score was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 12th inning when pinch hitter Rich Murray singled. Terry Whitfield singled Murray to third, then Mike Ivie singled to knock in the winning run. 1980 3, 1966 2 (12 innings).

Game 5: Another tight game. The game was scoreless in the bottom of the ninth inning as Juan Marichal and Vida Blue were engaged in a great pitcher's duel. Bill North walked, stole second, then scored the only run in the game when Terry Whitfield singled him in. 1980 1, 1966 0.

Game 6: The 1966 team jumped to a 5-0 lead after three innings with the help of a Jim Ray Hart 3-run homer. The 1980 club scored seven runs in the top of the 5th inning. Mike Ivie hit a 3-run homer and Bob Knepper helped himself out with a 2-run double. There was no more scoring the rest of the way and the 1980 club came away with the win. 1980 7, 1966 5.

This is the first upset of the tournament -- the #12 seeded 1980 team beat the #5 seeded 1966 team.

1980 Giants Batting Stats

1980 Giants Pitching Stats

1966 Giants Batting Stats

1966 Giants Pitching Stats

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A Giant Tournament Round 1: 1954 Giants vs. 1957 Giants

Game 1: 1957 Willie Mays hit a 2-run homer in the first inning and tripled in another run in the 7th to lead the 1957s to a 5-4 win. 1957 Ruben Gomez got the win and 1954 John Antonelli took the loss. 1957 5, 1954 4

Game 2: This time it was 1954 Willie Mays' turn to shine as he was 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBI. The 1954 club won 7-2. Oddly enough, 1957 John Antonelli won and 1954 Ruben Gomez was the losing pitcher. 1954 7, 1957 2

Game 3: This one was a slugfest won by the 1954 team 13-7. Curt Barclay and Ray Monzant combined to give up ten of the runs (5 each) in the first six innings. Hank Thompson hit two homers and teammates Alvin Dark and Davey Williams added homers to pace the 1954 club. 1954 13, 1957 7

Game 4: 1957 Willie Mays scored four runs, but it wasn't enough to win the game. The 1954 club broke a 10-10 tie in the top of the 10th inning with five runs to win the game 15-10. Both 1954 and 1957 Willie Mays homered, but the 1954 Willie went 3 for 5 with 5 RBI (his other two hits were doubles). 1954 15, 1957 10 (10 innings)

Game 5: 1954 John Antonelli and 1957 Ruben Gomez hooked up again but neither pitcher made it past the third inning. Willie Mays '54 went 5 for 5 with a home run, 3 runs scored, and 5 RBI. 1954 13, 1957 7

The 1954 Giants win the series 4 games to 1.

1954 Giants Batting Stats

1954 Giants Pitching Stats

1957 Giants Batting Stats

1957 Giants Pitching Stats

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