#142 Charlie Williams, Giants

 

 

 



 Card Front: I can't tell if Charlie is excited to have his picture done for a card or if he is genuinely disinterested. I know that no matter what time of year, you can tell it is Candlestick Park with the vinyl sleeves under his jersey. I've never been too hip on the orange bill of the Giants cap, but I sometimes wish they would bring back the script pullover tops.

Card Back: I can't really see any stats that jump out and get your attention. I guess when you are a situational reliever you won't stand out. I think that I would be happy to be able to tell my kids and grand kids that I was traded to San Francisco for a Hall of Famer in Willie Mays. I know that is something I would let everyone know about!

Six degrees or less to Seattle: During Charlie's fourth season in the Bay in 1975, Charlie was partnered up with Garry Maddox. Take yourself to the 1979 season, and Garry would be in St. Louis as a Cardinal with Lonnie Smith. It would take another 11 years, but during the 1990 season in Atlanta, Lonnie was a Brave. Another of those Braves was Jim Presley. Jimmy had come to Atlanta after the 1989 season when the Mariners had traded him for Ken Pennington and Gary Eave. Jim had been a starting All Star 3rd Baseman for the Mariners from 1984 through the 1989 season.

Next Card: #143 Tony Scott, Cardinals

#110 Vida Blue, Giants

Card Front: I'm not too sure I would want to get in the box against a lefty with a look on his face like that. I guess it's safe to say that Vida knew he was a bad ass. I still wish that Topps would go back to the banner or something on cards to tell who was last year's All Stars. I know most people don't like the pullover double knits of the 70's, but I think the Giants was classic. How would you like to be that one person in the blue shirt in an empty Candlestick Park immortalized on Vida's card here?

Card Back: It is easy to see why he was an NL All Star in 1978. While it was an off year from previous, those are damn good stats. Look specifically at 1971's stats. Those are the kind of numbers that win you the Cy Young and MVP award in the same year. We see that Vida was traded across the Bay before the '78 season, but the Giants gave up 7 players and $300K to bring Vida to San Francisco. If you look at his IP for every year but 1972, you don't see those kind of innings nowadays with pitch counts.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: If we leap ahead a year to 1980, we find out that Vida was a Giant with Ed Whitson. In the summer of 1990, Ed found himself as a San Diego Padre as did  a young Rich Rodriguez. After winning the title in 2002, a 40 year old Rich tried to make the Anaheim Angels in 2003, but only lasted 3 games and quickly met Jose Molina. The Toronto Blue Jays needed a catcher in 2011 and for that year, one of their options behind the dish was Jose. Along with Jose, out in the outfield was Eric Thames. Eric played a half season in 2012 after a trade to bring him to Seattle.

Blog related to the team: This was the year of the never say die attitude of the Giants. To win 6 consecutive elimination games en route to a World Series title is amazing. I was routing for them every game of the playoffs. I became a secondary Giants fan a couple years ago after going to AT&T Park and seeing a game. In honor of their team winning the ultimate prize this past year, every Giants blogger I know gets some love. We all know Matt R of A Giant Blog, and 1977 Baseball, there is ARPSmith who has his Obsession for the Giants and Willie Mac, and Ryan G who I'm sure watched every game from his new home in Japan but knows that This Card is Cool. Another Bay Area guy that deserves a shout is the great Chronicles of Fuji. While I know he is an A's fan, I know he had to be rooting for the boys from the Bay!

Next Card: #111 Roger Freed, Cardinals

#84 Greg Minton, Giants

Card Front: Greg is showing his pride in wearing the Giants orange. I'm not too sure you could get away with the dip in the front lip in today's cards. I'm real sure if I like the orange bill on the old caps, but I do love the Giants return to orange on home game Fridays and still love that old script they used. Help me card fans, are we looking at Shea Stadium in the back ground, or where is this one from??

Card Back: How can you not just love a card FULL of stats? I love how there is just as many years of minor league numbers is there of major league ones too. I guess it is safe to say that the Giants really couldn't make up their mind for awhile on Greg. Eventually he would be in the rotation full time for many years before heading south to the Angels. Nice addition of Gaylord Perry of the Giants throwing a no-no, and congrats to Matt Cain of the Giants for the recent Perfect Game.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Greg would spend up until the 1987 season in the Bay Area, only to move down to be part of the Angels. While with the Halos in 1990, Greg played with Brian Downing. Brian eventually left Anaheim and was part of the Texas Rangers in 1992 with Matt Whiteside. Matt would bounce around quite a bit and would land as part of the 2005 Toronto Blue Jays with Guillermo Quiroz. Guillermo has seen three stints with Seattle in 2006, 2009 and 2010 and is currently at AAA Tacoma for the Mariners.

Blog related to the team: Where are all the Giants fans, and why don't you blog or collect cards?? I did find an easy link to a blog that at least collects cards of a guy that played for the Giants and currently coaches for the 2010 World Champions. Roberto Kelly is part of the player collections that Jason has on his blog. You might know it better by the name of Clyde's Stale Cards. He has a collection of four guys, one of which is a big name in Japan and he can show plenty of his cards from the land of the Rising Sun. Go give it a look, follow him and show some love.

Next Card: #85 Gary Matthews, Braves 

#62 Randy Moffitt, Giants

Card Front: A nice look for Randy in a spring training game. It appears to be a home game in Phoenix during a sunny day. The trees in the background don't give away where they are. I love the classic mid calf pants with the stirrups. At least  this was before the Giants went with orange sanitaries for one year.

Card Back: Randy was in the middle of his time as a Giant in '79. He would stay until late in 1981 in San Francisco. Surprisingly, Randy would only have 1 start in his entire big league career. Pretty athletic family to have a baseball player and a pro tennis player in his sister. I didn't even know a triple steal was possible, but to do it twice!!

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Randy would spend his final season as a part of the 1983 Toronto Blue Jays playing with Tony Fernandez. A new member of the 1990 Blue Jays was the Crime Dog Fred McGriff. Fred would move down to be an Atlanta Brave in 1997 with a young Kevin Millwood. Kevin is part of the 2012 Mariners, and trying to contribute to the rotation.

Blog related to the team: As most of us know there aren't too many fans of the 2010 World Champions. At least as far as card collectors or bloggers. One fan of the Orange and Black has come to the blog world recently and is enlightening all of us. Longtime lurker turned blogger arpsmith is pimping the Giants now. Head over and give ARPSmith's Sportscard Obsession and tell him I sent you if you would like.

Next Card: #63 Jack Brohamer, Red Sox

#34 Rob Andrews, Giants

Card Front: Here is Rob sporting his best pose at Candlestick. You have to dig the nylon jacket WITH collar underneath his jersey. What is with the blue and red batting glove? Did he steal that from some Dodger player at 2nd base? Boy oh boy the Astroturf sure is green today dear....

Card Back: Rob decided to take the slow road to get the big leagues. After being drafted in 1970, it would take 4 full years in the minors to make the majors. Rob spent more games in the minors in his career, than in the majors. The Giants would release Rob after the '79 season, and he tried to make the Mets in 1980. He didn't last and he was done.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Since Rob had very little time in the bigs, this took work. Rob played with Jim Dwyer as members of the 1978 Giants. Earlier in 1978, Jim was a St. Louis Cardinal with Ken Oberkfell. Ken would eventually be a Giant in 1989 along with Russ Swan. Russ was a Mariner in the early 90's.

Blog related to the team: I didn't officially give give him due credit the first time. There a blog that was a little dormant until recently that talked all about Giants cards and players. He is back, and better than ever. I think everybody knows of Matt of A Giant Blog. He is a wealth of knowledge about the Giants, and baseball in the Phoenix area. Check out his good stuff.

Next Card: #35 Ed Figueroa, Yankees

#11 Marc Hill, Giants

Card Front: A first card for Matt of A Giant Blog.  Marc is ready in a catcher's position. I don't know if I would want to take a pitch without gear though. I think this spring training shot was taken in Phoenix before the Giants moved to Scottsdale. I still like the old style of Giants lettering on the jersey.

Card Back: Wow, Marc was part of a 2 for 1 deal that brought him to San Francisco. Obviously, '73 and '74 were September call up years. While he played regularly as a Giant, he isn't much of an average or power guy. Pretty awesome that the Alou brothers would make up a whole outfield for the Giants in 1963.

Six degrees or less to Seattle: Marc would eventually move on from San Francisco, and play as a White Sock(Sox?) in 1982 with Dennis Lamp. Lamp would last until 1992, sharing the mound with a young Miguel Batista. Miguel would be a Mariner in 2008 along with the god awful Carlos Silva. Thanks to Johngy for reminding me that Marc spent a short time in 1980 as a Mariner.

Next Card: #12 Dick Drago, Red Sox