Miami Dolphins

Instead, they hired Louisiana State University coach Nick Saban. * * Has retirement honors, with a numberless jersey retired on the outfield wall. Despite this, the Dolphins decided not to hire Bates for the permanent coaching position.    * Has retirement honors, as he played in the era prior to uniform numbers. He was replaced on an interim basis by defensive coordinator Jim Bates. Under Bates, the Dolphins fared much better, winning three of their final seven games, including a 29-28 upset victory over the defending champion Patriots on December 20. Even after a blow-out loss, this segment is usually quite humorous and uplifting. After a 1-8 start, Wannstedt resigned on November 9, 2004. After the game, all of the announcers will come together on the radio side and give their opinions on the game.

This led to them being dead-last in the NFL as well as the subject to nicknames like "Stinky Fish" and, to fans, "We Stink". On these occasions, Greg Papa will either fill in on the radio, or Kuiper will move to the radio side and Papa will join Krukow on television. These predictions proved right; the Dolphins dropped their first six games of the 2004 year, marking the worst start in franchise history. Miller holds a second job as play-by-play announcer for ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball and therefore usually misses Saturday's game as well as Sunday's. Many experts predicted a disastrous season for the Dolphins. On the radio, Jon Miller and Dave Flemming take turns calling the games (usually Miller will call innings 1-3 and 7-9, and Flemming will call innings 4-6). Tight end Randy McMichael was arrested for domestic violence and wide receiver David Boston (signed from San Diego) suffered an injury in training camp and will miss the season (Boston also failed a drug test for steroids later in the season). But the biggest shock came when Ricky Williams retired under mysterious circumstances, probably related to drug use. On KTVU, Jon Miller calls play-by-play and Mike Krukow colors.

The 2004 offseason was terrible for the Dolphins. On Fox Sports Net television, the Giants games are called by Duane Kuiper and colored by Mike Krukow. At the end of the season it was announced that Dan Marino would return to the team as its president, but quit after a month. In the two games which followed the ceremonies, the Giants wore uniforms with the word "Gigantes" on the front (the Spanish word for "Giants".). Miami finished 10-6, but it was still short of a playoff spot. Leonel Fernández, the President of the Dominican Republic, was in attendance. In 2003 the Dolphins again started strong (4-1) but finished weak, with devastating mid-season losses to the Patriots, Colts and Titans submarining them. A statue of Marichal was dedicated on the plaza outside of the ballpark.

Fans wanted Wannstedt's firing, but he was kept on for the 2003 season. On May 25, 2005, the Giants held a celebration in honor of Baseball Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. Due to a tiebreaker, both the Dolphins and Patriots lost out on the playoffs as the Jets took the AFC East title. At the present time, Barry Bonds' playing future remains very much in doubt as well, although some positive noises from the Giants' camp have led fans to once again hope that a comeback from their superstar slugger is a little nearer on the horizon. The Dolphins started the season 5-1 before Fiedler got injured and was replaced by Ray Lucas, who lost three straight. Because the competition in the division was so close, the Dolphins still had a chance to win the division in the final week against the Patriots, but blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and lost in overtime. Further injuries have hampered the Giants, with ace starting pitcher Jason Schmidt also missing games, and, as of June 13th, the team has a record of 25 wins compared to 36 losses, which leaves them fourth in the NL West standings, ten games begind the division-leading Arizona Diamondbacks. Miami revitalized its running game in time for the 2002 season by signing running back Ricky Williams from the New Orleans Saints. At the time of writing, Tyler Walker has temporarily assumed a closer role, amid speculation that Benitez may not return at all this season.

Miami had to settle for a wild card, and lost 20-3 to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round. He was rewarded with the out. That honor went to Super Bowl champion New England. The team has struggled to win games so far this season, and were dealt another major blow when it was announced that Benitez - signed in the offseason specifically to solve the team's closer woes of the past couple of seasons - would miss four-to-six months after tearing his right hamstring when he stepped awkwardly to cover first base on the final play in a game against the San Diego Padres on April 26th. In the 2001 season the Dolphins lost two games to the New York Jets, which cost them the division title. The Giants' attempts to return to the playoffs in 2005 did not get off to the best start, however. The 2000 season notwithstanding, late-season collapses have been the norm in Miami since the late 1990s. It is a philosophy which has been seen from other successful MLB franchises lately, notably the Boston Red Sox, who signed pitcher Curt Schilling, then 37, prior to the 2004 season which culminated in a World Series title for the 'Sox and a key role for Schilling in that victory.

Miami won a tough overtime game over the Indianapolis Colts on a Lamar Smith touchdown in the wild card round, but were shut out by the Oakland Raiders in the divisional playoff. His philosophy is one of aiming for immediate success, rather than building towards the future. Despite the obviously lowered expectations, the defense broke through with Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong both getting 10 sacks, and four players (Sam Madison, Brian Walker, Brock Marion and Patrick Surtain) getting at least five interceptions. In addition, Lamar Smith rushed for over 1000 yards and Miami finished atop the AFC East with an 11-5 record. Manager Felipe Alou claims to be unconcerned by the age of his squad members. Dave Wannstedt, formerly of the Chicago Bears, became the new coach; and Jay Fiedler became the new quarterback for the 2000 season. That said, the roster does also include 42-year-old left-handed pitcher Jeff Fassero. After the season, Jimmy Johnson left the team and Marino retired. Much of the team's youth is presently focused amongst their pitchers, with the popular Noah Lowry, 24, a rising star who went unbeaten in his first 16 appearances in the majors.

After a close win over Seattle in the wild card round, they suffered one the worst playoff losses in NFL history against the Jacksonville Jaguars: 62-7. Moisés Alou is 38, as are Vizquel and outfielder Marquis Grissom, while first baseman J.T. Snow is 37. Miami went 2-6 in their last eight games, but still backed into the playoffs at 9-7. Indeed, the Giants' present roster has one of the highest average ages in all of Major League Baseball. In Marino's first game back, he would have the worst game of his career, on Thanksgiving in Dallas, throwing 5 interceptions and having a passer rating of 0.0. There are question marks over Bonds' status, with speculation that, at age 40, he may decide to retire from baseball. In 1999 Marino would be injured in a game where backup Damon Huard led a comeback. The biggest star on the team by some distance, however, is still Barry Bonds, despite the fact that he has not played at all in 2005 due to a knee injury.

The Dolphins beat the Bills in the wild card round, but lost to the eventual champion Denver Broncos (who lost only one of two games that season to Miami) in the divisional playoff. Other new additions include shortstop Omar Vizquel, relief pitcher Armando Benitez and catcher Mike Matheny, a multiple Gold Glove Award winner. McDuffie, but it was not enough to get past the New York Jets into first place in the division. The team is presently coached by former star player Felipe Alou, whose son Moisés was amongst the new players brought in by the Giants prior to the 2005 season. Miami had a solid 10-6 season in 1998 with a career season for receiver O.J. Recent stars include Will Clark, Matt Williams, Barry Bonds, and Jason Schmidt. In 1997 Miami stumbled late and backed into the playoffs with a 9-7 season, losing to the New England Patriots in the wild card round. Willie Mays, one of the last holdovers of the New York years, thrived in San Francisco, as did Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Felipe Alou, Gaylord Perry, Bobby Bonds, Jack Clark, and Juan Marichal.

In 1996 Miami finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs, with rookie Karim Abdul-Jabbar's 1000-yard rushing season one of the lone bright spots. What has not changed is the Giants' share of stars gracing the field. Jimmy Johnson, who had won a collegiate national championship at the University of Miami and two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, was named as Shula’s replacement. It was also the first time the Giants had finished first or second in their division for eight consecutive seasons since they consistently were first or second from 1917-1925 whilst still the New York Giants. Following the 1995 season Don Shula became an executive in the Dolphins’ front office. Barry Bonds received his fourth consecutive MVP award, marking the fifth consecutive year a Giant has received the award—Jeff Kent received it in 2000—a feat no other team has accomplished. In 1995 Marino broke the career passing records formerly held by Fran Tarkenton for yards (48,841), touchdowns (352), and completions (3,913). The Dolphins finished 9-7, second in the AFC East, but still made the playoffs as a wild card; losing to Buffalo in the first round. Once again, their fierce rivals the Dodgers prevented them from winning the division, with a stunning come-from-behind victory on a Steve Finley grand slam.

After beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card round, they suffered a heart-breaking last-second loss to the San Diego Chargers in the divisional playoff. It was only the second time this decade in which the Giants failed to make the postseason, 2001 being the other occasion. With Marino back for the 1994 season they won the AFC East again with a 10-6 record. In 2004, the Giants ended the season one game behind the Houston Astros for the wild card race, and two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division race. Both Marino and backup Scott Mitchell suffered season-ending injuries, and Miami lost its final 5 games to miss the playoffs at 9-7. They lost to the wild card Florida Marlins 3 games to 1 in the 2003 National League Division Series as Ivan Rodriguez, offensively and defensively, led the way for the Marlins to their second World Series championship in seven seasons. 1993 turned into a disastrous year for the Dolphins. The previous three were Baltimore in 1997, Cleveland in 1998, and Seattle in 2001.

They beat the Chargers in the divisional playoff, but were stunned by the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. They became just the ninth wire-to-wire winner of a division or pennant in baseball history. The Dolphins finished 11-5 in 1992, capturing the AFC East title in Mark Higgs' best season as a running back and Keith Jackson (newly acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles) leading the team in receiving. With their 100-61 record, the Giants spent the entire season in first place in the NL West. They beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild card round, but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional playoff. The team struggled with defensive injuries in 1991, and narrowly missed the playoffs on an overtime loss to the New York Jets the final week of the season. In 2003, the Giants recorded 100 victories for the seventh time in franchise history and the third time in San Francisco. By 1990 the Dolphins had finally shaped up on defense, and finished with a 11-5 record, second in the AFC East. The Angels then staged a historic rally (apparently helped in part by the scoreboard icon, the "Rally Monkey") to win the game as the bullpen collectively fell apart (with fans not realizing that this was Robb Nen's last appearance as a major leaguer), and then defeated Liván Hernández in Game 7 to win their first World Series in franchise history.

Miami had their first losing season in years in 1988, and were back to 8-8 in 1989. The Giants were up 5-0 in the seventh inning of Game 6, just eight outs away from their first championship since moving to San Francisco, when Dusty flipped the ball to Russ Ortiz as a souvenir, angering the Angels' players. The problems continued in 1987, with an 8-7 record in a strike-shortened year; their first at new Joe Robbie Stadium. As he carried him back to the dugout, he asked him, "Are you OK, buddy?" and Darren assured him that he was. In 1986 the Dolphins, hampered by defensive struggles, stumbled to 8-8, out of the playoff picture. With Bell racing right behind him, Snow deftly snared little Darren by his jacket while stepping on home plate, getting the young'un out of harm's way. New England forced 6 turnovers on the way to a 31-14 win - the Patriots' first in Miami since 1969. As Snow streaked toward home plate, he suddenly became aware that manager Dusty Baker's small son, Darren, had come out on the field to retrieve Lofton's bat.

The cinderella New England Patriots, the Dolphins' opponents in the AFC Championship, had different plans. Snow and David Bell on base, Kenny Lofton smashed what proved to be a triple. After beating the Cleveland Browns in the divisional playoffs, many people were looking forward to a rematch with Chicago in Super Bowl XX. With J.T. In 1985 Miami went 12-4 and was the only team that beat the Chicago Bears all year. In the seventh inning of that game, a scary and touching moment occurred. It would be Marino's only Super Bowl appearance. The Giants eventually took a 3-2 lead in the series, winning Game 5 by a lopsided 16-4 score.

In the title game, however, Miami lost to the San Francisco 49ers 38-16. The Giants faced their wild card counterparts from the American League, the Anaheim Angels, in the 2002 World Series. The games seesawed from well pitched games to wild affairs during the series. Miami beat the Seahawks and Steelers in the playoffs to get to Super Bowl XIX. Louis Cardinals (who had beaten the Giants in the NLCS 4 games to 3 in 1987), in the NLCS 4 games to 1, to stake claim to their first NL pennant since 1989. Marino, in his first full season, was voted MVP as he threw for over 5000 yards and 48 touchdowns. They first defeated the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS 3 games to 2, and then the St. In 1984, the Dolphins won their first 11 games en route to a 14-2 season. As underdogs in 2002, they beat two teams who had been thorns in the San Franciso Giants' side for much of the life of the franchise: the Braves and the Cardinals.

Defensive End Doug Betters was the Defensive Player of the Year. Following division championships in 1997 and 2000, the Giants reached the World Series again in 2002 as the wild card team. Seldom sacked by defenders, Marino was protected by an outstanding offensive line as he passed to receivers such as Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. Despite the regular season success (the Dolphins went 12-4, the only team in the AFC East with a winning record), they were upset in the divisional playoff by the Seattle Seahawks. Snow's leaning 3-run homer off Armando Benitez to push game 2 into extra innings, and Bobby Jones pitching the game of his life in game 4 to clinch the series. During the mid-1980s Marino produced the most impressive set of passing statistics in NFL history, setting single-season records for most yards (5,084), touchdown passes (48), and completions (362) during the 1984 season. The Giants were booted out in the first round of playoffs by the New York Mets, however, 3 games to 1, highlighted by Edgardo Alfonzo's clutch hitting, J.T. During the third game of the 1983 season, Shula replaced quarterback David Woodley with rookie Dan Marino, who went on to win the AFC passing championship and rookie of the year award. Pac Bell Park played like parks from olden times, boosting up doubles and especially triples, but dampening home run power.

Ironically after enjoying success rooted in a defense-first philosophy, and employing a ball control offense to take pressure off of lacklustre quarterbacks, the next 17 seasons would be marked by an average rushing game and defense that limited a great quarterback. They actually ended up with a great home record of 55-26, despite the fact that lefties not named Barry Bonds had their power cancelled by Pac Bell Park's configuration. After shutting out the New York Jets in the AFC championship, they lost Super Bowl XVII to Washington 27-17. 2000 was the Giants' inaugural season in Pacific Bell Park, and after a horrendous and inauspicious 0-6 start at their new home, they roared off to win their second NL West title under Sabean and Baker, finishing with the best record in the National League. In the second round against San Diego the Dolphins got revenge for their loss the previous year, winning even more handily. Unfortunately, the Florida Marlins ended the Giants' season with a 3-0 sweep in the first round of playoffs, as the Marlins marched on their way to their first World Series championship. In the first round in Miami, they met again, with the Dolphins winning easily. Snow enabled the Giants to win their first NL West division title of the 1990s in 1997.

Late in the season in a snowy game against the New England Patriots, a convicted felon on work release cleared a path for Patriots kicker John Smith to score the game-winning field goal. It turns out he was indeed not an "idiot," as the players he acquired in the Williams trade - Jeff Kent, Jose Vizcaino, Julian Tavarez, and Joe Roa (plus the $1 million in cash that enabled them to sign Darryl Hamilton) - plus the trade for J.T. During the first two rounds of the playoffs they got revenge for previous losses. I'm sitting here telling you there is a plan.". In the strike-shortened season of 1982, the Dolphins, led by the "Killer B's" defense (Baumhower, Bill Barnett, Lyle Blackwood, Kim Bokamper and Bob Brudzinski), held five of their nine opponents to 14 or fewer points en route to their fourth Super Bowl appearance. In his first trade as GM, he shocked Giants fans across the world by trading Matt Williams for seemingly a bunch of spare parts, and the reaction was great enough for him to have to publicly explain: "I didn't get to this point by being an idiot.. Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow, under exhaustion, blocked Uwe von Schummann's field goal try on the last play of regulation, and Rolf Benirschke kicked the game-winner for San Diego in overtime. Prior to being named GM, he was already rumored to have engineered the deal to get Kirk Rueter from the Montreal Expos.

After being down 24-0, Miami tied it at 24. After taking the lead, San Diego tied it up 38-38 late. These bad times led the Giants to name Brian Sabean as their new general manager, replacing Bob Quinn. The Dolphins were back on top of the AFC East in the 1981 season, with an 11-4-1 record. They reached the divisional playoff against the San Diego Chargers, regarded by some as one of the most memorable games in NFL history. The only bright spot was Barry Bonds, highlighted by his joining the 40-40 club with 42 homers and 40 stolen bases in the 1996 season. The Dolphins finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs. The Giants then came in last place in both 1995 and 1996, as key injuries and slumps hurt them. In 1980 the late David Woodley took over at quarterback and Griese retired after the season. The strike cost Matt Williams a chance to beat Roger Maris' single season home run record - he was on pace for over 60 homers when the strike hit with 47 games left to play.

After winning the division with a 10-6 record, the Dolphins lost the divisional playoff to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The period of 1994 to 1996 were not good years for the Giants, punctuated by the strike that cancelled the World Series in 1994. Csonka returned to the Dolphins in time for the 1979 season. A late-season win streak did put the Giants in position to determine their fate, but destiny spat in their face again as Salomon Torres, their just called-up ace pitching prospect, was put in the impossible position of needing a win against their hated rivals the Dodgers, and was battered. They made the playoffs as a wild card in 1978, but lost in the first round to the Houston Oilers. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Braves won the NL West by one game as the Giants, in first place much of the year, were just not as hot as the Braves after they picked up Fred McGriff in a mid-season trade. The Dolphins went 10-4 again in 1977, but again lost the division title (and playoff spot) to the Colts. This led the Giants to a great 103-59 record in Dusty Baker's first year as manager, which earned Dusty the Manager of the Year award.

Duhe and linemen Bob Baumhower and Doug Betters. The Barry Bonds era started with a bang as Barry put up the numbers for the third MVP of his career: 46 homers, 129 runs, 123 RBI, .336/.458/.677/1.135, all career highs. J. Before even hiring a new General Manager or officially being approved as the new owners, Magowan signed superstar free agent Barry Bonds (a move which the MLB initially blocked until some terms were negotiated to protect Lurie and Bonds in case the sale failed), a move that shaped the franchise's fortunes for more than a decade. Shula built a solid defense around a new set of stars, including linebacker A. A group of investors from Saint Petersburg reached an agreement to purchase the team and move them across the country. However, Major League Baseball blocked the move, paving the way for the team to stay in San Francisco with an ownership group lead by Peter Magowan, the former CEO of Safeway. Miami rebounded from a losing record in 1976 by winning ten or more games in four of the next five seasons. After the 1992 season, owner Bob Lurie, who had previously saved the franchise from moving to Toronto in 1976, put the team up for sale.

After the disappointing defeat, several players, including Csonka, Warfield, and running back Jim Kiick, joined the short-lived World Football League. The Dolphins managed to win ten games in 1975, aided by Griese’s consistency and the fine play of wide receiver Nat Moore. They did not make the playoffs however, losing on a tiebreaker to the Baltimore Colts. Following the '89 World Series defeat, a local ballot initiative to fund a new stadium in San Francisco failed, threatening the franchise's future in the city. Miami reached the playoffs again in 1974 but lost in the first round to the Oakland Raiders. Oakland went on to sweep San Francisco 4 games to none, as the Giants did not have the starting pitching to match up with Oakland. The Dolphins won 12 games during the 1973 season and repeated as Super Bowl VIII champions, routing the Minnesota Vikings 24-7. The quake caused a ten-day delay in the Series that Oakland led 2-0 at the time. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. The 7.1-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake caused no major injuries at the ballpark, but there were a number of fatalities in other parts of the cities.

The 1972 Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense because Miami’s impressive offense received much more publicity, was the league’s best that year. The picture became staticky, the distracted commentator did a verbal double-take, and then Al Michaels broke in and said, "I'll tell you what; we're having an earthqu-" just as power went out. The offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer and Larry Little. Unbeknownst to the viewing audience just yet, the ground was beginning to shake. During this season, Griese and veteran quarterback Earl Morrall shared the passing duties, and running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards each. In the pre-game TV segment, some game footage was being shown. (This is sometimes called the "Perfect Season".) Miami went on to win two playoff games and then Super Bowl VII, defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7. The series is perhaps best remembered for what happened on October 17, 1989 before Game 3 at Candlestick Park.

In 1972 the Dolphins accomplished an amazing feat, becoming the first NFL team to finish a season undefeated (the 1948 Cleveland Browns had accomplished the feat, but as members of the All-America Football Conference). In 1989, the Giants faced the Oakland Athletics in the "Bay Bridge Series", also known as the BART Series in reference to both the Bay Area Rapid Transit and to the baseball Commissioner, Bart Giamatti, who had died suddenly just weeks before the end of the season. In Super Bowl VI, however, Miami lost to the Dallas Cowboys 24-3. In the League Championship Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Roberto Clemente easily defeated the Giants on their way ultimately to a World Series win over the Baltimore Orioles. The AFC Divisional Playoff Game, in which the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, was the longest contest in NFL history (82 minutes 40 seconds). The Giants' next appearance in the post-season was 1971. The Dolphins were a successful team during the early 1970s, capturing the AFC championship in 1971 behind quarterback Bob Griese and wide receiver Paul Warfield. This time, Charlie cires, "Or why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just two feet higher?".

Miami joined the NFL in 1970 when the NFL and AFL completed their merger. In the last panel, Charlie cries to the heavens, "Why couldn't McCovey have hit the ball just three feet higher?" Some weeks later, same scene. The Dolphins began play in 1966, and after four consecutive losing seasons, Don Shula replaced George Wilson as head coach. In the first two panels, Charlie Brown and Linus are sitting on a porch step, looking glum. Miami joined the American Football League (AFL) when an expansion team franchise was awarded to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas in 1965. Giants fan Charles Schulz made a rare reference to the real world in one of his Peanuts strips soon afterward. He piloted the Dolphins to numerous playoff appearances and one Super Bowl, and he holds numerous NFL career passing records. In addition, to rub salt in the wound, Richardson was not originally positioned to catch the drive, he only moved there (three steps to the left) in reaction to a foul smash by McCovey on the previous pitch.

During the 1980s and 1990s quarterback Dan Marino became the most prolific passer in NFL history. Earlier in the inning, a failed bunt by Felipe Alou had ultimately resulted in Matty not scoring on Mays' double, which started a lifelong dedication to fundamentals on Felipe's part. Five future Hall of Fame members played for Miami during the 1970s, including running back Larry Csonka and quarterback Bob Griese. He hit a screaming line drive that was snared by second baseman Bobby Richardson, bringing the Series to a sudden end. In 1972 the Dolphins became the first and only NFL team to complete a 14-game regular season (and the entire postseason) without a loss. All Willie McCovey needed was a single. His Dolphins teams posted losing records in only 2 of his 26 seasons with the club. With Matty Alou on first base and two outs, Willie Mays sliced a double down the right field line. Rightfielder Roger Maris, whose 61 home run season in 1961 has historically overshadowed his great defensive work, quickly got to the ball and rifled a throw to the infield, preventing Alou from scoring the tying run.

For most of their history, the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula, the winningest head coach in professional football history. In 1962, they lost by 4 games to 3 to the New York Yankees, losing the final game in the bottom of the ninth, 1-0, in a pitchers' duel. The team is named for the dolphins that inhabit the coastal waters of Florida. The Giants may never have won a World Series since moving to San Francisco, but they have been close, playing in three of them. Miami Dolphins, professional football team and one of the four teams in the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football League (NFL). The Giants no longer play at Candlestick Park, which has been renamed Monster Park and remains the home of the San Francisco 49ers football team. The Miami Dolphins are a National Football League team based in Miami, Florida. Candlestick Park's reputation was sealed during the 1961 All-Star Game, when gusts of wind blew pitcher Stu Miller off the mound.

Jimmy Johnson (coach). The new stadium quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most inhospitable in baseball, with swirling winds and cold temperatures making for a torturous experience; the radiant heating system installed never worked. Garo Yepremian. After a brief sojourn in Seals Stadium, the Giants moved to Candlestick Park (sometimes known simply as "The Stick"), a stadium built on a point in San Francisco's southeast corner overlooking San Francisco Bay. Ricky Williams. Most disappointingly for the large fan base that they have maintained ever since their arrival in the city, the Giants have as yet failed to win a World Series title for San Francisco. Paul Warfield. Though recently the club has enjoyed relatively sustained success, there have also been prolonged stretches of mediocrity, along with two instances when the club's ownership threatened to move it out of San Francisco.

John Stofa. In sharp contrast to the New York years, the Giants' fortunes in San Francisco have been mixed. Dwight Stephenson. The Mets still use this color scheme today. Jake Scott. The "NY" script on the Giants' caps, along with the orange trim on their uniforms, and the blue background used by the Dodgers, would be adopted by the Mets. Mercury Morris. New York would remain a one-team town until 1962 when Joan Whitney Payson founded the New York Mets and brought National League baseball back to the city.

Nat Moore. In the summer of 1957, both teams announced their moves West, and the golden era of baseball in New York City ended. Gene Mingo. Despite objections from shareholders such as Joan Whitney Payson, majority owner Horace Stoneham entered into negotiations with San Francisco mayor George Christopher around the same time that Dodgers' owner Walter O'Malley was courting the city of Los Angeles. Wahoo McDaniel. They stumbled to third place the year after their World Series win and attendances plunged. Larry Little. The Giants' final three years in New York City were unmemorable.

Jim Kiick. The underdog Giants went on to win the World Series that year in four straight. Cookie Gilchrist. In game one of the 1954 World Series, Willie Mays made "The Catch" -- a dramatic over-the-shoulder catch off a line drive by Vic Wertz to deep center field which could otherwise have given the Cleveland Indians victory. Mark Duper. Unfortunately for the "Jints", despite that dramatic regular season end, another frequent nemesis called the Yankees won the 1951 World Series. Mark Clayton. The game is also remembered for Russ Hodges' commentary for WMCA Radio:.

Keith Byars. The Giants had been thirteen and a half games behind the league-leading Dodgers, but under Durocher's guidance the Giants caught up to tie the Dodgers for the lead on the last day of the season. Nick Buoniconti. This game was the third of a three-game playoff series that was called after one of baseball's more memorable pennant races. Dick Anderson. One of the more famous episodes in major league baseball history, "The Shot Heard 'Round The World" is the name given to Bobby Thomson's walk-off home run that clinched the National League pennant for the Giants over their rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Larry Csonka 39. Durocher remained at the helm until 1955, and those eight years proved to be some of the most memorable for Giants fans, particularly because of the arrival of Willie Mays and two famous games.

Dan Marino 13. In 1948, Leo Durocher became manager of the Giants, with some controversy--Durocher had been manager of the Giants' rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers, but he had been accused of gambling in 1947 and had been suspended and the Dodgers let him go the following year. Bob Griese12. Mel Ott succeeded Terry as manager in 1942, but the war years proved to be difficult for the Giants. Zach Thomas. Aside from Terry himself, the other stars of the era were Ott and Carl Hubbell, one of three pitchers in baseball history to master the screwball (along with Mathewson and Fernando Valenzuela). Known as "King Carl" and "The Meal Ticket", Hubbell gained fame during the 1934 All-Star Game, when he struck out--all in a row--Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin. Jason Taylor. McGraw handed over the team to Bill Terry in 1932, and Terry played for and managed the Giants for ten years, winning three pennants and one World Series.

Junior Seau. They also lost in 1924, when the Washington Senators won their only World Series in their history (prior to their move to Minnesota). Randy McMichael. After losing the 1917 Series to the Chicago White Sox (the other Chicago team's last World Series win as of 2004), the Giants got it together and played in four straight World Series in the early 1920s, winning the first two over their tenants, the Yankees, then losing to the Yankees in 1923 when Yankee Stadium opened. Sam Madison. The Giants experienced some hard luck in the early 1910s, losing three straight World Series to the A's, the Red Sox, then the A's again. Sammy Knight. This could have been a disastrous scandal for baseball, but because Klem was honest and the Giants lost, it faded over time.

Jeno James. That post-season game was further darkened by a story that someone on the Giants had attempted to bribe umpire Bill Klem. Gus Frerotte. In 1908 they finished in a tie with the Chicago Cubs and had a one-game playoff at the Polo Grounds (actually a replay of a controversial tied game resulting from Fred Merkle's "boner") which they lost to the Cubs, who would go on to win their second, and so far last World Series. Chris Chambers. The Giants then had several frustrating years. Tim Bowens. It would be the last time (as of 2004) that the Giants would best the A's in the post-season, as they have since proven to be a nemesis to the Giants on both coasts.

Marty Booker. The Giants were back in 1905, winning the Series over the Philadelphia Athletics, with Christy Mathewson nearly winning the Series single-handedly. Paul Warfield. Brush leading an effort to formalize the rules and format of the World Series. Dwight Stephenson. The ensuing criticism resulted in Giants' owner John T. Don Shula. The Highlanders lost to Boston on the last day, but the Giants stuck by their refusal.

Dan Marino. His original relunctance was concern that the intra-city rival New York Americans or "Highlanders" looked like they would win the AL pennant. Larry Little. The Giants under McGraw famously snubbed their first ever modern World Series chance in 1904--an encounter with the Boston Americans (now known as the "Red Sox")--because McGraw considered the new American League as little more than a minor league. Jim Langer. Names such as Christy Mathewson, Iron Man Joe McGinnity, Bill Terry, Jim Thorpe, Mel Ott and Casey Stengel are just a sample of the many players who honed their skills under McGraw. Bob Griese. McGraw would also cultivate his own crop of baseball heroes during his time with the Giants.

Larry Csonka. The Giants already had their share of stars during its brief history at this point, such as Smiling Mickey Welch, Roger Connor, Tim Keefe, Jim O'Rourke and Monte Ward, the player-lawyer who formed the renegade Players League in 1890 to protest unfair player contracts. Nick Buoniconti. Under McGraw, the Giants would win ten National League pennants and three World Series championships. McGraw would go on and manage the Giants for three decades, one of the longest tenures in professional sports. In 1902, after a series of disastrous moves that left the Giants 53 1/2 games behind, Freedman signed John McGraw as a player-manager.

Though considered "the worst owner in the world" during his time, Andrew Freeman changed the Giants' fortunes. There the Giants would make it their home in New York City. Originally located on the corner of 110th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, the Polo Grounds moved uptown, to 155th Street and 8th Avenue. The Giants' original home stadium, the Polo Grounds, also dates from this early era.

It is said that after one particularly satisfying victory, Mutrie (who was also the team's manager) stormed into the dressing room and exclaimed, "My big fellows! My giants!" From then on, the club was known as the Giants. While the Metropolitans were initially the more successful club, Day and Mutrie began moving star players to the Gothams and the team won its first National League pennant in 1888. The Gothams (as the Giants were originally known) were their entry to the National League, while their other club, the Metropolitans (the original Mets) played in the American Association. Day and Jim Mutrie.

One of the most storied clubs in American professional sports, the Giants began life as a second baseball club founded by John B. They play in the Western Division of the National League. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California. Scottsdale Giants.

San Jose Giants
Augusta GreenJackets
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes. Norwich Navigators. Fresno Grizzlies. National League
.

San Francisco Giants official web site (http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sf/homepage/sf_homepage.jsp). ISBN 0-385-23790-1. The Giants of the Polo Grounds: the glorious times of baseball's New York Giants. New York: Doubleday. Hynd, Noel (1988).

Pitching saves: Rod Beck, 48 (1993). Pitching ERA: Christy Mathewson, 1.14 (1909). Pitching strikeouts: Mickey Welch, 345 (1884). Pitching wins: Mickey Welch, 44 (1885).

Strikeouts: Bobby Bonds, 189 (1970). Walks: Barry Bonds, 232 (2004) [MLB record]. Hitting streak: Jack Clark, 26 (1978). Stolen bases: John Ward, 111 (1887).

Extra-Base hits: Barry Bonds, 107 (2001). Triples: George Davis, 27 (1893). Doubles: Jeff Kent, 49 (2001). Singles: Bill Terry, 177 (1930).

Hits: Bill Terry, 254 (1930). Runs: Mike Tiernan, 147 (1889). Runs batted in: Mel Ott, 151 (1929). Home runs: Barry Bonds, 73 (2001) [MLB record].

Batting average: Bill Terry, .401 (1930). 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball). 44 Willie McCovey. 30 Orlando Cepeda.

27 Juan Marichal. 24 Willie Mays. 11 Carl Hubbell.   4 Mel Ott.

  3 Bill Terry.   - Christy Mathewson * *.   - John McGraw *.