The San Francisco Giants have represented the bay area for over 40 years now. They provided fans with a lot of thrilling memories as well as an attitude that can only be had in the Bay Area
Click on the foghorn to hear "Men In Black" by Will Smith
Established: relocated from New York at the end of the 1957 season
Pacific Bell Park
24 Willie Mays Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94107
Capacity: 40,810
Managing General Partner: Peter A. Magowan
General Manager: Brian Sabean
Field Manager: Dusty Baker
Team Colors: Black, Orange, Cream, and Gold
History Of Nickname
When the franchise was in New York they were first known as the Gothams. The earliest teams consisted of players who were taller and larger then the average man. The owner thus called his team "Giants"
National League Champions: 1962, 1989
National League Western Division Champions: 1971, 1987, 1989, 1997, 2000
Here is the Man, the Bay Area's favorite native son. Barry Bonds is by far the most complete player in action today. Four MVP awards and a countless number of gold gloves don't lie. Not to mention he is the only player in major league history to have ever hit 400 homeruns and steal over 400 bases over the course of his career. However over the past two seasons, Barry Bonds has been solidifying his place amongst the greatest to have ever played the game by hitting a major league record 73 homeruns in the 2001 season. Going into the 2002 season Barry ranked seventh all time in homeruns and come season's end, could become only the fourth player in major league history to reach the milestone 600 homerun pleteau. Between Willie Mays and Barry Bonds, the Giants and thier fans are fortunate to have a couple of the greatest players of all time wear thier colors for the bulk of thier careers.
The Giants starting rotation has quietly become one of baseball's most consistent. Livan Hernandez is a proven big game pitcher who can eat up innings, Russ Ortiz posesses one of baseball's best curveballs and can throw it with some gas behind it, Kirk Reuter is an ultra-competitive junkballer who someway somehow just flat out knows how to win games, and Jason Schmidt can reach back and hit the 100 mph mark on his fastball at times. While none of these guys may garner any Cy Young consideration, there is without a question that they have their teammates confidence that whenever one of these guys takes the mound, they are gonna give the Giants a great chance to win.
One of the more blue-collar type players in baseball, Jeff Kent is one of baseball's most overlooked hitters as he has over the past three seasons averaged about 30 homeruns and 100 rbis. Jeff however has developed into a more complete hitter and is a more then adequate fielder at second base. Jeff however was not overlooked following the 2000 season, as he was named the National League's Most Valuble Player. While Barry Bonds may get most of the attention on the Giants, Jeff Kent is as equally an important part of why the Giants are contenders for the National League pennant.
In a baseball era in which shortstops are becoming more dominant all around players then ever, Rich Aurilia has been making his case to be included in that elite bunch. In 2001 the native of Brooklyn became the first Giants shortstop to be named an all star since 1974 and also led the National league with 206 total hits. Rich is not only a consistent hitter for average and an above average fielder, but his 37 homeruns and and 97 RBIs in 2001 also ranked him first among National League shortstops in both those categories. Sure there is A-Rod, Jeter, Garciaparra, and some across the bay would even mention Tejada in that group, but Rich Aurilia before long could be mentioned amongst them as well.
J. T. Snow is argubly the best defensive first baseman in all of baseball. And in 1997 he proved he is not just a one dimensional player, for he had career highs in homeruns, RBIs, and runs scored. J. T., along with Bonds and Kent formed the first San Francisco Giants threesome to have ever had 100 RBIs each. Not even the trios of Mays/McCovey/Cepeda and Clark/Mitchell/Williams can claim to have done that.
One of the Giants most pressing needs was an every day center fielder. So in the offseason they acquire flashy japanese star Tsuyoshi Shinjo. So far this season Shinjo has allready displayed his slick fielding skills and his exceptional arm from the outfield and has in a very short time become a very popular figure with the fans. Once he starts to consistently supply offense and use his speed on the basepaths, Shinjo will prove to be an important catalyst in the Giants chase for the pennant.
The Giants have historically been a team that won with an awesome offense, great defense in the field despite mediocre pitching. But in recent seasons the Giants have boasted one of baseball's best bullpen. Robb Nen is one of the most feared closers in the game. Robb is the prototypical closer, for he is as intense a competitor as they come and has in his first season earned an extensive fan following with his winning attitude and 100-MPH fastball. In the bay area, when the visitors come up for thier last licks behind in the game, they are known to be entering the NENTH inning.
Do you believe in Dustiny? Dusty Baker gets worlds of credit for managing the Giants into a contender. However going into 2002 Dusty has argubly the most talented roster he has had since 1993 and is set on leading the G-men farther then they have gone over the past few seasons.
Welcome to Pacific Bell Park. The new home of the Giants has fast become the standard to which all new parks are to live up to. Much like the team that calls it home and the bay area itself, the Bell is at the same time a throwback to the past as well as an innovater to the future. The setting on the water as well as the ever present history boasted by the Giants make an experience at Pacific Bell Park unrivaled anywhere in baseball.
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