Phillies Baseball
The San Francisco Giants Are Still Going Strong After A Century Of Baseball
The San Francisco Giants have a history that stretches all the way back to the 19th century when they were based in New York and known as the Gothams. Their professional baseball debut in 1883 featured a victory against a team from Boston at what is now known as the Old Polo Grounds. Since then, the ball club has remained a formidable force in the National League despite many changes.
Co-founder and manager Jim Mutrie is responsible for the name change just two years later. The players had just beat Philadelphia in a game that required extra innings. Mutrie was so overcome by the emotional victory he called the guys his giants. The name stuck and the Gothams were called the Giants from then on.
They secured their first National League pennant in 1888 and then won the championship series against St. Louis in ten games. The following season was tumultuous as the club bounced from venue to venue before July 1889 when they finally landed at the Second Polo Grounds. That would be their home until 1957 when the organization left the east coast and headed to northern California.
The team seemed poised to move to Toronto in 1976 when Bob Lurie and a group of investors stepped in and bought the organization. Lurie would make several attempts over the next sixteen years to get a downtown ballpark built. His unsuccessful efforts eventually led to an agreement to sell the franchise to a group based Florida. That was when several local investors led by Peter Magowan purchased the team and they were spared another cross-country relocation.
It was not long after moving into Candlestick Park that the players realized how challenging it would be to perform in their new home by the bay. Weather conditions were often extreme with high winds, cold temperatures and even fog. The players and fans would finally get relief in 2000 with the move to a new stadium in the China Basin region of downtown.
With more than a century in the sport, the club has been involved in a number of league firsts. Manager John McGraw is credited for introducing the concept of using signals to communicate with players on the diamond in 1902. That was the year that the roster included Luther Taylor, the only deaf-mute member of the league. To encourage communication, McGraw required all players to learn sign language.
League history was made in 1963 when Felipe, Matty and Jesus Alou covered the outfield for the Giants in a game against Philadelphia at Forbes Park. This was the first time the outfield contained all brothers. This game was played on Sept. 15, just five days after the trio batted in the same inning.
The players would probably rather forget 1984. That was a season that saw the squad lose 96 games. Fans, however, will remember it as the year Crazy Crab hit the field. The bug-eyed creature was supposed to be the anti-mascot. The intent was to mock traditional sports mascots but the poor thing bore the brunt of a frustrating season. By the time he was retired at the end of the season, Crazy Crab was universally abused by players as well as fans.
Regardless of where the San Francisco Giants are playing, their biggest rivalry is and always has been with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The rivalry dates back to the late 1800s when the two clubs were playing in New York. They made the move to California at the same time, leaving their east coast fans heartbroken and bitter. The change of scenery and years of competition have only made the rivalry between the two teams more intense.
Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on San Francisco Giants Watch, Detroit Tigers Watch and Cleveland Indians Bedding
Baseball Tonight Minute: Cliff Lee
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1960 TOPPS #97 TED LEPCIO – VG-EX – PHILLIES $2.00 |
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John Mayberry Jr. Philadelphia Phillies Signed Black Rawlings Baseball Bat JSA $34.00 |
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Bob Uecker signed 1964 Topps baseball card Phillies #323 Mr. Baseball MLB $49.99 |
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1991 Donruss ** #204 Ken Howell ** Philadelphia Phillies $2.99 |
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2009 UD GOUDEY #156 GREG GOLSON BLUE BACK MINI PARALLEL RC PHILLIES $1.00 |
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Charlie Hudson Philadelphia Phillies 1984 Donruss Autographed Baseball Card $4.00 |
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2011 BASEBALL MCFARLANE MLB SERIES 28 PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES RYAN HOWARD REGULAR $14.99 |
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** 2012 Topps Heritage Cole Hamels Jersey Clubhouse Collection Phillies $4.74 |
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1961 Topps Stamp Clay Dalrymple Phillies PSA 8 NM/MT $29.95 |
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1970 TOPPS #56 PHILLIES ROOKIES sharp PSA 8 $14.00 |
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1978 TOPPS PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES TEAM SET (28) NM-MINT $16.95 |
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1983 Donruss Mike Schmidt PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES $1.99 |
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Bud Harrelson 1980 Topps Philadelphia Phillies Autographed Baseball Card $5.00 |
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Kent Tekulve 1986 Topps Philadelphia Phillies Autographed Baseball Card $5.00 |
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2009 Allen & Ginter Ryan Howard #30 – Phillies $0.99 |
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2011 Topps Commemorative Patch: Chase Utley – 1972 Philadelphia Phillies $9.00 |
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1984 Portland Beavers JOHN RUSSELL Pirates Phillies $5.99 |
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Roy Oswalt 2009 Bowman Chrome Orange Refractor #rd 19/25, Astros, Phillies $10.00 |
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** 2012 Topps Heritage Clubhouse Collection Card CCR-CL Cliff Lee Phillies $3.99 |
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1984 Portland Beavers RICK SCHU Carmichael CA Phillies $5.99 |
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Andy Ashby Philadelphia Phillies Autographed Baseball Card $3.00 |
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1984 Portland Beavers KEN DOWELL Sacramento CA Phillies $5.99 |
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2007 UD Masterpieces BOBBY ABREU Captured on Canvas Jersey Philadelphia Phillies $2.99 |
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2008 Topps 205 Chase Utley #TCP18 – Phillies $2.50 |
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1957 Topps Baseball #119 Stan Lopata Phillies VG/EX $2.99 |
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1959 Topps #338 Sparky Anderson RC Phillies EX+ $35.00 |
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BASEBALL PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES PENNANT $12.00 |
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1971 Topps:SCARCE#616 Larry Hisle,Phillies PSA-7 $11.95 |
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Mike Maddux signed rawlings baseball Phillies Rangers Proof $9.99 |
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Doug Bird 1980 Topps Philadelphia Phillies Autographed Baseball Card $4.00 |
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Philadelphia Phillies Apron $12.49 Our fan-friendly sports apron is what every backyard chef will want to wear to their next tailgating even. This barbecue apron will keep you clean no matter how messy it gets. These white aprons feature your favorite teamTs name and logo. Also has matching trim and straps. They are 100% cotton, 34” long and 29.5” wide…. |
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Philadelphia Phillies Kitchen Towel Combo $12.37 This two towel set will be a great addition to any kitchen. These velour towels are embellished with your Team Logo…. |
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MLB Boelter Pint Glasses 2-Pack Retro Logo … |
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Voice of the Phillies $8.99 … |
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Frisky Philies Baseball Park organist Paul Richardson, recorded “live” in real-time. The tracks are 1> Cuanto la Gusta, 2. I’ve Got You Under My Skin, 3. Sanford & Son Theme, 4. Witchcraft, 5. Mummers Medley, 6. Movin’ On Up, 7. Counting Flowers On The Wall, 8. The Hucklebuck Boogie, 9. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, 10. Ghost Riders In The Sky, 11. The Sound Of Philadelphia, 12. Military Medley, 13. Tak… |
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The Official World Series Film Collection $59.94 The Official Major League Baseball World Series Film Collection is an impressive 20-disc set that assembles all the official World Series highlight films between 1943 and 2008′s Philadelphia Phillies victory. The films themselves–the earliest are black and white and under a half-hour, the most recent well over an hour– are fascinating time capsules of the game, recording many of its greatest pla… |