Giants Checking In: Jeremy Affeldt, Phoenix, AZ
Eliezer Alfonzo,Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela
Clay Hensley, Tomball, TX
Steve Holm, Sacramento, CA
Lance Niekro, Winter Haven, FL
Ryan Theriot, Baton Rouge, LA
Tony Torcato, Woodland, CA
Juan Uribe, Palenque, Dominican Republic
Eli Whiteside, New Albany, MS
Giants Checking Out: Freddie Fitzsimmons, Yuca Valley, CA
Alex Gaston, Marina del Rey, CA
Clyde Kluttz, Salisbury, NC
Wally Kopf, Cincinnati, OH
Sam Leslie, Pascagoula, MS
Jim Mooney, Johnson City, TN
Record: 71-79, 4th in the National League West, 19.5 games behind Cincinnati
Pythagorean Record: 73-77, (672 runs scored, 751 runs allowed) 3rd in the National League West
General Manager: Spec Richardson
Managers: Joe Altobelli, 61-79 (3rd season, 225-239, .485, through 1979)
Dave Bristol, 10-12 (1st season, 10-12, .455, through 1979)
Ballpark: Candletick Park Attendance: 1,456,402 (9th in the National League)
Full House: Tuesday, April 10, Opening Day vs. San Diego, 56,196
Friends & Family: Wednesday, September 12, vs. Atlanta, 1,878
Park Factors: Batting – 92, Pitching – 93 (Over 100 favors batters, under 100 favors pitchers)
Days in First Place: 7, last on May 25
Best Month: May, 16-12, .571
Worst Month: April, 9-14, .391
Largest Margin of Victory: beat Cincinnati, 12-2, May 22 at Candlestick Park
Largest Margin of Defeat: lost to Montreal, 15-5, July 22 at Candlestick Park
lost to Chicago, 14-4, August 16 at Wrigley Field
Longest Winning Streak: 4, May 1 to 5, May 19 to 22, and September 15 to 18
Longest Losing Streak: 8, April 21 to 30
Longest Game: 13 innings, June 15, beat St. Louis, 9-6; July 10, beat Montreal, 11-7
Loved to Face: Cincinnati, 12-6, .667
Hated to Face: Los Angeles, 4-14, .222
Most Home Runs: Mike Ivie, 27
Highest OBP: Bill North, .386
Highest OPS+: Mike Ivie, 152
Most Stolen Bases: Bill North, 58
Highest Position Player WAR: Jack Clark, 3.5
Different Batting Orders: 92
Most Innings Pitched: Vida Blue, 237
Most Strikeouts by a Pitcher: Vida Blue, 138
Best Starter ERA+: John Montefusco & Ed Whitson, tied at 89
Best Reliever ERA+: Greg Minton, 196
Highest Pitcher WAR: Gary Lavelle, 2.7
Complete Games: 25
Shutouts: 5
Career Best Seasons: Mike Ivie, Phil Nastu
Career Worst Seasons: Ed Halicki, Greg Johnston, Dennis Littlejohn, Randy Moffitt, Ed Plank, Max Venable
All-Stars: Jack Clark, as a reserve
Received MVP Votes: No Giant received votes for MVP
Cy Young Award Votes: No Giant received votes for the Cy Young Award
Rookies of Note: Max Venable
Say Hello To: Greg Johnston, Bob Kearney, Bill North, Joe Strain, Max Venable
Say Goodbye To: Rob Andrews, Hector Cruz, Greg Johnston, Bob Kearney, Bill Madlock, John Tamargo
Playing Time:
Youngsters (25 or under): 2,186 PAs (35.6%); 407.2 IP (28.4%) RF Max Venable, 22, is youngest
Prime (26-29): 1,820 PAs (29.7%); 590 IP (41.1%)
Past-Prime (30-33): 1,728 PAs (28.2%) 396.1 IP (27.6%)
Old Timers (34+): 399 PAs (6.5%) 42 IP (2.9%) 1B Willie McCovey, 41, is oldest
Nicknames:
Stretch (Willie McCovey)
Howdy Doody (Darrell Evans)
Jack the Ripper (Clark)
Mad Dog (Bill Madlock)
Heity (Hector Cruz)
The Count (John Montefusco)
Moonie (Greg Minton)
Mr. T (Al Holland)
Key (or at least Rather Large) Transaction: On June 28, traded Bill Madlock, Lenny Randle and Dave Roberts to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Fred Breining, Al Holland and Ed Whitson.
Top Prospect: Chili Davis, Fresno Giants (Class A), .269/.371/.467, 21 HR, 30 SB
Minor League Affiliates:
AAA
Phoenix Giants (PCL)
AA
Shreveport Captains (TL)
A
Fresno Giants (CAL)
Cedar Rapids Giants (MIDW)
RK
Great Falls Giants (PION)
What Went Right: The Giants led the league in runs at the All-Star break, and Willie McCovey passed Mel Ott, Ernie Banks, and Eddie Mathews on baseball’s all-time home run list.
What Went Wrong: The pitching collapsed, and the starting pitching was a disaster. No Giant who started regularly had an ERA+ above 89.