Tag: He Was A Giant? Tony The Tiger Hayes feature article

He Was A Giant? Feature; Jake Brown 1975 By Tony the Tiger Hayes

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(photo from San Francisco Giants)

Jake Brown – OF – 1975 – # 32

He Was A Giant?

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

These days you typically don’t find top MLB prospects seeking off -season employment just to put food on the table.

You’re even less likely to find one who would jeopardize it all by working an industrial manufacturing job with the same inherent, hair-raising dangers graphically described in Upton Sinclair’s 1905 novel “The Jungle.”

But that’s where former top Giants top draft pick Jake Brown – who appeared in 41 games for San Francisco in 1975 – found himself in October of 1973.

Unlike some athletes of that era who land cushy public relations jobs or sold Buicks and Oldsmobiles in the off season, Brown was elbows deep in the nitty-gritty.

After batting .290 with 80 RBI for Triple-AAA Phoenix that year, Brown traded in his flip-down sunglasses and polyester baseball threads for protective goggles and fire retardant coveralls to work behind limb endangering heavy machinery at a Texas steel factory.

Predictably, the results were, well, predictable.

In an instant Brown went from being a contender for a major league roster spot to becoming a candidate for amputation.

Why Was He a Giant?

Originally a 33rd round draft pick by Minnesota out of high school in Houston, Brown instead opted to attend Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge. There, he would significantly improved historical draft status with two standout seasons for the Jaguars.

Brown was subsequently selected with the Giants’ first round pick (second overall) in the secondary phase of the June, 1969 amateur draft. The now defunct secondary phase was held for players who had previously been drafted.

The muscular OF was faced with a lot of competition in the Giants minor league rungs, but was steadily progressing when the unheard of happened.

Before & After

The prospective big leaguer was working on a sheet metal assembly line when his left arm was caught between a lathe and a piece of sheet metal – the appendage was viciously and severely lacerated, and also fractured in two places.

Amputation was strongly considered.

“I figured that was it. I just knew I was going to lose my left arm,” Brown said two years later.

But skilled Texas neurosurgeon Dr. Richard Eppright discovered a single nerve still intact running the length of his arm.

Miraculously, Jake was able to wiggle his pinkie finger and the arm was saved.

Brown lost a lot of blood and spent two weeks intensive care. The arm was saved, but what about his baseball career?

Despite his harrowing encounter, Brown was determined to play in the major leagues.

He would miss all of 1974, but by 1975 Brown was ready to go.

Brown began the season at Double-AA Lafayette and at age 27 proved he had his stroke back – batting .307 in 19 games for the Drillers.

He soon got the call he was long waiting for from the mezzanine level offices of Candlestick Park.

Skipper Wes Westrum was on the horn welcoming him to the Major Leagues.

Brown made his MLB at Candlestick Park in a Saturday afternoon blow out loss to the Cardinals, entering the game in the late innings as a defensive replacement.

Afterwards an emotional Brown expressed his gratitude to the Giants organization.

“ A lot of clubs would see a guy get hurt that bad and forget about them. I have to thank them for this opportunity,” Brown said.

Brown encountered his share of problems with the Orange & Black, but would play out the ‘75 season as a backup OF and pinch hitter for SF – hitting .209 in 43 at-bats.

Brown found himself back at back at Lafayette in 1976. In mid-season, he was dealt to Atlanta along with three other players including 1B Willie Montanez in exchange for IFs Darrell Evans and Marty Perez.

Brown would retire from baseball following the ‘76 season having not returned to the majors.

He Never Had a Bobblehead Day. But…

It appeared Brown was beginning to feel his big league sea legs when he belted the ball hard three times, including a booming double in a 8-6 loss at Philadelphia (5/28/75). In his next start, Jake batted in the cleanup spot and whacked a three-run, bases-loaded double off Dave McNally in the first inning of a 13-5 win at Montreal (6/1/75).

But in keeping with the snake-bit theme of his career, the next day’s papers had nary a mention of Brown’s three-RBI two-bagger.

Instead, splashed across the front page of the San Francisco sports sections was a generous photo of the Giant knocked out cold on the the Jarry Park warning track.

Brown had had a bead on a long Larry Parrish, 3rd inning blast. Jake got leather on the drive as he soared towards the outfield fence. Initially, it appeared the popular rookie had made a phenomenal catch.

But after flying though the air, Brown’s face bashed into an outfield support post. The ball bounded off his glove and skipped over the wall for a home run.

Brown suffered a fractured cheek bone and a concussion and would be out of action for two weeks.

Giant Footprint

Sadly, in 1981 Brown would pass in Houston from Leukemia.

Though he died way too young – just 33 – let’s hope that his final days Brown took solice that he he was able to accomplish to big league dream.

“It was a miracle my arm was restored,” Brown once said. “When I knew they’d somehow fixed it, I was determined to perform for the Giants.”

That, he did.

He was a Giant? Featuring former Giant Keith Comstock By Tony the Tiger Hayes

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Former San Francisco Giant pitcher Keith Comstock circa 1987 photo is the focus of Tony the Tiger’s feature “He was a Giant?” (photo from wikipedia)

HE WAS A GIANT?

Keith Comstock – LHP – 1987 – # 36

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

Long before he became a professional ball player, San Francisco native Keith Comstock saw Candlestick Park like other kids viewed Disneyland.

Think riding the Matterhorn roller coaster in actual Swiss Alps temperatures with Jimmy Davenport behind the controls.

Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Gaylord Perry and Juan Marichal were Comstock’s favorite characters. When Mike McCormick became the Giants’ first Cy Young Award winner in 1967 – fellow left-header Comstock was on the edge of his seat taking studious notes.

But when the Giants finances took a stunning turn for the worse beginning in 1972, and the club began shedding it’s aging stars en masse, Comstock and countless other Orange & Blackers began turning their attention elsewhere.

For several seasons the ‘Stick resembled a toxic waste site with only a few brave soles – drawn in part by the cheap beer – willing to endure the concrete bowl’s artic wind chill and suspect baseball.

“I had grown up as a Giants fan but I had a bad taste about the team. When I was a kid they traded away all the people I loved,” Comstock told reporters in 1987. “They got rid of their whole starting lineup.”

Years later, that sour Orange & Black taste remained with Comstock – especially when the Giants ignored him in the 1976 draft, despite a standout career at nearby San Carlos High School and Redwood City’s Canada College.

So when the well-traveled Comstock found himself between affiliated teams in late 1986, it didn’t even dawn on the southpaw to contact the Giants regarding employment.

Comstock had arranged a showcase game with a local semi-pro team to be played in Golden Gate Park. He invited scouts from the Royals, Cubs, Expos, A’s and even the Dodgers to come check him out. But not the Giants.

It wasn’t until Comstock received a teeth cleaning and a fresh hair cut – not at the same time, mind you – that the Peninsula resident decided to reach out to the Giants.

Fast forward six months later and Comstock would become the sixth City native to cross the DMZ zone that separated Candlestick’s general admission squats and outfield cyclone fencing and play for the Giants.

Though a Giant only briefly, Comstock still played a role in the Giants 1987 Western Division title – even though his contributions had as much to do with his departure as it did his pitching.

Why Was He a Giant?

After debuting in the bigs with the Twins in 1984, Comstock took his talents to Japan, pitching for the Yomiuri Giants. But when he was cut after the 1986 season, the 31-year-old journeyman found himself back home on the Peninsula contemplating his pitching future.

Though the Giants were the team closest to his home, he only sent his resume to San Francisco after a trip to the dentist and a visit with “Jerry” – his trusted barber.

Each urged him to call the Giants.

“They both had me in a chair with sharp metal objects, so I figured I better take them up,” Comstock quipped.

Comstock took the mound for the Palo Alto Oaks at GGP’s Big Rec ball field bordering Lincoln Way on a sunny mid-fall afternoon in November of ‘86. Mixed in with half-interested ancillary scouts was the Giants Big Cheese – club president Al Rosen. Rosen rode his 10-speed bike to the park.

Comstock pitched lights-out that day. Afterward, a trim, tanned and track suited Rosen approached the sweaty and disheveled Comstock and offered him a Triple-AAA contract with an invite to the Giants 1987 big league spring training.

Comstock pitched well that following spring, but he was the final player cut.

As the team prepared to begin the ‘87 min regular season at Candlestick Park, a downcast Comstock – considered giving up baseball.

But he soon realized that he wasn’t ready to quit on his dream. Plus, the only other job Comstock could get immediately was also at the ‘Stick – as a beer vendor.

He changed his mind and reported to Triple-AAA Phoenix.

“It was like looking at a painting on a wall. I needed to step back a little to see it more clearly,” he said.

Comstock bared down and pitch well in the desert outpost. He was recalled to the big team in late May.

In his first game with the Giants, Comstock struck out the first batter he faced – slugger Andres Galarraga – on a called third strike. He allowed one unearned run in 0.2 innings of work in a 10-4 home loss to Montreal (5/29/87).

Before & After

A quotable free spirit, Comstock’s career is notable for the sheer number of stops he made in his career. In 15 professional seasons Comstock drifted through nearly two dozen clubs. Each departure from a club seemingly attached to a whacky sub-plot.

When he was traded by Oakland to Detroit in 1982, the A’s reportedly asked for a measly $100 and a bag of baseballs in return.

Comstock claims to be the only baseball player released from teams from five different countries: the United States, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico and Japan.

“My careers has been like a connect the dots picture,” he once said.

But Comstock was able to survive in part because of his healthy form of self-effacing humor.

Plus, the fact that left-handed pitching is always in demand.

Comstock’s stint with the Giants lasted about a month. In his final Orange & Black outing, the southpaw pitched 1.1 frames of shutout ball in a 4th of July 5-3 loss at Chicago. After that defeat, the Giants were in third place, 5.5 games behind the Reds.

The next day Rosen swung the biggest trade of his general managing career – sending Comstock, 1986 All-Star 3B Chris Brown, LHP Mark Davis, and RHP Mark Grant to the last place Padres in exchange for 3B Kevin Mitchell and LHPs Dave Dravecky and Craig Lefferts. The trade paid immediate and long term dividends for San Francisco.

Mitchell developed into one of the game’s most ferocious hitters, winning 1989 MVP honors. Lefferts was a uber reliable reliever. Dravecky was an astonishingly good starter the rest of 1987 and later became an global inspiration when he overcame a cancerous tumor in his pitching arm to win again for the Giants.

Comstock was watching from the Padres bullpen later that ‘87 season when the Giants clinched their first division title in 17 seasons.

Comstock enjoyed his most success with Seattle in 1989-90. In ‘90 he was the Mariners top left-handed reliever – going an impressive 7-4, 2.89 record in a career-high 60 games. But a rough training camp the following spring sent Comstock back to the minors for good.

When his pitching days ended, Comstock rejoined the Giants as a minor league coach, manager and pitching coordinator. He continues to work with minor league pitchers to this day for the Texas Rangers.

He Never Had a Bobblehead Day. But…

Comstock notched the first two of his 10 big league wins with the Orange & Black.

Comstock entered a game at Houston in the 10th inning with the score knotted 3-3 (6/6/87). Comstock would pitch three shutout innings to earn a 4-3 victory. He struck out Denny Walling and Jose Cruz in succession to close out the Astrodome triumph for his first MLB win.

Comstock could hardly control his emotions upon fanning Cruz to secure the win.

“(Giants catcher Bob Melvin) said I had Ray Guy hang time when I almost jumped out of my uniform,” Comstock crowed.

At the time, Giants manager Roger Craig called the inspirational victory: “The biggest win of the year.”

Four days later Comstock earned win No. 2, this time at Cincinnati in a 4-3 victory (6/10/87).

In all, Comstock made 15 relief outings for his home town club, posting a 2-0, 3.05 ledger.

Giant Footprint

For all his comings and goings, accomplishments and stumbles, Comstock’s most lasting impression in the game may very well come via a minor league baseball card.

Issued in 1989, the card is now a verified collectible. And a pricey one at that too.

Mind you, this is no ordinary bubblegum card

Comstock, then a member of the Las Vegas Stars, is photographed surrendering a hit… surrendering a hit to his groin.

Bored with typical baseball card poses, Comstock somehow convinced the card photographer to try something different.

Comstock’s version of “different” was to super glue a baseball to his uniform pants in a place where you never want to get hit with a hardball.

The pose was augmented with Comstock squinting and pretending to be withering in excruciating pain.

Comstock is still extremely proud of the card issued by ProCards more than 30 years ago.

“You could have told me that I was a Cy Young Award winner and I don’t think I would have felt as much pride as I did with that baseball card,” Comstock, tongue firmly in cheek, told an interviewer. “There have been a lot of Cy Young Award winners. But there’s only one card like that.”

Understandably, card collectors adore Comstock’s artistic contribution to the cardboard hobby.

A recent check of EBay shows the limited printed card priced at more than $50.

He was a Giant? Warren Spahn joined the 1965 Giants for the NL pennant chase

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Warren Spahn (left) and centerfielder Willie Mays (right) talk over hitting in 1965 circa photo (photo from San Francisco Giants archives)

He Was A Giant?

Warren Spahn – LHP – 1965 – #21

By Tony “The Tiger” Hayes

SAN FRANCISCO–Apparently 360 lifetime victories wasn’t enough to sate the pitching appetite of baseball’s all-time winningest lefty. So after getting his walking papers from two clubs in less than a year, Spahn caught on with San Francisco in mid-1965 and chipped in three more victories before calling it a career.

What inspired the graybeard southpaw to remain chucking baseballs off a mound instead off tipping back lemonade on a country porch was open to much speculation that summer.

Critics claimed it was Spahn’s overly ambitious – some said delusional – goal of reaching 400 lifetime wins.

Others speculated it was the high-kicking ace’s burning desire to revenge the perceived shoddy treatment he received from his longtime club, the Milwaukee Braves, the previous season.

But according to Spahn, the decision to keep pitching was simple.

The Buffalo native wanted to win another World Series and the Willie Mays led Orange & Black offered the best path to the Fall Classic.

“Had I went to a club in the second division it would have looked like Warren Spahn was trying to milk baseball, like I was trying to hang on as long as I could,” said Spahn, speaking in the third person like a true superstar. “If I win a game here it means something. It’s a contribution towards a pennant instead of just another win for my record.”

Why Was He A Giant?

“I feel fine. I’m in shape. I can pitch.” Spahn proclaimed as he slipped into his familiar No. 21 in Giants colors at Candlestick Park on 7/20/65.

Why would a 17-time All-Star and author of two no-hitters have to recite the sports world equivalent of name, rank and serial number?

Well frankly, Spahn – who was aged 44 and looked closer to 64 – had been going through a rough patch and not just on his increasingly balding pate.

Before signing with the Giants, Spahn had began 1965 in the New York Mets rotation and it didn’t go well. After winning his first two decisions for the Amazins’ he lost his next eight.

With his ledger standing at 4-12, Mets manager Casey Stengel had seen enough and wanted to move Spahn – who was also serving as the Mets de facto pitching coach – into a swing role. But the 1957 Cy Young Award winner disapproved.

Spahn asked for, and was granted his release without much squabble. Spahn – who was beginning to get a reputation as sort of a grumpy old man – then passed unclaimed through waivers before signing with San Francisco.

“We know what the guy has done,” said Giants manager Herman Franks. “Let’s see what he can do.”

Making the move more appetizing to the Giants was Spahn’s sudden flexible regarding relief duty. Prior to refusing to pitch in relief for the Mets, Spahn vociferously rebuffed the Braves efforts to pitch him out of the bullpen.

“I feel I can help the Giants win the pennant,” the wizened hurler said.“I’ll work anyway the Giants want me to work, starting or relieving or both.”

Those statements came as a shock to Spahn’s former Milwaukee manager Bobby Bragen. The excitable skipper – who also had his club in contention in ‘65 – practically choked on his Red Man responding.

The spunky field general opined that Spahn’s stance on relief duty changed only after he passed through waivers without so much as a sniff.

“That shock some humility into him,” Bragen crowed. “When nobody wants you for a buck (the waiver price), I guess you’ll go anywhere.”

Before & After

After breaking into the majors in 1942, Spahn was forced to put his baseball career on hold to fight in World War II. By the time he recorded his first big league win in 1946, Spahn was already 25. He would spend the next two decades making up for lost time.

Though he was slight of stature and far from a flame thrower, Spahn would became the most victorious LHP in history.

What he lacked in zip, he amply made up by painting the corners of the strike zone with a good fastball and darting array of off speed offerings.

His pallet had no one dominant pitch. Spahn’s focus was control. Of his pitching approach, Spahn said, “If hitting is timing, than pitching is upsetting timing.”

Spahn won 20 games or more 13 times. He led the NL in victories eight times and topped the loop in complete games nine times, including seven consecutive seasons from 1957-63.

At the time of his last appearance with San Francisco, Spahn held the record for career strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1973.

Spahn’s last great season came in 1963 when he went 23-7, 2.60 at age 42 for the Braves.

The following season however he struggled and openly feuded with Bragen.

Based on Spahn’s age and drop off in sharpness, Bragen did not view a move to the bullpen so radical.

“He could become another Satchel Paige,” predicted Bragen. “His stuff could be there occasionally, but not on a consistent basis.”

Ultimately however, Bragen said Spahn was was only thinking about himself.

“I came to look upon him as a movie star who is great when you see him on the screen, but isn’t what you expect up close,” a revved up Bragen complained.

And he wasn’t done bloviating, adding:

“Spahn’s personal goals have always obliterated everything else. He had only a mild interest in the team. He is propelled by ego. Ego is in fact what made him a great pitcher. But I never felt that our team effort was as important to him as his personal desires.”

Ouch.

He Didn’t Get His Own (Giants) Bobblehead Doll. But …

Just as advertised, Spahn spent his time as a Giant divided between the bullpen and as a spot starter.

Impressively he completed three of his 11 Giants starts and in the process and helped keep the SF in contention until the final days of the ‘65 season. Spahn’s Giants ledger read 3-4, 3.39 in 16 games. He made 11 starts.

The day Spahn joined the the Giants in July, the club was in fourth place, 5.5 games off the pace of the Dodgers. But by the second week of September, the Giants had leapfrogged everyone.

On 9/12/65, before more than 40,000 at Candlestick Park, Spahn tossed a complete game 9-2 win over the Cubs in nightcap of a Sunday double header sweep. With the wins, the Giants increased their first place lead over the Dodgers by two games.

“I’m thrilled to be part of this Giants club. Age doesn’t mean a thing,” said Spahn. “It’s what you can do.”

It was beginning to look as if Spahn’s goal of making it back to the World Series was taking shape.

The white hot Giants ripped off a 14-game win streak in September and after Juan Marichal whitewashed the Reds 4-0 on the road (9/20/65), the Giants were winners in 17 of 18 games. The surging Orange & Black led the league by 4 games.

The Giants were brimming with confidence and not afraid to show it.

Franks and Mays – who would win MVP honors that season with a monster campaign – each predicted the Giants were five wins away from securing the pennant.

Spahn went them one further, proclaiming: “They’ll never catch us now. We’ve got the momentum.”

But the Giants would drop their next two in Cincinnati and lost that precious momentum. The Dodgers would steam past SF to win the flag by two games and eventually defeat Minnesota in the World Series.

Spahn – who would announce his retirement after the ‘65 season – made his final major league appearance vs. the visiting Reds (10/1/65). Spahn was the sixth pitcher in a conga line of eight SF hurlers in a 17-2 blowout by Cincinnati, allowing one run in a third of an inning.

Giant Footprint

A career long National Leaguer, Spahn pitched 119 career games vs. the Giants, posting a 56-43 record, including six shutouts and his second of two career no-hitters (1961). Spahn also slugged eight career HR vs. the Orange & Black- his most against any one opponent.

One constant foe in his battles with the Giants was another future Hall of Famer whose bronze likeness currently sits prominently at Third and King streets in SF.

In the late spring of 1951, Spahn took the mound as a Boston Brave at the Polo Grounds (5/28/51) to face the Giants and a much hyped rookie who had yet to deliver on his promise.

After starting his big league career 0-for-12, the fresh faced player was beginning to lose confidence in his abilities as he cautiously stepped into the box to face Spahn in the bottom of the first with two outs and the bases clear.

The young Giant took one pitch for a strike and then took a mighty cut sending a soaring drive over the left field roof of the old horse shoe shaped ball yard for his first major league hit and home run.

That rookie was none other than a 19-year-old Mays. It would be the start of a long rivalry between the two.

Mays would go on to have 222 more official at bats against Spahn. He batted .305 and bashed 17 additional career long balls off the famed twirller.

Besides the initial round tripper, Mays’ most noteworthy homer off Spahn would come 12 years later on a cold and windy mid-summer Tuesday night at Candlestick Park (7/2/63).

That was the night that the 41-year-old Spahn and 25-year-old Marichal locked horns in the ultimate pitching duel. It played out more like a death march as both legends took shutouts deep into the night.

From all accounts the game should have ended in the Giants favor in the ninth after Willie McCovey smoked a laser down the right field line and over the fence that umpire Chris Pelekoudas incorrectly ruled foul. The teams soldiered on with no score.

After Marichal retired Norm Larker on a come backer to end the top of 16th frame, the score board featured a long line of zeros. Just as astonishing there was no stirring in either bullpen. The pitchers would throw in excess of 200 pitches each that night.

After Spahn retired Harvey Kuenn on a fly ball to start the Giants half of the 16th, Mays stepped up to meet his old foe.

Though both the Braves and Giants had relocated to new cities since their initial meeting, Spahn and Mays were each wearing virtually the same uniforms they had on in ‘51.

Unfortunately for Spahn, the result on the field was the same as 1951.

After going 0-for-5, with a walk all night, Willie decided it was time to go home, and on the first pitch he powerfully connected with Spahn’s first offering and powered a bolt through the Candlestick bluster and over the left field fence for a game winning solo homer and a 1-0 Giants victory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was A Giant? Former first baseman Mike Laga feature by Tony the Tiger Hayes

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Former San Francisco Giants first baseman Mike Laga is the subject interest of Tony The Tiger’s feature “He Was A Giant?” (photo from pinterest.com)

HE WAS A GIANT? Mike Laga

Mike Laga – 1B – 1989-90 – # 21

By Tony The Tiger Hayes

He was a Giant?

Mike Laga, a persevering big lug from New Jersey whose hapless baseball story could have served as inspiration for any number of Bruce Springsteen blue collar anthems, never could catch a break in an itinerant 13-year professional career.

Despite producing Ruthian minor league numbers and receiving gold stars for his determination, Laga never got an opportunity to play a full season in the majors.

Laga would introduce himself to SF fans with a sizzling debut performance in 1989, but like his stops in Detroit and St. Louis, Laga never received much of an opportunity going forward for the Orange & Black.

In parts of two seasons backing up Will Clark with SF, Laga would appear in 40 games, batting .191 with three HRs.

Why Was He A Giant?

Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson once championed Mike Laga by saying of his young Detroit Tigers charge: “He will make you forget about every power hitter who ever lived.”

That verbose prediction never materialized, but Giants manager Roger Craig, a former Tigers coach, remembered Laga fondly and recommended the Giants ink the left-handed hitter as backup 1B and pinch hitter for the 1989 season.

Before and After

Creaming minor league pitching was never Laga’s issue. By the time he received his first big league call up in 1982, he had already slammed 77 home runs in three minor league campaigns. He would go on to sock a total of 255 minor league bombs. In parts of nine big league seasons, Laga would muscle 16 balls out of the park.

At times, Laga was not shy about voicing his big league frustrations. After spending three seasons toiling for Detroit’s Triple-AAA franchise in Evansville, IN, Laga had had enough.

“I hate it in Evansville,” he blurted one spring. “I don’t want to go back!”

He got his wish, but only because unbeknownst to Laga, the Tigers had moved their top minor league affiliation from Evansville to Nashville.

He Never Got His Own Bobblehead. But…

In his debut game with SF, Laga would deliver the kill shot in a remarkable win that was the baseball equivalent of the movie “The Expendables.”

After the Giants fell behind early at Cincinnati (9/4/89), Giants manager Craig began removing most of the starters in favor of backups and September call-ups such as Laga.

In the end, when the Giants had overcome a 8-0 deficit to beat the Reds 9-8, Craig would call the riveting victory: “the biggest game I ever won as a manager.”

“I’ve got a lot of guys. I want to give them a chance to play and boy did they ever play,” crowed Craig. “The Killer B’s (the backups) did a hell of a job, but the Killer C’s (the call-ups) won it.”

Trailing 8-0 heading into the seventh, the Giants were literally situated behind the eight ball when their bats began rumbling to life as Will Clark and Terry Kennedy crashed solo long balls off Reds starter Tim Leary.

But then Craig pulled both Clark and Kennedy, seemingly satisfied that the Giants had at least made a decent effort in what appeared to be an inevitable blow out.

Laga, who subbed for Clark, received his first Giants at bat in the eighth with two outs and infield understudy Ernie Riles on first base.

The burly 1B turned on a Leary fastball and crushed it deep into the Queen City night for a home run to make it an 8-4 game.

The Giants were now officially on a roll and that roll would not be slowed.

Flame -throwing , but wildly erratic reliever Ernie Camacho came on to face the Reds in the eighth and he struck out the side, fanning Mariano Duncan, Ron Oester and Herm Winningham in tidy fashion.

Then the Giants bats went back to work in a furious ninth.

With Norm Charlton now on in relief, super utility-man Greg Litton led off with a pinch single. Pinch hitter Candy Maldonado, scalded a line drive but it was right at Luis Quinones at second for an out.

Next, end-of -the – bench guy, Donnell Nixon slashed a single to center field , with Litton stopping at second. Grizzled pinch hitter Bob Brenly reached first on an error by 3B Chris Sabo to load the bases.

John Franco was then summoned to pitch to gray beard Chris Speier – yet another SF pinch hitter – and the veteran infielder ripped a single to center to make it 8-5.

The Reds flop sweat was now starting to form a puddle on the Riverfront Stadium artificial turf.

Catcher Bill Bathe – baseball’s version of Moses – was next, AND, he singled up the middle to plate two runs – making it 8-7.

Rob Dibble came in to face Riles, and yep, the lithe hitter slapped a knock to center to plate Speier and send pinch runner Scott Garrelts to third.

Down a touchdown and a two point conversion just three innings prior, the surging Giants had boomeranged to tie the flailing Reds 8-8.

It was the star- crossed Laga’s turn next, and with steam virtually pouring from Dibble’s nostrils, the new Giant tattooed a sharp two-hopper between first and second base to plate Garrelts with the go ahead run.

The Reds would go on to load the bases off closer Steve Bedrosian in ninth with one out. But Bedrock would retire Sabo on a pop up and negate Dave Collins on a routine grounder to close out a most miraculous 9-8 victory.

After the game the Giants clubhouse turned into a grand jubilee.

“Everybody was screaming and hollering. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’m hoarse from all the yelling,” said pitcher Jeff Brantley.

“That was just a great win,” said Kennedy. “No matter what happens, this game will have a place in Giants lore.”

Keeping with his untimely history however, the man of the hour was no where to be found when his teammates began the merrymaking with chats of “Lags, Lags, Lags!”

“I was outside doing a radio interview,” a disappointed Laga said. “I don’t know what happened.”

Giant Footprint

Wherever Laga traveled in his Major League career his path was blocked by players with deep Giants ties.

At the time of his first major league call up in 1982, aging ex-Giants Enos Cabell and Mike Ivie we’re sharing the 1B position.

While passing those two veterans was not seemingly insurmountable for 1983. But Cabell repaired his swing and rebounded with a career high .311 campaign in 1983, keeping Laga in the minors.

Cabell soon skipped Motown, signing with his former Houston team.

But instead of turning to Laga, the Tigers aggressively pursued SF slugger Darrell Evans who seemingly found the fountain of youth in 1983 – belting 30 HRs while based at Candlestick Park. The Tigers also made a key trade during spring training acquiring star reliever Willie Hernandez AN ex-Giant, the steady and slick fielding 1B Dave Bergman from Philadelphia.

In 1984, a dominant Tigers team would win the World Series with Evans and Bergman, sharing 1B/DH duties. Again Laga would spend most of ‘84 in the minors.

Laga moved on to St. Louis in 1986, but without the DH in play, he was limited to 1B duty. The only problem was, the former Giants slugger Jack Clark was firmly entrenched at 1B. Clark was gone in 1988, but in a 40 game trial with the Cardinals, Laga did not produce.

By the time he reached SF, Laga was pretty much labeled a 4A player. And with Will Clark in front of him, he had no shot of seeing any meaningful action.

It wasn’t until 1991 when Laga received a shot to play in the majors- however it was the major leagues of Japan.

Laga flourished for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of the Pacific League, playing in 124 games and batting .236, 32, 81.

At last there were no former Giants blocking his path – not even ex-Yominuri Giants.

 

He Was a Giant? Former A’s and Giant pitcher Brian Kingman feature By Tony the Tiger Hayes

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Former Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants pitcher Brian Kingman featured with the A’s Five Aces in 1981 on Sports Illustrated (top far right) is today’s He Was A Giant? Feature (file photo from newsbreak.com)

HE WAS A GIANT?

By Tony The Tiger Hayes

BRIAN KINGMAN: Oakland’s Big Time Loser, Was Worse with San Francisco

Brian Kingman – RHP – 1983 – # 25

If a 20-game win season is the magnum opus for a starting pitcher, you would figure that 20 losses would be the equivalent of finding a turd in the punch bowl.

But not for Brian Kingman.

Since losing 20 games for the 1980 Oakland A’s, Kingman has not only accepted his place in the 20-game loss fraternity, he has became the ignominious club’s self-appointed president, treasurer and spokesperson.

His 20 -game loser status has became Kingman’s calling card – his reason to be remembered.

“I feel sorry for all those guys who (only) get to 19 wins – all that frustration and never be talked about,” Kingman, tongue pressed only partially in cheek, once said. “They might as well take the final step and lose 20.”

Kingman did not lose 20 games for the Giants in 1983 – in fact he had no desisions in the three games he appeared.

But the Los Angeles native did something as a Giant that he didn’t do quite as often as you might have thought in his Oaklandish 20-game loss season.

As a Giant, Kingman pitched exceptionally ghastly.

Why Was He A Giant?

After going 4-12, 4.48 for the 1982 A’s, Kingman was dealt to the Red Sox in a cash deal. But Kingman failed to make the Boston roster the following spring and wound up hooking on with San Francisco.

He debuted in Orange & Black at Candlestick Park in a pair of games vs. Montreal in early June and was promptly battered by Expos hitters.

After two relief outings he was suffering from a 13.50 ERA, which was worse than the 9.00 figure posted by slugger Dave Kingman after his two random mop-up relief appearances for the 1973 Giants.

Before & After

As a rookie in 1979, Brian Kingman was one of the bright spots for Oakland, going 8-7, 4.31 for a confused Green & Gold club that lost a staggering 107 games.

But the A’s made an incredible turnaround the following season after the hiring of fabled firebrand skipper Billy Martin.

An unforeseen Oakland team stunned the Junior Circuit posting a winning record (83-79) with an appealing brand of baseball that relied on daring base running, power hitting and macho starting pitching.

A’s iron -armed starters would complete a staggering 94 games that season. Kingman threw 10 of those full-games, but even that meaty figure ranked fifth among A’s starters.

Despite his very reasonable 3.83 ERA over 211.1 innings, Kingman frequently pitched in tough luck in ‘80.

He lost six one-run decisions. The A’s were shutout in five of his starts and OakTown scored a paltry average of 2.8 runs in his 30 starts.

Kingman had lost nine decisions in a row when Martin mercifully (Billy had a ❤️!) yanked the righty from the rotation late in the campaign with 19 losses on his ledger.

Still, like Wilbur Wood, Jerry Koosman and Phil Niekro, the three previous 20 game losers prior to Kingman – it seemed Kingman was destined to be a historic flop.

Ironically, Kingman’s 20th loss came in relief in a game he would have normally been scheduled to start.

Kingman was forced into the game in the second inning of a game vs. the visiting White Sox when starter Matt Keough was pulled from the game with an injury.

Kingman would allow just two earned runs over 5.2 innings of work in a 6-4 home defeat, but he absorbed the loss when the A’s kicked the ball around like FC Barcelona, committing four errors (9/25/80).

“I thought I was going to be stuck 19,” Kingman quipped at the time.

More than 20 seasons would pass before Mike Maroth of Detroit became baseball’s next 20 game loser. There have been none since.

By the way, the Giants have not had a 20 game loser during their SF era.

He Never Got His Own Bobblehead. But…

Several days after his distressing Giants debut, Kingman made his third and final Giants appearance at Atlanta and pitched decently – allowing three hits and one unearned run over two innings in a 7-3 loss to the Braves (6/10/83).

But it was too little, too late and Kingman was soon optioned to Triple-AAA Phoenix. He pitched in the Giants system through 1984 but never returned to the majors.

Giant Footprint

In the World Series era, 189 pitchers have lost at least 20 games in a MLB season. The group includes several excellent pitchers including a few of immortals, including Hall of Famers Niekro, Steve Carlton, Cy Young and Walter Johnson

That fact has helped Kingman salve the sting of being labeled a big-time loser.

“That would be like if you were a scientist getting linked to Einstein or something,” Kingman said. “I was being mentioned with Walter Johnson and Cy Young.”

He Was A Giant? Jose Cardenal 1963-64 seasons feature By Tony the Tiger Hayes

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Jose Cardenal as a San Francisco Giant who played in San Francisco during the 1963 and 1964 seasons (Amazon file photo)

HE WAS A GIANT?

JOSE CARDENAL – OF – 1963-64 – # 10

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

If you collected baseball cards as a kid in the 1970s there were three givens: “bubblegum” that crumbled into brittle shards the moment you touched it; hideous air-brush art work, and, finally, the incremental Chia-Pet like growth of Jose Cardenal’s unwieldy Afro. (Think TV artist Bob Ross.)

A fiery competitor with a stylish hairdo, Cardenal was a career .275 hitter and a familiar presence on the MLB scene for parts of five decades as both a player and coach.

But before the Cuban fly chaser picked his hair out to resemble a spinning classroom world globe, Cardenal broke in with the Giants, appearing in 29 games over 1963-64.

Why Was He a Giant?

Cardenal was one of the last ball players to escape Cuba before Fidel Castro shut the island’s borders. He was just 17 when the Giants paid him $200 to sign with the organization in 1960.

Though off the field he struggled with assimilation process – fueled by being cut off from family back in Cuba – Cardenal had no such issues in the batters box and produced gaudy minor league numbers.

Cardenal was just 19 when he broke camp with SF in 1963. He came and went a few times over the next couple of seasons but never could crack SF’s All-Star studded lineup.

Before & After

Despite great reviews for his on field play in the Giants farm system – hitting for power and stealing bases like a bandit – Cardenal developed a reputation of being a bit of a scoundrel.

As a young man he got into scrapes and arguments with teammates and ran afoul of team management and opposing clubs.

In one 1962 incident, when he was with the El Paso Sun Kings, Cardenal menaced the opposing Austin Senators dugout with a letter opener.

Mouthy bench jockeys had gotten under the young Cuban’s skin by calling him a “Castro Lover” and a “Communist.”

Cardenal became so enraged he considered skinning an entire minor league club. He was stopped however before he could initiate his Davy Crockett routine.

“There’s a lot behind the boy’s flare up,” said El Paso manager George Genovese after Cardenal was placed on Texas League probation. “He is immature all right but he hasn’t been home in a long time and hasn’t seen his family in two years. And there’s a language problem.”

Due to his hair-trigger temper and the fact that the Orange & Black were already brimming with talented OF prospects, the club moved on from Cardenal after the 1964 campaign, trading him to the Angels in a swap for C Jack Hiatt.

Cardenal jumped from team to team for awhile before finding a home with the Cubs for much of the ’70s. He later appeared in the 1980 World Series with Kansas City.

From 1993-2003 Cardenal was a major league coach for several teams including the 1996 World Series Champion Yankees.

He Didn’t Get His Own Bobblehead Doll (Or Chia-Pet). But…

Cardenal smacked the only hit of his Giants career in his second MLB at bat, lining a two-run, pinch hit single to left off the Cardinals Curt Simmons. Cardenal was then nabbed however trying to steal second base in a weekday afternoon 4-3 home loss (4/24/63).

Giant Footprint

It was against the Giants that Cardenal assembled a career best six- hit game at Candlestick Park (5/2/76), batting 6-for-7 with four RBIs in a 6-5, 14-inning Chicago win at Candlestick in the matinee of a double header.

The last several innings of that game can be viewed on You Tube – providing a good look at Cardenal’s glorious Afro in action and a rare look at the Giants much maligned mid-1970s AstroTurf era.

Tony the Tiger does He Was A Giant? features weekly on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

He was a Giant? Feature on former Giant Rick Leach by Tony the Tiger Hayes

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Rick Leach former San Francisco Giant on his 1990 Mother’s Cookies baseball card (ebay photo image)

HE WAS A GIANT?

Rick Leach – OF/1B – 1990 – # 25

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

In 1990, the “San Francisco Treat” didn’t just refer to the family of tasty Rice-A-Roni dishes, it also described the City’s gourmet collection of quarterback talent.

That season a pair legendary Hall of Famers: Joe Montana and Steve Young, topped SF’s depth chart. Waiting deeper in the wings was the athletic passer Steve Bono.

But Candlestick Park was also home to another record setting signal caller whose college career rivaled all three of those Forty Niners QBs.

This south-paw passer was a four-year Michigan starter, Sports Illustrated cover boy and noted Ohio State killer: Rick Leach.

A college contemporary of Montana, Leach choose to persue a pro baseball career after leading the Wolverines to three straight Rose Bowl appearances in the 1970s.

In a backup role for the Giants in ‘90, Leach batted .293 in 78 games before abruptly leaving the club under a cloud of suspicion in mid-season.

Why Was He a Giant?

After seven checkered seasons in the American League – he went AWOL from a couple of teams – the Giants took a flyer on Leach after Atlanta released him in spring training of ‘90.

Before & After

Leach was the rare athlete whose lengthy big league career was considered an after -thought to his amateur completion in another sport.

Leach will forever be known first and foremost for his quarterback play at Michigan from 1975-78 when he led Big Blue to three consecutive Big 10 Conference Championships.

Though he went 0-3 in the Rose Bowl, Leach is an icon in Ann Arbor because of his ability to beat bad blood rival Ohio State. Leach compiled a 3-1 career record vs. the Buckeyes.

Though he dominated on the collegiate gridiron, Leach was considered an even better pro baseball prospect.

Along with fellow Michiganensian Kirk Gibson – who starred at the same time in both football and baseball at Michigan State – Leach signed with the home state Detroit Tigers in 1979.

Though he never reached star status on the diamond, Leach was a serviceable back-up, compiling a career average of .268.

He was actually having one of my his best MLB seasons with SF when he suddenly vanished with a puff of smoke in early August of ‘90.

Actually that may have been the problem. After one of his previous unexcused absences with Texas, authorities discovered a stash of weed in his hotel room.

On 8/7/90 it was announced that Leach had failed a league mandated drug test and was suspended 60 games – effectively ending his season – and as it turned out his baseball career.

He Never Got His Own (Giants) Bobblehead. But…

After Giants opening day starting RF Kevin Bass was shelved with knee surgery in late May, Leach became the Giants de facto starting RF for a spell.

He was particularly adapt at hitting in difficult Candlestick Park, batting .341 there, a full 100 points better than his road average.

In a 7-3 home shellacking of Houston (6/3/90), Leach tied a career high with four hits, going 4-for-5, with an RBI.

Later, in back- to -back 4-3 home wins over division rival Cincinnati (7/26-27/90), Leach bashed a HR in each contest- his only long balls for the Orange & Black.

He socked a two-run dinger off Jose Rijo in the first game and ripped a solo round-tripper off Scott Scudder in the later.

Giant Footprint

Leach was a productive and popular Giant, making it all the more difficult for the club when it was announced he was suspended for the remainder of the ‘90 contests season.

“This is a real shock. He’s devastated,” said Giants manager Roger Craig. “He’s done so much for us. He’s been a real leader. We’re going to have to pick up from here.”

A year after winning the NL pennant in 1989, the Giants would finish third, six games behind Cincinnati.

Leach was with the Giants in spring training in 1991, but was a late cut. He never played organized ball again.

Tony the Tiger Hayes does He was a Giant? features at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

He was a Giant? 50 Years Ago Giants Mexican Rookie Was Orange & Black One Hit Wonder

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San Francisco Giant pitcher Migel Puente in 1968 file photo from JG Preston Experience wordpress.com

He was a Giant?

By Tony The Tiger Hayes

Cinco De Mayo Special

50 Years Ago Giants Mexican Rookie Was Orange & Black One Hit Wonder

MIGEL PUENTE

RHP – 1970 – # 41

In the spring of 1970, Norman Greenbaum – a an unknown San Francisco songwriter – became an improbable overnight sensation with his unorthodox divine anthem “Spirit in the Sky.”

Greenbaum’s take on psychedelic gospel rose as high as no. 3 on the Hot 100 – shockingly, competing for airtime with the Beatles and Jackson 5 – before his star soon faded.

Though the groundbreaking rock track would live on in cover versions, commercials and soundtracks, the name “Norman Greenbaum” would never again pass the lips of Casey Kasem.

During that same time frame, the Giants celebrated a one-hit-wonder of their own in Mexican pitcher Puente, who on his birthday came out of obscurity to knock ‘em dead for one night – and one night only – on center stage in New York.

But like Greenbaum, Carl Douglas and the Starland Vocal Band, Puente’s follow-ups went straight to the cut-out bin.

Why Was He a Giant?

A native of the central Mexico city of San Luis Potosí, Puente was discovered by Giants scout Dave Garcia who would manage Puente as a first-year pro at Single-A Fresno in 1968.

After pitching a Texas League no-hitter at Double-A Amarillo in 1969, the right-hander with a big kick found himself being compared to, you guessed it, Juan Marichal.

Puente shadowed his idol the following spring training, even picking up Marichal’s signature screwball pitch.

“(Marichal) didn’t teach it to me,” Puente told reporters. “He’s a star and he’s very busy, so he wouldn’t have time to teach me. But I stood around in spring training and watched him and just copied him.”

Before & After

Ironically it was when the “Dominican Dandy” was shelved with an adverse reaction to a penicillin shot early in the ‘70 campaign that Puente got a call-up to the bigs.

Overall Puente was not impressive as a Giant. He was shelled for five or more earned runs in three of his six appearances. Puente’s Giants record stood at 1-3, 8.20 and he never played in the majors again.

Puente would soon return to his native Mexico where he continued to pitch professionally for the remainder of the 1970s.

He Never Got His Own Bobblehead. But…

New York City was abuzz on the night of 5/8/70. At Madison Square Garden, the Knicks dramatically won the NBA Championship, beating the Lakers in a dramatic Game 7 (the Willis Reed game) to give NYC it’s third pro championship in a year.

Meanwhile more than 40,000 fans turned out a across town to see the visiting Giants take on the defending MLB champion Mets on a cool evening at Shea Stadium.

Puente, who turned 22 that day, would go the distance vs. New York, allowing seven hits, walking four, while striking out seven.

Powered by a pair of HR by Willie Mays and another off the bat of Bobby Bonds, the Giants won easily 7-1.

“There were so many people watching,” Puente said as teammate Tito Fuentes presented him with a huge wedge of birthday cake. “I have never pitched before so many people before.”

Giant Footprint

Probably the most famous birthday performance by a Giant came on Barry Bonds’ 39th when the HR King crushed a walk-off solo blast off Mike Myers at Pac Bell Park to settled a spirited 3-2 win over Arizona (7/24/03).

But you can’t go wrong with Bob Knepper’s 25th b-day party of 1979 when the lefty starter went 7.1 innings, earning a win, and hit a solo HR high into the night sky off future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro in 6-4 home defeat of Atlanta (5/25/79).

P.S. Believe it or not, San Francisco has had just two other Mexican born players: RHP Miguel Del Toro (1999-2000) and IF Tony Perezchica (1988, 1990-91).

He Was A Giant? Feature on former Giant Bob Schroder

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1965 Topps Rookie card of former San Francisco Giant Bob Schroder (right) who autographed the card is Tony The Tiger’s featured player in today’s article “He was a Giant?” (photo from baseball.almanac.com)

He Was A Giant?

By Tony The Tiger Hayes

Bob Schroder – IF – 1964-68 – # 10, 15

As odd as it seems to label someone who played in four straight seasons with San Francisco as an “unknown” – Schroder would qualify to be that guy.

A left-handed hitting utility infielder, Schroder batted .217, 0, 12 in 138 games between 1964-68 for the Orange & Black – failing to make any obvious impact other than providing a warm body with steady glove in blowouts and late inning situations.

In fact Schroder’s only claim to fame as a big leaguer was replacing a future Hall of Famer in the lineup after said high-kicking legend conked a Dodger over the head with a Louisville Slugger in the most infamous brawls in MLB history.

Why Was He A Giant?

Giants scouts found Schroder enjoying a dish of gumbo and char broiled oysters while starring at shortstop at New Orleans’ Loyola University in 1964.

A year later, after breezing through three low rung Giants minor league clubs, Schroder would make his big league debut in an other great restaurant town, pinch running for Tom Haller at Candlestick Park in a 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh (4/20/65).

Before & After

Born in New Jersey, Schroder didn’t exactly scream future star in his first season of pro ball when he batted a combined .273, 9, 46, at two levels of minor league ball.

Yet he made the big club out of spring training in ‘65 at age 20 and amazingly would spend the entire campaign with the big club, leading some to speculate that the kid had compromising photos of portly manager Herman Franks in a tutu or was an invaluable golf caddy for Willie Mays.

As a rookie Schroder appeared in just 31 games while amassing a paltry nine at-bats. He appeared in 10 more contests in 1966 with the big club – spending most of the year at Triple-A.

But Schroder was back for a full season in the City by the Bay in 1967 – seeing his most action in the bigs (.230, 0, 7) in a career high 65 games as the Giants primary backup infielder. In 1968 he split the season between SF and the minors.

After that, Schroder would spend all of 1969-70 with the Giants Triple-A Phoenix team and one final season of pro ball in 1971 in the Brewers system.

He was out of pro ball at age of 26.

He Never Got His Own Bobblehead. But…

Schroder enjoyed just eight multiple hit games as a Giant. In one rare starting assignment (9/7/67) he led the club in hits with three and scored the winning run in a 3-2 home edging of Houston. The catch is, it took 15 innings to accomplish the feat.

With two outs in the bottom of the 15th, Schroder sliced a line drive single to left field off Astros reliever Dave Eilers. The pitcher then plunked Ken Henderson with a pitch to move Schroder into scoring position. Jesus Alou then pounced on the next offering stinging a single into center as Schroder raced home to beat Jimmy Wynn’s throw.

Giant Footprint

The already testy Giants-Dodgers rivalry turned violent and bloody in the summer of 1965 when SF’s Juan Marichal swung and connected his bat; not at a Sandy Koufax pitch, but at Los Angeles catcher John Roseboro’s head.

Marichal alleged the LA receiver had intentionally grazed his ear with a particularly close return throw to the mound.

Thankfully Roseboro’s injury was not life threatening injury – but Marichal did open a sizable scalp wound on Roseboro head requiring more than a dozen stitches.

After the chaos dyed down 14 minutes later, Schroder was called upon to pinch-hit for the now disqualified Giants ace.

Saddled with a 1-1 count, Schroder quickly whiffed vs. Koufax and joined Marichal in the home clubhouse.