1976 San Francisco Giants season
Encyclopedia
The San Francisco Giants
season was the franchise's 94th season overall and its 19th season in San Francisco.
had faced financial hardship. Finally, in , he put the team up for sale. In January 1976, Stoneham agreed to sell the team for $13.25 million to a Toronto group consisting of Labatt's Breweries of Canada, Ltd.
, Vulcan Assets Ltd., and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
. The team would begin play with the 1976 season at Exhibition Stadium
and be called the Giants. In addition, it was briefly rumored they considered a return to the New York metropolitan area
, perhaps to a new baseball stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands
. Instead, Bob Lurie
led a group to buy the Giants from Horace Stoneham
for $8 million, thereby saving the team from potentially being sold to a Canadian brewery and moved to Toronto
.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
season was the franchise's 94th season overall and its 19th season in San Francisco.
Team movement discussion
During the first half of the 1970s, attendance at cold and windy Candlestick Park plummeted, and Giants owner Horace StonehamHorace Stoneham
Horace C. Stoneham was the principal owner of Major League Baseball's New York/San Francisco Giants from the death of his father, Charles Stoneham, in 1936 until 1976. During his ownership, the team won National League pennants in 1936, 1937, 1951, 1954 and 1962, a division title in 1971, and a...
had faced financial hardship. Finally, in , he put the team up for sale. In January 1976, Stoneham agreed to sell the team for $13.25 million to a Toronto group consisting of Labatt's Breweries of Canada, Ltd.
Labatt Brewing Company
Labatt Brewing Company Ltd. is a Canadian beer company founded by John Kinder Labatt in 1847 in London, Ontario. In 1995, it was purchased by Belgian brewer Interbrew; it is now part of Anheuser-Busch InBev...
, Vulcan Assets Ltd., and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is one of Canada's chartered banks, fifth largest by deposits. The bank is headquartered at Commerce Court in Toronto, Ontario. CIBC's Institution Number is 010, and its SWIFT code is CIBCCATT....
. The team would begin play with the 1976 season at Exhibition Stadium
Exhibition Stadium
Canadian National Exhibition Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that formerly stood on the Exhibition Place grounds, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
and be called the Giants. In addition, it was briefly rumored they considered a return to the New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
, perhaps to a new baseball stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands
Meadowlands Sports Complex
The MetLife Sports Complex is a sports and entertainment facility located in East Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority...
. Instead, Bob Lurie
Bob Lurie
Robert Alfred Lurie is a real estate magnate, philanthropist, and former owner of the San Francisco Giants franchise of Major League Baseball from March 2, 1976 until January 12, 1993.-Giants Ownership:...
led a group to buy the Giants from Horace Stoneham
Horace Stoneham
Horace C. Stoneham was the principal owner of Major League Baseball's New York/San Francisco Giants from the death of his father, Charles Stoneham, in 1936 until 1976. During his ownership, the team won National League pennants in 1936, 1937, 1951, 1954 and 1962, a division title in 1971, and a...
for $8 million, thereby saving the team from potentially being sold to a Canadian brewery and moved to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Notable transactions
- January 7, 1976: Dennis LittlejohnDennis LittlejohnDennis Gerald Littlejohn , is a former Major League Baseball player who played catcher from to . He would play for the San Francisco Giants. Littlejohn attended the University of Southern California....
was drafted by the Giants in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
(Secondary Phase).
Opening Day starters
- Von JoshuaVon JoshuaVon Everett Joshua was an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres ....
- Gary MatthewsGary MatthewsGary Nathaniel Matthews Sr. , nicknamed Sarge, is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball. He now serves as a color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies. From through , Matthews played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Seattle...
- Willie MontañezWillie MontañezGuillermo Montañez Naranjo is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home runs, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on...
- John MontefuscoJohn MontefuscoJohn Joseph Montefusco Jr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1974 to 1986 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. Named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1975, Montefusco's nickname was "The Count", a pun on his last name which...
- Bobby MurcerBobby MurcerBobby Ray Murcer was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster...
- Dave RaderDave Rader (baseball)David Martin Rader is a former professional baseball player. From through , he was a catcher in Major League Baseball, playing for the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox...
- Ken ReitzKen ReitzKenneth John Reitz is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. A right-handed hitter, Reitz played for the St...
- Chris SpeierChris SpeierChristopher Edward Speier is a former Major League Baseball player and current bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted second overall in the January secondary 1970 Major League Baseball Draft.-Playing career:...
- Derrel ThomasDerrel ThomasDerrel Osborn Thomas is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball primarily as a second baseman, center fielder, and shortstop from 1971-85...
Notable transactions
- June 2, 1976: Von JoshuaVon JoshuaVon Everett Joshua was an outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers , San Francisco Giants , Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres ....
was purchased from the Giants by the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - June 13, 1976: Willie MontañezWillie MontañezGuillermo Montañez Naranjo is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home runs, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on...
, Craig RobinsonCraig Robinson (baseball)Craig George Robinson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Atlanta Braves , and San Francisco Giants . He batted and threw right-handed....
, Mike EdenMike Eden (baseball)Edward Michael Eden is a former backup infielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly at short stop and second base for two different teams in the and seasons...
, and Jake Brown were traded by the Giants to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Darrell EvansDarrell EvansDarrell Wayne Evans is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1969 to 1989 with the Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants and Detroit Tigers . He is also the former manager and director of player personnel for the Victoria Seals of the Golden Baseball...
and Marty PerezMarty PerezMartin Roman Perez Jr. was a shortstop and second baseman for the California Angels , Atlanta Braves , San Francisco Giants , New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics ....
. - June 14, 1976: Joe StrainJoe StrainJoseph Allan Strain , was a professional baseball player who was an infielder in the Major Leagues from to for the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.He was born in Denver, Colorado.-External links:...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Giants. - June 21, 1976: Casey ParsonsCasey ParsonsCasey Robert Parsons is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of four seasons in the majors, between and , for the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians. In four seasons, he played in just 63 games, and in less than half of those did he appear in the field...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Giants. - September 3, 1976: Randy ElliottRandy ElliottRandy Lee Elliott is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of four seasons in the majors, spread out over nine years. After being drafted by the San Diego Padres during their inaugural season, he played for them in and . He later played for the San Francisco Giants in and...
was signed as a free agent by the Giants.
Draft picks
- June 8, 1976: Jeff StemberJeff StemberJeffrey Alan Stember is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. The right-hander was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 26th round of the 1976 amateur draft, and appeared in one game for the Giants in 1980....
was drafted by the Giants in the 26th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
.
Roster
| 1976 San Francisco Giants | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 88 | 255 | 67 | .263 | 1 | 22 | |
| 3B | 155 | 577 | 154 | .267 | 5 | 66 | |
| SS | 145 | 495 | 112 | .226 | 3 | 40 | |
| LF | 156 | 587 | 164 | .279 | 20 | 84 | |
| RF | 147 | 533 | 138 | .259 | 23 | 90 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | 272 | 63 | .232 | 2 | 19 | |
| 60 | 230 | 71 | .309 | 2 | 20 | |
| 42 | 156 | 41 | .263 | 0 | 2 | |
| 55 | 93 | 19 | .204 | 0 | 7 | |
| 59 | 74 | 13 | .176 | 0 | 5 | |
| 15 | 13 | 4 | .308 | 0 | 2 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 253.1 | 16 | 14 | 2.84 | 172 | |
| 37 | 252.1 | 15 | 12 | 2.89 | 75 | |
| 25 | 107.2 | 3 | 10 | 4.43 | 33 | |
| 28 | 106 | 3 | 8 | 5.35 | 53 | |
| 4 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 5.63 | 11 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 107.1 | 1 | 7 | 4.86 | 55 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2.96 | 34 | |
Award winners
All-Star Game1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 47th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 13, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of...
- John MontefuscoJohn MontefuscoJohn Joseph Montefusco Jr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1974 to 1986 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. Named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1975, Montefusco's nickname was "The Count", a pun on his last name which...
, reserve