Henry Roldán
As one of only eight MLB franchises founded prior to 1900, the range of players who have passed through the Giants’ uniform is superlative, to the point that they boast several of the most complete players in the history of the sport. If you want to know more about it, here are the five best players in the history of the organization.
5.- Best Players in Giants History: Willie McCovey
McCovey is considered one of the best hitters to ever wear a Giants uniform, as he finished as the National League home run leader on three occasions and was crowned the circuit’s MVP in 1969.
Known for his great power to the right side of the field, McCovey hit most of his 521 home runs, 429 with the Giants, from the right side of the field. As a result, the bay behind the Giants’ new stadium began to be popularly known as McCovey Cove.
The outfielder also won the Nationals’ Rookie of the Year award in 1959 and in his last year with the team, 1980, he hit a solo home run that earned him a place on the list of four players to hit homers in four decades. His number 44 is retired by the franchise and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.
4.- Best Players in Giants History: Mel Ott
When no one was betting on Ott’s talent because of his size, the Giants gave him an opportunity that he didn’t miss and that paid off in spades. He is one of the best players in the history of the franchise for a reason.
The outfielder, who played 22 seasons with the franchise, led the National League in home runs six times and was the first player in the history of the circuit to reach 500 homers. In fact, at the time of his retirement, his 511 home runs were a record that would be broken by Willie Mays in the 1960s.
Ott led the Giants in home runs for 18 consecutive years, the longest string in major league history, and four times he finished atop the Nationals in OBP. He also participated in 12 All-Star Games, won a World Series, had his number 4 retired by the organization and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951.
3.- Best Players in Giants History: Christy Mathewson
Pitching during the dead ball era does not detract from what Mathewson, who is considered the best pitcher in Giants history, has done.
Between 1900 and 1916, when the franchise played in New York, the right-hander was one of the most dominant in the circuit to the point that he twice won the Triple Crown of pitching. In addition, he led the league in strikeouts five times, won more than 20 games in 12 consecutive seasons, led the league in strikeouts five times, pitched two no-hit, no-run games and set a franchise record with 11 shutouts in 1908.
Mathewson is the leader in almost all of the Giants’ major pitching departments and his record looks very difficult to break. To date he is first in: WAR for pitchers (100.6), starts (551), innings pitched (4779.2), complete games (434), shutouts (79), effectiveness (2.12), WHIP (1.05), wins (372) and strikeouts (2,504). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.
2.- Best Players in Giants History: Barry Bonds
If it weren’t for the allegations swirling around him about steroid use, we would easily be talking about Bonds as the greatest hitter to ever play in the Major Leagues.
Seven-time MVP, five with the Giants, the all-time home run leader (762), all-time home run leader (73), all-time home run leader (2,558), all-time home run leader (an absurd 232) and all-time intentional hitter in a season (an absurd 120) are just some of the incredible records Bonds collected in his career.
The outfielder also collected two batting titles (.362 and .370), won eight Gold Gloves (five with the Giants), 12 Silver Bats (nine with the Giants) and was called to 12 All-Star Games (ten with the Giants).
1.- Best Players in Giants History: Willie Mays
There is no doubt about it. The most complete player in Major League history could not miss out on being number one on the list of the best players in Giants history.
In 21 seasons with the franchise, Mays became the heart and soul of the team thanks to his five tools that led him to finish his career with a .302 average, 660 home runs, 338 stolen bases and 12 Gold Gloves. What could be more complete than that?
Mays was crowned the Nationals Rookie of the Year in 1951 and after leaving for military service in 1953, he became the circuit MVP the following season by leading the league in average, OBP and SLG. He was also instrumental in the Giants winning the World Series title that year with his famous behind-the-back catch at the Polo Grounds.
The outfielder was the first to hit 50 home runs in a season, finished four times as the circuit leader in this category, was first in stolen bases four times, won two MVPs and was the first player to hit 3,000 hits and 600 home runs in the Major Leagues.
Mays, who played in 24 All-Star Games and was exalted to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 1979 with more than 90% of the vote, is the franchise leader in: WAR for position player (154.5), offensive WAR (134.8), games played (2,857), times at bat (10,477), runs scored (2,011), hits (3,187), total bases (5,907), doubles (504), home runs (646) and extra bases (1,289).
