Jim Dwyer in the Orange and Black
You can count yourself as a real Giants fan if you remember that Jim Dwyer played part of one season (1978) for the Giants. Josh Wilker at Cardboard Gods has a fascinating post (and card) about Dwyer, best known as a platoon component of the World Champion 1983 Orioles.
Josh notes that Dwyer was a "player to be named later" in a mid-season trade from the Cards in 1978 for Frank Ricelli and "hit" .225 for the Giants as they made their first run at the pennant since 1971. The Bosox bought him next year -- which attracted Josh's attention -- and he went on to have an 18-year MLB career despite being a pretty average player.
Josh notes that Dwyer was a "player to be named later" in a mid-season trade from the Cards in 1978 for Frank Ricelli and "hit" .225 for the Giants as they made their first run at the pennant since 1971. The Bosox bought him next year -- which attracted Josh's attention -- and he went on to have an 18-year MLB career despite being a pretty average player.
It's amazing at first glance that Dwyer got over 200 plate appearances for the Giants that year until you consider how punchless the starting left fielder (Terry Whitfield) and center fielder (Larry Herndon) were with a total of 32 RBIs each. Herndon hit one homer all year. The Giants were also starting the offense-free Marc Hill at catcher and Johnny LeMaster at short. The team scored only 613 runs -- the 7th lowest of the 26 MLB teams that year, despite having a lineup with Jack Clark, Darrell Evans, Bill Madlock and first base platoon of Mike Ivie and the 40-year-old Stretch . The team went 89-73, thanks to a much improved pitching staff that included Vida, Montefusco, Ed Halicki and Bob Knepper and allowed only 594 runs. The Giants were in first for much of the year and were only 3 games out with three weeks left before falling out of the race with a seven-game losing streak.
posted by Big D at 9:36 PM
6 Comments:
That was a great season--it was between my freshman and sophomore years at Cal. Vida Blue was a joy. Jack Clark was one of the most under-appreciated hitters of his time. I was convinced Ed Halicki was going to be a star. Spent a LOT of time travelling to the 'Stick that year--bleacher seats were only a dollar!
Who can forget Jim Dwyer? Now, name the other platoon outfielder, acquired the same day I believe, who hit a game tying pinch-hit HR against the Mets in his first at-bat as a Giant (before they even had time to sew a name on his uniform). HINT: he had 2 brothers who also played in the majors, one of whom was actually very good.
Has to be Hector Cruz, right?
Hector (Heity) Cruz it was - I was at that game!
Count me as officially impressed, Ron!
That must have been Heity's high point with the Giants.
The link to the Box Score:
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197806160SFN
Jack Clark won it with a 3-run jack later in the 9th.
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