December 5
Trading Spaces: Former San Francisco Giants fan favorite Will Clark signed a 2-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles on this date in 1998. He replaced college teammate Rafael Palmeiro in Baltimore, who signed on with the Texas Rangers, Clark’s previous stop. The pair had reversed roles in 1993 – Clark signing with the Rangers, then Palmeiro signing with the Orioles.
December 6
The Bedrock in the ‘Pen: Former Giants closer Steve Bedrosian was born on this date back in 1957, in Methuen MA. Acquired by San Francisco in the middle of the 1989 season, Bedrock nailed down 17 saves with the Giants on their way to the NL pennant.
December 7
End of the Marichal Era: Like a Dominican Dandy in a candy shop, Juan Marichal was purchased from the Giants by the Boston Red Sox on this date in 1973, thereby ending a 14-year Hall of Fame run in Orange and Black.
December 8
Dunston, Part III: Veteran shortstop Shawon Dunston signed his last contract in the majors on this date in 2000, agreeing to be a Giant for the third time in his career. Dunston would retire after the 2002 season.
December 9
Maybe He Went to Work for ESPN: On this date in 1980, the Giants fired manager Dave Bristol. Bristol had taken over the gig at the end of the 1979 season when the Giants fired Joe Altobelli, and promply led the team to a 75-86 record in 1980.
December 10
Second to Some Big Fat Guy: In an AP poll released on this date in 1999, Willie Mays was voted the second greatest player of the twentieth century. Babe Ruth won the top honors, and accepted the award posthumously with a cigar and a big wink.
December 11
Giants Get Joe: The Giants inked Joe Morgan to a 1-year contract on this date in 1981 – no, not as a broadcaster, but as a second baseman. The Giants would lock up Morgan’s play-by-play announcer later on.
Don Shin eats, breathes, thinks, and bleeds in Orange and Black.
Pac Bell Park officially opened on his 25th birthday (the one year he
decided to move out of the Bay Area!!!). For the 2000 playoff drive, he
dyed his hair orange while studying in Korea. He watched Game 6 of the
’02 World Series at a restaurant in LA, and couldn’t finish his meal
afterwards. Feel free to write him at dongsoo411@yahoo.com to commiserate, cheer,
and complain.
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