Top 10 San Francisco Giants Moments

Here is my list of greatest moments in Giants history:

Christy Mathewson strikes out 16 (October 3, 1904): Christy Mathewson struck out a record 16 St Louis Cardinals. During this period, players did not strike out as much as they do today. As a result, Mathewson's effort represented a major accomplishment.

Christy Mathewson pitches three World Series shutouts (1905): Christy Mathewson dominated the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series. For the series, Matty pitched 27 innings, 13 hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out 18. In 2006, Kenny Rogers pitched three scoreless postseason games. In 2010, Matt Cain also pitched three games without allowing a run. However, only Matty pitched three complete game shutouts.

Giants win first “subway series” (1921): During the fifties, it seemed like the World Series was based in New York. The first time two New York teams faced off was 1921. The Giants defeated Babe Ruth’s Yankees in the first subway series.

Bobby Thompson (October 3, 1951): The Giants win the Pennant!

Mays catch sparks World Series sweep (September 29, 1954 Game One World Series): Many consider Willie Mays’ catch in the 1954 World Series the greatest ever. In the 8th inning, the score tied at 2, Vic Wertz hit a long drive to centerfield. Mays ran it down, made an over-the-shoulder catch, and rifled the ball back to the infield keeping the score tied. The catch sparked the Giants to a series sweep.

Dusty Rhodes Homer (September 29, 1954 Game One World Series): After Mays amazing catch, Dusty Rhodes hit a pinch home run in the 10th inning off Cleveland’s Bob Lemon to win Game 1 of the World Series. The Giants went on to sweep the Indians.

Willie Mays hits 4 Homers (April 30, 1961): The Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958. Three years later, Mays hit four homers at Milwaukee’s County Stadium. He stood on deck in the 9th when the Giants finished batting.

Giants beat Dodgers in a tie breaker to win pennant (October 3, 1962): In 1962, the Dodgers and Giants tied for the pennant for the first time since 1951. San Francisco took two of the three playoff games to capture the pennant. In the final game, the Giants scored four in the 9th to eliminate Los Angeles. They went onto lose a dramatic seven game World Series to the Yankees.

Tim Lincecum’s 14 Strikeouts (October 7, 2010 Game One NLDS): In his first postseason start, Tim Lincecum struck out 14 Braves in a 1-0 win. For the game, Lincecum allowed only 2 hits and a walk.

Edgar Renteria (November 1, 2010 World Series Game 5): The Giants led the Texas Rangers three games to one in the World Series. In Game 5, Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum dueled into the seventh. Neither team could score until Edgar Renteria hit a three-run shot off Lee to propel San Francisco to their first title. It was the Giants first World Championship since 1954.