The San Francisco Giants have been one of the top teams throughout their history. Which of those players would make up their Mount Rushmore?
It is easy to understand why other teams would be envious of the San Francisco Giants, and their history. They have typically been one of the top teams in the game, making the postseason 26 times and capturing 23 pennants. They have won eight World Series, tied with the Red Sox for the fourth most of any team in baseball history.
That total could have been even higher, had the 1904 World Series been played. However, as manager John McGraw refused to consider the American League a true part of the majors, he held the Giants out of the championship. He relented the following year, and the Giants won their first World Series under his stewardship.
During that time, the Giants have had quite a few great players. In fact, they have arguably the greatest pitcher and the greatest hitter in the history of the game as part of their franchise. It is easy to see why the Giants have had the success they did, especially given the players they have put on he field over the years.
But which of those greats makes up their Mount Rushmore? Let us take a look through the San Francisco Giants franchise history and find out.
Christy Mathewson (1900-1914)
One of the all time greatest pitchers, Mathewson was almost a Cincinnati Reds star instead of being one of the top players in Giants history.
Selected by the Reds as a Rule V draft pick in December 1900, the Giants sent another great, Amos Rusie, to Cincinnati to get Mathewson back. While Rusie was essentially done, Mathewson was set to begin a stellar career.
Considered one of the best players both on and off the field, Mathewson was beloved by manager John McGraw. It was easy to see why, especially given his performance on the mound. He was a two time Triple Crown winner, leading the league in strikeouts and ERA five times. Mathewson also led the league in wins four times, and won 20 or more games 14 times.
The top pitcher in baseball history according to Bill James Hall of Fame score, Mathewson was a dominant force. He posted a 372-188 record with the Giants, along with a 2.18 ERA and a 1.057 WHiP. In his 4788.2 innings, Mathewson struck out 2504 batters while issuing only 847 walks. Interestingly enough, he made his final career appearance with the Reds, earning a victory in his only start. That victory was one more than Rusie had for Cincinnati.
Christy Mathewson was one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game. That greatness almost happened some place else, if not for one brilliant trade.
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Mel Ott (1926-1947)
Lou Durocher coined the phrase “Nice guys finish last” when referring to Mel Ott as a manager. As a player, there were few in his class.
A mighty power hitter, Ott was one of the key parts of the Giants offense throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. He spent his entire 22 year career in New York, where his ability as a power hitter was clearly evident. Ott was the youngest player in baseball history to reach the 100 and 200 homer plateaus, as well as the youngest player to notch 1000 career RBI.
He was not done there. Ott was also the first player in National League history to hit 300, 400, and 500 career homers. He led the league in homers six times, and hit 20 or more homers 15 times. A 12 time All Star, Ott never won an MVP award, but he did finish in the top five three times. His batting eye was extraordinary as well, as he led the league in walks six times.
Overall, Ott produced a .304/.414/.533 batting line. At the time he retired, his 511 homers were the National League record. He also had 488 doubles and drove in 1860 runs. In his 11,348 plate appearances, Ott walked 1708 times, with only 896 strikeouts. He was truly an excellent hitter, and a feared slugger.
Mel Ott held a special place in National League history. His greatness remains evident to this day.
Barry Bonds (1993-2007)
One of the more controversial players in baseball history, Barry Bonds made a major impact upon the San Francisco Giants.
The son of Bobby Bonds, who starred for the Giants in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he continued his family’s legacy of excellence. Bonds made quite the first impression with the Giants, winning the NL MVP award in 1993 after signing as a free agent. Ironically, the Giants drafted him in the second round of the 1982 MLB Amateur Draft, but he did not sign, opting to head to college instead.
Bonds was a true five tool player in his prime. He was a 12 time All Star in San Francisco, winning five MVP awards, five Gold Glove awards, and nine Silver Sluggers. In his 15 years with the Giants, Bonds posted a stellar .312/.477/.666 batting line, hitting 586 homers and stealing 263 bases. He became a terrifying presence in the lineup, drawing 1947 walks in his 8351 plate appearances, while striking out only 949 times.
However, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding those numbers. Bonds was linked to PED usage through the BALCO scandal, and eventually went to trial on perjury and obstruction of justice. After being initially convicted on those charges, that conviction was overturned in 2016. While Bonds never failed a PED test, the damage was done to his reputation, leaving the all time home run hitter on the outside of the Hall of Fame.
There is no questioning the greatness of Barry Bonds’ career. Yet, one is left wondering how much of his production with the San Francisco Giants was legitimate.
Willie Mays (1951-1952, 1954-1972)
Considered one of the top five players in the history of the game, Willie Mays was the greatest player to put on the Giants uniform.
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His exploits on the diamond were legendary. The 1951 Rookie of the Year, he missed most of the next two seasons due to the Korean War. When Mays came back in 1954, he won the MVP. That season, he also made what may be the most famous play in baseball history. Known as The Catch, Mays sprinted back to catch a long drive off the bat of Vic Wertz, then spun around and fired a strike back to the infield. That catch, and throw, kept the Indians from taking a lead in Game Two, and helped the Giants to sweep the series.
Mays was far more than that one play. He was a 24 time All Star, and won two MVP awards. His defensive brilliance was notable, as he won 12 Gold Glove awards. Mays was one of eight players in major league history to hit 300 homers and steal 300 bases, and one of only 11 players with at least 2500 hits, 500 doubles, 100 triples, and 200 homers.
As one would expect, Mays had quite the impressive career. He produced a .304/.385/.564 batting line with the Giants, hitting 646 homers and stealing 336 bases. Mays is also prominent on the center fielder leaderboard as well. His 7022 putouts are the most of any center fielder in baseball history, and he ranks second in assists and runs saved.
Next: Los Angeles Dodgers Mount Rushmore
Willie Mays was one of the top all around talents the game has ever seen. The greatest player in the history of the San Francisco Giants organization, he may well be the greatest player in baseball history.