San Francisco Giants: The all-time bracket
By Bill Felber
San Francisco Giants: The All-Time Bracket
No. 1 vs. 8 seed
The 1954 club, led by Leo Durocher, compiled a 97-57 regular-season record before surprising the favored Cleveland Indians in the World Series. In his first season since returning from military duty, Willie Mays batted .345, three points better than right fielder Don Mueller. Mays also hit 41 home runs and drove in 110.
He was an obvious Most Valuable Player selection.
Left-hander Johnny Antonelli led the pitching staff with a 21-7 record and 2.30 ERA in 37 starts. Ruben Gomez added a 17-9 record in 32 starts.
The 1989 pennant winners presented an equally impressive offense. Outfielder Kevin Mitchell hit 47 homers with 125 RBIs, and first baseman Will Clark batted .333 with 111 RBIs.
Veteran Rick Reuschel led an experienced pitching staff with a 17-8 record in 32 starts.
Game 1: The 1954 team’s 97-57 .630 regular season performance is nine games better than the 1989 team’s 92-70 .568.
Game 2: The 1989 club beat the Cubs in a four-game NLCS before losing to Oakland in four straight. Their post-season percentage was .444. But it wouldn’t have mattered because the 1954 team went 4-0 through the post-season, and you can’t beat perfect.
Game 3: The 1954 team was only ordinary offensively. Their team OPS+ was just 95. The 1989 team had a 104 OPS+.
Game 4:The Reuschel-led 1989 staff had an ERA+ of 102. But the 1954 team carried a 132 staff ERA+. That will be tough to beat.
Game 5: The 1954 champions wrap it up with a 52.5 WAR that is 13 points better than the 1989 team’s 39.3.
Result: 1954 in five games