SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS INFORMATION: Founded: 1883 (in San Francisco since 1958)
Location: San Francisco, California
Stadium: AT&T Park
Conference: National League
Division: West Division
Rivals: Los Angeles Dodgers
Notable Players: Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Will Clark, Willie McCovey
San Francisco Giants World Series Title: 7 - Last World Series appearance 2012
San Francisco Giants NL Championships: 22 - Last Championship appearance 2012
The San Francisco Giants are one of the oldest franchises in the Major Leagues, dating back to 1883 when they played in New York City as the Gothams. After changing their name to the Giants in 1885, the team would play for decades in the Big Apple, capturing five World Series championships and giving Hall of Famer Willie Mays his start in the big leagues. After the team's move to the West Coast in 1958, they have won a World Series championship, seven division titles and made five appearances in the league championship series.
Upon moving to San Francisco, the Giants boasted a lineup that contained many future Hall of Famers, such as Willie McCovey, Jaun Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Willie Mays, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the National League. In 1962, the team would appear in their first World Series since moving to the West Coast. It would be an emotionally-charged event, as the Giants were pitted against their former crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees. The series was pushed to a seventh game, but Willie McCovey's rally fell just short to give the Yankees yet another title.
The Giants made appearances in the World Series in 1989 thanks to the stellar play of Kevin Mitchell and Will Clark, who finished 1-2 in the MVP voting. The series was overshadowed by the 7.1 earthquake that devastated the area, and the Giants couldn't muster the drive to contend with the Oakland Athletics. In 2002, the team made another World Series appearance behind the big bat of MVP Barry Bonds, but he was walked in the championship a record 13 times, and couldn't deliver the offense needed to overcome the Anaheim Angels.
In 2010, the Giants finally shook the postseason monkey off their back when they faced the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Led by pitching phenom Tim Lincecum and the steady bats of Buster Posey, Edgar Renteria and Cody Ross, the Giants made quick work of the Rangers in five games to win their first title since their New York days.
Fresh off their World Series championship in 2010, the Giants have one of the best rosters in the National League and look to be a dynasty in the making.
See Also:
San Francisco Giants playoff tickets
San Francisco Giants Season Preview History