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1969
"YOUR GIANTS"
The San Francisco Giants of a generation ago are now featured for the first time on a beautiful color, high-quality nostalgic video from "Rare Sportsfilms"! Narrated by long-time Giants broadcaster Russ Hodges, this 22-minute Giants promotional film is packed with shots of the Giants in action.
The 1969 Giants finished second only to the Atlanta Braves (who won 18 of their last 21 games to take the first N.L. Western Division title). The Giants split the season series with Atlanta (9-9) and finished only 3 games behind at season's end. Led by manager Clyde King, the club featured N.L. MVP Willie McCovey at first base, Ron Hunt at second, Hal Lanier at shortstop and Jim Davenport at third. Other infielders were Bobby Etheridge, Tito Fuentes, Don Mason and first baseman Bob Burda. The catching corps consisted of Dick Dietz, Jack Hiatt and Bob Barton. Willie Mays, Bobby Bonds and Ken Henderson were the outfield regulars, with Dave Marshall and Jim Ray Hart also seeing action.
Highlights of the year are covered, and Dick Dietz, Ken Henderson, McCovey, Bobby Bonds and Willie Mays are all shown hitting round trippers in this video. Bonds becomes only the fourth player in history to steal over 30 bases and hit 30 home runs in a single season (45 SB + 32 HR). Shown is the McCovey shift (implemented by several teams, including Cincinnati) and shown also is McCovey beating it (Bye-Bye Baby)! In '69, MVP McCovey lead the league with 45 home runs and 126 RBI in addition to hitting .320!
Even though the '69 Giants were a powerful club, manager Clyde King often made use of the bunt, and you'll see Ron Hunt and Tito Fuentes executing. Shown is action against the Reds, Braves, Mets and Dodgers. Bay Area fans usually went home happy after Giants-Dodger games in '69. The Giants beat the Dodgers more than any other team in the league, winning 13 of 18 games vs L.A.! In one Dodger game at Candlestick Park, McCovey is intentionally walked with no one on base in the bottom of the tenth inning of a tie game! The strategy comes back to haunt the Dodgers when another walk and an error score Willie with the winning run!
Pitching ace Juan Marichal was a 21-game winner (8 shutouts) and led the league with a 2.10 ERA. Workhorse Gaylord Perry added 19 wins and led the league with 325 IP. Twenty-two year-old Ron Bryant "should be a Giants starter for years to come"! Frank Linzy made 58 appearances and his 14 wins led all N.L. relievers in victories.
Promotional days at Candlestick Park are shown, including Cap Day and Old Timers Day. Back for the reunion are Chief Meyers, "Long George Kelly", Bobby Thomson, Monte Irvin, Don Mueller, Bill Rigney, Hank Thompson, Windy McCall, Johnny Antonelli, Ed Bressoud, Harvey Kuenn, Don Larsen, Casey Stengel and Lefty O'Doul.
Probably the highlights of the season, however are Willie Mays' 599th and 600th home runs. Both are shown, with actual radio play-by-play included. Mays, honored in August as the "Greatest Giant Ever", hits number 599 off Pat Jarvis vs the Braves at Candlestick, and later in San Diego, he hits #600!
You can get your own color copy of the 1969 Giants promotional film, now available on video for the first time ever, by sending $24.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. (Illinois residents add $2.00 sales tax.) You'll get your tape within a week!
"RARE SPORTSFILMS N",
1126 Tennyson Lane,
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 527-8890
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