1962 San Francisco Giants

 The Giants were the first great team in New York, but by the time they moved out west to San Francisco, they were arguably the third best. With so many Yankees v Dodgers World Series happening in the 50's, it was hard to argue for the Giants when the Dodgers always seemed to be the team finishing on top in the NL and the Yankees always winning the World Series. Even their 1954 World Series title was quickly overshadowed the following year when the Dodgers finally won it all, then the season after by Don Larsen's perfect game and yet another Yankee title.

From NY to California, the Giants were looking for a fresh start and to reclaim their winning ways of old. Making the trip out with them were the Dodgers, and while LA got back to winning almost immediately in 1959, the Giants were still looking to make their presence felt by 1962. In his 2nd year as manager, Alvin Dark navigated the Giants through yet another competitive season against the Dodgers, which of course ended in a deadlocked tie for the pennant.

The best-of-three tiebreaker series began in Candlestick Park, where the Giants scored a lopsided victory over Sandy Koufax, but the Dodger bats would wake up in the next game. The Giants had a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the 6th, but despite Jack Sanford's strong start, Dark still decided to bring in his Closer and Stu Miller would proceed to blow the lead, letting the Dodgers take a 7-5 lead before the inning ended. The Giants would rally to tie, but the Dodgers got a walk-off sac fly to win the game and force a decisive third game.

With the pennant on the line, the Giants would start future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal, but despite taking an early lead, the Dodgers held a 4-2 lead in their half of the 8th inning. It was then Dark felt required to pull his 19 game winner, but he had a secret anti-Dodgers weapon in the bullpen. The last time Don Larsen had pitched against the Dodgers in such a crucial situation, he was perfect. On this day, he issued a couple of intentional walks, but got three outs without allowing anyone to cross the plate. The Giants would then put up 4 runs in the top of the 9th and steal the game and pennant from their rivals.

With one rival vanquished, the Giants went to the World Series to face off with another familiar rival: the Yankees. It would be the sequel matchup between superstar Centerfielders Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, with Mays looking to avenge the defeat suffered in their rookie campaigns. Both teams would trade blows, sending the series to the do-or-die Game 7. Giants fans know how that one ended, a 1-0 game in the bottom of the 9th, tying and winning runs on base when Willie McCovey smacked a hard liner that Bobby Richardson was just able to reach up and snare to end the series in the Yankees favor.

That would prove to be San Francisco's best shot at a title for a long time. After two fruitless attempts in 1989 and 2002, they would finally get the job done in 2010, a lifetime after making the move west. A consolation was it kickstarted a dominating run that would see SF make up for lost time by winning championships 3 out of the next 5 years.

1962 was the midst of peak Willie Mays, where he'd just get edged out for MVP and led all of baseball with 49 Home Runs. He brought home yet another Gold Glove for his efforts as well.

Cepeda may not have been Willie Mays, but his 35 Home Runs and 114 RBI would be the stand out stats on most other teams. His .306 BA *was* better by 2 points though.

The remaining starting lineup. Not a bad group, especially when you consider the options they have at the typically "bad" positions for offense. Good supporting characters in a lineup that features an all time great hitting in Centerfield.

McCovey wasn't messing around with his chart. More of a reserve role in 1962, McCovey made the most of it with a scary chart that features very nice Home Run odds with that 10 on-base. With a Hall of Famer like McCovey on your bench, you enter those late inning situations with way more confidence.
And as Charles Schultz would later lament: if only he hit that liner two or three feet higher...

Remaining bench options for San Francisco. Unfair to compare them with McCovey, but most of them won't embarrass you either.

San Francisco's rotation. Marichal took his stingy chart to the all star game that season, while O'Dell and Sanford brought the good control to keep the Giants in the race. Sanford led the staff with a 24-7 record. O'Dell struck out 195.

Oh my goodness, and honest to God Closer! 19 Saves isn't exactly Mariano Rivera stats, but it was good enough for a 2nd place tie in the NL.

The remaining pitching staff. Gaylord Perry would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, and his assistance for the pennant winning Giants in his rookie campaign helped put him on that path. No terrible options in the pen, which makes it easier for Al Dark to bridge the gap from Starter to Closer.