San Francisco Giants 60 Seasons from Worst To Greatest: 40-35

By Stephen Ruderman

Jul 29, 2018

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 27: Tim Lincecum #55 of the San Francisco Giants walks to the dugout after striking out swining Andy Dirks #12 of the Detroit Tigers to end the eighth inning during Game Three of the Major League Baseball World Series at Comerica Park on October 27, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – OCTOBER 14: Statue of Juan Marichal is seen outside before Game Three of the National League Championship Series at AT&T Park on October 14, 2014 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon Henderson/Getty Images) /

37: [1970, 86-76, 3rd NL West]

The Giants had just finished an incredible run in the 1960s, and as the new decade came, many of the faces were familiar. Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Tito Fuentes, Jimmy Davenport and Mike McCormick were all still with the club, and they all hoped for the same success at the beginning of the new decade.

The Giants finished second in the brand-new National League West in 1969, and they were poised to make another run in 1970. Unfortunately, things wouldn’t turn out as planned. The Giants played .500 ball throughout April, May, and June, and the starting rotation struggled through a very tough year. By the beginning of June, the season was already lost.

Still, there was still plenty for the fans to enjoy in 1970. The Giants’ offense was very powerful, as Mays, McCovey, Bobby Bonds, Ken Henderson and Dick Dietz all had tremendous seasons. McCovey’s .289 batting average was the lowest among them.

The true highlight of the season came on July 18, when Willie Mays got his 3,000th career hit at the Stick against Montreal Expos’ right-hander Mike Wegener.

Despite the disappointment of 1970, the Giants still had another run left in them the next season.