1977 Topps Baseball #211 - San Francisco Giants / Joe Altobelli
- Joe Altobelli didn't have much success as a major league player (.210 in 166 games in 1955, 1957, and 1961), but he had more success as a coach and manager.
- In 1966 Altobelli became a manager in the Baltimore Orioles system. He managed the AAA Rochester Red Wings to four first place finishes from 1971-1976.
- Even with his minor league managing success, Joe wouldn't be replacing Orioles manager Earl Weaver anytime soon. Altobelli took the opportunity to manage the San Francisco Giants in 1977.
- The Giants weren't so hot in 1977 (4th in NL West), but in 1978 they challenged for the NL West title (89-73, 6 games behind) and were in contention until late September.
- Altobelli was let go in 1979 during a disastrous season. The Giants were often called the "San Fiasco Giants" due to all of the things going wrong (injuries, discontented players, poor years, etc.). The Giants were 61-79 at the time of Altobelli's firing on September 6.
- Altobelli managed the AAA Columbus Clippers in 1980 and then was a coach with the New York Yankees for two season.
- Joe was hired to replace the retiring Weaver in Baltimore for the 1983 season and led the club to a World Championship.
- The Orioles finished 5th in the AL East in 1984 and in 1985 they were playing slightly above .500 when Joe was let go in mid June and replaced by Weaver.
- Joe coached for the Yankees in 1986 and in 1987 and then coached for the Chicago Cubs from 1988-1991.
- Altobelli was the General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings from 1991-1994 and then was a special assistant to the club president from 1995-1997. From 1998-2009 Joe was a color commentator for Red Wings home game broadcasts. Joe is now retired and living in Rochester.
- The San Francisco Giants were a team in transition in 1977. Real estate magnate Bob Lurie had bought the financially struggling club in 1976 in order to keep the team in San Francisco. Both the Giants and the nearby Oakland A's were having attendance struggles. The Giants signed veteran slugger Willie McCovey and he paid dividends by leading the club in home runs and RBI. San Francisco was a fourth place club in 1977, but the pieces were coming together for a run at the NL West title the following season.
- Record: 75-87, 4th in NL West, 23 games behind Los Angeles Dodgers
- Attendance: 700,056 (12th in NL)
- Team Batting: .253 (10th in NL)
- Team HR: 134 (6th in NL)
- Team Stolen Bases: 90 (9th in NL)
- Team ERA: 3.75 (5th in NL)
- Team Fielding: .972 (10th in NL)
- All Stars: Gary Lavelle (reliever)
- Awards: none
- NL Leaders: none
- Batting Leader: Bill Madlock (.302)
- Home Run Leader: Willie McCovey (28)
- RBI Leader: Willie McCovey (86)
- Stolen Base Leader: Gary Thomasson (16)
- Victories Leader: Ed Halicki (16)
- Losses Leader: Jim Barr (16)
- Strikeout Leader: Ed Halicki (168)
- Saves Leader: Gary Lavelle (20)
- ERA Leader (starters): Ed Halicki (3.32)
- ERA Leader (relievers): Gary Lavelle (2.05)
- Players who could have had Giants cards in 1977 (batters with over 100 AB, pitchers with over 40 innings) :
- Tim Foli (had card with Expos) - .228 in 104 games
- Bill Madlock (had card with Cubs) - .302 in 140 games
- Rob Andrews - .264 in 127 games
- Randy Elliott - .240 in 73 games
- Vic Harris - .261 in 69 games
- Terry Whitfield - .285 in 114 games
- Lynn McGlothen (had card with Cardinals) - 2-9, 5.63 ERA in 21 games (15 starts)
- Bob Knepper - 11-9, 3.36 ERA in 27 starts
- Terry Cornutt - 1-2, 3.86 ERA in 28 games (44.1 innings)
No comments:
Post a Comment