San Francisco Giants: Picking the All-Time Greatest Giants Starting 9

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Before the team moved to San Francisco, the Giants were one of the most storied franchises during their hay-day in New York.

While the Giants won 17 National League Pennants in New York, the San Francisco team had only won four since moving to the west coast in 1957. 

However, this was not at all indicative of the talent that the San Francisco Giants have fielded in their 54 year history.

It could be argued that the Giants have possessed some of the greatest players of all time like Barry Bonds, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey and possibly the greatest player of all time, Willie Mays, the "Say Hey Kid."

Since their move to San Francisco, here is a list of the greatest Giants ever at all nine positions.

Starting Pitcher: Juan Marichal

After pitching for the San Francisco Giants for 14 big league seasons, Juan Marichal is considered to be the most dominant pitcher to ever toe the rubber for the orange and black.

People should have known he was destined for greatness when he one-hit the Phillies and struck out 12  in his first major league start.

After posting six 20-win seasons, nine All Star game appearances and a lifetime ERA of 2.89, it was good enough to earn him a statue in front of AT&T park where his famous high leg kick will live to be seen for a very long time.

 

Honorable Mention: Gaylord Perry

Catcher: Bengie Molina

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Now before you close the page and stop reading, hear me out for a second.

Firstly, it is important to know that the Giants have never really had a great catcher during their time in San Francisco.

Sure, names like Bob Brenly, Benito Santiago, or hell, maybe even Buster Posey come to mind when you think catchers for the Giants; however, none of those names put up the numbers that Bengie Molina did in his three full seasons with the club.

From 2007 to 2009, Molina's .277 batting average, .437 slugging percentage and 255 runs batted in were the highest of the 10 catchers who played in at least 350 games with the Giants.

On top of his offensive abilities, Molina also caught the young and electric pitching staff of the Giants and handled it quite well.

 

Honorable Mention: Benito Santiago

1st Base: Willie McCovey

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When you think about being a San Francisco Giant for life, you think Willie Mays who is the epitome of just that.

Not only does he attend practically every Giants home game, but he has an entire section of AT&T park named after him called McCovey cove, which is located near the brick wall in right field.

"Big Mac", or "Stretch", as his fans referred to him, was one of the most feared hitters in the MLB during his time.

He smacked 521 home runs in his career, 231 of which were at Candlestick Park which was the most by any player.

 

Honorable Mention: Will Clark

2nd Base: Jeff Kent

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Some believe that Jeff Kent revolutionized the game of baseball by being the first true power hitter at the second base position.

Kent has the most all time home runs for a second baseman with 377 and has an incredible 1,518 runs batted in to go along with.

Kent also won the MVP award in 2000 when he hit .334 with 33 home runs and 125 runs batted in, which are unheard of numbers when talking about second basemen.

It is a shame that he didn't get along with Barry Bonds because who knows what would've happened with both of them in the lineup together for a few more seasons.

 

Honorable Mention: Robby Thompson

3rd Base: Matt Williams

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The San Francisco Giants selected Matt Williams with the third-overall pick in the 1986 MLB draft.

Boy did he ever live up to all the hype.

Williams was a great all-around player who was nifty with the glove and powerful with the bat. He had six seasons (four with the Giants) where he hit at least 30 home runs an knocked in at least 90 runs.

On top of his baseball skills, "Matt the Bat" was also known as one of the nicer players around the league.

 

Honorable Mention: Jim Ray Hart

Shortstop: Rich Aurilla

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The Giants have never really had a great shortstop in their team's history, but Rich Aurilla is no doubt the closest thing to it.

Aurilla's best year with the Giants was in 2001 when he hit .324 with 37 home runs and 97 runs batted in which are incredible numbers for a shortstop.

 

Honorable Mention: Omar Vizquel 

Left Field: Barry Bonds

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I can still hear the roar of the crowd when Renel Brooks announces over the intercom at AT&T park, "now batting, number 25, Barry Bonds!"

You could literally feel the electricity of 40,000 fans waiting in anticipation to see the stadium light up with camera flashes when Bonds annihilated a baseball 450 feet. 

If the potential use of steroids weren't in the equation, Barry Bonds would undoubtedly be considered the best player of all time.

After accumulating 762 home runs, 1996 runs batted in, 514 stolen bases, 14 All Star games and seven MVP awards, its hard to argue otherwise.

 

Honorable Mention: Orlando Cepeda

Center Field: Willie Mays

Steroids or not, Willie Mays is considered by many to be the best player of all time.

Not only is he thought of as a living baseball legend, Mays is also a national figure who even the President of the United States would gasp in awe if in his presence.

After 20 All Star game appearances, (19 in a row) two MVP awards, 660 career home runs, 1903 runs batted in and 338 stolen bases, it's understandable for one to forget that "The Say Hey Kid" was also one of the best defensive center fielders of all time.

 

Honorable Mention: Chili Davis

Right Field: Bobby Bonds

Isn't it something that all three of the best outfielders in Giants history are actually family?

Willie Mays is Barry Bonds' godfather while Bobby Bonds is Barry's father.

I wonder what that family talks about at the dinner table every night...

While Bobby Bonds wasn't half the player that is son was, it shouldn't take anything away from the magnificent career he had.

The rare combination of power and speed is exactly what Bonds possessed. He was one of six players who earned the right to be in the 300/300 club (300 career home runs and stolen bases) which is obviously quite a feat.

 

Honorable Mention: Felipe Alou