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Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2011 06:56 AM

I think this is kinda cool... The New York Times wrote: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York By TYLER KEPNER On Oct. 2, 1954, before almost 80,000 fans at Cleveland Stadium, the Indians’ Dale Mitchell popped out against Johnny Antonelli to give the New York Giants their fifth World Series championship. There is no footage of Willie Mays and friends hoisting the commissioner’s trophy in triumph. Back then, there was no such thing. Baseball did not present its champion with the familiar ring of flags until 1967, and the Giants did not earn it until last November, more than a half-century after they moved to San Francisco. Next week, they will take the trophy to their ancestral home with a public visit to New York. “It’s our new rock star,” Larry Baer, the Giants’ president, said of the trophy. “It’s our celebrity. It’s the most popular member of our organization right now.” If so, then Mays, the 79-year-old Hall of Famer, is probably just behind, along with Buster Posey, the cleanup-hitting catcher. Posey will be in Manhattan on Jan. 22 to receive his National League Rookie of the Year award at the New York baseball writers’ dinner, and the Giants will make an event of it. “Toward the top of our list, after winning, was doing something for our fans in New York,” Baer said. “We’ve got a tremendous number of people who talk about their childhood days following the Giants, and now their dream has been fulfilled with the San Francisco Giants winning.” On Jan. 21, Baer said, the Giants plan to take the trophy to P.S. 46 in Manhattan, near the site where the Polo Grounds once stood. Mays, who starred there at the beginning of his career, will come along. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the next day, the Giants will display the trophy at the Hilton New York, where fans can have their photograph taken with it. From 3 to 5 p.m., the trophy will visit Finnerty’s in the East Village, which calls itself the largest San Francisco Giants bar in New York. Baer said he also hoped to meet with members of the New York Giants’ historical society. By now, most of the association’s members have accepted the franchise’s departure after the 1957 season. “There was a dark cloud when the Giants and the Dodgers left New York,” Baer said. “But I think now, 53 years later, everybody sort of realizes that baseball in California has flourished, baseball in New York has continued to flourish, and we can celebrate the accomplishment on both coasts for a team whose roots are in New York.” While they are here, Baer said, the Giants ideally would like to stage a stickball game with Mays, who famously played it with fans in the old days. But that might be unrealistic. “It’s so cold,” Baer said. “It would probably be tough to pull off in mid-January.

metirish Jan 14 2011 07:05 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

New York Giants’ historical society. Greg is a member IIRC. I think it's really cool they are bringing it here.

DocTee Jan 14 2011 08:31 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Finnerty’s in the East Village, which calls itself the largest San Francisco Giants bar in New York. I'd like to find the corollary to that in SF. There is a Jets bar in the city, I am told.

Ceetar Jan 14 2011 08:35 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

DocTee wrote: Finnerty’s in the East Village, which calls itself the largest San Francisco Giants bar in New York. I'd like to find the corollary to that in SF. There is a Jets bar in the city, I am told. Pretty unrelated, but did you know there's a freaking Eagles bar way out on LI?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2011 08:39 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

In Hauppauge, right? Along Route 347? I think I've driven past it.

Ceetar Jan 14 2011 08:42 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Benjamin Grimm wrote: In Hauppauge, right? Along Route 347? I think I've driven past it. Not sure what town, but yeah that's the one. pissed me off when I happened by it a couple of times.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 14 2011 09:04 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

DocTee wrote: Finnerty’s in the East Village, which calls itself the largest San Francisco Giants bar in New York. I'd like to find the corollary to that in SF. There is a Jets bar in the city, I am told. R Bar downtown, on Polk (I think). My cousins have taken me by there a couple of times when I've visited. (It's where they watch Jets games... when they're not watching them at the sorta-Patriots bar that a friend of theirs owns. My cousins, they like to stir the pot.) But, yeah, this is a rather standup move from the Giants.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2011 09:08 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

I wonder if any other relocated teams have done anything like this? (Dodgers, Braves, Athletics...) My guess is they probably didn't.

Ceetar Jan 14 2011 09:16 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I wonder if any other relocated teams have done anything like this? (Dodgers, Braves, Athletics...) My guess is they probably didn't. The Yankees never bring their trophies back to Baltimore..

Edgy DC Jan 14 2011 09:19 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Let me throw out there that I think the trophy is an ugly thing. Anticlimactically so.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2011 09:38 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

I think I agree. It's a bit over designed.

G-Fafif Jan 14 2011 01:22 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Baer said he also hoped to meet with members of the New York Giants’ historical society. By now, most of the association’s members have accepted the franchise’s departure after the 1957 season. "Most" -- yes, there are still a few who fume and will never forgive Horace Stoneham (actually nobody there will ever forgive Horace Stoneham), but the NY Giants Baseball Nostalgia Society remains a hotbed of SF Giants loyalists when not celebrating the franchise pre-1958 history (which is the part I'm interested in, so I cheerfully endure all the we/us talk where Kung Fu Panda, et al is concerned). The SFG's have been most gracious and solicitous toward our group's guiding light/fearless leader in terms of bringing the trophy and at least two Giants Rookies of the Year -- one reigning, one classic -- to meet the membership. I'm very happy for these guys.

Willets Point Jan 14 2011 01:36 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I wonder if any other relocated teams have done anything like this? (Dodgers, Braves, Athletics...) My guess is they probably didn't. The closest thing I can remember is in the NHL. After playing for the Bruins for decades, Ray Bourque was traded to the Avalanche for a chance at finally winning a Stanley Cup. After the Avalanche won, Bourque brought the trophy to Boston for a celebration with 20,000 of his Boston fans.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 14 2011 01:44 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

I bet the 1959 Dodgers, just two seasons removed from Brooklyn, didn't give a moment's consideration to sharing the joy with their Brooklyn fans*. Of course, the O'Malleys probably didn't dare go anywhere near Brooklyn in 1959. *And by that I mean the ones who actually continued to root for the Dodgers. I'm pretty sure it was not a high percentage. But I do remember a Dodgers fan that I worked with in the mid-80's. He continued to root for them because the Brooklyn team was his favorite as a child, and it didn't even bother him at all that they moved their home games 3,000 miles away. I couldn't fathom that.

G-Fafif Jan 14 2011 02:12 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

The Giants have had the benefit of time healing most wounds -- or were clever enough to wait more than a half-century in SF to win a World Series. Taking a victory lap through Brooklyn in 1959 (even without a trophy, as it wasn't introduced until 1967) woulda been enough to get dem Bums moiduhed. Of course that's the organization that's sued bar owners and other small businesses for having the temerity to play off the Brooklyn Dodger name in their non-baseball commerce.

Gwreck Jan 21 2011 10:10 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

G-Fafif on the ESPN Mets Blog on Mays and the WS Trophy here in NY.

metirish Jan 22 2011 10:36 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

G-Fafif on the ESPN Mets Blog on Mays and the WS Trophy here in NY. I saw Rubin promoting Greg on twitter last night , good piece....congrats :Greg Prince debuts on Mets blog......."....more to come?

batmagadanleadoff Jan 22 2011 10:40 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

metirish wrote: ....more to come? I hope so.

G-Fafif Jan 22 2011 01:23 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Thanks guys. Fun two days with the only Met to wear 24 between Jim Beauchamp and Kelvin Torve. That's how Mays insists on being introduced. Really.

Fman99 Jan 22 2011 01:59 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Gwreck wrote: G-Fafif on the ESPN Mets Blog on Mays and the WS Trophy here in NY. That is freakin awesome.

G-Fafif Jan 23 2011 03:35 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Part II (essentially) on ESPN NY of me chasing Willie Mays around town and reminding him he was a Met.

metsguyinmichigan Jan 24 2011 07:50 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Among your very best. Greg! Beautiful. And, I might add, this is EXACTLY the kind of stuff ESPN NY needs!

Edgy DC Jan 24 2011 08:12 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Fine work. Does anybody else remember Willie DH-ing for the Mets around 1979 in a spring training exhibition game, going 2-4 at about 49 years old?

Benjamin Grimm Jan 24 2011 08:38 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Gwreck wrote: G-Fafif on the ESPN Mets Blog on Mays and the WS Trophy here in NY. That was great! (And thanks for including the UMDB link.) Too bad Willie didn't give you one of his hundred dollar bills!

metirish Jan 24 2011 08:51 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

G-Fafif wrote: Part II (essentially) on ESPN NY of me chasing Willie Mays around town and reminding him he was a Met. Brilliant , really happy for you to have met him, sure I'd love to meet him but it wouldn't mean anything close to what it means to you.

G-Fafif Jan 24 2011 09:40 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

1) Thanks all. 2) My pleasure re: UMDB. What a resource. 3) Yes, a hundred-dollar bill would have been superb. 4) I may be close to tracking down the DH information. What I've been able to confirm is he managed a game in Puerto Rico in Joe Torre's absence in March 1979, as Torre flew back to St. Pete to confront yet another Met crisis (it appeared they would soon resume sucking and something had to be done about it). It would make sense that Willie might plug himself into the lineup in PR considering he was huge there in his winter league days. He was huge everywhere, actually, but particularly so there.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 10:13 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

G-Fafif wrote: Part II (essentially) on ESPN NY of me chasing Willie Mays around town and reminding him he was a Met. Nice piece, Greg. But when I first saw the link (above) and the word "chasing", I imagined you as a nutty version of Michael Moore, and Mays as your GM CEO. (Whew.)

G-Fafif Jan 24 2011 10:18 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

batmagadanleadoff wrote: G-Fafif wrote: Part II (essentially) on ESPN NY of me chasing Willie Mays around town and reminding him he was a Met. Nice piece, Greg. But when I first saw the link (above) and the word "chasing", I imagined you as a nutty version of Michael Moore, and Mays as your GM CEO. (Whew.) I almost used "stalking" in the article, but that didn't sound quite right (or legal).

batmagadanleadoff Jan 24 2011 10:21 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

G-Fafif wrote: G-Fafif wrote: Part II (essentially) on ESPN NY of me chasing Willie Mays around town and reminding him he was a Met. Nice piece, Greg. But when I first saw the link (above) and the word "chasing", I imagined you as a nutty version of Michael Moore, and Mays as your GM CEO. (Whew.) I almost used "stalking" in the article, but that didn't sound quite right (or legal). Did you edit that post? I don't know if I remember the word "stalking" instead of "chasing" or if I'm imagining (or projecting) the word.

G-Fafif Jan 24 2011 10:28 AM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

I used chasing. Did not edit it.

G-Fafif Jan 25 2011 06:47 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

Edgy DC wrote: Does anybody else remember Willie DH-ing for the Mets around 1979 in a spring training exhibition game, going 2-4 at about 49 years old? Couldn't find evidence of Willie DH'ing in spring training in his coaching days (he did come out of retirement to DH at the 1976 HOF game, vs. Henry Aaron and the Brewers; no hits), but I have learned: a) he indeed managed the Mets a game in Puerto Rico in 1979, a win over the Pirates (assuming the Bucs were a draw in PR because of the Clemente factor) b) back on the mainland, Steve Henderson, nursing a sore hamstring back to health, got into a game at St. Petersburg...as a St. Louis Cardinal. He DH'd vs. the Phillies while a major league Met, singled and walked twice. Lou Brock, however, retained his job as Redbird left fielder.

batmagadanleadoff Jan 25 2011 07:56 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

G-Fafif wrote: ([Willie] did come out of retirement to DH at the 1976 HOF game, vs. Henry Aaron and the Brewers; no hits)

Edgy DC Jan 25 2011 08:16 PM Re: Fifty-Six Years Later, Giants Bringing Trophy to New York

That's perhaps what I'm thinking of. But for some reason, "at the age of 49" sticks in my head.