R.I.P. Gary Carter

• Gary Carter passed away today at the age of 57. Brain cancer was the culprit. It's sad news -- Gary was one of my favorites, especially when he was with the Expos.
• Carter was with the Giants for only one season (1990). He batted .254 with 9 HR and 27 RBI in 92 games. Gary split time with Terry Kennedy behind the plate that year. 
• After the 1990 season Carter became a free agent and ended up signing with the LA Dodgers.

1991 Topps Giants - Part 1

This is a great card of Roger Craig (#579). The 1991 Giants were mediocre at best. They had trouble scoring runs --- the power was there but they didn't get on base enough. There also were problems in the starting rotation.

Team Record: 75-87 (4th in NL West, 19 games behind Atlanta)

Team Batting: .246 (7th in NL)

Team HR: 141 (3rd in NL)

Team ERA: 4.03 (12th in NL)

Team Fielding: .982 (1st in NL)

Attendance: 1,737,478 (10th in NL)

Gold Glove Winners: Will Clark (1B); Matt Williams (3B)

Silver Slugger Winners: Will Clark (1B)

NL All Stars: Will Clark (starting 1B)

NL Leaders: Will Clark (.536 slugging pct.); Bud Black (losses, 16); John Burkett (hit by pitch, 10)

Team Leaders:

Batting Average - Willie McGee (.312)

Home Runs - Matt Williams (34)

RBI - Will Clark (116)

Stolen Bases - Willie McGee (17)

Wins - Trevor Wilson (13)

Saves - Dave Righetti (24)

Terry Kennedy (#66) batted .234 in 171 AB

Gary Carter (#310) didn't play for the Giants in 1991. He left the Giants after the 1990 season and signed with the LA Dodgers.

Bill Bathe (#679) didn't play for the Giants in 1991. He was released by the Giants after the 1990 season and retired.

Steve Decker (#29T) batted .206 in 233 at bats.

Others who caught for the Giants in 1991 but who didn't get 1991 Topps Giants cards:

Kirt Manwaring (.225 in 178 AB)

1990 Topps Giants Part 1

1990 San Francisco Giants

• Team record: 85-77 (3rd in NL West - 6 games behind Cincinnati Reds)
• Attendance: 1,975,528 (8th of 12)
• Team batting: .262 - 3rd in NL
• Team home runs: 152 - 3rd in NL
• Team ERA: 4.08 - 9th in NL
• Team fielding: .983 - 1st in NL
• Gold Gloves: none
• Silver Sluggers: Don Robinson (P), Matt Williams (3B)
• All Stars: Will Clark (starting 1B), Kevin Mitchell (starting LF), Jeff Brantley (P), Matt Williams (3B)

Roger Craig (#351) managed the Giants from the end of the 1985 season through the 1992 season. His record with the Giants was 586-566 (.509). He won two NL West titles (1987 and 1989) and one NL pennant (1989).

Gary Carter (#19T) batted .254 with nine home runs in 92 games. He was released by the New York Mets and signed by the Giants before the 1990 season. He left the Giants after the season as a free agent.

Kirt Manwaring (#678) batted .154 in 13 at bats for the Giants in 1990. He had two short stints with the Giants and spent the rest of the season with AAA Phoenix.

Terry Kennedy (#372) was the starting catcher. He batted .277 with 22 doubles and two home runs in 303 at bats.

The following players saw action behind the plate for the Giants in 1990 but didn't get Topps cards:

• Steve Decker (.296 in 54 at bats)
• Bill Bathe (.229 in 48 at bats)
• Mark Bailey (.143 in 7 at bats)