The Greatest Hitters in San Francisco Giants History

2008 will mark the Giants 50 year in San Francisco. While in San Francisco the Giants have had many great players. Here is a look at the greatest hitters to play for the San Francisco Giants. These numbers only take into account their years while in San Francisco and not New York.

Willie Mays (1958-1972) Many people say that Willie Mays was the greatest player to ever play the game. You won't get an argument from Giants fans. Willie Mays is the San Francisco Giants all-time leader in hits with 2284, doubles with 376, triples with 76. He also ranks third in team history with 459 home runs and 1350 RBI's while finishing with a .301 lifetime average in San Francisco. Willie Mays was the 1965 National League Most Valuable Player and also won 11 straight Gold Glove Awards from 1958-1968. Willie also holds the San Francisco single season record with 208 hits which he accomplished in 1958. On April 30, 1961 Willie Mays hit 4 home runs and drove in 8 runs which are both franchise records for a single game. Willie Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979 and his number 24 is retired by the Giants.

Barry Bonds (1993-2007) Though many will agree that Barry Bonds legacy has been tarnished with accusations that he used performance enhancing drugs the last few seasons, Barry Bonds still ranks as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Barry Bonds is the San Francisco Giants all-time leader in home runs (586) and RBI's (1440). He also holds the Giants single season record with 73 home runs in 2001 (which is also the Major League record). Barry Bonds has won 5 Most Valuable Player awards for the Giants including 4 in a row from 2001-2004.

Willie McCovey (1959-1973, 1977-1980) A tremendous power hitter Willie McCovey ranks 2^nd in San Francisco history with 469 home runs, 1388 RBI's and 1974 hits. He was voted the National League Most Valuable player in 1969 when he hit 45 home runs and drove in 126 RBI's. He was also voted the 1959 National League Rookie of the Year. He was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986 and his number 44 is retired by the Giants.

Will Clark (1986-1993) Will Clark broke in with the San Francisco Giants by hitting a home run on the first pitch he saw in the Majors off of Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. In his 8 season in San Francisco he 176 home runs and drove in 709 runs. He hit over .300 4 times with the Giants including a career best .333 in 1989. He also drove in over 100 runs 3 times for the Giants. In the 1989 League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs Will hit .650 and drove in 8 runs to lead the Giants to their first pennant since 1962.

Bobby Bonds (1968-1974) Overshadowed by his more famous son Barry, Bobby Bonds was a solid performer for the Giants. While with the Giants he hit 186 home runs and drove in 552 runs. He was also a tremendous base stealer, his 263 stolen bases is tied for best in San Francisco history with his son Barry. Bobby Bonds holds the San Francisco Giants single season record with 134 runs scored in 1970.

Orlando Cepeda (1958-1966) During his career with the San Francisco Giants, Orlando Cepeda hit 226 home runs and drove in 767 RBI's. Orlando Cepeda holds the San Francisco Giants single season record with 142 RBI's in 1961. He also hit over .300 six times during his Giant career. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. His number 30 is retired by the Giants.

Matt Williams (1987-1996) Matt Williams hit 247 home runs and drove in 732 runs for the San Francisco Giants. He drove in over 100 runs twice in his Giants career.

Jeff Kent (1997-2002) Jeff Kent hit 175 home runs for the San Francisco Giants. He hit over 20 home runs and drove in over 100 runs in each season he spent in San Francisco. Jeff Kent won the 2000 Most Valuable Player Award when he hit 33 home runs, drove in 125 runs and hit .334.