1972 San Francisco Giants season

The 1972 San Francisco Giants season was the Giants' 90th year in Major League Baseball, 15th in San Francisco, and 13th at Candlestick Park. The defending division champions, the Giants fell to fifth in the National League West with a record of 69–86. It was their first losing season in San Francisco and the franchise's first losing season since 1957, their final year in New York City.

Offseason

• November 29, 1971: Gaylord Perry and Frank Duffy were traded by the Giants to the Cleveland Indians for Sam McDowell.
• February 2, 1972: Hal Lanier was purchased from the Giants by the New York Yankees.
• March 27, 1972: Rich Robertson was released by the Giants.

Regular season

On May 11, 41-year-old franchise legend Willie Mays was traded to the New York Mets for minor league pitcher Charlie Williams and US$50,000. At the time, the Giants franchise was losing money. Owner Horace Stoneham could not guarantee Mays an income after retirement.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Opening Day lineup

• Bobby Bonds
• Tito Fuentes
• Fran Healy
• Ken Henderson
• Dave Kingman
• Juan Marichal
• Willie Mays
• Willie McCovey
• Chris Speier

Notable transactions

• May 11, 1972: Willie Mays was traded by the Giants to the New York Mets for Charlie Williams and $50,000.
• June 6, 1972: Brian Asselstine was drafted by the Giants in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.
• June 6, 1972: Lenn Sakata was drafted by the Giants in the 14th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors

All-Star Game

• Chris Speier, Shortstop, Reserve
• Charlie Fox, Coach, National League

Farm system

References

External links

• 1972 San Francisco Giants team at Baseball-Reference
• 1972 San Francisco Giants team at Baseball Almanac