60 YEARS WORTH OF MEMORIES

SINCE THE GIANTS MOVED WEST IN 1958, THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF EXCITING MOMENTS, MEMORABLE CHARACTERS OR CRUEL HEARTBREAKS IN SAN FRANCISCO. HERE’S A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE.

Aug. 19, 1957

“We’re going to San Francisco,’’ owner Horace Stoneham declares after years of declining attendance at the Polo Grounds. When Stoneham was told New York kids love the Giants, the owner replied: “Yes, but I haven’t seen many of their fathers at the games lately.”

April 15, 1958

In the first major league game played on the West Coast, the Giants rock Don Drysdale and beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-0 at Seals Stadium. Daryl Spencer and Orlando Cepeda homer. (opposite page, top)

July 30, 1959

Willie McCovey goes 4 for 4 with two triples against Robin Roberts in his major league debut. McCovey would win Rookie of the Year honors, following Cepeda, who won it in ’58.

April 12, 1960

Candlestick Park opens with a 3-1 victory over the Cardinals. Baseball fans would continue to shiver through 1999. (opposite page, bottom left)

April 30, 1961

Fighting off a bout of food poisoning, Willie Mays jumps back into the starting lineup against the Milwaukee Braves and hits four home runs, becoming the seventh player since 1900 to accomplish that feat. (bottom middle)

July 11, 1961

A stiff wind forces Giants reliever Stu Miller to sway on the mound at Candlestick Park — the most famous balk in All-Star Game history.

Oct. 16, 1962

McCovey blisters a line drive to Yankees second baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out of the World Series. Felipe Alou was at third base and Mays at second, and the 1-0 loss in Game 7 haunted McCovey for years.

July 2, 1963

Juan Marichal outduels Warren Spahn as both pitchers carry shutouts into the 16th inning. Mays ends the greatest pitching duel of all-time, 1-0, with a homer into the Candlestick Park seats. (this page, bottom right)