by Matt Mahan

Created on: July 27, 2008

The San Francisco Giants have been a team of Major League Baseball for over 100 years in one form or another. Through their many years of existence, some really great players have donned their uniform. From their early existence in 1883 as the New York Gothams, to their present day location on the bay, the Giants list of greatest players is a who's who in baseball history.

Any mention of the greatest players of the Giants has to start and end with the legendary Willie Mays. The Say Hey Kid played for the Giants for 21 years before spending two years with the Mets and finally retiring. His career accomplishments are the envy of rookies still today. 24 All-Star game appearances, 660 career home runs, a lifetime batting average of .302, over 1900 runs batted in, two National League Most Valuable Player awards, and considered by many to arguably be the best all-around player to ever play the game.

Willie McCovey was a towering left handed first baseman for the Giants for 19 years from 1959 -1973. 521 career home runs, over 1500 career runs batted in, National League Rookie of the Year in 1959, National League Most Valuable Player in 1969, the Bay inlet beyond right field is called "McCovey Cove" in his honor. His leadership and spirit are honored every year by the Giants in an award called the "Willie Mac". His number was retired by the Giants, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame on his first year of eligibility.

Juan Marichal was a pitcher for the Giants from 1960 - 1973. During his playing career, Marichal was known for his vertical leg kick and overpowering talent. A career won-loss record of 243-142 and an earned run average for his career of 2.89, puts him among the best pitchers the Giants ever had. A nine time All-Star, with over 2,300 career strikeouts over the course of a total 15 year career. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983, a statue of his unique wind up stands in front of the San Francisco Giants present day park.

No list of greatest players for the Giants can be considered complete without Barry Bonds. The all-time home run king, Bonds came to the Giants as a free agent in 1993 and played through the 2007 season. During his time in San Francisco, Bonds hit home runs at an amazing pace. 762 career total, 1996 career runs batted in, a career average of .298, 2935 total hits, 514 stolen bases, and the list can go on and on. Barry Bonds only had two blemishes to his illustrious career, he was considered extremely surly towards his teammates, fans and the media. The other was the steroids scandal the surrounded his playing time. Even with these negatives, Barry Bonds career must be included among the best in a Giants uniform, if not any other uniform.

The San Francisco Giants have had many great players in their organization through the years. The above four mentioned are the best of the best to play for that team.

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