When the New York (baseball) Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958, their fans in New York weren't the only ones feeling the heartache of losing their team. For decades, the San Francisco Seals were a major force in the City by the Bay. They marked their last season there by winning the Pacific Coast League's pennant in 1957 when they were an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
The following year, they moved to Phoenix and became the top farm team of the newly arrived Giants who displaced them and this week's Fresh Fitted Friday selection is the cap they wore:
While the city of San Francisco gained a tremendous treasure with the Giants, I can’t help but feel that the Seals’ departure left many fans feeling dismayed. They would get over it eventually and the fans in Phoenix especially had lots to cheer about.
One of my favorite Giants from the 1960’s and 70’s (who isn’t named Willie Mays) was Willie McCovey and he had a two year stint with the Phoenix Giants before he made it to the big leagues. Even if they didn't realize it at the time, I'm pretty sure the good people of Phoenix were happy to have a future member of the Hall of Fame on that inaugural team.
Incidentally, the shifting of the Seals' thus prompted the Minneapolis Millers, who were the Giants' Triple-A team from 1946 to 1957, to became affiliated with the Red Sox. The shuffling continued in 1961 when the Washington Senators relocated to Minneapolis and became the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox then made the Seattle Rainiers their top affiliate. Minor league baseball is crazy stuff.
That partnership ended up being a mutually beneficial one as that Giants established their territorial rights in Arizona while Phoenix solidified their presence as a serious baseball market enough to be chosen for an expansion team in 1998.
Of course that meant the end of the minor league affiliation between Phoenix and San Francisco however I still believe that every Arizona Diamondbacks fan is probably a Giants fan first and then a D-backs fan second. That is what makes sense to me but then again I still feel strangely about Major League Baseball having teams in Arizona and Florida.
I realize that the expansion teams in those states have won three World Series collectively but it's still hard for me to think of those states being for anything other than Spring Training and rookie leagues!
This cap isn't for sale or trade however don't hesitate to reach out if there's something you like on the Trading Block and you are willing to part with any of the hats on my Wish List.
The following year, they moved to Phoenix and became the top farm team of the newly arrived Giants who displaced them and this week's Fresh Fitted Friday selection is the cap they wore:
 |
| I love this cap but it gets tiresome when people constantly confuse it for a Pittsburgh Pirates cap. It's orange not yellow, folks! |
 |
| That green satin underbrim is what dreams are made of... |
 |
| Nothing but the best quality production from the good folks at Ebbets Field Flannels! |
 |
| Made in USA, every single time. Ride with Pride! |
 |
| This shot of "Willie Mac" is the best photo I could find featuring Phoenix Giants from that era. One thing that is a bit wonky here is the "P" looks a bit more narrow than the one in the cap shown above. |
While the city of San Francisco gained a tremendous treasure with the Giants, I can’t help but feel that the Seals’ departure left many fans feeling dismayed. They would get over it eventually and the fans in Phoenix especially had lots to cheer about.
One of my favorite Giants from the 1960’s and 70’s (who isn’t named Willie Mays) was Willie McCovey and he had a two year stint with the Phoenix Giants before he made it to the big leagues. Even if they didn't realize it at the time, I'm pretty sure the good people of Phoenix were happy to have a future member of the Hall of Fame on that inaugural team.
Incidentally, the shifting of the Seals' thus prompted the Minneapolis Millers, who were the Giants' Triple-A team from 1946 to 1957, to became affiliated with the Red Sox. The shuffling continued in 1961 when the Washington Senators relocated to Minneapolis and became the Minnesota Twins. The Red Sox then made the Seattle Rainiers their top affiliate. Minor league baseball is crazy stuff.
But I digress. Enough about the bloody Red Sox; this post is supposed to be about the Giants, dangnamit. The whole point of showing you photos of this sweet Phoenix Giants cap is to recognize the longstanding relationship between San Francisco and Phoenix.
Of course that meant the end of the minor league affiliation between Phoenix and San Francisco however I still believe that every Arizona Diamondbacks fan is probably a Giants fan first and then a D-backs fan second. That is what makes sense to me but then again I still feel strangely about Major League Baseball having teams in Arizona and Florida.
I realize that the expansion teams in those states have won three World Series collectively but it's still hard for me to think of those states being for anything other than Spring Training and rookie leagues!
This cap isn't for sale or trade however don't hesitate to reach out if there's something you like on the Trading Block and you are willing to part with any of the hats on my Wish List.
As always, thanks for coming back to read about baseball hat geekery. I've got comments disabled here so please feel free to reach out via any of the following social sites:
Instagram: @baseballmilquetoast
Twitter: @FittedFriday
Comments