Do the New York Giants and San Francisco Giants ever get together? If Mike Francesa doesn’t know, nobody will. Playing for the Bay Area’s National League baseball team and the current New York NL resident that took their place (and their main color) is as close as we can get.
Here are a few who suited up in blue, orange, and black.
Willie Mays – Giants (1951-72), Mets (1972-73)
For six seasons, Willie Mays‘ diversified skill set established him as a New York legend. Fans were enamored with the hitting, running, and fielding ability of the ‘Say Hey Kid. Among them was Joan Payson—a shareholder in the Giants organization when they occupied the Polo Grounds. Mays continued to build his exemplary resume out west, surpassing 600 homers and 3,000 hits while collecting All-Star appearances, Gold Gloves, and MVPs.
At age 41, with his days as a Giants starter limited, the Mets’ original owner brought him home. A trade made in May ’72 turned Willie into a Met. He homered in his debut at Shea, ironically against San Francisco. He was more of an old Willie Mays than the Willie Mays of old, but there was something appropriate about him finishing where he started.
Kevin Mitchell – Mets (1984-86), Giants (1987-91)
He was in New York for a good time, but not a long time. Kevin Mitchell was a versatile piece on the 1986 club (playing six different positions) showing flashes of his ability. Traded to San Diego not too long after the championship celebration for Kevin McReynolds, it was a deal that, in retrospect, chipped away at the swagger and personality of the title-winning club.
It wasn’t long before Mitchell went from his hometown team to San Francisco, where he got a chance to truly showcase his talents. His 1989 season was among the best of the decade: 47 home runs, 125 RBIs, a 1.023 OPS, and a 192 OPS+. All of those stats led the National League and he deservedly earned the MVP Award.
Gary Carter – Mets (1985-89), Giants (1990)
‘Kid’ is in the Hall of Fame as a Montreal Expo and is a World Series champion as a New York Met. While his career ended back where it started in Canada, he spent two twilight seasons in his home state (beginning with the Giants and then with the Dodgers).
Gary Carter arrived in New York in an unexpected blockbuster deal. The Mets suddenly had the game’s best catcher, a player who could nurture a pitching staff and provide power at the plate. He did both right away, with an emerging young staff led by Dwight Gooden while surpassing the 100-RBI mark in ’85 and ’86. The wear and tear of a grueling position started to become apparent, and with his contract expiring after the 1989 season, he said farewell to Queens and hello to San Francisco, where he set the National League mark for games caught.
Darryl Strawberry – Mets (1983-90), Giants (1994)
The first eight years of a career loaded with expectations showed plenty of promise and fulfillment but still left fans wanting more. Darryl Strawberry expressed displeasure several times with the details of his contract, especially once it was nearing its end after 1990 and Strawberry expressed great interest in playing closer to home in Los Angeles.
When granted free agency, Strawberry did just that—signing with the Dodgers. Strawberry’s tenure in L.A. went downhill and as he moved up the coast for ’94, his off-field troubles only got worse. Darryl played a mere 29 games as a Giant, hitting just four homers and driving in 17.
Jeff Kent – Mets (1992-96), Giants (1997-02)
He’s the most prolific home run hitter among second basemen. Jeff Kent deserves more Hall of Fame consideration, and his performance in San Francisco is the main reason why. He was hard to get along with (just ask Barry Bonds) but his numbers were more than worth any trouble—averaging 25 homers and 115 RBIs with a 136 OPS+ over six seasons. It would’ve been hard to believe during his days in New York that the 2000 NL MVP would rise to that level.
Arriving from Toronto in a trade that sent David Cone north of the border, Kent was a solid contributor to a terrible team. In 1993, his first full season, he tallied 21 homers and drove in 80 runs. A slightly better-than-league-average player, Kent eventually made it to the bay via Cleveland—where he part of an infamous deal for Carlos Baerga.
Edgardo Alfonzo – Mets (1995-02), Giants (2003-05)
“Fonzie” went from undrafted free agent to Mets Hall of Famer. He became an established regular by 1997, an overlooked star by 1999—the year he hit 27 homers, drove in 108 runs, and batted over .300, and a clutch postseason performer by 2000—after several key home runs and an October hit streak that reached 13.
By 2002, Edgardo Alfonzo‘s back problems took a toll on his production. He slahshed .308/.391/.459 but barely showing much in the way of power. He departed New York on good terms but still without a fully healthy body. That was more apparent as a Giant. In three years with San Francisco, his OPS+ dropped to 88 and he managed just 26 home runs.
Armando Benitez – Mets (1999-03), Giants (2005-07)
A look at Armando Benitez‘s regular-season statistics with the Mets indicates he was an elite reliever. A review of his postseason performance shows why evaluating a closer on the regular season alone is misleading. Benitez was among the best bullpen arms during the years in which New York was in contention—including 84 over a two-year span (2000-01). But the consequence of being a closer is that it’s not how many you save, it’s when you save them. Or don’t.
Once Benitez wore out his welcome in Queens, he headed to Florida for a year before joining the Giants. The Mets got a small measure of satisfaction in June 2006 their old friend came in to protect a two-run lead at Shea and gave up a tying homer by promising outfielder Lastings Milledge.
Carlos Beltrán – Mets (2005-11), Giants (2011)
He averaged 30 homers, 108 RBIs, and 39 doubles per 162 games over six full seasons complimented Carlos Beltrán‘s outstanding outfield range that resulted in three Gold Gloves. If he ever makes the Hall of Fame with one team, it would be as a Met. His Giants career, on the other hand, was almost forgettable. Not because it was bad, but because it was short: 44 regular-season games in which he slashed .323/.359/.551.
If anything, Mets fans remember his time in San Francisco for the simple fact that he was traded there near the 2011 trade deadline. Also, too, because of who he was traded for. The return on Beltrán turned out to be pretty good even if he’s thriving in a rival town: Zack Wheeler.
Wilmer Flores – Mets (2013-18), Giants (2020-present)
Even when he’s not a Met, Wilmer Flores still feels like one. Any hit against his first team still doesn’t sting too bad. That speaks highly to Wilmer’s likability. It was clearly apparent in July 2015, when an apparent trade caused him to shed tears on the field and the game-winning home run against the Nationals kickstarted the team’s run through October.
Flores became the team’s all-time walk-off king before he was off to Arizona for a year and then ended up at his current home. His numbers with the Giants are pretty similar to what they were in New York. Knowing how badly they needed a right-handed designated hitter last year, his presence would have been useful. And as far as emotional ties go, Wilmer is very much missed.
