In 1969 fans chose Alvin Dark as the top shortstop in Giants’ history. He won the 1948 Rookie of the Year award, hit .300 four times, led the NL in doubles once, led league shortstops three times each in putouts and double plays, and hit 20 or more home runs and scored over 100 runs twice each. Dark’s single in the ninth inning of the third 1951 NL playoff game started the rally that culminated in Bobby Thomson’s famous pennant-winning homer. As a manager, Dark won the 1962 NL pennant for San Francisco and the 1974 World Championship with Oakland. While leading San Francisco, he once tore off a finger at the joint throwing a metal chair after a loss. After finding religion, his calmer personality enabled him to work two tours for A’s owner Charlie Finley.
