Willie Mays here getting introduced in the Giants first home game at Seals Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers, their first game as well in California.
And while the 27-year-old Mays helped the Giants cause with two hits and two RBIs, it was their trio of rookies – third baseman Jim Davenport, first baseman Orlando Cepeda and right fielder Willie Kirkland – who shined the most and thrilled the 23,448 Seal Stadium fans in their 8-0 whitewash of the Dodgers. Both Spencer and Cepeda hit solo home runs while Kirkland knocked in the Giants 8th and final run of the game.
Despite the convincing win that left the new Giants fans buzzing about a possible pennant in their inaugural season in San Francisco, the Giants would only place third in the National League with a 80-74 record. The Dodgers even fared worst going 71-83 with a 7th place finish.
