Scenes and Quotes From San Francisco and the Giants Clubhouse After Winning the 1962 Playoff

A while ago I hunted down the San Francisco Chronicle from the day after the Giants beat the Dodgers to win the 1962 N.L. pennant. It’s been overlooked by the World Series that followed, but the race was a thriller that nearly matched 1951’s, and was the start of the Giants-Dodgers rivalry in California. To celebrate the Giants’ return to the World Series, here are some tidbits from the post-game celebration:

Willie Mays: “Honestly I never thought we’d do it. I never thought we’d come back to win. . . never in a million years.

“This was it. This was the pressure. We won, see, we won. We got no time to worry about the Yankees now, we’ll take them as they come.

“This is my third World Series. I feel real good about the young fellows. I’m getting a big kick out of it it, but look at them–they’re wild. It’s wonderful. You know, we’ve got so many fine young ball players on this club, we should be up there fighting for the pennant for a long time. Me? Well, I hope to play for seven or eight years.”

Giants manager Alvin Dark: “I always felt like a play-off [would happen]. Way back when we were four out, I felt like a play-off.

“This series certainly renews a man’s faith.”

On the ninth-inning rally to beat the Dodgers: “When the inning began, I wished for two things to happen. I was hoping we could get one of our first two hitters–pinch-hitter Matty Alou or Harvey Kuenn–on base so I could send Willie McCovey, our left-handed power hitter, up to hit against their pitcher, Ed Roebuck. Naturally, I was fully aware that a home run by McCovey in a spot like this would tie the score.

“My other wish was to somehow get the tying run to third base with Willie Mays at bat. Who else would any manager rather have up there?

“Fortunately, I got both wishes.”

Willie McCovey: “This is the greatest moment in my life.”

The Chronicle reported that in the clubhouse,

Jose Pagan was intrigued by the entry of ex-Vice President Nixon. After Nixon recited the life history of Billy Pierce to the press, including Billy’s near-perfect game in 1957 against Washington, Jose muscled in and extended his hand.

For the first time Nixon fumbled. “Er . . . I beg your pardon but I don’t recognize you without your working clothes,” said Nixon. “Who are you?”

“I am Jose Pagan. I am happy you are here.”

The former Veep never received a warmer greeting from a Latin American neighbor.

Superintendent of Schools Harold Spears said the San Francisco schools were going to keep their pupils apprised of the progress of Series games (game 1 started at noon on Thursday, October 4, three weeks earlier than the 2010 Series): “It’s a big day in San Francisco, and it will certainly carry over into the schools. It’s going to be a day where they can’t get along without that information.”

And the Chronicle’s legendary Herb Caen had this to say to the Yankees: “On behalf of all San Franciscans, we bid you welcome, Yankees. Welcome to a city that has always been big league, and has made major leaguers out of a club that had bush league support in New York. The cry around here used to be ‘Wait till next year!’, but next year is here at last, and now all we’re waiting for is you.”

San Francisco can only hope that last statement will finally come true in 2010.