Books and articles about Daryl Spencer

RELATED LINKS » 1958: "So what does Spencer do but hit a grand slam in that wind and the game was over... When he crossed home plate, I didn't exactly compliment him. I cussed him out": Nick Testa Corrections » Bug #89 Around the Web » Daryl Spencer from mlb.com (01/31/02) » Daryl Spencer from baseball-reference.com Jump directly to Library content from any website!

Spencer hit a career-high 20 HR in his rookie 1953 season, although he batted only .208. He was used flexibly at shortstop, third base, and second base in manager Leo Durocher's complex lineup manipulation. After missing 1954-55 in the military, Spencer returned to his everyday utility role in 1956, then won the shortstop job in 1957. After leading the league's shortstops in errors in 1957 and 1958, he was moved to second base in 1959. Meanwhile, his hitting improved, although he sacrificed some power for average. In 1958, the Giants' first year in San Francisco, he hit .256 with 73 walks, 17 HR, and career highs of 71 runs and 74 RBI. After the 1959 season, he was traded to the Cardinals with Leon Wagner for Don Blasingame and then joined the Dodgers in mid-1961, resuming his supersub role. After his retirement he became one of the earlier exports to Japanese baseball (1964-68, 71-72), and introduced hard sliding to that country; he was reportedly the first baserunner to break up a double play there. He pursued HR titles in 1964 and 1965, but was walked almost every time he batted down the stretch both years. He totaled 152 HR in Japan, topping 30 three times, and hit .275. (SFS)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » April 17, 1956: Despite 2 HRs by Dale Long, Pittsburgh loses to New York 4-3 when Willie Mays scores from 2B in the 8th inning on Daryl Spencer's groundout to 2B. » July 8, 1956: The Giants connect for a team-record seven HRs in a 11-1 home win over the Pirates. Willie Mays, Daryl Spencer, and Wes Westrum each connect for 2. Hank Thompson, Westrum, and Spencer hit consecutive HRs in the fourth inning. » April 15, 1958: The San Francisco Giants defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first ML game played at Seals Stadium, with Ruben Gomez pitching an 8-0 shutout. Giants SS Daryl Spencer hits the first HR. The Giants set an attendance record for Seals Stadium by drawing 23,192 fans. » May 13, 1958: Willie Mays goes 5-for-5 against the Dodgers, as the Giants win 16–9. Mays has another two home runs, plus two triples, and four RBIs to compete with Daryl Spencer's two home runs, triple, double, and six RBIs. The Giants pound out 26 hits, while the Dodgers collect 11, the longest being Charlie Neal's home run over the distant RF fence at the Coliseum. The Giants set a ML-record when five players collect four hits apiece. » May 30, 1961: The Dodgers trade IF Bob Lillis and OF Carl Warwick to St. Louis for IF Daryl Spencer.