#165-166 Chris Speier Chris Speier In Action

Rookie at the tender age of 21....took over and dominated the Giant's shortstop role starting in 1971....the promise of a better bat Chris bounced the light hitting Hal Lanier to the bench....his .235 average was a bit low to be a total revelation but a bit more power and 44 RBIs was a positive upgrade....subsequent upped his game in the next two years with a bigger bat....made cover of Sports Illustrated 1973....future looked good but gains plateaued out for the Giant club starting 1974.....bat went cold in 1976 and with no warm front was traded to Montreal early 1977....his Expo years showed an ebb and flow...oscillating from .260’s to .220’s....reduced role in 1983 spelled the start of reserve role....split between three teams 1985; Cards, Twins, Expos....last five years comprised of two years with the Cubs and three back with the Giants....interesting note broke into the bigs with only year of AA ball 1970....did not play in the minors again until 1989 when played for the Giant's AAA club in Phoenix....three time all star over 19 seasons.