New York Giants, 1883–1957

Seventy-five seasons in New York produced championships, legends and some of the most replayed moments in baseball history.

From Gothams to Giants

New York's National League club began play in 1883.

Within a few years, the name Giants had taken hold, and it would become one of baseball's most famous identities.

For most of their New York history, the Giants called the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan home.

McGraw and Mathewson

Manager John McGraw took control of the Giants in 1902 and built one of baseball's first great dynasties.

His ace was Christy Mathewson, one of the dominant pitchers of the early game.

In the 1905 World Series, Mathewson threw three complete-game shutouts as the Giants defeated the Philadelphia Athletics.

New York continued winning across generations, eventually capturing 17 National League pennants and five World Series championships during its years in the city.

The Shot Heard 'Round the World

Few baseball rivalries matched the Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers.

In 1951, the two teams finished the regular season tied and met in a three-game playoff for the National League pennant.

With the Giants trailing in the ninth inning of the deciding game, Bobby Thomson hit a walk-off home run.

It became known as the Shot Heard 'Round the World.

The Catch

Three years later came another moment that never left baseball history.

In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series, Cleveland's Vic Wertz drove a ball deep into center field at the Polo Grounds.

Willie Mays turned his back to home plate, raced toward the wall and made an over-the-shoulder catch.

It is still simply known as The Catch.

The Giants swept Cleveland and won their final World Series championship in New York.

Westward Together

After the 1957 season, owner Horace Stoneham moved the Giants to San Francisco.

Their longtime rival moved too.

The Brooklyn Dodgers became the Los Angeles Dodgers, carrying one of baseball's greatest rivalries from New York to California.