Stoneham's passing. How did you react?

[aqib]

Quick question. I am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan and we are all discussing the reaction to his passing. I was in New York in 1990 and don't recall any reaction when Stoneham died. So I want to ask the Giants fans how you felt when you heard?

[Joe Barrie]

Quick question. I am a diehard Cleveland Browns fan and we are all discussing the reaction to his passing. I was in New York in 1990 and don't recall any reaction when Stoneham died. So I want to ask the Giants fans how you felt when you heard?

As a fan of the NY Giants I was upset at what Stoneham did, but at least he had better reasons to move than did O'Malley.

My impression of Stoneham was crystallized after reading a story about him by Roger Angell entitled "The Companions of the Game". Stoneham came across as a decent human being who was forced to do what he did, despite his association with the team from just after WW 1.

My recollection is that his death was largely unnoticed in NY, and presumably elsewhere, but I felt sad, for what it's worth to you.

[aqib]

Yeah I was in NY and I don't recall any mention of his name at the time. Steve Summers the overnight host of WFAN used to play the audio of Stoneham announcing the move repeatedly as he was a big Giants fan, but not around the time of his death. Overall I never sensed the angst around the Giants that there is around the Dodgers.

[[email protected]]

For Giants fans, I think it was more a matter of heart break than angst. I too felt bad about Stoneham's passing and always felt he was a victim of circumstance.

[GIANT]

Stoneham was a a benevolent owner. He paid his players well. He took care of retired Giants often giving them jobs in the organization. Carl Hubbell was their farm director for years. He hired Bill Rigney and Alvin Dark as managers, Whitey Lockman and Larry Jansen as coaches. His biggest downfall was he had a problem with alcohol. He also loved home run hitters. His best move as Giants owner was hiring Leo Durocher, who when asked by Stoneham what he thought of the 1948 Giant team, replied "back up the truck." Durocher molded the Giants into a team with pitching and defense. It was Durocher who convinced Stoneham to trade Willard Marshall and and Sid Gordon two Stoneham favorites to the Boston Braves. In return, the Giants procured Eddie Stanky and Alvin Dark. The Giants won the pennant in 51' and 54' including the World Series. Without Durocher's prodding the Giants would have remained a second division team under Stoneham. As I recall, his passing was barely mentioned in New York. I think he meant well but the Giants needed new ownership. The move to San Francisco turned out poorly for him he had a bad ball park Candlestick Park and lousy attendance. Stoneham was broke. The Giants were going to move to either Toronto or Tampa Bay. Bob Lurie saved the team for San Francisco when he purchased it from Stoneham. Perhaps because Stoneham inherited the team from his father, he allowed his sentimental side to dictate how he conducted business.