Breaking down Giants' Dream Bracket 2 teams
SAN FRANCISCO -- Two of the greatest teams in Giants history will soon have the chance to test themselves against the cream of the crop in a new simulated tournament.
Major League Baseball and the makers of Out of the Park Baseball 21 will be staging MLB Dream Bracket 2: Dream Seasons beginning on Thursday. The MLB Dream Bracket 2 is a 64-team, best-of-seven simulation featuring two all-time teams from each of the 30 current Major League franchises (post-World War II), as well as three Negro Leagues teams and the 1994 Montreal Expos.
The 1954 New York Giants and the 2012 San Francisco Giants, both of which captured World Series titles for the franchise, will be featured in MLB Dream Bracket 2. The rosters for each of the 64 teams were selected by the MLB.com beat reporters in consultation with clubs.
The simulated competition, featuring many of the greatest teams in baseball history, is being produced by Out of the Park Baseball 21, MLB‘s most realistic strategy game (PC and Mac).
• Complete Dream Bracket 2 rosters
Here’s a look at the two clubs that will be representing the Giants:
1954 New York Giants
Record: 97-57, finished first in the National League
Postseason: Four-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians in the World Series
Manager: Leo Durocher
Notable players: CF Willie Mays, LHP Johnny Antonelli, RF Monte Irvin, 3B Hank Thompson, RHP Sal Maglie, SS Alvin Dark, RHP Marv Grissom, OF Dusty Rhodes
First-round opponent: 1969 Chicago Cubs
The ‘69 Cubs, who were also managed by Durocher, went 92-70 to finish second in the National League East. Led by future Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Ron Santo and Billy Williams, the Cubs spent 155 days in first place before a September implosion opened the door for the Miracle Mets to make a late surge and overtake them for the division crown.
• See the full Bracket, make picks, win prizes
2012 San Francisco Giants
Record: 94-68, finished first in the National League West
Postseason: Four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers in the World Series
Manager: Bruce Bochy
Notable players: C Buster Posey, RHP Matt Cain, OF Melky Cabrera, 3B Pablo Sandoval, LHP Madison Bumgarner, SS Brandon Crawford, OF Hunter Pence, RHP Sergio Romo
First-round opponent: 1998 San Diego Padres
The ‘98 Padres, also managed by Bochy, won a club-record 98 games before falling to the vaunted Yankees in the World Series. The squad featured ace right-hander Kevin Brown, slugger Greg Vaughn and two of the best players in franchise history in future Hall of Famers Tony Gwynn and Trevor Hoffman. Gwynn batted .321, while Hoffman saved 53 games in 54 opportunities, second most in Major League history.