THIS BAT was used by Giant shortstop and captain, Al Dark, in an August 1954 series with the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. He went 5 for 11 in a double-header split in the first two games of the series, and drove in the winning run in the third game. In a year in which he anchored the National League pennant and World Series winning Giants infield - and was a National League all-star - he played in all 154 games, hit .293 with 189 hits, 20 homers and 70 RBIs.

ALVIN DARK

ALL-STAR: 1951, 1952, 1954

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: 1948

Dark posted a .289 lifetime average, with 2,089 hits during 14-year career

Fans select Dark as their top shortstop in Giants' history

MAJOR LEAGUE ALL-STAR

AL DARK hit .300 four times and led the league in doubles once.

AL DARK WEB LINKS

>BASEBALL-REFERENCE.COM

>BASEBALL-LIBRARY.COM

>BASEBALL-ALMANAC.COM

Al Dark began his Major League career at age 25 on July 14, 1946, with the Boston Braves. He played for 14 seasons on six different teams and ended his big league playing career in 1960.

In 1969, fans chose Alvin Dark as the top shortstop in Giants' history. He was a three-time National League all-star.

Dark won the 1948 Rookie of the Year award, hit .300 four times, led the National League in doubles once, led league shortstops three times each in putouts and double plays, and hit 20 or more home runs and scored over 100 runs twice each.

Dark's single in the ninth inning of the third 1951 National League playoff game started the rally that culminated in Bobby Thomson's famous pennant-winning homer.

Dark played 14 seasons with the Braves, Giants, Cards, Cubs and Phils. He had a .289 lifetime average, with 2,089 hits, 126 HRs and 757 RBIs. A shortstop most of his career, Al also appeared at third base, second base and the outfield on occasion.

AL DARK hit 20 or more home runs, and scored over 100 runs twice.

Dark also enjoyed a very successful career as a manager, winning the 1962 National League pennant with the San Francisco Giants and the 1974 World Championship with the Oakland As.

A fiery competitor, he once tore off a finger at the joint throwing a metal chair after a loss while managing the Giants.

AL DARK: Did you know...

...Dark was a gridiron standout at LSU as a freshman in 1942, and the next year as a Marine trainee starring for Southwestern Louisiana Institute. He was sought after by Greasy Neal of the Philadelphia Eagles, claiming that Dark was a better football talent than Steve Van Buren, the star Eagle running back who went on to a Hall of Fame career.

...Dark was traded by the Boston Braves in Dec. 1949 with Eddie Stanky to the New York Giants for Sid Gordon, Buddy Kerr, Willard Marshall, and Red Webb.

...Dark was traded by the New York Giants in June 1956 with Ray Katt, Don Liddle, and Whitey Lockman to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later, Dick Littlefield, Jackie Brandt, Red Schoendienst, and Bill Sarni. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Gordon Jones (October 1, 1956) to the New York Giants to complete the trade.

...Dark was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals in May 1958 to the Chicago Cubs for Jim Brosnan.

...Dark was traded by the Chicago Cubs in Jan. 1960 with John Buzhardt and Jim Woods to the Philadelphia Phillies for Richie Ashburn.

...Dark was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies in June 1960 to the Milwaukee Braves for Joe Morgan.

...Dark was traded by the Milwaukee Braves in Oct. 1960 to the San Francisco Giants for Andre Rodgers.

...Dark was born January 7, 1922 in Comanche, Oklahoma.

AL DARK led National League shortstops three times each in putouts and double plays during his 14-year career.

AL DARK is the fan's choice as the top shortstop in Giants' history. He also played for the Cubs, Cardinals, Phillies and Braves.

DARK ENJOYED a very successful career as a manager, winning the 1962 National League pennant with the San Francisco Giants and the 1974 World Championship with the Oakland As.