It’s been a while since J.T. Snow flashed some leather at first base.
Luckily for Snow, he and the rest of the 1997 Giants squad will get a chance to reunite this weekend. The Giants will be honoring the ’97 team in a reunion on Saturday, paying tribute to the group that first lead the Giants back into the postseason after they lost the World Series in 1989, 20 years ago.
Snow, who enjoyed a decorated career with the Giants — including four out of his six Gold Gloves — joined Murph and Mac on KNBR 680 Tuesday morning where he reflected on the ’97 team, which also happened to be his first year in San Francisco.
“I think we put the Giants back on the map that year,” Snow said. “There was talk of them leaving, going to Tampa. They save the team, we show up, a bunch of guys that nobody really heard about. We just played ball.”
1997 marked a major turnaround for the Giants, who had won just 68 games the year before and finished fourth in the NL West. Brian Sabean took over as the general manager during the offseason and the Giants responded by winning 90 games and clinching the NL West before being swept by the Marlins in the division series.
Despite the outcome, according to Snow, the 1997 team can be credited for paving the way for seasons to come.
“Looking back at the roster of that team,” he said, “we had a lot guys in that late 20’s early 30’s range, some mature players. I really believe that turned it around and got the fans back into it in San Francisco. It’s really led to where they are today. I’m glad we played back then because I don’t know if we played in today’s day and age, with cellphones and everybody promoting themselves in pictures, if we would’ve had as much fun.”
Besides Snow, Rich Aurilia, Jeff Kent, Kirk Reuter, Marvin Benard, and of course Barry Bonds make up some memorable names of the ’97 roster. The reunion is set for pregame before Saturday’s 6:05 start against the Diamondbacks.
Listen to the full podcast below. To hear Snow’s remarks on the ’97 team, skip to 0:48.