The SF Giants may not be in the playoffs this year, but that gives us an opportunity to look back and reflect on some great moments in Giants playoff history like when Will Clark’s clutch hit sent San Francisco to the World Series.

The 1989 NLCS between the Giants and Chicago Cubs was the series of Will Clark. He put the Giants on his back and helped lead the franchise to its first World Series appearance since 1962.

Remembering Will Clark’s great 1989 NLCS for the SF Giants

Clark was absolutely incredible in the series. In 20 at-bats, he had 13 hits including two home runs, one of them being a grand slam, three doubles, and a triple.

He did a lot of his damage in Game 1 at Wrigley Field, recording four hits and six RBI including a grand slam off Greg Maddux that left the “friendly confines” entirely. The 22 bus in Chicago goes up and down Clark Street right alongside Wrigley Field which is why it is not a huge surprise that Clark absolutely owned the Cubs in that series.

He had a big Game 5 as well which ended up being the clincher to send the Giants to the World Series. In the bottom of the seventh Clark tripled and scored to get the Giants their first run of the game.

Then, Clark ripped a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth to give the Giants a 3-1 lead. The Giants held onto that lead in the ninth and earned themselves a date with the Oakland A’s in the World Series.

Of course, that series did not turn out the way Giants fans hoped thanks in part to Mother Nature, but that does not negate Clark’s heroics to even give them a chance at the World Series. He truly earned the “Will the Thrill” moniker in that series and forever endeared himself to Giants fans.

The Giants retired Clark’s No. 22 jersey several years ago which is a fitting honor for everything he did as a Giant. He remains involved in the team and is never afraid to sound off on moves he disagrees with. He was also embroiled in a faux controversy earlier this year with Rafael Devers which was largely stoked by the Boston media.

With the NLCS starting tomorrow, it is always nice to look back and recall when Clark absolutely took it to the Cubs and got the Giants to the World Series.