Steve Carlton to Pitch for Giants--He Likes Proximity to Napa Valley

Four-time National League Cy Young Award winner Steve Carlton has agreed to terms with the San Francisco Giants for the remainder of the 1986 season, team President Al Rosen said Thursday night.

Carlton, released June 26 by the Philadelphia Phillies, will pitch Sunday for the Giants against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Carlton, 41, was 4-8 in 16 starts for the Phillies this season with a 6.18 earned-run average and 62 strikeouts. He is second to Nolan Ryan on the all-time strikeout list with 3,982 and has a 318-223 career record.

Rosen said Carlton gave him three reasons for signing with the Giants.

“He knows (Giant Manager) Roger Craig and respects him very much,” Rosen said. “He’s looking forward to working with someone he considers a pitcher’s manager.

“Secondly, he likes the personnel on the Giants’ ballclub. He thinks we have a chance of going all the way.

“And thirdly, he loves the Bay Area. He’s a wine connoisseur who intends to get into the wine business someday. And with the Napa Valley just up the road, what better place to get started?”