return to the team until the following spring. The San Francisco Examiner referred to him as an "AWOL outfielder" and to the incident as "The Larry Herndon Mystery". Herndon later recalled: "I was young and immature in my first few years. I came to expect certain things that didn't develop and I didn't handle it well. I let it bother me at home and at the park." Herndon returned to form in 1978, appearing in 151 games, including 149 in center field. He compiled a .259 batting average and stole 13 bases. He also ranked fourth in the league with nine triples. Defensively, he ranked fourth among the league's outfielders with 10 errors but also ranked third with a 2.92 range factor per nine innings. After playing exclusively in center field during his first three seasons with the Giants, Herndon lost the starting role to Bill North. Herndon divided his playing time in 1979 between center field (84 games with only 36 starts), left field (39 games), and right field (12 games). In 1980, Herndon again shuttled between center field (84 games with 36 starts), left field (34 games), and right field (11 games). He led all National League outfielders in 1980 with 11 errors. Three of his 11 errors were committed in a single inning on September 6, 1980—a feat no National League outfielder had ever accomplished and which no major league outfielder had accomplished since 1926. At the plate, Herndon had a .258 batting average in 1980 and ranked third in the league with 11 triples. In the strike-shortened 1981 season, Herndon became the Giants' regular left fielder, appearing in 83 of the team's 96 games (78 as the starter) at the position. Herndon also lifted weights to increase his strength and moved his feet closer together, shortening his stride at the plate. His batting average jumped to .288 (30 point higher than 1980) with eight triples and 15 stolen bases (a high during his major-league career). His error total dropped by more than half from 1980, and his range factor of 2.28 in left field ranked second in the National League. He won the 1981 Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership. Detroit Tigers Power surge in 1982 and 1983 On December 9, 1981, the Giants traded Herndon to the Detroit Tigers for pitchers Mike Chris and Dan Schatzeder. Herndon immediately became the Tigers' regular left