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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Giants Finally Win A Stadium Vote

From Wire Reports

Spring training

At last given a mandate by voters, the San Francisco Giants have turned their attention from campaigning for a ballpark to building one.

The plan for a privately funded stadium to replace windy and aging Candlestick Park was endorsed by a two-thirds majority in Tuesday’s citywide balloting, ending a legacy of election defeats that nearly resulted in the team’s departure.

“I don’t think we should underestimate what we achieved,” said Peter Magowan, the Giants’ president and managing general partner. “We all know the history of elections for this area. We lost four of them. We not only won the election. We won it with a two-thirds vote. It’s clear to me the voters of San Francisco … want this ballpark to happen, and it is going to happen.”

Proposition B, the fifth Giants-backed stadium measure in the Bay area in nine years, won easily with 101,343 votes, or 66 percent, in favor and 51,222, or 34 percent, opposed. Unlike the defeated measures, which all included provisions for substantial taxpayer assistance, the latest proposal promised a privately financed ballpark with no public monies for stadium construction.

Passage of the measure cleared the first major hurdle for the planned $255 million, 42,000-seat bayside ballpark. The Giants hope to break ground by next year, with the stadium ready for opening day in the year 2000.

M’s hit for distance

Paul Sorrento and Ken Griffey led the attack on Jaime Navarro, who tuned up for his opening-day start by allowing nine runs on 11 hits as the Seattle Mariners beat the Chicago Cubs 12-3 at Mesa, Ariz.

Winning pitcher Edwin Hurtado was 2 for 3 with four RBIs. Sorrento was 4 for 4, with four runs scored and his fourth spring home run. Griffey hit his third homer.

Galarraga connects again

Andres Galarraga became the first player to hit 10 home runs this spring as Colorado defeated San Francisco 4-3.

Galarraga hit a two-run homer in the first inning after Larry Walker had singled in a run. Galarraga, hitting .338 with 25 RBIs, has five homers in his last four games.

Cleveland bats sizzle

Manny Ramirez had two homers and five RBIs to lead a 19-hit attack as Cleveland whipped Toronto 13-0, giving the Indians their eighth win in nine games.

Scott Leius and Alvaro Espinoza also homered for the Indians, who received a combined three-hitter from Chad Ogea, Paul Assenmacher, Jim Poole, and Julian Tavarez.

Ump bump costs Brewers

Milwaukee shortstop Jose Valentin, who began his career with Spokane in 1987, collided with umpire Gary Darling on Chris Gwynn’s soft single in the 10th, allowing two runs to score and give San Diego a 4-2 victory.

Reliever Bryce Florie, also a former Indians performer, picked up the victory as the Padres won their sixth straight game.

Boone has bad elbow

Reds second baseman Bret Boone was sent back to Cincinnati for further examination after X-rays found a bone chip in his throwing elbow.

Trainer Greg Lynn said the exam will determine whether Boone can continue to play without surgery.

“There’s a lot of swelling in the tendons,” Lynn said. “There’s a possibility it could be treated conservatively and there won’t be a need for surgery, but that’s to be determined.”

Boone felt a pop in his elbow during batting practice Tuesday. The elbow was severely swollen Wednesday.