Giants Honor Mays At New Stadium Site
The groundbreaking for Pacific Bell Park, which will become the San Francisco Giants’ new home in April 2000, became a tribute to Willie Mays - who responded with tears of joy and words of love.
Barry Bonds, Willie McCovey and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown led about 6,000 fans in Thursday’s ceremony, at which Giants owner Peter Magowan announced the stadium will be located at 1 Willie Mays Plaza.
Magowan also said 24 palm trees will showcase the front entrance to the 42,000-seat ballpark, honoring Mays’ uniform number. The trees will surround a statue of Mays.
“When someone talks about you like that and makes you feel the ballpark was built for you, that’s wonderful,” said a teary Mays, known for home runs and basket catches rather than displays of emotion during his Hall of Fame career.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to have someone recognize you after 23 years out of baseball. I can’t tell you the feeling in my heart because so many people love me,” he said. “I am very excited, and I don’t get very excited about many things.”
The $262 million park will be built on a 13-acre site in the China Basin, a section of San Francisco currently dotted with abandoned wharves. The right-field fence will be just 307 feet from home plate, and some homers over that fence will land in San Francisco Bay.
Orioles sign Drabek
The Baltimore Orioles filled out their starting rotation by signing free agent Doug Drabek to a $1.8 million, one-year contract that includes $600,000 in performance incentives.
Drabek was 12-11 with a 5.74 ERA for the Chicago White Sox last season.
Cordero in more trouble
A magistrate in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, issued a restraining order against Wilfredo Cordero after the outfielder’s wife complained that he had threatened her again. No charges have been filed.
Cordero, released by the Boston Red Sox after the season, is on probation after pleading guilty in Massachusetts to beating his wife last June.
Around the league
The Minnesota Twins signed veteran outfielder Otis Nixon to a one-year contract. … Right-hander Frank Castillo and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. … Right-hander Omar Olivares and the Anaheim Angels agreed to a $1.35 million, one-year contract with a team option for 1999. Olivares pitched for Detroit and Seattle last season. … The Atlanta Braves traded relief pitcher Chad Fox to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Gerald Williams. … Cincinnati Reds outfielder Curtis Goodwin was dealt to the Colorado Rockies for reliever Mark Hutton. … The Philadelphia Phillies extended manager Terry Francona’s contract through 1999.