SAN FRANCISCO — Will Clark had to wait a long time for news that the Giants were retiring his number, and the pandemic forced him to wait a few more years for the actual ceremony. His speech was worth the wait.
Clark thanked dozens of family members, friends, former teammates and coaches during his Saturday night speech at Oracle Park, sharing quick and often humorous stories about many of them. Clark even spent a few minutes thanking Candlestick Park, recalling that he absolutely loved “standing on the plate at home and watching 40 hot dog wrappers fly around.”
The speech was graceful, genuine, and at times emotional, and it all led to a powerful ending.
“I’m Will ‘The Thrill’ Clark,” he said to a roar from a large crowd. “I’m part of San Francisco. And I’m a giant forever.”
The Clark ceremony was supposed to take place in 2020, but the Giants had to wait because of the pandemic and then decided to postpone it another year so they could have a full house when No. 22 climbed the wall of retirees numbers. This decision also allowed them to have some of the franchise’s most popular players in attendance.
Kevin Mitchell and Barry Bonds were among those who gave speeches for Clark, and Buster Posey and Bruce Bochy flew in for the ceremony. Clark thanked them for putting a ring on his finger after he became part of the front office and said he’ll be there for them in a few years.
“I just have a favor to ask of you,” Clark said to Posey and Bochy. “If you’re inducted into Cooperstown, I’d love to be there to honor you.”
Messages were broadcast by Giants legends including Willie Mays and several recorded videos of the Giants playing on their scoreboard. Former Giants manager Roger Craig, now 92, had one of the better lines, noting that Clark was a “great ball player but you would have done a lot better if you’d listened to me.”
“You were a great ball player, but you would have been a lot better if you’d listened to me.”
Roger Craig with a special message for Will Clark 😂 pic.twitter.com/UAtWc3Yw5R
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 31, 2022
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The longest and most emotional speech came from Mike Krukow, who was one of the veterans on the roster when Clark broke in as a brash but talented rookie. Krukow recalled how Clark lived in his home in San Francisco for the first two seasons and what one of his children was like, eating sugary cereal and watching cartoons.
When it came time to go to the park, Krukow said Clark set the tone. Only victory counted for him.
“He has earned his place in Giants history and truly deserves to be remembered forever with the fabled immortals of this franchise,” Krukow said. “Will, congratulations, and thank you from all of us here today. It was a privilege to see you play.”
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