The Giants Became a Big Time Franchise...

...on this date in 1993, when the group led by Peter Magowan saved the Giants franchise for San Francisco. Losing money and tempted by an offer to move to the Tampa Bay area, the supermarket magnate, who'd grown up a Giants fan in New York, purchased the team and began the process to return it to prominence. A process that was centered around building a waterfront ballpark that was an instant classic. 
It's been through several names, but should be credited to Magowan, who got out of the terribly flawed and inconvenient Candlestick Park and into the venue that, after 20 years, remains one of baseball's best. Masterfully taking advantage of its location, the park not only has sluggers planting balls in the bay, but has fans extending the game experience into the water!


 

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