Giants to retire Will Clark's No. 22 on July 30
Giants fans won’t have to wait much longer to see Will Clark’s jersey number retired.
Clark’s No. 22 will officially be taken out of circulation prior to a game against the Cubs at Oracle Park on July 30. The Giants announced in August 2019 that they intended to retire Clark’s jersey number in 2020, but the ceremony was put on hold for over two years due to the pandemic.
Clark, who currently works as a special assistant in San Francisco’s front office, will be the 11th Giant to have his number retired.
"I am so proud. I am so happy," Clark said in August 2019. "To know you're going to be up there on the wall with all the greats -- the Willie Mayses, the Willie McCoveys, the Barry Bondses -- everybody that has come through this organization and worn this Giants jersey is absolutely unbelievable. It's something I will never forget. It is my Hall of Fame.”
A first-round Draft pick in 1985, Clark played for the Giants for eight seasons, earning five All-Star appearances and finishing in the top five in National League MVP voting four times. His arrival in 1986 played a major role in reviving a franchise that had lost 100 games the previous season. In 1989, Clark batted .333 with 23 home runs to help the Giants win 92 games and reach the World Series for the first time since 1962.
The Giants on Wednesday unveiled a 22-game ticket package -- fittingly called the Thrill 22 Plan -- in honor of the popular first baseman. The plan includes tickets for the home opener (April 8), the Matt Cain perfect game bobblehead (June 12), Clark’s jersey retirement ceremony (July 30), the 2012 reunion (Aug. 13) and the Willie Mac Award (Sept. 30).
Single-game tickets will go on public sale on Feb. 18.
Worth noting
• Ron Wotus, who retired from his coaching duties at the end of last season, will transition to a new role and serve as a special assistant to baseball operations in 2022, his 35th year with the Giants organization. Wotus is expected to mentor the coaching staff and players, as well as provide on-field instruction. He’ll attend Spring Training in Scottsdale, Ariz., and visit each of the club’s Minor League affiliates this season.
Manager Gabe Kapler backfilled Wotus’ spot on the coaching staff by promoting Mark Hallberg to third-base coach earlier this offseason.
• The Giants named Keith Snider as the inaugural recipient of the Dick Tidrow Scout of the Year Award last week. The honor will be given annually to the Giants scout who represents the integrity, character and work ethic exemplified by Dick Tidrow, the former Major League pitcher and longtime member of the Giants’ front office who died in July.
Snider, who is entering his 17th season with the Giants, serves as an area scout covering Northern California, Northern Nevada and Hawaii. He is credited with signing outfielder Austin Slater, right-hander Logan Webb and pitching prospect Kyle Harrison, a 2020 third-round Draft pick who is ranked the club’s No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline.