Giants to raise victory flag inspired by Bennett
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SAN FRANCISCO -- The heart that resides in San Francisco will beat more strongly from now on after every Giants home triumph.
During Friday's pregame ceremony at AT&T Park to observe famed recording artist Tony Bennett's 90th birthday, which was Aug. 3, the Giants announced they will begin raising a victory flag in Willie Mays Plaza after each Giants home win. Depicted on the flag will be a Giants logo and a heart -- visually representing "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," the biggest hit of Bennett's career that has been played for years after the Giants win at home.
Giants legend Willie Mays participated in the ceremony, during which Bennett received a replica victory flag signed by members of the ballclub. Led by public-address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon, spectators sang "Happy Birthday" to Bennett.
Earlier Friday, a statue of Bennett was dedicated outside the Fairmont Hotel, where he delivered his debut performance of "I Left My Heart" in 1961.
Important reminder: The series finale against the Mets was chosen by ESPN to be the Sunday Night Game of the Week, resulting in a starting time of 5:08 p.m. PT -- considerably later than the originally scheduled first pitch of 1:05 p.m.