SAN FRANCISCO -- Before embracing the 2019 season’s arrival at Oracle Park, the Giants felt compelled to wrap its arms one more time around two of their favorites who transcend any season.

Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey and former managing general partner Peter Magowan, who both passed away during the offseason, were honored in ceremonies preceding the Giants’ home opener Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

With first baseman Brandon Belt, the current occupant of McCovey’s position, representing the Giants, the team presented an honorary first base to members of the legend’s family, including his daughter, Allison, his widow, Estela, and his three grandchildren. The brand-new scoreboard in center field showed off its video capacities by displaying a montage of McCovey’s career highlights. And McCovey’s familiar jersey number, No. 44, was stenciled on the infield dirt behind first base.

This may have been the first Giants home opener in decades that McCovey did not attend. It certainly was among the few that he missed in the 60 years since he debuted with the Giants in 1959.

McCovey made his first Opening Day roster in 1960 and remained with the team until his 1974-76 stint spent with San Diego and Oakland. McCovey rejoined the Giants in 1977 and retired in the middle of the 1980 season after turning in a strong performance in his final Candlestick Park home opener as an active player that year. He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a double in a 7-3 victory over San Diego. Soon after retiring, McCovey began attending nearly every home game.

Broadcaster Mike Krukow read the text of the speech that Magowan planned to read upon his induction later this year into the Giants Wall of Fame, which is yet to be scheduled. As Krukow spoke, the video board showed photos of Magowan, pictured mostly with Giants players and a time or two with Lou Seal.

“I often have been given undue credit for keeping the team from going to Florida and for building this ballpark,” Magowan wrote, pointing out that his partnerships with the franchise’s ownership group, the fans who were willing to pay for personal seat licenses and players made a big difference.

Magowan also credited Dusty Baker, the first field manager he hired upon becoming the Giants’ managing general partner, for solidifying the team.

“Thank you, Dusty,” Magowan wrote.

Magowan, who would have been 77 on Friday, concluded by writing, “No longer will Giants fans have to worry about their team moving to any other city as they almost did.”

The Giants also honored former manager Frank Robinson and broadcaster Hank Greenwald with between-innings video tributes. Robinson managed the Giants from 1981-84. Greenwald was a club broadcaster from 1979-86 and 1989-96.