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AT&T Park

AT&T Park

Oracle Park is a baseball park located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Since 2000, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. Originally named Pacific Bell Park, then SBC Park, the stadium was then christened AT&T Park in 2006; its current name was adopted in 2019.[9] The park stands along the San Francisco Bay, a segment of which is named McCovey Cove in honor of former Giants player Willie McCovey.

Oracle Park has also played host to both professional and collegiate American football games. The stadium was the home of the annual college postseason bowl game now known as the Redbox Bowl from its inaugural playing in 2002 until 2013, and also served as the temporary home for the University of California's football team in 2011. Professionally, it was the home of the San Francisco Demons of the XFL and the California Redwoods of the United Football League.

Public transit access to the stadium is provided within San Francisco by Muni Metro or Muni Bus, from the Peninsula and Santa Clara Valley via Caltrain, and from parts of the Bay Area across the water via various ferries of San Francisco Bay. The Muni 2nd and King Station is directly outside the ballpark, the 4th & King Caltrain station is 1.5 blocks from the stadium, and the Oracle Park Ferry Terminal is outside the east edge of the ballpark beyond the center field bleachers.

Oracle Park
ATT Sunset Panorama.jpg
Oracle Park (then known as AT&T Park) during the Giants game on April 8, 2008
Oracle Park is located in San Francisco County
Oracle Park
Oracle Park
Location in San Francisco
Oracle Park is located in California
Oracle Park
Oracle Park
Location in California
Oracle Park is located in the United States
Oracle Park
Oracle Park
Location in the United States
Former namesPacific Bell Park (2000–2003)
SBC Park (2004–2005)
AT&T Park (2006–2019)
Address24 Willie Mays Plaza
LocationSan Francisco, California
Coordinates37°46′43″N 122°23′21″W [55]
Public transitMUNI Metro:


at 2nd and King Station
Caltrain:
at 4th and King Station
Bus transportMUNI Bus: N-Owl, T-Owl, 10, 30, 45, 47, 91-Owl
Golden Gate Ferry: Larkspur Giants Ferry
San Francisco Bay Ferry: Alameda/Oakland Giants Ferry, Vallejo Giants Ferry
OperatorSan Francisco Baseball Associates LP
CapacityBaseball:
  • 41,915 (2007–present)
  • 41,606 (2006)
  • 41,584 (2005)
  • 41,503 (2003–2004)[1]
  • 41,059 (2001–2003)
  • 40,930 (2000)
1,500 standing-room capacity
NCAA Football:
  • 45,000 (2011 season only)[2]
Soccer:
  • TBD (per event)
Rugby sevens:
  • 42,000
Record attendance44,046 (2010 NLDS, Game 2, Braves)
Field sizeLeft field line – 339 feet (103 m)
Left field – 364 feet (111 m)
Left-center field – 404 feet (123 m)
Center field – 399 feet (122 m)
Right-center field – 421 feet (128 m)
Right field – 365 feet (111 m)
Right field line – 309 feet (94 m)OracleParkDimensions.svg
SurfaceTifway 419 Bermuda Grass
Construction
Broke groundDecember 11, 1997
OpenedApril 11, 2000
Construction cost$357 million
($519 million in 2018 dollars[3])
ArchitectPopulous (then HOK Sport)[4]
Project managerAlliance Building Partners[5]
Structural engineerThornton Tomasetti[6]
Services engineerM-E Engineers, Inc.[7]
General contractorHunt/Kajima[8]
Tenants
San Francisco Giants (MLB) (2000–present)
San Francisco Demons (XFL) (2001)
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (NCAA) (2002–2013)
California Redwoods (UFL) (2009)
California Golden Bears (NCAA) (2011)

History

Design and construction

Originally designed to be a 42,000-seat stadium, there were slight modifications before the final design was complete. When the ballpark was brought to the ballot box in the fall of 1996 for voter approval, the stadium was 15° clockwise from its current position. Also the center-field scoreboard was atop the right-field wall and the Giants Pavilion Building were two separate buildings.[10] Groundbreaking on the ballpark began on December 11, 1997, in the industrial waterfront area of San Francisco known as China Basin in the up-and-coming neighborhoods of South Beach and Mission Bay. The stadium cost $357 million to build and supplanted the Giants' former home, Candlestick Park, a multi-use stadium in southeastern San Francisco that was also home to the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers until 2014, when they relocated to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. A team of engineers from UC Davis was consulted in the design process of the park, resulting in wind levels that are approximately half those at Candlestick. Fans had shivered through 40 seasons at "The 'Stick" and looked forward to warmer temperatures at the new ballpark.[11] But because Oracle Park, like its predecessor, is built right on San Francisco Bay, cold summer fog and winter jackets in July are still not unusual at Giants games, despite the higher average temperature.

When it opened on March 31, 2000, the ballpark was the first Major League Baseball ballpark built without public funds since the completion of Dodger Stadium in 1962.[12] However, the Giants did receive a $10 million tax abatement from the city and $80 million for upgrades to the local infrastructure (including a connection to the Muni Metro).[13] The Giants have a 66-year lease on the 12.5-acre (51,000 m2) ballpark site, paying $1.2 million in rent annually to the San Francisco Port Commission.[12] The park opened with a seating capacity of 40,800, but this has increased over time as seats have been added.

In April 2010, the stadium became the first MLB ballpark to receive LEED Silver Certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance.[14]

Naming rights

Barry Bonds passes Harmon Killebrew for seventh on the all-time home run list on May 13, 2002. Note the sign on the scoreboard saying "Pacific Bell Park".

Barry Bonds passes Harmon Killebrew for seventh on the all-time home run list on May 13, 2002. Note the sign on the scoreboard saying "Pacific Bell Park".

A Giants’ night game on September 25, 2018 vs. the San Diego Padres from a lower level view at Oracle Park

A Giants’ night game on September 25, 2018 vs. the San Diego Padres from a lower level view at Oracle Park

On April 3, 1996, Pacific Bell, a telephone company serving California based in San Francisco, purchased the naming rights for the planned ballpark for $50 million for 24 years. The stadium was named Pacific Bell Park, or Pac Bell Park for short.[15]

Just days before the sponsorship was announced, SBC Communications had announced their intention to acquire Pacific Bell's parent company, Pacific Telesis, a deal which closed in April 1997. SBC eventually stopped using the Pacific Bell name for marketing, and reached an agreement with the Giants to change the stadium's name to SBC Park on January 1, 2004.[15]

After SBC bought AT&T Corporation on November 18, 2005, the name of the merged company became AT&T Inc. As a result, in 2006 the stadium was given its third name in six years: AT&T Park.[15]

On January 9, 2019, it was reported that AT&T had given the Giants the option of ending the naming deal a year early, if the team could quickly find a new partner.[16] The Giants and Oracle Corporation came to a rapid agreement, with the old AT&T Park signs being replaced with temporary Oracle Park banners on January 10.[17]

Some fans still refer to the stadium as Pac Bell Park, as it was the first name given to the stadium. Others have nicknamed the stadium "The Phone Booth" or "Telephone Park", in response to its multiple name changes, while some referred to the stadium as "Some Big Corporation Park" during the SBC years. Others yet refer to it as "Mays Field" in honor of Giants great Willie Mays or simply "The Bell".[18] Many also refer to the stadium as "China Basin" or "McCovey Cove" after its location, which would be immune to changes in sponsorship naming.

Features

The 24-foot (7.3 m) high wall in right field

The 24-foot (7.3 m) high wall in right field

The stadium contains 68 luxury suites, 5,200 club seats on the club level, and an additional 1,500 club seats at the field level behind home plate.

On the facing of the upper deck along the left-field line are the retired numbers of Bill Terry, Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, Barry Bonds, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, Jackie Robinson, Willie McCovey, and Gaylord Perry, as well as the retired uniforms, denoted "NY", of Christy Mathewson and John McGraw who played or managed in the pre-number era. These two pre-number–era retired uniforms are among only six such retired uniforms in all of the Major Leagues.

Oracle Park has a reputation of being a pitcher's park and the most pitcher-friendly ballpark in the National League, because the depth of the outfield limits home runs, according to ESPN.[19] ESPN's MLB Park Factors lists Oracle Park as having the fewest home runs per game 6 out of the past 7 years, the one exception coming in 2013, when it was the 3rd lowest.

In 2014, PETA declared the park to be the Most Vegetarian-Friendly MLB ballpark in the country. It held the top spot on the same list in 2011, 2006 and 2005.[20]

Right field and McCovey Cove

The 50 "Splash Hit" counter

The 50 "Splash Hit" counter

The most prominent feature of the ballpark is the right-field wall, which is 24 feet (7.3 m) high in honor of former Giants Willie Mays, who wore number 24. Because of the proximity to the San Francisco Bay, the right-field foul pole is only 309 feet (94 m) from home plate. The wall is made of brick, with fenced-off archways opening to the Cove beyond, above which are several rows of arcade seating. The fence angles quickly away from home plate; right-center field extends out to 421 feet (128 m) from home plate. Atop the fence are four pillars with fountains atop. Jets of water burst from the four pillars at the end of the National Anthem and also when the Giants hit a home run or win a game.

In the past, rubber chickens put up by fans whenever a Giants player (especially Barry Bonds) was intentionally walked, would line the foul portion of the wall. The fans would do this to show that the opposing team is "chicken" for not pitching right to the Giants players. In recent seasons, as the team's strength has shifted from hitting to pitching, fans will line up "K" signs with each strikeout by a Giants pitcher. The right field area was designed to resemble the Polo Grounds. This deep corner of the ballpark has been dubbed "Death Valley" and "Triples Alley." Like its Polo Grounds counterpart, it is very difficult to hit a home run to this area, and a batted ball that finds its way into this corner often results in a triple. It is 421 feet (128 m).[21] Triples Alley is also infamous for bad bounces, most notably when Ichiro Suzuki hit the first-ever inside-the-park home run in an All-Star Game by lining the ball off one of the archways and sideways past the outfielders. Nate Schierholtz performed the same feat in the 2009 season as a pinch hitter. Aubrey Huff did it again in the 2010 season, as did Conor Gillaspie in 2011. Ángel Pagán ended a game in May 2013 with a two-run walk-off inside-the-park home run, the first of its kind at the then-named AT&T Park.

Beyond right field is China Basin, a section of San Francisco Bay, which is dubbed McCovey Cove after famed Giants first baseman and left-handed slugger Willie McCovey, and into which a number of home runs have been hit on the fly. As of August 12th, 2019, 80 "splash hits" (all by a lefty batter) have been knocked into the Cove by Giants players since the park opened; 35 of those were by Barry Bonds, and the most recent being Scooter Gennett hitting one off Ranger Suárez of the Philadelphia Phillies on August 11, 2019. These hits are tallied on an electronic counter on the right field wall. Opponents have hit the water on the fly 42 times; Todd Hundley of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the first visitor to do so on June 30, 2000. Curtis Granderson of the New York Mets, Luis Gonzalez of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cliff Floyd of the Chicago Cubs are the only visiting players to do so twice, while Carlos Delgado of the New York Mets has performed the feat three times. Adam LaRoche has also hit three splash hits, twice with the Arizona Diamondbacks and once with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Max Muncy of the Los Angeles Dodgers most recently hit one into the water as a visiting player on June 9, 2019. On June 27, 2010, David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox became the first American League player to hit a splash hit. The only other AL players who have done it are Mitch Moreland of the Texas Rangers on June 9, 2012 and Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox on August 13, 2014. Barry Bonds is the Giant who has hit the most home runs into "The Cove" as Giants fans call it and is the only one to have had hit 2 splash hits in one game (a feat he accomplished twice).[22]

Behind the scoreboard in center field there is a pier where ferries can tie up and let off fans right at the park. On game days, fans take to the water of McCovey Cove in boats and even in kayaks, often with fishing nets in the hope of collecting a home run ball. (This echoes what used to happen during McCovey's playing days. Before Candlestick Park's upper deck was extended, the area behind right field was occupied by three small bleacher sections and a lot of open space. Kids in those bleachers would gather behind the right field fence when "Stretch" would come to the plate.) Just beyond the wall behind the ballpark is a public waterfront promenade. Across the cove from the ballpark is McCovey Point and China Basin Park, featuring monuments to past Giants legends.

List of Home Team Splash Hits 

PlayerDateOpponentPitcher
1Barry BondsMay 1, 2000New York MetsRich Rodriguez
2Barry BondsMay 10, 2000St. Louis CardinalsAndy Benes
3Barry BondsMay 10, 2000St. Louis CardinalsHeathcliff Slocumb
4Barry BondsMay 24, 2000Montreal ExposMike Thurman
5Barry BondsJuly 19, 2000San Diego PadresBrian Meadows
6Barry BondsSeptember 20, 2000Cincinnati RedsSteve Parris
7Barry BondsApril 17, 2001Los Angeles DodgersTerry Adams
8Barry BondsApril 18, 2001Los Angeles DodgersChan Ho Park
9Barry BondsMay 24, 2001Colorado RockiesJohn Thomson
10Felipe CrespoMay 28, 2001Arizona DiamondbacksBret Prinz
11Barry BondsMay 30, 2001Arizona DiamondbacksRobert Ellis
12Barry BondsJune 12, 2001Anaheim AngelsPat Rapp
13Felipe CrespoJuly 8, 2001Milwaukee BrewersCurtis Leskanic
14Barry BondsAugust 4, 2001Philadelphia PhilliesNelson Figueroa
15Barry BondsAugust 14, 2001Florida MarlinsRicky Bones
16Barry BondsAugust 31, 2001Colorado RockiesJohn Thomson
17Barry BondsSeptember 29, 2001San Diego PadresChuck McElroy
18Barry BondsMay 13, 2002Atlanta BravesKevin Millwood
19Barry BondsMay 18, 2002Florida MarlinsBrad Penny
20Barry BondsMay 18, 2002Florida MarlinsVic Darensbourg
21Barry BondsSeptember 8, 2002Arizona DiamondbacksBrian Anderson
22Barry BondsSeptember 28, 2002Houston AstrosJeriome Robertson
23Barry BondsOctober 12, 2002St. Louis CardinalsChuck Finley
24Barry BondsApril 14, 2003Houston AstrosWade Miller
25Barry BondsApril 30, 2003Chicago CubsMatt Clement
26J. T. SnowJune 5, 2003Minnesota TwinsKyle Lohse
27Barry BondsJune 27, 2003Oakland AthleticsTed Lilly
28Jose Cruz Jr.July 8, 2003St. Louis CardinalsDan Haren
29Barry BondsAugust 8, 2003Philadelphia PhilliesJose Mesa
30Barry BondsAugust 19, 2003Atlanta BravesRay King
31Barry BondsSeptember 13, 2003Milwaukee BrewersDoug Davis
32Barry BondsApril 12, 2004Milwaukee BrewersMatt Kinney
33Barry BondsApril 13, 2004Milwaukee BrewersBen Ford
34Michael TuckerMay 30, 2004Colorado RockiesJoe Kennedy
35A. J. PierzynskiJuly 6, 2004Colorado RockiesDenny Stark
36Barry BondsJuly 30, 2004St. Louis CardinalsChris Carpenter
37Barry BondsAugust 3, 2004Cincinnati RedsCory Lidle
38Michael TuckerApril 9, 2005Colorado RockiesScott Dohmann
39Randy WinnSeptember 14, 2005San Diego PadresWoody Williams
40Barry BondsSeptember 18, 2005Los Angeles DodgersHong-Chih Kuo
41Barry BondsAugust 21, 2006Arizona DiamondbacksLivan Hernandez
42Barry BondsApril 18, 2007St. Louis CardinalsRyan Franklin
43Ryan KleskoMay 21, 2007Houston AstrosTrever Miller
44Ryan KleskoJune 29, 2007Arizona DiamondbacksLivan Hernandez
45Barry BondsAugust 8, 2007Washington NationalsTim Redding
46Fred LewisApril 26, 2008Cincinnati RedsMatt Belisle
47John BowkerJuly 2, 2008Chicago CubsRyan Dempster
48Andres TorresJune 15, 2009Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimJohn Lackey
49Pablo SandovalJuly 30, 2009Philadelphia PhilliesRodrigo Lopez
50Pablo SandovalAugust 29, 2009Colorado RockiesJason Marquis
51Aubrey HuffMay 1, 2010Colorado RockiesRafael Betancourt
52Aubrey HuffJune 16, 2010Baltimore OriolesJeremy Guthrie
53Andres TorresJuly 28, 2010Florida MarlinsJorge Sosa
54Pablo SandovalAugust 12, 2010Chicago CubsRandy Wells
55Pablo SandovalSeptember 30, 2010Arizona DiamondbacksBarry Enright
56Pablo SandovalJuly 4, 2011San Diego PadresErnesto Frieri
57Nate SchierholtzJuly 8, 2011New York MetsR. A. Dickey
58Pablo SandovalAugust 31, 2011Chicago CubsRodrigo Lopez
59Carlos BeltranSeptember 14, 2011San Diego PadresMat Latos
60Brandon BeltSeptember 27, 2011Colorado RockiesAlex White
61Brandon BeltJune 14, 2012Houston AstrosWandy Rodriguez
62Brandon BeltSeptember 4, 2012Arizona DiamondbacksIan Kennedy
63Pablo SandovalMay 12, 2013Atlanta BravesKris Medlen
64Brandon CrawfordApril 13, 2014Colorado RockiesRex Brothers
65Tyler ColvinMay 12, 2014Atlanta BravesGavin Floyd
66Brandon CrawfordMay 14, 2014Atlanta BravesDavid Carpenter
67Travis IshikawaSeptember 12, 2014Los Angeles DodgersKevin Correia
68Brandon BeltSeptember 25, 2014San Diego PadresAndrew Cashner
69Brandon BeltJune 8, 2016Boston Red SoxDavid Price
70Denard SpanJune 13, 2016Milwaukee BrewersChase Anderson
71Denard SpanAugust 20, 2016New York MetsBartolo Colón
72Brandon BeltMay 13, 2017Cincinnati RedsLisalverto Bonilla
73Brandon BeltJune 10, 2017Minnesota TwinsJose Berrios
74Denard SpanJuly 7, 2017Miami MarlinsDan Straily
75Denard SpanJuly 19, 2017Cleveland IndiansCarlos Carrasco
76Denard SpanSeptember 11, 2017Los Angeles DodgersKenta Maeda
77Pablo SandovalApril 4, 2018Seattle MarinersFélix Hernández
78Brandon BeltMay 15, 2018Cincinnati RedsTyler Mahle
79Stephen VogtAugust 9, 2019Philadelphia PhilliesDrew Smyly
80Scooter GennettAugust 11, 2019Philadelphia PhilliesRanger Suárez

Rusty, the Coke bottle, and the glove

The Coca-Cola bottle and old-fashioned glove

The Coca-Cola bottle and old-fashioned glove

When the park opened in 2000, taking residence on the right field wall was Rusty, the Mechanical Man based on a theme of Old Navy since the wall was sponsored by the company. Rusty was a two-dimensional robotic ballplayer that stood 14 feet (4.3 m) tall and weighed 5½ tons. The Valencia-based firm, Technifex, engineered, fabricated and programmed Rusty to appear after major plays, during games, as a fully animated giant 1920s-era tin "toy". After technical problems arose with Rusty, it was removed from the Old Navy Splash Landing, though the enclosure that housed him remained for years. In 2006 the Old Navy sponsorship of the wall was terminated and renamed "Levi's Landing". In 2008, the enclosure was removed as that area near the right field foul pole was renovated for a new luxury party suite called the "McCovey Cove Loft".[23]

Behind the left field bleachers is "The Coca-Cola Fan Lot". The ballpark features an 80-foot (24 m) long Coca-Cola bottle with playground slides that lights up with every Giants home run, and a miniature version of the stadium. "The Coca-Cola Superslide" is popular with children as is with adults, and the terraced levels of the slides are a fun way to catch the game. Bubbles originally accompanied the bottle, but never worked as intended and were removed. If one were viewing the outfield promenade from home plate, directly to the bottle's right is another oversized representation of a ballpark stalwart, the "Giant 1927 Old-Time Four-Fingered Baseball Glove" — this particular one is made of steel and fiberglass. Behind and farther to the left is "The Little Giants Park" – a miniature baseball diamond — sort of a minor league tryout for Pee-Wee Ball.[24]

To the right of the glove sculpture is the elevator and large plaza area for functions and parties to be held during games. It's also the site of "Orlando's", the concessions stand of Giants great Orlando Cepeda. The signature fare at the stand is the "Caribbean Cha Cha Bowl". Right-center field features a real San Francisco cable car numbered 44 (retired cable car #4, formerly #504) in honor of Giants great Willie McCovey. Originally, the cable car had a label that stated "No Dodgers Fans Allowed", as well as one end of the car numbered 24 in honor of Willie Mays and the other end numbered 44 in honor of Willie McCovey.[25] The foghorn — a feature introduced at Candlestick Park by the current Giants ownership group – was transferred to Oracle and hung underneath the scoreboard. It blows when a Giants player hits a home run or at the conclusion of a Giants win. Continuing right takes one to the promenade above the Cove, so that one can make a completely uninterrupted circuit of the park at that concourse level. Both levels of the concourse, inside the stadium, feature not only concession stands of all sorts, but other attractions as well.

@Café

Lou Seal has served as mascot of the San Francisco Giants since 1996.

Lou Seal has served as mascot of the San Francisco Giants since 1996.

Located behind the centerfield bleachers, the ballpark features the @Café,[26] a social media café, which opened in the 2013 season. The cafe serves Peet's Coffee and features large screens that show off fans' social media posts from Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which are curated by the Giants organization.

The cafe replaced a team-themed Build-A-Bear Workshop store, where fans could build their own stuffed Giants' mascot, Lou Seal, or create other Giants-themed stuffed animals.

Scoreboards

In addition to the automated scoreboards, which now include a new high-definition video board by Mitsubishi, the park has enormous manually-operated boards on the right field wall, which display the scores of Major League games being played elsewhere. The manual scoreboards are operated by three employees, whose work on game days starts at least two hours before the first pitch. A members-only bar, Gotham Club, is located behind the manual scoreboard, complete with a bowling alley and pool tables. Former players and VIPs are the only patrons of this exclusive area.

Wireless internet

Starting in 2004, the Giants installed 122 wireless internet access points, covering all concourses and seating areas, creating one of the largest public hotspots in the world[27] at the time.

San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame

On September 23, 2008, the Giants Wall of Fame was unveiled on the King Street side of the ballpark,[28] as part of the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Giants' move to San Francisco. 48 retired players were inducted, based on longevity and achievement.[29] Eligibility requirements for players to be on the Wall are either five years as a San Francisco Giant with an All-Star Game appearance or nine years as a Giant.[30] Rich Aurilia and Shawn Estes were added in 2010.[31] Jason Schmidt and Marvin Benard were added in 2011, and Barry Bonds was added in 2017.[32]

Giants Home Attendance at Oracle Park
SeasonAttendanceAvg./GameRank
20003,318,80040,9732nd
20013,311,95840,8881st
20023,253,20340,1631st
20033,264,89840,3071st
20043,256,85439,7183rd
20053,181,02339,2723rd
20063,130,31338,6464th
20073,223,21539,7935th
20082,863,83735,3567th
20092,862,11035,3357th
20103,037,44337,4995th
20113,387,30341,8192nd
20123,377,37141,6962nd
20133,369,10641,5933rd
20143,368,69741,5893rd
20153,375,88241,6783rd
20163,365,25641,5463rd
20173,303,65240,7853rd
Source:[33]

Statues

Main entrance with Willie Mays statue and 24 palm trees.

Main entrance with Willie Mays statue and 24 palm trees.

Outside the ballpark are six statues, five of which are dedicated to San Francisco Giants all-time greats.

The Willie Mays Statue is located in front of the ballpark entrance at 24 Willie Mays Plaza and is surrounded with 24 palm trees, in honor of his number 24 uniform, retired by the Giants. It was dedicated at noon on March 31, 2000, prior to the opening of the ballpark and was commissioned by Giants Managing Partner Peter Magowan and his wife Debby.[34]

Another statue is located at McCovey Point across McCovey Cove, and is dedicated to Willie McCovey. Around the Willie McCovey Statue are a number of plaques that celebrate the winners of the Willie Mac Award. The statue is located at China Basin Park next to The Barry Bonds Junior Giants Field, a T-ball park. Also located on the sea wall promenade are plaques showing the Opening Day roster of every Giants team from 1958 through 1999. Giants fans who contributed funds to China Basin Park, had their own tiles with their own inscriptions set into the wall.[35]

A third statue, dedicated in 2005, honors former Giants pitcher Juan Marichal, and is located outside the ballpark at the Lefty O'Doul Gate entrance. The fourth statue is located at the park's ferry plaza behind center field, also known as Seals Plaza; a statue of a seal bobbing a baseball on its nose honors the memory of the San Francisco Seals, the minor league baseball club that played before the arrival of the Giants in 1958.

On September 6, 2008, during a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a fifth statue depicting former Giants great Orlando Cepeda was dedicated at the corner of 2nd and King Streets next to the ballpark. A sixth statue, dedicated on August 13, 2016, honors former Giants pitcher Gaylord Perry and is also located at the corner of 2nd and King Streets next to the ballpark. All five statues of the Giants Hall of Fame players were created by sculptor William Behrends of North Carolina.

A feature of the ballpark is the long-running Chevron advertisement, located in left field, featuring an outline of the company's claymation Chevron Cars, though the top 'roofs' of the cars (along with a dog and a surfboard hanging out a car window) are extended out (though with traditional structure and cushioning behind it),[36] rendering it several inches higher than the wall base, and creating a ground rules issue. Several instances where potential over-the-wall catches to take away home runs were thwarted have occurred because of the advertisement's top dimensions: for example, during Game 3 of the 2016 NLDS against the Chicago Cubs, Kris Bryant hit a ball well into left field. Giants left fielder Gregor Blanco attempted a catch, but the ball landed on the roof of one of the cars, past the wall and out of his reach, rendering it a home run and tying the game in the top of the ninth inning (though the Giants would win the game in extra innings for their only win in the series).[37] There are also apocryphal stories of Giant players jokingly saying they would saw the tops of the Chevron cars off if they resulted in opposing home runs being unable to be caught.

Notable events

2000s

The opening series took place April 11–13, 2000 against the Los Angeles Dodgers (the team the Giants faced in their final series at Candlestick Park), and the Giants were swept in three games. In the first game of that series, the Giants lost 6–5, highlighted by three home runs from the Dodgers' Kevin Elster. On May 1, 2000, Barry Bonds became the first player to hit a "splash hit" home run into McCovey Cove.

In just its first few years of existence, the ballpark saw its share of historic events primarily due to veteran Giants outfielder Barry Bonds. On April 17, 2001, Bonds hit his 500th career home run at then-Pacific Bell Park. Later that year, he set the single season home run record when he hit home runs number 71, 72, and 73 over the weekend of October 5 to close the season. On August 9, 2002, Bonds hit his 600th career home run at the park. On April 12, 2004, Bonds hit career home run 660 at SBC Park to tie Willie Mays for third on the all-time list and on the next night, he hit number 661 to move into sole possession of third place. On September 17, 2004, Bonds hit his 700th career home run at the park to become just the third member of baseball's 700 club. On May 28, 2006, Bonds hit his 715th home run at the park to pass Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time list. On August 7, 2007, Bonds hit his 756th home run, breaking Hank Aaron's record.

The park hosted games three through five of the 2002 World Series against the Anaheim Angels, which the Giants lost four games to three. It also hosted the 2007 MLB All-Star Game, which the American League won 5–4 over the National League.

On July 10, 2009, the Giants' Jonathan Sánchez pitched the first no-hitter at Oracle Park.

2010s

On October 27 & 28, 2010, the Giants hosted the first two games of the World Series, beating the Texas Rangers in both games. They ultimately went on to win the series, their first championship since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958, though the clinching game was played at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington rather than at Oracle Park.

On June 13, 2012, Matt Cain threw the 22nd perfect game in MLB history — and first in Giants history — against the Houston Astros.

Oracle Park hosted Games 1 and 2 of the 2012 World Series on October 24 and 25. The Giants beat the Detroit Tigers twice, 8–3 and 2–0 respectively. The Giants would go on to win the 2012 World Series in a four-game sweep at Comerica Park.

The stadium hosted of the semifinal and final rounds of the 2013 World Baseball Classic on March 17–19.

On July 23, 2013, due to a previous rain-out in Cincinnati, Oracle Park served as the "home" venue of the Cincinnati Reds for the second game of a doubleheader against the Giants.[38] Giants manager Bruce Bochy won his 1,500th career game.

On June 25, 2014, Tim Lincecum pitched the 3rd no hitter at Oracle Park against the San Diego Padres in a 4-0 win. It was his 2nd no hitter of his career, with both of them coming against the Padres.

Oracle Park hosted Games 3, 4, and 5 of the 2014 World Series on October 24, 25, and 26. The Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 2 out of the 3 games played at Oracle Park, losing Game 3, 3–2, before winning Games 4 and 5, 11–4 and 5–0 respectively. They ultimately went on to win the series in seven games, with the clinching game played at Kauffman Stadium rather than at Oracle Park. As of 2017, the Giants have not hosted a World Series clincher at Oracle Park, but they did host two at Candlestick Park: the first being in 1962, which was won by the New York Yankees, and the second in 1989, which the Oakland Athletics won in a four-game sweep.

On June 15, 2015, the Giants set a record for most consecutive home losses at Oracle Park at nine straight games with a 5-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners. This losing streak was the Giants' longest since an 11-game home loss streak at the Polo Grounds in New York in 1940.[39]

From October 1, 2010 to July 18, 2017, Oracle Park recorded 530 consecutive sellouts, the second longest in Major League history behind Fenway Park's 794 consecutive sellouts from 2003 to 2013.

Non-baseball events

Giants Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of the San Francisco Giants created and headed by longtime team executive Pat Gallagher, brings non-baseball events to Oracle Park on days when the Giants do not play. Prominent among these has been the usage of the stadium for football. It has also hosted a range of other sporting and musical events.

Football

The park was home to the XFL's San Francisco Demons in 2001, was the home of the East-West Shrine Game (until 2006), and was the former home stadium of the California Redwoods of the UFL in 2009.

From 2002 to 2013, it was also home to college football's Redbox Bowl when the game was known as the San Francisco Bowl, Emerald Bowl, and Fight Hunger Bowl. In 2011, Oracle Park became the temporary home football stadium for the California Golden Bears while Cal's on-campus stadium, California Memorial Stadium, underwent renovation.[40]

Oracle Park also hosted its first high school football game in 2011, the Central Coast Section Division III football championship game between long-time San Francisco rivals St. Ignatius College Preparatory and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory.[41]

In January 2019, it was reported that the Oakland Raiders had considered temporarily moving to Oracle Park for the 2019 NFL season, as an interim measure before construction of a stadium in their new home city of Las Vegas is complete for 2020.[42] However, the 49ers refused to waive their territorial rights,[43] and the Raiders would ultimately reach an agreement with the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority to return to the Oakland Coliseum for the 2019 season with a provision for the 2020 season should construction of the Las Vegas Stadium be delayed.[44]

Soccer

On February 10, 2006, the U.S. men's soccer team defeated Japan 3–2 at Oracle in a friendly.

A match of the 2011 World Football Challenge between Manchester City and Club America was held at Oracle, drawing a crowd of 11,250.

On March 17, 2012, the Houston Dynamo defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in a regular season Major League Soccer match at Oracle.

On July 31, 2013, Everton defeated Juventus 6-5 on penalties after ending regulation tied 1-1 as part of the 2013 International Champions Cup.[45]

DateWinning TeamResultLosing TeamTournamentSpectators
February 10, 2006**United States**3–2JapanInternational Friendly37,365
July 16, 2011**EnglandManchester City**2–0MexicoClub América2011 World Football Challenge11,250
March 17, 2012**United StatesHouston Dynamo**1–0United StatesSan Jose EarthquakesMajor League Soccer21,816
July 31, 2013**ItalyJuventus**1–0EnglandEverton2013 International Champions Cup22,208

Concerts

DateArtistOpening act(s)Tour / Concert nameAttendanceRevenueNotes
May 18, 2001Dave Matthews BandMacy Gray
Angelique Kidjo
Summer 2001 Tour73,056 / 73,056$3,634,536Carlos Santana and Karl Perazzo were special guests.[46]
May 19, 2001Trey Anastasio was the special guest.[47]
November 8, 2002The Rolling StonesSheryl CrowLicks Tour
November 9, 2002
August 16, 2003Bruce Springsteen and the E Street BandThe Rising Tour40,702 / 40,702$3,134,054
August 12, 2005Dave Matthews BandThe Black Eyed Peas
Jem
Summer 2005 Tour50,786 / 55,000$2,920,195
September 24, 2005Green DayJimmy Eat World
Flogging Molly
American Idiot World Tour45,000 / 45,000$1,875,675
November 13, 2005The Rolling StonesMetallica
Everclear
A Bigger Bang87,054 / 88,264$11,210,733
November 15, 2005
November 29, 2007Fall Out BoyGym Class Heroes
Plain White T's
Cute Is What We Aim For
Doug
Young Wild Things Tour
June 8, 2008Kenny ChesneyBrooks & Dunn
LeAnn Rimes
Gary Allan
Luke Bryan
Poets and Pirates Tour34,328 / 37,033$3,036,391
July 18, 2009Kenny ChesneyLady Antebellum
Miranda Lambert
Sun City Carnival Tour36,258 / 37,411$2,516,347
July 10, 2010Paul McCartneyUp and Coming Tour40,512 / 40,512$4,752,027This show marked his first performance in the city since The Beatles performed at Candlestick Park in 1966.
July 14, 2012Roger WatersThe Wall Live33,193 / 33,193$4,151,510
August 5, 2014Beyoncé & Jay ZOn the Run Tour73,020 / 73,020$8,887,539
August 6, 2014
September 5, 2015Billy JoelBilly Joel in Concert37,064 / 37,064$3,924,448
September 25, 2015AC/DCVintage TroubleRock or Bust World Tour46,167 / 46,167$4,446,189
February 6, 2016MetallicaCage the ElephantWorldWired Tour41,119 / 43,681$4,341,114
August 9, 2016Guns N' RosesThe StrutsNot in This Lifetime... Tour38,173 / 38,173$5,597,843
September 4, 2016JourneyThe Doobie BrothersEclipse Tour
August 13, 2017Lady GagaDJ White ShadowJoanne World Tour39,225 / 39,225$4,674,972
November 9, 2017MetallicaDave Matthews
G-Eazy
Dead & Company
Raphael Siddiq
Rancid
WorldWired Tour38,387 / 38,387$3,547,160Band Together concert for Northern California wildfire relief[48]
August 21, 2018Ed SheeranSnow Patrol
Anne-Marie
÷ Tour38,647 / 38,647$4,199,073
September 20, 2018EaglesZac Brown BandThe Doobie BrothersAn Evening With The Eagles 2018TBATBA
September 21, 2018Def Leppard
Journey
ForeignerDef Leppard & Journey 2018 Tour35,617 / 35,617$3,915,971
July 21, 2020Green Day
Fall Out Boy
Weezer
The InterruptersHella Mega TourTBATBA

Rugby

The stadium hosted the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens from July 20 to July 22.[49]

In video games

A virtual recreation of the park was created as a gig venue for Guitar Hero World Tour.

In the game Watch Dogs 2, a stadium, called Nudle Park, based on Oracle Park is recreated. Its location is also in San Francisco, and is in the same region.

In TV

In summer 2010, the park hosted an audition stop for the 2011 (10th) season of American Idol.

Other events

The stadium hosted an AMA Supercross Championship round from 2003 to 2010.[50]

The Mavericks big-wave surfing contest is broadcast live on the giant video display at Oracle Park when the event is held. In 2006, the park hosted ICER AIR the first stadium big-air ski and snowboard competition to be held in the United States.

San Francisco Opera partnered with Giants Enterprises to do three broadcasts, most recently Tosca, in June and September 2009.

In October 2013, rapper Kanye West rented out the stadium and the scoreboard for a private event, which turned out to be an elaborate marriage proposal to his girlfriend, reality personality Kim Kardashian.[51]

Starting in 2015, the stadium is host to the commencement exercises of San Francisco State University.

See also

  • 49-Mile Scenic Drive

  • Sports in the San Francisco Bay Area

  • Chase Center

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