(Photo by Kenneth Green/MediaNews Group/Oakland Tribune via Getty Images)
The San Francisco Giants today announced that they will honor former Owner and President Bob Lurie on the Giants Wall of Fame. Lurie will become only the second non-player and past owner to join the 53 other Giants legends who are currently on the Wall. His bronze plaque will be unveiled before the Giants play the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, September 18 at 3:00 p.m. at Oracle Park along King Street, between Second and Third Streets.
“The Giants Wall of Fame is a place where we can permanently honor both players and individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the organization,” said Larry Baer, Giants President and CEO. “Bob is one of those amazing individuals who cared so deeply and passionately about his hometown and baseball team that when Mayor George Moscone asked him to find a way to keep the Giants in San Francisco in 1976 he stepped up and purchased the team and did just that. He has been an inspiration and mentor to me and so many in the organization.”
The Giants Wall of Fame was originally established in 2008 by Giants Former President and Managing General Partner Peter A. Magowan, the only other non-player on the Wall, to serve as a tribute to the organization’s greatest players of the San Francisco era. The bronze plaques that line the brick wall of Oracle Park along King Street honor those who have played a minimum of nine seasons for the San Francisco Giants, or five seasons with at least one All-Star selection as a Giant or have won three World Series Championships with the Giants. In 2019, the Wall was expanded to include other individuals, in addition to players, who have made a remarkable impact on the franchise.
Lurie served as owner and president of the Giants from 1976 to 1992 before selling the team to today’s ownership group assembled by Magowan and Baer. Lurie purchased the team in 1976, with then partner Bud Herseth, which saved them from moving to Toronto. He became the sole owner in 1978 and would go on to lead the team through 17 seasons at Candlestick Park.
He was a highly respected Major League Baseball owner and built a solid organization both on and off the field. He placed an emphasis on scouting and player development and was known for treating the Giants players and front office staff like members of his extended family.
Lurie’s greatest masterstroke was hiring General Manager Al Rosen and Manager Roger Craig in 1985. Together, they created a baseball renaissance in San Francisco spanning two and a half decades which included Forever Giants such as Will Clark, Robby Thompson, Matt Williams, Jose Uribe, Chili Davis, Bob Brenly, Kevin Mitchell, Dave Dravecky, Jeffrey Leonard, Vida Blue, Jack Clark, Chris Speier, Candy Maldonado, Johnnie LeMaster, Jeff Brantley, Rick Reuschel, Joe Morgan, Dave Righetti, Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper and many others.
Division champions in 1987, the Giants won the National League pennant in 1989 and met the Oakland Athletics in “The Battle of the Bay.” The World Series dream for the Giants was halted when the Loma Prieta Earthquake struck moments before Game Three at Candlestick Park (October 17, 1989).
Lurie’s philanthropic generosity extended far beyond baseball. In 1991, he established the Giants Community Fund as the primary charity for the organization’s outreach efforts.