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SAN FRANCISCO — Twenty two Giants players have worn No. 22 since Will Clark last donned the jersey for the club that drafted him in 1985.
None will ever wear it again.
San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer announced during a pregame ceremony honoring the 1989 Giants team on Sunday that Clark’s No. 22 will be retired in 2020.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable,” Clark said. “It’s something I will never forget. And it is my Hall of Fame.”
Clark, a six-time All-Star who spent eight of his 15 major league seasons with the Giants, thanked his teammates, coaching staff and fans for their support both during and after his playing days.
Clark will join Barry Bonds, No. 25, as only the second Giants player who is not in the Hall of Fame to have their jersey retired.
“To be forever linked with the greatest who have ever played this sport here in San Francisco, it’s absolutely amazing,” Clark said.
Clark, 55, was selected No. 2 overall by the Giants in the 1985 draft out of Mississippi State. In his first major league at-bat in 1986, the power-hitting first baseman launched a home run off Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan.
He went on to hit 284 career homers, including 176 during his time with the Giants. Clark never won a Most Valuable Player Award, but he finished second in MVP voting in 1989 behind teammate Kevin Mitchell.
Clark won the 1989 NLCS MVP with a .650 batting average as the Giants defeated the Cubs four games to one. One of the most iconic moments of his career came in Game 5 of the series, when Clark delivered a two-run single off Cubs closer Mitch Williams to break a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning.
The Giants informed Clark of the decision to retire his jersey last month, but he was asked to keep the honor a secret so the organization could make the announcement during Sunday’s pregame ceremony. After Mitchell and fellow teammate Brett Butler spoke on behalf of the 1989 club that won the National League pennant, Baer informed the crowd at Oracle Park that 22 would be taken out of circulation.
“A lot of 22 jerseys running around and having my teammates here to celebrate with me, it makes it even more special,” Clark said.
The New Orleans native pointed out that the Giants will soon have two retired numbers belonging to players from Louisiana as Mel Ott, No. 3, was also born in New Orleans.
Clark is in his 11th season as a member of the Giants’ front office. He’s a special assistant of player development and is a frequent visitor to the home clubhouse at Oracle Park.
