Will Still Thrills

Posted on June 14, 2011

San Francisco Giants Legend Will Clark stands on the field on San Francisco Giants Legends day before an MLB baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

 

Old Timers. Heroes of the Game. Legends. Whatever you want to call them, some older gentleman who once donned the orange and black uniforms of the San Francisco Giants appeared back in uniform on Saturday before the Giants hosted the Reds at AT&T Park in San Francisco. There were over 20 alumni gathering in the third base dugout at 11am, but all eyes were on one guy, and one guy only. Number 22, Will Clark.

As soon as he sat down in the dugout surrounded by some of his teammates Clark began holding court. The cackle was back. The swagger was back. The eye black was back! No one was having more fun than Clark on this day, except maybe the fans who gathered in the park early to remember the days when they were younger, and the days when Will The Thrill occupied first base for the Giants from 1986 thru 1993.

Talk to any Giants fan over the age of 30 and they will undoubtedly tell you their favorite player was Will Clark. Ever since he homered in his first at bat off Nolan Ryan on opening day in 1986 Clark was a fan favorite. His legend only grew with his sweet swing, Nuschler face, high-pitched voice, and eye black. He was The Natural. The Golden Spikes Award winner. He single-handidly won the 1989 pennant for the Giants as he had one of the greatest playoff series ever against the Cubs in the NLCS.

I was fortunate to begin shooting the Giants in 1987, so I only missed photographing Clark’s rookie year. I photographed him every year from 19897 til his final season in 2000. The camera loved Clark. He was a picture waiting to happen. He always made great faces, and he would go nuts if he struck out. If I needed a good Giants dejection picture I could always focus on Clark after he struck out in a key situation as he was sure to throw his bat, kick the dirt, or throw his helmet- sometimes all at the same time!

I was excited to photograph Clark on Saturday. The Giants have not had an old timer’s game in many years, so I have not had the chance to photograph some of my old heroes in a long time. Clark is around the club off and on as a special coach, but he is never dressed up like the player he once was, down to the eye black. This was a special occasion and I needed to come away with some pictures that show he still has that personality, even if he is a few years older.

Clark did not disappoint the fans, hitting one into McCovey Cove during batting practice and giving his all during the one inning game that followed. There are many fans who wished the Giants would “Keep Will” (see above) after they let him to to the Rangers as a free agent for the 1994 season. However, on this special day, and for every day in the future Clark will be a Giant. He always was, and he always will be.