The iconic stadium Candlestick Park stood tall on the western shore of the San Francisco Bay and was home to the San Francisco Giants up until 1999, and the Niners up to 2013.
Many memories of great victories like the Brian Johnson walk off win against the Dodgers, Joe Montana throwing a game tying touchdown in the NFC championship against the Cowboys, and the comeback miracle against the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card when the Niners were trailing 24 points, were made at this once beloved stadium.
Michael Vezzali-Pascual ’88, English teacher, shared his favorite memory at Candlestick, saying, “I saw Dave Dravecky pitch his comeback game after he had arm surgery because of cancer. They told him he’d never be able to be pitch again, let alone take his wallet out of his back pocket, and he came back by God, he came back and pitched in August of 1989.”
“I was in the upper deck selling ice cream, and when he came out of the clubhouse and started warming up in the Giants bullpen, the place went nuts . . . nuts! I can’t even tell you, and we wound up winning the ball game that day. ”
Although Candlestick had its detractors, many legendary players took the field there to represent San Francisco teams. Names like Joe Montana, Willie Mays, Steve Young, Willie McCovey, Jerry Rice, and Barry Bonds called it home, and created memories that remain in fans’ hearts as well as record books.
The 49ers switched to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, while the Giants moved to Oracle Park in San Francisco. Leaving Candlestick came as a shock to many fans who called “The Stick” home for decades: nearly 30 years for the Giants and more than 40 years for the 49ers.
City officials and team owners told reporters that the infrastructure of the stadium was falling apart, and repairs would cost more than the stadium itself. Temperature was also an issue as it was always in a shaded area, causing it to be very cold. Both team owners wanted new stadiums, and sought to vacate The ’Stick, which withstood the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake during the Giants-A’s World Series.
Armando Castillo, Spanish teacher, said, “Now the thing (Levi’s) is a family section, whereas before Candlestick was a rough place to see games. There was a lot of fighting, especially when the Dodgers were playing.”
Kevin Estrada ’00 and his brother celebrate at a Niners’ game during their last season at Candlestick.
Vezzali-Pascual added, “Dwight Clark, the former 49er tight end Super Bowl champion, said, ‘It was a dump, but it was our dump,’ and I think that encapsulates the whole vibe for those of us who grew up there and remember it.”
Giants fans embraced Pacific Bell Park, now called Oracle Park, and love its views of the Bay Bridge and opportunity for splash hits, but some 49ers’ fans criticize Levi’s Stadium for being too far from San Francisco and too hot.
Vezzali-Pascual ’88 shared his thoughts on the stadium change. “I like Levi’s, but it is a long drive to get to Santa Clara.” He added, “I prefer Candlestick just because I have had so many great memories with family and friends there.”
Vezzali-Pascual, who worked at Candlestick as a vendor for 14 years, added, “I got to go to the World Series in ’89 and saw some great Niners games, all that kind of stuff just from working out there walking down and up the stairs selling soda and peanuts and hotdogs and ice cream . . . spending summer seasons in the sun was wonderful.”
Although the stadium changed, fans’ love for the teams hasn’t. The Niners currently sit at the top of the NFC West and the Giants have won three World Series since leaving The ’Stick.
Castillo added, “It was old and falling apart but it had a personality which set it apart.” He continued, “I miss Candlestick, I loved it.”
