Bob Lurie, a co-owner of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, talks about the process of keeping major league baseball in San Francisco. The team was very nearly sold to a Canadian brewery and moved to Toronto, Canada. Lurie mentions that Mayor George Moscone played a significant role in the negotiation process. Also, he talks about Bob Short and Bud Herseth and discusses Candlestick Park. He also lays out immediate plans for the club, park, and fans.
Following Lurie's remarks, Commonwealth Club president, Jack Bates, asks questions.
Transcript
California Audiovisual Preservation Project Item: "Bye-Bye Baby" : https://archive.org/details/csth_000014 Transcript for file: format=VBR+MP3&ignore=csth_000014_access.mp3 00:00:00 welcome to another general meeting of the Commonwealth Club California it's a pleasure to see the 00:00:30 what we have a whole new members tabla de I wish they'd Stanwood like to get my hands thank you next Friday or speak will be the Honorable Georgia Moscone mayor Sam San Francisco is topic of you for the mayor's office office for 78 days and Beyond The Giants 00:01:05 baseball club is over the centuries has electricity Street they won more games than any other National League team and unser with flair Clarence drama what is added to the Richmond City game the grand old names McGraw hot air balloon Terry we talk about long is baseball played as will a more recent heroes maze McAbee America Marshall Davenport weather baseball fans be retailing retelling forever the most romantic moment for the game which occurred at the end of the 1951 Seas 00:01:40 1 season Trailing the Dodgers by 13 games in August <em>the </em> Giants full of incredible stretch run forcing the Dodgers fan with two or three player replay of Series Giants won the first the Dodgers a second will the Dodgers ahead 42 in the bottom of the ninth two outs Giants giant Billy Thompson Houston Bobby Thompson with two strikes against him if the greatest homerun in history trusting the Giants in the series su San Francisco make it to the Polo Grounds 1951 00:02:15 accommodating Giants almost repeated the drama 1962 stretch drive to Thailand Tyler Dodgers splitter the first to play off games cinema 13 go ahead score in the the night City Missouri the man responsible for keeping Gloria's club San Francisco is our speaker today bubblers morning born and raised in the Bay Area graduated from Northwestern University and serve in the US Air Force is President Lori company real estate investment and management company Bob's many terms workers benefit actor from any public causes 00:02:50 how long is many possibilities US president director the chamber commerce National Health Health Institute California Association for ACT Mountain Mount Zion hospital Town School for Boys Israel Sharon note Modest biographical sketch provided by the office Phyllis is Hobby baseball is a great place to welcome to the Commonwealth Club poem Bob Lurie blurry general partner the San Francisco Giants the title of the stock Buy Buy Baby 00:03:25 thank you very much first Commonwealth Club vitamins to greatest the tuition for many years and I just deleted here this is one of the other unusual Springs I've had the last few weeks speech is grammar school try and see what we can do I'm here today because of because the baseball season will open there been any problems in the last few weeks solve a lot of them a lot of times I didn't think we have a chance to just kept going 00:04:00 a lot of things have been accomplished and I'm going ahead and making plans with the organization The Players agreements have been saw this afternoon I'm going to New York for my first made first major league owners meeting and I hope this weekend that they will be settled settled will have the season fish Leong your way you might be interested in some of the some of the Goree and challenging problems in us challenges we have faces the last last few weeks and maybe I'd like to hear a little history about how does all came about Bob short for many years was very informative bases and I have talked to him my last 00:04:35 last fall about being a partner insisted on complete control app Apple no interest in me one night about 3 weeks ago our marriage Georgia George Moscone car at 630 7 o'clock and by the way I must match and I wouldn't be here today today weather for George Moscone he is Justin and Selena outstanding is helping his leaders leadership and is perseverance in this matters Justin on believable he called and asked if I would talk to Bob short again which idea to have on the phone with him and we agreed tentatively the we can work out in a dream the flu to San Francisco the next day 00:05:10 we met at City Hall in a couple hours ago and reach the partnership agreement verbal verbally at 415 we went to the mayor to tell him that at 4:30 when is when is the George Benson so we have 15 minutes we made that and the judge approves it the weekend go ahead with the details from that was a commute problems from here to Minneapolis Minneapolis unfortunately one short return on the ice in broken elbow is broken is pelvis the only way to have conferences was in his Hospital Road NE weather what is the best friend of mine at all times 00:05:45 how to get worse is time for grass are the next movie was the league the league meeting in Chicago I made a presentation there a mayor make a presentation NFR couple hours late the league owners came back and told their demands the most serious demand affect short was the densest did the die has the I have the boat in the National League meeting and anything concerned with that short because you because he was hurt publicly by all of the publicity what degree do it and iPhone fully understand his position and I agreed with it but I felt be in San Francisco haven't been born 00:06:20 born here that I had to represent a team so with that and his desire for sorry for more control it turned out the door he was going to be a partner I flew back back here on a Monday and the next morning official he his partner Mei Corporation was going to pull out the next the next morning I got a call from Chuck Feeney president of the National League who says the owners wanted me on a conference call at noon what I please tell them at that time with my decision how to pleasure talking about gentleman and a vase 00:06:55 they decided in their best judgement ice make a decision a mediately requested that died get 24 to 48 hours to find a new partner what they didn't think that was for you to come down now what is their best judgement they decide give me 5 hours MD question that the at 5 o'clock that afternoon afternoon I have another conference call and the decision have to be made I was on the phone the phone for a while to 238 afternoon with two and a half hours ago we still 10 plays I told everyone in my office don't worry something to happen after the time in Africa 00:07:30 I've been in touch with the mayor's office all during the day and a 245 proximately I talk to Cory Boys the mayor's press a resting message air from b*** herself in Phoenix PCT might have 4 million dollars alot of time with Cory on the phone so I want to get back in Mexico to Phoenix what does the mic be interested but with my Association Asian with short I didn't pursue that after popping 6 to 8 Phone phone calls with percet we finally reached an agreement verbal 8 00:08:05 add quarter to 5 at 5 o'clock I was back on the phone with a major league on dollars and told him that I was going to make a commitment of 8 million dollars are there than Ezra questions and agree that I met a commitment and took a boat voter not to be 11 another thing as someone commented I have my first shot out buy that evening after after completing at the mayor rough wanted to know what was happening I called him a mediately Abdullah results season what happens if ur self change is my doctor 00:08:40 documentary Mississippi doesn't show up and I told Georgia to I was going to go going to go to the bridge into Jesse come with me percentage show up we decide the documents and everything has been just great is an outstanding person Andy's a man of his word has lit up everything you said he would do he's been very very cooperative is asked me to set up the organization and to set up the things we do where do inknow Alvin consulting with console is Laura think it's going to be a great Drake lationships at the press conference today I introduce him and Ulrich 00:09:15 weather reporters Astors of how he gon let up for million dollars last meeting me without seeing any papers Exedra G comedies of man sitting next to me is my is my Lord my alarm for 10 years but I met him for the first time yesterday also says it from time to time is the largest meat packers in the state of Arizona independent factor by cattle 34 million dollars worth sometimes in 23 minutes this is not a new expert was Hernando transfer me though things off really just got your such a hectic period of my life 00:09:50 New Orleans Asian with new manager do coaches new front office staff where we are going to make a few changes the best thing without going to the ball club Fort Lee 44 stone is really put together a contending club its young and sanctions is it easier and I know it contender this year can beat Cincinnati we going to find out what I said closer I get to worry about the Dodgers at the moment but the beat around I've had some comments Oregon criticism why hire Del Rey just a good friend of mine the ring is a close friend of mine for 15 20 years 00:10:25 writing by far is the best manager baseballs are the best one of a lable in Ozark mo young players use a winner has been a winner and I know this team already is very enthusiastic Susie after his capabilities we assemble a jacket outside air the number one object for me to make a*** sex Parkay fun place to go I love to have all you fans say something I really enjoyed a channel 62 much is that common lately ive got a good baseball team there are a lot of problems out there probably the number the number one problem being Security Labs Donald lot of feeling among the fans 00:11:00 vans in Northern California I don't feel comfortable going there were going to correct that I think we can live eliminate that we're not going to have a problem of people saying I'm afraid to go there at night or dare day or whatever changing a concession stands in Chains a homemade trailer different things worth reading of pretzels and ice cream probably soup the fans like it fine if they dont 5 very flexible we want to hear from if you have any comments let us have them does it say if people want it that we want to make it how to make everybody happy to see other people out there I know the heating is a big 00:11:35 is a big problem and calcium does get cold from time to time lyrics train set what is the best solution of that is get 40 50 thousand people out there Ala what time we can all stay warm but that dove Realty in the heat the heat lamps download Baymeadows recently insulation for about 10 years we got time tracking an electrical companies going there to see what can be done about it see The Weeknd get some heat lamps in with visible at all we will certainly Guetta get it done we also was the legend of the comet 00:12:10 should have brass out there discusses with loose baby you're the park and recreation ration department at all what is enough in chest not sorry not Fisher but maybe next year pictures of adventures there is a mentalist let's investigate a problem so they say we want to do everything possible to make it the best place to camp looking for a minute and Attendance I think I've said that predicted the week in Dublin tendencies year which last year was about 522009 possible to support a 2004 indicator we can do it 00:12:45 is Argo will not finalized dollar promotion plan what we are going we are going to get a lot of them to Wauseon people that were closer with a grammar schools in high school high schools in Little League we're going to have days out there where we going to let the kids and free organized groups during the summer session during the weekday games with a can come out and enjoy baseball NC and see what major league team really looks like we want to support cooperate with them we also we have things like a $2 use reserve tickets were any Oster 14 1410 your at any time for $2 incident a reserved seat 00:13:20 eliminated the 50 cent Texas been eliminated on the $2 grams NC to keeping the word where do singles tickets to a dollar fifty cents we're having a good time things is having 4 Bicentennial bonus night so the day to get you buy get another one the one free weave got the various ticket Plaza surprising to me email to close to it there are seven different in plants of writing what do you want to go Knights Inn Sundays whatever combination we've got it there a spray that works we have various discount plans 35 00:13:55 500 people get a 10 percent discount tickets 120000 15 percent discount tickets Willowbrook like this if you don't like to go together 1000 people people give your dog a ticket to get job there the ticket will be available April 1st wave in order I was told is the ticket for torn bicep February 20th is there is no way we have my opening day I believe the tickets for order around the first or second of Martha for stripper body come in and we'll have the rest of avail bailable by the first of April are there different things before UGK 00:14:30 UGK game by 20 25 minutes before batting win batting practice and feeling pressure practice is over nothing happens we want to try College Vance high school band IROC rims and have some entertainment and also during double header just fance like in 5 fine but I think it could be a little bit change and I think it should be a lot of fun to do it April 8 something that has been done here I guess in 10 12 years Corporation of America office the chamber commerce in the boosters club pray the Prado we haven't septa route has not been set up yet 00:15:05 what the phrase going to end up in Union Square to have the largest brown bag lunch in the world everybody in Northern California to come to Union Square we're going to have the team there where to get an ounce is Al Michaels lon Simmons which by the way to Best Buy Jessie Team in baseball they will be there shortly thereafter the team will report to Candlestick Park parking with Vita rebody out free to watch a workout if they are so inclined what we need support for everybody in Northern California sir I was born here and Sara San Francisco the most important thing in my life but in the 60's everybody came from Fresno 00:15:40 Sacramento Stockton accept tra le want to bring a los antrax again the great groups would come down for the weekend think we can do enough to get there spirits barebacking do it I've had a wonderful cooperation mother chamber commerce in bell tower 15 man to marry out calling people use to beat season ticket holders are working on working on that the Rite Aid on and will be published this Sunday that I think the world explain their program that I hope you're reading culture coupon the boot your car without Murray big help but there's stimulating interest wherever 00:16:15 the greatest actors of the last few days is somebody else on a Friday what about the player The Players there was sensor not in spring training want to see if they help Monday morning at 11 11 o'clock they appear in about 15 off with their wives and the Chamber office what they can do 1004 Sacramento just wasn't arrested in SC what would happen is there going to be involved this year they want to go out and sell tickets and promote and work with young people people so I think the Spirit is just been just amazing im ready gratified by and they really wanna play ball I think I don't know what's on the other games like but I think the young folks 00:16:50 dynasty many inches to play ball and I want to show San Francisco what they can do I know Gym bar for example total building in 2 months ago should we stay we stay here a sign of your the manager worries I gotta be the best possible Chevys Emeryville now thats what I the Spirit we run into also what must like the medium for the ups and cooperation in their coverage search search last forever it's not going to expect in criticism I hope I hope it will be on objective based the bases I'm not a baseball hits bird yet and I dont haha its going to take 00:17:25 going to take but I do want to thank Allah medium just really been wonderful something else going to have open I hope within 10 days of the downtown ticket office and have our own identify identification is going to be information on anything you want to know about the ball players of the ballpark how far we Watchers suggestions in comments when my bottom tickets will be available the players will be dropping in there from time to time KSFO remote broadcast just want to make a fun warm place for people just a drop in heaven if you don't buy close to say this by far is gonna be the biggest whale 00:18:00 my life its been hectic traumatic event season ticket holders 1958 to the players on the border the Giants last 15 years and I'm lucky to be in this position have an opportunity to get involved my primary primary interested in the key Major League Baseball in San Francisco and personally for the challenge involve I think it's going to be great I know it will work everybody's health 10 things bother me the the Giants name is always been aborted Horton name going back to the 1880s when they first start thinking alas 00:18:35 the last few years a lot of the lustrous come off of that name and I talk to the players I want to instill a feeling to be proud of the name Giants how important it is what it represents and hopefully the fans will get that same feeling 1958 the New York Giants came to San Francisco 1976 the San Francisco Giants are in San Francisco why I know I have not spoken by a lot of time I think right now be a lot more fun to feel something great questions thank you 00:19:10 Bob Lurie one of the general partners of the Giants thank you very much for brakes and talk Nob Hill return of the podium club president Jack bass basis more than a few questions to ask is this a demonstrated that you had very good training in grammar school 00:19:45 very good talking to very good pets potential customers in the audience can can two professional baseball team succeed financial aid in the bag the Bay Area I've heard there's another team in Oakland I'm not sure sure where are there were not going to pay much attention do I own job and I think we're going to succeed financially Amazon not going to worry about Oakland can 00:20:20 can owners afford to pay the highest salaries demanded by professionals national players can't afford we have to make a few exceptions from time to time time it is a terrible problems but the I need this is really matter to go see a shins events Vicente Inn on a couple of them but the difficult is really a poker game what does the whole structures got to be tone download Bad Santa hopefully we'll please explain Florida FLORIST what the difference is the fundamental differences are Between the Lakes the players that have been such high dispute 00:20:55 dispute these days what is the main dispute over the reserve clause were a player players always want to sign a contract is with a team forever in baseball not so important in football where they have a college is there training camps in basketball ball but in baseball you make a huge investment 10707 $2000 in the players are allowed to Rome from teen to teen witches what's a requesting is somebody with the biggest checkbook is going to have the best team to just chillin work that way subway Augusta Maine to speed for salaries in the other things coming to Earth 00:21:30 asses assassin joke 7 will take a verizon samsung Mountain edition of the purchase price to make a giant contenders for the Tennessee can a new on Israel is really afford to make these necessary expenditures what we got a great team team right now where's the nearest money on the team I am leaves 00:22:05 funeral on happy the one astronomical races but I don't elsik we have to go out by too much more I think the same right here we can win this year next year is Candlestick Park Park part of the attendance Candlestick Park part of the attendance problems with the Giants odds Celtic Park was part of the antennas from I think think when you see the new Celtic Park will be deleted within surly it has been and I think I think it has not been well taken care of things we will do we won't have it ready by April 9th 00:22:40 everything we want to accomplish but certainly is yours. Time we will what will help solve that problem um do you expect to make any profit giant still wouldn't Treasury bills have been a better investment Treasury bills were fewer things would have been a much better investment but I never would have this much fun Riverside site Medford challenges yes we hope to make somebody it's not the best deal 00:23:15 day labor made my life but that's worth wild for a lot of other reasons and I certainly expected Weeknd the breakeven Angeles y profetas I sure hate losses on Sullivan Road loser I am would you be interested in rebuilding using Seal State Stadium now that the lakefront stores finished the 16th and Bryant going through all this time always leave you can never look back we have Candlestick Park Park in the room when you have a great idea about building a ballpark downtown 00:23:50 and I really really that it should have been downtown but I feel the chances Park is there is there going to be another 40 60 million dollars or not even the the hurricane that wouldn't stadium downtown Fort Worth great park out there it's only 89 minutes for the weather seal Stadium for that much time is another related question what about our need for a new stadium like Houston Houston Astrodome I had another question later that the how about a stadium on Treasure Island 00:24:25 Treasure Island the same talked about a dumb mother was a radio show the other night and somebody call international why don't you get a dome on their wings and things calm down attorney look into the next followers if you're putting down a city mile ever go there watch what what we will live probably probably don't we might look into is weather today in the new stadium outside of Detroit Detroit sometimes a plastic inflated almond take a look at 00:25:00 other things to do this year before we involved with that everyone's going to be wanted to tell you how to run the show show out there is one Sonny's questions Amora Direction questions are the Giants planning to get together with Christopher milk company ebony ore Berkeley farms did Mitchell under 14 free to play games the 49ers have this program for years and the 49ers have benefited I have never talked to Christopher Terry but did I mention 00:25:35 early we are going to have some programs in kids during the summer will be getting it in friends we were planning planning to run those programs ourselves but there will be a lot of things directed towards in lil Willie McCovey be with the Giants is a player or coach what we hire just for great coaches and so is early will not be a coach we've had some very brief discussions with San Diego Wisconsin blown completely out of proportion in the newspapers discussions going on at the time it was is possible under some physical way in San Diego didn't want too much love it will be back 00:26:10 back is a great person is a great athlete are you going to hire someone to replace the grade the great maze hotmail males yeah that's right I'm sorry I'm a turbo 350 alright and I are going to have more kids stay the same question question has come up even the Dead game of the Dead Willie Mays say say when she get him back is under contract to the New York Mets eiza batting coach for mens 00:26:45 special instructor oz water males was a great person we are City office Speakers Bureau have several people in it frozen sales department and we will have berries various people going out talking dead various functions as we won't have a watermelon have somebody somebody costumes will a cement like Astor turf candlestick be replaced with grass dancer that will look into that The Corre Corre vs chat about that when is a team 00:27:20 the team doesn't when will you have the support of the fans without fan support the team surviving San Francisco Samsung support is Shirley not going to Babel to survive is any business can survive have the customers that I think we keep saying will make it attractive enough in a fun place to go that will get your support if we don't don't do the right thing I'm sure you let us hear about it this is Medicom Picayune maybe you can figure it out figure it out respect Richardson Bear direct responsibility for marketing 00:27:55 programming how to make a commitment on contracts b*** cast of Les Miserables will talk to me about to sales promotion sponsorships capitalization I decide the woods with a talent out there spec Richardson vs comet is a great baseball management involve for many years you made one bad trade trade that he still being criticized for I think it's very on just says grade ministrator he's going to spend a lot of time in the business and Audrey Donovan is wild springs 00:28:30 Princeton baseball is there a way to use his tounge wrong to be involved as far as far is marketing and things like that the Richardson and Donovan and the Johnsons Ontario to use a public relations director will take part in it as far as player trades in that Matt Richardson the manager bell ringing will be certain involved considerably Donovan and I'll learn from all of them and we're going to work together as a team Utah senators page but I'll ask a question maybe going to lose more detail what is being done 00:29:05 done or what will be done to improve security at Candlestick what we going to have can I have better guards are we going to have more guards in the weather city lights in the parking lot of what should be done we are the tallest man in details are going on finalize a plans but I can guarantee Wilson have better security officer we going to have a little extra extra time here you gave a long speech for the very short period of time so couple thoughts occur dominicanas your speech and tech Liberty 00:29:40 asking this question how is it that you think that you can make it make it go to financial aid when others cannot think through the motions of winning ball ball club Candlestick Park in dollars to sew desire there's something about everybody with enjoy will find out is it to the huge challenging that's what I'm primarily interested in when does the C with overcome a lot of these problems and everybody out there that used to draw minion sex 160 million eight hundred thousand fans I don't know why we can't do it again everybody enjoy find out of system question answer the moment 00:30:15 will the Giants football players be available for appearances functions such as Little League bobby socks very definitely baseball is not that easy when you're on the road for 10 days New Flyer fly all night whatever you want to come off road trips know they won't be available every night night of the very next day but they will be available in the favor grade to do that will appear at the Little League of Legends Alex Jones programs are any bank with so whatever we're going to have a great cooperating was scheduled appearances as we can 00:30:50 questions about the senior citizens here's a specific women which days are going to be senior citizens days this season seasons I seek you will be Thursday although it's not file is reasonable have the blaze Dade senior citizens days do some things also have the usual captive Dave app data teacher day but has a mother innovations a surprise us season goes on assemble a question what happens if you don't what happens if you do not achieve 1 million fans 00:31:25 30 year hustlin work a little bit harder we have a little bit more time Missouri and I think I know I'm interested wrested we read the newspaper said your team today believe is just starting spring practice spring training in Italian Intelius said how the wait is going to affect the team the team lux bucks house being put together for your concern and white shoes 00:32:00 24 cast season have to pull Del Rey on a lot of that Camp official visit at 5 tomorrow morning a lot of players on their own drove down to feet Phoenix last day or two and I think 1012 reported yesterday more will be Report reporting today and working out ring is very enthusiastic what is a Spencers last week working with you younger players are not a major league roster and I know that he sing a lot of prospect down there are three of which you said could make the major club dresses Clovis containing the delay of these last couple is not having Springs 00:32:35 Springfield I don't think of except much we can get started in the have no further delays April nites what is young buck club in the sauce have been working out on their own Waterfall cause of the song feeling by the other expert expert at the March when is too early in time to start spring training so we can have a good 22 22 and a half weeks in the weather States good to work out very well feature mention having a vote on the border does the National League can you explain OS what is the significance of that 00:33:10 what what is the what is the league in in how does it to effective is the game the competitive spirit 12 teams in each league Anderson there rules of a buzz look to one person person to cast a vote they want this possibility in one person and so I bet that I have a problem with short which explains the don't have a problem with her set off metal factory does everyone get involved in that there are a lot of writing matters of I can't I can't pretend what they are gonna go to my first meeting tomorrow morning in New York so I know more after the 00:33:45 after that puts the weather is pension plans are the players strike or whatever the number of problems do come up from time to time and it says the individual League legs the boat on that there I think the constitutions are fairly similar but there are some differences tomorrow is a joint meeting between both leagues and the primary purposes to discuss is play relations Ramos when your partner take inactive part of the management and Teller can you tell if something about about the future management I don't think he's going to take to active 00:34:20 active a part of your April 8 or 9 th little bit more involved but so far is indicated that he didn't want to play with his cat is Catalan is very happy with everything is going on his lawyer tobacco the Great great gentleman will be spending some time of your life how to represent yourself and MD and do it that way we have some great people at Candlestick there some people would have done much Dunwich last year 2011 lot of capabilities and I just a lighter with the organizations that there are few change changes have been will be made the Dover all love is a great Groupon 00:34:55 Groupon there in a really working hard do you anticipate any problems with the Forty Niners I don't I don't expect anything any problems at Aulis videos been a friend of mine for a long time is Beautiful letter N Graco operation there any problems on on the mini go she Asian of a Lisa San Francisco police has 1994 to go but there are a few things we might want to talk about informally what does no I don't think there's no problems in a corporation to say from the city so far 00:35:30 so far is been out standing for the mayor's office Corey bush Bob chameleon the district attorney's office Justin perfect to keep it that way Missouri I have one more question asked you before I ask it in on behalf of map of the Commonwealth Club in the many members that resemble here today in San Francisco at the Palace Hotel in on behalf of the thirteen thousand more more members are there going to be included among the thirteen thousand I want to thank you very much for your parents for today your you're 00:36:05 Nexen talker you give a good talk a good speech and I know that to new stimulated the tension in the interest of the support alot of people all over the country for delighted that you been able to keep it cheap the Giants and San Francisco and now last question Missouri after you've Angeles this question to turn again here it is how soon can we apply apply for World Series tickets 00:36:40 before you apply for World Series tickets I love you get involved with the tech ticket ticket season ticket application have a beautiful body would like to read more care carefully we gotta go with a step first and then after that will apply for World Series tickets again again thank you
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