by Celeste Saldivar
For Willie 44,
My Orange-and-Black heart is broken
And yet it is also grateful, knowing
We have been blessed.
Blessed with the presence of
The Gentle Giant for nearly sixty seasons.
Blessed that he called himself a Giant
Proudly. Though he briefly wore different colors
He came home to the Orange and Black.
Born in Mobile, He was a Son of San Francisco.
What he meant to us fans at the windswept ‘Stick
And in later years at the Gem at Third and King
Almost undefinable.
He was hope when we had none.
A touchstone of calm dignity at first, always.
He was gracious to all. To us the Faithful
And to those lucky enough to have known him
He was “what a wonderful man”
“Uncle Willie Mac” and “my pleasure
To have known him” “Gentle Giant,
Sweet man, soft-spoken and humble”
Words from his brothers of the Diamond
Young and old. Voices as one, echoing his kindness.
His dignity and calm gave us pride
Through the glory seasons of the 1960s
And the lean times in his last years.
He was what it means to be a Giant.
Dignity, Calm, Grace, Humility, Strength.
He was all of these words but also a few more:
Joy, he was Joy, that smile always there
In the later years a smile that hid pain
But smiling away, never a complaint.
And Love …
Love for the game he played oh so well
Love for the fans, each one feeling special
Love for the city by the bay that held a place
In his heart.
Generations of Giants (from Bobby Bonds to
Jack Clark to Will Clark to Buster Posey
and local boy Brandon Crawford)
learning what it was to
Be a Giant from the Gentleman himself.
Always so giving, never complaining.
44 forever etched in our hearts and memory
We are heartbroken tonight,
But we are also blessed because
He was a part of our lives for so long.
Ever present at the Gem
On the corner of Third and King.
Our hearts are heavy, but his spirit
Is now light, unbound and running free
He will remain Forever Giant.