San Francisco Giants Peter and Stretch Patches Explained

Throughout the 2019 season the San Francisco Giants have been wearing two black and orange patches on the right sleeves of all their uniforms.

On top is a black rectangle trimmed in orange reading “PETER” in orange letters, below that is a black circle with an orange “44” and “STRETCH” arched above it.

For most Giants fans the symbolism is very obvious, but for the casual baseball observer or for most fans outside the Bay Area, maybe not so much. This post is for them.

PETER is a tribute to Peter A. Magowan, owner of the Giants who died on January 27, 2019 at the age of 76. Magowan purchased the Giants in 1993 saving the club from a relocation to Tampa Bay and served as the team’s president through 2008.

STRETCH 44 is for Willie McCovey, one of the greatest power hitters in the history of the game. McCovey played twenty-two seasons in the Major Leagues from 1959 to 1980, nineteen of which were with the Giants and he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. Stretch was McCovey’s nickname during his playing days and he wore #44 throughout his entire career. McCovey died on October 31, 2018 at the age of 80.