Peter Magowan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Magowan
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Magowan at the 2010 Giants World Series parade
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Peter Alden Magowan
April 5, 1942 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | January 27, 2019 (aged 76) San Francisco, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Stanford University University of Oxford Johns Hopkins University |
| Occupation | President Managing General Partner President Emeritus |
| Employer | San Francisco Giants |
| Term | President, 1993–2008 President Emeritus, 2008–2019 |
| Relatives | Charles E. Merrill (grandfather) Charles E. Merrill Jr. (uncle) James Merrill (uncle) |
Peter Alden Magowan (born April 5, 1942 – died January 27, 2019) was an American businessman. He was the main owner and leader of the San Francisco Giants baseball team from 1993 to 2008. Before that, he was the top boss (CEO) of Safeway Inc., a big grocery store company, from 1979 to 1993.
Early Life and Work
Peter Magowan was born in New York City in 1942. His grandfather, Charles Merrill, helped start the financial company Merrill Lynch. He also played a big part in creating Safeway. Peter's father, Robert Anderson Magowan, was also a leader at Safeway. His mother, Doris Merrill Magowan, was known for her charity work.
Peter grew up in New York City. He was a big fan of the New York Giants baseball team. Later, that team moved to San Francisco. He went to Groton School for high school. He earned a bachelor's degree from Stanford University. He also got a master's degree from the University of Oxford. He studied even more at Johns Hopkins University.
After college, Peter started working at Safeway. He helped find places for new stores. He also managed different Safeway stores across the country. From 1976 to 1978, he was in charge of Safeway's stores outside the U.S. In 1979, he became the chairman and CEO of Safeway. He stayed in this top role until 1993. He then left to focus on his dream of owning a baseball team.
Peter was also a director for other large companies. These included Caterpillar, Inc. and DaimlerChrysler.
Leading the San Francisco Giants
Peter Magowan loved the San Francisco Giants. In 1993, he led a group of investors to buy the team. The previous owner, Bob Lurie, had planned to sell the team to a group in Florida. But Peter and his partners stepped in. They wanted to keep the Giants in San Francisco. Peter became the main owner and leader of the team.
Peter made a big impact right away. He signed Barry Bonds, a famous baseball player. Barry Bonds grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. His father, Bobby Bonds, had also played for the Giants.
Peter Magowan also helped build the Giants' new home. This stadium is now called Oracle Park. Before this, people in San Francisco had voted against using public money for new stadiums. In 1995, Peter shared his plan for a new ballpark. It would be built in China Basin and paid for by private money. This was special because it was the first time in over 30 years a stadium was built without public funds. San Francisco voters easily approved his plan.
In 2007 and 2008, Peter Magowan and the Giants' general manager, Brian Sabean, faced some criticism. This was part of a report about performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. Peter Magowan stepped down as the Giants' managing partner on October 1, 2008. Bill Neukom took over his role.
On November 3, 2010, Peter Magowan joined the Giants' victory parade. The team had won its first World Series title since moving to San Francisco in 1958. In 2016, he was honored by the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was added to the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame.
Personal Life
Peter Magowan passed away on January 27, 2019. He was at his home in San Francisco.
Images for kids
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Magowan at the 2010 Giants World Series parade
