Like the Joe Walsh song says, “Life’s been good.” What else can be said about the last 16 years? There wasn’t a World Series Championship for the San Francisco Giants to celebrate, but there were legitimate chances to win for many years. These last few years have been difficult to watch, but it’s a rebuilding process.

Peter Magowan recently stepped down as the managing general partner of the Giants. Many in the media and popular culture derided Magowan for his relationship with Barry Bonds and the allegations that surrounded the organization in the Mitchell Report, the most damaging being that the front office knew about Bonds’ alleged steroid use and looked the other way. Some argue that he was more concerned with lining his pockets than protecting the integrity of baseball history.

Almost forgotten in the cloud of controversy are all the positive steps St. Peter made with his investment.

In 1992, the Giants were headed to Florida. It was all but a done deal. The owner at the time, Bob Lurie, was fed up with windy and outdated Candlestick Park, where the concorses are too narrow and the bathrooms are third-world.

Voters of San Francisco and surrounding cities had repeatedly shot down efforts to finance a new stadium with taxpayer dollars. Magowan brought together a team of local investors to not only keep the franchise in San Francisco, but privately finance a state-of-the-art facility as well.

On top of that, the former Safeway CEO was integral in connecting the franchise with its rich past. Hall of Fame first baseman Willie McCovey is a fixture at Giants home games. The team retired two player’s numbers (Orlando Cepeda, 30, and Gaylord Perry, 36, respectively) under Magowan’s guidance, to bring the team’s total to 10. AT&T Park is also a home to larger-than-life statues of legendary players, and a picnic area outside the ballpark has bronze engravings of every opening day roster since 1958, the year the team moved to San Francisco from New York.

Magowan revitalized the team, despite the fact that they have had a losing record for the past four seasons. His ingenuity and determination helped spawn an amazing ballpark in the heart of downtown San Francisco. He admits that for too long he clung to the build-around-Bonds strategy that for many years served the Giants well, but it shouldn’t minimize his accomplishments. His legacy should be viewed with warmth, not contempt.

Like the way the team has played or not, there wouldn’t be a team to complain about without him.

Jordan Guinn can be reached at [email protected]