Timely hitting advice from Giants alumnus Brett Butler paid off for Benard in 1999. The likeable Nicaraguan, who had inherited center field by default when Darryl Hamilton was traded to Colorado the previous July, quickly broke free from a platoon with utilityman F.P. Santangelo to win the Giants' everyday job in center. He finished the '99 season in fine fashion, posting a .290 average, 16 homers and 64 RBIs while swiping 27 bases.
It wasn't Benard's first full season in the majors -- he broke in with the Giants in 1995 and saw significant time filling in for the injured Glenallen Hill and Stan Javier in 1996 -- but it was certainly his best. The mental lapses that had plagued him early in his career had disappeared, and Benard was rewarded after the season with a three-year, $11.1 million contract extension.
Benard's favorite player was Willie McCovey, but even as a major-leaguer he never worked up the courage to send his idol a letter. After his breakout season, Benard finally met McCovey when the San Francisco legend presented him with the Willie Mac Award as the most inspirational Giant. "I was always impressed with Marvin," McCovey revealed after the ceremony. "He doesn't know that." (JGR)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 1, 1992:
The Astros select Cal State–Fullerton 3B Phil Nevin with the 1st pick in the amateur draft. Picking 6th, the Yanks take Derek Jeter, who will reject a University of Michigan offer to sign with New York. The Marlins will use their 1st pick on catcher Charles Johnson. The A's take Jason Giambi (2nd round) and the Cards get T.J. Mathews on the 36th. The Brewers take Ken Felder on the 1st round but he will prove a flop: their best pick is Scott Karl (6th round). Marvin Benard goes to the Giants on the 50th round.
»June 5, 1996:
In Cincy, the Giants score in each of the first seven innings to beat up the Reds, 15–4. Matt Williams and Marvin Benard drive in four apiece to make it easy for Mark Gardner (7–1).
»June 10, 1997: Kevin Brown fires the season's first no-hitter, with just a hit batter preventing the Marlins' ace from a perfect game. Florida stops the Giants, 9–0. With two outs in the eighth, Brown's 1-2 pitch nicks Marvin Benard on the right leg. Giant starter William Van Landingham also takes a no-hitter into the seventh, but Charles Johnson's two-run homer with one out opens a 7-run deluge.
»October 2, 1999: The Giants beat on the Rockies, 16-7, as OF Marvin Benard strokes five hits, including a double.
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