Scottsdale, Ariz. -- When a San Francisco Giants clubhouse attendant approached Darryl Hamilton recently to seek permission for a visitor to stop by, Hamilton figured it had to be a ruse.
The prospective caller was none other than Willie Mays.
“He asked one of the clubhouse guys if it would be OK for him to come talk to me,” Hamilton said. “I said, ‘C’mon on. You've got to be kidding.’ ”
Mays dropped by to discuss playing center field in San Francisco's blustery 3Com Park (formerly Candlestick Park), something he did with grace and aplomb during a legendary career.
This season, that particular duty falls on the shoulders of Hamilton, the former Milwaukee Brewers centerfielder who signed a free-agent contract after one year in Texas.
“They say it's different from any other place,” Hamilton said. “It's going to help a lot to have somebody like him to get feedback from.”
Just meeting Mays was a thrill for Hamilton, who idolized the Hall of Famer to the point of asking for uniform No. 24 when he made it to the big leagues in Milwaukee. When Mays told him that few of the players today bother to solicit his advice, Hamilton was flabbergasted.
“He's a neat man,” Hamilton said. “He's very humble. I've never heard him talk about himself, how great he was. Today's ballplayers are a little different.
“You've got to take advantage of (Mays' experience). I'm going to talk to him every chance I've got. I get to roam the territory he roamed for so many years. That's a thrill, without a doubt.”
For much of the winter, Hamilton wasn't sure whose outfield he'd be roaming in 1997.
In a cost-cutting move, the Rangers opted to dump Hamilton, ignoring the fact he set an American League record by handling 389 chances without an error while also batting .293 as their leadoff hitter.
“I was surprised, but I know it's become a business. I learned my lesson in Milwaukee,” said Hamilton, still bitter over the manner in which the Brewers terminated his services following the 1995 season.
The Giants made a pass at Hamilton in December, but felt his asking price was too steep. He was still on the market on Jan. 10 when the sides re-established contact and settled on a two-year, $4.5 million contract.
San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean immediately bestowed the starting center field job on Hamilton, much to the dismay of incumbent Stan Javier and an earlier free-agent signee, Darrin Jackson. The Giants since have been looking for a taker for one of those extras.
“I didn't come into camp thinking I'm the only guy out there, but they brought me here for a reason,” Hamilton said. “Of course, I have to work hard and prove myself, but I think they brought me here knowing I'd play out there.
“I wanted to play for (manager) Dusty Baker. He's awesome. He doesn't have too many rules. Just get here on time and play hard. That's all you want to do.”
Baker did a background check on Hamilton, speaking with former teammates such as Gary Sheffield and Will Clark. He liked what he heard.
“If I want a true evaluation of a guy and what kind of person he is, I'll go to (former) teammates,” Baker said. “I heard all good things.”
As for Hamilton's reputation as a fielding stalwart (eight errors in 767 major-league games), Baker said, “There's a lot to be said for hard work and dedication and pride in playing defense. That's where it starts.”
Hamilton had plenty of company when new Giants players were introduced at the outset of camp. Of the eight position players in the opening day lineup from last season, only leftfielder Barry Bonds and rightfielder Glenallen Hill remain.
“It made it easier because the emphasis isn't just on you,” Hamilton said of the personnel overhaul. “I don't feel like I have to come in here and be the savior, so to speak. It takes a lot of pressure off you.
“I'm starting to get a little more comfortable each day. It helps having a lot of guys who were in the American League here now. And having (former Brewers teammate) Doug Henry here helps. We played with each other and know each other.”
One adjustment Hamilton must make is playing in the shadow of Bonds, both figuratively and literally. In the Giants' universe, Bonds is the sun around which all other players revolve.
“It's going to be interesting,” Hamilton said. “He's Barry; he's the man. What else can you say?”
Hamilton looks forward to playing in the National League but couldn't help noticing the Giants' first interleague game is at Texas.
“Isn't that weird?” he said. “It's going to be strange. The good thing about it is I know the fans there and the media respected me. I think it's going to be fun.”