WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK : Candlestick Park Is Called Safe for Game 3

Mayor Art Agnos of San Francisco said Tuesday that Candlestick Park was structurally sound and was ready for Game 3 of the World Series Friday between the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.

The Series is scheduled to resume Friday at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park after an 11-day delay because of last week’s earthquake. It’s the longest delay in Series history.

“It’s as safe as any facility can be, before or after an earthquake,” Agnos said of the park.

After a week of scattered showers, the National Weather Service predicted clear skies for the weekend.

But the A’s, fearing that it will rain in the next two days, left for their spring training camp in Phoenix for workouts. They will return Thursday night.

The A’s workout on Tuesday was delayed because of rain, and showers are predicted in the Bay Area for the next two days.

“I don’t think we could properly get ready here, given the condition of the outfield,” Oakland Manager Tony La Russa said. “I don’t think we would be able to play our best on Friday if we couldn’t do the things we have to in the next couple of days.”

The A’s instructional team also trains at Phoenix, and La Russa said it’s possible Oakland might play that team.

The Giants, who worked out Tuesday at Candlestick Park, planned to stay in San Francisco.

Bob Welch was originally scheduled to pitch Game 3, followed by Storm Davis. But La Russa decided to go with Dave Stewart and Mike Moore in Games 3 and 4, respectively.

Davis said he was unhappy with the decision and might consider filing for free agency.

“I don’t want to say anything more on Storm Davis, turn the page,” La Russa said.

“This was a tough situation for everyone,” Stewart said. “I’d be disappointed if I lost a start, too.”

Oakland General Manager Sandy Alderson said he might have found an answer to the scheduling squabble between the World Series and the rock group the Rolling Stones.

“Maybe we could be the opening act,” Alderson said. “I’m sure something can be worked out. It might mean a delay of a day or two for the concerts.”

The rock group is scheduled to play in the Oakland Coliseum on Nov. 4-5 and about 120,000 tickets have been sold. The Stones say their contract allows them to move into the stadium five days earlier to set up, and that could conflict with Games 6 and 7 of the World Series, if necessary, on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Concert promoter Bill Graham said that his options included postponing the show for a day or having the Rolling Stones play at the Coliseum on a smaller stage that would not take as much time to set up.

A moment of silence is scheduled for Game 3 at exactly 5:04 p.m., the time the earthquake hit. The honor of the ceremonial first ball, which was to be thrown out by Giant Hall of Famer Willie Mays, will go to a representative of the relief efforts.

Although many of the A’s and Giants wouldn’t have objected much if the Series had been canceled, La Russa and San Francisco Manager Roger Craig have found reasons to play--and win.

“The people have spoken,” La Russa said. “Only about 75 returned their tickets for Game 3 and most of them were because of travel plans.”

La Russa noted that many different activities were held during the weekend and people still were asking Tuesday why the World Series was being played.

“All I know is, I watched what went on in this area this weekend, and I watched what went on in San Francisco,” La Russa said. “There was other entertainment. Why was it appropriate to have an opera and plays?”

Said Craig: “I haven’t met one person who said this Series should not be finished. “I think everyone in the Bay Area is going on and this is just part of the process.”