Outside Is America: Giants

Showing posts with label Giants. Show all posts

April 14, 2012

The Empire Strikes AT&T Park

Armed with Stormtrooper helmet and road jersey, a fan makes his way to AT&T Park. (click to bigify)

Baseball is back, thank God!! The San Francisco Giants flag is once again flying proudly over our garage. (Last week's disastrous sweep in Arizona is already forgotten). Watching yesterday's magical home opener recalled memories of our one and only 2011 game trip, to see the defending 2010 World Champions in action. And we didn't pick just any game: we chose AT&T Park's "Star Wars Day."


The real Boba Fett and his boss pose near right field.

Glorious worlds collide! Costume contests, a Brian Wilson Carbonite giveaway, appearances by Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and plenty of stormtroopers . . . then after the game, a screening of The Empire Strikes Back on the park's high-tech scoreboard.

The Giants lost to the Diamondbacks, but the day will always be long remembered. Kat and I even appeared on the scoreboard with our orange rally rags! Since then, we've discovered that Star Wars Days are becoming all the rage at MLB parks, so check the 2012 season calendar of your favorite team.

Below is a little photo essay from our Force-tastic day last September. Can't wait for our first road trip to AT&T Park -- a slice of baseball heaven by the bay.


Giants mascot Lou Seal channels his inner Jedi.

Badass times two. If Fett ever returns, these should be his colors.

Sadly, this masterpiece didn't even place in the costume contest.

Never leave Endor without your Panda hat.

There's a joke here, but I'll let you make your own.

Empire on the bitchin' scoreboard. Those people in center field paid $100 for the privilege. Nerfherders.


"I am your Father, LOL."

April 1, 2008

From Gamers to Goners

Yes, we suck, but this shirt will never get old.

If you’re a baseball fan, I don’t have to tell you that yesterday was Opening Day, a mini-holiday of sorts. Our Giants and the L.A. Dodgers each kicked off celebrations of 50 years on the West Coast. And what a glorious game: the pitching ace was on the mound . . . the cleanup hitter delivered the death blow (a 2-run homer) in the first inning . . . the shortstop made a dazzling play . . . and the bullpen preserved the shutout with a final score of 5-0.

Oh, wait -- that was the OTHER 50th anniversary team. WE had Barry Zito pitching. WE had the old guys playing. Osama's cave was filled with joy.

Honestly, we realized a few weeks ago that this was going to be a long year . . . but after watching yesterday’s feeble opening, well . . . it’s REALLY going to be a long year. Thank God there were other games last night to cleanse my palette and remind me what real baseball is. Then again, I’ve never laughed as hard at the McCovey Chronicles blog as I did yesterday. The Giants train-wreck/entertainment value is going to be through the roof this year.

It may be time to take John Belushi’s advice in Animal House: “My advice to you is to start drinking heavily.”

Barry Zito, our $128 million ace, picks out suits during happier times . . . i.e., before opening day 2007. Minutes later, he blew off a group of kids asking for his autograph. Yep, that's our face of the franchise.

January 6, 2008

2007 Rogues' Gallery

We're six days into 2008, but I wanted to peek back at the past year before moving on. Over the past few weeks, several folks in the railfan community have posted their best/favorite photos of 2007, and they have shown some terrific stuff . . . so I had to join in. While much of the past year was consumed by the 66 Railway book (just ask my wife), it was a pleasant surprise to find more variety in my photo files than expected.

Without any further hot air, here's a brief gallery of personal favorites: