This week was the start of the Giants home baseball season. Opening day was a sight to behold with my new Hi Def TV.
As a 10 year old I used to bet my mother 10 cents on every game the Giants played. Most of the time the teams as barely above losing half and winning half. In 1960 they came very close to getting into the world series. The computers at the beginning of the season has predicted that the Dodgers would win. I spent hours in my bedroom listening to Russ Simmons and Hodges bring the game alive through radio. It kept me out of trouble. The season, in 1960 came down to one last game. It was basically a playoff game. The Giants and the Dodger were tied at the end of the season. The game that was to decide which team would go on and which team would end their seaon happened at Candlestick Park. It was a beautiful fall bay area day. The Giants had Juan Marishell and the Dodgers had Sandy Kofax in this era. The game ended up tied going into the bottom of the 9th. A ground ball squirted through the infield and the dreaded Dodgers made it into the World Series. There were no playoffs. There were no "wild card" teams. There were fewer teams an consequently better play. Most of what we see today was left in the minors.
Often over the last few years my sister and I would "watch" a game together, seperated by 150 miles. She would call me up when the game was on and we would enjoy the plays together.
After watching innings 5-9 on opening day it looks like there won't be many plays to cheer. A bounding ball hit in front of the pitcher's mound and the secound basman and the short stop converged and the the short shop did a wave at the ball as it passed between them. The second baseman was not in position before the ball headed in that direction. It was just poor fundamentals.
It seems like every other year is Kelly's interest in baseball. This should be the year.. but then again with the doctoral thesis staring her in the face, and a zillion books to read (I am so proud of her) it might not be this year either. The media is merciless on the Giants. They are fielding two teams.. one of old men and the other of young wannabess.. we shall see. They may be even worse then their football counterparts the forty whinners.
Have a great day
Pat
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I watched innings 9-13 yesterday... very nice! So, they CAN win a game afterall! I think you are right, I get obsessed every other year. This is an interesting year, lots of new players, lots of young players, no Barry Bonds. We probably won't make it to the playoffs, but baseball is an interesting season, lots of games and even the worst win their share. Sometimes young teams really jell and then there is no stopping them. I look forward to "watching" a game with you soon!
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