By
Dr. Lefty
Down the road, come high water or hell
I’ll remember you in the stories you tell
–Mr. Lefty, “Strong Cup of Joe,” 2016
“The World Champion San Francisco Giants.” I whispered it to myself. The words sounded good.
It was September, 1971, I was 11 years old, and in only my second full year as a Giants fan, my team was going to the playoffs! I knew about Bobby Thomson’s home run in 1951 even though that was some years before I was born. I knew about the 1954 champions, and I knew about the 1962 Giants, the first San Francisco team to get that (achingly) close. This year, 1971, was going to be my year, the year I’d remember.
Well—it wasn’t. I cried when the Pirates knocked the Giants out, and then I dug in and hung in through the long, dark 70s and early 80s—another 16 years before I’d see a Giants team in the postseason. By then I was an adult with two college degrees and married four years already. (I made sure to marry someone who would appreciate my passion for the Giants. I still remember how one of my wedding guests, a fellow fan, whispered the score to me at the reception. The Giants won that day.)
That seven-game loss to the Cardinals in the 1987 NLCS was a bitter pill. So was the last day of the season elimination at Dodger Stadium in 1993, and let’s not even go there about 2002. (Right before the 2010 playoffs, Ken Burns’s “The Tenth Inning,” a P.S. to his great miniseries about the history of baseball, aired. I couldn’t even bring myself to sit and watch the part about the 2002 World Series. ) I don’t literally have bad dreams about Dusty Baker taking the ball from Russ Ortiz in Game 6, but the memory has a nightmarish quality, doesn’t it?
So let’s switch to the happier stories: Joe Morgan’s home run on the last day of the 1982 season, knocking out the hated Dodgers two days after they’d knocked us out. The first day of the 1993 season, when the banner from the previous year that had said “SAVE OUR GIANTS” had been changed to “SAVED–OUR GIANTS.” (I cried and cried that day. I’m getting teary just writing about it. I didn’t cry that hard again until 2010.) The first time I ever saw AT & T Park (then Pac Bell) in April, 2000. The most significant game I’ve ever seen in person, when the Giants won the pennant in 2002 on Kenny Lofton’s walk-off single. My family and I—our two girls were 13 and 8 at the time—had standing-room tickets and watched the game from the cable car in center field. Sitting in Section 208 with family and friends on my 50th birthday, August 1, 2010, when a packed, rocking house celebrated a three-game sweep over the Dodgers, Cain beat Kershaw, and, in great foreshadowing, Edgar Renteria was the hero.
I am actually crying. I’ve waited my whole life for this. My. Whole. Life.
—My Facebook post, November 1, 2010, just minutes after Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz
“The World Champion San Francisco Giants.” This time I didn’t whisper it. I shouted it between sips of champagne. It took 40 years of being a fan—I went from being a 10-year old girl to a 50-year-old mother of two and college professor—but it finally happened. I know you all feel the same way about that moment that I do.
But I’ve also shared that the 2012 champions have a special piece of my heart. Let me explain why. I’m not a former player or coach or manager. I’m not knowledgeable in the technical aspects of the game as many of you are. I’m a writer, and I like storylines. That 2012 season was so full of stories—the disappearance of Freddy Sanchez, the early-season injury to 2010 hero Brian Wilson, Melky Cabrera’s PEDs bust. And the triumphant return of Buster Posey from a horrible injury, of Barry Zito from humiliation, of Pablo Sandoval from his 2010 benching, of Ryan Vogelsong from obscurity—and of the whole team from the brink of oblivion, twice.
I just thought of something else. That 2012 season was the first full year I shared the story with you all, on Giants Extra, from start to finish. That’s another reason why it was so special.
I don’t know how this season’s story is going to end. It’s certainly been one of the strangest ones in all the years I’ve been watching. So I’ll close with the chorus from Mr. Lefty’s song.
Everybody has their highs and lows
Feast or famine, that’s the way this world goes
So let’s swap some stories—it just might lighten the load
The wheel of fortune turns and never stops
Enjoy the ride; nobody stays at the top
Tonight it’s beer and bourbon; tomorrow it’s a strong cup of joe.
–Mr. Lefty, “Strong Cup of Joe,” 2016
Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez killed in boating accident. So damn sad
yes so terrible
There are some young men who bring their joy to the field, and remind us how much fun the game is supposed to be….Jose was one of those.
A great kid by all accounts.
I agree with ya wholeheartedly!
…and a fearsome competitor.
Thanks Lefty (or Mr. Lefty?)
Blach today and he is the Giants only pitcher that has some history with the Young Friars … July 24 win over them for Sac.
Mr. Lefty wrote the song. I wrote the rest. 🙂
Is there a chord chart or recording?
Thanks Dr
If the Pads play their AAA squad today then we have a decent chance.
Their AAA squad is probably better than their major league squad, So yeah, beware.
Paraphrasing the Chef, this was “an above average post”. Thanks for your passion and continued insights. Go Giants.
Who schedules their wedding on a game day? Please!
But thanks for the memories.
It’s Dr Lefty’s blog, we are all just living in it. NIce one!
Amazing stat from Henry Shulman this morning–Did I read this correctly? Suarez became the first Giants pitcher ever to start his career with 12 starts giving up 3 runs or less?
Very nice post. Yes, well above average.
Thanks, Chef!
Ty Blach pitched and won a 7-inning complete game against the El Paso Chihuahuas on July 24 in Sacramento: 7 IP (complete game), 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 Ks. The catcher was Andrew Susac.
Asuaje went 2-4, Renfroe went 1-3, Hedges went 0-3, and Amarista went 1-3, no RBIs for any of them. Looks like all 6 hits were singles.
http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2016_07_24_elpaaa_srcaaa_1&t=g_box
Very nice Dr.
Amazing memory of Jose Fernandez from former Marlin and Giant Casey McGehee. Have some Kleenex handy.
https://twitter.com/evanwoodbery/status/780063413921648640
It really is a shame that Casey McGehee’s baseball skills had deteriorated too much by the time he was a Giant. He seems to be a terrific example of a human being, in the general area of our Gregor Blanco.
He handled Matt Duffy’s ascent with grace and class. That’s what I’ll remember after the GIDP memories fade…
indeed.Duffy was effusive in his praise for how much Casey helped him.Casey hit a grand slam there.
That was lovely. Big player, big heart.
http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/09/20/202441828/marlins-jose-fernandezs-pitching-performance-gets-kisses-from-barry-bonds
RIP, Jose Fernandez.
Watching Donnie speak of Jose makes me feel it even more. A very touching human moment.
Indeed. I had to switch channels because the grief was overwhelming.
Condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Fernandez and Marlins families.
Watching the tears flow as Don Mattingly and Martin Prado talk about Jose is heartbreaking
I know. I don’t know if I can watch more.
Such a smile, glittered in the sun,
An aside, FYI… http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/6118609-181/navy-f-18-pilots-to-astound?artslide=0
Great schtuff, Dr L. Thanks for being rock steady here and sharing both your talent and your historic enthusiasm. Put me in, Coach.
I gotta figure out where you got that song. Intriguing.
Good to hear from you, JStreet! How are you and Diane doing? Miss you, and so glad you’re here!
Thanks, TF! We’re doing ok. Continue to recover. Diane’s now working 4 days, does most anything she used to. Still gets a little tired and we have to keep aware of what were doing. She still has some numbness in the leg and a sometimes “frozen” feeling on her cheek. But really, she’s as you know a living miracle. And thankful everyday. I continue to get stronger from the back surgery (May13) and I’m doing PT, doing a few music gigs, living each day as it comes.
I sang Perfect Game at a show yesterday – of course you and a few other luminaries from here are mentioned in the chorus. I think that’s why I like doin it. We are both struck silly at the disturbing news of Jose Fernandez, just saw his last game the other day, and we were inspired. Precious moments, that’s what we have here.
Speaking of precious, I’m so glad the community that was GE is going on this site. In a lot of ways, better than ever. I like the guest postings, great idea. So thanks for the shout – now let’s grab a win. One game at a time.
Attababe! Lifelong Giants fans (north side of 50 especially 😊) hold a dear place in my heart. As we settle into our new digs here at TWG, I must post your great song for all to share.
Are the lineups out yet!?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uic2V2GbYXI&feature=youtu.be
My husband wrote the song and it’s on his forthcoming album. When it’s done, I’ll share a link to it on the blog.
What have you done, or are doing, about all the groupies? Any revealing backstage stories?
Thanks, looking forward to it.
Beautiful, Professor. Very well done. Great memories once again brought to life. Thanks for sharing.
First class, Lefty, first class.
I suppose everyone has heard the Jose Fernandez (Marlins) was killed this morning in a boating accident.
The boat appeared to be traveling at full speed when it hit the jetty. The boat was demolished. Three persons were killed. None of the individuals was wearing a life jacket. Would life jackets have even made a difference at such a reckless speed?
The article suggests the occupants were killed on impact, none drowned, so it’s unlikely, I’d speculate, life jackets would have helped.
Probably not. This is very, very sad, and a terrible loss for their families and friends.
Indeed.
And in the middle of the night.
Yeah, in the middle of the night. Why?
Youth.
There was a horrible single-vehicle accident in Montana back several years ago. 5 teenagers. 2 days into Spring Break. High speed on a backcountry road known as thrill hill. Alcohol was involved. None were ejected from the pick-up. None were wearing safety belts. All five died at the scene.
Kids aren’t entirely sane. I recall me and a friend I had in high school (1965) used to take his 396 Impala SS onto back roads outside Houston to go over bridges over rice canals at high enough speed to get all four wheels airborne. It seemed like fun then.
I’m sure most of us did reckless things in our adolescence and were lucky enough to get away with it.
No doubt.
I’m not sure that I want to know why this happened.
yes, my 58 chevy impala would top out at 110.. i’m a lucky guy
No, that was in shallow water near a park and inlet I go to often in South Beach.
Thanks, Greek Giant. Eventually there will be answers that explain this tragic accident.
Madison Bumgarner entered last night’s game having given up 23 Home Runs this season. He left the game with that total being increased to 26 HRs. In 2012, he gave up 23. In 2014 and 2015, he gave up 21. Is anyone else concerned about this increase, or have any thoughts?
It’s all pretty much in the same ballpark.
The ballpark you live near?
The twenties is pretty much the same general area. If he breaks 20s then he may be challenging hitters more 2º to trying to do more this year what with the team circling the drain, and all.
Thanks, Bapah. This helps me understand.
He started tinkering after that WS experience in KC. I think the idea of pitching up in the zone and challenging hitters kind of caught his fancy.
You get an inkling from his GB numbers. His rate his down, and flyball and strikeout rate are up. It’s my impression he’s also throwing higher up in the zone. You do that, mistakes are more costly.
Thanks, cc. This helps me understand even more. This struck me last night watching Bumgarner give up those 3 Home Runs.
He’s also, even though he’s got 1 more start to go, thrown more pitches than ever in his career, about 1.5 games more than last year (3464 vs 3312). So I’d say, he’s tired too.
He could be emotionally tired too. This season has been frustrating and wearing. It started with such great promise.
To see a 20 – 25 win season get fritterted away by sloppy play would wear on me, if I were him.
He’s also had his ass saved a few times. I’d let Argentina cry for him. He’s a big boy and a great pitcher, but he does have some issues
It’s not about shedding a tear, but taking a step or two in his shoes, so to speak.
I think many are so tired this season that post-season success may be out of reach.
I’ve wondered the same. That may be the reason Samardzija’s name keeps getting mentioned as a Bulpen component if we are lucky enough to make the post season.
At his age pitch counts should no longer be an issue; If he’s emotionally drained he should see a shrink,.
If PJ’s juiced ball theory has any validity that could/would be an explanation for the elevated HR number.
Except examination after examination has shown impact parameters of the ball are statistically identical. What has been reported as being measurably different is the seam depth (?). The most interesting evidence is the data from players newly arrived in MLB from MiLB having the ability to hit the ball further. Small sample number, but observable. The MiLB baseballs are are made in a different place in Central America, I think…Costa Rico vs Nicaragua as I recall.
They were all hit off his fastball.
I know. Which is concerning.
I wasn’t able to see all of Bum’s performance. Did his good curve ever show up? That’s the pitch that usually leads to dominant outings!
His cutter used to bore in on right handed hitters into their hands or back foot, at tied them in knots…it looks to me like his angle has dropped a smidge…because I think the years and innings have caught up. Yet his brain thinks everything is the same. So, that incredible competitiveness and stubbornness is an asset when everything is working. His arm is tired. The cutter is flat, the fastball is not as sharp. The hitters are catching up to it.
I also think the first half workload , following up increased pitches , innings, responsibility….has caught up. He, like the whole team, has had a confused reaction…he’s unfamiliar with such adversity. So, he (like Bochy) has doubled down on who he knows he is, and what has always worked.
If the Giants go deep into this years playoffs, and he throws more innings, 2017 will show a larger downward slide in his results. Even though he is a bull, he needs a long shutdown. One benefit to an early exit will be a chance for a recharge.
POTD.
The interesting thing, though, is that other than the homers, everything else about him is better: career bests in innings, strikeouts, ERA, and ERA+. It’s amazing that he broke a strikeout record last night that’s stood since 1898!
The hitters see the trends, are going for broke against him more than before: more homers, more strikeouts. It’s an overall trend anyway, and more intense with Mad Bum.
That’s my Tom Verducci Take Of The Day
Well, the inescapable fact is that there are a lot of miles on that 27-year-old arm–hard miles, when you consider both the three postseason runs and that he’s had to carry the rotation for the last four years (starting with 2013). It’s better this year with Cueto and Samardzija picking up the load, but he’s still leading the majors in innings and pitches thrown.
Mets have a Fernandez Mets jersey hanging in their dugout. Nice simple jesture
Wow. Reading Baggs’ most recent was horribly depressing. What a difference from past coverage. I’m also with those thinking this may be his swansong.
Could be. I wonder if he’ll ever explain, or be allowed to explain, euthanizing what, to my mind, was the best baseball blogsite I’ve ever read?
I’d say he murdered it, not euthanized it. Just woke up one day and decided to shoot it dead with no warning and no goodbyes.
Why? So obtuse he didn’t see what we had there? Mean spirited?
LOL. As you may have intuited, I tend to give the benefit of the doubt to excess, until I don’t.
Or the Merc did.
Except that Kawakami’s blog is still going (new post just yesterday), as is the Warriors Fastbreak blog. So it’s not the case that the Merc is no longer allowing blogs.
I think the Merc specially picked him out and killed his as a hand slap. He’s done.
Interesting. Sounds to me like you know stuff.
Well….second hand, but there are some quiet rumblings that the Giants are over his act, and made it known to the Merc…again….and they went Silver-on-Draymond finally
All these years and I didn’t realize you were an insider, Matthew. How did I miss that?
Pfft…only TMZ level 2nd hand BS
I think he fought to hard to keep the moniker Extra Baggs
Baggs quote was “The Merc is trying something different….very slowly…”
Which post are you talking about?
I looked over at ‘ http://www.mercurynews.com/2016/09/24/with-cuetos-injury-samardzija-could-land-in-a-huge-spot-for-giants/ ‘. I was struck that after ~24 hrs, it has ‘0’ comments.
I’ve gone over a couple of times and let some know of this site.
I stopped reading after the first sentence of snark.
Did you like where he described the wild card race among the three teams as the “pig pile”? SMH
What is Baggarly so angry about?
I think he hates the Giants. He’s mixed it up with the clubhouse on several separate occasions, even getting temporarily boycotted by the team in late 2014. A couple months later, he was out at CSNBA, awkwardly just months before his new book about the Giants was due to come out. My guess is that he reluctantly returned to the Merc so that he could sell books, but now that time has passed, he’s done pretending he doesn’t hold a grudge.
And yes, that’s pure speculation, but it’s based on some salient fact patterns.
Huff asked Henry to do his Clinical depression article
Then Baggs didn’t believe Huff
Then Baggs was the only one who wrote about Huffs divorce
Then Timmy…
Then Pagan…
Then Romo…
Then Pagan…
That’s the way it’s been since our exodus. Zero-to-10 comments per post. You were right. GE was really about us all along.
Christ, the game story from yesterday had three.
Yes, which is well-deserved. I’ve thought about posting a comment over there thanking the Merc and Baggarly for abruptly and without warning, with no explanation, and with no appreciation to us for years of reading and commenting, suddenly dissolving Giants Extra. It forced us (Greek Giant most of all) to establish our own blog and forum. Which, in retrospect, we should have done when Alex left GE and Baggarly returned.
With these kind of things, there’s always a critical mass at the heart of success.
The one about pitching/pitcher’s alignment from now on.
Heading to Comcast Chicago
Guest posts and Featured comments make our new blog inclusive and friendly and honoring of the community here. Thanks to Greek Giant. No way would we have Guest posts or Featured comments on a blog run by a commercial enterprise.
I love this place. The test will be the winter doldrums season. I wonder if folks here, whether they author them or not, have a wish list of things they would like to read about?
Oh yeah. Same as it ever was.
I have to assume, also, that George may yield to the grind of doing this over time. GG, you may need a support group or personal shrink if we’re to continue this. There has to some technical demands that will tire even the most dedicated.
Many have said that if GE ever went paywall they would be out. This wonderful thing we have here? I’m more than willing to pay to share, and I think I’m not alone.
Don’t be giving George any more commercial pie ideas to poke his fingers in.
I haven’t felt like a revolutionary since the late 60’s. Thanks.
Agreed, and I’m not just saying that because I had the honor of being a Guest Poster. It really feels like ours.
My money is on alcohol being involved in Fernandez’s death, and before I conclude that he was the poor victim of a tragic accident, I’d be interested in knowing who was driving the boat.
The Heart Of Oracle.
I think the Oracle lost his heart with (1) the ex Mrs Oracle and (2) the ex fiance Miss Oracle
I’ve thought that myself since I heard about it AND that the boat was discovered at 3am.
And the news that speed was a factor. It sounds like someone on that boat caused the death of two other people besides themselves.
Yup. The complete story may not be all that tasteful. Tragic, for sure, and sickening, but stupid, most likely.
It’s a tragic, terrible accident whether alcohol was involved or not. Vehicle and boating accidents are often alcohol-involved. The loss and sorrow and pain for family and friends remains.
I don’t feel sorry for the drunk driver that causes those accidents. I feel sorry for the true victims. Maybe Fernandez was a true victim. Maybe not.
It’s really not about what you feel. It’s about what family and friends feel. It’s about their loss and sorrow and tragic aftermath.
I thought this was a place where people express their thoughts and feelings about things? I just feel a little differently than you do.
But, you need to know it’s a bit like a distant uncle walking into the wake and saying ” well, I’m sure he was drunk”.
Maybe he was, but it feels heartless. Yes, this is a blog where we share our opinions. To me, there are moments when discretion and patience should be the rule of the day.
You asked us to wait for the facts to come out on police shootings. That was absolutely fair. Now, how about you wait for the facts to come out on this before fanning the flames on potential alcohol use in this tragic death? The police made a statement that ” alcohol does not appear to be a factor”
I didn’t conclude anything about Fernandez and said that may well be a true victim. Also, this isn’t a wake and I don’t think anyone here knows him.
You have every right to post anything you want.
This is one time when I believe you should respect those on here who would rather sympathize than investigate.
Feeling sorry for Fernandez is a bit irrelevant, considering he’s passed away. Feeling pain for his family, his pregnant girlfriend, his teammates and coaches, and the Marlin fans seems appropriate regardless of the details.
Having seen firsthand the results of drunk driving, that isn’t my first thought.
You’re not the only one here who has seen firsthand the results of drunk driving and been with devastated families afterwards.
But only your feelings about it are legitimate?
You sound angry and judgmental, TO. Step back, it’s not your loss. It’s theirs.
I feel bad for the people left behind, for the unborn child who will never play baseball with his/her father in the backyard.
Do you ever feel like your unsympathetic, “my facts over your feelings” posts are a bit inappropriate and ill timed?
This is a real question. Is Fernandez’s death going to have an impact on the day of anyone here? Maybe it is? I really wonder how other people think about something like this.
They tend to reflect a bit more than you. They tend to think of those around a bit more than you. I’m sure your life experiences have taught you to step back and try to take emotion out of it, and try to determine the “why”… That’s admirable and makes sense.
Many of us are looking towards the emotional, “human” side. Not that yours isn’t.
When I watched the Marlins press conference, and saw Mattingly sobbing as he spoke…when I watched videos of the joyful way Fernandez played baseball…when I read players tributes…it made me sad. I didn’t care “how” or “why”… I cared that people were affected.
Is that a fair assessment?
It is.
It is sad and I feel sorry for all the families of the victims, it made me tear up, but as a Giant fan it might affect the Giants playoff chances, the Mets do not have to face him now, and the Marlins team may be to heartbroken to play very good baseball . I know that is shallow of me to worry about the playoffs when 3 men have died in a horrific accident .
And maybe they’ll play their best game ever. And maybe the Giants playoff chances aren’t as important as someone losing their life.
I know that !
Smegma Oracle
What an apathetic and pathetic smegma breath turd you are…
Not the only one. I’ve been knee deep in it in three states.
You too, I’d imagine, if you spent any time in the ER.
Preach.
Nice!
From the NYT story about this: “The boat appeared to have been heading south at speed when it hit a rocky jetty and capsized, the officials said. Alcohol and drugs did not immediately appear to have played a role in the accident. Fernandez was not driving the boat, which did not belong to him.”
We’ll see.
Yeah, toxicology and all the rest does take a while.
Reports so far are, he was not driving the boat, and no alcohol involved, who knows if earlier before getting on the boat drinking alcohol could have happened, but no signs of alcohol at the accident scene .
Can’t leave it go for even a day or two huh?
Morning all. I too, was shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of Jose Fernandez. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, teammates, the Marlins, etc.
I remember in ’93 when three Cleveland Indians players were killed in a boating accident during Spring Training. Such a loss.
So I wanted Bochy to mix up the lineup, but I’m not sure about Gorkys hitting fifth. That may be taking things a little too far.
Nunez 3B, Tomlinson 2B, Posey 1B, Pence RF, Hernandez CF, Pagan LF, Crawford SS, Brown C, Blach LHP
Glad to see Crawford back.
Crawford’s back!
He has to pass pregame warm ups tests, before 100% in lineup , could be scratched if he is not able to play through the pain .
Thanks, Peter. I’m going to hope for the best though!
He did before, I think. I like it. A lot.
At least Nunez is leading off; where he should be. Figured Buster was playing at 1B.
Nunez is a better fit in the 6-spot where his base stealing makes it easier for the 7 and 8 to drive in runs. Plus he’s a hacker- not good in the 1.
IMO.
I’m very, very concerned that the rookie hurler has Alfalfa catching and calling pitches
Well, he would have worked with Blach in AAA last year, so that’s something.
The stage just went from a bar in Reedley to Broadway
Just caught up with this.
Nice. Concise. Perfect.
I have this feeling that the spirit of Jose Fernandez will somehow be present when the Marlins host the Mets tomorrow evening. He was supposed to start. How will it affect the team? Jobu, we need some magic.
Jobu needs to be at 3rd and King for the next week.
He better be, the schedule, and Pitching matchups favors the Cards and Mets in my opinion .
Great stuff, Lefty! And great stuff from Mr. Dr. Lefty, too! Among other things, you reminded me of a reunion of my City softball team in 1998 or 1999 and we all went down to the spot that would become McCovey cove in 2000. I don’t remember if we knew yet that the spot where we looked would be the landing zone for splash hits, but it was kind of a Field of Dreams moment for us.
Broncos-Bengals game has the potential for a memorable ending.
wow 17-16 Bengals with 7 left
The Bengals should win. Better qb.
Trevor Siemien, 4 TD’s today….not so fast….!
John Elway can no longer question his own brilliance. I imagine that he must be feeling a lot like this guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR8D_Vty9F0
and….they just blew it : (
It was 17-16 when I typed that. Home field, nasty defense, better qb, and, last but not least, Big Game, Marvin Lewis. The Broncos should be number one in everyone’s power rankings after todays game.
Lefty, i enjoyed your column thoroughly. Your true nature as a full throttle giants fan is infectious. Win or lose they are our team.
thank you lefty — really nice piece and it reminded me of sharing baseball with family. When my baseball loving nephew turned 30 I decided to give him my “memory box” of mementos from the Big Red Machines 2 world series runs inc w/s tix stubs. I packed the cups, banners, stubs, Cincy Enquirer Sports sections, NL pennant pins – the whole schabang – into a box and topped it off with a “memory of the game” piece I wrote for him describing how I fell in love with baseball as a 7 year old pretending to be big Ted Kluzuski on our back yard wiffle ball field, the big Red Machine years in Cincy, the years my nsg school roomie dated David Conception and the single reds lived down the street from our nursing school dorm and Sparky Anderson came to visit the house mother to discuss “the nurses” — good times : ) My nephew loved it. Thank you Lefty for reminding me that baseball is also about passing down the memories……
Thanks for the story, Lefty. It captured the joys and heartbreaks of following our Giants over these past decades.
Thanks Dr for the great piece and thanks GG for the blog and it’s great format.
New Post: http://fe0.84e.myftpupload.com/pregame/game-156-preview-down-to-the-wire-giants-attempt-series-win-in-san-diego/
You know Dr your heading says The Stories we Tell, when i was coming up that exact phrase in my neck of the woods meant that you were lying about something lol lol. Definitely not implying that hear it’s just something that i laughed at when reading your header. 😄
Thanks Lefty! I was sro in Right Center when Lofton drove in the pennant winning run in 2002. It was like an explosion of people out there, people running in every direction.
Clapping!!!
Thanks! From the day I first started hanging around this crewcof SFG fans it was your posts that immediately caught my eye and jived with my fandom. Reading your story has only confirmed my ongoing appreciation for your take on our mutual obsession. Cheers! To you and the Mr. !
That was a very nice post. I have very similar memories, except going back to the heartbreak of 1962. 2002 was awful, but 1987 was only marginally less awful, and 1971 was the last chance for the classic ’60’s team. However, the 1989, 2002 pennants eased a lot of that. And certainly the rings in 2010, 2012, and 2014 washed it all away. I wonder if we’ll ever win it all again: we’ve been so fortunate.