Last night we went to our last Giants game of the year, and it was the only game of the year that was an enjoyable blow out, at least with us in attendance. Every other game, a nail biter. But on this night, which turned out to be the Giants last win of the year, there was a 7-0 victory with a loud, loving fan base, a two run blast into the bay waters by Brandon Belt, a pitching gem by Madison Bumgarner (who began the season 0-6, 3-9 but finished 13-13), and the first ever home run hit by rookie Connor Gillespie. Gillespie's home run had a flourish of comedy to it; an inside the park scramble including a face plant at third base (he stumbled) before getting up and beating the throw home, with a full ten second collapse at home plate.
Throughout pregame ceremonies, a 7th inning song and after the game, there was Tony Bennett. When the Giants win, the PA system plays a recording of "I Left My Heart In San Francisco" to dimmed lights, and Ralph Sharon's tinkling inviting piano, there his warm voice. As the song played, the video screen showed Bennett listening and waving to the fans.
It was a night we kept the boys out knowing that they would be tired for school but on a night where the wind was nearly non-existent, the weather warm and sky clear, the fans would even show some love for Barry Zito, who pitched a pretty nice ninth inning.
Oliver's grown to 43-44 inches tall. Tall enough to ride the big slide down the Coca-Cola bottle-
and loving the experience (the first ride with some trepidation). Ironically while Dexter always played in the little kid area every game from ages 2-9 and sneaking in to field until he was ten, Oliver has not shown similar interest. Last night with our seats in the bleachers Oliver was ready to go but was told that now he is too tall!
Why baseball is great: Tonight after 161 games four teams were tied for two last playoff spots. If each pair in each league both won or lost, they would have a one game playoff against each other (St.Louis Cardinals-Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox-Tampa Bay Rays) tomorrow. Both the Red Sox and Braves had very large leads with 20 games to go (9 games, 8 games) but with one regular season left, all tied.
Yankees-Tampa Bay: Yankees have a 7-0 lead into the eighth inning. Tampa Bay score six but are down to their last strike with two outs in the ninth. A hitter who has not homered since April hits a home run to tie the game. Extra innings.
Red Sox-Baltimore Orioles: Red Sox have their closer on the mound up 3-2. Two quick strikeouts. Orioles get a double knowing that Papelbon is throwing only his best pitch; hard fastballs. Still, he gets to two strikes, one strike away from the win. Two consecutive hits, the last perhaps a ball that could have been caught by Carl Crawford, a free agent who signed from Tampa Bay who not only does not catch the ball but makes a poor throw home. Reminders of the last good Pirates team (1992!) when Barry Bonds can not throw out lumbering Sid Bream at home plate.
Only minutes later, Evan Longoria hits the game winning home run for Tampa Bay. Earlier in the day, the Braves were within the last strike of winning their game forcing a one game playoff with St.Louis tomorrow but they lose, after St.Louis has won their game. The Braves and the Sox are done.
Improbable. But it happened. Twice in a day. Baseball is a humbling sport. And as the Giants also know, now begins a post season for another team to write their story.
I will miss the opportunity of seeing Dustin Pedroia play in the post season. A little guy (Red Sox- 2B) who plays hard, drives the ball, scores and knocks in runs and fields his position well. He's not much bigger than me. An inspiration for all us little guys!
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