Orlando Cepeda, RIP -- June 28, 2024

Giants Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda has died. We are losing our Hall of Famers. The Giants had two great hitters who were only suitable to play first base, Cepeda and Willie McCovey.  I have been to many special games that were graced by the appearance of Willie Mays, Gaylord Perry, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Willie McCovey. Now only Marichal is left. 

This blow is made worse because it comes so soon after the death of Willie Mays. 

I took the photo of the new statue of Orlando Cepeda, on King near Second Street, on 16-September-2008.

Vida Blue RIP -- May 12, 2023

sfgiants.com

I remember when the Giants traded a bunch of people to the Athletics for Vida Blue. I liked many of them, like Dave Heaverlo. We were at Candlestick for the 1989 game where he got married. Willie McCovey was best man. People say nice things about Vida Blue. He ran the Junior Giants program for years. I am sorry to learn he has died.

Willie McCovey, RIP -- October 31, 2018

The great Giant Willie McCovey has died.  I used to love watching him on television and at Candlestick Park.   McCovey batting fourth allowed Willie Mays to do many of the things that he did batting third. Everyone loved Willie McCovey when I was growing up. Some people liked McCovey more than Willie Mays because McCovey had started out in San Francisco. I loved watching him hit line drives. I loved watching him stretch out to take a throw at first.

I was shattered when he went to the Padres in 1974. I was very happy when he came back in 1977. He earned the Comeback Player of the Year award.

We were at a game at Candlestick in 1980, one of his last, I think, when he reached first base. I don't remember who was hitting behind him, but suddenly McCovey took off for second; it looked as if he was trying to steal the bag. Because of knee problems, it had been a long time since he had stolen a base. The stadium went silent, the catcher threw the ball to second, and he was out. It turned out to be a broken hit and run play.

Willie McCovey is in the Hall of Fame, where he belongs. Despite mobility problems, he spent a lot of time at the ballpark and shared his wisdom with the players. Every year the Giants players and coaches vote to give the Willie Mac Award to a player who embodies Stretch's qualities of leadership and spirit.

I took the photo of Willie McCovey's statue, across China Basin, also known as McCovey Cove, from the ballpark on 21-September-2007.

Vin Scully Retires -- October 2, 2016

Vin Scully was a fan of the New York Giants.  Mel Ott was his favorite player.  In 1950, he began announcing Brooklyn Dodgers games.  Today, after 67 seasons, he is retiring as announcer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Ironically, the last game of the Dodgers' season is against the San Francisco Giants, at Pac Bell Park.

I have always hated the Dodgers, but admired Vin Scully.  When I was young, I discovered that I could tune in Los Angeles AM stations at night, including KFI, which carried the Dodgers.  I like his voice.  It is soothing. I wish him well. 

The Giants have guaranteed at least a tie for the National League Wild Card.  They have beaten the Dodgers in the first two games of the last series.  There was a tie for the Willie Mac award, between Javier Perez and Brandon Crawford.  Both good choices.

Updated 9:00pm.  The Giants swept the Dodgers and secured the second wild card spot.  The Giants carried Vin Scully's call of the third inning.  They unveiled a plaque in the press box, marking the site of Scully's final broadcast.  Willy Mays stood with him. 

The Birds Are Flying South -- October 3, 2015

http://www.magazineart.org

Aviation was a hot topic in 1927 after Charles Lindbergh's solo flight across the Atlantic.  the cover of the 24-November-1927 shows what appears to be a well-off lady heading south for the winter, like a migratory bird.  The original Life Magazine was a humorous weekly that was published from 1883 to 1936.

Congratulations to Matt Duffy, the first rookie to win the Willie Mac award.  Many previous recipients were at the ballpark, along with Willie McCovey, who is in a wheelchair. 

Willie McCovey -- January 19, 2014

Inspired by the book Few and Chosen: Defining Giants Greatness Across the Eras by Giants great Bobby Thomson and Phil Pepe, I thought I would devote my nickname meme to Giants players for the next several months. 

Willie McCovey, Stretch, was a great first baseman for the San Francisco Giants.  Everyone loved him when I was growing up.  Some people liked McCovey more than Willie Mays because McCovey had started out in San Francisco.  I loved watching him hit line drives.  I loved watching him stretch out to take a throw at first. 

I was shattered when he went to the Padres in 1974.  I was very happy when he came back in 1977.  He earned the Comeback Player of the Year award. 

We were at a game at Candlestick in 1980, one of his last, I think, when he reached first base.  I don't remember who was hitting behind him, but suddenly McCovey took off for second; it looked as if he was trying to steal the bag.  Because of knee problems, it had been a long time since he had stolen a base.  The stadium went silent, the catcher threw the ball to second, and he was out.  It turned out to be a broken hit and run play. 

Willie McCovey is in the Hall of Fame, where he belongs.  Despite mobility problems, he spends a lot of time at the ballpark and shares his wisdom with the players.  Every year the Giants players and coaches vote to give the Willie Mac Award to a player who embodies Stretch's qualities of leadership and spirit. 

I took the photo of Willie McCovey's statue, across China Basin, also known as McCovey Cove, from the ballpark on 21-September-2007. 

Little Brown Church -- September 27, 2013

This plaque, placed by E Clampus Vitus, stands in front of the Little Brown Church in Pacifica.  The church was built by the Presbyterians in 1910, to serve the area's growing population after the 1906 Earthquake and Fire.  It served as Pacifica's police station from 1983 to 2003.  Now the Pacifica Historical Society is raising funds to make it into a city museum.

Tim Lincecum beat the Dodgers last night, in what may have been his last start as a Giant.

Tonight I was happy to see Hunter Pence win the 2013 Willie McCovey Award. 

Orlando Cepeda #2 -- October 24, 2012

Before game one of the World Series, the Giants brought out a group of Hall of Famers including Orlando Cepeda, whose statue is here in a photo I took on 10-September-2008, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and  Gaylord Perry, who threw out the first pitch.

I missed the National Anthem.  Pablo Sandoval hit home runs in his first three at-bats. Barry Zito started and has pitched well. Tim Lincecum relieved in the sixth.  Sergeant Jerry D'Arcy of the SFPD sang "God Bless America." 

The Giants beat the Tigers 8-3 in the first game of the World Series.  I'm happy. 

Happy Admission Day #2 -- September 9, 2011

We don't hear much about Admission Day anymore. This image from the 09-September-1900 San Francisco Call shows the naval parade held for the 50th Admission Day in 1900.

I was happy to see Ryan Vogelsong get the Willie Mac award. Good choice.

Willie Mays 80 #2 -- May 7, 2011

06-May-2011 was the 80th birthday of the greatest baseball player who ever lived, Willie Mays. Last night we went to see the Giants play the Colorado Rockies and honor Willie Mays. When I left the office, I was shocked by the power of the wind. My cap blew off as I crossed Harrison. I found a huge crowd waiting in line at the front gate. I also found that the statue of Mays was wearing an orange party hat. I took this photo.

I walked around the outside of the park, waiting for the booth that sells Muni tickets to open. The line for the main gate extended across the bridge and past the McCovey statue. The line for the gate by the bridge went to the marina. The line for the Second Street gate stretched off down the Embarcadero.

I bought the tickets and had a nice chat about Pacifica with the seller. I went across the bridge and found the end of the line near the gate to the little ball field by the McCovey statue. The line wrapped around the statue, back across the bridge, and up to the front gate. My wife and daughter tried to join me as we passed the Dugout store, but a security guard rudely threw them out. I stayed in line to be sure to get one of the statues the Giants were handing out.

I went up to the Club level and looked at the exhibits. I found our seats, out in the left field corner. When the family made it in, we bought sandwiches and took them to our seats. The cold and the papers blowing around reminded us of Candlestick.

Before the game, the Giants honored Willie Mays on his birthday. Two of his teammates from the Birmingham Black Barons, Jimmy Zapp and the Reverend William Greason, were on the field, along with Hall of Famers Gaylord Perry, Orlando Cepeda, and Willie McCovey. Teammates Felipe Alou and Jimmy Davenport were also there. Lon Simmons read a letter from Monte Irvin. Jon Miller read a letter from President and Mrs Obama. Many people spoke on video, including Hank Aaron, President Bill Clinton, Barry Bonds, John Montefusco, and Bill Cosby, who led us all in a toast to his great friend Willy Brown. Willie Mays cried. I wanted to cry.

In the game, Matt Cain pitched against Ubaldo Jimenez. Cain gave up a home run in the first and two in the third. The Giants weren't hitting at all, scoring only one run through the 7th. They tied it in the 8th and won in the 9th. Brian Wilson got the win.

I felt bad, but we had to leave after the 8th. We took an N car to Powell, and drove home from Fifth and Mission.

Today is National Train Day.

Giants World Series Ring Ceremony -- April 10, 2011

Before yesterday's game, the Giants had a World Series ring ceremony. Mike Murphy got the first one, then other clubhouse men and the coaches. Each player received a ring, then the Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Willie MCovey, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda. Juan Marichal and Monte Irvin will get theirs later. The broadcasters received rings during the game.

The broadcasters mentioned that the president of the Hall of Fame had brought items given by the Giants for each of their previous World Series wins. He had a 1905 pin that belonged to Turkey Mike Donlin, a 1911 watch fob, and a 1921 medal. The 1922 ring, seen above, was the first given to World Series Champions. There were also rings from 1933 and 1954.

The Giants played a stressful game and finally won on a two-run hit with two outs in the ninth.

Orlando Cepeda -- October 27, 2010

Before game one of the World Series, the Giants brought out a group of Hall of Famers including Orlando Cepeda, whose statue is here in a photo I took on 10-September-2008, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, and Monte Irvin. Irvin threw out the first pitch. Willie Mays wasn't feeling well and had to stay home.

John Legend sang a great a capella "Star Spangled Banner." He enunciated every word. Tony Bennett sang "I Left my Heart" and "God Bless America."

The Giants beat the Rangers 11-7 in the first game of the World Series. It was not the Cliff Lee-Tim Lincecum pitching duel that everyone predicted. It wasn't pretty, but I'll take it.

Red Devils Return to Pacifica #4 -- June 27, 2010

I first spotted a fireworks stand while driving home on Wednesday. There has not been much controversy in the Tribune. I took this photo of the stand in the Park Mall on 26-June-2010.

Before the game yesterday, the Giants honored Monte Irvin and retired his number. Mays, McCovey, Marichal, Perry and Cepeda were there. Wow.

Giants Wall of Fame #5 -- February 19, 2009

In September, 2008 the Giants unveiled their Wall of Fame along the King Street side of the ballpark, whatever it is called this week. This set of plaques in honors four Giants whom I remember well. Bobby Bonds was a great hitter and fielder who cut his career short because of substance abuse. John (the Count) Montefusco was a good pitcher who brightened some sad seasons in the 1970s. He threw the Giants' last no hitter to-date. Tito Fuentes was a slick second baseman who is now a Spanish language broadcaster for the Giants. He has a big personality. Willie McCovey may have been the greatest power hitter I have ever seen in person. I was very happy when he returned to the Giants in 1977. We were at one of his last games in 1980. He was on first and the stadium suddenly went silent when he apparently tried to steal second. It turned out to be a broken hit-and-run. I took the photo on 29-September-2008.

Pitchers and catchers reported Saturday.

The legislature passed a budget today. Finally.

Willie Mac Award and Other News - September 21, 2007

I went for a walk by Pac Bell Park, or whatever it is called this week, at lunch time. I wanted to take a photo of the Willie McCovey statue because today was the day the Giants were going to annouce the 2007 Willie Mac award and I wanted to write about it.

I was hoping Bengie Molina would win, and he did. He has been a great boost to the team and I am happy he is under contract for two more seasons.

As I passed the ballpark going each way, I noticed a lot of people going into the offices. I held the door open for a guy with a big box in his arms. I wonder if the activity had anything to do with the announcement later in the afternoon that Barry Bonds will not return to the Giants next year.

I am very happy that we had Barry Bonds with us for 15 years. I remember his father Bobby when he played for the Giants. I was sad when Barry signed with the Pirates.

I remember when we thought the Giants were leaving for Florida. Then the new owners came in and signed Bonds. Things got better after that.

Barry Bonds is the best player I have ever seen in person, except for Willy Mays.

I'm sorry to say it, but I think it's time that the Giants move on and try to build a new team. Barry is not much of a fielder any more, and he hasn't been in the lineup enough to make a difference this year.

I took the photo today. As I walked back across the Third Street Bridge, I wondered where they were going to put the Barry Bonds statue, and what action it will depict.