Bivens -- Wow -- July 6, 2024

Sunday we went to our first Giants game since COVID-19. There was a full house because we were playing the Dodgers and the first 15,000 fans received Giants caps with mouse ears. The kindergartners should like them when I do yard duty. 

Spencer Bivens made his first start and went five scoreless innings. As you can see from the image above, the Giants scored in each of the first four innings. He left with a 5-0 lead. We saw Shohei Ohtani for the first time in person. Bivens struck him out twice. Things got a little close in the last innings, but the Giants won. BART and Muni were crowded coming and going because of the game and the Pride Parade. 

The weather was warm and sunny. 

Tributes to Willie Mays surround his statue.

The scoreboard displayed this animation after Matt Chapman's home run. 

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.

Tribute to Willie Mays -- June 20, 2024

Major League Baseball had been planning to have a tribute to Willie Mays tonight at Rickwood Field, where he broke in with the Birmingham Black Barons. When he died this week, the tribute became even more important than it had been.  Before the game, a large group of Negro League veterans took the field. 99-year-old Reverend Bill Greason, a Black Barons teammate, threw out the first pitch. 

The Giants wore their San Francisco Sea Lions uniforms and the Cardinals wore Saint Louis Stars uniforms. 

Unfortunately, the Cardinals won 6-5. 

sfgiants.com

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- May 31, 2024

cdc.gov

Covid-19 trends are rising slightly because of a new strain. 

Our former so-called president was found guilty on all 34 felony counts related to election interference. He is the first former president to be convicted of a felony. He won't go to jail yet.

The Giants made a nice surge towards the end of the month.

COVID-19, Vaccine, Masks, Church, Baseball and School -- April 30, 2023

nytimes.com

Covid-19 is still there but people don't seem to pay much attention anymore.

I returned to teaching technology and coding during the last week of April. This year I am also teaching fifth grade. I am happy the kids remembered things I taught them last year. 

I continue to wear a mask when I am out in public around other people. 

Russia is making no progress in its war on Ukraine. Ukraine may be preparing for a counter-offensive. Many people say that Putin is tottering on his throne. 

The Giants started with a bad stretch, but were nearing .500 by the end of April.

Buster Posey Day -- May 12, 2022

On Saturday the Giants honored catcher Buster Posey, who retired after last season. Many of his former teammates spoke, including Benjie Molina. Benjie's younger brother Yadier, who plays for the Cardinals, looked proud of his brother and happy to see a fellow catcher get honored. 

Giants Win First Game of NLDS -- October 8, 2021

The Giants won the first game of the National League Division Series. Logan Webb pitched 7 2/3s and Tyler Roger and Camilo Duval finished to shut out the Dodgers, 4-0. Buster Posey hit a home run. #SFGiants #BeatLA