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.

Warren Spahn 100 -- April 23, 2021

 

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Pitcher Warren Spahn was born 100 years ago today, on 23-Apri-1921. He was a combat engineer during World War Two. His career in the majors lasted from 1942 to 1965, with three years out for the war. He played mostly for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, but played for the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants during his last season.

I don't remember him as a player, but I grew up hearing people talk about him. On 02-July-1963, Spahn faced the Giants. Spahn and Juan Marichal faced each other for 16 innings with no score until Willie Mays hit a home run in the bottom of the 16th. Spahn was 42. 

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.

Hu's at Short? -- September 28, 2007

The Giants are playing the Dodgers. The Dodgers' shortstop is Chin-Lung Hu from Taiwan. I said "I'm happy he's not playing first." My daughter laughed.

"Who's at short?"

"Yes."

"What is the name of the shortstop?"

"Hu."

"The shortstop."

"Hu is the shortstop."

"That's what I'm asking."

It's more fun than the game.

The Giants playing the Dodgers inspired to post a photo of the Juan Marichal statue. He was known for his kindness and gentleness with the Dodgers.

I took the photo on 21-September-2007.