Fairweather fan. Johnny-come-lately. Jumper on the
bandwagon.
I’m sorry to say, folks, but I am one of those people who root
when the team is good and tend to turn a blind eye when rough times
hit.
Fairweather fan. Johnny-come-lately. Jumper on the bandwagon.
I’m sorry to say, folks, but I am one of those people who root when the team is good and tend to turn a blind eye when rough times hit.
For the past few nights I’ve sat up and taken notice because the San Francisco Giants have been on fire.
Did you see Monday night’s game? OK, of course you did. Who could’ve, would’ve possibly missed it?
When Kenny Lofton connected with the last base hit to win the game and the series even I couldn’t stop myself from jumping out of my seat. I think I’ve watched more baseball and been to more baseball games this year than my whole life.
And doesn’t just watching the game highlights excite you? Seeing the team explode with excitement when David Bell slid headfirst across home plate was electrifying.
On that fateful night, my husband, Chris and I were enjoying dinner at the Tee Off For Youth charity golf tournament at the beautiful nearby Corde Valle Golf Course Monday night. The golf tournament, now in its eighth year, raises much-needed money for youth programs in Gilroy. Aside from the all-day tournament, participants and volunteers also are treated to a fabulous dinner, as well as silent and live auctions.
However, on Monday night, with the Giants just one game away from heading to the World Series, timing was not on our side. This was our conundrum: Do we broadcast the big game on the big screen or not? The question was answered in a nanosecond. While thanking tournament sponsors and hawking auction items, the emcees would have to defer much of their time to the orange and black.
But pumped up by Giants hysteria, people bid generously and cheered appreciatively. They walked away with splendid gift baskets and magnificent local weekend getaways. And all of the money raised will be put to the best use: programs for our community’s children.
Auctioneer Gilroyan Jim Goldman did a masterful job. He had the unenviable task of holding everyone’s attention while Bonds and company were on their way to pulling out a win. Goldman kept a semblance of order until the eighth inning, when the Giants loaded the bases and Bonds came up to bat. Bonds’ sacrifice fly tied the game and everyone forgot about everything except the Giants.
Just think what would have happened if in 1996 San Francisco voters hadn’t agreed to allow the building of Pac Bell Park. Watching the Giants play at that ballpark is second to none.
And just imagine if a baseball strike threatened this summer had come to pass. The Giants win may not have happened unless everyone at the table hadn’t hammered out a bottom-of-the-ninth agreement.
But both things did happen, and now we can all look forward to watching the Giants go up against the Angels, who have never been to the World Series. What an exciting seven games that will be.
I’m sure the Internet was buzzing Wednesday morning as millions of fans tried to get their hands on coveted World Series tickets. My husband Chris was among them. (We’re keeping our fingers crossed).
Do we place too much importance on pro sports? Yes. Do we tend to go over the top when our favorite team wins or loses? Yes. But in that split second when Lofton’s hit ended the game, even I could see how the most fervid fan could get so wrapped up in our hometown sports teams.
Go Giants!
