62 replies to this topic

[NorCalGal]

Speaking of parade.... Is anyone going? I am planning on going but need some information as to the best route to get to SF in the morning commute. I was planning on leaving around 8 am. Would this allow enough time with the morning traffic? Also which way is faster 80 all the way or I5 to 580 and over? Thanks in advance!!!

[brown]

Speaking of parade.... Is anyone going? I am planning on going but need some information as to the best route to get to SF in the morning commute. I was planning on leaving around 8 am. Would this allow enough time with the morning traffic? Also which way is faster 80 all the way or I5 to 580 and over? Thanks in advance!!!

I wouldn't even think about driving all the way in, it is going to be just nuts...your best bet is probably 80 to 680 and taking BART in from Concord or thereabouts.

[Steve Heard]

I an a native San Franciscan and this is one of the greatest days of my life. As a longtime suffering Giants fan, this is like 1981 when the Niners won their first Super Bowl. This is HUGE. God Bless the Giants. The torture is over and for all of the MILLIONS of Giants fans, go ahead and cross out from your bucket list, SF Giants Winning a World Series, WE DID IT!!!!!!!!

My parents moved us from New Orleans to San Francisco when I was 6 years old. I was at a Giants game about a month later, and Willie Mays hit a home run. I've been a fan ever since.

So many other memories, and most of them didn't involve the games themselves. Some of the most notable for me:

My brother and I used to take the bus (it cost a nickel) to Candlestick sometimes during the summer or on weekends, and being broke, we'd wait outside until the 7th inning when the guards would open the gates and we could walk in for free.

My dad taking us to a double header in about 72 against the Big Red Machine. We were sitting under the shaded overhang area, with winds howling around us. At the end of the first game, my dad said, "Okay men, time to go!" We would have opted to stay, but pops was having none of that.

Being in the bleachers on opening day against the Dodgers about 1980 when there were so many brawls they cut off beer sales. I don't know for sure, be we credited/blamed that day on the Giants' decision to no longer serve beer in the stands or after the 7th inning.

Reggie Smith of the Dodgers jumping into the stands to fight a fan, then signing to play for the Giants the next year.

Booking groups of hundreds out there in the 80's when I worked for United Airlines.

I once booked a skybox, and when I arrived, they were setting it up with hot dogs, chips, beer and wine. I told the guy setting it up that I didn't order any food, and he said, "Somebody did!" As my friends arrived, they all denied ordering the stuff, but we sure enjoyed it eating and drinking it. An hour or so later, they discovered that the food was for the folks in the box next door, who were now angry and hungry. The catering manager actually apologized to us and said, 'No charge'. We forgave him.

Being at the very last game at Candlestick Park with dozens of former Giants trotting out their former positions, then being at opening day for the first game at PacBell 7 months later.

Taking my daughters to fireworks nights. Their favorite, and buying them peanuts, cotton candy, hot dogs and souvenirs. They didn't know a thing about the game, but loved going.

[sat]

We're thinking about pulling the kids out of school tomorrow and going down there. My husband grew up in San Bruno, so last night was awesome for him.

[john]

I remember...

- going to the 'Stick with my older brother and getting a Croix de Candlestick pin after an extra-inning game.
- driving down to LA with my 2 best friends to watch the final 3 games in 1993, only to be eliminated on the last day. We also made a Padres game. That was a fun time.
- tailgating at Candlestick
- arriving early for BP and getting autographs from players
- feeling the earthquake in '89 while watching the pre-game (who will ever forget)
- being horribly underdressed for a night game at the 'Stick
- my first game at Pac Bell Park in the bleachers, heckling the outfield ("What's the matter with Mondesi??? HE'S A BUM!!!)
- taking my kids to their first Giants game, also with my brother and his family at AT&T
- Watching Bonds break the record at Streets of London (the place erupted like no other)
- Watching the Giants win the World Series while my son's in his underoos ("just get one more strike!!!!")


Steve, I love the skybox story... "we forgave him!"

[Steve Heard]

- driving down to LA with my 2 best friends to watch the final 3 games in 1993, only to be eliminated on the last day. We also made a Padres game. That was a fun time.

John, I was heading home from LA on that day (took my wife to Disneyland for her BD), and our pilot put the game on one of the plane's audio channels. It was a crushing butt-whipping of a game. - feeling the earthquake in '89 while watching the pre-game (who will ever forget)

- being horribly underdressed for a night game at the 'Stick

One fireworks night, my youngest daughter, who was about 5 at the time, reminded me that I'd promised to take her to see the fireworks. I was living in the San Mateo area, and it was a warm night, so we jumped in the car in shorts and t-shirts, only to discover that it was a freezing cold SF summer night at the park. I had a sack of clothes I was donating to Goodwill in the trunk, so we put on a few layers of mis-matched stuff and headed inside. It was the 8th innning. Gates were open. We bought some hot chocolate and cotton candy and sat way at the top of the stadium to watch the fireworks. Stephanie is 17 now and brings up that night every now and then. She said she'll never forget it.

- Watching the Giants win the World Series while my son's in his underoos ("just get one more strike!!!!")

I'm sure your son will remember that night forever.



Steve, I love the skybox story... "we forgave him!"

Yeah, I'm generous like that.

[NorCalGal]

I wouldn't even think about driving all the way in, it is going to be just nuts...your best bet is probably 80 to 680 and taking BART in from Concord or thereabouts.

Thanks! I didn't even think about that. What is the traffic like at that time to get to Concord? Just wondering what time to leave if we catch a 8:57 BART??? I'm thinking more like 6am?

[DalOwnerX3]

I remember...
- Crazy Crab.

[Mike Hilscher]

Speaking of parade.... Is anyone going? I am planning on going but need some information as to the best route to get to SF in the morning commute. I was planning on leaving around 8 am. Would this allow enough time with the morning traffic? Also which way is faster 80 all the way or I5 to 580 and over? Thanks in advance!!!

If you can't make it our station (FOX 40) will be staying on past 10am to cover the parade which I believe starts at 11am. We are going to have our live truck at City Hall and various other crews around. It's going to be a blast, so stream us on fox40.com or tune in during your lunch break. I would be there, but I will be directing it from our production cave.

[giacomo]

I remember...
- Crazy Crab.

I remember when Pac Bell, yes it was called Pac Bell, first opened up(against the hated LA Dodgers.... and they swept us no less), that in the right field arcade there was an OLD NAVY sign and the Old Navy "marionette" or mannequin would come out on some sort of track and move its legs and arms when Giants hit a home run. He was wearing some sort of sailor outfit and had this stupid grin and a outrageous mustache. Needless to say the faithful booed it mercelessly and it hasn't been seen since that first season. FAIL!!!!

[john]

I remember when Pac Bell, yes it was called Pac Bell, first opened up(against the hated LA Dodgers.... and they swept us no less), that in the right field arcade there was an OLD NAVY sign and the Old Navy "marionette" or mannequin would come out on some sort of track and move its legs and arms when Giants hit a home run. He was wearing some sort of sailor outfit and had this stupid grin and a outrageous mustache. Needless to say the faithful booed it mercelessly and it hasn't been seen since that first season. FAIL!!!!

Ah yes, that was Rusty. He lasted 8 games, and was shelved for "mechanical problems" I think it's too bad if it was because he was unpopular; I like the concept; it's unique - and gives a stadium character. There's very little documenting this tin man, no video I've ever found and very few images.

[chris v]

Ah yes, that was Rusty. He lasted 8 games, and was shelved for "mechanical problems" I think it's too bad if it was because he was unpopular; I like the concept; it's unique - and gives a stadium character. There's very little documenting this tin man, no video I've ever found and very few images.

Thats not Rusty, thats Pat Burrell.

[Dave Burrell]

Thats not Rusty, thats Pat Burrell.

It does look just like him!

[Steve Heard]

I loved Rusty! I thought it was campy fun. I read where it was sent off for scrap.

Another thing that never quite worked was th Coke bottle in the outfield. It was supposed to light up with 'bubbles' erupting from it whenever there was a Giants home run.

[NorCalGal]

I took my son to the Giants parade today. What an awesome experience! We ended up taking the BART from Concord into the City. BART wasn't bad going but coming home (we left early too) was a mad house. What can you expect when there is almost a half a million (estimate) people there. Overall, it was a blast! Did anyone else go?