SF Giants-Up-Close and Personal with the Biggest Rock Stars in the MLB

Getting the Gigantes Party Started
"I'm looking forward to that camaraderie...that fire"… Cody "The Boss" Ross

By Antoinette Carrisosa 2/08/2011 Bay Area Sports Drive
 Photos by Dennis De'Silva BASD

The San Francisco Giants held their 18^th annual Fan Fest on Saturday, February 5^th, 2011 at AT&T Park with over 100,000 fans attending the event. Stadium officials were expecting 40,000 people, but 45,000 showed up at 9 A.M. 50 die hard Giant’s fans with orange and black running through their veins camped outside the stadium entrance overnight and when the gates finally opened at 11 A.M., Giant’s pandemonium began all over again.

The day before the big event, I attended the pre-Fan Fest media session on behalf of Bay Area Sports Drive and had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the biggest rock stars in the MLB. They casually entered the Giant’s executive suite one-by- one appearing refreshed and at ease absent from uniform and gear, but in casual attire. The first thing I asked them was how they spent their off-season. “I spent my time with family, relaxed, and built up my strength for the season,” said (catcher) Buster Posey. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain claim to have spent their time with family and playing rounds of golf.

The players talked about how their lives have changed in the last 6 months. “A complete 180,” said (outfielder) Cody “the Boss Ross” Ross (smiling away). “People came up to me to tell me I’ve been a long time Giant’s fan and I look up to you. It’s pretty special.”

Their vision of the upcoming season is repeating last year’s success.  “I’m looking forward to spring training, looking forward to that camaraderie…that fire,” Cody Ross exclaimed. They are confident about getting this Gigantes party started and contending for the World Series in 2011. “We have most of the same guys, same personalities, we feel good,” said (pitcher) Matt Cain.

The Giants aren’t the least bit phased by the vicious dogs from the other major league baseball teams being unleashed on the World Champions, and are ready on preparing themselves for it. “Everyone is going to be in for us,” said (left fielder) Pat Burrell. This is the biggest challenge and that’s the way it should be,” he continued. “It’s about preparation, getting ready…I’m not worried about it,” said Giants pitcher Lincecum. “We have the best pitching team in the league,” Ross said. I’ve had to face these guys a lot. It’s not an easy task." With all that being said, the other teams should feel threatened.

On Friday, February 4th, 2011, Giant’s officials met with Showtime producers to discuss the possibility of a Showtime Series. The “docu-drama” will feature the lives of the World Series champions in their off-season, spring training, and in action in the 2011 season. “It will be good. It will let people on the East Coast know what we are about and who we are,” said Lincecum. On the other hand, Giant’s manager, Bruce Bochey, worries it may distract his players and is overprotective of their privacy.

The next morning, fans including myself lined up outside AT&T Park and waited hours to get in with our ready-to-be-signed Giants memorabilia in hand. Kids were anxious to see their favorite players including Austin Johnston of Danville, CA. “My favorite player is Buster Posey because I play catcher. Its fun and I like to throw people out,” he said. At noon, we were told that the gates were closed due to a full capacity, but many of us sucked it up and waited until they reopened. I was without a doubt surrounded by true Giants fans.

Upon arrival, there were two major lines, one for autograph signing and the other for taking pictures with the World Series trophy. There were booths all over the park selling raffle tickets and Giants merchandise. Some booths were giving away free Giants World Series posters. The players were up on the podium welcoming the fans and announcing their plans for the season to come. They also expressed much thanks to all of the supporting fans. “Today is for you guys because you are very special to us. I want to thank you for everything. You guys make us who we are today. God Bless you all,” said Andres Torres.

At the end of the day some people went home happy while others were left empty handed and disappointed because they didn’t get a chance to meet the players or receive any autographs. “Me and my dad will come earlier next year,” said 6-year-old Tyler Smith of San Mateo, CA. One lucky young man, Emmet Riley of Redwood Valley, CA, was very fortunate to have received autograph signatures on his Giants jersey from Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner. “I play for the Junior Giants,” he said happily.

Although not everyone got what they wanted from Giant’s Fan Fest, they still had a good time and they still love their favorite baseball team. Fans are also very excited to know that many of their favorite players will be returning next season. The 2011 roster features last season’s fan favorite’s including Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Buster Posey, Cody Ross, Pat Burell, Jeremy Affeldt, Aubrey Huff, Andres Torres, Jonathan Sanchez, Freddy Sanchez and Pablo Sandoval.

Go San Francisco Giants!

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