PLAY BALL!

It just doesn't get any better than a Giants/Dodgers series if you are a California baseball fan! Those of you who know me are well aware that I am a sports fanatic. I love the Niners, the Warriors, the Kings, NASCAR & pretty much every other competition in the wide world of sports. BUT my love of baseball goes way back..........waaayyyyy baaaccck!

I attended my first San Francisco Giants game with my dad back around 1960. They had just moved into Candlestick Park after relocating to San Francisco in the late 1950s. It was freezing cold & we had to brave the ancient two lane San Mateo Bridge to make it to the game. Honestly, I can't ever remember NOT being a baseball fan. I grew up knowing all the intricacies of the game. I played catch with my dad as far back as I can recall.

As we progressed through the sixties, the San Francisco Giants versus the Los Angeles Dodgers (formerly of New York & Brooklyn respectively) became a legendary rivalry. My family was glued to the TV for every game of the series. Often we would even take a ride over to Half Moon Bay (about 45 minutes) to purchase fresh roasted in the shell peanuts to eat while we watched our Giants hopefully beat up on the hated Dodgers. I'm not sure how that tradition got started but it shows you a little of how my sports craziness began.

Now, that I am an "old kid" of 66 & the Giants have won three World Series in the last six years, nothing much has changed. Lou & I are still glued to the TV & still can't help screaming & high fiving when we beat our despised Southern California rivals. We have won it all in the even years of 2010, 2012 & 2014....so I am optimistic that 2016 is our year again! Especially since we appear to have an even BETTER team than recent years!

Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention weeks ago when I planned an overnight getaway to Guerneville on the Russian River for Lou's birthday. It was on the last day of an early season four game series with the Dodgers. But we are two motivated, resourceful Giants fans who will find a way to see it or hear it or at least follow the score online.

The Giants have started this season off balls of fire, hitting lots of home runs, making lots of great plays & winning five of seven games to lead their division. These guys are amazing! I have to tell you it has been a total blast to watch these games. We are hitting up a storm & everyone is contributing. We beat the Dodgers soundly the first game & barely the second game. The third game we should have won but an error by our back up second baseman after our closer loaded the bases let the winning run score for the Dodgers.

As we drove to Guerneville on Sunday our radio coverage became worse & worse. In between the static we heard that the Giants were down 5-0 in the first inning. Yikes! After some sightseeing we stopped by a funky, little "sports bar" to check the score.....5 - 2. We strolled the streets taking photos & exploring (check out my "Travels Near & Far" blog to see them) then headed back to McT's Bullpen Sports Bar.

Pulling up a couple bar stools we ordered some beers & watched several innings with the "crowd" (maybe 10 locals) of Giants fans watching the game. One guy had a Giants visor, Giants shirt, Giants shorts & Giants socks - a true fan! It is great fun to yell & cheer with strangers who have a common bond as sports fans. We left the bar to head over & check into our hotel, giddy with the knowledge that the score was tied 6 - 6.

Ultimately we watched the last couple of innings in our hotel room - the Giants won 9 - 6 to take the series 3 games to 1. Woo Hoo!!!!

As much as I love the Giants & as successful as the last several seasons have been, this year has started with a magical quality that holds the potential to be the best year yet! I can't wait! And we already have a July trip planned (with tickets bought & paid for!) that includes a Giants/Red Sox game at Fenway Park in Boston PLUS a Giants/Yankees game at Yankee Stadium in New York! Nope, it just doesn't get any better in our baseball world!