base. So much has happened in the world since those glorious summer days and oh, oh those sum-um-mer nights. Wella, wella, wella, wella, hunh! Back in October and November, we had the thrilling Torture of the Giants playoff run. I am happy the Giants finally won the World Series. The team is so likable, I don't know who could possibly not have been happy to see them win. Right, Clayton?
I sure do wish they could have done that back in the 80's. My fandom for the Giants in the 80's exceeded my love for any team before or since. I have so many amazing memories of Candlestick Park from the agonizing days of LeMaster to the glorious days Kevin Mitchell and all the days in between. 
Humm Baby! I had my first teenage road trips driving to the Stick with my buds, sitting right behind the dugout in the empty stadium. Mike Krukow shrugged his shoulders at us walking back to the dugout after Dale Murphy took him deep. I wooed the future Mrs. Sexy by plying her with Bartles & James and asking other tailgaters for used coals in the bleacher parking lot. I remember a chubby, unknown Astros relief pitcher named Curt Schilling asking girls in the left field bleachers to lift their shirts. I remember getting sunburns in the first half of a double header and freezing to death in the night cap. I remember lighting a barbeque in the back seat of my car because it was so windy in the parking lot and, more importantly, because I was a stupid teenager. I even spent a night during Bachelor Week there with my buddies getting our snuck-in beers confiscated by security. No other stadium or team has littered my mind with so many memories.
Humm Baby! I had my first teenage road trips driving to the Stick with my buds, sitting right behind the dugout in the empty stadium. Mike Krukow shrugged his shoulders at us walking back to the dugout after Dale Murphy took him deep. I wooed the future Mrs. Sexy by plying her with Bartles & James and asking other tailgaters for used coals in the bleacher parking lot. I remember a chubby, unknown Astros relief pitcher named Curt Schilling asking girls in the left field bleachers to lift their shirts. I remember getting sunburns in the first half of a double header and freezing to death in the night cap. I remember lighting a barbeque in the back seat of my car because it was so windy in the parking lot and, more importantly, because I was a stupid teenager. I even spent a night during Bachelor Week there with my buddies getting our snuck-in beers confiscated by security. No other stadium or team has littered my mind with so many memories. That shows what a mess the early 90's Giants made of my sports heart. I can't remember the chronology of it, but I remember the deeds. Giants sign Deion Sanders. Giants sign Barry Bonds. Giants trade Big Sexy's favorite player and folical idol, Matt Williams, to the Indians. Giants threaten to move to St. Petersburg. Giants (and all the other teams) quit playing baseball in the middle of the season. All of this seemed to happen in a short period of time. Depending on your point of view, maybe it was. As with all soured relationships, it slowly whittled away at the foundation until it was not longer strong enough to endure a trauma such as a player strike.
It was 1994 and I was a baseball fan free agent. In 1995, I signed a lifetime contract with the Seattle Mariners. It may be a while before I have to live the Torture of a Mariner World Series run. I now just hope they are still in it when hockey season ends. It been a couple years since they have been in it at the end of June. That's just another joy of spring... there is always hope.
After seeing the Cubs at Wrigley (and Murphy's) over the past few years, I like to follow the Cubs, but they can't push the 
M's out of my baseball heart. They are really my National League team. Where does that leave the Giants in my heart? They still occupy a special place. I love going to catch a game at AT&T. Even though I do love Safeco Field, I think AT&T slightly tops it as a place to see a game. It is simply beautiful. It is also the place we can take the boys with more regularity, so it is creating its own special memories that I will cherish in another baseball generation. I can celebrate the Giants victory. I am happy for my former team. I happy for all of my friends that are still Giants fans and have been for so long. But honestly, I am a little envious.
M's out of my baseball heart. They are really my National League team. Where does that leave the Giants in my heart? They still occupy a special place. I love going to catch a game at AT&T. Even though I do love Safeco Field, I think AT&T slightly tops it as a place to see a game. It is simply beautiful. It is also the place we can take the boys with more regularity, so it is creating its own special memories that I will cherish in another baseball generation. I can celebrate the Giants victory. I am happy for my former team. I happy for all of my friends that are still Giants fans and have been for so long. But honestly, I am a little envious. Spring training is upon us. Go M's. Go Giants. Go Bad Gnus. Can't wait!
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