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Your First Giants Game...

It's apparently 30 years since I first went to a Giants game...

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=197807220SFN

Apologies if this has been done recently, but I'd be curious to see how many here can recall or find the actual date.  It was a bit of a surreal experience for me; I don't think I appreciated the magnitude of the event (i.e. had never been in a  large stadium before, only been to SF a handful of times, etc.)

It was also the beginning of a long period of lackluster finishes by the Giants.  Sure glad that's over with.

 

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I don't remember the exact date though I think it was in July of 1964 against the Houston Colt 45's. Willie Mays hit a home run which to that point was the absolute coolest moment of my entire 9 year old life.

by ESM on Mar 29, 2008 7:49 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

That certainly could have been the one.

by ESM on Mar 29, 2008 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yessssss for doubleheaders.

by Pitch 2 Barry on Mar 29, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not a bad day

Not a bad day for Willie. A homer in the first game, then 2-for-3 in the second. Both homered and stole a base on the day.

by sharksrog on Mar 31, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kauffman Stadium - June 13-15, 2003

I grew up in Missouri, so most of my Giants experiences have been through the idiot box.

But in '03, I went to all three games when SF came to KC...Giants pulled out a victory in the second game. I believe it was Damian Moss that got the victory.

Still haven't found the time to hop a train to SF yet as summer is my "busy" time. Maybe someday. I do have tickets to all three games at Kauffman again this season though

by sfgiantsflgators on Mar 29, 2008 8:01 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The famous series in which Mike Sweeney had a game-winning RBI against Tim Worrell and for his efforts got his back pounded -- by his teammates -- into chronic disrepair during the walk-off celebration.

by 2X2L on Mar 29, 2008 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bonds hit his one and only homer of the series in that game (the finale) as well. Right-center field from what I remember, just short of the fountains.

Had my rubber chicken for all three games and used it twice. Got Pedro Happy's autograph as well...

by sfgiantsflgators on Mar 29, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sadly, I can't remember the date

I've searched the baseball-almanac website, with no luck. I went twice in the mid-1960's, and have probably conflated the two experiences in my mind.

1. I think I saw a doubleheader against the Cubs.
2. I'm sure the Giants won, I believe making a 12- or 13-game win streak.
3. Probably June, July, or August.
4. I remember pulling for Jim Davenport, who hit well that day.
5. I think Warren Spahn pitched.

Anybody have any ideas?

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Mar 29, 2008 9:00 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Try retrosheet. Looks like September 12, 1965. Game 1 and Game 2.

by 2X2L on Mar 29, 2008 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That could very well be it. Thanks for your effort!

Your 2011 SF Giants: the 2008 Augusta Greenjackets!

by Lyle on Mar 29, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're welcome. Looks like Davenport didn't even get to the plate even once that day, so that memory must be of your other visit.

by 2X2L on Mar 30, 2008 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know my first game was against the Mets in 1991, but I was four years old so forgive me if I cant remember the date or who pitched or even whether we won. I do remember my third-ever game pretty clearly though:

San Francisco Giants 4, Los Angeles Dodgers 0

Day

Game Played on Saturday, October 5, 1991 (D) at Candlestick Park

LA N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 2
SF N 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 x - 4 4 0

Los Angeles Dodgers IP H R ER BB SO HR
Morgan L(14-10) 7 4 4 2 2 9 0
Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 2 0
Totals 8 4 4 2 2 11 0

San Francisco Giants IP H R ER BB SO HR
Wilson W(13-11) 9 2 0 0 2 6 0

I didn't quite understand the ramifications of this at the time but this was the game we bumped the Evils from the playoffs. Probably the first time I ever got joy out of denying others theirs. SO proud of that

"he walked 18; new league record! Struck out 18, another new league record! He also hit the sportswriter, the PA announcer, the bull mascot twice..."

by i did my job on Mar 29, 2008 9:44 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Giants Cubs in 93... Williams homered... or was it Thompson?

Bengie Molina: stretching doubles into singles since 1998.

by jasomack on Mar 29, 2008 9:52 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Midweek day game in 1989. Might still have my scoresheet, somewhere. I found one from 1991, but I'm still looking for the first one from Candlestick.

I think my first game ever was Bat Day at Yankee Stadium, June 11, 1967, but I have to ask the rest of the family about that one. I remember that the Yankees dropped both ends of the doubleheader, but I also remember that it was against the Angels. Well, they lost two on Bat Day in 1967, but to the White Sox, and they played the Angels on Bat Day in 1968 but won both.

In 1967 there were 62,582 in attendance on Bat Day, in 1968 56,614. I remember the traffic was backed up in all 5 boroughs of NYC, and that's probably not an embellishment.

by 2X2L on Mar 29, 2008 10:13 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs




This is why Dad never took us back to Yankee Stadium.

by 2X2L on Mar 29, 2008 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is an especially ominous photograph. One wonders how many head wounds were sustained on the 6 train platform afterwards.

Celebrating 50 years of frustration

by VidaWantsYourCar on Mar 29, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Here's a larger version of it.

It kind of looks like the villagers and picthforks scene in Young Frankenstein. Maybe the crowd is reacting to Mantle's absence from the lineup in Game 2.

by 2X2L on Mar 29, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think that's just a random snapshot from Yankee Stadium, not necessarily Bat Day.

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 29, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Never underestimate the power of the Google inquisition. Here's the source.

by 2X2L on Mar 29, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=199808080SFN

There's the one. 1998? Dang, I thought it would have been a lot longer ago than that.

First one I remember, anyway.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 29, 2008 10:15 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ouch

Five home runs and none of them by a Giant - you weren't scarred for life?

Future Giants-at-the-end-of-their-careers Klesko, Tucker and Galarraga went a combined 9 for 13 for the Braves - now thats just cruel.

by FavoriteSpring on Mar 29, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't forget having to live through a Danny Darwin start!

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 29, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hazy Days

I can'r recall exactly but it was almost certainly one of the four game series June 6-9, 1958 when the Reds first came to town because my Dad was a huge Reds fan from growing up in Cincy. I was thrilled with Seals Stadium and the whole atmosphere but don't remember any plays. I remember being more impressed by our rookie, Cepeda, than Mays (that day).

by NearestNorwich on Mar 29, 2008 11:04 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Mike LaCoss

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN198606230.shtml

Giants beat the Padres 18-1, Mike LaCoss pitched a complete game AND hit a home run.

by SF Seth on Mar 29, 2008 11:10 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Dang, yours is WAY better than mine.

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 29, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe "that's what he/she said!"?

Or... not....

He is Vengeance. He is the Knight. He is Dave Righetti. PRAY TO HIM!

by howtheyscored on Mar 29, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

June 4, 2001

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN200106040.shtml

Shawn Estes got the win, Nen got the save, Bonds hit #524 of his career when I was in line for garlic fries, they beat the bastard Padres. My first Giants game was a birthday gift courtesy of a friend who provided club level tickets for me and my then boyfriend. The boyfriend did not like baseball. He did not last long after that.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 29, 2008 11:18 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hmmm

I can't remember the first game I've ever been to since I was probably in preschool then (1987?). However, the first game I can remember was from July 5, 2000 (My birthday!). I still have the ticket. Marvin Benard is on it. Giants win 4-2 with Joe Nathan (sigh) getting the win.

http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2000/B07050SFN2000.htm

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 29, 2008 11:44 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

If we want to tell stories of our first games ever, I don't even recall mine. My parents said we went to Angels games all the time when we lived in Orange County. I was only a few months old then and soon we fled to the Bay Area. For this I am thankful.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 29, 2008 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

All I know that it was a Giants game at Candlestick. It was dark and foggy that night. That doesn't exactly narrow it down...

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 29, 2008 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Croix de Candlestick?

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 29, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Double Header

My uncle took me to this double header for my 9th birthday. The Giants entered the day one game behind the Astros for first place. The second game ended with a hard line drive right to Aldrete at first, stranding the tying and go ahead runs. 1st place flashed in huge letters on the candlestick scoreboard. Looking back at the box I now realize why I've always liked Randy Kutcher, he hit a homerun in the first ever game I went to.

San Francisco Giants 4, Houston Astros 2 (1)

DayGame Played on Sunday, June 22, 1986 (D) at Candlestick Park
HOU N 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 7 0
SF N 0 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 x - 4 11 2

WP: Krukow (9-4)
LP: Hernandez (1-3)
HR: Bass (9), Kutcher (2)

San Francisco Giants 3, Houston Astros 2 (2)

HOU N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 - 2 7 1 (2)
SF N 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 x - 3 7 0

WP: Berenguer (1-0)
LP: Smith (1-4)
SV: Hensley (1)

by SF Pete on Mar 29, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Some boyfriend

The guy doesn't even like baseball but he makes you go
stand in line for the garlic fries with Bonds coming to bat?
Hope your taste in men improved after that...

by lettinitfly on Mar 29, 2008 11:59 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Get to know the reply button

It is your friend.

SAVE_US.RAY

by Natto on Mar 29, 2008 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

One of many reasons why he's an ex.

Democracy is lovely but baseball is more mature. BVCE supports Manny Burriss and SF Dugout.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 29, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I first attended a game during the particularly bleak era of the mid-70s. As bad as this year portends to be, it won't touch the years surrounding 1975; I honestly think I became a fan of the team because I felt sorry for them. John D'Acquisto on the mound, Chris Arnold and Marty Perez on the infield, Von Joshua in the outfield, faded green astroturf with patches of darker green replacement strips, that garish chain-link fence, and of course 40 knot winds...not exactly stuff one can wax poetic on. Oh, and they played the Cubs. Little did I know what brothers in arms those two franchises would become.

Celebrating 50 years of frustration

by VidaWantsYourCar on Mar 29, 2008 12:01 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

July 13 1996

six years old. It was the first I remember. down in LA. Estes cleaned up, striking out 11 in 7 innings.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN199607130.shtml

good game

I sure wish that Ort Cloud would form a solid sphere to enter into this team's orbit.

by SloIsLonelyForTheOrange on Mar 29, 2008 12:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

The first ballgame I remember being at was in 1967 on a visit to LA - Bob Gibson beat Don Drysdale, which was seriously cool.

I know my first Giants game was in 1966, no recall of anything though. The first Giants game I do have clear memories of was in Montreal in 1969, the Expos' inaugural year. Mays and McCovey hit back-to-back homers, I was 10 years old.

by FavoriteSpring on Mar 29, 2008 12:07 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Not sure at all..

But there are two early ones I remember. One was a Houston game at the 'Stick, probably around 95-97 or so. We were sitting in the Pavillion and Houston hit a batting practice HR which hit the signs above on the second deck. It bounced down and I got the ball. Still have it somewhere.

The second one was sometime probably in the same time period, don't know the team, but it was a game where the Moptops played a recreation of the Beatles last concert as it was the anniversary of it. (come to think of it, it was probably August 28 1996 for the 30th anniversary of the final concert. But remember more that there was a concert not the game.

The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."

by WalrusMan on Mar 29, 2008 3:03 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Mine's pretty easy to find

Game 1 of the 3 game tiebreaker playoff against the Dodgers in '62. Billy Pierce twirled a masterpiece. Mays hit a 1st inning homer and they knocked Koufax out of the game in the 2nd inning. Awesome start to fandom!

My boy ain't fat, he's just big boned. Big bat, too.

by Roger on Mar 29, 2008 7:49 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't remember my first Giants game, but the first one I'm aware I was at was the Salomon Torres game in LA in '93.

The first one I have a clear memory of is this one. Marcus Jensen, you asshole.

Being a Giants fan: pain.

I looked up Steve Kline in the dictionary. He wasn't there. If he was, it would have said "pretty okay"

by groug on Mar 29, 2008 11:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

August 16, 2001 against the Marlins

First time I've been to SF. Awesome game. Bonds hit a solo shot in the 4th to tie Mays' record for HR by a Giant in a season, then broke it in the bottom of the 8th with 2 on to give the Giants the lead, and eventually the win. Damn he was good.

You deserve to be struck out, when your first name's a verb.

by Cookyman on Mar 30, 2008 5:18 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Wrigley

Giants at Wrigley, circa 1956. Good box seats not too far from the first base dugout. My dad warned me to watch for hot shots. I told him I would fend them off with my cardboard-like program. I was surprised when he told me that wouldn't quite get the job done.

by sharksrog on Mar 31, 2008 9:33 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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