Paint the City Orange and Black, It’s Opening Day SF
It’s that time of the year again, San Francisco! Baseball season is here. The bats start cracking in Cincinnati, so walk your dogs early. Shut your laptop, and if you serve beers, let’s go. It has been an inspiring spring down in Scottsdale. The left side of the infield is set up with Chapman and Adames holding it down on long-term contracts, and those two look amazing. Thanks, Buster. We missed you. Welcome home.
The Giants will play their 19th starting left fielder, Heliot Ramos. 19th! Jarrett Parker, anybody? Sorry, it’s the namesake. As noted by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, “The Giants’ streak of 19 consecutive Opening Days with a different starting left fielder will be tied for the longest by any team at any position since at least 1900.” As long as it’s not 1906, we are good. Barry Lamar Bonds was the last consecutive starter holding down the Chevron cars. Do you remember that guy? Ramos, while limited in mobility, can outrun me for a bus any day. Jung Hoo Lee is back from a back injury that had us all nervous this spring after missing all of last season and will fill those gaps in Triples Alley.
Grant McCray got sent down, but he will be back. He’s too athletic, like all relationships, the timing wasn’t right. Yaz plays the right field bricks better than anybody, and I’m looking at you, Hunter Pence. Right field is a beast, and those two have played it better than anybody. Who doesn’t like a Hunter Pence reference? Luis Matos has been hitting the cover off the ball—Venezuela Winter League rookie of the year and should be in the outfield rotation. Matos had an insane week last year where he was also named the National League player of the week before getting sent down. He has done the work and has some definite staying power.
Speaking of spring training, can we take a moment for Christian Koss? I watched his batting average through spring, and the guy gets on base. Outside of Late Night Lamonte, who has the best eye for a walk ever, Koss swings and is given a well-deserved roster spot. Tyler Fitzgerald will probably get the lion’s share at second, but welcome to the club. We can expect to hear the Friends theme song as Wilmer Flores and Lamonte Wade Jr. will be holding down first.
We lost Taylor, and Tyler is still submarining from the bullpen, no more twins. The guys, not the baseball team from Minnesota. Kyle Harrison was sent down to AAA to work on his control, not velocity, and I expect to see him again. Also, if we’re talking twins check out Carter in Arizona a complete fireballer #77, he’s 10 and in little league but you heard it here first. Hayden Birdsong got moved to the bullpen. You had to find room for him and the emergence of Landen Roupp as the 5th starter, which I said last year, is a much deserving stud. Patrick Bailey will be in the “Squat,” being the glue the pitching staff needs.
The pitching staff is going to be key. Webb, Ray, Verlander, Hicks and Roupp. Solid. I feel good going into the season. Pitching over everything else. We won three titles on pitching and those parties were fun. The Giant’s best bet at a 30 home run guy probably comes from Chapman at third so pitching and defense are key.
Ok, I waited this long, but we must state the obvious. The Dodgers are stacked. It’s just stupid what they’ve done with deferred money. All are within the rules, so believe it or not, I’m not hating. Their last bullpen arm would probably be closing on 28 other teams, Giants not included; keep your bums. It’s break the total season win record or bust for those guys. So we sit fighting off the rest of the NL West and it will be fun. Buster Posey has the ship sailing in the right direction, and this is a free season, so expectations are low, and by low, I mean finishing above the Diamondbacks, Rockies, and Padres. Buster knows baseball and we are all here for it.
Let’s go San Francisco, it’s game time! “For a young team it’s paramount” Mike Krukow on building team chemistry. It’s opening day, let’s all get Atlee Hamakered and remember when the Giants come to town it’s bye-bye baby. “Adios Pelota!” Jon Miller.
Opening Day at Oracle Park
See the Giants open the 2025 home season against the Seattle Mariners on April 4. Celebrate the 25th year of Oracle Park with special pregame ceremonies before the 1:35 p.m. first pitch
- Gates Open: 11:35 a.m. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:45 p.m. to catch the on-field, pregame festivities.
- Game Time: 1:35 p.m. versus the Seattle Mariners
- Honorary First Pitch: San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie
- Lift Ev’ry Voice: Ms. Monet
- National Anthem: Neal Schon
- Flyover: California Air National Guard, 144th Fighter Wing
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