Last month our close friends welcomed a new Giants fan into the world. Bennett arrived during the dog days of a bad season, but that’s not his fault. He’s got a lot to learn and a lot to look forward to.
This is going to be my last newsletter of the regular season, and it’s a letter to the newest one of us, Giants fans. Enjoy.
Bennett,
We’re thrilled to count you as one of us. Let’s start with what you missed.
Your parents came of age during a golden era of Giants baseball. Those three World Series runs in 2010, 2012, and 2014 really were that special. So forgive your dad if he feels a little extra juice in an even year, and excuse his references to The Freak or The Panda or Torture. You had to be there.
The voices that accompany so many of those “old” highlights—in full HD and color, young man—are Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow. You won’t remember listening to Kruk and Kuip, but I promise you did.
The all-time greats have statues: Mays, McCovey, Marichal—and I’m sure you’ll see the Bonds and Posey monuments go up. But it’s easy to overlook the guys who sparked those championship runs. Ask your ol’ man about Cody Ross and Marco Scutaro and Travis Ishikawa. Don’t ask him about Brandon Belt.
Yeah, the Giants have been a little lost the last decade or so. Still, you have so much to look forward to.
You might not remember your first visit to Oracle Park, but never forget how lucky you are to have the best ballpark is baseball in your backyard. Start saving now if you ever want to try a crab sandwich.
The bad news is that Giants’ most exciting players are in San Jose, Eugene, and Richmond. The good news is you’ll grow up right alongside them. With any luck you’ll be wanting to wear a jersey with GONZALEZ or LEVEL or FLORA on the back.
Lastly, no matter what, your favorite teams for the rest of your life will be the ones you grew up watching. Terrible teams or talented ones, it doesn’t matter. You won’t appreciate this until you’re older. But those 2036 and 2037 Giants teams are starting to sound real special right about now.
Root hard, but not too hard. It’s only a game 😉
Giants fan for life,
Uncle Connor
Uncle Connor, brilliant and inspiring piece. This deserves to be somewhere that the entire fan base can see it -- not only in the PostCard. If you haven't already done so, I would suggest, framing and gifting this rendering to the family as a long-term, tangible keepsake that he or she can enjoy in the years to come -- especially in '36 or '37. Have a good off-season. Go Cox, Taylor, Bericoto, Molina, Gilbert, Tidwell, Perdamo, Marte, Rodriquez, Eldridge, Schmitt, Mc Cray, Devers, Peguero, Susac, Whitcomb, Mayar, Koss, and Lee. p.s. Congrats to the little guy or gal.