When the Giants come to town, it's "Bye-Bye Baby!"
Every time the chips are down, it's "Bye-Bye Baby!"
History's in the making at Candlestick Park!
Cheer for the batter, and light the spark!
If you're a fan of Giants baseball, sing "Bye-Bye Baby!"
If you want to be in first place, call "Bye-Bye Baby!"
Listen to the broadcast on KSFO.
Turn up the volume, and hear 'em go.
With the San Francisco Giants, it's "Bye-Bye Baby!"
The Giants came to town in 1958... I don't remember that since I was only 2 years old, but I've seen film of the parade down Market Street... and in 1962 they went to the World Series, and lost. I don't remember that either, but I've read about it.
Historical note: Legend has it that Walter O'Malley, owner of the Dodgers, convinced Horace Stoneham, owner of the Giants, to move to California over drinks at the bar of the Hotel Westward Ho in Phoenix.
My first memories of the San Francisco Giants come from my late father, who used to listen to games on the radio while he worked around the house and yard. We didn't listen on KSFO, it was too far away. Instead we listened to the local station. But we still heard the theme song.
I thought Candlestick Park must have the biggest candles anywhere.
I knew the Dodgers were bad. I didn't know why, but I knew they were the enemy.
Historical note: The Giants have eliminated the Dodgers in 1951, 1962, 1971, 1982, 1991... and in 2002 they won the Pennant, while the Dodgers finished third in the division. The next scheduled elimination is in 2011... only time will tell.
By 1971, I was hooked. I listened to games, and watched the rare TV broadcasts on Channel 2. Then one day in June of 1972, my Mom asked me if I wanted to go to "The City" the next day, and I said "Sure!" I mean, who wouldn't want to get out of the small town and see San Francisco?
Little did I know that my Dad was plotting in secret... and shortly after arriving in The City we were exiting towards Candlestick Park! I'll never forget walking through the doors into the field area, seeing all those seats and all that fake grass... it was breathtaking! It was like walking into a cathedral. Only better!
I followed the Giants over the years after that, not as fervently some years as others. In the early 90s my hubby and I went to a lot of games before we moved away from the Bay Area.
In 1992, we sweated out the possible move of them team to Florida. In 1993 we went on a roller coaster ride of a season. In 1999 we went back to say goodbye to the 'Stick as the Giants prepared to move into their new home in downtown San Francisco.
But never did they win a World Series.
In fact, they went 27 years in between Pennants, from 1962 to 1989... and in 1989 I sent my Dad a Giants T-shirt, which he claims he wore and caused them to lose every game of the World Series! It became a joke about which one of us was the bigger jinx!
It must have been me, because after he passed away, the Giants lost another World Series in 2002.
This year I found my Giants jacket in storage, and got it washed up... and hung it on the back of my bedroom door to finish drying. And while it hung there, the Giants won the division title. So I left it alone. They took the Division Series easily. Not much surprise there. And still I left the jacket alone.
Then they won the Pennant! My grandson told me to leave the jacket alone. And now they've won the World Series!
May I wear it now?
I wonder what my Dad would say tonight... Probably, "Who are these guys?" They are a bunch of self proclaimed castoffs and misfits. No superstars, no bloated egos. Just a team, playing a team sport the way it's meant to be played.
Now finally, for the first time in my life, I can say the Giants have won the World Series.
Goodnight, San Francisco. Sweet dreams!
