March 30, 1998
"Jen from Wichita... I mean SAN MATEO"
I'M GOING TO THE 'STICK!!!
As every Giants fan knows, the home opener is April 7 against the
Houston Astros. Game time, 1:05pm. I have been lucky to have been at a
lot of home openers during my life time. I have gotten to see openers
from Little League, to college, to the minors and the majors. I try to
attend at least three openers every season. However, this season, I
think will be the most memorable than all of them put together.
To most of you, this is going to sound redundant, it might even be
boring to read it again for the millionth time, but to those of you
who don't know me that well, haven't talked to me in Room 18 over the
past month, this home opener will be my first at the 'Stick. For those
of you who don't know me, also let me tell you, this first game of the
year for our boys at home, will be my first time ever seeing the
Giants live. For those of you thinking, this game is just another
baseball game to me, you are sadly mistaken, I am so excited about
this one.
I can't think of a better way to open my baseball season than at
Candlestick Park. I really can't. I mean, how much more could I ask
for? I get to see my Giants, live, for the first time. It will be at
the home opener. It will be at the 'Stick, right off the Bay, a place
where I have so many memories, and I haven't even been there, yet.
Can any of you remember your first ballgame? Can you remember your
first opener? The ceremony before the game, how grand it seemed. The
players, even though its just a "baseball game", how much more
excitement they seemed to have with each pitch thrown, each ball hit,
and every play that was made. The smells of the concessions, how that
special scent fills the air, every game, but on Opening Day, how that
smell was always a bit better than usual. Finally, watching the fans
with all their excitement, how they cheered for the boys, how they
were all bright eyed. Those feelings, I get every opener, and no
matter if my team wins or loses, how I always go home with a smile on
my face, because of that beauty, that I have struggled so long in the
long, gray winter months, has finally entered back into my life.
I love this game, I love this team, and I love this city. I can't wait
for this day to finally arrive. I really can't. Every time I think of
it, I get so giddy. I am like a kid, going to their first ballgame. I
am, and in many ways, this will be my first. But, isn't that why the
fans keep coming back to the yard, season after season, day after day,
to feel like that kid that was lost inside them so long ago?