6.13.2009
meeting heroes
i've been a Will Clark fan since 1987, when my family returned to California after a 10 month stay in Japan. i treasure those 10 months but also feel a tinge of sadness that i missed Will's rookie year in 1986. i loved watching him play - his intensity, the way he played the game right, his underrated defense, and his swing. oh, the swing...i could watch it all day, with the follow-through, left arm across his chin, then seeing his #22 on the back of his jersey.
two years ago, i was able to shake hands with my lifelong hero, Will Clark. i went to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony with my good friend Rick, which was appropriate because i met Rick over 15 years ago through collecting Will Clark memorabilia. being at the ceremony, listening to Mike Krukow introducing Will, and hearing Will's acceptance speech was amazing.
the Giants held a special ceremony before last night's game to honor the 1989 team that went to the World Series. it is by far my favorite Giants team ever - i still remember events from each game, probably because i was obsessed (i know - me, obsessed?) with saving articles and box scores from the newspaper and with recording audio and video highlights. i'm in the process of preserving all of those now.
i got my friend Rick's tickets for the game, hoping he'd come up for the trip. he wasn't able to come, but i enjoyed the game with Justin. i knew that a mutual friend of mine and Rick's was going to be in town for the game, so i made it a point to see him. i didn't expect that i'd see him in the reception tent that hosted the pregame party for players and coaches; i knew he was going but didn't think i'd be able to get in, too. well, i did. and it was awesome. once i caught up with Mike, Justin and i ventured into the party. i immediately sought out Will, and he was happy to take a picture with me. he also signed a 1989 World Series baseball (thanks, Mike!) and the Clark Giants jersey i had. i got to chat with him for a little while, thank him for his years in the Giants uniform, and to tell him that i appreciated his charity work and that he was back with the organization.
i also got pictures with Robby Thompson, Kevin Mitchell, and Roger Craig. each was gracious and took the time to thank me for being a fan, coming to the game, and for remembering them so fondly.
by the time the pregame rolled around, i was already emotionally charged but then, while on the field, the Giants (and Robby Thompson in particular) honored the late Jose Uribe. it was a very touching moment and yes, waterworks from me.
as for the game - it was great. good baseball played by the Giants, sloppy ball from the A's, a good start from The Unit and a Giants win. i didn't sleep much last night and don't expect i will much tonight, either, as i'm off to see The Vinyl Trees AND The Tragically Hip up in The City.
what a weekend, eh? and now you know why i will do pretty much anything to get #22.
two years ago, i was able to shake hands with my lifelong hero, Will Clark. i went to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony with my good friend Rick, which was appropriate because i met Rick over 15 years ago through collecting Will Clark memorabilia. being at the ceremony, listening to Mike Krukow introducing Will, and hearing Will's acceptance speech was amazing.
the Giants held a special ceremony before last night's game to honor the 1989 team that went to the World Series. it is by far my favorite Giants team ever - i still remember events from each game, probably because i was obsessed (i know - me, obsessed?) with saving articles and box scores from the newspaper and with recording audio and video highlights. i'm in the process of preserving all of those now.
i got my friend Rick's tickets for the game, hoping he'd come up for the trip. he wasn't able to come, but i enjoyed the game with Justin. i knew that a mutual friend of mine and Rick's was going to be in town for the game, so i made it a point to see him. i didn't expect that i'd see him in the reception tent that hosted the pregame party for players and coaches; i knew he was going but didn't think i'd be able to get in, too. well, i did. and it was awesome. once i caught up with Mike, Justin and i ventured into the party. i immediately sought out Will, and he was happy to take a picture with me. he also signed a 1989 World Series baseball (thanks, Mike!) and the Clark Giants jersey i had. i got to chat with him for a little while, thank him for his years in the Giants uniform, and to tell him that i appreciated his charity work and that he was back with the organization.
i also got pictures with Robby Thompson, Kevin Mitchell, and Roger Craig. each was gracious and took the time to thank me for being a fan, coming to the game, and for remembering them so fondly.
by the time the pregame rolled around, i was already emotionally charged but then, while on the field, the Giants (and Robby Thompson in particular) honored the late Jose Uribe. it was a very touching moment and yes, waterworks from me.
as for the game - it was great. good baseball played by the Giants, sloppy ball from the A's, a good start from The Unit and a Giants win. i didn't sleep much last night and don't expect i will much tonight, either, as i'm off to see The Vinyl Trees AND The Tragically Hip up in The City.
what a weekend, eh? and now you know why i will do pretty much anything to get #22.
# posted by cheddah : 11:50 PM
