Giants 2010 home opener proved to be a harbinger of October
As the San Francisco Giants celebrate their first world championship since 1954, it's interesting to look back at the team's home opener to consider how April optimism morphed into October glory.
In what seems like forever ago, the April 9 game vs. the Atlanta Braves opened with a spectacular F-18 flyover on a perfect San Francisco day.
The pre-game festivities continued with a memorable ceremonial first pitch thrown by 49ers legend Jerry Rice to 49ers great Steve Young. After catching the ball from behind home plate, Young sent Rice out for a pattern and subsequently hit him with a deep baseball toss. What a way to start a season!
Video of these occurrences are displayed below courtesy of fan footage from the stands of AT&T Park.
The Giants 13th inning triumph served as a preview for the incredible drama that would lie ahead during the championship season. In the 5-4 victory, the player of the game turned out to be eventual World Series MVP Edgar Renteria. One of the most clutch players in baseball history blasted a 2-run game tying homerun off of Braves closer Billy Wagner. Renteria tallied three hits, two RBI and two runs scored on this day.
The excitement in China Basin was vociferous and remarkably jubilant. The dramatic win would come to define the Giants as the season progressed. Renteria started and ended the season with a bang.
When the Giants open their home schedule on April 8 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals, much of the pomp and circumstance will repeat itself at AT&T Park. The obvious difference is that this grand day will also involve the raising of championship banners and the distribution of World Series rings. A sight never seen in the great City by the Bay.
