April 23
Back When the Runs Were Plentiful: Thanks in large to an eight-run outburst in the first inning, the San Francisco Giants outslugged the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark on this date in 2000. A five-homer attack by the Giants – one each by Bill Mueller and Bobby Estalella in the first, Jeff Kent in the fifth, Rich Aurilia in the eighth, and Barry Bonds in the ninth – made a winner out of young Joe Nathan, who went five innings for the victory.
April 24
Our Resident 40-Year Old Defensive Wizard: Current Giants acrobatic shortstop Omar Vizquel was born on this date back in 1967, in Caracas, Venezuela. Those amazing plays of his just never get old.
April 25
The Barber and Anty Finish off the Phillies: On their way to the franchise’s most recent World Championship, the 1954 New York Giants played two games against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Polo Grounds on this date in 1954, and the Phillies didn’t score at all that day, thanks in large to dual starters Sal “The Barber” Maglie and Future San Francisco ace Johnny Antonelli. In fact, in addition to the 3-0 and 5-0 shutouts on Sunday, the Giants shut out Philadelphia for the entire three-game series, as they silenced the Phillies 1-0 the previous day.
April 26
Doubly Grand: Powered by grand slams from Willie McCovey and catcher Dick Dietz, the Giants walloped the Montreal Expos (remember them?) 11-1 in the first game of a doubleheader on this date in 1970 at Candlestick Park. Mike McCormick picked up the victory by pitching a complete game 3-hitter, but this would be one of his final sweet moments with the Giants, as he would be traded to the New York Yankees a few months later.
April 27
A Man Among Peers: By slugging the first of two home runs in a 6-3 Giants victory over the Florida Marlins at Candlestick Park on this date in 1996, Barry Bonds became the fourth member of the 300 career home runs / 300 career stolen bases club on this date in 1996. Amazingly, three of the other members of this elite fraternity were present to witness the feat – Barry Bonds, his father Bobby Bonds (who by sheer coincidence was filling in as the Giants first base coach), and Marlins right fielder Andre Dawson. Bonds’ godfather, Willie Mays, was the only member absent.
April 28
A Win at the “New” Ballpark: The 1995 home opener for the Giants was played on this date in a newly renamed place called 3Com Stadium. Backed by Glenallen Hill’s 3-run home run, Giants starter Mark Leiter and three relievers combined on a two-hitter, shutting out the Marlins 4-0.
April 29
First Win at the New Ballpark (Finally): After starting the 2000 season by losing their first six ballgames played in their sparkling new stadium, the Giants finally got off the schnide by beating the Expos on this date for the first-ever regular season Giants victory at Pac Bell Park. Barry Bonds’ home run in the eighth inning snapped a 1-1 tie, and Robb Nen closed it out in the ninth for his fourth save of the season.
Don Shin eats, breathes, thinks, and bleeds in Orange and Black.
Pac Bell Park officially opened on his 25th birthday (the one year he
decided to move out of the Bay Area!!!). For the 2000 playoff drive, he
dyed his hair orange while studying in Korea. He watched Game 6 of the
’02 World Series at a restaurant in LA, and couldn’t finish his meal
afterwards. Feel free to write him at dongsoo411@yahoo.com to commiserate, cheer, and complain.
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