Tuesday, March 29, 2005

 

Living In The Past

Andres Galarraga has retired.

Andres was a Giant for only a couple of years, but he was easily the most popular Giant when he was here.

Strange as it seems, the most impressive homer I ever saw by a Giant wasn't by Bonds, but by the Big Cat. It was in September 2001, the first Giants game after 9/11. I took my mom to see Pac Bell Park for the first time. Our seats were in the left field bleachers, about halfway down.

I forget the inning, but the Big Cat crushes this homer onto the walkway below the big glove and the coke bottle--BEHIND all the left field bleachers. I've never seen a ball go so far, so fast. I almost got whiplash from turning to watch it fly over my head!

The place was electrified. It was as if it were okay to smile again.

I was hoping to see him play again when the Mets came to town. Here's hoping that Galarraga's future pursuits bring him as much joy as he has brought us!

In other news, the Giants announced today that they will be honoring two more great former Giants this season. Juan Marichal will get the third statue around SBC Park, and Gaylord Perry's #36 will be retired. Furthermore, recently retired-to-Valhalla closer Robb Nen will be honored in some fashion this year. All three men are quite deserving.

So, with everything that's going on, do you think that Barry Bonds will get a statue someday? And if so, where? I say that the answer is yes, he will get a statue when he's inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011 or 2012, and it will go on the portwalk overlooking McCovey Cove, next to where he hit #500.

Jefferson 3:29 PM

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