SF Giants Opening Home Game Ceremony 2010

The Giants' Opening Day ceremony befitted their beautiful stadium before a capacity crowd of 42,940 fans this afternoon.

The ceremonial Opening Pitch was thrown and caught by two 49er Hall of Famers, Jerry Rice and Steve Young.

Before that, as the national anthem was sung by singer-song writer Matt Nathanson-  Come On Get Higher - a pitch-sized Amercan flag was unfurled, two fighter jets flew overhead and streamers and fireworks cascaded into the air.

'That was sweet man!' exclaimed one fan.

The sparkling green pitch with its smoothed and sculptured soil areas invited play. But also not before all the players had been introduced to excited applause.

The 2010 season was truly underway!

Colours were presented by four members of the Police Mounted Unit. There was also a minute's silence for Giants' members who have died during the past year. Remembered were Rick Fragulia, an usher for 50 years, former pitcher Billy Hoeft, Ted Rosenberg, one of the original investors in the Giants, and Sue Burns, their largest shareholder and 'team mom.'
The Giants, said the announcer in a special tribute, said they would never forget their 'beloved Sue Burns and we will miss her every day.'

SF Giants Opening Day in San Francisco!

It's been the sickest - discreet cough! - and one of the happiest days in San Francisco. 'High fives' were finally raised in jubilation as the Giants won their opening home game against the Atlanta Braves after an epic 13 innings in a record-breaking near four-and-a-quarter hours.

It was a tier-hanger of a game in front of a sell-out 42,940 crowd, with the winning score achieved by Aaron Rowand's batting and a sprawling dive-for-life onto first base, and a home-run by Juan Uribe. It gave the Giants a 5-4 victory, played out in glorious sunshine and temperatures in the 70s.

The ceremonial opening pitch, a well-kept secret, was thrown by 49er and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice to his former team mate and fellow Hall of Famer, Steve Young.

But the game hung perilously in the balance several times over. With the clock ticking to 4.45 pm, the Braves had the bases loaded. On their feet, Giants fans noisily willed on their pitchers, first Brian Wilson - 'shut this guy down Wilson!' - and then Sergio Romo. The danger passed with John Bowker catching out a Braves player.

Then it was the Giants' turn to be so near yet so far! Pablo Sandoval made it to third base but not beyond.

At 5.25 pm the Braves manager Bobby Cox, came out onto the pitch to argue with an umpire. 'Get him out!' booed the fans as the manager was ejected. Again the Braves made it to to third base, but pitcher Jeremy Affeldt saved the day.

Good pitching from Affeldt?

'Of course! No runs, it's beautiful!' said fan, Troy.

By mid-afternoon the Giants had been trailing 4-0. At around 3.30 pm, Jason - pic left - commented of their play, 'I'm a little disappointed for the home team but there's still plenty of time for us to win. Hope springs eternal on Opening Day!'

His words couldn't have been truer. Minutes later Rowand and Edgar Renteria made the first home runs of the 2010 season at the AT & T ballpark.

In the ninth inning, Renteria made a home-run and Velez also scored which caused the stadium to erupt and opened up opportunity with extra innings. The time was 4.20 pm.

For David - on right -  Man of the Match was 'the whole team of the Giants,' while Troy singled out Rowand.

Sitting next to me was Sharon - she didn't want her pic taken - whose favourite player is Rowand. He hadn't let her down, catching a player out  as well as his home-run.

'He was great!' she said. Sitting high up in the Arcade with our backs to McCovey Cove, we had bought the very last two tickets for the entire stadium late yesterday afternoon - not counting ticket 'scalpers'.

She works in LA - 'I've a co-worker who's a huge Braves fan!' - and was in town visiting family. Once a year she sees the the Giants, and this is her first opening game. She'd picked the ideal game.

Giants Ready for Opening Home Game After Weeks of Banner Displays and Ground Preparation!

Fever is mounting as the Giants are due to play their opening home game against the Atlanta Braves in a few hours time before a sell-out crowd.

The Opening Pitcher is still being kept as a 'mystery man'.

But for weeks now, around the streets of San Francisco there has been no doubt that the Giants are coming back, and with a vengeance, as bright orange banners of their top pitchers have filled the air. Especially along the Embarcadero forming an orange avenue just up from the ballpark and towards the Bay Bridge.

While two-time Cy Young Award winner, Tim Lincecum, has had special MUNI honour. His poster has been placed on the side of  MUNI trains so Tim has been seen in action gliding around the city!

'There's Magic Inside' is the theme.

'Panda' is Pablo Sandoval. 'There's Nasty Inside' is Brian Wilson, 'Fire' is Matt Cain, and 'Hook' is Barry Zito.

By yesterday afternoon the ballpark was taped up and ready. Inside, the grass was glistening green, the pitch levelled and smooth and impeccably prepared after weeks of hard work by Head Groundsman Greg Elliott and his team.

The game starts at 1.35 pm. After three days of playing the Atlanta Braves, the Giants immediately move on to challenge the Pittsburgh Pirates, also at home. Earlier this week they beat the Houston Astros 10-4  in their opening games of the season.

Tomorrow is the Cy Young Award night when Tim Lincecum will be presented with his award at 6.30 pm before the game. At the end of the game will be fireworks, one of the Giants' popular extravaganzas that light up the Bay and McCovey Cove.