The Gods Must Be Giants Fans

Today, it became clear. Not literally, as there were always clouds, either threatening to rain, or actually raining. But it became clear to me that the gods are indeed baseball fans. These are the sort of gods you would meet in a Neil Gaiman novel, perhaps, elemental with a love of fun.

When I wrote earlier today, I was 67% convinced there would be no baseball today. But somehow, a small window of less-intense rainfall opened up, and they were able to bring the field into a playable condition. We had spent the afternoon at home, with our gear packed in a backpack in case the weather permitted, like an earthquake kit we learned about in a NERT seminar (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team). We had the TV and radio on, both tuned to the Giants, and Marina was following reports on Twitter.

Then we heard a report they were planning on playing at 4 p.m. It was just after three, and we were out the door, driving furiously over to Third Street to pick up the Muni Metro T Line, running to the stop just ahead of the train, timing it perfectly.

The tarp was still on the field when we got there, and the first pitch didn't take place until 5:10, but yes, we did have a baseball game today. A brief sign of spring coming forward out of the gray of winter, renewal, hot chocolate, pretzels and garlic fries, oh, ye gods, it was brilliant. Cold and rainy, but brilliant.

Also, it was cold and wet. And as so often inexplicably happens, we found ourselves surrounded by Atlanta Braves fans. Nevertheless, these were the best seats I've been in, as Marina got us tickets in the lower box, out in left field near the foul pole. We were close enough that the players looked as large as life, real people, not ants put out there for our entertainment.

The Braves have stumbled of late from their glory years of the 90s, but I think they are going to be back in a strong way this year to challenge the Phillies for the NL East. Once again, they have strong pitching and good young talent.

This good young talent includes catcher Brian McCann, who hit a two run home run off Tim Lincecum in the first inning, that seemed to cast the day in gloom, like a post-industrial wasteland where all hope was for naught.

But while the rain continued to threaten, and occasionally come down in steady sheets or light drizzles, there was never an utter downpour. In the bottom of the fourth, with two outs, Pablo Sandoval, our young star third baseman smashed a triple to center field, and then Aubrey Huff, one of our key free agent signings over the winter, singled him home to cut the deficit.

Lincecum, meanwhile, after the first inning, and after a couple hits in the second and third inning, had found his form and was dominating, on his way to a 10 strikeout night.

In the bottom of the 6th, Sandoval hit a two out single, and after Huff came back from an 0-2 count to draw a walk, Mark DeRosa, the other key new free agent signing, singled to right field, scoring Pablo, and when Braves touted rookie Jason Heyward threw wildly to the plate, Huff scored as well, and the Giants were in the lead.

In his early days, Pablo Sandoval could drive you crazy by swinging at pitches above his head. Now, while he still can go for bad pitches, he has become much more patient. When he came up in the bottom of the 8th, with the score still 3-2 and Eugenio Velez on first base, Marina predicted that he was going to hit a home run.

First pitch, and there was no doubt. Pablo crushed it to right-center field. Everyone in the ballpark knew it was gone, including the Braves outfielders who only turned and watched it fly. That was the blow that killed the Braves' spirits. At this point, the particularly obnoxious Braves fan was sitting down, noticeably more quiet now that he was surrounded by more drunk and more obnoxious Giants fans.

With the final pitch, as Matt Diaz swung and missed for strike three, ending the game, all of a sudden there was water pouring down. At first, I thought it was spray from the water cannons which fire in the air after every Giant home run and victory, but no. The rain which had been held in check long enough for the 2 hours and 30 minutes needed to play the game had burst forth from the clouds even before the crowds had started for the exit, as the pitch settled into Bengie Molina's glove.

I tell you, it was truly as if the gods themselves wanted to watch baseball today, damn the rain.

It was a great way to start a season.