Monday, November 22, 2010

It's Official, I've Been Diagnosed with "Off Season Depression Disorder"




I was lying on one of those wonderfully comfy chaise lounges in the Relaxation room at The Sonoma Lodge & Spa a weekend ago in a big ol’ bathrobe thumbing through my commemorative San Francisco Giants section of the Sunday Chronicle. I hadn't had the appropriate amount of down time to savor the articles and photos that had been sitting patiently on my bedroom floor for a week. So what else was I supposed to do at a Spa other than read past stories on games that were huge turning points during the Giants season and the parade recap that captured the heart of San Francisco and the Bay Area. No phone, no blackberry, just me and the Chronicle, buried in an oversized piece of furniture reminiscing about some amazing baseball moments! Totally in heaven………


Ok, so maybe you've picked up on it. I MISS MY TEAM!!!!! It’s only been three weeks since the Giants won the World Series, but it feels like it was eons ago. I’ve been slowly getting back into the routine of the off season, aka - reality. I realize how absurd this may sound. I miss a team of human beings that I don’t even know. Sure, I know their batting averages, what team cap they might have worn the previous game, inside information about where a certain "freak" pitcher was getting his drink on the night before, but I hardly have any personal insight to these guys. But, never the less, I miss them. I can’t help it, what a great season we had and it seemed like the post season just swept right through like an orange and black tornado and spit us out once it ended; not knowing where we were or what to do next – completely disheveled and confused.



I walk down the hallway at my 9-5 and see my friend Ed and say "I miss the Giants....," he replies, "I know, I don't know what to do with myself." Oh good, there's another wacko out there that has the same sentiment; I'm not completely alone in my dark abyss. Even my friends that were caught up during the post season feeling confused when 4:57 rolls around and we don't have plans to scamper off to the nearest bar to set up camp for a few hours and watch World Series baseball. It's a debacle I've never found myself in as a Giants fan. I guess I should ask a few Yankees fans what their advice is during the off season since they're seasoned veterans of the post season blues (no pun intended.)


As the days get colder and a bit rainier, I've decided to use the time I have to shed some of the post season weight that crept up on me. I mean, what do you expect when you're going to bars or restaurants almost everyday and drinking and eating bad food? My friend and I call it the Giants 15. We've decided that since we don’t have to plan our schedules around those guys in the orange and black that we're gonna focus on getting healthier and lose weight in time for Spring Training! Oh, wait, that has to do with baseball too. Well, whatever, it's a good goal to work towards and we're determined.


Also, I'll keep busy entertaining you followers of Urban Baseball Chick. I've got some things up my sleeve that should be of interest to you. Maybe a story about finding an old high school friend working for the Giants the second season I returned to work for the team. Possibly stories from old Spring Training trips ( I said possibly because, well, it's spring training aka spring train wreck.) Hopefully interviews with people in the game (cross your fingers!!) Or maybe I'll go "Urban" on your ass and talk about San Francisco and the haunts I like to visit and about my other life in San Francisco's music scene. Actually, that's probably a whole other blog. Whatever the case or blog may be, I hope you'll keep reading and pass along to friends, Giants fans or baseball fans in general.


Happy Turkey Day and GO GIANTS!

Monday, November 1, 2010

With a rally rag on my right shoulder, the Giants are World Series Champions





WOW. My head's a little fuzzy from the champagne my best friend and I popped after the second out at the bottom of the ninth inning. I was hesitant to purchase the bottle of bubbly tonight because as many of you know, it's not that easy. You can't predict the win let alone a hit or even a 5 run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. But the cast of characters, also known as the San Francisco Giants have done it. Maybe not like the pretty boys of the NY Yankees or civilized like the Atlanta Braves, but the only way San Franciscans could - in their own unique San Francisco way.

The start of this season leading up to the All Star break was dismal. But, as a Giant fan, you keep the faith and hope they just finish in the top 3. We focus on the Dodgers coming to AT&T, enjoy the little rivalry with our AL friends accross the Bay, and LOVE, LOVE all the great giveaways the Giants promote throughout the 6 month season; Giant's Snuggie giveaway, bobblehead day or what's better than a Giants singles night!? I know! how 'bout a team that's been absolutely AMAZING to watch throughout 2010.


I'm probably more calm about the win because first of all it hasn't really sunk in. Much like going to game 1 of the World Series series with my mom, where if someone asks' me about it, I get choked up and can't really talk about it. It's really odd being such a fan of one team. You get to know the guys, even if you don't really know them. You see a majority of them for 162 regular season games, not to mention in spring training, then (thank goodness) post season games, and you get used to the every day grind and miss them on their off days. It's hard to explain, but you get attached and if they're not winning, you're not winning. If they are winning, there's no better feeling. But here they are, world champs and representing our city and our Bay Area, the underdogs, in front of a bunch of Red, White and Blue wearing Texas Ranger Fans and not to mention, the oblivious FOX sports analyists. So now that they're the World Champions of 2010, it's kind of like DUH to the rest of the world cause I've been there through the thick and thin of it all leading up to tonight. Unbelievable.



I've always been proud to be a SF Giants fan and to be honest, this year was the first year I got back into the game. It's been hard to watch them since my dad passed away because we watched, discussed, and argued about the Giants for a steady 22 years. When you have a buddy that looks forward to the season as much as you do and don't have them around anymore, it's hard to get excited about it. But this, for some reason, was the season that peaked my interest. Things clicked. Friends clicked. I even turned some people into fans (lucky them.) It was just THE year and I'm so glad I paid attention and that the boys made it fun again.



Tonight's World Series win was poetic. I wasn't in a huge crowd down at Civic Center Plaza or down by the ballpark or even at Yancy's Saloon out in the avenues. I was where I was supposed to be; with my best friend of 23 years, enjoying the game through every out and inning; every hit and pitch and just enjoying one of the best teams in baseball. I realize this year was really about bringing people together and it just so happened that the San Francisco Giants pulled that off - throughout the city, the bay and in my own little baseball life.

So many thanks to you 2010 San Francisco Giants. You will probably be the best Giants team that I rallied for in my lifetime.



GO GIANTS!