Brian Wilson: A Character Study

I'd like to say that the following observation about Brian Wilson has nothing to do with his ability on the field.

I have a love/hate relationship with Brian Wilson, aka The Beard, aka BWeezy. It's probably been a good two to three year, conflicted relationship. When he first came into the organization I dug him. He wasn't the cookie cutter looking baseball player and I liked that. Tat's on his arms, a faux hawk, intense eyes and a bad ass 1, 2, 3 inning - he piqued my interest. Then 2010 came around. I think it started with those orange shoes. It wasn't my thang. I didn't get it and I just thought he was trying to be an attention hog. So I sorta went on my own little private anti-Wilson soap box every time he came up. I just thought he was a show boater and I really wasn't into it because of our little miSFit team. He was drawing attention to himself and I didn't like it. We'd been there done that and I liked that the whole team was gaining recognition, not just one dude.

Then the beard started to grow (literally.) When I saw that thing starting to come in, I was a little offended. Ok, not personally offended because I didn't have a beard, but offended because his beard was getting attention and no one was mentioning Sergio Romo's real black beard. He's the original bearded one and no one noticed. Next came the one liners and weirdo talk. I was skeptical. I wasn't sure, was this a case of someone just doing it for the individual attention or was it because the Giants were under the microscope because of their scrappy, nail biting wins? Hmmmmm....?

The next thing I knew I was getting a video forwarded to me by my work husband that had an interview of Wilson. I believe the title of the interview was "Check this out, Wilson is nuts." It was the now classic video of Wilson being interviewed by Chris Rose and the "Machine" walked in frame during the interview. What the hell was this? What's this guy proving? Is he gay? Is he outwardly saying he's into S&M? Was that Zito in the whole leather getup? I had a lot of questions and not a lot of answers. From this smallish interview, Brian Wilson now had all eyes on him and his eccentric personality.

So, what does a girl do when she's studying the character of Brian Wilson? She gets the call to work an event with him. Ok, so as I have mentioned in a previous UBC blog, I volunteer with the Giants Community Fund and have been for at least the last 6 years give or take. Because of my previous work experience with the Giants and also in my current work life, the Fund has been giving me the job of Celebrity wrangler (which means I'm the bad gal who has to tell kids, adults and the elderly that they can only get one autograph and that there is no time for photographs.......yep, that's me.) Tonight was no different but I didn't know  until I got to the event.

I actually have worked this specific event in the past. About two years ago the Community Fund partnered with the Irish Cultural Center and had an event with Brian Wilson and Giants third base coach Tim Flannery. That year Mr. Wilson had NO beard, was pretty quiet and we were still selling tickets at the door. This year was a 180. When I arrived at the Irish Cultural Center there were two of San Francisco's finest hanging out at the front door and a lot of "who are you" kinda eyes. Yes, it's confirmed, this isn't 2009 anymore.

I was running a little late and ran upstairs quickly and made my way to the registration table to see what my job was for the night. I figured I was working the front door and checking in my Irish comrades as I did back in '09. As I was trying to figure out my job, the woman running the show came up to me, asked my name and then replied "Oh good, you're Erin, you're going to be handling Brian and Tim when they get here.............." this kind of floated up and over my head and I thought she was just kidding....hahahhaha, yeah, I'm going to be wrangling the Beard and Flannery.......yeah, ok, sure. But then came the confirmation in black and white on the night's itinerary, clear as could be: Celebrity Handler: Erin. Wait, what?????

So, that's what I did. Here I was......writing this character study for the past few weeks, trying to think of what the rest of this particular blog was going to be, and here it was right in front of me....tatted up, full beard, beanie, a television crew and lot's of character - GO! We anticipated Wilson and Flannery arriving around the same time so there I was with a Giants employee who regularly wrangles these guys waiting near the parking lot for arrival. Employees of the Irish Cultural Center, a few local newspaper writers and photographers and the Showtime crew were also waiting. Yeah, the Showtime crew was there, never even occurred to me that they would be here....good thing I actually "dressed" up for this. Oy Vey.....is this happening? Um, yes, it is and baton down the hatches Urban Baseball Chick cause you're in it to win it.

A few minutes later he rolls up in his high-end luxury vehicle, driving himself and pulls the old UBC move, pullin' it in backwards to be able to escape quickly after the event. Bright turquoise v-neck t-shirt, big black beard, and a grey loose beanie hanging off the back of his dome, classic. He quickly mic's up for the Showtime folks and then runs over to sign autographs for the fans outside the parking lot yelling to him just wanting to shake his hand, tell him "He's the Man" and getting quick shots of him on their Smartphones to share with their friends on Facebook or Twitter. He runs back over and there we were, briefing him on what was going on and shuffling him up the stairs for his interview with the Chronicle.

Easy part is over, now we gotta get him inside, where there are about 300 Irishmen, women and children anxiously waiting for him. We found the best way to get him in quickly and I tell him where we're going and to follow me. Open the door to the room and boom, it's GO time. Bring him and the lovely Tim Flannery over to their autograph table. Well, little did I know the rest of the room was right behind us ready for their autographs. This wasn't the plan. I look at the two gentlemen and ask if they needed anything from the bar, cause that's what I do. Gotta make sure these guys are taken care of. Run to the bar, get some waters and the chaos starts.

Here come the parade of kids, parents, the elderly with all of their paraphernalia to be signed. Baseballs, jersey's, photo's, iPads, a box of sugar (inside joke that involved the above mentioned "Machine" interview), posters, bottles of "Fear the Beard" wine, scarves and even a forearm. Yes, a forearm, completely attached of course. And here I am, saying no to posed photo's and telling the fans "One item per person, Thank You!" all the while having the Showtime camera in my face and a boom mic hovering over my head. Wilson and Flannery are great with the crowd and the kids. One kid actually asked Wilson if he could touch his beard and Wilson said yes. It was a pretty funny moment cause the kid was freaking out when he was handling Wilson's beard. I was a little weirded out by the request, but Wilson took it in stride. The kid actually shrieked after the awkward episode and his father couldn't have been any prouder. Hysterical.

It was hot and I was so happy that I am not claustrophobic. I had people trying to sneak behind Wilson and Flannery to get a quick pic and in front of the table it was about two to three people deep just snapping photo's. Controlled chaos was what it was and I was in the middle of it trying to regulate. We had agreed earlier that we needed to put a time limit on the autograph session and we were quickly nearing the time for the rest of the event to unfold. We still had a Q&A session with the audience and some music was to be played by Flannery (who is a pretty good musician/singer) and Wilson who plays the harmonica......of course he does.

I ended up being Wilson's assistant....when I say assistant, I mean that I took the items fans were giving him and holding onto them until it was time to get him out of there. Done with autographs we get him on the stage for the rest of the event. I take a load off 'cause my dogs were barking and sit in the back and chat with some new friends. In the meantime, we're figuring out what our strategy is for getting Wilson outta this room without it being a cluster........(fill in the blank.) I look at the time and it's showtime again (no pun intended.) Me and my Giants friend make our way up to the front again to make sure we escort him out the door without too much commotion. The Irish band that was there takes photo's with him as well as gets autographs, the Irish dancers come over to take a group shot with the Closer and then he looks at me and I ask him if it's time to jet.

The Showtime crew takes his mic and we start heading out the door. I hand him the items I was entrusted with, neatly bundled for easy transport and he's off, back down the stairs to a bunch of waiting fans and Smartphones in the parking lot.

So, who is this guy? He's a famous athlete who has a huge beard and piercing blue eyes. He's a version of himself that is making a good living off this guy named Brian Wilson and/or BWeezy. He's a guy who has a wine named after him, a guy who has thousands of t-shirt's with his bearded portrait on them. He's found his niche and he's sticking to it cause it works, but is it the real Brian Patrick Wilson? Nah, cause I saw that guy back in 2009 sans beard and character and he was a pretty "normal" dude. But that doesn't get you national attention or any kind of endorsements or a Showtime crew following you, right?

Cheers to you Mr. Wilson, you're Winning.

Battle of the Bay.............really?

I grew up in the East Bay, and by default I probably should have grown up an A’s fan. I did go to games since it was only a couple of BART stops away from home and thought that the Bash Brothers and Ricky Henderson were pretty cool cats. I did enjoy the story of MC Hammer being a bat boy for the A’s and loved, well still love that you can really sit anywhere @ the Coliseum because of their ticket prices and attendance (think Candlestick days.)

So when the Giants and A’s engage in a Battle of the Bay (like this past weekend) it’s always a little bittersweet for me. After the Giants got their new beautiful shiny ballpark the fans changed a bit. They felt entitled and special. “Look what we’ve got over here! Bigger, better and beautiful views of the Bay Area! WE even have sushi and Cha-Cha bowls if you’re sick of the good ol’ Hot Dog.” It was as if Giants baseball were in a “classier” league of its own. Meanwhile across the Bay, you had the Oakland A’s playing at the coliseum which Al Davis had made a concrete monstrosity out of, but ironically the A’s play more games out of there than the Raiders ever do.

I bring this up because I don't really understand the hateful rivalry attitude between some of the A's and Giants fans.  We're not in the same league and the only time we'd ever be at odds would be in a post season show down. In my heart of hearts both teams represent the beautiful Bay Area. The only difference is that the Giants were given a beautiful, shiny black Porshe-type stadium to play in 10 years ago and the A's have been handed an old gray beater to try and attract fans. When I attended two of the three games over at AT&T I witnessed some gross behavior. Most of it was because of an over consumption of liquor, but nevertheless it was gross. I heard some anti-East Bay talk and got a bit offended. Who cares if the A's are outta Oakland. Have any of you been to Oakland lately? They've got a great food culture cultivating over there as well as warmer weather, the Fox and Paramount theater (also the fabulous New Parish, if you're into New York style music clubs) as well as a Trader Joe's, Piedmont Avenue, Brown Sugar Kitchen and Lake Merritt! 

San Francisco is great. I reside in the City. I also know we're not the only city that hugs the Bay. The Oakland A's are the ugly red-headed step-child of Bay Area baseball. If you think I'm wrong, please correct me, but I know how they're looked at. I've felt bad for the A's organization for years because they've consistently had a good team, but have always seemed to be a major league farm system for the rest of baseball. I was hoping that they would be successful at getting the votes they needed to start building a beautiful ballpark down by Jack London Square. I think it's just the boost that Oakland needs to draw in more of the public and to let everyone know how great of a city it is. How wonderful would it be to have two diamonds sparkling on opposite sides of the San Francisco Bay?

Honestly, I think it would be good for the Giants to have a little competition across the Bay. They need it. Giant's fans have become complacent about heading to games and getting into the game versus the ambiance of it. In the interim of the A's getting their new stadium (either in Fremont or even moving up to Sacto) you can at least enjoy what the Coliseum has to offer: 1) It's still affordable to head to an A's game, which is a relief to anyone living in the Bay Area 2) BART actually drops you off right in front of the Coliseum 3) You can jump seats and upgrade yourself without any hassle (not advocating, just sayin....) 4) There's an amazing nacho stand on the ground floor right behind third base that you can't find at AT&T 5) Going to an A's game is about the team and not about a glass of Chardonnay or a pre-made plastic flat of sushi.

My First Giants Game Day, by Katie Jackson

The Giants opening day/weekend was pretty phenomenal. Those first two games mimicked scenes from last season - tons of excitement as well as nail biting last innings. I was fortunate enough to bring a friend of mine to this big ol’ San Bruno tailgate that apparently has been going on every Giants Opening Day for years. It was my first time heading to this tailgate and my friend, Katie Jackson’s first time EVER attending anything Giants related.

You see, my friend Katie Jackson is from the South. She moved back to San Francisco from Alabama just over a year ago and is a big football fan. We’ve chatted for the last year that we needed to do a little baseball schoolin’ and what better day to do that than on Opening Day 2011! While we were hanging at the tailgate, seeing the sights and hearing the sounds of the orange and black clad fans, enjoying the nice weather and bobbing our heads to the sounds of Snoop Dogg, Katie was having a moment. She looked at me and said, I get it, I kinda love this…..

As those words lingered in the air, it clicked. I instantly asked Miss Jackson if she’d like to write up her account of her first ever Giant’s game day. Katie has a fantastic way with words and description and I thought it would be interesting to get her point of view. A little tip when you read this, Katie has a southern drawl that makes everything she says sound a bit poetic and covered in sweet tea. It's not a heavy drawl at all, just nice and easy (like Sunday morning...) so just keep that in mind while reading. Enjoy!







My Giants Moment

.....

It happened. It finally happened. I’m as joyous as dear, little Margaret because evidently there is a God, and It’s here in the city. We met at the Giants’ Opening Day San Bruno Tailgate last Friday. I have been a resident of San Francisco proper on and off since 1995, for a total of about five years. Somehow in this time I’ve never had my baseball moment, let alone my Giants moment. I’ve either been neck deep in a groove somewhere or feeling myself through a paintbrush, I suppose.

I have to attribute my slow affection for sports and mega-fandom to my first love, the Alabama Crimson Tide (RMFTR), whose University I found myself attending to my utter dismay after my first year at City College of San Francisco. Banished home to Mobile after one glorious year of unbridled flying of the freak flag, I hated football. I was an artist, dammit. Football was... common. But by my final semester I too, was swigging Bud Heavy, singing along to David Allan Coe, and getting in line to kiss Shaun Alexander on the cheek at the local bar.



Upon my third and final return to San Francisco in January of last year, I decided to take up a new sport. I had just come from the Mother of All Football Seasons, as both of my teams had won it all: The Tide had taken the BCS National Title, and the Saints finally took the most emotional, cathartic, Super Bowl Victory there ever was in history. (I tear as I write it.) I had officially maxed out in terms of football enthusiasm. 

I began to try to watch and learn baseball, and was enjoying the local enthusiasm for the Giants. However, the 997 games a season were more commitment than I could give, emotionally speaking. Recalling my recent football season, I was played out. I couldn’t find the need, I couldn’t find the energy to go on that many more dates. I mean to any more games. Playing the get-to-know-you game was just not on the menu. But then they won the freaking World Series. I recalled the soaring feeling as one watches the little, beaten, persecuted, all-heart (and mind, and SOUL! HALLELUJAH!) guy slug Goliath in the f*cking nuts. My heart began to warm, and thus, my attraction was finally sparked.

SO when my girl, Urban Baseball Chick hollers at me for a tailgate, I says yes, indeed.

The trip down to the ball park was a little unnerving; I’d started down the path with a hell of a great attitude, but fidgity fiends eyeballing my purse while trying to sell some Jordans for $35 and a guy “showing it to me” from the bushes shook me a little. As I finally met with UBC (I believe I actually jogged when I finally caught her eye behind some big orange wayfarers), the sunshine and masses of orange and black were folding me into them. I was feeling safer and less vulnerable along the walk over the bridge to the Hella Formal Tailgate.

We were presented with commemorative cups and rubber wristbands, as well as a paper wristband denoting the “Bruno Style” of the event. I felt instantly at home. Seconds later I had my fist wrapped around a big Bud Heavy keg tap, and was pulling to my heart’s utter comfort. The DJ was bumping gratuitously obnoxious music of every crowd-loving type, and the grills were ON TIME. Two of them, each about 6’ x 3’ and waist high, were piled deep with chicken, dawgs, and some tasty, tasty roast beef. The ballpark was in the distance, and again, the sun and crowds of black and orange seemed to literally be holding me tightly and petting my head as I nursed my Bud Heavy. So of course, I got emotional. I must have touted “religious” a few hundred times to UBC over the course of the day, never cheapening the moment or diminishing my sincerity. She gets it. She ushered me into the fold. The path before me is humbly paved with orange and black, and I have a whole new wardrobe to create in its likeness and honor. Thank God.

Miss Katie Jackson's first ever San Bruno Tailgate. She's diggin' it.

KJ

**There is one portion of the story that KJ didn't write. We watched the game at a local bar called Zeke's from start to finish. During the game I was going over the players, who was on the DL, etc. and of course professing my love of Pat Burrell. When he came up to bat and I was silently eyeing the poor bastard like he was the last man on earth, Miss Jackson got "it" once again. As she put, he's like the Stetson Man. Why, yes, yes indeed m'aam, he is like the Stetson Man. :) **

Thanks For Your Support Fair Weather Fans! Now You Can Move On and Let The Die Hard's Back In!

Fair Weather Fan:

A fan of a sports team who only shows support when the team is doing well. During hard times they usually bandwagon other teams. They basically have no real loyalty to the team, but still manage to get better seats than you at the game. Strangely they mysteriously vanish at the first sign of trouble.

 How'd you like them Giants? You win a World Series title and now you can only win one game outta four against the Dodgers in your 2011 regular season debut. Well, this is exactly what it means to be a Giants fan. From start to finish, this is the kinda baseball that the Giants play. It's not always pretty and every game is not a winning game, but it's played day in and day out with heart. I give you the example of Aubrey Huff. That guy is 34 and taking one (well.... three, four, five...) for the team because the Boss is out on the DL. His teammates even made fun of him at batting practice before the game on Sunday with a chalk outline of his less-than-graceful right field catches. Honestly, Huff looked like the bad news bears out there making belly flopping catches that I couldn't help but giggle at because who wouldn't laugh at those attempts? But Huff is out there, making a fool of himself just to support his team at whatever the cost.

This is what Giants baseball can look like. This is the team that won the World Series title and had a huge parade last November with millions in attendance, but now it's a new season with some early hurdles to overcome. With that being said, all I can hear is the tick-tock of the fictional clock over the heads of those bandwagoners thinking about how much they can re-sell their tickets for if the G-Men keep playing this way. Don't get me wrong, our pitching was good throughout the four game series, even Zito came through after being in a car accident a few nights before his start, but everyone always looks at the win/loss ratio and right now, it ain't looking too good.

As a long time fan, it's been nice to hear the buzz around town and see so many more Giants t-shirts and paraphanalia out there, but if you are a fan and have gone through year after year, game after game with the team, you honestly want all of those "supporters" to just fall off the face of the planet. Call me a hater, it's fine, cause maybe that's what I am, but I have seriously put in some decent time and energy with the Giants and have sat through games where people have arrived mid-way through and then leave in the 7th inning to get home and all I think is, why'd you show up? Where's your heart?

I know, we're only four games in, but how many of those millions that showed up at the parade or even any of the WS games are singing the praises of our team? Do they even know who is on the DL or who will be pitching agains the Padres tomorrow? There are always room for newbies, and I'm proud to say I brought in a new Giants fan last year who really took to the game and the team. I was proud of him as he rode the Giants wave, even through Lincecum's bad months and Barry Zito's "I have to close my eyes and hold my breath" kinda outings, but how many other 2010 fans could talk about the 2010 Giants prior to September? Just curious.......

Hey, my arms are open wide to the fans who can take the losses with the wins, the belly flops with the homeruns and I hope you will hang on no matter what the ride will bring you. If you can rally then you'll get "it" and maybe even appreciate "it" and realize it's not always about the big win, parade or gimmicks. Just sayin'.

Spring Training Rewind: Tidbits From the Desert

 I can still feel the warm Arizona sun kissing my (spray) tanned shoulders now. It was only over a week and some change ago I was in the land of Spring Training watching our World Series Champion San Francisco Giants playing ball at Scottsdale Stadium. I brought my friend for her first time to Spring Training as she is a HUGE Giants fan and was pretty much my Giants homie all throughout the 2010 season. We had been talking about Spring Training since last season, not sure at what point of the season, but I just remember many nights talking incessantly about it.

I figured out this was my fifth time going down to the desert for some Spring ball. Usually I have friends down there that I can hang with because it's hard to get people that aren't huge fans of the game to rally and spend the money to watch baseball that doesn't really "matter" and to hang out with a bunch of drunken college students and sports nuts. Yeah, I'm not painting the prettiest picture, but once you get there you get it.

Angie and I decided many months ago that the time for us to visit would be around St. Patrick's day. The Giants had at least three games in a row at their home stadium, one of which was to be played on St. Patty's which was perfect! The first night we were down there we headed to a restaurant named NOCA. The Chef behind the counter's name is Christopher Curtiss and he and I go back..........way back. He learned his way around the kitchen and then some in San Francisco and wound up in Arizona showing all those chain restaurant pallets what good food really is. We had a wonderful, multi-coursed meal sitting at the Chef's counter which ended with cotton candy and three other desserts in which Angie exclaimed "I've never seen cotton candy for dessert!" Needless to say, it was a meal that won't soon be forgotten Chef Curtiss. Oh, and a side note, the Chef was sporting his trusty Giants baseball hat and a few days prior had just come off preparing, serving and hanging with SF Giants coach Bruce Bochy, General Manager Brian Sabean and other well known Giants and Major League staff at a private reception at Bochy's place in Scottsdale. Not too shabby and great insider knowledge that I love to know! Thanks Chris!

Next day was St. Patty's. As females, we had a lot of different clothing options to choose from, and you know, it was a big day and all so we had to choose wisely. Angie's boyfriend - tattoo, graffiti and graphic artist Joey had designed some simple script for shirts I wanted printed up. That was going to be the shirt I would sport on day 1 of Spring Training. Done. Angie also came equipped with tons of St.Patty's necklaces so we were prepared and that way, I wouldn't get pinched since no one would believe I was wearing green underwear. Done. Done. Off to the show we go.......well, not without a small hitch.

The night before, our humble Chef told us the game on St. Patty's was a night game. We had no idea and thank goodness he told us because we would have been the losers ready to celebrate the day of the Irish about 7 hours too early (but I guess it's never too early for real Irishmen and women!) So, on the 17th we got our taxi, like responsible young ladies and headed into Scottsdale . In the meantime, my friend from SF, who is also everyone’s favorite mascot, Lou Seal texted me to join him before the game (he had to work a few innings and wanted to get his Irish celebration on beforehand.) So off we go, pumped for our first game and to see our World Series champs take the field for the first time in 2011!! Woo hoo! Well our overly friendly cab driver JJ informed us the game started at 1......uh, it's 3:15 right now. Angie and I looked at each other and I think we both wanted to cry. Are you kidding me, we're 2 hours late to our first game....the St. Patty's game....but we're all ready!!! We're ready to root for our guys and feel the camaraderie of our friends - our fellow Giants fans!!!!!!!!!!!!

Taxi cab driver JJ calls a friend to verify the time of the game, Angie feverishly searched her Smartphone for guidance and a few minutes go by without any confirmation of anything.  By this time a million things are running through my head; I have accepted the fact that we're idiots and now we've missed our first game; why would Chris steer us wrong, and if he has, he's probably pissed that he's missed the game too. Ahhhhhhh! FALSE ALARM, JJ has found out the game is a night time game, "you're fine ladies." Geesh, ok, where's Lou hanging out?

The Blue Moose of course. What's the Blue Moose? Probably one of the BEST Giant's bars in Scottsdale , come to find out! We walk into the Blue Moose and it's decked ceiling-to-floor in Giants paraphernalia - filled with Giant's fans. We pony up to the bar to get some food and to start the St. Patty's day celebration and it wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without being hit on by a true Irishman that has somehow found his way to the Arizona desert. Gave a big hug to Lou before his way to the stadium, downed a corned-beef sandwich with a side of tater tots and a chaser of Jameson on the rocks and now it’s game time!

We get to Scottsdale Stadium and it’s GREAT. Giant's fans everywhere. Get to our seats and they're fantastic! Just rows up from the Giants dugout, where, who could it be....WILL CLARK?! in the dugout...Wha?! He's my dude. Will Clark has been my FAVORITE Giants player since I was 7 years old and now I have the pleasure to stare at the number 22 for nine innings. What a treat!  

Throughout the game Angie and I yell "Will Clark!!" whenever appropriate, when he would hear us, he'd turn around and acknowledge the shout out. We made some friends in the stands with our love for number 22. They thought we were too young to know who that guy was, but I set them straight. Lou sported his St.Patty's jersey and greeted the fans in and around the stands for a few innings, and Angie and I sat back with our dyed green beer and took in the game. Oh, wait, I forgot to mention the 12 deep rolling d.bags that decided to grace our presence at that game. A gaggle of Dodger fans took a lap around the stands that night and had the crowd of over 10,000 people boo them all the way around. Thanks Dodger gaggle for another little hi-light to the evenings festivities. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

So what do you do on St. Patty's night after the Giants win? You go out with the Seal. The rest of our friends are over at the street party in downtown Scottsdale and we gotta get there, but we're too lazy to walk at this point. Hey, everyone, let's get a pedicab! That seems to be a really good idea. It is of course, until the guy tries to take a short cut and practically takes off Lou Seals left arm by ramming a garbage can and taking out Angie with a nasty desert bush (good thing I sat in the middle!) but we survived even though the poor pedicab dude had to walk our combined weight not quite the rest of the way to downtown.

After our eventful ride, we finally get to downtown where the party is and has been for quite some time (obvious by the sheer number of people stumbling around.) There's a rumor that my work husbands bachelor party (of 20+ guys) have been here or are still here but I'm not exactly sure. But alas, within the hour, we find them, or as the story goes, they found me and for the rest of the night I am the den mother who is keeping the 19-year-old bleached blond away from the bachelor even though she's throwing eye daggers at me from across the room. Sorry chica, I'm saving this guy's life for at least the next few hours and having a ridiculous time doing it.

As the evening comes to a close and I mingle around the bar a bit, meeting new people and hanging out a bit more with my friend Lou and our Giants clubhouse friend Brandon, a Panda comes walking into the bar......

 

And this my friends is why you come to Spring Training. People ask me all the time if I see the players out and I tell them it's not really a sure thing, but you may be able to spot a player or two, but really it's about the experience. It's about being with your friends and rallying around a sport you love. It's about the beautiful desert weather, rooting for your boys during the day, laughing the rest of the night away and maybe, just maybe, hanging out with a World Series champion by the end of your trip.

Random Notes-

Will Clark & Lou Seal signed Angies glove. What, you didn't think we were gamers?

Never go to a bar named Shady's twice. There's a reason why it's called that.

                       
I met a new gay named Tim. I would marry him if it were legal.

                       

KUIPER 101

Every season I feel I've uttered the phrase more than once that "we" (as in the Giants team and fans) have the best broadcasters in the business. Of course Jon Miller is a shoe-in, I mean, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame in 2010 so that lends a lot of street cred. to my bragging rights. But beyond Miller and the newer edition of Dave Flemming, we've had the privilege of listening to and watching a pair characters named Kruk and Kuip for the past 20 years..

Why are they better than most? Hands down it has to do with their chemistry. Like in any successful relationship you either have it or you don't, and these two are like chocolate and peanut butter, apple pie and vanilla ice cream, Cable Cars and San Francisco. I am disappointed when their feng shui is interrupted by Fox Sports announcers or if one or the other is taking a game off because they are as much a part of the San Francisco Giants team as any of the guys in the dugout or on the field.

So, what does Urban Baseball Chick do in the off season when she's missing her Giants and her favorite announcers, she interviews one half of the dynamic duo of Kruk & Kuip......DUANE KUIPER!

If you're reading this and don't know who Duane Kuiper is, I'll give you the skinny. Duane Kuiper is a former MLB second baseman who played around the league with ball clubs such as the Cleavland Indians in the late '70's and then with the San Francisco Giants in the early 80's. Kuiper holds the major league record for most career at-bats with exactly one home run and on July 27, 1978, Kuiper hit two bases-loaded triples against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He is one of only three Major League players to accomplish this feat. During his tenure as a radio and television announcer, Kuiper is a seven-time Emmy Award winner and called Barry Bonds 715th home run that surpassed Babe Ruth's record and was also the voice behind the final call of the World Series game in which the Giant's won.

Driving home from work, I psyche myself up to do the interview. This guy is the real deal, and although we've worked together in the past and have re-connected through friends in the last year, now I'm interviewing him for my blog. Different situation folks. So, for some well timed inspiration, Queen's "We Are The Champions" blasts through my car radio speakers and gets me pumped for my one-on-one with Kuip.


Here we go, phone ready, computer ready, I'm ready to roll:

UBC: What's the most memorable meal you've ever had on the road?

DK: "A couple of years ago....the Oceanaire (in San Diego), there were only four of us. Krukow, myself, (Jon) Miller, and (Dave) Flemming. Jon picked up the tab. Jon started us off with a taste of oysters from around the world, there were 75- 100 of them, then we went to caviar, then came the wine list. We all were laughing really hard throughout the dinner - which lasted three hours. A "three hour tour," like Gilligans Island. By the end of the night, we had no idea what we were laughing at."

UBC: Who are your top 3 Giants players as a broadcaster and why?

DK: "Hmmmm......ok, my top three. Robby Thompson., Robb Nen and Barry Bonds. This is not in any particular order though. Robby Thompson was a good guy and he played second base, the same position I played and I thought he played it the way it was supposed to be played."

"Nen was a great closer and a great, great guy. On KNBR we used to do a pre-game interview with the players and back then we would pay the guys $100 bucks for the interview. We were down in San Diego and I had my son Cole with me. Cole was 9 at the time. We did the interview with Nen and I gave him the $100 bucks and he turned around and gave it to Cole to keep. Fast forward to the next season and the same scenario with my son with me. We were on our way to the stadium and I asked him who I should pick to do the pre-game interview and Cole said Robb Nen and Cole got another $100 bucks."

(On Barry) "I felt special announcing him. It was an honor to announce every time Barry Bonds was up, he made me look good." 

UBC: What was your #1 World Series moment during the WS and during the WS Parade?

DK: "My number 1 World Series moment, not post-season? Ok, well, game 4, watching Bumgarner, a 21-year old kid, fabulous. That was a key game in the WS because the outcome was a 3 -1 lead in the series when it could have been 2 -2. Renteria could also be the best moment. You open up my iPad and I've got that homerun on. I've watched it 160 times."

"The parade was special in 100,000 different ways. Kruk and I had the first car in the parade and we were letting everyone know that we were number one. Three quarters of the way into the parade the car broke down. We were trash-talking everyone, bragging about being car number one and then we end up being car number 50. When the car died, we found our families on a  bus and hopped on. We watched our kids looking at this crowd. It was the most incredible, loud scene."

UBC: What's your favorite Giant's catch phrase?

DK: Giants Baseball......TORTURE.*

UBC: Where is your favorite place to decompress in the off season?

DK: "For many years, we went to Honolulu. Met my wife there, where we got married. As the kids got older and couldn't miss school, we would take an annual trip to St. Croix to play in a benefit golf tournament that raised money for orphans. They would fly in retired and/or current players. For a quickie. (Clears throat...) Excuse me, let me re-phrase, for a quickie trip, we love the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. When you're there, you could be in Ireland or anywhere."

UBC: We all have work husbands and work wives at our 9-5's, so is Krukow the wife or husband in this relationship?

DK: " I'm the play-by-play guy, so he's the wife. Not a nagging wife. Very supportive. He likes to make plans and sometimes, being the husband, I have to come in and say no and make the decisions. But, we spoon so it's great."


During our post interview chat Kuiper and I talked Spring Training and that another season of torture was right around the corner. He also wanted me to encourage my readers to sign up to follow my blog, otherwise, it could get ugly folks and he'll be sharing his spooning time between you and Krukow.

Until next time......Go Giants!

* Editors Note- Giants Baseball......TORTURE was a catch phrase that Kuip actually started. If UBC  did a little more homework, I wouldn't have felt like a total d.b. asking that question. Oh well, you live and you learn.*

Hustlin' Players & Sharing a Slice of Pizza with Larry Baer

My affiliation with the SF Giants has extended itself by volunteering for their Giants Community Fund events. Every year I receive the email about the Holiday Hero’s event and always make it a point to set aside the time to assist with this annual shindig. In the past it’s been held at the now defunct FAO Schwartz, Exploratorium, Presido Officers Club and this year, they decided to have it at AT&T park. I was geared up to do whatever job they wanted to give me but then I got a separate email for asking me to do a special job. Since my career is geared toward media relations and public relations I was asked to be the media liaison between the TV stations that were covering Holiday Hero's and the sports celebrities that were attending the event. Ummmm, yes! THANK YOU!

I showed up and did a quick sweep of the park so I knew where the hell I needed to be and where the live shots could happen when KRON and NBC hit their 6 o’clock newscasts. Ok, orientated now, I find the KRON cameraman on the first floor, along with Vernon Glenn and run them to the Club Level of the park to make sure this is where they can do their live shot with Andres Torres. Next, find out where Sergio Romo will be doing his live shot for NBC and track down the NBC crew. Oh, and they’re both hitting at the same time….roughly around 6:45 p.m. No pressure.

I find Raj Mathai (NBC Sports Broadcaster) and make sure we're on the same page about the Romo interview and where they're going to interview him. Now that that's squared away, I need to find the players and their handlers. I find out the guys are in the Giant's locker room during the event's VIP reception taking pictures, autographing memorabilia for the kids and I also heard that the World Series trophy is in the locker room and is just as popular as the players.

I haven’t been in the underbelly of the stadium for awhile let alone the locker room. It’s been about 10 years give or take, but it all looks the same, minus Barry Bonds’ VIP section. There was a really cool bright orange sign on the door, that if you’re walking out of the locker room read “you are walking out of here as a champion” (or something like that..) I wonder when they put that up and can I get that for my apartment?!

I walked down the small carpeted hallway of the locker room, passing by Bochy’s office and immediately found Torres and was happily surprised to see that the person handling him for the night was my friend B. B and I worked together at the Giants in the same department and she’s still there, holdin' it down for the Giants. She and I would be working together for the night just like old times; running around and making sure the players were ok getting to their destinations. After checking in with B and making sure she knew what time Torres would be going on, I ran back upstairs to figure out what other media I had to track down as well as celebrities and manage the two simultaneously.

At the media/celebrity check-in, I had Brandy Chastain come through as well as a couple of 49er and Raiders players. After some time had passed, I realized it was time to round up the cavalry and start getting the players down to their respective live interviews. I’ll be honest, it was tough getting through the crowds of families, kids, mascots, sports celebrities, camera’s and Santa – in heels no less, but I found B and Torres again and Romo hangin’ out with the kids and eating a hot dog. Classic.

For time and a little sanity’s sake, we needed to hustle Torres over to somewhere quiet. These guys have been seriously going non-stop since winning the WS and I could tell by his face he needed just a few min’s of down time. B found a good spot for Torres to sit and chill and then went off for a couple min’s to track down Romo and his handler. So, there I was, in a quiet hallway with Andres Torres, suggesting places he should live next season and talking about how B and I knew each other, etc. He was kind enough to offer his seat to me while we were talking but, with all due respect, he looked pretty worn out and still had to do the interview and some more schmoozing so I declined.

Here came Romo…..chomping on a piece of pizza, speaking in Spanish with Torres. It was interesting to see the dynamic between these guys. They're on the same championship team, playing the same game for six months (respectively) and you can really tell who the young "hot shot" is and who the veteran is. Not saying one was good or bad, but it was just really obvious in that moment.

Moment over, I sent Romo and his handler down to the dugout for their interview on NBC and up and around we took Torres because now we were in sort of a time crunch. (**Side note**Torres held open the doors for B and I and let us in first at every door entrance and exit - who said chivalry is dead?) So I'm the lead person that guides Torres to his interview destination and try and take the path less cluttered with people, camera's and autograph seeking fans....like the guard who leads the band with a flashlight up to the stage sorta deal, minus the flashlight and the band, but you get my gist, right?

Meet the cameraman, safe and secure, hook in Torres with an ear piece so he can hear Gary Radnich talk to him and we're good. Of course he's set up next to a VERY LOUD video/karaoke system, but thank goodness the dude that runs that area was given the heads up to turn it down while Torres went live television. Phew.

Alright, done with live shots and making sure the camera crews are satisfied with the video they've shot and making sure they didn't want to get any more soundbites from the other celebrities I head into the dining room created for the volunteers. I forgot I hadn't eaten since lunch and only had a Red Bull in the last 6 hours...............food is mandatory - NOW.

Yay, there's ton's of pizza, but it looks as though a lot of the boxes are empty. I start sifting through pizza boxes getting to the bottom piles and find whole pies that are still a little warm. I'll take it. I sit down at one of the tables and sort of realize, hey, I used to eat in this florescent lit room when I worked here. It's the employee/media "cafeteria." I sink in and start watching, well, ummm, guys doing Karate on cement blocks on the television. I guess the Warriors game was over and Comcast Sportsnet didn't have anything better to show. It was nice and quiet for a few min's, just me, a Diet Coke, slice of pizza and Karate choppin' fools and then I heard the door open behind me. I turn around and who else could it be except the President of the Giants - Larry Baer.

He starts going through the empty pizza boxes like I had just done minutes before, good thing I knew where to find the good stuff so I pointed him in the right direction. He looked up at the television and asked if the Warriors had won and I said I didn't know since I just got in there myself and needed to eat a little dinner. He answered back that he always forgets to eat at these things and wanted to sneak a bite or two before heading back into the event. As we were chatting I could tell he was searching my face like he knew me but couldn't place it. You know that look, I give it as well when I know someone but can't pinpoint how. Any who, he asked my name and I told him and I also added that I used to work there years ago. He asked when and I told him in '99 & 2000....he said, those were great years. I answered back, yep it was a great time with some great people and a great team.

After a little more chit-chat and mouthfulls of pizza, time was up and as he exited the "cafeteria" he said thanks for helping out tonight Erin. I chuckled to myself after he left the room and realized that that moment would be the perfect capper to an already fun story for my next Urban Baseball Chick blog. (and now it is.) :)