The San Francisco Giants continued their World Champs trophy tour Thursday with a stop in San Jose. Giants fans flocked to the home of the Advanced-A affiliate of the parent club for another round with the World Series trophy.
The show went on Thursday afternoon at San Jose Municipal Stadium despite the rain clouds that hung around all day. With two trophies to display, nothing would stand between the fans and their chance to be a part of a historic chapter in Giants history.
Fans lined up.
Daniel Orum, San Jose Giants president and CEO, strolled around the crowd on a relaxed afternoon that was nonetheless charged with energy. Giants fans waited 52 years for a World Series win, but the wait since October 28 to Opening Day has seemed longer for some fans.
Orum spoke of the last-minute shuffle the Gints front office staff undertook to save the trophy viewing event from the bad weather. “We planned for outside and moved it inside at the last minute,” he said. “It helps to have a great staff. You can move nimbly and make it a good experience for everyone.
“Another thing is to keep the line moving,” he said. “Once the fans get up there, everyone wants their day in the sun. We keep it fun for everybody.”
2013 is a big year for the San Jose Giants. After their first unofficial event of the season today, they are set to host the California-Carolina League All-Star Game on June 18. “We’ve never had the All-Star Game before,” Orum said. “We’re really excited to have it for the city of San Jose. We’re also excited for the upcoming year. We expect to have a top flight pitching staff.”
Stylin’
Fans arrived well ahead of the posted start time for the event of 3pm. A fairly long line had formed by 2:20pm. The festive atmosphere was packed with die-hard fans in orange and black.
Diane Farley of San Jose brought her grandson Rayen to see the trophy. Thursday was Rayen’s 5th birthday and grandma and grandson were among the most excited and well-dressed Giants fan in line. Both Diane and Rayen said Tim Lincecum was their favorite player.
Farley saw the first trophy tour in 2011 at the Santa Clara Convention center and was excited to bring her grandson Municopial Stadium. “I want to bring him to games and expose him to the Giants,” she said.
Decked out.
She also pointed to the Giants tiara on her head and said she “blinged out” the basic bauble from the Dugout store. Asked if she left the orange ball gown at home, Farley said, “I dressed down today.”
Trophy not to scale.
The trophy tour began in Lake County on Febraury 28 and will cnclude in Medford, Oregon on March 26 with a stop at AT&T Park during the World Baseball Classic semi-finals and finals March 17-19. For a complete list of dates, sites, and times, click here: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/sf/fan_forum/trophy_tour.jsp
