Sun Life Stadium
Eva and I just saw our first ballgame in the former Joe Robie, former Dolphin Stadium, now known as Sun Life. I’m not sure what Sun Life is, but for a Candlestick fan, Sun Life brought back that old feeling. Crowd-wise, however, my only comparisons would be the game we saw in Olympic Stadium in Montreal, and maybe some lean nights in the eighties at the ‘Stick in 1985 when the Giants lost 100 games.
About the game, though, Zito, man that Zito!
To be rooting for someone as an underdog who makes 20 million a year feels strange, but after the last couple of seasons, it’s so neat seeing him do so well again. Plus it also doesn’t hurt that he’s playing in the uniform I root for.
The first trouble he saw tonight was not until the 8th inning, but the trouble was weak. The first man on could have been out, the second hit was weak, and the third hit… man, I know Sandoval was playing doubles defense close to the line, but you think the guy could have at least dove! That ball wasn’t too far from him. I couldn’t help but think, “Feliz would have had it.” Though I quickly reminded myself of Pablo’s 330 average and sting-ray line drives.
It was sad to see Zito go, but Sergio Romo’s clean up job was something I won’t soon forget. He made Hanley Ramirez look like Eugenio Velez, then got the next guy to hit into a double play. It was so darn exciting. We we’re in the 9th row above the Giants dugout. So close to the action. As intense as an empty stadium could be!
Wilson’s 9th was frustrating. I know he’s the closer, and Bowker got a pinch hit in Romo’s spot, but I bet most Giants fans just wish a little common sense could have been used, and you’d keep your hot hand in the game.
Romo was dominant. His pitches were dancing. Dazzling! Wilson, sure he threw 98 at times, but they were mostly fastballs, and they were all straight! I don’t know how he can just expect to throw stuff down the middle, at major league hitters. Where was his slider? I only saw one breaking pitch, and that may have been a curve? Anyway, it was nice to see him at least mix it up a little bit as the young swinging marlin’s didn’t seem fazed by his heat.
But he got out of it. Zito got the win he deserved. And we forgot the parking lot # of our car, walked around for a half hour, and eventually had a police officer cruise us around until we found our car. We were very thankful, but he was humble. “It’s my job,” he said. But dam, things were looking drear. The stadium is a bowl, and looks the same all around. Easy to get disoriented in the parking lot, but I can’t wait to go back tomorrow to see Cain hopefully finish the sweep on these fish, and part of me wants to come back next year, because where else can you sit right behind the dugout for under $30. For tomorrow’s game, we’re right behind the Giants dugout for $12!
I love watching ballgames in warm places.
