Room with a view ... (SF Giants)

*I wrote this the day of the parade but decided to wait to post it. With the sports year coming to an end, the time is now right.


I awoke to a cold, dreary morning here in Austin, Texas. As I laid in bed staring out the window, I wondered how a world class city like San Francisco would celebrate what many, many Giants' fans thought may never happen: A World Championship Parade for the Giants. I wondered how the Giants' station (KNBR) would cover such an event, and finally how the fans would react to the realization that their team won the World Championship.

I spent the better part of the morning listening to KNBR. First, Murph and Mac, and then Gary. There was some giddy up in their tone as they all spoke about the many good times, as well as the bad times, the Giants and their fans have had these past 53 years. At 1:00 pm Central time I turned on the TV and did what I have been doing for the past 25+ years: I watched the Championship Parade. But this time it was different. Yes, it was northern California, but it was San Francisco, not Oakland. It was a warm sunny day in the "City." It was a perfect way to end what Giants' fans believe to be the perfect season. I watched as over one million fans lined the streets of San Francisco, and cheered as their beloved Giants rode by on floats, trolleys, or in convertibles. It brought back many, many happy thoughts I had as a child going to this type of celebration with my Dad and two older brothers. Those were times I cherish, just like many fathers and sons will after me.

As the formal celebration concluded at City Hall, I realized this celebration was more than just a celebration for the Giants and their fans, but also a celebration for all of northern California. As a Bay Area guy and northern Californian for 46 years, I was a proud man. So here's a toast to all my close friends, family, and the rest of the Giants' fans that I have gone out of my way to insult. Your team did it! I will now say what I told you I would never say:

The San Francisco Giants ... 2010 World Champions! Eating crow is a lot easier than eating armadillo.

"Wise Guy"