matthewweaver.com | mlb ballparks | san francisco giants

Ballpark:
Have you had enough of ballpark name changes due to corporate mergers? I have! Can we agree to avoid naming parks after banks and telecom companies from now on out?

Originally known as Pacific Bell Park, then known as SBC Park for the 2004-2005 seasons, AT&T Park is the the third name for the Giants beautiful home field since it opened in 2000. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to have a company from the volatile telecommunications industry buy the naming rights. Well, at least it isn't named after a video cable manufacturer like San Francisco's football stadium (the former Candlestick Park is now known as Monster Park...no, it's not after the jobs website).

Whatever its name, the Giants home is my favorite ballpark in the Majors and it is a wonderful place to see a game. The sun setting over the San Francisco Bay, a view of the Bay Bridge, a whiff of garlic fries and the invasion of the night time fog are some of the unique experiences at the park. Crowds are usually plentiful and fairly baseball savvy, despite the high prices and relative lack of parking (many people walk or take street cars from the heart of the city. Though the Giants are not always competitive, I have never had a bad experience at the ballpark on China Basin.

The ballpark was originally supposed to face the skyline of San Francisco, but wind tests forced the architects to turn the field 180 degrees toward the Bay. This was a very fortunate change, as it created a gorgeous view of the San Francisco Bay and allowed the "Splash Landing" area just past the right field wall. Powerful left handed hitters like as Barry Bonds have slugged home runs right into the water, where locals tend to amass in kayaks and other watercraft. This area, shown in a few photos below, was dubbed McCovey Cove after the Giants legend from the 1960's and 1970's.

Though PNC Park in Pittsburgh is pretty close, AT&T Park is the BEST BALLPARK in the Majors. The sightlines are excellent in most places, the architecture is beautiful with its orange brick and green superstructure and fans have great views during those beautiful California days and nights. (And it's not nearly as cold or windy during night games as it was at old Candlestick Park.) The food is tremendous, though a bit pricey, and the team shop is pretty good too. All in all, AT&T Park is one of the few that I give an "A+" rating.

How to get there:
The ballpark sits along San Francisco Bay just to the South of the Financial District and the Bay Bridge in a neighborhood known as China Basin. From Market Street or the Bay Bridge (Interstate 80), follow 2nd Avenue South until it ends at the park. From the South part of the peninsula, follow U.S. 101 North and take Interstate 280 North to the Pac Bell Park / Port exit. Parking is very tough, so it is a better idea to take the historic street cars from The Embarcadero near Downtown or Fisherman's Wharf.

If the weather is nice - and many times it is - I suggest parking near the Financial District and walking the 10 blocks to the ballpark. It is a great way to see the fastest growing of the city.

City:
San Francisco is one of the greatest and most recognizable city in the world. It is cosmopolitan, historic and incredibly scenic. Yeah, the housing prices are astronomical, there's always a threat of earthquakes and battling the traffic is frustrating, but it is generally worth it for most of the citizens. From Pacific Heights to Nob Hill to Lombard Street to the Financial District, the city has more to see and do than most places in the world. And there are the amazing landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, among others.

Stuff to do while there:
You can spend weeks in the city and surrounding areas without seeing everything. I suggest the big landmarks like the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, Downtown, Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf and, of course, the Cable Cars. The neighborhoods of the city hold a wealth of sights and sounds, such as Golden Gate Park, the Japanese Garden, the Marina, the crooked Lombard Street, Coit Tower and the famous Transamerica Pyramid - just to name a few.

Outside of the city, I suggest heading to the Marin Peninsula to look down at the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay and the city. Other destinations are Muir Woods (redwood trees), Napa Valley (Wine Country), Monterey (shops and scenery) and Twin Peaks (an overlook of the city)...just to name a few. I could spend the whole day around Marina Green and Chrissy Field staring at the Golden Gate Bridge, but that's just me.

Story:
Story #1: Even though the tickets for Pac Bell sold out at the beginning of the inaugural season in 2000, I bought an individual Club Seat from a broker for a game against the Mariners in June. I got to hang out in the posh Giants Club and watch the Cleveland Indians game on TV prior to watching the Giants game in person. Pretty much a perfect day.

Story #2: In August 2003, I was able to get four decent upper deck tickets and enjoy the game with three friends who had also migrated West from Cleveland. As the Northern California night fell on the park, I couldn't help think how fortunate we were to be seeing a game in the best ballpark in the Majors while seeing the sunset the beautiful San Francisco Bay.

Story #3: In June 2005, my best friends from high school - Jim and Becky - joined me at a game against the Cleveland Indians. Once again, I purchased club seats from a ticket brokerage and we enjoyed a cool night sitting pretty much right behind home plate. It was a nice time and turned out to be the last game we would see in San Francisco before Jim and Becky moved their family across country to Boston. :(

Story #4: In July 2006, my girlfriend Courtney and I spent a 3-day weekend in downtown San Francisco, taking in great restaurants, visiting friends, walking the Golden Gate Bridge and catching a Giants game at my favorite park.

Story #5: I was able to see an exhibition game in Candlestick Park between the Indians and the Giants. Cleveland's David Justice sparked a brawl by sliding hard into home plate and taking out San Francisco catcher Brian Johnson. It wasn't much of a brawl though. Click here for a photo of the brawl.

Fun facts:
The ground level area at McCovey Cove just outside of right field provides a small, but free "knothole" view of the playing field for pedestrians walking along the Bay. Fans are asked to limit their stay at the knothole for just an inning or two.

AT&T Park is the only ballpark in the Major Leagues directly bordering on a large body of water. PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati sit directly along rivers, but not anything like San Francisco Bay!

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3-photo mosaic of SBC Park from the club level behind home plate
June 11, 2005

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3-photo mosaic of Pac Bell from the upper deck behind home
August 8, 2003

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Matt from the Club Seats
June 11, 2005

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The infield prior to a game
July 21, 2006

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The evening sun sets on the scoreboard and clock
August 8, 2003

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The Bay Bridge behind the LF
seats and the Coke kids area
July 21, 2006

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A view of the "Splash Landing," McCovey Cove & the SF Bay
August 8, 2003

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The Willie Mays (main)
entrance to AT&T Park
July 21, 2006

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A statue of Willie Mays stands at
the main entrance of AT&T Park
July 21, 2006

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The right field arcade separates
the park from McCovey Cove
July 21, 2006

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Matt & Courtney at AT&T Park
July 21, 2006