Having spent the day touring the city on an open-top bus, we had planned to walk to the park after taking a bus to the Port of San Francisco. We were told that it was a beautiful 30 minute walk, but we barely got started before a bike taxi approached us and offered to take us there. The ride cost us $20, but it was a fun way to get there, and we weren't sweaty from the walk.
We got to the stadium nice and early as a result, which was good, as I found it a little tricky to find our gate. As well, this was "Jerry Garcia Night" at AT&T Park, and there was a pre-game concert by the surviving members of the Grateful Dead.
While listening to the great music, we had a chance to check out some of the interesting features of AT&T Park. With elements like the golden glove, giant Coke bottle, the analog clock, and the scenic Levi's Landing, your first visit to this park will be half baseball and half "I Spy"! I did find, however, that the seats were not nearly as staggered as they are in other sections, making the sightlines difficult for my son and a short guy like me.
(above) Statue of Orlando Cepeda,
(below) Statue of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey plaque
I was very excited about this game, as we had missed some amazing pitchers on this trip so far. In fact, Jarrod Weaver, Zach Greinke, Clayton Kershaw, R.A. Dickey and Tim Lincecum had all pitched either one night before or after our visit! Brutal! Tonight, however, Giants ace Matt Cain was set to take the mound. Little did anyone know that Mets fielder Ruben Tejada would take Cain yard on just the second pitch of the game. Cain continued to struggle after that and was bailed out repeatedly by some incredible defensive play by teammates like Gregor Blanco. He left the game after just four innings. As it turned out, Mets starter Jon Niese looked like the ace this time around, fanning Giants sluggers all night long (including newly-acquired Hunter Pence, who was making his first start for the Giants). That's baseball for you.
My one suggestion to new visitors to AT&T Park is this - bring a blanket! We had been warned that it would be chilly, and thought we had come prepared, but we had no idea. I know your thinking, "It's summer! In California!" but I mean it. We decided to tough through it in our light jackets, as the alternative was buying a fleece blanket from the Pro Shop for $55, but once the sun went down and the fog rolled in, it was COLD! We ended up buying a blanket at Fisherman's Wharf the next morning for $8.
And now, the hot dog ratings:
Temperature: 7.5/10
Flavour: 7.0/10
Juiciness: 9.0/10 (Nigel: "I have to go with 9. I really like the juiciness!")
Bun Texture: 8.0/10
TOTAL: 30/40
P.S. - Try the garlic fries!
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