Last night I went to the Murph (all right, Qualcomm Stadium
if accuracy is important) and saw the Padres play my SF Giants. For one night, I became a San Diego fan. I got my commemorative mini-bat with Tony Gwynn’s “signature” and a listing of his batting title years on it. I ate my Rubio’s fish tacos. I stood proudly and heard the Marine Corps band
play the National Anthem and then Halls of Montezuma. If you have ever seen a baseball game there, you know that many
empty seats is the norm. Last night, over 60 thousand people packed in, and the place rocked. Good pitching, few errors, some great plays in the outfield - but the glorious moment came when, off the bench, Tony himself stroked a ball
through the gap into right field, knocking in 2 runs to tie the game. Pandemonium ensued. People cried, danced, kissed
each other and screamed at the top of their lungs. No, I didn’t see Barry Bonds hit a homer (I was in right field, and he LOVES to hit them out there). No, the Giants did not
win a crucial game, and I am beginning to lose hope about their chances for post-season play. But the breezes were balmy, the sliver of moon lit up the sky, and life was good for a little over 3.5 hours. Strike that last remark - life
is still good, and I will remember this night forever.
Isn’t baseball wonderful for that? Treasure it beckwall because there aren’t enough of those moments.
However:
FISH TACOS at a moment capturing baseball game!?
The first time I ate a fish taco was at a Padres’ game. It is a San Diego tradition for me. BTW, we also slammed down a few jumbo dogs and adult beverages. That’s more like it,
I guess. But the tacos are always the first thing consumed.