San Francisco Giants, National League
9/10
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| I replaced my exterior photo from 2013, with one from 2016 that's only a little better.... |
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| The view from the upper deck prior to a game at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. |
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| The seats begin to fill for a late preseason game between the A's and Giants in 2016. |
San Francisco marks the final of the 75 parks that I posted on the initial run through the blog, which took from July 2013 to February 2016, so about 2 and a half years, which is truly incredible looking back. At any rate, I saved a good one for the last one.
This place replaced the oft-maligned Candlestick Park and as if by magic, the Giants, who contemplated leaving the bay area a few times, saw their attendance slightly more than double. It was telling when I was in Oakland one night and the 1st place A's drew 18,000 and the last place Giants drew over 40. The reason, besides the much better, more accessible location is that the place is just a total gem. I have been here 5 times now, I went in 2009 to watch the Giants take on the Diamondbacks, then in 2013 for the two semifinals and final of the World Baseball Classic, then again in 2014, when me and my ladyfriend saw them play the Phillies. In all but the first game, I sat in the upper deck, which I highly recommend here, as there's a nice view of the bay that you can't really see from the ground floor. This park by the bay is well laid out, with the stereotypical redbrick exterior, but nestled in just the right spot. It's easily accessed by the Muni streetcar, or Caltrain from points south. The BART only runs to the area of the ferry building, so you'll need a transfer(or walk) the rest of the way. I drove straight here my first game and parked in a lot next door for 25 dollars(reminder: this was in 2009), which is particularly expensive, hence most people taking transit.
The 2nd neat thing here is the atmosphere. Giants fans love their baseball and after a few games in previous days with few people, or few interested people in attendance, it was great to see. People knew their players and were pretty vocal in their support of the team, which made the game that much more enjoyable.
The food here is pretty varied, with numerous options, including of course, the local "Anchor Steam" beer, which is an acquired taste, but I do like it. I was all ready to give it flying colours too, but I don't remember a whole ton about it, other than it being passable, so no points here. I did have a cheeseburger on one occasion and perhaps clam chowder another time, but I remember little else.
Overall, a tremendous park with a tremendous atmosphere. Not many memories about the food though and I could use a better shot of the entrance, so....9/10 for now. I may be back here in around a month, so I will take care of both issues then.
Update 2026: Well! The blog now has 113 stadiums this time through. San Francisco is the last one I've added linescores for. I've now been here seven times. Three MLB games, one exhibition and three games from the 2013 WBC. As of 2019, this is now called Oracle Park. Even just today a friend sent me a "top ten" list of parks and this one was on it(in 2nd!).
This place replaced the oft-maligned Candlestick Park and as if by magic, the Giants, who contemplated leaving the bay area a few times, saw their attendance slightly more than double. It was telling when I was in Oakland one night and the 1st place A's drew 18,000 and the last place Giants drew over 40. The reason, besides the much better, more accessible location is that the place is just a total gem. I have been here 5 times now, I went in 2009 to watch the Giants take on the Diamondbacks, then in 2013 for the two semifinals and final of the World Baseball Classic, then again in 2014, when me and my ladyfriend saw them play the Phillies. In all but the first game, I sat in the upper deck, which I highly recommend here, as there's a nice view of the bay that you can't really see from the ground floor. This park by the bay is well laid out, with the stereotypical redbrick exterior, but nestled in just the right spot. It's easily accessed by the Muni streetcar, or Caltrain from points south. The BART only runs to the area of the ferry building, so you'll need a transfer(or walk) the rest of the way. I drove straight here my first game and parked in a lot next door for 25 dollars(reminder: this was in 2009), which is particularly expensive, hence most people taking transit.
The 2nd neat thing here is the atmosphere. Giants fans love their baseball and after a few games in previous days with few people, or few interested people in attendance, it was great to see. People knew their players and were pretty vocal in their support of the team, which made the game that much more enjoyable.
The food here is pretty varied, with numerous options, including of course, the local "Anchor Steam" beer, which is an acquired taste, but I do like it. I was all ready to give it flying colours too, but I don't remember a whole ton about it, other than it being passable, so no points here. I did have a cheeseburger on one occasion and perhaps clam chowder another time, but I remember little else.
Overall, a tremendous park with a tremendous atmosphere. Not many memories about the food though and I could use a better shot of the entrance, so....9/10 for now. I may be back here in around a month, so I will take care of both issues then.
Update 2026: Well! The blog now has 113 stadiums this time through. San Francisco is the last one I've added linescores for. I've now been here seven times. Three MLB games, one exhibition and three games from the 2013 WBC. As of 2019, this is now called Oracle Park. Even just today a friend sent me a "top ten" list of parks and this one was on it(in 2nd!).
Giants attendance has finally started to dip after years averaging over 40 thousand. There's been no talk that I've seen about the Giants doing any major renovations, or looking to leave. It's the park they need, in a decent spot, so why do anything? This one could be up for a redo here soon. For now, it's still a 9.
Linescores
2009-08-27
123 456 789 R H E
Arizona 310 041 002 11 15 2
San Francisco 000 000 000 0 5 1
Time: 2:55 Temp: 70F Att: 28,575
2013-03-17
123 456 789 RHE
Puerto Rico 100 000 200 390
Japan 000 000 010 161
Time: 3:27 Temp: 55F Att: 33,683
2013-03-18
123 456 789 RHE
Netherlands 100 000 000 141
Dominican Republic 000 040 000 490
Time: 3:09 Temp: 57F Att: 27,527
2013-03-19
123 456 789 RHE
Puerto Rico 000 000 000 030
Dominican Republic 200 010 00x 381
Time: 3:06 Temp: 58F Att: 35,703
Dominican Republic Wins the 2013 World Baseball Classic
2014 -08-15
123 456 789 10 R H E
Philadelphia 000 010 020 2 5 7 0
San Francisco 000 300 000 0 3 11 0
Time: 3:36 Temp: 60F Att: 41,425
2016-03-31
123 456 789 R H E
Oakland 000 000 100 1 3 2
San Francisco 000 111 000 3 10 0
Time: 3:00 Temp: N/A Att: 41,241
Exhibition-Spring Training
2016-05-09
123 456 789 RHE
Toronto 102 000 000 370
San Francisco 000 001 000 140
Time: 2:52 Temp: 57F Att: 41,256
