It’s easy to get excited for baseball this time of year. Spring training is on the horizon. Rosters are essentially solidified, and the dawn of spring feels nearer than the heart of winter. Even with that natural hope budding, the palpable excitement surrounding the Giants as the first season of the Buster Posey President of Baseball Operations era begins is undeniable.
The orange and black passion was on full display this past weekend at Fan Fest in San Jose. The event was the second stop in the still novel “KNBR FanFest Tour” which featured a stop in Napa, next week’s destination of Sacramento, and finally the last stop in San Francisco. Giants fans in the 408 showed up early, lining up around the block from the San Pedro Square event more than two hours before the gates opened.
If you’re doubting just how long the line was to get in more than an hour before the event, here’s a condensed visual.
The highlight of the afternoon based on fan volume was Willy Adames’ appearance on stage with Markus and Copes. Adames endeared himself to Giants fans in December during his introductory press conference. He spoke candidly about what attracted him to San Francisco, and how Buster Posey’s courtship was ultimately what got the deal done. He continued to gain brownie points with the fanbase on Sunday. He garnered the largest crowd as he spoke with Markus and Copes.
There was even a gift presented to the new starting shortstop by Giants fans. A giant lego portrait of Adames became the star of the show as his interview was coming to an end.
Other guests included Giants legend and San Jose native Pat Burrell. Pitchers Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp were on hand, as well as pitching coach J.P. Martinez and infielder Marco Luciano.
The Dodgers are loading up. The Diamondbacks are doing the same on a smaller scale. During a generally pessimistic time for Giants baseball over the last two years, the orange and black faithful were fired up in San Jose.
