Fans go giddy with joy as Giants start game

[AsahinaKimi]

(04-08) 14:48 PDT San Francisco -- Under a brilliant blue sky pocked by puffy white clouds, thousands of joyous fans at AT&T Park gave a roaring ovation to their world champion Giants this afternoon as the team opened its season at home against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Before the first pitch was thrown at 1:37 p.m., there were 45 minutes of pomp and celebration highlighted by Hall of Famer Willie Mays presenting the team with its World Championship flag. Famously bearded closer Brian Wilson ran out to the center field bleachers and waved the banner while the crowd roared.

As one, the stadium full of fans then sang "We Are the Champions."

The opening ceremonies also included a moment of silence for Bryan Stow, the Giants fan badly beaten last week after a game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Then it was on to the thing everyone came to see most.

The first pitch by Jonathan Sánchez whizzed by Cardinal lead-off batter Ryan Theriot for a called strike.

More screams of joy from the seats.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/04/08/MNJA1IT517.DTL

[Forkboy]

1. I'm a hockey guy, but opening day is the same for us all, no matter what sport we dig.

Hope springs eternal. :)

[Auggie]

2. +1

Great post Forkboy

:toast:

[Upton]

3. Rally salmon!

Great day...and what a crazy game. Both teams came back from a run down in the 9th, after having 2 outs and nobody on.

Perhaps Aaron Rowand should be playing more..

Giants baseball: torture..