The Authentic Giants Opener

The men who have powered the Giants over the years

Yesterday, I went out to AT&T Park to see the Giants play their season opener on the big screen. The event was free, but they had VIP access you could get with a $20 donation to The Guardsmen. Normally, I would mingle with the common folk, but I decided to spurge and spend the $20. I am glad I did.

Yours truly in the visitors dugout

Besides getting into the club level at the park, we got to roam the field which was very cool. AT&T Park one of the most beautiful ballparks in the nation. It has many different quirks to it. Walking around the warning track dirt. You got to see many of the different features that the players get to see as they are playing. It is amazing to look at and walk around AT&T Park from the field.  will post those later by themselves.

The San Francisco Giants 2010 Commissioner's Trophy

One of the things was that I was able to get special benefits. One was getting on the club level and getting to walk around. The Giants have a lot of there. Autograph balls, bats, all the bobbleheads, etc. You could literally spend hours walking around and seeing Giants history. One of the cool things about yesterday was getting a shot with the 2010 Commissioners trophy. It was really cool being able to be near it. Their photographer took the photo and printed it out, but I quickly took one of the trophy. We also got see up close the 2010 Championship Ring (below), it was under glass.

The 2010 San Francisco Giants Championship Ring

Artwork on the walls at AT&T

Walking around the club level at AT&T Park you can see all the little details that make AT&T special. They have original art work all through out the stadium on the walls. It is all baseball themed, but it is all huge and nice to look at. Also on the walls on the stadium are all of the great quotes from the game of baseball. If you are any kind of baseball fan, then you will want get to the park early, just to see the artwork and the quotes.

A quote by Sadaharu Oh, one of the many baseball quotes on the walls of AT&T

Jerry Rice being interviewed.

But I must say that highlight on the day (besides having all access to the park) was getting to meet 49er legend Jerry Rice. He was there to promote the PGA Nationwide Tour event in Hayward (ca) next week. I was wondering around the club level and he supposed to be there like at 3:00pm and it was like 3:50 and I literally bumped into him. Now, that was cool. Jerry was very kind and gracious to everybody. He signed a Nationwide Tour/TPC Stonebrae event poster for me, right above his picture. That is big time. I also got a weeklong pass to the Nationwide Tour event in Hayward. Pretty cool deal.

The GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Jerry Rice

Even though the Giants lost their opener down in Arizona, I think that all the fans that attended The Comcast Authentic Giants Opener at AT&T Park had a great time. I know I did. I also found out that Snoopy is a Giants fan (below).

Walking around-Different Dramas

City Hall-San Francsico

Walking around and looking around is always fun. The other day I had to down by City Hall in San Francisco and had a stroll in what is called The Plaza which is the huge area across from City Hall. It was a beautiful day in the City and walking around I saw a bunch of different dramas playing out.



With this being San Francisco and everything. I saw that the Occupy SF movement was about to have a big protest and everything on the steps of City Hall. As I walked by they were getting the signs ready and had a podium and microphones out for the speeches. It was like the 1960's all over again. i walked by and took a picture, the protesters asked if I was the media. When I answered that I was just walking by, they became very disappointed. Oh well.

San Francisco City Hall is a favorite place for people to get married. In 2004, it became the epi-center for the gay marriages as then Mayor Gavin Newsom had the city clerk issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. Even though that has passed, many people still get married inside City Hall. This couple was taking post wedding pictures in the plaza.



Hanging out in the plaza is a huge pastime. Many people have lunch there, sit and talk, read their books. There is a pretty-good size playground for kids to use. This guy has it all going on, his blanket, the shoes off and drinking a bottle of water. Sleeping is another pastime that many people do. Take a nap on soft green grass. It seems dangerous to me, but to some there is nothing better than dozing off on grass and under the sun.

Many people bring their dogs out and have fun with them. This guys owner was trying to get him to chase a tennis ball. As I stopped and took a pic, he seemed more interested in me. He was a cute little thing. You would think that have a bunch dogs would mean a lot of dog stuff. But San Francisco has some serious fines for leaving the dog stuff. People kind clean up after their pets. Which is a nice thing.



There are probably more things going in The Plaza across from City Hall in San Francisco. I guess every time I walk though it, I will keep my eyes open for new dramas









Bookstores II

The front of Zephyr Books-Reno, NV

As I was writing last night I omitted one bookstore (mostly because it is not local) and that is Zephyr Books in Reno. I found this place by accident. I was driving to the Peppermill from Downtown Reno and it was on the way. It took me a couple of days, but I went in and was charmed by it. It contains a lot of books and the staff is nice.

The inside of Zephyr Books.

I know that this sounds like a plug,but the next time you are in Reno (I know that this is not your first choice of things to do), but stop in at Zephyr Books and be sure to get your picture taken with Mark Twain.

Mark Twain and I at Zephyr Books

Love them Bookstores

A sign inside City Lights Book Store in San Francisco

I love to read. It is something that I have always liked. It is something that I really enjoy, sitting down with a book. I know that I am still so 20th Century as I like holding a book and not reading it on the computer, tablet or IPAD. There just something I enjoy about holding a book.

Besides books, I love bookstores. I love going into a bookstore and looking around and seeing what is there. Many times, I go in looking for one thing and leaving with another thing. For new books, I used to love Borders  Books. I knew all the locations in the Bay Area and since their demise I have found Amazon. I like Amazon.com, but it is sometimes hard to wait for the book to come in the mail. I want it now-LOL.

More than new books, I love the independent stores that sell both used and new books. Most stores do special orders and once you have been there a couple of times they treat you like family.

So here are some of my favorite local bookstores or as someone said "The happy places you go to":

City Lights Booksellers in San Francisco is one of most famous bookstores in the country. It was founded in 1953 by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti and became a huge part of the beat movement of the 1950's. Most people know of it due to publishing of Allen Ginsberg's Howl in the fall of 1956 as number four in the Pocket Poets Series. City Lights is a official historic landmark and still has the 1950's beat feel. They have books from unknown authors and books that will expand your mind and make you think.

The outside entrance to Book Passage inside the Ferry Building in San Francisco 

Book Passage is in two locations and is really cool. The stores are located in Corte Madera and inside the Ferry Building in San Francisco. The thing I like about Book Passage is that have many author events. Where the author comes in and talks about his book and if you buy a book there they will sign it for you. I love that. I have heard many great talks and have enjoyed many of a great evening listening and learning. One of my favorite author events came in 2004 when I bought former President Bill Clinton's book and got an autograph ticket and got to meet the former President as he signed my book. Over the years I have met a lot of famous and cool people as they discussed their books. Book Passage sells both new and used books.

Inside Moe's Books in Berkeley

Moe's Books on Telegraph in Berkeley is one of the biggest of the independent bookstores I have seen. It is four stories and if Moe's doesn't have it then nobody does. You could spend all day at Moe's and still not seen all of the books there. One of the cool things is that they have rare book section with its own attendant. 

Across the street from Moe's is Shakespeare&Co. Books (above). As big as Moe's is, Shakespeare is just as funky. It is a lot smaller, but it is just the right size. To me this is what an independent bookstore should be about. It is own by a person that truly loves books. The shelves are jammed pack with used books and their is some classical music being played. Just a great place to be. The one thing that I really like is that they always have a cool selection of old Life and Look Magazines from the 50's and 60's for sale (left). I just love looking at the them and buying them.

Inside Shakespeare&Co's books

I must give a nod to Half Price Books. I know that they are corporate, but I always enjoy going into to them. I have found many books in their $3.00 clearance bookshelf that I have really enjoyed. For a corporate bookstore, they are run like a small independent book store. Plus, being an educator I get 15% off, which really does help. 

Inside Half Price Books in Berkeley

The Book Shop in Downtown Hayward

Nestled in Downtown Hayward is my favorite bookstore. It has been a fixture in Downtown Hayward for over 50 years. It is simply known as The Book Shop. It is a place that you can walk in with a frown and walk out with a smile. I have been going there for years. First as a kid and as an adult. It is simply a great place to buy books. A lot of that has to do with the staff. When I was a young adult Hank Maschal was the man. He bought the place in 1992 and always had a great smile and knew his books. Sadly Hank retired in 2009 and passed in 2010. He was the one that used the front window display area for emerging artists to display their work. Hank tried to be this grumpy old guy, but he had a heart of gold and is missed. Even though Hank is only there in spirit Renee Rettig is outgoing and keeps the spirit of the place alive. Renee is one of the most bubbly people that I ever have been around. Every time I go in. I find something new and unusual. And their used book selection is like no other. I hope that The Book Shop is around fifty years from now for my grandchildren to enjoy.

The Book Shop's great Renee Rettig. The spirit of the place.

The Best Burger Joint

The front of Val's Burgers in Hayward, Ca. It has looked the same for over fifty years

Went out to dinner at Val's Burgers. It has been an institution in Hayward for over fifty years. Walking into Val's is like going back to the rat-fink, skate-rink late 1950's. The counter next to the grill where you can watch your burger being cooked over an open fire grill, the old-time soda fountain, the booths with the Formica tables Val's is a step back in time.

I have been going there for most of my life. I remember saving up my newspaper tips and getting up really early one morning and having breakfast. I paid with it a couple of one's and quarters. Many years later, the feeling of Val's remains the same, I can't wait to get there.

The inside of Val's Burgers

Val's is run by a family and has been since the beginning. It will be always family owned. The next generation is learning the business from the ground up. You see, the owner's kids waiting tables, clearing tables, etc. That is something that you do not see.

Val's has a rather large menu. They serve everything from breakfast to patty melts, steak dinners, all types of sandwiches, hot dogs, chili and salads.

A Val's chili cheese dog with homemade chili, it is to die for

As much as Val's serves excellent food. It is known for its burgers. They come in three sizes: The 1/3lb baby, the 1/2lb mama and the 1lb papa. They are cooked over an open flame on a grill and Val's by cooks that have been cooking it up the Val's way for years. The burgers are always cooked the same and it is like you can close your eyes and taste a burger from 25 years ago and now; they will taste the same. That is one of the great things about Val's.

A Val's Papa Burger with cheese and bacon.

The burger is always served on a plate plain and with a piece of lettuce. On the table (you can see in the picture), there are tupperware containers with fresh onions, pickles,relish and squeeze bottles of mustard, ketchup and mayo. You get to fix the toppings on your burger as little or as much as you want. It is great.

A basket of fries at Val's.

As you can see, fries come separate. You order a basket of fries (above) and they are thickly cut and perfectly fried. One thing is that you need to share the basket or take some home. It more than one can eat.

Another great thing about Val's is that it is priced within reason. You can get a good meal for about $15.00 a person (that includes tax and tip). Last week, My son and I went and got two grilled cheese sandwiches and a basket of fries to go for about $10.

So, if you are in Hayward head over to Val's for a meal. Just do not get there in during the noon or dinner rush. You might be waiting for table or looking for a place to park. But it is worth every mouthwatering bite.

Baseball Movies

The three classics

Baseball movies are like the game itself, sometimes they hit a home run and sometimes they swing and miss. Here are my favorite baseball movies. The three above are true classics: Field of Dreams, Major League and Bull Durham. These three everybody can agree are some of the best baseball movies made.


The Babe Ruth Story (1948) people might not think is one of the better baseball movies, but the back story is great. The star William Bendix was once a batboy for the Yankees growing up. Legend has it is that before a game Ruth told Bendix to get him a huge amount of food: Hot Dogs, Beer and Soda. Bendix got him all of the food that he asked for. Babe ate it and got a huge stomach ache and was rushed to the hospital and had his stomach pumped. The Yankees were mad and found out that Bendix had got the food for Ruth and news headlines said that Bendix had tried to kill Ruth. Bendix was fired from his job and as life would have it, he ended up playing Ruth in the movies.

The Bingo Long Traveling All Stars and Motor Kings (1976) was a movie that I saw as a kid and the star power of the three stars is huge and add in ex major leaguer Leon Wagner. The thing about this flick is that it really shows the life of the barnstorming Negro League players. Even though this film is considered a comedy, it really shows what these guys went through when the major leagues were segregated in trying to play ball and field their families. It really got me interested in finding out the history of the Negro Leagues. It is a part of history that we should never forget.

Talent for the Game (1991) has always been one of my favorite feel good baseball stories. It brings back the belief in magic in the game of baseball. I love the romance between a real life couple Edward James Olmos and Lorraine Bracco. I am pretty sure that this one has really gone under the radar in most circles, but to me this is one of the best baseball movies.

When people talk about baseball documentaries everybody talks about Ken Burns "Baseball". As much as I liked it I had a huge problem with his treatment of a team that won three straight World Series titles in the 70's (the Oakland A's) and pandering to the East Coast with the Yankees-Red Sox. All of that said "Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey" (2006) about Bill Lee's weeklong trip to Cuba you see is love of baseball. It goes into his incredible life in baseball which has taken him all over the globe.

For an intense film "Eight Men Out" (1988) shows the true and ugly side of baseball in the early 20th century. In my view, I see why the players were able to be recruited by gamblers.D.B. Sweeney is great as Shoeless Joe Jackson.  One thing about the film is that you need to know the story and love the game to sometimes understand what is going on. To me, I try to watch it once a year and it has worn well over time.

For pure camp, the two movies above Mr Baseball (1992) and Major League III:Back to the Minors (1998) is something that you can't beat. Mr. Baseball is about an aging, former star who goes to Japan to play and try to get his camp back. I loved it because I had read Robert Whiting's great book "You Gotta Have Wa" about Japanese baseball and how Americans adjust (or not). It is great look inside the Japanese game and their philosophy about the game at that time.

To me, Major League III is just too funny. The critics hated it and it did not draw flies at the box office. I first saw it on HBO. Something about the movie clicked and I laugh everytime I see it or think about it. It is totally different than the first two Major Leagues. Basically, Scott Bakula plays an aging pitcher who is recruited to manage a bunch of misfits playing for the Triple A South Carolina Buzz. Bob Uecker is back as Harry Doyle and Dennis Haysbert is back as Pedro Cerrano who has truly gone way out there. This movie is perfect for a rainy day or a slow Saturday.

Serrano being led to home plate by Tanaka in Major League III. Part of the Voodoo Twins

I know that people have different films they like. These are mine, what are yours?

Sometimes talking is good

Former Oakland Raider Art Thoms wearing his Super Bowl XI ring.

First of, I did not make it to the USF-San Diego baseball game yesterday. Due to heavy rain it was moved from AT&T Park to the campus of the University of San Francisco's Benedetti Diamond and then it was postponed and moved to a later time. But anyway I had an interesting evening.

I went to to Mexican dinner benefit for my son's high school baseball team. The food wasn't that great, but anyway it was worth the price because it helps out his team.

One of benefits was that former Oakland Raider Art Thoms was there. I am a big watcher of all the NFL Films stuff. I own a bunch and will watch it on what ever outlet it is on. Well, I remember watching one of their Lost Treasures films -I believe it was "Sunday with Soul". They had a segment on there about Thoms and teammate Otis Sistrunk as when they played together they were called "Salt and Pepper". They showed a video of Thoms  before the game in the parking lot going into the Raider Locker Room with his long hair, beard, a long sleeve dress shirt, multi-colored 70's pants and sandals. Steve Sabol who was the host, called the look "Here is Thoms looking like an Amish pimp."

Former Raider Art Thoms in 2012.

Last night, at the event I saw Thoms and wrestled about going up and talking to him. I asked him if he felt offended that Sabol had called is dress "an Amish pimp." Thoms looked at me and said that he remembered being interviewed about him and Sistrunk, but had never seen the particular episode. Since I did not see any point in taking up more of his time, I said okay, went and got my food, sat down and started to eat. About 15 minutes later, he came over and handed me his business card and said "Whenever you know it is going to come on, give me a call or e-mail to let me know, so I can watch." Wow, that really blew me away. I guess it was because I never expected to a source of information for a former NFL players. I guess talking is a good thing and the only dumb question is one that is never asked.