4 People 12 Times (orange Friday edition)

I'm working on a year-long project of taking at least one family picture each month for a year (click on the label below to see the previous entries in the series).  Although this picture was technically taken in October, I'm hoping to count it as my September photo and to take another one for October.  Here's the story - 

On October 1, we went to the San Francisco Giants baseball game.  The Giants just needed to win one game to win the Divisional Championship, and we had the opportunity to see them clinch it.  All the fans got orange rally towels on the way in, and the stadium was a rocking, electric place all evening long.  Even though the Giants lost (and still haven't clinched the championship yet), there are some moments I will always remember from the night.

*The team gave out the "Willie Mac Award," voted on my players and managers to honor an inspirational team leader.  Many former award winners attended, and, as their names were called, they walked onto the field from Center Field and to the pitcher's mound. Mike Krukow (current announcer, who everyone feels like they know because he is so often on the radio or TV) got a long, standing ovation that brought a tear to his eye.  The next person announced, Dave Dravecky, brought a tear to my eye because of the way he came back to pitch after having undergone treatment for bone cancer in his arm. His arm has since been amputated, but he remains a huge inspiration to me and millions of others.

*Clara lighting up when her favorite player, Pablo Sandavol (nicknamed "Panda") came in to pinch hit.

*After the Giants hit a home run and while the Padres were warming up a new pitcher, 40,000+ fans waved their orange towels while the P.A. played "the sports anthem." Henry was beaming and said this was the best moment ever!

The Giants current slogan is "There's magic inside!" And for us, even though the Giants lost, there was definitely lots of magic going on.