San Francisco Giants home opener Friday marks 25th year at Oracle Park
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The Giants are back. The season has started and thousands of fans were at Oracle Park on Friday for the home opener.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Giants at Oracle Park.
"It's my favorite day of the year," said Giants CEO Larry Baer.
Baer is celebrating his 33rd home opener with the team. He's hoping to build off of the momentum the Giants earned on the road, starting the season with a 5-1 record.
"We had a really good road opening which kind of took a page out of spring training where we had a great 20-6 record," Baer said. "It's kind of like a drama-free feeling."
It's the day San Francisco Giants fans have been waiting for.
"Our boys are back in town," said Denys and John Soto, SF Giants fans.
Over 40,000 fans made their way into a sold-out Oracle Park not only to experience opening day, but to celebrate a legacy that brings together even rival fans.
"We are celebrating our 25th anniversary at the best stadium in the world, and I had to bring in my Seattle Mariners fan to visit our park for the very first time," said Giants fan Lu See Kwik.
Speaking of first times, Rosa Scott attended the first game at Oracle Park 25 years ago and has the ticket to prove it. On Friday, her daughter surprised her with a new one for her collection.
"So, 25 years ago, I pulled her out of school -- my daughter Samantha here -- and this is my ticket twenty-five years ago. And today, she surprised me 25 years later," Scott said.
On April 11, 2,000 while the fans were getting ready for the game. Former Giants pitcher Kirk "Woody" Rueter told us what he was thinking about on the mound.
"Dusty told me on the plane ride coming back, whatever road trip we were on, he said, 'Whatever you do, don't let them hit a homerun on the very first pitch of the stadium.' If you ever see a replay, you will notice the pitch is way outside, so they couldn't hit," Rueter said.
None of these memories would have been possible without those who fought decades ago to keep the Giants here.
"Hello. Yes, back in the 90s, I was mayor when the Giants were leaving to go to Florida, but we were able to keep them here instead. We managed to get a few good investors to keep the team, and I'm very proud. Whenever I see San Francisco on their jerseys, I feel very proud," said former San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan.
Luz Pena: "I love the fact that you are just here off to the side. People are coming to the game, and they don't even know the role you played here."
Frank Jordan: "It's perfectly fine. San Franciscan humility is a gift. I think it's the right thing to do, to me. I love baseball, always have."
Pushing to keep this legacy strong is the Giants CEO.
Luz Pena: "What are you hoping for 25 years from today?"
Larry Baer: "Twenty-five years from today, I'm just hoping that everyone would still be wearing orange and black and hugging their kids and say, 'I remember those days of Buster Posey and Madison Baumgarner and Barry Bonds."
As fans were welcomed back to the ballpark, they may have noticed some major renovations.
"The Coke bottle which is the iconic piece of art in this ballpark has a new LED label on it, so you're going to see some fun animation on it, you're going to see lighting overhang on the view level, it's called canopy lighting," Shana Daum, the senior vice president of Communications for the Giants said.
Other improvements fans will notice include new food and beverage areas, enhanced patios and plazas in the park, new souvenirs, not to mention the new food.
From a new bacon-wrapped elote hot dog, to a s'mores pretzel, a loaded potato complete with mac and cheese and two types of ramen.
VIDEO: Find these new foods at Oracle Park for the 2025 SF Giants season
"From the beginning, Oracle Park has been known for amazing food and beverage offerings, I mean you have to think, we're in the Bay Area, one of the culinary capitals of the world," Rachel Heit, the Giants' chief marketing officer said.
And this year, Oracle Park has a new focus on sustainability.
"We will be piloting a reusable cup on our club level, so all alcoholic beverages will be served in reusable cups that are then cleaned, sanitized and reused in future games," Heit said.
Now the next generation wakes up on days like this one thinking one thing:
"I went into my mom's bathroom and said let's go Giants," said 5-year-old Giants fan Franky Runnoe.
The Giants beat the Mariners 10-9 in extra innings.
