New Giants hit all the right notes at FanFest
SAN FRANCISCO >> Austin Jackson botched one lyric, but other than a brief slip, the three newest members of the Giants hit all the right notes.
With spring training on the horizon, the Giants hosted their annual FanFest on Saturday at AT&T Park, where thousands gathered to interact with franchise veterans but also to greet the players who joined San Francisco this offseason.
From Andrew McCutchen expressing his passion for beating the Dodgers to Evan Longoria previewing what local charities he’s interested in supporting, the new assets the Giants hope will hit the high notes showcased their range in front of fans who vocalized their encouragement.
Though Jackson referred to his new home as “San Fran” — a mistake that drew a few cringes from locals — the eight-year veteran wound up nailing the chorus when he endeared himself to fans with a recap of his 2012 World Series experience with the Detroit Tigers.
“I just admire the classiness of this organization,” Jackson said during a Q&A with fans.
“You know, being here in 2012 and getting swept in the World Series. I know for me, I would have had champagne on the field, probably taking my jersey off, running around, not this organization. They’re such a classy organization and they showed respect to us.”
McCutchen and Jackson took the stage with Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy, who received a hero’s welcome even after his club dropped 98 games a season ago. The trio fielded questions ranging from “What’s your pregame ritual?” to “Who’s your favorite Giant of alltime?” — an inquiry that would never stump Buster Posey or Hunter Pence but might flummox an athlete relocating from across the country.
For Jackson, it was no sweat. He chose Barry Bonds or Willie Mays.
For McCutchen, his “Say Hey Kid,” answer drew a roar from the crowd.
The Giants rolled out Longoria with veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford and pitcher Ty Blach, and while Longoria’s new teammates had the advantage of being drafted by the Giants organization, the club’s new third baseman didn’t miss a beat when given a chance to elaborate on the local baseball tradition.
“The organization is completely first class,” Longoria said. “They’ve taken care of me and my family and it’s been really nice, and you know, this kind of welcome and fanfare, stuff like this I didn’t experience for 10 years, so it’s nice to be able to have stuff like this.”
Longoria, who spent 10 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, and McCutchen, who played nine years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, are accustomed to being the center of attention, and on Saturday, Giants fans did their best to make them feel like stars. It’s different, though, when seven to 10 other players, including a journeyman like Jackson, are receiving the exact same treatment.
Each of the Giants’ three newcomers took a trip down memory lane, recalling moments from their careers when they either faced or played with some of San Francisco’s fan favorites.
Jackson detailed the Tigers’ encounter with Tim Lincecum in the 2012 World Series, when the Giants’ righty entered from the bullpen to shut down Detroit. Lincecum pitched twice across four games, throwing 4 2/3 combined innings of no-hit ball and, in Jackson’s words, making sure the Tigers knew “it was over.”
Longoria mentioned his conversations with former Giants’ third baseman Matt Duffy, who talked up the franchise even after being traded away to Tampa Bay in the summer of 2016.
“As soon as I got traded over, (Duffy) was quick to reach out to tell me how much I’m going to enjoy playing here and how much he’ll miss me,” Longoria said. “He was excited for me.”
For McCutchen, one of the most rewarding aspects of stepping into the box at AT&T Park is that he won’t have to face Madison Bumgarner, who has retired him in 16 of 19 career at-bats.
“You don’t want to look (Bumgarner) in the eyes,” McCutchen joked. “You stare at everyone else.”
For the most part, the Giants’ new additions played all the hits on Saturday, warming up to fans with the types of smiles and laughs that didn’t exist in the clubhouse during the latter half of last season. Even when Jackson did miss a beat, it was McCutchen who jumped in to correct him on the best way to stay on fans’ good side.
“Someone let me know on Twitter not to call it San Fran,” McCutchen said.
The optimism flowing out of AT&T Park wasn’t as cautious as you’d expect for a club coming off a lastplace finish, which might provide the Giants with a false sense of security heading into workouts in Scottsdale, Ariz.
The team still isn’t sure who will play center field on a daily basis, which pitchers will lock down the final two spots in the starting rotation, and whether the club has enough bullpen depth to navigate a rigorous National League West.
FanFest, though, wasn’t a time for the Giants to consider their flaws. Instead, it offered a chance for players to express their confidence in the existing talent, highlight the strengths of a roster that still has weaknesses and sound off on the possibilities provided by the start of a new year.
“We’re not lacking anything now,” Longoria said.
No one sang the chorus better than the new voices in the choir.