San Francisco Giants fans enjoy home opener despite loss to Rockies

ByMike Shumann and Wayne Freedman KGO logo

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Tim Lincecum, Bruce Bochy and Buster Posey carry the San Francisco Giants World Series trophies from the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons in San Francisco, April 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, Pool) — Tim Lincecum, Bruce Bochy and Buster Posey carry the San Francisco Giants World Series trophies from the 2010, 2012 and 2014 seasons in San Francisco, April 13, 2015.
kgo-AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, Pool

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- More than 40,000 enthusiastic fans attended the San Francisco Giants home opener at AT&T Park on Monday. The Colorado Rockies spoiled the team's latest World Series championship celebration with a 2-0 win.

Adding to the loss was the price fans had to pay just to park to watch the game. Some lots close to AT&T Park charged up to $100.

There's nothing like a home opener in any sport. Especially in baseball, it seems almost magical with all their traditions.

The pregame festivities at AT&T Park were quite a scene. The entire team walked out from centerfield. Pitcher Tim Lincecum, manager Bruce Bochy, and catcher Buster Posey carried the World Series trophies from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 seasons to the infield and placed them on the podium for everyone to see.

Remember when pitcher Madison Bumgarner wanted to ride a horse during the championship parade? Well, he got to do that on Monday. The World Series MVP hopped on a police horse to carry the championship flag through the outfield warning track. He handed off to Matt Cain and members of all three World Series champion teams took it the rest of the way: Tim Lincecum, Jeremy Affeldt, Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla, and Javier Lopez. Catcher Posey was in the bullpen warming rookie pitcher Chis Heston.

"Well I mean, I could probably say I'll probably never get a chance to do that again," Bumgarner said. "I don't know if anybody's done that before or not. But it was pretty interesting. And it was fun to do in front of the fans here at home. We had a good time with it."

PHOTOS: San Francisco Giants celebrate Opening Day at AT&T Park

"It was a nice day out there," Bochy said. "We were supposed to have some jumpers, but it was a little too windy. So, Madison came to show by getting on the horse. The players had some fun with it."

Unfortunately, the pregame festivities were the highlight of the day because the Giants offense couldn't score runs. They left 12 men on base and had two bases loaded opportunities. Heston did his part and gave up only two runs.

Despite the loss, the thousands of fans who attended Monday's game arrived and left in high spirits.

"It's my happy place," one fan said.

As if the Giants didn't' already have enough banners. Monday was all about seeing that third one going up. Fan Derek Diaz and his father purposely bought seats in left centerfield so that, when the time came, they would be only a few feet away to witness the flag being raised as confetti cannons exploded with glittery ribbons of decoration.

Four daughters of Lon Simmons threw out the ceremonial first pitches following a videoboard tribute for the Hall of Fame broadcaster, who died April 5 at age 91.

San Francisco Giants players stand as former announcer Lon Simmons, who died on April 5, 2015, is honored before a game in San Francisco, April 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

The team also honored Bridget Klecker during a moment of silence before the game. Klecker, a longtime Giants fan, was hit and killed during a police pursuit Friday night at California and Kearny streets in San Francisco. She was an innocent bystander as several suspected robbers tried to get away from police. Police are still looking for those suspects.

Click here for full coverage on the San Francisco Giants.