Giants fans cheer World Series win
Thousands of fans crowded the San Francisco Civic Center plaza Sunday night to watch the Giants clinch the World Series on a hastily erected Jumbotron -- an undulating mass of happy humanity.
“No way was I going to miss this,” said Eric Reynolds, 42, of Walnut Creek. Reynolds was sitting in folding chairs with Shari Mofin, both bundled up against the chill of an October San Francisco night. “This is a great party.”
About a mile away, on storied Nob Hill, a neighborhood bar called Zeki’s was jammed and jumping.
The Zeki’s crowd went wild -- cheers of “Let’s Go Giants!” rang out across California Street -- when Ryan Theriot crossed home plate for the go-ahead run. And again when closer Sergio Romo struck out the first and then the second Detroit batter in the bottom of the 10th inning.
And when the final Tiger struck out and the Giants became World Series champions yet again, every hand in the house reached for the ceiling. An unintelligible roar rang out.
The bar cranked up Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” and the cars driving by honked and honked. Cable cars making their way down California Street rang their bells.
“I’m an L.A. boy, but it’s hard not to root for the Giants,” beamed owner Nick Rothman, as he tried to keep the celebration -- and the alcohol -- inside thepub.
“I am ecstatic,” said Justin Inman, who lives across the street, as he wormed his way out of the crowd. “I was an Angel’s fan. I’ve been converted. I was here when they won in 2010, and this is just as magical.”
Isaac Johnson, visiting from New York, was trying to figure out how cost effective the winning team was, compared with his favorite team.
“I’d be interested to see what the Giants paid for their payroll versus the Yankees,” Johnson pondered from the Zeki’s sidewalk. “I’m a New Yorker. Congratulations to the original Giants.”
He was referring to those who left Brooklyn behind to play their first season here in 1958.
For days, city landmarks have been bathed in orange, from City Hall and Coit Tower to skyscrapers and the historic Fairmont Hotel. All day Sunday, residents and visitors paraded around town in World Series champions shirts from 2010 and “Fear the Beard” tees referring to beloved closer Brian Wilson, on the disabled list.
A ticker tape parade is planned for Market Street on Wednesday, Halloween, another event that calls for the wearing of orange and black.
“The rain in Detroit couldn’t dampen the drive, talent and determination of the San Francisco Giants team tonight,” Mayor Edwin Lee said in a statement announcing the celebration. “Once again, the Giants brought our City together as we all cheered on our hometown heroes to another remarkable World Series victory.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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