Jack Snow Is Thrilled to Catch His Son’s Act

Two games after his son showed up, Jack Snow made his World Series debut Tuesday, showing up behind the batting cage at Pacific Bell Park to cheer son J.T. while wearing a Giant jacket.

“I played in two NFC championship games, and neither one compares to watching your son in the World Series,” said Snow, who missed the first two games in Anaheim because he was busy as a broadcaster for the St. Louis Rams.

Snow said when the Giants defeated the St. Louis Cardinals to win the National League pennant, he celebrated more than he ever did as a Los Angeles Ram receiver.

“I jumped up and down in my living room shouting, ‘My son is going to the World Series,’ ” he said. “I’ve never had a feeling like that before.”

Snow, who left Southern California with the Rams and now lives in St. Louis, confirmed that he and J.T. have patched up old differences.

“There comes a time when every son gets mad at his dad, only you don’t hear about the other ones,” he said.

“What we went through was very normal. But we’re through it now.”

*

Two Giants, Jeff Kent and Snow, had the same role model: former Angel second baseman Bobby Grich.

Snow, who grew up in Seal Beach, got his first autograph from Grich.

“I still have that ball,” J.T. said.

Kent, who grew up in Costa Mesa, remembers his father, Alan, pointing out Grich as the shining example of how to play the game.

“I wanted to be like him,” Kent said, “a guy who got down to the nitty-gritty, got his uniform dirty, a grinder.”

Told of the remarks of Snow and Kent, Grich, an Angel from 1977 to 1986, said, “It gives me goose bumps. I am glad to hear they liked the way I played the game. I was never afraid to get my uniform dirty. That was just instinct.”

*

Barry Bonds hopes the Giants retain Manager Dusty Baker, and Hall of Famer Willie Mays does too.

Mays joined his godson in praising Baker, whose contract expires after the World Series.

“If I had my choice, I would definitely bring him back,” Mays said before Game 3. “If you look at the guys on the team, they respect Dusty, they know what their job is, they know their roles. Even the guys that are not playing seem to understand their role.”

Mays said Baker’s communication skills set him apart from the pack.

“Dusty is the type of guy ... he’ll tell you what’s on his mind,” said Mays, third on the all-time list with 660 home runs. “He can relate to the guys without any problems. But is Dusty going to be back? I don’t know because that’s up to the management. I have no control over that.”

*

Bonds and Bobby Bonilla were inseparable as teammates on the Pittsburgh Pirates and have remained close.

Bonilla, retired and working for the union, spoke with Bonds during batting practice and said he had never seen him so focused.

“He’s really soaking it all in,” said Bonilla, who played briefly for the Dodgers in 1998. “He’s stayed away from celebrating because he wants the ultimate thing. The ultimate thing is the ring and he definitely has that in focus.”