The San Francisco Giants have dubbed their quest for a World Series win "The Hunt for Orange October," and the city is jumping on board as the team heads into Game 1 tonight against the Detroit Tigers.
Mayor Ed Lee proclaimed this week "San Francisco Giants Pride Week," during which the team's flag will be raised over City Hall and a number of buildings will be lit up in Giants orange.
The buildings include City Hall, Coit Tower, the Ferry Building and the War Memorial Opera House. The city's official tree in front of the McLaren Lodge, on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, will also be lit up.
"The San Francisco Giants have put the 'Orange' in 'Orange October,'" Lee said in a statement. "Let's show our Giants pride in our schools, our businesses and in our homes to celebrate their quest to bring the World Series Championship back home to San Francisco."
Dorothy Garfield, 44, of Brentwood, a lifelong Giants fan, has had her World Series Game 1 ticket since the Giants were battling the Cincinnati Reds in the Division Series.
"It's been very difficult," Garfield said of watching the games and wondering if she'd be able to use her tickets. "I was pretty worried."
"All I kept thinking was this is the one time I can go, because I couldn't afford tickets in 2010," she said. When Marco Scutaro squeezed the ball, recording the final out in Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals and sending the Giants to the World Series, Garfield was elated.
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"All I could do was yell and scream," Garfield said. Fans are still buzzing with glee over that 9-0 win, and tonight's World Series Game 1 has sold out.
Tickets for the game can still be purchased on StubHub.com. Prices range from around $300 to $10,000. As of 1 p.m., a little less than 3,000 tickets were available on the site. Garfield purchased her two tickets on StubHub, spending about $1,300 total. She said she still has a budget left to get her and her son hot dogs during the game.
"I figured it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance," Garfield said. The area around AT&T Park is expected to be packed tonight. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is encouraging fans to take Muni, BART, Caltrain, ferries, taxis, or walk or bike to the ballpark.
Options offered by Muni include the T-Third and N-Judah light-rail lines, as well as the 10-Townsend, 30-Stockton, 45-Union-Stockton, 47-Van Ness and 83X buses. With the higher ridership, Muni is offering an additional eight Metro Baseball Shuttles and BART is running longer trains. Those transferring from BART to Muni can purchase round-trip Muni fares at the Embarcadero station.
Those planning to drive into the park can expect hefty parking prices. Parking at Pier 30 will be available for $40, and in Lot A, parking is $45, SFMTA officials said. From the seventh inning until the stadium clears after the game, there will be a number of street closures.
The closures will include Second Street between King and Townsend streets; eastbound King Street between Second and Third streets; and northbound Fourth Street between Channel Street and the Peter Maloney Fourth Street Bridge. Water traffic will be heavy in McCovey Cove, as it always is for big games at AT&T Park.
The Coast Guard urges boaters heading to the cove for the game to make sure they have safety equipment. All boaters should have life jackets for all people on board, flares, an emergency position indicator radio and an operational marine high-frequency radio to contact the Coast Guard in the event of an emergency, Coast Guard officials said.
The first pitch is set for 5:07 p.m. Barry Zito will take the mound for the Giants against Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander. "This is going to be a very, very difficult series," Garfield said. "I honestly think the Giants will pull it out in seven games."
The Giants are looking to repeat the magic they had in 2010, when they rode their pitching and clutch hitting to a World Series title over the Texas Rangers.
This year's run has been characterized by come-from-behind series victories. The team has bounced back from 0-2 and 1-3 deficits against the Reds and Cardinals to advance to the World Series.
