Giants felt championship energy throughout the win over Pirates originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The atmosphere at Oracle Park on Saturday night felt quite familiar for many fans and players in attendance.
What ultimately ended up as a 2-0 win for the Giants over the Pittsburgh Pirates capped off what had been a special day celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the 2012 World Series team.
That same championship energy permeated throughout the ballpark, offering the 2022 team a reminder of the dynastic history the organization has and serving as a blueprint of the fortitude, chemistry, and unwavering belief in one another that is required of a championship ball club.
“I was listening, and I was laughing at all their stories,” Giants starter Logan Webb told reporters postgame. “It’s always good to see some of those guys that I’ve met before and talked to before.
“Those guys did it, they did it for a while and hopefully that’s something (that can be a blueprint) of what I’m trying to accomplish and all the guys in there are trying to accomplish.”
Not only did the presence of greatness bring out the best in the Giants, but the fanfare and energy in the ballpark offered manager Gabe Kapler’s squad a reminder of what still is possible if San Francisco can make a late-season push for one of the final NL Wild Card spots.
“I thought it was very cool, very well done,” Kapler said. “Obviously, it was nice to see some of the players that I have relationships with and cool to see the Brandons part of that as well.
“I actually felt pretty grateful for the energy that the fans brought today. It’s kinda nice to look up there in the middle of the summer and see a packed house — and obviously, that has something to do with the reunion, so nice job by our organization putting that together. It was really encouraging to see that level of support.”
Webb (W, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K) fed off the energy as much as anyone in the Giants’ clubhouse, and it showed on the field. With a dominant performance in a low-scoring game, reminiscent of a Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, or Madison Bumgarner, Saturday night was another playoff-like atmosphere for the 25-year-old, who, in addition to two playoff starts, is becoming familiar with the environment.
“Definitely,” Webb said when asked if it felt like a playoff atmosphere. “I got to pitch on Opening Day and it was kind of like that. I got to pitch when Buster [Posey] had his ceremony, so it was kind of that same energy. I didn’t pitch Will Clark’s (ceremony), but I got to pitch today and it feels, when there’s that crowd energy, it feels like a playoff game.”
Not only are the current Giants commemorating one of the organization’s most iconic teams, but they’re doing so with two prominent members from that championship team still on the roster to this day. For LaMonte Wade Jr., the energy certainly was felt on Saturday night, but also, so was the excitement for teammates Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt.
“It was good, they were loud and really behind us all game,” Wade Jr. told reporters. “Electric and we definitely feed off it and appreciate them for sure.
“Definitely excited for those guys, those guys achieved so much and been through so much. Great team guys and just shows their hard work that they’re still here playing today.”
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Since the All-Star break, the Giants’ chances of sneaking into the playoffs have become less and less likely, although still far from impossible.
Oddly enough, many of the former players who took the field before the game know a thing or two about overcoming adversity and rising to the occasion. If the Giants are to turn things around and make a run at October, what better way to start than with a little inspiration from one of the most inspiring teams in franchise history?
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