Success often breeds higher prices, and Opening Day at AT&T Park was no exception. Up to the day of the game, I waited for online ticket prices to drop to a level I was willing to pay, but despite some late movement by a few desperate sellers, they never did, with the cheapest seats remaining at about $100 apiece. I heard later that parking near the ballpark cost nearly that much in many of the nearby garages, so I was happy to have spared my wallet such a debacle.
The pregame ceremonies were great as on the previous two occasions. You can see them here: http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/42930092/v72181883/colsf-giants-celebrate-2014-world-series-title/?cid=sf
The San Francisco Giants also played a game afterward and picked up right where the 2014 team left off. Unfortunately, it was not the World Series Game 7 winners they emulated but rather the team that was leaking oil and dropping engine parts in most of the games not pitched by Madison Bumgarner. Their lineup gave a limp performance in losing to the Rockies 2-0, and I was glad not only to have missed it but to have avoided the indignity of having paid the equivalent of a car payment for the experience. Things are not looking good for the G-men at present. Their disabled list has already done a brisk business, and even Bumgarner got shelled on Saturday. It’s hard not to think that the Giants are experiencing their post-championship hangover exceptionally early this year, and at this rate the season might descend to garbage time in a matter of weeks.
There may be a bright side to this, though. If enough casual fans drift away, there may be a desirable correction to the markets, and baseball will resume its place as the most affordable of pro sports. One can only hope.
Tonic for the Soul: Raising the Flag on Opening Day (2013), By Chuck Strom
