News
Giants express thanks to community
More than 300 events staged to show team's appreciation
By Chris Haft / MLB.com
11/25/09 4:38 PM EST
SAN FRANCISCO -- Batting .300 is something every hitter strives to accomplish. The Giants' community relations department achieved that goal in 2009, sans the decimal point.Shana Daum, the Giants' director of public affairs and community relations, estimated that the organization staged more than 300 events this year to benefit fans and draw them closer to the team. Some went relatively unnoticed, such as when a group would receive the opportunity to watch batting practice on the field. Other endeavors had a higher profile, such as the now-familiar Until There's a Cure Night and Strike Out Violence Day.
 |
As if to accent the ballclub's revived fortunes at AT&T Park, where the Giants posted the National League's best home record (52-29), the organization seemed to conduct at least one special event each day.
"We definitely made a more concerted effort to make sure we had a community group in the ballpark every game," Daum said.
What follows is a mere fraction of the Giants' community involvement.
The club reaped success with two new activities: the Junior Giants Stretch Drive and the Jefferson Awards Youth Service Initiative. The Stretch Drive, to which Hall of Famer Willie "Stretch" McCovey lent his time, launched a fresh push for support from fans and surrounding communities to help the Junior Giants program. The partnership with the Jefferson Awards Youth Service Initiative honored local high school students who made a positive impact in their communities.
Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt was the Giants' 2009 Jefferson Award nominee for Outstanding Public Service by an athlete. Among Affeldt's numerous good deeds was his support of Not For Sale, an organization that fights human trafficking.
Held in conjunction with the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative, the club's second Girls Day program, featuring a question-and-answer session with top female athletes, was an enormous hit. Daum pointed out that more than 500 girls were in attendance, compared to 70 last year.
The network of Junior Giants playing facilities kept multiplying, too, as center fielder Aaron Rowand and left-hander Randy Johnson dedicated baseball fields.
The baseball season has long been over and the calendar year is nearing an end, but the Giants are continuing to strengthen their community ties and commitment to charity.
Through Dec. 6, 14 road Giants jerseys, autographed by the participants in last month's Presidents Cup golf competition at San Francisco's Harding Park, are being auctioned at www.jrgiants.org. Proceeds will benefit the Junior Giants program and First Tee of San Francisco.
Ace reliever Brian Wilson will represent the Giants at the annual "Holiday Heroes" fundraiser, which benefits multiple Bay Area charities, on Dec. 7 at The Presidio's Golden Gate Club.
Left-hander Barry Zito, the Giants' 2009 nominee for the Branch Rickey Award, which recognizes professionals in Major League baseball for exceptional community service, will be busy as 2009 winds down, too. On Friday, he'll serve as honorary chairman for the Macy's Tree Lighting in San Francisco's Union Square that benefits the UCSF Children's Hospital. In short, he'll light the tree.
Zito will have another big day on Dec. 16, when he attends the Giants' Holiday Party for Kids at AT&T Park before hosting the Strikeouts For Troops Holiday Celebrity Bash that night at the Hyatt on Fisherman's Wharf.
Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
