7.11.05

F I R S TP R E V267NEXTLAST

Juan's Windup, China Basin
Today is opening day for the San Francisco Giants. Fans of the team will recognize the famous high leg-kick windup of ex-Giant great, Juan Marichal. In the early 60s Latino players were a rarity in MLB, but not for the Giants. In 1962 their roster featured not only Marichal but also Orlando Cepeda, Jose Pagan, Manny Mota, and the Alou brothers, Felipe and Matty. However Marichal and his Latino teammates experienced racism on road trips such as being barred from theaters and restaurants. Marichal, the nine-time all star, fought through such harassment to become the winningest pitcher of the 60s, winning at least 21 games, six times in a seven year span, and became the only Dominican member of baseball's Hall of Fame. The Giants honored Marichal with this statue outside the ballpark in May of last year. To mark the occasion the home team wore jerseys embalzoned with 'Gigantes' instead of 'Giants' for the entire home stand.
[ MAP I-16 ]


1 comments