The 2009 Giants are going green

April 2, 1:05 AMSan Francisco Giants ExaminerTheo Fightmaster

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the San Francisco Giants Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Same old Garlic Fries, new biodegradable trays. Photo: Theo Fightmaster

No, they’re not trying to trade for the Oakland A’s line up, but that would be a start. The Giants continue to be pioneers, in the sports world at least, on the stewardship front. 

For the past several seasons now the team has partnered with PG&E to make AT&T Park as environmentally friendly as possible.  Though I think they’ve taken their recycling program a bit too far with the Renteria signing.

The irony wasn't lost on me either, when I checked in and was handed 11 pages of news releases and menus; including an eight page packet discussing the organization's "green initiatives." Though, in all fairness, it was printed on both sides.

In all seriousness this is great.  They even have the first fully sustainable concession stand with the renovation of the Gilroy Garlic Fries stand in section 119 on the Promenade Level. Don’t fret, the fries are still delicious, my unwarranted fear was that they switched out the fries for asparagus, but thankfully that wasn’t the case. San Francisco Baseball Examiner, Claire Reclosado, goes into great detail about some of the new additions to the park and their promotional schedule for ’09, check it out.

Those in attendance also received a glimpse to the team’s new ad campaign for 2009 entitled “Let’s Play.”  It consists of four commercials (one has an alternate ending) starring Giants players. The ads were conceptualized around movie genres by the brilliant minds at the integrated marketing agency Swirl.  There was a fifth TV spot that didn’t fit into the movie genre theme, but had Barry Zito strumming the guitar to a sign holding Lou Seal.  There was something charming about Zito’s guitar playing when he was in Oakland, we’ll see how it translates now. But, after all, his personality was supposedly one reason the Giants invested in him.

The Giants have also added to their already stellar menu. Being a food critic sounds like a pretty cake job, but I sampled just three new items and was absolutely stuffed.  Though I do feel fortunate, it would have cost me a few bucks (to be kind)  to try the new dishes on my own. See the attached slide show for my full culinary critiques.

— —

Also today there was some big news regarding the San Jose Giants.  Wednesday the Giants purchased 25% of their Single-A affiliate.  Andrew Baggarly, as usual, expertly breaks down the acquisition.  Essentially it’s a move to reinforce the Giants' territorial rights to San Jose amidst the Oakland A’s efforts to find an eventual home.

Larry Baer had this to say "The South Bay is a major part of our operation and this reinforces that. We have fans, sponsors and baseball history there that runs deep. It was a logical extension of who we are and what we do."

Part of the deal includes an option for the Giants to acquire another 30% in 2010, which would equal a controlling stake in the team.

This is news due to timing. Only three days ago Major League Baseball and their fearless leader, Bud Selig, formed a committee to; "analyze ... the current situation in Oakland and the prospects of obtaining a ballpark in any of the communities located in Oakland's territory."

While the Giants claim this is merely an effort to further invest in player development and not a more contentious line in the sand.  We’ll see which it proves to be, but it’s likely a little of both.