Distant Perspective

The Giants swept the Rockies in a three-game series over the weekend and closed Colorado's division lead to one game.

Two hot dogs plus two sodas cost more than one cheap seat.

At Friday's contest we obtained cheap ($27 each) tickets high above home plate. Baseball is one of the few spectator sports where a distant perspective has some advantages. No, we couldn't see the sweat on Brian Wilson's brow, nor could we tell if his pitches were just off the corner.

On the other hand, we got a clearer view of the infielders positioning themselves for a bunt and the outfielders cheating towards the infield to cut off the runner trying to score from second base. (But we wouldn't have turned down closer tickets if someone had offered them.)

The Giants quickly spotted the Rockies a 3-0 lead but clawed their way back to a 3-3 tie in the late innings. When Freddie Sanchez singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth, we went home happy.

Willie Mays, perhaps the greatest player who ever lived, turned 80 on Friday.