Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Signs and Counter-Signs

Hunter Pence scoots home (SFGate photo)
Since his arrival in San Francisco two years ago, rightfielder Hunter Pence has been a fan favorite. Not only did his bat help the Giants win a World Series title in 2012, he became the club's morale leader. He cheers loudly for his teammates. He makes every play, regardless of the score, as if the game depends on it. The Giants rewarded him with a $90-million 5-year contract at the end of 2013.

Hunter Pence also is known for his quirks. He's constantly moving, whether in the batter's box or on the bases. (His twitchiness disconcerts the opposition, and more players probably haven't adopted his style because it doesn't look dignified.) He rides a scooter to AT&T Park, and its theft earlier this year (it was recovered a week later) became a minor cause célèbre.

But his biggest claim to fame may have nothing to do with baseball. On August 1st Hunter Pence tweeted "These pretzels are making me thirsty", an oft-repeated Seinfeld line, from a New York diner. It immediately spawned a cottage industry of playful insults--a few from the Seinfeld show but more often not---that greeted Hunter Pence in New York and every road ballpark since.

The Twitter hashtag is #HunterPenceSigns.


Hunter Pence admirers can get in on the act, too.

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