Bay Area Believers: Celebrating Giants Fandom

Baseball season looms large in the minds of San Francisco Giants fans. The Orange Nation undoubtedly stands tall behind one of MLB’s oldest and most decorated franchises with eight World Series titles, 23 league pennants and an unprecedented 66 Hall of Fame inductees including Willie Mays and Willie McCovey. In all, the G-Men’s stature can only be matched by the passion of their fan base and the stadium containing both at Oracle Park on the San Francisco Bay.

Put San Francisco Giants fans into scale by learning more about the team’s history, home game traditions and more below.

What it Means to be a San Francisco Giants Super Fan

The Giants are a foundational fan base by definition, successfully establishing the first MLB teams in both New York City and San Francisco. Despite the championship pedigree set by the New York squad before their move in 1958, the S.F. Giants and their fans were forced to build a new legacy amidst a 56-year title drought. Finally, the Bay Bombers stormed back into prominence for three World Series titles in five years between 2010 and 2014.

Outside of the game, the San Francisco Giants participate in the local community with philanthropic efforts like the Giants Community Fund and fan engagement initiatives such as the Giants Fan Council. For the most dedicated followers, the organization offers travel packages to select away games, and at home, the team regularly hosts fan events for all ages. Check out a current list of fan-centric programs on the team’s website.

San Francisco Giants Fans on Gameday

Games at Oracle Park offer spectacular sights, whether guests are taking in clear views of the Bay Bridge and downtown San Francisco or trying their luck to catch a home run ball via boat in McCovey’s Cove outside the stadium. For Giants baseball fans though, nothing tops the action on the field.

Before first pitch, gather with fellow supporters for tailgating in Lot A or in the stadium’s designated 415 fan section. While the base has built a reputation for being one of baseball’s most vocal groups, they’re more determined to be counted as the Giants logged a 530-game sellout streak at home between 2010 and 2017.

Sounds of the stadium include cheers led by longtime mascot Lou Seal, the Giants’ fight song “Bye, Bye Baby,” which plays for every home run, and the late Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” after home wins. The latter performed the signature number several times for Giants fans at home.

Opponents can count on a heavy presence from the San Francisco Giants when it comes to games in the Bay Bridge Series against the Oakland Athletics and contentious matchups with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Merch collectors and willing theme night participants should also check out the Giants’ 2024 promotional schedule to not miss select home games with special fan events and giveaways.

Memorable Moments in San Francisco Giants Fandom

Giants history is led by some of the most memorable plays in all of professional sports that are passed down with singular nicknames like “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” and simply, “The Catch.” Both occurring in the New York Giants era, the former featured Bobby Thomson’s 1951 National League pennant-clinching walk-off home run, while the latter marks an improbable defensive maneuver by Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series, which The Orange and Black later won.

The Giants’ more recent title runs have also yielded legacy-securing moments, like Pablo Sandoval’s three home runs in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series and Travis Ishikawa’s three-run, walk-off homer in Game 5 of the 2014 NLCS.

Aside from superior gameplay, the San Francisco Giants were notably competitors in the 1989 World Series, which was delayed by 10 days following the disastrous Loma Prieta earthquake. Coincidentally, the Giants were facing the neighboring Oakland Athletics, who ultimately won the series.

Famous San Francisco Giants Fans

The California baseball franchise naturally attracts some major star power, though many celebrity San Francisco Giants also hail from the Bay Area. The famous base includes members of Metallica and The Grateful Dead, comedians Rob Schneider and the late Bob Saget and actors Colin Hanks and Benjamin Bratt. Vice President Kamala Harris is an Oakland native and counts herself among Giants fans, along with athletes such as the NFL’s Joe Montana, George Kittle and Steven Young, the NBA’s late Bill Walton and Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

During the 2020 season, the Giants filled Oracle Park seats with fan cutouts with everyday people and celebrity Giants fans who have called the Bay Area home, including Carlos Santana, Ali Wong, rapper E-40 and country artist Tyler Rich.