It was a great day for Giants fans from all over.
And at Chukchansi Park, the mood of the stadium reflected that of the players celebrating a third World Series championship in five years.
The start of the game, however, was quite different. Those who attended felt a combination of anxiety and anticipation.
“I think we’re all a bit nervous,” Giants fan Stephanie King said. “You come this far into the season, and the thought of losing it all is pretty terrifying, but I’m still hoping for the best.
“I told myself whoever would win Game 6 would win Game 7,” Javier Molina said. “I guess you could ask why I’m here if I’m expecting them to go down — but none of that now. It’s do-or-die time.”
While the turnout was small in the beginning, fans slowly began to arrive with each inning. With them, there was a stronger sense of pride in their team.
From the elderly woman clapping her hands and screaming every time something good happened for the Giants to the group of kids jumping up and down when the game ended, the fans were active as each inning progressed.
“It’s just a great time for me and my family to be out and support our team,” David Mitchell said. “We’ve been to a couple of games, and none of us ever thought they’d end up where they are.”
Fans were also nostalgic to bring up their first Giants memory and why they believed they could win it all.
“I went to the game when Hunter Pence did his signature ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ speech,” Jose Garcia said. “Before that, I really didn’t expect much. I’ve been a believer ever since.
“I remember watching my first game when I was 10,” Monica Santos said.
Another fan, Joseph Aguilar, remembers the Giants’ last championship in New York.
“I watched the games back when they won it in 1954,” he said. “It’s been an interesting ride as a Giants fan, and now we’re close to making history again. It’s a great feeling.”
As the game reached the ninth inning, anticipation reached its peak, as everyone in the stadium was standing from their seats. It reached fever pitch once the Royals seemed on the verge of tying it in the ninth with a runner on third base and the crowd began to boo.
The end of the game was followed by excited screams and yelling which lasted a good five minutes. Everyone hugged and celebrated, which also could’ve been partly due to the lack of Royals fans in attendance.
“We’re back on top, baby! Nothing sweeter,” Aguilar said.