Those watching Game 1 of the World Series in San Francisco on Wednesday night likely heard chants of, “Barry! Barry! Barry!,” yet Barry Bonds was nowhere to be found.
The chant instead rained down at AT&T Park because Barry Zito — whose $126 million contract has paid for six lackluster seasons in the Bay Area thus far — twirled 5 2/3 solid innings, and collected an RBI single as he outpitched Justin Verlander.
Following the base hit, which continued a trend of Giants pitchers driving in runs this postseason, the “Barry!” chants were as loud as they’ve ever been. That’s saying something for a city that cheered on Barry Bonds for 15 years, and play-by-play man Joe Buck made sure to point it out — only his joke didn’t quite land with analyst Tim McCarver.
“They used to say it for someone else around here,” Buck said of the “Barry!” chants, clearly in reference to Bonds.
McCarver couldn’t have agreed more, but his flashbacks of such chants instead included “Copacabana” performances rather than milestone home runs.
“When Barry Manilow was here at concerts,” McCarver said.
Buck quickly corrected McCarver, which sent him into hysterics as he quickly realized the obvious gaffe.
Off the top of my head, I can’t tell you whether or not Manilow ever performed in San Francisco — although I’m sure he did. What I can tell you, though, is that McCarver was likely in the front row, hammered drunk and enjoying every second of it.
Thumnail photo via YouTube screengrab
Photo of the Day
Well, Kung Fu Panda kicked the crap out of baseballs all Wednesday night.
Quote of the Day
Unfortunately, it looks like an 82-game season is not going to be a reality.
–NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, crushing the dreams of hockey fans everywhere
Tweet of the Day
There’s plenty of time for bamboo-eating in the offseason.
