Latest news with #SanFranciscoGiants'
San Francisco Chronicle
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Glen and Duane Kuiper have a new gig: Private shows after Giants games
There's a bit of off-Broadway to the Gotham Club's latest entertainment at Oracle Park, a members-only occasion after the San Francisco Giants' Friday-night home games. But it's been a smash hit so far, as the Kuiper brothers talk baseball with a bunch of old friends. For Duane Kuiper, it's a special bit of family connection. For Glen Kuiper, it's a lifeline. 'Duane and I have never done something like this before,' Glen said by telephone this week, 'and it's a whole lot of fun. So far, we've had Will Clark, Dennis Eckersley, Dave Dravecky, Mike Krukow and Dave Flemming come join us.' (Ron Wotus will be among next Friday night's guests after the Giants-Braves game.) To say the least, Glen could use a bit of levity. His broadcasting career was abruptly terminated on May 6, 2023, when he was suspended by NBC Sports Bay Area for using a racial slur — an utterance he claims was purely accidental — during an Oakland A's telecast from Kansas City. Since then, he has concealed his outrage behind the gratitude of getting a chance — any chance at all — to get back on the air. He has appeared on Marty Lurie's KNBR pregame show, as well as Lurie's weekly Zoom calls inside the baseball community. This year, Duane approached Steve Revetria, who oversees Giants Enterprises and the Gotham Club, with the pair-of-brothers proposal. 'He thought it was a great idea,' Duane said by telephone from Miami, where the Giants opened a three-game series Friday night. 'I really appreciate the Gotham Club for allowing us to do this. We had to check all the boxes, making sure the Giants were OK with it, and (CEO) Larry Baer was like, absolutely. Go for it.' The Gotham Club shows are a private affair, without video or audio available to the public. Duane walks up to the club (adjoining McCovey Cove) some 20 minutes after his Giants' call is done, and the shows last about 40 minutes before 'a full dining room. I mean, it's packed,' Glen said. 'Who knows where it's leading? I think my best chance to keep working and call games again is with the Giants, someday. But I could be completely off-base there. It's just nice being back, not having to worry about what people are thinking about me. That seems to be a thing of the past, you know? 'What counts for me most is working with Duane,' he said. 'A lot of people sort of cast me aside over this thing, and he's been the good older brother, very protective. That means so much.' There are no shortcuts to a comeback for a broadcaster in Glen's position. 'The whole point is to get him to the ballpark, get him involved, make him as relevant as you can,' Duane said. 'He's getting back in the game at the proper pace, and people are digging it. I'm really happy the way it's going.' So what's the show called? 'Give my son, Cole, credit for that,' Duane said. ''Friday Night Kuips.''
NBC News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Giant rabbit 'Alex the Great' delights social media in his custom Mercedes
Bugs Bunny eat your heart out. Alex is Instafamous and he's got a license to drive. Known to his friends and fans as "Alex the Great," the 4-year-old Flemish giant rabbit lives in San Francisco with his rescuers, Josh Row and Kei Koc. With combined followings on Instagram and TikTok that number 100,000, Alex is a bona fide influencer. His fame has come through brand partnerships, celebrity meetings and appearances at San Francisco Giants' games. And his ride. He motors around in his custom-made wheels, a toy Mercedes-Benz that Row, a mechanical engineer, adapted so the rabbit can drive. "Once he figures out what everything does, he just takes off," Row said. The car originally had a "go" button that Alex could press, but Row switched it to a key ignition and electric bike batteries so children could not accelerate the car. Despite his current celebrity status, Alex was not born into the limelight. He was rescued from a meat farm in Modesto, California when he was three and a half weeks old. Row and Koc found Alex by chance, looking online for a Flemish giant rabbit in the area. They wanted a breed that was known for its docile temperament, so it could accompany them on their volunteer work. Since he was a year old, Alex has provided fluffy companionship as a certified therapy animal through the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He visits local hospitals, airports and charity events, and he's member of San Francisco International Airport's Wag Brigade. Alex has touched many lives, Koc said, bringing Instagram fans and even strangers to tears. Row's favorite experience with Alex happened a couple of years ago, walking down the street in San Francisco. He and Alex were stopped by a woman who began crying at the sight of the big furball. She told him that her father had recently passed away, and during the last two days of his life, spoke only of a giant rabbit that came to visit him in the hospital. The woman thought her father was imagining things, but a hospice nurse told her that, in fact, a rabbit had come to visit. Meeting the creature that brought her father so much joy in his final days brought her to tears, Row said. "We're helping other people in ways that we never thought that we could," Row said. But Alex's true claim to fame is being a "Bay Area sport fanatic," as his Instagram bio states. He first became popular in 2021 at San Francisco Giants' games as he was going through training for animal-assisted therapy. He now makes regular appearances hopping around the home turf at Oracle Park, greeting fans and foes alike. Alex even signed a contract with Topps, an American collectible company, for his own baseball cards, Koc said. In his spare time, Alex can be found cuddling with his owners and snacking on his favorite foods — organic mixed greens, spinach and endive. He enjoys traveling with his owners across the U.S., visiting metropolitan cities like New York, Chicago, Dallas and Seattle. Since Flemish giant rabbits typically live only 8 to 10 years, Koc said she hopes Alex will one day be remembered for the impact he's had on others. 'He's part of history for me,' Koc said.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet the Hoo Lee Gans! Giants fans help Korean star Jung Hoo Lee feel at home with fan group
Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, watch during a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) A fan of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, holds up the words to a fight song for Lee before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, middle, signs autographs for fans before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, pose for photos before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, greet fellow fans as they arrive before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, greet fellow fans as they arrive before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, watch during a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) A fan of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, holds up the words to a fight song for Lee before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, middle, signs autographs for fans before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, pose for photos before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Fans of San Francisco Giants' Jung Hoo Lee, who call themselves Hoo Lee Gans, greet fellow fans as they arrive before a baseball game between the Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jung Hoo Lee has sparked something special with San Francisco Giants fans — we're talking hair-on-fire levels of excitement. A group of them are going above and beyond to make the Korean center fielder feel welcome in the Bay Area. Advertisement Meet the Hoo Lee Gans. Lee has built an almost cult-like following at Oracle Park since joining San Francisco before the 2024 season on a $113 million, six-year deal. A standout player in South Korea, Lee's rookie MLB season was dashed by injury, but he's emerged as perhaps the team's best player this year. The speedy 26-year-old is starting to look like a star, and Giants fans have responded in kind. That's most apparent in the third deck at Oracle Park, where the Hoo Lee Gans fan group is growing by the homestand. Members are given T-shirts with 'Hoo Lee Gans' on the front, along with a fiery red and orange spiked wig. What originally began as a discussion between friends has developed into a movement that has attracted nearly 200 members and is still growing. The group even has a recruiting website. 'I brought this thing to life a month ago and it's taken off,' said Kyle Smeallie, who described himself as the lead organizer. 'It's been incredible the reception it's gotten, not just in San Francisco but around the world.' Advertisement It's easy to spot the group at the Giants' waterfront ballpark. It tries to organize trips to Giants games together, and once inside the ballpark, it routinely breaks out in chants in support of Lee whenever he steps on the field. 'I know of them,' Lee said through interpreter Joe Han. 'I knew that they were going to come to the game (Tuesday). They're a big motivation for me to play every day and put my best effort out there on the field.' Tuesday's game was Korean Night at Oracle, and the Hoo Lee Gans came prepared with a scripted Korean fight song. Lee signed autographs before the game and posed for pictures with fans behind the batting cage, flashing a smile that's become familiar to Giants fans. In the ninth inning, Lee brought the Hoo Lee Gans and rest of the crowd to their feet with a towering two-run home run. Advertisement The buzz around Lee harkens to a golden era of Giants baseball that included three World Series titles from 2010-14. Panda hats — an ode to fan favorite Pablo 'Kung Fu Panda' Sandoval — were the hot item then, along with jerseys for stars like Tim Lincecum, Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner and others. 'The Hoo Lee Gans are a group of die-hard Giants fans who love the city, they love the Giants and they love their favorite player, Jung Hoo Lee,' Smeallie said. 'It reminds us of the dynasty era. We had so many characters on (those teams), it was so much fun to watch. They had a great clubhouse spirit. 'We think Jung Hoo Lee is a big part of that this season. It's why we've been playing so well. He really brings people together.' The Giants play in baseball's toughest division, led by the reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers, but they're off to a surprising 25-18 start, just 2 1/2 games behind first-place LA, in part because of Lee's emergence. Advertisement 'I saw it some in San Diego with (Korean player) Ha-seong Kim, too, so he's being embraced the same way,' said Giants manager Bob Melvin, who previously managed the Padres. 'On top of that, he's a premier player. It's really cool to see each and every day the support that he gets here.' Smeallie initially wanted to put the fan club together during the 2024 season, but Lee suffered a season-ending injury early in the year, before the Hoo Lee Gans got off the ground. There is another section in the outfield bleachers reserved for the Giants-sponsored Jung Hoo Crew. Fans can purchase tickets to the section during weekend home games and receive an orange shirt with Lee's likeness on the front. 'He plays with a joy and excitement that I think we all resonate with,' Smeallie said. 'He loves the game, he loves the Giants and so do we.' Some of Lee's fans in Korea have reached out to the Hoo Lee Gans to voice their support. The fan group frequently refers to Lee as 'Grandson of the Wind,' a nickname that's carried over from Korea. Lee's father, Jong Beom Lee, was a speedy star in the Korean Baseball Organization known as 'Son of the Wind.' Advertisement 'He has a lineage of baseball greatness in Korea,' Smeallie said. 'The way that his father played and the way that he plays, so many people have been fans for many, many years. They've reached out to us to say how much it means that we've embraced him as one of our own.' ___ AP MLB:
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
"Hate to see it" – Fans upset as Blake Snell's IL stay extends longer than expected
Fans upset as Blake Snell's IL stay extends longer than expected (Image Source: Getty) San Francisco Giants' relief pitcher Blake Snell has been on the injured list (IL) and was expected to come back soon. Fans were eagerly waiting to watch him play more games this year. But now, his absence is lasting longer than anticipated. This news disappointed many fans who were looking forward to watching him play more games this year. The holdup has created a lot of discussion on the internet, with numerous people questioning what's really happening and when Blake Snell will eventually be back on the field. Fans respond with frustration as Blake Snell's recovery takes longer than expected Blake Snell, the skilled pitcher and past Cy Young Award recipient, hasn't pitched for the Giants in a while because of a left adductor strain . Initially, everyone believed that he would be gone for a short while. However, his comeback date still hasn't been determined. The fans and team were particularly looking forward to watching him pitch additional games this year since he joined the team, so this setback is a major disappointment. Most individuals online responded negatively to the news. One X (formerly Twitter) post by Talkin' Baseball displayed the latest news, and the responses were riddled with disheartened remarks. Some of his fans replied with statements like "hate to see it" and "That's a too bad," while others expressed doubts about whether there were some more serious issues with the management of injuries on the team. Blake Snell's future remains unclear as the Giants prioritize long-term health over a swift comeback The Giants have not indicated a specific date for Blake Snell's return. The team is saying they are being cautious so that he returns completely healthy, and they won't put him back on the mound until that happens. Sure, that sounds like the wise thing to do, but impatient fans are anxious. The staff already has other injury issues to contend with, and having a valuable pitcher like Snell leave makes it harder. Blake Snell has previously struggled with injuries, so this is not new. Nevertheless, everyone was expecting that playing for the Giants would be a clean slate for him. Now, everyone is just hoping he heals well and does not miss many more games. Also Read: Blake Snell's Absence From Talk Show Sparks Debate Over Priorities Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giants infielder Casey Schmitt will be sidelined for at least a month with oblique strain
Giants infielder Casey Schmitt will be sidelined for at least a month with oblique strain Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz (44) slides into first base after a pickoff attempt as San Francisco Giants first baseman Casey Schmitt catches the ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman, left, slides in the score on the single by Casey Schmitt as Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, right, waits for the ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman, left, slides in the score on the single by Casey Schmitt as Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, right, waits for the ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz (44) slides into first base after a pickoff attempt as San Francisco Giants first baseman Casey Schmitt catches the ball during the seventh inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) San Francisco Giants' Matt Chapman, left, slides in the score on the single by Casey Schmitt as Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto, right, waits for the ball during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt has a Grade 2 left oblique strain and is expected to miss at least a month. He underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed the diagnosis and was scheduled to be evaluated by team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki. Schmitt, injured in a batting cage during a weekend road series with the Los Angeles Angels that landed him on the 10-day injured list, is scheduled to be re-evaluated again at the end of this homestand this weekend. The 26-year-old Schmitt has played seven of his nine games at first base after changing positions this year. He is batting .174 with two RBIs. ___ AP MLB:
