Giants Opening Day: Were YOU There?

There may not have been enough rope on the banner pole for all 42,000+ fans to give a tug, yet we all felt as though we had a hand in the hoisting of the World Series banner on Friday. That's because the Giants organization made sure everyone at the Opening Day Ceremony felt like they were a part of the championship team's success.

Check out our PatchClip video of the banner being raised!

And in keeping with the "there's no 'I' in team" mantra that the Giants professed throughout their 2012 championship season, there wasn't one superstar to solely trot the flag across the outfield to the right field ladder then across the promenade to the naked pole--even the delivery of the huge banner was a group effort.

A San Francisco Fire Department rescue boat dramatically delivered the banner to the shores of McCovey Cove where it was accepted by a group of average-Joe fans who in turn ran it onto the field at AT&T Park, to be greeted by the G-men themselves. The fans exchanged the banner for hugs, kisses and high fives from the player who then made the ultimate run up to the pole. Like a group of giddy Little Leaguers, a half-dozen players (led by Matt Cain—who else?) hoisted the orange and black flag proclaiming "2012 World Series Champions" to the now familiar Queen tune, "We are the Champions." It will now fly in San Francisco's stiff breezes for all the world to see.

Of course, the Opening Day ceremonies included more than the banner raising. The Jersey Boys sang the "Star Spangled Banner," as an enormous American flag was unfurled across the playing field, and silver streamers crackled above the scoreboard. Roars of applause greeted for Giants manager Bruce Bochy as he broke through the center field fence carrying the World Series trophy above his head. He was followed by his team—from trainers and bullpen catchers to starters and non-starters alike—all of them rock stars.

And the voice behind the festivities? John Miller, of course. May he never, ever retire.

It doesn't get old, and will never get old—hearing the words "World Series Champions" and for those of us lucky enough to be at the home opener on Friday, the Giants organization did everything they could to make every fan feel a part of the celebration.

Patch ran into fans from across the Peninsula at Opening Day—from San Mateo officemates whose kind boss said "take the day off," to San Carlos's mayor Bob Grassilli and Belmont's city treasurer John Violet and his wife Marie.

The (orange) icing on the cake? Barry Zito—now known as the man who wins big games—pitched seven scoreless innings and gave the Giants their first home win of the season.

Onward Giants. We're getting used to this.

Were you there? Tell us about it in the comment section below, and as always, we welcome your photos--simply click the "Upload Photos & Videos" tab above to share them with Patch readers.