San Francisco Giants’ Thairo Estrada celebrates his game-winning, RBI double to score Matt Chapman in a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres, Friday, April 5, 2024, at the home opener at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO — In succession Friday afternoon, three of the biggest names to be brought on board over the winter were introduced as Giants for the first time at Oracle Park. There were no shortage of cheers for Blake Snell or Jung Hoo Lee, but the most raucous reception was reserved for Bob Melvin.
As his name was announced by Hall of Famer Jon Miller, a video of Melvin crossing his arms appeared on the center field scoreboard, giving the 70-foot-tall version of the manager an almost omnipresent vantage point on the ballpark he now calls home in the community that he always has.
“I was hoping we’d win, obviously,” Melvin said.
Check, 3-2, in walkoff fashion.
“I wasn’t expecting the thing on the scoreboard,” Melvin continued. “For me, it was a little much. I appreciate it, but that’s not something I. want to see. It went on a little too long for me.”
Born in Palo Alto and raised going to games at Candlestick Park, Melvin had experienced Opening Days in San Francisco as a fan and a player. He had watched the festivities at Oracle Park as a manager in the opposite dugout. The Giants went 2-1 in home openers when he was a catcher from 1986-88, but lost Melvin’s first.
Back in uniform as a manager, he didn’t have to wait to celebrate this time.
“It’s our first win as a team, as an organization. Some new coaches, some new players here, so it was pretty rewarding that it happens on a beautiful day here,” Melvin said. “Opening Day, all eyes are on the Giants on that day. You really want that day to be a good day and a win and to have it in walkoff fashion like that felt pretty good.”
Ringing in another Opening Day in the Bay Area, Melvin said it brought him back to his days at Candlestick. He reveled in the emotion “for like an inning,” he said, “Just the nerves of Opening Day, being here again, being in this uniform, packed house here. … Then, as the game goes along you get lost in the game.”
The walkoff win improved the Giants’ record to 3-5, still two games below .500, but life is good so far under the new skipper.
“He’s a baseball man,” Thairo Estrada, who delivered the decisive hit, said in Spanish. “He likes to play small ball. He likes to play base to base. The type of game that I like. You can tell that he likes to be aggressive. He knows what he wants to do, and we’re going to go ahead and give it to him. So, yeah, I enjoy playing for him.”
Jordan Hicks, who completed seven innings for the first time in his career, credited the trust he has with Melvin through an open line of communication for aiding his success as he transitions from the bullpen into a starting pitcher.
When he was seeking a new home in free agency, Hicks knew he wanted the opportunity to start and chose the Giants because “I wanted the team that felt the most honest about actually giving me a true shot.
“I do know he had (Seth) Lugo and they transformed him from a reliever to a starter, and he’s at my agency,” Hicks said. “So I trusted that I was going to get a real shot and the opportunity I was seeking.”
When Hicks was out of gas after the fifth inning in his first start, he relayed that message to Melvin, who got action going in the bullpen. When Melvin checked in with Hicks after the sixth on Friday, the manager listened when his starter said he was still rolling.
“We just have that open communication,” Hicks said. “I have no complaints. I like him as a person. Obviously there are going to be times this year where I don’t want to be pulled and he pulls me. But I think as long as we stay open and honest we’ll be in a good spot.”
Notable
Catcher Joey Bart homered in his first at-bat with the Pittsburgh Pirates, sending a chest-high fastball 410 feet into the left-center field seats at PNC Park. The former second overall draft pick was designated for assignment last week and traded to the Pirates when the Giants needed to clear space on their 40-man roster.
“Good for him,” Melvin said. “I’m glad he got an opportunity quickly.”
RHP Sean Hjelle threw 10 pitches over one scoreless inning Friday at Single-A San Jose in his first rehab outing and is scheduled to make a second appearance Saturday. … RHP Alex Cobb had a follow-up appointment with team doctors and Melvin reiterated that the flexor strain in his elbow is “pretty mild,” though they had not set a date for him to resume throwing.
Originally published at Evan Webeck