Just about every true Giants fan knows about "the Dawg," the scruffy looking man in the left field bleachers at every single game. A mainstay in section 139 since more or less ever, the Dawg endeared himself to fans - and not to mention broadcaster Mike Krukow - with his constant energy and ritual attendance. Get to the park at 5 p.m. for batting practice, and chances are the Dawg is there with you. He could track a ball to the bleachers like no one else. And that's a big reason why he's not there anymore.
Way back on May 12, the Giants were 22-15, sitting in first place in the National League West. They were up 5-0 on the Atlanta Braves when this happened.
That glove blatantly reaching over the wall and taking an obvious out away from Justin Upton? That's the Dawg. Interference was called, and the batter, Marco Scutaro, was awarded a double (not sure how he wasn't called out, but that's beside the point).
The Dawg was ejected from the game, such is the Giants no-tolerance policy for fan interference. But then, at the Giants next home game, the Giants told the Dawg he could no longer take his front-row seat. He would have to sit further back in the section, to ensure a repeat would not occur.
The Dawg was not having that, and has yet to return sense. Since then, the Giants are 23-40. Ryan Vogelsong broke his hand the very next home game, then Angel Pagan strained his hamstring a few days later. Over the next month, Santiago Casilla and Pablo Sandoval also saw time on the disabled list.
More disturbingly, that's probably the closest the Giants have come to hitting a home run at AT&T park since that incident.
The Curse of the Dawg is real.
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