Giants fans can be forgiven for being underwhelmed by Major League Baseball’s choice of the Mariners as their favorite team’s opponent in Tuesday’ home opener at AT&T Park.
The Mariners, with the ignominious distinction of owning the longest current postseason drought in major pro sports, may not excite Bay Area fans much, but it wasn’t always that way.
In fact, 29 years ago Tuesday there was considerable buzz at the Oakland Coliseum when 19-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. made his much-anticipated major league debut. He was “The Natural,” a kid who everyone agreed was destined for greatness.
“Junior” didn’t disappoint in his first at-bat against A’s ace Dave Stewart in the first inning, ripping a double into the gap in left-center.