Robert Oakman has been a friend since 1985. I coached his son Jeremy in "T" Ball. Bob and his wife were fond of the way I spent time with Jeremy to teach him the fundamentals of Baseball. Bob would later become a core member of the Strat-O-Matic baseball league I mentioned at the beginning of the blog.
Why do I consider Bob the Greatest Giant Fan ever?
Well as a prerequisite, he's always been there for the Giants. He always showed up on Thursday nights with either a Giant T-shirt or his Game day Jacket.
He defended Barry Bonds even when I knew it really hurt him.
But this is the story that makes Bob the greatest of fans that I know:
In the early 90's, Bob and another member of the league were driving home after an evening of playing "Strato". I have to mention that the board game is played with computer cards. And we all kept our cards together with rubber bands. Bob had his cards in his Giants Jacket.
Bob and Jim were driving home and stopped to pick up a 40 oz. or something on a hot Bay Area evening around 11:00 at night. This is in Oakland mind you. Not a good place to be at night. Especially if you're non-African American. But thinking they would only be in the quicky mart 30 seconds Bob left his jacket in the car with the window down. When he returned, his Jacket was gone.
Bob and Jim started patrolling the allies of east Oakland like 1 Adam 12. They see a black gentlemen with a Giants Jacket under his arm walking casually down the Ally.
The way the story goes; Bob (all of 5'6") jumps out of the car in very hot persuit. He chases the alleged perpetrator until he drops the jacket. He recovers his GIANTS JACKET , NOW he has to back track down the ally to find his team. He picks them up card by card.
Most people I know wouldn't even be in a neighborhood like that let alone chase after someone to reaquire their Giants Jacket. Had it not been a Giants Jacket and had his team not been in the pocket of that jacket, I doubt Bob would have risked his life.
I've never heard of a Giant fan showing such courage.
Bob; This badge is for you.
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