Upon arriving at Rangers Ballpark, fan optimism heading into Game 4 of the 2010 World Series was high. After the Rangers offense finally came around during Game 3, the feeling was the Rangers were finally back on track and ready to even things up.
But the word from my inside source for Giants scoop, MLB Photos teammate Brad Mangin, was Madison Bumgarner would stymie the Rangers hitters, setting up a do-or-die Game 5 match up between Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum, a prediction that ended up being spot on. Bumgarner kept the Rangers off-balance all night long. Ask Vladimir Guerrero what he thinks of Madison Bumgarner. For those who are interested, Brad predicts a big game out of Cliff Lee. Another correct prediction will send us scrambling to DFW tomorrow morning to catch a flight back to beautiful San Francisco.
Typically, we try to rotate our photo positions game to game, and on this night I was assigned to the inside first base photo well. For me, this was a special treat since I shoot the majority of my baseball at U.S. Cellular Field and Wrigley Field, two ballparks where these positions don’t exsist. It’s a welcome change from shooting from the safe but boring outside positions, so I was psyched.
Unlike the regular season where photographers can usually photograph pregame activities from the field, the World Series limits that access. So shooting pregame can be challenging. Game 4 featured two ex-Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush throwing out the ceremonial first pitches. I was able to sneak a peek between security personnel and capture a few images. I don’t care what anyone’s political views are, I think moments like this are very cool.
Then it was time to play ball, and things started ominously for the Rangers when Andres Torres reached base on an infield single. The ball seemed to be bouncing the Giants way right off the bat.
Thankfully, Game 4 finally had some photo opportunities that included both teams. They have been few and far between this World Series. Some World Series seem to generated pictures every night, while others don’t offer diddly.
The 2004 Series between the Red Sox and Cardinals is one that comes to mind. I remember one double play in Boston. That was it. So tonight’s action was a welcome change of pace.
The Giants, led by Madison Bumgarner and Aubry Huff, controlled the game from start to finish. Buster Posey connected for an 8th inning solo home run to finish off the scoring and help move the Giants to within one game of winning their first World Series since moving to the west coast.
Game 5 is coming up in a few hours. The big question remaining to be answered is this. Will I be flying home or back to San Francisco tomorrow? I’m hoping San Francisco (since I love a 6 or 7 game Series), but my gut says home.
