Saturday September 6, 2008 was an important day in Giants history, with the unveiling of the Orlando Cepeda statue at 2nd and King Streets. Everyone who was anyone was there to honor the Hall of Famer, including Barry Bonds.
Giants unveil a Status for Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda
After the ceremony, Giants players, staff and families headed up to the Legends Club located in the AAA Club above Section 232. At the time, our Season Tickets were in Section 229.
As the game started, Rupert noticed Barry Bonds, dressed in a suit sitting on the Legends Club deck by himself. No-one else in the crowd had noticed the most prolific player in Giants history and the Greatest Player of All Time. He looked very different from his playing days without a baseball hat and jersey. He was enjoying a beer and and was not seeking attention.
Rupert, six at the time, asked if he could go and say “Hi!” to Barry. We had been Season Ticket Holders for four years and Rupert was on a first-name basis with many of the the Giants Ushers. “Of course, just be careful you don’t fall”.
Without a second’s hesitation, Rupert was running at full speed across sections 229, 230 and 231. He appeared in front of the Legends Club deck with both hands outstretched in a ‘hang ten’ pose yelling at the top of his voice “Barry, I love you, Man!” over and over again. Barry smiled wistfully and waved. By now a few fans had noticed his presence, thanks to Rupert and began applauding him.
Barry Bonds autograph’s Rupert’s (#13, R McIntosh) jersey
After the game, in which the Giants beat the Pittsburgh Pirates (Barry’s old team) 7-6, Rupert and I walked out of Section 229 into the AAA Club just as Barry was leaving the Legends Club. Rupert ran up to him and asked if he would sign his jersey. Bonds, a huge man, gently spun him around and autographed the back of his jersey before heading straight to a waiting elevator.
Suddenly, Rupert was a minor celebrity. Fans could not believe what they’d seen: Barry Bonds up close signing a little boy’s jersey. Rupert was beaming with pride. He was so happy to have met Bonds. He thanked him and told him he loved him. I was so grateful for Bonds’ kindness to a young child who’d grown up idolising him.
Rupert enjoys watching John Bowker’s Rookie Home Runs
On April 11, 2008, Rupert was six years old. We were at AT&T Park watching the Giants play the St. Louis Cardinals when John Bowker came up to bat for the first time in his Major League career. Bowker’s first hit was a single, followed by a three run home run. He went on to score seven RBIs against the Cardinals that weekend and became the first player in San Francisco Giants history to hit a home run in each of his first two Major League games. Rupert was impressed!
Rupert was playing his second year of baseball in Farm League for the Twin Cities A’s. When the time came to order his baseball trading cards, I asked him who was his favorite pro. “John Bowker, of course. He’s awesome!” I ordered the cards listing John Bowker, along with Rupert’s stats.
Bowker continued to perform at a high level , scoring the first grand slam of his career on June 7th and a two-run “Splash Hit” into McCovey Cove on July 2nd. Now all of San Francisco was impressed!
Matt Cain tosses Rupert a hot dog
As San Francisco Giants Season Ticketholders, we were invited to ‘Picnic in the Park’ on July 19th. The event was held on the field at AT&T Park and was an opportunity to meet players. Players were handing out beers and hot dogs and signing autographs.
We had taken several of Rupert’s baseball trading cards in hope of getting them signed by Major Leaguers. We lined up in one of several lines for autographs and waited to see which players would be signing. Imagine our surprise when John Bowker came out with a freshly-shaven head and sat at the autograph table at the front of our line. We waited patiently (which was not easy for a six-year-old Rupert!) and it was finally our chance. Hugo and Rupert walked up to the table and shook hands with John Bowker.
John Bowker Autographs Rupert’s card
Rupert handed him a trading
card and asked if he would sign it. Bowker smiled as he looked at Rupert’s toothless grin in the photo. He turned the card over and, shocked, asked “I’m your favorite pro?” Rupert replied “Yes, You’re my favorite Giant. You are awesome!” Rupert told him that he’d seen him score two home runs his Rookie weekend and the grand slam in June. Bowker asked if he could keep the card. We, of course, agreed and found another trading card which he autographed. Rupert was so excited to have met Bowker (far and above meeting any of the star players) and held tightly onto his autographed trading card.
Happy 13th Birthday Hugo!
Almost a year later, we were in Scottsdale, AZ for San Francisco Giants Spring Training. We had established a tradition of celebrating Hugo’s Birthday at a Giants Spring Training Game and he was turning thirteen on Friday March 27th. To mark this special occasion we had booked our trip through Giants Vacations, which included a tour of the Scottsdale Stadium followed by an exclusive BBQ with some Giants players. After watching the Giants beat the Cleveland Indians 10-2 and cheering Hugo’s 13th Birthday as it was flashed up on the scoreboard, we joined the tour of the dugout and the batting cages before heading upstairs to the BBQ. Hugo had brought a large 13th Birthday card to get autographed and the boys were both wearing their Giants jerseys. It was a beautiful warm evening sitting overlooking the field. Dave Fleming was in attendance and, after we’d all eaten, he announced the three players who would be joining us to answer questions and sign autographs: Barry Zito, Brian Wilson and Alex Hinshaw. Barry Zito was a star pitcher for the Giants, having signed a $126m contract in 2007, Brian Wilson was coming off a great 2008 season as the Giants closer and Alex Hinshaw had been showing great potential during Spring Training.
As soon as the Q&A finished, the boys ran to be first at the autograph table. Hugo holding his Birthday card, and Rupert holding a Major League Baseball. Everyone was in high spirits. The Giants were looking good for the upcoming season. Alex Hinshaw, Barry Zito and Brian Wilson sat at the autograph table and readied themselves for their eager fans. Since the boys were at the head of the line, Alex Hinshaw asked their names. No sooner had Rupert said his name than all three leaned forward and said “You’re Rupert McIntosh?” Alex Hinshaw went on to tell us that he and John Bowker shared an apartment and that Rupert’s baseball trading card was on their dining table! “John and I always eat
“You’re Rupert McIntosh?”
dinner with you!” he told us. Apparently, Rupert was well-known around the Giants clubhouse. Zito, Wilson and Hinshaw went on to autograph Hugo’s card, Rupert’s ball and both of their on-field passes. They also, generously, took several photos with the boys. However, my favorite photo of that moment will always be this one…
In May 2009, Hugo and I attended the Giants On-Field Photo Day. It was raining, but that did not dampen the spirit of the fans.
Again, Rupert had opted for John Bowker as his favorite pro. He was now playing Rookies for the Ross Valley Little League Twins and had his front teeth back! Rupert could not join us. He had asked Hugo to give one of his cards to Bowker, but Bowker was not among the players taking part.
Hugo and Barry Zito
After a long wait in the rain, Barry Zito made his way to our section of the crowd to take photos with fans. When he reached us, Hugo asked “Do you remember me and my brother from Spring Training? Rupert McIntosh?” Zito smiled and acknowledged him and they took a photo together. Then Hugo handed him one of Rupert’s new baseball trading cards and asked him to give it to John Bowker! Zito said “Of course” and slipped it into the back pocket of his baseball pants.
Barry Zito takes the card for John Bowker
I’m pretty sure that’s the only time Barry Zito has been asked to courier anything…especially for a seven-year old! He was, as always, very gracious.
Rupert’s Autographed card
John Bowker’s career with the San Francisco Giants ended on July 31, 2010 when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Javier Lopez. He was released by the Pirates in 2012 so he could pursue a career with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. We hope Bowker still carries Rupert’s trading card to remind him how he inspired a six-year-old and delighted thousands of San Francisco Giants fans.
I Am Rupert 