Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants stands in left field with a 2010 World Series Champion sign on the ball behind him against the Cleveland Indians during the game at AT&T Park on June 26, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

When the San Francisco Giants take the field on opening day April 6, 2012 in Phoenix one player whom Giants fans have been quick to adopt will not be with the club. Cody Ross will not be wearing the orange and black. After general manager Brian Sabean made several roster moves this winter the outfield is set, and there is no place left for the free-agent outfielder who is looking for a multi-year deal elsewhere. During his 154-game stay with the Giants over two seasons Ross made a huge impression on Giants fans by helping to lead the club to the 2010 World Series title and by lightening up AT&T Park with his smile.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Cleveland Indians during the game at AT&T Park on June 26, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

On August 22, 2010 when the Giants claimed Ross on waivers from the Florida Marlins it was a mere footnote in the paper. The second place Giants were simply blocking the first place San Diego Padres from picking up Ross, so they claimed him. The Giants really didn’t need Ross at the time- or so they thought. I did not know much about Ross since he played in Miami and I did not get much of a chance to see the Marlins. I knew he had a beautiful right-handed swing and that he was a streaky hitter. Right after the trade I spoke with my good friend, Florida-based sports photographer Tom DiPace. Tom told me what a fan-favorite Ross was in Miami. He told me he would be great in San Francisco. “Just you watch,” DiPace told me.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Oakland Athletics during the game at AT&T Park on Sunday, May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

When Ross arrived in San Francisco there was no fanfare. He hit .288 down the stretch in only 73 at bats. He hit three homers and definitely showed signs of his streak hitting- mostly the bad side. Ross hit 24 homers for the Marlins in 2009, so I knew he had some pop. However, we didn’t see much of it in September as the Giants scratched and clawed against the Padres for the division crown.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants drops his bat and runs to first base against the Cincinnati Reds on Satuday, June 11, 2011 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Heading into the post-season all Giants fans were looking for someone to get hot with the bat and carry the club. Known for their great pitching, the Giants still struggled to score runs. Fans were looking to Buster Posey or Pat Burrell to get hot. Maybe Juan Uribe would be the guy. NOBODY was looking to Ross to lead the offensive charge. He hit a big home run in Game 4 of the NLDS in Atlanta, and as the club headed to Philadelphia to play the first two games of the NLCS against the Phillies it appeared that Ross was getting into one of those hot streaks.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game at AT&T Park on September 11, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The Giants were facing an uphill battle in Game 1 going up against ace right-hander Roy Halladay. Halladay is a monster on the mound and the Giants were just hoping their ace Tim Lincecum could keep the Phillies close so they would have a chance. Ross came through and quieted the Philly crowd by crushing a long home run in the top of the third inning to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead. You know when Ross is locked in at the plate and rips one. He has a little hop-step out of the box as he drops his bat and heads to first when he really connects. This was one of those times.

Cody Ross #13 of the San Francisco Giants runs the bases against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the game at AT&T Park on September 11, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

When Ross stepped up to the plate in the top of the fifth inning he did it again! Solo blast to left in the exact same spot of the bleachers. Now the crowd was stunned and the name “Cody Ross” was trending nationally on Twitter. By the time the Giants held on to win 4-3 the tone had been set. The Giants came to down and beat the Phillies ace, thanks to Ross. After the Giants won the series in six games Ross was named the series MVP. As the Giants headed home for Game 1 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers, Giants fans could not get enough of Ross.

Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants makes a play in left field during the game against the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park on Sunday, June 5, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Ross cooled off a bit in the World Series, but it did not matter. The Giants beat the Rangers in five games and Ross was the toast of San Francisco when the team came home for their victory parade. Fans everywhere were wearing “Ross is Boss” t-shirts. There was a mutual love affair going on between Ross and the fans. People figured that he would be an opening day starter in the outfield in 2011 and start the season where he left off in 2010. Unfortunately things didn’t work out that way.

Cody Ross of the San Francisco Giants slides into home scoring on Juan Uribe's RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game Two of the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park on Thursday, October 28, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

Ross got hurt during spring training, started the season on the disabled list, and never really got going in 2011. The team didn’t hit or score any runs for their great pitching staff and Ross was part of the problem. Maybe too much was expected? I dunno. The entire team kinda sucked and he was right there with everyone else. By the time this winter rolled around the Giants ran out of money quickly and never even offered Ross a contract for 2012. “The Giants were definitely my No.1 choice,” said Ross. “I was looking at any possible scenario, any way, anyhow. Give them a hometown discount, whatever to help their payroll. But they would not commit to more than a year. “It’s sad because I really wanted to come back. They never made me an offer,” Ross told beat writer Andrew Baggarly in his Extra Baggs blog.

“Ross earned himself a place in the Giants’ pantheon of heroes – somewhere not too far from Dusty Rhodes, I’d imagine – and, oh yeah, a lifetime of boos whenever he sets foot in Philadelphia. There’s pride in that,” wrote Baggarly.

“I absolutely loved playing there,” Ross said. “I loved every moment of the 2010 World Championship and those memories are something that can never be taken away from me,” Ross told Bagggarly.

I hope Ross plays for a team in 2012 that comes through AT&T Park to play the Giants. I want to see and hear the thunderous roars that will great him. It should be a special moment- and one he richly deserves.

New York Mets pitcher Kris Benson throws against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland, California on June 16, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Winter time can be a bummer. It gets dark at 5pm. The weather is cold. There are no baseball games on television. I need something else to watch on TV to pass the time after I put in a hard day in the office working on my blog and playing with my cats. Lucky for me VH1 has cranked out an awesome new reality show that is causing much excitement around the Mangin household. That’s right sports fans, I am glued to my 50″ Panasonic every Wednesday night catching every minute of “Baseball Wives.” There have only been two episodes so far, but I am hooked!

Don’t get me wrong, I know the show is trashy as Hell. Situated in the baseball mecca of Scottsdale, Arizona, this show follows the formula of other “wives” reality shows by orchestrating plot lines that put together bitchy women who have one common thread running through them. In this show that thread is that they have had a relationship with a big league ballplayer at one time or another. Some of them are even STILL married to real ballplayers!

Put these women together in a Hummer limo, Scottsdale nightclub, or fancy house for a cocktail party and sparks are bound to fly. Cliques have been formed and hatred abounds. As I watched last night’s show I really started to wonder, who are the baseball players behind the “Baseball Wives?” I can’t believe that these guys are very happy about seeing their wives, former wives, or former girlfriends telling tales out of school about them.

Lets take a look at the guys behind the gals. There is only one place to start, and that is the man behind the villain of the show, Anna Benson:

Kris Benson

New York Mets pitcher Kris Benson throws against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland, California on June 16, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Kris Benson is still married to Anna, his wife who became more famous than him during his days of toiling for the Pirates, Mets, Orioles, and other squads. in 2004 Anna, the former stripper, posed for the cover and a spread in FHM magazine and was named “baseball’s hottest wife.” In an interview with Howard Stern later that year, she vowed that if her husband ever cheated on her she would take revenge by sleeping with the entire Mets organization. Awesome! Needless to say Anna’s husband must be used to being married to his controversial wife, but I wonder what he thinks about the show?

Matt Williams

Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants smiles while taking batting practice before a spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Matt Williams is on third wife, and her name is Erika Monroe Williams. The good news for him is he has an insanely awesome 20,000 square foot house in the Scottsdale area and a nice job coaching with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The bad news? His wife is looking pretty ridiculous on “Baseball Wives.”

Portrait of Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants in the dugout during a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1993. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I covered Matt for his entire career and he was always a classy guy who will forever be beloved in San Francisco. He has been through a few troubled marriages, and I can’t see how this show will help his current one. Erika got off to a rocky start in the premier episode while hosting a cocktail party for the other “wives.” How cool it would have been to see Matt wander through the kitchen looking for a beer. No dice. What we got was the beginning of a verbal cat fight that spilled into episode two.

Matt Williams of the Arizona Diamondbacks in action during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona on April 7, 2001. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

For Matt’s sake I hope that things slow down for Erika on the show and that Anna stops beating up on her. For the show’s sake it would be great if she keeps causing trouble!

Jason Kendall

Jason Kendall of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California in 2002. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Jason Kendall, the recently retired catcher’s ex-wife Chantel Kendall has a checkered past and is a very polarizing character on “Wives.” Jason always seemed kinda goofy when I photographed him. He was a real hard-ass with the A’s and helped them to their great season in 2006. I never saw Chantel at any of the family softball games at the Oakland Coliseum. I can’t imagine how entertaining that would have been!

Jason Kendall of the Oakland Athletics wipes his face with a towell while sitting in the dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers in Oakland, California on September 24, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

After two shows it seems that Chantel hates pretty much every other “Wife” with the exception of a surprise guest we will learn about down below. Also- her skinny arms and tattoos scare me.

Mark Grace

Mark Grace of the Chicago Cubs flips his bat after striking out against the San Francisco Giants at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1998. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

First of all I was surprised to hear that Mark Grace was ever married. He was always a great interview on the Jim Rome show during his playing days talking about “slump busters” and strip clubs. I learned that he USED to be married in the first episode of “Wives.” Tanya Grace is Mark’s ex-wife and one of the more outgoing stars of the show. The avid golfer met Mark when she was a golf cart girl.

Mark Grace of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, California in 2001. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Mark seems to have a good sense of humor and is a local TV broadcaster for the Diamondbacks. I wonder what he thinks of seeing Tanya on “Wives.” I bet he kinda gets a kick out of it!

Ron Villone

Ron Villone of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on April 13, 2008. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Ron Villone’s current wife Brooke Villone has come out of the first two episodes pretty unscathed. Brooke is a model with a really long neck and seems to stay out of everyone’s business as she hangs out with some of the looser women on the show.

Nyjer Morgan

Nyjer Morgan #1 of the Washington Nationals gets ready in the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on May 27, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The nutty Nyjer Morgan has the unfortunate task of being the former boyfriend of the youngest star of “Wives” Jordana Lenz. Lenz is a young and trashy stalker who went to the Milwaukee Brewers team hotel during the 2011 NLDS whole Morgan and the Brewers were in town to play the Diamondbacks. She practically chased him into the elevator! She complains that once Morgan got to a good team he dumped her. The thinking here is that T. Plush can do much better than Lenz.

Chuck Knoblauch

Chuck Knoblauch of the Minnesota Twins bats during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The best part of last night’s episode was the arrival at Scottsdale Airport of Cheri Knoblauch, the current wife of Chuck Knoblauch. Cheri was picked up by her good friend Chantel Kendall and they instantly plotted how there were gonna harass nemesis Anna Benson. Anna has been a bitch to Chantel and Cheri has come to town to save the day. It seems that Cheri and Anna know each other from the 1990′s when Kris Benson pitched for the Pirates and Cheri was dating his teammate Brian Giles. You just know that sparks will fly when they get together, and I was not disappointed last night. In a future episode Anna will supposedly attack Cheri with 12 inch dildo!

Chuck Knoblauch of the New York Yankees turns a double play at second base (forcing out Miguel Tejada) during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California in 1998. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Knoblauch was a good ballplayer and a former World Champion with the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees. I can’t imagine that he is too thrilled to have his wife on this show, but who knows? Maybe they need the cash!

Brian Giles

Brian Giles of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in Francisco, California on August 7, 2003. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Brian Giles won a big court decision against his ex-girlfriend Cheri Olvera (Knoblauch), who had sued him for more than $10 million in 2008. Giles allegedly abused Olvera and the jury also awarded Giles the return of the $107,000 engagement ring he purchased for their canceled 2007 wedding. During the trial Giles testified that he didn’t strike his girlfriend at a bar in Phoenix in 2006 – testimony that contradicted witness statements to Phoenix police. But wait- it gets better.

Brian Giles #24 of the San Diego Padres bats against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on April 22, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Giles suggested in his testimony that the 2006 incident was a case of Olvera being drunk. He said Olvera “often falls when she’s intoxicated” and wearing high heels. Giles’ attorneys tried to portray the case as part of a pattern by Olvera to pursue rich men for money to satisfy her lavish lifestyle. Olvera testified she was currently engaged to Chuck Knoblauch. Olvera also testified that while living with Giles, she had someone to help her shop, an occasional driver, housekeepers and a woman to blow-dry her hair for $100 each time. AWESOME!

Brian Giles of the San Diego Padres bats against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on May 2, 2006. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Well, there you have it. The men behind the women. I hope you enjoyed this run down of the active and in-active roster players who have laced’ em up with the “Wives.” Next Wednesday night- VH1. Don’t miss it!

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals loosens up in the on deck circle against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The news hit me over the head early this morning when I woke up listening to my co-author and buddy Brian Murphy on KNBR radio. Free agent Albert Pujols, who had been rumored to be going to Miami, Chicago (Cubs), or staying home in St. Louis, had shocked everyone by signing a massive 10-year contract for $250 million to play for the Angels in Anaheim. Oh man. What a shock! This made me happy. I hate it when the big star players sign with east coast teams that train in Florida. By signing with the Angels I would have the chance to photograph him in Arizona during spring training and in Oakland many times each season. When Pujols played with the Cardinals I would only see him once a year in San Francsico, thus missing out in the chance to photograph one of the all-time greats.

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals plays defense at first base against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Soon after the Pujols news broke it was announced that the Halos had also inked star lefty free agent pitcher C. J. Wilson to a five-year deal. The Angels have instantly become the team to beat in the American League West by assembling an insane pitching staff that will have great run support. You know the phone lines at Angel Stadium are jammed right now with fans wanting season tickets for 2012.

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the San Francisco Giants during Opening Day at AT&T Park on April 8, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

My favorite Pujols memory took place in late October when I had the chance to photograph him belting three monster home runs in Game 3 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. I was shooting from third base that night near the Cardinals owners box. The section of red-clad folks from St. Louis were going crazy with each and every bomb Pujols hit. They got their World Series championship several days later, but are suffering through a sad day today. Pujols is gone and he aint coming back. I can’t wait to shoot him at Tempe Diablo Stadium in March!

Andres Torres of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Philadelphia Phillies during Game 5 of the NLCS at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Last night the San Francisco Giants sent outfielder Andres Torres (along with Ramon Ramirez) to the New York Mets for outfielder Angel Pagan. This was not a shock after Torres had a down year in 2011, but I know there are many Giants fans today who are sad to see the Giants former center fielder leave for New York.

Andres Torres #56 of the San Francisco Giants sits in the dugout during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at AT&T Park on September 19, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Giants fans will never forget how important Torres was to their 2010 World Series Championship team. Torres played center field and held down the lead-off spot for most of the year. His smiling face, blazing speed, and brilliance in the outfield helped spark the Giants to their unlikely title. Torres was so important to his teammates that he was voted by them as the 2010 winner of the “Willie Mac Award.” This award is given annually to the Giants player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership consistently shown by Willie McCovey throughout his long career.

Andres Torres #56 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Boston Red Sox during the game at AT&T Park on June 25, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Torres is one of those rare players in the game of baseball who is a genuinely nice guy. “What a joy he was to be around. He was one of those guys who never had a bad day. He always enjoys being around people and he’s so thankful for everything that’s happened to him in his career,” Bruce Bochy told Giants beat writer Andrew Baggarly.

“I’ve always believed the players who resonate with fans are the ones who simply appreciate what they have and what they get to do for a living. They never button up a jersey without a little bit of lightness in their chest. I’m not sure I’ve ever covered a player who was more grateful, more genuine than Andres the Giant,” Baggarly wrote in his blog Extra Baggs today.

Andres Torres #56 of the San Francisco Giants slides home safely against the Oakland Athletics as A's catcher Kurt Suzuki #8 applies the late tag during the game at AT&T Park on Sunday, May 22, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I always enjoyed shooting Torres. He is a switch-hitter who looks good from both sides of the plate and is always running around the bases hard and sliding all over the place. He also has amazing smile that is always on his face, especially during batting practice. Torres gave all he had with the Giants and the fans loved him for it. Last year was a bummer for him, and his bad numbers helped convince Giants brass that he was expendable.

Pablo Sandoval and Andres Torres of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at AT&T Park on August 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

One of my favorite things about Torres when he wore the orange and black was the way he would jump in the air with teammate and roomie Pablo Sandoval on the field after each Giants win (see above). This was always a can’t-miss nice picture that seemed to look good no matter where I shot it from. I hope Torres find a willing partner in New York to celebrate with after each Mets win.

Andres Torres of the San Francisco Giants holds up the World Series trophy and celebrates after the Giants' 3-1 victory to win the World Series over the Texas Rangers in Game Five of the 2010 World Series at Rangers Ballpark on Monday, November 1, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos)

My favorite image of Torres, and one that will always be in my mind when I hear his name, is the picture above of him holding the World Series trophy over his head in Texas. The joy on his face, and the love for his teammates is so apparent in this picture. Andres The Giant is now Andres The Met. New York fans will LOVE him. Giants fans- you have until July 30, 2012 to figure out how you will welcome Torres back to AT&T Park when the Mets make their only visit to San Francisco this coming season. I have a feeling he will get a standing ovation.

Angel Pagan of the New York Mets waits in the on deck circle against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on Sunday, July 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Everyone knows the Giants will have to do all they can in 2012 to get by with great pitching and a mediocre offense. There is no money for them to go out and get a big thumper like Albert Pujols. They have to mix and match, dump salaries, do some creative math, stay healthy, and catch lightning in a bottle to get back to the playoffs again. They took a big step in that direction late tonight by sending Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez to the Mets in exchange for center fielder Angel Pagan. Do I have any pictures of Pagan in my archive? You bet!

Angel Pagan #16 of the New York Mets enters the dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on July 18, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

What does this trade do for the Giants? Well, they sent two guys coming off poor seasons to the Mets in exchange for a lead-off guy coming off a sub-par year at Citi Field. Who knows what will happen in 2012, but as of now the Mets feel that Torres might be a defensive upgrade in center field as Pagan made 10 errors for them last season. Pagan is a few years younger than Torres and stole 32 bases last season. Pagan might be the real lead-off guy the Giants have been looking for.

Bats belonging to Angel Pagan of the New York Mets sit in the bat rack in the Mets dugout before the game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park on Sunday, July 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Torres will be missed by the fans in San Francisco. He will forever be in their hearts as a key cog in the 2010 Giants World Series run. He won the Willie Mac Award that year and is only expendable because of the down season he had in 2011. He hit only .221 over 348 at bats and never got it going after pulling a hamstring on the second game of the home season on a cold Saturday night in April. The Giants wore their special gold-lettered versions of their uniforms celebrating their World Championship status on that night, and it was bad luck for Torres.

Angel Pagan #16 of the New York Mets bats against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on July 18, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

One thing is for sure, I will now have another new guy to shoot at AT&T Park in 2012, and that is always a fun thing. As for Ramirez? He was terrific down the stretch in 2010 after a late- season trade. However, he never got it going last season and was expendable. As usual, I see the Giants having an unsettled outfield next season, mixing and matching every day depending on who is pitching, who is hot, who is not, etc. Sound familiar?

Utah Jazz radio announcer Hot Rod Hundley poses with a set of golf clubs in front of his house in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 15, 1991. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

It is always a great feeling to go through old pictures and stumble upon an assignment that was completed many years ago that I had long forgotten. Memories of that day come roaring back and I am immediately back in time working that shoot again. I have had many of these experiences lately as I continue to comb through my old slides with the goal of getting the good stuff scanned, captioned and uploaded to my online archive. A recent discovery had me going back 20 years to the days when I was on staff for The National Sports Daily. On this particular day in March of 1991 I had the pleasure of hanging out with legendary Utah Jazz broadcaster “Hot Rod” Hundley.

Utah Jazz radio announcer Hot Rod Hundley poses in his Salt Lake City, Utah home on March 15, 1991. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The spring of 1991 was a great time for me. You could call it the “salad days” of my one year stint in the big leagues as a National staffer. In March of 1991 I set out on one of the best road trips/assignments of my life. At the beginning of my two-week journey I spent a seven days in Arizona covering spring training for the first time and had a blast. From Phoenix I flew to Salt Lake City to shoot the first two rounds of the NCAA men’s hoops tourney, shooting teams like Seton Hall, BYU, Arizona, and Creighton. After that I flew to Las Vegas to shoot the Mike Tyson vs. Donovan “Razor” Ruddock fight at the Mirage with fellow staffer Chris Covatta. What a whirlwind tour! Wedged in the between the two rounds of the NCAA tourney in Salt Lake City was the shoot I want to talk about today: my day with Hot Rod Hundley.

My credential for the Jazz game at the Salt Palace that I used to photograph Hot Rod Hundley broadcasting the game.

We were doing a feature on the famous broadcaster, so I arranged to spend some time with him at his house, and then go to a home game that night at the Salt Palace to shoot him doing his job. My editor gave me some instructions on what to shoot at the house, mainly his refrigerator that was empty, with the exception of dozens of cans of Budweiser. Of course, this is the one picture I cannot find to show you. It was AMAZING! Hundley did not cook at home and liked to pound the ol’ Budweiser. What a fun guy!

Before becoming a household name as a basketball broadcaster Hundley had a good playing career in the late 50′s – early 60′s with the Cincinnati Royals and Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers that ended early in 1963 because of bad knees. In 1974 he became the first radio and television voice of the expansion New Orleans Jazz. He followed the team to Salt Lake City in 1979, where he became as celebrated as a broadcaster as he was as a player. During his time in New Orleans Hundley became very close friends with Pete Maravich. Maravich had only been dead for three years when I met Hundley, and since I was always a huge Maravich fan he told me some great stories about their friendship.

After shooting pictures at the house it was time to head to the arena where I would shoot him broadcasting the game. Of course, those pictures were not that exciting, but the trip to the Salt Palace was well worth it for the fun post-game activities. After the game Hundley had me follow him into the Jazz TINY locker room. I hung out as he talked to John Stockton and other players. Of course I was young (26) and still figuring out what I was doing having so much fun and getting paid to be there. Before we left Hundley dipped his hand into a an ice bucket full of cans of Budweiser. “Want a beer?” asked Hundley. “Sure!” I said. I got to pound some Budweiser with Hot Rod Hundley in the Jazz locker room. It was 20 years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday, thanks to the pictures I still have from that day.

Photographer Brad Mangin poses on the field after the San Francisco Giants last game at against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on September 30, 1999. (Photo by Martha Jane Stanton)

I love Candlestick Park. I always have. I always will. When I was a kid growing up in the 1970′s it was the home ballpark for my team- the San Francisco Giants. What kid doesn’t love the hallowed ground where their heroes play? Even if your heroes were Mike Ivie and John Tamargo, like me. They wore the orange and black and played for my team on the faded, rock-hard, lime green Astroturf that covered the field. I could never imagine the Giants playing anywhere else. I figured I would grow old watching the Giants play at The Stick. Either that or I would have to follow them on television as they played in Toronto or Tampa Bay. You see, everyone but me seemed to hate the place. Bobby Murcer was the first guy I really remember complaining about the wind and the cold, but he certainly wasn’t the last. It became apparent that if I wanted to grow old watching my team play in San Francisco they would have to get a new yard, but that was NEVER gonna happen.

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE IT BIGGER) I designed a new Giants park by putting a dome on Candlestick and calling it the "George Moscone Dome" in April of 1982. This was an assignment for a drafting class during my junior year in high school. This project won me a first place blue ribbon at the Alameda County Fair that summer.

Night games at Candlestick were so cold my dad would only take my sister Paula and I to day games. By the time I was 12-years-old in 1977 I was desperate to get to a night game. As a kid I wanted to see what the ballpark looked like at night! I finally dragged my dad to a Tuesday night Phillies game in July of that summer. Man was it cold! However, the home runs by Tim Foli and Randy Elliott warmed us up as the Giants somehow beat ace lefty Steve Carlton.

Marvin Benard of the San Francisco Giants watches the last pitch ever thrown at The Stick during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on September 30, 1999. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Things were so bad in the early 1980′s that San Francisco mayor Dianne Feinstein proposed putting a dome on the old park. I took this idea a step further by putting a dome on The Stick myself as a final project for Mr. Franchi’s drafting class my junior year at Washington High School (see above). When the team won they would get a few fans out at the park, but during normal years they would only get a few thousand for a night game against the Expos. This could not continue if the team wanted to compete in the marketplace for talent as players salaries kept going up and up.

Dave Kingman, Mike Ivie and Rich Murray of the San Francisco Giants gather at first base after the final game ever played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on September 30, 1999. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

After owner Bob Lurie could not get a ballot measure passed to build a new park either in San Francisco or Santa Clara he finally sold the club to new owners, led by Peter Magowan in December of 1992. The new owners were not messing around. They finally got a stadium ballot measure passed in San Francisco allowing them to build a $240 million privately financed park in China Basin. Ground breaking took place on December 11, 1997. It was finally gonna happen!

Fans of the San Francisco Giants celebrate after the final game ever played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on September 30, 1999. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

The new yard, Pacific Bell Park, was slated to open in April of 2000. This meant that Candlestick would have it’s own farewell tour- every home game during the 1999 season. I became very nostalgic as the season wore on. The final game would take place on September 30, 1999 against the Dodgers. This day would be very special for so many reasons. I was assigned to cover the game and festivities for Sports Illustrated. The Giants media relations department was super classy as they realized what a big deal this was. They issued special 5 x 7 inch laminated credentials just for the final game (see in picture at top).

Manager Dusty Baker of the San Francisco Giants holds up home plate next to owner Peter Magowan and CEO Larry Baer after the final game ever played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on September 30, 1999. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Of course the game meant nothing that glorious fall afternoon in The City. It was all about the park, and I did my best to try and tell the story of the final game at the old “pigsty” as former 49ers owner Eddie Debartolo once called it. Once the game ended on a Marvin Benard infield grounder at 4:35pm the fun began. It was a thrill to see all the former players trot out to their positions one last time in Giants jerseys. I got chills down my spine when the crowd chanted “Ivie – Ivie – Ivie – Ivie” for Mike Ivie as he ran out to first base (see above). After the introductions and the final pitch by Willie Mays home plate was removed to be delivered by helicopter to the new park (see above). This long day was coming to an end and I got a little sad.

Photographers shoot a grounds crew worker taking a pick-ax to the mound on the field after the San Francisco Giants last game at against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California on September 30, 1999. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I had the pleasure of shooting this assignment with the great V.J. Lovero. After the game V.J. told me to get some dirt to save for myself. I got two film canisters and put dirt from the mound in one and dirt from home plate in the other. An era had ended and I still could not believe they would never play at Candlestick again.

Because I am a little nutty and am always thinking about baseball and photography I have dreams every once in awhile that the Giants are going back to The Stick to play a weekend series against the Dodgers. I get so excited in my dream and call my editor at the magazine Nate Gordon to tell him the big news. I get fired up to shoot baseball at the great old yard one more time. It was a great place to work, but I was too young and dumb back then to take advantage of all it had to offer. If I could go back to a Giants game there one more time I would do so many cool things.

Thanks Candlestick Park. You taught me to love baseball, and you taught me how to photograph the game I love. I will never forget your place in my life.

Actor Wesley Snipes wears a San Francisco Giants uniform as Bobby Raybrun as he films a scene for the motion picture "The Fan" before a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

You never know what you might find when you go through thousands of slide pages representing almost 20 years of shooting sports. As I have been working on my ongoing archiving project I have been through my slides many times looking for the best stuff to get scanned. Each time I go through my old stuff I pull some different chromes. Sometimes it depends on the mood I am in. Sometimes I pull goofy stuff just so I will be the only human being on the planet with a nice collection of Marvin Benard images. During my recent captioning binge in which I added 510 images from old chromes into my archive I came upon some stuff that made me smile. That’s right movie buffs, I know have seven nice frames of actor Wesley Snipes in my archive playing Bobby Rayburn while filming scenes from “The Fan” at Candlestick Park in 1994.

Actor Wesley Snipes wears a San Francisco Giants uniform as Bobby Raybrun as he films a scene for the motion picture "The Fan" before a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I remember reading about this movie that was coming out surrounding a prickly superstar who played for the San Francisco Giants. The obvious comparisons to Barry Bonds were apparent from the start when the plot of this film became public. The Hollywood folks said no, but all you had to do was look at the way Snipes acted in the movie and see his earring to imagine this film being renamed “Crazy fan tries to kill Barry Bonds.”

Actor Wesley Snipes wears a San Francisco Giants uniform as Bobby Raybrun as he films a scene for the motion picture "The Fan" before a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

My mind is pretty sketchy sometimes and my memories of shooting these images of Snipes during filming before a few Giants games in the summer of 1994. I do remember him going up to the plate in some real bad light around 12:30 as they tried to lighten his very dark face with a big fill card (see below). I shot a few frames of this scene from the the first base photo well at Candlestick and wondered how they could possibly make Snipes look like a good ballplayer. He had earlier played Willie Mays Hayes in the fun movie “Major League” but all he did in the film was run around and look terrible at the plate. I was anxious to see this movie come out, but I would have to wait a few years before it’s release on August 16, 1996. You bet I went to the theater to see this!

Actor Wesley Snipes wears a San Francisco Giants uniform as Bobby Raybrun as he films a scene for the motion picture "The Fan" before a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1994. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

This was a BAD movie. Oh sure, I got a kick out of it. It was fun seeing my Giants on the big screen in real uniforms playing in a torrential downpour at The Stick. Snipes WAS Barry Bonds, and Robert Di Nero as the crazy fan was nuts and scary. Mandalay Entertainment and others spent $55 million on this picture, and only saw $18,573,791 in  box office returns. OUCH.

Somehow the folks at Major League Baseball signed off on this script and allowed the film to use their trademarked logos and colors (uniforms) to make the film look real. I am sure they were horrified when the film came out and they saw how bad this movie was. How could MLB ever be involved in such a creepy film that did not celebrate the game? I can promise you that someone got in big trouble over this, and it will never happen again.

Where is Bobby Rayburn, I mean Wesley Snipes now? He is currently being held at the Federal Correctional Institution, McKean, a medium security federal prison in Pennsylvania, and is scheduled for release on July 19, 2013. Why is he there? For willfully failing to file federal income tax returns. If anyone out there is doing a rags-to-riches-to-rags documentary about Snipes let me know. I can hook you up with some exclusive images from my archive!

SHOT WITH A NIKON F4 AND A NIKON 500mm 5.6 MIRROR LENS ON FUJICHROME 100: Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees pitches during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California on May 10, 2003. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Do you remember the last time you shot film? I am not talking about having fun with a Holga or shooting some fun 2 1/4 black and white to harken back to the old days when photographers had to slow down and think before they pressed the shutter button. I am talking about a PAID assignment for a client who requested that you shoot film. I remember the last time I shot film like it was yesterday, but it was almost nine years ago. Saturday, May 10, 2003 to be exact. Yankees at A’s. 44,486 butts in the seats. Roger Clemens on the mound.

Sports Illustrated was doing a big feature story on Clemens as he was (supposedly) nearing retirement. There is only so much you can do with a pitcher throwing  a ball, so in order to try and get something different my editor asked me to shoot Clemens pitching in this day game in Oakland with a mirror lens. The Nikon 500mm 5.6. I had used mirror lenses before and knew that we needed the cool “donut” effect in the background. In order to make this work you need a park where the fans are close to the ground so their colorful circles fill up most of the background. A park with a high wall down the right field line would not work.

Austin, Texas-based lifestyle, sports and portrait photographer Darren Carroll wrote a great blog post explaining the fun things a mirror lens can do for you a few weeks ago. He gets real hard core and even involves math! He went to Georgetown- I did not. Go read his blog to really learn something. Now back to my story.

This is the last pro pack of Fujichrome I received from Mel Levine back in 2003. It is a little lonely in my freezer. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

All of us Sports Illustrated contributing photographers had to abandon shooting film for deadline stories and start shooting digital in 2003. The Canon 1D was brand new and became the first camera that produced a file that was big enough, and good enough to be used on a regular basis and look OK when printed across two pages in a glossy weekly magazine. I will be honest when I tell you I was freaked out. I loved film, especially chrome. Since I started shooting for the magazine in 1992 it was always so much fun to call up lab manager Mel Levine and ask him to send me a few hundred rolls of Fujichrome RDP (and later Provia). By opening day of the 2003 baseball season I had made the switch and shot my first digital baseball assignment for the magazine on April 5, 2003 (Angels @ A’s). This was going to be hard to get used to!

In order to shoot this assignment of Clemens with the 500mm mirror lens I needed to use a Nikon body, and at the time a digital Nikon D1 was not gonna cut it. In order to complete this assignment I needed to call up my old buddy Mel once again and have him ship me a Nikon F4 FILM BODY, the 500mm lens, and a pro pack of Fujichrome Provia 100F. This was gonna be fun.

SHOT ON DIGITAL WITH A CANON EOS-1D AND A CANON 400mm 2.8 LENS: Roger Clemens of the New York Yankees pitches during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California on May 10, 2003. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

I shot a whole bunch of rolls of the Rocket on the chrome with the 500 and also shot some with the Canon digital (see above). I thought the stuff on chrome with the donuts in the background looked cool, but they did not run any of it. They went with stuff of him pitching at home in the pinstripes. They ALWAYS want the pinstripes!

That’s it. The last time I shot film. Period. Makes me sad in a way. Of course today’s digital stuff looks so amazing, and it is so easy to shoot. BUT- there is something about that look you get from film, especially chrome. There is nothing like it. Or should I say, there WAS nothing like it.

Bill Mueller of the San Francisco Giants bats during a game against the Cincinnati Reds in 1997 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

One of the fun parts about working on my never-ending archive project is being able to re-live all the great games and fun personalities I have photographed in the past 25 years. Among all my old pictures, the most important to me are those depicting San Francisco Giants history. They are my team. The always have been, and they always will be. With that in mind I have made a special effort of getting old chromes scanned of pretty much everyone who ever wore a Giants uniform in front of my cameras. It is so fun to look back on this old stuff. Need a picture of Jerry Spradlin? Got him. What about Damon Minor? Got him too. What about Mike LaCoss? Well of course I do! And finally, if you wanted to see some Bill Mueller, well look no further!

Bill Mueller of the San Francisco Giants bats during a game at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California in 1997. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Bill Mueller was one of those guys who seemed to come out of nowhere. He joined the team during the horrendous 1996 season and surprised everyone by hitting .330 in 200 at bats. Would the Giants be able to pencil him in as their opening day third baseman in 1997? You betcha! “Our little Ted Williams,” as teammate Barry Bonds liked to call him, would hold down third base for the next four seasons.

Bill Mueller and the Giants got off to such a great start in 1997 that Sports Illustrated did a big feature on them early in the season. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

Within no time Mueller was a fan favorite, and a favorite of photographers like me because of his old-school style of play that included hustle, eye-black, and a ferocious competitive spirit. It is no wonder that the Giants had several good seasons with Mueller holding down the hot corner as they made the playoffs in 1997 and 2000, while making it to a one-game playoff in 1998 to decide the National league Wild Card winner against the Cubs.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Bill Mueller makes a play during Game 3 of the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri on October 26, 2004. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

After the Giants 2000 season ended suddenly in the first round of the playoffs at Shea Stadium in New York local fans were shocked when Mueller was traded to the Cubs for Tim Worrell. Third base would become a black hole that the Giants tried to fill in following years with Russ Davis, Edgardo Alfonzo, and Pedro Feliz. While the Giants were trying to stabilize their infield after Mueller’s departure he eventually landed in Boston where he was a vital cog in their ball club that brought Red Sox fans their first World Series championship since 1918. Many Giants fans felt a little something special for Mueller as he became a champion with the Red Sox. After all, he was once a Giant. He was a GOOD Giant.