By mlblogssfgiants1

I’m probably not the best guy to give you the players’ perspective of the pregame ceremonies today. It was great. Loud. Fun. Kind of surreal running in from center field through the two World Series trophies. It was cool that the fire boat delivered the flag and that the fans joined with the players on the field.

But.

It kind of took a long time. I was ready to play. I was in game mode. Even watching the highlights of last season on the big screen didn’t put a lump in my throat. I probably smiled at some of the scenes but really I was just thinking, “Let’s play.’’ I’m not real sentimental when it comes to ceremonies like that. Show me a picture of my daughter and I’m as sentimental as anyone. I guess it’s a good thing for a baseball player because I’m never too high or too low. I don’t look back. I take things as they come.

I was happy when the game began. It was kind of a typical Giants game, wasn’t it? Great pitching, great defense and a 1–0 victory. Zito was the same guy from last season and the playoffs. Unflappable. Smooth. Steady.We’ve won every one of his last 15 starts. Pretty amazing. He’s so confident on the mound. So even.

Yesterday on our day off, I did absolutely nothing productive. Jalynne was driving my car up from LA with the baby and my sister, Amy. She got a late start because her dad found a nail in one of my tires and she had to get that fixed first.

While she drove, I was in the hotel room playing The Show on PSP. I lost, won, won and was losing my fourth game when Jalynne arrived around 9 at night. I always play as the Giants. I have most of our guys on my virtual team, but I made a few trades, too. I have Mike Trout. I still have Brian Wilson (it’s the 2012 version of The Show). I couldn’t get Hunter because the Phillies wouldn’t trade him. But I did get Marco.

​My PSP self was struggling a bit at the plate all four games. Maybe I’ll do better when I get the 2013 version. ​In between video games I went to Subway, got a sandwich, came back to the hotel and watched “Quantum of Solace.’’ I still don’t know why it’s called Quantum of Solace. I played more video games. Ordered room service for dinner when it became clear Jalynne was still a few hours away. Pretty exciting life, huh? Our apartment in Walnut Creek won’t be available until April 10, the day we leave for Chicago. So we’re in a hotel until then.

​My new walk-up song this year is “God’s Gift’’ by J. Cole. The title sounds a little arrogant. But I like it for the beat and the chorus. I’m still using the three songs I used in the past: “Forever’’ by Drake, “I Made It’’ by Kevin Rudolf and Eminem’s “Writer’s Block.’’

​I guess you’ll have to wait for Brandon Belt’s blog to get the player’s perspective on the pregame ceremonies. Maybe when Braylyn’s older and I’m retired and we watch the highlights together, I’ll get more emotional. But right now, it’s about the game.

​See you tomorrow at the park. Thanks for reading.

-Brandon C.