Major League Sports in San Francisco are as richly diverse as the town itself. Once a football town, Major League baseball in San Francisco now has a foothold on the city’s fans with the Giants win in the World Series in 2010. Professional football, hockey, and basketball played in and around the San Francisco area ensure year round major league sports experiences for the region’s visitors and residents.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants baseball home field is AT&T Park. The ballpark’s efficient mass transit system, design of the ballpark and amenities provide a memorable day at the baseball stadium. A “Splash Hit” into McCovey Cove is the name that announcers have given a home run by a Giant that totally exits the ballpark into the neighboring Pacific Ocean. Major League Baseball in San Francisco is a real example of how a new stadium can breathe new life back into a declining pro sports franchise. The Giants won the World Series in 2010 with a mixture of baseball veterans, courageous greenhorns, and some up and coming stars. Baseball in San Francisco is a show, a game, and a blueprint for World Series success.
San Francisco 49ers
Major League Sports in San Francisco used to be dominated by the San Francisco 49ers football team. Joe Montana quarterbacked the team to four Super Bowl Championships from 1981 to 1989. The most acclaimed wide receiver in football history, Jerry Rice, joined the club in 1985. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young led the 49ers to their 5th, and last, Super Bowl victory in 1995. The 49ers hit a rough patch of losing seasons after the exit of Steve Young in 1999. Jim Harbaugh was employed as the coach just prior to the 2011 season and guarantees to steer this storied franchise back to Super Bowl glory.
San Jose Sharks
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While many cosmpolitan towns in California aren’t lucky enough to have pro NHL hockey franchises, the greater Bay Area is one of the places that does. Hockey fans in California avidly watch this team’s games and some even take journeys to San Jose to see the Sharks take to the ice. Each major league team needs a place to play their home games, and the Sharks play theirs in the HP Pavilion, which is also creatively nicknamed the Shark Tank. This team’s club was founded in 1991 and has had some greatness in the playoffs, but have still yet to have won the evasive Stanley Cup.
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors of the NBA play their home games across the bay from San Francisco in Oakland. Once named the San Francisco Warriors, the team changed their name following the 1970-1971 season, when the Warriors moved to the Oakland Coliseum. The Warriors were really successful in the 80s and 90s with Chris Mullen, Mitch Richmond and Tim Hardaway. The trio of players were nicknamed Run TMC and performed well in the fast paced offense coached by Don Nelson. The Warriors haven’t won an NBA championship since 1975, but are led on the court by the talented players Monta Ellis and David Lee. Mark Jackson was hired by the club as their new head coach before the beginning the 2011-2012 season.
Soccer in The Bay Area
San Francisco doesn’t have any major league soccer teams, but the closest major league soccer to San Francisco is played in nearby Santa Clara. The San Jose Earthquakes, a professional soccer team, play their home games on Buck Shaw Stadium. This stadium is found on the Santa Clara University campus Professional soccer in San Francisco is a dynamic sport as the Earthquakes average over 12000 fans per game. Chris Wondolowski leads the team on the field as the team captain.
Joe Santiago has been interested in sports in San Francisco for a few years. He has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more details about soccer in San Francisco please visit his site.