SAN JOSE GIANTS
San Jose Giants look for first-ever three-peat

The San Jose Giants celebrate after winning back to back California League Championships.
photo: Steve Saenz/Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

The 2010 season was another year to remember for the San Jose Giants as the club won back-to-back California League titles for the first time in franchise history. After winning their league-record sixth-straight first-half crown, the Giants swept the Modesto Nuts in the North Division Series before outlasting the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes three-games-to-two in a thrilling championship series. San Jose secured the league title with a 10-inning 7-6 win at Rancho Cucamonga in the decisive fifth game. The championship was San Jose's third in its last four years and sixth dating back to 1998. Off the field, the San Jose Giants finished second in the California League in attendance for the first time in their history as the club eclipsed the 200,000 mark for the second straight year.

Now in its 24th season as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, San Jose embarks on a new journey in 2011 as it looks to become the first team in the long history of the California League to win three straight championships.

The Giants welcome back Andy Skeels to manage the club in 2011. Skeels served as San Jose's skipper during the record-setting 2009 campaign, leading the team to the championship. San Jose posted a remarkable 93-47 record two years ago — the most wins in the California League in 15 years. Last season, Skeels served as manager of San Francisco's Double-A affiliate, the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Top prospects that could be headed to San Jose this season include center fielder Gary Brown, third baseman Chris Dominguez and starting pitcher Zack Wheeler. Brown was San Francisco's first-round draft pick in 2010 after a stellar collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton. Dominguez ranked second in the Giants farm system last year in home runs (21) and RBIs (101) while playing for the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets. Wheeler, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, averaged over a strikeout per inning pitching with Augusta last season in his rookie professional campaign.

For more than 60 years, the San Jose Giants have been providing fun, affordable family entertainment in a traditional baseball environment at Municipal Stadium. Fans enjoy some of the best food in baseball at Turkey Mike's BBQ while being close to the on-field action. Kids and kids at heart have a ball at the Family Fun Zone's Bounce House, speed-pitch, T-ball, inflatable slide and batting cage, while adults enjoy drinks on the Beverage Deck and Martinelli's VIP Deck.

The San Jose Giants will feature several promotions throughout the season, including KRTY Family Fridays, MIX 106.5 Saturdays in the Park, 94.5 KBAY's Giants Sundays and Alliance Credit Union Kids Eat Free Sundays with a coupon from the Mercury News. Fans can also enjoy the return of popular theme nights such as Homecoming Night (June 23), Italian Night (July 23) and A Giant Luau (Aug. 19). Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to see the sky light up at Municipal Stadium with six spectacular postgame fireworks shows, including Opening Night (April 14) and the Fourth of July. Be sure to catch Giants baseball action on television this season: 25 games will be aired live throughout most Northern California regions on Comcast Hometown Network, Digital Channel 104.

Join the San Jose Giants tradition at Municipal Stadium this summer. Tickets start at just $7 for children and seniors, and $10 for adults. Or bring your group out to the ballpark for "Baseball and BBQ," where they'll receive one ticket, drink and mouth-watering food from Turkey Mike's BBQ (groups of 15 to 2,000, prices $14-$26 per person).

Be sure to keep up on all the latest San Jose Giants news and promotions. Visit www.sjgiants.com or call (408) 297-1435.