According to the Chinese calendar this is the year of the tiger, but for the majority of San Francisco Giants fans 2010 is the year of the Panda.
Pablo Sandoval made his debut with the Giants is August of 2008 as a catcher. He was thought to be the natural successor of the great Bengie Molina, who now plays for the Rangers, mainly due to their physical similarities. However, in baseball like in life, the future is difficult to predict.
Sandoval, born in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, was moved to first base and later moved to third base. His strong offensive capacity sets him apart from the rest. In 2009, Sandoval was recognized as the fourth best batter by the National League. Now, as the Giants qualify for the post season, his batting is one of the biggest hopes for the team.
But something else happened with this twenty-four year old, 5’11”, 245-pound fellow. He has become a favorite amongst fans because of his nickname – Kung Fu Panda, given to him by pitcher Barry Zito after an acrobatic play on Sept. 19, 2008. Sandoval made a score for his career and against the Dodgers.
While there is not any astrology capable of determining what the public likes, Panda Sandoval is perhaps right behind Tim Lincecum, the Giant’s most popular player. A hat that costs approximately $15 to $20 at the ballpark with a panda is one of the many popular souvenirs amongst fans.
Verizon invited the Panda to the Mission District. On Sept. 13, the baseball player sat for over an hour signing autographs for a long line of fans. Pablo Sandoval supports Verizon in promoting Hopeline, a program by Verizon that recycles phones, batteries and accessories. All proceeds are donated to benefit victims of domestic violence.
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