It was an exciting week in baseball, especially for San Francisco Giants fans! On Wednesday, June 13, 2012, Matt Cain pitched a perfect game - the first by any Giants pitcher since the team was established in 1883. That's 130 years for those of you who aren't great at math.
Cain led the Giants to a 10-0 victory over the Houston Astros in the 22nd perfect game in MLB history. While reaching one of the most elite clubs in Major League Baseball, Cain threw 125 pitches, the most ever thrown in a perfect game, and struck out 14 batters, matching Sandy Koufax's total for the most K's in a perfect game.
Needless to say, AT&T Park felt like it was right back in the 2010 World Series. The energy was electric. As both a sports enthusiast and environmentalist, I can't help but feel the game was even more perfect because the historical moment took place in one of the greenest ballparks in the world.
Besides having some of the most talented athletes in the world, the San Francisco Giants have some of the most impressive environmental policies and practices in all of sports.
Here are just some of the home runs the San Francisco Giants have hit for the planet:
-In 2010, AT&T Park became the first major league ballpark to receive LEED Silver Certification for Existing Buildings, Operations and Maintenance.
-In 2007, in a partnership with PG&E, AT&T Park became the first MLB ballpark to install a solar power system.
~PG&E installed 590 Sharp solar panels
~The system generates green energy for PG&E customers in SF.
-In 2007, the Giants installed a new HD scoreboard that uses 78% less energy than the ballpark's original
-In 2009, the Giants established the "Green Team," a group who go into the stands at the end of the 7th inning to collect recyclables and remind fans to recycle.
-Through aggressive recycling and composting programs, the Giants currently lead the MLB in waste management with more than 85% of the Park's waste diverted from landfill.
-In April 2012, the Giants partnered with Hanwha Solar and launched a green initiative campaign called "I SUN SF," which amongst other things included the installation of a solar PV system at the ballpark.
+As I said above, this is just a preview of some of the efforts the SF Giants have taken to make their ballpark and team the "greenest" in the country. For more comprehensive information, click here.
Congratulations to Matt Cain and the San Francisco Giants on a truly perfect game!
Sports With Sam is a blog dedicated to spreading the positive environmental messages and actions of sports teams, athletes and leagues around the world.
Every week, the "Green Sports Queen" features an athlete or team who is doing great work for the environment, using their presence in sports to make a positive contribution to the planet. We're thrilled to share these insights and commentary with you, and we encourage everyone in the global sports community to do right by the environment and lead by example.
