DENVER — Giants manager Gabe Kapler began his Sunday by walking over to the tarp here in foul territory down the left-field line, taking a seat, crossing his legs and proceeding to sign autographs for just about anyone who asked.
The imagery of a manager so at peace, only a few hours before first pitch, is rarely seen in a major-league ballpark. Other parts of Kapler’s morning included tossing a football around in the outfield and playing catch with Logan Webb.
It only got stranger as game time got closer: an entire string section set up in left field (to perform the national anthem), two real-life donkeys made friends behind home plate (for no clear reason), and few more humans pretending to be animals plodded around the warning track. (It was mascot day, after all.)
