Press Release: "Giants to Celebrate Asian Cultures & Communities During Asian Heritage Week at AT&T Park"

Giants to Celebrate Asian Cultures & Communities During Asian Heritage Week at AT&T Park
Partnering with AsianWeek and SF Hep B Free Campaign
May 12-17

The Giants will celebrate Asian cultures and communities during Asian Heritage Week at AT&T Park, from May 12 to 17. In partnership with AsianWeek and the SF Hep B Free Campaign, the Giants will hold a number of unique events to highlight the rich traditions and cultures of Bay Area Asian populations.

The Chinese, Korean, Filipino and Japanese communities will each have their own designated night at AT&T Park featuring unique promotional items, special ticket offers, entertainment and educational programs.

The San Francisco: Hep B Free Campaign will be present at each game to educate fans about the importance of testing and vaccinating Asian Pacific Islanders for hepatitis B. Liver cancer presents the greatest health disparity between Asian Americans and Caucasian Americans. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma and Giants Outfielder Dave Roberts will carry this important message in a public service announcement that will be played at the ballpark.

“The Giants are honored to partner with the Bay Area Asian community to make this week possible. The Giants and the Asian communities both share such rich traditions, and we are excited to bring sports and cultural traditions together at AT&T Park,” said Larry Baer, Giants executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Giants alumni Masanori “Mashi” Murakami will also be in attendance for Japanese Heritage Night on Friday, May 16, and will be honored during a pre-game, homeplate ceremony. Murakami pitched two years for the Giants, in 1964 and 1965, becoming the first Japanese native to pitch in the major leagues.

“Asians and Pacific Islanders make up 35 percent of San Francisco’s population. We love baseball, and we love our San Francisco Giants! On a local level this is two of our city’s great traditions coming together. On a global level, it’s another example of why San Francisco is the gateway to the Pacific Rim,” said Ted Fang, editor and publisher of AsianWeek.

A special $20 ticket package is available for each of the heritage games and includes a limited edition giveaway and guaranteed seats in the designated heritage seating sections. Tickets for all events can be purchased by calling (415) 972-2298 or visiting sfgiants.com/specialevents. Following is the list of giveaways (with special ticket purchase):

• Monday, May 12 vs. Houston Astros (7:15 p.m.) – Chinese Heritage Night presented by Kikkoman. Fans with a special ticket will receive a Chinese heritage/SF Giants Baseball Cap.

• Tuesday, May 13 vs. Houston Astros (7:15 p.m.) – Korean Heritage Night. Fans with a special ticket will receive a Korean heritage/Giants t-shirt. Entertainment will feature Claire Lillienthal School Korean Performers.

• Wednesday, May 14 vs. Houston Astros (7:15 p.m.) – Filipino Heritage Night. Fans with a special ticket will receive a Filipino heritage/Giants t-shirt. Entertainment will feature Hiyas Dance Group, SF Barangay and Likhas Pilipino Folk Ensemble.

• Friday, May 16 vs. Chicago White Sox (7:15 p.m.) – Japanese Heritage Night presented by Kikkoman. Fans with a special ticket will receive a limited edition Masanori Murakami bobblehead to commemorate the first-ever Japanese player to become a major league player. Entertainment will feature San Francisco Taiko Dojo.

• Saturday, May 17 vs. Chicago White Sox (6:05 p.m.) -- SF Hep B Free Night.

A $9 donation from each special $20 ticket sold to this game will go toward the SF Hep B Free Campaign.