The LA LOVE, a baseball team sponsored by actor Casey Affleck, came in to play and celebrate the San Quentin Giants’ 121st season opener April 20.
One hundred and twenty years ago San Quentin established what is now the oldest continuous program in the institution: the San Quentin baseball program.
At one time, SQ baseball was allowed to leave prison grounds to travel to neighboring cities to compete. The program’s home games included bleachers full of outside guests that totaled in the hundreds.
“Incarcerated individuals and cops” coached SQs team as the organization went through myriad name changes that reconnected people to their favorite childhood teams.
The team now possesses national interest with competition coming from numerous states to challenge them. This year, they have gained the sponsorship of the San Francisco Giants.
Final scores from opening day included a pitching duel in the opening game against the LA LOVE, followed by a no-hit shutout in the second game of the double header.
San Quentin’s outside manager, Michael Kremer, celebrated the beginning of the opening season after he escorted the LA LOVE down the hill for the game.
“I’ve been coming into San Quentin for the last 10 years and I really enjoy coming here to see the residents and support the community of SQ,” said Kremer.
Returning LA LOVE ball player Rafael Rangell shared in Kremer’s enthusiasm.
“[SQRC is] an unparalleled community, with a high level of respect for each other. It’s the connection to the players as we surround ourselves with a game we love that provides a kinship, a sense of belonging,” said Rangell.
The centerfielder/third baseman continued, “We all just want to belong and this team feels the same way. To be able to contribute to that [belonging] and play the game we all love is great.”
LA LOVE’s shortstop, Alejandro Ansoleaga, has been returning to SQRC for eight years and found opening day reminiscent of years gone by.
“My first time [here], I [said to myself] ‘this ain’t no movie,’ as everyone was segregated. Now I get to know the incarcerated in a different way, [by] hanging out and having conversations, [sharing] the real experience,” said Ansoleaga.
“There’s been stigmas imprinted in the head by society and once you actually get to know someone and spend time with them, they [the stigmas] don’t exist … It’s crucial not to be defined by our worst moments in our life and I’m fortunate and grateful to be here today.”
The stigmas about which Ansoleaga spoke were erased for the day as witnessed by first-time Giants incarcerated teammates Lee Bailey and Anthony Pintarelli.
“I got real emotional being here [with] all the hard work I put in. We were athletes but chose the wrong path. SQ baseball is the reward you get,” Bailey added.
The SQ Giants’ pitcher Anthony Pintarelli said, “Its unreal, excited, very determined, and motivated. First time playing an outside organization is comforting. I predict the score will be 5-2 with a no-hitter by our ace, Dewey.”
Pintarelli was close to 100 percent accuracy with his prediction as star pitcher Jeffrey “Dewey” Dumont starred in the opening game, striking out 17 hitters as the Giants won 4-3.
Anthony “T-Tone” Denard got the game-winning hit against the LA LOVE.
Giants ace left-hander Vic Picazo then pitched a five-inning no-hitter in the shortened second game of the LA LOVE doubleheader, beating the visiting team.
Opening week put the SQRC Giants on a four-game winning streak with two victories over Affleck’s team, one over the Mission of San Francisco, and another one over the local Pelicans.
On Wednesday, April 24, the Giants’ bats loosened up for a route against the Mission and culminated in another nail-biter between the home team and the Pelicans.
Picazo threw three and one-third innings in his next outing; giving up a single in his second victory over the Pelicans on the following Saturday. Pizano’s victory supported a strong outing by the Giants’ starter, pitcher Carrington “The Natural” Russelle. Russelle took the mound after years of inactivity.
The third game provided manager Richard Williams with additional pitching support in the discovery of three more arms. Robert Nash, Patrick Poteat, and Oscar Acosta held the Mission to five runs as the Giants crushed the Mission 14-5.
The SQ Giants’ offense shined as catcher Aaron “June” Miles, Kameron “Cam” Hamilton, captain Rick “Tom” Dias, and Denard led the team at the plate all weekend.
Miles hit his first home run and Dias lined a shot to the right-center field wall that was called a double but should have been a homerun, too.
It appears all cylinders of SQ baseball are running as they get off to a 4 and 0 start, chasing the legacy of the 2019 SQ A’s, who won 36 straight. Can they do it?
