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The hours before the World Series (photos)

Road Trip at Home: The San Francisco Giants are in the World Series, and CNET looks at what those without tickets can see.

Daniel Terdiman
Daniel Terdiman is a senior writer at CNET News covering Twitter, Net culture, and everything in between.
Daniel Terdiman
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1 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Fear the Beard

SAN FRANCISCO--If you're anywhere near this great city and not aware that our hometown Giants are about to battle for the 2010 World Series title, I'd like to know your secret for avoiding the media barrage when big events come to town.

Tonight, the Giants and Texas Rangers will square off in Game One of the series, with star pitchers--both former Cy Young Award winners--Tim Lincecum of the Giants and Cliff Lee of the Rangers taking the mound.

Of course, these days, one of the Giants' most feared pitchers is Brian Wilson, he of the famous jet black beard and the wicked slider. As his beard has grown and his saves have piled up, a new phrase has taken hold here: "Fear the Beard," which is reflected in this sign taped to the front door of the Giants merchandise shop inside AT&T Park.

As part of his CNET Road Trip at Home series, reporter Daniel Terdiman thought he might be able to get a World Series press credential, but found out that the deadline had passed. So Terdiman took a camera down to the ballpark today to take in the scene and see what those without tickets--which are going for thousands of dollars on the secondary market--can see.

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2 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Explaining unfolding the flag

A giant American flag is rolled up against the fence alongside the promenade outside AT&T Park. Here, a man explains how the flag will be unfolded on the field.
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3 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

The Freak

As any Giants fan knows, star pitcher Tim Lincecum is known as The Freak, largely because of his tiny stature and his powerful delivery. But this fan is taking that nickname to extremes.
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4 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Flag unfolding crew

Hours before game one, a large crew, mostly in Giants hats and shirts, gets instructions on how to carry the huge American flag onto the field, and how to unfold it.
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5 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Kid and mom

Where better for a mother to take her little Giants fan than to the ballpark on the day of game one?
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6 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Looking in on the field

AT&T Park, formerly known as PacBell Park, is famous for many design elements. But perhaps the most democratic is the area alongside the right field wall where fans can watch games through a fence for free. During the regular season, it's often possible to watch for as long as you want. But for the World Series, there are plenty of people who will want to be there, and the team requires that fans leave after three innings.
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7 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Lining up

Here, we see a group of fans who have lined up for the chance to watch the beginning of game one for free from behind the fence.
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8 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Boats in the Cove

Another thing that makes AT&T Park famous is McCovey Cove, the waterway alongside the ballpark. During games, boats and kayaks gather in the water there. Here, we see several boats that have arrived early for game one. The cove will certainly be much more full of vessels by game time.
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9 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

The front

The main entrance to AT&T Park, seen about five hours before game one of the 2010 World Series.
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10 of 10 Daniel Terdiman/CNET

Five hours until game time

The first pitch of game one of the 2010 World Series is scheduled for 4:57 p.m. PDT tonight. Here, we see AT&T Park's clock just about five hours before game time.

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