Fans are gathering at Chukchansi Park to watch on the big screen, as former Fresno Grizzly Madison Bumgarner takes on Golden Valley High School, Merced College, and Fresno State alum Doug Fister.
"He's the epitome of a competitor, but a gracious kid then. He was appreciative of everything."
Golden Valley High School baseball coach Scott Hague remembers Doug Fister's humble beginnings.
In fact, if there's one word to describe Fister, Hague says, it's "humble."
It showed in 2002 when Fister was a star on the Cougar baseball team, and on the basketball team.
"The one thing he had, not just size and physical talent and arm, but he just had that intensity."
If those "intangibles" are what make us a success, then Fister is due to go a long way.
Add that to his 6'8" frame, throw in a wicked curveball, and well, there's your World Series Game 2 starter.
"He has big ol' hands, so he gets some good rotation on his ball. He had a good curve ball, and he threw a nice change up."
After high school, Doug Fister went on to Merced College, then continued his dominance on the mound at Fresno State.
He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners and eventually traded to the Tigers.
"Growing up, don't tell anybody, I was a Giants a fan. And being able to come to a couple games when I was little, it's always been a dream and a goal for me, and now it's happening."
He still holds true to his roots.
Fister recently donated $9,000 to Golden Valley High School to help fix up the baseball field, which has since been named Doug Fister Field.
And his philosophy on success is the same...
In high school he and his teammates were "like brothers."
"Good feelings between one player and another. Being able to pick one another up is a big part of the game."
Coach Hague says while Fister is a dominant pitcher, it's his bat the Giants need to watch out for.
Hague says in high school, Fister was his go-to hitter in clutch situations.
Chukchansi Park will continue hosting World Series watch parties.
The park will open again for Game 4 on Sunday at 5:00 p.m., and for games 5 through 7, if necessary.
Admission and parking are free.
TXT 24
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