NASA, San Francisco Giants Celebrate 50 Years of History

It was a day to remember – in more ways than one for NASA and the San Francisco Giants.

Both NASA and the Giants turned 50 this year, and as part of their joint birthday celebration, NASA Ames employees, their families and friends were invited to enjoy NASA Day at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 and watch the Giants battle the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On a bright, sunny afternoon, an estimated 150 Ames employees, their families and friends turned out for the game, enjoying hot dogs and other refreshments. The game provided plenty of highlights, as the Giants, who were behind by five runs, scored an amazing 10 runs -all in the fourth inning — and won the game by a score of 11 to 6 over the visiting Pirates.

Special commemorative t-shirts were distributed and highlights of NASA’s and the Giants’ first 50 years were featured on the ballpark’s Jumbotron screen in center field. A filmed segment featuring the crew of the International Space Station throwing out the first pitch and leading the seventh inning stretch were shown on the screen.

Also featured in the NASA highlights shown were clips from 1958 of the founding of NASA, shots from astronaut John Glenn’s orbital flight in1962, clips from the 1969 Apollo 11 mission and space shuttle Columbia’s first flight in 1981.

Highlights of the Giants’ colorful history were also shown on the big screen, much to the delight of the more than 34,000 fans who attended the game.

All in all, it was a great way to celebrate a birthday!

Watch the downlink message from the International Space Station that played at the game.