The Daily News

1  I think I'll let the pictures talk. I didn't know this was beginning until it appeared in yesterday morning's Merc News. Amazingly I just discovered that Sports Illustrated had a cover issue on December 30, 2013 complete with a story entitled Candlestick Park-Gone With the Wind 1960-2013. Here's proof:

2  How that issue got past me I don't know. I definitely wanted to get up there and take some pics, since I spent many summers running up and down those steps. I knew Candlestick would be facing the wrecking ball, but I didn't know when. The Merc article stunned me.

3   I must have been busy doing other things because I've not seen too much press about this.

4   Wow.

5    If every picture tells a story I'll back off. I'll give Candlestick Park my personal homage. Most normal people hated the place. I loved it. I had thousands of great moments at that place. 

6   As a former vendor, I find people often ask, "What was your favorite moment?"

7   My answer often is this: All of them.

8   Some day I'll take inventory, but my number one would have to be The Catch. I  worked my empty beer case over to my  parents' seats on the forty-yard line, and watched breathlessly with them and their lifelong friends. What people forget is that there was still almost a minute left in that game, and the Cowboys' Danny White moved swiftly downfield. It wasn't until Laurence Pillars forced a fumble by White that we knew we had it. 

9   The Rolling Stone's October 17 (and 18 if the date is accurate) 1981 Tattoo You tour might well be the second, but only because I had to go football or baseball first. Ironically I missed all World Series including the earthquake, AND I missed the Pope. With all due respect, the Stones were way more religious, and I made something like $2500 cash in two days. It was sort of a buzz. 

10  It's too late to gather info for all of this, so I'll stick with the pictures for now. 

11  These ruins, while a bit sad, hold wonderful memories for what Sir Paul McCartney would refer to as "the many more." Each section holds thousands of memories for everyone who ever enjoyed a great game, a sizzling polish or a cold Anchor Steam. Or even a cold Bud.

12   More often than not a shivering one.

13   Enough of that. Enjoy these, and feel free to share any memories on Facebook. Consider this a tribute. Farewell Candlestick, my chilly old friend. We'd shed a tear, but it might turn into an icicle. Take time with these; find your seat and love the memories.