I gave up tickets to a perfect game

I’ve gone to hundreds of baseball games in my young life. I’ve witnessed historic home runs (756). I’ve been in the house for division-clinching wins (2010). I’ve attended World Series games (2002 and 2010).

But the one thing I really, really want to see is a no-hitter or perfect game.

I was close in 2007. A friend took my father and I to the Red Sox-A’s game at the Coliseum when Curt Schilling lost a no-no with two outs in the ninth. I will forever hate Shannon Stewart. I’d like to point out that there are few athletes I hate more than Curt Schilling. But I was willing to put aside my venom for him in order to witness something special.

But tonight, I actually hate myself.

See, my father and I are Giants season ticketholders. For about a week, I had been planning to go to tonight’s game with a friend. I was really looking forward to taking this friend to a game. I had spent a bit of time trying to match up schedules with this friend.

Then, on Monday afternoon, I got a text message from a friend, the editor of a local sports magazine. He asked if I was available to photograph a high school soccer match at SF State’s field tonight.

At first, I turned down the gig, informing him that I was going the Giants game. He understood. But after a few minutes, I told him I’d try to rearrange plans. The friend that I was supposed to go to the Giants game with told me to take the gig. Without hesitating, I texted the editor back and told him I’d do it.

We sold our tickets this afternoon.

I hope these two friends don’t think I’m throwing them under the bus. I am absolutely not. It was my decision. But they are a part of the story that can’t be left out.

Some might say it was just a baseball game. But if you know me, you know how important baseball is to me. Baseball history is just as important. It’s going to take me a long time to get over this. I’m having trouble enjoying the post-game coverage.

The perfect game is so rare. Matt Cain’s gem is the 22nd of its kind in the history of Major League Baseball. It was the first in the long history of the Giants franchise, which has had some of the greatest pitchers of all-time. The team with the most errors in the National League this season was able to avoid a blunder on this magical night.

My generation of Giants fans may never see another one.

And up until earlier this afternoon, I was in possession of tickets to a perfect game.

Oh and in case you were curious, the under-19 girls’ soccer team I was photographing tonight lost 8-0 in their scrimmage against the SF Nighthawks, a member of the Women’s Premier Soccer League.