I remember the first time I went to Candlestick Park in San Francisco. I think it was to watch a Giant’s game – y’know – back when we were good and the mention of the name Barry Bonds didn’t have steroid jokes following it.

When the Candlestick Park changed to 3Com Park, I felt like a little part of the patriotic side of San Francisco died with it. Maybe I was way too young to the point where I had this super idealized image of what Candlestick was. But through the eyes of a child, it was an early example of what San Francisco would come to mean to me. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people crammed together to root for their home team. How often does that happen in the real work? Seriously? Sure, people come together all the time for concerts and what not. But this was like supporting a part of the city, a part of our culture. If the Giants lost, everyone felt it – at least to some degree.

So, when Candlestick changed to 3Com and then Monster Park it was like someone took the San Francisco entity – stole the spirit and stuck a brand name on it. I never stopped calling it Candlestick but whenever I saw the name on some logo I felt my inner Giant’s fan cringe.

But so many years later, the contract on the name Monster Park is about to end and the original name of Candlestick will return. I haven’t gone to Candlestick in years. The Giants don’t even play there anymore and the 49ers are considering leaving town all together. But even if the place ends up being vacant I would rather it be the vacant Candlestick Park, than the empty Monster Park.
—Eming Piansay