Every Splash Hit into McCovey Cove next to Oracle Park in San Francisco has a story, and Dave Edlund likely knows them all.
“This is Splash Hit 99,” he said, holding a ball. “It was Brandon Crawford’s last Splash Hit.”
Edlund is known as “McCovey Cove Dave.” He’s been one of the many regular kayakers in the Cove since 2005.
“We might all be crazy, but we are crazy together,” he said.
In his office, or his little Giants museum, he has 58 McCovey Cove home runs.
“I played outfield growing up,” he said. “In McCovey Cove, I kind of feel like I’m an extra outfielder.”
His most cherished ball didn’t come from Barry Bonds, Buster Posey, or Brandon Crawford. It came from Mike Yastrzemski, a solo shot into the Cove on Mother’s Day 2022.
“I got a tear in my eye that day,” he said. “I dedicated it to my mom, who had passed away.”
It was Splash Hit 93. His mother, the woman who’d taught him to love baseball, had recently passed away at 93 years old. He has a special photo of the ball and a shrine for his mom on his wall.
“Every time I come into my little Giants Museum, I have a chance to reflect and remember that day,” he said.
Nearly 70 now, Dave’s Giants fandom dates back to his childhood. His favorite player? Willie McCovey.
“The summer of 1963 is when I first remember getting crazy and going to the box scores in the Oakland Tribune,” he said.
Little did he know then that he’d eventually become a part of Giants lore. This year, he’ll be hitting the water on a new kayak.
“Probably about as ideal a kayak as you could have for McCovey Cove,” he said. “It’s fast, it’s lightweight, and it can really fly.”
He’s ready for another chapter of Giants baseball, and many more games from his kayak on McCovey Cove.
“There are six months of fun for me,” he said. “Whether I’m in McCovey Cove in my kayak, or watching the game on TV or radio, I just look forward to it. I just love the game.”