Giant

In 1969, when I am seven, I fall in love with a Giants baseball player who comes to visit our school. I sit with my classmates on the hard, scratchy green carpet of our resource room and listen to Mr. Alan Gallagher speak about the importance of education. He is wearing his uniform and he is really tall. I don’t know anything about baseball, except that it is on TV.

We line up to get his autograph. One of the teachers gives me a yellow piece of paper shaped like a flower. I’m holding the paper daisy in my hand and it’s my turn. I have no idea what’s supposed to happen or what I’m supposed to do or say. Alan Gallagher is seated behind one of the long folding tables. The big baseball player turns his full attention to me and I am unprepared. He asks my name and I squeak something out. He speaks softly. He treats me like a big person. I don’t know what else he says to me, but he makes me feel like I matter.

Alan Gallagher gives me his autograph. The ink is blue and he has nice penmanship. And before he leaves our school, I catch his eye and he smiles at me. We go back to the classroom and I get out my crayons and start coloring around and around his name, tracing the letters. And then I do little hearts around the rim of the flower. Kevin, that mean blonde, blue-eyed boy, with the dirty fingernails, teases me about it mercilessly. But I am seven years old and in love and I don’t care.

Rest in peace, Giant of my heart.
xoxo
Lori M. Rillera
San Francisco, CA


I played for Dirty in 1982 and 1983 in the Cleveland Indian organization. 
Two of the most enjoyable years of my career. I love him for everything he did for me and the many life lessons he taught me and the young men that played for him.
I had the opportunity a couple of months ago to spend the evening with Dirty and his son Sean.
That night I will cherish for the rest of my life.  After not seeing Dirty for 35 years I got the opportunity to thank him and tell him I loved him. Sean, my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know how much you absolutely adored your pops.
Some day we will meet again Dirty, rehash old times and share a dip together.
RIP Peace my brotha.


Wrote him a letter back in the day for an autograph since I'm a die-hard baseball fan, and was happy that he fulfilled my request.  Still have them in my Giants and Angels collection.  Thank you Dirty Al.

I taught him to tie a full Windsor knot..,He taught me what hustle was all about...,Mission HS ‘62

Sean Gallagher

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Alan Gallagher

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Alan Mitchell Gallagher

19 October, 1945 – 6 December, 2018

Boice Funeral Home

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