Get To Know: Ashley Chavez
Hello, world. My name is Ashley Chavez, and here is my basic info:
- I am 24 years old (soon to hopefully celebrate my 25th in the Cave!!!).
- I've worked in retail for about a billion years.
- I've lived between the Bay Area and the Central Valley my whole life.
- I am a girl.
- I am a massively insane Giants fan.
Okay, so now that you know me, I'll get into a little detail. I love baking vegan cupcakes, coffee, the great sport that is baseball, and, of course, the San Francisco Giants. I went to school at City College of San Francisco, where I studied fashion design—yes, fashion design. So, fair warning: if you're coming into the Cave with those baggy pants (ahem, Manny Ramirez) you're going to hear it. I know fashion is super girly, and trust me, I can hear your judgmental thoughts now, but this does not define me! Read on...
I've been obsessed with baseball since I could remember. I don't know when, why, or how it happened, but I just enjoyed watching baseball over football as a kid. I'm not sure if it's because of all the details, the history and awe that the game holds, or the fact that I could contribute to a K by holding my breath. Either way, I became a SportsCenter-watching, grass- and dirt-stealing, seed-spitting, autograph-seeking little girl, and nothing has changed. Oh, and thank God my dad has great taste in baseball, because I became a Giants fan.
Unfortunately, being a woman fan in sports has a massive down side. I would always keep my love of the game to myself at school, just to avoid the girl stereotypes. For example, if you are wearing a jersey, or your talking about going to last nights game, you are automatically put into the dreadful “girl who likes baseball“ bucket. Meaning you know all the words to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and you are madly in love with Buster Posey. It's a terrible thing, and it's not until they overhear you talking about so-and-so rehabbing in Pawtucket that they give you respect.
I know, I know. Not everyone is like that. But I'm here for all the girls who are told that they “know a lot for a girl,” when they know more about the game than any guy around them. For the girl who gets quizzed non-stop, because someone is waiting for her to NOT know something. I've been there, and I am so proud to have a chance to represent us in the MLB Fan Cave. Here's to changing stereotypes and watching a TON of baseball this season! Cheers to you all!
Go Giants,
Ashley
Follow Ashley on Twitter @smashleychavez.