MILWAUKEE -- The Giants received a reminder that there's no avoiding politics during an election year.
On the eve of their regular-season opener against the Milwaukee Brewers here Monday, the Giants' team charter flight pulled into General Mitchell International Airport alongside an aircraft belonging to somebody else who's trying to win big: Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for president. With the Wisconsin primary scheduled for Tuesday, Trump was in town to continue his campaign.
Nestling next to Trump's plane ended a rigorous travel day for the Giants, who arrived at around 11:30 p.m. CT, about six hours behind schedule. Mechanical problems grounded their originally scheduled aircraft and delayed their backup flight.
The Giants commandeered a charter jet to transport the starting lineup, including pitcher Madison Bumgarner, so those players could arrive earlier and receive extra rest. However, it also was delayed and landed here only 15 minutes ahead of the team plane. Fortunately for the Giants, Bumgarner, who had a touch of the flu, managed to rest during the flight.