SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants invited one of the stars from their last postseason triumph over the Cubs to AT&T Park on Monday night, hoping his presence will kickstart another series victory.
Kevin Mitchell, a two-time All-Star and 1989 National League Most Valuable Player, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Giants' 13-inning, 6-5 win in Game 3 of the NL Division Series (Game 4 Tuesday, 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT on FS1). Mitchell spent five years with the Giants and helped lead them to the 1989 World Series.
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On their way to that Fall Classic defeat against the A's, the Giants dispatched the Cubs in the NL Championship Series. Along with Will Clark, Mitchell was a major part of their regular-season and NLCS success in 1989. He batted .291 with a 1.023 OPS, 47 homers and 125 RBIs in his MVP campaign, then hit .353 with two homers in the NLCS as San Francisco won the series, 4-1.
Wearing a No. 7 Giants jersey, Mitchell received a standing ovation and fired the first pitch to closer Sergio Romo.
Mitchell's toss was only one part of Monday's pregame festivities on a picture-perfect evening by the San Francisco Bay. As they did before Game 1 at Wrigley Field, both clubs lined up along the foul lines as they were introduced to the rowdy AT&T Park crowd.
With a giant American flag unfurled in center field, the national anthem was performed by Lena Hall, a San Francisco native and Tony Award-winning Broadway actress.

Michael Buffer, the well-known boxing and wrestling announcer, modified his signature "Let's get ready to rumble!" catchphrase for the occasion, shouting "Let's get ready to play ball!" to get Game 3 underway.