The Giants’ players and coaches saw a familiar face as the team bus rolled into the main entrance at Dodger Stadium. It’s Billy Chamberlain, the lovable, homeless Giants fan who was a constant presence outside AT&T Park during the World Series run in 2010. 

Chamberlain went missing last year, leading the team to post flyers and put his picture on the stadium scoreboard between innings. It turns out Billy had wandered down to Los Angeles, where he still lives on the streets. He turned up last September at a series here.

Billy said he has no plans to return to San Francisco, but he always knows when the Giants are coming to town. He’s still wearing the same World Series hat and Letterman-style Fox Sports jacket that announcer Duane Kuiper gave to him.

“I don’t live far from here,” Chamberlain said, as he waited near the Elysian Park gate for the team to arrive. “On the streets, though.”

Billy often gets handouts from some of the players and manager Bruce Bochy, who was legitimately concerned when the team’s affable fan went missing. If Steinbeck and Twain could’ve gotten together to make a composite character, they’d have come up with Billy. 

What Billy really wanted was a pocket schedule. That was easily done. I dashed back to my car and found one for him. 

Billy immediately scanned to see where the Giants would be on his birthday, Aug. 3. He was excited when he saw they’d open a series in Denver on that day.

“Tell the team I’ll be there,” he said.

I pointed out that the Giants play a fourth series in Southern California, in June, when they visit the Los Angeles Angels.

“Aw, I know where that is, Angel Stadium,” he said, excitedly. “Amtrak takes you right there. Hey, tell ‘em I’ll see them there, too.”

Dennis Vidal, a security guard directing traffic, said people often ask why the team lets Billy stand at the front gate.

“I’ve been here 14 years … and I’ve known Billy for 14 years,” Vidal said. “He’s never harassed anyone.”

Vidal waved through another car and then turned toward Chamberlain.

“Isn’t that right, Billy?”

Loyalty and love of the game knows no bounds. Billy’s one of the truest fans out there.

Short article by Baggs, but it’s nice to see an update on Billy and it’s something that’ll put a smile on your face.