One day later, Panda-monium reigns

SAN FRANCISCO -- One day after the greatest World Series performance in San Francisco Giants history, Panda-monium reigned on the streets outside AT&T Park.

In fact, there was no separating it from the forces of religion and commerce.

After Pablo Sandoval's three-home run performance in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, everyone wanted in on leveraging a piece of the Kung Fu Panda's historic night.

The Giants? Well, Panda hats, already a common sight at home games, were again flying out of the team stores — in black and white, but also orange and black, and pink, as well. Nestled next to official 2012 World Series stuffed animals were mini stuffed pandas selling for $15 — the panda, of course, clad in a Giants jersey with "Pandoval" on the back.

Outside the stadium, it's been a common sight to see passionate fans in full-body panda suits. Thursday, an Asian restaurant dressed up an employee in a panda suit — the restaurant's T-shirt on the outside — and passed out coupons for pot stickers and the like.

Those who chose not to glorify Sandoval were shouted down.

A man armed with a bullhorn and with a sign attached to his back that read "Fear Honor Obey Love God" used the occasion to proselytize about 500 fans gathered outside a gate waiting to enter the game.

"In two months," he shouted, "no one will care about the guy who hit three home runs. Trust me, you should be more concerned with eternity!"

The man was roundly and loudly booed. After he told the crowd, "You need to love God, not baseball," a fan responded: "God loves baseball!"