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Alex Smith Appreciates SF Giants Support

Alex Smith donned a San Francisco Giants baseball cap for most of the 2011 season.

In 2012, Smith was warned by the NFL to stop sporting his black and orange good luck charm after his postgame press conferences to avoid violating the league’s postgame attire policy.

Smith obliged, but was recently met with support from familiar faces in the Bay Area sports landscape, including none other than Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

In the midst of a pennant race with a magic number of five to qualify for postseason play, Bochy met with the media on Thursday wearing a red 49ers ball cap.

“Alex supports us, so I’m going to support him,” Bochy said from inside the Giants home dugout. “They’re a great club, it’s an honor to wear it.”

When the comments were relayed to Smith late Thursday afternoon, the 49ers quarterback appreciated the gesture.

“I respect Bruce Bochy for doing that,” Smith said. “The gesture means a lot.”

Smith was honored back in mid-April by the Giants for sporting their home hat in his press conferences. All-Star pitcher Matt Cain presented Smith with an autographed Giants jersey signed by the entire team.

“He comes out here and supports us,” Bochy added, “so we do appreciate it. It’s our way of saying ‘thanks.’”

The 49ers quarterback certainly appreciated the support he’s been given by the Giants, and added that he’s enjoying seeing the club continue to play “team” baseball in a challenging pennant race.

“The way they’re playing,” Smith said, “is an inspiration to all of us here with the 49ers.”

Smith first heard about the San Francisco manager’s headwear during Thursday media availability at 49ers headquarters when he was approached by CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Smith said it was “sweet,” and followed up by asking, “Five’s the magic number, right?”

Now, four’s the magic number after the Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 9-2 in Thursday matinee action.

Bochy joked after the game he should wear the 49ers hat more often now that his team is 1-0 with him donning the red and gold.

Giants players like relief pitcher Sergio Romo was also supporting the 49ers, but only a different Smith. Romo was photographed wearing an Aldon Smith jersey.

All the messages from the Giants were well-received, even the most creative one of all.

Leave it to Giants closer Brian Wilson to leave the best parting shot.

Smith laughed at the imagery photoshopped by the injured Giants closer and said, “Thanks Brian.”