Conforto's love for Giants began decades before joining team

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How does Michael Conforto, a Seattle native and lifelong Mariners fan, also become a fan of the Giants? 

Conforto signed a two-year, $36 million contract with San Francisco this offseason and likely will be the Giants' starting left fielder if healthy. Conforto joined KNBR 680's "Tolbert & Copes" on Wednesday, where he was asked why he chose to sign with San Francisco. 

"I have a past of rooting on the Giants," Conforto said. "I was a very big Mariners fan, but there wasn't a whole lot to root for in my formative age. I was a big Barry Bonds fan, I loved watching him chase all the records. And then when I was in college, I was in college from 2012 to 2014, I had a lot of teammates from the Bay Area and from California ... the Giants were always on. And those teams were incredible teams.

"And so I always had a love for the team, for the black and orange. Every time I've come to Oracle Park, I don't know if I've ever played in a game that wasn't at least very close to being sold out. The fans are electric, you just feel a love for the organization and the sport in that ballpark. And those are a few reasons (San Francisco) was attractive to me. This offseason they showed a lot of interest."

Conforto, who missed all of last season after having his second shoulder surgery in April, still is rehabbing and hopes to be healthy enough to play the field in spring training and 100 percent healthy by Opening Day. 

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The Giants have not had a 30-home run hitter since Bonds last did it in 2004, a streak that Conforto is capable of snapping if he can stay healthy. 

After growing up a fan of the Home Run King, it certainly would be a full-circle moment for the Giants' newest outfielder. 

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