In 1996, Jimmy Rollins graduated from Encinal High School in Alameda.
On Thursday morning, the Bay Area native opened up about actively rooting against the Orange and Black as a kid, and discussed his mindset entering 2017.
"I have to be honest, growing up in the East Bay, I couldn't stand the Giants," Rollins said on KNBR 1050. "I was happy about the '89 World Series and all that. But as I got introduced to National League baseball maybe about my sophomore or junior year ... I was like, you know what, going over to Candlestick -- this side is not bad. It's not like anything I thought it was.
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"And I started really following the Giants. Obviously Matt Williams, Will the Thrill, Royce Clayton, (Robby) Thompson, Bonds obviously -- just the guys they had over there, I'm like 'This is a real good team.' I was just biased on that East Bay-West Bay bias.
"And then being in the National League, I really fell in love with playing at Giants stadium. The energy and all the things. After 2010, I couldn't stand anything about San Francisco stadium (laughter), but I still enjoyed going there just because the energy they bring ... there's just an excitement and a buzz when you go to that ballpark. It is never quiet, there's always noise going on and as an athlete you thrive on that -- it helps you perform better."
[RELATED: Mike Krukow expects Jimmy Rollins to make Giants' Opening Day roster]
Over 50 career games at AT&T Park, Rollins is hitting just .205 with four home runs and 19 RBI.
San Francisco Giants
Against the Giants in the 2010 NLCS, he batted .261 with four RBI.
Rollins chose the White Sox over the Giants last year, but he signed a minor-league deal with San Francisco earlier this week.
What was the conversation like between him and Giants GM Bobby Evans?
"I haven't actually spoke with him yet, but I take it off of last year," Rollins explained. "We were in talks last year and I signed with Chicago just for the opportunity. But it was the same situation. I spoke with Bobby and Boch (Bruce Bochy), and like they said then and I'm gonna assume it's the same way -- they have their young guys and they're gonna play ... you're gonna give some days off and play here and there, and if somebody goes down, then maybe I can be the guy that steps up.
"So I'm just assuming it's the same exact role. But when I do speak with Boch or Bobby, whether that happens over the phone or when I get to spring training, the first thing is I'm just walking in the office and just asking what do I need to show them to convince them I'm worthy of being on the team. It's that simple.
"Whatever it is at this point, I'm willing to do. Last year, I wasn't at that point yet ... for me it's about winning and how can I help."