You don't have to be a San Francisco Giants fan to appreciate the newest exhibit at the Folsom History Museum.
"Play Ball! The History of the San Francisco Giants," will appeal to anyone who loves baseball, museum director Karen Mehring said.
Even Dodgers fans?
Mehring paused before answering. "Oakland A's fans will like it," she said.
With its abundance of orange and black memorabilia spanning the Giants' 50 years in the city, the exhibit might give Tommy Lasorda heartburn, but for those who remember Seals Stadium, shivered at Candlestick Park and enjoy the comforts of AT&T Park, it's a must see.
Baseball buff Richard Macaluso of El Dorado Hills has poured his heart - as well as his considerable collection of Giants treasures - into the exhibit opening Saturday and running through July 14.
"For the last six months, this is all I've done," Macaluso said. The exhibit's opening day will feature an appearance by former Giants star Vida Blue, who will pose for photographs and sign autographs for free from noon to 1 p.m.
Among the items on display in Macaluso's exhibit is an array of San Francisco Giants uniforms, balls and bats, programs and more than half his collection of catchers gloves dating back to the 1890s.
The exhibit also includes tributes to Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, World Series memorabilia, a history of baseball during World War II and actual seats from Seals Stadium and Candlestick Park.
One of the most unusual items is a cash register used at both Candlestick and Seals Stadium.
It may even have been used at the Polo Grounds in New York, Macaluso said.
Another piece of nostalgia is a vendor's price list from the Giants' 1962 season.
Beer sold for 40 cents, cigarettes for 35 cents and a Giants warm-up jacket cost $8.50.
Macaluso, 64, said he first began collecting Giants souvenirs 50 years ago when the team moved from New York to San Francisco. That season, he and his father attended a Giants- Dodgers game at Seals Stadium.
Macaluso kept the program from the game but was mortified when his father, a Dodgers fan, tore up their tickets in disgust after the home team won handily.
A retired state Department of Transportation engineer, Macaluso said he didn't seriously begin collecting until 25 years ago, and most of his is collection has never been on display until now.
Last year, he attended an exhibit at the Folsom History Museum, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," chronicling the history of baseball in Sacramento and put together by local baseball historian Alan O'Connor.
It got Macaluso thinking about doing his own exhibit. "I told Karen (Mehring), I can do this," he said.
Like many who have taken on the task of trying to fill the museum's exhibit room, Macaluso said it seemed daunting at first.
"I laid it out on my dining room table," he said of his ultimate exhibit design.
With the guidance of museum curator Pam Conrad, the exhibit is a reflection of Macaluso's personal favorites.
In particular, it shows off his pride and joy, a collection of catchers gloves. He has 100 in all, and about 50 are on display. "The quality of my gloves is unbelievable," he said.
Macaluso has meticulously cleaned up the gloves, using saddle soap and neutral shoe polish.
Although never a catcher during his sandlot playing days, Macaluso said, "The mitts got me."
Part of his exhibit is an illustrated display showing how catchers - and their equipment - have evolved over the years, from the days when ballplayers didn't wear gloves to the earliest versions of catchers masks, shinguards and chest protectors.
Mehring said "Play Ball! The History of the San Francisco Giants" is an example of the museum's interest in doing more regionwide exhibits.
Earlier this year, she contacted Erin Reilly, the Giants' community relations coordinator, who said the team will publicize the exhibit by listing it on their scoreboard pre-game scroll.
The Giants also arranged for Blue's visit Saturday as part of their speakers bureau.
Call the Bee's Walter Yost, (916) 608-7449.
