For than 20 years, Giants fans have enjoyed Dave Flemming behind the mic for some of the franchise’s most indelible moments — three World Series championships, the Barry Bonds home run chase, Matt Cain’s perfect game, and more. His started his career 25 years ago calling games for the Visalia Oaks, as they were known then.

“Visalia will always have a place for me just because it did get me started, taught me how to work hard, taught me how to get to know players,” Flemming said. “It was really good education for me about what baseball is about. And I’ll always think back fondly to that year.”

The Minor League Life

Flemming called games his rookie season on KTIP radio in Visalia, and lived the minor league life: buses, laundry and duties above and beyond the microphone.

Growing up in Virginia, Flemming came west to attend Stanford. There, he called baseball and other sports for the student radio station.

“I did the student radio broadcast just as a pure hobby. I did not intend to make this my career, my life,” Flemming said.

After graduation, Flemming considered his career choices. Should he return to the East Coast for a possible career in Washington? His parents met while working on Capitol Hill. Law school?

He put his faith in baseball. At the Winter Meetings, Flemming  placed a CD of his best Stanford work in bins of minor league teams looking for a broadcaster.

After initially accepting a position with Bakersfield, Visalia came calling. Flemming was somewhat familiar with the Central Valley — his college roommate was from Reedley. He knew just enough about the town, citrus groves, and access to national parks.

He recalled Visalia’s welcoming nature.

“My first impression was it’s a really proud community. There are a lot of people who are really proud to be from there, lots of families who’ve been there for a long time, lots of hard workers,” Flemming said.

Then, Flemming arrived at Recreation Park as it was known in 2000, prior to renovations. Without a press box, Flemming set up a card table.

“It was a small-time baseball franchise, but a really cool little city,” Flemming said.

Flemming adjusted to the heat. He would set up a tent to provide some shade and protect his equipment.

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In Visalia, a Jack of All Trades

The job entailed more than just radio. Flemming doubled as an assistant general manager, which meant anything and everything — even during games. He recalls having to take a few innings away from the broadcast to change a keg at the concession stand.

“It was kind of a crazy existence, but we made it work,” Flemming said.

Flemming vacuumed the visiting team’s clubhouse, painted walls, and attended to players’ needs.

“Our clubby quit one road trip — in the middle of the trip. I was the only other person with the team on the road,” Flemming said. “I was washing the uniforms. I was going to the grocery store and getting watermelon and cutting it up for the players to have a pregame snack. I did it all.”

One of his most memorable games was the Oaks advancing to the Cal League finals after defeating the Modesto A’s. Both teams were Oakland affiliates.

“I just remembered how thrilled the players were. And I thought, isn’t this cool? This isn’t the World Series. We’re not in the big leagues yet. And these guys are celebrating like this is the World Series at the end of October. I’ll always remember that,” Flemming said.

A Quick Path to the Majors

After one season, Flemming made the big jump for Class A to Triple A, moving to the Pawtucket Red Sox — the top minor league team for Boston.

“When they offered me a job, I thought that one, I can’t turn that one down,” Flemming said.

Flemming’s brother Will also broadcast for the PawSox, before moving to the Red Sox.

“I’ll always have Visalia over him,” Dave said.

After two-plus seasons calling games for Pawtucket, the Boston Red Sox top affiliate, he got an on-air tryout for the Giants during the 2003 season. A year later, he joined the broadcast team featuring Hall of Famer Jon Miller, and fan favorites Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow. The quartet remain with the Giants today.

Flemming has added several other sports to his repertoire, calling football, golf and more for ESPN.

While he’s traveled through Visalia since, he hasn’t caught a game at what is now called Valley Strong Ballpark.

“I need to make a point of spending a day in Visalia sometime, but I would love going back,” Flemming said.